Drive-by shooting in Mount Vernon left two people with multiple gunshot wounds, $14M bond approved for Port of Bellingham Shipping Terminal modernization, Former Bellingham employees file class-action suit against city over COVID-19 vaccine policies, ‘High priority’ to get Sudden Valley Fire Station 22 back operating, City of Bellingham seeks new name for pier on Bellingham Bay, WSDOT plans for $85M fish passage project at I-5, Guide Meridian, Johnson & Johnson pays $123 million to WA following opioid lawsuit, WA plans to use $32 million to help asylum seekers ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, June 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Drive-by shooting in Mount Vernon left two people with multiple gunshot wounds Two people were injured after a drive-by shooting took place in Mount Vernon on June 11th. Police were dispatched to the scene on North 1st Street and found two men – a 23-year-old, and an 18-year-old – who had suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The 18-year-old was taken to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, while the 23-year-old was treated at the nearby Skagit Valley Hospital. Neither of them suffered life-threatening injuries. Mount Vernon Police believe the incident was not a random shooting. Witnesses and people who have information relating to the shooting are being asked to contact Mount Vernon Police. STORY: $14M bond approved for Port of Bellingham Shipping Terminal modernization On Tuesday, the Bellingham Port Commission approved a $14 million bond that will fund a large portion of the Bellingham Shipping Terminal modernization project. The two-year, multi-million dollar project is meant to improve the existing wharf by replacing the dock, which port projections say would encourage more cargo traffic and business in the port. The recently passed bond will fund upgrades and repairs at both the shipping and cruise terminals. At the Tuesday meeting, Port commissioners and employees explained that the approved bonds wouldn’t be paid for by taxpayers. Instead, port revenues will be used for the payback period. Once the bonds are issued, it will take about 15 years for the port to repay the amount borrowed, with an estimated annual payment of up to $1.4 million. In January, the port started dredging the Whatcom Waterway to increase the navigation depth to 35 feet. The work is expected to be completed by February of next year, and port officials say a deeper waterway will create jobs for longshoremen, as well as shipyard and rail workers. Dan Tucker, part of the Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County, added that economic activity at the shipping terminal will ripple into downtown Bellingham and greater Whatcom County. STORY: Former Bellingham employees file class-action suit against city over COVID-19 vaccine policies Eighteen former employees of the City of Bellingham, fired in 2021 for refusing COVID-19 vaccinations, have sued the city and former Mayor Seth Fleetwood. This follows Fleetwood’s September 2021 emergency order mandating vaccinations, which was eventually lifted in February of last year. The lawsuit, filed on June 13th in the U.S. District Court of Western Washington, claims the plaintiffs had the right to refuse the vaccine without penalty. The plaintiffs are seeking punitive damages, attorney’s fees, litigation expenses, and compensation for lost wages and benefits. The case is part of a broader pattern of legal challenges to vaccination mandates in the state. Neither party has commented on the lawsuit. STORY: ‘High priority’ to get Sudden Valley Fire Station 22 back operating Fire Chief Mitch Nolze (NOULz) says that getting Sudden Valley’s Fire Station 22 operational again is the “highest priority” and hopes to have cost estimates ready by July. In January, a burst pipe caused enough water damage to render the station largely inoperable. Currently, the station’s administrative office remains open during business hours, alongside a crew of three to four emergency responders at all times, while the bulk of the South Whatcom Fire Authority’s responders have been relocated to the Geneva Fire Station. Even before the burst pipe, Fire Station 22 had long been slated for a remodel. Now, Nolze says, that conversation has been accelerated. Nolze noted that despite the change in circumstances, the Fire Authority is still hitting their response time goals, typically taking between five and fifteen minutes to reach a call. He also says that he does not anticipate the project to require tax dollars, and will instead draw on existing cash reserves. STORY: City of Bellingham seeks new name for pier on Bellingham Bay The City of Bellingham is seeking public help in renaming the Bellingham Bay pier. The pier, originally built in 1912 in the southwest of Little Squalicum Park, will soon undergo renovations which will provide up to 1,200 ft of public access over the water. The renovations, primarily funded by the Greenway Levy Funds, will start later this year, and will run only between August to February, to protect in-water habitats and wildlife. Name suggestions can be submitted on the City of Bellingham’s website, where they will then be forwarded to the Bellingham Parks & Recreation Board and Bellingham City Council for final approval. Voting for the new pier name closes on July 12th. STORY: WSDOT plans for $85M fish passage project at I-5, Guide Meridian This week, WSDOT (WASH-dot) presented their plan for an 85 million dollar fish passage project spanning I-5 and the Guide Meridian, to begin in 2026. The project will work to fix existing creek culverts that are the wrong size and shape to accommodate fish moving up or downstream. This is one of many projects across the state that are working to comply with a 2013 federal court injunction that enforces tribal treaty fishing rights. The state has until 2030 to repair or replace culverts to open up salmon habitat upstream. The design phase has already begun, and is currently informing businesses of future disruptions and changes. Both I-5 and the Guide are expected to be reduced to a single lane in each direction for periods of time while construction is underway. WSDOT says it should have a clearer …
The Wandering ‘Hamster
June 18, 2024 News Transcript
Washington driver killed after speeding through roundabout north of Bellingham, Birch Bay Waterslides denies knowledge of defects and damages, Bellingham’s 116-acre land purchase will help connect existing paths, extend Bay to Baker Trail, Bells Library Card Night, Bells Library Card Night, Bellingham outlines next six years of transportation network improvements, Judge orders BNSF to pay Swinomish Tribe nearly $400M for trespassing with oil trains, First prosecution for retail theft, WA plans to use $32 million to help asylum seekers ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Washington driver killed after speeding through roundabout north of Bellingham A man died Sunday morning after driving through a roundabout in Lyden. Cory Lockwood, 32, from Omak, was driving south on the Guide Meridian when he approached the roundabout at Wiser Lake Road at high speeds, sending his car off the road. According to a news release from the Washington State Patrol, the driver wasn’t wearing a seatbelt and was ejected from the car when it hit a tree. Medics pronounced Lockwood dead at the scene. WSP said it is unknown at this time if drugs or alcohol were involved. STORY: Birch Bay Waterslides denies knowledge of defects and damages On Wednesday last week, the owner of Birch Bay Waterslides formally denied any wrongdoing in an incident in which a Skagit man sustained traumatic injuries. The plaintiff had been riding the Hairpin, one of the park’s slides, when he partially slid through a defective splash guard, causing significant lacerations on both legs. Health inspectors later discovered corroded or missing fasteners where the slide had failed. In their response in court last week, Birch Bay Jun Yu (JUNE you) Waterslides LLC denied knowledge that any part of its facility was defective or damaged. They additionally stated that admission to the park requires the signing of a waiver that holds the park harmless from any loss, liability, damage or cost incurred, whether by one or another’s actions, or negligence by Birch Bay themselves. As of yesterday, no trial date has been set. Birch Bay Waterslides has remained closed since the day of the accident, and will be for the remainder of the 2024 season. STORY: Bellingham’s 116-acre land purchase will help connect existing paths, extend Bay to Baker Trail Bellingham City Council approved the purchase of 116 acres owned by the state Department of Natural Resources for $2.19 million. On June 3rd city council approved a measure to allow Mayor Kim Lund to close on the $2.19 million deal, funded by the Greenways Levy, with the sale expected to finalize by the end of this year. According to parks development manager, Laine Potter, the 116 acres of land located north of Mount Baker Highway will permit trail connections to Sunset Pond Park and allow for a future extension of the Bellingham Bay to Baker Trail. The purchase will also give the City the potential of adding a public park to the city’s northeast side. The new addition builds on other land purchased in 2022, paid for by Greenways levy funds, including 17 and a half acres at the corner of Hannegan Road and Sunset Drive. City councilmember Michael Lilliquist says that although it is a steep cost upfront, the purchase will serve as a longtime benefit for