Monster storm bringing rain to Whatcom County, stirring fears of Nooksack flooding, Injury crash on Mount Baker Highway sends 2 to the hospital, Webinar being held on Nooksack water rights adjudication, Mount Rainier National Park to require reservations at popular entrances this summer, Puget Sound Energy cancels liquid natural gas plant expansion in Tacoma, Johnson & Johnson to pay nearly $150M over its role fueling opioid epidemic
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 26. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Monster storm bringing rain to Whatcom County, stirring fears of Nooksack flooding
Whatcom County may once again see some weather-related turmoil.
A large atmospheric river approaching Western Washington is expected to drench a broad region from Juneau to Portland. Meteorologists expect both Whatcom and Skagit counties to see a persistent downpour until early next week. The scenario set up by the atmospheric river is similar to the one that caused flooding in the Nooksack River in 2020 and 2021.
Estimates from the Northwest River Forecast Center predict that on Monday, the Nooksack River will crest about 3 feet below flood stage in Ferndale, and 4 feet below flood stage at Nugents Corner. The Whatcom County Executive’s office and both the Public Works and Emergency Management departments are monitoring the forecasts.
STORY: Injury crash on Mount Baker Highway sends 2 to the hospital
A section of road between Noon and Britton Roads was blocked off on Tuesday morning after a multi-vehicle crash.
First responders were dispatched to the 1500 block of Mount Baker Highway at 7:30 a.m. The Washington State Patrol confirmed it was a three-vehicle crash. Two drivers were transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for treatment. The road was reopened at 8:30 a.m. that same day.
STORY: Webinar being held on Nooksack water rights adjudication
An upcoming webinar– that aims to help water users understand Water Rights Adjudication– will be held next Wednesday at 5:30pm.
Adjudication is a legal process designed to resolve conflicts over water sources. Plans for a water rights adjudication involving around 25,000 people in the Nooksack area are progressing, with an expected court filing date sometime this spring. The Department of Ecology says it wants to provide accurate information and dispel myths about participation, expenses, and metering requirements. The goal is to create a comprehensive final determination, bringing clarity to water rights in the Nooksack area.
The event will be recorded for those unable to attend, and there’s a dedicated mailbox and phone number for questions and concerns about the process. More information is available on the Department of Ecology website.
STORY: Mount Rainier National Park to require reservations at popular entrances this summer
Some of the most popular entrances at Mount Rainier National Park will now require reservations.
According to the National Park service, visitation grew from 1.1 million in 2013 to 1.6 million in 2022. The department says it aims to use the reservation system as a method to reduce over-crowding in the park.
Starting May 24th, visitors entering through the Nisqually and Stevens Canyon entrances will need to make a phone or online reservation. The White River entrance to Sunrise Corridor will also require reservations starting July 3rd.
Each reservation will cover one vehicle and cost two dollars, which does not include park entrance fees. The reservation provides visitors a two-hour entry window, and can be made up to 3 months in advance. The reservation process will begin February 21st.
To find out more or reserve a vehicle, visit recreation.gov.
STORY: Puget Sound Energy cancels liquid natural gas plant expansion in Tacoma
Puget Sound Energy has abandoned plans for expansion of its liquefied natural gas plant in Tacoma, following opposition from the Puyallup Tribe of Indians and community groups.
The proposed expansion would have allowed liquid gas vessels to load fuel for their own ships and transfer it to others. The Puyallup Tribe argued that the permit revision sought by PSE was illegal. Environmental groups emphasized Washington State’s commitment to phasing out fossil fuels, contrasting it with PSE’s push to expand LNG.
The City of Tacoma originally granted the building permit. However, the tribe, along with environmental and health organizations, brought an appeal to the state Shoreline Hearings Board. PSE, instead of defending the project, chose to cancel, stating in a recent announcement that they would not proceed with work.
The Tribe expressed relief at the cancellation.
STORY: Johnson & Johnson to pay nearly $150M over its role fueling opioid epidemic
To avoid trial, Johnson and Johnson will pay nearly 150 million dollars to Washington state over its role in the opioid crisis.
The state alleges that Johnson and Johnson fueled the epidemic by supplying and processing opioids, and aggressively marketing them for chronic pain conditions while understating the risk of addiction.
The 149 and one half million dollar total will be paid in a lump sum this year, with around 120 million used to combat the ongoing opioid and fentanyl crisis. This is 50 million dollars more than the rejected national settlement, which would have paid around 100 million to state governments over the period of nine years.
Whatcom County will receive around 12 million dollars— 4.4 million going to Bellingham, 300 thousand to Ferndale, 400 thousand to Lynden, and the remaining 6.6 million will be directed to county opioid prevention needs.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend? Here are some
events happening around the county.
Overflow Taps in Barkley Village is hosting Clean Water Happy Hour, an event benefiting charities that fund and coordinate water projects around the world. The event is all-ages, and the first drink is on the house. It takes place Saturday from 1 to 2:30 pm.
The Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth is performing the Addams Family Saturdays and Sundays over the next two weekends. It features student performers and showings begin at 7 pm. Tickets start at 12 dollars and are available at BAAY.org.
And finally, the Friends of the Bellingham Library is hosting a book sale this weekend at the central branch. All proceeds help fund the library system. The sale is open from 10am to 6 pm today, and 10am to 4pm Saturday. Most books are $2.
WX: Rain
There is a 50 percent chance of rain today with a high of 52 degrees and gentle winds. But 50 percent will turn into a 100 percent tonight, with lows of around 45 degrees. Expect more rain all weekend.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, and Tristan Trudell. 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. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb_______________… thanks for listening.
