A blazing fire broke out over the weekend at a Ballard homeless encampment, a site already grappling with violence and criminal activity, according to area residents. No injuries were reported during the blaze, which occurred Saturday at Ballard Commons Park. The cause of the fire was pending but witnesses described hearing an explosion and a popping noise that sounded like ammunition before the flames were seen coming from a container.
- PUB DATE: 9/20/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

PHOTOS: A home in Graham is a total loss after it caught fire overnight. Firefighters from Graham Fire & Rescue were called to the home in the 12800 block of 224th Street shortly after 2:30 a.m. Monday. As of 6:30 a.m., crews remained at the scene putting out hot spots. No injuries were reported. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
- PUB DATE: 9/20/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

Idaho officials announced Thursday they're preparing to ration hospital care due to the COVID-19 surge, and it was the last thing next-door Washington state's top hospital advocate wanted to hear. "It's terrible. I don't know if people understand the gravity of the situation," Cassie Sauer, chief executive of the Washington State Hospital Association, told CNN Thursday evening.
- PUB DATE: 9/20/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KDRV-TV ABC 12 Medford

An online fundraiser for a North Whidbey firefighter who suffered a stroke while on duty earlier this month has raised almost $20,000 to help him with medical expenses. Daniel Hovelsrud, 28, was at North Whidbey Fire and Rescue Station 25 on Sept. 7 when he collapsed due to a stroke. Fellow first responders took him to Island Hospital in Anacortes before a Life Flight helicopter crew took him to Swedish Medical Center in Seattle.
- PUB DATE: 9/18/2021 1:22:08 AM - SOURCE: South Whidbey Record

Brunswick (ME) officials say they’re confident that, despite the area’s notorious traffic congestion, the location of the $13 million fire station won’t pose a problem, reports pressherald.com.

Approved in February and now under construction at the intersection of Pleasant and Webster streets, the new station looks to upgrade from the 102-year-old facility at 21 Town Hall Place, the report says.

According to town officials, the plan for emergency personnel to navigate congestion is by controlling traffic signals from the station and having vehicles leave the station on Webster Street.