Update on vote count, Interview with Riley Sweeney, Person arrested after starting ‘unintentional’ fire at Planned Parenthood, Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire spoke to Congress about fentanyl in Indigenous communities, Ballot counts delayed after white powder, fentanyl sent to WA election offices, WSDOT on second day of real-time system data outage, Blaine substitute teacher arrested on suspicion of first-degree child molestation ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, November 9th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Update on vote count There have been some changes in the preliminary election results. Blaine Police Chief Donnell Tanksley passed Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick in the race for Whatcom County Sheriff. After the second round of ballots were counted, Tanksley leads by nearly 4 percent. In the race for Bellingham Mayor, incumbent Seth Fleetwood is trailing challenger Kim Lund, by 52% to 47% after a second day of counting. Fleetwood led on Election Night by 140 votes. Other races are looking decisive. Incumbent County Executive Satpal Sidhu may win reelection, as he leads Dan Purdy by more than 11 percentage points. Scanlon is ahead of Ordos by 57% to 43% for the at-large county seat, which could change the political makeup of the council. The results will be updated later this week and certified on Nov. 28. STORY: Interview with Riley Sweeney Riley Sweeney is running for Meridian School District Position 5, and is narrowly behind his opponent in their race for the school board. KMRE reporter Connor O’Boyle sat down with Riley to learn more about why he chose to run. SWEENEY AUDIO STORY: Person arrested after starting ‘unintentional’ fire at Planned Parenthood A suspect was arrested in connection with a fire that took place at the Planned Parenthood facility on Ellis Street yesterday morning. Fire alarms triggered around 4 a.m. Wednesday, and Bellingham fire crews arrived to find the front entryway on fire. A bench in the outside of the clinic was destroyed by the fire, which also caused damage to nearby walls, ceiling, lamps and a fixture that appeared to be a camera on the building. The total damage is estimated to be over $7,500. Clinic staff do not believe the act to have been malicious. Bellingham PD arrested and booked a yet unnamed male suspect into the Whatcom County Jail. The man is being held on suspicion of second-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief. STORY: Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire spoke to Congress about fentanyl in Indigenous communities Leaders of Native American tribes detailed the fentanyl crisis in Indigenous communities during a Wednesday U.S. Senate hearing. One of those leaders was Lummi Chairman Tony Hillaire, who has declared a state of emergency in Lummi Nation. He and other tribal leaders in Washington state have been calling on Governor Inslee to declare its own public health emergency over the opioid crisis. At the meeting, tribal leaders discussed issues with jurisdiction. In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that tribal officers have the authority to detain non-Natives suspected of committing crimes on reservations until non-Native law enforcement arrives, but the authority to detain can only go so far. If the nearest county can’t take that person, then the tribal police have to let them go. Leaders want to be able to charge that person in tribal court. More than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native people died from synthetic opioid overdoses from 2018 to 2022 in Washington state. STORY: Ballot counts delayed after white powder, fentanyl sent to WA election offices Ballot counts were delayed in several counties after an unknown white powder was found in envelopes, including traces of fentanyl in mail received by two of the offices. Election offices in King, Pierce, Skagit and Spokane counties were evacuated Wednesday after the white powder was found. Fentanyl was found in some envelopes sent to Spokane and King counties. Ballot counting was halted in those offices, as contact with fentanyl can cause overdose. The powder sent to the Pierce County Elections Office was determined to be baking soda. Included with that ballot was a vague message that referenced stopping the election. Governor Inslee condemned the incidents, calling it an “attack on democracy”. King County and Okanogan County election officials have previously received suspicious substances in envelopes during the Aug. 1 primary election. The Okanogan County envelope was determined to be unharmful while King County’s contained “trace” amounts of fentanyl. No workers were harmed by the incidents. STORY: WSDOT on second day of real-time system data outage Officials with the WSDOT said that a system outage that has affected both their website and mobile apps since early Tuesday is due to a security incident aimed at interrupting travel-related information. The outage was first reported about 6am on Tuesday. The result was disabled pages on the WSDOT website and blank real-time resources in the agency’s mobile apps. The outage appeared to continue as of this morning. WX: Rainy There’s rain in the afternoon today, with a high near 55° and light winds. Tonight will have a low of around 43, with wind having gusts of up to 20 mph. The rain will continue into tomorrow morning, and last throughout the weekend and all of next week. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ### STORY: Blaine substitute teacher arrested on suspicion of first-degree child molestation A substitute teacher at Blaine Middle School was arrested on a charge of first-degree child molestation on November 2nd. 61-year-old Gerald William Robinson had allegedly touched at least two underage girls inappropriately, and caused more than 10 others to feel uncomfortable by staring or making inappropriate comments. Blaine PD lieutenant Michael Munden stated that all of these incidents have …
November 8, 2023 News Transcript
Early election results, Harcourt Waterfront developer also violated state, federal environmental laws, Bellingham woman dies after car plunges off Mount Baker Highway, Anacortes animal sanctuary may have to close, euthanize animals, 1,300 Providence Everett nurses announce strike, Washington makes its biggest forestland purchase in more than a decade ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November 8th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Early election results The preliminary results for the election are in: For Bellingham Mayor, incumbent Seth Fleetwood is narrowly leading at one point ahead of Kim Lund. The Whatcom County sheriff’s race is close, with Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick leading Blaine Chief of Police Donnell (don-NELL) Tanksley by 2 percent. For Whatcom County executive, incumbent Satpal (sat-paul) Sidhu (see-do) has a comfortable 10 percent lead over challenger Dan Purdy. The Whatcom County Council at large has Jon Scanlon leading with over 55% of the vote. For the Jail tax measure, ‘Yes’ leads at 66 percent of the vote. Initiatives 1 and 2, for an increased minimum wage and for rental relocation assistance, both look likely to pass with around a 10% margin each. Bellingham City Council at large has Jace Cotton at just 34 votes ahead of Russ Whidbee. The results will be updated later this week and certified on Nov. 28. STORY: Harcourt waterfront developer also violated state, federal environmental laws The Port of Bellingham has found Harcourt Developments to be in violation of required environmental standards. Harcourt, which recently defaulted on its contract to build multi-million-dollar residential condo buildings along Bellingham’s waterfront, was found to have improperly moved and stored contaminated soil from its construction site to the Port’s Boardmill Building property. This violated state and federal environmental laws. The Port estimates that the removal and disposal costs of the contaminated soil would cost about $4.8 million. In a letter sent to the Port, Harcourt denied the Port’s findings, stating that the company had been in contact with both the Port and the Department of Ecology regarding a proposal for the treatment and disposal of the soil. STORY: Bellingham woman dies after car plunges off Mount Baker Highway A Bellingham woman died after her car plunged off the Mount Baker Highway on Tuesday morning. According to the Washington State Patrol, 67-year-old Mary Coghlan was driving westbound at milepost 50 when her Toyota Prius left the roadway to the right and rolled to a location approximately 150 feet below the roadway. The vehicle rolled several times before coming to a stop against a tree. Coghlan was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. STORY: