The city of Spokane may ask voters to approve a $5.8 million increase in property taxes to pay 30 firefighters and hire 20 new police officers in a special election in February. If voters approve the measure, which City Council members may put on the ballot during their next meeting, property owners would pay 30 cents more for every $1,000 of assessed value, or about $60 a year for a $200,000 home.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2018 4:27:05 AM - SOURCE: Spokane Spokesman-Review

A year ago, local leaders declared opioid overdoses an emergency — a deadly crisis on par with an earthquake or some other natural disaster. That meant marshaling government forces throughout Snohomish County: police and paramedics, medical professionals and social workers. Since then, there’s been progress, though much unfinished work remains.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2018 3:34:52 AM - SOURCE: Everett Herald

A federal investigation reviewing the 2016 fatal shooting of a Maryland firefighter found that 911 public safety call takers did not warn first responders that the possibility of guns had been reported at the scene and that volunteer firefighters were not wearing a common uniform the night of the incident that made it clear who they were.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Washington Post

A state district judge Friday evening granted a temporary restraining order blocking the implementation of a voter-approved charter amendment requiring the city of Houston to grant its firefighters “pay parity” with police officers of similar rank and experience. State District Judge Kristen Brauchle Hawkins granted the TRO Friday night at the request of the Houston Police Officers Union, which filed a lawsuit earlier in the day against the city and the Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association.
- PUB DATE: 12/4/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Houston Chronicle