There are no major obstacles to forming a centralized volunteer fire and rescue department in Whitefield, a citizens’ committee report concludes. However, whether voters will approve the changes in how firefighting services are organized depends on the annual March town meeting outcome.

The Maine Warden Service is urging people to check any ice before venturing out as spring-like conditions, with warm temperatures, substantial rainfall and heavy winds, are weakening ice throughout the state.

Bruce Dean Curran can’t get Haiti off his mind.

“It was the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere before. Now the situation is devastating,” he said.

Curran is not the only Maine resident haunted by memories of friends and places, triggered by the chaos following the Jan. 12 earthquake, but he may have the most intimate knowledge of that Caribbean nation.

A snowstorm that was originally forecast to pass well south of Lincoln County changed course on Mon. to leaving up to 11 inches of snowfall in the area.

Thomas Hibbert, 55 and former Edgecomb entrepreneur, recently pled guilty to theft, having been accused of taking over $74,000 of his mother’s money. Hibbert has also been named in another potential suit, wherein he’s accused of acquiring $80,000.

Jen and Robin Hafemann of Waldoboro are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby girl, Sara Joyce Hafemann.

The New Year began with snowfall in Lincoln County, and there’s much more still on the way, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The first snowfall arrived Fri. afternoon and is forecast to continue – sometimes light, sometimes heavy – all the way through Mon., according to the NWS. By the time it’s all over some 14-22 inches of snow are expected to have accumulated in most areas of Lincoln County, with a slightly lower total of 10-16 inches on the peninsulas, according to forecasters.

The annual Guys in Gowns fundraiser is this Saturday, Jan. 30 at 6 p.m. at the Lincoln Theater in Damariscotta.

Tickets are $15 for adults, and $5 for children under 12. The event is catered by King Eider’s Pub, and food will be available for $15. All proceeds support Youth Promise.

Rt. 27 in Edgecomb near Sheepscot River Pottery was closed for a short time Mon. afternoon as first responders dealt with a semi truck with a live electric wire down on the vehicle.

With a vocal minority crying “not fair,” voters at the RSU 12 budget adoption meeting Saturday agreed to the $26.1 million spending plan.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Weather Advisory regarding snowfall expected to move in early Mon. morning and taper off in the afternoon, leaving a forecast 3-5 inches of accumulation in Lincoln County.

The Damariscotta Selectmen voted Wednesday to exclude outside groups from this year’s regular budget process in a move designed to shore up existing funding for municipal services.

The parents of police shooting victim, Gregori Jackson, filed a wrongful death suit with the Maine Superior Court on Dec. 16.

Millard and Natalie Jackson of Whitefield filed the civil suit against the town of Waldoboro, the officer and town officials for damages suffered and indeterminate costs in the shooting death of their son.

Damariscotta Police Department reports the following activity:

Arrests and summonsesDec. 1, 2009, Gabriel V. Shadis, 38, of Damariscotta was arrested for operating under the influence of intoxicating liquor.

Dec. 29, 2009, Lawrence E. Taylor, 64, of Rockland was summonsed for failing to wear a seatbelt.