Fraser Valley outflow expected to deliver cold temps and high winds across Whatcom County, Winter shelters open, MLK Day Community Events, Covid in Whatcom, Brant geese hunts continue in Clallam, Pacific, Whatcom counties; limited three-day hunt in Skagit County, Burlington waste disposal company penalized $25,000 for improperly managing dangerous waste, Pipeline spill update – both lanes reopened, cleanup suspended due to weather ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, January 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Fraser Valley outflow expected to deliver cold temps and high winds across Whatcom County, Winter shelters open Northeasterly winds from the Fraser Valley are anticipated to cause a sudden temperature drop today. Fraser River outflow winds reaching up to 50mph, are expected tonight, bringing a chance of light snow and temperatures below freezing. Wind chill values may drop below 0°. In Whatcom County, three severe weather shelters will be open this evening– the Bellingham Overnight Severe Weather Shelter on State Street, Lighthouse Mission Base Camp on Cornwall Avenue, Road2Home Civic Field Winter Shelter, and the Ferndale Severe Weather Shelter on Washington Street in Ferndale. More information on opening times is available at whatcomcounty.us. There are wind and wind chill advisories, with lowland snow accumulations of 0 to 2 inches anticipated through Saturday in Whatcom County with continuing low temperatures. STORY: MLK Day Community Events Martin Luther King Jr. Day is this Monday, January 15th, and many community events will be held throughout the weekend. On Saturday, January 13th, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association is joining the City of Bellingham to host a Volunteer Work Party in honor of MLK Day of Service. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and is located at the Squalicum Creek Re-route site, at the corner of Birchwood Avenue and Squalicum Parkway. Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs. All ages are welcome, but those under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. If you are interested, please register in advance by visiting cob-dot-org. On Monday, January 15th, there’s an MLK community event at Sehome High School, from 10 a.m. to noon. The event will begin with a free breakfast, followed by presentations honoring MLK’s legacy of service and activism. Volunteers are invited to participate in service projects after the event, both at Sehome High School and throughout the community. For a full schedule, and to register for events, go to wwu.edu-slash-mlk. STORY: Covid in Whatcom As cases of Covid and other respiratory illnesses increase in Whatcom County, health experts are again recommending that people take precautions. KMRE reporter Tristan Trudell has more. WHATCOM COVID AUDIO STORY: Brant geese hunts continue in Clallam, Pacific, Whatcom counties; limited three-day hunt in Skagit County The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has announced open season hunt dates for brant geese. Stable winter brant counts have led to scheduled hunting opportunities in Clallam and Whatcom counties on January 20th, 24th, and 27th, and in Pacific County on various dates in January. After the brant population surveys conducted in Skagit County revealed a count of more than 3,000 birds, a limited three-day hunting period was announced. It will open during the Youth, Veteran, and Active Military waterfowl hunting opportunity on February 3rd. Hunters need a valid migratory bird authorization, a harvest report card, and are reminded to be aware of local regulations and boundaries in Whatcom County. STORY: Burlington waste disposal company penalized $25,000 for improperly managing dangerous waste The Department of Ecology says a Burlington waste disposal company was penalized $25,000 for repeated violations. Burlington Environmental, a subsidiary of Clean Earth Services (owned by Harsco Corporation), was found to be in violation of dangerous waste regulations. Ecology inspectors found that the company improperly stored pharmaceuticals, pesticides, aerosols and flammable materials on site for several months, and failed to train its employees on managing that waste. Burlington Environmental has 30 days to pay the penalty or appeal the fine to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board. STORY: Pipeline spill update – both lanes reopened, cleanup suspended due to weather The pipeline gasoline spill in Conway will have its cleanup and air monitoring paused due to inclement weather starting on Friday, and should resume operations on Tuesday. According to the Department of Ecology, while field operations are suspended, boom maintenance will continue through this period and critical personnel will monitor the area 24/7. To date, air quality reads show that the area is not dangerous to public health. State Route 534 also reopened to two-way traffic on Monday. Temporary closures may occur as flaggers help trucks navigate through the response area. A temporary shuttle service is also available to reduce congestion. As of January 10th, approximately 8,300 gallons of gasoline have been recovered from the leak. The Unified Command estimates the entire spill to be around 21,200 gallons. WX: Snow, Wind Advisories There is both a Wind and Wind Chill Advisory in place today, from 4 pm to 7 am. Overnight temperatures will drop to a low of 7 degrees. Winds are expected to have gusts as high as 36 mph tonight, causing wind chills to dip as low as 20 degrees below zero. The cold winds can cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes. Tomorrow will be even colder and similarly windy, but you can expect a little bit of sunshine. Bundle up and stay warm! OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, 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. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening. ##
January 10, 2024 News Transcript
High winds knock out power in Whatcom, Skagit counties, Gas leak likely caused Ferndale garage explosion, subsequent fire, Whatcom County Council approves two resolutions requesting Gov and Pres declare emergency for opioid and fentanyl crisis, 300-bed Bellingham homeless shelter slated for November opening ‘at the latest’, Truck fuel leak disrupts WA ferries in Anacortes, Seattle I-5 protest surprised WA State Patrol; arrests possible, Covid in Whatcom ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, January 10th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: High winds knock out power in Whatcom, Skagit counties The harsh weather seen in both Whatcom and Skagit counties has started taking its toll. High winds knocked down power lines yesterday morning. Nearly 2,000 PSE customers were without power as of 11 a.m. Tuesday, including over 250 in downtown Sedro-Woolley and about 1,500 near Alger (OW-jer). Temperatures are expected to plummet around noon tomorrow and an arctic blast blowing in from the Fraser Valley is to blame. Lows on Friday morning are expected to dip to 14 degrees in Bellingham with an increasing chance of snow at low elevations, although the National Weather Service is unsure of how much snow will fall across western Whatcom and Skagit counties. The Mt. Baker Ski Area has already experienced severe snowfall, recording 13 inches of snow yesterday morning and another 32-to-35 inches predicted over the next three days. STORY: Gas leak likely caused Ferndale garage explosion, subsequent fire Ferndale Police have confirmed the cause of Sunday’s garage explosion as a gas leak. Fire crews arrived at the home on Apollo Drive around noon to find the garage door had been blown into the driveway, as well as garage walls moved off the foundation by the explosion. No one was home with the exception of some pets, who were safely evacuated. After a similar explosion in Bothell a month ago, experts are urging anyone living in a house with gas appliances to recognize the sulfur-like smell of a gas leak, and say residents should get out of the house and call 911 immediately if they notice the smell. They also advise homeowners to ensure carbon monoxide detectors work and get regular maintenance done on gas appliances. STORY: Whatcom County Council approves two resolutions requesting Gov and Pres declare emergency for opioid and fentanyl crisis Whatcom County Council members approved resolutions requesting emergency declarations on the opioid crisis from both the governor and president. The county has seen a significant increase in suspected and confirmed overdose deaths with 132 cases in 2023 compared to 91 in all of 2022. At a meeting last night, County councilors discussed the merits of requesting state and federal help. A state-level emergency declaration would allow the county to seek state resources, while a federal declaration could make $50 million available nationwide. The two resolutions called on the federal and state governments to work with their legislatures as well as provide additional resources and to better address the ongoing crisis. Both resolutions passed unanimously. STORY: 300-bed Bellingham homeless shelter slated for November opening ‘at the latest’ Construction of the Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ new shelter in Bellingham’s Old Town is reaching a minor milestone this week, as