AUGUSTA — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded Maine $440,986 to be used at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta.

According to the VA, the federal assistance will be used “toward the cost of raising, realigning, and cleaning of 6,517 existing headstones along with turf refurbishment” at the cemetery.

“These U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs funds will help the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Augusta make vital improvements that will continue to honor those who selflessly defended this nation,” U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins, both R-Maine, said in a news release.

“Just as our veterans heroically served our country in uniform, it must be our duty to ensure that these solemn grounds receive the necessary funds to be maintained.”

Flags be flown at half-staff for Gwadosky

AUGUSTA — Gov. Paul LePage directed the U.S. and state flags be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset today in honor of Dan Gwadosky.

The order affects flags in Gwadosky’s hometown of Fairfield, as well as Augusta and at the Capitol.

Gwadosky, 57, of Augusta, died Wednesday of pancreatic cancer. A celebration of his life will be held at 2 p.m. today in the Augusta Civic Center.

Gwadosky represented Fairfield in the Maine House from 1979 to 1996; he was first elected at age 23.

Most recently, Gwadosky was director of the Bureau of Alcoholic Beverage and Lottery Operations. This past year, he was chairman of the National Alcoholic Beverage Control Association.

Gwadosky is survived by his wife, Cheryl; his son, Joshua; and his daughter, Jessica.

China subcommittee meets at 9 a.m. today

CHINA — A subcommittee of the Comprehensive Plan Implementation Committee meets at 9 a.m. today in the Town Office to discuss mapping associated with proposed new land-use districts.

Code Enforcement Officer Scott Pierz has invited Art Grindle of the Kennebec County Soil and Water Conservation Commission to join the discussion. Interested China residents are also welcome.

Journalism group awarded $100,000 grant

HALLOWELL — The Maine Center for Public Interest Reporting has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Ethics and Excellence in Journalism Foundation.

The grant will allow the center “to produce more in-depth journalism, expand its staff and improve its website by offering the public online, interactive sources of information on state and local government,” according to a news release.

The group was founded in 2009 by John Christie, a longtime newspaper writer, editor and executive who is a former publisher of the Kennebec Journal and Morning Sentinel.

“We are particularly gratified that these donations come from organizations that share our journalistic values,” Christie said Monday. “When your peers award you such honors, it’s especially meaningful.”

Compiled from staff reports