New blog puts Hillyard in the spotlight

A new neighborhood blog was launched last week, and this one is all about Hillyard. The first Voices blog, focusing on the South Perry neighborhood, was started back in April.

The Hillyard Blog will feature news and information specific to Hillyard and surrounding neighborhoods. Here are a few highlights from the first week:

Posted Monday: Hillyard has three days of Halloween fun and scares scheduled for Oct. 29 (noon to 6 p.m.) Oct. 30 (10 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and Oct. 31 from noon to 4 p.m. The Hillyard Merchants and the Hillyard Kiwanis are putting together the Hillyard Howl at 5015 N. Market St. Bring your already carved and decorated pumpkin; there will be games and apple bobbing, vendors and treats – and of course, a costume contest.

Get your picture taken for $6 or knock the price down to $5 if you bring a donation of canned food for the Second Harvest Food Bank.

Posted Oct. 15: My office away from the office is the Outlaw Café, and I had barely sat down before Richard Burris of Hillyard Community Futures came in and said hello. Burris is ready to approach his City Council members and the police chief about getting some better neighborhood patrols up here.

“What we need is police in plain vehicles and plain clothes,” Burris said. “Those who cause trouble can spot a marked police car from a mile away.”

A local bar owner stopped in, too, and agreed wholeheartedly with Burris. He also shared that bars are in a tight spot when it comes to keeping the good customers around while running troublemakers off their property.

Conveniently, Councilman Bob Apple, who represents Hillyard, showed up, too. Apple listened carefully and encouraged Burris to contact the COPS shop and the neighborhood’s resource officer.

“It’s important to report these things,” Apple said.

Burris is going to present a letter at the Hillyard Merchants Committee meeting, hoping the group will support him and agree to approach City Hall.