all. STORY: Bells Library Card Night The Bellingham Bells are hosting a Library Card Night at their game on Thursday. Show your library card at the gate for a free general admission ticket. One ticket is provided per library card. The gates at Joe Martin Field open at 5:30 p.m. and first pitch is at 6:35 p.m. Everyone is welcome. As of today, our local collegiate summer baseball team has a 35-and-18 record. Go Bells! STORY: Bellingham outlines next six years of transportation network improvements Bellingham City Council approved a new Transportation Improvement Program yesterday on Monday, June 17th. The plan acts as a bridge between long-term documents such as the Bellingham Comprehensive Plan and budget documents, and outlines the city’s transportation projects for the next six years. Projects include street repairs, connections and crossings for pedestrians and cyclists, implementation of clean energy transportation, and railroad crossings. This year saw the addition of a Neighborhood Traffic Safety Program and nine new projects— including improvements to downtown safety and streetlight improvements on Samish Way and Maple Street. In addition, the Holly Street Bike Lane will be expanded to stretch from Ellis Street to Broadway. Since the conversion of a Holly Street traffic lane into a bike lane, the city has received over 1,000 comments. Public Works Director Eric Johnston says that Holly Street may see additional changes as the city develops the pilot program with the comments in mind. STORY: Judge orders BNSF to pay Swinomish Tribe nearly $400M for trespassing with oil trains This week, a U.S. District Court Judge has ordered BNSF Railway to pay the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community nearly $400 million for trespassing on their reservation. A 1991 easement agreement between BNSF and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community permitted 25 rail cars to transport crude oil across the reservation per day. In 2015, a lawsuit revealed that BNSF exceeded the terms of by over a total of a quarter of a million rail cars. BNSF generated $900 million in revenue from these activities, with net profits calculated at around $395 million. Judge Robert Lasnik’s (LAZ-nick) ruling on Monday followed a four-day bench trial that debated the calculation of BNSF’s illegal profits. According to a statement from tribal leaders yesterday, the Swinomish tribe’s concern is not only financial but also environmental, given the rail line crosses sensitive marine ecosystems. BNSF is expected to appeal the decision. STORY: First prosecution for retail theft The first prosecution by the state retail theft task force ended in a conviction earlier this month. On June 7th, 33-year-old Shawn Nanez (NAAN-yez) of Bremerton pleaded guilty in Kitsap County Superior Court to numerous charges, including two felony counts of first-degree …
June 17, 2024 News Transcript
Bellingham police arrest man on suspicion of assault, attempted kidnapping in Fairhaven, Former student causes security scare at Squalicum High School, Bellingham swimmer Gavin Jones becomes first to compete at U.S. Olympic Team Trials, Bellingham Parks and Recreation announces Civic Stadium renovations to begin in June, Bellingham’s Summer Concert Series in the Parks lines up free live music starting June 20, WA carbon auction demand drops, as prices remain lower, WA plans to use $32 million to help asylum seekers ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, June 17. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham police arrest man on suspicion of assault, attempted kidnapping in Fairhaven Bellingham police arrested a man on Thursday following his alleged attempt to kidnap and assault a woman. The victim reported to police that she had gone to meet up with John Brooks Ferlin at his Fairhaven apartment, only for Ferlin to approach her from behind and place a rag soaked with rubbing alcohol over her mouth. The victim was able to escape as Ferlin made additional threats. Multiple 911 calls were made by bystanders who witnessed the victim running away, screaming for help. The victim later identified Ferlin to police, who was arrested without incident. A search of Ferlin’s apartment yielded illegal drugs and associated paraphernalia. Ferlin was booked into Whatcom County Jail on charges of second-degree assault with a sexual motivation, kidnapping, and possession of a controlled substance. He remains in custody. STORY: Former student causes security scare at Squalicum High School A former Squalicum High School student caused a security scare at the school on Wednesday. Both Squalicum and the nearby Northern Heights Elementary School were placed in Secure protocol for an hour-and-a-half after the former student was spotted on Squalicum’s soccer field. During this time, all doors to the school were locked, and no one was allowed in or out. Police officers, as well as the individual’s family, were initially successful in addressing the issue. However, the individual was later spotted again on Squalicum’s property, which prompted the school to be placed back into the Secure protocol for nearly an hour. Police and the individual’s family were called back to the scene, and the person eventually left the property with assistance. The Bellingham School District later said the individual showed no intent to harm. STORY: Bellingham swimmer Gavin Jones becomes first to compete at U.S. Olympic Team Trials A Bellingham man recently qualified for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials, beating the current record by over one second. Gavin Jones swam the 200m breaststroke with a time of just over 2:14.72. Jones attended Bellingham High School and formerly competed with the Bellingham Bay Swim Team at the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center but is now a junior at Denison University in Granville, Ohio. The five-time NCAA Division III All-American will compete in the 200m Breaststroke Trials tomorrow. Jones is the first swimmer to come from Bellingham to compete in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials. STORY: Bellingham Parks and Recreation announces Civic Stadium renovations to begin in June Starting on Monday, June 17th, Bellingham’s Civic Stadium will undergo renovations on its south grandstand. The renovations include concrete and ceiling repair, waterproofing, painting, roofing, and other needed tasks. Bellingham Parks and Recreation says stadium parking will not be affected by the construction. The track and field will be accessible through the stadium’s entrance on Orleans Street. The north grandstand’s restrooms will also remain open. The project is expected to go until mid-October, and no public events are planned to be held at the stadium this summer. STORY: Bellingham’s Summer Concert Series in the Parks lines up free live music starting June 20 Bellingham’s ‘Summer Concerts in the Parks’ series is about to start. The City has announced free concerts will be held on Thursdays at Elizabeth Park and Fridays at Boulevard Park that will feature a variety of music groups. Concerts will run from June 20th through August 23rd and start at 6pm. Funk & rock group North Sound Soul will perform at Elizabeth Park this Thursday, and the first Boulevard Park concert will feature the funk group GrooveBot. You can find the full schedule on the City of Bellingham website. STORY: Skagit County approves controversial gravel mine Skagit County has approved plans for a controversial new gravel mine north of Sedro-Woolley. The Grip Road Gravel Mine was previously approved in February of this year before being successfully appealed. According to Skagit County, the proposal has since been reviewed and certified by a new hearing examiner, and work is set to begin. Concrete Nor’west, the mine’s developer, will log nearly 70 acres of forested land and add 23 loaded gravel trucks to local daily traffic. Despite the review, many in Skagit County still oppose the proposal in its current state. Kyle Loring and John Day, spokespeople for opposition group Central Samish Valley Neighbors, have stated that the decision still fails to address their environmental and safety concerns, and say they feel that the new hearing examiner did not take their counter-arguments into consideration when listening to their testimonials. Concrete Nor’west has agreed to the road maintenance and safety improvements included in the decision. However, Day claims that these conditions still fall far short addressing residents’ concerns. Loring further stated that the project was approved as requested by the company, without vital changes. The deadline for further appeals is June 25th. CSVN is currently evaluating whether or not to submit another. STORY: WA carbon auction demand drops, as prices remain lower Demand for carbon-emission allowances has dropped in Washington state. Data from the Department of Ecology shows that, in addition to the slowing demand by polluters, the prices for allowances have remained low. This time last year, allowances were being sold at around $56 each – and now are going for a little under $30. While the auction on June 5th still managed to raise $189 million in revenue for the state, this was still less than half of the …
June 14, 2024 News Transcript
