Elections board rules voter ineligible to vote, Fish passage work on Padden Creek set to resume as diesel cleanup nears completion, School districts across Whatcom and Skagit still facing dismal budget situations, WA lawmakers decry federal arrests of two firefighters combating Bear Gulch fire, WA facing construction labor shortage amid fears of ICE interference, Free and Cheap, Drivers urged to stay alert for kids going back to school, Dept. of Natural Resources debuts “Tree Equity Score,” to study benefits of municipal vegetation, Free and Cheap (Kill 9/5)
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, August 29th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Elections board rules voter ineligible to vote
In a follow-up to a recent story, the Whatcom County Canvassing Board has ruled that Ferndale City Council candidate Steve Potvin does not live at his registered address.
The Board met on Monday to hear arguments after Norman Glenn Stewart challenged Potvin’s voter status. The board sided with the challenger, saying evidence showed Potvin’s registered residence was actually his business.
The board’s ruling allows Potvin to update his voter registration; if he fails to do that, however, it will be cancelled. Potvin says he plans to appeal the decision.
The board did not weigh in on whether Potvin is eligible to remain a candidate. As of now, his name remains on the Secretary of State’s official list for the November ballot.
STORY: Fish passage work on Padden Creek set to resume as diesel cleanup nears completion
Cleanup from a diesel spill into Padden Creek is nearly complete.
Crews say no diesel has been detected in recent water samples, and soil cleanup wrapped up last week after 23 truckloads had been hauled away. A tree impacted by diesel was removed, and wildlife experts confirmed five dead fish and one crayfish from the spill.
The fuel leaked earlier this month from a faulty pump on a construction site south of Fairhaven. Unified Command — which includes the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Tribe, and the City of Bellingham — says none reached Bellingham Bay. The team has been posting regular updates to the city’s website.
The Interurban Trail at 10th Street has reopened, but construction between 10th and 16th streets continues through fall as fish-passage improvements continue.
Long-term cleanup will now shift to the state Department of Ecology.
STORY: School districts across Whatcom and Skagit still facing dismal budget situations
Budget season has been tough for Whatcom County schools.
Districts continue to face a decline in enrollment and state funding shortfalls, even after lawmakers boosted special education dollars this spring. Federal K-thru-12 grant funding, briefly frozen this summer, added to the uncertainty.
Several districts cut millions in expenses to balance budgets. Bellingham trimmed $11 million and Ferndale $6 million. Blaine reversed a planned school merger, which restored some jobs, but the district still faces a deficit. Lynden and Nooksack Valley avoided layoffs, while Mount Baker says it’s now on track to meet state requirements after eliminating about ten positions.
Superintendents warn these budgets will keep schools afloat, for now; however, they also say the path is unsustainable.
STORY: WA lawmakers decry federal arrests of two firefighters combating Bear Gulch fire
U.S. Senator Patty Murray slammed the Trump administration after two firefighters were arrested while battling Washington’s largest active wildfire.
Federal agents detained the contract firefighters on Wednesday at the Bear Gulch fire on the Olympic Peninsula, which has burned nearly 9,000 acres and is only 13% contained. Border Patrol said the arrests followed a criminal investigation into firefighting contractors, and that the two men were in the country illegally.
Murray called the detentions “fundamentally sick” and accused the administration of undermining wildfire response. Governor Bob Ferguson also demanded answers and said he’s deeply concerned about pulling firefighters off the front lines during an emergency.
STORY: WA facing construction labor shortage amid fears of ICE interference
Washington’s construction industry is facing a growing labor shortage, and tougher federal immigration enforcement is partly to blame — that’s according to a new survey from the Associated General Contractors of America.
Even as construction slows and jobs disappear, contractors say they’re struggling to fill open positions, especially for skilled trades like crane operators, pipefitters, and welders.
According to the Seattle Times, Washington lost over 8,000 construction jobs in July — yet 89% of surveyed contractors still report unfilled hourly positions.
Contractors say the shortage is not just about the economy — it’s about the labor pool. Many report difficulty finding qualified workers and point to immigration enforcement as a major disruption to their workforce. AGC’s chief economist said companies would hire more people if they could find candidates with the right skills and documentation.
Washington’s construction industry is also still recovering from workforce losses during the Great Recession and now faces a wave of retirements that is compounding the problem.
STORY: Free and 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.
