Labor Day weekend is coming up and everyone is ready to fire up their grills. Hot dogs and burgers are a welcoming sight at family cookouts, but a fire can make your holiday barbecue memorable for all the wrong reasons. Gas and charcoal grills cause an average of 1,500 structure fires and 4,800 outdoor fires in or on home properties. Because of the dangers, the Riverside Public Safety Department, NFPA (National fire Protection Association) offer these sensible outdoor grilling tips to help keep your cookout fun and safe.

Gas grill safety tips

- Check air tubes that lead into the burner for blockage from insects, spiders or food grease.
- Check grill hoses for cracking, brittleness, holes and leaks. Make sure there are no sharp bends in the hose or tubing.
- Move gas hoses as far away as possible from hot surfaces and dripping hot grease.
- Always keep propane gas containers upright.
- Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors.
- Never store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the grill.
- Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape.

Charcoal grill safety tips

Charcoal produces carbon monoxide (CO) when it’s burned. CO is a colorless, odorless gas that can accumulate to toxic levels in close environments. To reduce the risk of CO poisoning:
- Never burn charcoal inside of homes, vehicles, tents or campers.
- Charcoal should never be used indoors, even if ventilation is provided.
- Since charcoal produces CO fumes until the charcoal is completely extinguished, do not store the grill indoors with freshly used coals.

Just remember when you’re ready to fire up the grill, keep the following in mind:
- Position the grill well away from siding, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Place the grill a safe distance from lawn games, play areas and foot traffic.
- Declare the entire grill area a “kid-free zone” until the grill has completely cooled off.

Using these safety tips will allow you and your family to have enjoyable time.

Interested in becoming a first responder to community emergencies?  Attend the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training September 17,18 and 25 to learn the basics on how to assist your family and neighbors in the first minutes after an emergency.  Participants will learn about: disaster preparedness, fire suppression, medical operations, light search and rescue and more. 

When: September 17, 18 and 25, 2010
Where: Park University, Parkville, Mo. (McCoy Meetin’ House)
Time: Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: FREE!

Please register in advance to:

Deputy Mike O’Neal, Northland CERT
816-858-1966
moneal@plattesheriff.org

Peter Sturner, Northland CERT
816-518-6789
pete.sturner@park.edu

Pamela Carrol, HARRT
816-741-3528
founder001@harrt.net

The Riverside Police Department received a grant from the Missouri Department of Transportation’s Highway Safety Division for participation in the You Drink and Drive, You Lose campaign to stop people from driving impaired. Enforcement efforts will be increased starting August 20 through September 6, 2010 and will focus on reducing death and serious injuries caused by impaired drivers.

“It’s never worth the risk to drive while under the influence of drugs or alcohol,” said Chief Mills. “Whether it’s your license, your money or your life, you drink and drive, you lose.”

Consider some of these consequences if you are caught driving while intoxicated:

- For the first conviction, or first conviction in over 5 years, your license will be suspended for 30 days followed by a 60 day point suspension if a hardship license is not obtained.

- A second conviction results in a $1,000 fine, a yearlong revocation of your license and up to a year in jail. You will also be required to install an ignition interlock system on your vehicle, which prevents your car from starting when you have alcohol on your breath.

- Third and subsequent convictions can be penalized with up to a $5,000 fine, a 10 year license denial, and/or up to seven years in prison. 

- If you cause a fatal crash while intoxicated, you could be charged with Involuntary Manslaughter, a felony resulting in up to seven years of jail time, a $5,000 fine or both.

 - Insurance coverage will be difficult to find. If you do manage to receive coverage, the rates will be significantly higher.

For more information contact Brent Holland at (816) 812-1109, or visit www.saveMOlives.com.

As summer winds down, the pool hours will change starting on Monday, August 16. The new hours are 4 to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday; noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Labor Day (September 6) is the last day of the season and the pool is open from noon to 8 p.m.

Mother Nature has once again reminded us of the harsh weather conditions in August. We’re almost two weeks into the month and so far we’ve experienced hot temperatures and hardly any rain. Unfortunately, the forecast doesn’t look too promising.

