A Homer man died Tuesday in a water heater explosion, said Ken Marsh, a spokesman for the Alaska State Troopers. Investigators were called to check on 68-year-old Gary Thomas when his wife reported him overdue just after 11 p.m., according to an online alert. Homer police and Thomas' friends tracked his phone to an area near Cottonwood Hill Avenue and East End Road, troopers wrote. His vehicle was found outside a home, and Homer police said he was dead inside. Troopers said they believe he was fatally injured in a water heater explosion. Troopers said it is unclear what caused the explosion. Thomas was deeply involved in the Homer community, said Kathleen Gustafson, interim news director at Homer's public radio station KBBI. He was a founding member of KBBI and was the general manager from 1980 to 1991. Thomas was later the editor and publisher of the town's weekly newspaper, the Homer News.  

More than 100 Wisconsin firefighters and emergency responders lobbied for a bill Wednesday that they say will save lives. The bill would remove barriers for public safety officers to get worker's compensation for post-traumatic stress disorder. Because of a 1974 Supreme Court decision, to get worker's compensation, public safety officers must demonstrate a PTSD diagnosis based on extraordinary stress above what is usually experienced by others on the job. With a job where stress is normal, that's a hard standard to meet. "I had to tell (a) firefighter, you're going to get push back," attorney Dan Schoshinksi said to firefighters gathered at Cooper's Tavern prior to their meetings with legislators at the Capitol. "The employer or the insurance company, they're going to conclude this is just part of your job, so it's not extraordinary stress, sorry."  

Those interested in learning more about the operation of the Asheboro Fire Department will soon be able to with the introduction of the department's Ride-Along Program. Lt. Jason Joines says the program, which has never before been offered by the Asheboro Fire Department (AFD), is open to any interested individuals, but that it's aimed towards those who might be considering a career as a firefighter. A copy of the ride-along program agreement form explains that AFD hopes to "encourage citizen involvement and to enhance the lines of communication between the Asheboro Fire Department and the community it serves." "With better understanding of our duties we can face the challenges, risks and rewards of the fire departments role in our community," the form states. "The Asheboro Fire Department hopes to promote an environment of compassion, professionalism and dedication to the citizens and visitors it serves."  

Tuesday night's village board meeting was very long and, at times, very confusing, but a few important developments did emerge from it regardless. Among them, the board voted to approve an inter-governmental agreement between the Oswego Police and Fire Departments that will allow fire department paramedics to draw blood for police sobriety tests. The agreement was proposed by Oswego Police Chief Jeffrey Burgner. Burgner said he had been in contact with Fire Chief Mike Veseling about the idea prior to the village board meeting, and that Veseling had voiced his support for it. "This is part of a really incredible partnership that the fire department is willing to do for us," Burgner said to the village trustees. "It will help us out in getting the best evidence for those types of cases."  

The D.C. Fire and EMS Department has launched an internal investigation after a photo surfaced Wednesday of a recruit class in which some of the members are making what appears to be an OK sign with their hands. The signal has traditionally been seen as a symbol of understanding or an affirmative reply, but according to the Anti-Defamation League was claimed by white supremacists as a sign of hate. DCFEMS is investigating the intent of those in the photo, which the department says was taken in March. A source who spoke to someone in the photo tells FOX 5 the group, which often joked around, played the circle game on multiple occasions. The game, often associated with children, allows someone to hit another person who looks into the circle formed by someone's hand below their waist.  

Even in its earliest days, before the dawn of the 20th century, Butte had experienced tragedy. Six men died in a fire in the Anaconda Mine on Nov. 23, 1889. Fire swept through the Silver Bow Mine on April 21, 1893, leaving nine dead. But "Butte's Night of Horror," which occurred 125 years ago, was on an entirely different scale. If you don't know this particular annal in Butte's history, here's a brief synopsis: Shortly before 10 p.m. on Jan. 15, 1895, fire broke out in the Mining City's warehouse district, located just east of Arizona Street. Butte's firefighters were fighting the blaze, not realizing they were sitting on a powder keg — literally. An illegal amount of dynamite was being housed in these warehouses owned by the Kenyon-Connell Commercial Co., and the Butte Hardware Co.