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SPANISH LAKE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

The Spanish Lake Community Association is an active force in the community and encourages cooperative efforts among the community, churches, schools and businesses to benefit all the residents of Spanish Lake and strives to work positively with those governmental bodies whose decisions affect this unincorporated community.

SLCA
NEWS LETTER
FALL 2006


HOME-BASED BUSINESSES SOUGHT FOR HOLIDAY VENDOR SALE..

TOWN HALL MEETING OCTOBER 9th..

FORT BELLE FONTAINE PARK HOSTS ONLY LEWIS & CLARK BICENTENNIAL CELEBRATION IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY..

BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES BOND ISSUE WITHOUT TAX INCREASE..

DORA GIANOULAKIS RECEIVES COMMERCE BANK COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD..

CORP NEEDS VOLUNTEERS..

NORTH COUNTY RECEIVES GRANT FOR WATERSHED PLAN..

SPANISH LAKE TREASURES..

MAYFAIR PLAZA REDEVELOPMENT..

WEATHER SPOTTER TRAINING CLASS..

ENHANCEMENT COMMITTEE WORKS TO IMPROVE COMMUNITY..

SPANISH LAKE NOTE CARDS ON SALE..

PICK-UP A COPY AT A SLFPD FIRE STATION OR LOCAL BUSINESSES



SEPTEMBER 2006
STORM DEBRIS REMOVAL WRAPPING UP.....

HOME BASED BUSINESS FAIR...

SPANISH LAKE BUSINESS MEMBERS MEETING...

WIC PROGRAM TO ISSUE REFUND CHECKS....

AREA VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES....

KIRBY ADOPTS SCHOOL UNIFORM POLICY....

HIGH SCHOOL REFORM MEETINGS....

RESIDENT THINKS SPANISH LAKE SHOULD CONSIDER INCORPORATION....

COUNTY CARES PROGRAM TO HELP WITH COOLING BILLS....

PICK-UP A COPY AT A SLFPD FIRE STATION OR LOCAL BUSINESSES



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SPANISH LAKE
FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Spanish Lake Fire Protection District
of St. Louis County, Missouri USA
Website designed and maintained by
Fire Chief Robert Ritter

Copyright 2006 - Spanish Lake Fire Protection District
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED


email: webmaster@spanishlakefd.com





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FRONT PAGE CONTENT

HIGH POWER AMPLIFIER CAUSES CAR FIRE NOTICE OF ELECTION
MAIL TRUCK ACCIDENT NEW WATER MAIN BEING INSTALLED
PERMIT ISSUED FOR NEW SCHOOL ARSON FIRE DAMAGES APARTMENT BUILDING
FIREMAN COMPILES FIRE DEPARTMENT HISTORY
TRACTOR-TRAILER FIRE ON HWY 270
SLFPD FIRE DISTRICT BOUNDARIES IMAGES FROM 2006
HWY 367 CONSTRUCTION UPDATE FEATURE ARTICLE FROM THE SPANISH LAKE WORD
TOWN HALL MEETING FOR SPANISH LAKE RESIDENTS FOCUSES ON SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS ON OCTOBER 7
New Arrivals NEXT FIRE BOARD MEETING
FIREFIGHTERS EXTINGUISH CAR FIRE
FIRE TRUCK ACCIDENT RESIDENTS FILE FOR SPANISH LAKE FIRE BOARD

ST. LOUIS COUNTY POLICE


LAW AND ORDER

POLICE BLOTTER

WOUNDED MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING OFFICER


FIREFIGHTER DEATH ANNOUNCEMENTS
2006

MELVIN G. TUEPKER
JENNINGS FIRE DEPARTMENT
December 27, 2006

CHARLES LENHART
HIGH RIDGE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
November 30, 2006

JOHN W. FUESS III
FLORISSANT VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
December 2, 2006

LUKE FRANCIS DOLAN
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
September 25, 2006

GEORGE A. SNELL
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
September 14, 2006

EDWARD JOSEPH LEPPING
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
September 7, 2006

ANTHONY G. JOSEPH
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
September 7, 2007

CHRISTOPHER G. WALSH
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
September 4, 2006

CECIL H. DOZIER
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
August 23, 2006

