Eden Hutchins and Garret Mathews of New Harbor are proud to announce the birth of their baby girl, Kayla Alexandra Penny Mathews, born on Dec. 10 at 6:44 p.m.

Healthcare advocates from across the state and corrections officers from Charleston warned the Legislature Monday that proposed funding reductions would decimate the social safety nets they provide.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has upgraded a Winter Storm Watch to a Winter Storm Warning in advance of a weather system forecast to deliver another batch of snowfall to Lincoln County beginning Weds. morning. The potential exists for significant snowfall accumulating to 10-15 inches by late Weds. night, according to the NWS. Some forecasts are indicating that immediate coastal areas and peninsulas in Lincoln County may see less snowfall accumulation as some precipitation may fall as rain or mix.

Firefighters from at least three area towns descended on a Perry Drive home in Dresden this morning to battle a structure fire that devastated the private residence.

Volunteers at Kno-Wal-Lin Home Care and Hospice are offering a unique way to honor and remember Kno-Wal-Lin clients who have died. At a family’s request, Kno-Wal-Lin volunteers will fashion a “memory bear” using the fabrics from a client’s life. These can be from a favorite handkerchief, apron, blouse, dress, flannel shirt, jeans, or other cloth material.

Proposed cuts in state funding for hospitals will be mostly avoided for now if the Appropriations Committee and Legislature accept recommendations from a subcommittee which has been working on the issue since last week.

Rep. Joan Nass, (R-Acton), sees a clear path to some solutions to many of society’s problems. That path, she said, leads through high school classrooms.

For the second year in a row, Nass is sponsoring a bill that would strongly urge public schools to teach what she calls “critical life skills” to young people.

A two-part storm on Sun. left a blanket of snowfall over inland areas of Lincoln County and a mix of snow, sleet and rain on coastal areas. A total of 7.5 inches of snow had fallen in Newcastle by 5 p.m. on Sun. during the first stage of the storm, and then another 4 inches fell overnight during the second stage of the storm, leaving a total accumulation of 11.5 inches of snowfall for the event, according to Arlene Cole, a weather observer for the National Weather Service (NWS).

A proposal for the federal government to assume oversight duties related to forest sustainability has been canceled by the Baldacci administration, which deems the program too valuable to not be done in-state.

Kenneth and Jessica Bickford of Bristol are pleased to announce the arrival of a baby girl, Shannon Louise.

As of Monday afternoon, the Legislature’s revisor of statutes had printed the first 63 of what is expected to be several hundred bills submitted in the next few weeks.

House and Senate leaders this morning expressed optimism that they might be able to enact the 2009 Emergency Supplemental Budget by the end of the day.

There were school and business closings and cancellations, but otherwise no major incidents were reported following a winter storm that began tracking through Lincoln County Weds. morning and finally left town after nightfall with some gusty winds and mixed precipitation.

The families of Jaime Brewer and Shayne McFarland, together with the couple’s children, are happy to announce their wedding engagement.