Anacortes animal sanctuary may have to close, euthanize animals An exotic animal sanctuary in Anacortes is facing closure next month, and may have to euthanize more than a hundred animals. The Because We Matter Exotic Animal Sanctuary, which opened in 2001, had their education tours shut down by Skagit County due to a permitting issue. The sanctuary’s main source of income came from providing these tours. Without that money coming in, they’ve had to rely on donations. On top of the permit issue, a neighbor is suing, demanding the wolf dogs be removed. The neighbor claims that they can hear the wolves, and that the sanctuary is bringing the property value down. The rescue says it is costing them $50,000 a month to care for its animals, something they cannot continue to afford. If they close next month, they will have to put down 60 to 85% of their animals. The sanctuary is currently running a fundraising campaign to help them stay open. More information is available on the Because We Matter Animal Sanctuary website and Facebook page. STORY: 1,300 Providence Everett nurses announce strike Another healthcare worker strike is planned, this time at Providence Regional in Everett. About 13 hundred nurses will go on strike from the 14th to the 19th of November, citing increasing concerns with staffing problems and pay. Nurses said this week that chronic staffing shortages have persisted at Providence Everett despite months of contract negotiations. The Everett Herald reported that the hospital lost more than 600 nurses in 2019, and has since hired some back, but are still about 400 short. Concerns around staffing at Providence Everett were also mentioned in a wrongful-death lawsuit filed against the hospital last month. The complaint alleges a 41-year-old mother and wife died, at least in part, due to a lack of immediate medical attention. In response to the strike announcement, Providence said in a statement the hospital “fervently believes that strikes do not settle contracts.” During the strike, the hospital has plans to bring in contract nurses from a staffing agency. If a deal is not reached, this will be the ninth strike to affect the healthcare industry this year alone. STORY: WA hires leader for new investigative unit focused on missing and murdered Indigenous people A member of the Port Gamble S’Klallam (sKLA-lum) Tribe will lead a new state investigative unit devoted to unsolved cases involving missing and Indigenous people. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced Monday that he has hired Brian George as the chief investigator for the state’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Unit. George, who early in his career was an officer with the Suquamish Tribal Police Department, has worked for more than 25 years for the Washington State Patrol. The new cold case unit was established this year by a law that took effect in April. In Washington, Indigenous people make up 5% of unresolved cases throughout the state, despite making up less than 2% of the population. Data from 2018 showed that Indigenous women went missing at a rate four times that of white women in Washington, and a report from the National Institute of Justice found that four in five Indigenous men and women have experienced violence in their lifetime. The attorney general’s office is currently reviewing applications for investigators to work with the …
November 7, 2023 News Transcript
Election Day, WCSO Seeking Public’s Help In Locating Suspected Burglar, Search suspended for missing person shortly after it was issued, “Prescribed” burning visible on Sumas, Tanker Truck causes major closure on North Cascades Highway over the weekend, WDFW seeks public comment on proposed land acquisitions in Whatcom, U.S. regulators will review car-tire chemical that kills salmon, upon request from West Coast tribes ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, November 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Election Day It’s Election Day and the polls are open until 8pm tonight. In Whatcom County, ballots can be dropped in any of the 22 locations around the county. You can get a replacement for a lost ballot, register to vote, or update your registration until 8pm at the Whatcom County Courthouse in Bellingham. If you’ve lost your voter pamphlet, an online version can be found at whatcomcounty.us. Results are expected to be released via the Whatcom County Auditor’s website at about 8:30pm tonight, but races won’t be finalized for a few days. STORY: WCSO Seeking Public’s Help In Locating Suspected Burglar The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a suspected burglar. 61-year-old Johnnie Rathjen is wanted in connection with several burglaries in eastern Whatcom County. He is also accused of fleeing from deputies after being caught burglarizing a home. Rathjen was last seen driving a 2003 Toyota Corolla, license plate #BQP3779. Anyone who sees him or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call the Sheriff’s Office hotline. STORY: Search suspended for missing person shortly after it was issued The search for a missing senior from Tsawwassen (suh-WA-sun) was suspended shortly after it was issued in Point Roberts last week. David Ho, a 89 year-old Canadian citizen, was reported missing after failing to return home from his walk on Wednesday. After relatives notified police, David was spotted on CCTV crossing the border from Canada into Point Roberts around the time of his walk. Delta Police issued a missing person’s alert, with help from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department and other agencies. Search efforts began, with hundreds of community members volunteering. Unfortunately, David was found deceased four days later. STORY: “Prescribed” burning visible on Sumas Mountain Fires on private property on Sumas (SOO-mass) Mountain are currently burning, and visible throughout western Whatcom County. Fire Chief Hank Maleng of Fire District 16 stated the fires were lit earlier yesterday and were being done under permits issued by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. Those seeing the fires from a distance or on a drive past need not be worried, nor call 911. While permitted, it is not a prescribed burn as defined by DNR. The fires were set and managed by the property owner. DNR was only involved in granting the permits for the fires on private property. STORY: Tanker truck causes major closure on North Cascades Highway over weekend A tanker truck crash caused a major closure on the North Cascades Highway over the weekend. Friday afternoon, the truck went off the road near Rainy Pass where it flipped onto its top down a steep slope with 11,000 gallons of fuel in the tanker. Highway 20 was closed for about 24 hours as three tow trucks carefully hauled the truck back onto the roadway. The recovery was especially difficult as workers had to accommodate for the massive amount of fuel as well as the steep terrain. Additionally, the 40-foot tow trucks had to work on a 35-foot road. A WSDOT (WASH-dot) tow operator said it was the hardest job he’s had in his 30-year career. No one was seriously injured in the crash. STORY: WDFW seeks public comment on proposed land acquisitions in Whatcom The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is inviting public comment on 20 proposed public land acquisitions that would help promote fish and wildlife conservation and public access to Washington’s outdoors. The proposals encompass over 13,000 acres with acquisitions in 11 counties. One of the proposals consists of the acquisition of 117 acres near the town of Lynden, which would be added to the Whatcom Wildlife Area. The property, located near Wiser Lake, would enhance public access to the lake as well improve freshwater wetland habitat for waterfowl and other species. More information about the proposed land acquisitions is available on WDFW’s land acquisitions webpage. STORY: U.S. regulators will review car-tire chemical that kills salmon, upon request from West Coast tribes Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency said they will review the use of a chemical found in almost every tire. The Yurok tribe in California and the Port Gamble S’Klallam (sKLA-lum) and Puyallup tribes in Washington have petitioned the EPA to ban the rubber preservative 6PPD. The tribes argue that the chemical washes from roadways into rivers and kills salmon as they return from the ocean to their home streams to spawn. Five states, including Washington, also wrote the EPA in support of the petition, citing the chemical’s “unreasonable threat” to their waters and fisheries. 6PPD has been used as a rubber preservative in tires, footwear, and other rubber products for over 60 years. As the tires wear, tiny particles of rubber are left behind on roads and parking lots that break down into 6PPD-quinone (kwih-NOWN)– a byproduct that kills salmon, steelhead, and other wildlife within hours after coming into contact with the substance. The long regulatory process to review the chemical has just started, and tire manufacturers say they are already looking for an alternative that will meet federal safety requirements. WX: Rainy There’s a 80% chance of showers today, with a high near 53° and winds of more than 10 mph. Tonight will have a low of around 47, with the chance of showers decreasing into the night. Tomorrow’s weather should be about the same, with a smaller chance of rain. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. Tune in to local news …
