Two Fairhaven businesses in same building report break-ins Saturday morning, Overnight winds and rain create road and power impacts, Projects to improve Fairhaven walkability to commence in 2025, Victim memorial established on site of last year’s Harris Avenue fire, Whatcom Council debating expanding port commission amid seemingly favorable public arguments, Whatcom Council debating expanding port commission amid seemingly favorable public arguments, Gov. Inslee proposes additional wealth and business taxes to soften budget shortfall, Free and Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Two Fairhaven businesses in same building report break-ins Saturday morning
Two businesses in the same Fairhaven building at 11th St. were burglarized early Saturday morning.
According to police reports, someone used a pry tool at around 4 a.m. to break into Serendipity, stealing approximately $1,000 worth of goods— including a cash register and jewelry. Later the same morning, the office at Fairhaven Runners was also burglarized, with shoes stolen and the office ransacked.
The two incidents are under investigation.
STORY: Overnight winds and rain create road and power impacts
Overnight winds and rain caused multiple road and power impacts in Whatcom County.
According to the National Weather Service, winds at Bellingham International Airport reported gusts at near 50-miles-per-hour shortly after 2am this morning, as well as nearly an inch-and-a-half of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 9am.
Officials with the City of Ferndale and the county’s Public Works department reported multiple road impacts this morning. West Smith Road between LaBounty Drive and Scout Place was closed due to water over the roadway, while East Smith Road between Sand Road and the Mount Baker Highway was closed due to low-hanging wires.
Meanwhile, Puget Sound Energy said that the winds caused outages in their service area; King, Pierce and Thurston counties suffered quote-unquote “major impacts.” Scattered and localized power outages were reported across Whatcom County.
The National Weather Service in Seattle says dry conditions are expected this afternoon through tonight. Furthermore, the forecasters say that another frontal system is expected across western Washington on Saturday for lowland rain and mountain snowfall, as well as a stronger system on Sunday for additional precipitation.
STORY: Projects to improve Fairhaven walkability to commence in 2025
The Bellingham City Council has approved a $1.3 million contract with Strider Construction for a pedestrian upgrade project in Fairhaven.
Starting early next year, the project will include a new traffic signal at 12th Street and Mill Avenue, flashing crosswalks on 12th Street and Finnegan Way, and a southbound sidewalk on Finnegan Way from 11th Street to Mill Avenue.
Completion is expected by next summer.
STORY: Victim memorial established on site of last year’s Harris Avenue fire
On Friday, a memorial was established marking the one-year anniversary of the Harris Avenue fire and honored business owner Nathaniel Breaux (BRO), who died in the blaze that destroyed the historic Terminal Building.
The tribute included photos of Breaux with loved ones, images of the lost businesses he owned—Harris Avenue Cafe and The Old Independent Coffee House—and a floral wreath with potted flowers posted on the fencing that surrounds the now-empty lot. Passers-by paid respects, and reflected on the loss of Breaux and the local art he supported.
The fire broke out on December 16th, 2023, with flames engulfing the building by the time firefighters arrived. Breaux’s body was discovered in the wreckage 10 days later. A final investigation determined the fire started near the cafe kitchen, but could not establish the cause.
STORY: Whatcom Council debating expanding port commission amid seemingly favorable public arguments
The Port of Bellingham held a public hearing yesterday to discuss the potential expansion of commission from three to five members.
While no resolution was introduced, the meeting featured arguments for and against the change. A dozen attendees supported the idea, and cited better representation, increased collaboration, and improved decision-making for the port’s complex operations.
Proponents argued that expanding the commission would enhance efficiency and transparency without diminishing accountability. Conversely, two speakers opposed the expansion, warning of potential government bloat and increased political influence.
The discussion reflects a recurring debate, as Washington state law has allowed port commissions to expand since 1992. Six of the state’s 75 ports have already done so. The last attempt to expand the Bellingham Port Commission in 2012 narrowly failed, with 49% of voters in favor. Supporters emphasized the opportunity to revisit the vision of the late Harriet Spanel (SPAN-ol), who authored the 1992 legislation.
If the commission moves forward with the proposed expansion, a resolution or ballot initiative could trigger a public vote, potentially aligning with next year’s general election, when two commission seats will also be up for election.
STORY: Gov. Inslee proposes additional wealth and business taxes to soften budget shortfall
Governor Inslee has proposed two new taxes to address a looming budget shortfall of up to $16 billion.
Inslee’s proposed 1% wealth tax on individuals with over $100 million in worldwide assets would target about 3,400 residents and raise $10.3 billion over four years. Meanwhile, a temporary 20% business tax increase on large businesses would bring in an estimated $2.6 billion.
Inslee emphasized the proposals would create a fairer tax system and avoid cuts to critical state services like those made after the Great Recession. His final budget proposal also includes $2 billion in cuts, such as delaying expanded child care subsidies, closing residential habilitation centers, and pausing bonuses for nationally certified teachers.
Critics, including Republican lawmakers and the state teachers union, argue the plan would prompt overspending and underfund education, while concerns about the wealth tax include potential capital flight and administrative challenges.
Supporters say the tax addresses Washington’s regressive tax system, and Democrats in the Legislature may consider it, alongside Inslee’s broader proposals, during upcoming negotiations.
WX: Floodrucker’s
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
We should see an end to the last few days of rain today. This afternoon, expect to see overcast skies progressively give way to sunshine, with highs in the mid-low 50s. The clouds are expected to gather again in the evening, bringing rain again and which should bring temperatures down to a low of 40 degrees.
Some light rainfall is expected tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Riley Weeks, Brodey O’Brien, 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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