Multiple I-5 accidents in Bellingham leave at least one dead, Bellingham PeaceHealth workers expected to picket for higher wages this week, Whatcom SAR volunteers aid in rescue of lost backcountry skier, Harvesting of oysters closed in Drayton Harbor following outbreaks of foodborne illnesses, Governor unlocks relief funds for those affected by November bomb cyclone, WA bans commercial net-pen fish farming, WA bans commercial net-pen fish farming
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, January 8th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Multiple I-5 accidents in Bellingham leave at least one dead
Interstate 5 in Bellingham reopened early this morning after a fatal crash last night closed both directions between Meridian Street and Northwest Avenue.
Emergency services were alerted to a rollover crash in the northbound lanes around 6:45 PM. Officials from WSDOT, the State Patrol, and Whatcom County 911 used social media to inform the public of the closure and urge caution.
According to police reports, when first responders arrived, they noted a pedestrian walking in the southbound lanes. A second incident took place when a small SUV, driven by 36-year-old Anna Casillas (ca-SEE-us) of Mount Vernon, swerved to avoid the pedestrian but was unsuccessful. The State Patrol later issued a press release confirming that Sean Smet, a 24-year-old Bellingham man, was pronounced dead at the scene in the southbound lanes.
According to the PulsePoint EMS dispatch log reporting system, up to 3 patients were transported from the crash scenes to St Joseph Medical
Center. One lane in each direction reopened around 9:15 PM, and both lanes were fully reopened shortly after midnight.
The incidents are still under investigation.
STORY: Bellingham PeaceHealth workers expected to picket for higher wages this week
Health care workers at St. Joseph Medical Center will picket tomorrow to call for higher wages and other work benefits.
According to a news release by SEIU Healthcare 99W, the union representing Bellingham’s PeaceHealth workers and 35,000 health care workers across Washington and Montana, the two sides continue to disagree on issues related to wages, safety issues and medical benefits even after multiple bargaining sessions.
Almost a thousand union PeaceHealth workers, including imaging technicians, lab assistants and technologists, will picket from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to call for investments in quality patient care, as well as staff recruitment and retention. The picket, which will take place outside St. Joseph, will be open to the public; in fact, the union encourages community members to join the picket line and learn more about the contract negotiations.
STORY: Whatcom SAR volunteers aid in rescue of lost backcountry skier
The first day of the year got off to a dangerous start, when search and rescue volunteers spent 14 hours helping a skier lost in the backcountry.
The Mount Baker Ski Patrol, U.S Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine support, and Whatcom County Search and Rescue volunteers collaborated to aid a 34-year-old skier who was separated from his partner and got lost in a drainage area. Volunteers had to contend with the ongoing risk of avalanche, open creeks, and waterfalls. The location was considered too dangerous to attempt a land rescue, so Border Patrol officers used a hoist-equipped helicopter from the U.S Coast Guard to air-drop an overnight kit with food, shelter, and a radio to the skier.
The next morning, the Bellingham Mountain Rescue team navigated the extreme and hazardous terrain and successfully rescued the man. His name has not been released.
STORY: Harvesting of oysters closed in Drayton Harbor following outbreaks of foodborne illnesses
The Washington State Department of Health has issued an emergency closure of shellfish harvesting in Drayton Harbor after several people fell ill with symptoms of Norovirus after eating raw oysters harvested on December 28th and 30th.
Similar outbreaks have also been reported in Puget Sound and British Columbia.
The health department advises cooking all shellfish to 145 degrees Fahrenheit (or roughly 63 degrees Celsius) to kill harmful pathogens. Norovirus outbreaks have been rising nationwide, prompting the Whatcom County health department to issue additional safety guidelines earlier this week.
STORY: Governor unlocks relief funds for those affected by November bomb cyclone
Whatcom County residents affected by the November 19th windstorm can now apply for state assistance after Governor Inslee declared the event a state of emergency.
The storm, caused by an offshore “bomb cyclone,” hit the Puget Sound area and left over 500,000 people without power. It also damaged over 40 structures in Whatcom County’s Sudden Valley.
The governor’s proclamation unlocks a million dollars in state funds for recovery, and prepares the state to request federal aid for infrastructure repairs. Assistance is available for residents of Whatcom, King, and Snohomish counties who meet the following criteria:
● Those whose household income is at, or below, 80% of the area median income (that’s about $84,000 for a family of four in Whatcom County);
● Those who can provide proof of major storm damage that made their home uninhabitable, and;
● Those who have uninsured losses and can provide supporting claim documentation.
The program provides funds for home repairs, temporary lodging, meals, and other household needs. Residents can apply through the Whatcom County emergency management website.
STORY: WA bans commercial net-pen fish farming
The Washington State Board of Natural Resources has permanently banned commercial net-pen aquaculture on state aquatic lands.
According to a recent announcement by outgoing Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz, the decision prioritizes protecting marine ecosystems for future generations. Franz highlighted the harm net pens pose to salmon, orcas, and aquatic environments, referencing the endangered southern resident orcas’ continued population decline.
The ban follows growing public opposition to net-pen farming, with over 80% of public comments supporting the measure. Tribal leaders and conservation groups emphasized the need to protect wild salmon and marine life from harmful fish farming practices, calling net pens quote-unquote “marine feedlots.”
However, opponents argued that the ban will hurt rural economies and limit food production. The Jamestown S’Klallam (SKLA-lum) Tribe and
aquaculture representatives expressed concerns that the decision was rushed and will cut off important economic opportunities.
Washington’s move aligns with similar bans in California, Alaska, and British Columbia. The industry has faced scrutiny since a 2017 net-pen collapse released 250,000 non-native Atlantic salmon into Puget Sound. The state previously banned farming of non-native species, and the new rule expands the ban to all commercial net-pen operations on state-leased lands.
The ban does not affect raising native fish for tribal purposes or fish farming on non-state lands.
WX: Inconsistent Sunshine of the Sullied Heavens
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
A mix of clouds and partial sunshine is in the forecast for today, with high temperatures expected to hover around 50 degrees for much of the day. The transition into evening will see temperature lows in the mid-30s.
More scattered sunshine is expected for most of tomorrow, leading to some modest overnight rain.
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, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren), 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.
##
Leave a Reply