Volunteering used to be a mainstay of U.S. culture. But in recent years, giving back to their community hasn’t played as big a role in many Americans’ lives. New research from the University of Georgia suggests the economy may be to blame. The researchers found that people living in disadvantaged communities or areas that have high levels of economic inequality were less likely to volunteer.
- PUB DATE: 9/20/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: UGA Today

PHOTOS: A massive fire broke out early Friday morning at Columbus Auto Shredding on Alum Creek Drive, engulfing a large outdoor pile of junk cars in flames. The blaze, which started just after midnight, was captured on video by an ABC 6 News viewer. In response to the fire, police shut down parts of Alum Creek Drive from Winslow to Refugee Road, as well as Refugee Road at Route 104, to aid firefighting efforts.
- PUB DATE: 9/20/2024 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: WSYX-TV ABC/FOX 6 Columbus

Craig Fox
Watertown Daily Times, N.Y.
(TNS)

Sep. 19—WATERTOWN — A construction project should resolve a flooding issue at the Massey Street Fire Station.

Department of Public Works crews are working on a project in front of the South Massey Street station that should prevent flooding during torrential rainstorms.

The fire station has been prone to flooding when a dirt parking lot across the street floods, the rainwater then crosses the road and comes into the building, Chief Matthew R. Timerman said.

Most recently, about four inches of water ended up in the fire truck bays on the same day when many residential basements flooded after three inches of rain fell within an hour. On occasion, Timerman said his office ends up with water in his office.

“We were lucky it was during the day and staff used pumps get the water inside,” he said, adding it would have been a different story if the two storms happened at night.

The DPW workers are putting down new asphalt in front of the station to prevent the flooding as part of some other long-needed improvements to the building.

They’re replacing — and enlarging — the concrete apron in front of the building for the first time since the building was converted from a city pool building in 1992, Timerman said. The apron needs to be replace because it has cracks in it from the heavy fire trucks sitting on it.

A four-inch berm, or small hill, will be installed across the asphalt driveway to prevent the runoff from getting into the building, the chief said.

The city is using American Rescue Plan Act funding to complete the project.

Superintendent Brian MacCue said the four DPW workers should be completed with the project in a few months.

A small grassy knoll also will be taken out in front of the building and the old fire station sign will be replaced with a new one. The City Council is expected to accept a bid for the sign work at its Oct. 7 meeting.

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VIDEO: A car flipped on its side following a two-car crash near Shriners Children’s Hospital. According to a spokesperson from the Spokane Fire Department, the incident occurred around 4 p.m. at the intersection of 5th Avenue and Monroe Street. One of the cars involved flipped onto its side, and the driver required assistance to exit the car.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2024 6:02:00 PM - SOURCE: KHQ-TV NBC 6 Spokane

East County Fire and Rescue (ECFR) Fire Chief Ed Hartin has advised the ECFR Board of Fire Commissioners that he intends to retire effective Dec. 31. Hartin’s retirement will conclude a more than 50-year fire service career, with the last two years serving as ECFR’s fire chief. Hartin said he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Sue, and having time to travel, but told the Board he intends to “continue full throttle” through the end of the year.
- PUB DATE: 9/19/2024 5:14:02 PM - SOURCE: Camas-Washougal Post-Record