Shooting leaves one hospitalized, Top leaders leave Sheriff’s office, New laws start Jan 1, Century Link fined over illegal disconnections, Kaiser Permanente reintroduces mask mandate, Free or cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 29th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Shooting leaves one hospitalized, Rollover crash kills two people in Bellingham One person was hospitalized and another arrested yesterday after a shooting on Meridian street. Reports of gunfire lead the police to the scene – but when they arrived, both vehicles had fled. One of the wounded victims was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center. The suspected shooter, Jesus Geovanny Monreal-Bohorquez (HAY- soos gee-o-VAWN-ee mon-ray-ALL buh-HORE-kez), was booked by police shortly after they found him near the hospital with a wounded leg. He was charged with suspicion of first-degree attempted murder and illegal possession of a firearm. The investigation is ongoing. STORY: Rollover crash kills two people in Bellingham Two people were killed in a rollover crash at around 8 p.m. last night on Squalicum way. Police closed down the area in order to investigate. Two people were found in their vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The road was reopened at around midnight. The investigation is ongoing. STORY: Top leaders leave Sheriff’s office Several top leaders in the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) are retiring simultaneously. The departures coincide with promotions and appointments within the office. A release from the Sheriff’s office noted that the retirees include Sheriff Bill Elfo, who served five terms and chose not to seek re-election; Undersheriff Doug Chadwick, who lost the election for sheriff; Chief Deputy Steve Gatterman; Corrections Bureau Chief Wendy Jones; Office Administrator Dawn Pierce; and Department of Emergency Management Deputy Director John Gargett (gar-JET). Caleb Erickson, Roman Singh, Matt Charroin, Chris Packard, Lamont Bos, and Holly Woll-Salked will take on new roles, some beginning as soon as next week. STORY: New laws start Jan 1 There are a number of new laws that take effect next week. New rules regarding the state minimum wage, gun control, and cannabis use will go into effect on New Year’s Day. Here are some highlights: Washington will raise its minimum wage to $16.28 per hour, making it the highest rate in the nation. It will be even higher in Seattle at $18.69, and $19.06 in the city of Seatac. In the Bellingham November election, initiative No. 2023-01 passed, which means the city will also have a dollar higher minimum wage at $17.28– but that is scheduled to start on May 4th. House Bill 1143 will extend the waiting period for firearms, restricting licensed dealers from giving customers their weapons until 10 days after their background check was requested. Senate Bill 5123 will prohibit employers from discriminating against employee cannabis use outside of work hours. It will also restrict the enforcement of drug tests without a suspicion of use while at work. This bill does not apply to safety-sensitive professions, such as emergency responders, bus drivers, or airline workers. STORY: Century Link fined over illegal disconnections Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced yesterday that the telecommunications company Lumen (formerly Century Link) will pay a total of $825,000 to almost 1,100 Washington State customers it illegally disconnected during the pandemic. Lumen was found to have violated Washington’s emergency health and safety moratorium when it disconnected customers. The company will pay these customers over $700 for each illegal disconnect they experienced from March 23, 2020 to September 30, 2021. Current Lumen customers will receive the money as a credit on their account, while former customers will receive a check. Additionally, Lumen must also refund all reconnection and late fees charged to over 35,000 customers during the pandemic. STORY: Kaiser Permanente reintroduces mask mandate Kaiser Permanente has implemented a new mask mandate for employees working in-person with patients in Washington state health care facilities. The requirement goes into effect today and applies to all staff and care team members in patient care and public spaces. Patients are strongly encouraged, but not obligated, to wear masks. The decision to reinstate masking is attributed to the rise in respiratory illnesses like RSV rather than COVID-19. As of December 16th, RSV accounted for 0.8% of hospitalizations statewide. STORY: Air pollution increasing mortality A report from the Washington Department of Ecology reveals that some communities in the state, particularly in the greater Seattle area and south-Central Washington, face higher death rates due to air pollution. Released by Ecology with help from the Washington Clean Air Commission, the study identifies 16 areas where vulnerable populations experience increased health risks related to various forms of pollution. Mandated by the Climate Commitment Act, this report is the first to examine air pollutants, health impacts, and greenhouse gas emissions in these communities. Between 2016 and 2020, data show that residents in these communities had lifespans almost two and a half years shorter than those living in the rest of the state, with older adults being twice as likely to die from illnesses associated with inhaling pollutant particles. Wildfires, particularly in 2020-2022, were identified as the worst contributors to air pollution. STORY: Free or cheap It’s the last Friday of the last month of 2023– and here are some options for free or inexpensive things to do this weekend. Tonight– Learn how to Country Line Dance at Boots Bar and Lounge on Barkley Blvd. No dancing experience required, and no cover. The lesson starts at 8:15, with social dancing after. Sam Halbert and Friends will be playing tonight at the Thirsty Badger in Lynden. No cover. On Saturday, the Bellingham Makerspace is offering an open Craft Time, from 2-5pm at the Makerspace in Bellis Fair Mall. No charge. And at 5pm on Saturday, the Northwest Yarns and Mercantile Book Club will be discussing Terry Pratchett’s Christmas fable, The Hogfather. Bring your knitting and join the fun. WX: Cloudy, with some rain Your Whatcom County weather today will be cloudy. Overnight, we’ll likely see rain showers …
The Wandering ‘Hamster
December 28, 2023 News Transcript
Go Fund Me starts for those involved in Terminal Building fire, DUI truck driver arrested after snarling traffic for two hours, Mental health concerns grow over social media use, Trust funds for low-income babies proposed, Biden moves to limit logging in old growth forests ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, December 28, 2024. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Go Fund Me starts for those involved in Terminal Building fire Three of the four GoFundMe campaigns to help those impacted by the Terminal Building fire have exceeded their original goals. One campaign for employees of the Harris Avenue Cafe and The Old Independent Coffeehouse has surpassed $86,000; another for the Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse has raised over $11,000; and a third for top-floor tenants of the Terminal Building reached over $4,000 of the $48,000 goal so far. A separate fundraiser for the daughter of cafe owner Nate Breaux has also surpassed its $30,000 goal. A body was recovered from the wreckage two days ago; however, the identity has not been confirmed. Investigators are still working to determine the cause of the fire. STORY: Ferndale asks for help in locating arson suspects Suspects are being sought in connection to a fire found yesterday at a picnic shelter in Ferndale’s Star Park. The fire damaged the shelter, and additional damage was done to the bathroom structure nearby. Repair costs are estimated to be more than $5,000. Anyone with information about the fire is asked to contact Ferndale Police by phone or via email. STORY: DUI truck driver arrested after snarling traffic for two hours Yesterday, a Semi Truck driver caused a collision on northbound I-5 – halting traffic for two hours. The driver, Kulwinder Singh Bahat, (cool-WIND-er SING BA-hat) was later arrested on a charge of DUI as well as reckless endangerment. The accident caused no injuries but damaged several vehicles. Traffic was clogged on the highway near Fairhaven Parkway before one p.m. yesterday and was cleared in about two hours. STORY: Mental health concerns grow over social media use Health professionals are warning about the mental health impacts of social media. But, they say, parents can play a role in protecting their kids. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more. MENTAL HEALTH AUDIO STORY: Trust funds for low-income babies proposed State lawmakers are proposing a new way to break the cycle of poverty for Washington’s poorest populations: a trust fund for the 40,000 children born each year under the state’s Apple Health program. Nearly half of Washington’s babies are born into poor families, and the program aims to break that cycle. The Washington Future Fund would set aside a nest egg for each child. Those eligible could access the money between the ages of 18 and 35 for uses such as homeownership, a small business startup or higher education. The bipartisan-supported initiative, also known as the baby bonds bill, awaits review in fiscal committees. While concerns about the program’s impact on current education investments and family income improvements have been raised, proponents argue it addresses deep economic inequalities, especially for racial minorities and rural populations in poverty. The proposed program would set aside a minimum of $4,000 for each eligible child, which is estimated to grow to $15,000 by age 18, with potential for $35,000 if recipients wait. Other states, including Connecticut and Washington, D.C., have recently passed similar baby bonds programs, while several others are considering adopting this model. STORY: Biden moves to limit logging in old growth forests The Biden administration has announced new steps to protect old growth forests on National Forest lands. Following an Executive Order signed on Earth Day 2022, these new measures update the Northwest Forest Plan, which helps manage federal forests in Washington, Oregon and California. The White House notes that around 25 percent of old growth forests are in these three states. The administration hopes that the new measures will allow the Forest Service to have consistent direction nationwide in conserving old-growth forests. Last week’s announcement is part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to help protect national forests. Other actions have included a nationwide inventory of forests, as well as a joint report on opportunities for reforestation of federal lands. WX: Rainy Your Whatcom County weather today will reach a high of 55 degrees. Overnight, we’ll see mostly cloudy skies, a slight chance of rain showers and a low of 44. Winds are expected to be light and variable. Tomorrow– expect overcast and clouds, with a high of 53 and a low of 45 degrees. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, and Tristan Trudell. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, thanks for listening. ###
December 27, 2023 News Transcripts
Human remains found in Terminal Building, Bellingham Library, WTA add behavioral help to staff, Lummi Nation opposes sale of BP Cherry Point, Lake Whatcom water quality appears stable, State closes Nooksack fishing early, New law aimed to curb street racing goes into effect, Conservative advocacy group moves new initiatives forward, WA Android users who bought apps from Google’s store may get payout ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 27th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Human remains found in Terminal Building According to an update provided by the City of Bellingham yesterday, searchers have discovered a deceased individual within the heavily damaged Terminal Building structure. The historic Fairhaven building was destroyed by a fire on December 16th, and one person linked to the incident is still unaccounted for. Bellingham Fire Chief Bill Hewett (HYOO-it) stated that the investigation team entered the building on December 23rd after removing additional debris, leading to the discovery. While a preliminary identification was made, confirmation by the Medical Examiner’s Office is pending. The investigation team will continue searching to determine the fire’s origin. As of now, no cause has been identified. Chief Hewett emphasized the meticulous and time-consuming nature of the investigation process. The City says it will keep the public informed as new information emerges. STORY: Bellingham Library, WTA add behavioral help to staff Both the Bellingham Public Library and the WTA are expanding access to behavioral health resources. Starting on January 1st, the library will work with the Lake Whatcom Residential & Treatment Center to provide daily help to reduce drug use risks and provide intervention for those with declining mental health conditions. This comes in response to a post-pandemic increase in behavioral health and substance use-related issues in the library. The program will supplement weekly drop-in support by social service agencies. Meanwhile, the WTA is developing internal training to provide transit operators with skills on how to resolve conflicts on a bus. Narcan training and naloxone, an overdose antidote, have also been made available to transit employees. The WTA currently provides a space for people to sit and warm up during the day, as well as 50,000 free six-ride tickets a year to low-income community members through social service agencies. STORY: Lummi Nation opposes sale of BP Cherry Point The Lummi Nation recently refused the sale of the 1,100 acre Cherry Point to British Petroleum. The site has been used as an ancient burial ground for centuries and is considered a Tribal Cultural Property by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is also the first recognized archaeological site in Whatcom County. Earlier this month, BP-owned Phillips 66 offered to buy the land to create a renewable diesel refinery. Several companies have tried to purchase the land to no avail, including SSA Marine, which attempted to turn it into the largest coal port in America. According to a recent release, the Lummi Nation says Cherry Point has been a vital piece of their heritage for centuries, and they will continue to refuse its purchase. STORY: Lake Whatcom water quality appears stable After 25 years of concerns due to increased pollution, Lake Whatcom is finally showing signs that it might be stabilizing. The lake is Whatcom County’s primary source of drinking water, and has been on the state’s list of polluted water bodies since 1998 due to phosphorus and nitrogen run-off. Around 2016, restrictions on excavations and soil removal were put in place to limit the amount of pollution released into the lake. Recently, Western Washington University’s Institute of Watershed Studies found that phosphorus levels have become stable or decreased slightly. According to recent reporting by the Bellingham Herald, the Institute is unsure if these results are due to the restrictions, and claim it may take 50 years to notice a real change in water quality. However, these results show some hope that the efforts put into decreasing watershed pollution are making a noticeable difference. STORY: State closes Nooksack fishing early Fishing on the North and South Fork of the Nooksack River is closing early for the season, according to an announcement by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Department hopes the decision to close these areas early will protect steelhead populations, and comes as a response to a significant increase in fishing in locations where wild steelhead are present. The closures include the North Fork from the Highway 9 Bridge to Maple Creek, starting February 1st through February 15th. The South Fork will be closed from its mouth to Skookum Creek, starting January 1st through January 31st. STORY: New law aimed to curb street racing goes into effect Starting next Monday, a new law goes into effect that proponents say will help curb illegal street racing. Senate Bill 5606, signed into law last May, grants officers the authority to arrest or cite drivers engaged in drifting or other vehicular stunts. Additionally, the law prohibits racing in non-roadway areas like parking lots or garages. Critics of the new ordinance argue that it may strain law enforcement resources. STORY: Conservative advocacy group moves new initiatives forward The conservative group Let’s Go Washington is proposing two initiatives aimed at rolling back recent laws passed by state Democrats. The group has submitted signatures for two initiatives, I-2109 and I-2111, which seek to halt the new capital gains tax imposed in 2021 and also hope to stop local governments from imposing an income tax. The new capital gains law levies a 7% tax on returns from assets over $250,000 with exemptions for retirement accounts, real estate, and certain farming transactions. Both initiatives will be reviewed by the legislature, which can pass, modify, or send them to voters. Proponents of the new tax see it as a move toward tax system equity. However, Let’s Go argues it is unconstitutional and should be removed. The group has also submitted signatures for measures that would repeal the state’s carbon emissions law and would further relax rules on police pursuits. …
December 22, 2023 News Transcripts
