After 39 years of service West Valley Fire and Rescue chief David Leitch announced he is retiring Thursday. Chief David Leitch started his career at the age of 20 as a volunteer firefighter in 1977 with the West Valley Fire District according to a news release from the district. Since then, Leitch has worked in several ranks with the fire department, including Lieutenant, Yakima County Fire District 12’s first full-time training officer, and as Deputy Chief.
- PUB DATE: 9/16/2016 1:58:12 PM - SOURCE: KIMA-TV CBS 29 Yakima

A man died early Friday morning in a house fire in the 2400 block of Burcham Street, according to Cowlitz 2 Fire & Rescue. Crews were dispatched about 2:50 a.m., arriving to see heavy smoke and flames from the back of a two-story home. More crews were dispatched. A woman escaped the fire with three dogs and told firefighters there was still one person inside.
- PUB DATE: 9/16/2016 9:52:01 AM - SOURCE: Northwest Cable News

A Thurston County judge set bail at $2,500 for Sharon D. Hallman, 68, who is suspected of pointing a replica shotgun at firefighters Wednesday at her south Thurston County home. Hallman appeared Thursday before Superior Court Judge James Dixon, who found probable cause for one count of third-degree assault.
- PUB DATE: 9/16/2016 2:10:06 AM - SOURCE: Olympian

The parents of fallen Mount Marion Fire Department Capt. Jack Rose have filed a lawsuit alleging negligence on the part of the owner of the home where Rose succumbed while fighting a fire in December 2015. Joe O’Connor, the lawyer representing Gary and Linda Rose, said an addendum to the suit is likely to be filed within a month and “may include other entities.
- PUB DATE: 9/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Daily Freeman

Fellowsville volunteer firefighter Justin Zink was remembered for having a heart of gold and would always pitch in to help. According to his obituary, Zink died Sept. 15 in Braxton County while stopping to assist at the scene of an automobile accident on Interstate 79. He was 28 years old. He worked as a truck driver for Fed-Ex in Bridgeport and loved hunting, fishing and being with his family.
- PUB DATE: 9/16/2016 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Morgantown Dominion Post