Chris Carampot

Bellingham hard-of-hearing residents see support in Loops, Noisy scrap metal loading expect next week at Port of Bellingham, Task force recommends $160 million for upgrades, new high school in Lynden, Restrictions eased on food imports, Health insurance rates are about to jump for thousands, Washington Supreme Court rules against lawsuit demanding state pay more for school construction, Free and Cheap    ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 15th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.  STORY: Bellingham hard-of-hearing residents see support in Loops A technology to help the hard-of-hearing has become widespread in Bellingham. The Loops system, known officially as Audio Frequency Induction Loop System, is a simple copper wire and a specialized amplifier that takes a few different forms. Loops  connects with individual hearing aids to amplify nearby sound to the point of crystal clear audio. Most city buildings have Loops in place now, including the library, city hall and Whatcom Museum. Some local businesses also have added the technology. According to Hearing Loss Association of America’s Whatcom County chapter president Larry Wonnacott, the growing use of Loops makes spaces more accessible for people with hearing aids. He sees the Loops system as the gold standard for accessibility for hard of hearing people. STORY: Noisy scrap metal loading expected next week at Port of Bellingham ABC Recycling’s operation at the Bellingham Ship Terminal will see heavy activity next week with the arrival of a new bulk carrier ship.  The M.V. Autumn Sea will dock next week and load about 27,000 metric tons of recycled iron and steel, an activity that draws complaints due to high noise levels. The loading is expected to take seven days with 70 workers laboring between 8am and 2:30am daily.  Noise complaints from the South Hill neighborhood caused the Port of Bellingham to install a sound barrier made of stacked shipping containers next to the loading area. The height of the sound barrier is expected to increase for next week’s loading. The Port also set up a website with the purpose of informing the public through email and text notifications about updates in the shipping terminal schedule.  ABC Recycling is also facing backlash regarding plans for a metal shredder and recycling facility outside of town, with 200 people gathering at a public meeting last week to discuss the potential impact of the facility and any possible dangers it could bring to the community. Residents addressed concerns about potential noise, traffic, and environmental impacts such as dust and chemicals. STORY: Task force recommends $160 million for upgrades, new high school in Lynden The Lynden School Board held a meeting last night to discuss a proposed bond that would include the construction of a new high school. The district’s bond planning task force made several proposals in a report released earlier this week, one of them being the construction of a $150 million high school to replace the 43-year-old building. This is in response to a third-party giving the current high school building a low condition assessment and the high school exceeding its capacity by 130 students – with enrollment expected to increase. Overall, the report proposes almost two dozen projects funded by a $160 million bond that would raise property taxes $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value. STORY: Restrictions eased on food imports Restrictions have eased on the amount and type of meats that travelers can bring into the US from Canada. Those crossing into the states are now allowed to bring up to 50 pounds of beef, bison, veal, sheep, goat, swine or camelid meat. This is separate from the personal use amounts of beef, veal, and bison. Cervid meat like deer and elk is also allowed, but it must be proven to come from the Cervidae (SERVE-i-dee) family of animals. Travelers are also able to bring eggs, egg products, and poultry, however, it is best to check the USDA’s temporary restrictions page before crossing just in case. STORY: Health insurance rates are about to jump for thousands The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has approved an average premium increase of nearly 9% next year for 14 health insurers operating in Washington’s individual health insurance market. While the average may be 9%, some insurers like Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, Premera Blue Cross and Bridgespan Health Co. will have premium increases of more than 15%. Health insurance premiums in the individual market will increase for the third consecutive year in 2024 after monthly premiums dropped during the pandemic because of funding provided by the American Rescue Plan. According to the 2022 census, around 220,000 Washington residents directly purchase their insurance, instead of receiving it from an employer. Of those 220,000, nearly 90% bought coverage through the state-run Washington Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Apple Health, through which more than 75% received some financial help to pay their monthly premiums. Affordability of healthcare is an increasing worry for Washingtonians according to a 2022 survey by the Altarum Healthcare Value Hub, with four in five expressing concerns about future affordability. STORY: Washington Supreme Court rules against lawsuit demanding state pay more for school construction The Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously on September 7th that the state is not solely responsible for covering the costs of construction for public schools. The decision, which dictates that school construction is a shared responsibility between local and state governments, is in response to a lawsuit from the Wahkiakum (wuh-Ki-uh-kuhm) School District, filed after 22 years of failed bond proposals. Wahkiakum stated it needs at least $50 million for critical repairs and to remodel its high school, which hasn’t had renovations since it was first built in 1962. The district noted in court filings that 57% of students in Wahkiakum come from low-income households, and that the per-capita income in the county is around $29,000 a year. Voters refused to pay additional taxes to pass the bonds, and the district contended construction costs would be “burdensome” even if the bond was to pass. …

September 15, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Owner formally donates Governors Point to Whatcom Land Trust, Suspect identified in 45 year-old murder of a 16-year-old girl, WWU is partnering in new $15M NSF-funded earthquake research center, 5-day road closure in Sudden Valley, Free Tire Recycling Events for Whatcom County Residents, Data shows drop in multi family home construction in Washington, WA courts paid back $10m in fines as a result of Blake drug possession ruling  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Owner formally donates Governors Point to Whatcom Land Trust A new area will soon be open for hiking. Governor’s Point in the Chuckanut Mountains and along the coast south of Larrabee, was partially donated to Whatcom Land Trust yesterday. The nearly 100 acres of donated land will be preserved as a nature reserve, with two paths to the land’s western and southern beaches. The remaining 25 percent of land will be kept by the owner, with plans to build 16 small-footprint houses on the land south of the donated area. STORY: Suspect identified in 45 year-old murder of 16-year-old girl  A 45-year-old murder has a suspect thanks to DNA matching. There were no leads at the time of 16-year-old Krisann Baxter’s murder investigation in 1978, as DNA technology was limited at the time. After copying the data from database to database in the years since, a familial match for the killer was identified. That information eventually led to Keith D. Lindblom, who became a person of interest in the case. Three years prior to the murder, Lindblom was convicted of violent assault and rape of a 16-year-old girl, but he was released from custody shortly before Baxter’s murder took place. Krisann Baxter’s case is closing however because of exceptional circumstances, as Lindblom died in a fire in 1981. STORY: WWU partnering in new $15M NSF-funded earthquake research center Western Washington University is participating in a new multi-institution earthquake research center, which will receive $15 million from the National Science Foundation over five years