Nooksack levy barely in favor by 7 votes, One arrested, another sought after robbery and assault off Sunset Drive in Bellingham, New details regarding home shooting in Glenhaven, Blaine City Council approves updated meeting procedures after contentious meetings, Initiatives to repeal Climate Act, capital gains tax move forward as legislators reject hearings, WA bid to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus won’t proceed, City of Bellingham moves against owner of land that is site of homeless encampment, Southwest Airlines to expand nonstop service from Bellingham to Denver
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STORY: Nooksack levy barely in favor by 7 votes
The Nooksack Valley School District’s replacement levy, aimed at funding education programs and operations, is now uncertain.
As of last night, just over 50% of the votes are in favor, but the measure is ahead by only 7 votes. The levy would support school safety, support staff, athletics, and maintenance. Nooksack Superintendent Matt Galley expressed surprise after the initial ballot drop when it looked like the levy was going to fail. He noted previous positive discussions with the community and the absence of opposition in the voter’s guide, saying concerns about taxes and inflation, alongside community struggles, may have influenced the voting. Galley emphasized the importance of these levies for school operations.
The passage standard for local levies is 50 percent plus one. According to the Whatcom County Auditor’s office there are currently 1500 ballots left to process– it’s unknown how many are from Nooksack, however, the Auditor’s office says they expect to be finished by 5pm tonight.
Although there is no mandatory recount, 5 or more voters registered in the district can trigger one by presenting their request in writing and paying the required fee before February 27th at 4:30 pm.
And there’s more election news ahead– the Washington state Presidential primary ballots are expected to be mailed next Wednesday, with those votes due on March 12th.
STORY: One arrested, another sought after robbery and assault off Sunset Drive in Bellingham
Yesterday, Bellingham police arrested one of two suspects involved in an assault and robbery that occurred near Sunset Drive.
The victim reported being pushed to the ground, punched, and kicked by two individuals who then stole items including an iPhone and an electric longboard. One suspect, identified as 27-year-old Micheal (MIKE-uhl) Allen Austin, was apprehended and charged with second-degree robbery. He is currently in custody at Whatcom County Jail.
The police are still searching for the second suspect and urge anyone with information to contact dispatch. No description of the second suspect was provided.
STORY: New details regarding home shooting in Glenhaven
New details have been released about an in-home shooting that happened yesterday evening in Glenhaven.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s office says deputies responded to a distress call from a 13-year-old who claimed to have accidentally shot their 11-year-old sibling with a handgun. The victim was initially taken to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham and later transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
According to police records, the incident occurred while the children were home alone. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and no further details are available at this time.
STORY: Blaine City Council approves updated meeting procedures after contentious meetings
The Blaine City Council unanimously approved amendments to its rules governing public meetings on Monday.
Recent reporting by The Northern Light indicates that attendance at Blaine Council meetings began to increase last year when developers proposed zoning changes that would allow the building of manufactured home parks. According to the Northern Light, about two dozen people began speaking out against the proposal. After the council approved the zoning change on October 23rd, a smaller number of people calling themselves “Save Blaine” began accusing the city of unethical behavior. The group also began to question the council’s authority to enforce certain rules, such as the requirement to state one’s name and address before speaking.
On Monday, the council approved a resolution to update the rules, limiting audience participation to written communication only. Additionally, the new amendments now explicitly prohibit slanderous remarks and also outline procedures for out-of-order conduct, and comment time limits.
The Blaine City Council says it may reconsider allowing oral comments at some future point, depending on meeting dynamics.
STORY: Initiatives to repeal Climate Act, capital gains tax move forward as legislators reject hearings
Initiatives to repeal the Climate Commitment Act and capital gains tax are poised to be on the ballot, as the state’s legislators reject hearings to consider them.
The state’s capital gains tax, passed in 2021, is a 7% tax on profits above $250,000 from the sale or exchange of certain assets like stocks or bonds. A legislative analysis estimates the repeal would decrease state revenues by about $693 million in 2024.
The Climate Commitment Act, which went into effect last year, set up a carbon market as part of the effort to curb the state’s emissions over time. The state collected about $1.8 billion in the first year of emission allowance auctions.
The two initiatives to repeal the laws were filed and are sponsored by the state Republican Party chair, Jim Walsh. Supporters of the initiatives say the two laws cause undue costs on Washington citizens, and that the state doesn’t need extra income. Those against the initiatives say the money collected goes to critical programs, like childcare and infrastructure greening.
With each initiative, lawmakers have three choices. First, they can adopt it into law as is. Second, adopt an alternative to go on the ballot alongside the initiative. Or finally, do nothing, and have the initiative appear on the ballot as is.
With no action taken on the two initiatives, they will almost certainly show up on the November ballot.
STORY: WA bid to report on-time rent payments to credit bureaus won’t proceed
A proposal to help Washington tenants boost their credit scores when they pay rent on time is dead in the Legislature.
Senate Bill 6212 and its companion measure House Bill 2323 would have required landlords to report on-time rental payments to credit agencies if renters request it. Having failed to pass by the legislature’s final deadline on Tuesday, both bills have now been shelved.
While homeowners get credit for their mortgage payments, most renters’ timely payments don’t affect their credit score. Supporters of the legislation argued it would give renters a leg up as they struggle to build their credit.
Landlords opposed the bill, taking issue with the cost of reporting.
Senator Sharon Shewmake (SHOE-make) of Bellingham, who sponsored the proposal, said in a text message Wednesday the bill “needed more work.” Shewmake says she plans to do more research before deciding whether to re-introduce the idea next year.
WX: Sun
Today will be mostly cloudy with a high of 46 degrees and winds around 9 mph. The clouds will be with us all day, and expect temperatures to reach a low of 31 tonight. The sun is projected to come out tomorrow.
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 listener 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 ________________, and thanks for listening.
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STORY: City of Bellingham moves against owner of land that is site of homeless encampment
STORY: Southwest Airlines to expand nonstop service from Bellingham to Denver
