The Wandering ‘Hamster

 Motorists warned about 1-month intersection closure starting July 8th, Peaceful arrest results from three-hour standoff, Man arrested in connection with alleged hate crime at Cornwall Park, Whatcom County receives EPA grant to fight food insecurity, Whatcom County receives EPA grant to fight food insecurity, Former co-founder and president of Bellingham nonprofit HomesNOW! pleads guilty to first-degree theft, New Italian and Greek restaurant soft opens in Granary Building,  WA officials weigh in on Supreme Court ruling allowing criminalization of homeless people sleeping outdoors ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, July 1st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Motorists warned about 1-month intersection closure starting July 8th  Whatcom County Public Works is warning motorists that the intersection of E Smith and Hannegan Roads will be closed to traffic starting next week. Construction of a multi-lane roundabout will continue after the holiday weekend and motorists should expect full traffic closures between July 8th and August 7th.  STORY: Peaceful arrest results from three-hour standoff  An Everson man was arrested Friday after a three-hour standoff with Bellingham police.  The suspect, Richard John Folden, reportedly violated a no-contact order and attempted to break into a Bellingham woman’s home. Shortly before police arrived Folden barricaded himself in a nearby trailer, brandishing what appeared to be a rifle. Police closed 30th Street from Connolly Avenue to South Ave and K-9 units were deployed to the scene. It was later found that the weapon was a “very realistic looking airsoft gun.” Folden eventually surrendered peacefully. He was taken to a hospital for additional treatment of self-inflicted cuts to his arms, before being booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of attempted residential burglary-domestic violence, violation of a no-contact order, third-degree malicious mischief, and intimidating a public servant. STORY: Man arrested in connection with alleged hate crime at Cornwall Park  A Bellingham man was assaulted in a possible hate crime at Cornwall Park on Saturday afternoon.  The victim reported he was near the playground when he noticed the suspect, 51-year-old Timothy Franklin, staring at him. Franklin approached the victim, used a racial slur and asked what he was looking at. Franklin then repeatedly punched the victim in the face and pulled out a screwdriver which he used to further assault him.  Franklin, who is black, used racially charged language throughout the attack then fled. The victim followed him as he called the police, and Franklin was arrested. The victim was taken to Peacehealth St. Joseph Medical Center to treat his injuries.  STORY: Whatcom County receives EPA grant to fight food insecurity The Environmental Protection Agency has awarded over $27,000 to Whatcom County Health and Community Services and their partners to build and operate a community fridge in Kendall.  The community fridge, called the “freedge”,  provides free nutritious food from local restaurants, farms and businesses. The goal is to prevent excess food from going to the landfill and feed those in need. According to a recent announcement, local business organization Sustainable Connections currently operates a freedge at the RE Store in Bellingham and also supports a free food pantry at the Upper Skagit Library in Concrete. County Health and Community Services reports that food insecurity in the Kendall area has spiked over the past five years. The freedge, set to be built at the North Fork Library, will be available to anyone and organizers say it will be restocked several times a week by Sustainable Connections volunteers. To learn more about the program, including how to volunteer or donate food, visit sustainableconnections.org/freedge. STORY: Former co-founder and president of Bellingham nonprofit HomesNOW! pleads guilty to first-degree theft James Lee Peterson, 67, co-founder and former president of the Bellingham nonprofit HomesNOW!, has pleaded guilty to embezzling nearly $50,000 from the organization.  Peterson was sentenced to 60 days in jail, which he can serve on work release or work crew. He must also pay $47,000 in restitution, with payments starting at $40 per month. Peterson embezzled over $75,000 from the nonprofit between 2017 and 2019, spending much of it at local casinos and businesses. His arrest in November 2019 followed a month-long investigation, and the case was delayed multiple times due to forensic accounting issues and COVID-19. HomesNOW!, which operates tiny home communities for the unhoused in Bellingham, discovered the financial crimes during an internal investigation into allegations of Peterson’s sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct. The nonprofit has since implemented stricter financial oversight policies. Despite the setback, HomesNOW! continues to operate two tiny home villages and plans to relocate them to a new site, North Haven, later this year.  The organization says it maintains a 52% success rate in transitioning residents to permanent housing and remains committed to ending homelessness in Whatcom County. STORY: New Italian and Greek restaurant soft opens in Granary Building   Mercato delle Bonta, an Italian phrase that means “market of goodness”, is a new Italian Cafe and Deli that opened yesterday in the Granary Building.  Launched by husband and wife chefs Francesco (fran-CHESK-o) Di Vito and Julia Tzortzatos (tsor-TZAH-tose) who competed on Food Network’s “Cutthroat Kitchen” together in 2017, the restaurant serves a variety of foods that reflect the duo’s Italian, Greek, and New York City roots. A sit-down restaurant and event space is still under construction next to the deli and is planned to open in September or October.  