Bellingham police investigating hate crime against sixth-grader, Bellingham police arrest man on suspicion of assault, attempted kidnapping in Fairhaven, Swimming advisories lifted for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove and Birch Bay beaches, Lummi Island vehicle ferry resumes Saturday afternoon, Ex-Washington state auditor fights disbarment following prison time, Free and Cheap, Former student causes security scare at Squalicum High School ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham police investigating hate crime against sixth-grader Bellingham police are investigating a hate crime after a sixth-grade student was assaulted during a field trip on Wednesday. According to the BPD, a group of middle school students and staff were walking in front of the police station when the suspect crossed the street and without warning, turned and pushed the victim, described in the report as, “a pre-teen child of color,” and made a comment similar to, quote, “are you gonna talk to a white man like that?” The 42 year-old suspect, identified from BPD arrest reports as Paul Jonathan Bittner, then hit the victim in the face with a closed fist. Staff intervened and called law enforcement. During questioning, the suspect used derogatory language toward Black people and made a statement indicating people should assault them. He was arrested on suspicion of malicious harassment and assault of a child. In a video response, Mayor Kim Lund and Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig denounced the attack, and stated that the work of the new Whatcom Racial Equity Commission is more necessary than ever. In a letter to the community, Bellingham Public Schools Superintendent Greg Baker wrote the district was opposed to anti-Black racism and racism in all forms. Counseling support services are being provided to all students. Bittner is currently being held at Whatcom County Jail, with his bail set to half a million dollars. STORY: Bellingham police arrest man on suspicion of assault, attempted kidnapping in Fairhaven Bellingham police arrested a man on Thursday following his alleged attempt to kidnap and assault a woman. The victim reported to police that she had gone to meet up with John Brooks Ferlin at his Fairhaven apartment, only for Ferlin to approach her from behind and place a rag soaked with rubbing alcohol over her mouth. The victim was able to escape as Ferlin made additional threats. Multiple 911 calls were made by bystanders who witnessed the victim running away, screaming for help. The victim later identified Ferlin to police, who was arrested without incident. A search of Ferlin’s apartment yielded illegal drugs and associated paraphernalia. Ferlin was booked into Whatcom County Jail on charges of second-degree assault with a sexual motivation, kidnapping, and possession of a controlled substance. He remains in custody. STORY: Swimming advisories lifted for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove and Birch Bay beaches Swimming advisories were lifted for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove, and Birch Bay beaches. Yesterday, Whatcom County Health and Community Services lifted swimming advisories for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove, and Birch Bay beaches. The advisories were issued last Thursday after high levels of fecal bacteria were found. According to the Department of Ecology, new water samples have shown lower levels of fecal bacteria. Ecology says it can be difficult to predict when bacteria levels may rise again and advises swimmers to look for updated information. They pointed out that one potential source is outfalls, where water from rivers, sewers, or drains empty into the ocean, and advises swimmers to avoid these areas. County health officials have yet to confirm the cause of the outbreak and advisories for Boulevard Park and Little Squalicum remain in effect. STORY: Lummi Island vehicle ferry resumes Saturday afternoon The Lummi Island Ferry will resume vehicle service around 4 p.m. Saturday, after a month-long scheduled dry dock outage. Restoration of the Whatcom Chief’s service is contingent upon completion of remaining dry dock work, including sea trials, according to Whatcom County Public Works. If the date or time changes because of unforeseen circumstances, Public Works will provide an update. As a result of the resumed service, the Lummi Island shuttle van will end its service on Monday and ferry parking will change. People with vehicles parked either at the Gooseberry Point Dock or the Lummi Island main parking area will need to move their vehicles by Friday. Any vehicles left in the area after the deadlines will impact ferry queuing traffic and will be subject to towing. The last passenger-only ferry service will run through midnight on Friday at Gooseberry Point. On Saturday, from midnight to around 4 p.m., there will be no ferry service during the dock changeover. Only one outage is anticipated while the dock modifications and floats are dismantled. STORY: Ex-Washington state auditor fights disbarment following prison time Disgraced former state auditor Troy Kelley is contesting his disbarment due to his 2017 conviction on eight felonies, which led to his imprisonment. Kelley requested the state Supreme Court to overturn the disbarment recommendation from the State Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board, and advocated instead for his six-year suspension to count as “time served”. While serving in the state House and as Washington state auditor, Kelly faced legal troubles from his real estate services business between 2006 and 2008, which led to charges including money laundering, possession of stolen property, lying to federal officials, and filing false tax returns. Prosecutors alleged he kept about $3 million dollars in fees meant for homeowners. Following his indictment, he received eight felony convictions. Kelley has been suspended from the bar since January 2018. The former auditor says he has no intention of practicing law again and cited his public service and the time elapsed since his offenses as mitigating factors. Conversely, the bar association’s attorney maintained that disbarment was necessary to uphold the integrity of the legal profession, stressing that Kelley’s felony convictions involved crimes of dishonesty. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are a few events …
June 13, 2024 News Transcript
Moles Farewell Tributes ends connection to Whatcom County amid investigation of improper body storage, EMS reviewing transport data after claims by Lummi Nation of inadequate emergency response, City investigating sources of stormwater contaminants entering Bellingham Bay, Construction delays continue through summer at Hannegan Rd. 72% of Washington eighth graders not proficient in math, report shows, Ex-Washington state auditor fights disbarment following prison time ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, June 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Deming woman arrested for suspicion of DUI after crashing vehicle into residence A Deming woman has been arrested for suspicion of DUI after crashing into a house. State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding said that the driver of the vehicle, 27-year old Tabitha Johnnie, was behind the wheel of a vehicle headed north on State Route 9 last Saturday. The car veered off the road and crashed into a private residence between Deming and Acme. Johnnie and her passenger were taken to St. Joseph Medical Center. Nobody was in the house at the time of the crash. STORY: Moles Farewell Tributes ends connection to Whatcom County amid investigation of improper body storage Moles Farewell Tributes and Cremation Center officially terminated its partnership with Whatcom County after they claim the Medical Examiner’s office failed to properly store multiple human remains. The funeral home had served as a temporary morgue since last year. However, John Moles, the funeral home owner, said in a recent statement that they quote “won’t tolerate substandard operations” end-of-quote, nor the county’s refusal to absolve Moles Farewell Tributes of wrongdoing in the mishandling of the bodies. County spokesperson Jed Holmes says the county’s temporary morgue has been moved to Simple Cremation of Bellingham, and that the county has launched an independent investigation into why the medical examiner’s office failed to uphold proper procedure after autopsies. The county says it has also acquired a refrigerated truck for additional storage space, and that County Executive Satpal Sidhu has prioritized the completion of renovations on the medical examiner’s State Street office. Moles denies any responsibility for the mishandling of bodies on their property. STORY: EMS reviewing transport data after claims by Lummi Nation of inadequate emergency response Whatcom County EMS Services is refuting the Lummi Nation’s claims that EMS failed to provide adequate emergency response to the reservation. Following the death of a Lummi woman in April, Tribal Chairman Anthony Hillaire sent a letter to County EMS stating that services to Lummi Nation are systematically inadequate. County EMS Manager Mike Hilley said that EMS administration reviewed countywide data, and says they don’t believe the data supports Hillaire’s allegations. The letter asserts that the Lummi woman’s death was not an isolated incident, but rather part of a larger pattern. Hillaire expressed ongoing concerns about instances where EMS declined to transport patients. According to a public records request by the Cascadia Daily News, about 30% of Lummi patients were not transported to the hospital by either Whatcom County or Bellingham Fire departments. According to Hilley, the non-transport rate sits at about 48% across the whole county. This is due in part to