Work has started cleaning up the old Ellis Junk Yard on West Mailn. Crews from the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (ODEQ) arrived late last week and set up their headquarters on a lot on 15th Street. They immediately began removing much of the old scrap iron and metal as well as clearing off the land surface. Once that is finished, much of the contaminated soil as well as old buildings torn down and disposed of. According to one ODEQ worker, the entire project is expected to take several months to complete. At the same time, a different company will be disposing of some 15 derelict houses and buildings around town. Those buildingsand houses have already been declared as nuiscances by the city council.