construction crews are framing up the fifth floor and completing the new shelter’s roof. So far, Lighthouse says it has raised $23 million dollars for the project, which includes anticipated proceeds from the sale of the Willows Inn property on Lummi Island that was gifted to the organization last year. The new facility at Holly Street will include a low-barrier shelter with space for 200 people, plus a specialized shelter for a hundred more homeless individuals. Another one-hundred beds will be made available during weather emergencies or natural disasters. The nonprofit expects to leave Base Camp and move into the new shelter by November. STORY: Truck fuel leak disrupts WA ferries in Anacortes A ferry trip was canceled Tuesday morning after a vehicle leaked fuel on its dock. The leak occurred after the underside of a truck scraped the vehicle ramp when leaving the Anacortes ferry. Staff said the driver wasn’t aware of the damage and kept on driving. An eyewitness notes that there was, quote “a rainbow sheen, from where the boat was, all the way up to the road.” A Washington State Ferry rider alert was sent out and called it a “safety issue.” The spill was cleaned up an hour and a half later, and regular operations resumed. Spokesperson Ian Sterling said that it is common for cars and trucks to drip puddles of petroleum on a boat or dock and for crews to clean the mess. No information was given about how the truck was damaged, nor how much fuel leaked into the water. STORY: Seattle I-5 protest surprised WA State Patrol; arrests possible The Washington State Patrol was caught off-guard by a protest on Saturday that shut down Interstate 5 through Seattle for nearly five hours. The protest, calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, led to the closure of northbound I-5, causing significant traffic disruption. State Patrol Chief Jon Batiste (bah-TEEST) says WSP received a single unverifiable report about the plan to take over the freeway but couldn’t substantiate it. Despite preparing a contingency plan, Batiste says there wasn’t enough reliable information to deploy additional officers or teams to specific locations. Mass arrests were considered, but the lack of capacity at the King County Jail and a miscommunication regarding dispersal orders contributed to delays. Ultimately, protesters left voluntarily before a dispersal order was issued. The abandoned vehicles were inspected with bomb-sniffing dogs before being towed away. The event drew criticism from some Republican officials who questioned the state government’s preparedness. Protest organizers celebrated its success, reiterating demands related to the Israel-Hamas conflict. The State Patrol says they are still investigating and have not ruled out arrests. WX: Rainy, Snow There is a chance of rain today, with a high of 43 degrees and light winds. Snow may come tonight, with a …
January 9 2024 News Transcript
Armed robbery near Wendy’s, Crash closes southbound 1-5 lanes through Bellingham during evening commute, City settles accident-related lawsuit involving fired Bellingham Police detective, Birch Bay Vogt Library Express reaches funding goal, WWU faculty reel in $1.4 million NSF grant to help boost science teaching in local elementary schools, First day of legislature, Washington House passes bill to allow splitting of residential lots ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, January 9th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Armed robbery near Wendy’s An armed robbery took place at 9am this morning behind the Wendy’s restaurant building at 140 Samish Way. The suspect, described as a white male wearing a brown hoodie and blue jeans, held up a passerby at knifepoint and demanded money. The suspect then fled towards the Sehome Arboretum. Bellingham Police were called to the scene by the victim, and ended their search about an hour later. Neither the suspect nor the victim were found by the police. Western Washington University has stated that no one was injured in the incident. STORY: Crash closes southbound I-5 lanes through Bellingham during evening commute Another crash closed down I-5 for several hours yesterday. First responders were dispatched to the southbound lanes of I-5 between Meridian Street and Sunset Drive around 4:15 on Monday after reports of a crash involving a jackknifed semi-truck. Images posted online showed the semi-truck with its front folded in, blocking both southbound lanes impeding all traffic. As of 5:25pm, traffic backups extended over 3 miles in both directions. According to the PulsePoint EMS dispatch log, at least 1 patient was transported from the scene via a medic unit. Users online report being stuck in traffic for around 3 hours, with the lanes only being opened up around 7 pm. A similar crash happened on the same interchange just a few days earlier on Thursday— blocking both northbound lanes. That blockage lasted around an hour. STORY: City settles accident-related lawsuit involving fired Bellingham Police detective The City of Bellingham settled a lawsuit involving a former Bellingham Police detective yesterday. Back in 2018, a Bellingham woman filed a lawsuit in County Superior Court against both the City and former detective Adam McGinty. The lawsuit accused McGinty of rear-ending the woman’s vehicle in July 2015. She claimed she used her brakes to avoid hitting two dogs who had run into the road and that McGinty, who was driving the patrol car behind her, failed to stop and hit her vehicle resulting in injury and economic loss. The Bellingham City Council approved a $40,000 settlement and dismissal of the lawsuit and all related claims. McGinty was fired last year after an internal affairs investigation revealed misuse of public funds. He is currently facing charges of misappropriation or falsification of accounts by a public officer, official misconduct, and third-degree theft. McGinty pleaded not guilty to all charges back in December. If convicted, he could face up to 15 years in prison. STORY: Birch Bay Vogt Library Express reaches funding goal After years of effort, the Whatcom County Council has allocated $315,000 in county funds to the Whatcom County Library System for the construction of the Birch Bay Vogt (VOTE) Library Express. Originally planned as a full-service library to replace a bookmobile, the project faced multiple setbacks, including two failed elections. The currently-proposed 1,700 square-foot library express is smaller than initially envisioned and will be renovated in the existing Vogt home on Birch Bay Drive. The money, combined with a $2 million dollar state grant and private donations will fund the renovations, which will begin in 2025. The new Express is expected to bring comprehensive library services to the community. STORY: WWU faculty reel in $1.4 million NSF grant to help boost science teaching in local elementary schools A project led by three Western Washington University faculty members has received $1.4 million dollars from the National Science Foundation. The project, called Science Education for Equity in K-6, aims to build a community of teacher-leaders to integrate science into K-12 education. The initiative is a collaboration between Western’s College of Science and Engineering and Woodring College of Education and according to the proposal, would establish long-term science leadership programs within sixteen Whatcom and Skagit schools. The project includes professional development, collaborative planning, and integration of science education with literacy. According to project leaders, the goal is to foster collaboration among elementary educators and produce equitable and high-quality science education. STORY: Wildfire smoke is poisoning killer whales, study finds A study from the University of British Columbia has shown that toxic smoke is poisoning killer whales off the west coast of North America. Researchers found that fossil fuels, oil spills, and forest fires are all contributors to muscle and liver damage in two types of endangered killer whale species. The pollutants have been found in the critically endangered Southern Resident orca population, a group that lives off the coast of Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. There are 75 southern resident orcas today, among them is L25, the world’s oldest living orca at around 95 years old. These whales live directly along the coast, making them more at-risk for pollution from these sources. The study also showed that the whales are transferring the toxic chemicals to their unborn calves. Lead researcher Kiah (KEYE-uh) Lee hopes that the study will influence policymakers in charge of developing oil pipelines. STORY: First day of legislature, Washington House passes bill to allow splitting of residential lots The Washington state House of Representatives passed a bill which would allow residential property owners to split their lots into smaller parcels. The same bill passed the House last year but failed to make it through the Senate. Yesterday, it passed the House 94-4. Under the proposal, most large cities could no longer prohibit property owners from splitting lots. The new lots would need to be no smaller than 2,000 square feet, be at least 40% of the size of the original lot, and could not …
January 8, 2024 News Transcript
