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Air quality still not safe enough for Tekamah residents to return home after leak

Posted at 12:44 PM, Oct 19, 2016
and last updated 2016-10-19 15:28:46-04
(UPDATE 2:20 p.m.): Officials told residents they cannot return home after the air quality was still not safe enough. 
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Crews continue to work to repair an anhydrous ammonia pipeline that ruptured near Tekamah late Monday night.
 
Those crews worked until 11 Tuesday night, and resumed at daybreak Wednesday under the observation of federal regulators. They're working to isolate a section of the pipeline that failed and have replaced one segment. There is still some ammonia leaking but at a much lower level.  Once the leak stops and the ammonia dissapates, evacuated residents will be allowed to return home. A meeting with evacuated residents is scheduled for 2 p.m..
 
Meanwhile, people are remembering 59 year old Phil Hennig who died when he drove through the vapor cloud caused by the pipeline rupture.  John Wilson at the UNL Extension 4-H office in Tekamah says "He was there to help he was a great mentor and role model for the youth that he worked with. He's influenced the lives of hundreds of youths over his years of 4-H leader." Another friend, Matt Connelly, who is also a Burt County supervisor said 
"It's shaken both Decatur and Tekamah and the residents around here."