STORY: WA officials weigh in on Supreme Court ruling allowing criminalization of homeless people sleeping outdoors A Supreme Court decision on Friday will now permit cities and counties to ban sleeping outdoors in public spaces, and has prompted fears of increased homelessness in Washington.  The ruling challenges a 2018 9th Circuit Court decision which barred punishment for camping if no emergency shelter is available. The recent case, Grants Pass v. Johnson, involved an Oregon city law prohibiting public sleeping due to insufficient shelter capacity. Several Washington cities have now paused ordinances requiring homeless individuals to accept distant housing pending this ruling. Legislators like Rep. Strom Peterson of Edmonds and Sen. Patty Kuderer (KOO-der-rer) of Bellevue …

July 1, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

 WWU Police investigating break-in and burglary at nearby construction site,  Bellingham woman bonded out of jail after threatening dog owner with knife, Food access activists’ fight continues after AG’s Albertson’s ruling, Heritage Flight Museum to honor late founder and astronaut Bill Anders, Meridian and Blaine school districts to run bonds on November ballot, Dept. of Ecology penalizes owner of sunken boat for spilling diesel off San Juan Island, Free and Cheap  ______________________________ ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio.  KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 28th. Good afternoon, I’m David Korb______.  STORY: WWU Police investigating break-in and burglary at nearby construction site  Western Washington University Police are investigating a Tuesday break-in at a construction site at the Birnam Woods apartments.  Workers say numerous tools were stolen from the work area. This is the third time the site has been burglarized. The investigation is ongoing. STORY: Bellingham woman bonded out of jail after threatening dog owner with knife  Whatcom County deputies responded to a call stating that Pamela Faye Beidel had pursued a dog owner after their animal got off leash. The caller reported that Beidel had threatened to retrieve a gun from her home before later returning with a large butcher’s knife. Deputies later found Beidel driving on Hannegan Road. Beidel fled the scene at high speed after being informed that there was probable cause for her arrest. She was later found in a trailer off the Guide Meridian, and appeared intoxicated. Beidel was booked into Whatcom County Jail driving under the influence, eluding arrest, and probable cause of felony harassment and brandishing a weapon. She has since left custody after covering the bond. STORY: Food access activists’ fight continues after AG’s Albertson’s ruling Community activists are celebrating a recent agreement that lifts a blockade that prevented grocery stores from opening in Albertson’s old location on Birchwood Avenue. On Monday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that the former Bellingham grocer had removed illegal land use restrictions that had prevented other grocery stores from opening in its former space. Albertson’s actions in the predominantly low-income area led the City of Bellingham to ban such property restrictions on grocery stores. However, the new ordinance could not be applied retroactively. Despite the victory, the neighborhood still lacks a grocery store. Activists now say they are motivated to continue their efforts to bring an affordable and culturally reflective store to the area, which has been classified as a food desert.  STORY: Heritage Flight Museum to honor late founder and astronaut Bill Anders  The Heritage Flight Museum, founded by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders and his wife Valerie, continues to honor his legacy following his recent death in a plane crash at age 90.  Bill, known for his iconic Earthrise photograph, established the museum in in Bellingham in 1996. It has since moved to Burlington and expanded its collection. The museum, now led by Bill’s son Greg Anders, showcases 18 aircraft and offers “Fly Days” to bring vintage planes to life. Following Bill’s passing, the museum opened its doors for a special memorial, allowing visitors to pay respects and listen to Bill’s Christmas Eve broadcast from the moon. Anders says the museum’s goal is to preserve the stories of veterans and reflect Bill’s love of flight.  The Earthrise Gallery experience is now free and open to visitors from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  STORY: Meridian and Blaine school districts to run bonds on November ballot  Two Whatcom County school districts will run bonds on this year’s ballot. The Meridian School District has announced it will place a $75 million, twenty-year bond measure on the ballot. The bond would help complete four projects: building a new middle school, the installation of a generator at Meridian High School, and the repairs and upgrading of both the Performing Arts Center and the Varsity Athletic Stadium at the high school. In addition, the Blaine School District is rerunning a $70 million bond that failed to pass in the special election in February. The new measure would ask for a twenty-year bond, instead of the original request for a twenty-five-year bond. If passed, it would provide funding for projects that include renovations to Blaine Middle School, upgrades and additions to the Pipeline Athletic Complex, and improvements to Blaine primary and elementary schools. STORY: Dept. of Ecology penalizes owner of sunken boat for spilling diesel off San Juan Island  The Washington State Department of Ecology will fine the owner of a boat that sank off San Juan Island $18,000 for spilling oil into state waters. Under Washington State law, chemical spills result in strict penalties.  