Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What a state police takeover means for security at Augusta’s Capitol

Happening soon: Game On December 14th Pokémon League Challenge on the Augusta Patch calendar

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Saturday December 13th Patch AM
Saturday December 13th Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Good morning Augusta! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What a state police takeover means for security at Augusta’s Capitol
  • How a new Viles Arboretum trail could change access in Augusta
  • WWII hero finally coming home to be buried in Augusta.

Today's riddle: What did the boat dock say when it was arrested? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: Times of clouds and sun, with a high of 29 and low of 21 degrees.
  • Sunday: Considerable cloudiness, temps: high: 27, low: 14. ⛄️ Brr!
  • Monday: Mostly sunny and cold, with a high of 21 and low of 13 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Union: ​Capitol officers concerned by state police takeover (pressherald.com) — Capitol Police officers who guard the Maine State House in Augusta are worried about their jobs as the department is gradually absorbed into the Maine State Police. State officials say no layoffs are planned, but the officers’ union plans a labor complaint and raises concerns about pay, training, and how experienced local officers could be replaced by troopers over time.
   

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

2. Voter-approved trail grants add to access across Maine: ‘Go outside and play' (sunjournal.com) — A major new accessibility-focused loop trail is coming to Viles Arboretum in Augusta, backed by nearly $250,000 from Maine’s voter-approved Maine Trails Program. The grant is part of a broader $7.5 million statewide investment in trail access, but Augusta’s project specifically aims to welcome people with disabilities and reimagine who gets to enjoy local forests, fields, and wetlands.
   

3. WWII veteran from Maine identified 80 years after death in Japanese POW camp (wgme.com) — A World War II soldier with ties to Monmouth will finally be laid to rest in Augusta this spring after his remains were identified more than 80 years after he died in a Japanese POW camp. Corporal Delmont Johnston was captured in the Philippines in 1942, and new testing of remains from a Manila cemetery recently confirmed his identity, allowing his family long-awaited closure.
   

4. High schools Friday: Mt. Abram girls basketball squeaks past Monmouth (centralmaine.com) — High school hoops fans saw Augusta take center stage as Vinalhaven’s boys pulled away from Rangeley at the Augusta Civic Center behind a 22-point night from Javin Poole. The roundup also highlights Mt. Abram’s narrow girls win over Monmouth and several other strong basketball performances from around the region.
   

5. Start Here: Ayla Reynolds not forgotten + $300M AI data center in Lewiston (centralmaine.com) — Accessibility is expanding at Augusta’s Viles Arboretum, where a new 1.27-mile loop will soon welcome wheelchair users, people unsteady on their feet, and visitors who are blind or visually impaired. The broader roundup also touches on a proposed $300 million AI data center in Lewiston, a 14-year update on Ayla Reynolds’ disappearance, and several municipal and state issues.
   

📸 Around Augusta

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

📣 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

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • McDonald's posted a job opening for Maintenance/Custodial up to $17.50/hr! in Augusta. Apply here.
  • MaineGeneral Health posted a job opening for Materials Handler Techn. 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 demand a jury of my piers.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Augusta