As a record number of Americans are infected with Covid-19, largely due to the rapidly spreading Omicron variant, some states' health care systems are beset with nearly full intensive care units. Nineteen states have less than 15% remaining capacity in their ICUs. Four of them have less than 10%: Kentucky, Alabama, Indiana and New Hampshire, according to data Wednesday from the US Department of Health and Human Services.
- PUB DATE: 1/13/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: CNN Health

Crews had to take down a house fire after it exploded early Thursday in Roslyn. Kittitas County Fire Protection District 6 confirmed the fire started shortly after the sun came up around 7:30 a.m. at the home in the 200 block of W. Montana Ave. All residents were able to get out of the home, officials say the fire started after the loud explosion.
- PUB DATE: 1/13/2022 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

A man who tried to burn his ex-wife’s house down after crashing through her garage was arrested Tuesday night on several charges. Spokane Police said 40-year-old Karim Hattal drove his car through the garage door of his ex-wife’s home at E 35th and S Smith around 9:15 p.m. Officers said he forced his way into the house and assaulted her.
- PUB DATE: 1/12/2022 11:11:53 PM - SOURCE: KXLY-TV ABC 4 Spokane

Klickitat County (WA) Fire District’s Station 32 sustained damage, as did one apparatus, during last week’s snowfall in the aptly named Snowden.

Station 32, nearing completion of major renovations, saw its roof collapse. Luckily, no one was hurt and there were no contractors working at the time—fortuitous as a Yakima cabinet crew was scheduled to arrive soon thereafter.

“The District will be working with our insurance company to get it back up as soon as possible,” a Facebook post reads. “We do have damage to one fire engine unfortunately. The other, primary, engine is still safe and sound at Station 33.”

After evaluations showed that the current facility is outdated and cramped, city officials are perusing proposals for a new fire station in Herrin (IL), reports wsiltv.com.

The current facility, built 48 years ago, was designed for a two-person crew, though the department now has five.

Proposed floor plans are in hand, but the report says that identifying the exact needs will take about five to six months.

Officials note that razing and rebuilding the current building would cost around $4 million. However, they also say that building at a new location would cost about the same, sans relocating the department. The hope is for the new building to be operational within two years, the report says.