Latest news with #CJHS
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
'We need help,' Carl Junction struggles with firefighter shortage
CARL JUNCTION, Mo. — For several years, there's been a nationwide decline in volunteer firefighters. Xavier Perkins says fighting fires is a family tradition. 'My dad, my uncle, they've been working around the area for a long time.' So when it came time, joining the Carl Junction Fire Department as a volunteer was an easy decision to make. 'You know, growing up in the fire station essentially, it's just kind of something I always, you know, enjoyed being around the guys here, and enjoyed helping any way I can.' His dad, Carl Junction Fire Chief Joe Perkins, says unfortunately, that's not the case for many people. 'We need help,' said Chief Perkins. Chief Perkins says when he first joined the Carl Junction Fire Department in 1999, there were 69 firefighters on the roster. Today, that number stands at 34. 'We need help,' Carl Junction struggles with firefighter shortage Firefighters brace for snow and cold while staying ready to serve Wrongful death lawsuit filed in case that claimed young firefighter's life CJHS senior honored for volunteer efforts CJ students celebrate Kindness Week with acts of goodwill 'It's not just us, it's not just southwest Missouri, this is all over the country.' According to a report by the National Volunteer Fire Council, in 2020, there were just over one million firefighters in the U.S. Of those, nearly 678,000—or 65 percent—were volunteers. That same report shows there are nearly 30,000 fire departments in the U.S. Of those, nearly 19,000 are all volunteer, and 5,300 are a mix, like Carl Junction. Only 2,700 of those are staffed with a fully career force. 'Back in the day, on this department, it was one of those things where, you know, shop owners, farmers, you know, people who worked the mines, when they had time, if there was a fire, they would volunteer their time and they would come and ride out on a truck. It's not like that anymore,' said Chief Perkins. Chief Perkins says the steadily declining number of volunteers is likely due to several factors, among them, time. 'Everybody works a lot of hours.' But he says agencies like his can work around that—offering to let volunteers do what they do best. 'And it doesn't even necessarily mean that you have to go running around like the rest of us crazy people, you know, charging into buildings that are on fire. There's so many other opportunities.' Xavier says spending time with his dad and uncle is a bonus—but the real attraction to being a volunteer firefighter is knowing the difference he can make. 'Growing up in this fire station, that's all I've seen, is just guys willing to put their lives on the line to come out here and help make people's lives better, essentially, you know, when they're in rough places.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Jasper County Commission approves $250K for law enforcement upgrades
JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — It's a quarter-of-a-million-dollar boost for law enforcement in Jasper County. The county commission today approved the 2025 grant program for the law enforcement sales tax. That was money that went to nearly a dozen police agencies, including Webb City, Carl Junction, Oronogo, and Duenweg. Jasper County Commission approves $250K for law enforcement upgrades Jasper County flu cases triple in three weeks, officials say Wrongful death lawsuit filed in case that claimed young firefighter's life CJHS senior honored for volunteer efforts CJ students celebrate Kindness Week with acts of goodwill The annual program helps to fund department upgrades smaller agencies couldn't afford on their own. 'They submit their applications in priority of what they are needing for their specific agencies. That could be a patrol car. That could be ammunition. That could be body cameras. Things that maybe they wouldn't be able to fund otherwise. And so these funds allow them to do so,' said Jenn Kirby, L.E.S.T. Board Secretary. The Carterville and Webb City Police Departments were among the top awards, receiving $42,000 and $33,000, respectively. The Jasper Police Department received the largest grant—$50,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Jasper County flu cases triple in three weeks, officials say
JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — Jasper County health officials warn now is the time to take extra precautions to avoid the growing number of flu cases. Debbie Darby, Jasper County Health Administrator points to county numbers, which have more than tripled in the last three weeks. Statewide, Missouri is topping 10,000 cases, which is more than double what they were this time last year. Jasper County Commission approves $250K for law enforcement upgrades Jasper County flu cases triple in three weeks, officials say Wrongful death lawsuit filed in case that claimed young firefighter's life CJHS senior honored for volunteer efforts CJ students celebrate Kindness Week with acts of goodwill She emphasizes sick patients should stay home and, if they're still healthy, follow precautions like washing hands frequently. 'In fact, just read yesterday that they're looking at a second round that should be coming our way. Hopefully, that won't be. But yeah, their prediction is that we're going to see it for a few more weeks,' said Darby. Darby also told us Influenza A accounts for the vast majority of flu cases of norovirus and COVID seem to be trending down. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
