Several hundred people crowed the shores of the Damariscotta River to watch a brilliant fireworks display, signaling the finale for Independence Day festivities. Thunderheads drifted off after people who flocked to the coastal town to celebrate had their share of rain.

Earl Bieler, 25, and Corinna Durkee, 43, appeared before Lincoln County Superior Court Justice Andrew Horton on Thursday, and entered pleas of “not guilty” for the murder of Waldoboro resident Rachel Grindal.

The Rising Tide Co-op market moved across the street, but their journey took more than a year from the date they purchased the building. It took four months to rebuild it from Strong’s car dealership to a market and more than $500,000 in contributions to open the doors.

Rising Tide is scheduled to open today (Wed., July 22).

Governor John E. Baldacci today ordered that the United States flag and the State of Maine flag be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Thurs., July 30, in the towns of Newcastle and Damariscotta in remembrance of Robert H. Reny, founder of Renys.

Statehouse News ServiceThe demand for unemployment benefits in Maine remains high, but the state’s ability to serve them is improving.

Tiffany L. Marr and Christian Gifford of Warren are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby girl, Alexis Leigh Gifford.

Alna citizens have the potential of settling a growing controversy over ownership of the Alna firehouse and property on which it sits July 15.

The Gardiner Family and the employees of Damariscotta Hardware are pleased to announce the launch of a new website for their hardware store in Damariscotta. Owned and operated by the Gardiners for over 50 years, they joined with Do It Best 10 years ago and are now able to boast access to over 70,000 items with the click of a mouse.

A Damariscotta couple was arrested Monday after two sets of parents complained their daughters were given a variety of pills, marijuana and vodka in a weekend long party.

The board of directors of The First Bancorp (NASDAQ: FNLC) has declared a quarterly dividend of 19.5 cents per share. This second-quarter dividend, which is payable July 31 to shareholders of record as of July 6, represents an increase of 2.6 percent or 0.5 cent per share over the second-quarter dividend declared in 2008 of 19.0 cents per share and is equal to the 19.5 cents per share declared in the previous three quarters.

The restored fish ladder at Damariscotta Mills welcomed more than 400,000 plus alewives during their annual spawning run this spring.

While the official count was 382,000, counters ceased their work two weeks ago. However, the fish roared back in and ran for another five days and the ladder was full, according to Nobleboro Fish Warden Stan Waltz.

A thriving shellfish industry in Maine is caught between the crags of regulation, pollution and the economy. Legislative action and the strong-willed efforts of shellfish harvesters and concerned citizens will soon cause a shift in the tides of change.

Michael and April Bittel of Blairsville, Ga., (Michael formerly of Waldoboro) are pleased to announce the arrival of Sara May-Vivian Bittel.

A two-vehicle head-on, and multiple-injury collision occurred on Rt. 235 in Waldoboro, reportedly one mile east of Manktown Road at approximately 3:30 p.m., Thursday, completely shutting down the route to traffic.