With another fire season well underway, fire agencies in the Cle Elum area are pooling their resources more than ever to better protect people and their property. Nine families were forced to evacuate their homes after a fire in early July. “It's kind of scary going into this season," said Fire District 7 spokesperson Richelle Risdon.
- PUB DATE: 7/15/2016 7:57:26 PM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima

United Plastic Fabricating, Inc. (UPF) recently announced that Andrew Lingel has been promoted to President. Joe Lingel will remain as Chairman and CEO of the company.

“Andrew has gained valuable experience over the past 10 years working in and with various departments," said Joe Lingel. "He has proven to be an asset within the organization and his passion to enhance processes and efficiency within the departments using lean initiatives has resulted in noticeable improvements.”

Andrew graduated from the University of New Hampshire Whittemore School of Business and Economics with a BA in Business Management. In his previous capacity at UPF, as Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Andrew was responsible for the Manufacturing, Customer Service, Warranty and Marketing departments.

Andrew joined UPF in 2007. Prior to his role as Vice President of Manufacturing Operations, Andrew was Sales and Marketing Manager, Quality Systems Analyst and Business Analyst. As Business Analyst, Andrew was responsible for streamlining the processes and procedures of various UPF departments, improving them for ISO 9001:2000 and 9001:2008 certification. Andrew visited and worked in each department and while in the Engineering Department, Andrew sat with Engineers to learn the department’s day-to-day work schedule,  learning CAD and designing many tanks for the company.

“My father has built an amazing company over the past 30 years, and I am so proud to be a part of it. Technology and the tools of the trade have constantly developed, and we continue to look for the latest advancements to improve our way of doing business. I’m honored to be named President, and  I am excited to take the company into the future with our Vice Presidents, Managers and all of our employees here at UPF,”  said Andrew Lingel.

If you would like to join UPF in congratulating Andrew Lingel on his promotion to President, he can be reached at alingel@unitedplastic.com or 978-989-0260

Spokane firefighters quickly knocked down a brush fire that threatened several cars and an apartment complex on Friday. The fire started on a hillside near Gray and Atlantic below an apartment complex. Firefighters say the complex and some cars were threatened, but it was quickly put out before any major damage was done.
- PUB DATE: 7/15/2016 10:41:34 AM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6

Residents and town officials in East Granby are mourning the loss of Fire Chief Peter Ahlstrin, who died in a crash along Route 20 in Windsor Thursday night. At approximately 10:40 p.m. Thursday, State Police responded to Route 20 near the Hamilton Road South exit on a report of a crash. Upon arrival, troopers discovered that a vehicle being driven by 28-year-old Ahlstrin, had struck a wire rope guard rail on the right shoulder of the roadway, then rolled down an embankment.
- PUB DATE: 7/15/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WTNH-TV ABC 8 New Haven