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. …
December 21, 2023 News Transcripts
Whatcom County releases tool for tracking respiratory viruses, Design contest announced for new Downtown Sounds logo, Olympic Pipeline Update: 7,388/25,000 gallons of gasoline recovered, 275 cubic yards removed, State finalizes deal for 20,000 acres of logging lands in southwest Washington, Black bear damage permits will be available Washington commercial timber owners, WNS – AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions, Winter Solstice Tonight ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 21st. Good afternoon, I’m __David Korb____. STORY: Whatcom County releases tool for tracking respiratory viruses A new Respiratory Virus Dashboard has been launched, providing Whatcom County data on COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial (sin-SEE-shull) virus (also known as RSV). In a recent release County officials announced the dashboard will be updated weekly on Wednesdays, and aims to offer local and regional data to healthcare facilities, high-risk community members, and the general public. Data come from Whatcom County and the North Sound Region, and officials are hoping the information will help people make informed decisions regarding event attendance, wearing masks, and hand hygiene. The new dashboard replaces the COVID-19 Data page, which will retire at the end of January. STORY: Design contest announced for new Downtown Sounds logo The Downtown Bellingham Partnership has announced a logo design contest to mark the 20th anniversary of the Downtown Sounds summer music festival. Local artists are being asked to submit portfolios of their work, for a chance to design the logo. Submissions are being accepted through January 10th. The contest winner will be decided on January 17th and will receive $800. For more information, or to submit your design, visit downtownbellingham.com. STORY: Olympic Pipeline Update: 7,388/25,000 gallons of gasoline recovered, 275 cubic yards removed Numbers are in for the gasoline leak at the Olympic Pipeline near Conway. The Department of Ecology says approximately 25,000 gallons were released in the spill. As of Tuesday, over 7,000 gallons of gasoline have been recovered. That number will be updated when the oil/water mixture has sufficient time to settle and be measured. First responders have also removed approximately 275 cubic yards of soil near the source of the spill, which will be transported to a hazardous waste facility in Oregon for treatment and disposal. Emergency response and surveys of impacted areas are in progress, with remediation efforts due to begin after completion of the emergency response. STORY: State finalizes deal for 20,000 acres of logging lands in southwest Washington Washington’s Department of Natural Resources and a national non-profit have completed a $121 million purchase of 20,000 acres of logging land. The acquisition, named Deep River Woods, is in the southwest corner of the state and is the largest land purchase in over a decade. The nonprofit, The Conservation Fund, contributed $66 million to cover part of the cost, allowing the state to secure the land. The agreement grants Washington the option to buy the non-profit out of the arrangement if additional state funds become available. The purchase aims to support rural communities dependent on the timber industry and is tied to a land conservation plan proposing the transfer of 2,000 acres to conservation status. The move has received mixed reactions, with industry groups criticizing the shift away from working lands, while environmental groups view it as a positive step toward managing state lands for multiple benefits. Washington has been experiencing a decline in forested land due to development, and the acquisition represents an effort to preserve and manage forest resources. STORY: Black bear damage permits will be available Washington commercial timber owners On Friday, the Department of Fish and Wildlife approved a new black bear hunt permit for timber owners. The permits are available only for commercial timber owners that can prove that black bears are damaging their trees. The bears strip bark from trees looking for food, often at smaller timber farms. To get a permit, property owners will have to turn in pictures and GPS data of the damage. The previous method of acquiring a permit had owners asking the Fish and Wildlife Director directly. Last year, 60 permits were issued and 6 bears were killed — with the new system, department staff don’t expect that number to increase. According to commissioners, while bear hunts may not be perfect, it may be the best option for now. The program will be monitored and reviewed at the end of next year. STORY: WNS – AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions The American Federation of Teachers is partnering with organizations around the country to promote community solutions to the issues educators are facing. Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. TEACHER AUDIO STORY: Winter Solstice Tonight The winter solstice arrives tonight at 7:27 p.m. and marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. During the solstice, the noon sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, and results in the sun’s lowest and shortest path across the southern sky in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to the longest midday shadow of the year. WX: Rainy Today will likely be rainy with a high of about 51 degrees and a low around 43. Light winds during the day will turn to gusts of up to 20 mph after midnight. Tomorrow will also be rainy, with high winds persisting into the afternoon. 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 ___David Korb_____________… thanks for listening. ###