Family of missing owner of burnt Fairhaven building releases statement, Memorial honors homeless people who died this year in Whatcom County, Memorial honors homeless people who died this year in Whatcom County, Everson P.D. awarded large rescue vehicle, Port seeks to up its game at Bellingham’s ‘working waterfront’, Port seeks to up its game at Bellingham’s ‘working waterfront’, Pac-12 legal battle ends as UW, departing schools agree to settlement with WSU, OSU, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 22nd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Family of missing owner of burnt Fairhaven building releases statement It is believed that restaurant owner Nathaniel Breaux (BRO) was in the Terminal Building when it caught fire late Saturday night. The family says they expect his body to be recovered in the next few days. Mr. Breaux owned both the Harris Avenue Café and the Old Independent Coffeehouse on the ground floor of the Terminal Building — he was confirmed missing on Sunday. By Monday, bouquets of flowers began arriving along a fence near the ruin. His family plans to share details about a memorial fund in the next few weeks. STORY: Memorial honors homeless people who died this year in Whatcom County A memorial event last night at Bellingham City Hall honored the lives of 87 homeless individuals who died in Whatcom County this year. Around 100 people with candles gathered at City Hall, while the names of 84 individuals were read aloud by members of the Opportunity Council’s Homeless Outreach Team. Three individuals remain unidentified. The memorial, an annual tradition since 2015, pays respects to those who died while homeless. The names are collected from partner service providers, and this year, they were cross-referenced with the county medical examiner’s office. In addition, a mayoral proclamation declared December 21st, 2023, as a day of observation and mourning for those who died while living on the streets, encouraging community efforts to address the root causes of homelessness. STORY: Everson P.D. awarded large rescue vehicle The Everson Police Department has acquired a mine-resistant ambush protected vehicle through a U.S. Government Surplus Grant. In a recent release, the City of Everson says the vehicle is valued at $733,000 but won’t cost the city anything, and is intended for flood rescue operations. The new vehicle will be added to a Humvee and a riverboat– all obtained since the November 2021 flood– expanding the city’s disaster preparedness. The new MRAP (EM-rap) can navigate deeper waters than the Humvee, and the Police Department has already started a training program for operating the vehicle. STORY: Port seeks to up its game at Bellingham’s ‘working waterfront’ Starting in January, the Port of Bellingham is set to embark on a $27 million dollar, two-year modernization project for the Bellingham Shipping Terminal. During a tour of the terminal with a federal trade official on Wednesday, local port representatives announced the project, funded partly by a federal grant, and aims to attract more vessel traffic and create more waterfront jobs. While the exact job impact remains uncertain, the emphasis on “breakbulk” cargo is noted for its labor-intensive nature, potentially leading to more jobs per cargo-pound compared to larger ports. The project involves dredging the waterway, replacing the deteriorating wharf, and introducing a new dock with state-of-the-art stormwater treatment. Port officials stress the environmental benefits as well as preparation for increased cargo demand nationwide. However, concerns from residents regarding noise highlight potential conflict over increased heavy-industrial activity on the waterfront. STORY: Statewide DUI enforcement campaign kicks off Last week, increased DUI enforcement kicked off – resulting in a higher arrest rate of impaired drivers. According to the Washington State Patrol, the state experiences a spike in the number of fatal accidents related to drunk driving at this time of year. According to recent reporting from KGMI, Lynden police have also added seven more officers on patrol, resulting in six DUI arrests in one day. A bill is also slated for consideration in the upcoming legislative session to lower the acceptable blood alcohol level to .5 percent. STORY: Pac-12 legal battle ends as UW, departing schools agree to settlement with WSU, OSU A settlement has been reached in the Pac-12 legal battle. A statement by both Washington State and Oregon State universities said that the 10 departing schools, including the University of Washington, have agreed in principle to a settlement that departing schools will “forfeit a portion of distributions over the remainder of the 2023-24 year” as well as provide guarantees against potential future liabilities. Estimates indicate the forfeiture could amount to between $5-and-10 million dollars per departing school. As for potential future liabilities, those could include a class-action antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA (N.C. 2A.) that could carry billions of dollars in damages. Washington State and OSU both expressed concern about the possibility of being held liable for an eight-or-nine-figure bill after the other schools left the conference. However, even with the settlement, Oregon State president Jayathi Murthy (jay-AH-thee MUR-thee) eplained that Oregon State’s athletic funding could still lose up to $40 million dollars. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do this Holiday weekend? Well there are many events going on around the county. From Friday through Sunday, the Festival of the Arts is being held near the Bellingham Crown Plaza. The event runs from 10 to 6, and has a host of holiday vendors, workshops, and performances. Bellewood Farms and Distillery will be offering free photos with Santa on Saturday, with drinks and s’mores kits available for sale. His visit will last from noon and 4pm. And finally on Sunday, the Haven Church in Everson is holding their Christmas concert during service at 10:30 am. The concert will be led by Sherman Andrus, who has performed for over 60 years. WX: Rainy Today will be rainy with a high of about 49 degrees and a low around 35. The wind will have gusts with speeds of up to 20 mph. …
December 21, 2023 News Transcripts
Whatcom County releases tool for tracking respiratory viruses, Design contest announced for new Downtown Sounds logo, Olympic Pipeline Update: 7,388/25,000 gallons of gasoline recovered, 275 cubic yards removed, State finalizes deal for 20,000 acres of logging lands in southwest Washington, Black bear damage permits will be available Washington commercial timber owners, WNS – AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions, Winter Solstice Tonight ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 21st. Good afternoon, I’m __David Korb____. STORY: Whatcom County releases tool for tracking respiratory viruses A new Respiratory Virus Dashboard has been launched, providing Whatcom County data on COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial (sin-SEE-shull) virus (also known as RSV). In a recent release County officials announced the dashboard will be updated weekly on Wednesdays, and aims to offer local and regional data to healthcare facilities, high-risk community members, and the general public. Data come from Whatcom County and the North Sound Region, and officials are hoping the information will help people make informed decisions regarding event attendance, wearing masks, and hand hygiene. The new dashboard replaces the COVID-19 Data page, which will retire at the end of January. STORY: Design contest announced for new Downtown Sounds logo The Downtown Bellingham Partnership has announced a logo design contest to mark the 20th anniversary of the Downtown Sounds summer music festival. Local artists are being asked to submit portfolios of their work, for a chance to design the logo. Submissions are being accepted through January 10th. The contest winner will be decided on January 17th and will receive $800. For more information, or to submit your design, visit downtownbellingham.com. STORY: Olympic Pipeline Update: 7,388/25,000 gallons of gasoline recovered, 275 cubic yards removed Numbers are in for the gasoline leak at the Olympic Pipeline near Conway. The Department of Ecology says approximately 25,000 gallons were released in the spill. As of Tuesday, over 7,000 gallons of gasoline have been recovered. That number will be updated when the oil/water mixture has sufficient time to settle and be measured. First responders have also removed approximately 275 cubic yards of soil near the source of the spill, which will be transported to a hazardous waste facility in Oregon for treatment and disposal. Emergency response and surveys of impacted areas are in progress, with remediation efforts due to begin after completion of the emergency response. STORY: State finalizes deal for 20,000 acres of logging lands in southwest Washington Washington’s Department of Natural Resources and a national non-profit have completed a $121 million purchase of 20,000 acres of logging land. The acquisition, named Deep River Woods, is in the southwest corner of the state and is the largest land purchase in over a decade. The nonprofit, The Conservation Fund, contributed $66 million to cover part of the cost, allowing the state to secure the land. The agreement grants Washington the option to buy the non-profit out of the arrangement if additional state funds become available. The purchase aims to support rural communities dependent on the timber industry and is tied to a land conservation plan proposing the transfer of 2,000 acres to conservation status. The move has received mixed reactions, with industry groups criticizing the shift away from working lands, while environmental groups view it as a positive step toward managing state lands for multiple benefits. Washington has been experiencing a decline in forested land due to development, and the acquisition represents an effort to preserve and manage forest resources. STORY: Black bear damage permits will be available Washington commercial timber owners On Friday, the Department of Fish and Wildlife approved a new black bear hunt permit for timber owners. The permits are available only for commercial timber owners that can prove that black bears are damaging their trees. The bears strip bark from trees looking for food, often at smaller timber farms. To get a permit, property owners will have to turn in pictures and GPS data of the damage. The previous method of acquiring a permit had owners asking the Fish and Wildlife Director directly. Last year, 60 permits were issued and 6 bears were killed — with the new system, department staff don’t expect that number to increase. According to commissioners, while bear hunts may not be perfect, it may be the best option for now. The program will be monitored and reviewed at the end of next year. STORY: WNS – AFT grants to WA help communities find local education solutions The American Federation of Teachers is partnering with organizations around the country to promote community solutions to the issues educators are facing. Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. TEACHER AUDIO STORY: Winter Solstice Tonight The winter solstice arrives tonight at 7:27 p.m. and marks the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. During the solstice, the noon sun is directly over the Tropic of Capricorn, and results in the sun’s lowest and shortest path across the southern sky in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to the longest midday shadow of the year. WX: Rainy Today will likely be rainy with a high of about 51 degrees and a low around 43. Light winds during the day will turn to gusts of up to 20 mph after midnight. Tomorrow will also be rainy, with high winds persisting into the afternoon. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, and Tristan Trudell. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ___David Korb_____________… thanks for listening. ###
December 20, 2023 News Transcript
Terminal Building being taken apart, plans to be demolished, Man in custody after shots fired in downtown Bellingham, Bellingham board selects “Northern Lights Park” name for future park, city still to decide, Two Whatcom County areas among 2,000 acres of land in conservation proposal, Head of Washington State Ferries Patty Rubstello to step down, Debate intensifies over conservation of PNW’s old-growth forests, HUD reports record-high homeless count in 2023 for U.S., WA ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Terminal Building being taken apart, plans to be demolished The historic Terminal Building in Fairhaven is being dismantled brick-by-brick to aid in the search for potential victims. Building co-owner Jim Hestad (heh-STOD) says the building’s structural integrity is deemed compromised beyond repair and contractors are now working to remove the rubble after a late-night fire gutted the building last week. Cafe owner, Nathaniel V. Breaux (BRO), is still missing, and the search for victims has been limited due to the unstable structure. The goal of the demolition is to make the site safe for investigators. According to a City of Bellingham release, the 135-year-old building was the oldest surviving continuously occupied commercial building in Fairhaven. Now that the building is set for a full demolition, discussions on preserving its bricks for historic reasons are taking place. The Bellingham Fire Department is maintaining a presence during the search, and anyone with information on Breaux (BRO) is urged to contact the police. STORY: Man in custody after shots fired in downtown Bellingham A man was arrested on Saturday night after allegedly firing gun shots during a fight. The man is 24-year-old Ty Brote, who was also found to be in possession of a bag of controlled substances. Bellingham Police spokesperson Megan Peters said officers responded to the report of a fight on Magnolia Street. An investigation found that Brote took another person’s handgun during the incident and fired it in the direction of other people. The gun owner reported it stolen after the fight. Brote remains at Whatcom County Jail on a bail of $20,000. STORY: Bellingham board selects “Northern Lights Park” name for future park, city still to decide A potential name has been chosen for a new public park under development in Bellingham’s Cordata neighborhood. The City Parks and Recreation Advisory Board selected Northern Lights Park as the name for the new park, which is located west of Northwest Drive next to Costco. This comes after a review of 150 name suggestions from the public, which included names such as Tokitae (toh-KEE-tay) Memorial Park, Kirkland Signature Recreational Area, and the Park of Subdued Excitement. The City Council is due to consider the board’s recommendation and finalize a name at its upcoming meeting on January 29th. STORY: Two Whatcom County areas among 2,000 acres of land in conservation proposal Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz announced plans to conserve 2,000 acres of state forestland in Washington through the Climate Commitment Act. The targeted areas are located in Clallam (CLEH-lum), Jefferson, King, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, and according to Franz, aim to protect fish and wildlife habitat, as well as natural and cultural values. Two areas in Whatcom County are proposed for conservation— approximately 575 acres southeast of Lake Whatcom, and around 75 acres south of the Middle Fork Nooksack River. Both areas are considered structurally complex forestland, and stewardship will prioritize forest health, wildlife habitat, wildfire and climate resilience, and carbon sequestration. Franz says the initiative attempts to address the decline in Washington’s forested land and will support habitat conservation, climate resilience, and local economies. The proposed lands are primarily held in support of the Common School Trust. The management of Trust land funds K-12 school construction statewide and local services in Whatcom County. The proposal awaits concurrence from county leadership and approval from the Board of Natural Resources. STORY: Head of Washington State Ferries Patty Rubstello to step down Patty Rubstello, head of Washington State Ferries, is resigning after three years on the job and over three decades at the Washington State Department of Transportation. Rubstello cited personal reasons for leaving, mentioning the loss of her father and impending grandmotherhood. Under her management, WSF received a $1.3 billion boost for new ferries, but staffing remains an issue. Rubstello will stay on until early 2024, and assist in the selection of her successor. STORY: Debate intensifies over conservation of PNW’s old-growth forests The Biden administration announced increased protections for old-growth forests, including a ban on old-growth logging starting in 2025. The administration announced that they completed an initial inventory of old-growth forests in the U.S. They will draft and gather feedback on proposed rules, and provide extra funds to help reach conservation goals. The Pacific Northwest already has an ongoing plan to overhaul old-growth protections, setting aside more than a million acres of forest, protecting them from logging. While the majority of Whatcom County’s old-growth trees were harvested between about 1890 and 1945, patches of old growth trees still exist in the Canyon Lake Community Forest and elsewhere on Mt Baker. Old-growth trees are important, absorbing more carbon than younger trees, and providing increased biodiversity. The Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management will continue to work on the forest assessments, and plan to release an environmental impact statement in June. STORY: HUD reports record-high homeless count in 2023 for U.S., WA The rate of homelessness is increasing more than ever before, according to data released Friday by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The 2023 Annual Homeless Assessment Report shows that more than 653,000 people were experiencing homelessness in the U.S. — marking a 12% increase from 2022. It’s the highest homeless population ever recorded since the federal government first began collecting this information in 2007. Washington’s count was also at an all-time high, growing at an unprecedented rate — about 11%. The data shows marked disparities in homelessness, with people of color experiencing homelessness at …
December 19, 2023 News Transcript