protocols created during the COVID-19 pandemic that were designed to ease overcrowding in emergency rooms. Hilley says he has requested more data from around the state to understand what left-at-home rates look like in areas comparable to Whatcom County, and to understand if better protocols need to be developed. STORY: City investigating sources of stormwater contaminants entering Bellingham Bay The City of Bellingham is actively investigating local stormwater runoffs for possible sources of contamination after a new study found multiple hotspots for bacterial pollution. RE Sources (REE-sources), a Bellingham non-profit, studied the quality of stormwater flowing into Bellingham Bay from 2021 to 2023, and found E. coli levels five times higher than safe limits at the Bennett Outfall, located close to Taylor Dock. Researchers say bacteria levels are likely diluted but advise people to swim with caution. The data comes a week after Whatcom County Health and Community Services issued a swimming advisory for Boulevard and Taylor Dock due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria found during regular testing. The city says it is looking to identify the sources of the pollution. STORY: Construction delays continue through summer at Hannegan Rd. Road construction is expected to continue at the intersection of East Smith and Hannegan Road until at least mid-August. Stremler Gravel was contracted by the county to install a multi-lane roundabout at the intersection. The project began last month, and major construction was originally expected to be done by July 4th. In their website, Whatcom County Public Works stated that there have been several delays to the project, and drivers should continue to anticipate high traffic and long wait times. The total estimated cost for the roundabout is over $7.5 million dollars. Just over half is funded by federal grants including the Highway Safety Improvement Program and the Federal Carbon Reduction Program. The other portion—totaling more than $3.5 million dollars– will come from local road funds, which are primarily sourced from property taxes. Work on the intersection is underway from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily and including weekends. STORY: 72% of Washington eighth graders not proficient in math, report shows A new report indicates most Washington K-12 students have not met basic math and reading proficiency standards in the last four years. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation, in 2022, 66% of Washington fourth graders were not proficient in reading, and 72% of eighth graders were not proficient in math. The foundation’s report, based on the National Assessment of Educational Progress data, shows Washington students performing slightly better than the national average. The Kids Count Data Book says Washington ranks 14th in overall child well-being– but 26th in education. The pandemic notably impacted eighth graders’ math proficiency, with a 12 percentage point drop from 2019 to 2022. Recovery has been observed from 2022 to 2023,however, concerns persist for students of color and low-income students. Additionally, …
June 12, 2024 News Transcript
Whatcom Co. man leads police on chase after calling 911 to report shooting a family member, Hammer homicide victim identified as former WWU professor, PeaceHealth hospitalists vote to unionize, Electric Avenue bridge partially reopens, Whatcom burn ban in July, Washington launches mental health, school safety helpline for teens, PNW coast suffers from low oxygen, study finds ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, June 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Whatcom Co. man leads police on chase after calling 911 to report shooting a family member Last week, Whatcom County deputies arrested a Ferndale man after he shot a family member and led them on a freeway chase. At roughly 7:15 pm on Friday, Robert Earl Manly called 911 to report having shot a family member in the leg. The victim later called to corroborate the story, describing Manly as agitated and angry. Manly had left the scene by the time emergency services arrived to administer medical aid. He was found hours later driving west on Main Street, and fled from the deputies who attempted to pull him over. The deputies pursued Manly north before immobilizing his vehicle on Grandview Road. The sheriff’s office reports that Manly was driving erratically, and frequently crossed the center dividing line. Manly was taken to St. Joseph’s Medical Hospital before later being booked into the Whatcom County Jail on counts of first-degree assault, third-degree assault of a police officer, eluding police, and driving under the influence. STORY: Hammer homicide victim identified as former WWU professor A man who was killed in his Bellingham home last week has been identified as the founder of Western Washington University’s dance program. Nolan Dennett, 74, was the “architect” and director of Western’s dance program until he retired in 2021, according to Western’s website. An award-winning choreographer, he was also an author and Fulbright Scholar. Dennett was allegedly murdered on June 6 by roommate James Anthony Singleton. According to court documents, Dennett and Singleton, 36, were in a relationship. Dennett and Singleton, of Dallas, met online a month earlier and Singleton moved into a bedroom in Dennett’s residence on Old Samish Road. According to the Bellingham Police Department’s affidavit, the two smoked methamphetamine together. Singleton said Dennett became “overly aggressive and dominant” and gave him a deadline to move out of the residence. Singleton told detectives he “feared for his safety” and brought a hammer into his bedroom. Later, when the two were using meth, Singleton hit Dennett in the head several times with the hammer. He discarded the hammer near Arroyo Park. The hammer was found last week in connection to the murder scene. Singleton has been charged with first-degree murder and is currently in county jail. STORY: PeaceHealth hospitalists vote to unionize 30 clinicians from Bellingham and Sedro-Woolley voted to unionize on Tuesday. The clinicians accepted the proposal to join the Union of American Physicians and Dentists with 76% of the employees voting in favor. While they work at St. Joseph Medical Center and United General Medical Center, they are employed by Sound Physicians, a for-profit national labor management company. They say this arrangement has led to less ability to advocate for patient’s needs and fuels burnout. According to recent reporting by the Cascadia Daily, Meg Lelonek (LEL-lo-neck), one of the unionizing employees, says PeaceHealth had alluded that it plans to challenge the joint employer status. PeaceHealth did not immediately respond to the CDN’s request for further explanation. The National Labor Relations Board is expected to certify the result in seven days. STORY: Electric Avenue bridge partially reopens The bridge on Electric Avenue has partially reopened after closing on June 3rd due to structural repairs. A city inspection last week revealed that one of the bridge’s timber beams was damaged, and could not hold weight for much longer. One lane of the bridge is now open, with alternating traffic controlled by temporary traffic signals. However, vehicles above 24 tons are not permitted on the bridge. Public works says that people should expect delays, and that starting today, Route 525 will resume regular access with the bridge. Funding for the bridge’s full rebuild is already in its planning phase, and will be included in the city’s six year Transportation improvement program. STORY: Whatcom burn ban in July The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s office announced a Stage 1 burn ban to take effect in Whatcom starting July 1st. According to the announcement on Facebook, the ban is expected to last through September 14th – during which time all land clearing and land debris burning will be prohibited. The use of burn permits will also be suspended. The burn ban comes early in part because experts expect a dry spring and summer – contributing towards an active wildfire season. However, recreational fires will be allowed during this time, but must meet specific requirements. To learn about the requirements of a recreational fire, go to WhatcomCounty.us. STORY: Washington launches mental health, school safety helpline for teens The Washington Attorney General’s Office announced it has launched HearMeWA, a statewide hotline for youth under 25 facing food insecurity, social difficulties, suicidal thoughts, or violence. Operated by nonprofit organization Sandy Hook Promise, the hotline offers 24/7 support and connects users with crisis counselors who can refer them to appropriate services. Funded with nearly $2 million dollars from the state, it costs about $1 million dollars annually to run. HearMeWA differs from similar programs by offering responses outside of school interventions – a crucial option for rural areas. Organizers say feedback from youth advocates and a youth advisory group helped shape the program, and emphasize the importance of young people being heard and supported. It complements but does not replace existing resources like Teen Link. Attorney General Bob Ferguson sees it as a critical first response to youth stress, noting growing levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms reported among Washington’s 10th graders. STORY: PNW coast suffers from low oxygen, study finds A new study reveals that about half of …
June 11, 2024 News Transcript
