Bellingham Deputy Police Chief retires, Port of Bellingham applauds new heat-recycling District Energy system, Expect traffic delays around St. Joseph Medical Center, Malpractice lawsuit in court after 7 years, New fund at WWU to support investigative journalism, New changes to ethics rules in WA house generate concern over handling of lawmakers’ conflicts of interest
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham Deputy Police Chief retires
After 37 years of dedicated service, Deputy Chief Jason Monson of the Bellingham Police Department has officially retired.
Chief Rebecca Mertzig praised Monson’s career, saying, quote, “he honorably served this community with dedication, integrity, and inspirational leadership” unquote.
Monson’s journey began in 1988 as a warrant officer. Just two years later, he became a patrol officer and soon joined the K-9 unit, partnering with his service dog, Major. Together, they made history as BPD’s longest-serving K-9 team at the time, making 235 arrests before Major’s retirement in 2001.
Monson went on to serve as a D.A.R.E. officer, a Master Patrol Officer, detective, and eventually a sergeant overseeing major crimes. He played a key role in officer training, and led various specialized teams.
Promoted to lieutenant in 2017, and then to deputy chief in 2022, Monson’s leadership helped shape the future of the department — hiring over 100 officers and overseeing What-Comm 911 operations.
Monson also served on the SWAT team for eight years, leaving a legacy of service and mentorship.
From patrol to policy, Deputy Chief Monson’s impact on Bellingham policing will be felt for years to come.
STORY: Port of Bellingham applauds new heat-recycling District Energy system
A major step toward a greener future was celebrated Thursday on Bellingham’s downtown waterfront.
Local leaders and community members gathered to mark the opening of the Bellingham Utility Energy Center, a state-of-the-art sustainable heating and cooling system that’s already changing how the city uses energy. Located on the corner of Cornwall Avenue and West Laurel Street, the new facility captures waste heat from the nearby Puget Sound Energy Encogen Plant and recycles it to power buildings throughout the Waterfront District — making it the first system of its kind to meet Washington state’s energy standards.
The system is the result of a public-private partnership between the Port of Bellingham, Puget Sound Energy, and Corix (co-RICKS), a sustainable energy developer. It already provides low-carbon heat to the Millworks affordable housing project and the first of three Harcourt luxury condo buildings. However, the system is designed to scale up dramatically —eventually supporting 1.6 million square feet of future development.
Port Commissioner Michael Shepard called the project a dream come true, rooted in years of cleanup and planning on the former Georgia-Pacific mill site.
And there may be more to come. Western Washington University, which currently relies on an aging, steam-powered heating system, says it is exploring options to join the network — potentially cutting tens of thousands of metric tons of carbon emissions annually.
On Thursday, WWU President Sabah Randhawa (suh-BAH run-DAH-wah” said, quote, “This transition is not only vital for our campus infrastructure. It’s essential for our climate goals” unquote.
STORY: Expect traffic delays around St. Joseph Medical Center
Just a reminder to travelers to expect traffic delays around St. Joseph Medical Center until October.
Major street improvements along Squalicum Parkway will impact traffic heading to St. Joe’s and nearby clinics. Crews will install sidewalks, crosswalks, bike lanes, lighting, and stormwater systems from Ellis Street to Birchwood Avenue. RAM Construction will handle the work, which will also eliminate street parking in the area.
One lane will remain open at all times, with flaggers managing traffic daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Road crews will also be replacing water mains in two areas during the first half of June – along Northshore Drive between Hayward Drive and Silver Beach Street, as well as on 15th Street between Knox and Mill avenues.
STORY: Malpractice lawsuit in court after 7 years
A medical malpractice lawsuit filed nearly six years ago in Whatcom County is now headed to trial.
The Bellingham Herald reports that Ferndale resident Patricia Parker is suing St. Joseph Medical Center, Dr. Ralph Weiche (WHY-kh), and Northwest Emergency Physicians over a misdiagnosis she says led to permanent injury.
Parker went to the emergency room in April of 2018 with a severe headache, confusion, and vision loss. The lawsuit alleges Dr. Weiche diagnosed her with a psychological condition without conducting full neurological tests or consulting a specialist. She later suffered a stroke, lost vision, and experienced long-term mobility issues.
Weiche, who currently serves as Whatcom County’s EMS Medical Program Director, is accused of negligence. His employer, Northwest Emergency Physicians, has acknowledged it could be held liable if damages are awarded.
The Parkers have not specified an amount, but are seeking compensation for medical expenses, lost income, and long-term impact. The trial is expected to last about three weeks.
STORY: New fund at WWU to support investigative journalism The former Western Washington University student journalists who sued the university for violating public records law are dedicating some of their settlement earnings to establish a new fund supporting investigative journalism.
Erasmus Baxter, Asia Fields and Julia Furukawa sued Western for withholding sexual assault records in 2019; the lawsuit was eventually settled last year, with the three alumni receiving nearly $112,000. Much of the money went toward covering attorney fees, taxes and an emergency expense; however, the alumni donated the remaining $42,000 to Western to form the Student Investigative Journalism Fund. The fund will provide $1,600 per year for students doing — or training to do — investigative journalism projects.
In a news release, Baxter said that, quote, “the lawsuit was never about the money,” and that “it was about forcing Western to follow the law.” Baxter added that the alumni hope that the settlement and endowment, quote, “will provide an example and resources for future students so that they can hold powerful institutions accountable – even if the institution is their own university” unquote.
STORY: New changes to ethics rules in WA house generate concern over handling of lawmakers’ conflicts of interest
State lawmakers have approved quiet but significant changes to Washington’s ethics law — raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest.
The Seattle Times reports that the bill, signed into law on May 20th, was intended to streamline the Ethics in Public Service Act. Critics, however, say it does the opposite — allowing lawmakers to hold up to a 10-percent stake in businesses or properties before having to report it on financial disclosure forms.
The new law also does not require lawmakers to recuse themselves from votes where a conflict of interest might exist.
Seattle Democrat Representative Gerry Pollet (PAULETTE) was one of the few lawmakers to vote against it. He told The Times the changes undermine public trust, adding that even a one or five percent interest could represent a major financial gain.
Pollet says he plans to introduce legislation next session to lower the disclosure threshold to just one percent.
WX: And then in the low 70s, he did more drugs, and his hair stayed long, and he grew a mustache.
And now for the weather:
The sun has returned to bless us with its antidepressant rays once again –– today we can expect highs in the low 70s, and a potentially hazardous U.V. index rating of 8. We should see primarily clear skies throughout the
daytime and into the evening, when temperatures should cool down to lows right around 50 degrees.
Expect a similar pattern tomorrow, with projected highs and lows increasing by one degree.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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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