Terminal Building fire search temporarily suspended, BPD call for public’s help in murder investigation at Lake Padden Park, Bus and car incident on Hannegan ends with bus under toppled canopy at nearby gas station, Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce receives funding for tourism in 2024, More businesses opening at Bellingham’s waterfront container village, Hiker rescued following 1,200 feet fall on Whidbey Island, WNS – Groups urge WA to warn about gas-burning health effects, Feds pledge $600M for new I-5 bridge linking Washington and Oregon ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Terminal Building fire search temporarily suspended The search in the remains of Fairhaven’s Terminal building was put on hold yesterday due to safety concerns. In accordance with structure experts, Firefighters were only allowed to cut holes in the building to search it without causing the structure to collapse. The search was called off after the team were unable to find anything. The owners of the building are working with their insurance company to get machinery that can be used to maintain its structure while it is searched. The terminal building used to house Tony’s Coffee, which became The independent Coffee house and Harris Avenue Cafe. Nathaniel V. Breaux (BRO), the owner of the two coffeehouses, is still declared missing. Fire chief Bill Hewett stated that the search should continue today. STORY: BPD call for public’s help in murder investigation at Lake Padden Park Bellingham police are seeking the public’s assistance in the fatal shooting of Isaac “Izzy” Ruiz over seven months ago in Lake Padden Park. A recent BPD post on Facebook is asking for help from individuals with information about the incident. Anyone with information about the events on May 15th at Lake Padden is urged to contact the police. Online tips can be submitted at www.cob.org/tips, and Detective Travis Hauri can be contacted at 360-778-8791. STORY: Bus and car incident on Hannegan ends with bus under toppled canopy at nearby gas station First responders were called to the intersection of E Pole and Hannegan Road yesterday following reports of a collision involving a Whatcom Transportation Authority bus and another vehicle. WTA spokesperson Maureen McCarthy says the bus was driving westbound on Pole Road around 7:50 pm when it collided with a car that ran a red light at the intersection with Hannegan. The bus then collided with the fuel pump island at the Hi-Notes Corner Gas Station, causing a portion of the canopy to collapse. There were no reports of fire. Only one passenger was on the bus during the incident and they were not hurt. The bus driver was taken to the hospital and was later released, the other driver was treated at the scene. STORY: Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce receives funding for tourism in 2024 The Whatcom County Council has approved funding for the Birch Bay Visitor Center earlier this month. The center will receive $136 thousand for operations in 2024. The funding hopes to capitalize on the growth in tourism in the area following the end of the pandemic. According to Danielle Gaughen (GAW-en), executive director of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, 2023 was a return to normal for summer tourism. The chamber reported a 44 percent increase in visitors to the information center from 2022 to 2023, and a 17.5 percent increase in visitors to various chamber events compared to 2022. Other recipients of the tourism fund included the Mount Baker Foothills Visitor Center, Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, Northwest Tune-Up, Port of Bellingham, and Sustainable Connections. STORY: More businesses opening at Bellingham’s waterfront container village The Port of Bellingham has announced the arrival of multiple new businesses on the downtown waterfront in 2024. Zeeks Pizza as well as Bin 13 Wine Bar will both open up locations at the Portal Container Village, a collection of used shipping containers repurposed to highlight Bellingham’s art and culture. The Portal Putt mini-golf course will also expand to 18 holes, and additional retail space will be added for local artists to display their talent. A larger restroom will also be added to accommodate increasing visitors. The Port of Bellingham is looking to expand the village again in 2025, and is currently turning to community members for ideas. For more information, or to submit a container business proposal, visit PortOfBellingham.com. STORY: Hiker rescued following 1,200 feet fall on Whidbey Island A Search and Rescue team successfully rescued a 30-year-old male hiker who fell over 1,200 feet down a ravine in the Olympic National Forest on Saturday. The crew launched from Air Station Whidbey, eventually spotted the hiker with the help of a flashing light near a boulder field, and quickly hoisted him back onto the helicopter. The patient was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, and was treated for a broken arm, symptoms of hypothermia, and significant abrasions. This is the 33rd rescue by Whidbey Search and Rescue this year. STORY: WNS – Groups urge WA to warn about gas-burning health effects A coalition of groups are petitioning the Washington State Department of Health to clarify the effects of burning gas in homes after they claim the American Gas Association misled the public for decades. GAS AUDIO STORY: Feds pledge $600M for new I-5 bridge linking Washington and Oregon More than half-a-billion dollars will go into replacing the I-5 bridge across the Columbia River. A $600 million dollar grant from the federal government will cover about 8-to-12% of the cost of replacing the bridge linking Washington and Oregon. Both states are routing a billion dollars to the bridge replacement, and driver tolls are anticipated to generate another 1.5 billion. The bridge replacement project has been under discussion for two decades when it was found to be at risk of collapse in the event of an earthquake. One of its two spans is 65 years old, while the other span is over a century old. Construction is expected to begin in 2025 …
December 18, 2023 News Transcript
Cafe owner missing following fire that destroyed historic Fairhaven building, Authorities investigating email threat that forced Bellingham synagogue to cancel services, Residents of Samish Mobile Home Park pursue purchase, Mount Baker Schools superintendent stepping down early, Mount Baker Schools superintendent stepping down early, Plantation Rifle Range’s early cleanup estimate: $6.5M, BP restarts Olympic pipeline Wednesday after gasoline spill, Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline, More businesses opening at Bellingham’s waterfront container village ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Cafe owner missing following fire that destroyed historic Fairhaven building The oldest continuously occupied commercially-run building in Fairhaven was destroyed in a fire on Saturday night, and one of the owners is yet to be found. Firefighters first reported on the scene at midnight on Sunday, and declared it a two-alarm fire – requiring more equipment than a one-alarm. The building used to house Tony’s coffee and now houses the Old Independent Coffee House and Harris Avenue Cafe. Private offices on the second floor above were also destroyed. The owner of Harris Avenue Coffee, Nathaniel V. Breaux (BROH), is the only person associated with the building who has been declared missing. The building cannot be entered as the brick structure is too fragile, making it impossible to search the interior. The fire department is currently working to insure the structure’s safety. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. STORY: Authorities investigating email threat that forced Bellingham synagogue to cancel services An email threat led to the cancellation of services at a local synagogue on Saturday. Rabbi Joshua Samuels of Congregation Beth Israel in Bellingham, reported a security threat received via email. Torah study and Tot Shabbat was canceled for the day. The threat comes amid a reported rise in antisemitic incidents following the Oct. 7th attack by Hamas militants. Bellingham Police and the Whatcom County Sheriff are continuing the investigation. STORY: Residents of Samish Mobile Home Park pursue purchase Residents of the Samish Mobile Home Park may soon own the property they live in. In a meeting last Sunday, residents agreed to pursue a collaborative purchase of the site, which its developer-owner has put up for sale. The residents have formed a cooperative that would own and manage the park, and are offering between $4.5-and-5 million dollars for the 3-acre park. City rules enacted last year state that the property owner, Michael Reams, is required to negotiate in good faith to close the sale. The rules are intended to protect mobile home owners in Bellingham, a city with few housing options for low-income residents. After the property is inspected and the residents receive a loan offer, they will vote again on whether to finalize the purchase— a vote that will likely take place in February. STORY: Mount Baker Schools superintendent stepping down early The Mount Baker School District Superintendent is stepping down today. Mary Sewright, superintendent of the school district for five and half years, announced in an email that she is going on leave six months early to focus on her health. The Mount Baker School District had been one of three districts that signed an oversight agreement with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction at the beginning of the school year due to its lack of a balanced budget. The “binding