By Katelyn Sattler
Staff Writer
Obetz Mayor Angela Kirk has announced the upcoming holiday events for the city.
On Dec. 10, there will be a tree lighting in downtown Obetz with hot cocoa and cookies. City officials hope to have a choir sing some Christmas carols that night.
On Dec. 11, Santa’s sleigh will travel through neighborhoods starting at 5 p.m.
“We may not be done until 9 p.m., so make sure the kids are awake and watching for that sleigh to come through,” said Kirk.
Currently, the lighting of the trail at Fortress Obetz is scheduled for Dec. 12, but the city is considering another date. An another announcement will be made on the city of Obetz’s Facebook page so keep an eye out for that.
Obetz Police news
Obetz Police Chief Michael Confer shared some recent statistics from the police department that included: 824 calls to service, 51 moving violations (11 of those were for speeding), five parking citations, one felony misdemeanor arrest, 18 reports, and 14 automobile crashes.
There was also a hostage negotiation situation on Meriline Avenue.
“Over the weekend a fight broke out between a couple of guys,” said Confer. “One barricaded himself in his house. The three negotiators for the Obetz Police came out and were able to get the man out of his house after about an hour and deal with the consequences of his actions. The man was transported to the hospital for his injuries. He has been charged with having a weapon under disability (having a weapon while intoxicated) and aggravated menacing.”
Confer wasn’t able to name the man, yet, as the case is with the prosecutor’s office.
Wiley Hill
Resident Becci Thacker-Dunn asked Obetz City Council when the dedication of Wiley Hill will happen so that residents will know where it is so kids can sled on it.
The big hill is near Fortress Obetz and is named for former council member James Wiley, who died in October 2019. Council posthumously honored him by renaming the newly-constructed Obetz Sledding Hill to “Wiley Hill.” Wiley was known as an advocate for the kids and a big supporter for the sledding hill.
Obetz City Administrator Rod Davisson explained the delay in the dedication.
“Signs right now are taking forever,” said Davisson. “I’ll make it work. It might be a sign that’s not the ultimate sign, but enough to get it adopted. It should have happened much sooner.”