to study the Cascadia subduction zone and bolster earthquake preparedness. The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, or CRESCENT, will be the first center of its kind in the nation focused on earthquakes at subduction zones– areas where one tectonic plate slides beneath another. The center will bring together scientists from 14 institutions around the US, including UW, Central and WWU. Those involved will use the lab to help model and forecast specific local and regional impacts from quakes caused by the zone off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. The lab is part of an ongoing effort to prepare for “The Big One.” Research has shown that the Cascadia subduction zone could produce an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or greater, with many communities along the coast disastrously underprepared. If a quake of that magnitude were to happen, it could cause tsunamis to landslides, collapsing buildings and bridges, disrupting power and gas lines, and leaving water supplies inaccessible for months. While the fault hasn’t produced a quake since 1700, research shows that the zone produces magnitude 8 earthquakes about every 500 years on average, so the west coast is best off preparing for it soon. STORY: 5-day road closure in Sudden Valley A half-mile section of Lake Whatcom Boulevard between Lake Louise Road and Southern Court will be closed next week. The closure, scheduled from 7am on Monday to 4pm on Friday, will apply to all traffic, including emergency vehicles and school buses. According to the announcement from Public Works, the closure is due to emergency work needed to replace a culvert that is failing and causing severe erosion of the road shoulder.  During the closure, motorists are advised to take alternative routes.  STORY: Free Tire Recycling Events for Whatcom County Residents Whatcom County Health and Community Services announced yesterday that Whatcom County residents will have the opportunity to dispose of old tires at two free drop-off events in late September and early October.  The tire recycling event is hosted by Health and Community Services and funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Over the past eight years, similar events in Whatcom County have collected over 300 tons of waste tires for recycling and disposal. Both drop-off events are set to take place at the Cedarville Drop Box and Recycling Center in Everson. The first event will take place on Sunday, September 24th, from 9:30am until 4:30pm, and the second event will take place a week later on October 1st at the same time. The Cedarville Transfer Station will only be open for tire recycling on both these days, with Whatcom County residents being able to drop off up to 20 tires per load. Only passenger vehicle and light truck tires will be accepted, and only Whatcom County residents are allowed to take part. Valid ID is required. STORY: Data shows drop in multi family home construction in Washington Building permits for apartments and other multifamily housing in Washington were down in the second quarter of the year while permits for single-family homes continued to rise. Numbers that the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released Tuesday showed there has been a 7,000-unit drop in multifamily permits during April to June of this year whereas single family permits increased. Overall, residential construction continues to be below last year’s levels. The slowdown comes as Washington leaders continue to push for more housing construction to help with the state’s affordable housing shortage. Lawmakers this year passed a number of bills to help increase production, such as expanding where duplexes and triplexes can be built, loosening regulations on backyard cottages and other “accessory dwelling units,” and attempting to streamline permit review processes. But most of those laws only went into effect in July and could take years to be fully implemented. STORY: WA courts paid back $10M in fines as a result of Blake drug possession ruling Since the Supreme Court’s landmark 2021 ruling that voided Washington’s drug possession law, …

September 14, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Large-scale drug bust out of Meridian St. encampment, Inslee visits Whatcom County, Bham Public Schools unveiling new Special Education center, Peace Health responds to questions (sort of), State grants fund digital navigation services for new users, Bike race to close portion of Mount Baker Highway  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, the 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Large-scale drug bust out of Meridian St. encampment The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced yesterday the seizure of over 22 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder and fentanyl-laced pills last month from a man running a drug operation out of a homeless encampment in Bellingham. On August 29th, 34-year-old Rigoberto Vasquez Martinez, was pulled over by Oregon State Police during a routine traffic stop south of Salem, Oregon. Police discovered over 70 thousand fentanyl-laced pills and subsequently arrested Martinez. The Whatcom Sheriff’s Office Gang and Drug Task Force also searched a storage unit belonging to Martinez in Lynnwood and found nearly 8 pounds of fentanyl and other drugs. Martinez’s compound in the homeless camp on Meridian St. was also searched and shotguns, an assault rifle, and drugs were found.  STORY: Inslee visits Whatcom County Governor Jay Inslee was in Whatcom County yesterday.  During the visit, Inslee toured the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center and Foothills Food Bank which serves more than 350 households each week. The Food Bank’s executive director, Sam Norris, talked with Inslee about the growing difficulties of running the operation with just two full-time staff and a group of volunteers. According to Norris, the food bank saw a dramatic increase in usage after the end of the temporary boost in SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.  East Whatcom is currently deemed a rural food desert by the USDA due to the lack of access to grocery stores and high poverty levels. Inslee also toured the Opportunity Council’s resource center, where he visited the Mt. Baker Head Start program, and attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the VMC electric vehicle factory in Ferndale. STORY: Bham Public Schools unveiling new Special Education center Yesterday, Bellingham Public Schools unveiled the new location for a Special Education program that serves students through the age of 21.  The program, named Community Transitions, provides services intended to prepare students with mild to severe disabilities as they transition to life after high school. The program offers a part-time schedule of classes as well as job-coaching, work-based learning opportunities, and case management. The new building is located near the WECU on Birchwood Avenue. STORY: Peace Health responds to questions (sort of) (AnThu) Recent changes in the palliative care program housed at St. Joseph Hospital has left the Whatcom County community with questions. Reporter Emma Toscani sat down with Peace Health Leadership to find out more. Dr Scott Foster Story Audio STORY: Bike race to close portion of Mount Baker Highway Another portion of the Mount Baker Highway is set to be closed for part of the upcoming weekend, as the Mount Baker Hill Climb will shut down the eastbound side of the road between Glacier and Artist Point from 7 a.m. to noon this Sunday. The event sold out for the first time this year, and will see hundreds of cyclists in both competitive and recreational divisions tackle over 4,400 ft of elevation during the 22-mile climb. Those wanting to watch the race are encouraged to carpool and arrive early to make sure you get a spot. STORY: State grants fund digital navigation services for new users The Washington State Department of Commerce announced on Monday that it will be giving out nearly $15 million in grants to continue expanding access to the internet through digital navigator services. Commerce defines digital navigators as “trusted guides who assist community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices.” Digital navigators help users navigate, gain skills, and acquire digital devices in a culturally competent manner. Navigators help a wide range of people, such as seniors, veterans, English language learners, and students seeking technical support. Washington currently provides navigators to all 39 counties through the Broadband Office and also through community partners like Goodwill, TechConnect, and the Seattle Housing Authority. Under these new grants, Whatcom County will offer services to residents through various Community Health Centers, organizations like Communities in Schools, or programs like the Link to Care WA hotline. In its three-year history, the Digital Navigator program has helped more than 200 thousand Washington residents access digital services, devices, and skills. WX: Rainy Day, Cloudy Night Mostly cloudy skies early today will start to clear, and become partly cloudy by afternoon. Expect a high of 68 degrees, with clear skies and a low of 49 overnight. Tomorrow, the sun comes back for a few days, with a high of 73. The sun is expected to stay with us until Sunday when cloudy skies will roll back in. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Susan Lindsey, Emma Toscani 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 listening. ###

