Middletown fire Capt. Greg Justice, a 25-year veteran of the department, is under investigation by police for allegedly defrauding the city of nearly $3,000 in sick leave pay, according to court documents obtained exclusively by the Journal-News. Justice, who has been on paid administrative leave since June 30, is accused of forging his doctor’s signature on medical records to extend his time on sick leave, according to an affidavit for a search warrant for the fire captain’s residence on Greenleaf Village Drive in Springboro.
- PUB DATE: 7/9/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Hamilton Journal-News

Seeking four roommates for free housing. Must have firefighting skills and be willing to live and work in rural setting. Affection for the sound of sirens is a plus. It's no Craigslist ad, but the Forest Grove Rural Fire District's latest call for volunteers may inspire some interest. The fire district is offering free rent in a manufactured home next door to its Gales Creek station in hopes of assembling a more reliably staffed volunteer firefighter pool.
- PUB DATE: 7/9/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: portland oregonian

The federal government has awarded Paterson $7.5 million to pay for 49 firefighters’ salaries over the next two years, officials announced on Wednesday. The city had expected to face a $2.5 million shortfall in the 2016 budget because a previous federal grant for firefighters’ salaries had expired in April.
- PUB DATE: 7/9/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Bergen County Record & Herald News)

James R. Blankenship II Age 61, of Corvallis, Montana passed away Friday, July 3, 2015 at his home. He was born August 25, 1953 in Los Angeles, California, the son of the late James R. and Noline D. Blankenship. Jim grew up in California, graduating from Enterprise High School in Redding, California in 1971.
- PUB DATE: 7/9/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: the news tribune

Firefighters from across the Walla Walla area battled a large blaze at a company that makes archery equipment. Yakima news station KNDO-TV reports that the initial call about the fire at Martin Archery came in about 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, indicating the machine shop was on fire. As the fire spread, five alarms were sounded, which drew firefighters with several departments in the area.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 11:09:00 PM - SOURCE: KOMO news