Woman suspected of making bomb threat to distract police, Students facing discipline after anti-Semitic display found at Bellingham High School, Sheriff’s Office warns of scam calls, WNS – Far-right candidates running in WA school board races, Washington is safest state for U.S. high school students, according to new national study, Washington counties win initial legal victory over scarce mental health beds, Social Security Announces Benefit Increase for 2024
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STORY: Woman suspected of making bomb threat to distract police
A 33-year-old woman was arrested by Blaine Police for suspicion of making a bomb threat.
The incident began on Monday while police were assisting the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office in the search for a driver who had fled a traffic stop in Blaine. During the search, deputies asked the woman they believed was dating the driver, Kathleen Fox, about his whereabouts. Soon after, a 911 call reported a bomb threat at a local grocery store. The phone used for the threat was traced back to Fox. Officers confirmed her voice from the 911 recording.
Fox was released from custody on Tuesday after posting $100 cash bail.
STORY: Students facing discipline after anti-Semitic display found at Bellingham High School
Students at Bellingham High School are facing disciplinary action after an anti-semitic display was found.
One of the skeletons used as decorations in the senior homecoming hallway was posed giving a Nazi salute and two others were wearing swastikas. They were up for a day before administrators were notified and took down the display. In an email, Principal Martin Atkins wrote that the display was more hateful before it was reported, with someone likely removing the most offensive bits before administrators found out about it.
It is not immediately known how many students were involved or whether they were disciplined.
STORY: Sheriff’s Office warns of scam calls
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has issued a new scam alert.
In a recent social media post, the Sheriff’s office says the current scam involves phone calls to county residents by people impersonating law enforcement employees, demanding money and asking for the purchase of a bond for bail. These scammers often use local area codes, but they are typically located out of state or overseas, making it hard to apprehend them.
The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes that law enforcement will never contact individuals to request payment to avoid arrest.
STORY: WNS – Far-right candidates running in WA school board races
Candidates with extreme political views are running for school board across Washington state. If they win, opponents say they could threaten the safety of some students. Reporter Eric Tegitoff has more.
SCHOOL BOARD AUDIO
STORY: Washington is safest state for U.S. high school students, according to new national study
Washington state has been ranked as the safest state for high school students in 2023, according to a study by an online scholarship website.
Scholaroo (SKALL-uh-roo) determined its rankings based on 11 safety metrics, with states receiving an overall score out of 100. These metrics included factors such as bullying, cyberbullying, exposure to illegal drugs, feeling safe at school, school safety plans, school resource officers, and school shootings, among others.
Prioritizing safety is crucial for high school students, as it creates a conducive environment for learning and personal growth. Washington state had the highest safety score, followed by Delaware, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and New Jersey in the top five. The five lowest-ranked states for high school student safety were Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Louisiana, and Georgia.
STORY: Washington counties win initial legal victory over scarce mental health beds
In a win for 28 Washington counties, a Pierce County Judge has ordered the Department of Social & Health Services to continue providing services for patients with mental illnesses that are awaiting trial.
Originally filed in August, 28 counties including Whatcom accuse the DSHS of refusing to offer services ordered by courts. The counties have criticized the department’s decision to stop providing initial evaluation and subsequent treatment for patients in need of behavioral health support when exiting the criminal legal system. DSHS has asserted that it is no longer obligated to either evaluate or treat patients whose criminal charges are dismissed, despite court orders and state laws requiring them to do so.
On Friday, Judge Michael Schwartz issued a preliminary injunction that requires DSHS to return to prior practices for mental health evaluations, and notify when patients are to be released. DSHS responded, saying it puts the agency at odds with a federal court ruling that limits admissions to the state hospital. However, DSHS did say that it will comply and continue to seek more bed capacity for those patients.
STORY: Social Security Announces Benefit Increase for 2024
The Social Security Administration announced today that benefits will increase by more than $50 per month starting in January.
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for more than 71 million Americans will increase 3.2 percent in 2024. More than 66 million Social Security beneficiaries will receive this 3.2 percent cost-of-living adjustment in January, while approximately 7.5 million SSI recipients will see increased payments starting on December 29.
More information about Medicare changes for 2024 can be found at medicare.gov.
WX: Foggy then Sunny
Bellingham is sunny today, with a high near 64° and lows tonight around 48. Tomorrow will bring fog in the morning, going away later in the day with a high around 71°. Expect rain tomorrow night, going into the weekend.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) 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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