Man arrested in connection to attempted arson at north Bellingham apartment, Five people and a dog rescued in waters off Lummi Island, Federal Railroad Administration says cause of last week’s BNSF derailment near Custer has been identified, Garbage cans changing downtown, Whatcom opioid conference registration open, State Supreme Court agrees to take up case against Spokane camping ban, Inslee releases new abortion directive, PNW coast suffers from low oxygen, study finds, PNW coast suffers from low oxygen, study finds ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, June 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Man arrested in connection to attempted arson at north Bellingham apartment A man was arrested in connection to an attempted arson and an incident of domestic violence at a North Bellingham apartment. The 22 year-old man was arrested for first-degree arson and charges related to domestic violence early Saturday morning. According to the Bellingham Police Department, the victim called authorities around midnight to report an assault in progress at her North Bellingham apartment. The victim told officers that the suspect tried to lock her in the apartment, intimidating both her and her child, before they were able to escape. When first responders arrived, fire alarms were set off and flames were coming from items stacked on top of stove burners. The suspect was found and arrested for attempting to set the fire. He currently remains at Whatcom County Jail on a $75,000 bail. STORY: Five people and a dog rescued in waters off Lummi Island On Sunday evening, Coast Guard first responders rescued five kayakers and one dog stranded in the waters northwest of Lummi Island. A coordinated effort between stations in Bellingham and Port Angeles was able to locate the group after one of the kayakers activated their inReach satellite messaging device, which alerted nearby EMS to their predicament. Bellingham Coast Guard reports that all, dog included, were wearing personal floatation devices at the time of rescue. One of the kayakers received medical treatment from EMS en route to the Bellingham station, but none required hospitalization. STORY: Federal Railroad Administration says cause of last week’s BNSF derailment near Custer has been identified The Federal Railroad Administration has identified the cause of last week’s train derailment near Custer. The train, which was carrying molten sulfur, derailed near midnight last Tuesday. According to the recent reporting by the Bellingham Herald, the FRA said the incident occurred when traversing a switch in the railroad. The previous train had left a gap in the switch points, causing the next train to derail. BNSF’s investigation into the cause of the accident continues, and a full report will be released in about three months. There were no reported injuries and the sulfur was not spilled in the accident. STORY: Garbage cans changing downtown New trash and recycling cans are coming to downtown Bellingham. The City of Bellingham has announced that they will be transitioning to new downtown garbage and recycling cans after positive public feedback about the new bin models. The new bins downtown feature a larger carrying capacity that requires fewer pickups and will reduce transportation-related emissions. The new bins are fully enclosed with two options for hands-free and manual opening. This is part of the city’s ongoing plan to revamp downtown. STORY: Whatcom opioid conference registration open Registration is now open for the 2024 All Hands Whatcom Opioid Summit, scheduled to take place June 25 and 26 at Bellingham High School. The two-day event will delve into a variety of critical topics surrounding the Fentanyl crisis— from analyzing data and evidence-based practices to fostering empathy through powerful personal stories. Attendees will also engage in action planning sessions geared towards community investment and support. The summit is open to everyone and free to attend. For more information and to register for the summit, please visit the official event website. STORY: State Supreme Court agrees to take up case against Spokane camping ban On Wednesday, the Washington State Supreme Court agreed to take up a case against a local Spokane initiative banning camping within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, parks, and playgrounds. The measure, known as Proposition 1, has been contentious ever since its approval in November. Proposition 1 has been questioned over its constitutional legitimacy under a U.S. Supreme Court ruling which states that cities cannot enforce anti-camping ordinances if they lack the shelter beds to accommodate those displaced. Last August, a joint lawsuit was filed by local homeless service providers to have the measure stricken from the ballot. A state superior court judge denied the motion the same month. However, this lawsuit is only looking at the question of whether or not Proposition 1 is outside the scope of what a local initiative can do. If the Supreme Court rules against it, Proposition 1 will be stricken from the ballot this coming November despite voter approval. STORY: Inslee releases new abortion directive Governor Jay Inslee has directed the Washington Department of Health to ensure that hospitals in the state provide emergency abortion services as legally required. This directive comes near the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, and amidst the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on the Idaho v. United States and Moyle v. United States case. The Idaho case could criminalize emergency room doctors for performing emergency abortions. In the statement, Inslee criticized politicians for interfering with critical healthcare decisions and emphasized that Washington has taken steps to protect patients’ access to abortion services, positioning the state as a safe haven for those seeking care unavailable in other states. He also reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to being a pro-choice state. WX: Cloudy Your Whatcom County weather today – Expect sun and some clouds, with a high of 63 degrees. Tonight will be cloudy, as temperatures drop to a low of 49. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Tomorrow is expected to be sunny all day. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), …
June 10, 2024 News Transcript
Court documents reveal details of south Bellingham hammer homicide, More advisories issued for beaches around Whatcom County, Bellingham seeks feedback on drinking water quality, Anniversary of Olympic Pipeline Explosion, Famed Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, dead in vintage-plane crash, Washington Supreme Court will hear case on high-capacity ammo magazine ban, WA cracks down on gassy garbage, State Supreme Court agrees to take up case against Spokane camping ban ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, June 10th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Court documents reveal details of south Bellingham hammer homicide A man has been booked into Whatcom County Jail on Thursday, accused of first-degree murder of a Bellingham resident. According to the Bellingham Police Department, 36 year-old James Singleton was arrested after he called 911 to report someone was barely breathing after a fight. When BPD arrived at the residence on Old Samish Road, they found Bellingham resident Nolan Dennett with injuries caused by blunt force trauma, and declared him dead on the scene. Singleton said that he and the victim had been taking drugs two days before and were involved in a fight. According to the BPD, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office K9 team found a hammer believed to be associated with the fight near a walking path at Arroyo Park. Singleton is currently being held without bail. STORY: More advisories issued for beaches around Whatcom County The Whatcom County Health Department has issued swimming advisories due to high levels of fecal coliform bacteria. People and pets should stay out of the water at Larrabee State Park, Taylor Beach and Little Squalicum Beach as well as three Birch Bay locations : the beach, the tidelands and Wildcat Cove. Members of the public are advised to avoid contact with the water and sand in those areas. If you are hearing this information on your way home from an affected beach, the health department advises showering and hand washing. STORY: Bellingham seeks feedback on drinking water quality Bellingham is asking residents for feedback on the city’s water quality. The Washington Department of Health requires cities to reevaluate their water system plans every 10 years to keep up with current and future demands of the community. The City of Bellingham says community feedback will help identify potential repair projects for old or leaking pipes and will influence new programs and policies. Residents can offer their opinions by going to the city’s website. STORY: Anniversary of Olympic Pipeline Explosion Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Olympic Pipeline explosion. On this day, 25 years ago, multiple residents and businesses in the area reported what appeared to be fuel flowing through the creek. First responders at the scene confirmed the leak, as well as the presence of fumes, and the pipeline was shut down. Later in the afternoon, however, a broken pipe on the upper creek in Whatcom Falls Park exploded, spilling 7,000 gallons of gasoline a minute into the creek. In total, the Washington Department of Ecology estimates that 226,000 gallons were spilled. The