BEATRICE – After years of having a more restrictive period for fireworks sales and use, a city councilman is suggesting adopting the state’s lengthier time frame.
Beatrice City Councilman Tim Fralin wants the city to adopt the state’s June 24th through July 5th sales and use period, based on input from fireworks stand operators. State regulations also allow sale from December 28th to January 1st.


The City of Beatrice allows sales and use of fireworks only from July 1st through July 4th.


Fralin says fireworks stand operators would like the city to adopt the state’s rules.  "The reason they're asking is right now, they're losing sales dollars to the local communities around us. They're going to Cortland, they're going to Wymore, they're going to Fairbury...every place that has a stand. They're still bringing them into the city and shooting off the fireworks. Why not allow our people who are not only doing it for a living for their family....but also baseball teams, softball teams...girl scouts, boy scouts do it as a fundraiser. They work at these stands to make their money. I just asked to bring it to the city council to be changed to meet the state statutes."


Fralin acknowledges opinions differ on the length of fireworks sales and use.


"Some people absolutely hate fireworks. Some people say only licensed people should shoot fireworks. But, we were all kids once...and sorry for the fun-haters....but people and little kids like to have fun."   Fralin says the city loses out on some sales tax revenue with the shorter period.


Beatrice Fire and Rescue Chief Brian Daake says his department has tracked fireworks-related incidents over the years, since 2015.  "Outside of 2020, we have not had a lot of incidents. They've all been dumpster fires or the pile of firework debris that catches on fire at two o'clock in the morning. We had an incident where some teenage girls thought it would be fun to throw some fireworks into a car....the car lost. That was definitely a behavioral thing. In 2020 we had four fires and four injuries with it....but generally speaking, we've got very good stewards in this community with their behavior using fireworks."


One issue to be discussed is whether there should be a specific evening hours cut-off, for fireworks use.  No decision yet, on the fireworks sales and use period.