News To Know: rollover crash, Pittsburg’s new fire chief

PRYOR, Okla. – Just after six on Monday night a 2018 Chevrolet Impala struck a culvert. The car then struck a sign, overturned two and a half times, and struck a fence. The driver, Jacee Blackford of Locust Grove, was ejected from the vehicle. The accident happened on Oakwood Road just south of Sycamore Lane in Pryor Oklahoma. Although equipped, OHP says Blackford’s seatbelts were not in use at the time of the crash. She was transported to Saint Francis Hospital in Tulsa where she was admitted with head, arm, and trunk internal injuries.

LAMAR, Mo. – Authorities have charged Lamar, Missouri business owner Denis Masters with the theft of thousands of dollars worth of payments and goods. The prosecutor has charged the 54-year-old Masters with four counts of felony stealing in separate cases. Masters owns The Rustic Barn Flea Market in Lamar.

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg announces battalion chief Taylor Cerne has been appointed to the position of fire chief. The decision came after former fire chief Dennis Reilly announced his retirement earlier this year. Cerne joined the Pittsburg fire department in march of 2005 and has held multiple positions at the department, most recently battalion chief.

You can read an earlier article about Dennis Reilly’s retirement here: Pittsburg Fire Chief to retire, Interim appointed

PARSONS, Kan. – As we brace for winter weather in the Four States, remember our furry friends are dealing with cold weather as well. Dogs, cats, and other animals can struggle during cold. Short-haired animals are particularly sensitive to the cold.

News To Know: fire chief retires, Project Warmth Day

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Pittsburg Fire Chief Dennis Reilly announces his retirement. Reilly has served in the fire service for more than 40 years. He’s served as the Pittsburg Fire Department Chief since September 2020. Click here if you’d like to read more about this story. For an earlier article about Fire Chief Dennis Reilly: City of Pittsburg appoints new fire chief

PITTSBURG, Kan. – Thursday October 20th will now be known as “Project Warmth Day” in Pittsburg. Mayor Cheryl Brooks recognized the event with its own day. Project Warmth started with as a way to help people with utilities in Crawford County as temperatures start to drop. Funds are distributed through catholic charities and the salvation army and volunteers are always welcomed.

PITTSBURG, Kan. – PSU hosts a conference to discuss the outlook of the local economy. Officials say the local economy relies on the status of the national economy. However, Pittsburg economists are optimistic about growth within city. Officials expect both the Pittsburg and the state economy to grow.

MIAMI, Okla. – The Miami police chief and the Miami drone team were at Wyandotte high school on Tuesday. According to Miami Police Chief Thomas Anderson, the Department utilizes drones for a variety of law enforcement needs. The drones have proven invaluable to local law enforcement. For example, recently on a call officers encountered a suicidal man who ran into a wooded area. Using the drone, officers were able to locate the man quickly and flush him out of the woods within minutes with no injuries or incidents. Click here to read more about this story.

Pittsburg Fire Department builds new training tower

PITTSBURG, Ks. — A local fire department is getting an upgrade thanks to the help from some of its own. A training tower is being built at Fire Station Number-2 in Pittsburg.

The plan is for firefighters to use it for confined space, ladder, and rope-rescue training. Construction on the entire project is being done by firefighters, themselves.

Dennis Reilly, Pittsburg Fire Chief, said, “Most firefighters have side jobs and a lot of our people are carpenters, the work is being done by our staff while they are on duty and the only real curveball that comes with it is we have a busy day with calls or if the weather doesn’t hold out.”

The hope is to have the project finished within the next couple of weeks.