Today's News

The Humane Society of Lancaster County now has an office.

And, no, the AFLAC duck in the window is not up for adoption.

The Humane Society has been working since late last year to establish a fostering and adoption program to reduce the number of dogs and cats euthanized at the Lancaster County Animal Shelter each month.

The Humane Society is hoping one day for the donation of land or money to build a low-kill shelter of its own, said Dawn Wagner, the society's publicity and fundraising director.

Until then, its central location is 126 S. Main St.

The city of Lancaster's wastewater treatment plant upgrade, a nearly $8 million project intended to improve the quality of treated water released into the Catawba River, is nearly complete.

The expected completion date is July 14. That's within the prescribed time frame, and the project is within budget, said Mack McDonald, wastewater treatment plant director.

The city has about $40,000 remaining in a contingency fund for change orders. McDonald said that's excellent for a $7.85 million project.

The city didn't get a permit to dump leaves at the old Lancaster Plant site, as it apparently did for about a year.

Frances Pittman, who lives on the south end of the once mighty Springs Industries plant, found the pile of leaves the city left on the site annoying. It smelled and was a haven for snakes and rats, she said.

Earlier this month, the pile stood about 25 feet tall and stretched about 50 yards. A stench also pervaded the pile's surroundings.

But that was a good day, said Pittman's caretaker, Tim Steele.

It took about 45 minutes Wednesday to convince Keith Deese that Lancaster County needs a new courthouse.

Deese is a member of the county's capital projects sales tax committee.

The committee is charged with developing a ballot question for a proposed bond referendum in which voters will decide whether to approve a 1 penny sales tax to fund a new courthouse and possibly other county building projects.