Bridge replacement project in downtown Bellingham close to completion, Bellingham law firm ordered to pay $1.3 million in sexual harassment bench trial, Man suspected of human trafficking across Blaine border crossing sentenced to 15 months, Second wave of flu season impacts Whatcom, House Democrats move to repeal cap on property tax hikes, Bellingham approves shared compost bins for certain residences ahead of new mandate
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, February 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bridge replacement project in downtown Bellingham close to completion
An $11 million project to replace two bridges in downtown Bellingham is close to completion.
The Meador Avenue bridge has been reopened to traffic after being closed for several months. In its online newsletter, the City of Bellingham says that a temporary pedestrian path will be in place until weather conditions allow
for the construction of a permanent sidewalk – likely by the end of the month.
Meanwhile, the nearby James Street bridge is once again closed. A temporary bridge is being removed to make space for a new, permanent one.
Construction on both bridges began last spring. Alternating closures ensured that at least one would remain open at a time. The project’s completion is slated for early this summer.
STORY: Bellingham law firm ordered to pay $1.3 million in sexual harassment bench trial
Following a weeklong bench trial, Whatcom County Judge Lee Grochmal (GROCK-mall) ruled Thursday that attorney Craig Allen sexually harassed two former employees at his law firm.
The ruling followed testimony detailing years of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted physical contact and sexually explicit comments. Allen denied the allegations, and claimed they were fabricated for financial gain, but the court found the plaintiffs’ accounts credible.
The court awarded $800,000 in damages to Shawna Frolich, and $500,000 to Kim Davey.
STORY: Man suspected of human trafficking across Blaine border crossing sentenced to 15 months
The U.S. District Court in Seattle has sentenced an Oregon man to 15 months in prison for first-degree human trafficking.
Authorities arrested 46-year-old Jesus Ortiz-Plata in Everett; three non-citizens smuggled from Canada into the U.S. were in his company. He pleaded guilty last November 20th to conspiracy to transport certain aliens for profit.
Since late 2022, Border Patrol agents and investigators had repeatedly encountered a phone number linked to Ortiz-Plata while intercepting
non-citizens attempting illegal border crossings. After months of surveillance, law enforcement tracked Ortiz-Plata’s movements and, on May 23rd of last year, followed him from his Oregon home to an apartment in Everett, where he was arrested.
During sentencing, Judge James L. Robart condemned Ortiz-Plata’s actions, calling him a “commercial smuggler” motivated not by altruism but by profit.
STORY: Grants to Ports of Bellingham and Anacortes hit by federal funding freeze
Funds promised to the Port of Bellingham and the Port of Anacortes for job creation and energy transition projects are on hold.
Both ports are working with Washington’s federal delegation to resolve the issue while their projects remain stalled. The Environmental Protection Agency awarded the grants last October through its Clean Ports Program. The Port of Bellingham received $1.5 million to develop an energy transition plan, while the Port of Anacortes secured nearly $64 million to support a public-private maritime partnership.
President Trump’s executive order on his first day in office halted grant disbursements and environmental programs. A federal judge later ruled the funding freeze unconstitutional, and ordered the administration to restore the funds. However, uncertainty continues.
During a House subcommittee hearing on February 5th, Representative Larsen criticized the freezes, calling them “a dumb move” and “disastrous.”
Mike Hogan, public affairs administrator for the Port of Bellingham, said the port received notice two weeks ago that the funds were frozen. The grant portal temporarily reopened three days later, but faced another freeze last Tuesday. A separate $500,000 EPA grant for diesel emission reduction was also paused. However, other federally funded projects, including the Bellingham Shipping Terminal and rail reconnection project, remain unaffected.
In a phone conversation with the Cascadia Daily News, Port of Anacortes Executive Director Brett Greenwood said his staff is checking the federal funding portal every few hours, waiting for funds to be released. The freeze has stalled hiring plans for private partners, who planned to hire 50 employees. It also prevents the port from advancing its electrification project, replacing diesel equipment, and purchasing new machinery. Greenwood worries inflation could increase project costs if delays continue.
STORY: Second wave of flu season impacts Whatcom
The County health department says flu cases in Whatcom County and across Washington are on the rise again.
Ron Warner, communications specialist for the county health department, says that between February 2nd and 8th, flu cases accounted for 6.5% of
hospitalizations in the region—91% higher than the season’s previous high and nearly four times last winter’s peak. Emergency room visits due to the flu also spiked— almost doubling the December numbers.
Warner notes that while RSV is trending downward and COVID-19 rates have remained stable, influenza is now the dominant respiratory illness in the state. There are signs of a potential slowdown, however, as the increase in weekly flu cases has started to taper off, and the flu test positivity rate is rising at a slower pace. The flu has already contributed to 143 deaths statewide, including five in Whatcom County, which surpasses last season’s total of 132.
STORY: House Democrats move to repeal cap on property tax hikes
Democratic lawmakers in Washington state are proposing to repeal a voter-approved 1% cap on annual property tax hikes.
The move would allow increases of up to 3% to generate revenue for public schools and local governments. House Bill 1334, discussed in a state House Finance Committee hearing yesterday, could bring in $818 million for education and nearly $1 billion for cities and counties over four years.
Supporters argue the current cap limits essential services, while opponents warn of rising housing costs. A similar proposal failed last year amid strong opposition. No votes are expected soon, as tax bills are typically addressed later in the session.
WX: Beware of singing Gene Kellys
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
The wind and rain will probably stick around for a spell— today’s forecast calls for a significant amount of evening showers. Daytime highs will be in the upper 40s, with wind gusts of up to 30 miles per hour. Temperatures will remain fairly consistent going into the evening, with lows dropping into the low 40s.
Expect some lighter showers and calmer winds tomorrow, with cloudy skies throughout.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, and Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren). Our news director is Staci Baird. 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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STORY: Bellingham approves shared compost bins for certain residences ahead of new mandate
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