VIDEO: Those who knew lifelong firefighter Donald E. Whitaker said he had a love for people and a passion for fire service. “They didn’t call him by name, it was Chief, Chief Whitaker” Wife Ethel Whitaker said. “Yea Chief Whitaker,” Niece Jane Jones said. “Chief what can I do? What do you need? It was Chief.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WFMY-TV CBS 2 Greensboro

The seven-day average of new Coronavirus infections in the United States has fallen to a number not seen since the delta surge of last summer began to die down, though cases remain higher than during much of the pandemic. The country had an average of 153,029 cases per day as of Monday, according to tracking by The Washington Post.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: The Washington Post

VIDEO/PHOTOS: An abandoned elementary school is burning Wednesday morning in SeaTac. Firefighters say the call came in after midnight for the smoke and flames erupting from what used to be Maywood Elementary School, which quickly escalated to a two-alarm fire. Crews have been trying to slow the fire and smoke down for hours but did say there have been no reported injuries at the time.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

Upgrades have begun at Skagit County Fire District 14’s Alger station that will enable the district to staff the station overnight. The upgrades include adding six sleeping quarters, two storage rooms and laundry facilities, and updating the kitchen and day room. The station is one of two operated by the district.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Skagit Valley Herald

A family cat died in an early morning fire. Graham Fire & Rescue said it was called to the Spanaway home in the 19800 block of 75th Avenue East around 3 A.M. to help. The fire was taken out and all residents were able to get out except for a cat. Firefighters are looking into how the fire started.
- PUB DATE: 2/16/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle