Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Why Augusta’s new shelter plans are on hold—and what’s next
Happening soon: Girls Basketball (GYM) on the Augusta Patch calendar

Coffee in hand, Augusta? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- Why Augusta’s new shelter plans are on hold—and what’s next
- How a new bus-safety bill in Augusta could change every route
- Could your student’s civics project be honored at the State House?
Today's riddle: I’m trying to think of a new cloud joke. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Augustafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Sunday: Turning cloudy; not as cold, with a high of 31 and low of 17 degrees. ⛄️ Brr!
- Monday: Periods of ice, then rain, temps: high: 40, low: 20.
- Tuesday: Colder with clouds and sun, with a high of 25 and low of 7 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Augusta homeless shelter proposal stalls as city weighs new rules (pressherald.com) — Augusta officials have put a 90-day moratorium on new homeless shelters, stalling a proposed 20-bed low-barrier site on East Chestnut Street while they rewrite shelter rules. During that pause, the city may seek a partner to run a 30- to 45-bed year-round shelter, potentially on pre-approved city-owned sites like Macomber Park or courts off Mount Vernon Avenue.
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Find out what's happening in Augustafor free with the latest updates from Patch.
2. Maine legislative leaders accept bill aimed at making school busses safer following two deaths (wabi.tv) — State lawmakers meeting in Augusta have accepted a bill that would require safety arms on every school bus in Maine, following two recent student deaths in Rockland and Standish. The measure now heads to the revisor’s office and will be debated in the legislative session starting next month, potentially changing equipment on buses serving Augusta families and schools.
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3. Maine poster and essay contests now accepting entries from students of all grade levels (dailybulldog.com) — Augusta-based state officials are inviting Maine students to enter the 2026 Maine Constitution Poster and Essay Contests, with entries due March 13, 2026. Open to kindergarten through 12th grade, the contests highlight Maine history, the state constitution, and the importance of democracy and voting, with winners honored at a ceremony in Augusta or at their school.
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4. UMA attempting to combat aviation workforce shortages with programs (wabi.tv) — University of Maine at Augusta, which has long trained pilots, is expanding its aviation workforce efforts through drone and maintenance programs now operating from a hangar in Brunswick. Instructors say Maine faces a serious shortage of aviation technicians, and UMA hopes to grow these programs statewide so more residents can train and then work in Maine’s aviation industry.
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📸 Around Augusta
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📣 Augusta Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
- Girls Basketball (GYM)
Rsu 04 Litchfield, ME 04350
8:30 am - Smitty's Book Club December Meeting
Smitty's Book Cellar , 52 Main St , Waterville
2:00 pm - Sabattus Rec Basketball- Gym
Rsu 04 Litchfield, ME 04350
6:00 pm - Auditions for Gaslight Theater's The Love Seat
Gaslight Theater , 1 Winthrop St , Hallowell
6:00 pm - Open Mic Night
The Woodshed , 911 Western Ave , Manchester
6:00 pm - New Year’s Eve Spectacular
Johnson Hall Opera House , 280 Water St , Gardiner
7:30 pm - The Cowboy Angels at The Maine House — Water Street Hallowell
The Maine House , 119 Water St , Hallowell
8:00 pm - New Year's Day - Offices Closed
Waterville, ME Calendar Waterville, ME 04901 - Sabattus Rec Basketball- Gymnasium
Rsu 04 Litchfield, ME 04350
8:00 am - Winter Timber Framing Workshop @ Hoener Farms, Millbrook, NY — Never Stop Building - Crafting Wood with Japanese Techniques
Never Stop Building LLC , 772 Rome Rd , Mercer
6:30 pm - ZUMBA WITH SHEILA POWERS - Pittston, ME 2026
Pittston Consolidated School , 1023 Pittston School St , Pittston
6:00 pm - CROCHET FOR BEGINNERS - Gardiner, ME 2026
MSAD 11 Adult Education , 40 W Hill Rd , Gardiner
6:00 pm
Sunday December 28
Monday December 29
Wednesday December 31
Thursday January 1
Saturday January 3
Tuesday January 13
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Augusta PatchAM possible:
- Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- SAS Retail Services posted a job opening for Traveling Retail Merchandiser in Augusta. Apply here.
- Sodexo, Inc. posted a job opening for UMA Dining - Lead Cook Position 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 haven’t the foggiest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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