Landslide blocks Chuckanut Drive, Blaine man killed in single-vehicle crash near Custer, Bellingham City Council examines proposed hike in utility bills meant to fund expanded irrigation system, WWU-developed soil detoxification method yields promising results for coho salmon habitats, North Cascades Highway reopens, WA Democrats unveil new spending plan following Gov. Ferguson’s wealth tax veto, AG’s office defends state’s sanctuary policies amid congressional scrutiny, State lawmakers move forward on bills that would crack down on reckless driving and littering, Non-fatal three-car crash in Bellingham impedes I-5 traffic
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, April 22nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Landslide blocks Chuckanut Drive
A significant landslide has shut down both directions of Chuckanut Drive near Bow, just north of Blanchard Road.
The slide, reported around 9 a.m. today, has completely blocked the roadway at milepost 10 across from Chuckanut Manor. Debris is estimated to be over 20 feet high, including large boulders.
Emergency crews are on-site assessing the situation, but there is currently no estimated time for reopening. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes, such as Interstate 5, while the closure remains in effect.
The landslide, however, has not impacted nearby rail lines, and Amtrak service through Bellingham continues uninterrupted.
For the latest updates, travelers can follow WSDOT (WASH-dot) North on social media or visit their official website.
STORY: Blaine man killed in single-vehicle crash near Custer
A Blaine man was killed in a car crash in Custer early yesterday morning.
Information from the Washington State Patrol states that 34-year-old Mark A. Bunch was driving north on Interstate 5 near Custer School Road when his car left the roadway shortly after 7:30 a.m.
The car hit a tree, rolled over and came to a rest in the bushes on the right shoulder of the interstate. Bunch was wearing a seatbelt at the time of the incident.
The State Patrol says the incident remains under investigation, and that drugs and/or alcohol were involved.
STORY: Bellingham City Council examines proposed hike in utility bills meant to fund expanded irrigation system
Bellingham residents may soon see significant increases in their water bills under a new long-term rate proposal.
Presented at a City Council committee meeting last Monday, the plan outlines a series of rate hikes needed to fund $532 million in system upgrades over the next 20 years.
The proposed increases would raise the average monthly utility bill by 13% annually for the next two years, followed by 11% hikes in 2028 and 2029, and then by over 6% annually for the next five years. If implemented, the
average bill could rise from $135 today to $302 in 2035, and reach $444 by 2045.
Carollo Engineers, the Seattle-based firm hired to assess the city’s water infrastructure needs, said the increases are necessary to fund new reservoirs, replace aging pumps and pipelines, and comply with environmental regulations — particularly those targeting nitrogen discharge into Bellingham Bay.
An alternative plan that more aggressively addresses nitrogen levels would result in even higher costs, potentially raising bills to $350 per month in 10 years and $635 by 2045.
City staff are recommending the less expensive option and delaying nitrogen-reduction efforts. The proposal must still go through multiple agency reviews before it heads to the City Council for a public hearing, tentatively set for early August. Any delays could push final action to October or November.
STORY: WWU-developed soil detoxification method yields promising results for coho salmon habitats
And in more water news, Whatcom County is at the forefront of a promising environmental breakthrough with a stormwater treatment project in the Geneva neighborhood.
The neighborhood is one of Washington’s first large-scale test sites for a new soil mixture designed to remove 6PPD-quinone (kwee-KNOWN) — a
toxic chemical from tires that has been killing coho salmon in Puget Sound.
Though Lake Whatcom doesn’t host coho salmon, the Geneva pilot project offers critical real-world testing of the mixture, made from sand, coconut fiber, and biochar. Developed by researchers, including local stormwater scientist Curtis Hinman and WWU students, the mix has proven nearly 100% effective in stripping 6PPD-quinone and other pollutants from runoff water.
Originally built in 2008, the Geneva swale (SWAYL) system had failed by 2022, which caused flooding and contributed to phosphorus buildup in the lake. With nearly $1.5 million in state and local funding, the facility was rebuilt and now effectively filters out harmful substances, including fecal bacteria and phosphorus, while also removing the newly identified salmon toxin.
As King County and other partners identify priority salmon habitats near high-traffic roads, the breakthrough could soon be implemented across the region.
STORY: North Cascades Highway reopens
Travelers headed to Eastern Washington will have a faster and more scenic route option this weekend, as the North Cascades Highway reopens.
According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, the stretch between the Ross Dam trailhead and Silver Star gate has been closed since last November due to avalanche risks near Washington and Rainy passes. The reopening provides access between Whatcom and Skagit counties and Okanogan County towns like Winthrop and Twisp, as well as hiking and recreation opportunities in North Cascades National Park.
WSDOT (WASH-dot) urges drivers to stay alert for changing mountain weather, watch for maintenance crews, and be cautious around bicyclists and motorcyclists. Travelers can check WSDOT’s real-time travel map for updates and road conditions.
STORY: WA Democrats unveil new spending plan following Gov. Ferguson’s wealth tax veto
Washington Democrats rolled out a revised revenue package last week aiming to raise nearly $12 billion over four years, after Governor Bob Ferguson halted their initial wealth tax proposal.
The updated plan still targets the state’s wealthiest residents and large corporations, but avoids the previously proposed wealth tax on individuals with more than $50 million. Key proposals include increased business and occupation tax rates, tiered capital gains surcharges, and reforms to estate and property taxes. Democrats say the changes will fund public education, community safety, and essential state services while making the tax code more equitable.
While progressive advocacy groups praise the plan as a step forward, Republicans and business leaders blast it as excessive. State Senator Chris Gildon of Puyallup (pew-ALL-up) warned the package still represents, quote, “the largest tax increase in state history” unquote. Others argued the tax hikes would raise costs for consumers and strain small businesses.
Ferguson himself criticized the tax plan as “too risky,” citing the uncertainty regarding federal funding under the Trump administration.
With the legislative session ending next Sunday, lawmakers are working against the clock to finalize the budget and revenue bills.
WX: Sunny Deez
And now for the weather:
Another fairly warm day of mostly clear skies and sunshine is ahead of us today, with highs expected to peak in the high-50s. Cloud cover is expected to remain minimal throughout the afternoon and evening. Nighttime lows will be in the high-30s-to-low-40s.
Expect steadily increasing sunshine tomorrow, as well as temperatures creeping back into the 60s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren), Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, and Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg). 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 your donations. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: AG’s office defends state’s sanctuary policies amid congressional scrutiny
STORY: State lawmakers move forward on bills that would crack down on reckless driving and littering
STORY: Non-fatal three-car crash in Bellingham impedes I-5 traffic
A three-vehicle crash shut down the I-5 near the Sunset Drive interchange yesterday morning.
First responders were dispatched to the scene around 10 a.m. A collision involving a southbound dump truck and two northbound vehicles caused a lane closure in both directions. According to police reports, the impact of the crash displaced a section of the concrete barrier into the traffic lanes.
Emergency personnel assessed the occupants of all vehicles at the scene, but no one required transport for further medical care.
All lanes were reopened by 2 p.m.
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