News Briefs

Power outage leaves 130 homes in the dark Tuesday morning

About 130 homes near Elsa Way and Jeri Lane were without power early Tuesday morning after an underground cable failed, according to Rory Dwyer, the city’s electric utility administrator.

Dwyer said the power outage occurred about 12:30 a.m., and power was gradually restored to the houses. The last set of houses got their power turned back on about 11 a.m., he said.

Two transformers, which were overcompensating for the failed cable, went out because they were being overworked, Dwyer said. One of them was replaced Tuesday afternoon.

Entries sought for 67th annual July 4 Damboree Parade

Applications are now being accepted from those interested in participating in the 67th annual Damboree Parade.

The theme of this year’s festivities is “Great Americans: The Next Generation.”

Instead of a traditional grand marshal, this year’s honorees will be fifth-graders from King Elementary School who received their Great American award. They will be accompanied by Clare Tobler, who created the award in 1983.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. July 4 and once again include a water zone from the corner of Avenue A to Avenue B and on Avenue B past the swimming pool in Broadbent Park.

New this year is an entry fee, which will be charged on a sliding scale. The entry fee will be $15 for those entries postmarked before June 2. It will jump to $25 for entries submitted between June 3-17. Any entries postmarked or received June 18 or later will be charged $75 and will only be accepted if commentary for the parade’s announcer has not been finalized.

According to Patty Sullivan of the Parks and Recreation Department, the entry fee was added because of rising costs in all aspects of presenting the holiday celebration.

Additional information about the parade is available at the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, 401 California Ave., or by visiting the city’s website at www.bcnv.org. Applications are available at the city’s website as well.

For those who want to get a head start on their holiday celebration, a limited number of Damboree shirts are available at Ace Shopper Stopper. They are priced at $15 each.