Cascade Medical Transport closed last week, creating some questions about the impact of having one less local ambulance service. The shutdown already has slightly increased the workload for Bend Fire and Rescue, and also at St. Charles Medical Center -Bend.

Arizona regulators on Tuesday gave the green light to Rural/Metro Corp.'s purchase of rival Professional Medical Transport, creating one dominant ambulance company in metro Phoenix.

TAYLOR — All talk of privatizing the city’s emergency medical service transport is on hold.