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🌱 Patch AM: How a $140,000 grant could reshape downtown Augusta’s Olde Federal Building.

Coming up: Chase Winn (and Company) at The Maine House on the Augusta Patch calendar

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What's up Augusta! Let's start this morning right by getting caught up on what's going on around town. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a $140,000 grant could reshape downtown Augusta’s Olde Federal Building.
  • Why investigators say an Augusta house fire was no accident
  • How Augusta’s printers helped turn 450 holiday cards into 1,370 smiles

Also on today's calendar: Steve Jones with All NIght Rascals at The Maine House — Water Street Hallowell.

Find out what's happening in Augustafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Augustafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Wednesday: A little snow, up to 1", with a high of 28 and low of 15 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Thursday: A little snow in the morning, temps: high: 32, low: 3.
  • Friday: Bitterly cold, with a high of 15 and low of 5 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Preservation grants to support improvements in rural downtowns (mainebiz.biz) — A historic former federal courthouse and post office in downtown Augusta just secured a $140,000 grant to repair and insulate its slate roof, advancing plans to turn it into a 40-room boutique hotel. The award is part of a $600,000 statewide preservation effort, but local leaders see this project as a catalyst for revitalizing Augusta’s Water Street historic district and strengthening the city’s downtown economy.
   

2. Two men arrested for arson related to Augusta house fire (newscentermaine.com) — A recent house fire on Lilac Lane in Augusta has led to arson charges against two men, one from Augusta and one from Pittson, after investigators determined the blaze was intentionally set. No one was injured, but officials are still piecing together what happened and are asking anyone with information to contact the state’s arson tip line.
   

3. Annual Cards of Kindness bring joy to residents in long term care (bangordailynews.com) — A local printing shop in Augusta helped power a growing Cards of Kindness campaign that delivered more than 1,370 handmade holiday cards to nursing and assisted living residents across Kennebec County. Started in 2024 by middle schooler Anna Booth, the project now draws students, scouts, and organizations from Augusta and beyond to brighten the holidays for older neighbors.
   

4. Collins among senators working to allow ACA enhanced subsidies to continue in 2026 (wabi.tv) — From Augusta, Sen. Susan Collins says she’s working with 17 senators on a plan to extend enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies past Dec. 31, but with new limits. She’s backing a $5 minimum monthly premium payment and a $200,000 income cap, and says broader premium and HSA reforms may follow while she also pushes to finish key federal spending bills.
   

5. Maine cannabis office sees no changes under federal reclassification (newscentermaine.com) — State cannabis regulators in Augusta say federal plans to move marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III won’t change how Maine’s medical or adult-use markets operate. They emphasize this isn’t federal legalization, but note the shift could ease research rules and let cannabis businesses claim more federal tax deductions, complementing benefits they already receive under Maine law.
   

📸 Around Augusta

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • This incoming system brings a “regular” Maine snowstorm -- the kind most Mainers are used to this time of year.
    Plan for snow and winter driving, and use due caution, but this is not expected to be a high-impact storm. A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for… (Nextdoor )
  • Oracle posted a job opening for M&D Operations Planning Intern - OVIP in Augusta. Apply here.
  • MaineGeneral Health posted a job opening for Linen and Laundry Tech, 40 hrs/wk ACH, Day Shift 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: I got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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