EUGENE D. BRYAN
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
August 22, 2006

GLEN NOEL
ROBERTSON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
July 26, 2006

LAWRENCE J. 'LARRY' PICKER
COMMUNITY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
May 30, 2006

BOB G. RICE
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
May 19, 2006

CYRIL AUBUCHON
FERGUSON FIRE DEPARTMENT
May 17, 2006

JOHN JOSEPH O'NEILL, JR.
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
May 15, 2006

ROBERT E. HEIDENFELDER
UNIVERSITY CITY FIRE DEPARTMENT
April 23, 2006


JAMES M. McCAY
RIVERVIEW FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
April 29, 2006


JACOB BUSBY
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
April 28, 2006


ROBERT A. 'BOB' CHIODINI
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
April 23, 2006

JEREMY CHAMBERS
CAHOKIA VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT
April 24, 2006

FRANCIS R. DUFFY
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
April 24, 2006

RAYMOND 'RAY' MEYER
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
April 17, 2006


WILLIAM 'BILL' SNYDER
FLORISSANT VALLEY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
April 4, 2006


THOMAS K. EATON
WEST OVERLAND FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
March 19, 2006


WILLIAM F. SCHREINER
SAINT LOUIS FIRE DEPARTMENT
February 5, 2006


CLINTON PRINSTER
WENTZVILLE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
January 17, 2006

FIRE HEADLINES
REGIONAL NEWS

18 YEARS LATER, PULITZER PRIZE WINNING PHOTO STILL HUMBLES MAN WHO SHOT IT

SUIT SEEKS TO CLEAR UP WAGE LAW CONFUSION

FIREFIGHTERS GET PAY INCREASES IN TWO ST. CHARLES DISTRICTS

FIRE RAVAGES HOME NEAR GOLF COURSE IN O'FALLON

FIRE DESTROYS ST. CHARLES COUNTY HOME

OFFICIALS CONCERNED ABOUT NEW MINIMUM-WAGE LAW

FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE TRY TO DEAL WITH NEW WAGE LAW

SPANISH LAKE ROLLOVER KILLS WOMAN, 19

DISASTER DRILL DRAFT REPORT RAISES ISSUES WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE

PROPOSITION B LOOP HOLE COULD MEAN CUTBACKS FOR FIRE, POLICE DEPARTMENTS

NEW WAGE LAW COULD BE COSTLY FOR MISSOURI FIRE DISTRICTS

INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE FIRE THAT KILLED USO VOLUNTEER STARTED ON BACK PORCH

FIRE CLAIMS LIFE OF LOVING GRANDMOTHER

PLANS TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO MEHLVILLE FIRE DISTRICT VOTERS BEING MET WITH RESISTANCE

HAZELWOOD MAN ADMITS ARSON THAT KILLED BOY, 2

FIRE DAMAGES TWO KIRKWOOD RESTAURANTS

FIRE KILLS ST. CHARLES WOMAN

MAN CHARGED WITH SEVEN COUNTS OF ARSON

VIDEO SHOWS HOW QUICKLY CHRISTMAS TREES CAN BURN

HIGH RIDGE DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF LOSES BATTLE WITH CANCER

SIX FIRES BREAK OUT IN NEIGHBORHOOD IN ONE WEEK, INCLUDING TWO TUESDAY MORNING

PARALYZED FIREFIGHTER DEALS WITH DEATH OF MOTHER, SON'S SERIOUS INJURIES

JULY STORMS INFLUENCE FIRE OFFICIALS

FUND WILL BENEFIT INJURED FIREFIGHTER

BOARD PRESIDENT CLAIMS INTIMIDATION BY UNION

BOARD PRESIDENT VOWS TO OPPOSE FEES FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE

FIRE AT UMSL FRATERNITY HOUSE

SUPREME COURT OVERTURNS LAW ON LOCAL FIRE INSPECTIONS



IMAGES OF 2006

NOTICE OF ELECTION

FOR THE OFFICE OF
FIRE BOARD DIRECTOR
SPANISH LAKE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

The term of office for one of the three Directors of the Spanish Lake Fire Protection District of St. Louis County will expire on April 3, 2007. One six year term of office will be filled. It is therefore necessary that provisions be made for the nomination and election of one Director of the District. Any person who is a citizen of the United States of America, over the age of twenty-five (25) years, who has resided within the District for more than one year prior to April 3, 2007, who has been registered to vote at general elections in the Spanish Lake Fire Protection District during such period of time, and who desires to be a candidate for election to be held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007, shall file with the Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Fire District at the District Offices, located at 11813 Larimore Road, Spanish Lake, Missouri, not earlier than 8:00 o'clock A.M. on December 12, 2006 and not later than 5:00 o'clock P.M. on January 16, 2007 (all central standard time), a statement in writing, under oath, which he/she shall sign and in which he/she shall declare that he/she is duly qualified for the Office of Director of the Fire District, according to law, and that he/she is a candidate for election to such Office on April 3, 2007. Write in candidates must file in the Election Board office by 5:00 p.m. on the 23rd of March, 2007.

Any person so filing, shall also pay to the Secretary of the District at the time of filing his/her statement, a fee of ten dollars ($10.00). Filing forms are available at the Fire District's Administrative Offices, 11813 Larimore Road, Spanish Lake, Missouri.

Signed,

PATRICK J. WHITE, Board Secretary
St. Louis County, Missouri
November 10, 2006


FOUR RESIDENTS FILED FOR THE POSITION OF FIRE BOARD DIRECTOR IN SPANISH LAKE

Four Spanish Lake residents filed for the position of Fire Board Director for the April 3rd, 2007 election. One director will be elected and serve a six year term on the Fire Board. The closing for filing was January 16, 2007.

The canidates for the Fire Board position are as follows and are listed in the order of filing:

TOM G. SCOTT, SR.
11624 Riverview Drive

KIP WILLIAMS
12526 Woodstream Dr.

JACQUELYN GARRETT BLEDSOE
11534 Rosary Lane

RAY SHIPLEY
11718 Larimore Road


EIGHTEEN WHEELER TRASH TRUCK BURNS ON HIGHWAY 270

January 25, 2006 - RIVERVIEW - Riverview and Spanish Lake firefighters responded to a tractor-trailer fire on east bound Interstate 270 just east of Highway 367 on Wednesday morning. The tractor-trailer was loaded with trash.

Firefighters extinguished the fire in about a half hour and traffic on east bound 270 was reduced to one lane for about an hour.

FIRE TRUCK STRUCK BY AN AUTOMOBILE WHILE RESPONDING TO CALL

December 28, 2006 - SPANISH LAKE - Spanish Lake Engine 5110 was struck broadside by an automobile in the intersection of Bellefontaine Road and Larimore Parkway. Engine 5110 was making a left turn onto Larimore Parkway from Bellefontaine Road when it was struck by a north bound vehicle on Bellefontaine Road.

The fire truck was responding with lights and siren to a fire alarm sounding in the Oak Park Apartments on Riaza Square Drive.

The driver of the automobile was issued a summons for failure to yield to a emergency vehicle. There were no injuries. Both vehicles received major damage. The driver of the automobile did not have insurance.

HIGH POWER AMPLIFIER CAUSES CAR FIRE

November 26, 2006 - SPANISH LAKE - Firefighters extinguished a car fire at the Mobile Station at Larimore and Bellefontaine Roads. The fire started in the trunk area near an high power amplifier of a 2003 Ford Mustang. According to Fire Captain Larry Breite there was a possible short in the wiring for the amplifier system.


SCHOOL BUS STRIKES MAIL TRUCK AT INTERSECTION

September 14, 2006 SPANISH LAKE - A mail truck traveling north on Larimore Road was struck by a Hazelwood School Bus turning south onto Larimore Road from west bound Prigge Road.

The driver of the mail truck received minor injuries and was treated on the scene by firefighters and paramedics and transported to a local hospital. There were no children on the school bus and the driver was not injured.

SLFPD FIREFIGHTERS EXTINGUISH AUTOMOBILE FIRE

SPANISH LAKE - September 1, 2006. Firefighters extinguished an automobile fire in the 11500 block of Bellefontaine Road on Friday afternoon.

The owner stated that he had been working on his van earlier and when he returned he found that there was a fire under the hood. When firefighters arrived they found fire under the hood and in the passenger compartment.

