Hometown Hero
No heat? No problem! Elfer makes local woman’s day with replacement heater

Warren County Emergency Management Director John Elfer was recognized today by a local woman who he provided with a space heater.
Vicksburg resident Cheryl Smith found herself in a potentially dangerous situation when her heat stopped working in the midst of the record cold temperatures. After she was unable to find a space heater in town, she reached out to the emergency responders for help. Within minutes, she said, her prayers were answered.
“I would like to thank Mr. John Elfer (Warren County Emergency Management) for going above and beyond in this inclement weather,” Smith wrote on Facebook. “My unit stop working and I was without heat. Walmart was closed and home Depot didn’t have any heater’s in stock. I called Emergency 911 and the Vicksburg Police Department and explained my situation a few minutes later I heard a knock on the door. It was Mr. John Elfer with a space heater in in his hand. I am too elated. I truly appreciate him and all he does, once again thank you Mr. John Elfer.”
Elfer is known for going out of his way to keep the public informed on emergency situations, including the current winter storm. He was also a key player in the implementation of the drive-through COVID-19 vaccination site here in Vicksburg and a long list of other community services.
The Warren County community is very thankful to have someone as thoughtful as Elfer who always put the citizens of our community first.
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