explosion killed two boys playing on the creek’s banks, as well as a teenager fishing upstream. The Olympic Pipe Line Company was later found to be quote “lax in inspection and safety checks, and non-compliant in its lease with the city” end-quote. State and federal regulations on pipelines were strengthened after the event. A community remembrance gathering is scheduled for tonight at Bellingham High School from 6 to 8 pm. STORY: Famed Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, dead in vintage-plane crash Bill Anders, one of the three astronauts in the first manned space mission to orbit the moon, is dead. Anders died in a plane crash on Friday morning, when the small vintage piston-engine plane he was piloting alone crashed into the Salish Sea, near Jones Island. The wreckage was found later that day, according to the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office. The crash is being investigated by both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. Anders was part of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968, alongside Frank Borman and James Lovell. It was the first spacecraft to travel to the Moon, achieve orbit and return safely to Earth. Anders was the man responsible for capturing the iconic Earthrise photograph – a picture of the Earth taken from the lunar surface, a blue ball rising from the darkness of space. Mr. Anders was 90 years old. STORY: Washington Supreme Court will hear case on high-capacity ammo magazine ban The Washington State Supreme Court has agreed to directly review a lower court ruling which invalidated the state’s ban on ammunition magazines holding more than 10 rounds. Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Gary Bashor’s (BASH-er) decision initially halted the enforcement of the ban, allowing sales of high capacity magazines to resume. However, Supreme Court Commissioner Michael Johnston issued a temporary stay which reinstates the prohibition and extends it until the case is resolved. The lawsuit originated from a dispute involving Gator’s Custom Guns, a retailer accused by State Attorney General Bob Ferguson of violating the ban. Both the Attorney General’s office and the retailer requested the Supreme Court’s involvement, bypassing the state appeals court. The Supreme Court will also consider Gator’s request to lift the stay, with legal briefs due this month and a conference scheduled for July 10th. STORY: WA cracks down on gassy garbage Washington state is implementing new regulations to reduce methane emissions from landfills, aiming to prevent 1.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere annually. Methane, which is 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, contributes significantly to global warming, and about 16% of U.S. methane emissions come from landfills. The new rules, driven by House Bill 1663 which was passed in 2022, include stricter monitoring, timely repairs of leaks, and mandatory installation of methane capture equipment. Although environmentalists commend the new rules, they call for further measures– such as faster implementation of gas collection systems and advanced methane detection technology. Additionally, …
June 7, 2024 News Transcript
Whatcom County funeral home investigated for improper storage of human remains, blames recently expanded medical examiner’s office, Whatcom County to explore operating year-round homeless shelter, Puget Sound Energy will ramp up collection efforts for thousands of overdue bills, Boeing pays record $11.5M in wages wrongly withheld from WA workers, New labeling standards will make it easier to determine what packaging is compostable, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 7th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Whatcom County funeral home investigated for improper storage of human remains, blames recently expanded medical examiner’s office The Washington State Department of Licensing and Whatcom County are investigating complaints about improperly stored human remains at a Bellingham Funeral home. The Department of Licensing was notified twice on May 16th by other Whatcom County funeral homes that Moles Farewell Tributes Bayview Chapel was improperly storing human remains. The reports alleged that there were six to seven unrefrigerated bodies at the funeral home, held for the Whatcom County Medical Examiner. The DOL confirmed that a formal investigation has been opened into whether Moles violated state law. The investigation comes after Whatcom County Council recently approved a lease extension for the Medical Examiner’s office as the group prepares to transition from contract workers to county employees. Moles Farewell Tributes, is currently the temporary morgue for Whatcom County, while the Medical Examiner’s Office undergoes renovations. The County pays Moles for autopsies, storage, and transport. According to owner John Moles, they are not legally able to move the bodies without a request from the Medical Examiner’s office who has responsibility for the remains, and no request was made. The investigation is ongoing. STORY: Whatcom County to explore operating year-round homeless shelter Whatcom County Council is currently exploring the possibility of a year-round, low-barrier homeless shelter. A resolution presented Tuesday proposes that the County run its own shelter, as well as expand year-round shelter capacity. In the past year, Whatcom spent over 1.3 million dollars funding winter and severe weather shelters, with a single bed costing the county $426 per night. The proposal would cut that expense to an estimated $64, as well as reduce the need to find seasonal staff and coordinate with non-profit organizations. County Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresler pointed out that the hiring of full-time staff would create more work and impede the county’s ability to perform existing tasks. Council Members Tyler Byrd and Ben Elenbaas added that, in their opinion, those who utilize the shelter should also be expected to seek employment or more permanent housing while there. Council Member Kaylee Galloway, one of the resolution’s supporters, acknowledged the concerns, but said that providing shelter to all homeless people in Whatcom County is possible. STORY: Puget Sound Energy will ramp up collection efforts for thousands of overdue bills Thousands of low-income families could have gas and electric service cut off because of their long overdue bills. State regulators agreed last month to allow Puget Sound Energy to resume credit and collection practices paused since the pandemic. PSE is working to recover more than $140 million dollars owed from tens of thousands of customers. If a customer fails to act within 30 days, PSE may place them on a phased debt collection plan. Disconnections for non-payment are limited to those who owe more than $250 and are more than 90 days overdue. In response to the decision, PSE’s director of customer operations said that they will do everything possible to help customers and will not disconnect people who are working to pay their bill. STORY: Boeing pays record $11.5M in wages wrongly withheld from WA workers Boeing paid a company record $11.5 million in wrongfully withheld travel pay to almost 500 employees. According to the state Department of Labor and Industries, employees who were shorted wages are part of traveling work crews responsible for helping return grounded planes to service. The payments, which ranged from a few hundred dollars to over $90,000, originated from uncompensated business trips between October 2019 and August 2023. In 2021, the Washington Court of Appeals ruled that workers in the state must be paid for out-of-town business travel. A year later, the Department of Labor and Industries found that Boeing had not paid or accounted for all overtime and sick leave associated with their employees’ business trips. Payouts were made on March 24th. STORY: New labeling standards will make it easier to determine what packaging is compostable Passage of the Organics Management Law 2.0 earlier this year means changes are coming to labels on compostable products. This update aims to reduce consumer confusion, making composting more efficient and less costly. Starting this month, products in Washington must be certified by a third party to meet scientific standards for industrial composting. Other key updates include clearer definition of those products exempt from labeling– including products made of wood and those over 98% fiber without plastic or wax additives. The new law also clarifies the use of colors on non-compostable film bags, restricting the use of green, beige, and brown to avoid misleading customers. The law also directs the departments of Ecology as well as Agriculture to explore creating compostable produce stickers to reduce microplastics in compost. That report is due by September 2025. STORY: Free and Cheap Here’s a short list of events around the county this weekend. Pipeline Safety Trust is hosting events in remembrance of the 1999 Olympic Pipeline Explosion. Tomorrow at 9:30 am, the Pickford Film Center is screening a film followed by a discussion of the disaster. Tickets are free and available online. Later that day, the trust is hosting a guided walk of Whatcom Falls Park at 2 pm. More information about the tour, and other events are available at PSTrust.org. Also on Saturday, the City of Bellingham is hosting a Community Work Party at the Parks Native Plant Nursery. Volunteers will help provide maintenance and weeding. The event starts at 9 am with all ages welcome. Tools …