November 6, 2023 News Transcript
Registration open for Cap Thanksgiving baskets, toy store, Man arrested after firearms, explosive found in north Bellingham home, Larsen to Host Veterans Forum in Bham and thru phone, Whatcom County assures public that nothing is wrong with Terrell Creek’s smell, Bellingham Plan to hold open house at WWU, Tribal members gather to demand the federal government uphold treaty obligations, protect salmon, WA seeks public comment on new landfill methane emissions rules ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, November 6. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Registration open for CAP Thanksgiving baskets, toy store The Community Assistance Program is encouraging north Whatcom County residents experiencing financial constraints to sign up for some additional support this holiday season. The Program, which serves Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts residents, will be handing out Thanksgiving baskets to families and individuals. Additionally, the Community Toy Store allows parents to purchase holiday gifts at a discounted price. The deadline for Thanksgiving basket registration is this Friday, while the deadline to register for the Community Toy Store is Sunday, November 26th. Registration for both can be done at BlaineCAP.org. STORY: Man arrested after firearms, explosives found in north Bellingham home A man was arrested in Bellingham two weeks ago after firearms and explosives were found in his home. 43-year-old Matthew John Simmons was arrested in his north Bellingham home on October 26th. A search warrant was served on Simmons’ house after deputies were told that he still possessed firearms after signing a declaration stating he had no weapons to surrender. Items located included a loaded assault rifle, a loaded Glock handgun, 5 homemade explosive devices and bags of powder used in making explosives. Simmons was booked into Whatcom County jail with suspicion of possession of explosives without a license, and unlawful possession of firearms. He was released from custody on October 27th after a $20,000 cash bond was posted. STORY: Larsen to Host Veterans Forum in Bham and thru phone U.S. Representative Rick Larson is answering questions in-person and remote this month. Earlier today, Larson held an in-person meeting at the American Legion on Bakerview Road. Veteran forums are opportunities for veterans to ask their elected officials questions about veteran’s legislation and benefits. A similar telephone town hall will be held this Thursday at 5 pm. Sign up at Larsen.House.gov. STORY: Bellingham Plan to hold open house at WWU Bellingham will be hosting an open house event for its upcoming Bellingham Plan at Western Washington University. Created in 1980, the Bellingham Plan addresses topics such as climate resilience, housing, recreation, economic vitality, transportation, and equitable growth. The City of Bellingham plans to lay out goals and policies to help city leaders make decisions with the next 20 years in mind. The city hopes that the student-focused Open House will provide unique perspectives as planners continue their work over the year. The event will take place in the Viking Union Multipurpose Room, this Thursday from 11:30 am to 1:30 pm. Food will be available, and more information can be found on the city website. STORY: Whatcom County assures public that nothing is wrong with Terrell Creek’s smell In a recent press release, the Whatcom County Public Works assured the public that Terrell Creek in Birch Bay is fine. Public works received multiple inquiries regarding the strange appearance and smell of the water. However, according to the County, it’s a natural seasonal occurrence caused by bacterial and algal (AL-gull) growth. A buildup of decaying organic matter like seaweed happens every summer in places such as Terrell Creek. The natural conditions in late summer and early fall generate strong sulfur smells, surface films, and unusual colors in the creek. The creek will return to normal once the fall rains start flushing out the waterways. Although not unsafe, Public Works does recommend the public keep kids and pets out of the creek until it’s no longer stagnant and smelly. STORY: Tribal members gather to demand the federal government uphold treaty obligations, protect salmon Last week, 15 Washington tribes met at a convention in Tulalip to demand the federal government uphold their salmon treaty obligations. The tribes, including Lummi Nation, convened to discuss the removal of the four lower Snake River dams in southeastern Washington. While the dams provide carbon-free electricity, irrigation, and transportation of agricultural goods, they also prevent the movement of salmon and have caused fish populations to plummet to near extinction. Convention speakers urged attendees to push harder to save the dwindling salmon and orca populations. The fight to remove the dams started decades ago, with tribes arguing that the government has an obligation to allow indigenous people the right to continue their way of life and protect the fish. Both Senator Patty Murray and Governor Jay Inslee agree that the extinction of native salmon is an unacceptable cost to running the dams. Federal discussions on the dams are still ongoing. STORY: WA seeks public comment on new landfill methane emissions rules The Washington Department of Ecology is seeking public comment on proposed new rules aimed at curbing landfill methane emissions. The new rules would require municipal solid-waste landfills to do more to prevent methane from escaping into the atmosphere, to track emissions, and make reports to the state. Washington would also make $15 million dollars in grants available to landfill owners and operators to cover the costs associated with the proposed new regulations. Those proposed new rules would put Washington on par with California, Oregon and Maryland in setting standards for curbing methane emissions. Public comments on the proposal will be accepted online, by mail or at a public hearing on December 6th. WX: Rainy This week is expected to be somewhat rainy. There’s a 90% chance of showers today, with a high near 55° and a low around 47 at nighttime. Winds are expected to remain calm, and the rain will likely persist until Wednesday night. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, …
November 3, 2023 News transcript
Harcourt misses deadline, loses waterfront development rights, Public invited to learn about update to Lynden, Sumas land ports of entry, Fire levy votes won’t count in Sumas after error on ballots, WA to pursue linking carbon-pricing market with Ca, Quebec, Housing, health care meet in innovative WA program, Free and Cheap, Democracy Block ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, November 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Harcourt misses deadline, loses waterfront development rights Harcourt Developments, an Irish company involved in reshaping Bellingham’s waterfront, has lost its rights to build on nearly 8 waterfront acres after failing to meet a deadline for completing two condominium near Waypoint Park. The Port of Bellingham commissioners confirmed this decision after Harcourt violated the terms of its contract by missing the occupancy deadline. The company had previously faced delays in constructing the condominiums due to COVID-19 disruptions and was granted a two-year extension, but it still couldn’t meet the new deadline. As a result, Harcourt’s rights to develop the 7.7 acres were revoked. The Port remains committed to working with Harcourt to complete the project, given the high demand for housing in the community. STORY: Public invited to learn about updates to Lynden, Sumas land ports of entry The General Services Administration is hosting an in-person meeting on Monday to inform the public about the expansion and modernization plans for the Lynden and Sumas (SOO-mass) border crossings. According to a GSA news release, both crossings face issues like limited space, leading to congested traffic flow. A contract has been awarded to Jacobs, Inc. to help with planning and construction