Maniilaq Health Center received a bomb threat this week that was determined to be unfounded, Kotzebue city officials said. There was no bomb, and no one was injured or hurt. The Kotzebue Police Department and Maniilaq security responded to the threat made via phone calls and text messages on Oct. 17 and cleared the situation in less than 10 minutes, Chief of Police Roger Rouse said. "The hospital was on lockdown briefly, but no evacuation was needed," he said. Charges have been filed with the District Attorney's Office, Rouse said. City officials have not released any suspect information as of Thursday.  

The Alaska Health Analytics and Vital Records Section (HAVRS) and Office of Substance Misuse and Addiction Prevention (OSMAP) have released the 2022 Drug Overdose Mortality Update. This report is now available on the HAVRS Data and Statistics website. Drug overdoses are a significant contributor to mortality in Alaska and represent an ongoing public health concern. This joint report by HAVRS and OSMAP provides an update on drug overdose deaths occurring in Alaska (including residents and non-residents) through 2022. It contains information about the characteristics of overdose victims, including sex, race, age, where deaths occur, the types of drugs and multidrug combinations involved in fatal overdoses, and prevention strategies and resources to help reduce deaths. Alaska continues to experience high rates of drug overdose deaths, many of which involve fentanyl.  

VIDEOS: One firefighter is dead and four others were injured while battling a large rowhome fire in northwest Baltimore Thursday afternoon. SkyTeam 11 was over the scene in the 5200 block of Linden Heights Avenue. Firefighters responded at around 3:45 p.m., Chief James Wallace said. Crews entered the building to attack the flames when the fire rapidly grew. They declared a two-alarm fire as more units responded to the scene. One firefighter died and four others were injured with burns of varying degrees. Some are recovering at Shock Trauma, others at Johns Hopkins Bayview. At least three of the injured firefighters are in serious condition, according to officials. Preliminary investigation led officials to believe that some of the homes were occupied. Police are interviewing people who were in the area at the time.  

Oklahoma has become the first state in the nation to require a work zone safety and first responder safety course for teen drivers. The law, set to take effect Nov. 1, 2023, will require all Oklahoma teens to complete the free Oklahoma Work Zone Safe and First Responder Safety online education course before applying for their intermediate driver license. Work Zone Safe, along with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and Service Oklahoma, are highlighting this new law during National Teen Driver Safety Week, Oct. 15-21. With car crashes being one of the leading causes of deaths for U.S. teenagers, it's imperative that new drivers understand the importance of driving safely inside work zones and moving over and slowing down for first responders.  

The American Red Cross North Texas Region marked a milestone on October 3, 2023. The region celebrated the installation of its 50,000th smoke alarm at the home of Lesia Baker during a Sound the Alarm event in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Partnering with Dallas Fire-Rescue, the City of Dallas Office of Emergency Management and other community organizations, Red Cross volunteers installed the ceremonial smoke alarm in Baker's home, where she proudly showed off her new alarm. She expressed gratitude for the alarm and her desire to be a leader in her community by helping to make homes safer. "I thank you all for coming to install because even though I have some [smoke alarms], they need to be changed out," Baker said. "It is just a blessing that you were able to come today to place the alarm systems because my life, your life and all lives matter."  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: Powerful winds blew across the region on Tuesday. There were sustained winds of more than 30 mph with gusts of more than 50 mph in the Great Falls area. The powerful winds brought something not very common to a northside neighborhood. Driveways and yards in the Eagles Crossing area just west of Bootlegger Trail were overwhelmed by tumbleweeds, piled several feet high against some houses, with some piles touching the rooftops. Peyton Johnson who lives in the neighborhood says that occasional tumbleweeds are not unusual — but she has never seen it this bad. "I heard it was bad because my husband was out earlier, but I didn't think it was that bad. I was pretty shocked," Johnson said. A Great Falls Fire Rescue marshal who arrived at the scene said they are reviewing options for clearing the area — but aren't sure where to begin.