The Mingo Job Corp Fire Team served two weeks assisting the firefighters at the Pagami Creek fire in Minnesota. Team members include (front row, from left0 Vinna Godina, Crew Leader Bob Waldner, and Tyler D. Fugute; (back row) Benjamin Hauck, Receiving & Distribution Manager; and James D. Homilton, Justin A. Beller, Eric M. Crader, Ada T. Ritter, Patrick J. Brooks, Jordan M. Green, Christopher W. Maltby. (Photo courtesy of SMT Reader Bob Waldner)
By Tyler D. Fugate, Mingo Crew #1 Member
On Sept. 14, 2011, while in Syracuse, New York, aiding FEMA in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, the Mingo Job Corps Fire Team, got a call to report to the Pagami Creek Fire, 13 miles east of Ely, Minn.
The crew was up at 4:30 a.m., the next day ready to fly out. After a flight of several hours, the crew was in Duluth, Minn., where we spent the night.
The next morning the crew got up and headed for Ely, which was about a 3-hour drive. Once there, the unit was attached to the Supply Unit led by Tim Bon, Ben and Dave.
The incident was led by the North Rockies Incident Management Team.
The Pagami Creek Fire was started by a lightning strike and ended up burning of 16 miles in just five days. It is the largest fire to occur in Minnesota since 1918.
Crews from 30 states came to serve and protect the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness and the surrounding towns. The BWCAW is the most visited National Forest in the U.S.
The Mingo crew was responsible for supplying 877 incident personnel, include 10 (Typle 1) Hotshot Crews, 12, Type 2 crews and three camp crews.
In addition, the Mingo personnel served two Type I helicopters, two type 3 helicopters, two scoopers (also known as waterbombers), two air attack planes three Beaver. On the southern end of the fire there were 18 fire engines, six dozers, and two water tenders.
The crew worked for 15 hours a days for 21 days straight. They worked with ground suppliers and air operators to deliver supplies to all the crews.
Air operation came into play to the supplies had to be slung – or flown in – by helicopters using leadlines and 3,000 pound cargo nets.
The Mingo crew exceeded expectations of the Northern Rockies team. The local team was praised for its work, because without supllies the more than 800 firefighters could not have done their job.
By Annabeth Miller, SMT Editor
PUXICO - It’s been a heck of a month for the fire fighting team from Mingo Job Corps.
Called to New York State to assist with intense flooding following Hurricane Irene, the crew got a call after just one week in New York to report for duty in Minnesota to help fight one of the largest fires in an active fire season.
Bob Waldner, supervisor of the Mingo crew, said that Minnesota fire – the Pagami Creek Fire – encompassed more than 100,000 acres in the most visited National Forest in the country – the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in the Superior National Forest, approximately 14 miles west of Ely, Minn.
The Pagami Creek Fire began in the early morning hours of Thursday, Aug. 18. The Forest Services reports the cause of the fire as a lightning strike.
Waldner reports that the nine young men on the Mingo Fire Team worked tirelessly and were commended for their work during their time in the area.
“I’m proud of them,” Waldner said. “They worked hard and did important work of getting the supplies to the firefighters out there fighting the fire.”
This fire was unique, because firefighters had to often get to the fire – and sometimes fight the blaze – by water. The fire has touched more than 93,000 acres of forest.
“The crew received some important recognitions for its work,” Walder said.
“On Monday, Sept. 26, 120 fire fighters were inserted into the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, Twenty-seven thousand pounds of personal gear, food, water and fire fighting equipment was flown in by helicopter,” said Michael P. Heater, Air Operation Branch Director. “The Mingo Job Corps, Mingo Crew #1, was instrumental during the logistical process. They assisted with moving the cargo from trunks into 45 separate longline nets that were subsequently flown by helicopter to seven different camp locations. Mingo Crew #1 demonstrated sincere enthusiasm, dedication and strength, which greatly contributed to the fire fighting effort. They are truly ‘Wildland Fire Fighters.’”
In addition, Waldner reports the team received high praise from the job supervisor.
“The Mingo Crew #1 performed in an outstanding manner,” wrote Timothy Bonds in an official performance rating. “This was a complex logistical fire and their initiative and attitude greatly assisted in meeting operational demand throughout the incident. Within a few days of being on the incident the crew obtained the knowledge and expertise to meet daily supply demand. I would work with this team/crew again and look forward to seeing them again on another incident.”
As Bonds wrote, “Great job!”
ShowMe Times Editor
A formerly sleepy street that is now in the center of commercial development has a speed limit and new traffic sign following Monday evening’s meeting of the Dexter Board of Aldermen.
The board unanimously approved the addition of a stop sign and establishment of a speed limit on Nina Drive near the construction of the USA Drug. The new stop sign will be on the northbound lane of Mallory Street as it intersects with Nina Drive.
A 20 mile per hour speed limit will also be posted on Nina Drive.
“I met the other day with the parents at the state school,” said Mayor Joe Weber. The school is he Crowley Ridge School for severely disabled children. “They expressed some concern.”
The board approved changes and tabled potential amendments concerning the city’s liquor license regulations.
The first ordinance approved concerning alcohol sales changes the requirement on the proximity of businesses selling liquor to a school, church or place of worship.
The previous local ordinance established a distance of at least 300 feet between the business and school or church. This distance is greater than the state regulation, which is currently set at 100 feet.
“I propose we get in line with the state law and change the ordinance to 100 feet,” said Ward III Alderman Kirby Taylor. The change in the local ordinance was approved on a vote of 4-1-1. Taylor, Ward I Alderman Terry Battles and Ward II aldermen Kent Essner and Tim Aslin in favor of the change; Ward I Aldermen Jerry Corder voted against the change; and Ward III Alderman Ray Pixley was not present for the meeting.
