Package detonated
HOULTON, Maine — The Houlton Police Department and the FBI have launched a joint investigation after the State Police detonated a small suspicious package left at the National Guard Armory on Pleasant Street last Saturday morning.
Two guardsmen notified Staff Sgt. Joseph Schools that the small brown paper-wrapped package, approximately 6 inches by 9 inches by 3 inches, was in front of the armory. A note was attached that said “Vets enjoy,” with instructions to “call 1 (800) FBI,” according to HPD Detective Carolyn Crandall.
Schools contacted HPD at 11 a.m. after taking precautions that the building was empty, said Crandall who added that the investigation is ongoing and there are “persons of interest.”
Tate & Lyle jobs
HOULTON — Within the next 12 months, Houlton employees will know their fate with multi-national corporation Tate & Lyle, according to Chris Olsen, director of government and community relations.
“The company has taken several difficult steps to cope with the downturn in the economy and tried to reduce our costs in a global market,” said Olsen who added that “the company is exploring its options around the Houlton facility” where modified food starches and sweeteners are produced for food products and industrial uses. The company is also known for producing the high-intensity sweetener Splenda.
Headquartered in London, Tate & Lyle has its principal American office in Decatur, Il. Olsen says Tate & Lyle has operated the Houlton plant for about 20 years and currently employs approximately 40 workers.
Bridge replacement begins Monday on Rte 2A
HOULTON — Maine DOT announced that starting Monday, July 27, construction crews will close the Hodgdon Stream Bridge in order to remove and replace the span. The Hodgdon Stream Bridge carries Route 2A over the southern branch of the Meduxnekeag River in Houlton.
Motorists will be directed to a detour that uses the Porter Settlement Road, Smyrna Street, North Street and Kendall Street. The bridge should reopen by the end of October.
T-Buck Construction of Auburn is the contractor for the $1 million project which will replace the current structure with a new single span bridge. New guardrails will also be installed and the slopes will be stabilized with stone.
The current concrete girder bridge was built in 1944 and is 37 feet long.
Mom, son recovering from ATV accident
ISLAND FALLS — Janelle Grant and her son will know more in the next few days about their injuries after an ATV “washout” when they went over a knoll on the P.D. Road in Island Falls, Sunday around 6 p.m. A LifeFlight helicopter carried Grant and her son to Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor. She says he has a broken right arm and her son has three lacerations to the back of his head with a skull fracture.
“It was hot and the first time we let him ride without a helmet,” said Grant who added that they are doing fine considering what had happened.
Grant, her husband, son and friends were a group of nine people on the trail in 4-wheelers with only one child in a helmet. She said due to the heavy rain and washouts, riders can’t know a trail too well or potential dangers.
