Applications open for Ephrata City Council seat

EPHRATA — Ephrata city officials are accepting applications for an open seat on the Ephrata City Council. Mayor Bruce Reim said at the Jan. 3 meeting that he hopes to have the seat filled by the next council meeting Jan. 17. The seat was vacated by Ashley Grout, who ran unopposed for it in November. But Reim said Grout discovered some conflicts of interest and decided against joining the council. Applicants must be registered voters and have been city residents for at least one year. All Ephrata council seats are at-large, meaning applicants can live anywhere in town.