Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What this First Amendment settlement means for Augusta school board meetings
You won't want to miss Board of Education Business Meeting on the Augusta Patch calendar
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:
- What this First Amendment settlement means for Augusta school board meetings
- Why Augusta's humane society is overflowing with good dogs needing homes
- See how a 19th-century Augusta landmark was hauled down the street
Today's riddle: What is the 1 way to guarantee winning a small fortune at the casino? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Cloudy with a passing shower, with a high of 73 and low of 58 degrees.
- Wednesday: Cloudy, temps: high: 69, low: 59.
- Thursday: Rain most of the time, with a high of 68 and low of 59 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
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 Under a consent agreement, the board will not enforce parts of a repealed participation policy, will pay symbolic damages of $17.91, and will cover some of Blanchard's legal fees, pending a judge's approval. 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.
📸 Around Augusta
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Augusta
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Board of Education Business Meeting
Augusta Public Schools Capital Area Tech Center, 7 Pierce Dr, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
7:00 pm - Anti-Bullying Committee
Rsu 12 Chelsea Elementary School, 560-566 Togus Rd, Chelsea, ME 04330\
4:30 pm - Curriculum Committee
Rsu 12 Chelsea Elementary School, 566 Togus Rd, Chelsea, ME 04330, Un
5:00 pm - Policy Committee
Rsu 12 Chelsea Elementary School, 560-566 Togus Rd, Chelsea, ME 04330\
5:15 pm - RSU 12 Board of Directors Meeting
Rsu 12 Chelsea-Togus Elementary School, 560-566 Togus Rd, Chelsea, ME
6:30 pm
Wednesday September 9
Thursday September 10
📣 Augusta Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Operations Committee
Rsu 12 Somerville Elementary School, 665 Patricktown Rd, Somerville, M
3:00 pm - Unabashedly →
Waterville Opera House, 1 Common St, Waterville
7:30 pm - Rock the Dock: The 7 Wonders →
The Woodshed, 911 Western Ave, Manchester
6:00 pm - LABOR DAY (NO SCHOOL)
Rsu 38 Manchester, ME 04351 - Lincoln Academy Boys Varsity Soccer @ Erskine Academy →
Erskine Academy, 309 Windsor Rd, South China
3:30 pm - RSU #38 Board of Directors Business Meeting @ MCMS Cafeteria
Rsu 38 Manchester, ME 04351
6:30 pm - Board of Education Business Meeting
Augusta Public Schools Capital Area Tech Center, 7 Pierce Dr, Augusta, ME 04330, USA
7:00 pm
Tuesday September 1
Friday September 4
Saturday September 5
Monday September 7
Tuesday September 8
Wednesday September 9
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hazards can remain long after a hurricane or other major storm has passed.
Take your time, follow guidance from local officials, and stay alert as you begin cleaning up. A little extra caution can go a long way. P.S. This… (Nextdoor )
- Target Corporation posted a job opening for 6am Inbound (Stocking) (T2315) in Augusta. Apply here.
- Panera Bread Company posted a job opening for Cashier - Pay up to $18.00/hr - nights and weekends in Augusta. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Augusta here.
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!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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