Community transmission of COVID remains high in 89.2% of American counties, according to current data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite that, the latest wave, driven by the highly contagious and completely dominant Delta variant, appears to have crested, with new cases, hospitalizations, and deaths due to the virus all in decline from levels two weeks ago.
- PUB DATE: 10/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Fortune

VIDEO: With just a few days to go until the vaccine mandate takes effect, the Seattle Fire Department is making contingency plans for handling emergencies. The vaccine mandate deadline is Monday, Oct. 18. "We are committed to the health and safety of our community, and will comply with the Mayor and Governor’s COVID-19 vaccine mandates," said Seattle fire officials.
- PUB DATE: 10/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KCPQ-TV FOX 13 Seattle

Seattle Firefighters worked to extinguish a fire in an abandoned building near Denny Park Wednesday evening. Seattle Fire says heavy black smoke was seen coming from the third floor of an abandoned structure in the 200 block of Terry Ave N. Investigators are now working to determine the cause of the fire.
- PUB DATE: 10/14/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO-TV ABC 4 Seattle

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)