Explosion at Ferndale residence being investigated, Whatcom County man accused of stabbing relative several times at Ferndale residence, Seattle man who distributed thousands of fentanyl pills in Whatcom County sentenced to six years in prison, Authorities say suitcase found by fishermen in Oct contained remains of Canadian resident, WA ferry system scraps timeline for resuming normal service, Boeing 737 MAX 9s grounded after Alaska Airlines in-flight blowout ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, January 8th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Explosion at Ferndale residence being investigated Authorities are scrambling to find the cause of an explosion in a Ferndale residence yesterday. Fire crews arrived at the 6100 block of Apollo Drive to find the garage door had been blown into the driveway, as well as garage walls moved off the foundation by the explosion. No one was home with the exception of some pets, who were safely evacuated. The rest of the residence suffered no damage. STORY: Whatcom County man accused of stabbing relative several times at Ferndale residence An 18 year-old Whatcom resident was arrested Thursday after allegedly stabbing a relative. According to Public Information Officer Deb Slater, the suspect, Chief Harold Saluskin Pitt, entered the Ferndalel residence at 3 am without permission. When asked to leave by a relative, he stabbed the man with a knife. The relative managed to escape and call for help. He is currently at St. Joseph’s Medical Center with a punctured lung. Saluskin Pitt was detained and booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree assault and burglary. STORY: Seattle man who distributed thousands of fentanyl pills in Whatcom County sentenced to six years in prison A 33-year-old Seattle man, Abdurman Ahmed, was sentenced to six years in prison for distributing fentanyl in Whatcom County. According to Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman, Ahmed was part of a conspiracy involving six individuals indicted last April. Despite suffering a near-fatal fentanyl overdose, Ahmed continued selling the drug. Law enforcement officers observed drug transactions, seized fentanyl pills from Ahmed twice, and also found illegal firearms. The case is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation, with DEA and local law enforcement leading the investigation. Other defendants in the case face charges related to fentanyl distribution and firearm possession. The prosecution highlighted Ahmed’s willingness to profit from distributing a dangerous substance that had lethal impacts on the Lummi Nation and the rest of Whatcom County. In handing down the sentence, Judge Richard Jones emphasized the need to protect the public, citing Ahmed’s endangerment of others, including children. The investigation is part of efforts designed to combat high-level criminal organizations involved in drug trafficking. STORY: Authorities say suitcase found by fishermen in Oct contained remains of Canadian resident The remains found in a suitcase pulled from Ross Lake in October have been identified. Staff Sergeant Kris Clark, a senior media relations officer for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, confirmed that the body is that of a Canadian resident. The investigation, originally headed by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, has been handed over to the RCMP. The body was found in Ross Lake by two people fishing in October, who were interviewed after handing the remains over to the Sheriff’s Office. No additional information on either the identity of the victim or when the RCMP took over the investigation is available at this time. STORY: WA ferry system scraps timeline for resuming normal service On Thursday, Washington State Ferries released a new Service Contingency Plan, explaining that normal service will not return for at least four years, when new boats are expected to come online. The plan marks a change from last year, where WSF estimated it could resume full service to at least the Southworth and Bremerton routes by the fall. The timeline was extended to 2024 and many routes will now be operating indefinitely with one fewer boat. According to Washington Ferries, the goal this year is to deliver 95% of its scheduled trips, as opposed to its historical goal of 99%. The ferry system continues to struggle with staffing shortages and an aging fleet. Staffing minimum requirements are just barely being met, which means when someone calls out sick, trips are disrupted. WSF is launching a recruitment campaign next week and in his proposed budget, Governor Jay Inslee is suggesting $20 million dollars to aid hiring efforts. The fleet currently has just 21 boats operating, 5 shy of its estimated need. Many of these are over 30 years old and need regular maintenance and repairs. The state hopes to award a contract to build its new electric ferries this summer, with the expectation that one be delivered by February 2028. STORY: Boeing 737 MAX 9s grounded after Alaska Airlines in-flight blowout All Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft have been grounded after part of an Alaska Airlines plane fuselage blew out at 16,000 feet. The Federal Aviation Administration ordered the grounding of the entire series of planes after a section of the Alaska plane’s fuselage, designed to plug an emergency exit gap, fell away, leaving a hole in the cabin and causing depressurization. Pictures taken by passengers revealed no damage to the frame around the hole, leaving some to conjecture that the problem may lie with one of the four bolts that secured the plug. The incident involved an almost-new MAX 9 delivered by Boeing to Alaska Airlines less than 10 weeks earlier. In the days before the incident, pilots reported intermittent warning lights indicating cabin pressure loss, which were addressed according to approved maintenance procedures. Alaska and United are the biggest operators of this model in the U.S. The plug, installed for production efficiency, is not specific to the MAX and has been present since 2006 on previous 737 models. The entire fuselage, including the door plug, is assembled by Spirit AeroSystems in Kansas and then transported to Boeing’s Renton plant. The incident poses a setback for Boeing as it was recovering from previous …
January 5, 2024 News Transcript
Memorial bench for Henry King installed at Boulevard Park, Evening crash stalled I-5 for 3 miles, ‘Fire & Story’ Set To Illuminate Bellingham’s Waterfront, Financially troubled Mount Baker School District appoints interim superintendent, Washington seeks options to curb rent pressure for tenants of state-financed housing, AG Ferguson calls for increase to penalty for price-fixing, collusion, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 5th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Memorial bench for Henry King installed at Boulevard Park A memorial bench honoring Henry King has been installed in Boulevard Park. The bench, which is located along South Bay Trail between the park’s boardwalks, was donated by community member Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez had organized a campaign with the hope of raising $1,500 for the bench. In the end, the campaign raised $2,200, with the extra $700 being donated towards another fund for Mr. King’s funeral expenses. Gonzalez stated that, while he did not know King personally, he personally felt it was the “Bellingham thing to do.” STORY: Evening crash stalled I-5 for 3 miles I-5 was stalled for over an hour yesterday as a crash closed the northbound lanes. First responders were dispatched to I-5 north of the Sunset Drive interchange about 5:15pm due to reports of a crash. The northbound on-ramp was subsequently closed and the DOT advised motorists to use alternative routes. The left lane was reopened around 5:40, but stalled traffic remained for at least 3 miles past the Samish Way interchange. STORY: ‘Fire & Story’ Set To Illuminate Bellingham’s Waterfront Bellingham’s waterfront is set to be lit up when a new event takes place later this month. From the 18th to the 20th, over 30 unique performances will take place around the Waterfront Pump Track as part of “Fire and Story”. The winter event will host evenings with acoustic songwriters, poets, dance troupes, cirque, live blacksmithing, and more. Paper Whale is organizing the event, open to all ages and attendance is free. An event schedule and map is available at Paper-Whale.com. STORY: Financially troubled Mount Baker School District appoints interim superintendent The Mount Baker School Board appointed Phil Brockman as interim superintendent in a special meeting last night. He will be succeeding Mary Sewright, who retired in December. Brockman, a retired superintendent from Sedro-Woolley School District, will serve in the interim role for at least a year. The school board says it plans to hire a permanent superintendent by spring 2025. The district currently faces binding conditions with the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction due to ongoing financial challenges. Brockman, known for his financial experience, said in his December 19th interview with the school board that he emphasized a collaborative approach to rebuild trust and plans a listening tour to address concerns within the school district. The school board