conditions” pact, which spans at least two years, assure the district’s access to money and allows the OSPI and the Educational Services District to closely review and recommend school district decisions. School board officials voted Thursday to search for an external candidate to fill the interim position, hoping to provide an outside perspective on the financial issues. Nick Perigo, executive director of human resources and operations at the district, will serve as the superintendent designee until an interim superintendent is hired. Interviews and hiring would then take place in early 2025. STORY: Plantation Rifle Range’s early cleanup estimate: $6.5M The costs associated with cleaning up the Plantation Rifle Range could run as high as six-and-a-half million dollars. Officials announced at a public meeting Thursday that soil samples taken at the rifle range found a 300-yard swath of lead contamination about 3-to-4 feet deep. Some of the soil samples had a concentration of lead that was almost 200 times the state contamination standard, and lead readings from broad areas on the range exceeded 10,000 parts per million. Additional costs will come with a redesign of the range, which is intended to limit lead contamination in both the soil and the wetlands on the site. Lead had been allowed to accumulate unchecked at the Plantation Rifle Range since its opening in 1971. The high-powered rifle range and its adjacent range for small-bore weapons must remain closed until cleanup is completed, which would be sometime between late 2024 and 2025. STORY: BP restarts Olympic pipeline Wednesday after gasoline spill BP has restarted the Olympic Pipeline after repairing a tubing failure that caused a gasoline leak of approximately 25,000 gallons near Mount Vernon. The main pipeline was shut down after a pressure loss caused by tubing failure in a concrete vault connecting to a pressure sensor. The restart followed repairs, integrity testing, and regulatory approval. The cleanup, involving the Environmental Protection Agency and local officials, has recovered nearly 7,000 gallons. According to the EPA, the spill resulted in the deaths of a beaver, a pine siskin bird, and a mallard duck. Around 2,100 feet of boom remained deployed to contain the spill, with no signs of gasoline or sheen on the Skagit River. STORY: Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline The number of abortions in Washington increased by 23% in 2022, reaching the highest level in a decade. New data released by the Washington State Department of Health shows 20,000 abortions were performed, nearly 3,800 more than the previous year, reversing a long-term decline. The Department of Health attributes the rise to the U.S. Supreme …
December 15, 2023 News Transcript
Lead developer of major Whatcom County housing projects files for bankruptcy, Public invited to submit information for new wildlife status reports, WA ferries fare system restored, after outage brought hours of delays, Farmers and growers seek leeway under new agriculture overtime law, NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 15th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Lead developer of major Whatcom County housing projects files for bankruptcy A real estate development company involved in major projects in Whatcom County has filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11. Harbor Custom Development, Inc., was the lead developer for the Grandis Pond project, a 992-unit housing and commercial development in Blaine but withdrew from the project in September. According to a company release, despite the filing, Harbor will continue normal operations while preparing a Reorganization Plan. The official bankruptcy filing includes information about Grandis Pond and other Blaine projects. The company’s total assets are estimated to be between $100-and-$500 million dollars. The company has not responded to requests for comment but is expected to continue selling properties and operating multifamily projects during the bankruptcy process. STORY: Public invited to submit information for new wildlife status reports The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking information from the public to inform several species status reports. The Dept is seeking information about the burrowing owl, Mount Rainier white-tailed ptarmigan (TAAR-muh-gin), island marble butterfly, and the wolverine. They want to know more about demographics, habitat conditions, threats, population trends, and existing conservation efforts for each species. Whatcom County is home to the wolverine and the white-tailed ptarmigan. Wolverines currently live in high-elevation landscapes around North Cascades National Park, after being reestablished there in the 90s. However, the population in all the Cascades is fewer than 25 individuals. The white-tailed ptarmigan has a similar range and has a population of around 1000. Additional information will help the Department assess the conservation status of each species and guide further recovery efforts. STORY: WA ferries fare system restored, after outage brought hours of delays On Thursday, the fare system for the Washington State Ferries was restored after an outage earlier that morning. According to The Seattle Times, during the outage, staff resorted to writing receipts by hand and transferring the information into the state’s online database. The system was eventually rebooted late that morning. In his new supplemental budget, Governor Jay Inslee outlined a plan to spend millions on recruitment and upgrades for the aging ferry system. The cause of the malfunction is still under investigation. STORY: Farmers and growers seek leeway under new agriculture overtime law Starting in January, farmworkers in Washington will be eligible for overtime pay after working more than 40 hours a week. This change comes after 2021 legislation removed a 60-year prohibition on overtime pay for farmworkers. However, agricultural producers are seeking to relax the new rules for up to three months annually during peak harvest times, citing staffing needs. The debate centers on the impact of added costs on the state’s agriculture industry, as well as concerns about the economy’s overall health. Supporters of the new regulations argue that farmers can adjust hiring and scheduling, while opponents stress the need for flexibility. Washington joins California as only two states that allow farmworkers to earn overtime after 40 hours. An Oregon law mandates overtime after 55. STORY: NW states, tribes reach ‘historic’ deal with feds over Columbia River Basin fish and dams In a major agreement, the federal government has promised to spend $1 billion dollars to help restore salmon and other fish runs. The administration reached the deal with Oregon and Washington, the Nez Perce (NEZ PIERCE), Umatilla (you-muh-TIL-luh), Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes on Thursday. The new money would be combined with other spending and delivered over the next decade to help restore wild fish and assist in the construction of at least 1 to 3 gigawatts of tribally sponsored clean-energy production. The agreement also contains a compromise to decrease spillage of the Snake River dams during the summer and fall, but increase the amount of spilled water in the spring to help young Chinook migrate to the sea. However, not everyone is happy with the deal. Local tribes and environmental groups have been fighting to remove the dams completely, and this agreement does not guarantee any further action on that front. However, the settlement does pause the legal fight over wild fish restoration that began in the 90s. It also includes a commitment to begin replacing the hydropower provided by the dam, giving hope that dam removal may be possible in the future. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do? There are plenty of holiday events going on across the county. The Lynden Heritage Museum is having its Winter Open House on Saturday from 1 to 5pm. The museum will have live re-enactors in special exhibits, refreshments, and sweet treats. Registration is available online. Bellingham Makers Market is holding the Holiday Makers Market at the Cruise Terminal this weekend, from noon to 5 pm. The market will have hand made goods, foods, and other gifts for sale. The Pacific Arts Market will be open for its final days today through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. The market is located at Bellis Fair, in a building outside the food court. Vendors will be selling a variety of homemade goods at the market. And finally, if you’re in the mood for something more active, volunteer work parties are happening this Saturday throughout Bellingham’s parks. Volunteers are needed from 9AM-12pm – you can find out which parks are being worked on by visiting volunteerbellingham.org. WX: Sunny Today will be mostly sunny with a high of about 51 degrees and a low around 38. Clouds will come later, with calm winds blowing throughout the day. This weekend will be a mix of sun and clouds, with a …
December 14, 2023 News Transcripts
