President Joe Biden on Wednesday called on Americans to do their patriotic duty and get a COVID shot. He urged businesses (with the enticement of a tax credit) to give their employees the paid time-off to do so. The President’s renewed appeals come as the country is fast-approaching an arguably more difficult stage of its vaccine roll-out—one where demand for the vaccine no longer outstrips supply.
- PUB DATE: 4/22/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Fortune

VIDEO: Investigators are looking into what caused a massive two-alarm fire at a storage unit facility Wednesday afternoon in North Seattle. Firefighters responded to a report of a fire at a storage unit structure at Aurora Avenue North and North 109th Street. Before fire crews arrived, a thick plume of smoke could be seen in the sky as flames engulfed three buildings, which were damaged along with vintage cars.
- PUB DATE: 4/22/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KIRO-TV CBS 7 Seattle

A man died in a small plane crash Wednesday afternoon at Grove Field airport just north of Camas. Another man was injured and taken to a hospital. His condition is unknown, according to the Clark County Sheriff's Office. Authorities responded to the crash shortly after 3 p.m. According to bystander photos and multiple reports, the plane crashed into a hangar at the airport.
- PUB DATE: 4/22/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KGW-TV NBC 8 Portland

The Beecher Fire Protection District is receiving a FEMA grant to fund the installation of a fire sprinkler system, reports The Daily Journal.

The fire station is the only station that serves the entire community and surrounding unincorporated areas of Will County, with a total service area of 54 square miles.

Built in 1983 as an “unmanned” volunteer station, the 8,500-square-foot building was converted in 2001. By 2004, the station was staffed 24 hours. The renovation project cost $4 million and increased the building to 14,400 square feet. The cost of building a new station was estimated at $9 million, according to a press release.

The Lisbon Fire Department is considering applying for a grant to build a new fire station, reports The Review.

A fire official proposed the idea of applying for the $700,000 to $800,000 grant from USDA to council. He also requested permission to purchase the back parking lot for use by the firefighters.

Council decided to table the matter and take time to discuss the idea before voting.