BPD releases current DUI arrest numbers for 2024, City of Bellingham offering $100K in grant money for new festival, Major Bellingham intersection to be closed Wed-Fri for roundabout construction, Continuing Easy Fire prompts closure of North Cascades Highway trailhead, WTA offering free rides August 8th-17th, Covid numbers are up in Washington, Hydrogen-powered ferry manufactured in Bellingham sets sail in San Francisco
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, August 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: BPD releases current DUI arrest numbers for 2024
The Bellingham Police Department has seen a spike in DUI arrests this year.
The BPD never reported more than 40 DUI arrests in a single month between 2019 and 2023. However, this year’s monthly arrests have exceeded that maximum twice with 50 arrests in March and 55 in July.
The BPD reported last year’s total DUI arrests to be 382, with 5 months left in 2024, 245 DUI arrests have been reported. This puts the city on track to top its 2023 total.
BPD Public Information Officer Megan Peters said quote “We would like to remind the public, it is incredibly dangerous to drive impaired. If a person chooses to drive impaired, they should expect to be pulled over and investigated for DUI” unquote. Peters also said that the BDP is committed to the safety of our community and recommends having a plan to get home safely if you have consumed any substance which can impact your driving abilities.
Washington State’s legal blood alcohol content limit is 0.08% for non-commercial vehicles and 0.04% for commercial vehicles. A THC level of 5.0 or higher is also considered a DUI.
STORY: Major Bellingham intersection to be closed Wed-Fri for roundabout construction
The intersection at Meridian and West Illinois Streets will close from Wednesday through Friday.
According to the city of Bellingham’s weekly newsletter, workers will be paving the intersection that’s part of the commercial district that includes a Haggen (HAY-ggen) supermarket and sits just north of the Fountain District urban village. According to a 2023 traffic count from the city of Bellingham, the streets carried a collective 26,200 cars and trucks daily. Motorists are encouraged to avoid the area.
STORY: City of Bellingham offering $100K in grant money for new festival
The City of Bellingham has announced that it’s looking for ideas for new annual events.
According to a news release from the city, the Bellingham Signature Event Grant will provide three years of funding to help launch a new event. The grant will provide $100,000 the first year, followed by an additional $70,000 the second and third years.
The grant was previously used to create festivals such as the Northwest Tune Up Festival, Bellingham Exit, and SeaFeast. Applicants are encouraged to offer big, bold, creative new ideas that encourage tourism, commerce, fun and community connection.
Proposals are due September 6th, and winners will be announced later this year.
STORY: Continuing Easy Fire prompts closure of North Cascades Highway trailhead
The wildfire known as the “Easy Fire” has once again caused
Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials to close off part of the North Cascades Highway.
The highway was closed at 8AM yesterday. According to a WSDOT travel advisory, there are no detours and no estimated opening time for the closure. The “Easy Fire,” which was started by lightning, has caused multiple closures since its detection on July 17th, due to its proximity to Easy Pass.
Visit WSDOT’s (WASH-dot’s) travel center for more information and live updates.
STORY: WTA offering free rides August 8th-17th.
The Whatcom Transportation Authority is offering free fares on almost all their routes from August 8th through August 17th.
The dates coincide with the opening of the Northwest Washington Fair and could make traveling by bus a great option for fairgoers.
During Free Fare Days, WTA’s Route 26 will provide regular bus service to the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. Weekday service will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 8:48 p.m., Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Sundays from 8:05 a.m. to 6:05 p.m
Those looking to park and ride for free can find free parking at WTA’s Cordata Station.
STORY: Covid numbers are up in Washington
COVID-19 infections are up across parts of the United States, particularly on the West Coast, with increasing infections in Oregon, Washington, California, Arizona, and Colorado.
There were 2,905 positive tests in Washington in the week ending July 27th, with an average of 260 hospitalizations, accounting for just over 3% of hospital beds. The Center for Disease Control says the annual summer trend is fueled by hot, humid conditions favorable to the virus. In Oregon, 15% of recent tests were positive, a high rate for this time of year.
Officials say the KP.2 and KP.3 variants of Omicron are now the dominant strains. Despite immunity from vaccinations and previous infections, people can still get sick, though typically with milder symptoms.
Health officials advise the public to keep up with vaccinations, wear masks if you are ill or high-risk, use HEPA filters, and ensure good ventilation to reduce exposure.
Story: Hydrogen-powered ferry manufactured in Bellingham sets sail in San Francisco
A fully hydrogen-powered ferry built in Bellingham is now operating in the Bay Area of California. It could provide an important model for Washington ferries, especially in the Seattle area. Reporter Erik Tegethoff (TEG-i-doff) has more.
PLAY NWNS HYDRO STORY AUDIO
WX: Sun
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Another warm week in store for us, kicking off with highs in the mid-high 70s. Expect calm southwestern winds, with gusts up to 15 mph. Nighttime will feature clear skies and lows right around 60.
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, Ikumi Mashiko (ih-KOO-me muh-SHE-ko), Anna Vickers, and Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson. 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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