June 6, 2024 News Transcript
Train carrying molten sulfur derails in Whatcom County; BNSF investigation underway, Driver pulled from fiery vehicle after hitting tree in Bellingham, Whatcom County residents file petition to repeal “childcare tax”, Driver pulled from fiery vehicle after hitting tree in Bellingham, Whatcom County residents file petition to repeal “childcare tax”, Mindport Exhibits to Close After Nearly 30 Years, Bellingham City Council approves taller buildings in Fairhaven’s ‘pit’, Republicans fight to keep budget impact of November initiatives from appearing on ballots, Habitat for Humanity To Host Annual Trashion Show, Whatcom County to explore operating year-round homeless shelter ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, June 6th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Train carrying molten sulfur derails in Whatcom County; BNSF investigation underway A BNSF-led investigation is underway for a train that derailed in Whatcom County on Tuesday night. According to a recent update from Burlington Northern, the train was carrying molten sulfur, and six of its cars derailed at around 11 p.m. near Custer. Fire Chief Jason Van der Veen says no property damage, injuries, or spills were initially reported as a result of the accident. However, Portal Way between Valley View and Arnie Road is expected to remain closed again today. Sheriff Donnell ‘Tank’ Tanksly said they will continue to monitor developments as BNSF investigates the derailment. STORY: Driver pulled from fiery vehicle after hitting tree in Bellingham A fiery vehicle crash in front of Sehome High School has sent one person to the hospital. Yesterday around 7:40 pm, Bellingham Police Department received reports of a single vehicle crash along Bill McDonald Parkway in front of Sehome High School. According to the BPD, the vehicle hit a tree and caught fire. The driver was pulled from the car before first responders arrived on scene and was given lifesaving care by a witness, who was a nurse. The driver was then transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. The investigation is ongoing, and the driver is suspected to have been under the influence of drugs, although no charges have been filed. Following the accident, Bill McDonald Parkway was closed in both directions for about 2 hours and reopened around 10 pm. No update on the driver’s condition has been given. STORY: Whatcom County residents file petition to repeal “childcare tax” Critics of Whatcom County’s childcare services tax have submitted an initiative to repeal it. Proposition 5 passed by just 20 votes in the November 2022 election after a late surge of “cured”, or fixed, ballots pushed it over the top. The tax helps pay for early childhood education, childcare and other support for children in homeless or low-income families. According to Whatcom County Health and Community Services, the fund is collecting roughly $10 million annually, and has collected about $15 million so far. The measure raised property taxes by 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or $95 for a $500,000 property. Washingtonians for a Sound Economy, a conservative political group who submitted the petition, says that it’s a heavy burden for many county residents. The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office says they received the initiative petition on Monday, and are in the process of verifying the signatures. STORY: Mindport Exhibits to Close After Nearly 30 Years Mindport Exhibits, a science-based experiential learning center in downtown Bellingham since 1995, announced it will close its doors this fall. According to recent reporting from Whatcom Talk, the decision to close the museum came as a result of its owner’s retirement in 2019, and the end of funding from their primary donor. Tallie Jones, current executive director of Mindport – said that they did have the option of becoming a non-profit, but decided they did not want to compete with other non-profits in the area. The exhibit does not have an exact closing date, but Jones says it will remain open until the Fall. Updates on closing events can be found on their website mindport.org. STORY: Bellingham City Council approves taller buildings in Fairhaven’s ‘pit’ The Bellingham City Council voted to allow the development of a four-story building on the Fairhaven site known as ‘the pit’. Currently, the gravel lot on the corner of Mill Avenue and 11th Street is zoned for three-story buildings and has 75 free parking spaces. On Monday, the city offered an amendment for approval that would allow a building that exceeds height limits be built in exchange for public benefits that include a dedicated South Bay Trail easement, the inclusion of affordable housing units, and guaranteed parking. The move prompted some dissent from Fairhaven business owners, who asked the council to deny the proposed zoning changes and keep both the open space and free unofficial parking lot. In addition, some business owners voiced concerns that four-story buildings would be “out of character” for the neighborhood. The council vote was unanimous. STORY: Republicans fight to keep budget impact of November initiatives from appearing on ballots Supporters of three ballot initiatives are suing the state, arguing that the fiscal impact disclosures required by state law should not be applied in these cases. A 2022 Washington state law mandates fiscal effects of ballot measures to be described for voters. This year, initiatives to eliminate the state’s cap-and-trade system, end the capital gains tax, and make a long-term care program optional are on the ballot, all of which would have financial impacts on the state budget. However, Republican leaders Jim Walsh and Deanna Martinez filed a lawsuit against several state officials, including Attorney General Bob Ferguson, asserting the disclosure law is too specific to apply to these initiatives. State attorneys state the measures would significantly impact state revenue and qualify for the disclosures. If the court does not block the process, Ferguson’s office will draft 15-word fiscal impact statements for the ballot. Walsh and Martinez argue that these statements are partisan and unnecessary, while the state maintains they are essential for voter information. A court hearing is set for Friday. WX: Sun Your Whatcom County weather today – Expect …
June 5, 2024 News Transcript
Train derailment in Custer, Bellingham declares opioid and synthetic drug crisis, Lynden will end adding fluoride to drinking water, Port approves nearly $6K in compensation for digester tank grass removal, Work starting for Bellingham’s newest roundabout, WA parental rights law allowed to take effect, despite opposition, WA schools must serve students with disabilities until 22, court rules, Habitat for Humanity To Host Annual Trashion Show, Bellingham City Council approves taller buildings in Fairhaven’s ‘pit’ ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, June 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Train derailment in Custer A Burlington Northern Santa Fe train has derailed along Portal Way north of Custer. The road between Valley View and Arnie Road will remain closed all day, and drivers are advised to avoid the area. No materials were released in the derailment, and the cause is under investigation. STORY: Bellingham declares opioid and synthetic drug crisis After a unanimous vote on Monday, the Bellingham City Council officially declared an opioid and synthetic drug crisis. The declaration of crisis comes on the heels of similar announcements from the Lummi Nation and Whatcom County over the past year. In February, an executive order from Mayor Kim Lund established a first-responder office in downtown Bellingham, as well as increasing the number of police foot patrols in the area. In 2023, Bellingham Fire/EMS reports responding to nearly 900 overdose-related calls, and confirmed or probable drug overdoses claimed the lives of 137 people in Whatcom County. That’s a 50% increase in opioid-related deaths from 2022. In the meeting, City Council Member Dan Hammill stated that the declaration of crisis is only a first step, and that community partners will soon be issuing news about treatment care for those struggling with addiction. Council Member Michael Lilliquist said the declaration would justify further action, and that it is not a statement made so members could, quote “walk away and feel good.” STORY: Lynden will end adding fluoride to drinking water After a 4-3 city council vote on Monday night, the City of Lynden will stop adding fluoride to its water. Lynden is the only community in Whatcom County that adds fluoride to its municipal water supply to prevent tooth decay, and has been doing so since 1959. Whatcom County dentists have been the most vocal proponents of keeping fluoride, reporting a noticeable difference in oral health between patients who grew up drinking Lynden water and patients who were raised elsewhere in the county. However, a group of residents first brought the matter to the public works committee and city council last year, calling fluoridation, quote, “forced medication” by the government, for which they have not given informed consent. In May the Lynden council held a public hearing on the matter. The discussion spanned two meetings and resulted in more than four hours of testimony, with speakers evenly split between those asking to keep fluoride and those asking to end the practice. The city will use up its remaining supply of fluoride (about three to four months’ worth); keep