for both projects, which is set to commence in the fall of 2026. STORY: Fire levy votes won’t count in Sumas after error on ballots The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office has reported an error on the ballot sent to residents of Sumas. Ballots sent to City of Sumas voters mistakenly included a question and contest for Whatcom County Fire District 14. While properties in Sumas are within the service area of Fire District 14, they are not part of the taxing district. As a result, Sumas voters were not supposed to vote on restoring a property tax levy for the Fire District, but it was included on their ballots. The Auditor says that– when it comes to this issue– votes from Sumas will not be included in the final result. The levy aims to restore the fire district’s property tax levy to $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. The Auditor’s Office apologized for any inconvenience for voters. STORY: WA to pursue linking carbon-pricing market with CA, Quebec Yesterday, the Washington Department of Ecology announced that it is planning to link its carbon market with those of California and Québec. Ecology hopes that in connecting the new program with established markets, it will further reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower the cost of carbon allowances. The merger was always a goal of the state when it created the market, and experts say that California and Québec are welcoming of the merger. Expansion would give the three governments greater leverage in cutting emissions from their largest polluters and provide stability to businesses that must buy the allowances, further encouraging their transition toward renewable energy. Washington’s carbon market has been the target of criticism since its inception due to the cost of its pollution allowance prices. The prices quickly increased past expected values, and oil companies blame those prices for why they need to pass on costs to the consumer through gasoline sales. The merger is still in the early stages and will be complete no sooner than 2025. STORY: WNS – Housing, health care meet in innovative WA program Washington state has a new innovative program that helps people on Medicaid find housing, and it is reaching its first year of implementation. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. HOUSING AUDIO STORY: Free and Cheap Whatcom offers a variety of free and cheap events this Saturday. The Majestic Artisan Market will take place from 12 to 3 pm, just two blocks up from the farmer’s market at the Majestic Art Cafe. The event will have vendors selling handmade works of art, and the cafe will also be open for business. If Halloween wasn’t enough of a masquerade, the Bellingham Makerspace at the mall is offering a free cosplay meetup on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm. The event will provide a communal space to show off, get advice, and work on costume projects. For just 5 dollars admission, the Daughters of Norway will offer festivity and flavors inspired by the North. Taking place at the Ferndale Convention Center from 10 am to 4 pm, the 23rd Annual Nordic Fest will include over 30 vendors with traditional cuisine and live entertainment. Yearning to see Salmon in action? Look no further than the free salmon sighting at Thompson Creek Bridge from 10 to 1pm on Saturday and Sunday. Staff will provide games and answer questions about the biannual migration. STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County. Today after the 5pm news, two candidates for Whatcom County Council At-Large Position B– Jon Scanlon and Hannah Ordos– share their views on protecting Lake Whatcom, the source of our drinking water. WX: Rainy Today will be mostly cloudy with a high of around 59. Rain will come later tonight with lows around 51. The rain will continue into tomorrow and have gusts of up to 43 mph. The temperatures will drop a bit heading into Sunday, but the wind and rain will persist. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two nWIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips …
November 2, 2023 News Transcript
Police activity results in Shuksan Middle School secure action, Flood Siren tests scheduled in Sumas tomorrow, City assessment underway for future recreation development at Lake Padden, Winter Shelters, WA opens health insurance exchange to undocumented immigrants, Democracy Block, Winter and Severe Weather Shelters set to open by the Holiday Season ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, November 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Police activity results in Shuksan Middle School secure action Shuksan (SHUCK-sun) Middle School initiated a secure action yesterday afternoon after shots were fired at West Maplewood Avenue. After shots were heard, Shuksan’s exterior doors were locked, and no one was allowed to enter or leave the building until 4 pm, when Bellingham Police gave them the all-clear. Bellingham Police also issued an advisory asking people to avoid the area during the investigation. According to Bellingham PD, the investigation into the reports resulted in the arrest of 60-year-old Thomas Edward Paine on charges of second-degree assault and fourth-degree assault. He is currently being held at the Whatcom County Jail. STORY: Flood siren tests scheduled in Sumas tomorrow Sumas will be conducting an annual test of the local flood siren tomorrow at 10 am. The test follows the City’s Flood Awareness Day last weekend nearly two years after flooding devastated the greater Sumas area. No action needs to be taken, and the test will only take a few minutes. STORY: City assessment underway for future recreation development at Lake Padden An assessment is underway for future recreational development at Lake Padden Park. The planned Recreation Assessment Study will analyze existing recreational use, and help ensure that future uses and development are compatible with the recreational and ecological setting of the park. Data gathering and a public survey are underway. Those wishing to take the survey can go to EngageBellingham.org. The survey is open until November 8th. STORY: Winter Shelters Two new shelters are set to open up in Whatcom County. The shelters hope to provide additional space to those seeking refuge from this winter’s weather. KMRE reporter Connor O’Boyle has more. WINTER SHELTER AUDIO STORY: WA opens health insurance exchange to undocumented immigrants Washington’s health insurance exchange is expanding access to health and dental plans to undocumented immigrants. While federal subsidies will continue to be available solely to U.S. citizens and immigrants with legal documentation, the Cascade Care Savings program will be available to anyone in Washington who meets the income eligibility limits, regardless of immigration status. Currently, about one out of four of the remaining uninsured in Washington are people who are undocumented. Washington is one of the few states to offer access and state subsidies for health insurance through its exchange to all residents regardless of immigration status. Only five other states and the District of Columbia currently offer state-funded coverage or subsidies to all residents, with Minnesota planning to do so as well by 2025. Enrollment through the Washington State Healthplanfinder website is open through January 15th. STORY: Washington DOH releases guidance on new COVID vax Following guidelines from the CDC, new COVID vaccines are being rolled out to the public. The Washington State Department of Health is recommending that everyone 6 months and older get the new COVID-19 vaccine. All updated vaccines are FDA approved and recommended to help fight the newer virus variants. Those who have not received the vaccine in any capacity, like young children, should get multiple doses of the new vaccine. The new COVID vaccine can be safely taken at the same time as the flu vaccine. While most health insurance plans cover the vaccine, those without it can get the shot for free at local health centers, health departments, or pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program. You can find the nearest vaccine on the Washington DOH website. STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County. Today after the 5pm news, the mayoral candidates– incumbent Seth Fleetwood and challenger Kim Lund– share their views on protecting our drinking water source, Lake Whatcom. WX: Rainy Today will be rainy with a high of around 60°. Winds will have gusts as high as 24 mph. Tonight has lows around 50. The rain will continue into tomorrow, with winds calming down during the night. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ### STORY: Winter and Severe Weather Shelters set to open by the Holiday Season With the Lighthouse mission basecamp at a consistent full capacity, the need for shelters rises as the temperature plummets. Last month, Whatcom county approved leases for a Severe Weather shelter and a Winter Weather Shelter. The Severe Weather Shelter is designed to operate only when the climate is life threatening. Ann Beck, human services supervisor for the county, is preparing for the worst: “If temperatures drop to kind of an extreme low below 28 degrees, and we need to get people in to do some life saving measures, we wanted to have some extra space.” Beck hopes to open their shelter later this month once the building is approved by the fire marshal. Ashley Burger, executive director of Road2Home, also approved a lease for a winter weather shelter located in Civic field. It is expected to be open from December first to February 29th. “ Both shelters are still looking for employees and volunteers to maintain these resources. To learn more, visit road2home.org or Whatcom volunteer.org. Run after ruling– The Washington State Supreme Court is set to hear …
