By Paula Horton, Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash. Jul. 24--Fire crews in the Tri-Cities have been busy -- and lucky. They've been able to quickly control wildfires in the region.

By O'Malley, Chris Wind energy holds big promise for Indiana, with the potential to electrify up to 10 million homes at any given time, virtually pollution-free.

By RICK CALLAHAN, Associated Press writer RAUB, Ind. - A nearly treeless stretch of northern Indiana that once produced only corn and soybeans now is dotted with 87 hulking wind turbines that harvest the region's incessant breezes, generating enough power to light 43,000 homes.

By Laura Kate Zaichkin, Tri-City Herald, Kennewick, Wash. Mar. 9--Benton County is the odd group out when it comes to answering Prosser Memorial Hospital's requests to help pay for its struggling ambulance service.

By Craig Troianello d# "Interactive Map: Find ambulance stations near you:":http:// www.yakimaherald.com/page/maps The problem: Prosser Memorial Hospital is losing money providing ambulance service to a wide area of the Lower Valley The proposed solution: Forming a taxing district to collect 25 cents per $1,000 of assessed value -- or about $25 per year for a $100,000 home How it would happen: Yakima and Benton County commissioners would have to agree to form the districts and at least 60 percent of the voters there would have to approve the tax By ROSS COURTNEY YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC GRANDVIEW -- The radio dispatcher's voice interrupts a boring afternoon of paperwork.