the fluoridation equipment in place at the water treatment plant for a minimum of five years, and budget an additional $25,000 per year for community oral health and education measures. STORY: Port approves nearly $6K in compensation for digester tank grass removal In a unanimous decision, the Port of Bellingham agreed to pay nearly $6,000 in compensation for costs associated with the grass replacement around the Trackside Beer Garden. The grass was torn up and replaced in early May after lead paint chips from the digester tanks were found in the area following a restoration. Flakes of paint fell outside the screens that were set up to prevent them from escaping the work area and contaminated surrounding grass. To allow the grass to re-establish properly, the area was closed to the public for three weeks. It finally reopened last Saturday. The agreement will see the Port receive 50% less in concession fees from Kulshan Brewing, as well as Kulshan reducing its payments to the Port by nearly $6,000 for the month. STORY: Work starting for Bellingham’s newest roundabout A new roundabout is going in at the corner of Meridian and West Illinois Streets. According to the Public Works Department, drivers are encouraged to take alternative routes if they can. Overnight work is planned for this week, and will be followed by daytime construction to replace the traffic signal. In addition to the new roundabout, West Illinois Street will also be getting new bike lanes and sidewalks. The roundabout and other related projects were supposed to start construction last year but were delayed until other road safety projects were completed. The roundabout will cost $3.5 million dollars and was funded by the city’s transportation tax as well as a state grant. In general, drivers should expect heavier traffic across the city this summer due to road construction projects and are advised to be more patient on the roads. STORY: WA parental rights law allowed to take effect, despite opposition A controversial Washington state parental rights law will take effect this week after a King County Superior Court Commissioner declined to issue an emergency order to block it. The law mandates schools notify parents about medical services provided to their children, except in emergencies, and allows parents to review their child’s medical and counseling records. It also expands parental rights to opt their children out of sex education. Despite strong opposition, the Democratic-led Legislature approved the measure in March, anticipating court challenges. Critics, including civil liberties groups and youth services organizations, argue the law, Initiative 2081, could harm students seeking confidential medical services, such as birth control, counseling related to gender identity or sexual orientation, and treatment for sexual assault or domestic violence. Conservative supporters say the initiative aims to ensure parents are informed, not to grant them veto power over students’ medical decisions. In the ruling, Commissioner Mark Hillman noted that the alleged harms were speculative and not imminent enough to justify …
June 4, 2024 News Transcript
Electric Avenue bridge closed for weeks due to ‘critical structural failures’, Final bulk carrier ship arrived to remove remaining scrap metal from Bellingham waterfront, Swimming advisory issued for Boulevard Park due to bacteria, New Central Garage Opens at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center, Power outage leaves over 1,000 without power in Glacier, Final week for eligible Washington families to claim $120 or $50 restitution payment as a result of price-fixing on common food items, State ferry system finally goes out to bid for new hybrid-electric vessels, Habitat for Humanity To Host Annual Trashion Show ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Electric Avenue bridge closed for weeks due to ‘critical structural failures’ The Electric Avenue bridge has been closed after a recent inspection revealed structural failures. Bellingham City Officials announced the immediate closure yesterday. According to Public Works Director, Eric Johnston, the bridge will remain closed until city officials can develop a plan for traffic to move safely across. The closure is expected to last a minimum of 2 weeks and drivers are advised to use Woburn Street as a detour. Pedestrians and cyclists are still able to use the bridge. Transit updates from WTA and Bellingham Public Schools are yet to come. STORY: Final bulk carrier ship arrived to remove remaining scrap metal from Bellingham waterfront Yesterday, the final shipment of recycled metal from ABC Recycling began loading onto a carrier ship at the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. According to ABC Recycling, 34,000 metric tons of scrap metal will be loaded onto the ship, where it will be transported to Bangladesh and smelted into building materials. The loading is expected to last no more than 10 days and will take place between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 a.m. Per the terms of a lease termination agreement between the Port of Bellingham and ABC Recycling, the company is required to remove all of its scrap from the waterfront site by June 30th. The agreement requires ABC Recycling to fully vacate the property by September 30th. The original lease agreement was terminated after the Port alleged ABC committed various defaults under its original lease agreement, including parking a barge in an unauthorized location, failing to comply with stormwater management requirements, failing to maintain comprehensive liability insurance, and contaminating the water with waste and refuse. ABC Recycling says it expects to meet all deadlines. STORY: Swimming advisory issued for Boulevard Park due to bacteria A swimming advisory was issued for Boulevard Park last week after routine monitoring detected high levels of fecal bacteria in the water. Whatcom County Health and Community Services advises community members to avoid contact with the water in this area, particularly around Taylor Dock. In an email, The Department of Ecology said they will be checking to see if the high results remain consistent, and then identifying possible sources of pollution if there is an ongoing issue. Beach water in Washington is tested regularly from Memorial Day to Labor Day. STORY: New Central Garage Opens at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center A new central garage at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center’s main campus opened yesterday. The five-story garage accommodates over 600 vehicles, has 10 EV charging stations, and provides free parking for visitors, patients, and physicians. According to the hospital, the parking garage is another step closer to finishing the proposed Peter Paulsen Pavilion, which will provide a new emergency department and state-of-the-art care for women, children, and newborns. STORY: Power outage leaves over 1,000 without power in Glacier PSE says that over 1,000 homes were without power yesterday in Glacier. Puget Sound Energy reported the outage due to high winds at around 6 am on Monday. Power was restored about two hours later. Widespread outages were also reported in Snohomish, King, and Pierce Counties due to the wind and rain resulting from the atmospheric river moving through our area. Over 70,000 customer addresses were impacted in these areas. STORY: Final week for eligible Washington families to claim $120 or $50 restitution payment as a result of price-fixing on common food items More than 24,000 claims checks will head to Washingtonians in the next week as a result of antitrust lawsuits against chicken and tuna producers. Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced today that checks totaling more than $2.5 million dollars from successful antitrust lawsuits brought by the Attorney General’s office will start arriving in consumer mailboxes soon. The lawsuit proved a widespread illegal conspiracy among well-known producers to inflate and manipulate prices of chicken and tuna products. Monetary restitution is available to every household in Washington whose income is at or below 175% of the federal poverty level. Eligible single person households will receive $50, multi-person households will receive $120 dollars. The deadline to file a claim is tomorrow. To see if you are eligible go to refundcheck.atg.wa.gov. STORY: State ferry system finally goes out to bid for new hybrid-electric vessels Washington State Ferries (WSF) has initiated the bidding process to build five new hybrid-electric ferries. This is the first time in over 50 years that State Ferries will accept bids from shipyards nationwide, and reflects a shift towards electrification despite production delays and increased costs. The new ferries are intended to address the current fleet’s shortages, as Washington operates 21 ferries, but only 15 are in service due to maintenance and repairs. Hybrid ferries have a potential 76% drop in fuel consumption, a fact that aligns with Washington State’s goal to reduce emissions. However, the debate over whether to revert to diesel power to get ferries into service quicker persists, with candidates for governor expressing varying views. Bids are due in January 2025, with contracts awarded the following month. WSF plans to split the contract between two low bidders, aiming for delivery of the first two vessels by 2028. STORY: Electric school buses come to Washington In more hybrid transportation news, Washingtonians will start to see more electric school buses on the road …
