Heroes banquet honors fallen firefighter, 35 others (NM)

The ninth annual Heroes Banquet organized by the nonprofit Homes for Heroes of Chaves County organization honored 36 veterans and first responders on Saturday at the Eastern New Mexico State Fair event building.

Former U.S. Rep. Steve Pearce of Hobbs, now chairman of the Republican Party of New Mexico, gave the keynote address to the crowd of about 300, with Roswell Mayor Dennis Kintigh presenting a welcome.

The theme of the evening was “Sacrifice in Service,”… READ MORE

Planning Board reviews Burtt Road development (MA)

TEWKSBURY — The Tewksbury Planning board met briefly Monday night to review a new development plan and approve permit modifications.

[…] The board endorsed an ANR (approval-not-re­quired) permit for the re­gional emergency communications center located next to the DPW on Whip­ple Road. Town Engineer Kevin Hardiman appear­ed in front of the board…. READ MORE

McDowell’s Widener’s Ambulance Service closes after 30 years (WV)

NORTHFORK —  Personnel with a McDowell County ambulance service which closed this week after 30 years of service immediately went back on duty as members of another service that will continue covering the Northfork area.

“As one chapter ends, a new one began Thursday, in a familiar place with some familiar faces. Sadly, after providing caring and compassionate service to the Northfork community since 1989, Widener’s Ambulance Service… READ MORE

Last Call

Everyone knew her, or at least recognized her voice. For 29 years she had been the Tillamook County (Ore.) emergency response dispatcher. When you heard her call sign, “813,” on your radio, your heart began to beat faster.

Rosalind attended Tillamook Adventist School and then Laurelwood Academy, but after graduation she chose to go a different direction…

City of Santa Barbara Loses Whistleblower Suit (CA)

A Santa Barbara jury concluded that the City of Santa Barbara should pay former dispatcher Bridget Bryden $1.28 million in economic damages sustained when she was terminated in March 2016 shortly after she’d voiced concerns to her superior that reductions to the qualifications required for new dispatchers posed a health and safety risk to officers in the field and the general public. At the time, the police department was grappling with a serious shortage in dispatchers. To help increase the number of candidates, departmental brass reduced the test scores… READ MORE