These safety tips are a great way to prevent heat exhaustion and heat stroke in these extreme conditions:

-Dress appropriately. Wear lightly-colored, loose clothes and a hat to cool your head.

-Work around the intense heat. Plan to do heavy, outdoor activities such as mowing or exercising before noon or after 6 p.m.

-Drink plenty of water. Beverages containing alcohol and caffeine can cause dehydration.

-Don’t leave anyone unattended. Never leave pets, children or elderly in parked cars.

-Be cautious when working outside. If you must be outdoors, take frequent indoor breaks and wear sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher.

 -Have a cold drink at hand. Freeze a jug of water before you go outside that way it will stay cold and last longer in the heat.

-Stay cool inside. If you don’t have air conditioning, slightly open the windows so the fresh air can still circulate. Spend some time at a mall or community center to cool off.

Summer is winding down which means it’s time to gear up for fall sports! Registration is now open for various sports in the Platte County Sports Leagues. Each league offers multiple sports available for all ages up to adult.

Northland Sports Alliance

• Fall Soccer leagues include U5 Fun Soccer ($60), U6 Pony Soccer ($70) and U6 Advanced to U12 Division ($90). The registration deadline is August 13. The season runs from September 11 to October 31.

• Competitive Baseball leagues include 9U, 10U – 14U Major/AAA & AA. Divisions are based on the oldest player’s age on April 30, 2011. Teams play the division they will play Spring 2011. Team fees are $900 for 9U – 12U and $1,000 for 13U – 14U. The season is 12 games (six double-headers) at Tiffany Hills Parks on Sundays & Mondays. The season starts on September 12.

• Competitive Softball league is for ages 10U – 14U with play days on Tuesday. The cost is $850 per team for a six-week season, double-header season at Tiffany Hills Park starting September 14. Teams must be sanctioned with USSA and provide their own game balls. The registration deadline is August 20.

• Recreational Baseball league is a mini season for ages 7U – 14U. Team registration fee is $450 and the registration deadline is August 13. Teams will play under USSSA rules for a 5-game season that runs from September 13 to October 15. Teams provide their own equipment and uniforms.

Detailed information on all Northland Sports Alliance leagues can be found by calling (816) 587-0880.

Platte City Parks and Recreation

Platte City Parks & Recreation is sponsoring a Fall Soccer League for kids in Kindergarten through 6th grade. The league cost is $65. Registration is on-line at www.plattecity.org or at City Hall, 400 Main Street, Platte City, Monday through Friday, 8 am – 5 p.m. The deadline for registration is August 31. The season will run from September 25 to October 16. For more information call Dannie Stamper or Bill Williams at (816) 858-5627.

Platte County Community Centers/YMCA

Flag Football is available for kids in Kindergarten through 7th grade. The season runs from September 6 to November 6. The registration deadline is August 23.

Basketball is available for kids in Kindergarten through 7th grade. The season runs from September 13 to November 6. The registration deadline is August 30.

Bitty Soccer is an instructional league for ages 3 to 4. The season runs from September 1 – 20. The registration deadline is August 27.

Bitty Flag Football is an instructional league for ages 3 to 4. The season runs from October 4 – 20. The registration deadline is October 1.

Bitty Baseball is an instructional league for ages 3 to 4. The season runs from September 3 – 18. The registration deadline is August 31.

Adult Co-Ed Volleyball is for ages 18 and older. The season runs from September 8 to October 20. No individual registrations will be accepted. The registration deadline is August 30.

Adult Co-Ed Basketball is for ages 18 and older. The season runs from September 12 to November 7. No individual registrations will be accepted. The registration deadline is August 23.

Adult Co-Ed Softball is for ages 18 and older. The season runs from September 3 – October 22. No individual registrations will be accepted. The registration deadline is August 23.

For league entry forms and additional information, contact Brandon Palmer at (816) 505-2622.