December 20, 2023 News Transcript
Terminal Building being taken apart, plans to be demolished, Man in custody after shots fired in downtown Bellingham, Bellingham board selects “Northern Lights Park” name for future park, city still to decide, Two Whatcom County areas among 2,000 acres of land in conservation proposal, Head of Washington State Ferries Patty Rubstello to step down, Debate intensifies over conservation of PNW’s old-growth forests, HUD reports record-high homeless count in 2023 for U.S., WA ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Terminal Building being taken apart, plans to be demolished The historic Terminal Building in Fairhaven is being dismantled brick-by-brick to aid in the search for potential victims. Building co-owner Jim Hestad (heh-STOD) says the building’s structural integrity is deemed compromised beyond repair and contractors are now working to remove the rubble after a late-night fire gutted the building last week. Cafe owner, Nathaniel V. Breaux (BRO), is still missing, and the search for victims has been limited due to the unstable structure. The goal of the demolition is to make the site safe for investigators. According to a City of Bellingham release, the 135-year-old building was the oldest surviving continuously occupied commercial building in Fairhaven. Now that the building is set for a full demolition, discussions on preserving its bricks for historic reasons are taking place. The Bellingham Fire Department is maintaining a presence during the search, and anyone with information on Breaux (BRO) is urged to contact the police. STORY: Man in custody after shots fired in downtown Bellingham A man was arrested on Saturday night after allegedly firing gun shots during a fight. The man is 24-year-old Ty Brote, who was also found to be in possession of a bag of controlled substances. Bellingham Police spokesperson Megan Peters said officers responded to the report of a fight on Magnolia Street. An investigation found that Brote took another person’s handgun during the incident and fired it in the direction of other people. The gun owner reported it stolen after the fight. Brote remains at Whatcom County Jail on a bail of $20,000. STORY: Bellingham board selects “Northern Lights Park” name for future park, city still to decide A potential name has been chosen for a new public park under development in Bellingham’s Cordata neighborhood. The City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board selected Northern Lights Park as the name for the new park, which is located west of Northwest Drive next to Costco. This comes after a review of 150 name suggestions from the public, which included names such as Tokitae (toh-KEE-tay) Memorial Park, Kirkland Signature Recreational Area, and the Park of Subdued Excitement. The City Council is due to consider the board’s recommendation and finalize a name at its upcoming meeting on January 29th. STORY: Two Whatcom County areas among 2,000 acres of land in conservation proposal Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announced plans to conserve 2,000 acres of state forestland in Washington through the Climate Commitment Act. The targeted areas are located in Clallam (CLEH-lum), Jefferson, King, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, and according to Franz, aim to protect fish and wildlife habitat, as well as natural and cultural values. Two areas in Whatcom County are proposed for conservation— approximately 575 acres southeast of Lake Whatcom, and around 75 acres south of the Middle Fork Nooksack River. Both areas are considered structurally complex forestland, and stewardship will prioritize forest health, wildlife habitat, wildfire and climate resilience, and carbon sequestration. Franz says the initiative attempts to address the decline in Washington’s forested land and will support habitat conservation, climate resilience, and local economies. The proposed lands are primarily held in support of the Common School Trust. The management of Trust land funds K-12 school construction statewide and local services in Whatcom County. The proposal awaits concurrence from county leadership and approval from the Board of Natural Resources. STORY: Head of Washington State Ferries Patty Rubstello to step down Patty Rubstello, head of Washington State Ferries, is resigning after three years on the job and over three decades at the Washington State Department of Transportation. Rubstello cited personal reasons for leaving, mentioning the loss of her father and impending grandmotherhood. Under her