A second ordinance dealing with the number of liquor licenses issued by the city was tabled.
A group of local residents on South Mulberry (south of Grant Street) attended the meeting to discuss concerns with water control issues in the neighborhood. Local resident Jim Smyth was the spokesman for the group who explained the problems experience by homeowners in the neighborhood.
Weber and City Administrator Mark Stidham agreed that Stidham and the city engineer would meet with Smyth and the neighbors to find a solution to the situation.
In other business Monday evening:
- City Administrator Stidham announced the official time for Halloween trick-or-treaters in Dexter is from 6-10 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31;
- Keller Library Director Pam Trammell announced the genealogical group would sponsor a genealogical workshop on 9 a.m. until 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29.
The theme for Fall Homecoming at Dexter High School is “Marvel”ous Super Week, with activities planned around the Marvel Comic superheroes. Other activities are planned throughout the week at T.S. Hill Middle School, Central Elementary and Southwest Elementary schools.
Homecoming Week will turn “pink” on Thursday with the first-ever Dig Pink volleyball game to raise awareness and funds to fight breast cancer.
A silent auction is planned to open at 5 p.m. Thursday in the lobby of the Bearcat Event Center. A 50-50 drawing and other activities are planned. All funds raised at the Dig Pink Against Cancer project will be donated to the 18 Fore Life organizations to be used to help area families fighting breast cancer.
Bearcats will “come home” on Friday for an evening of fun, spirit and enthusiasm.
The evening will begin at 4:30 p.m. with the second annual Homecoming Tailgate 2011 sponsored by Montgomery Bank and County Wide Insurance. The tailgate will be held on Brown Pilot Road between Faith Lutheran Church and the Dexter School Administrative Offices. The tailgate will feature hot wings, hot dogs and hot music from the BUZZ.
The Homecoming Tailgate is free and all are invited.The Homecoming Candidates will be presented in pre-game festivities at Bearcat Field in Charles Bland Stadium beginning at 6:30 p.m. The Homecoming Queen for 2011 will be crowned during the ceremony.
At 7 p.m. the Dexter Bearcats will take on the Caruthersville Tigers in a conference match-up in the Homecoming game on Bearcat Field.
Following the game, the Fifth Quarter will move up the hill back to Faith Lutheran Church with music again by The Buzz.
It’s a great week to be a Bearcat!
MONDAY, OCTOBER 3- DHS: Super Sleep Heros Day (Pajama Day); Advisory Activity is "Hero Trivia"
- Middle School: Jersey Day
- Southwest & Central: "Turn The Tigers Inside Out" Day - wear your clothes inside out!
- DHS: Super Nerdy Nemesis Day (Nerd Day); Advisory Activity is "Name That Theme"
- Middle School: Wacky Tacky Day
- Southwest & Central: SOCK it to the Tigers (Sock Day)
- DHS - Super Side Kick Day (Twin Day); Advisory Activity is "Name that Logo"
- Middle School - Twin Day - who's your buddy?
- Southwest & Central - HAIR Raising Event (Craziest Hairdo!)
- Super Fashion Disaster Day (Mix & Match or Crazy Hat); Advisory Activity is "Draw Your Own Class Emblem"
- Middle School - Rock 'N Roll Day
- Southwest & Central - WILD About the Bearcats - CAMO/Animal Print Day
- DHS - Super BEARCAT Day - wear your red & black
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- Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast at 7:20 a.m. at Catholic Hall
- DHS Pep Rally, 7th hour in the BEC
- Presentation of the Homecoming Queen Court and crowning of the Homecoming Queen, 6:30 p.m. on BEARCAT Field in the Charles Bland Stadium
- BEARCATS versus Carthersville football, 7 p.m., BEARCAT Field
- Middle School, Central & Southwest - BEARCAT Day! Wear your red & black
- HOMECOMING 2011 TAILGATE - sponsored by Montgomery Bank and County Wide Insurance; 4:30 p.m. on Brown Pilot Road between Faith Lutheran Church and Dexter Schools Administration Building. FREE! Hot wings, hot dogs & hot music from the BUZZ!
- FIFTH QUARTER - following the BEARCAT football game, sponsored by Montgomery Bank & County Wide Insurance on Brown Pilot Road.
- Bearcat Booster Club Dodgeball Tournament, 6 p.m., DHS Gym
They came from throughout Southeast Missouri with their church vans, trailers, trucks and cars all loaded with resources to help those in need.
The annual Festival of Sharing ecumenical in-gathering day was held Saturday at the Wesley Hall at the First United Methodist Church in Dexter. Groups from at least eight different denominations from throughout Southeast Missouri all gathered together bringing resources and helping to pack food that was distributed to agencies in the region. A scan of the FUMC parking lot found fans and trucks from Sikeston, Bloomfield, Poplar Bluff, Perryville, Caruthersville and other communities.
Folks were packing 2-pound bags of rice, bags of beans, and gathering donations collected and crafted at area churches. Items that have collected also included kits, including baby bundles, dental kits, family food boxes, paper product kits, personal hygiene kits and paper product kit and school kits for youngsters.
Dexter serves as a regional satellite location in the statewide Festival of Sharing, as all denominations of faith come together in a common effort to help those in need. Agencies throughout the area benefit from the work of hundreds of people in churches in Southeast Missouri include
Photo Above: Kendra Stevenson of Dexter was just one of the dozens of volunteers from throughout Southeast Missouri who helped collect, bag and pack donations of food and other items for the Festival of Sharing on Saturday. (SMT Photo by Annabeth Miller)
