City officials cite the limits of what they can do under existing ordinances to make sure vacant homes are maintained properly.

Street superintendent Jerry Dostie estimates that the device reduces by as much as 40 percent the amount of paving material used in street repair jobs.

The fishermen pumped an estimated $150,000 into the local economy, drew many fans and provided action for Outdoor Channel.

Stewart Roberts, of Johnson Roberts Associates, has overseen much of the design work on the $11.7 million project.

Firefighters battled heat and exhaustion as well as flames in dousing the fire that caused extensive damage to an apartment building at State and Laurel streets.