The U.S. reported a record 1,082,549 new COVID-19 cases on Monday, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. It's the latest in a series of staggering milestones brought on by the highly transmissible omicron variant, which is sweeping across the U.S. and around the world. The U.S. has broken several of its own COVID-19 records in recent days.
- PUB DATE: 1/5/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: National Public Radio

Residents who were evacuated from apartment building in Seattle's North Beacon Hill neighborhood over the weekend were allowed to return home after it was deemed safe by inspectors. Bricks fell off the west side of the building, causing concern over a risk of a possible collapse. However, the damage was determined to be non-structural and cosmetic in nature, according to the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections.
- PUB DATE: 1/5/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KING-TV NBC 5 Seattle

A South Hill church sustained heavy damage from a fire in its sanctuary Sunday and repairs are estimated to take six to eight months, the Rev. Heather Tadlock of Bethany Presbyterian Church said. Tadlock said the congregation will meet virtually the next two Sundays (Jan. 9 and 16) on the church’s Facebook page, which is “Bethany Presbyterian Church Spokane.
- PUB DATE: 1/4/2022 9:39:24 PM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review - Metered Site

The Keweenaw Bay (MI) Fire Department recently purchased a 1989 Ford F-350 for $10,000.

The apparatus was purchased from a fire department in AL and refurbished in Fort May (NJ). It was hauled back to the northern Baraga Township (MI) area by Dynamite Towing.

Despite its age, the vehicle has just 68,000 miles on it. Officials say it will also be used when responding to traffic calls, downed power lines, and other such jobs.

“This truck will increase our department’s flexibility when responding to calls for service,” the department writes on Facebook. “In a township with a wide variety of terrain, a smaller rig like this will allow our firefighters to reach remote and tough-to-access fires in a more effective fashion. In addition to fighting fires, this rig will be useful for traffic-related calls such as crashes and downed power lines. Its size will allow our team to navigate busy highway traffic more safely.”

The City of Montgomery (AL) announced Jacobs Engineering Group has been selected as the project manager for a new construction project to build a state-of-the-art fire station near the intersection of West Fairview Avenue and South Court Street.

The redevelopment project is part of Mayor Steven L. Reed’s Montgomery Forward initiative, which funds a litany of long-needed capital improvement projects. Through this program, the City of Montgomery is reinvesting $50 million into the core of its community, including public safety and public transportation infrastructure.

“This project will improve quality of place and quality of life by allowing our firefighters to establish deeper connections to the residents they serve,” Montgomery Fire/Rescue Chief Miford Jordan said. “Of course, our mission is to serve and protect the people of our city, and this new fire station will allow us to bring more resources to the area to do just that.”

Initial plans estimate the new Fairview Fire Station will offer approximately 20,000 square feet of space. It will be home to a new engine truck, enhanced EMS response and other improvements. Additionally, the station will offer classroom space that will be available for the surrounding community to use.