Missing at-risk adult, Bellingham Fire Department searching for source of “sulphur-like odor,” across southside and downtown, City of Bellingham hiring for two full-time positions that will “support renters and property managers.” City of Bellingham hiring for two full-time positions that will “support renters and property managers.”, Former state auditor Troy Kelley disbarred by state Supreme Court, Hand recount in progress for WA Public Lands Commissioner, Local governments statewide collaborating to restore salmon habitats
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, August 28th. Good afternoon,
I’m ______.
STORY: Missing at-risk adult
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in finding 35 year old Daniel Dahlquist, a missing vulnerable adult.
Daniel was last seen around midnight yesterday near the 4300 block of Northwest Drive. He was wearing only underwear and a blanket, without shoes or a shirt.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff’s office.
STORY: Bellingham Fire Department searching for source of “sulphur-like odor,” across southside and downtown
According to a Bellingham Fire Department social media post, many Bellingham residents reported a sulfur-like odor last night.
The smell was reported from the southside of Bellingham and throughout downtown, but it seems to have dissipated this morning. The Fire Department says they are actively investigating the incident in collaboration with Cascade Natural Gas.
Updates will be posted on the Bellingham Fire Department Facebook page.
STORY: City of Bellingham hiring for two full-time positions that will “support renters and property managers.”
The City of Bellingham is hiring two full-time rental specialists, to enforce the Rental Registration and Safety Inspection Program.
The City says the effort is designed to support both renters and property managers.
The first position––a rental protection program specialist – will monitor compliance with inspections, as well as help tenants, property management companies, and landlords understand Bellingham’s rental rules. The position is salaried and advertises an annual pay range of between about 85-and-$103,000 dollars.
The second position––the rental inspector – will inspect and monitor market rate and subsidized residential rental units to ensure compliance with safety inspections. The position will also evaluate structural, plumbing, mechanical, and other building systems according to city code. The position is paid hourly and advertises a starting rate of almost $33.00 an hour.
The positions are funded by fee structure revisions made to the rental registration and safety inspection program in 2023.
The additional inspector position will increase the number of city rental inspectors to 3.
STORY: Former state auditor Troy Kelley disbarred by state Supreme Court
Washington state’s highest court has disbarred former state auditor Troy Kelley.
Last Thursday, in a unanimous decision, the state Supreme Court agreed with a recommendation from the state bar’s disciplinary board to disbar Kelley. The action follows a string of legal trouble for Kelley stemming from his real estate business dealings that date back to 2003.
During Kelley’s successful campaign for auditor, his opponent brought attention to a 2009 lawsuit that alleged that Kelley failed to refund real estate fees to homebuyers while operating his escrow business named Post Closing Department. The publicity resulted in an investigation by the IRS and the FBI.
According to testimony at his trial, the company collected between $120 and $140 from tens of thousands of escrow customers between 2003 and 2006. Kelley promised these services could be done for just $10 to $20. The remaining money was intended to cover county recording fees, and any money leftover at the end was supposed to be refunded. Prosecutors alleged that Kelly amassed more than $3 million in unrefunded fees, and that almost half of it was fraudulently retained by Kelley.
Kelley was convicted of eight total felonies in 2018 and was sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison, followed by a year of supervised release. According to Bureau of Prison records, began his sentence in July 2021, and was released in February of 2022.
Kelley can no longer practice law in Washington state.
STORY: Hand recount in progress for WA Public Lands Commissioner
Election officials in Washington are conducting a hand recount of ballots in a closely contested race for public lands commissioner.
Right now it is uncertain whether Dave Upthegrove or Sue Kuehl (CUE-ull) Pederson will face Republican Jaime Herrera Beutler (JAY-mee her-RARE-uh BUT-ler) in the November general election. The recount was triggered by a narrow 51-vote lead, and requires a hand count of ballots which are then compared to machine tallies. It’s the first primary election recount since 1960 and highlights the importance of voter participation in primary races.
The recount will continue throughout the week, with general election ballots scheduled to be sent out starting October 18.
STORY: Local governments statewide collaborating to restore salmon habitats
Last week in an article on Medium, Governor Jay Inslee reviewed the latest steps that Washington state is taking to protect and restore salmon populations.
Climate change poses a major threat, and rising water temperatures and diminishing snowpacks endanger salmon habitats. Inslee says the state’s aggressive emissions-reduction policies aim to mitigate these effects, and federal regulations are being implemented to reduce water temperatures in major rivers. Additionally, the extensive riparian restoration projects and pollution controls that Washington is enacting improve water quality, help address toxins, and create healthier habitats.
According to the article, since a 2013 federal injunction, Washington has corrected 219 culverts, and opened hundreds of miles of habitat. The state’s Salmon Recovery Strategy, updated in 2021, outlines ongoing work across a wide coalition of stakeholders.
In addition, the recently signed Columbia Basin Agreement, unites Tribes, northwestern states, the federal government and Canada in a 10-year partnership to improve salmon recovery and reduce reliance on dams. The Yakima (YAK-uh-ma) Basin Integrated Plan (YBIP) has also been successful at fish passage and habitat enhancement, and shows that collaboration can overcome resource disputes.
Innslee says, while challenges remain, ongoing collaboration and substantial funding–– including federal dollars–– are helping Washington make significant strides toward salmon recovery.
WX: Partly sunny
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Today will see a return to warm and sunny weather that is projected to last the remainder of the week. Daytime highs are expected to be around 70, with calm west-southwest winds throughout the day, and nighttime lows hovering right around 50.
Tomorrow – expect temperatures to rise further into the mid-70s
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHRAM), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Anna Vickers, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick, and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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 thank you for listening.
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