LINGLE – ‘Tis the season for the annual Town of Lingle Christmas lighting contest, as announced at the council meeting last week.
The contest is open to all town of Lingle residents, with prizes as follows: $100 for first place, $75 for second, $50 for third and four $25 winners for honorable mention. The winners will see the money deducted from their town utility bills.
Last year’s first-place residence cannot win again in 2017.
The council will choose winners on Wednesday, Dec. 20 and names will be published in the paper the following week.
Judging is underway.

In other business:
• The council approved to pay bills in excess of $74,000,
• Police Chief Endra Moen reported 27 incidents in the last two weeks, most traffic-related – however, there were also two accounts of theft of outdoor Christmas decorations, which were later recovered.
• Lingle Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kasey Bangerter said Lingle EMS responded to one ambulance call last month.
• Clerk-Treasurer Michele Sussex announced Lingle Town Hall will close at noon on Dec. 22 through the 26th, as well Jan. 1.
She also stated the town’s credit card machine is up and running.
• The town has yet to receive volunteers for the 100-year anniversary celebration.
“You don’t have to be in charge, we’ve just got to get some people together,” Mayor George Siglin said. Interested individuals are invited to stop by Lingle Town Hall during regular business hours.
• Maintenance Supervisor Larry Haeffelin said his department has kept busy with hanging Christmas lights, crack fill, changing the hot water heater at the Senior Center, and cleaning up alleys.
• The town agreed to switch internet service providers to Visionary, due to service issues with its current provider. Lingle will pay $2,800 a year for internet.
• The next council meeting is Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 5 p.m. at Lingle Town Hall.