In August 2022, the 58-foot fishing boat named the Aleutian Isle, began sinking near San Juan, leading to an extensive effort to prevent further diesel spillage and eventually raise the boat. Owner, Matthew Johnston, and his crew were rescued, but diesel continued to leak from the vessel. Over a mile of absorbent boom was deployed to contain the spill despite challenging conditions. After it sank, the boat was located 200 feet underwater, requiring divers to secure it before it could be raised by a floating crane. During recovery, approximately 590 gallons of diesel were retrieved, but an estimated 1,500 gallons had already spilled into Haro Strait. The majority of cleanup costs were paid by the US Coast Guard from the National Pollution Liability Trust Fund. Ecology is also seeking reimbursement from the fund for an additional $440,000 in expenses.  Johnston has 30 days to appeal the $18,000 fine to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board. STORY: Free and Cheap Here are some free events taking place around the county this weekend. Tonight at 9pm, there will be an outdoor screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at Pioneer Park in Ferndale. Popcorn and soda will be provided. On Saturday, the City of Bellingham is hosting a community work party at the Cornwall Rose Garden. Volunteers will help tend the garden, with tools and equipment provided. The event starts at 9 am, and registration is available online at CoB.org/event. …

June 28, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of attempting to lure children into vehicle, High-speed pursuit in Lynden leads to arrest and hospitalization of Bellingham man,  Port of Bellingham receives $17.9 million for rail connection project, Affordable housing and childcare project planned for Bellis Fair area, Skagit farmworker union argues case in court after filing wage protection lawsuit, Skagit farmworker union argues case in court after filing wage protection lawsuit, Health care company sues WA over ban on at-home sexual assault evidence kits, Meridian and Blaine school districts to run bonds on November ballot   ______________________________ ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio.  KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, June 27th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of attempting to lure children into vehicle  A Bellingham man suspected of attempting to lure children into his vehicle was arrested on Tuesday.  Whatcom County Sheriff’s office deputies were dispatched to a store in Birch Bay on Monday where the suspect had reportedly tried to lure two children into his car by offering them candy and frisbees.  The childrens’ parent asked the man to leave, but noticed he walked into the store instead and pulled up a chair next to 3 juvenile girls, before proceeding to make similar remarks. The parent then dialed 911, and the man fled the scene. 52-year-old Corey Caldwell was positively identified by the adult and another witness but denied all allegations. Caldwell was charged with suspicion of 5 counts of luring— a crime that occurs when a person tries to convince a minor to move away from public view with an intent to harm their health or safety.  Caldwell remains in custody pending a preliminary bail hearing.  STORY: High-speed pursuit in Lynden leads to arrest and hospitalization of Bellingham man On Tuesday night, a Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputy engaged in a high-speed pursuit of a man who reportedly escaped custody while at the E.R. According to police records, 41-year-old Joshua Vermaat ran red lights going northbound on Hannegan and East Bakerview roads. A tire spike was deployed at Ten Mile and Hannegan roads, followed by a PIT maneuver– a a pursuit tactic where one vehicle forces another vehicle to turn sideways abruptly– which allowed law enforcement to end the chase. PulsePoint EMS reported that one person was sent to the hospital from the scene. Vermaat was booked into Whatcom County Jail yesterday morning, and charged with suspicion of attempted eluding and escape. He remains in custody. STORY: Port of Bellingham receives $17.9 million for rail connection project  The Port of Bellingham will receive nearly $18 million in federal funding for a project connecting a railway spur from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe mainline to the shipping terminal site.  U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen announced the grant last Monday as part of nearly $90 million in funding across the state. The Port says the project will connect them to over 32,000 miles of track in 28 states and three Canadian provinces, helping to reduce congestion in Vancouver and the greater Puget Sound area.  Port Executive Director Rob Fix said on Wednesday that the rail connection project will result in more jobs during and after the completion of the project. The rail connection project is just one aspect of the Port of Bellingham’s plans to renovate its shipping terminal. The Port says that $45 million will be invested in the renovations over the next two years to help strengthen the main dock in an effort to support a wider range of heavy cargo and equipment. The modernization project is expected to finish next year. STORY: Affordable housing and childcare project planned for Bellis Fair area  The Opportunity Council, in partnership with the city, is taking the first steps in an affordable housing development with the purchase of a 2.7 acre property by Bellis Fair Mall. The $60 million project will include 130 units of housing and a childcare center.  