With shutdown averted, funding available to Whatcom flood victims, Silver Lake partially closed due to biotoxins, Whatcom County Council funds Blaine school district behavioral health coach, Mount Baker Highway reopens after 4-month and closure, 4.25% increase for ferry rides, Fema & FCC to conduct test of national alert systems
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October third. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: With shutdown averted, funding available to Whatcom flood victims
Federal money to help those affected by the Nooksack River floods should become available within weeks now that Congress has avoided a government shutdown.
Aid for victims had been stalled for over 21 months since the flood occurred in November 2021. FEMA recently halted grant awards without having completed even a single property buyout, frustrating homeowners waiting for help.
Additionally, $2.8 billion in disaster relief grants nationally had been halted in anticipation of the potential loss of any new funding.
After congress passed a resolution on Saturday to fund the government for another 45 days, the $2.4 billion disaster relief fund increased by an additional $16 billion.
Whatcom County flood victims are among those first in line for grants, with owners waiting on an estimated $23 million in FEMA grants. Representative Rick Larsen isn’t sure when funds will be released, but figures the timeframe will be “single-digit weeks.” However, even with funding, it could take time to find contractors willing to lift the homes, and even longer to schedule them.
STORY: Silver Lake partially closed due to biotoxins
Whatcom county health officials reported yesterday that recent water sampling at Silver Lake has detected harmful levels of microcystins, a toxin produced by algae
As a precaution, residents are advised to avoid any contact with water from the lake, as drinking it can lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and headache. Pet owners should also be cautious as animals may ingest toxins while grooming themselves after swimming. Microcystin and other algal toxins are naturally occurring but are made worse by fertilizer, pet waste, and agricultural runoff.
For more information about harmful algal blooms, you can visit NWToxicAlgae.org or EPA.gov.
STORY: Whatcom County Council funds Blaine school district behavioral health coach
The Blaine School District will receive $315,000 from the Whatcom County Council for a new behavioral health coach.
In a unanimous decision, the council agreed to provide three years of salary for a brand-new position during a meeting last Tuesday. According to the work statement, the position will hopefully increase teacher capacity and decrease the frequency of disruptive student behaviors. The funding will come from the county’s behavioral health sales tax.
The coach will work in a full-time capacity for the remainder of this school year, and through the 2025-26 school year. While funding will be cut after that, the school district’s superintendent, Christopher Granger, hopes that the coach’s tenure will better prepare teachers to assist students with behavioral problems.
STORY: Mount Baker Highway reopens after 4-month closure
The portion of the Mount Baker Highway between Noon and Britton roads was reopened on Monday afternoon.
The highway, which now spans over Squalicum Creek, was reopened after officials from the Washington State Department of Transportation finished their inspections late Monday. Speed limits in detour areas will resume to nearly normal after four months of construction. However, according to WSDOT spokesperson R.B. McKeon (mick-KEY-un), drivers should still expect single-lane closures in the construction zone through early November.
Mount Baker Highway had been closed between Noon and Britton roads since June 5th for a $8.8 million project to widen a culvert where Squalicum Creek flows under the road, which will allow for easier passage for migrating and spawning salmon.
STORY: 4.25% rate increase for ferry rides
An increase in ferry tickets statewide went into effect on Sunday.
The Washington State Transportation Commission adopted the price increases earlier in August, with an increase of over 4 per cent beginning on the 1st. Another increase is expected next year. The commission stated that changes in fares were made to ensure the state meets revenue requirements set forth in the 2023-25 state Transportation Budget passed this year.
The Anacortes to Friday Harbor ferry will now cost $15.85 for passengers and $57.55 for standard vehicles.
STORY: A new roadmap to speed the spread of electric vehicles in Washington state
A strategy plan has been drafted to lead Washington to a more green future, paving the way to zero transportation emissions by 2050.
The draft of the Transportation Electrification Strategy, or TES, is a blueprint for how to make driving electric vehicles more accessible. Some of the recommendations include the installation of thousands of charging stations around the state along with large cash incentives to switch to using electric cars.
The public draft was released in advance of a public comment hearing on October 11.
The result of the TES could begin a major push toward battery-powered cars, buses and trucks, a strategy that would require broad ranging electric infrastructure changes.
The final TES will likely be released on December 31.
STORY: FEMA & FCC to conduct test of national alert systems
Tomorrow the FCC and FEMA will be conducting nationwide tests of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts.
The tests will be used to assess the operational readiness of the national alerting infrastructure and to identify any needed technological and administrative improvements.
The wireless portion of the alert will be directed only to people who have already opted-in to receive such text messages on their cell phones. The EAS portion of the test will be sent via AM, FM and satellite radio, as well as broadcast, cable and satellite TV.
The emergency alerts will run between 11:20 and 11:50 am.
WX: Rain again
For your Whatcom Weather, some areas of the county will have drizzle and some fog today, but Bellingham residents will get some unexpected sunshine. The high is expected to be 61, cooling to an overnight low of 51. The chance of showers will return tonight and tomorrow is supposed to be much the same weather as today. Fall is here.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) , Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
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