Staff photo by David Leaming

Industrial arts: Sparks fly as Mike Buskey of Kennebec Metal Recycling company uses a tool to cut through metal after removing razor- wire and fencing around the old Somerset County Jail in Skowhegan on Thursday.

Families Matter grows to meet special needs
FARMINGTON -- Once young adults with special needs are out of high school, they often find few opportunities to mingle in the community, go to social events or just have fun.

Chellie Pingree listens to ideas on health care reform
MANCHESTER -- The United States needs to make a serious investment in health care -- and fast, the head of the state agency that regulates health insurance said Thursday.

District regroups after budget failure
BINGHAM -- SAD 13 school board members Tuesday night started the process of revising their 2009-10 budget proposal after voters rejected the plan last month.

FARMINGTON Rain alters plans for 4th of July
Weather forecasters say there may be a break in the rain Saturday but it won't be enough to salvage the annual July 4 fireworks traditionally set off from the hayfields at the Wing family farm in Industry.

Sentinel gets new executive editor
Scott Wasser, a newspaper veteran of eight newspapers and more than 30 years in the industry, has been named executive editor of MaineToday Media's Web sites and newspapers, which include the Morning Sentinel.

Vote on county budget hits snag
SKOWHEGAN -- The Somerset County Budget Committee tabled a vote on the proposed 2009-10 county budget Wednesday night after disagreement over use of county surplus funds.

BRIEFS
AUGUSTA -- The following local war veterans were recognized at a State Silver Star Honorable Service Medal presentation in the Hall of Flags at the State House on Thursday. The medals are awarded to veterans who were prisoners of war or received the Purple Heart for wounds.

POLICE
IN CLINTON, Wednesday at 5:51 p.m., a caller from Baker Street reported a snowmobile was set on fire.

Tourism forecast: Unclear
For Maine's tourism industry, there's uncertainty in the Fourth of July weekend forecast.

BRIEFS
PORTLAND -- Stand for Marriage Maine, a coalition opposing the state's new gay-marriage law, announced the launch of their Web site Thursday.

More news >

Wireless headlines Do you Twitter? Follow OnlineSentinel with your cell phone or wireless gadget for breaking news headlines sent directly via text messaging. What's Twitter? It's a personal, shared, real-time news wire or micro-blog. It can used to give and receive updates. Postings must be no more than 140 characters in length. View the Sentinel front page Did you miss this morning's paper? Check out the Morning Sentinel's front page as it appears in print. Daily front page is hosted on the Newseum web site. Site map: The easy way to navigate Find what you want now with the click of a mouse. Go to the Sentinel site map. Watch and listen: Audio/video Video archives: Check out our vlog View photo slideshows by Sentinel photographers. Outdoors online Read the latest articles by Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel outdoors writer Travis Barrett. Columns by hunting and fishing expert Ken Allen, naturalist Rex Turner and Colby College ornithologist Herb Wilson. Outdoors photos, blogs, tips and more. Visit the outdoors site.

Kennebec River Web cam LIVE PHOTOS: The U.S. Geological Survey has set up a web camera to monitor water levels in the Kennebec River. The camera takes images of the river in downtown Augusta which are displayed in real time. View Kennebec River web cam. Business & finance Keep an eye on the markets. Follow Maine business news. Check your stocks. Track your mutual funds. Use our new business site to keep tabs on your investments and the latest financial news from Maine, Wall Street and beyond. Stay informed. View map, get directions to Sentinel The Morning Sentinel offices and newsroom are at 31 Front Street, Waterville, Maine 04901. Get directions.