Maine
Federal government announces plan to sell some buildings in Maine
The U.S. Custom House on Free Street in Portland is among hundreds of properties deemed “non-core assets” that the federal government said Tuesday that it plans to sell off. John Ewing/Portland Press Herald, file
The federal government plans to sell off certain properties it deems nonessential to core functions, including four properties in Maine, the U.S. General Services Administration announced Tuesday.
Among hundreds of properties deemed “non-core assets” are the Edmund S. Muskie Federal Building in Augusta, which hosts more than a dozen tenants, including the Postal Service, IRS and offices for both of Maine’s U.S. senators.
The Social Security Administration building in Presque Isle was also listed, as was the historic U.S. Custom House and a parking facility in Portland, the administration said.
All those sites are included in a list of “properties designated for disposal.”
“GSA’s decisive action to dispose of non-core assets leverages the private sector, drives improvements for our agency customers, and best serves local communities,” the administration said in its announcement.
Core assets include those used for “critical government operations, such as: courthouses, land ports of entry, and facilities critical to our national defense and law enforcement,” the administration said.
The list includes properties in nearly every state, including a handful of high-profile government buildings.
Although it originally included more than 440 total properties when announced, the list was pared down to just 320 properties by 8 p.m. Tuesday.
Among properties that appeared on the original list but were removed are the J. Edgar Hoover Building, which serves as FBI headquarters; the Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice Building; the Old Post Office building, where President Donald Trump once ran a hotel; and the American Red Cross headquarters.
The headquarters of numerous agencies, including the Department of Labor and the Department of Housing and Urban Development, were originally listed as well.
It was not immediately clear when the properties would be formally offered for sale or what the terms may look like.
“GSA will be releasing more information on how interested prospective parties can submit information soon,” the department said.
The GSA did not immediately return emailed questions Tuesday night about why certain properties were removed from the list, whether others may also be removed, or when details of the sale policies would be revealed.
This report contains material from The Associated Press.
Maine
Immigrant rights coalition reports uptick in ICE detentions across Maine
The Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition says over the past two weeks its immigrant defense hotline has seen an uptick in reported ICE detentions.
They say this corresponds with a national shift in ICE activity, including bids for local businesses to cooperate with ICE.
In Maine, the arrests follow a broader trend of targeting Black and brown immigrants, including people navigating immigration proceedings.
The coalition, which represents more than 100 organizations, says it’s ready to protect civil and human rights and is urging immigrants to prepare themselves and their families.
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They suggest having the defense hotline ready in case you witness ICE activity, making sure you have important personal documents in case of detention, and reviewing rights around judicial warrants in private spaces, like your home or workplace.
Maine
How a data center derailed $240,000 for affordable housing in Wiscasset
Maine
Mother’s Day brings boom in flower sales across Maine
It wouldn’t be Mother’s Day without a stop at the florist.
According to Fox Business, about 154 million flowers are sold during the week of Mother’s Day. So it’s safe to say it was a busy day for stores like Estabrook’s Maine Garden Center and Nursery.
Plenty of families stopped by to pick out flowers on Sunday, looking to choose the perfect bouquet for their moms.
“I think Mother’s Day is tradition, you know, and so it’s great to see families here. We have a lot of new families that have come today for the first time with their young children and their mother. Watching the young kids and seeing how excited they are—their eyes light up at all the beautiful flowers,” Tom Estabrook, president of Estabrook’s, said.
Estabrook says Mother’s Day tends to be a great kickoff to the spring season.
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