After Injunction, Johnson won’t be on Mayoral Ballot, Oso and Darrington Road Closures, Gun Restriction Law Withstands First Test, Whatcom County to play bigger role in Grizzly Conservation, KMRE Signal Change
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KMRE brings you local news for [Monday], [June 5th]. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: After Injunction, Johnson won’t be on Mayoral Ballot
Yesterday, Superior Court Judge Lee Grochmal (Grok-Mol) ruled against Bellingham mayoral candidate Joel Johnson. Johnson filed an injunction on the mayoral race after he was denied the ability to run last month.
In May, Johnson submitted a petition to run for mayor offering 2,500 signatures in lieu of a two thousand two hundred and eleven dollar filing fee, but only One Thousand Seven Hundred and Fifty of the signatures were valid, According to Whatcom County Auditor Diana Bradrick.
Johnson sued the office, requesting that the signatures be recounted by hand. Judge Grochmal ultimately ruled against johnson, saying quote “There’s no authority for me to do what you’re asking me to do,” end quote.
Because of Johnson’s injunction, the mayor race could not be finalized. Now that a ruling has been passed down the primary will be held August first.
Five candidates will be on the ballot: Mayor Seth Fleetwood, the former director of Bellingham Schools Foundation, Kim Lund; Kristina Martens, at-large member of Bellingham City Council, and Mike McAuley who previously served as Port of Bellingham commissioner.
Under Washington’s top two primary system, the two candidates who win will move on to the general election in November.
STORY: Oso and Darrington Road Closures
Starting today, SR 530 between Oso and Darrington will be closed between Whitman Rd and the Oso Landslide Memorial. The Closure will be in effect through this Friday, open over the weekend, and closed again Monday through Thursda.
STORY: GUN RESTRICTION LAW WITHSTANDS FIRST TEST
A federal judge has rejected an attempt to block Washington state’s new law banning the sale of assault weapons.
Yesterday, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Bryan denied a request for a preliminary injunction against House Bill 1240. The law, proposed by Attorney General Bob Ferguson and supported by Governor Jay Inslee, aims to restrict access to assault weapons following a mass shooting in 2016. The law prohibits the sale, manufacture, and import of assault weapons in Washington but allows exceptions for law enforcement and the military. Similar legislation has been adopted by ten other states.
KMRE spoke to Washington State Patrol Firearms Background Division Commander Kateri (kuh-TAIR-ee) Candee about what’s changing in response to the new laws.
Kateri what’s different
Commander Candee says the old system for background checks was problematic, and it’s taken almost two years to create a system that could handle checks on the 700,000 gun sales a year, state-wide.
Kateri new system
Candee says many gun owners have questions about the sale and transfer of guns, especially semi-automatic assault-style weapons.
Kateri can’t sell
For those who currently own assault-style weapons that are now considered illegal, Candee says there’s only one option.
Kateri you can keep it
Those traveling with now-illegal firearms across states or moving to Washington will also be affected.
Kateri no travel
While the assault weapon ban went into effect immediately, other changes will take effect this January. In the meantime, two other challenges to the law are still pending and are working their way through state and federal courts.
STORY: Whatcom County to play bigger role in Grizzly Conservation
Ben Elenbass, Whatcom County council member, will be representing Whatcom County in a committee focused on the conservation of Grizzly Bears. The goal of the North Cascades Interagency Grizzly Bear Committee is to reintroduce the endangered bear to nearby national parks.
Council member Kaylee Galloway explained that by appointing a representative from the county, Whatcom hopes to be more involved in state and federal-level grizzly conservation efforts.
According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife service there are no grizzly bears in the north cascades currently. Efforts to reintroduce them to our region have been going on since the bears were listed as endangered in 1980.
Earlier this year the Whatcom County Council resolved to support reintroduction efforts by signing a joint letter with Skagit and Chelan county.
Elenbass is currently running for his second term on the committee, and was elected unanimously on Tuesday by his fellow council members.
STORY: KMRE SIGNAL CHANGE
This coming Sunday KMRE will be moving to 88.3FM! In order for us to increase our power to 2000 watts, we need to change our call sign– so find us down at the start of the FM dial or on-demand at kmre.org.
WX: And now, you’re Whatcom Weather Report
Today, be ready for the heat. A high of 81 degrees will reach Bellingham by late afternoon— a temperature projected to break the previous record for heat.
Tonight, a low of 58 will be accompanied by more clear skies. You can expect the weather to continue to cool off as we approach the weekend with temperatures peaking in the mid 60s Friday and Saturday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteer Carl Bryden. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email st news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m _______________________ and thanks for listening.