The City says the expansion of permanently affordable housing and childcare options is a step towards addressing the high demand for housing and childcare in the Bellingham community. According to plans presented earlier this month, the development will include up to 130 affordable housing units for households whose incomes range from $25,000 – $60,000. The first phase will focus on families with the construction of the childcare center and housing units for families. The second phase, which supports seniors, is expected to begin construction in late 2025.  The project is funded by a variety of sources including the Opportunity Council, the city, Whatcom County, state agencies, a congressional allocation supported by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, and individual community donors. Construction is expected to begin in October. STORY: Skagit farmworker union argues case in court after filing wage protection lawsuit A Skagit County farmworkers union, Familias Unidas por la Justicia (fah-MEE-lee-us oo-NEE-dus POR LA yoo-STEE-cee-uh) also known as FUJ, has requested a judge enforce wage protections in a lawsuit against the Department of Labor.  This move comes as nearly 40,000 workers on H-2A temporary agriculture visas arrive in Washington for the fruit harvest season. The H-2A program, which has grown by 1,000% since 2008, allows employers to hire foreign seasonal workers. Local workers often struggle to compete with the visitors who often accept lower wages. Columbia Legal Services attorney Andrea Schmitt and FUJ’s policy director Edgar Franks argue that growers use the H-2A program to reduce wages and deter local workers. The prevailing wage system, which determines H-2A wages, is based on surveys conducted by the Washington State Employment Security Department. Court documents reveal that ESD stopped listing 2020 prevailing wage rates applicable for May 2023, leaving Washington workers without wage protections for nearly a year. FUJ seeks a temporary injunction to enforce prevailing wage laws and possibly adjust growers’ rates. U.S. District Court Judge John H. Chun is expected to issue an order within the next week. STORY: Health care company sues WA over ban on at-home sexual assault evidence kits A Pennsylvania-based company …

June 27, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

Bellingham PD apologizes for two-day information delay in Padden assault,  AG rules that Albertson’s can no longer bar grocery stores from being built in former Birchwood location, AG rules that Albertson’s can no longer bar grocery stores from being built in former Birchwood location,  Additional funding approved to support Whatcom motels housing homeless families, Whatcom courts to hear adjudication case in Nooksack River Basin, Phony toll-bill texts flood WA drivers’ phones,  WA lands commissioner wary of federal plan to cull owl population,  Affordable housing and childcare project planned for Bellis Fair area  ______________________________ ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio.  KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, June 26th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Bellingham PD apologizes for two-day information delay in Padden assault  The Bellingham Police Department has issued an apology for a delay in notifying the public about an assault at Lake Padden. The assault took place on Saturday morning while a young woman was running on the southeast side of Lake Padden. During the run, she was knocked to the ground by a man and punched in the face several times. Two people nearby heard the victim scream, and the attacker fled the scene. The extent of the woman’s injuries is unknown The BPD did not notify the public about the assault until nearly two days afterwards. Yesterday, in a social media post, the police department said it is quote “reviewing [their] internal communications process to address missed opportunities for community engagement and public notifications” unquote, as well as affirming a commitment to do better.  The alleged attacker is an “average-to-fit” man in his 30s, about 5-foot-8 to 5-foot-10 in height, and has a distinct receding hairline. He was last seen running down a hill near milepost one-and-three-quarters of the trail toward Interstate 5.  STORY: AG rules that Albertson’s can no longer bar grocery stores from being built in former Birchwood location The Attorney General’s Office announced yesterday that their investigation into Albertsons has concluded, finding that the company has been illegally restricting competitors from moving into their former Birchwood location since 2018. Albertsons moved to sell their location two years after it closed in 2016, with certain stipulations. The company included as part of the sale a restriction limiting the amount of food that could be sold in-store, which made it impossible for another grocery competitor to take over the space.  These land use restrictions created a food desert in the neighborhood, forcing residents to travel further to get their groceries from stores like Haggens, which the company also owns.  As a result of the investigation, Albertsons has dropped their land use restrictions on the property and the current owner is able to amend further restrictions from 1982 to allow a supermarket to open in the neighborhood sometime in the future. The company must also pay a $25,000 fine to cover the costs of the Attorney General’s investigation. STORY: Additional funding approved to support Whatcom motels housing homeless families  Dozens of unhoused families with children in Whatcom County will continue to receive temporary shelter in motel rooms, thanks to additional funding approved yesterday by the Whatcom County Council.  