There were no injuries reported.

FIREMAN COMPILES HISTORY OF NORTH COUNTY FIRE DISTRICTS

SPANISH LAKE - August 30, 2006 - (Hazelwood-Bridgeton Journal,North County Journal,Northeast County Journal,Northwest County Journal,Overland-St. Ann Journal) - Fire Capt. David Dubowski is a self-described history buff. It's a trait that's necessary for his current project.

Dubowski, 41, of the Spanish Lake Community Fire District, is working on a history of North County fire departments and districts.

And now he seeks help from residents and former firefighters.

"There are a lot of great stories and photographs out there," he said. "So much of this is stored in basements. A former fireman might have photos from the 1950s. I'm looking for all of them."

Dubowski is compiling the stories, clippings, photographs and other memorabilia to place on compact discs. The goal is to give residents and historians access to them. He plans to give copies to the fire museum at St. Louis Mills.

"Every little bit helps," he said. "If people just have one or two photos, that's great. So much history is lost because residents throw something out."

His area of interest is all parts of St. Louis County north of Page Avenue.

MORE ON STORY



FIRE HEADLINES
REGIONAL NEWS

CREVE COEUR

18 YEARS LATER, PULITZER PRIZE WINNING PHOTO STILL HUMBLES MAN WHO SHOT IT

(KSDK) - It was a moment of St. Louis history caught on film. But for two local men, there is little to celebrate about one photograph.

Eighteen years ago freelance photographer and current Creve Coeur Fire District Director Ron Olshwanger stood in a St. Louis street and snapped a picture that would change lives.

"As I pulled up the mother was running out of the house with her nightgown burned off," says Olshwanger.

It was December 30, 1988. A four-family flat without smoke detectors on South Boyle Avenue was on fire, and a child was trapped inside.

The picture shows St. Louis firefighter Adam Long running through the smoke and flames to try and save a 2-year-old girl in an upstairs bedroom.

"I said, 'If there's somebody in here please let us get them out,'" says Long, who has since become a Battalion Chief. "I kind of got up on one knew and looked over the bed and I could see what I thought was just a doll."

But it wasn't. The tiny shape was Patricia Pettus, and Long scooped her into his arms.

MORE ON STORY AND VIDEO REPORT


CHESTERFIELD

SUIT SEEKS TO CLEAR UP WAGE LAW CONFUSION

January 20, 2007 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) - Fire district officials hope a lawsuit filed Friday will end confusion over the state's new minimum-wage law and how it affects firefighters working their typically long shifts.

Monarch Fire Protection District, one of the plaintiffs, said the new law forces them to pay firefighters overtime when they work more than 40 hours a week. That would cost the district $1.2 million a year.

The Monarch district, which serves a large part of western St. Louis County, is one of 18 plaintiffs in the suit filed in Cole County Circuit Court against the state and the state Labor Department. The suit wants the court to say that firefighters and police aren't subject to those overtime requirements.

As it stands, Kevin O'Keefe, a Clayton attorney for the plaintiffs, argues that public safety agencies statewide could be forced to pay hundreds of millions of dollars in overtime.

"These requirements will be dramatic and devastating to law enforcement and public safety agencies across the state," O'Keefe said. "They might have to have service reductions or staffing changes."

In November, Missouri voters approved by a 3-to-1 ratio Proposition B to raise the minimum wage. On Jan. 1, the wage went to $6.50 an hour. The proposition made no mention of something that had been in previous minimum wage laws — an exemption for fire and police agencies from having to pay overtime to employees who work more than 40 hours a week.

MORE ON STORY


ST. CHARLES COUNTY

FIREFIGHTERS GET PAY INCREASES IN TWO ST. CHARLES DISTRICTS

January 22, 2007 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) - Two fire protection districts that rebounded from financial deficits have given firefighters raises in newly approved labor agreements.

Firefighters at Central County Fire & Rescue got a pay raise averaging 5 percent in a one-year deal. In Cottleville, firefighters signed a three-year agreement that gave them raises of 5 percent the first year, 5 percent the second year, and in the third year, 3 percent or a raise equal to the Consumer Price Index, whichever is higher.

At both districts, firefighters' wages had been frozen for several years in an effort to get the districts back in the black.

