Harcourt misses deadline, loses waterfront development rights, Public invited to learn about update to Lynden, Sumas land ports of entry, Fire levy votes won’t count in Sumas after error on ballots, WA to pursue linking carbon-pricing market with Ca, Quebec, Housing, health care meet in innovative WA program, Free and Cheap, Democracy Block
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, November 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Harcourt misses deadline, loses waterfront development rights
Harcourt Developments, an Irish company involved in reshaping Bellingham’s waterfront, has lost its rights to build on nearly 8 waterfront acres after failing to meet a deadline for completing two condominium near Waypoint Park.
The Port of Bellingham commissioners confirmed this decision after Harcourt violated the terms of its contract by missing the occupancy deadline. The company had previously faced delays in constructing the condominiums due to COVID-19 disruptions and was granted a two-year extension, but it still couldn’t meet the new deadline. As a result, Harcourt’s rights to develop the 7.7 acres were revoked.
The Port remains committed to working with Harcourt to complete the project, given the high demand for housing in the community.
STORY: Public invited to learn about updates to Lynden, Sumas land ports of entry
The General Services Administration is hosting an in-person meeting on Monday to inform the public about the expansion and modernization plans for the Lynden and Sumas (SOO-mass) border crossings.
According to a GSA news release, both crossings face issues like limited space, leading to congested traffic flow. A contract has been awarded to Jacobs, Inc. to help with planning and construction for both projects, which is set to commence in the fall of 2026.
STORY: Fire levy votes won’t count in Sumas after error on ballots
The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office has reported an error on the ballot sent to residents of Sumas.
Ballots sent to City of Sumas voters mistakenly included a question and contest for Whatcom County Fire District 14. While properties in Sumas are within the service area of Fire District 14, they are not part of the taxing district. As a result, Sumas voters were not supposed to vote on restoring a property tax levy for the Fire District, but it was included on their ballots.
The Auditor says that– when it comes to this issue– votes from Sumas will not be included in the final result. The levy aims to restore the fire district’s property tax levy to $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The Auditor’s Office apologized for any inconvenience for voters.
STORY: WA to pursue linking carbon-pricing market with CA, Quebec
Yesterday, the Washington Department of Ecology announced that it is planning to link its carbon market with those of California and Québec.
Ecology hopes that in connecting the new program with established markets, it will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of carbon allowances. The merger was always a goal of the state when it created the market, and experts say that California and Québec are welcoming of the merger. Expansion would give the three governments greater leverage in cutting emissions from their largest polluters and provide stability to businesses that must buy the allowances, further encouraging their transition toward renewable energy.
Washington’s carbon market has been the target of criticism since its inception due to the cost of its pollution allowance prices. The prices quickly increased past expected values, and oil companies blame those prices for why they need to pass on costs to the consumer through gasoline sales.
The merger is still in the early stages and will be complete no sooner than 2025.
STORY: WNS – Housing, health care meet in innovative WA program
Washington state has a new innovative program that helps people on Medicaid find housing, and it is reaching its first year of implementation. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more.
HOUSING AUDIO
STORY: Free and Cheap
Whatcom offers a variety of free and cheap events this Saturday.
The Majestic Artisan Market will take place from 12 to 3 pm, just two blocks up from the farmer’s market at the Majestic Art Cafe. The event will have vendors selling handmade works of art, and the cafe will also be open for business.
If Halloween wasn’t enough of a masquerade, the Bellingham Makerspace at the mall is offering a free cosplay meetup on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. The event will provide a communal space to show off, get advice, and work on costume projects.
For just 5 dollars admission, the Daughters of Norway will offer festivity and flavors inspired by the North. Taking place at the Ferndale Convention Center from 10 am to 4 pm, the 23rd Annual Nordic Fest will include over 30 vendors with traditional cuisine and live entertainment.
Yearning to see Salmon in action? Look no further than the free salmon sighting at Thompson Creek Bridge from 10 to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. Staff will provide games and answer questions about the biannual migration.
STORY: Democracy Block
KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County.
Today after the 5pm news, two candidates for Whatcom County Council At-Large Position B– Jon Scanlon and Hannah Ordos– share their views on protecting Lake Whatcom, the source of our drinking water.
WX: Rainy
Today will be mostly cloudy with a high of around 59. Rain will come later tonight with lows around 51. The rain will continue into tomorrow and have gusts of up to 43 mph. The temperatures will drop a bit heading into Sunday, but the wind and rain will persist.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two nWIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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 your donations. I’m __David Korb______________… thanks for listening.
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Run after ruling–
The Washington State Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case involving the rights of people sheltering in their vehicles.
A growing number of homeless individuals in Washington are living in their vehicles, but they face challenges due to local laws, including bans on vehicle habitation, restrictive parking rules, and towing. These laws often force people to leave their communities, even if they have lived there for a long time.
Jack Potter, a longtime resident of Lacey, was forced to live in his travel trailer due to housing market pressures. Lacey passed a law prohibiting vehicles used as shelter from parking in town for more than four hours, essentially forcing Potter and others out of their community.
Tomorrow, Potter’s case will be heard by the Washington Supreme Court.
