Francis The highway department appreciates the many citizens who offer constructive comments and provide information on road problems and areas in need of improvement throughout the county. Currently, the department is concentrating work in three areas.

1. Mowing and trimming back the right-of-ways in the northwestern portion of the county. The goal is to clear all brush and small trees from roadside right-of-ways.

2. Pothole patching crew on days when weather permits, concentrating on areas that have been called in as hazards. With the cost of cold patch increasing from $37.50 to $51 the department is trying to use patch for the serious holes and use the DURA patcher for the minor ones.

3. The final area is the gravel roads north of SR 18. Over the next two weeks the department will be removing the berm, cutting ditches where needed, and applying stone to 450E just north of SR18, 250E from 100N to 300N, 200E from 50N to 100N and 100E from 50N to 100N. Berm dirt will be given on a first call basis, selected by proximity to the road being worked on. Call the highway department at 574-967-4244 to be added to the list.