Gov. John Baldacci’s budget plan for the next two years would decrease overall spending for the first time in at least 35 years while changing or reining back services across state government.

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.

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.

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.

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Winter Storm Watch 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 over 6 inches by late Weds. night, according to the NWS. Some forecasts are calling for the possibility of additional snowfall Thurs. afternoon.

There were school and business closings and cancellations, but otherwise no major incidents have been reported as the leading edge of a winter storm began tracking through Lincoln County Weds. morning. Snowfall is forecast to become heavier as the day progresses, falling at the rate of 1-2 inches per hour at times, according to the National Weather Service (NWS). The heaviest snowfall should visit Lincoln County in the late afternoon and evening hours, according to forecasts. Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of this storm is the possibility that coastal temperatures are forecast to creep up close to the 32-degree mark just as the heavy snowfall chugs through the area during the evening commute.