Stories by Jen Lynds

8 years ago

Officials express concerns as heroin makes inroads

HOULTON, Maine — Reflecting on their activities this year, officials at the Van Buren Police Department noted in a Facebook post on Monday that in the past year they have seized a wide variety of drugs in the community, including bath salts, ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, methamphetamine, illegal prescription pills, marijuana and heroin.

Drug paraphernalia, including needles and various homemade pipes for consuming the drugs also have been found by police.

8 years ago

Commissioners approve substance abuse program

HOULTON, Maine — Individuals who have been convicted of substance abuse-related crimes and who are awaiting sentencing will now be eligible for a program to break the cycle of dependency, Aroostook County commissioners voted on Wednesday.

During their Dec. 21 meeting in Houlton, commissioners approved a $108,000 substance abuse assistance project grant award that will have Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins overseeing 15 to 20 individuals convicted in state courts of drug- and alcohol-related crimes, according to County Administrator Doug Beaulieu.

8 years ago

Couple whose toddlers died hire attorney

HOULTON, Maine — A high-profile Philadelphia-based personal injury lawyer is now representing the couple with ties to the Houlton area, whose two children were fatally scalded by radiator steam on Dec. 7, 2016 in a New York City apartment for the homeless.

Robert J. Mongeluzzi, a founding partner of the law firm Saltz, Mongeluzzi, Barrett and Bendesky, said in a written statement issued this week that he is representing Danielle and Peter Ambrose, whose daughters Scylee, 1, and Ibanez, 2, died from their injuries.

8 years ago

3 suffer minor injuries in crash

SMYRNA, Maine — Poor tire conditions on a vehicle and driving too fast for road conditions contributed to an accident in Smyrna the day after Christmas, according to State Police.

8 years ago

Fatigue, low altitude caused 2015 crash

HOULTON, Maine — Fatigue and an unauthorized nighttime approach below standard minimum altitude were factors in a fatal plane crash near the airport here in August 2015, federal investigators have concluded.

Bakary Doucoure, 30,of Le Blanc, France, was killed when the twin-engine Piper PA-44-180 he was piloting crashed at 2 a.m. Aug. 27, 2015, into some trees and landed in a pond about 2.5 nautical miles short of the Houlton International Airport. A wing and other debris were found on the ground and in trees surrounding the area.

8 years ago

Project targets substance abuse

HOULTON, Maine — Individuals who have been convicted of substance abuse-related crimes and who are awaiting sentencing will now be eligible for a program to break the cycle of dependency, Aroostook County commissioners voted on Wednesday.

8 years ago

Chiefs express concerns

HOULTON, Maine — Reflecting on their activities this year, officials at the Van Buren Police Department noted in a Facebook post on Monday that in the past year they have seized a wide variety of drugs in the community, including bath salts, ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, methamphetamine, illegal prescription pills, marijuana and heroin.

8 years ago

Commissioners approve substance abuse program

     HOULTON, Maine — Individuals who have been convicted of substance abuse-related crimes and who are awaiting sentencing will now be eligible for a program to break the cycle of dependency, Aroostook County commissioners voted on Wednesday.

8 years ago

Chiefs express heroin concerns

 Drug use has ticked up during the past year in The County

     HOULTON, Maine — Reflecting on their activities this year, officials at the Van Buren Police Department noted in a Facebook post on Monday that in the past year they have seized a wide variety of drugs in the community, including bath salts, ecstasy, psilocybin mushrooms, methamphetamine, illegal prescription pills, marijuana and heroin.

8 years ago

‘Angel Tree’ bells ring for Paige

Like everyone else who knew 11-year-old Paige Lento of Easton, Maeghan Swanson was shocked when she learned last Saturday that the youngster had died after a long struggle with a genetic disorder.