[phillyg]

Your lighting problem MAY be related to the burned areas in the panel, particularly if those lights are on circuits 9 and/or 15-18. However, my experience has been that type of burning in the panel results from loose connections therein. The obvious first step is to replace/rewire the panel and then go after the lights if they're still a problem. I'm of the opinion that one should put a screwdriver to their accessible connections on a yearly basis.