Governor Andrew Cuomo announced Saturday that $29 million is available to support essential workers and first responders through the Empire Pandemic Response Reimbursement Fund program. Cuomo says the program was created to help reimburse out-of-pocket childcare, transportation, lodging, and other qualifying expenses that enabled workers to perform their duties.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WHEC-TV NBC News 10 Rochester

The main leaseholder of an Oakland warehouse that caught fire during a party in 2016, killing 36 people, was sentenced Monday to 12 years in prison but may spend the remainder of his term at home as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. Derick Almena, 50, will serve one-and-a-half years at home with a GPS ankle monitor due to credit for time already spent behind bars while awaiting trial and good behavior.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KABC-TV ABC 7 Los Angeles

Emergency workers and local officials are responding to news of a 28-year-old paramedic from Staten Island who was allegedly bitten on the face early Friday morning by an emotionally disturbed teenager in Brooklyn. Jenna Piscitello, of Great Kills, could have permanent scarring on her cheek from the attack, which occurred as medics were attempting to lay the female patient on a stretcher, according to a statement issued by the union representing city EMS workers.
- PUB DATE: 3/9/2021 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: EMS World

A 19-year-old man is facing second-degree arson and burglary charges for allegedly breaking into a coffee stand in Chehalis and lighting a fire to stay warm. Yaitt S. Murphy Voie was arrested in the early morning of March 4 after police responded to a silent alarm at Gypsy Greens in Chehalis and saw that a window on the east side of the building was open.
- PUB DATE: 3/8/2021 6:39:09 PM - SOURCE: Centralia Chronicle

An orchard burn gone awry was the cause of a fire that started near the Knapps Hill Tunnel in Chelan County on Saturday. Chelan County Fire District 8 Captain Adam Jones says crews were called to the fire at around 5:55 p.m. Jones says the blaze was started by embers during some windy weather just south of the turnoff onto Navarre Coulee Road and SR 971.
- PUB DATE: 3/8/2021 5:20:10 PM - SOURCE: iFiber One News Radio