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Firework demand fizzles

Sales very low thanks to drought, plus July 4th falls on a Wednesday.
By Amanda Layton
alayton@perryvillenews.com

STROLLIN IN RED WITH FREDBIRD

This year will be remembered as the time 4th of July celebrations were held without the usual pop and bang, as local firework vendors have reported fizzled sales due to the extreme drought conditions that have plagued the region since early spring, forcing county officials to impose a burn ban. Tuesday morning, Dave Hoffman, whose family has operated a firework stand for more than 60 years, was stocking shelves and tables with his explosive inventory, and hoping that the cooler temperatures forecasted would bring the people out of their homes and into his stand. He said that this firework season has been the slowest he can remember. SEE FIZZLE/PAGE 5A

City bids thrown out

Bids for several trucks caused a stir at a meeting earlier this month, so the whole process will start over.
Amanda Keefe
alkeefe8388@gmail.com

After a lengthy debate June 19 concerning the purchase of trucks through a bid process, Perryville City Administrator Brent Buerck suggested at Tuesdays regular meeting council should regrettably throw out all bids and start over. The council Larry Rieney, Tom Guth, Curt Buerck, Randy Leivle, Prince Hudson, Gary Schumer agreed. Mayor Debbie Gahan did not vote. Buerck said because there were so many problems with the original plan, which would have allowed for bids to be received for the purchase of a one-ton truck and two custom-ordered heavy half-ton trucks, starting the process over was the best move. Despite all the problems, Gahan said, This has been a good learning experience. Because there was so much confusion and debate over this June 19 agenda item, Buerck explained to council that from now on, to avoid such issues, the city plans to better outline any future bids for the board. This will include explaining where the bidder is located, what the bidders history is and if the bidder has complied with specifications basically, allowing for more transparency and clarity on such decisions in the future. SEE TRUCKS/PAGE 5A The American Red Cross released a rst ever First Aid and emergency preparedness app for smart phones that could potentially save lives during a medical emergency.

STAFF PHOTO BY AMANDA LAYTON

Little Abbie Grebing, a student at United in Christ Lutheran School, walks hand in hand with St. Louis Cardinals beloved mascot Fredbird as she led her school onto the eld when they stood on home plate to sing God Bless America before Sundays game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A chance of a lifetime
United in Christ Lutheran students sing God Bless America at stadium.
By Amanda Layton
alayton@perryvillenews.com

Several children from a local school got a once-in-alifetime opportunity to stand in the spotlight in a cathedral built for baseball. More than 100 Students from United in Christ Lutheran School, located in Frohna,

stood behind home plate, and sang God Bless America at the major league baseball game Sunday afternoon at Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. We submitted a grant application, and we were selected from a pool of many who had applied, school principal Cheryl Honoree said. We couldnt be more excited about the opportunity. SEE SING/PAGE 5A

STAFF PHOTO BY AMANDA LAYTON

The students stood on home plate at Busch Stadium to deliver a musical message while 500-or-so from Perry County were in the stands for support. Nelda Koeberl is directing.

Red Cross releases new First Aid app

By Amanda Layton
alayton@perryvillenews.com

The American Red Cross recently released a First Aid app for iPhone and Android that could save lives in the event of an emergency by putting First Aid techniques at the fingertips of smart phone users. This app is the first in a se-

ries to be created and endorsed by the American Red Cross, to provide users with First Aid and emergency preparedness information, and the first app available for both the Android and iPhone platforms, giving users instant access to information on how to handle the most common First Aid situations, giving step-by-step instruc-

tions on everyday health emergencies listed in a convenient alphabetical listing. It also prioritizes the steps one should take during an emergency and offers a 9-1-1 call button. The First Aid app also includes videos and interactive quizzes. Users who take quizzes can earn badges they can share with friends through

social media to show off their lifesaving knowledge. The Red Cross developed the interactive tool to keep pace with the changes in technology and the rapid increase in smart phone users, taking critical first aid information that is normally stored on bookshelves and pamphlets and instead place SEE APP/PAGE 5A

To their sales team.

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Stop by & see him or give him a call.

MUDFEST * SATURDAY, JULY 14 * CITY PARK

www.perryparkcenter.com