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.

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.

The Jefferson Budget Committee announced a new principal, voted on recommendations for the new school project and reviewed a proposed $4.3 million school budget during a special meeting Wednesday night.

After being confirmed as the new Jefferson Village School principal, Peter Gallace brought forth an action plan for the upcoming school year. Gallace has acted as the school’s assistant principal and has been teaching grades 1, 3 and 4 at the school.

Statehouse News ServiceAn effort to increase sales taxes on pet food is in legislative limbo after enjoying bipartisan support from members of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee.

An elderly man was transported to the hospital for injuries after his car collided with a cement truck in Nobleboro Tuesday afternoon.

The burden of proof still lies with the State as to whether an elderly Somerville resident acted with depraved indifference in the treatment of the animals that at one time crowded into her home.

On April 30, Union 74 Supt. Robert Bouchard sent a letter home with students giving an update for parents and staff on the swine flu outbreak in Maine.

Long hours, touchy negotiations and difficult decisions characterize the work of the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee in the waning hours of its work on the biennial budget.

The fence protecting the dormant Twin villages Marina and Town Homes project on Main St. has been reinstalled, but the project is officially on hold.

A new cake baker has risen from the sweet scent of spring in New Harbor. Bonnie Nielsen started her home-based business, “Coastal Cakes” after completing an adult education course at Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta.

Nielsen has been sharing her homemade desserts with her co-workers at the Samoset Restaurant in New Harbor for some time, much to their delight.

Violation of an air emission license condition at a Whitefield gravel pit has been resolved. A consent agreement dated March 25 between Harry C. Cooker & Sons Inc., of Topsham, the Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP), and the state Attorney General’s Office requires payment of a $2500 penalty.

Unexpected death, particularly as it relates to crime, scars families and friends left behind in many ways. Community members gathered Friday night at the Methodist Church in Waldoboro to talk, to share and to find some way of dealing with unexpected death.

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

AccidentsApril 27, Officer Sean Kozer investigated an accident that occurred around 10:30 p.m. Amanda Jones, 19, of Washington, was traveling north on the Washington Road when she went off the road.

The Damariscotta Police Department reports the following activity:

April 28, Officer Aaron Beck responded to an accident on Main St. An unknown vehicle was attempting to parallel park when it struck the back bumper of a 2004 Subaru belonging to Maryanne P. Storer of Nobleboro. There was approximately $500 damage done to Storer’s vehicle.