FEMA flood relief grants for Whatcom property owners delayed indefinitely, Sourdough Fire now at 25% containment, Birch Bay Water and Sewer District to receive $1.5 million from state, Changes made to Whatcom conservation program will affect salmon habitat preservation, Judge upholds Washington’s $17B transportation package, US Gov announces $1.4 billion to improve rail safety and boost capacity ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, the 25th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: FEMA flood relief grants for Whatcom property owners delayed indefinitely Millions of dollars in federal grants allocated for 2021 flood recovery in Whatcom County have been indefinitely delayed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Whatcom County had been working with FEMA to secure over $12 million in grants to acquire damaged homes, elevate structures, and assist residents affected by the floods of November 2021. The county was planning to buy out around 15 homes and elevate 14 others that were on the list. However, the Agency’s disaster fund is running out of money– in a year that’s already set records for billion-dollar disasters. The relief fund is almost depleted, says FEMA chief Deanne Criswell, and the agency had no choice but to limit spending to emergency needs. According to another FEMA official, there’s now growing concern inside the agency that funding could lapse entirely if the Republican majority in the House of Representatives shuts the government down on October first. County Executive Satpal Sidhu expressed frustration with FEMA’s failure to fulfill its commitments, noting that property owners in the grant application had been waiting for assistance for over 21 months. A potential government shutdown could also leave homeowners without flood insurance just as the rainy season approaches Whatcom County. According to Adam Smith, a NOAA climatologist who tracks natural disasters, there have been 139 separate billion-dollar disasters since 2016 that killed at least 5,200 people and cost over $1 trillion dollars in damage across the United States. STORY: Sourdough Fire now at 25% containment The Sourdough fire has reached 25 percent containment, after growing 1,000 acres last week. Now spanning over 7,300 acres, the fire has been burning near Diablo Lake since late July. Current containment is focused around state Route 20 and around at-risk structures. Firefighters are moving equipment like hoses and pumps away from the remaining areas, and are monitoring the wildfire for any additional changes. According to a National Park Service press release, a change in containment is unlikely until a season ending event like significant rain or snow. STORY: Birch Bay Water and Sewer District to receive $1.5 million from state The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District will receive over $1.5 million dollars in construction loans to improve the domestic water supply at Birch Point. The loan is part of a $220 million package approved by the Washington State Public Works Board to repair decaying and damaged infrastructure around the state. In total, 61 projects throughout 51 communities received funding. Water quality and conservation has been a frequent concern for Birch Bay residents as of recently. The board also approved an $800,000 loan for a reservoir replacement project by the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District. STORY: Changes made to Whatcom conservation program will affect salmon habitat preservation The Farm Service Agency is cutting payments to dozens of Whatcom County farmers and rural landowners. The agency states landowners were wrongly being paid as part of the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. In return for payment, the owners were to leave their land unsown and plant trees and other habitat along the Nooksack River and its tributaries, where critically endangered salmon species live. About 200 landowners were affected, including 1,500 acres of land and 120 miles of stream “buffers” for salmon habitat. After October 1st, some landowners will be removed from the program while others will see changes in their contracts. The cuts have led to agricultural and environmental interests appealing to Governor Jay Inslee in an effort to replace funding the landowners receive from the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program. A letter to Inslee was signed by the Whatcom Family Farmers, the Washington State Dairy Federation, and the Nature Conservancy, among others. Owners like former County Councilman Rud Browne worry about how they can maintain conservation efforts, stating that they may need to return the land to agriculture to afford to pay property taxes. STORY: Judge upholds Washington’s $17B transportation package On Friday, a Thurston County Superior Court Judge dismissed a case attempting to invalidate a $17 billion transportation law. The motion to invalidate the 2022 law came in January from the Citizen Action Defense Fund, who argued that that legislation contains multiple unrelated topics which would violate a state requirement that bills only cover one subject. The attorney general’s office argued that the law doesn’t violate the rule because it works as an omnibus bill that compiles a range of transportation topics. Thurston County Judge Mary Sue Wilson agreed, stating that “each of the challenged sections have some incidental or rational relationship to one another.” The conservative advocacy group disagreed with the ruling, and plans to appeal to the State Supreme Court. The law, called Move Ahead Washington, is a blueprint for spending $17 billion through 2038 on road projects and maintenance, transit expansion, fish-barrier removal, and more. It was signed into law by Governor Inslee in March of 2022. STORY: US Gov announces $1.4 billion to improve rail safety and boost capacity In an effort to improve railroad safety and increase passenger capacity nationwide, the United States Government will spend $1.4 billion on track remediation to restore passenger travel in parts of the country. Washington state will see a large portion of that money, as the Palouse (puh-LOOSE) River & Coulee (COO-lee) City Railroad in Washington state will get nearly $73 million to upgrade the track and related infrastructure that will allow the rail line to handle modern railcars. The funding is spread out across 35 states, and efforts to improve railroad safety come after the East …
