Local firefighters given Valor Award for heroic efforts
Several Oxford firefighters were awarded for their valor and heroic efforts during a deadly fire in January where two woman lost their lives. The award was given to the firefighters on Friday in Jackson at the annual Mississippi Firefighters Memorial Burn Association banquet. (February 16, 2011, Page 1)
Future of bowling alley unknown
When The Lanes bowling alley burned down last week, more than just bowling shoes and pins were destroyed.
“There was so much memorabilia up in that attic,” owner Gary Churchill said Monday about Oxford’s nearly 50-year-old bowling alley. “It’s just heart breaking”
Churchill owned the business, but rented the space from Robert and Kay Churchill, his aunt and uncle, who owned the building that housed the bowling alley and the Brass Monkey, which was owned separately by Chris Phillips and Ricky Bowles. (September 28, 2010, Page 1)
Investigation continues into bowling alley fire
Fire officials from the Oxford Fire Department, the state Fire Marshal’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives are trying to determine what might have caused a fire that destroyed The Lanes bowling alley and Brass Monkey Sports Pub & Grub early Wednesday morning. (September 23, 2010, Page 2)
Water pressure still a problem
Several Oxford residents and businesses are still seeing only a trickle of water coming from their pipes since a fallen power pole sparked a series of events that lead to loss of water pressure around town Wednesday. (September 23, 2010, Page 1)
Free smoke detectors available
The use of smoke detectors is the no. 1 line of defense against being killed in a house fire. To make sure everyone in Oxford and Lafayette County is protected, the Layfayette County Volunteer Fire Department and Oxford Fire Department are offering smoke detectors to those who qualify thanks of the Mississippi State Fire Marshal’s free smoke alarm program. (August 30, 2010, Page 1A)
5-year-old saves home from fire
John Preston Turner Jr. knew something just wasn’t right when he saw smoke coming from his friends’ chimney at about 8:15 Saturday evening.
“Daddy, look,” John Preston said to his father, Preston Turner. “Joe has a fire going.”
“I didn’t think anything of it at first,” Turner said. “But then I thought, ‘That was odd,’ since it was about 100 degrees outside.” (July 27, 2010, Page 1A)
Teaching more than ‘stop, drop and roll’
The Oxford Fire Department is teaching kids emergency skills that will last a lifetime. In its second year, the Fire Academy taught campers how to stay safe during a fire and bicycle safety tips. The Fire Academy is offered to children of Oxford and Lafayette County free of charge. This year’s session had 36 children attend. (July 16, 2010, Page 1B)
Storm damage reported
Heavy rains, high winds and lots of cloud-to-ground lightning wrecked havoc on some parts of Oxford Saturday afternoon. The storm, which blew into town around 3 p.m., toppled a few trees and caused a few power outages in the community, Oxford Emergency Management Coordinator Jimmy Allgood said. (June 28, 2010, Page 1)
Being prepared for the worst
Each time a police officer or firefighter responds to a call, there’s a risk they may not return home to their families that day.
Everyone of them know the risk and still choose to spend their lives saving and protecting others.
Several Oxford lawyers will be making sure all first-responder’s families are also protected in the event of their loved-ones death. (June 10, 2010, Page 1)
Kids learn fire safety
The Oxford Fire Department is accepting applications for its summer Fire Academy where kids will learn what it’s like to be a firefighter.
The five-day academy will be for children 6 to 12 years old and will be held from 9 a.m. to noon, June 26-30 at Fire Station No. 4 on Mall Drive. (May 6, 2010, Page 2)
