Ellsworth Independent-Reporter

Ellsworth boys rescued from train car
Two five-year-old Ellsworth boys were rescued from the inside of a coal car July 28 on the rairoad tracks in Ellsworth. No injuries were reported.

Friday July 30

After Harvest Czech Festival

Wilson
Wilson celebrates its 50th annual festival this year. The festival continues Saturday, July 30, and include a large parade and many other activities.

Downtown brick deadline is Sept. 28
By Linda Mowery-Denning
Last Updated: September 15, 2009

Reserve your downtown bricks by Sept. 28, or forever hold your peace.

That was part of the message delivered Monday night during a meeting of the Ellsworth City Council. Business was light; however, it was a red letter day for the city because of the projects that started hours earlier — in downtown and at the Ellsworth Municipal Airport.

An early morning groundbreaking ceremony signaled the start of construction on downtown's almost $1 million streetscape project. As part of that effort, 161 bricks and a bench have been sold for a total of $9,050.

“We are still behind our goal, which was about $30,000, but are hopeful we can sell more bricks during the weekend of Cowtown Days," Tim Vandall, city administrator, reported to the council.

The city's Cowtown Festival is Sept. 26. The deadline to reserve commemorative bricks is Sept. 28.

The bricks are $50 apiece. Forms are available at Village Mall or Seitz Drug. Orders also are being taken by Ellsworth High School students.

Vandall said demolition of parts of the sidewalk will begin on the west side of Douglas Avenue, with the east side remaining intact until workers move their equipment there. Parking will be limited, but the contractor has promised to be as flexible as possible, especially during Cowtown weekend.

“The good news is that they are going to be finished a lot earlier than we thought, which is reassuring," Vandall said.
Construction is expected to take 90 days.

At the airport, work started on an apron project to accommodate larger planes. Vandall said work should be finished by mid-November.

The council also received an update on work at the wastewater treatment plant east of town and lift station closer to downtown.

Water Superintendent John Kerschner said the recent rains turned the treatment plant project into a “muddy mess," but workers continue to make progress with concrete being poured for the clarifier.

The project still is on track for completion in spring 2010. Its goal is to bring the city into compliance with state and federal regulations.

In other business:

• Council members approved a $250 donation to Mosaic for its weekend golf tournament.

• They also agreed to a 30-day extension request from Ellsworth resident Don Cikanek to remove vehicles from his property.

• At the same time, the council moved forward with the cleanup of properties at 122 and 122 1/2 S. Lincoln St. City attorney Carey Hipp said the ordinance approved Monday night by the council is the final step. Once the properties are cleaned up, the owner will have 30 days to pay for the work before the city's investment goes on his taxes.

• A city ordinance was amended to change and expand the varieties of trees acceptable for downtown planting.
• A cereal malt beverage license was approved for the National Drovers Hall of Fame Association for a beer garden on the Plaza during the Cowtown Festival.

• Police Chief Dave Smith said his department is awaiting word from the city's insurance carrier on damage to police cars from the Sept. 3 hail storm.

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