VIDEO: Music and memories filled Constitution Hall where hundreds of family members, first responders and policymakers celebrated the lives of the 67 people killed in a midair collision over the Potomac River one year ago.

“As we tried to make sense of the unimaginable, our families came together,” said a cousin of the Livingston family that lost a mother, Donna, and father, Peter, as well as their two daughters Everly and Alydia. “Families we had never met before found themselves connected in loss and by the shared work of how to move forward.”

“While we were powerless in that moment to help our loved ones, we were not powerless to help each other so that’s what we did, and we’ve been doing that ever since,” said Doug Lane who lost his 16-year-old son Spencer and wife Christine.

This memorial was organized and funded by victims’ families. In addition to honoring their loved ones’ lives, they took this opportunity to highlight the weeks of work by first responders, awarding each with a medal on stage.

“When the initial response ended, you kept coming back. Searching, working and ensuring that every one of our loved ones was ultimately returned home to us,” said another cousin of the Livingston family. “That commitment means more to our families that words can express.”

WUSA-TV CBS 9 Washington, D.C.

The post DCA air disaster victims, first responders honored at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

PHOTOS: A massive fire burned on Laurel Island overnight Wednesday, causing ash to fall from the sky in Mount Pleasant, according to reports.

Charleston Police and fire crews responded to the former landfill turned greenspace just before 11 p.m. after a fire was seen near Romney Street.

Due to the fire containing grass, brush and debris, the Charleston Fire Department requested specialized brush firefighting vehicles from the Charleston, Saint Johns, and Mount Pleasant Fire Departments. Drone units were also deployed to assist in monitoring the conditions as they developed.

The fire reportedly affected approximately 20 acres of undeveloped land, and no structures were threatened by the blaze. Crews remained on the scene for several hours, declaring the fire fully extinguished just before 2 a.m. on Thursday.

It is not clear at this time what started the fire or if anyone was injured.

WCIV-TV ABC 4 Charleston

The post VIDEO: Crews respond to massive fire on Laurel Island in South Carolina; cause remains unknown appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

With temperatures in the Tri-Cities below freezing, the Kennewick Fire Department has been conducting ice rescue training to prepare for potential emergencies. While firefighters practice on bodies of water, the department urges residents to stay off the ice.

“Our crews are out here practicing high-risk maneuvers because seconds count when it comes to freezing water,” Kennewick Fire Chief Michael Heffner said. “The ice we are seeing right now is extremely unpredictable. It may look solid from the shore, but it is often less than an inch thick—nowhere near enough to support a person or even a small pet.”

The department issued several safety reminders, including the warning that no ice is safe ice. They urge outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy the winter scenery from the shore and to keep a close watch on children and pets.

KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

The post Kennewick Fire Department trains for ice rescues, warns community appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

An out-building in Clarkston was destroyed by a fire yesterday afternoon, with Asotin County Fire responding to the blaze on 19th Street. The structure was engulfed in flames and heavy smoke. A man working on the building reported that his dog was trapped inside, but rescue efforts were unsuccessful. No other injuries were reported, though the structure was a total loss.

KLEW-TV CBS 3 Lewiston

The post Fire destroys Clarkston out-building appeared first on Daily Dispatch.

West Benton Fire Rescue responded to an afternoon fire in the area of N Hicks Rd near Grandview Tuesday. Firefighters arrived to find an animal pen partially engulfed in flames. The fire was successfully contained to the animal pen, preventing any damage to residential properties. There were no reported injuries to civilians or fire personnel.

KNDO-TV NBC 23 Yakima

The post Animal pen fire near Grandview contained, no injuries reported appeared first on Daily Dispatch.