Directors at the fire agencies agreed late last month to the separate pacts with firefighters, who are represented by the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2665. The pacts took effect this month

MORE ON STORY


ST. CHARLES COUNTY

FIRE RAVAGES HOME NEAR GOLF COURSE IN O'FALLON

January 19, 2007 - (KMOV) - A fire destroyed a home this morning on Henrietta, a subdivision right off the Dardenne Links Golf Course, in O’Fallon, MO. A deaf-mute couple lived in the home with their 12-year-old son.

Officials say the couple’s son warned the couple and got them out of the home.

Authorities say the one-and-a-half story home suffered extensive damage. Officials say the fire started in the garage and they say they believe the preliminary cause to be embers that were cleaned from the fireplace that were put into a garbage can in the garage.

The family got out of the house and went to a neighbor’s home. There are no injuries reported.

There are no injuries reported.

MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO REPORT


ST. CHARLES COUNTY

FIRE DESTROYS ST. CHARLES COUNTY HOME

January 18, 2007 - (KMOV) - A St. Charles home is a total loss after an afternoon fire.

Flames engulf the residence on Charles Street in St. Charles County.

The fire was reported just before 4 p.m. at a home at 802 Charles Street.

There are no reports of injuries.

Firefighters arrived to find the entire structure engulfed in flames. They had a tough time battling the blaze and were forced to truck water up to the scene to fight the flames.

MORE PHOTOS AND VIDEO REPORT


ST. LOUIS COUNTY

OFFICIALS CONCERNED ABOUT NEW MINIMUM-WAGE LAW

January 9, 2007 - (PRESS JOURNAL) - Some cities and fire protection districts in West County are among those considering filing a lawsuit, as early as this week, challenging some aspects of Missouri's new minimum-wage law.

Officials fear the law could mean police and firefighters, who regularly work more than 40 hours per week, would be eligible for overtime pay, and that could financially stress cities and fire districts.

Tim Fischesser, executive director of the St. Louis County Municipal League, said he has heard concerns from officials of member cities.

"The general consensus is that they're all at risk," Fischesser said. "We're not sure how courts would interpret the issue if a police officer or firefighter made an overtime claim.

"While cities are talking about conserving hours of overtime worked, we also need to go to the legislature for relief," he said. "A court solution may take longer and not be retroactive, even if we'd win."

He said communities are taking the approach of planning for the worst, by assuming cities are liable for the pay, and hoping for the best by pursuing litigation or legislation.

"Various city attorneys are working together on this and are anxious to file litigation this week," Fischesser said Monday.

He said the implications of potential overtime pay are in the many millions of dollars to cities.

MORE ON STORY


NORTH COUNTY

FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE TRY TO DEAL WITH NEW WAGE LAW

January 9, 2007 - (NORTH COUNTY JOURNAL) - When the minimum wage goes up, that's normally good news for a lot of workers.

However, Missouri's new minimum wage law, which went into effect Jan. 1, is turning out to be a nightmare for cities, fire departments and police departments.

The Missouri Department of Labor has ruled that under the new law, employees go into overtime as soon as they work 40 hours a week. However, there are no exemptions for firefighters or police officers, who often work more than 40 hours per week.

"If it continues, the impact on a city's budget will be substantial," said Bellefontaine Neighbors City Attorney Kevin O'Keefe. "The police and firefighters will go into overtime a lot faster, using up their budgets."

O'Keefe reported on the situation to the Bellefontaine Neighbors Board of Aldermen at Thursday's meeting.

Before the law took effect, the state had used the federal 207K exemption. Firefighters, who normally work two or three 24-hour shifts per week, didn't go into overtime until they had worked 212 hours in 28 days. Police received overtime after 171 hours in 28 days.

With the labor department's ruling, fire and police officials could have no choice but to cut back on service, O'Keefe said.

"Now, 40 hours in seven days is the only standard," he said. "This disrupts the firefighters' 24-hour shift. It would also affect any side businesses they might have."

MORE ON STORY


SPANISH LAKE

SPANISH LAKE ROLLOVER KILLS WOMAN, 19

January 9, 2007 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) - A 19-year-old woman perished late Monday in a one-vehicle rollover in Spanish Lake.

