A $4.1 million capital improvement plan going to city councilors Thursday for discussion proposes to ask voters to approve borrowing nearly $1.7 million for street improvements in Augusta.

In the race for mayor, David Rollins is unchallenged on the November ballot.

Samantha Smith, who traveled to the Soviet Union in the midst of the Cold War, died Aug. 25, 1985, in a plane crash.

Local real estate broker Kevin Judkins warned of unintended consequences, including concern that residential property owners — rather than big banks — could be hurt by it.

The council decided unanimously to accept City Manager William Bridgeo’s recommendation to continue the drop-off recycling program for another five years.

The bank considered alternatives but decided to demolish the building even though a city committee considered it historic.

A six-month trial of single-sort recycling expires this month and the city manager recommends the program be extended.

The proposed new ordinance would require the owners of vacant properties to obtain a vacant building registration permit from the city and pay a fee.