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- PUB DATE: 12/29/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: San Diego Tribune

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- PUB DATE: 12/29/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Palm Beach Post

Chicago firefighters were responding to a routine drill in a Loop high-rise hotel Saturday when a West Side man allegedly took advantage of their distraction and stole a Chicago Fire Department SUV from the scene, authorities said Monday. Joseph Gunn, 43, of the 4200 block of West Cermak Road, allegedly made off with the department-issued SUV of the first battalion chief that was left running outside the Hilton Chicago at 720 S.
- PUB DATE: 12/29/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Chicago Tribune

A two-story stone schoolhouse was built in 1910 at the intersection of Welsh and Church roads in Cumru Township.

The Cedar Top School became the Cedar Top Fire Station in 1957. Subsequent additions have left the station looking "like it's made of Legos," said Jeanne E. Johnston, township manager.

When Cedar Top, Gouglersville and Grill fire companies consolidated into the Cumru Fire Department in 2004, centrally located Cedar Top became the main station. In recent years the township has added more and more patches to the failing roof, which drains poorly and tends to leak into areas between old and less old parts of the station.

Moisture has caused garage doors to rust, creating safety hazards. Part of the foundation of the old schoolhouse has sunk, leaving a visible slant to the roof.

Fire Chief Scott R. Brady said the department needs a new fire station, with construction starting yesterday.

"Why continue to spend a whole lot of money on this building when its days are numbered?" he said.

Township commissioners agree Cedar Top is antiquated, but some are less certain than Brady about what the next step should be.

Last month they approved a line item in the 2016 tentative budget for about $100,000 in preliminary work for a new station, including environmental studies and civil engineering. But they haven't decided on a site for the proposed station.

The process of building a new station would take at least four years, township officials said, during which time more costly Band-Aids for Cedar Top will be required. 

Commissioners want to hear a presentation and learn more about the methodology before proceeding with environmental studies of a specific site next year. 

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