WWU operational student employees file to unionize, Sumas Mountain closed to vehicles after environmental damage, Public Meeting to Discuss Cleanup of Plantation Rifle Range, WNS – WA advocates take on sharply rising health care costs, Most kids in WA still aren’t tested for lead, despite risks, Washington workers’ compensation premium rate going up an average of 4.9% in 2024, School officials urge state to extend emergency graduation waiver, Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows, Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, December 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: WWU operational student employees file to unionize Yesterday, a group of operational student employees at Western Washington University filed for unionization. The group is made up of over 1,100 individuals who work as program support staff, recreation assistants, and clerks. Citing issues of low and late pay, unsafe work environments, and unpredictable schedules, they submitted their request for union recognition to the Washington State Public Employment Relations Commission and delivered a letter to the university president. This marks the second time in a year that student employees at Western have voted for unionization. According to a recent release, the new operational student employee union hopes to promptly address concerns like low pay and inadequate safety measures through official negotiations with the university. STORY: Sumas Mountain closed to vehicles after environmental damage The Washington State Department of Natural Resources is closing the area around Sumas Mountain to vehicles. DNR said the closing is due to environmental damage from the public. Unsanctioned trail-building, garbage dumping, and timber theft continue to damage public resources. Illegal trails affect local fish by delivering sediment to streams. DNR had previously closed the area to vehicle access in August 2022 due to similar environmental concerns. According to the agency, the damage from the past two years has cost the state around $30,000 so far. The entrances are likely to remain closed until the 2024 hunting season. The forest remains open for walk-in recreation. STORY: Public Meeting to Discuss Cleanup of Plantation Rifle Range Tonight, Whatcom County Parks and Rec. will hold a meeting about the cleanup of the Plantation Rifle Range. Over the course of its 50 years of operation, lead bullets have contaminated the soil and made its way into the nearby streams and waterways, causing concern about negative impacts on both humans and wildlife. Surface tests have been conducted on the water, revealing that it moderately exceeds the Clean Water Act standards for aquatic life, but remained well below benchmarks for unsafe drinking water. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Wade King Elementary. STORY: WNS – WA advocates take on sharply rising health care costs Health care advocates are calling on Washington state lawmakers to do more to rein in rising health-care costs after a recent report shows sharply rising prices. Reporter Mark Moran (mor-ANN) has more. COSTS AUDIO STORY: Most kids in WA still aren’t tested for lead, despite risks A recent report from Washington’s state auditor reveals 74% of Medicaid-enrolled kids have not been tested for lead. Lead exposure, especially harmful to children, is typically determined through blood tests. Federal rules mandate lead testing for Medicaid-enrolled children by the age of 6 if no prior tests are recorded. The recent audit indicates that up to 60,000 children born between 2017 and 2019 in Washington may be at higher risk but were not tested. And according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 4% of all Washington children were tested for lead as of 2018. While lead pipes are uncommon in Washington, children can still be exposed through paint, imported products, contaminated soil, and drinking water. Despite historical deficiencies in lead testing rates, Washington did see an increase in testing between 2018 and 2022. In response to the report, state agencies acknowledged the need for improvement in identifying and supporting individuals vulnerable to lead exposure. STORY: Washington workers’ compensation premium rate going up an average of 4.9% in 2024 A 4.9 percent increase in the average workers’ compensation premium rate goes into effect on January 1st. According to the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, employers and workers will pay an additional $65 a year for each full-time employee. Workers will contribute about a quarter of the premium. The decision is based on factors like expected payouts, contingency reserves, and wage inflation. The 4.9 percent hike is an average, with rates varying by industry. STORY: School officials urge state to extend emergency graduation waiver School districts are hoping the Board of Education will extend the emergency high school graduation waiver for the class of 2024, citing the lasting impact of COVID-19 on students. The waiver was originally established by the state legislature in 2021 to protect students from quote “unforeseen disruptions beyond the student’s control”. In 2022, this allowed for up to two credits as well as the technical skills graduation pathway requirement to be waived. That year, nearly 13% of students used a waiver to graduate. This year, only one credit can be waived and school officials are asking the board to continue waiving graduation pathway requirements as well. Scott Friedman, of the Association of Washington School Principals, says that many students and schools are currently focused on credit recovery, due to high failure rates during online learning. Some technical classes could not be offered online, and even now offer fewer classes due to reduced staff, which makes meeting the graduation pathway requirements more difficult. In a School Counselor Association survey of over 70 school districts in the state, 94% said they had students who would not graduate without the pathway requirement waiver. Board members were scheduled to vote last Thursday whether or not to extend the waiver but could not come to a clear consensus. They will vote on the waiver again in early 2024. WX: Sunny …
December 13, 2023 News Transcript
Police activity, helicopter near Bellis Fair for arrest, String of downtown Bellingham burglaries continues with theft of Louis Vuitton bags, Update on the pipe leak in the WWU Fairhaven Complex, Update on the oil spill in Skagit, PSE’s Warm Winter campaign provides meals, clothing, holiday joy to Wash. residents, WNS – WA kelp, eelgrass recovery plan tackles big losses in marine habitat, Military testing reveals hundreds of drinking water wells contaminated with PFAS in WA, Geminids meteor shower to happen over a cloudy WA, Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Webnesday, December 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Police activity, helicopter near Bellis Fair for arrest Yesterday, the Bellingham Police Department apprehended an individual while a helicopter hovered above the area near Meridian and Baker Street. About 4pm yesterday, Bellingham police posted on social media, warning the public to stay away from the area near The MorningGlory Inn as officers were aiding the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. One person was taken into custody on charges of eluding police, assault, and weapons charges. STORY: String of downtown Bellingham burglaries continues with theft of Louis Vuitton bags $12,000 to $15,000 dollars in Louis Vuitton (vee-TAWN) handbags were stolen from the Neeter House of Luxury last Friday. Two suspects broke in by smashing the glass with a baseball bat, and left a crowbar behind. According to recent reporting from the Bellingham Herald, this is the third Bellingham Business to be robbed in just over a month, including The Comics place in October and Penny Lane Antique Mall on Nov. 17th. The Bellingham police department has yet to state if they are connected, but warn that the thieves may be selling the bags online. STORY: Update on the pipe leak in the WWU Fairhaven Complex The source of the pipe leak in the Fairhaven Complex at Western Washington University has been found. According to Amanda Cambre (KAM-bray), the director of facilities at Western, a hole in a sewage pipe under stack three of the Fairhaven dorms is believed to be the major source of the leak. Western Facilities says repairing the hole is their top priority. Other pipes have also been found to be degraded, and Facilities says it plans to line them with a seal that would last 50 years. STORY: Update on the oil spill in Skagit Clean-up continues around the gasoline spill in Skagit County that resulted in the release of more than 25,000 gallons of fuel. Despite the spill being one of the largest in the state since the year 2000, there were no signs of the fuel reaching the Skagit River, and no injuries to wildlife were observed. Caused by a failure in the Olympic Pipeline operated by British Petroleum, the system carries gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from northwestern Washington to Oregon. The spill is among several recent incidents of significant size nationally, raising concerns about pipeline safety. STORY: PSE’s Warm Winter campaign provides