says it will engage the community in spring to outline expectations for a permanent superintendent, with interviews and hiring anticipated in early 2025. STORY: Washington seeks options to curb rent pressure for tenants of state-financed housing In the new legislative session, Washington officials will consider new restrictions on rent increases for affordable housing supported by taxpayer funds. Despite failed attempts last year to limit annual rent increases for all tenants, lawmakers plan to reintroduce similar proposals in the upcoming session informed by an interim report published by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and the Department of Commerce. The report cites a lack of available affordable homes, a growing income-rent gap, and the delicate balance between stabilizing renters and housing providers and attempts to address challenges in affordable housing. It also suggests measures such as limits on rent hikes, incentives for housing providers, a review of policies that contribute to rent burdens, and suggests equitable rent increase practices. According to the report, many people are only one rent increase away from housing instability. The departments say more research and analysis is required, which they plan to work on throughout the year. A final version of the report is expected next December. In the meantime, many of the lead sponsors of last year’s rent stabilization bills– including Representative Lekanoff (luh-KAN-off) and Ramel (RAM-ull)– have already introduced similar proposals in the state House. STORY: AG Ferguson calls for increase to penalty for price-fixing, collusion Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is proposing legislation to increase penalties for antitrust violations. In a media release, Ferguson stated he is joining forces with State Senator Yasmin Trudeau and State Representative Darya Farivar in calling for an increase in penalties for anti-competitive behavior like price-fixing and collusion. Currently, the maximum penalty for such violations in Washington state is $900,000 for corporations, regardless of whether the illegal activity results in a profit many times that amount. By comparison, Texas has penalties that can reach up to $30 million. The proposed legislation would increase the maximum penalty up to three times the illegal gains or losses avoided. By law, paid penalties would go to the state general fund. Ferguson expects the legislation would increase revenues to the state. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend? Here are some events going on around the county. The Central Branch of Bellingham Public Library will be hosting Little Looms this Saturday. Members of the Whatcom Weavers Guild will be there to guide patrons through different kinds of weaving projects. Materials will be provided, and no registration is required. The event runs from noon to 3 pm. Also on Saturday is the Makerspace open Craft Time at Bellis Fair. The Bellingham Makerspace will feature a project demonstration, provide materials, and is open to those of all skill levels. This free event runs from 2 to 5pm, and registration is available online at the Bellingham Makerspace website. And, on Sunday, the Salsa Collective is hosting a salsa class at The Majestic Ballroom. The class starts at 5:30 pm, with open dancing from 7 to 8. No experience, partner, special clothes, or …
January 4, 2024 News Transcript
State Street reopens after fire at Bellingham bar, potentially caused by faulty fryer, Morning vehicle fires yesterday kept first responders busy around Custer and Ferndale, Bellingham man accused of spitting on woman, stabbing her companion on New Year’s Day, Whatcom County parents accused of abusing infant who was taken to hospital multiple times, Whatcom Community Foundation announces 2024 wellness, mental health grant opportunities, G investigating WA mobile home park owner after 100-plus complaints, Washington Students Boast Record-High Graduation Rates and Preparedness for Higher Education, Interview with Satpal Sidhu ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, January 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: State Street reopens after fire at Bellingham bar, potentially caused by faulty fryer State Street reopened yesterday after a fire damaged the historic building. The Bellingham Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at the State Street Bar just after 8:30 a.m. Officials shut down traffic along North State Street between Holly and Magnolia while crews battled the fire. Three tenants in the five upstairs apartments were out of the building when the fire started, while a tenant on the second floor evacuated the building as soon as they saw smoke outside his window. A cat was rescued from the building and given to Whatcom County Humane Society, where the owner can reclaim it. The street was reopened around 11AM after the fire was under control. Unconfirmed reports from users online claim the fire was caused by a faulty fryer in the bar. One user states that the night before, they heard a bartender saying the fryer was, quote, “being weird” and texted the boss about it. Other users say the fire broke out when the owner tried to fix it in the morning. The building, built in 1901, is the second historic building damaged by fires in just a month. STORY: Morning vehicle fires yesterday kept first responders busy around Custer and Ferndale Multiple vehicle fires made Wednesday morning a busy one for first responders. The first fire occurred at the Custer rest area on the northbound lanes of I-5, and involved a car sitting in the rest area parking lot, according to State Patrol officers. The driver was found safe inside a bathroom, and is believed to have been living in the vehicle. First responders were called to another vehicle fire in a parking lot at the intersection of Haxton Way and Slater Road. The Bellingham Fire Department arrived first, and was able to put out the fire. There were no injuries, and no one was located near the car. While no structures were at risk, both vehicles were considered a total loss. STORY: Bellingham man accused of spitting on woman, stabbing her companion on New Year’s Day A Bellingham man was arrested on Monday and charged with two counts of assault. 22-year-old Jayden Janisch was walking down Northwest Avenue when he spit on a woman, which prompted an argument between him and the woman’s companion. The companion raised his fists, to which Janisch responded by stabbing him in the chest with a pocket knife before walking away. Multiple witnesses identified Janisch to police officers, and he was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault with a knife and fourth-degree assault. This was not Janisch’s first arrest; in 2021, he was arrested on suspicion of malicious harassment and fourth-degree assault. In that instance, Janisch pled guilty to fourth-degree assault, and the malicious harassment charge was dropped. According to Megan Peters from the Bellingham Police Department, the stabbing victim suffered a “significant injury” and was taken to Seattle for treatment. STORY: Whatcom County parents accused of abusing infant who was taken to hospital multiple times Two parents in Whatcom County, Destany Grace Jacobs (19) and Bryan Joshua Vanderhoek (26) (van-dur-HOKE), are facing charges of domestic abuse related to their 6-month-old child. The couple is accused of assaulting their son since at least Oct. 12, leading to the child being brought to the Emergency Department with unexplained injuries. Hospital staff suspected child abuse, however, the child was released to the parents. Subsequent ER visits revealed additional injuries, prompting the parents’ arrest on Dec. 20. The child is now in the care of other family members. The crimes qualify as domestic abuse, allowing prosecutors to seek exceptional sentences. Formal charges were filed on Dec. 21 in the Whatcom County Supreme Court. Jacobs pleaded not guilty at her arraignment on Friday and Vanderhoek’s arraignment has been rescheduled. STORY: Whatcom Community Foundation announces 2024 wellness, mental health grant opportunities Grants for 2024 from the Whatcom Community Foundation are now available for nonprofits, schools, government agencies, and tribal organizations. The community foundation has three grants open. The first, Youth Philanthropy, will give up to $5,000 to organizations that work with children in Whatcom experiencing mental health challenges and youth homelessness. The second grant is Whatcom Nonprofit Wellness, offering up to $10,000 to help address issues of staff fatigue, turnover and burnout that are pervasive within nonprofits. Lastly is Project Neighborly, another $5,000 grant to fund projects that help develop a sense of community and promote neighborliness throughout the rural and urban areas of Whatcom County. The Whatcom Community Foundation funded 61 projects in 2023, with nearly $600,000 going to the organizations across Whatcom. Each grant has their own deadlines for application, available to view online at WhatcomCF.org. STORY: AG investigating WA mobile home park owner after 100-plus complaints The Washington State Attorney General’s Office is investigating the owner of a Bellingham mobile home park. Hurst & Son, a Port Orchard-based mobile home park landlord had over 100 complaints in 2023 from residents in parks across the state, including Bakerview Estates on Eliza Avenue. Complaints include rising rents of more than 10%– a practice called economic eviction– and poor services. The complaints allege violations of the Mobile Home Landlord-Tenant Act, including problems with lease renewal, lease terms, rule violation fees, utility charges, and park upkeep. The investigation is ongoing, with no formal violations issued, and Hurst & …
