Page 8 - Reedley Exponent 3-7-19 E-edition

The Reedley Exponent A8 Thursday, March 7, 2019
Vehicle fire
KOREAN EVENT Continued from page A1
said. “And this event means a lot to me because I have an attachment to the Ko- rean people because I served with the Korean Marines in Vietnam. So, they’re part of my heart.”
Urbano was also awarded with a certificate of appreciation. During his acceptance speech, he gave the audi- ence some of the backstory regarding the flags that were hanging inside the building.
“There are 13 American flags that surround this hall,” he said. “This is a special place for us, the flags represent thirteen area young men who died in Vietnam, so we honor their memory by having those flags here and perpetuat- ing their memory.”
The March 1 celebration recognizes the first documented attempts by Korea to free themselves from Japanese rule.
According to Korea.net, early dem- onstrations from Korea to gain indepen- dence began on March 1, 1919. Demon- strations began in Seoul, and the inde- pendence uprising movement began to spread throughout the country.
ABOVE: Music and drums were part of the Korean Independence Movement Celebration ceremony on the afternoon of March 2.
LEFT: Ralph Urbano accepted an award during the event at the Reedley Armory building. Urbano said, “This event means a lot to me because
I have an attachment to the Korean people because I served with the Korean Ma- rines in Vietnam. So, they’re part of my heart.”
Photos by Juanita Adame / The Exponent
Capt. Ryan Rodriguez / Photo Contributed
Reedley Fire Department units extinguished a vehicle fire that broke out after 11 p.m. March 4 in the 1000 block of East Santa Ro- sa Avenue. Arriving firefighters discovered a pickup truck parked on the street fully involved in flames. While firefighters were bat- tling the blaze, the truck’s gas tank began melting. That caused gasoline to be released and ignite in flames. Crews then built a dike, or dam, with dirt around the opening to a storm drain to pre- vent runoff from entering the train. After the gasoline completely burned off, firefighters extinguished the blaze. Crews remained on scene for about 90 minutes.
TOWERS Continued from page A1
of our home skyline. That’s just the way it is,” he said.
Jewell said he told the City Council that he appre- ciated their commitment to maintaining the towers’ vi- sual integrity, and he hoped that any obsolete wireless tech equipment on the tower be removed.
Paul Melikian, assistant city manager, said that a site lease is being prepared at the city’s corporation yard for eventual installation of a communications tower that will take away the need for
more antenna addition to the towers.
Russ Robertson, Reed- ley’s public works director, told the commission of the importance the lease agree- ment taking away the respon- sibility of the city’s ratepay- ers to fund maintenance of the towers.
Ron Hudson, commission vice chair, and Commissioner William Conrad moved and seconded the assessment and permit action, and with Commission Chairman Pete Perez voted to approve the lease agreement. The action now goes to the City Council for final approval.
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