meals, clothing, holiday joy to Wash. residents Puget Sound Energy has donated $200 thousand to non-profits across Washington as part of their first-ever Warm Winter campaign. The donated money will be used to support those in need by providing warm meals, winter clothing, and toys or other holiday cheer items. Twelve non-profits in Whatcom will receive funding, including DVSAS, Lydia Place, and Northwest Youth Services, among others. PSE says funding for the donation comes from PSE itself and not from customer rates. STORY: WNS – WA kelp, eelgrass recovery plan tackles big losses in marine habitat The Washington Department of Natural Resources has a new plan to help revitalize kelp and eelgrass on Washington’s coast. Reporter Suzanne Potter has more. KELP AUDIO STORY: Military testing reveals hundreds of drinking water wells contaminated with PFAS in WA Test results published by the U.S. military reveal that hundreds of drinking water wells near military bases and other facilities in Washington have been contaminated by PFAS. According to the Seattle Times, the military confirmed that the “forever chemicals” were released at 10 military installments in the state, most of them located near the Salish Sea. Simultaneously, the Department of Defense detected PFAS in 866 private drinking water wells, which is nearly half of all the state’s wells tested by the military in the past two years. Out of those wells, over 500 were found to have concentrations of chemicals above the levels proposed by the EPA to protect people’s health. However, over 400 of those wells fall below levels that prompt the military to take action, such as providing clean drinking water. Studies by the EPA show that PFAS are known to disrupt the immune system in the human body, as well as increasing the risk of various types of cancers. Pentagon spokesperson Jeff Jurgensen said the military is evaluating the risk to human health and the environment in the areas near the facilities as part of a cleanup process, as well as preparing to implement the EPA’s final drinking water standard in the next few months. STORY: Geminids meteor shower to happen over a cloudy WA An annual meteor shower, considered by NASA to be one of the best, is set to peak this week. The Geminid meteor shower will last until December 24, providing opportunities to view “shooting stars” through next week. Unfortunately, we may miss out, as cloudy skies and light rain are forecast for Western Washington. During the peak, around 120 meteors are expected per hour. WX: Sunny Today will be mostly cloudy with a high of about 49 degrees and a low around 39. There will be light winds this afternoon, with rain coming late tonight and persisting into tomorrow morning. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Alex Michael, and Tristan Trudell. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email …
December 12, 2023 News Transcript
Bellingham council passes resolution calling for ceasefire in Middle East, Bellingham council proposal meant to quiet ABC Recycling meet resistance, Mount Baker Ski Area announces opening date after receiving snow over the weekend, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges sets emergency funding for BTC as top priority, Lummi Nation to receive $1m to help make roadways safer, Fish and Wildlife proposes killing over 400,000 barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to protect endangered spotted owl, PSE to build Montana wind farm as coal-fired energy winds down, Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows, Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham council passes resolution calling for ceasefire in Middle East During their final meeting for 2023, Bellingham City Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning racism and violence and calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Palestine conflict. The resolution avoids delving into detailed aspects of the conflict but condemns racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, and expresses concern for the 17,000 lives lost in the conflict without supporting either side. The resolution urges the Biden administration to push for a ceasefire and de-escalation. STORY: Bellingham council proposal meant to quiet ABC Recycling meet resistance Also at the council meeting, a proposal by Bellingham leaders to prohibit overnight quote “construction and industrial noises” met resistance from city officials. Language being developed by City staff for inclusion into local regulatory codes would restrict overnight work by ABC Recycling. The new proposed ordinance comes after complaints from residents of South Hill and other neighborhoods that operations have disturbed their sleep. An agreement between the company and the longshoremen’s union determined that crews will stop work at midnight as a means of appeasing the residents. Opposition to the restrictions, however, have been mounting. Port of Bellingham Executive Director Rob Fix told the council yesterday that the noise ordinance wouldn’t only affect ABC Recycling but many other maritime businesses. Fix also said the language on enforcement is very subjective. The code states that a police officer at the scene would have to make a reasonable determination as to whether the noises were disturbing quote “the peace, comfort and repose of others”. While some council members such as Lisa Anderson are intent on making the new rules work, Mr. Fix suggested holding off on enforcing the ordinance until after ABC Recycling loads its next ship under the new hour restriction. The next scrap-metal loading is likely to happen in the first quarter of 2024. STORY: Mount Baker Ski Area announces opening date after receiving snow over the weekend Last weekend, Mount Baker received 17 inches of snow – and that means the ski area is opening. The park will be available to season pass holders tomorrow, and will open to the general public on Thursday. A few events are planned for opening weekend–Santa will visit for free photos with kids, and the Baker Beacon Rally will teach mountain rescue techniques. To check weather updates, visit mt.baker.us STORY: Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges sets emergency funding for BTC as top priority Repairs to Bellingham Technical College are the top priority in a recent funding request from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. The board voted unanimously Thursday on a motion for funds to repair BTC’s Campus Center. The almost-$20 million dollar request will help fix seismic reinforcement deficiencies in the building. The building has been closed since July after issues with truss points were found by engineers. The closure affects the library, food pantry, student support services, ID services, and student life services, which all had to move to different parts of campus. The request has been sent to the State Legislature and the Campus Center building will stay closed through the 2023-24 academic year. STORY: Lummi Nation to receive $1m to help make roadways safer Communities across Washington, including the Lummi Nation, will receive nearly $40 million to make roadways safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The funding, which comes from the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, includes three project implementation grants and 22 planning grants.The Lummi Indian Business Council will receive $1 million dollars to develop a comprehensive safety action plan, and to make nine targeted intersections safer. The Safe Streets and Roads for All program is among the transportation investments included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law has funded nearly 1,200 transportation projects in the State of Washington in the two years since its signing in November of 2021. STORY: Fish and Wildlife proposes killing over 400,000 barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to protect endangered spotted owl The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a controversial plan to shoot over 400,000 barred owls over the next 30 years to protect the endangered spotted owl. First recorded in eastern Washington in 1965 and in western Washington in 1973, Barred owls are a non-native species and have outcompeted the spotted owls for resources. The agency argues that the drastic measure is necessary to save the spotted owl from extinction. Other methods, such as sterilization and nonlethal removal, were considered impractical. The proposal has sparked ethical debates, with concerns about human responsibility for the presence of barred owls in the region. In the proposal, the agency emphasizes the need to conserve both species and justifies the lethal removal as a last resort for species preservation. STORY: PSE to build Montana wind farm as coal-fired energy winds down Puget Sound Energy, Washington’s largest private utility, is planning to build a 248-megawatt wind farm in Stillwater County, Montana. PSE says the Beaver Creek wind farm will power over 80,000 homes and support the transition away from coal. Energy from the farm will replace electricity currently generated by a Montana coal plant and is part of the company’s efforts to meet Washington …