September 13, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Bellingham cracking down on campers and RVs parked around the city, Pair nabbed after robbery at Lynden convenience store, Hanger fire causes $25-35k in damage, Electric bus assembly facility ribbon cutting with Gov Inslee, Pair nabbed after robbery at Lynden at convenience store, WA struggles to hand out federal cash to find and replace lead pipes, FWC denied petitions for black bear hunts again, Original Washington Constitution to be displayed in Olympia         ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Bellingham cracking down on campers and RVs parked around the city In an effort to move houseless people living in campers and RVs out of high-activity areas, the City of Bellingham has started placing more 72 hour limited parking signs around town. Encampments in Bellingham have drawn criticism from the public, as crime, drug use and litter are seen at many of the camp sites around town. According to the City of Bellingham, a recent call for proposals from organizations willing to oversee a safe parking location received no responses. The deadline for proposals was last month.  Meanwhile, rental rates in Bellingham have continued to skyrocket in the last year, and the amount of houseless people in Whatcom County is at an all-time high. STORY: Pair nabbed after robbery at Lynden convenience store Two 18-year-old men, Alexis Molina and Pavel Barbin, were arrested late Sunday following a robbery at the Northwood Market in Lynden.  They forced their way behind the counter and stole 32 hundred dollars worth of vape products. The robbery was captured on video, and the suspects were identified and arrested during a traffic stop by law enforcement officers. The pair has been booked on charges of second-degree theft and second-degree robbery and are being held without bail.  STORY: Hangar fire causes $25-35k in damage A privately-owned airplane hangar near Bellingham International Airport caught fire on Saturday. The Bellingham Fire Department was alerted at 1:43pm on Saturday, by a report of smoke coming out of a hangar. When fire crews arrived, the hangar had light black smoke coming out of two sides. The crews entered the building and located the fire near the middle of the building. According to fire captain Dustin Michaelis, the suspected cause of the fire was a charging lithium-ion battery. No one was injured, and an airplane inside the hangar was unburned. Michaelis estimates the fire caused 25 to 35 thousand dollars in damage. STORY: Electric bus assembly facility ribbon cutting with Gov Inslee Governor Jay Inslee will attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Vicinity Motor Corporation’s 100,000-square-foot electric bus assembly plant in Ferndale today.  According to the announcement by the British-Columbia-based VMC, the facility will address their order backlog, and improve access to Canadian port, rail and truck shipping and receiving facilities between Ferndale and Vancouver. The Ferndale facility cost $22 million dollars, and by assembling electric vehicles at the Ferndale location, VMC will meet federal regulations that require federally funded infrastructure investments to support products made in the United States by American workers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be visible to motorists on I-5 traveling south of the Main Street interchange in Ferndale as well as those passing on LaBounty Drive, and will be followed by remarks from company CEO Will Trainer, Governor Inslee and others. STORY: WA struggles to hand out federal cash to find and replace lead pipes Washington State has only allocated 85,000 of a possible $63 million from the federal government to find and replace lead pipes. The money comes from Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, which provides a total of $15 billion to states to replace the lead pipes. The push to locate lead pipes across the US comes from an October 2024 deadline from the EPA. Just four cities in Washington have applied for the loans, with only Centralia actually accepting the offer. The three other water systems, the North Perry Avenue Water District, Ilwaco (uhl-WAH-co), and Cashmere, received offers and turned them down. Reasons for rejecting the offers include: parts of the loans not qualifying for forgiveness, full inspections being expensive, or needing more time to figure out how to actually survey for lead in pipes. While Whatcom may not face the same issues as cities like Centralia or Flint, Michigan, there’ve been challenges in the past. According to surveys done by the Washington Department of Health in 2018, there’ve been lead levels found in schools in Whatcom that were over the EPA limit. The schools have addressed the issues and are following all recommendations to limit exposure to lead, but these surveys show that contamination is possible even with non-lead pipes. The state will open another opportunity for community water systems to apply for lead inventory and replacement loans Oct. 2 through Nov. 30. STORY: FWC denied petitions for black bear hunts again The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission denied two petitions to open a spring black bear hunting season next year after pausing the hunts in 2022. In the past, hunters have taken black bear, elk and other game from a few locations around Mount Baker. The hunts have been described by animal advocacy groups as cruel and potentially orphaning bear cubs. However, supporters say the hunts protect elk and deer numbers, ensure people’s safety, and teach people how to make ethical choices. The ongoing discussions have resulted in multiple petitions asking to reinstate spring bear season, many by the same petitioner. Wildlife Commissioner Melanie Rowland said the commission won’t authorize a hunt until there is a new, proven management reason to do so. STORY: Original Washington Constitution to be displayed in Olympia Finally, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will host a public showing of the original Constitution of Washington this Thursday in the Legislative Building in Olympia. The event will take place between 1-4pm in honor of the U.S. Constitution Week and visitors to the Office of the Secretary of State will be able to view the original …

