The City Council voted to seek proposals to renovate the Second Street fire station during its meeting last week, a major step in the future of the historic building and the hundreds of fire department artifacts inside. 

It's the second time the city has attempted to offload the station; the first attempt ended in 2020 with only one bid, which the city rejected. Residents then approved a nonbinding referendum in 2022 to have the city keep the station and renovate it — a scenario that has become increasingly unlikely as the city's budget tightens.

The city is asking for bids that would preserve the historic nature of the building, including a museum inside, and keep the Hallowell Food Pantry in the basement of the building. But those spaces aren't required, which could lead to a "hard conversation" about offloading the building.

Augusta may soon have an urgent care veterinarian, filling what some residents said was a long-unmet need in the area.

Plans to open the clinic, which would be open evenings and weekends in the former Uncle Henry's building on Eastern Avenue, were approved by the Augusta Planning Board last week.

Read more on our website about the plans to open the clinic and how veterinarian Jennifer Mirecki got the idea in the first place.

Waterville's Northern Light Inland Hospital will stop services in May — a move that could increase strain on an already struggling health care system in central Maine.

Northern Light Health, the nonprofit that owns Inland Hospital, said the decision comes as a result of higher operational costs, low reimbursement rates and ongoing staff recruitment and retention struggles.

Providers will reach out to patients with appointments scheduled after May 27, and patients with appointments before that closure date should go as planned. The hospital said it will support patients in transferring their care to a new provider or facility.

• Fewer than 10 booths for the 2025 Old Hallowell Day arts and crafts festival are still available, according to their Facebook. See the Old Hallowell Day website to register.

• The county's budget committee is holding two public hearings this week. The first is at 6 p.m. tonight at 150 Main St. in Waterville, and the other is tomorrow at 6 p.m. at 125 State St. in Augusta. Show up to either to hear about the budget and voice thoughts or concerns.

• The Hallowell City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday in city hall for a workshop where they will consider marijuana and liquor licensing, potentially among other items. 
  

  • Recall, in February, the council approved a pause on new marijuana businesses — the legal force of which was unclear.

• The Hubbard Free Library is offering museum passes to Portland Children’s Museum, Southworth Planetarium, Maine Maritime Museum and Farnsworth Museum. Check them out at the library.

I am always looking for more things to throw in the newsletter — so send everything you've got my way. Events, travel ideas, restaurant suggestions and everything else. I'm all ears.

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