Fireworks on the Fourth of July date back all the way to the nation's founding. On July 2, 1776, John Adams wrote to his wife that signing the Declaration of Independence—which would happen in two days—should be met with celebrations that included “illuminations,” the 18th-century word for “fireworks.
- PUB DATE: 6/30/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Tulsa World

A historic building dating back to the 1890s was severely damaged by a fire in Seattle's Belltown neighborhood early Thursday morning. The fire at Wayne Apartments, located on the 2200 block of 2nd Avenue, was first reported around 4 a.m. At one point, black smoke from the fire could be seen over the Seattle skyline as crews worked to put the fire out.
- PUB DATE: 6/30/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

A fire that broke out Monday in the long-vacant Gault Middle School building in Tacoma is suspected to have been caused by someone setting off fireworks illegally, a Tacoma Fire Department official said. The fire started on the first floor of the building, located at 1115 E. Division Lane. Firefighters responded to the incident about 12:20 p.
- PUB DATE: 6/30/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The News Tribune

The Spokane Valley Fire Department is preparing to significantly upgrade its alerting systems in each fire station that go off when a call has been received, replacing what in many cases is decades old technology. “We’ve got systems out there that are homemade systems that date back to the ’70s,” said Jeff Bordwell, interim deputy chief of administrative services.
- PUB DATE: 6/29/2022 10:00:00 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review - Metered Site

FA reported last week that the Fox River and Countryside (IL) Fire/Rescue District was looking to borrow $13 million for new equipment and an additional station. Now, dailyherald.com is reporting that unofficial results show voters approved the measure.

However, official results won’t be in until July 12.

If the results hold, the funds will be used to provide debt relief, purchase new vehicles and equipment, and fund a third fire station in St. Charles Township.

More info can be found here and here.

The third station, at a cost of $5 million with construction beginning in 2025, could improve response times by three minutes, which would be a boon as the district’s call volume is up 51% over the last 10 years, FA reported.

Another $5 million of the funds would go toward new vehicles and equipment, as the district currently has no reserve engine. The remaining $3 million would be used to pay off the debt from the construction of the other two stations.

The $13 million equates to $37.84 of additional property taxes for every $100,000 of assessed property value, which will remain in place for 10 years.