The Wandering ‘Hamster
September 22, 2023 News Transcript
Lummi Health agencies issue emergency alert following overdose deaths, Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut ceremony postponed, Dry cleaning detective received unauthorized send-off after firing, Washington Education Association establishes 1.5 million Promise Scholarship for WWU’s aspiring teachers, Warmer than normal winter for Whatcom, AG Ferguson’s unemployment fraud recovery initiative nets $42 million, Prices skyrocket on WA transportation projects, and fewer contractors want the jobs, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, the 22nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Lummi health agencies issue emergency alert following overdose deaths, Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut ceremony postponed The Lummi Healing Spirit Clinic and the Lummi Tribal Health Center issued a joint emergency alert warning about a new batch of fentanyl that resulted in four deaths this week. Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s (skallie-CHUKH-ten-not) ceremony has been postponed in light of the deaths. The health agencies advise safe practices while using fentanyl, as the new batch in the area is either stronger than usual, or could be a mixture similar to that of “tranq dope.” They released in the emergency alert safe practices, including never using alone, not using at the same time as a friend, always having Kloxxado or Narcan on hand, testing the supply, leaving doors open or unlocked, using slowly, and remembering that a person’s tolerance lessens after a couple days of decreased use, which puts you at risk for overdose. The Lummi Nation also released a statement yesterday announcing the postponement of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (skallie-CHUKH-ten-not)’s ceremony that was to happen this weekend. In the statement, the Nation does promise to honor her as their ancestors directed. They also wrote in the press release “Our community has been hit hard with an overwhelming amount of grief this week, and we feel at this time we must come together as a Nation to wrap our arms around the families that are mourning the loss of a loved one.” Community members are handing out test strips for fentanyl and “tranq dope” at the clinic, health center, as well as some gas stations and bus stops. STORY: Dry cleaning detective received unauthorized send-off after firing A former Bellingham police detective got an unauthorized hero’s send-off earlier this month after being fired for misuse of public funds. Adam McGinty was fired by the Bellingham Police Department on August 18th after an internal investigation revealed that he circumvented the department’s allotment of dry-cleaning services by using another detective’s name without their knowledge. A memo summarizing the results of the investigation said that McGinty had committed second-degree theft, a felony involving between $750 and $5,000 in goods or services. McGinty’s dismissal was followed by a flag raising and a vehicle escort of up to six vehicles – including police cars with emergency lights flashing. According to Whatcom County’s prosecutor’s office, such events are reserved only for those who retire or otherwise leave the police department in good standing. The celebratory events were made public when McGinty’s wife, Beth McGinty, shared details in several NextDoor posts on September 12th. In those posts, she also described a private going-away party, attended by around 120 people – including prosecutors, city officials, and retired and active-duty officers of all ranks. In a statement to Cascadia Daily News, Bellingham Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig said she is disappointed by the unsanctioned escort and flag raising and that she will be instituting policies to prevent this from happening again. STORY: Washington Education Association establishes $1.5 million Promise Scholarship for WWU’s aspiring teachers The Washington Education Association (WEA) has pledged $1.5 million in scholarship support to the students of Western’s Woodring College of Education. Beginning this fall, the WEA scholarship will be awarded to fifth year students so that the teaching candidates can continue receiving financial support while student teaching. Additionally, those students will receive one-on-one mentoring from WEA members. The $1.5 million scholarship will be awarded over the next five years in hopes to better prepare the next generation of teaching professionals in Washington State. Currently, more than 4,000 educators in the Washington state school systems are graduates of Woodring, and every county in Washington state has a Woodring-trained graduate on its workforce. STORY: Warmer than normal winter for Whatcom Northwest Washington is likely to see a warmer-than-normal winter with less rainfall than average. A report issued last week by the Climate Prediction Center indicates a 71% chance of a strong El Niño, a climate pattern that would steer heavy winter storms south of Washington state. The agency also issued a long-range forecast for the winter, predicting a 60-70% chance of above-normal temperatures and a 40-50% chance of below-normal rainfall. The reports doubled down on what meteorologists were already thinking, though the forecasts do not mean extreme weather events such as lowland snow or flooding won’t happen. Western Washington just endured a rare three-year La Niña pattern, which normally results in colder and wetter winters in Whatcom County. During that period, the Nooksack River flooded three times, killing one person and causing more than $200 million in damages. Because of the El Niño forecast, the U.S. Drought Monitor lists Whatcom County in a period of severe drought, and indicates that dry conditions will continue. STORY: AG Ferguson’s unemployment fraud recovery initiative nets $42 million The Attorney General’s office announced yesterday that their fraud recovery initiative netted a total of $42 million in stolen funds from 26 financial institutions. Using the state asset forfeiture powers, the AG recovered more than two-thirds of stolen unemployment funds of a possible $647 million. The money was recovered from bank accounts where thieves did not withdraw all their stolen funds and will go back into the state unemployment trust fund and to the federal treasury. Beginning in April 2020, Washington’s unemployment insurance program was one of the first to suffer an unprecedented nationwide attack of imposter fraud. Fraud rings used stolen identities to steal as much as $135 billion from 53 government programs that received federal pandemic unemployment benefits. Washington State’s Employment Security Department estimates that during the COVID-19 pandemic, fraudulent claims accounted …
