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.

This year, as Mother’s Day approaches, one group of mothers worthy of special recognition are those whose babies are born prematurely. For, along with their bundles of joy, may also come hardships.

While recent Center for Disease Control statistics showed a slight decline in the national rate, preterm birth continues to be a serious problem throughout the U.S. March of Dimes statistics (which appeared on their website several years ago) revealed that Maine reported the second highest increase in the nation in their rate of preterm births between 1992 and 2002.

The Newcastle Board of Selectmen appointed themselves the town’s design review committee Monday evening and agreed to begin the process of reworking the current design ordinances.

A Waldoboro couple has been indicted on charges including assault, burglary and murder in connection with an attack that left one woman dead and another critically injured.

Although disappointed his bill, LD 290, an act that would allow Maine residents to purchase health insurance outside the State was rejected in the House 82-63 on May 13, Rep. Jon McKane (R-Newcastle), said the proposal, is down, but not out.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing Boothbay man.

Franklin Poe, age 54, of Boothbay was reported missing by his wife on Wed., April 1. Mr. Poe had been last seen on March 28 when he left his home in his pickup truck. While he is unemployed and has become withdrawn from his family recently, according to his family and friends, there is no indication that Poe is suicidal, according to the LCSO.

Lincoln County so far has had no known cases of the swine flu, but EMA Director Tim Pellerin briefed county department heads Thursday on emergency preparedness.

“The first thing I want to tell you is do not panic,” he said.

Liability shouldn’t be a problem if streetlights are turned off in Whitefield, said a state Dept. of Transportation (DOT) spokesman this week.

Voters at the annual March town meeting approved zero dollars for renewing Whitefield’s lease with Central Maine Power in fiscal year 2009-10, which begins July 1.

The Rev. Johannes (Hans) Erich Myors has been bicycling around the country for 16 years, and has clocked in more than 191,000 miles in that time. His latest sojourn, begun in March, brought him under the good graces of the Carpenter’s Boat Shop in Bristol for a layover on May 21.

Proud parents Erica Nastvogel and Hank Morton of Bristol announce the birth of their baby girl, Isabella Mae Morton.

Lincoln County legislators say the same sex marriage bill, which cleared the House of Representatives Tuesday, triggered passionate responses and even threats from voters on both sides of the issue.