management, WSF received a $1.3 billion boost for new ferries, but staffing remains an issue. Rubstello will stay on until early 2024, and assist in the selection of her successor. STORY: Debate intensifies over conservation of PNW’s old-growth forests The Biden administration announced increased protections for old-growth forests, including a ban on old-growth logging starting in 2025. The administration announced that they completed an initial inventory of old-growth forests in the U.S. They will draft and gather feedback on proposed rules, and provide extra funds to help reach conservation goals. The Pacific Northwest already has an ongoing plan to overhaul old-growth protections, setting aside more than a million acres of forest, protecting them from logging. While the majority of Whatcom County’s old-growth trees were harvested between about 1890 and 1945, patches of old growth trees still exist in the Canyon Lake Community Forest and elsewhere on Mt Baker. Old-growth trees are important, absorbing more carbon than younger trees, and providing increased biodiversity. The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will continue to work on the forest assessments, and plan to release an environmental impact statement in June. STORY: HUD reports record-high homeless count in 2023 for U.S., WA The rate of homelessness is increasing more than ever before, according to data released Friday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report shows that more than 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the U.S. — marking a 12% increase from 2022. It’s the highest homeless population ever recorded since the federal government first began collecting this information in 2007. Washington’s count was also at an all-time high, growing at an unprecedented rate — about 11%. The data shows marked disparities in homelessness, with people of color experiencing homelessness at …
December 19, 2023 News Transcript
Terminal Building fire search temporarily suspended, BPD call for public’s help in murder investigation at Lake Padden Park, Bus and car incident on Hannegan ends with bus under toppled canopy at nearby gas station, Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce receives funding for tourism in 2024, More businesses opening at Bellingham’s waterfront container village, Hiker rescued following 1,200 feet fall on Whidbey Island, WNS – Groups urge WA to warn about gas-burning health effects, Feds pledge $600M for new I-5 bridge linking Washington and Oregon ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Terminal Building fire search temporarily suspended The search in the remains of Fairhaven’s Terminal building was put on hold yesterday due to safety concerns. In accordance with structure experts, Firefighters were only allowed to cut holes in the building to search it without causing the structure to collapse. The search was called off after the team were unable to find anything. The owners of the building are working with their insurance company to get machinery that can be used to maintain its structure while it is searched. The terminal building used to house Tony’s Coffee, which became The independent Coffee house and Harris Avenue Cafe. Nathaniel V. Breaux (BRO), the owner of the two coffeehouses, is still declared missing. Fire chief Bill Hewett stated that the search should continue today. STORY: BPD call for public’s help in murder investigation at Lake Padden Park Bellingham police are seeking the public’s assistance in the fatal shooting of Isaac “Izzy” Ruiz over seven months ago in Lake Padden Park. A recent BPD post on Facebook is asking for help from individuals with information about the incident. Anyone with information about the events on May 15th at Lake Padden is urged to contact the police. Online tips can be submitted at www.cob.org/tips, and Detective Travis Hauri can be contacted at 360-778-8791. STORY: Bus and car incident on Hannegan ends with bus under toppled canopy at nearby gas station First responders were called to the intersection of E Pole and Hannegan Road yesterday following reports of a collision involving a Whatcom Transportation Authority bus and another vehicle. WTA spokesperson Maureen McCarthy says the bus was driving westbound on Pole Road around 7:50 pm when it collided with a car that ran a red light at the intersection with Hannegan. The bus then collided with the fuel pump island at the Hi-Notes Corner Gas Station, causing a portion of the canopy to collapse. There were no reports of fire. Only one passenger was on the bus during the incident and they were not hurt. The bus driver was taken to the hospital and was later released, the other driver was treated at the scene. STORY: Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce receives funding for tourism in 2024 The Whatcom County Council has approved funding for the Birch Bay Visitor Center earlier this month. The center will receive $136 thousand for operations in 2024. The funding hopes to capitalize on the growth in tourism in the area following the end of the pandemic. According to Danielle Gaughen (GAW-en), executive director of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, 