January 3, 2024 News Transcript
Body found after Fairhaven fire officially confirmed to be cafe owner Nate Breaux, Fire crews respond to blaze at State Street Bar, Bellingham Immigration Advisory Board proposed to be halted, Bellingham City Council swearing-in ceremony, Women are close to holding half the seats in WA’s Legislature, Ferndale School Board reaches settlement, case dismissed, Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, WA, Satpal Water Rights, ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, January 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Body found after Fairhaven fire officially confirmed to be cafe owner Nate Breaux The body pulled from the wreckage of the Terminal Building in Fairhaven has been officially identified as 39-year-old café owner Nate Breaux (BRO). Breaux was confirmed to have died from smoke inhalation during the fire that engulfed the building on December 16th. The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s office determined the cause of death to be an accident. Mr. Breaux, who owned both the Harris Avenue Cafe and The Old Independent Coffeehouse, was declared missing the day after the fire. Due to the structural instability of the building’s remains, his body wasn’t recovered from the wreckage until 10 days later on the 26th. STORY: Fire crews respond to blaze at State Street Bar Yet another fire happened at a historic building today. The Bellingham Fire Department responded to a two-alarm fire at the State Street Bar just after 8:30 a.m. Officials shut down traffic along North State Street between Holly and Magnolia while crews battled the fire. Three tenants in the five upstairs apartments were out of the building when the fire started, while a tenant on the second floor evacuated the building as soon as they saw smoke outside his window. Fire Chief Bill Hewett stated that the fire is under control, and there appear to be no injuries. The cause of the fire is yet unknown. KMRE will continue to update the story with more information as it develops. STORY: Bellingham Immigration Advisory Board proposed to be halted City council member Hannah Stone has proposed indefinitely suspending the Immigration Advisory Board in Bellingham. Stone’s ordinance claims that board members lack training on public-records and public-meeting laws, have met with other local governments without authorization, and operate without by-laws. Concerns include violations of the state’s Open Public Meetings Act and city staff being restricted from information. Despite concerns, some council members emphasize the IAB’s potential to benefit immigrants but stress the need for structured guidelines. The council will further discuss the matter on January 29. STORY: Ferndale School Board reaches settlement, case dismissed A case involving the Ferndale School district was recently dismissed by its plaintiff after a settlement was reached on December 7th. In March of last year, Arthur West filed a complaint that the school district violated the Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) when they failed to provide accurate notice for specific meetings in early 2023. According to recent reporting from Whatcom News, the district paid the $5,000 that West asked for in return for their violation of the OPMA. The district also made changes to their meeting guidelines, which satisfied West’s concern with their initial conduct. STORY: Bellingham City Council swearing-in ceremony The Bellingham City Council will hold a public swearing-in ceremony on Monday at 7 p.m. Municipal Court Judge Debra Lev will administer the ceremonial oath of office to Mayor-elect Kim Lund, new City Councilmember Jace Cotton, and returning City Councilmembers Lisa Anderson, Dan Hammill, and Hannah Stone in the Bellingham City Council chambers. The newly-elected officials assumed their responsibilities as of January first. STORY: Women are close to holding half the seats in WA’s Legislature Washington’s State Legislature is on track to achieve equal representation of men and women elected into office by 2026. Women now hold 67 out of 147 seats in the Washington Legislature – a record-breaking 46%. That puts Washington well above the national average where just 33% of state legislators across the country are women. Among these seats include key leadership positions. Representative Laurie Jinkins of Tacoma is the current Speaker of the House, and Senator Karen Keiser of Des Moines (duh-MOINS) is Senate President. According to Jean Sinzdak, Associate Director of the Center for American Women and Politics, research shows that women are more likely to focus on issues that matter to women like health care, child care, and education. Elected women are also more likely to work across the aisle, emphasize transparency, and bring underrepresented groups into the process. Washington is currently 4th in ranking for female representation in state legislature, with only Arizona, Colorado and Nevada having more. STORY: WA Dept of Health cuts hundreds of jobs as COVID funding runs out The Washington Department of Health has cut over 300 employees involved in the state’s pandemic response, and more positions are at risk due to the ending of federal COVID aid. Jobs eliminated include roles in vaccine distribution, testing services, contact tracing, and data tracking. According to the department, from January 2020 to October 2023, the Department of Health spent nearly $316 million on COVID-19 hires, accounting for half of its two-year operating budget. The impact of the layoffs on the state’s ability to respond to future pandemics remains uncertain. Public health experts argue that maintaining a robust public health workforce is crucial for future preparedness, and emphasize the importance of state funding for these efforts. STORY: Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the United States, WA In Washington, virus activity is rising as the temperature plummets. According to CNN, late December in the U.S. as a whole showed around 29,000 patients admitted with COVID-19. Another 15,000 were admitted for the flu and thousands with respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV. Because of this, some hospitals are now requiring masks upon entry. According to the Washington Department of Health, the week of December 17th showed a 25 percent increase in hospitalizations from influenza, and an 11 percent increase in COVID-19 E.R. visits when compared …
January 2, 2024 News Transcript
Bham new mayor, Lummi Nation opposes BP’s $50M purchase of Cherry Point parcels, Blaine police, public works administration move to city hall after overcrowding, Point Roberts fire district axes ambulance fees; introduces Welcome Home transports, Blaine police, public works administration move to city hall after overcrowding, Lummi Nation among 20 entities to earn three-year BIA language preservation grant, Local Boy Scout troops will pick up Christmas trees in January, UW advances to football national championship, COVID cases rising, WA Dept of Health cuts hundreds of jobs as COVID funding runs out ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, January 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bham new mayor Bellingham’s new mayor began her term at midnight on January 1st by actively participating in a New Year’s Eve overnight police patrol. According to a recent release, Kim Lund also spent her first hours in office at the What-Comm Dispatch Center and expressed gratitude for the dedication and professionalism of first responders. The public swearing-in ceremony of new elected officials is scheduled for January 8th at City Hall. STORY: Lummi Nation opposes BP’s $50M purchase of Cherry Point parcels The Lummi Nation continues to be steadfast in their opposition to BP’s purchase of land parcels at Cherry Point. British Petroleum has offered $50 million dollars for the purchase of 1,100 acres of land. The offer came after BP struck an agreement with Pacific International Holdings, a subsidiary of SSA Marine. According to the company, the land was purchased for a variety of reasons, including use as a potential buffer area for the Cherry Point refinery operations. In a recent release, BP stated they have no current plans for development projects on the property. The purchase itself, however, is strongly opposed by the Lummi Nation due to the land’s cultural significance. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recognized the area as a Tribal Cultural Property, a distinction that has helped protect the region. In 2016 a proposal to build a giant coal-export terminal on the land was rejected by the Corps, which upheld an appeal by the Lummi Tribe on the grounds of treaty-guaranteed between Salish Sea tribes and the U.S. government. According to Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire, the tribe has deep concerns about the short notice and fast track of the sale, as well as the lack of reassurances from BP about the nature of the development. STORY: Point Roberts fire district axes ambulance fees; introduces Welcome Home transports The Point Roberts fire district commissioners approved two resolutions they hope will ease financial burdens for residents experiencing medical emergencies. Ambulance transport to St. Joseph PeaceHealth Medical Center in Bellingham will now be free when conducted by Point Roberts fire district personnel. However, helicopter evacuations or transfers to other agencies in Bellingham will still be charged. Commissioners also announced a new ‘Welcome Home’ transport program that allows patients to call the fire district for a ride home from the hospital if they don’t have one. This initiative aims to address instances where those in need refuse medical care due to lack of transportation. STORY: Blaine police, public works administration move to city hall after overcrowding The city hall building in Blaine has two new tenants— the Blaine Police Department and the public works department. According to recent reporting by The Northern Light, both departments cited overcrowding concerns as the motive behind their relocation. The Blaine police ran out of space to properly store evidence, causing employee safety and evidence chain-of-custody issues. Additionally, public works felt that having city engineers and planners working under the same roof would improve efficiency and performance. In-person visits to the Blaine PD’s offices are now held at their City Hall location. The public is encouraged to visit the new public works’ offices for any public works-related business, including bill payments or permitting. The new offices are on the second floor of the city hall building. STORY: Lummi Nation among 20 entities to earn three-year BIA language preservation grant The Lummi Nation has received nearly $300 thousand dollars to help preserve its language. The money comes as part of the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ Living Languages Grant Program. The program funds languages that are at risk of disappearing because of a declining native-speaker population. The focus for this year is on Native language immersion projects that support a cohesive Tribal community-wide approach. A total of $5.7 million is being sent to 20 tribes across the country to fund these programs. Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Bryan Newland says that investing in Native languages is one way the government works to address harms caused by federal policies of the past, such as Federal Indian Boarding Schools. The purpose of the schools was to erase and suppress Native languages and cultures. More than 500 boarding schools started in the 17th century and many were still operating in the 1980’s and 90’s. The Living Languages Grant Program hopes to see measurable growth in Lummi language use within the next three years. STORY: Local Boy Scout troops will pick up Christmas trees in January The annual community Christmas tree pickup and recycling event is happening this Saturday. Trees should be free of all decoration and left in a visible spot near the curb by 8 a.m. There is no pickup in gated communities or multi-family housing units. The event is a fundraiser for local boy scout troops and although donations are optional, money can be mailed in provided envelopes, or you can donate via PayPal on your local Boy Scout troop website. As an alternative, residents can cut their trees into smaller pieces and place them in their yard or food waste curbside collection bin– just make sure the lid closes. Trees may also be taken to Green Earth Technologies in Lynden or RDS in Ferndale for recycling. STORY: UW advances to football national championship The University of Washington Huskies are advancing to the football national championship after defeating Texas 37 to 31. Star quarterback …
December 29, 2023 News Transcript
Shooting leaves one hospitalized, Top leaders leave Sheriff’s office, New laws start Jan 1, Century Link fined over illegal disconnections, Kaiser Permanente reintroduces mask mandate, Free or cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 29th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Shooting leaves one hospitalized, Rollover crash kills two people in Bellingham One person was hospitalized and another arrested yesterday after a shooting on Meridian street. Reports of gunfire lead the police to the scene – but when they arrived, both vehicles had fled. One of the wounded victims was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center. The suspected shooter, Jesus Geovanny Monreal-Bohorquez (HAY- soos gee-o-VAWN-ee mon-ray-ALL buh-HORE-kez), was booked by police shortly after they found him near the hospital with a wounded leg. He was charged with suspicion of first-degree attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The investigation is ongoing. STORY: Rollover crash kills two people in Bellingham Two people were killed in a rollover crash at around 8 p.m. last night on Squalicum way. Police closed down the area in order to investigate. Two people were found in their vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The road was reopened at around midnight. The investigation is ongoing. STORY: Top leaders leave Sheriff’s office Several top leaders in the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) are retiring simultaneously. The departures coincide with promotions and appointments within the office. A release from the Sheriff’s office noted that the retirees include Sheriff Bill Elfo, who served five terms and chose not to seek re-election; Undersheriff Doug Chadwick, who lost the election for sheriff; Chief Deputy Steve Gatterman; Corrections Bureau Chief Wendy Jones; Office Administrator Dawn Pierce; and Department of Emergency Management Deputy Director John Gargett (gar-JET). Caleb Erickson, Roman Singh, Matt Charroin, Chris Packard, Lamont Bos, and Holly Woll-Salked will take on new roles, some beginning as soon as next week. STORY: New laws start Jan 1 There are a number of new laws that take effect next week. New rules regarding the state minimum wage, gun control, and cannabis use will go into effect on New Year’s Day. Here are some highlights: Washington will raise its minimum wage to $16.28 per hour, making it the highest rate in the nation. It will be even higher in Seattle at $18.69, and $19.06 in the city of Seatac. In the Bellingham November election, initiative No. 2023-01 passed, which means the city will also have a dollar higher minimum wage at $17.28– but that is scheduled to start on May 4th. House Bill 1143 will extend the waiting period for firearms, restricting licensed dealers from giving customers their weapons until 10 days after their background check was requested. Senate Bill 5123 will prohibit employers from discriminating against employee cannabis use outside of work hours. It will also restrict the enforcement of drug tests without a suspicion of use while at work. This bill does not apply to safety-sensitive professions, such as emergency responders, bus drivers, or airline workers. STORY: Century Link fined over illegal disconnections Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced yesterday that the telecommunications company Lumen (formerly Century Link) will pay a total of $825,000 to almost 1,100 Washington State customers it illegally disconnected during the pandemic. Lumen was found to have violated Washington’s emergency health and safety moratorium when it disconnected customers. The company will pay these customers over $700 for each illegal disconnect they experienced from March 23, 2020 to September 30, 2021. Current Lumen customers will receive the money as a credit on their account, while former customers will receive a check. Additionally, Lumen must also refund all reconnection and late fees charged to over 35,000 customers during the pandemic. STORY: Kaiser Permanente reintroduces mask mandate Kaiser Permanente has implemented a new mask mandate for employees working in-person with patients in Washington state health care facilities. The requirement goes into effect today and applies to all staff and care team members in patient care and public spaces. Patients are strongly encouraged, but not obligated, to wear masks. The decision to reinstate masking is attributed to the rise in respiratory illnesses like RSV rather than COVID-19. As of December 16th, RSV accounted for 0.8% of hospitalizations statewide. STORY: Air pollution increasing mortality A report from the Washington Department of Ecology reveals that some communities in the state, particularly in the greater Seattle area and south-Central Washington, face higher death rates due to air pollution. Released by Ecology with help from the Washington Clean Air Commission, the study identifies 16 areas where vulnerable populations experience increased health risks related to various forms of pollution. Mandated by the Climate Commitment Act, this report is the first to examine air pollutants, health impacts, and greenhouse gas emissions in these communities. Between 2016 and 2020, data show that residents in these communities had lifespans almost two and a half years shorter than those living in the rest of the state, with older adults being twice as likely to die from illnesses associated with inhaling pollutant particles. Wildfires, particularly in 2020-2022, were identified as the worst contributors to air pollution. STORY: Free or cheap It’s the last Friday of the last month of 2023– and here are some options for free or inexpensive things to do this weekend. Tonight– Learn how to Country Line Dance at Boots Bar and Lounge on Barkley Blvd. No dancing experience required, and no cover. The lesson starts at 8:15, with social dancing after. Sam Halbert and Friends will be playing tonight at the Thirsty Badger in Lynden. No cover. On Saturday, the Bellingham Makerspace is offering an open Craft Time, from 2-5pm at the Makerspace in Bellis Fair Mall. No charge. And at 5pm on Saturday, the Northwest Yarns and Mercantile Book Club will be discussing Terry Pratchett’s Christmas fable, The Hogfather. Bring your knitting and join the fun. WX: Cloudy, with some rain Your Whatcom County weather today will be cloudy. Overnight, we’ll likely see rain showers …
