Fireworks

Just a couple blocks from the fire scene the manager of a fireworks stand--who is also a mother--makes sure all her customers get a safety brochure.  "Come on, Wichita," Mitzi Rivers-Singleton says.  "Let's be safe!" Rivers-Singleton was reacting to the early morning fire in the 1200 blk of N. Glendale on Sunday.  Investigators say it was caused by someone placing discarded fireworks in an outdoor trash can.  They smoldered for hours before catching the house on fire.  When firefighters arrived they found the front of the home and the porch engulfed in flames.

Police in Goddard and Derby are looking for suspects after two fireworks stands were robbed over the last couple of days. The first robbery happened around 10:15 Wednesday night in the 300 block of East Patriot Avenue in Derby.  Police say the men were armed with a silver colored revolver and demanded fireworks. The suspects took off in a black SUV with a slanted back. The robbers made off with several packages of fireworks.  Police did release a sketch of what one of the suspects looked like.

Geography Surveyed: City of Wichita Data Collected: 06/27/2012 Release Date: 06/27/2012 20:40 ET Sponsor: KWCH-TV Wichita 1. Do you support? Or oppose adding fluoride to Wichita's water? Asked of 600 Adults Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.1% 54% - Support 33% - Oppose 13% - Not Sure 2. Do you or a family member plan to set off some fireworks on July 4th? Asked of 500 Adults Margin of Sampling Error for this question = ± 4.1% 56% - Yes 41% - No 3% - Not Sure 3. How much will you spend on fireworks?

Cheyenne, Rawlins, and Sherman counties have all banned open burning within the county. This includes but not limited to controlled burning of grass or fields, fire pits, charcoal grills, trash, yard debris, and in many locations also restricts the use of fireworks. There are also burn bans in Anderson, Barton, Decatur, Franklin, Gove, Graham, Logan, Mitchell, Morton, Ottawa, Pawnee, Phillips, Rooks, Thomas and Trego. The city of Olathe has also issued a burn ban. The combination of above normal temperatures, below normal precipitation, low relative humidity, and wind has caused high fire risk for much of the area.

Fireworks go on sale Wednesday in Sedgwick County.  This year will be the first time the county will have a non-emergency number available for people to call with complaints. The number is (316) 290-1011 It will be open on the evening of July 4th and early in the morning of July 5th. It's for fireworks complaints only. The line was opened because of an incident that happened last year on the holiday.  Many were trying to call 911 about a deadly motorcycle accident, but couldn't get through because all lines were tied up. If a non-emergency fireworks complaint call is received on the 911 line, the dispatcher will transfer the caller to the non-emergency number.

For many in southwest Kansas, last year's dry weather meant no fireworks on the Fourth of July. This year the tradition should be back for celebrations in Dodge City. This week Dodge City commissioners voted to temporarily waive the city's fireworks ban on the fourth and fifth of July. The waiver does not apply to fireworks on public property. Last Summer's extreme heat and dry conditions led many communities, including Dodge City, to not allow any fireworks on the Fourth.

Information from Sedgwick County regarding the sale and use of fireworks.  This information applies to residents of Sedgwick County.  Please check laws where you live. ------ Summer is well underway and Fourth of July celebrations are right around the corner.  While fireworks are used as part of the holiday celebration - and legal in Sedgwick County - it is important to remember that fireworks can be dangerous if not handled properly.  Small children should not handle fireworks and older children should be supervised while doing so; always have a hose or bucket of water nearby; and follow the directions printed on the labels.  These and other tips are available on the attachment or by visiting www.sedgwickcounty.org . The sale of fireworks: Any person, firm or corporation shall not sell fireworks to individuals at temporary retail stands or other locations, or deliver retail fireworks purchased by mail order, before June 27 and after July 5. (K.A.R 22-6-5)

A windy evening will prevail across the state but speeds will back down just a bit after sunset.  Overall, still a breezy night ahead, which will keep the area in the 60s and 70s for lows.  We'll see mostly clear skies. Some big changes are ahead thanks to a cold front, which will enter northwest Kansas early Sunday morning.  This front will sink southeastward during the day and will take a bite out of the heat for the west.  Instead of 90s or triple digits, places like Goodland, Garden City and Hays will be in the 80s.  Ahead of the front though, another day in the 90s is forecast, along with gusty south winds.  There will be plenty of moisture around for the front to lift late Sunday afternoon and evening, which spells a bout of thunderstorms.  Some of these storms will likely turn severe, with large hail and high winds the main concerns.  Storms will continue into the evening hours then partly to mostly cloudy skies will take over.

Residents in Dodge City will be allowed to shoot off fireworks to celebrate the new year, and shoot off items they may have purchased for the fourth of July. At a special meeting Wednesday, the Dodge City Commission lifted its ban on the discharge of fireworks beginning at Noon on Saturday, Dec. 31, and ending at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 1. Dodge City officials say residents must remembers that fireworks still cannot be set off on any public property, which includes school playgrounds, public parking areas, the Civic Center and Memorial Stadium.

Dodge City residents waiting to shoot off fireworks from the Fourth of July will have to keep waiting. The Dodge City Commission voted Tuesday to keep the city's fireworks ban in place over the Sept. 10 and 11 weekend. The city usually lifts the ban for July Fourth, but did not this year because of high fire danger. There was a suggestion to lift the ban this weekend, but city commissioners voted against it because of continued dry conditions. While it will not allow public fireworks yet, Dodge City does still plan to hold a professional fireworks display Sunday as part of a Sept.