Volunteer fire and first aid squads are cashing in on taxpayer-funded retirement accounts despite many members not responding to enough calls or not holding the proper certifications, according to a new report by the state comptroller. Municipalities can make deposits into tax-deferred accounts for volunteer firefighters and first aid responders who earn enough credits by responding to calls and other work during the year.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: Newark Star-Ledger/NJ.com

House Republicans are proposing that some forest fires be treated like federal disasters, an attempt to win broader support for legislation that targets overgrown national forest lands. The legislation focuses on speeding up timber harvests and the removal of underbrush the Forest Service deems necessary to improving the health of a forest.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: u.s. news & world report

A Marysville construction worker is recovering from serious injuries after a firework he picked up exploded, blowing off one of his hands and injuring the other. “It blew one of them completely off past the wrist,” said Christopher Rankin, 32. “The other (hand) got torn to pieces, but I can still use my right hand, though.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: q13 fox

Snohomish County has launched a text-to-911 service, joining Kitsap County in offering the service. SNOCOM, which handles communications for Snohomish County, will accept text messages meant for situations when a phone call will not work. The system is aimed at helping people in dangerous situations like a domestic violence call, home invasion or kidnapping where a call cannot be made.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: king5

A 79-year-old man was killed when his house burned in a fire that investigators say started by a neighbor's trash burn. A man and woman were burning trash and other items in a backyard concrete pit behind their home near Olympia Tuesday night when the fire got out of hand and spread to a nearby bush, according to Thurston County Sheriff's officials.
- PUB DATE: 7/8/2015 12:00:00 AM - SOURCE: KOMO NEWS