Weston Soccer Club

Weston Soccer Club offers a fall recreational soccer league. The season will run from September 18 to October 16 with two games played each Saturday. Registration is 6 to 8 p.m., August 5 at the New Deal Tobacco Warehouse, 17955 State Route 45 N. Weston, and 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., August 17 at the West Platte Elementary Back to School Night. Prices are $40 – one child, $70 – two children, $90 – three children and $110 – four children. The prices will increase by $10 after August 18. The final deadline for registration is August 27. For more information contact Stephanie at (816) 640-2446 or Trista at (816) 695-8207.

A big thank you goes out to Patriots Bank for making a generous donation to Riverside’s Back to School Clothing and Supply Drive. Employees at all six branches were able to participate in a jeans day if they donated to the drive. Additionally, the bank made another donation of supplies and clothes to the kids.

The City will donate all items collected to the Park Hill School District. Counselors at each school will hand out school supplies to children in need and clothes are distributed through the Park Hill Clothing Closet.

What can you do to help? Take advantage of the upcoming tax free holiday on August 6-8 and help stock up on essentials:

 • NEW white no-show socks (all sizes)

• NEW boys & young men’s boxers or boxer briefs

• NEW girls’ underwear

• #2 Pencils

• Crayons (8, 16 or 24 count)

• Washable Crayola markers

• Colored pencils

• Yellow Highlighters

• Dry erase markers

• Pocket folders with brads (plain colors only)

• Pocket folds without brads (plain colors only)

• Elmer’s Washable White School Glue

• Glue sticks

• 1” 3-ring binders

• Spiral notebooks (wide ruled)

• Notebook paper (wide ruled)

• Ziploc bags (gallon and quart)

• Supply pouches

• Hand sanitizer

• Clorox Wipes

• Tissues

Items can be dropped off in bins at the Riverside Community Center and Riverside City Hall. Donations will be accepted through August 20.

A young Pete Edlund began to serve his country in 1964 by joining the United States Army.  Following that enlistment he then joined the United States Marine Corps.  After tours of duty in two branches of the armed services and a tour of duty in Vietnam, Pete returned to civilian life and attended college at the University of Kansas.  It was there that he decided his calling was in law enforcement.

Detective Pete Edlund

In 1971 Pete Edlund became an officer with the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department.  While he held a variety of assignments for the KCPD, Pete’s true calling and what he excelled at was his work in Homicide, both as a Detective and a Sergeant.  He also became a member of the Metro Squad in 1978, a position he held until his retirement from law enforcement on August 2, 2010.

While with Kansas City, Pete worked on or supervised some of the more dramatic death investigations in Kansas City history, to include:

• Several killings which were determined to be related to organized crime.
• The 1981 Hyatt Regency collapse.
• The 1989 murder of 15 year old Ann Harrison, or Annie as Pete calls her.
• The 1990 murder of Diana Butler.
• The 1992 murder of FBI Agent Stanley Ronquist.
• Several serial killer investigations, to include James McGuire.

For 18 years he was also a crisis negotiator.  Pete studied, developed and practiced some of the techniques still used today in dealing with hostage negotiations and critical incident debriefings.

In 1998 Pete retired from the KCPD, but not from law enforcement.  He then spent the next 8 years as a Deputy Sheriff with the Platte County Sheriff’s Department.  Following those years, Pete then went to work as a Detective with the Riverside Police Department for 3 years.

Pete Edlund has spent 40 years in metropolitan area law enforcement.  30 of those years have been in criminal investigations to include membership in the Metro Squad.  Pete is an expert in criminal investigations and is one of the most accomplished murder detectives in this area.  His performance, dedication and results over 4 decades are exemplary and without comparison.  Metropolitan law enforcement and the citizens they serve owe Pete Edlund a debt of gratitude and thanks for a lifetime of service. 

- Guest Post by Chief Greg Mills, Riverside Department of Public Safety

Residents who need to dispose of yard waste and tree limbs should take them to the Damon Pursell Yardwaste Facility (6105 NW Riverpark Dr., Riverside, Mo, 816-304-3441) to be composted. This service is provided FREE of charge to residents. Regular operating hours are Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weather permitting). Please bring your drivers license to verify residency.  The Public Works Department does not accept yard waste at its facility.