Erroneous payments to municipalities participating in the Tree Growth Tax Law program have been corrected, with some towns receiving checks in recent weeks and others writing them.

A 49-year-old Nobleboro man is facing drug charges following a raid on his home on Upper East Pond Road early this morning.

Two toddlers are reportedly recuperating in Maine Medical Center in Portland today after an accident in their Westport Island home last night.

The plummet in value of the state’s retirement fund has slowed and might be poised to reverse course, thanks to brighter numbers in two of three markets monitored by the Maine Public Employee Retirement System.

The overnight hours on Thurs. are forecast to bring a mix of ice and rain to Lincoln County, according to the National Weather Service (NWS), which has issued several alerts for what forecasters have described as a “dangerous winter storm”. The latest forecasts indicate that Lincoln County may fare better than some neighboring areas – with the possibility of more rain and less ice – especially for the coastal areas and peninsulas.

South Bristol Harbormaster Cecil Burnham received a call from the Coast Guard Station in Boothbay Harbor on Christmas day about a sunken scallop trawler still tied to the wharf.

Heavy snowfall and high winds marked the first official day of winter in Lincoln County as a Nor’easter moved into the area on Sun. afternoon for an overnight visit. Lincoln County woke up on Mon. morning to snowfall accumulations in the 12-17 inch range inland and the 10-15 inch range along the coast, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). NWS observer Arlene Cole in Newcastle reported a total accumulation of 14.5 inches on Mon. morning. A WGME channel 13 weather observer in Westport Island reported 17 inches of accumulation Sun. night.

The Wiscasset Police report the following activities:

Arrests and SummonsesOn Dec. 9 Officer Temple arrested Daniel L. Nelson, 27, of Augusta on a warrant of arrest out of Lincoln County Court for Assault, Criminal Restraint, Driving to Endanger and OUI.

The First Bancorp (Nasdaq: FNLC), announced Dec. 4 the company has received preliminary approval to obtain $25 million under the U.S. Treasury Capital Purchase Program.

Members of the 124th Maine Legislature took office Wednesday in an atmosphere of political openness and optimism, despite the fact that when they reconvene Jan. 5, the grim work of budget balancing will dominate the agenda.

Cheryl C. Gray of Damariscotta and Steven P. Gray of York are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Megan Lyn Gray, to Brett Keith Verney, both of Newcastle.

Both Damariscotta and Newcastle Fire Departments responded to a shed fire on the Lessner Rd. just after noon on Dec. 12.

Reduction in state support threatens jobs and beds at the Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset.

The Salvation Army bell ringers in 2008 experienced some of the most difficult weather conditions in recent years but managed to stand by the kettle for approximately 200 hours in front of Yellowfront Grocery and the Damariscotta Post Office and raise a total of $8779.28, according to Larry Townley, the volunteer’s coordinator of the kettle drive.