Proposed Law would Allow Counties to Specify Penalties for Burn Bans

A proposed law in the Missouri House would allow counties to specify penalties for burn bans. Currently, counties can adopt burn bans in the event of severe drought. However, there is no provision for penalties for violations. Under HB 1077, Worth County and other counties would be able adopt orders or resolutions with penalties in the event of a drought or any other major disaster within the county such as the Ice Storm or the Grant City Square Fire.

Violations of these orders would be an infraction similar to a routine speeding ticket. These orders would not apply to state agencies responsible for fire management or suppression activities, persons conducting agricultural burning in accordance with best practices, or individuals, organizations, or corporations selling fireworks.

County commissions would also be able to pass regulations concerning their emergency management functions and operations.

Ravenwood Home Damaged by Fire

A Ravenwood home was extensively damaged by a fire Thursday afternoon on Olympic Road. At around 1:30, Jackson Township fire units were called to the home, which had smoke coming out of the south side of the building. A Maryville unit came to the scene later as backup.

Fire Crews Battle Two Grass Fires in 106 Degree Heat

Fire crews from around the area battled two grass fires in 106 degree heat last Wednesday. The first one was at the Harry and Naomi Mullock pasture south of Oxford; Cody Mullock was operating a disc mower when he hit a rock and ignited a spark between 2 and 3 in the afternoon. Fire departments from Sheridan, Parnell, Grant City, Jackson Township, Stanberry, Hopkins, and Maryville came to battle the 200-acre blaze. It got into some timber, making it difficult for crews to get to it. It was carried by a strong south wind and spread into a neighboring pasture. The Enhanced 911 system response time was fast; the Worth County Fire Auxiliary brought refreshments for the firefighters. At 6 the same day, fire broke out on the Bob Young pasture during haying northwest of Sheridan. Units from Sheridan, Grant City, Bedford, Parnell, and Blockton responded as well as the Sheridan Ambulance.

Grant City Fire Department Handles 6 Fires Over the Weekend

The Grant City Fire Department alone handled six grass fires over the weekend. Among those were fires at the end of Route PP, near the 246-46 intersection east of Sheridan, and one near the Gentry/Worth County line. There were three on Saturday and three on Sunday. Sheridan was kept busy as well, backing up Parnell and spending several hours putting out a fire near Parnell. A combination of warm weather and high winds and dry conditions helped spark the fires.

Fire Guts Stricker Residence West of Sheridan

A fire gutted the Kristi (Livengood) and Jesse Stricker residence 7 miles west of Sheridan this afternoon on Route 246. Sheridan fire units were called to the scene around 3 p.m. Nobody was home at the time of the fire and all the pets were outdoors. The home was insured. The Sheridan, Union Township, and Hopkins Fire Departments, the Worth and Nodaway County Ambulances, Nodaway County Sheriff's Department, and Missouri State Highway Patrol responded to the call. The home had been part of the Livengood family for around the last 20 years. The Strickers had been living there for the last three years.