Mayor presents police officers with life-saving medals

The Fallon City Council presented three life-saving medals, held a public hearing for possible community development block grant (CDBG) projects and approved a business license change Oct. 3.

On the night of Dec. 29, 2021, Stephanie Ranson went to bed feeling a bit uneasy about her heart. She remembers waking up in the early hours of Dec. 30 feeling hot, having short fainting spells and then collapsing on the way to her father’s room.

Steve Ranson heard his daughter fall to the floor. He noticed she had stopped breathing, and he began cardiopulmonary resuscitation and dialed 911.

Sgt. Josh Schumann and officers Kurt Itskin and Michael Woolf were dispatched to the home where they found Stephanie Ranson unresponsive. They quickly determined she was not breathing and had no pulse.

“Without hesitation you obtained the automated external defibrillator and began life saving measures with cardiopulmonary resuscitation,” said Police Chief Ron Wenger. “Upon arrival of paramedics from Banner Hospital, you continued to assist with lifesaving measures until a heart rhythm returned. You continued to assist the paramedics by providing aid to them in a system of transport by driving the ambulance to the hospital.”

Wenger commended the sergeant and the officers for their “outstanding work” and then he and Mayor Ken Tedford presented each one with a certificate and a medal.

Stephanie Ranson said that she is “forever grateful and thankful" for Itskin, Schumann and Woolf.

“Without you and your life saving efforts, I would not be here today,” she said. “I also want to thank you for changing my life for the better. I now look at life with a more positive attitude and outlook.”

• Also at the meeting, the city council held a public hearing to discuss possible CDBG projects for fiscal year 2024-25. The purpose of the hearing is to give citizens an opportunity to discuss the proposed projects and to suggest further ideas. At this meeting, only the “East Richards Street Roadway and ADA Improvements” project was presented by City Engineer Derek Zimney.

If approved, the roadway from South Sherman Street to Harrigan Road would be upgraded with new asphalt, sidewalk creation and other improvements. The city baseball field located on the corner of East Richards Street and Harrigan Road would also benefit from the upgraded entrance and surrounding walkways. A third and final CDBG public hearing will be held prior to submittal to the state for consideration.

• The council approved an application by Jamie Parker for a change of location of a retail establishment and a drinking establishment, on-premises liquor license for No Filter Fitness, LLC. The wellness studio offers fitness classes, yoga, retail, a wine bar and “balance and bubbly workouts” at 40 E. Center St., numbers 1 and 2.