An apartment complex in the North Star neighborhood in Anchorage was evacuated late Thursday night due to a small landslide. The portion of earth collapsed near West 22nd Avenue and Arctic Boulevard, where the Ladera Villa Apartment Homes are located. Officials from Alaska Water and Wastewater Utility said the landslide occurred where the apartment complex's sewer and water main lines are located, in a wooded area adjacent to the building. No injuries were reported and residents of the apartment complex were evacuated as a safety precaution. The Anchorage Fire Department responded shortly after 8:30 p.m. Thursday to help residents out of the building and assess the damage and the structural stability of the building. The Anchorage Mobile Response Team was also on site to assist fire officials.  

A crash involving two semis killed both drivers in Belgium Thursday night, Sept. 8, shutting down I-43 in both directions. All lanes on I-43 have reopened Viewer video showed flames coming from what appeared to be a semi-truck and a large plume of smoke rising into the sky. Sheriff's officials said the crash happened on I-43 southbound south of Sandy Beach Road in Belgium. A northbound semi left the roadway, entered the southbound lanes of I-43 and struck a southbound semi. Both vehicles sustained severe damage. Both drivers died at the scene. Sheriff's officials said I-43 between Port Washington exit 100 and Belgium Exit 107 in both directions would remain closed "until further notice."  

The leader of the city's fire department recently was recognized for his "unique commitment" to ensuring the health and safety of citizens and his firefighters. Fire Chief Jeffrey "Jeff" Johnson received the Alan Brunacini Fire Service Executive Safety Award, presented annually by the International Association of Fire Chiefs to department chiefs who go above and beyond in prioritizing fire service health and safety. Johnson, who has served as the Newport News fire chief since 2019, said he was "humbled" to be honored with this year's award. Johnson's 33-year career in emergency medical and fire services has been dedicated to implementing cancer prevention tactics and more comprehensive physical and mental exams for firefighters.  

VIDEO/PHOTOS: The FDNY on Wednesday lit a lithium-ion battery on fire to demonstrate how dangerous that kind a blaze can be if not handled properly. "We want the public to know, to be aware that it's a danger," FDNY Chief of Operations John Esposito said during the demo at the Randall's Island Fire Academy. "And just be aware of what they're charging in their house." So far this year, the Fire Department has attributed over 130 structural fires to the batteries, most commonly seen in e-bikes and smartphones. Esposito suggested refraining from charging the batteries overnight and near the front door, so as not to lock yourself in your home in the event of a blaze. "It explodes and it shoots the cells of the battery throughout the apartment or throughout the area," Esposito explained.  

The Rural Health Innovation Collaborative (RHIC, pronounced "rick") visits small rural hospitals throughout the Wabash Valley and 14 other sites scattered from Evansville to Fort Wayne in a mobile simulation unit capable of training healthcare providers and students on how to treat 45 different medical incidents. That is, it did until its old ambulance, a 2002 model purchased eight years ago from the Terre Haute Fire Department, gave up the ghost. On Thursday, Jack Jaeger, RHIC executive director, and Union Health Foundation President Joel Harbaugh introduced a shiny new mobile simulation unit, a refurbished 2015 ambulance acquired thanks to a $50,000 gift from the foundation. "The main point is the small hospitals in rural areas just can't afford the kind of resources that we have," Jaeger said.  

VIDEO: A new exhibit at the Gulfport Museum of History unveiled a collection entitled ‘Katrina Images Revisited.' "This lady, Carmen, was just off Howard Avenue when I walked up and there was debris everywhere and she was sweeping and cleaning and she had this incredible positive attitude and she said ‘I am karate mamma and I will survive." James Bates worked for the Sun Herald as a photographer during Hurricane Katrina. The photo he calls ‘Karate Mamma' is one his favorites in the exhibit. For him, it captures the fighting spirit of people determined to rebuild what Katrina destroyed. "I think we've come back in a tremendous way. It's a testament to our people, those who have stayed, those who have come back, those who moved here after the storm and joined in on the fight. We have a great community and we have come along way from a really incredible disaster."