A barn used for arts and crafts owned by a Somerville couple was gutted by intense fire after being struck by lightning last Wednesday afternoon. The three-story structure, located down a long, dirt drive off the Crummett Mountain Rd. in Somerville, was already fully involved when firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after 2 p.m. Aug. 5, according to Somerville Fire Chief Mike Dostie.

Both sides of the debate over same-sex marriage in Maine are scrambling to build grassroots support and pools of money for what promises to be an intense campaign between now and the November election.

Wiscasset police are currently investigating a string of burglaries to area businesses that apparently occurred during the overnight hours of July 30 – Aug. 1

Alexander M. Alexander, 39, Waldoboro, assault, $300; untagged lobster traps, Chap. 25, $250.

Sheriff Todd Brackett reports the following:

July 30, Deputy Mark Bridgham took a report of a theft in the Boothbay area, of a Sears 2500 pressure washer with a 25 foot hose and a 25 foot black extension hose. Total estimated value is $300. The items were last seen on July 24. Further investigation to follow if any leads develop.

Developer Paul A. Kelley, Jr., personally and as a member of Pleasant Pond Mill Limited Liability Company (PPM LLC), has begun a lawsuit against the Town of Whitefield.

Sheepscot Valley RSU 12 has set Sat., Sept. 19 for the next district meeting to adopt a budget; the referendum vote is scheduled for Tues., Sept. 29.

Calm Moments Day Spa, which opened in Oct. 2008 as the national economic recession neared its peak, is closing, according to owner Rhonda Nordstrom.

“I guess there were several reasons, but it just is not happening here,” she said.

The Calm Moments spa will be open until Friday, Aug. 21.

A motorcycle rider was injured after colliding with a box truck at the intersection of Center St. and Rt. 1 in Nobleboro around 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Firefighters from Newcastle and Damariscotta responded to a chimney fire at the Newcastle Publick House shortly after 4 p.m. today.

The Waldoboro Police report the following activities from the previous week:

AccidentsJuly 28, Officer Thomas Bartunek investigated an accident on the Atlantic Highway at 6:25 p.m. Jake Dixon, 19, of Waldoboro, was operating a 2005 Piagg motorcycle southbound on the Atlantic Highway when he lost control while trying to down shift. Dixon sustained a possible broken arm. The Piagg sustained $800 damage.

Norman Bragg fired up his 1923 Model-T Ford last Monday night for the first time in 50 years.

Waldoboro High School alumnus Jim Graffam coaches students not just about the game of basketball, but also about the game of life.

The Newcastle town has notified the developers of the dormant Newcastle Marine Condo project that they are in violation of town ordinances and ordered them to pay a $500 fine.