The council unanimously authorized the addition of $330,000 dollars to an existing contract with Lydia Place, a local nonprofit, to provide emergency housing. The contract, initiated in 2020, funds four motel rooms year-round for temporary shelter and supportive services to help families transition to permanent housing. Lydia Place staff connect families to case managers within 48 hours of referral and aim to secure permanent housing within 60 days.  There were an average of 88 homeless families from 2021 to 2023, up from 68 in  2018 to 2020. Kids made up 15% of Whatcom’s unhoused population in 2023.  The funding comes from the Washington State Department of Commerce Emergency Housing Fund and will keep the rooms available through the year.  STORY: Whatcom courts to hear adjudication case in Nooksack River Basin The Whatcom County Superior Court met this morning to discuss the ongoing water adjudication process in the Nooksack River Basin, a move that marks the beginning of the court process for WRIA 1 (WHY-rah ONE).   Some 30,000 water users in parts of Whatcom and Skagit counties are part of a massive county-wide lawsuit over water rights. Affected parties include people who own property and do not rely on the city water system, those who claim a right to the water within those areas, as well as the Nooksack Tribe and Lummi (LUH-mee) Nation who requested the adjudication in 2019 and 2020 respectively.  Affected parties will have one year to fill out and return a court claim form which details their water use, and three more years to provide evidence to support their claims.  Water users in this area should expect to see the first round of forms this fall. For more information, updates, and to view the map of WRIA 1 (WHY-rah ONE) Nooksack River Basin visit WhatcomCounty.US. STORY: Phony toll-bill texts flood WA drivers’ phones Scammers are targeting Washington drivers with fake toll-bill text messages, attempting to extract personal information.  These scams often direct users to websites resembling the Good To Go! site but request unnecessary personal information. The messages mimic real Washington State Department of Transportation communications, and include images of the Good To Go! Toll-pass logo and the Tacoma Narrows bridges. However, WSDOT says it never bills via text or email, and has warned these messages are fraudulent. Payments are only processed on MyGoodToGo.com and they only send toll bills by mail or through registered accounts. The Federal Trade Commission advises people to report and delete such messages, and never click on unknown links or share your birth date. STORY: WA lands commissioner wary of federal plan to cull owl population  Washington’s public lands commissioner, Hilary Franz, is voicing skepticism about a federal proposal to kill thousands of barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to help the threatened northern spotted owl. According to a draft environmental impact statement released in November, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service …

June 26, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

Authorities searching for man suspected of assaulting woman at Whatcom County’s Lake Padden, Man shoots himself in leg with stranger’s gun during chance encounter at Bellingham park, Man shoots himself in leg with stranger’s gun during chance encounter at Bellingham park, Two crashes on Chuckanut Drive, Bloedel Donovan Park will have no lifeguards due to staff shortages,  Whatcom County Council member fails to file financial conflict of interest statements,  Vote nears on ending ‘endangered’ status for WA wolves, Washington Democratic Party backs ending U.S. aid to Israel until ceasefire with Hamas  ______________________________ ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio.  KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June 25. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Authorities searching for man suspected of assaulting woman at Whatcom County’s Lake Padden Bellingham Police are currently searching for a man accused of an unprovoked assault on a young woman at Lake Padden on Saturday morning. The victim told police that she had been running the Padden Trail when she passed a man walking in the same direction, who suddenly knocked her to the ground and repeatedly punched her in the face. Two witnesses heard the victim’s cries for help and came to assist, causing the assailant to flee in the direction of I-5. The victim was hospitalized.  The assailant is described as an “average-to-fit,” white male in his 30s, wearing blue jeans and a gray shirt, standing around 5 foot 9, with a “distinct receding hairline.” Police encourage anyone with information to call the main number, or go to cob.org/tips. BPD Public Information Officer Megan Peters states that, while this incident is out of the ordinary for our area, it is a good idea for residents to engage in outdoor recreation with others, as a precaution. STORY: Man shoots himself in leg with stranger’s gun during chance encounter at Bellingham park On Friday, a man walking in the woods near Bennett Drive and Airport Way accidentally shot himself with a stranger’s gun. According to police reports, the unidentified man said during the walk he came across another man who was carrying a gun. The victim asked to hold the weapon, and according to BPD Public Information Officer Megan Peters, shot himself in the leg almost immediately. He told police he didn’t know the gun was loaded. The injured man was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center. Police say they would like to speak with the gun-owner, although Peters says there is no probable cause for any charges at this time. STORY: Two crashes on Chuckanut Drive Two men are dead after a string of fatal motorcycle accidents on Chuckanut Drive over the weekend.  