Gas rates go up on Jan. 1
Ellensburg residential natural gas customers will see natural gas bills increase on average $30 to $44 per month starting Jan. 1. On Monday night the City Council approved the rate hikes needed to comply with the state’s Climate Commitment Act. Annual rate adjustments will continue through 2030 to meet state requirements. Ellensburg is one of two small cities in the state with a natural gas utility. The council also approved an effort to lobby the state Legislature to modify the act to adjust for the small city utilities.
Reed Park remains public focus
Based on public comments, the city continues to revise Reed Park Master Plan proposals for the Craig’s Hill property. Mayor Nancy Lillquist said at Monday’s meeting that a revised preferred alternative for the park will be completed soon and be made available for public review. At each City Council meeting for the past few months, people have objected to changes reducing parking and potential views at the Craig’s Hill location.
Volunteers needed for cold weather shelter
Volunteer training sessions for the Cold Weather Shelter are scheduled for 10 a.m., today at Foursquare Church; 7 p.m., Thursday at Mercer Creek; 9:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., Friday at Foursquare; 9:30 a.m., Saturday at United Methodist and 6:30 p.m., Monday at First Lutheran. For information on the volunteer training schedule email Susan Casey at sucasey0912@gmail.com or call 206-963-0912. The shelter opens on Nov. 15. The nightly shelter will rotate among six Ellensburg churches.
Veterans Day celebrations throughout the week
Veterans Day will be celebrated in schools and the community throughout this week. Ellensburg elementary schools, middle school and high school all have Veterans Day assemblies scheduled during the week, as do schools in Kittitas and Cle Elum-Roslyn. The Central Washington Air ROTC will stage its 24-Hour POW/MIA Senior Vigil on Saturday. The Upper Kittitas County Senior Center will host a Veterans’ Appreciation Breakfast at 8 a.m., on Friday. Ellensburg’s annual Veterans Day Parade is at 11 a.m., Saturday. After the parade, the International Association of Fire Fighters Local #158 hosts a barbecue lunch for veterans at Station 29 on Mountain View Avenue.
Burns slated for Cle Elum Ranger District
Cle Elum Ranger District personnel plan to burn 60 acres of piles on Forest Service Road 9738 today and Thursday.
Adopters needed
FISH Community Food Bank is looking for people interested in adopting families for this year’s Community Christmas program. The program helps provide gifts for children and seniors. More information is available on the FISH Facebook page.
SPORTS
At state this week
The Ellensburg volleyball team plays Washington High School of Tacoma at 10:45 a.m. on Friday at the Yakima Sundome in the first round of the state 2A tournament, which continues through Saturday. Ellensburg will send multiple swimmers to the 2A State Meet at the King County Aquatic Center starting on Thursday and continuing through Saturday.
Gobble run on Saturday
The Gobble Wobble 5k Fun Run is at 9 a.m., Saturday at Rotary Park. The run is sponsored by the Foundation at KVH and is for all ages. Events for kids include toddler dashes and a 1-mile youth race. Registration information is available on the KVH website.
LUNCH
The FISH Open Table lunch is chicken parmesan, garlic lemon green beans and an orange. The lunch is open to all seniors age 60-plus from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Ellensburg, and noon to 1 p.m., in Cle Elum. Meal sites are the Ellensburg Open Table and the Cle Elum Seventh-day Adventist Church. The community lunch for anyone needing a hot meal is from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Ellensburg location.
WEATHER
The forecasted high today in Ellensburg is 53 degrees. Sunset is at 4:37 p.m., and the expected nighttime low is 30 degrees. Winds will be from 5 to 10.
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