Thomas F. Finn Jr., president and chief executive officer of Damariscotta Bankshares, Inc., the parent company of Damariscotta Bank & Trust Co., announces the company has declared an annual cash dividend of $0.40 per share on the company’s common stock.

A storm that dropped every variety of precipitation on Lincoln County moved out according to the forecast schedule on Thurs., but not before delivering a final burst of wind and snowfall or rain. The departing weather burst was significant enough to warrant a special advisory from the National Weather Service (NWS) issued at 11:49 a.m. for the midcoast region warning of a band of heavy precipitation affecting the area between noon and 3 p.m. with snowfall up to 1 inch per hour, high winds and low visibility.

The debate over gambling in Maine will continue this legislative session, with two lawmakers proposing bills that would allow a new casino to be operated with strict state oversight.

The Census Bureau is seeking temporary full and part-time workers in Lincoln County for the Census 2010.

If interested, call 1-866-861-2010 for an application and to schedule for testing.

A piece of proposed legislation regarding voter identification would do little to change the intent of election laws, but to Ruby Sprague of Lyman, being called “independent” instead of “unenrolled” means a lot.

Mobius’ 2009 Special Olympics team traveled to Sugarloaf on Jan. 25 for a weekend of fun in the cold at the Winter Games.

In 1992, Penobscot Tribal Governor James Sappier rode in the Old Town Veterans’ Day parade as its grand marshal. Penobscot men and women veterans made up the parade’s honor guard and flag bearers, marking the first time a group of natives had served that purpose in a Maine parade.

The “E” in Mid-coast Energy Systems Inc. might also stand for “education” as the company has always been devoted to the ongoing training of its employees.

On Feb. 18 MCES recognized the completion of a new expansion project by holding a weekly staff meeting in the new classroom of the on-campus technical training facility. While this newly added structure now provides space for a much-needed larger crew room, its main function is that of a training facility.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has now upgraded a Winter Weather Advisory to a Winter Storm Warning for a weather front that is expected to arrive in Lincoln County Weds. evening. The storm is expected to dump the heaviest snowfall from late Weds. night through early Thurs. morning, then the precipitation may change over to rain or sleet just in time for the morning commute, according to forecasts.

To the many people in the many places who are wondering how much federal stimulus cash is coming to Maine, the state’s finance chief has a standard answer: “By Friday we’ll have a better idea.”

That’s what Ryan Low, commissioner of the Department of Administrative and Financial Services, told the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee Tuesday afternoon. Since the $787 billion 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gained Congressional approval last week and President Obama’s signature Tuesday, the anticipation of knowing the details pervades conversations here and across the country.

Having had parents who grew up during the Great Depression, Sandra O’Brien has used a learned frugality to craft a gift business using recycled cloth from her home in Nobleboro.

There’s a new business at 100 Main Street in Wiscasset and owners, Gary and Sue Thompson of Woolwich, are excitedly anticipating its debut. Happy’s Pizza and Subs, located in the former Pier 1 location will open at 11 a.m. on Sat., Feb. 14, just in time for pizza and sub-loving Valentines to experience extraordinary, tasty cuisine in a relaxed, friendly environment.

This year The Damariscotta Farmers Market will celebrate 31 years in operation, making it one of the oldest farmers markets in the state.

Located at 110 Belvedere Rd. at the DRA, The Damariscotta Farmers Market has provided area residents with high quality, locally grown and produced foods every year from May through October since 1978. The market as a whole would like to take this opportunity to thank Damariscotta and the surrounding communities for so many years of support.

The closure of a section of Charleston Correctional Facility and a reduction in state payments to hospitals were on a track toward being spared last week as legislative committees scrutinized spending cuts proposed by Gov. John Baldacci.