Sumas house fire caused by faulty wiring, investigators conclude, Whatcom health officer states local risk of contagious meningitis low, New park opens in Birchwood, Schools looking for community task force member, Village Books to host upcoming Children’s Literature Conference, Lighthouse Mission’s new coffee shop set to open on Valentine’s Day, Whatcom public schools report funding for mental health services at critical levels, State reps announce Whatcom and Skagit town halls in near future, AWB reports increasing numbers of WA business leaders considering leaving state, Millionaire’s tax moves forward, Places to free file your taxes, Free or Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, February, 10th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
UPDATE: Sumas house fire caused by faulty wiring, investigators conclude
More information is being released today on the cause of the house fire in Sumas (SOO-mass) on Sunday.
Fire District 14 crews were called to a home on Halverstick Road near Sumas, where they found heavy smoke and flames. Firefighters later discovered the body of 95-year old Robert Samms inside the home. Investigators say the fire started in a bedroom and was caused by wiring issues with a hot water heater.
The county medical examiner has not yet released an official cause of death.
STORY: Whatcom health officer states local risk of contagious meningitis low
Local Health officials say the risk of contagious meningitis in Whatcom County is low.
This comes after a Bellingham High School student died suddenly from meningitis and sepsis in early January. Dr. Meghan Lelonek is a physician and one of Whatcom’s two health officers. Lelonek, who advises the Department of Health and Community Services, says there have been no reports of contagious meningitis to county health officials, indicating there is no increased risk to the public at this time.
STORY: New park opens in Birchwood
The City of Bellingham has a new park in the Birchwood neighborhood.
Storybrook Park is seven-acres, and replaces the former Maplewood-McLeod (mc LOWD) open space. The city says they have added a nature-themed playground, improved trails, lighting, and ADA access. City officials say the park was shaped by years of community input and is designed to balance play space with preserved forestland.
A ribbon-cutting celebration is set for Friday afternoon at 2:45, with remarks from the mayor and parks director.
STORY: Schools looking for community task force member
Bellingham Public Schools is looking for interested community members to serve on its Facilities Planning Task Force.
The group will review enrollment trends, building conditions, and long-term facility needs as the district faces a decline in enrollment tied to lower birth rates. The task force will develop recommendations for an elementary facilities master plan, which could include boundary changes, program consolidation, or possible school closures.
Applications are due by 4 p.m. on Monday, February 16th, with meetings beginning later this month.
STORY: Village Books to host upcoming Children’s Literature Conference
Village Books and Paper Dreams will host a Children’s Literature Conference later this month at Sehome High School.
Several illustrators and authors will attend a panel discussion from 8-4:30 PM on Saturday, February 28th. According to a recent release, attending authors will also visit schools throughout Whatcom County to give presentations.
This year’s cast of panelists includes nationally acclaimed illustrators and authors such as: Sophia Blackall, Natasha Tripplett, Phoebe Wahl (FEE-bee WALL), and Eugene Yelchin (YELL-chin). More information can be found on the Village Books website.
STORY: Lighthouse Mission’s new coffee shop set to open on Valentine’s Day
The Lighthouse Mission is set to open a new coffee shop on Valentine’s Day.
The Lighthouse Mission serves people who deal with homelessness and drug addictions. Many of the residents haven’t had a job in years. The new coffee shop, called Liminal Coffee, was planned several years ago, is located on the bottom floor of the new building and will employ residents.
In a previous interview with KMRE News, Mission President and CEO Hans Erchinger-Davis said that the goal of the organization is to help lives change, not just provide a place to live. The new coffee shop is an important part of the process. For those that have felony backgrounds or haven’t had a job for 10 years, having guaranteed employment is a major incentive to finish recovery.
Most of the residents in the program say their biggest goal is to reunite with their families.
STORY: Whatcom public schools report funding for mental health services at critical levels
Whatcom County school districts warn that funding for student mental health services could run out within months.
Local officials and school leaders met Friday to discuss how to sustain school-based mental health care that supports thousands of students. The current funding — about 1.65 million dollars a year from federal grants and county sales tax revenue — pays for counselors, clinicians, and telehealth services. But with federal funding uncertain and declining sales tax revenue, school leaders say that support is in jeopardy.
Educators stress that losing these services would have serious consequences for student well-being, especially in rural districts. Just last month, the Ferndale School Board unanimously passed a resolution urging the Legislature to fully fund public education in the Ferndale District.
There are more than 27,000 public school students across the county.
STORY: State reps announce Whatcom and Skagit town halls in near future
State lawmakers have announced a pair of town halls in Ferndale, providing updates from Olympia and fielding questions from constituents.
42nd District Representatives Joe Timmons, Alicia Rule, and state Senator Sharon Shewmake will be at Ferndale High School on February 21st.
At the Mount Vernon Commons, 40th District Representatives Debra Lekanoff (luh-KAN-ov), Alex Ramel (RAM-ull), and state Senator Liz Lovelett will host a town hall on the same day and time. The meetings will both start at 11 AM.
STORY: AWB reports increasing numbers of WA business leaders considering leaving state
A new survey suggests confidence among Washington’s business leaders is slipping.
The Association of Washington Business says 44 percent of business leaders are considering moving their personal residence out of state, citing taxes and rising costs. The survey of more than 400 employers also found companies are increasingly likely to expand — or relocate — outside Washington, with the number planning to leave nearly doubling from last year.
Businesses point to recent tax increases and uncertainty around future proposals, including the so-called millionaires tax. Democratic leaders counter that migration data shows people are still moving to Washington and say lawmakers are working to grow the economy while reducing costs for residents.
STORY: Millionaire’s tax moves forward
And speaking of the Millionaire’s tax– the proposed tax on people earning more than one million dollars a year has cleared its first legislative hurdle.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved the bill Monday, largely along party lines, after Democrats agreed to several changes. The bill would impose a 9-point-9 percent tax on income above one million dollars starting in 2028, and raise an estimated three-and-a-half billion dollars a year.
Amendments add new tax breaks for small businesses, expand charitable deductions, and provide relief for some fishing companies. Democrats say the tax would make the system more fair, while Republicans argue it would hurt the state’s economy.
The bill now heads to the full Senate for a possible vote next week.
WX: The Sullen Solar Shuffle
And now for the weather:
We’re in for a mix of clouds and sunshine today, with high temperatures in the low 50s. Tonight’s forecast calls for varied cloud cover and a sharp drop in temperatures, with lows hovering right around the early 30s.
Tomorrow, after some morning fog, expect things to be a little sunnier, though it’s not likely to feel any warmer.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Austin Wright, Tyler Warne, 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thanks for listening!
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STORY: Places to free file your taxes
Even though the Trump Administration has ended the IRS Direct File program, many Americans can still file their taxes for free this season.
Taxpayers earning under eighty-nine thousand dollars a year can use IRS Free File software online, while those making about sixty-seven thousand dollars or less may qualify for free, in-person help through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites at libraries and community centers. Seniors can get no-cost help through AARP Tax-Aide, and military members can file for free through the Defense Department’s MilTax program.
Anyone can also file at no charge using the IRS’s Free File Fillable Forms on IRS dot gov. The tax filing deadline is April fifteenth.
STORY: Free or Cheap
