The start of the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S. may have been earlier and far larger than official records indicate, according to a new study. Researchers found that a substantial portion of people, including children, in Seattle who were suspected of having the flu this past winter likely had COVID-19 instead.
- PUB DATE: 8/14/2020 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Gizmodo

Another combine fire wreaked havoc north of Almira this week. Almira Fire Chief Dennis Pinar says a combine started a fire in a standing grain field at the north end of Sorensen Road about 12 miles north of Almira. Pinar suspects that the combine caused a spark that started the blaze. Pinar says he and his crews were called out to the blaze at about 2 p.
- PUB DATE: 8/13/2020 6:28:51 PM - SOURCE: iFiberOne

Hannah Salinas said she didn’t think before leaping. It didn’t matter that the Vancouver teen was standing about 15 feet above the water at the Camas Potholes, an area near Round Lake known as a place where accidents and even fatalities are not uncommon. It didn’t matter that she might get hurt. At that moment, all Salinas, 17, and her friends, Hillary Darland, 18, and Maddy Gregory, 17, knew was that they had to help.
- PUB DATE: 8/13/2020 6:28:47 PM - SOURCE: Camas-Washougal Post-Record

GPS mapping of the Lower Coyote Creek Fire now put the acreage burned at 2,580 acres. Previous estimates were at 4,500 acres for the fire burning in sage, grass and trees southwest of Nespelem on the Colville Indian Reservation. The fire's cause is under investigation; it was reported Aug. 9. On Aug.
- PUB DATE: 8/13/2020 1:30:06 PM - SOURCE: Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle

The city of Buckley didn’t have to look far to find its new fire chief, promoting Eric Skogen from the No. 2 job to the fire department’s top post. The fire chief position became available following the retirement of Alan Predmore, who spent most of his working life in a Buckley uniform. Following 13 years as a city police officer he switched to the fire/EMT operation and led the department for 23 years.
- PUB DATE: 8/13/2020 1:05:09 PM - SOURCE: Enumclaw Courier Herald