The accident occured about 11 p.m. in the 12900 block of Spanish Pond Road, said Officer Tracy Panus, spokeswoman for the St. Louis County Police Department.

Panus said the victim had been one of three people in the vehicle. The two others -- a child and an adult man -- were taken to a hospital. The man was treated and released, Panus said, but the child's injuries required hospitalization.

Police withheld the identity of the three, and the relationship among the three couldn't be determined. Nor were police able to say whether the woman or the man had been driving

MORE ON STORY


ST. LOUIS

DISASTER DRILL DRAFT REPORT RAISES ISSUES WITH FIRE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE

January 8, 2007 - (KSDK) - Last summer, St. Louis took a big test of its emergency response in case of a terrorist attack. It looks like the St. Louis Fire Department flunked according to a draft report obtained by NewsChannel 5.

It was a warm August night at Busch Stadium as hundreds were "injured" when a chlorine tanker exploded in a mock terrorist attack.

"It tells you where your current capabilities are and also if they are done right, it shows where you weaknesses are," said Mark James, Director of the Missouri Department of Public Safety.

The draft report states the St. Louis Fire Department was "unable to establish a functioning decontamination area for civilians in a timely manner" and "unable to establish a functioning decontamination unit."

Another concern? The "the fire incident commander refused to engage (talk) and the police incident commander returned to his command vehicle."

Two months ago, St. Louis Fire Chief Sherman George deflected those criticisms, saying the department answered the recommendations. He also said he would call with the department's response. George still hasn't called.

MORE ON STORY AND VIDEO REPORT


ST. LOUIS COUNTY

PROPOSITION B LOOP HOLE COULD MEAN CUTBACKS FOR FIRE, POLICE DEPARTMENTS

January 5, 2007 - (KSDK) - Cutbacks could soon be on the way to every Missouri fire department and some police department.

That follows a loophole in the new minimum wage law that went into effect this month.

Meanwhile, lawyers are busy trying to determine exactly how this will affect the departments and all parties are preparing to talk with Missouri Governor Matt Blunt's office and legislators to get Proposition B amended, before lawsuits start flying.

Seventy-six percent of Missouri voters said yes on Proposition B. The item just raised the states minimum wage from $5.15. to $6.50 per hour. Proposition B also had another effect. It's just now getting attention since it wasn't mentioned anywhere on the amendment.

Local fire districts just learned Proposition B entitles firefighters to overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a regular workweek. That's a big and expensive change from an old provision that said firefighters only got overtime if they work more than 212 hours in a 28-day period. The difference to departments is huge, especially since they say it came with no warning.

"The fire districts are required to set a budget well in advance and we set ours and we see a law that comes on the second day of the year that we have to address so it has a tremendous impact," says High Ridge Fire Protection District Chief Michael Arnhart.

The impact is enough to affect every Missouri fire department since most utilize 24-hour shifts.

MORE ON STORY


ST. LOUIS COUNTY

NEW WAGE LAW COULD BE COSTLY FOR MISSOURI FIRE DISTRICTS

January 5, 2007 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) - Local fire officials warned Thursday that the fine print in the state's new minimum wage law could cost their departments millions in overtime.

In November, Missouri voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition B, raising the state minimum wage to $6.50 an hour. The law went into effect Monday.

But officials in at least one local fire protection district say the law rescinds exemptions that allow firefighters to work long shifts without overtime.

The change could potentially force fire districts to cut services or seek higher taxes, they say

MORE ON STORY


NORTH COUNTY

INCUMBENTS FACE FEW CHALLENGERS IN FIRE DISTRICT RACES

January 3, 2007 - (SUBURBAN JOURNAL) - Incumbents are not facing many challengers as candidate filing continues for elections to the boards of directors for various fire protection districts.

Filing for the April 3 elections continues through Jan. 16.

The Riverview Fire Protection District has two candidates vying for one seat. Incumbent Pat Lawless is running again. Romona Nash also filed for candidacy.

Incumbent Tom Scott filed for re-election to his board seat with the Spanish Lake Fire Protection District. So far, he is the only candidate.

