Maine motorists will now have the option of sporting two new specialty license plates on their cars and trucks. Specialty plates are popular among residents who purchase the plates to give financial support to an array of programs and causes.

  One is a "Sportsmen's plate" which features a moose and brook trout with an image of Mount Katahdin in the background. Funds from the new plate are designated to go towards fish hatchery mainten-ance, boat launch facilities, Maine endangered and non-game wildlife and landowner support.

  The plate is now available at all Bureau of Motor Vehicle branch offices for a fee of $20.

  A new specialty license plate to promote breast cancer awareness and fund breast cancer services will be available this fall. The Governor recently signed a bill to make the new "Pink Plate" available to motorists. The new plate will be available starting October 1.

  The governor recently signed a bill that will ban smoking in cars with passengers younger than 16 years old. The bill was patterned after a city ordinance in Bangor that banned smoking in cars when children 18 years of age or younger were present.

  The bill was not passed as "emergency legislation," so it will take effect 90 days after the 123 rd Legislature adjourns. The new law will be enforceable sometime in mid-July.

  The law will be a primary offense meaning law enforcement officials can pull over and cite a driver solely for smoking in a car with children present. For the first year the new law limits the penalty to the issuance of written warnings. After that, each violation will be coupled with a $50 fine.

  With the increase in warm weather, Maine state officials are warning residents to take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from Lyme disease. Incidents of Lyme disease are increasing in Maine and there were more than 500 cases reported last year.

  Late spring is when residents should start to be vigilant against ticks. State officials say Maine residents should take the following precautions to protect themselves: wear protective clothing; wear insect repellant; clean up yards and dispose of leaf debris; and always check skin for ticks after spending time outside, especially in fields and wooded areas.

  Though the highest numbers of reported cases of Lyme disease occur in York County and Cumberland County, deer ticks are becoming more common each year in the rest of the state.

  For more information about Lyme disease, visit

http://maine.gov/dhhs/ boh/ddc/lyme_disease.htm

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