December 28, 2023 News Transcript
Go Fund Me starts for those involved in Terminal Building fire, DUI truck driver arrested after snarling traffic for two hours, Mental health concerns grow over social media use, Trust funds for low-income babies proposed, Biden moves to limit logging in old growth forests ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, December 28, 2024. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Go Fund Me starts for those involved in Terminal Building fire Three of the four GoFundMe campaigns to help those impacted by the Terminal Building fire have exceeded their original goals. One campaign for employees of the Harris Avenue Cafe and The Old Independent Coffeehouse has surpassed $86,000; another for the Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse has raised over $11,000; and a third for top-floor tenants of the Terminal Building reached over $4,000 of the $48,000 goal so far. A separate fundraiser for the daughter of cafe owner Nate Breaux has also surpassed its $30,000 goal. A body was recovered from the wreckage two days ago; however, the identity has not been confirmed. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. STORY: Ferndale asks for help in locating arson suspects Suspects are being sought in connection to a fire found yesterday at a picnic shelter in Ferndale’s Star Park. The fire damaged the shelter, and additional damage was done to the bathroom structure nearby. Repair costs are estimated to be more than $5,000. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Ferndale Police by phone or via email. STORY: DUI truck driver arrested after snarling traffic for two hours Yesterday, a Semi Truck driver caused a collision on northbound I-5 – halting traffic for two hours. The driver, Kulwinder Singh Bahat, (cool-WIND-er SING BA-hat) was later arrested on a charge of DUI as well as reckless endangerment. The accident caused no injuries but damaged several vehicles. Traffic was clogged on the highway near Fairhaven Parkway before one p.m. yesterday and was cleared in about two hours. STORY: Mental health concerns grow over social media use Health professionals are warning about the mental health impacts of social media. But, they say, parents can play a role in protecting their kids. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more. MENTAL HEALTH AUDIO STORY: Trust funds for low-income babies proposed State lawmakers are proposing a new way to break the cycle of poverty for Washington’s poorest populations: a trust fund for the 40,000 children born each year under the state’s Apple Health program. Nearly half of Washington’s babies are born into poor families, and the program aims to break that cycle. The Washington Future Fund would set aside a nest egg for each child. Those eligible could access the money between the ages of 18 and 35 for uses such as homeownership, a small business startup or higher education. The bipartisan-supported initiative, also known as the baby bonds bill, awaits review in fiscal committees. While concerns about the program’s impact on current education investments and family income improvements have been raised, proponents argue it addresses deep economic inequalities, especially for racial minorities and rural populations in poverty. The proposed program would set aside a minimum of $4,000 for each eligible child, which is estimated to grow to $15,000 by age 18, with potential for $35,000 if recipients wait. Other states, including Connecticut and Washington, D.C., have recently passed similar baby bonds programs, while several others are considering adopting this model. STORY: Biden moves to limit logging in old growth forests The Biden administration has announced new steps to protect old growth forests on National Forest lands. Following an Executive Order signed on Earth Day 2022, these new measures update the Northwest Forest Plan, which helps manage federal forests in Washington, Oregon and California. The White House notes that around 25 percent of old growth forests are in these three states. The administration hopes that the new measures will allow the Forest Service to have consistent direction nationwide in conserving old-growth forests. Last week’s announcement is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to help protect national forests. Other actions have included a nationwide inventory of forests, as well as a joint report on opportunities for reforestation of federal lands. WX: Rainy Your Whatcom County weather today will reach a high of 55 degrees. Overnight, we’ll see mostly cloudy skies, a slight chance of rain showers and a low of 44. Winds are expected to be light and variable. Tomorrow– expect overcast and clouds, with a high of 53 and a low of 45 degrees. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, 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. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, thanks for listening. ###
December 27, 2023 News Transcripts
Human remains found in Terminal Building, Bellingham Library, WTA add behavioral help to staff, Lummi Nation opposes sale of BP Cherry Point, Lake Whatcom water quality appears stable, State closes Nooksack fishing early, New law aimed to curb street racing goes into effect, Conservative advocacy group moves new initiatives forward, WA Android users who bought apps from Google’s store may get payout ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 27th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Human remains found in Terminal Building According to an update provided by the City of Bellingham yesterday, searchers have discovered a deceased individual within the heavily damaged Terminal Building structure. The historic Fairhaven building was destroyed by a fire on December 16th, and one person linked to the incident is still unaccounted for. Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Hewett (HYOO-it) stated that the investigation team entered the building on December 23rd after removing additional debris, leading to the discovery. While a preliminary identification was made, confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office is pending. The investigation team will continue searching to determine the fire’s origin. As of now, no cause has been identified. Chief Hewett emphasized the meticulous and time-consuming nature of the investigation process. The City says it will keep the public informed as new information emerges. STORY: Bellingham Library, WTA add behavioral help to staff Both the Bellingham Public Library and the WTA are expanding access to behavioral health resources. Starting on January 1st, the library will work with the Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center to provide daily help to reduce drug use risks and provide intervention for those with declining mental health conditions. This comes in response to a post-pandemic increase in behavioral health and substance use-related issues in the library. The program will supplement weekly drop-in support by social service agencies. Meanwhile, the WTA is developing internal training to provide transit operators with skills on how to resolve conflicts on a bus. Narcan training and naloxone, an overdose antidote, have also been made available to transit employees. The WTA currently provides a space for people to sit and warm up during the day, as well as 50,000 free six-ride tickets a year to low-income community members through social service agencies. STORY: Lummi Nation opposes sale of BP Cherry Point The Lummi Nation recently refused the sale of the 1,100 acre Cherry Point to British Petroleum. The site has been used as an ancient burial ground for centuries and is considered a Tribal Cultural Property by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is also the first recognized archaeological site in Whatcom County. Earlier this month, BP-owned Phillips 66 offered to buy the land to create a renewable diesel refinery. Several companies have tried to purchase the land to no avail, including SSA Marine, which attempted to turn it into the largest coal port in America. According to a recent release, the Lummi Nation says Cherry Point has been a vital piece of their heritage for centuries, and they will continue to refuse its purchase. STORY: Lake Whatcom water quality