Man arrested for attempted murder, BPD led to foot chase on I-5, Sidhu apologizes for providing reference letter for manager who quit amid harassment allegations, Blaine School Board approves staff cuts, It’s almost time to file as a candidate for Whatcom area political offices on the 2024 ballot, Signatures being gathered to repeal children’s levy passed in 2022, WA’s border waters on the cusp of a major rise in oil tanker traffic, Commercial pot seizure at U.S./Canada border crossing lands in B.C. court, Inslee rebuffs calls by gubernatorial candidates to buy diesel ferries
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STORY: Man arrested for attempted murder
Andre Marcel Siftsoff, 25, was arrested yesterday, and charged with 2nd-degree attempted murder in connection with a stabbing incident that occurred on Friday.
The victim was at the 1500 block of Alabama Street when they were stabbed multiple times. The victim was taken to the hospital.
Siftsoff is currently being held in custody without bail pending a preliminary appearance in Whatcom County Superior Court.
STORY: BPD led to foot chase on I-5
A burglary suspect led Bellingham Police Department on a foot chase across I-5.
According to local reports, in the early morning of Friday a local utility company reported a man stealing spools of wire while wearing a high-visibility vest. The suspect was met by officers and fled, running across the lanes of I-5 before he was finally located hiding in a bush on Lincoln Street. Officers apprehended the suspect after he tripped down an embankment.
According to police reports, the wire was recovered, along with suspected illegal drugs, and other stolen goods.
STORY: Sidhu apologizes for providing reference letter for manager who quit amid harassment allegations
Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu admitted to making a mistake by providing a job reference for Jon Hutchings, who resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.
According to an email sent Monday to the Whatcom County Council and all county employees, Sidhu acknowledged his actions were inappropriate and apologized for the impact on employees, the organization, and the community. Sidhu’s letter came in advance of a special County Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday that was expected to focus on Sidhu’s handling of the situation.
In the email, took full responsibility for his actions, acknowledged the sensitivity of such situations, and admitted that he should have consulted more extensively within his office.
STORY: Blaine School Board approves staff cuts
At a special meeting held yesterday, the Blaine School Board voted to approve potential staff cuts for the next school year.
The district’s plan to address an expected deficit of $2.5 million includes multiple staff reductions, including the loss of four special educators, several teachers, and even a K-5 principal. Superintendent Christopher Granger stated the plan is not set in stone and there may be adjustments as to which positions will be eliminated.
The vote was criticized by local SEIU chapter president Shane Levetsovitis (lev-ETTE-suh-VEE-tus), who highlighted the fact that many classified staff were already laid off by the district last year. The union drafted an alternative proposal that would eliminate five administrative positions, as well as a cut in the number of contracted days for most positions.
Granger said that, while alternative suggestions are still being considered, the union’s plan would not meet the district’s current needs.
STORY: It’s almost time to file as a candidate for Whatcom area political offices on the 2024 ballot
Filing for this year’s Whatcom General Election opens in May.
Candidates are encouraged to file their declaration of candidacy online, or file in-person at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office May 6th through May 10th.
Those running for re-election or for the first time are also encouraged to review the Candidate Filing Guide to know the requirements and regulations for this year.
Filings will be received starting April 22nd and will be processed the official filing week.
STORY: Signatures being gathered to repeal children’s levy passed in 2022
A group of Whatcom residents have gathered enough signatures to introduce a ballot measure to repeal Prop 5, known as the “Healthy Children’s Fund”.
Prop 5 is a 10-year levy that increases property taxes to fund early childhood education, expand child care access and support vulnerable populations. The levy increased property taxes from 75 cents to 94 cents per 1000 dollars of value, about an additional 124 dollars a year for a house of 500 thousand dollars. It passed by only 20 votes back in 2022, with 68% of Bellingham voters supporting it, compared to only 39% support from those outside of city limits. It’s expected to bring in nearly $20 million by the end of this year.
Ashley Butenschoen (BOOT-en-shane), communications manager of the repeal campaign, says that the group is primarily Lynden residents, and the main reason for the repeal is the ever-rising cost of living in Whatcom. Some opponents blame the failure of recent school bonds on the proposition, and others say the fund implementation plan isn’t clear. Supporters of the levy say that a lot of work has been done behind the scenes, with almost $16 million of the Healthy Children’s Fund has already been dedicated or planned to groups such as Lydia Place, Mercy Housing NW, and Ferndale Community Services.
If certified, the repeal measure would show up in the upcoming November election.
STORY: WA’s border waters on the cusp of a major rise in oil tanker traffic
The completion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion in British Columbia is set to significantly increase oil tanker traffic in the Salish Sea.
Various groups including Puget Sound tribes and Washington state officials see an imbalance of benefits, with Canada reaping economic gains while Washington shoulders the risk of oil spills, disturbance to endangered orcas and other marine life, and worsening climate change impacts.
Trans Mountain Corporation, the pipeline operator, insists that expanded oil exports can be conducted responsibly and has implemented additional safety measures. According to Trans Mountain, the completed project will enter commercial service on May 1st, and the first ship to export crude oil from the expanded pipeline is expected to load during the second half of May.
WX: Rain
Your Whatcom County weather – Today will be partly sunny with moderate winds and a high of 54 degrees. Tonight will be mostly clear and have a low of 41. The sun should continue into tomorrow, with temperatures getting a little warmer.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman, Kye Salinas (KEY suh-LEE-nus) and Tristan Trudell. 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 listener donations. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening.
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STORY: Social Security expands rental subsidy
The Social Security Administration announced they will expand the rental subsidy policy for those on Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSI provides monthly payments to individuals with disabilities, blindness, or those aged 65 and older with limited income and resources to cover basic needs like rent, food, and medicine. The department says the rule aims to simplify and broaden rental subsidy policies nationwide, improve program equality and reduce administrative burden. The expanded policy will apply nationwide starting September 30th, and will potentially increase payment amounts and eligibility for many.
For more details on SSI eligibility and applications, visit the SSA website.
STORY: Commercial pot seizure at U.S./Canada border crossing lands in B.C. court
A British Columbia cannabis grower is suing a Kelowna-based shipping company for compensation over a truckload of marijuana seized at the U.S. border.
Last May, a delivery truck driver for Seven Elks Shipping Inc. mistakenly crossed into the U.S. at the Blaine border while transporting cannabis products from We Grow B.C. U.S. Customs seized the load, with a retail value of more than $800,000 dollars. According to an official spokesperson for Customs and Border Patrol, the driver said he was traveling domestically in Canada and was not seeking entry to the U.S. but made a wrong turn, ending up at the CBP Pacific Highway Cargo Facility. We Grow B.C. is seeking more than $11,000 in shipping fees, as well as compensation for the seized goods, and reputational loss.
Marijuana is legal in B.C. and Washington state. However, bringing the drug into the U.S. from across the border is a federal crime.
STORY: Inslee rebuffs calls by gubernatorial candidates to buy diesel ferries
Governor Jay Inslee is taking on gubernatorial candidates from both parties over their consideration of diesel ferries.
Republican candidate Dave Reichert is touting a plan to buy diesel ferries to quickly rebuild the depleted fleet. The Inslee-endorsed Democrat, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, also said he’s willing to consider diesel ferries.
Inslee told a news conference last week that switching back to diesel ferries would not only be bad for the environment and the fleet but it would also delay the ability to get boats on the water by at least a year. Statements from state transportation officials indicate that a change in the state’s ferry purchase contracts now would cause more delay.
Washington is expected to pick a builder for its new class of electric-hybrid ferries this summer, with two new vessels targeted for delivery by late 2028.