September 12, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Border Patrol rescues 3 immigrant who were abandoned on a mountain, Sheriff’s Office recovers $45,000 worth of stolen bikes in Birch Bay, Bellingham police seek funding for bicycle team, Lynden firefighter’s gender discrimination lawsuit scheduled for Sunday, Bellingham invites feedback on Comprehensive Plan update, Washington Ecology not flooded by applications for drought-relief grants, Union sues to stop state purchase of psychiatric hospital until labor dispute is resolved, Free and Cheap    ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 8th. Good afternoon, I’m __David Korb____.  STORY: Border Patrol rescues 3 immigrants who were abandoned on a mountain Three immigrants were rescued from the mountains near Sumas after being abandoned by a smuggler last Friday.  According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, Blaine Sector Border Patrol agents responded to a distress call from their party. Agents determined their location based on GPS coordinates and photos sent from their cell phone. A rope rescue was conducted by the Blaine Sector Special Operations Detachment at around 7:30 that morning. Three individuals were determined to be undocumented immigrants from Mexico, and were medically cleared after the rescue. The day before, on August 31st, the Blaine sector of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol arrested 29 immigrants from Mexico after they entered the U.S. in a freight train from Canada, although CBP found no evidence that the events were related. No other details on the arrest of the 29 immigrants were made available.  STORY: Sheriff’s Office recovers $45,000 worth of stolen bikes in Birch Bay Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputies have recovered around $45,000 dollars in potentially stolen bicycles.  After receiving a tip, they conducted a search of a Birch Bay residence and found 15 high-end mountain and electric bikes. A 16-year-old male suspect was arrested and charged with Possession of Stolen Property 1st Degree.  STORY:  Bellingham police seek funding for bicycle team Bellingham PD has applied for a $20,000 grant from the Department of Justice to equip a new team of bicycle officers. This new team will not be a part of regular bike patrols downtown, but rather assigned to crowd control for large events such as Ski to Sea and Northwest Tune-Up. According to the grant application, city officials state that “having a team of mobile officers who are trained in crowd control would have a huge impact on events by being able to respond more quickly to concerning areas.” There is currently no timeline for resuming regular bike patrols. The Police Department’s budget has rebounded from a slight decrease during Covid, now at nearly $40 million for fiscal year 2024. The total expenditure is the highest it has ever been, according to recent budget reports. The public will have a chance to comment on the grant at a public hearing before the City Council at 7 p.m. on September 11th. Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig said she hopes to have the team in place by summer 2024. STORY: Lynden firefighter’s gender discrimination lawsuit scheduled for Sunday A gender discrimination lawsuit filed against the City of Lynden Fire Department and 2 administrators will go to court on Sunday. The civil lawsuit was filed by a former Lynden Fire Dept firefighter after alleged repeat harassment based on her gender made her feel unsafe and unwelcome in the department according to her letter of resignation in 2021. She claims that men in the LFD tampered with her breast pump, hit her with a blast of water to the head that knocked her down in front of witnesses and she was “openly belittled for any perceived flaw.” The plaintiff’s claims have not been corroborated by other women in the department, but there is a “noted division” within LFD between Lynden newcomers versus Lynden-born-and-raised, regardless of gender. STORY: Bellingham invites feedback on Comprehensive Plan update Bellingham is inviting residents and visitors to give feedback on the city’s twenty-year guiding plan, called The Bellingham Plan. Attendees will be able to share their opinions on how the city should grow and discuss such topics as climate resilience, housing, recreation, economic vitality, transportation, and equitable growth. Input from the sessions will inform approaches to growth the City may consider, and will guide topics to be covered in future public events regarding the Plan. The plan hopes to lay out goals and policies that help city leaders make decisions with the next 20 years in mind. Created in 1980, it is updated regularly. The next set of updates are due in 2025.  The first public session will be held online on September 20th, and the second will be in person on September 26th at Options High School. A survey will also be sent out online and through the mail. STORY: Washington Ecology not flooded by applications for drought-relief grants The Washington Department of Ecology has over $2.7 million in grant money to help farmers affected by droughts but has received only a handful of applications since declaring several emergencies in July. Ecology has so far only awarded one grant to the Clallam County Public Utility District for water hauling, and rejected another from the Okanogan Irrigation District. Three other applications are pending, but according to Ecology spokesman, Jimmy Norris, none of them are related to agriculture. Norris believes it’s possible the lack of applications is a sign the program may not be addressing current problems.  The grants are limited to projects relating to drought hardships that affect the delivery of drinking water supplies, the survival of fish and wildlife, and the viability of agricultural activities and livestock operations. Under this criteria, Okanogan’s application was rejected as not having a substantial benefit for irrigators or fish, relative to the cost. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday that 75% of Washington was in some stage of drought. Among 11 Western states, only New Mexico has a higher percentage. Large parts of the county here in Whatcom are classified as in “extreme” drought, with the rest being “severe”. Grant applications are available until November 20th. STORY:  Union sues to …

September 8, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Proposed metal processing plant met with resistance, Emergency response exercise scheduled at airport, Weeklong closure on SR 539/Guide Meridian in Lynden, Blaine area experiences impact from fewer border crossings, $60 million coming to combat fentanyl epidemic, NWNS Medicaid   ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, the 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Proposed metal processing plant met with resistance A metal shredding plant is proposed for the waterfront north of Bellingham, and part of the community doesn’t want it there. The plant would take large metal objects – like cars and appliances – and shred them down into pieces that are easily recyclable. At a meeting last night hosted by the Birchwood Neighborhood Association, South Hill, Alderwood and Birchwood residents gathered to voice their concerns about the potential plant. ABC Recycling – the company that would control the plant – was not invited to attend, and was not invited to speak on the panel that facilitated the meeting. But two representatives showed up anyway to answer questions “because they believe in providing accurate information to the community” according to ABC Recycling’s spokesperson Riley Sweeney, who attended the meeting. The company has not submitted a proposal to the county for the plant so details about it are scarce. The plant intends to be a sustainable option, providing green-collar jobs along with reducing noise at ABC’s other plant near the Port. The potential site is off Marine Drive near Locust Beach and is already zoned for “Heavy Impact Industry.” During the meeting, attendants shouted over the panelists when they answered questions, repeatedly saying “we don’t want it.” Sweeney said that the plant will be enclosed in a sound-attenuating building to make it essentially soundproof and that staff will make sure the “nasty bits don’t go where they aren’t supposed to go.” The plant could be up and running as early as 2025 if all goes smoothly according to Sweeney. Increased traffic in the area with trucks carrying materials will be expected if the plant is built. STORY: Emergency response exercise scheduled at airport The Port of Bellingham announced today that an emergency response exercise is due to take place at Bellingham Airport tomorrow. Between 9am and 2pm, people traveling near the airport will see emergency vehicles responding to the northeastern airfield. According to the Port of Bellingham, the exercise’s purpose is to “give the airport, mutual aid partners and emergency responders the opportunity to train for a real aircraft emergency in a safe and controlled environment.”  Agencies participating in the drill include the Bellingham Fire Department, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department, the American Red Cross and St. Joseph’s Hospital. STORY: Weeklong closure on SR 539/Guide Meridian in Lynden State Route 539 between Front and Main streets in Lynden will be closed for three days, starting on the night of the 18th.  Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will be replacing the existing fish barrier with a new fish-passable box culvert, with installation of the new culvert requiring a full closure of the roadway. The new culvert will open an estimated six miles of habitat for native fish.  A signed detour will direct travelers around the work zone until the road’s reopening on the night of September 21st.  STORY: Blaine area experiences impact from fewer border crossings Three months after border restrictions between the U.S and Canada were lifted, Blaine area businesses are still feeling the impact of fewer people crossing the border. June was the first summer without restrictions on the US-Canada border as the mandatory proof of Covid-19 vaccination was lifted. The Peace Arch crossing is the busiest in the state, with over 300,000 personal vehicles crossing in just July. However, this amount was still about 73,000 short of July’s pre-Covid total. Blaine businesses are feeling the impacts in different ways. Some businesses have reported having more clients as competing stores close down, while others have changed ownership and decreased staffing and hours. Most heavily impacted is the gas tax revenue in Blaine. Current revenue as of today is $48,000, less than a third of what it was in 2019. However, even with a decrease in traffic from Canada, many businesses report domestic tourism offsetting some of the loss. Blaine’s lodging tax reached the second highest on record last year and is an optimistic sign to officials that Blaine will have a slow recovery toward pre-pandemic volumes. STORY: Thurston County judge rules ban on assault weapons will remain The ban on the sale of assault weapons in Washington state will remain in place for now, according to a Thurston County judge’s ruling last Friday.  Judge Allyson Zipp denied a request for a preliminary injunction, just three months after she denied a temporary restraining order to block the sale of assault weapons in the same lawsuit. This is the third time in as many months legal action has been taken to stop the ban Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is representing the state in the lawsuit, requested that the legislature ban assault weapons during the last session. Exceptions are included in the bill for those who inherit assault weapons, and the law does not retroactively affect current gun owners in Washington. Violation of the new law carries a fine of no more than $5000 and jail time for up to 364 days. STORY: ~$60 million coming to combat fentanyl epidemic Over 60 million dollars will come to Washington in the next three months to help combat the opioid epidemic. The money comes from a recent resolution with Walmart, for the role its pharmacies played in fueling the epidemic. In total, Walmart will have to pay over 3 billion to multiple states, with nearly 63 million going to Washington. It is the latest resolution in a larger over 1 billion dollar total the Attorney General’s Office collected from multiple companies beginning last year. Half of this total will go to eligible cities and counties, and the rest will go …

September 7, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Lake Whatcom fire contained, County council accepts Satpal Sidhu’s first veto, State to keep fiscal tabs on La Conner, Mt Baker, Marysville school, Whatcom well owners required to prove their water rights in court, Nursing homes to have proposed minimum staffing requirements, Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only   ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, the 6th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Lake Whatcom fire contained The Lake Whatcom fire is officially contained, but the work is not quite over yet.  Former public information officer for the Lake Whatcom fire Chris Hankey said that this week will be about fighting the fire, and making sure the previously built fire lines hold. There are lines put up surrounding the fire on all sides except the one that touches the lake. After this week, firefighters will patrol the surrounding area until the fall rains come. Smoke will continue to rise from the Lake Whatcom area in the coming weeks as the fire burns itself out. Blue Canyon Road is still closed to through traffic, but residents in the area no longer have to worry about evacuation. The southern portion of the Hertz trail remains closed, and it is uncertain when it will reopen. The portion closed is about a mile and a half north of the fire. Boaters are still advised to avoid the Southeastern part of Lake Whatcom as there is going to be debris in the water as the fire continues to burn. Kmre news will continue to update the community as they become available. STORY: County council accepts Satpal Sidhu’s first veto  The Whatcom County Council held a special meeting yesterday to decide whether to overturn County Executive Satpal Sidhu’s (SID-du) veto on an ordinance that would have changed how the Lummi (LUH-mie) Island ferry fare is calculated. The decision to overturn the veto never came to vote, and the veto was upheld. Sidhu’s veto was his first in more than three and half years as county executive. In a memo, Sidhu explained that the proposal to change the fares without first soliciting the advisory committee broke from county tradition and procedure. The council has historically conferred to relevant advisory boards and commissions before adopting code changes. With the veto now upheld, the council hopes that trust is being rebuilt with the community moving forward. The ordinance included a complicated formula for calculating ferry fares, involving what qualifies as a day-to-day expense and what is a major repair or replacement.  Riders had expressed issue specifically with the wording “operating expenses” which had replaced the words “regular and routine maintenance”. According to public comment, the breach of public trust when the council pushed for the ordinance without first consulting the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee was a key sticking point.  STORY: State to keep fiscal tabs on La Conner, Mt Baker, Marysville schools State officials will be keeping a close eye on the Marysville, La Conner and Mount Baker school districts as the three begin the school year without a balanced budget. Because the state requires that school districts balance their budget before school begins, each district came to an agreement with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction instead. The agreement requires the districts to regularly file budget reports and restore financial reserves to certain levels by a prescribed date. Signing the so-called “binding conditions” pacts, which span at least two years, assures the district’s access to money and allows the OSPI and the Educational Services District to closely review and recommend school district decisions. Fewer than 20 such agreements have been signed in the last two decades. While each district’s situation is unique, all three are dealing with the fiscal effects of lower enrollment, an end of federal pandemic aid, and increased costs of labor and supplies. Plenty of other districts are as well, which according to a recent interview, has the Superintendent of Public Instruction chief financial officer T.J. Kelly wondering if this could be a sign of things to come. STORY: Whatcom well owners required to prove their water rights in court Officials from the Washington State Department of Ecology are preparing to file a water adjudication in the Whatcom County Supreme Court that would require Nooksack (NUUK-sak) Watershed residents to file a claim to prove the legality of their water rights. A water right adjudication is the legal process to resolve conflict and competition on a water source. Adjudication legally determines whether each water right on a source is legal, how much water can be used, and its priority during shortages. In the event of a water shortage, those holding the oldest water rights have priority. The Department of Ecology predicted that it would take 10 to 20 years before the court would issue a final decree.  Local groups such as Whatcom Family Farmers have protested the Department of Ecology’s plans. The groups have proposed a collaborative approach to deciding water rights, one that would bring results in a much shorter time frame. They argue that the parties involved in the adjudication would be prevented from pursuing these potentially faster collaborative settlements as they would be involved in the litigation and unable to communicate directly. STORY: Nursing homes to have proposed minimum staffing requirements The Biden administration is proposing federal regulations mandating minimum staffing levels for nursing homes across the United States.  Under these proposed rules, nursing homes would be required to provide a minimum of three hours of care to each resident daily, with a portion of this care delivered by certified nursing assistants and the rest by registered nurses. For instance, a nursing home with 100 residents would need at least two RNs and 10 CNAs per shift to meet this minimum requirement, along with having an RN on staff around the clock. While Washington state already surpasses these federal staffing standards on average, the announcement has generated mixed reactions among groups associated with the state’s 200 nursing homes, which collectively care for approximately 12,000 individuals. …