Both Aslan Brewery locations — the depot on North State Street, and the brewpub on North Forest Street — are hosting a pint night tomorrow from 6-to-8 p.m., with $1 from every beer or hop water sale going towards Planned Parenthood.
Also tomorrow, Stones Throw Brewery on Larrabee Avenue will host a one-time show by nonprofit touring circus ensemble Up Up Up Circus from 6-to-7 p.m. On its website, the ensemble describes itself as featuring, “magic beyond magic”, “flying pianos”, “daring acrobats”, and “opera divas.” This will be a free, family-friendly event, and attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and camp chairs. The event will open with a live musical performance from 3-to-5 p.m. by The Naughty Blokes. More information is available on Stones Throw’ website.
Harvest season kicks off tomorrow at Bellewood Farms, and there’s plenty of family fun to enjoy. Take a walk out to the orchard or hop on the Bin Train tractor ride: it’s free with the purchase of a U-pick apple bag. The bags are $15, and hold up to 10 pounds of apples. The corn maze is free and open to the community. Food and fall treats will also be available for sale.
And finally, a U-Pick corn event will take place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1344 West Badger Road in Blaine. 4 ears of corn can be picked for $1 — the event will also feature Italian sodas, cookies, pumpkins, mums, ornamental cabbage, and more! Cash, credit cards, and Venmo are accepted.
WX: Indecision scoop
And now weather:
Another day of clouds and partial sunshine today. Temperatures should remain warm, with highs reaching the upper 70s and low 80s — becoming overcast moving into the evening. Tonight, expect cloudy skies and lows in the mid-50s.
The Labor Day weekend should be warm with partial sunshine throughout, and chance of showers Saturday night.
One final note — the KMRE News team will be on break this Monday and back as usual on Tuesday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Bella Mae, Kai Blais-Schmolke, Nate Landi, and Hailey LeRoy. 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. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Drivers urged to stay alert for kids going back to school
School is back in session across Whatcom County and motorists are urged to stay alert for school buses.
Just a reminder: state law requires motorists traveling in both directions on a two-lane road to stop when a bus’s red lights are flashing or its stop sign is out. The same rules apply in many three-lane situations, though not when traffic is divided by a median.
Failing to stop carries a $500 fine. The state also urges drivers to watch for children even after the bus lights turn off and the stop arm retracts.
Officials say when in doubt — stop.
STORY: Dept. of Natural Resources debuts “Tree Equity Score,” to study benefits of municipal vegetation
A new, free online map is showing how tree cover shapes life in Washington.
The Tree Equity Score Analyzer — a partnership between the state Department of Natural Resources and the American Forests nonprofit organization — tracks how canopy cover affects community health, and how shady neighborhoods can cool temperatures.
Bellingham averages a score of 85, with some areas scoring a perfect 100 — where tree-lined blocks run up to 17 degrees cooler. Point Roberts and Sudden Valley also earned perfect scores.
Ferndale came in at 74, Birch Bay at 81, and both Lynden and Blaine landed in the 50s and 60s. Each region now has canopy goals to improve shade and health.
The tool comes as Bellingham extends protections for landmark trees — part of a broader effort to regulate local climate conditions.
STORY: Free and Cheap (Kill 9/5)
Celebrate the Salish Sea at Free First Friday!
As the summer draws to a close, paddle over to the Whatcom Museum on Sept. 5 for Free First Friday. Visitors of all ages are invited to learn all about the Salish Sea and the people and animals who call its waterways home. Create a fish print inspired by the traditional Japanese art of gyotaku, sculpt your own sea creature, decorate a buoy to add to Bellingham SeaFeast’s community net project, join a guided walk to the Whatcom Creek Hatchery — and much more! In the afternoon, hear stories from Nooksack Storytellers Tammy Cooper-Woodrich and Angela LeToi, then join in a sea shanty sing-along with The Mighty Bards of Menace in the Lightcatcher courtyard! Find a full list of events and times.
STORY: Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
https://www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums — Sat, Sept. 13
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Run with the Chums on September 13th at BP Highlands in Birch Bay.
This free, family-friendly 5K fun run celebrates salmon, clean water, and community. All ages and paces are welcome, and the scenic course offers stunning views of Whatcom County’s shoreline.
Kids 10 and under can enjoy the Smolt Sprint obstacle course starting at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K kicking off at 10.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.—arrive early for a free T-shirt while supplies last.