MORE ON STORY


FLORISSANT

INVESTIGATORS BELIEVE FIRE THAT KILLED USO VOLUNTEER STARTED ON BACK PORCH

January 3, 2007 - (KSDK) - Investigators in Florissant now believe a fatal house fire on New Year's night started outside on a back porch.

The fire killed Denise Olsen, 68, a volunteer with the USO at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, whose years of service are going to be hard to replace.

Investigators believe something put in the trash that was smoldering ignited the fire, which filled the small home with smoke.

Denise's son Dennis says his mother appears to have crawled to her bedroom before she was overcome. Her palm print is still hauntingly visible through soot on a dresser.

"She tried but things were pretty smoky and hot in here," says Dennis.

MORE ON STORY


MEHLVILLE

PLANS TO GIVE MONEY BACK TO MEHLVILLE FIRE DISTRICT VOTERS BEING MET WITH RESISTANCE

January 3, 2007 - (KSDK) - A St. Louis County fire protection district is proposing something very unusual: give money back to taxpayers. But it's a plan that's being met with some resistance.

The Mehlville Fire Protection District covers 52 square miles with over 110,000 residents. A majority of the directors for the fire department have voted to cut spending for nearly two years. Now residents will have a chance to vote on more cuts.

Aaron Hilmer, chairman of the board of directors and director Bonnie Stegman have not made many friends within Mehlville's fire department, but their latest move may be the boldest.

They wan to allow voters to decide if they want a 45 cent property tax decrease. That would add up to over $9.7 million per year. That money used to fund the fire protection district.

MORE ON STORY


FLORISSANT

FIRE CLAIMS LIFE OF LOVING GRANDMOTHER

January 3, 2007 - (ST. LOUIS POST DISPATCH) - Denise Olson bought Christmas gifts for her unborn grandchild but never got a chance to deliver them. She died on New Year's Day in a fire that destroyed her Florissant home.

The blaze started shortly before 7 p.m. Monday between the garage and back patio of the house in the 1000 block of Dauphin Lane, said Deputy Chief Tom Stine of the Florissant Valley Fire Protection District. The house was not equipped with smoke detectors, he said.

Investigators don't believe the fire was suspicious, Stine said, and firefighters were working to find a cause Tuesday night.

Paramedics tried to revive Olson after firefighters pulled her from the floor of a bedroom, Stine said. An official cause of death was not available Tuesday, but Stine believes Olson probably died of smoke inhalation

MORE ON STORY


HAZELWOOD

HAZELWOOD MAN ADMITS ARSON THAT KILLED BOY, 2

January 3, 2007 - (KSDK) - In February of 2005, glass bottles filled with burning gasoline were thrown through the windows of a Bel Ridge home. The fire killed 2-year-old Ronald Payne III.

Tuesday, just before the first degree murder trial was to begin for 21-year-old Steven Flowers, he decided to plead guilty to the lesser charge of second degree murder, along with arson and armed criminal action.

Flowers may be sentenced to life in prison, and is scheduled to be sentenced next month.

The arson happened in the 8900 block of Torchlamp in Bel Ridge. 2 others in the house were able to escape.

MORE ON STORY


KIRKWOOD

FIRE DAMAGES TWO KIRKWOOD RESTAURANTS

January 3, 2007 - (KSDK) - Two Kirkwood restaurants are temporarily out of business following an early morning fire.

Hardest hit was "Frank 'n Patty's" restaurant in the 400 block of South Kirkwood road. Firefighters got a call around 4:30 Wednesday morning for an automatic alarm sounding inside the nearby "First Watch" restaurant.

Minutes later, firefighters went inside and found smoke coming through the roof. About the same time, they discovered the fire at Frank and Patty's. One of the owners of the hot dog-hamburger business says he got the shocking phone call early this morning.

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ST. CHARLES

FIRE KILLS ST. CHARLES WOMAN

January 3, 2007 - (KSDK) - An investigation is underway into a townhome fire took the life of a woman in St. Charles late Tuesday night.

Fire investigators say the fire started around 11:40 pm. The home is located on Forest Hill Drive.

The victim, described as a woman in her late 20's to early 30's, was found in the doorway of her upstairs bedroom. Her name was not immediately released.