September 6, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Lake Whatcom, trails to reopen, Second crash at exact same Kendal road location, Plans to trap bears in Ferndale, 10 mil for Whatcom flood prevention project, Extreme busy end of summer travel, WA to assist in ebike purchases, borrowing, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, the 1st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Lake Whatcom, trails to reopen Lake Whatcom is open once more to boaters. The North Hertz trail has been reopened as of noon today but the south Hertz trail will remain closed while the fire burns. Both were closed due to the Blue Canyon Fire in the area. Blue Canyon Road is still closed to everyone except fire crews and residents. The fire on Lake Whatcom’s southeast bank has not abated but it has not grown in size from 45 acres burned. People are asked to steer clear of the fire area – both on land and on water –  as falling debris from the blaze has slid down to the shore. The fire has not grown because of wet weather the last few days along with the arrival of 3 20-person hand crews to fight the blaze on foot. The fire is estimated at 0% containment, so before the number of people fighting the fire decreases, fire lines will have to be better established. The effects of the fire are expected to be seen for weeks afterwards, as it is in a very visible location. For more information about road, park and trail closures heading into the Labor Day weekend, check with WhatcomCounty.com for updates. STORY: Second crash at exact same Kendall road location  A second crash occurred last evening on the same stretch of road in Kendall where a man died just one day prior. The occupant of the car last night failed to navigate the same curve, and collided with the same exact traffic signs. The signs had just been replaced the previous morning. The driver was transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph’s Medical Center by ambulance with non-life-threatening injuries.  STORY: Plans to trap bears in Ferndale After reports of bears being seen in Ferndale, officials with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife are currently planning to make attempts to trap the animals.  The DFW states that while there have been no human-bear conflicts or depredations reported in the area, once bears know about a non-natural food source they keep coming back and can lose their fear of humans. Removal of the bears is simply a temporary solution and the most effective action is to remove food and other bear attractants.  The department recommends that once any food sources are removed, if a bear is seen nearby the best thing to do is clap loudly and shoo it away.  STORY: 10 mil for Whatcom flood prevention project The Washington Dept of Ecology will award $63 million to twelve recipients  to transform how floodplains in the state’s major river basins are managed. Ten million of that money will go to Whatcom County. Floodplains are essential, according to Ecology Director Laura Watson. They provide important habitat for salmon, rich soil for farms, and remarkable opportunities for recreation and enjoying nature. A floodplain is the region between a river bank and the base of the enclosing valley.  The ten million to Whatcom County will continue a multi-phased project to integrate flood hazard reduction and salmon recovery with the needs of agriculture and other land uses in the Nooksack River watershed. STORY: Extremely busy end of summer travel The Port of Seattle is warning all travelers over the holiday weekend to be prepared for long waits, longer lines, and lots of people. Passenger levels during the upcoming Labor Day period are predicted to return to pre-pandemic levels, with Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) expecting an 18 percent increase in volume compared to last year. The busiest travel days are anticipated to be today, tomorrow, and Sunday, with almost 200,000 people traveling on each day. In fact, projections suggest that 2023 is likely to see passenger volumes nearly matching those of 2019, and 2024 is expected to surpass 2019 by 3 percent, potentially breaking the previous annual passenger record of 51.8 million set in that year. Travelers are advised to get to the airport at least two hours ahead, get your information in order ahead of time, and be prepared for TSA checkpoints. STORY: WA to assist in ebike purchases, borrowing  Starting next year, Washington will help those wanting to buy or borrow e-bikes by providing vouchers and lending libraries. The 5 million dollar initiative comes as a part of a 2 billion dollar spending package Washington enacted in April that aims to lower greenhouse gas emissions. The vouchers provided to e-bike purchasers will be worth up to 1,200 dollars for low-income households, and up to 300 dollars for others. Washington State’s transportation sector is its single largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 39 percent of the total. Lawmakers say the program helps tackle both the issue of traffic and pollution at the same time. Cities that have a similar rebate program, like Denver, have seen great success. Vouchers for rebates get snatched up quickly when available, and the average redeemer reports using their e-bike instead of their car for about 3.4 trips each week, for a total of 21.6 fewer miles driven. That translates to a reduction of more than 142,000 miles in Denver each week, which city officials estimate has displaced more than 2,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions since the program’s inception. A more specific timeline for Washington will be available once officials finish developing the program. STORY: Free and cheap Looking for something to do this weekend? The Pickford Film Center will air the 1984 film Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind as part of their months-long Studio Ghibli fest 2023. Tickets are $12.50 before fees, and tickets are lower price for students and active military. The film is about an apocalyptic wasteland …

September 1, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Evacuation notice issued near Blue Canyon Fire, F Street construction to continue, Skagit County shellfish harvesting suspended, Man attempted to steal from US Customs in Lynden, Local tribes to receive $21 million in housing funds, WA Supreme Court: Unions can no longer block release of state worker’s contact info  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings your local news for Thursday, the 30th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Evacuation notice issued near Blue Canyon Fire Yesterday, a Level 2 evacuation notice was issued for Blue Canyon Road residents due to the ongoing wildfire at Lake Whatcom. A Level 2 notice means that people should be prepared to evacuate, Level 3 is an order to leave. This notice affects about 20 homes, many of which are summer homes or weekend retreats. Firefighters from the Baker River Hotshots have been assigned in response to the fire, with additional tanker aircraft assisting in the effort. The wildfire began Monday night after a lightning bolt struck an area on the southeast bank of Lake Whatcom. It currently spans about 30 acres and has closed down the park and surrounding trails. While not out of control, it had grown overnight yesterday from its initial 10 acres. Recent rain and cooler temperatures has helped to slow the