The groundbreaking ceremony for the new fire station for the Skyline Area Volunteer Fire Department happened on December 12th. It has been a complicated process, but thanks to the CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and the South Central Ozark Council of Governments (SCOCG), our dedicated first responders and fire fighters will have a place to hold board meetings and training events. The new facility will have running water and bathrooms and other amenities the volunteers have done without for many years. Gentry Construction will follow the blueprints of architect, Joe Haberline. Jessica Moran of SCOCG will administer the grant. She attended the ceremony along with Fire Chief Veldencamp and Chaplin Merridith from the Squires Fire Department, and Fire Chief David Roberts of the Good Hope Fire Department. District One Commissioner Travis Chaney and Sheriff Chris Degase came out to show their support. The Skyline VFD was represented by Fire Chief Doug Hutchison, officers and fire fighters, D.J. Mastrangelo, Charlie Johnson, Robert Hamilton, Donald Powell, and Bud Watkins. Other Skyline volunteers planned to attend, but missed the ceremony because they were busy responding to a semitruck wreck on Highway C. They were taking care of business. Applications are being accepted for volunteers for fire rescue and first responder. (417-349-9150) No experience is needed. Training will be provided. The Skyline area covers Brushy Knob, Skyline, Evans, Champion, Denlow, Sweden and Black Oak. Residents in the Skyline VFD district are grateful for the service and dedication of volunteers and to neighboring fire departments who provide mutual assistance. This new fire station will make it easier for hard working volunters to do their important work and perhaps it will entice some young folks and newcomers to join this vital organization. Recently the Wright County Crisis Center made a significant donation to the Skyline VFD. Community support makes it all happen.

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