November 1, 2023 News Transcript
PeaceHealthy St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations, Thieves break into the Comics Place in Bellingham, Sheriff’s Office investigating after possible human remains found at Ross Lake, City to buy 114 acres in Lake Whatcom watershed, Whatcom County Council agrees to spend more money on affordable housing projects, Strain continues as WA ferry fleet loses another boat, WA removes advisory votes from ballots, Democracy Block ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November 1st. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations The Washington Department of Ecology has fined St. Joseph Medical Center $21,000 for repeated violations of the state’s dangerous waste laws. An Ecology inspection in 2022 found a lack of preventative measures (like dangerous waste management and emergency procedure training), failure to inspect and document waste storage areas, and failure to submit required annual reports to Ecology. St. Joseph had already received a penalty for similar violations in 2018. PeaceHealth St. Joseph has 30 days to pay the penalty or appeal it to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board. STORY: Thieves break into The Comics Place overnight in Bellingham Thieves burglarized The Comics Place in Bellingham early Tuesday morning. Security camera footage showed two people stealing a variety of comics and cards worth thousands of dollars from behind a glass counter, shoving the items in their backpacks, and leaving. Among the items stolen was an issue of Fantastic Four #48, with a chunk missing from the lower right cover, valued at around $500. Comics Place co-owners Django (JANG-oh) Bohren and Jeff Figley have asked that other comic shops and buyers keep an eye out for identifying marks as it is likely the thieves may try to sell the stolen goods. STORY: Sheriff’s Office investigating after possible human remains found at Ross Lake The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after possible human remains were found in Ross Lake. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the National Parks Service earlier in October after a suitcase with the remains was found during a fishing trip. Detectives from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office interviewed the two fishermen, and the remains were given to the Whatcom Medical Examiner. The case is still under investigation. STORY: City to buy 114 acres in Lake Whatcom watershed The Bellingham City Council has approved the purchase of an additional 114 acres on property in the Lake Whatcom watershed. The purchase comes as part of the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program. The program aims to purchase land in order to protect it from development, help improve water quality, and reduce flooding risks. Earlier this year, city staff announced plans to remove 1,500 acres in the watershed from potential development. City administration hopes that removing the land from development will help mitigate the high levels of phosphorus pollution in the area’s main drinking water source. The city now owns more than 2,600 acres of property around the lake. STORY: Whatcom County Council agrees to spend more money on affordable housing projects Whatcom County Council unanimously passed a resolution to increase funds for affordable housing projects. The Economic Development Investment Fund Program retains sales tax revenue for essential facilities, and will be used to help fund affordable housing. The EDI Fund is projected to generate over $6 million in 2024. The new resolution prioritizes housing affordability and homelessness with a focus on affordable and workforce housing projects. The county anticipates needing nearly 35,000 new housing units by 2044, with over 60% of them required to be affordable. As of last month, rent in Bellingham for an average one-bedroom apartment was $1500, a 13% increase from the previous year. According to recent statistics, less than 30% of Whatcom County housing is considered affordable for median-income households. The Washington State Department of Commerce reports the need to develop over one million homes state-wide in the next two decades. According to projected numbers, more than half of them need to be affordable for low-income residents in order to accommodate population growth. STORY: Strain continues as WA ferry fleet loses another boat Washington ferries hit a low point this weekend as another boat was taken out of service. The Chimacum (CHIM-ma-kum) ferry was decommissioned for repairs after a rod broke in one of its engines. The boat was the sole vessel operating between Seattle and Bremerton due to previous service cuts. To accommodate riders, a ferry was moved from the Kingston-Edmonds route, making both crossings serviced by only one boat each. The Chimacum was among Washington State Ferries’ newer boats, and there is no estimate of when it will be repaired. A third of the Washington ferry system is currently out of service. The state plans to add an additional 16 boats to the fleet and retire many of the aging vessels. However, contracts for new boats have yet to be agreed on, with estimates pointing to 2027, at the earliest. Washington’s ferry system now has 14 working ships out of a fleet of 21. STORY: WNS – WA removes advisory votes from ballots For the first time in more than a decade, Washington residents won’t see advisory votes on their ballots in this year’s elections. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. BALLOT AUDIO STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County. Today after the 5pm news, the challengers for Whatcom County Sheriff– Doug Chadwick and Donnell ‘Tank’ Tanksley– share their views on local law and justice. WX: Sunny Today will be mostly cloudy with a high of 57° and calm winds. Tonight has lows around 50 and heavy rain after 8 pm. The rain will continue into tomorrow, with gusts of winds up to 28 mph. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu …
October 31, 2023 News Transcript
Halloween – Events around the city, Landlords to face higher fees for inspections after City Council Vote, Lynden City Council pushes discussion on fluoridation removal to Jan, Whatcom County Council resolution in support of Lummi Nation, Kaiser Permanente and WA workers reach tentative contract agreement, Democracy Block ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 31st. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Halloween – Events around the city It’s Halloween– and there are a variety of family-friendly Halloween experiences for people of all ages in Bellingham. Here are some of the highlights: The Downtown Bellingham Trick-or-Treat will take place from 4-6 p.m. in downtown Bellingham. It features over 100 participating businesses and is open to all ages. “FEAR” Haven will host trick-or-treating from 3-6 p.m. in Fairhaven Village. This event also includes a photo booth. The Cordata Place Trick-or-Treat event will run from 4-7 p.m. and starts at Christ The King Bellingham church in the Cordata neighborhood. There will be over 25 candy stops, hot cocoa, glow sticks, and a photo booth. Bellis Fair Mall will also host Spooktacular Mall-O-Ween– a trick-or-treating event from 4-6 p.m. Participating stores will be giving out candy. And finally, the Lake Samish Association will host Trunk-or-Treat from 4-6 p.m. at Lake Samish Park. The event includes candy, games, prizes, music, and hot beverages. STORY: Landlords to face higher fees for inspections after City Council vote The Bellingham City Council has voted unanimously to double registration fees for landlords. Part of an update to an 8-year-old rental inspection program aimed at ensuring safe living conditions for tenants, the new fee structure will impose escalating penalties for failed