spread, but thunderstorms like the one that caused the fire will continue. STORY: F Street construction to continue The construction on the F Street railroad crossing will continue after delays on getting equipment. The construction is expected to continue through September, but the end result will be the third of six crossings that can be designated as a “quiet zone” for passing trains. Once all six crossings have completed construction, Bellingham’s waterfront can be designated a quiet zone, which will mean no train horns at all hours of the day within the coastal part of town. Safety was a major concern with the equipment procurement, as F Street is a busy crossing and making sure the equipment works is a top priority. STORY: Skagit County shellfish harvesting suspended Harvesting of all species of shellfish is suspended in Skagit County after unsafe levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning or PSP toxins were found. The species included on the list released by the Washington State Dept of Health include clams, oysters, mussels, scallops and other invertebrates like the moon snail. Crab meat is not affected but crab butter and entrails should be discarded as it likely holds biotoxins. Biotoxins like PSP cannot be cooked or frozen out of shellfish. PSP can cause severe illness and death. The symptoms of PSP set in within 30 minutes of ingestion. STORY: Man attempted to steal from US Customs in Lynden An Oregon man was arrested at the U.S.-Canada border for attempting to steal equipment from a secured Customs Administration building on the American side. Austin Michael Giger, a 30-year-old man from Tigard (tie-guard), was caught in the Lynden border crossing wearing a U.S. Border Patrol uniform around 1 a.m. on Monday. When asked what he was doing, Giger told officers he had just gotten off work and pointed to his stolen border patrol vest. He was arrested and charged with second-degree burglary, first-degree theft, theft of a firearm and first-degree criminal impersonation. Giger is accused of stealing two bulletproof vests worth $3,000 each, a radio worth $5,000, a Border Patrol jacket worth $200, $20 worth of ammunition, $20 worth of pepper spray and a $30 ammunition magazine. STORY: Local tribes to receive $21 million in housing funds The Lummi Nation and two other Washington tribes will receive funding to build affordable housing. The money comes from the Indian Housing Block Grant. Of the $21 million, the Lummi Nation will receive $7.5 million of the designated funds to build 32 new housing units. The remaining funds are going to the Port Gamble S’Klallam Housing Authority in Kingston and the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe in Tokeland to build infrastructure and new housing units. In a statement, Senator Patty Murray – who secured the grant money – said that there is nothing more basic and essential than having a safe place to call home, and these grants are going to make a serious difference for Tribal families in Western Washington who need this help the most. STORY: WA Supreme Court: Unions can no longer block release of state workers’ contact info A new ruling from the Washington State Supreme Court determined that unions representing state employees can no longer block requests for employees’ contact information. The court’s decision is in response to the Freedom Foundation, a conservative think tank based in Olympia, who had attempted to retrieve information including state employees’ full names, job titles, birthdates, work emails, and salary. The foundation stated they wanted to contact employees to inform them about the 2018 U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, where the Supreme Court had ruled that public-sector employees who refuse to join labor unions cannot be compelled to pay union dues. The unions, led by the Washington Federation of State Employees, had refused to disclose employees’ information as they said that doing so would violate the employees’ “constitutional liberty interest in personal security.”  A lower court judge granted an injunction that allowed the union to deny releasing the information, however the Washington State Supreme Court ruled that the union hadn’t proved anyone’s security would be compromised by granting the Freedom Foundation access to the above-mentioned information.  Under a new state law, House Bill 1533, state workers can still request that their personal information be withheld if they can show that disclosure would put them at risk. STORY: WA wildfires burning faster and more often The acreage of wildfires in Washington this wildfire season is on par with what ecologists predicted and are burning longer and more often than past seasons. Not only has the fire season grown in length every year, but fires have become more dangerous as rainy seasons grow more fuel for the fires. Cheatgrass, a fast-burning invasive species, grows during the year …

August 30, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Lightning causes wildfire in Whatcom, More Dogs Dumped, Removed Seal Pup actually deceased, Vehicle Encampment downtown removed, Mt Vernon teachers striking, New Covid variant could be the best yet at evading immunity,  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, the 29th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Lightning causes wildfire in Whatcom A fire broke out Monday night after a lightning bolt struck an area on the southeast bank of Lake Whatcom. It is burning at an estimated 10 acres in steep forest terrain this morning. Lake Whatcom Park and Hertz trail have been closed until further notice. Fire crews came back to the scene this morning with the Dept of Natural Resources or DNR taking the lead on fire fighting. The area currently burning is in a remote area near the end of Blue Canyon Road, across from an area south of Sudden Valley.  Another fire started in north Whatcom County near Sumas and was also likely caused by lightning. The DNR will divide its resources between the two fires. Whatcom County and surrounding areas have been on high alert for urban-wildland fires due a few weeks with hot, dry weather. The first rainfall occurred yesterday but brought with it thunderstorms. STORY:  More dogs dumped Another 5 dogs have shown up at what is apparently a “doodle-dump” site at the end of Aldergrove Rd in Ferndale. Last week, 5 doodle breed dogs were brought into Whatcom Humane Society or WHS in what is potentially a breeder offloading dogs. WHS has taken the additional dogs in and says that they are not available for adoption at this time. All 10 dogs have not been properly socialized and need additional care to get back to full health. If you are looking to help these dogs and others at the WHS, the society is taking donations on the WHS website. STORY: Removed Seal Pup actually deceased Yesterday, it was reported that two seal pups were stolen from Birch Bay. However, after investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it appears that there was a high probability that a concerned citizen witnessed a stranded seal network volunteers removing a deceased seal pup from a beach and confused it with the removal of a live animal. No seal pups were truly in danger. STORY: Vehicle encampment downtown removed The longstanding vehicle encampment on Cornwall Avenue near the waterfront has been removed. The 20-month long process culminated in cars being towed or driven away by their owners starting last week, with the final vehicles removed yesterday. Street sweepers have swept the area in preparation to build bike lanes along the stretch of road near the solar panel fabrication plant and Kulshan’s trackside beer garden. Police Lt. Claudia Murphy denies that cars and other vehicles were removed by the city and police and says that the owners of the vehicles were notified repeatedly about the zoning changes to the area. Over the course of the last 20 months, the 8-hour parking signs on the sides of the stretch of Cornwall Avenue were systematically changed to no parking signs as a way to discourage long-term parking in the area.  