On Saturday, 71-year-old retired Whatcom Sheriff’s Deputy Stuart Smith from Ferndale crossed over the northbound lane and into a ditch. He was  transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical center where he was later pronounced dead. The Washington State Patrol says it suspects an unknown medical incident might have been involved in the crash.  And on Sunday, first responders were dispatched to the scene of a vehicle versus motorcycle crash at the intersection of Sunset Road and Chuckanut Drive. Freddy Blondel, the 57-year-old motorcyclist from Maple Ridge, BC was struck by a 2016 Honda CR-v in what Washington State Patrol cited as failure to yield the right-of-way. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.  STORY: Bloedel Donovan Park will have no lifeguards due to staff shortages There will be no lifeguards at Bloedel Donovan Park this year. A news release sent out yesterday by the City of Bellingham says that shortages of lifeguards, especially those with adequate experience and credentials for open water swimming, are resulting in beach and pool closures across the country. According to the American Lifeguard Association, the shortage affects a third of public pools in the U.S., and there is a possibility that this year could get worse. Right now, both the Bloedel Donovan swim area and the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center have less than half the staff members required to provide lifeguards at both locations. The City says it is continuously recruiting qualified lifeguards for the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, as well as the swim area, and hopes to have lifeguards at Bloedel next summer. STORY: Whatcom County Council member fails to file financial conflict of interest statements Whatcom County Council member Tyler Byrd is facing escalating fines for not filing annual conflict-of-interest reports. According to reporting by the Cascadia Daily, Byrd is under scrutiny by the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission for failing to file personal financial affairs statements, known as F-1 reports. The PDC says it conducts an annual enforcement process to ensure compliance with state laws regarding financial reporting.  According to Cascadia, Byrd was fined $250 for not filing for 2022–– a fine he has yet to pay–– and he’s currently on the enforcement list after failing to meet the 2023 deadline. According to the PDC, fines for failing to annually identify potential conflicts of interest can increase to $10,000 per violation. Byrd has been on the county council since 2018 and is in his second term representing District 3. He has filed disclosure forms in the past, however he is the only current council member who has failed to file.  STORY: Vote nears on ending ‘endangered’ status for WA wolves The Washington State Fish and Wildlife Commision will vote next month to decide whether to lower gray wolves’ status under the state’s endangered species law. The Department of Fish and Wildlife is recommending wolves be downlisted from “endangered” to “sensitive.” The Department of Fish and Wildlife says the recommendation has nothing to do with the wolf’s value but with reflecting their strong rebound in the numbers.  Since gray wolves were put on Washington’s endangered species list in 1980 their population has steadily increased due to recovery efforts. The gray wolf population has grown by an average of 23% every year since the first Department of Fish and Wildlife survey in 2008.  Environmentalists argue this change would lead to inadequate protection of the animals. Downlisting the wolves’ …

June 25, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

Lake Whatcom vehicle crash sends driver to hospital, Video of hate crime released, accused pleads not guilty, Whatcom K-9 unit assists in Mt. Vernon car theft arrest, WWU to sell six properties as part of strategy to balance books, Whatcom County Health Dept lifts swimming advisory at Taylor Dock, WA plans to use $32 million to help asylum seekers  ______________________________ ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, June 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Lake Whatcom vehicle crash sends driver to hospital A driver was hospitalized Thursday evening after a single vehicle rollover crash in Sudden Valley. Firefighters were dispatched to the intersection of Lake Whatcom Blvd and Lake Louise Road after reports of the crash around 5 pm. First responders removed the driver and transported them to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says the extent of the man’s injuries are unknown at this time. According to them, the crash appeared to be the result of a loss of control due to speeding. The boulevard was closed for two hours after the crash. The Sheriff’s Office’s investigation is ongoing. STORY: Video of hate crime released, accused pleads not guilty Security footage of the hate crime that took place earlier this month has been released. The footage, taken in front of the Bellingham Police Department, shows 42-year-old Paul Bittner assaulting an 11-year-old boy who was walking with his class downtown. Bittner was arrested a few blocks away. Bittner was charged June 14 in Whatcom County Superior Court with one count of a hate crime and one count of second-degree assault of a child. Bittner’s hate crime charge states that he quote, “maliciously and intentionally” assaulted another person because of the perception of their race, while his assault crime charge states that he intentionally assaulted a child under the age of 13. Bittner pleaded not guilty to the charges at his standing-room only arraignment hearing Friday morning. His bail remains at half a million dollars. STORY: Whatcom K-9 unit assists in Mt. Vernon car theft arrest Last Thursday a K-9 unit from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office assisted in an arrest in Skagit County.  