Volunteer fire department elects new chief

The members of the Petersburg Volunteer Fire Department elected Dan Bird this month to replace Jim Stolpe as fire chief.

Stolpe served two three-year terms as chief, and he intends to continue his volunteering career with PVFD for as long as he is able - though he plans to let his EMT certification expire in the coming year and will slow down a little when it comes to rushing into burning buildings.

"After 45 years of doing it, I figure it's time for that younger generation to pick that ball up and run," said Stolpe. He admits that, for him, stepping away from EMS feels a little like letting t...