inspections. Fees will increase to $100 for the first failure, $200 for the second, and $500 for the third. Fees for missed appointments will also rise incrementally. The council plans to finalize these changes in November. The increased revenue will support the rental inspection program and allow for the hiring of dedicated inspectors to fast-track re-inspections. Approximately 55% of Bellingham homes are rented, according to 2022 census figures. STORY: Lynden City Council pushes discussion on fluoridation removal to Jan The Lynden City Council voted two weeks ago to push the discussion on water fluoridation removal to January. The council tried to vote on setting a public hearing date for the topic during the October 16th meeting, but it failed and council members unanimously agreed to table the topic until next year. Both sides of the discussion were represented at the meeting. Critics of public water fluoridation said that it’s not about the benefits of fluoride, but whether or not the government is in a position to make decisions about citizens’ health. Others said that they wanted pure water, and not have to deal with the “chemical”. Various dentists showed up to the meeting in support of fluoridation. They cited the American Dental Association’s recommendation of fluoride use, as well as the beneficial change in Lynden residents’ teeth since the addition of fluoride. The next city council meeting is scheduled for November 6th. STORY: Whatcom County Council passes resolution in support of Lummi Nation Last week, the Whatcom County Council approved a resolution in support of the Lummi Indian Business Council’s state of emergency declaration in response to the fentanyl crisis. The LIBC declaration was originally made in September, in response to the increasing number of overdose deaths in Lummi Nation. In the resolution, the council recognizes the fentanyl crisis across Whatcom County, and pledges to support all efforts, from tribal to federal, in combating the crisis. Tribal leader Nickolaus Lewis pushed for the council to declare its own state of emergency, but Councilmember Ben Elenbaas was worried about the resolution becoming too political and not passing. He emphasized that the council would be able to be the most effective if it worked in a collaborative, non-political manner. 91 overdose deaths have occurred in Whatcom county this year. STORY: WA 2023 fire season a ‘wake-up call,’ DNR chief says This year’s fire season in Washington was especially challenging, according to the Department of Natural Resources. While fewer acres burned this year in total than in previous years, the fires were some of the most catastrophic. The Gray and Oregon Road fires were the most destructive ever in Spokane County history. The fires killed two people and destroyed over 350 structures. And for the first time, more fires sparked in Western Washington than in Central and Eastern Washington combined. DNR reported 596 fires on the western side of the state, and 559 on the eastern side. Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz called it a “wake-up call” for Western Washington, urging people to start safeguarding their homes from fires, and protecting forest health to prevent wildfires from getting out of hand in the first place. STORY: Kaiser Permanente and WA workers reach tentative contract agreement Kaiser Permanente and its Washington staffers have reached a tentative contract agreement. The agreement, which comes after months of negotiations, would avoid a strike that was set to start tomorrow. SEIU Healthcare eleven ninety-nine northwest, the labor union representing the Kaiser staffers, shared few details about the deal but said it complements the tentative national agreement reached earlier this month. According to the SEIU, the new agreement would offer local Kaiser workers competitive wages, better benefits, generous retirement income plans, and more job training opportunities. The new four-year contract still has to be voted on by the state’s roughly 3,000 Kaiser workers, with voting due to begin tomorrow. STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County. Today after the 5pm news, listen to County Executive Satpal Sidhu and challenger Dan Purdy answer questions on affordable housing in Whatcom and share their ideas on possible answers. Tomorrow, we’ll air the challengers for Whatcom County …
October 30, 2023 News Transcript
W Smith Road month-long closure begins, Driver cited for DUI in rollover crash that injured teens, New Downtown Safety Strategy document details plans to make downtown safer, All backlogged sexual assault kits cleared from shelves and sent for testing, New rules to protect homes from wildfire ignite controversy, PROMO:Thrillingham, Democracy Block, WA 2023 fire season a ‘wake-up,’ DNR chief says ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October 30th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: W Smith Road month-long closure begins Starting today, West Smith Road in Ferndale will be closed to all traffic for a month. The closure is part of the City of Ferndale’s plans to decommission a sewer pump station in the area of Bel West Drive and West Smith Road. Traffic will be detoured around the closure via Barrett Road, Main Street, and Northwest Drive. Residents and businesses inside the closure zone will be able to access their homes and businesses. STORY: Driver cited for DUI in rollover crash that injured 5 teens Five Bellingham teens were injured in a rollover crash early Sunday morning on Interstate 5. According to the State Patrol, a total of six people, aged 15 through 18, were in a pickup truck that drifted off the freeway on northbound I-5 at Northwest Drive. The truck then hit the median cable barrier and rolled, eventually coming to rest and blocking the northbound lanes. The 18-year-old driver was cited on suspicion of drunken driving and released for treatment at St. Joseph Medical Center. The investigation is still ongoing. STORY: New Downtown Safety Strategy document details plans to make downtown safer Due to the increase in crime after COVID, city officials have created a new Downtown Safety Strategy document, with steps to maintain security downtown. One step is recruiting more police officers to provide more consistent staffing for the recent foot patrols. The program was resumed in July after being halted by the pandemic, and is currently being run on a volunteer basis. The new strategy document also includes monthly street cleanings to make downtown more inviting. According to the report, the city will also collaborate with Whatcom County to deploy $9 million dollars in state funding to support mental health programs. This funding will be shared with nonprofit organizations that provide housing, behavioral health and services to the county homeless populations. As of now, the 9-page document is considered subject to change, but provides an outline of the city’s response to a crisis worsened by the pandemic. STORY: All backlogged sexual assault kits cleared from shelves and sent for testing Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced that over 10,000 backlogged sexual assault kits have been successfully cleared. The Sexual Assault Kit Initiative provided the funding needed to get the kits to labs for testing– efforts which have already resulted in the resolution of at least 21 sexual assault cases and over two thousand DNA ‘hits’ in the national crime offenders database. The crimes solved through this initiative span from 2002 to 2015. According to the Attorney General’s Office, two changes are needed to eliminate the backlog and keep it from happening again–additional funds earmarked for the state crime lab, and a 30-day mandatory submission deadline. To date, the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative has expanded to include financial grants for DNA collection, evidence storage, and forensic genetic genealogy testing for cold cases. It has also added DNA profiles from registered sex offenders and violent offenders to the national DNA database. STORY: New rules to protect homes from wildfire ignite controversy New state codes meant to protect buildings from wildfires have been met with backlash from builders, cities, and environmentalists alike. Taking effect in March, the Washington Wildland-Urban Interface Code will require new construction to use fire resistant materials. It also includes a requirement for a “defensible space” buffer zone between the structure and surrounding vegetation. Areas affected by the new codes are determined by Washington’s wildland urban interface map, which shows where structures meet or mix with vegetative fuel. This includes, but is not limited to, the majority of areas in and around Bellingham, Ferndale, and Lynden. Critics of the code say that the map