WSDOT crews finish scaling back I-5 cliffside following landslide, closure still indefinite, Oversized trucks causing traffic jams in Samish Way, I-5 Closures Sun-Mon, PSE rate fluctuations set to impact customers in May, Skagit Valley College seeking community input in search for new president, Bill establishing sheriff oversight board signed into law, portions set to go into effect by end of month, Ferguson signs panic button-heavy state budget, Larsen requests 77 mil for local infrastructure, FREE OR CHEAP, Hans Erchinger-Davis announces retirement, FREE or CHEAP, Celebrate Earth Day with us
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, April 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: WSDOT crews finish scaling back I-5 cliffside following landslide, closure still indefinite
Workers from the Department of Transportation continue to remove parts of the mountain left by last month’s landslide just south of Bellingham.
In an Instagram post earlier this week, WSDOT detailed efforts to break off loose rock using hand tools and air pillows in a process called cliff scaling. Crews have also used expansion grout to break some large boulders into smaller pieces for more efficient disposal.
WSDOT now says it will drill into the top of the slope for installation of steel dowels, which should provide additional stability so that more debris can be removed safely.
According to officials, the cliffside has been deemed stable; however, the closure remains in effect until more work has been completed. Drivers should continue to expect significant delays.
STORY: Oversized trucks causing traffic jams in Samish Way
In related news — two weeks after the landslide that closed a section of northbound I-5, semi-trucks are now causing problems on Samish Way.
WSDOT’s website showed congestion in the area around Bill McDonald Parkway and Elwood Avenue for most of this morning. Department cameras also show semi-trucks passing through the area at least every five minutes.
Although there are no truck restrictions along Samish Way, a Facebook post by Bellingham PD asks that semi-truck and trailer drivers take the exit at Cook Road and use the detour.
STORY: I-5 Closures Sun-Mon
Drivers on I-5 near Alger should brace for back-to-back overnight lane closures starting Sunday. From Sunday at 9 p.m. to Monday at 5 a.m., the right lane of southbound I-5 will close between the Skagit–Whatcom County line and Colony Road — mileposts 242 to 240 — for mowing.
Then, beginning Monday night, both directions of I-5 will be reduced to one lane near the Alger–Lake Samish Road exit, as crews build temporary crossover lanes north of Burlington.
This work is part of WSDOT’s effort to remove fish-blocking culverts along I-5 at Lake Creek, Chuckanut Creek, and nearby tributaries.
Nightly closures will continue Sunday through Thursday for several weeks.
STORY: PSE rate fluctuations set to impact customers in May
Gas customers in Western Washington will see a slight drop in their monthly bills beginning May 1st.
And, residential electric customers are expected to see a rise of less than 2%, or under $3 per month for someone using about 800 kilowatt-hours.
The changes follow rate increases from earlier this year. Looking ahead, PSE has also proposed a much larger rate hike to fund infrastructure upgrades and meet the demands of tech billionaires. If approved, those increases will roll out gradually, with electricity rising nearly 30% by 2029.
STORY: Skagit Valley College seeking community input in search for new president
Skagit Valley College has launched the search for a new president following the sudden termination of former president Christopher Villa in January.
SVC will gather community input through public forums and an online survey opening on April 14th; students and residents will be asked what qualities they want in the next leader. Three in-person forums will be held across campuses in Mount Vernon, Oak Harbor, and Anacortes; these forums will also be streamed on Zoom.
Recruitment is set to begin in May, with candidate interviews planned for September and finalist visits in October. The new president is expected to be announced that same month and eventually take office in January of 2027.
Former president Thomas Keegan has been serving as interim leader since February.
STORY: Bill establishing sheriff oversight board signed into law, portions set to go into effect by end of month
Sheriffs, police chiefs, and other law enforcement leaders may be disqualified if they fail to meet standards set by the state.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed a controversial bill on Wednesday that broadens the authority of the Criminal Justice Training Commission. Newly elected sheriffs and marshals will be subject to background checks to ensure they do not have any felony or other convictions that might disqualify them.
Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley expressed reservations earlier in an article to My Bellingham Now, but has generally welcomed the new law that goes into effect by the end of April.
STORY: Ferguson signs panic button-heavy state budget
In more political news, Governor Ferguson signed an adjustment to the state’s budget on Wednesday that will bring the total up to 79.4 billion dollars through the end of June 2027.
