Whatcom County judge rules against ballot measure that would repeal taxes meant to fund child care programs, Port of Bellingham receives $2.8 million grant to electrify shipping terminal, Bellingham couple donates 7.5 acres of undeveloped land for expansion of public parks, Bellingham School District program aiding special needs students with transitioning out of high school, State AG petitions Whatcom County judge for involuntary civil commitment of sex offender, State AG petitions Whatcom County judge for involuntary civil commitment of sex offender, Public Works dept to hold water rights education session September 23rd, Lynnwood light rail opens
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, September 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom County judge rules against ballot measure that would repeal taxes meant to fund child care programs
A Whatcom County judge has ruled that the initiative to repeal the Healthy Children’s tax will not be on the November 5th ballot.
Yesterday, Superior Court Judge Lee Grochmal stated the initiative to repeal Proposition 5 violates the contracts clause of the Washington Constitution. In his ruling, Grochmal said quote “This is not an action that can be repealed by initiative” unquote. According to Whatcom County officials, contracts to spend funds that were created by Proposition 5 have already been signed.
Proposition 5, which passed by 20 votes in 2022, charges property owners almost 17 cents for every $1,000 of assessed valuation, and raises an estimated $10 million annually for child care.
STORY: Port of Bellingham receives $2.8 million grant to electrify shipping terminal
Washington has awarded Port Electrification Grants to 11 authorities across the state, including the Port of Bellingham.
The port will receive nearly $3 million for the construction of shore power–– which allows ships to plug into an electrical grid when docked instead of using their diesel-powered engines. According to the Port, turning off the engines of docked ships will result in lower noise levels and reduced carbon emissions coming from the terminal.
The port’s electrification is expected to be finalized by 2026.
STORY: Bellingham couple donates 7.5 acres of undeveloped land for expansion of public parks
A couple is donating two undeveloped properties worth a combined $680,000 to the City of Bellingham.
The City Council unanimously accepted Carol and David Robinson’s offer at their meeting on Monday. Parks and Recreation Department Director Nicole Oliver told the City Council it was “a very generous donation.”
The properties will add 7 ½ acres of permanent open space to two different parks. One next to the Connelly Creek Nature Area in Happy Valley and the other near Arroyo Park in the South neighborhood.
Both sites are zoned for single-family homes, but the couple sought a permanent deed restriction that limits the use of the land to parks and open space, according to documents on the City of Bellingham’s website.
STORY: Bellingham School District program aiding special needs students with transitioning out of high school
A Bellingham program that helps young people with disabilities gain job experience and life skills after high school is gaining broader attention.
The Bellingham Public Schools’ Community Transitions program helps students learn independent living skills, apply for college, and practice job readiness through tasks like stocking shelves at a local grocery store. Participants work towards a diploma over three years, and build a plan for life post-graduation.
The program’s success has attracted interest from other districts, but proponents of the effort say funding remains a challenge statewide. A federal appeals court ruled earlier this year that Washington schools must provide services to students with disabilities until they turn 22. Districts around the state are in the process of rolling out more school-to-work programs, which allow students to start working before they leave the school system.
According to state-wide data, students who go through a school-to-work program often have much better outcomes than those who don’t. However, advocates say access to these services varies by district, and funding remains a significant issue.
STORY: State AG petitions Whatcom County judge for involuntary civil commitment of sex offender
The Attorney General’s office is petitioning a Whatcom County judge to commit a 38-year-old man to the Washington penitentiary for sexually violent predators.
Jack Unick (OOO-nick) is set to be released from prison tomorrow, and was convicted of multiple charges in 2014–– including two counts of first-degree attempted kidnapping with sexual motivation and one count of harassment. The conviction came after four separate incidents the year before, where he tried to kidnap three children and attacked a 24-year-old woman.
The Attorney General’s office argues that Unick presents a quote “well above average risk” unquote to the community, and that he is highly likely to reoffend. The Whatcom County judge will now determine if the allegations against Unick are enough to confine him to the Special Commitment Center at McNeil Island Penitentiary prior to trial, where the jury will determine if his detainment should continue.
STORY: Public Works dept to hold water rights education session September 23rd
A water rights educational session for residential well users will be held on Monday, September 23 at Pioneer Pavilion in Ferndale.
Whatcom County Public Works says the event aims to help residents understand and prepare for the upcoming water rights adjudication process, which will affect about 30,000 people in the region. The two-hour session will cover Washington state water rights law and provide resources, followed by a Q&A session.
The adjudication process, initiated by the Department of Ecology, will determine the legality, usage limits, and priority of water rights in the Nooksack Basin and surrounding areas. It is expected to significantly impact residential well users, tribes, farmers, local governments, and state and federal agencies. The event will be recorded and made available online for those unable to attend. Registration is encouraged.
STORY: Lynnwood light rail opens
The Lynnwood Link light rail extension is now open to the public.
The rail line is part of Sound Transit’s expansion and connects King and Snohomish counties. The 8.5-mile extension adds four new transit stations: two in Shoreline, one in Mountlake Terrace, and one at Lynnwood City Center, and expands the light rail system to 53 stations and 62 miles of track. Trains run every 8 minutes during peak hours, and approximately 50,000 daily riders are expected. The project, approved by voters in stages starting in 1996, is part of a broader plan to extend light rail to Everett and Tacoma by 2044. The extension aims to reduce traffic on I-5, connect people to job centers and destinations like SeaTac Airport.
The light rail system operates from early morning until late night, offers a flat fare of $3 per adult and $1 for low-income and senior riders. Extensions to Federal Way and Bellevue are expected next year, and Community Transit says it is adjusting bus services to align with the new light rail routes.
WX: I’M WALKIN’ ON SUNSHINE, WHO-OAAAAA (PS: AND DON’T IT FEEL GOOD?)
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
More warmth and sunshine today, with highs projected in the upper 70s. Expect calm western winds throughout the day, and nighttime lows in the mid-upper 50s.
Tomorrow we’ll see the sun stick around as temperatures spike into the mid-80s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHRAM), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Anna Vickers, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick, and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thank you for listening.
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