Good day Augusta! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Augusta School Board, activist, reach settlement in First Amendment lawsuit (wabi.tv) — Augusta's school board has settled a federal First Amendment lawsuit with local activist Nicholas Blanchard over how public comments were handled at meetings. Under a consent agreement, the board will not enforce parts of a repealed participation policy, will pay symbolic damages of $17.91, and will cover some of Blanchard's legal fees, pending a judge's approval.
2. Maine dog rescues, shelters fill faster than dogs are adopted out (bangordailynews.com) — Dog shelters and rescues across central Maine, including the Kennebec Valley Humane Society in Augusta, are packed with dogs waiting for homes as adoptions slow and surrenders rise. Local leaders describe how housing costs, vet bills, and limited foster space are forcing painful choices, and they're urging anyone who can adopt or foster to step up now.
3. Moving house: A historic John Calvin Stevens house in Augusta goes for a ride (mainebiz.biz subscription) — A historic 1899 John Calvin Stevens house on Western Avenue in Augusta was saved from demolition when a preservation-minded buyer had it cut in two and moved about a third of a mile to Chandler Street. The complex Sunday move required street closures, utility work, and close coordination with city and state officials, and the restored home—now with views of the State House—is for sale to a future caretaker.
4. UMaine System projects 10-year high in enrollment as classes begin (pressherald.com) — The University of Maine at Augusta is welcoming its largest-ever class of first-time, first-year students, helped by free tuition for most Pell-eligible Mainers through the Pine Tree State Pledge. Systemwide, public university enrollment is projected to hit a 10-year high, driven by affordability, flexible online options, and workforce-focused degrees that aim to keep more students in Maine.
5. Maine GOP urges immediate funding boost for struggling rural health centers (wabi.tv subscription) — From Augusta Senate Republicans are urging the Mills administration to steer Rural Health Transformation Program dollars into a new fund for struggling federally qualified and rural health centers, including Penobscot Community Health Care. They argue clinics urgently need support even as $30 million has already been earmarked for a Rural Hospital Efficiency Fund benefiting 11 hospitals statewide.
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Ok Augusta! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: By starting with a large fortune. (Thank you Kourtney Z. for sending it in!)
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