The additional roughly 1.6 billion dollars will be used to cover the state’s ballooning legal liability, medicaid, and food stamps programs plus increasing demands on public services.
However, childcare programs and public education from kindergarten to college will see a decrease in funding. Childcare providers for low income families will see a reduction of 143 million dollars. Governor Ferguson said that, “No cut is easy to make, no veto is easy to make[…] At the same time, we’ve got a budget to balance.”
STORY: Larsen requests 77 mil for local infrastructure
In even more political news, over $77 million in proposed federal funding could support key infrastructure and safety projects across Whatcom County.
According to a recent announcement, Representative Rick Larsen has requested funding for several local priorities. These include a new fueling station at Blaine Harbor, major flood protection work along Slater Road, and upgrades to emergency response facilities in Everson and surrounding communities.
Projects in Bellingham include safety improvements at Cordata Elementary and upgrades to a local reservoir, while additional investments would support expansion of Fire District #5 and regional disaster readiness.
The proposal also includes funding earmarked for projects in Skagit, Island, San Juan, and Snohomish counties, but must first be approved by Congress.
STORY: FREE OR CHEAP
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
Tomorrow, the Bellingham Farmers Market returns for its 34th season in downtown Bellingham. 10am-2pm.
Mayor Kim Lund will kick things off with the traditional cabbage toss at 9:45 a.m. at Depot Market Square. Visitors can also stop by the city’s Public Works table, where free trees will be given away.
Another option for family fun this weekend: library patrons of all ages can explore hands-on weaving with fiber arts projects at ‘Small Looms’—this Saturday from noon to 3:00 pm at the SkillShare Space at the Central Library.
Also on Saturday, Art & Happiness is having a 30% off sale for used art supplies. From 10am to 6pm at 2004 James St.
Sunday night at the Leo, enjoy some free jazz with Scot Ranney and friends. 6 to 9pm at 1224 Cornwall Ave.
WX: Sun nights, I stay up cashin’ in my bad luck. Sun nights, I call it a draw.
And now weather:
Cloud and sun are sharing today. Be prepared for infrequent showers, though little-to-no precipitation is expected. Highs today are once again projected in the mid-50s, dropping to the low 40s as overcast skies take over tonight.
Both Saturday and Sunday should bring some partial sunshine and highs rising into the 60s!
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Austin Wright, Kai Blais-Schmolke, Kieran Dang, and Bella Farris. 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, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Hans Erchinger-Davis announces retirement
After two decades with Lighthouse Mission Ministries, CEO Hans Erchinger-Davis has announced he will step down at the end of June.
Erchinger-Davis, who joined the organization in 2006 and became executive director in 2016, led the Mission through major growth, including the opening of a new $29 million homeless services facility in 2025 and pandemic-era response efforts.
The Mission serves more than 250 people daily with shelter, meals, and support programs, and says services will continue without interruption during the leadership transition.
The Board of Trustees has begun a search for a new CEO, with plans to name a successor by mid-June.
STORY: Spokane rep and lead WA Democrat budget writer will not seek reelection
FREE or CHEAP
Free tree saplings for Bellingham community members
As part of our efforts to grow Bellingham’s tree canopy, we are continuing our beloved tree giveaway program this spring. Find us at the Bellingham Farmers Market on April 4, the Sunnyland Earth Day event on April 18, and our volunteer work party on April 25. Available species may include cascara, paper birch, and other native trees – while supplies last! Learn more about our Community Tree Programs.
Celebrate Earth Day with us
Save the date for Earth Day on April 22! The City is hosting several events throughout April to celebrate, including:
- Free First Friday at the Whatcom Museum with activities around the new exhibition, Painted Forest: The Science and Beauty of Petrified Wood
- Earth-themed Children’s Storytimes with the Bellingham Public Library
- Volunteer work party to improve water quality and habitat at Squalicum Creek
- A recycling drop-off event for hard-to-recycle items – bring your sensitive documents for shredding, electronic waste, batteries, and used athletic sneakers
- A tour of our recently completed Padden Creek fish passage project
Check out a full list of events with details online.
Residents of Whatcom County can safely and responsibly dispose of old or leftover household paint at a Free Paint Collection & Recycling Event. The event will take place on Saturday, May 2, in Lynden. https://www.whatcomcounty.us//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5453