includes many low-risk places, and is inconsistent with other agencies’ processes for determining fire risk. Lawmakers are using the map from the Department of Natural Resources, who has said that its map is not intended to be an end-all assessment of fire risk. Other critics believe the buffer zone rule will cause many trees to be unnecessarily cut down, and prevent future trees from being planted in areas that need it. Michael Feerer, executive director of the Whatcom Million Trees Project, says the new code contradicts climate mitigation plans by numerous local jurisdictions and that changes must be made as soon as possible. The Building Code Council will meet again next month to discuss possible changes. PROMO: Thrillingham Thrillingham is a volunteer-run Bellingham dance group that performs to the Michael Jackson song every Halloween. However due to COVID, the group has been on a four year hiatus. KMRE Reporter AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) visited one of their weekly rehearsals to interview some of the performers trying to resurrect this holiday tradition. THRILLINGHAM CLIP AUDIO Listen to the complete story today after the 5pm news. STORY: Democracy Block Today is the last day to register to vote online or update your registration before Election Day next Tuesday. If you have a Washington State driver’s license or ID card you can register or update your information online. If you don’t have one, you can still fill out a registration form at the County Auditor’s office. In more election news, KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. KMRE News has chosen a series of questions so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County. Tomorrow after the 5pm news, listen to County Executive Satpal Sidhu and …
October 27, 2023 News Transcript
Arroyo Park bridge open after 3 years, Thrillingham, 2% of kids and 7% of adults have gotten the new Covid shots, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 27th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Arroyo Park bridge open after 3 years The bridge in Bellingham’s Arroyo Park has been repaired and is now open after being closed for nearly three years. According to the Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department, the bridge was damaged in January 2021 after a tree fell on it during a winter storm. Delays to the repair were due to red tape, but in the end the bridge was given a sizable upgrade and is expected to last much longer. STORY: Thrillingham Thrillingham is a volunteer-run Bellingham dance group that performs along with Michael Jackson’s Thriller every Halloween. However due to COVID, the group has been on a four year hiatus. KMRE Reporter AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) visited one of their rehearsals to interview the performers resurrecting a holiday tradition. THRILLINGHAM AUDIO STORY: 2% of kids and 7% of adults have gotten the new COVID shots A month after federal officials recommended new versions of COVID-19 vaccines, very few people have received the shot. According to a study conducted by the CDC two weeks ago, only 7% of U.S. adults and 2% of children have received the vaccine. The data also indicates that nearly 40% of adults said they probably or definitely will not get the shot. A similar percentage of parents said they did not plan to vaccinate their children. While cases remain low compared with the pandemic’s early months, health officials say about 18,000 hospitalizations and 1,200 deaths are still being reported each week. You can locate your nearest vaccine on the Washington Department of Health website. STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE is airing a series of candidate forums. On Saturday from 4pm-6pm we will air the Whatcom County Council forum including Council District 4 candidate Kathy Kershner, Council District 5 candidates Ben Elenbaas (EL-en-boss) and Jackie Dexter, as well as the At-Large position candidates Jon Scanlon and Hannah Ordos. The Lynden School Board candidate forum will be aired immediately following the council forum. Hear from Danny Martinez and Nick Sawka for School Board Director position 2, Jim Verburg and David Vis for school board position 3, and Kenneth ‘Spin’ Owsley and Doris Smith who are competing for position 5. The Ferndale City Council Forum, and the Ferndale School Board Forum will air on Sunday from 3pm to 6pm. Two city council positions and three school board director positions are up for election. PROMO: BEYOND BARS Coming up after the 5pm news– a decision on whether or not to fund a new jail. KMRE, in collaboration with Cascadia Daily News, produced a series of interviews with people who have experience and opinions on the subject. This week, we are re-airing those interviews. People experiencing mental illness, drug use, and extreme poverty often commit low-level crimes due to unmet needs. The Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion program, or LEAD, pairs social workers with those who have multiple low-level criminal offenses. Tony’s experience with LEAD started after years of living on the street in Bellingham. He sat down with us to discuss how the innovative diversion program has affected his life. TONY AUDIO The whole interview will air tonight after the 5pm newscast. WX: Freeze Watch Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 51. Winds will blow at around 12 mph. Tonight has lows around 33, with winds calming down to 6 mph. There is a freeze warning in place tonight night across the county. The weekend will bring frost, but temperatures will stay the same. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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. I’m __David Korb______________… thanks for listening. ###
October 25, 2023 News Transcript
Moratorium on new heavy industry fails, Downtown Bellingham Partnership honored for its City Block Program, City invites nominations for Mayor’s Arts Awards, 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor, WA, 32 states sue Meta, alleging harm to youth mental health, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, October 25th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Moratorium on new heavy industry fails During the Whatcom County Council meeting yesterday, council members voted against a yearlong moratorium on heavy-industry developments near the airport. The moratorium was prompted over a month ago by ABC Recycling’s proposed metal shredding plant. Residents of the nearby neighborhoods expressed concerns over possible noise from the shredding, and heavy-metal pollution from truck tires. In response, the County Council called for a vote proposing an emergency moratorium on new heavy industry developments in the Alderwood area, including the ABC Recycling property. The vote failed by one, and ABC Recycling managed to submit an application before the council could reconsider the moratorium yesterday. During the meeting, much of the testimony focused on a metal shredding facility proposed by ABC Recycling. However, because the application was submitted before the moratorium could be reconsidered, the moratorium likely wouldn’t affect the plant. The vote tied 3 to 3, with one abstention, and the moratorium failed. ABC Recycling plans to hold community forums about the project in November and December, but no specific dates have been given yet. STORY: Downtown Bellingham Partnership honored for its City Block Program Downtown Bellingham’s ‘City Block Program’ has been recognized for innovation and excellence. The program, organized by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, received the Organizational Excellence Award from the Washington State Main Street Program. Launched in April 2022 in response to post-pandemic challenges, the Bellingham program divided the downtown into districts and promoted engagement and communication among business owners. The initiative led to an advocacy campaign addressing downtown drug issues, alleyway improvements, and the Commercial Street Block Party series. STORY: City invites nominations for Mayor’s Arts Awards Nominations are now open for the Mayor’s Arts Awards. The awards celebrate the vibrant arts scene in the city and those who contribute to it and recognize individuals, educators, and events that feature various forms of artistic achievements. Community members are encouraged to submit nominations. The deadline is December 31 and awardees will be announced in early spring 2024. STORY: 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was detected near Gig Harbor on Sunday. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was felt across Puget Sound at around 8pm. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network stated the epicenter of the earthquake was 17 miles northwest of Tacoma. 