The American Legion Department of Maine issued a Vietnam Veterans Healthcare Alert on Dec. 31, 2008 notifying veterans of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department’s intention to stop providing medical coverage for injuries related to exposure to Agent Orange.

North Cottage Coffee is marking its first anniversary with a celebration on Sat., Feb. 21. One year to the date the coffee shop opened its doors, the owners of North Cottage Coffee want to thank all their patrons for their loyalty and devotion with a day of celebration.

The replacement of a failed computer system that processes the state’s Medicaid claims is scheduled to be phased in over the next two years. The switch will cost some state employees their jobs, but correct a nagging problem that’s persisted since the day the system was plugged in.

The Waldoboro Police report the following:

AccidentsDec. 29, 2008, Officer Sean Kozer investigated an accident on the Union Rd. at 4:20 a.m.

Acquisition of a 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence once in Wiscasset’s possession depends now on a Virginia Supreme Court decision.

The court took up the case last week with Maine Asst. Atty. Gen. Thomas Knowlton presenting the state’s case and a decision is expected to be handed down later this year.

Sagadahoc and Lincoln County commissioners at least agreed last Thursday they need to come up with a cost-sharing formula they both can live with.

A winter storm that moved into Lincoln County on Sun. morning left over 4 inches of snowfall before leaving late Sun. afternoon, according to reports.

Rapid response to a fire that erupted in the back of the Rideout Market on Rt. 17 in Windsor, just over the Lincoln County line, kept the entire structure from burning to the ground on Monday.

Educators and advocates for Maine’s labor force warned members of the Legislature Tuesday that slashing funding now, when the economy is at its weakest point in years, will stand in the way of a quick recovery when things turn around.

If and when a natural disaster hits Lincoln County, officials with the county’s Emergency Management Agency will be ready to help keep the public informed.

Earlier this month, county EMA Deputy Director Kimberley Kaiser and Assistant Director Ken Desmond attended an Advanced Public Information Officer Course in Maryland.

An oversight two years ago by the Secretary of State’s office, which has developed into a $125,000 budget hole, will be partially corrected if the Legislature approves an emergency spending plan endorsed Friday by the Appropriations Committee.

The Damariscotta Police report the following:

On Dec. 29, Officer Jennifer Doe assisted Animal Control Officer with removing a deer from Bristol Rd., which had been hit during the night.

Selectmen and school boards of Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and Edgecomb voted last week to recommend a no vote Tues., Jan. 27 on school consolidation.

Wiscasset selectmen, acting as assessors Tuesday, denied 2008 abatements by a 2-2 vote for four Young’s Point properties which have more than doubled in value.

Chairman David Nichols, Jr. abstained from voting after Atty. Edward Dardis, representing the property owners, advised him to recuse himself from that portion of the proceedings to avoid the appearance of conflict of interest, since Nichols owns property on Young’s Point.