The Washington state Department of Health says COVID-19 cases are down across all age groups, including school-age children. The Seattle Times reports the encouraging trend, revealed Wednesday, comes several weeks after the state passed a peak of infection driven by the delta variant, which health and hospital officials have said brought the highest numbers of infections and hospitalizations yet.
- PUB DATE: 10/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KEPR-TV CBS/CW+ 19 Pasco

The facility where Bow Hill Blueberries makes its jams, juices, and other products was destroyed in a fire early Tuesday morning. “All of the value-added production and our warehouse, where we do our shipping and berry processing, was damaged. The building is not recoverable,” Bow Hill Blueberries co-owner Emma Ranz said Wednesday.
- PUB DATE: 10/13/2021 9:28:48 PM - SOURCE: Skagit Valley Herald (GoSkagit.com)

City officials are planning for a temporary space while Owensboro Fire Station 2 undergoes renovations, reports Yahoo News.

The fire station is scheduled to be expanded by about 1,200 square feet to hold six firefighters and equipment, instead of four firefighters. The $785,000 project was awarded to Q&S Contracting of Sebree.

In the meantime, officials are negotiating with two property owners on sites that could house a temporary fire station. The temporary site would be outfitted with alert systems used to punch out firefighters for calls.

The landmark Preston Royal Fire Station that was destroyed by a tornado in 2019 will be rebuilt, reports 21 CBS DFW.

While construction on the new building begins, a temporary fire station will be erected. A city official said that the five stations in the district have worked together since the tornado to ensure that residents’ emergency needs are met.

Services at the new fire station are expected to be an improvement to the old building.

Dallas Fire-Rescue representatives say that the alert systems meant to dispatch firefighters are often delayed by 90 seconds or more, reports NBCDFW 5.

Fire department leadership is requesting the 20-year-old system be replaced. At a city council meeting, the issue was discussed.

In the short term, the department has designated a 911 dispatcher whose sole responsibility is to contact the fire station that is closest to a reported emergency. Longer term plans call for the system to be replaced.