WSDOT warns of icy roads in Whatcom after responding to crashes in Ferndale and Lynden, Lynden woman sentenced in connection with 2023 drive-by shooting, Bellingham Mayor Lund delivers State of the City address, City of Bellingham rental inspector fired following reports of “hostile and aggressive,” behavior, Governor’s office puts total cost of December flooding damage at over $180 million, State lawmakers receive rosy projections for revenue collection ahead of final budget proposals, Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April, Places to free file your taxes
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, February, 18. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: WSDOT warns of icy roads in Whatcom after responding to crashes in Ferndale and Lynden
Whatcom roads have been icy and dangerous the past few days.
In a Facebook post, the Washington Department of Transportation reported multiple accidents across Whatcom County and sand trucks had been dispatched to several icy spots.
Additionally, the weekend saw multiple car collisions on Mt Baker Highway, with several cars sliding off the road. Just a reminder that black ice on the roads is an issue around Whatcom– if you’re driving in the early morning WSDOT (WASH-dot) says slow down and stay alert.
STORY: Lynden woman sentenced in connection with 2023 drive-by shooting
A Lynden woman has been sentenced in connection with a 2023 drive-by shooting in Bellingham.
Twenty-seven-year-old Jordan Velthuizen (VELT-high-zen) will spend three years in prison after pleading guilty to drive-by shooting, second-degree assault, and drug possession.
Prosecutors say she was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Jesus Monreal-Bojorquez (hay-SOOS mon-ray-ALL bah-HORE-kez), who is accused of shooting a man in the parking lot of Walmart in late 2023. Court documents state Velthuizen threw the gun from the vehicle as deputies attempted a traffic stop.
Monreal-Bojorquez remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail on $2 million bail. His trial is scheduled for March 9.
STORY: Bellingham Mayor Lund delivers State of the City address
Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund delivered her State of the City address yesterday.
In a prerecorded video, Mayor Lund celebrated the city’s accomplishments while facing a ten-million-dollar budget deficit last year. In the address, Lund said that this year’s budget is more sustainable and balanced.
The mayor highlighted key projects from the last year, including the opening of the North Haven Tiny Home Village, upgrades to the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, and plans for a covered skate park on the waterfront.
Lund also said that the city will work on solutions outlined in her previous executive order on housing, which includes updating development rules to accelerate housing projects.
STORY: City of Bellingham rental inspector fired following reports of “hostile and aggressive,” behavior
A City of Bellingham rental inspector has been fired after reports of “hostile and aggressive” behavior.
According to a complaint registered by a local tenant advocacy group at a public city council meeting in December, Bellingham resident Maria Alexander was surprised to see unprofessional conduct from the inspector.
According to the complaint, the inspector allegedly refused to be recorded, demanded identification from Alexander and her representatives, and claimed to be from the Department of Homeland Security, as well as from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The inspector refused to carry out the inspection, and soon after, tenant advocates reported the incident.
According to reporting by the Bellingham Herald, last week the city confirmed the inspection worker was no longer employed, and said that professionalism is a critical responsibility of any city employee.
STORY: Governor’s office puts total cost of December flooding damage at over $180 million
Governor Bob Ferguson has requested $173 million in FEMA funds to help offset December’s flood damage.
The request is the largest Washington state has filed with FEMA in more than 40 years, and likely will increase as damage estimates continue to roll in. In a statement announcing the submission, Ferguson noted the historic nature of the flooding, which damaged roads, bridges, parks, public utilities, and more statewide, and left substantial debris that must be removed.
According to Ferguson, the state also will apply for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant program, which backs projects to lessen the impact of future disasters. One example of this kind of project is the Mt. Vernon flood wall that helped keep rising waters out of the downtown area in December.
Theoretically, FEMA could cover up to 75% of total repair costs. However, last year, President Trump’s administration denied requests for major disaster declarations from Illinois, Vermont, and Maryland. Reports also indicate that within the first few months, 6 of 10 requests from Democratic governors were denied, compared to a much higher approval rate for Republican-led states. And last September, a federal judge blocked an attempt to redirect $233 million in FEMA funds away from 12 blue states.
So, whether or not any FEMA money is allocated to Washington remains to be seen.
STORY: State lawmakers receive rosy projections for revenue collection ahead of final budget proposals
On the brighter side, Washington lawmakers are getting some welcome budget news.
A new forecast from the Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council predicts state revenue will rise by $827 million in the current two-year budget — about a 1.1% increase from November estimates. That brings total expected collections to $75.3 billion.
Democratic Senate budget writer June Robinson called the update “absolutely good news,” as lawmakers prepare to release supplemental budget proposals this week.
Still, Bob Ferguson has warned of a $2.3 billion shortfall. His proposal includes tapping the rainy-day fund, cutting spending, and shifting Climate Commitment Act dollars to help balance the budget.
Lawmakers are set to adjourn March 12, with the next revenue forecast due in June.
WX: Cold Mountain… And Friends
And now for the weather:
Today, the weather continues to suddenly remember that it’s been winter for two solid months. Expect a 20% chance of snow showers throughout the day, with highs in the low 40s.
Tonight should be even colder, with temperatures plummeting to the mid-low 20s, but expect the wind chill to make it feel like it’s between 14-19 degrees out there– so stay bundled.
Tomorrow– expect a mostly sunny day with highs in the mid-40’s, but that pesky windchill will make it feel like it’s in the 20’s. Expect continuing cold weather through the weekend, with a chance of snowfall. It’s definitely scarf weather out there.
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: Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April
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.
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