The plan to add bike lanes to this stretch of road is part of a plan to add bike lanes to sections of Eldridge Avenue as well as connect downtown Bellingham to the soon-to-be-constructed park at Cornwall Beach. The Opportunity Council’s Homeless Outreach Team was not involved in the relocation of the encampment but hopes to reconnect with the former residents in the future. STORY: Mt Vernon teachers striking Mount Vernon School District educators came together yesterday to form a picket line around the district offices as contract negotiations continue. Mount Vernon Education Association President Cheryl Thramer said that issues still being negotiated include recess breaks for students, bathroom breaks for elementary school teachers, preparation limits at the secondary level for a reasonable workload, elementary and middle school enrichment activities, and comparable salaries. This is not the first time the union went on strike this year. There was a picket line earlier in May in response to the 32 non-renewal letters the district sent out to teachers. STORY: New COVID variant could be the best yet at evading immunity A new mutated form of the coronavirus is putting health officials on alert as it threatens to be the most adept variant yet at slipping past the body’s immune defenses. The variant, BA.2.86, only has a few cases reported worldwide but is garnering extra attention from experts because it has an even greater potential to escape antibodies, despite a recent infection or vaccination. While it doesn’t appear to make people sicker than other variants, it does show a radical mutation in the virus much like what happened with the Omicron variant earlier last year. The biggest unknown is whether this virus will be transmissible enough to cause a surge. Regardless of how adept the variant is at evading immunity; it still needs to be able to spread efficiently to be of concern. Officials say they should have a clearer understanding of the variant’s transmissibility in the coming weeks as surveillance ramps up in response to the virus.  WX: Overcast with Likely Showers It is currently overcast in Bellingham, with a high of 66. The overnight low will be 58*. Showers are predicted for today through Thursday night. Much of the smoke has dissipated, with the air quality index back in the “good” range of 40s. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Susan Lindsey, Emma Toscani 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 listening. ###

August 29, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Assistant principals trial delayed due to firing of lead detective, Two seal pups taken from Birch Bay, Birch Bay Waterslides closes for season after incident, PSE not allowed to notify after rate hike, Ferndale Sonic Drive-In: the rest of the story, Cal Anderson memorial reinstalled after unannounced removal, North Cascade Highway closed again   ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, 28th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Assistant principals trial delayed due to firing of lead detective The trial of three assistant principals who were cited last December for failing to report a female student’s allegations of sexual assault has been delayed for a second time after all three attorneys requested a delay.  for gross misdemeanor charges Court documents show the trial is now scheduled for November or December. The delay is also linked to the firing earlier this month of the lead detective on the case.  STORY: Two seal pups taken from Birch Bay Two seal pups were removed from the beach at Birch Bay recently and the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network is asking for more information about the incident. Baby seals require a very specialized diet to survive and if fed baby formula or dairy, they will die. Although according to state and federal law, approaching, touching, and taking seals is illegal, incidents like this have happened before. Anyone with information on the seal pups are urged to contact the Whatcom Marine Mammal Stranding Network at 360-739-6713. STORY: Birch Bay Waterslides closes for season after incident Birch Bay Waterslides is closed for the rest of the season after a park-goer suffered a traumatic injury on Friday. According to witnesses, the patron was sliding down the Hairpin water slide when two slide segments came apart, injuring the rider. The park was closed for the remainder of the day, and later an announcement was made on the park’s website that operations were to cease for the remainder of the season, which was originally slated to run until September 4th. According to North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, aid personnel treated the patient, who is currently under medical observation at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. STORY: PSE not allowed to notify about rate hike Gas bills for Puget Sound Energy will be going up over the next few months, but the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has made it illegal for the company to notify its customers. The rate hike is slated to take place due to the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, which requires the state’s biggest polluters to reduce their carbon emissions or pay to cover them. PSE is now required to pay $16.8 million dollars to help fund climate projects and address issues of environmental justice and health inequity. That expense would be passed on to customers with an average increase of $3.71 per month. The commission argued that explaining the rate hike to customers would result in “lengthy and confusing bills,” and therefore prohibited PSE from informing its customers. When reached out to comment by KING-5 News, PSE sent back a statement saying it wanted to inform customers of the rate hike, but that the commission, which has the final say on the matter, had ruled against it. STORY: Ferndale Sonic Drive-In: the rest of the story In late August 2022, the Ferndale SONIC Drive-In on Main Street in Ferndale unexpectedly closed.  At the same time, several other SONIC locations in Washington and Oregon also closed without warning, with menu boards removed and property access blocked. Recent court filings are shedding light on the story.  According to court records, in November 2021,  Sonic Industries LLC terminated the license agreement due to unpaid royalties and fees on the part of franchise operator, Olympic Cascade Drive-Ins LLC (OCDI), which operated ten diners, including the Ferndale location. In May 2022, Sonic demanded immediate termination of license agreements for all restaurants, citing over $2 million in outstanding payments. It wasn’t until an Oklahoma US District Court ordered OCDI to comply with Sonic’s closure request in August of last year that the drive-in finally shut its doors. OCDI is counter suing Sonic, alleging improper termination and violations of franchise and consumer protection laws and is seeking $15 million in damages, a number that includes  triple damages as per Washington state laws.  Sonic has denied these claims and legal proceedings are still pending. STORY: Cal Anderson memorial reinstalled after unannounced removal A memorial honoring Cal Anderson was reinstalled on Friday after it was removed without notice earlier this month. Cal Anderson was Washington State’s first openly gay legislator and served as a House Representative and Senator in the late 80s and early 90s. After he passed away in 1995 due to AIDS complications, a Japanese maple tree was planted outside the in Olympia in his honor. The tree was later moved outside the legislative building and replaced with a cherry tree. That tree was cut down and the plaque removed without notification at the beginning of August, along with other nearby trees. There was a notice of tree removal, but never a mention of Cal Anderson’s memorial. The agency in charge of the removal apologized for what they considered an “oversight”. A new tree has already been planted in its place but will only be temporary; the memorial will be moving within the next few years due to construction. The process of relocation will include public input and approval from multiple capitol committees. STORY: North Cascade Highway closed again State Route 20 is closed again to any travel between Newhalem and Silver Gate due to multiple wildfires in the area. Drivers are urged to use Hwy 2 and 12 for east-west travel and Interstate 90 for interstate travel. WX: Showers likely Rain is due to make a comeback in Bellingham– the National Weather Service has forecast a 20% chance of showers after 3pm. Expect partial sun during the afternoon, with a high near 75*. The chance of rain overnight will be 70%, with a possible thunderstorm, with a high …

August 28, 2023 News TranscriptRead More