LINCOLN, Neb. — July 2, 2019 —Black Hills Energy is beginning an upgrade of the natural gas distribution system in Crete starting this week. The month-long project will temporarily disrupt traffic at the intersection of East 13th Street and Iris Avenue, closing east bound 13th Street while the work is completed during the week of July 15.

These improvements are necessary to continue to meet the increased natural gas demand related to the growing demand in the community. In addition to the work at East 13th Street and Iris Avenue, Black Hills Energy will also be working on natural gas facilities at the following locations:

• 15th St. and Iris Ave.
• Iris Ave. and St. Andrews Dr.
• Boswell Ave. and Pine Ridge Rd.
• South Boswell Ave. and County Road GG
• County Road I and west of County Road 2250

Construction work in these areas is not expected to disrupt traffic.

“We’ve provided safe, reliable natural gas service to Crete for nearly 90 years,” said Andy Storf, senior operations manager for Black Hills Energy. “This investment is part of our continued commitment to being a good partner, ready to serve the growing community.”

During the project, there will be minimal interruptions in natural gas service to homes and businesses in the area. Black Hills Energy will notify customers if there are interruptions to minimize the inconvenience. Customers can contact Black Hills Energy at 888-890-5554 if they have any questions.

About Black Hills Energy

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.27 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com and www.blackhillsenergy.com.

The City Street Department has closed the 4th Street and Boswell intersection for reconstruction work by an outside contractor.

Work is projected to take 3-4 weeks and the area is expected to be open by the start of school in August. Drivers and pedestrians should use alternate routes.

Residents with questions should contact the Public Works Department at City Hall, 402.826.4312.

Crete Coed Slow Pitch Softball signup runs until Friday, July 26, for the first 9 teams to register.

• Doubleheaders are played on Sunday evenings starting on Aug. 11 at Tuxedo Park;
• Registration fee is $425 - softball included;
• tournament to follow regular league play;
• Registration includes team name, team captain and contact information, roster

Register online or at the Parks and Recreation Office at City Hall. (View/download the registration form) 

Contact Park and Recreation with questions: 402.826.4314 or email dan.dunaway@crete.ne.gov

The U.S. Census Bureau will conduct the Census in 2020. Most households will not receive census materials and questionnaires until mid-March of 2020 and have the option to respond by filling out the form, responding online, or by telephone. In-person follow-ups to residences that have not responded will likely begin in May of 2020 in most areas.

When census workers do contact residents, they will not email or text, and will not ask for bank information, social security numbers, payments or donations.

City of Crete officials are currently participating in an initiative through the U.S. Census Bureau called a “Complete Count Committee” in order to raise awareness of the census activities, educate on what data will be collected and how, as well as the timeline for this official information-gathering. Promotional information on census activities will be made available later this year in preparation for the 2020 Census data collection. The process of hiring census workers has also started in most areas, including Nebraska.

The U.S. Census Bureau also conducts surveys of households and businesses in addition to the 2020 Census. Information is available online about how to identify a Census Bureau mailing, field worker or phone call.

City of Crete
Departments of Public Works
Transfer Station/Landfill

Crete Transfer Station/Landfill - 478 County Road 2300 (1/2 mile north of Highway 33 on Boswell Ave.)
Hours: Tuesdays, 1:00 - 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Public Works: 402.826.4312
The Garbage Company: 1.800.322.4272
Public Works Directory

The Crete Transfer Station/Landfill is owned by the City of Crete and operated by The Garbage Company for disposal of larger loads of household trash and large items (for a fee) or free disposal of yard waste and branches. All state laws and local ordinances apply. 

Free disposal: branches and yard waste can be disposed of free of charge; appliances, hot water heaters, metal and iron also accepted at no cost. Items with freon must have it removed and tagged.

Fees established by The Garbage Company: larger loads of household trash and waste

• Miscellaneous items with fees based on size and weight include: carpet, mattresses and box springs, furniture, televisions, sinks, and toilets. 
• Other materials deemed hazardous (railroad ties, insulation) or construction-type materials may have additional fees. 
• Recyclable items are also accepted at the transfer station with flat rates for pickup and car loads.
• The Garbage Company reserves the right to refuse business.
• Basic fees per vehicle load may start at:  
  • car trunk - $10
  • small pickup - $15
  • large pickup - $25
  • trailer - $40

Not accepted: tires, farm truck loads, dump truck loads or semi loads.

Find more information on residential and commercial Garbage & Recycling Collection routes.

A public meeting on USDA housing opportunities was held on Tuesday, June 18  at City Hall in Crete to learn about Rural Development Housing Programs.

This meeting offered information to families interested in living in rural communities and owning the own home or existing homeowners that need assistance with home repairs, in addition to information for lenders, realtors, community officials, major employers, state and federal partners, home builders, and other housing partners. Presenters were from USDA Rural Development and Blue Valley Community Action.

USDA’s Rural Development programs include: 100 percent home financing and subsidized Direct Homeownership Loan Program for very low and low income applicants; 100 percent home financing Guaranteed Homeownership Loan Program for up to moderate income applicants; and 100 percent owner-occupied home repair loans and grants for very low income applicants.

Find information on these USDA Rural Development programs online.

For more information contact: 

• Rural Development Housing Specialist Krista Mettscher, 402.437.5518, krista.mettscher@usda.gov,  www.rd.usda.gov/ne;
• Nebraska Investment Finance Authority Outreach Program Manager, Elizabeth.fimbres@nifa.org, www.nifa.org;
• City of Crete, City Administrator Tom Ourada

Crete City Hall
241 East 13th Street