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Volunteer firefighters put in long hours to stop Kansas wildfires

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Volunteer firefighters put in long hours to stop Kansas wildfires


RILEY COUNTY (KSNT) – Current fires that flared up in Riley County burned a whole bunch of acres earlier than lastly being put out thanks, largely, to native volunteer firefighters.

A number of massive wildfires broke out throughout Riley County prior to now week, with one burning roughly 2,000 acres earlier than it was contained. Firefighters from numerous businesses responded to the state of affairs, together with a lot of volunteers from the native space. Volunteers like Richard Kirmer see it as a private responsibility to the group to pitch in throughout emergencies.

“I simply thought I ought to be a part of the Fireplace Division as a result of I’m a member of the group,” Kirmer mentioned. “Lots of the locals that I work with have been on it. I by no means was so I made a decision to be part of it too.”

Kirmer, who has born north of Topeka however later moved to Riley County, has been dwelling within the space for round 12 years and spends most of his time doing ranch work and hauling items like cattle and hay commercially. He mentioned throughout one wildfire prior to now, he used his tractor to assist create a fireplace break, or an impediment to cease the unfold of a hearth. Ever since, he’s been serving to out by volunteering together with many different locals who preserve a watch out for fires and attempt to reply as rapidly as they’ll.

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“Generally you don’t have time to make a plan. You simply go,” Kirmer mentioned. “You meet up there with others to speak it out and work out a plan.”

Kirmer went on to say in the course of the previous three weeks, they’ve battled a number of wildfires. His essential activity these days has been to maintain the hearth away from homes by creating fireplace breaks and again burns, that are managed fires that cut back the quantity of gasoline accessible for the wildfire. He additionally retains a watch out for scattered embers, which could ignite something close to a home or construction, in addition to put the lives of close by livestock at risk.

“There have been two fires the place livestock have been at risk,” Kirmer mentioned. “However we have been capable of put the fires out earlier than they may attain the livestock.”

Lengthy shifts usually are not unusual for a volunteer firefighter. Kirmer mentioned he was a part of an evening crew maintaining a tally of a fireplace and he stayed nicely into the next day to assist preserve the state of affairs beneath management.

“All of us pitch in the place now we have to,” Kirmer mentioned.

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Deputy Fireplace Chief Doug Russell with Riley County Fireplace District 1 mentioned volunteers are an important a part of their response to wildfires. Lots of them come from the countryside and are motivated to guard their neighbors throughout emergencies. In mild of the current fires, Russell mentioned with out volunteers their job would’ve been way more difficult.

“They have been completely crucial to it,” Deputy Fireplace Chief Doug Russell mentioned. “They labored their butts off. With out these guys and gals, we wouldn’t have been capable of get by the day.”

Kirmer mentioned the problem in stopping the latest fires was largely on account of the place they have been positioned. Whereas fires out in a subject are simple to identify and assault, these positioned in thick brush or in forests pose a way more demanding concern.

“The final week, they’ve been in very wooded areas, just about a forest space,” Kirmer mentioned. “Not a lot you are able to do apart from watch it and catch it when it comes out.”

All through the week, most fireplace departments solely have a handful of volunteers to name upon for wildfires, as many have jobs of their very own and solely reply in emergency conditions.

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“Through the day we’re restricted to 1 or two guys per truck,” Kirmer mentioned. “Evenings and weekends, you’ll be able to have three or 4 instances that. Wherever from 4 or 5 guys on a name to twenty guys on a name.”

Kirmer pressured the necessity for extra volunteers, because the station that he works at, Riley County Fireplace District 1, is commonly short-handed, particularly when wildfires seem as they did prior to now week. In response to Kirmer, 75-80% of all firefighters within the U.S. are volunteers.

“We want extra volunteers,” Kirmer mentioned. “Our station particularly, we solely have 5 individuals which might be lively that exit on calls. We did have a pair extra, however they retired and might’t bodily do it anymore. We want extra younger volunteers and individuals who might help after they can.”

To take a look at volunteer on the Riley County Fireplace District 1, go to their web site right here.



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Kansas

Dense Fog Blankets Central Kansas

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Dense Fog Blankets Central Kansas


Dense fog reduced visibility to less than a quarter mile in parts of central, south central, and southeast Kansas on Saturday morning, December 28, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

Footage taken in Wichita by NWS meteorologist Kevin Darmofal shows his view of “another foggy start” to the day.

