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Alpena to honor fallen firefighters

ALPENA — The Alpena Municipal Council voted 4-0 on Monday to approve a special event called Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters, which will pay tribute to some of the state’s heroes who lost their lives trying to help others.

So far this year, 69 firefighters have been killed in the United States. To honor and remember them, a special ceremony will be held in Alpena on Saturday at dusk at Duck Park. The event coincides with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation memorial weekend, which pays tribute to fallen firefighters each year around the country.

The wooden covered bridge at Duck Park will be dressed in red lights from Friday until Monday to remind people who see it about the sacrifices firefighters make. The lights will also show the city’s support for the families whose loved ones are killed while helping others.

Alpena Fire Chief Bill Forbush said the public is welcome to attend the event, which will feature guest speakers such as Pastor Mike Kelly, Alpena Mayor Matt Waligora and himself under the hue of the lights on the bridge.

“We will be joining numerous other communities in lighting a landmark, in this case the bridge, to honor the brave men and women,” Forbush said.

Steve Schulwitz can be reached at sschulwitz@thealpenanews.com or 989-358-5689. Follow Steve on Twitter @ss_alpenanews.

In other business

The Alpena Municipal Council on Monday also:

∫ renewed a contract with P.K. Contracting for street marking in the city. Next year, it will cost the city $35,295 to have the streets painted. That amount will increase to $39,514 for the last year of the five-year deal in 2023.

∫ voted to purchase eight new laptop computers, 13 desktop computers and 20 computer monitors for $19,551. The new computers should last between three to five years and the old ones will be sold.

∫ voted to support a liquor license request for Inspiration Brewery. If approved by the state, the new brewery could open in Alpena on Chisholm Street downtown.

∫ went into closed session to discuss ongoing water and sewer disputes with Alpena Township. No action was taken when open session was resumed.

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