Two Cent Bridge News Today

The Evening Sandwich Program in the basement of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville is a lifeline for Terri Cashman, 42, and her husband, who live in a garage.

City officials say efforts to move homeless people from tents into the city's lone shelter are working. Shelter officials say their facility is in financial trouble, and many homeless people fear arrest if the shelter closes.

The annual interfaith gathering held at dawn at Head of Falls has become a tradition for the city's smaller congregations, as churches throughout central Maine face waning attendance and shrinking numbers of parishioners.

City officials say efforts to move homeless people from tents into the city's lone shelter are working. Shelter officials say their facility is in financial trouble, and many homeless people fear arrest if the shelter closes.

The annual interfaith gathering held at dawn at Head of Falls has become a tradition for the city's smaller congregations, as churches throughout central Maine face waning attendance and shrinking numbers of parishioners.

Every Sunday, Jessica Gammon and her team of volunteers prepare warm food and give out free clothing to those in need near the Two Cent Bridge as part of an effort they call "This Thing We Do."

Officials from the state Department of Transportation, city of Waterville, Cianbro, Colby College and others have been meeting to ensure the lines of communication stay open about bridge lane closures and other matters and that the public is aware that downtown businesses are open and accessible during bridge construction.

As homelessness becomes less visible in the wintertime, advocates said there is often a public misconception that the problem is going away.

Kevin Horton, 64, who is physically and intellectually disabled, has lived in his apartment 25 years and has always paid his rent on time, but he got a notice 30 days ago that he has to leave, Amy Calder writes.

The concerns come after state transportation officials have said that the replacement project calls for westbound vehicle traffic from Winslow into Waterville to "remain prohibited from the bridge for a period of approximately three years."