Latest news with #Degase
Yahoo
13-04-2025
- Yahoo
Sparta man arrested for ramming into law enforcement cars, resisting arrest in pursuit
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. — A man from Sparta was arrested after ramming into multiple law enforcement vehicles and resisting arrest during an early morning pursuit on Sunday, April 13. According to a Facebook post from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), Sheriff Chris Degase and Deputy Shawn Wilson assisted the Ozark Police Department in a pursuit on West State Route 14 heading into Douglas County. The suspect, identified as Steven Browning from Sparta, drove into Ava and then into the Signal gas station. DCSO says law enforcement attempted to block Browning's vehicle in the parking lot, but Browning then struck Degase's and Wilson's vehicles and rammed into an Ozark Police unit while backing up. Man killed after traveling on the roadway in Polk Browning had to be forced out of his vehicle by Degase and continued to resist arrest until Ozark PD, Ava PD and DCSO put him in handcuffs, even trying to grab a knife on his person while being arrested. Sheriff Degase and Deputy Wilson received minor injuries in the incident. 'We were very fortunate that no one was seriously injured in this incident. There is only one good and that is knowledge, and one evil and that is ignorance,' said Sheriff Degase. Browning is charged with three counts of first-degree assault of a law enforcement officer, three counts of armed criminal action, aggravated fleeing arrest, possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and DWI. Browning is being held in Douglas County Jail with no bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Crews battling massive fire in Douglas County since Sunday
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Mo. – Extreme wind speeds on Wednesday fanned fires that are spreading too fast for fire crews to get under control. Ozarks First was at the scene of a 5-square-mile fire in Douglas County, where firefighters have been battling a blaze for four days. 'It's fast, I mean, they can't get ahead of it,' said Sheriff Chris Degase. 'They can't get it under control.' Several fire departments from across the Ozarks came together to put out the fire that started as a controlled burn in Douglas County. 'We are still uncertain whether anything else got set after that or if this is strictly off of that controlled burn,' Degase said. Fast-moving fire prompts evacuations in Douglas County Crews were battling the blaze on Sunday and were able to get it put out, but the high winds have sparked the embers every day since then, even causing the fire to jump across roads. 'These things are like whirlwinds,' Degase said. 'When I was driving down, you could see the wind spin and it's just picking the embers up, taking them to the other side of the road and starting.' The sheriff ordered evacuations for anyone living off Highway N near County Road 325 and 333 south of Ava. 'They had to leave,' Degase said. 'There was no option about it. As heavy as the winds were, there was no guarantee (the fire departments) were going to be able to save structures.' Crews were able to save a few properties in the line of fire, but not everything. One person in critical condition after house fire on New Avenue in Springfield 'Property can be replaced, lives can't,' Degase said. He gave props to the volunteers and fire crews that have been out there for four days. 'We're just trying to coordinate, get them the resources they need, try to help get food and water and do a little bit of traffic control,' Degase said. 'These guys here are they're the heroes.' DeGase also credits the community. 'The community has been bringing in food, water, Gatorade to these guys just all day for four days,' Degase said. 'And we appreciate that. And that's just indicative of the community that we live in.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