170 people reported to the USGS that they felt the earthquake. STORY: WA, 32 other states sue Meta, alleging harm to youth mental health Washington and 32 other states are suing Meta, alleging it deliberately designed and maintained “addictive” features that harm kids’ mental health. The lawsuit was filed on Tuesday in federal court in California, saying that Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, “has profoundly altered the psychological and social realities of a generation of young Americans.” The 33-state lawsuit argues Meta’s practices violate state consumer protection laws, and claims Meta routinely collects data on children younger than 13 without their parents’ consent, in violation of federal law. Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson said in a statement that Meta knew that targeting youth posed risks to their mental health, and exploited that for profit. He added that features such as the like button, endless scrolling, and push notifications were designed to monopolize the time and attention of younger users. These features can lead to addiction, which has been shown to exacerbate mental health issues in teenagers. Seven other states and the District of Columbia are suing the company in their own courts, and Florida is filing its own federal lawsuit. STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE will present a series of candidate forums. We’ll air a new Bellingham-Whatcom League of Women Voters forum every day at 11AM. Today, tune in to hear the candidates for Whatcom County Sheriff– incumbent Doug Chadwick and challenger, City of Blaine Chief of Police Donnell (daw-NELL) “Tank” Tanksley square off on issues of law and justice. Tomorrow’s Democracy Block will feature a vigorous debate on the most recent Jail funding proposition. On the pro side are Peter Frazier and Stephen Gockley, and on the con side are Josh Ceretti and Jason McGill. PROMO: BEYOND BARS Also– coming up after the 5pm news– join community radio KMRE and Cascadia Daily News in a collaborative exploration of the many aspects of the current Whatcom County jail and the controversy around the push to build a new one. Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Maialisa Vanyo (MY-uh-lisa VAUGHN-yo)— Whatcom County Chief Deputy Defense Attorney. Vanyo has worked as a public defender for over 24 years, 13 of them here in Whatcom County. She has an exhaustive understanding of the nature of crime in our region. MAIALISA AUDIO Tune in to hear the whole interview after the 5pm news. WX: Freeze Watch Today will be mostly sunny and clear with a high of 52°. Winds will have gusts of up to 20mph. Tonight has lows around 36, winds calming down. There will be frost in some areas overnight, with the temperatures being much of the same tomorrow. There is a freeze watch in place across Whatcom and Skagit as temperatures drop to around freezing later this week. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ###
October 24, 2023 News Transcript
ABC Recycling submits plans for metal shredder one day before hearing, Threat of Snow closes stretch of Whatcom County Pass, San Juan Islands consider annual tourism fee for resident visitors, Everett flight diverted after off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down engines, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS, 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: ABC Recycling submits plans for metal shredder one day before hearing Yesterday morning, ABC Recycling submitted application materials for a metal shredder just outside Bellingham, likely avoiding a proposed moratorium on new heavy industries in the area. Located on a 20 acre property north of a former cement plant on Marine Drive, the proposed metal shredding plant has been the target of recent opposition. At a meeting earlier in September, residents of the nearby Alderwood and Birchwood neighborhoods expressed concerns over possible noise from the metal-shredding operations, and heavy-metal pollution from truck tires. On the 26th, Whatcom County Council called for a vote declaring an emergency moratorium on new developments for heavy industry in the Alderwood area, including the ABC Recycling property. The vote failed by one, which gave ABC Recycling four weeks to submit an application before the council was scheduled to reconsider the moratorium. Though the application was submitted just before the reconsideration, Whatcom Permit Center Specialist Nick Smith said in an interview that the county has not yet determined if the project is vested and whether it can avoid the moratorium or not. The reconsideration was scheduled for today at 6 pm. STORY: Threat of snow closes stretch of Whatcom County mountain pass Due to the urgent winter weather message issued yesterday, WSDOT has closed the road to Artist Point on state Route 542 for the season. The warning is effective through tomorrow, and covers the Cascade mountains and passes in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and King counties. In addition to closing the 3 mile stretch of Mount Baker Highway, the gates on milepost 54 are closed due to the forecasted snow. In Whatcom and Skagit counties, up to 15 inches of snow could fall in the Cascades, but snow could also impact those in Maple Falls, Newhalem, Lyman and Concrete. Lowland areas in Whatcom County will more likely see rain. WSDOT is advising those traveling through a mountain pass to follow traction tire requirements, carry an emergency kit, and check travel conditions ahead of time. STORY: San Juan Islands consider annual tourism fee for residents, visitors San Juan County is considering the implementation of an annual fee to address the impacts of increased tourism. Residents and visitors would be required to purchase a pass– similar to a Discover Pass– ranging in price from $10 to $15, for bikes, boats, and cars. The money raised would fund infrastructure projects and management actions to enhance the islands’ resources and accommodate the growing number of tourists. County administration says the proposal aims to strike a balance between residents and visitors while managing the challenges that tourism brings to the islands, such as environmental and housing concerns. The idea received “low to medium” support from residents on the three main islands during the public meeting process in 2022, according to county data with some residents feeling it is offensive. The County says it is continuing to explore various funding options, including a business license system and expanding a lodging tax advisory committee. STORY: Everett flight diverted after off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down engines mid flight An off-duty Alaska Airlines captain, riding as a passenger, attempted to shut down the engines of a flight from Everett to San Francisco. Horizon Air flight 2059 diverted to Portland, where it landed safely. The pilot, 44-year old Joseph Emerson, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Radio communications revealed the crew subdued Emerson, and removed him from the flight deck after he tried to deploy the engine fire suppression system. Engine power was not lost, and the flight continued safely. Emerson, a commercial pilot since 2001, is expected to be arraigned in Portland. STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE will present a series of candidate forums. Starting today, we’ll air a new Bellingham-Whatcom League of Women Voters forum every day at 11AM. Hear the candidates for Whatcom County Sheriff– Doug Chadwick and Donnell (don-NELL) ‘Tank’ Tanksley tomorrow, and the candidates up for election to the Whatcom County Council– on Thursday. PROMO: BEYOND BARS Also– coming up after the 5pm news– join community radio KMRE and Cascadia Daily News in a collaborative exploration of the many aspects of the current Whatcom County jail and the controversy around the push to build a new one. Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Andrew Reding (REDD-ing)—chair of the Whatcom County Democrats. With a long background in policy Redding says taxpayer money should be used to make the best investments to reduce Whatcom County crime, and thanks to a 2017 report, we already know what those investments should look like. REDDING AUDIO— Listen to the interview today right after the 5pm news. WX: Freeze Watch It will be rainy all day, with a high of 51° and winds around 8 mph. Tonight has lows around 40, with winds increasing to more than 10 mph. The rain will slow tomorrow and it may become sunny. There is a freeze watch in place across Whatcom and Skagit as temperatures drop to around freezing later this week. There is also a small craft advisory due to winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. 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. I’m ________________ and thanks for …
