Stories by Jen Lynds

8 years ago

Houlton finds broker for Info Center land

HOULTON, Maine — Town councilors on Monday evening accepted a proposal from a Portland-based business for commercial real estate brokerage and marketing services to sell a piece of property where the Visitors Information Center is located off Interstate 95.

After advertising locally and on the internet, the town received just one bid from SVN/The Urbanek Group, which will perform the work for 8 percent gross sale commission if they are the sole broker and 10 percent gross commission if it is co-brokered. Erik Urbanek, a Houlton native, is managing director of the company.

Town Manager Butch Asselin said that the company will take pictures of the three-acre parcel and property and put them on their website as part of a plan to develop a marketing strategy for the property.

8 years ago

Residents react to LePage comments

HOULTON, Maine — “Disgusted.” That was the first sentiment Lynn McBride of Houlton expressed when she first heard of comments spoken by Maine Gov. Paul Lepage last month about black and Latino drug dealers and an obscenity laced voicemail that followed to a lawmaker ahead of the November election.

McBride, who said she is “not a fan” of the governor, still said that she has supported some of his policies in the past.

8 years ago

Easton man dead after PI crash

Easton man dead after PI crash

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — An 80-year-old Easton man has died after a crash in Presque Isle over the Labor Day weekend, according to an officer with the Presque Isle Police Department.

8 years ago

Residents react to LePage controversy

Residents react to LePage controversy

HOULTON, Maine — “Disgusted.” That was the first sentiment Lynn McBride of Houlton expressed when she first heard of comments spoken by Maine Gov. Paul Lepage last month about black and Latino drug dealers and an obscenity laced voicemail that followed to a lawmaker ahead of the November election.

8 years ago

Judge exports murder trial

Davis to be tried out of county

HOULTON, Maine — A trial scheduled to start next week of a man accused of killing two Oakfield residents in 2013 has been postponed and will have to be moved out of Aroostook County.

While more than 100 potential jurors from across The County were called to Houlton Superior Court on Thursday, Justice E. Allen Hunter granted a change of venue for the trial after it became apparent that a jury could not be seated.

8 years ago

Buying school supplies a struggle

HOULTON, Maine — Lisa Marquis of Houlton acknowledged last week that sometimes, back to school time is her “least favorite” time of the year.

Her four children, ranging in age from 9 to 17, all attend different schools in the area, although she declined to say what schools out of fear of stigmatizing them.

She said it is sometimes difficult to find the money for new clothes for the school year and to buy all of the supplies that her children need for the classroom that some teachers jot down on lists.

8 years ago

School supplies a struggle for some County families

School supplies a struggle
for some County families

HOULTON, Maine — Lisa Marquis of Houlton acknowledged last week that sometimes, back to school time is her “least favorite” time of the year.

8 years ago

Nearly one year later, no buyer for school

MONTICELLO, Maine — Nearly a year after the town’s selectmen were given permission to sell the vacant Wellington School, a buyer has yet to be found.

Town Manager Ginger Pryor said Thursday that despite a number of potential buyers touring the building, no one has committed to a purchase.

“We still have ads out, and we are hoping someone sees [one of them] and it generates interest,” she said Thursday.

8 years ago

Communities welcome speed alert signs

     MADAWASKA, Maine — Motorists in certain areas of Aroostook County and other parts of the state should be even more visually aware of how fast they are going thanks to a new program from the Maine Department of Transportation.

8 years ago

Miller will not face charges in dog’s death

HOULTON, Maine — The former executive director of the Houlton Humane Society will not be charged with a crime in connection with the death earlier this year of a dog that she admitted died in her care.

Aroostook County District Attorney Todd Collins said Friday that his office has concluded its investigation into the death of the 11-month-old pit bull mixed-breed, known as Harley, which died in February while being cared for at the home of Heather Miller, who at the time oversaw operations at the animal shelter. Collins said that his office would not normally release information since Miller was not being charged with a crime, but was doing so because of the amount of local interest.