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A tree is currently blocking the roadway on Lake Josephine Blvd & Port Place and is entangled in power lines. For your safety, please do not approach the area. Tanner Electric is aware of the situation. The lines may down for several days. In the meantime, please observe the hazard cones and carefully drive around the area.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a dangerous gas often called the “silent killer.” It is invisible, odorless, tasteless, and impossible to detect without an alarm. CO can build up quickly and cause serious illness or death, without warning. Where Does CO come from? Any fuel-burning appliance or engine can produce carbon monoxide if it is not operating or venting properly, including: Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces Gas water heaters Fuel-fired furnaces Gas stoves and dryers Charcoal grills Vehicles Gas-powered generators Lawn equipment such as mowers, snowblowers, and chainsaws Image by USCPSC via CPSC.gov What does a CO alarm sound like? Intermittent chirping every 30–60 seconds Usually indicates a low battery or a malfunction. Replace the battery or check the unit. Make it a habit to replace batteries annually. Four loud beeps followed by a pause This is an emergency CO alarm. If no one has symptoms, open doors and windows to ventilate the home. Turn off fuel-burning appliances if it is safe to do so. Reset the alarm. If the alarm will not reset, contact a qualified technician for inspection. If anyone experiences symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning, leave the home immediately, get fresh air and call 9-1-1. Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Acute Exposure: Headaches, dizziness, breathlessness, chest pain, nausea, lack of coordination, seizures, collapse, unconsciousness Chronic Exposure: Flu symptoms without a fever, mood or behavior changes, recurring unexplained illnesses, feeling better away from the site of the poisoning, gaps in memory, chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating or confusion. How to Prevent CO Poisoning The only reliable way to detect carbon monoxide before symptoms occur is to install CO alarms. Additional prevention tips include:   Install fuel-burning appliances according to manufacturer instructions and by qualified professionals. Have heating systems inspected and serviced annually. Check chimneys and vents for blockages, corrosion or loose connections. Fully open flues when using fireplaces. Use only proper fuel in space heaters. Never burn charcoal or use grills indoors or in enclosed spaces. Never use portable fuel-burning camp equipment indoors, in garages, vehicles or tents. Never run vehicles or lawn equipment in an attached garage, even with the door open. Never operate unvented fuel-burning appliances in sleeping areas. Never use ovens or stoves to heat your home. Do not block or close exhaust or dryer vents. Carbon monoxide alarms save lives. If you don’t have one, or if yours is outdated (typical lifespan is 5-10 years), now is the time to install or replace it. Credit: cpsc. gov , usfa.fema.gov , nfpa.org , iafc.org , doh.wa.gov

Snow, sleet, and ice can turn even familiar roads into hazardous terrain. In 2023 alone, there were 320 fatal crashes and more than 22,000 injury crashes nationwide during snow or sleet conditions. Preparing yourself, and your vehicle, before winter storms hit is one of the best ways to stay safe. Preventing Winter Breakdowns Along with your regular annual maintenance, take time to winterize your vehicle: Test your battery; cold temperatures reduce battery strength. Ensure your cooling system is functioning properly. Consider installing winter tires with deeper, more flexible tread. If using all-season tires, check the tread; replace if it’s less than 2/32". Check tire pressure regularly; it drops as temperatures fall. Inspect and replace worn wiper blades. Use washer fluid rated to at least –30°F. Keep your gas tank at least half full to help prevent fuel-line freeze. How to Avoid a Winter Crash Avoid cruise control on snow, ice, or slush. If you skid, steer in the direction you want to go. This helps prevent overcorrecting. Accelerate and brake slowly to maintain control. Increase your following distance to 8–10 seconds. If you can, avoid stopping while driving uphill to maintain momentum. Know your vehicle’s capabilities, whether it has all-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, anti-lock brakes or traction control, so you will understand how it will respond in winter conditions. Cold-Weather Driving Tips Keep a bundle of cold-weather gear in your vehicle: warm clothing, blankets, food, water, flashlight, ice scraper, medications, etc. Make sure your tires are properly inflated and have adequate tread. Keep at least half a tank of fuel at all times. Never warm up your vehicle inside a closed garage. Avoid cruise control on any slippery surface. Build a Winter Emergency Kit A well-stocked kit can make all the difference if you become stranded. Include: Cell phone charger Flashlight and extra batteries Reflective triangles or warning devices First-aid kit Non-perishable food and water (for both people and pets) Traction aids (sand, salt, cat litter, or traction mats) Ice scraper, snow brush, and small shovel Warm clothing: gloves, hats, coats, and blankets. Credit: nhtsa.gov , aaa.com , nsc.org

Volunteer EMTs on Anderson Island helped deliver a baby girl aboard a fire boat after her mother went into labor just minutes before Christmas Eve. Author: king5.com Published: 7:21 PM PST January 7, 2026 Updated: 7:21 PM PST January 7, 2026

December marks the peak of home heating fires. Heating equipment is a leading cause of home fires during December, January, and February and most fire-caused fatalities involve space heaters. As temperatures drop, now is the time to review some important safety tips.   Fireplaces & Woodstoves • Have chimneys and heating systems inspected, cleaned, and repaired annually. • Use a sturdy metal screen to keep sparks contained. • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the fireplace. • Dispose of cooled ashes in a metal container. • Install wood-burning stoves according to manufacturer instructions or hire a professional. • Ensure all fuel-burning equipment is properly vented outdoors to prevent carbon monoxide (CO) buildup.   Portable Space Heaters With colder weather, heaters are working harder, and heating-related fires rise sharply this time of year. Protect your home by giving heaters plenty of space and using them safely. • Choose heaters certified by a recognized testing laboratory. • Keep heaters 3 feet from anything combustible, including furniture, bedding, and people. • Place heaters on solid, flat surfaces. Plug them directly into the wall, never an extension cord. • Keep heaters out of walkways and never block exits. • Turn heaters off when leaving the room or going to sleep. • Select models with temperature controls and automatic shut-offs. Credit: Spokane Fire Candle Safety Candles add warmth to the season but also pose a fire risk. Remember: a candle is an open flame. According to NFPA, between 2014 and 2018, U.S. fire departments responded to more than 7,000 home fires that were started by candles per year. • Don’t burn candles all the way down—extinguish them before they reach the holder. • Never use a candle for a light when checking pilot lights or fueling equipment such as a kerosene heater or lantern. The flame may ignite the fumes. • Always blow out candles before leaving rooms or going to bed. • Keep candles away from children and pets. • Consider flameless candles for a safer glow. Credit: Seattle Fire Additional Winter Heating Safety Tips • Never leave flames, candles, or fireplaces unattended. • Keep furniture, curtains, and pillows at least 12 inches from baseboard heaters. • Vent all fuel-burning equipment outside. • Carbon monoxide is odorless and deadly so it’s important to ensure proper ventilation. • Maintain a three-foot pet and kid-free zone around fireplaces and heaters. • Install smoke and CO alarms on every floor, inside each bedroom, and outside sleeping areas. • Test smoke alarms monthly. • Use only the manufacturer-recommended fuel for fuel-burning heaters.   By taking a few simple precautions, you can help ensure your home stays warm, safe, and fire-free throughout the winter season.   Sources: seattle.gov , nfpa.org , kidde.com

Admin offices will be closed Thursday 11/27/25 through Friday 11/28/25 to celebrate the holiday. Please call 911 in the event of an emergency.