Mount Vernon police were informed of a vehicle stolen overnight, which contained firearms. The vehicle was found an hour and a half later on Francis Road. When officers approached, the driver tried to escape by crashing through a gate and fleeing into a wooded area. The K-9 unit and tactical officers located the suspect, 35-year-old Chace Tyler Keyes, who was arrested without incident.  Keyes faces charges including motor vehicle theft, attempting to elude police, and unlawful possession of firearms and remains in custody. STORY: WWU to sell six properties as part of strategy to balance books Western Washington University’s Board of Trustees approved the sale of six properties as part of a strategy to address next year’s anticipated budget deficit.  WWU is facing a $20.5 million shortfall between its recurring revenues and expenditures. To address this, the university plans to make reductions, sell properties, and use $3.7 million from reserves, as discussed in the June 14 Board of Trustees meeting. Additionally, some one-time funding from the Legislature will help mitigate the deficit. The primary cause of the budgetary challenges is declining enrollment, largely due to the impact of COVID-19, which is expected to take years to recover from. Three of the six properties approved for sale are residential units located in Bellingham. Also on the sales block is a vacant lot located in the 900 block of 25th Street. The remaining two properties are a small waterfront property on San Juan Island, and the ViQueen Lodge located on Sinclair Island. According to Board documents, proceeds from the sale of the San Juan Island property will help fund the Marine Science Center, and money from the sale of the lodge will go to establish an endowment for student clubs. Sale of the ViQueen Lodge is controversial and a petition is being organized by students to keep the building that they say is a vital part of Western’s history. The lodge was purchased in 1928 by the Women’s Athletic Association of Bellingham Normal School, which eventually became WWU. STORY: Whatcom County Health Dept lifts swimming advisory at Taylor Dock The swimming advisory at the southern end of Boulevard Park at Taylor Dock has been lifted. The advisory was put in place due to high levels of fecal bacteria along the shoreline and by the dock. New samples have shown lower levels of bacteria and the City says it is now safe to swim near the dock and at the beach. However, the outfall by Bennett Avenue still has unsafe levels– and the Whatcom County Health Department is advising people to avoid the area.  STORY: CoB advice on summer watering Summer is finally here, and the City of Bellingham is asking everyone to conserve water.  After June 21st, the city’s water demand increases by 5 million gallons daily, with nearly half wasted due to evaporation and runoff. To conserve water, the City is asking residents to let the lawn go dormant, follow a voluntary watering schedule, water in the cooler morning hours, use an irrigation controller, or replace turf with native plants. The voluntary watering schedule in Bellingham is based on street address numbers: even-numbered addresses water on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, while odd-numbered addresses water on Sundays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  For more tips, visit CoB.org/conserve. STORY: WA plans to use $32 million to help asylum seekers Washington officials are working to distribute around $32 million dollars in state funding to aid asylum seekers.  Funds for The Washington Migrant and Asylum Seeker Support Project were approved by the legislature in March and will be available for use starting July. About $5 million dollars will go to King County and $2.5 million to the city of Tukwila, with an additional $25 million allocated to the Office of Refugee and Immigrant Assistance. The state says it will utilize one office as a hub to …

June 24, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

Police investigating assault that left one man dead at Squalicum Harbor Wednesday, Bellingham awarded $1.3M to install heat pumps, Road to Artist Point opens today, Blaine school board approves $70 million bond for November 5 election, Whatcom County organizations net $3.2M for solar energy projects, Whatcom County organizations net $3.2M for solar energy projects, Free and Cheap, WA plans to use $32 million to help asylum seekers  ______________________________ ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 21st. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.  