Reflections for the Week of Nov. 8-12

Police:

• A local woman was lured by the “grandparent scheme” and sent $8,300 via FedEx. An officer contacted FedEx and the check was intercepted preventing financial loss for the victim, however we are not always so lucky. We encourage citizens to be aware of potential scammers; More information about the “Grandparent Scheme” can be found at https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/the-grandparent-scam.

• The auto theft suspect from last week is believed to be linked to multiple auto thefts in the area.

• Two drug arrests were made related to Methamphetamine.

BBDC:

• BBDC 34th Annual Meeting was held Tuesday morning with a good-sized crowd.

o Wren Wilcox came off the board and Maverick Churchill & Cindy Baker were elected as the newest members of the board.

o Entrepreneur of the Year was Robbie Buchheit.

o Small Business of the Year – Alliance Recreation Center

o Large Business of the Year – Animal Clinic.

• Arranged for the WNCC Powerline school to help the Hemingford Chamber set up their Christmas Diorama.

• Held a meeting to pass on historical knowledge of the “Bands on the Bricks” events. If you are interested in helping to bring “Bands on the Bricks” back to Alliance through volunteering or by being a sponsor, please contact Kaytlin Norris at City Hall at 308-762-5400.

Parks:

• Secured a sculpture at Carhenge to ensure it was stable after it had been tipped over.

• Winter preparations continue!

• Removed the irrigation controls at Knight Park and re-routed wires to prepare for building demolition.

• Started painting inside of various public restrooms.

Museum:

• Staff is in full Christmas preparation mode.

• Individuals started picking up trees and wreaths to decorate for the auction.

• Parks staff assisted with moving the donated Christmas items to the basement for the public to utilize if they choose to.

Library:

• The basket auction is in full swing with lots of new people coming into the Library. The staff has really pulled together to make this project happen. Everyone contributes to this fundraiser one way or another, and it is an event we all enjoy. Bidding ends November 30th!

• This weekend the Library staff will be out at the Alliance Eagle’s Club to promote both the Library’s new services, and the bookstore. Stop out and see us at our booth!

• We have been cleaning out the back room and getting reorganized for the upcoming new year. We have had many donations over the past few months, and are ready to add them to the bookstore.

• The APL book club will be having their potluck luncheon on December 7th at noon. After lunch they will be discussing the book “Skipping Christmas”. Everyone is invited to attend, and copies of the book are available at the Library circulation desk.

Golf:

• Storm repairs on multiple metal buildings at the course are scheduled to start next week.

Public Works:

• Recall work completed on the “vactor” vacuum truck main lift cylinder.

• Toluca water tower inspection complete.

• Work on the new Public Works building is reaching its end with flooring installed and connection of the gas meter this week, along with electrical work.

• Lift Station A is waiting on a fitting in order to complete the installation of the bypass pump for final connection.

• Transit 716 riders this week.

• Water 135 total meter radios connected.

• Landfill 418 tons of refuse collected, 148 bails, 277 customers this week.

Fire:

• One position currently open for a Full-Time Fire Apparatus Engineer/EMT. Apply soon as applications close on 11/24/21!

• We are very proud of staff who are working hard to expand and solidify their skills:

o Staff participating in respective EMS recertification training.

o Five volunteer Firefighters are currently half-way through their Hazardous Materials Operations Level training.

o Two volunteer Firefighter/EMT’s are currently in Paramedic Training at Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff.

o One volunteer Firefighter has started basic EMT training with Panhandle EMS Education.

• We will soon begin a Volunteer Firefighter recruitment campaign. Stay tuned for more information!

Airport:

• Work continues on building #3000 (new warehouse) damaged in the 2020 hail storm.

• Setting up the new “Transportation Vetting Portal” through TSA which will replace the current process to vet new employees.

• Updating our Disadvantaged Enterprise Program which is required when doing FAA projects.

• We are updating the city website with tourism information for the Airport.