Stories by Jen Lynds

8 years ago

Houlton police truck totaled in third accident in six months

HOULTON, Maine — For the third time in six months, a Houlton Police Department vehicle has been involved in an accident, and this time it is totaled, the acting chief said Monday.

The latest accident happened at 7:35 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 2, near Hilltop Lanes Bowling Alley, according to Acting Police Chief Daniel Pelletier. The incident involving the 2015 Ford F-150 police truck is being investigated by the Maine State Police.

8 years ago

Parents pained by Hatchimals hunt

HOULTON, Maine — Cathy St. Peter knew that she was going overboard on Thursday when she began browsing eBay for Hatchimals, the hottest children’s toy on the market this year, and seriously began considering paying $399 for one.

“My daughter, who is 8, wants one so badly this year and she is going to be so disappointed when one is not under the Christmas tree this year,” she said, speaking of the animatronic pets which come in an egg and need to be cared for so the plush animal inside hatches and grows older. “But I didn’t realize how popular they were until way too late in the season, and so they are sold out everywhere. The only place you can buy them right now are on third-party seller sites for four times the price.”

8 years ago

Officials work to reduce number of inmates with cases

     HOULTON, Maine — When Aroostook County Sheriff Darrell Crandall first took office in January 2015, he said one of his goals was to reduce the percentage of inmates at the county jail with matters pending before the court.

8 years ago

Black Friday brisk for some, not for others

HOULTON, Maine — For the past three weeks, Helen McCormick has been on a mission.
The Houlton grandmother of nine knows that her youngest granddaughter wants a “Hatchimals” toy, one of the hottest children’s items on the market this holiday season. The toy comes in an egg shell and then opens into a snuggly toy of varying colors.

8 years ago

Residents decry early retail push

HOULTON, Maine — Lisa Mitchell of Houlton said Nov. 21 that for the first time in almost a decade she is “refusing” to do any Christmas shopping until after Black Friday is over, even if it means passing up on a few good deals.

8 years ago

Hospitals up to date on payments

HOULTON, Maine — Five years ago, hospitals in Aroostook County were under financial strain and complaining about being owed millions of dollars for care extended to patients covered by the MaineCare program.

At the time, hospital administrators were cautiously optimistic about a supplemental budget proposed by Gov. Paul LePage in January 2011, which included approximately $70 million to reduce the state’s share of debt to hospitals resulting from underpayments in the MaineCare program.

8 years ago

County towns consider impact of marijuana vote

HOULTON, Maine — Officials from several towns across Aroostook County are considering the impact of the legalization of marijuana on their communities, with at least one community imposing an emergency moratorium to temporarily prevent marijuana dispensaries from setting up shop.

8 years ago

Group donates easement on 32,400 acres in County

REED PLANTATION, Maine — One of the world’s largest tech companies and a top-ranked conservation organization who last year partnered to buy a large swath of land in southern Aroostook County are again joining forces to donate a conservation easement on the more than 32,400 acres known as Reed Forest.

8 years ago

Park bathroom construction to start in 2017

HOULTON, Maine — After several years of proposals, planning and fundraising, construction on new bathroom facilities in Riverfront Park will begin next summer, town officials confirmed Thursday, Nov. 17, 2016.

The news from Nancy Ketch, Houlton’s community and economic development director, came following a town council meeting last Monday evening during which the panel approved a joint request from Ketch and the Riverfront Committee to apply for a $158,000 federal grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The grant, which requires a $79,000 match that will be provided by the Riverfront Committee, would be used to build the restrooms and make a number of improvements in both Riverfront Park and Community Park. The town is involved in the grant application because it will be providing in-kind services and the restrooms will be built on town property.