STORY: Police investigating assault that left one man dead at Squalicum Harbor Wednesday The Bellingham Police Department is investigating an assault near Squalicum Harbor that left one man dead. On Wednesday at around 10:00 pm, authorities were notified of an assault with a weapon near Squalicum Harbor gate 9. The person who reported the assault told dispatcher that he and another man, later identified as Thomas James Westendorf (WEST-en-dorf), got into an altercation. During the fight, a gun went off, killing Westendorf. Officers arrived on scene and found him deceased on the reporting party’s vessel. According to Megan Peters, a spokesperson for the Bellingham Police Department, no arrests have been made and no charges have been filed. Authorities are still investigating the circumstances leading up to Westendorf’s death. STORY: Bellingham awarded $1.3M to install heat pumps The Washington State Department of Commerce announced that The City of Bellingham has been awarded a $1.3 million dollar grant for the installation of electric heat pumps.  According to the COB, the funding was part of more than $39 million dollars in grants for cities, counties, and recognized tribes to support electrification – made possible by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act.  The installation of these pumps will be used for space and water heating in homes of low-to-moderate income residents and small businesses. Electrification lowers the use of natural gas – which the City says will not only help people in need, but will also help the county reach pollution reduction targets. STORY: Road to Artist Point opens today The Road to Artist Point has re-opened for the summer season, one week earlier than in 2023.  The Washington State Department of Transportation (WASH-dot) crews have cleared up to 30 feet of snow in the final 2.7 miles of Mount Baker Highway. Travelers should still expect WSDOT and U.S. Forest Service maintenance crews completing repairs and installing signs.  The road usually closes to traffic in winter, but sees nearly 40,000 annual visitors after reopening each spring. For real-time updates, visit the WSDOT Mount Baker Highway Mountain Pass website. STORY: Blaine school board approves $70 million bond for November 5 election The Blaine school board voted unanimously to put a $70 million capital bond initiative before voters in the November 5 general election. Funds would go toward an extensive renovation of Blaine Middle School, field upgrades and additions to the Pipeline Athletic Complex, and various improvements to Blaine primary and elementary schools and Point Roberts Primary School.  Money would also be directed towards design work for a possible Birch Bay school. The initiative is practically identical to the February 2024 special election bond proposal that failed to reach the required 60 percent supermajority. For a median-value home of $550,000, a property owner would pay $420 annually for the bond, if approved. In order for the bond to pass, along with a 60 percent supermajority, more than 40 percent of last election’s voters must fill out ballots. About 5,760 people voted for last election’s bond measure, with 58 percent voting to approve, just shy of the supermajority hurdle. STORY: Whatcom County organizations net $3.2M for solar energy projects Washington’s Climate Commitment Act is funding over $3 million for clean energy projects in Whatcom County, primarily focusing on solar energy.  The projects are part of a $72.6 million state investment with 71 grants across the state, aimed at helping communities tackle climate change.  Grants in Whatcom were awarded to Bellingham Public Schools, Point Roberts Park and Recreation District No. 1, and Western Washington University. Bellingham Public Schools received a $2.75 million grant to install solar arrays on five schools, Western Washington University received more than $320,000 for solar panels on its Science, Mathematics and Technology Education building. Point Roberts Park and Recreation District No. 1 received $133,000 for a feasibility study on solar backup power for community buildings to increase the community’s resilience against energy outages due to climate change-related weather events. Additional grants were also awarded to Skagit County school districts and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community for similar clean energy and decarbonization projects. The Climate Commitment Act, signed by Gov. Jay Inslee in 2021, funds these initiatives through a cap-and-invest program targeting the state’s largest polluters. Initiative 2117, which will be on the November ballot, seeks to repeal this act and prevent new carbon tax credit programs. STORY: WA Supreme Court revives AG’s case against crime-free rental program The Washington State Supreme Court has overturned a 2022 ruling preventing the state attorney general’s office from pursuing a discrimination lawsuit in Yakima (YAK-uh-maw) County. Washington AG Bob Ferguson sued the city of Sunnyside in 2020, accusing the city’s police of violating the right to due process by evicting tenants from crime-free rental housing projects without a hearing. The lawsuit alleged that the evictions were disproportionately targeted at Hispanic households, as well as homes headed by women. A Yakima County Superior Court Judge dismissed the suit in 2022 on grounds of overreach of authority. On Thursday, Washington Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis (rah-KEL) affirmed Ferguson’s initial suit, stating that by protecting citizens’ civil rights, ensuring the lawful operation of crime-free rental housing, and preventing police misconduct, the lawsuit was within the scope of the Attorney General’s office. Ferguson praised Montoya-Lewis’s decision for affirming his office’s authority to defend the civil rights of Washingtonians. Sunnyside Interim City Manager Rob Layman was unavailable for comment. STORY: Free and Cheap Here are some free and cheap activities to beat the heat:  Spray parks will be …

June 21, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

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 18, 2024 News TranscriptRead More