Stories by Jen Lynds

HOULTON, Maine — Despite a passionate request from one citizen to vote down the proposal, town councilors approved an ordinance to prohibit the use of tobacco products and smoking in all public parks on Tuesday evening.

The ordinance arose because of a littering problem in Riverfront Park, the newest green space in town. Although there was a sign in the park saying that it was a “smoke-free zone,” Town Manager Butch Asselin told councilors at a July 18 meeting that cigarette butts were being left on the ground and near the picnic tables, and that the problem seemed to be caused by sizable groups of teenagers and young adults.

HOULTON, Maine — Back in 2009, Tammy Goetsch saw a need in the Houlton area to fill some gaps that weren’t being met by other local agencies.

They included simple things such as providing needy residents with food, furniture and clothing and a phone call or a visit to stem the tide of loneliness that can set in when the elderly are shut in their houses or don’t have many visitors.

HOULTON, Maine — Prior to the start of the new year, members of the Southern Aroostook Development Corp. gave the Town Council an update on what they had accomplished in 2016 as well as a glimpse of their future goals.

Scott Dionne, past president and board member of SADC, briefed members of the council at the Dec. 28 meeting. He said that SADC, an organization that has worked for more than 16 years to boost the economic base of the region, had achieved a number of significant accomplishments in 2016.

Bucking the trend of nearly two dozen other towns or communities across Maine who have adopted or discussed moratoriums designed to temporarily prevent marijuana dispensaries from setting up shop