Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How Augusta-area veterans’ ambulance access to Togus is about to change

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

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Greetings Augusta! Your go-to source for what's happening in town is here. Stay in the loop and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • How Augusta-area veterans’ ambulance access to Togus is about to change
  • Why two Mount Desert Island deaths now involve Augusta’s medical examiner
  • Why Maine halted MaineCare payments after an Augusta-based fraud review

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: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: A little snow in the morning, with a high of 31 and low of 3 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Friday: Frigid with sun, some clouds, temps: high: 15, low: 5.
  • Saturday: Cold with decreasing clouds, with a high of 20 and low of 3 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Togus to accept veterans by ambulance for the first time (centralmaine.com) — Veterans in and around Augusta will soon be able to arrive at the Togus VA Medical Center by ambulance for the first time, expanding emergency access starting in the new year. The hospital will take many emergency cases but still divert serious trauma, OB-GYN, dialysis, and major heart attacks elsewhere. Ambulance crews must coordinate with Togus to confirm eligibility and appropriate care.
   

• Two people found dead in Tremont; Maine State Police investigating (wmtw.com) — Maine State Police are investigating after two people were found dead Tuesday morning on Mount Desert Island, with their bodies sent to the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office in Augusta for autopsies. Investigators say the incident appears isolated and pose no ongoing public safety threat, while asking anyone with information to contact detectives by phone or online.
   

• State auditors suspend MaineCare payments to healthcare company citing ‘credible allegation of fraud' (newscentermaine.com) — From Augusta, state officials have temporarily halted MaineCare payments to Portland-based Gateway after a third audit found more than $1 million in alleged overbilling from 2021–2022. The Department of Health and Human Services cites a “credible allegation of fraud” involving billing for services not rendered or not covered, while Gateway’s attorney says the company has limited information and will review and respond.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Sam's Club posted a job opening for Merchandise and Stocking Associate in Augusta. Apply here.
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🗞 Nearby News

Gardiner

  • A Popular Maine Bagel Shop Just Opened in Gardiner, and It's Already a Favorite (z1073.com)
  • Waterville's Quarry Road Trail to open tow rope, get your tickets to Gardiner area shows (centralmaine.com)
  • High schools Monday: Carrabec boys basketball edges Telstar (centralmaine.com)

Winthrop

  • High schools Tuesday: Poland boys basketball pulls away from Cape Elizabeth (sunjournal.com)

Oakland

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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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