LaHarpe to take loan for utilities

LaHarpe's February bill was nearly 10 times the amount the city normally pays each month for electric services. Residents will see their average monthly bill increase by $8 to $10 as the city spreads out payments over time.
LaHarpe City Hall Register file photo
by Richard Luken
Published: March 16, 2021
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LaHarpe’s February bill was nearly 10 times the amount the city normally pays each month for electric services. Residents will see their average monthly bill increase by $8 to $10 as the city spreads out payments over time.

LAHARPE — Add LaHarpe to the growing list of communities that were socked by exorbitant electric costs following last month’s’ bitterly cold weather.

City Council members have declared a state of financial emergency, necessary to apply for a low-interest loan made available by the state to pay the city’s $157,615.70 electric bill for February.

The February bill was nearly 10 times the amount LaHarpe normally pays each month (a shade under $17,000 monthly.)

Richard Luken

Richard has been a part of the Register family since 1994. Richard covers general news and, on occasion, sports. A native of Moran, Richard came to the paper while still a student at Allen Community College. With mentors former publisher Emerson Lynn Jr. and former veteran reporter Bob Johnson at the ready, Richard learned how to be a star reporter. Over the span of his 28 years his news beats have included school board meetings for Districts 257 and 258, as well as Allen Community College trustee meetings. He’s also routinely covered city council meetings for Iola, Humboldt, LaHarpe and Moran. He’s covered floods, wrecks, true crime — everything from heart-warming to heart-breaking stories. For his work, Richard has consistently won top awards in statewide competitions year after year. Outside the office, he enjoys sports, reading and keeping up with the kids and grandkids.

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