Innovative Program Aims to Assist Area’s Elderly

The Houlton Police Department is spearheading the creation of a new program that aims to provide resources to the local elderly population that makes them less likely to be victimized and enhances their safety.  The TRIAD program is a partnership among public safety agencies, community services and senior citizens who work together to give the elderly the resources they need to reduce fears and concerns.  

Click Here for the full Bangor Daily News story.

Influential 60’s Artist – Houlton Native Alton Kelley Dies

 

Alton Kelley, an artist who helped created the psychedelic style of posters and other art associated with the 1960s San Francisco rock scene, has died. He was 67.

Kelley died Sunday of complications from osteoporosis at his home in Petaluma, Calif., according to his publicist, Jennifer Gross.

Kelley and his lifelong collaborator, Stanley “Mouse” Miller, churned out iconic work from their studio, a converted firehouse where Janis Joplin first rehearsed with Big Brother and the Holding Company.

The pair created dozens of classic rock posters, including the famous Grateful Dead “skull and roses” poster designed for a show at the Avalon Ballroom, as well as posters and album covers for Journey, Steve Miller, Jimi Hendrix and The Beatles.

Kelley was born in Houlton, and grew up in Connecticut, where his parents moved when he was young. 

 

 

Lots of Construction in Houlton This Summer

Major road reconstruction on Bangor Street tops the list of summer projects in Houlton. Town Manager Douglas Hazlett recently urged residents to have patience with the continuing projects, which also  include building new sidewalks and a new senior citizen housing complex.

The Bangor Daily news has the details.

 

Gas Prices Top the $4 mark in Houlton

 

With gas prices already up 20% from last summer, analysts are expecting even larger increases in the weeks ahead.    

 

Heading into Memorial Day weekend prices around Houlton were pretty consistent, with $4.04 being the common price for regular.    Around the state of Maine, we found prices as low as $3.73 in Auburn, all the way up to a whopping $4.40 per gallon on the Island of Vinalhaven. (Island residents typically pay considerably more, due to the high cost of servicing island customers.)  The highest price we could find in a non-island location in Maine was $4.12 in Rangely.

 

Those who keep a close watch on the oil futures market are predicting $5 per gallon gas this summer.

 

Here’s a link to a CNN story with more details.

This site offers gas price info.

Story of Houlton Video

The Story of Houlton video was produced to commemorate Houlton’s Bicentennial.  Copies are still available online at HoultonAlumni.com

Houlton Fair Discount Passes Going On Sale

The Houlton Fair is offering picture passes again this year for those who plan to attend several days of the fair.   By purchjasing these mult-day passes, you can save quite a bit.

Picture passes will be on sale at the fair’s exhibit hall on the following dates and times:

THURSDAY MAY 29TH : 5:30PM – 7:30PM
FRIDAY MAY 30TH: 5:30PM – 8:00PM
SATURDAY MAY 31ST: 10AM – 3:00PM

THURSDAY JUNE 12TH: 5:30PM – 7:30PM
FRIDAY JUNE 13TH: 5:30PM – 7:30PM SATURDAY JUNE 14TH: 10AM – 3:00PM

COST: $23.00 WITHOUT RIDES $28.00 WITH RIDES

Visit HoultonFair.com for details.  It is also possible to order the passes online.

Border Patrol Recruits Close To Home

The U.S. Border Patrol has launched an initiative to attract more agents by offering them a chance to live and work in Maine.

The Houlton sector alone will see a 60 percent to 70 percent increase in staffing in roughly the next two years. 

 The Bangor Daily News has the story. 

 

South Portland Mayor: Split Maine Into Two States

The concept of two Maines is a familiar one to northern Maine residents.  Southern Maine, with it’s rampant  industrialization, has an entirely different set of concerns and priorities than the northern half of the state.

The Boston Globe takes a look at the issues in this article. 

Typical snowstorm here in northern Maine.

Lousiana Pacific Donates $80,000 to Arts Project

The Houlton Community Arts Center received a major boost from Louisiana
Pacific Corporation with the announcement of an $80,000 grant to the
organization through LPs Community Impact Grant initiative.

Here’s the full story.