The County Commission approved a proposed settlement agreement Tuesday in a two-year discrimination, then retaliation, lawsuit filed by a Marion County Fire Rescue employee against the county. Marion County Fire Rescue Division Chief Shari Hall filed suit against the county in May 2016, claiming the county discriminated against her based on her gender when she was passed over in 2015 for the fire chief position, which was given to now-retired Paul Nevels.
- PUB DATE: 7/18/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Ocala Star-Banner

Two Austin firefighters received four-hour suspensions after damaging department equipment during incidents in May and June. The first happened on May 16 when fire specialist Chad Benestante closed a bay door on a fire engine while leaving a station to respond to a call, suspension paperwork said. The second happened on June 10 when firefighter Dustin Mills was working with an aerial ladder.
- PUB DATE: 7/18/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Austin American-Statesman

Braden Varney was coming home, but not in the way anyone expected. His body was going to be carried through his hometown in the back of a white SUV. Its destination: the Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office. The Varney family has lived in Mariposa for decades, longer than anyone could remember, although no one could say exactly how long.
- PUB DATE: 7/18/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: SFGate.com

Spokane Valley Fire authorities said the Upriver Beacon Fire started as a structure fire and quickly spread to the northeast. Over the course of the evening, the fire was upgraded to a third alarm and Department of Natural Resources was asked to respond along with air support. At the height of the fight Tuesday afternoon, more than 50 support vehicles were assisting in extinguishing the fire.
- PUB DATE: 7/18/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KREM2

On July 5, EMS Chief Jerry Martin reported to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office that Dr. Michael Sullivan, the San Juan County medical program director, had allegedly recorded a conversation between them without Martin’s permission. In Washington state, it is illegal to electronically record a private conversation without all the speakers’ consent.
- PUB DATE: 7/18/2018 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: San Juan Journal