2023 was a return to normal for summer tourism. The chamber reported a 44 percent increase in visitors to the information center from 2022 to 2023, and a 17.5 percent increase in visitors to various chamber events compared to 2022. Other recipients of the tourism fund included the Mount Baker Foothills Visitor Center, Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, Northwest Tune-Up, Port of Bellingham, and Sustainable Connections. STORY: More businesses opening at Bellingham’s waterfront container village The Port of Bellingham has announced the arrival of multiple new businesses on the downtown waterfront in 2024. Zeeks Pizza as well as Bin 13 Wine Bar will both open up locations at the Portal Container Village, a collection of used shipping containers repurposed to highlight Bellingham’s art and culture. The Portal Putt mini-golf course will also expand to 18 holes, and additional retail space will be added for local artists to display their talent. A larger restroom will also be added to accommodate increasing visitors. The Port of Bellingham is looking to expand the village again in 2025, and is currently turning to community members for ideas. For more information, or to submit a container business proposal, visit PortOfBellingham.com. STORY: Hiker rescued following 1,200 feet fall on Whidbey Island A Search and Rescue team successfully rescued a 30-year-old male hiker who fell over 1,200 feet down a ravine in the Olympic National Forest on Saturday. The crew launched from Air Station Whidbey, eventually spotted the hiker with the help of a flashing light near a boulder field, and quickly hoisted him back onto the helicopter. The patient was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and was treated for a broken arm, symptoms of hypothermia, and significant abrasions. This is the 33rd rescue by Whidbey Search and Rescue this year. STORY: WNS – Groups urge WA to warn about gas-burning health effects A coalition of groups are petitioning the Washington State Department of Health to clarify the effects of burning gas in homes after they claim the American Gas Association misled the public for decades. GAS AUDIO STORY: Feds pledge $600M for new I-5 bridge linking Washington and Oregon More than half-a-billion dollars will go into replacing the I-5 bridge across the Columbia River. A $600 million dollar grant from the federal government will cover about 8-to-12% of the cost of replacing the bridge linking Washington and Oregon. Both states are routing a billion dollars to the bridge replacement, and driver tolls are anticipated to generate another 1.5 billion. The bridge replacement project has been under discussion for two decades when it was found to be at risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake. One of its two spans is 65 years old, while the other span is over a century old. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 …
December 18, 2023 News Transcript
Cafe owner missing following fire that destroyed historic Fairhaven building, Authorities investigating email threat that forced Bellingham synagogue to cancel services, Residents of Samish Mobile Home Park pursue purchase, Mount Baker Schools superintendent stepping down early, Mount Baker Schools superintendent stepping down early, Plantation Rifle Range’s early cleanup estimate: $6.5M, BP restarts Olympic pipeline Wednesday after gasoline spill, Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline, More businesses opening at Bellingham’s waterfront container village ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Cafe owner missing following fire that destroyed historic Fairhaven building The oldest continuously occupied commercially-run building in Fairhaven was destroyed in a fire on Saturday night, and one of the owners is yet to be found. Firefighters first reported on the scene at midnight on Sunday, and declared it a two-alarm fire – requiring more equipment than a one-alarm. The building used to house Tony’s coffee and now houses the Old Independent Coffee House and Harris Avenue Cafe. Private offices on the second floor above were also destroyed. The owner of Harris Avenue Coffee, Nathaniel V. Breaux (BROH), is the only person associated with the building who has been declared missing. The building cannot be entered as the brick structure is too fragile, making it impossible to search the interior. The fire department is currently working to insure the structure’s safety. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. STORY: Authorities investigating email threat that forced Bellingham synagogue to cancel services An email threat led to the cancellation of services at a local synagogue on Saturday. Rabbi Joshua Samuels of Congregation Beth Israel in Bellingham, reported a security threat received via email. Torah study and Tot Shabbat was canceled for the day. The threat comes amid a reported rise in antisemitic incidents following the Oct. 7th attack by Hamas militants. Bellingham Police and the Whatcom County Sheriff are continuing the investigation. STORY: Residents of Samish Mobile Home Park pursue purchase Residents of the Samish Mobile Home Park may soon own the property they live in. In a meeting last Sunday, residents agreed to pursue a collaborative purchase of the site, which its developer-owner has put up for sale. The residents have formed a cooperative that would own and manage the park, and are offering between $4.5-and-5 million dollars for the 3-acre park. City rules enacted last year state that the property owner, Michael Reams, is required to negotiate in good faith to close the sale. The rules are intended to protect mobile home owners in Bellingham, a city with few housing options for low-income residents. After the property is inspected and the residents receive a loan offer, they will vote again on whether to finalize the purchase— a vote that will likely take place in February. STORY: Mount Baker Schools superintendent stepping down early The Mount Baker School District Superintendent is stepping down today. Mary Sewright, superintendent of the school district for five and half years, announced in an email that she is going on leave six months early to focus on her health. The Mount Baker School District had been one of three districts that signed an oversight agreement with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction at the beginning of the school year due to its lack of a balanced budget. The “binding conditions” pact, which spans at least two years, assure the district’s access to money and allows the OSPI and the Educational Services District to closely review and recommend school district decisions. School board officials voted Thursday to search for an external candidate to fill the interim position, hoping to provide an outside perspective on the financial issues. Nick Perigo, executive director of human resources and operations at the district, will serve as the superintendent designee until an interim superintendent is hired. Interviews and hiring would then take place in early 2025. STORY: Plantation Rifle Range’s early cleanup estimate: $6.5M The costs associated with cleaning up the Plantation Rifle Range could run as high as six-and-a-half million dollars. Officials announced at a public meeting Thursday that soil samples taken at the rifle range found a 300-yard swath of lead contamination about 3-to-4 feet deep. Some of the soil samples had a concentration of lead that was almost 200 times the state contamination standard, and lead readings from broad areas on the range exceeded 10,000 parts per million. Additional costs will come with a redesign of the range, which is intended to limit lead contamination in both the soil and the wetlands on the site. Lead had been allowed to accumulate unchecked at the Plantation Rifle Range since its opening in 1971. The high-powered rifle range and its adjacent range for small-bore weapons must remain closed until cleanup is completed, which would be sometime between late 2024 and 2025. STORY: BP restarts Olympic pipeline Wednesday after gasoline spill BP has restarted the Olympic Pipeline after repairing a tubing failure that caused a gasoline leak of approximately 25,000 gallons near Mount Vernon. The main pipeline was shut down after a pressure loss caused by tubing failure in a concrete vault connecting to a pressure sensor. The restart followed repairs, integrity testing, and regulatory approval. The cleanup, involving the Environmental Protection Agency and local officials, has recovered nearly 7,000 gallons. According to the EPA, the spill resulted in the deaths of a beaver, a pine siskin bird, and a mallard duck. Around 2,100 feet of boom remained deployed to contain the spill, with no signs of gasoline or sheen on the Skagit River. STORY: Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline The number of abortions in Washington increased by 23% in 2022, reaching the highest level in a decade. New data released by the Washington State Department of Health shows 20,000 abortions were performed, nearly 3,800 more than the previous year, reversing a long-term decline. The Department of Health attributes the rise to the U.S. Supreme …
December 15, 2023 News Transcript
Lead developer of major Whatcom County housing projects files for bankruptcy, Public invited to submit information for new wildlife status reports, WA ferries fare system restored, after outage brought hours of delays, Farmers and growers seek leeway under new agriculture overtime law, NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 15th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Lead developer of major Whatcom County housing projects files for bankruptcy A real estate development company involved in major projects in Whatcom County has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. Harbor Custom Development, Inc., was the lead developer for the Grandis Pond project, a 992-unit housing and commercial development in Blaine but withdrew from the project in September. According to a company release, despite the filing, Harbor will continue normal operations while preparing a Reorganization Plan. The official bankruptcy filing includes information about Grandis Pond and other Blaine projects. The company’s total assets are estimated to be between $100-and-$500 million dollars. The company has not responded to requests for comment but is expected to continue selling properties and operating multifamily projects during the bankruptcy process. STORY: Public invited to submit information for new wildlife status reports The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking information from the public to inform several species status reports. The Dept is seeking information about the burrowing owl, Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan (TAAR-muh-gin), island marble butterfly, and the wolverine. They want to know more about demographics, habitat conditions, threats, population trends, and existing conservation efforts for each species. Whatcom County is home to the wolverine and the white-tailed ptarmigan. Wolverines currently live in high-elevation landscapes around North Cascades National Park, after being reestablished there in the 90s. However, the population in all the Cascades is fewer than 25 individuals. The white-tailed ptarmigan has a similar range and has a population of around 1000. Additional information will help the Department assess the conservation status of each species and guide further recovery efforts. STORY: WA ferries fare system restored, after outage brought hours of delays On Thursday, the fare system for the Washington State Ferries was restored after an outage earlier that morning. According to The Seattle Times, during the outage, staff resorted to writing receipts by hand and transferring the information into the state’s online database. The system was eventually rebooted late that morning. In his new supplemental budget, Governor Jay Inslee outlined a plan to spend millions on recruitment and upgrades for the aging ferry system. The cause of the malfunction is still under investigation. STORY: Farmers and growers seek leeway under new agriculture overtime law Starting in January, farmworkers in Washington will be eligible for overtime pay after working more than 40 hours a week. This change comes after 2021 legislation removed a 60-year prohibition on overtime pay for farmworkers. However, agricultural producers are seeking to relax the new rules for up to three months annually during peak harvest times, citing staffing needs. The debate centers on the impact of added costs on the state’s agriculture industry, as well as concerns about the economy’s overall health. Supporters of the new regulations argue that farmers can adjust hiring and scheduling, while opponents stress the need for flexibility. Washington joins California as only two states that allow farmworkers to earn overtime after 40 hours. An Oregon law mandates overtime after 55. STORY: NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams In a major agreement, the federal government has promised to spend $1 billion dollars to help restore salmon and other fish runs. The administration reached the deal with Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce (NEZ PIERCE), Umatilla (you-muh-TIL-luh), Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes on Thursday. The new money would be combined with other spending and delivered over the next decade to help restore wild fish and assist in the construction of at least 1 to 3 gigawatts of tribally sponsored clean-energy production. The agreement also contains a compromise to decrease spillage of the Snake River dams during the summer and fall, but increase the amount of spilled water in the spring to help young Chinook migrate to the sea. However, not everyone is happy with the deal. Local tribes and environmental groups have been fighting to remove the dams completely, and this agreement does not guarantee any further action on that front. However, the settlement does pause the legal fight over wild fish restoration that began in the 90s. It also includes a commitment to begin replacing the hydropower provided by the dam, giving hope that dam removal may be possible in the future. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do? There are plenty of holiday events going on across the county. The Lynden Heritage Museum is having its Winter Open House on Saturday from 1 to 5pm. The museum will have live re-enactors in special exhibits, refreshments, and sweet treats. Registration is available online. Bellingham Makers Market is holding the Holiday Makers Market at the Cruise Terminal this weekend, from noon to 5 pm. The market will have hand made goods, foods, and other gifts for sale. The Pacific Arts Market will be open for its final days today through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The market is located at Bellis Fair, in a building outside the food court. Vendors will be selling a variety of homemade goods at the market. And finally, if you’re in the mood for something more active, volunteer work parties are happening this Saturday throughout Bellingham’s parks. Volunteers are needed from 9AM-12pm – you can find out which parks are being worked on by visiting volunteerbellingham.org. WX: Sunny Today will be mostly sunny with a high of about 51 degrees and a low around 38. Clouds will come later, with calm winds blowing throughout the day. This weekend will be a mix of sun and clouds, with a …