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ST. LOUIS

MAN CHARGED WITH SEVEN COUNTS OF ARSON

December 30, 2006 - (KSDK) - man who was once a member of the St. Louis Fire Department's Explorer program has been charged with setting several fires in his own neighborhood.

Andrew L. Franklin, 21, of the 5600 block of Cote Brilliante Avenue was charged Thursday with seven counts of second-degree arson and seven counts of second-degree burglary

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NATIONAL

VIDEO SHOWS HOW QUICKLY CHRISTMAS TREES CAN BURN

December 21, 2006 - (KSDK) - For some of us, it just wouldn't be the holiday season without a live Christmas tree, but the tradition also brings a certain amount of danger.

Two trees, same size, same type.

Yet one goes up like a torch, while the other practically self extinguishes. The secret: the less flammable one was bought fresh and kept fresh using strategies from the Irvington fire department.

Before you purchase, take your hand, rub the stems of the tree, if the needles fall into your hand, that's a tree that you definitely do not want to buy. You pick it up and you bounce it and you see the needles start to fall off, that's the sign of a dried out tree.

After you get the tree home, it's time for the magic formula.

Water. Lot's of it.

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HIGH RIDGE

HIGH RIDGE DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF LOSES BATTLE WITH CANCER

December 12, 2006 - (SUBURBAN JOURNALS) - The High Ridge Fire Protection District is mourning the loss of Deputy Chief Charles "Charlie" Lenhart.

Lenhart lost his battle with cancer last week at age 50, but left the firefighters in High Ridge with memories of a great friend.

Lenhart started as a junior firefighter in 1970, later becoming a volunteer firefighter and joining the district full-time in 1986.

During his tenure at the department, he served as an inspector and fire marshal.

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ST. LOUIS

SIX FIRES BREAK OUT IN NEIGHBORHOOD IN ONE WEEK, INCLUDING TWO TUESDAY MORNING

December 19, 2006 - (KSDK) - St. Louis police and fire investigators want to know if an arsonist is setting fires in north St. Louis buildings.

They say two early morning fires that broke out one block apart Tuesday may be part of a dangerous emerging pattern.

In minutes, fire had raced through the two-story vacant building in the 5800 block of Highland Avenue in St. Louis. It was the second fire on this street within just ten minutes.

Hours later, next door neighbor Rosalind Hunter surveyed the damage from her burned out window. Smoke from the suspicious fire damaged her apartment.

"Somebody's going around here setting these buildings on fire. This is not a normal fire. Someone is doing this on purpose, and someone could get hurt," says Hunter.

St. Louis Fire Department investigators are aware of the threat.

"We have quite a few fires in vacant buildings so it always appears to be like a pattern," says Capt. Steve Simpson.

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FLORISSANT


PARALYZED FIREFIGHTER DEALS WITH DEATH OF MOTHER, SON'S SERIOUS INJURIES

December 14, 2006 - (KSDK) - A local firefighter who was paralyzed in a hunting accident inspired us with his courage. Craig Allen will need that strength again as he responds to another family tragedy.

In November, the Florissant Valley firefighter was adjusting to life as a paraplegic, but his latest struggle is very different as he mourns the loss of his mother Patricia while caring for his son Tyler who is in a coma.

Jeff Allen and Vickie Bales are Craig Allen's siblings. The family had long ago accepted Craig's condition.

"That's okay he can still almost everything just his legs are going to be wheels," said Vickie.

Patricia Allen was the matriarch of the family and a source of strength for Craig.

"My mom and dad were involved in a lot of groups with church and she was just always there for anyone that needed her," said Vickie.

Just as the Allens had come to terms with Craig's November accident, the unthinkable happened. Patricia was killed last Friday in a collision while driving in Wentzville.

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MOLINE ACRES/DELLWOOD

JULY STORMS INFLUENCE FIRE OFFICIALS

November 21, 2006 - (SUBURBAN JOURNALS) - The severe thunderstorms of July 19 and 21 are on the minds of Metro North Fire Protection District officials as they plan their new firehouse.

Like much of the St. Louis area, the district's firehouse lost power during the storms. Firefighters had to use a small generator.

The new firehouse will incorporate a larger electric generator system and more storage room, said acting Fire Chief Floyd Renner.

"Those storms were a wakeup call for us," Renner said. "It shows wha