appears stable After 25 years of concerns due to increased pollution, Lake Whatcom is finally showing signs that it might be stabilizing. The lake is Whatcom County’s primary source of drinking water, and has been on the state’s list of polluted water bodies since 1998 due to phosphorus and nitrogen run-off. Around 2016, restrictions on excavations and soil removal were put in place to limit the amount of pollution released into the lake. Recently, Western Washington University’s Institute of Watershed Studies found that phosphorus levels have become stable or decreased slightly. According to recent reporting by the Bellingham Herald, the Institute is unsure if these results are due to the restrictions, and claim it may take 50 years to notice a real change in water quality. However, these results show some hope that the efforts put into decreasing watershed pollution are making a noticeable difference. STORY: State closes Nooksack fishing early Fishing on the North and South Fork of the Nooksack River is closing early for the season, according to an announcement by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Department hopes the decision to close these areas early will protect steelhead populations, and comes as a response to a significant increase in fishing in locations where wild steelhead are present. The closures include the North Fork from the Highway 9 Bridge to Maple Creek, starting February 1st through February 15th. The South Fork will be closed from its mouth to Skookum Creek, starting January 1st through January 31st. STORY: New law aimed to curb street racing goes into effect Starting next Monday, a new law goes into effect that proponents say will help curb illegal street racing. Senate Bill 5606, signed into law last May, grants officers the authority to arrest or cite drivers engaged in drifting or other vehicular stunts. Additionally, the law prohibits racing in non-roadway areas like parking lots or garages. Critics of the new ordinance argue that it may strain law enforcement resources. STORY: Conservative advocacy group moves new initiatives forward The conservative group Let’s Go Washington is proposing two initiatives aimed at rolling back recent laws passed by state Democrats. The group has submitted signatures for two initiatives, I-2109 and I-2111, which seek to halt the new capital gains tax imposed in 2021 and also hope to stop local governments from imposing an income tax. The new capital gains law levies a 7% tax on returns from assets over $250,000 with exemptions for retirement accounts, real estate, and certain farming transactions. Both initiatives will be reviewed by the legislature, which can pass, modify, or send them to voters. Proponents of the new tax see it as a move toward tax system equity. However, Let’s Go argues it is unconstitutional and should be removed. The group has also submitted signatures for measures that would repeal the state’s carbon emissions law and would further relax rules on police pursuits. …
December 22, 2023 News Transcripts
Family of missing owner of burnt Fairhaven building releases statement, Memorial honors homeless people who died this year in Whatcom County, Memorial honors homeless people who died this year in Whatcom County, Everson P.D. awarded large rescue vehicle, Port seeks to up its game at Bellingham’s ‘working waterfront’, Port seeks to up its game at Bellingham’s ‘working waterfront’, Pac-12 legal battle ends as UW, departing schools agree to settlement with WSU, OSU, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 22nd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Family of missing owner of burnt Fairhaven building releases statement It is believed that restaurant owner Nathaniel Breaux (BRO) was in the Terminal Building when it caught fire late Saturday night. The family says they expect his body to be recovered in the next few days. Mr. Breaux owned both the Harris Avenue Café and the Old Independent Coffeehouse on the ground floor of the Terminal Building — he was confirmed missing on Sunday. By Monday, bouquets of flowers began arriving along a fence near the ruin. His family plans to share details about a memorial fund in the next few weeks. STORY: Memorial honors homeless people who died this year in Whatcom County A memorial event last night at Bellingham City Hall honored the lives of 87 homeless individuals who died in Whatcom County this year. Around 100 people with candles gathered at City Hall, while the names of 84 individuals were read aloud by members of the Opportunity Council’s Homeless Outreach Team. Three individuals remain unidentified. The memorial, an annual tradition since 2015, pays respects to those who died while homeless. The names are collected from partner service providers, and this year, they were cross-referenced with the county medical examiner’s office. In addition, a mayoral proclamation declared December 21st, 2023, as a day of observation and mourning for those who died while living on the streets, encouraging community efforts to address the root causes of homelessness. STORY: Everson P.D. awarded large rescue vehicle The Everson Police Department has acquired a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle through a U.S. Government Surplus Grant. In a recent release, the City of Everson says the vehicle is valued at $733,000 but won’t cost the city anything, and is intended for flood rescue operations. The new vehicle will be added to a Humvee and a riverboat– all obtained since the November 2021 flood– expanding the city’s disaster preparedness. The new MRAP (EM-rap) can navigate deeper waters than the Humvee, and the Police Department has already started a training program for operating the vehicle. STORY: Port seeks to up its game at Bellingham’s ‘working waterfront’ Starting in January, the Port of Bellingham is set to embark on a $27 million dollar, two-year modernization project for the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. During a tour of the terminal with a federal trade official on Wednesday, local port representatives announced the project, funded partly by a federal grant, and aims to attract more vessel traffic and create more waterfront jobs. While the exact job impact remains uncertain, the emphasis on “breakbulk” cargo is noted for its labor-intensive nature, potentially leading to more jobs per cargo-pound compared to larger ports. The project involves dredging the waterway, replacing the deteriorating wharf, and introducing a new dock with state-of-the-art stormwater treatment. Port officials stress the environmental benefits as well as preparation for increased cargo demand nationwide. However, concerns from residents regarding noise highlight potential conflict over increased heavy-industrial activity on the waterfront. STORY: Statewide DUI enforcement campaign kicks off Last week, increased DUI enforcement kicked off – resulting in a higher arrest rate of impaired drivers. According to the Washington State Patrol, the state experiences a spike in the number of fatal accidents related to drunk driving at this time of year. According to recent reporting from KGMI, Lynden police have also added seven more officers on patrol, resulting in six DUI arrests in one day. A bill is also slated for consideration in the upcoming legislative session to lower the acceptable blood alcohol level to .5 percent. STORY: Pac-12 legal battle ends as UW, departing schools agree to settlement with WSU, OSU A settlement has been reached in the Pac-12 legal battle. A statement by both Washington State and Oregon State universities said that the 10 departing schools, including the University of Washington, have agreed in principle to a settlement that departing schools will “forfeit a portion of distributions over the remainder of the 2023-24 year” as well as provide guarantees against potential future liabilities. Estimates indicate the forfeiture could amount to between $5-and-10 million dollars per departing school. As for potential future liabilities, those could include a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA (N.C. 2A.) that could carry billions of dollars in damages. Washington State and OSU both expressed concern about the possibility of being held liable for an eight-or-nine-figure bill after the other schools left the conference. However, even with the settlement, Oregon State president Jayathi Murthy (jay-AH-thee MUR-thee) eplained that Oregon State’s athletic funding could still lose up to $40 million dollars. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do this Holiday weekend? Well there are many events going on around the county. From Friday through Sunday, the Festival of the Arts is being held near the Bellingham Crown Plaza. The event runs from 10 to 6, and has a host of holiday vendors, workshops, and performances. Bellewood Farms and Distillery will be offering free photos with Santa on Saturday, with drinks and s’mores kits available for sale. His visit will last from noon and 4pm. And finally on Sunday, the Haven Church in Everson is holding their Christmas concert during service at 10:30 am. The concert will be led by Sherman Andrus, who has performed for over 60 years. WX: Rainy Today will be rainy with a high of about 49 degrees and a low around 35. The wind will have gusts with speeds of up to 20 mph. …