A dense fog advisory would remain in effect until 10 am CST, the NWS said.

“Low visibility could make driving conditions hazardous,” the weather service warned. “If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of distance ahead of you.” Credit: Kevin Darmofal/NWS Wichita via Storyful

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5 Chiefs Who Will Carry Kansas City to the Super Bowl

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5 Chiefs Who Will Carry Kansas City to the Super Bowl


The Chiefs look poised to make another deep playoff run en route to a potential third consecutive Super Bowl victory, having secured the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the ability to rest starters in Week 18 on top of the first-round postseason bye.

Guys like Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones will obviously be the driving forces behind any major success over the next month, but there are a number of other players who will step up in a big way to help this organization reach immortality.

We all know the leaders, but who are some of the underrated Chiefs who are poised to guide Kansas City to another Lombardi?

It’s hard to call a three-time All-Pro an under-the-radar player, yet fans and national media alike still might not be aware of how special Joe Thuney has been. After another ho-hum season of perhaps the best guard play in the NFL, Thuney flipped over to left tackle, a position he does not play, and has been excellent.

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The 32-year-old only has one year left in his contract. However, no offensive lineman has been more important to the Chiefs. Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith are elite players, though Thuney moving over to left tackle helped resurrect Kansas City’s offense and save the season.

D.J. Humphries’ acquisition has proved to be a failure. He can’t get on the field and at this point, it’s far too risky to let him protect Mahomes. Wanya Morris and Kingsley Suamataia clearly can’t handle the role, so it feels likely that Thuney will remain the Chiefs’ left tackle throughout the playoff run.

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Ranking as the fourth-best offensive guard out of 129 players at Pro Football Focus, Thuney has been marvelous.

Considering next year is the last on his contract, there’s a strong argument to be made that Brett Veach needs to do everything in his power to extend the veteran. If Thuney keeps this level of play up, he’ll be remembered as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history.





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2 arrested after stolen vehicle leads Kansas City Police on high-speed chase

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2 arrested after stolen vehicle leads Kansas City Police on high-speed chase


KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Two men who led police on a high-speed chase through Kansas City in a stolen vehicle have been charged in connection to another stolen vehicle.

Jackson County, Missouri, Circuit Court records indicate that Trevon Perkins, 27, and Demont M. Vandunk, have been charged in connection to the armed robbery of a Corvette from a Kansas City detailer and a high-speed chase that followed.

A probable cause statement filed by the Kansas City, Missouri, Police Department revealed that just after 5 p.m. on Dec. 20, emergency crews were called to a local parking lot with reports of an armed robbery. When they arrived, they found a local detailer who reported he had been working on a Corvette when it was stolen.

The victim told law enforcement officials that two men, later identified as Perkins and Vandunk, drove up in a black 2018 Camaro before they threatened to shoot him as they took his wallet, keys and belongings.

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Investigators noted that Vandunk left the scene in the blue 2023 Corvette while Perkins returned to the Camaro and sped off. Later that night, the Camaro was spotted near E. 67th and Monroe Ave. However, when law enforcement officials attempted to pull the driver – Vandunk – over, he attempted to speed off and started a chase.

Law enforcement officials said they followed Vandunk and Perkins, who was in the passenger seat, down Meyer to Swope Pkwy. and onto Cleveland Ave. as they reached speeds of more than 100 mph. Vandunk lost control of the Camaro before it crashed into another vehicle near 40th and Cleveland.

KCPD said Vandunk and Perkins attempted to run but were quickly taken into custody. During the investigation, it was found that the Camaro had also been stolen out of Kansas City, Kansas. All of the property stolen in the earlier robbery was found and seized.

Vandunk was charged with accessory to robbery, armed criminal action and aggravated fleeing a stop. Perkins was charged with accessory to robbery and armed criminal action as a result. If convicted both could face up to life in prison.

As of Friday, Dec. 27, Perkins remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond. A bond review hearing has been scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31, with a preliminary hearing at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22.

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Vandunk remains behind bars on a $75,000 bond as well. A bond review hearing for him has been set for 10 a.m. on Tuesday with a preliminary hearing also at 2 p.m. on Jan. 22. No further information has been released.

Trevon Perkins, Demont Vandunk(Jackson County, Missouri, Detention Center)



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