Statehouse News ServiceAmid the wrangling over the revenue-starved 2010-11 state budget is a relatively minuscule appropriation of $3.5 million for county jails.

Members of the criminal justice and appropriations committees have been scouring budget lines to fund it, despite the fact they have spent weeks voicing the now-familiar refrain that there’s just not enough money this year for everything.

A proposed bill in the Maine Legislature to establish an independent review panel for police-involved fatal shootings was turned down earlier this month, but the police use of deadly force policy has been amended.

As might have been expected, funding for the Wiscasset Public Library and access to a public boat launch dominated conversation during Edgecomb’s annual town meeting Saturday.

The Maine Department of Marine Resources has ordered the closure of the waters from the Maine/New Hampshire border to Pumpkin Cove in Bristol for certain shellfish.

A single story ranch house on Phyllis Lane in South Bristol was saved recently because of quick work by the local fire department.

A Westport Island mother and son plan to ride 180 miles on a tandem bicycle June 19-21 to raise money for a cause they believe in.

Cary Huggins and her husband, Joe, and family have been volunteering for the American Lung Association of Maine for several years, participating in the organization’s “Trek across Maine” in one way or another.

Anybody can grow a 200 pound pumpkin, but the largest ones involve a lot of work.

“It’s more work than some people realize,” said racecar driver turned pumpkin extraordinaire Edwin Pierpont from Jefferson.

The proposed $4.56 million budget for the Great Salt Bay Community School District sailed through with little modification Tuesday.

Governor John Baldacci struck a new posture today when he signed into law a bill that will allow same-sex marriage in Maine.

The Jefferson Budget Committee and Board of Selectmen will hold two separate meetings on May 6 and 7 to discuss the new school project proposed for the town.

The Committee will meet on May 6 at the Jefferson Village School at 6 p.m. The Board of Selectmen will have a special meeting the following day in the town office at 7 p.m.

Bucket brigades and a household-to-household emergency call system may be a part of the Somerville Fire Department’s past, but the eagerness to pitch in and help out remains strong.

Somerville kennel owner Fern Clark was found guilty on several counts of animal cruelty following closing arguments in Bath Superior Court Thursday, May 21. According to the court, Justice Andrew Horton found Clark guilty of cruelty to animals on 15 misdemeanor counts (class D), while dismissing five felony counts and one misdemeanor count.

A proposed $27.7 million for the new Sheepscot Valley Regional School Unit faced public scrutiny for the first time Monday in Wiscasset at an informational meeting.

People considering purchasing buildings with residential rental units, or current owners who want to enhance their skills and knowledge, are encouraged to attend “Owning and Managing Residential Rental Properties” presented by Wiscasset’s Coastal Enterprises Inc.