September 21, 2023 News Transcript
PeaceHealth clinicians vote to unionize, Lummi Nation to honor Tokitae with private traditional ceremony, Blaine city layoffs, State collects estimates of economic impact of Sourdough fire, 8-person crash in Everson consisted of 7 Romanian citizens, States agree to install 20 million new heat pumps by 2023, Gov to provide free Covid tests ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, the 21st. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: PeaceHealth clinicians vote to unionize Over 80 mid-level workers at PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center voted to unionize Monday. This will be the first bargaining unit for the Union of American Physicians and Dentists, or UAPD, made up of solely advanced practice clinicians, such as nurse midwives, physician assistants and nurse practitioners. This vote comes after months of talks concerning the efficacy of caretaking at PeaceHealth in Bellingham. UAPD first started to push to unionize the hospital in July, with a press release stating concerns over “assembly-line” care taking place at St. Joseph’s. UAPD President Dr. Stuart Bussey finds the union will provide a voice to the workers that have not been able to participate in decisions that affect their workplace. [Sound bite one] Dr. Bussey sees the union as ultimately helping the patients. [Sound bite two] The next steps for the union contract will be bargaining for a new contract, one that will represent the interests of all that participate. STORY: Lummi Nation to honor Tokitae with private traditional ceremony The Lummi (LUH-mie) Nation will have a private, traditional ceremony for Tokitae this weekend. The Southern Resident orca’s ashes arrived in Washington this week after her untimely death in August and subsequent necropsy in Georgia. Tokitae, or Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (skal-luh-CHUKH-ten-not), was captured over fifty years ago during the great orca roundup where multiple animals died in the process. She was the longest surviving orca from that roundup, and the second oldest orca in captivity. Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut (skal-luh-CHUKH-ten-not) spent her years in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium, and there was a large grass-roots push to have her returned to her home in the Salish Sea for years. Plans to move her to a private net pen in the Salish Sea were in the works before her death, with some advocates believing she was only months away from release before her death. The ceremony will be held in a private, sacred location in Bellingham Bay with U.S. Coast Guard oversight to prevent any interference according to a press release from the Lummi Nation. Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut will receive a traditional water ceremony, as orcas are considered relatives to the Coast Salish people, which includes the Lummi Nation. STORY: Blaine city layoffs For the first time in a decade, the city of Blaine is planning sweeping layoffs which will eliminate about 10 percent of staff. In a notice last week, city manager Mike Harmon told employees that the city plans to eliminate 6.5 full time employees on November first. In addition, the city will not rehire for 3 of 4 vacant positions. To fill in the gaps, the city plans to shift responsibilities, consolidate work to fewer employees, and hire consultants. By laying off these employees, the city hopes to save up to $900,000 in next year’s $40 million budget. If Blaine wants to keep the positions, Harmon says the city needs to spend less on capital improvement projects in order to balance the budget. The move to save money comes in response to a nearly $1 million deficit in the general fund, with salaries and wages making up over 60 percent of expenses. The budget became unbalanced as inflation increased employees’ salaries while revenue stayed stagnant. STORY: State collects estimates of economic impact from Sourdough fire Washington State is asking businesses and nonprofits affected by the Sourdough fire to submit an Economic Injury Worksheet. The state’s Emergency Management Department is assessing statewide eligibility for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan from the U.S. Small Business Administration agency. For statewide eligibility, at least five businesses or nonprofits must meet certain criteria, including being unable to meet their obligations and pay “ordinary and necessary operating expenses.” As of yesterday, three businesses within Skagit and Whatcom counties have submitted Economic Injury Worksheets, with economic damages for the two Skagit County businesses totaling $34,000. Those affected can submit reports by November 9th. STORY: 8-person crash in Everson consisted of 7 Romanian citizens Seven people involved in the Everson car crash during the weekend were Romanian citizens who had illegally crossed the border. In a press release, U.S. Customs and Border Protection stated that the Romanian citizens illegally entered the U.S. near Sumas (SUE-mass) by driving across a remote portion of the border and through a berry field. A short while later, the vehicle ran a stop sign in Everson and crashed. According to Washington State Patrol, the second car’s driver was identified as 19-year-old Timothy Garrison of Ferndale. No one in either vehicle was wearing a seatbelt, and all eight people were transported to St. Joseph Medical Center for treatment. Three Romanians remain hospitalized while four were released and transported to the Sumas Station for processing. A criminal investigation is underway by Homeland Security, and the Washington State Police are investigating the car crash. STORY: States agree to install 20 mil new heat pumps by 2030 Twenty-five U.S. governors including Governor Jay Inslee have agreed to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from new buildings by rapidly expanding the installation of heat pumps. The governors, who all belong to a group called the Climate Alliance, agreed to install 20 million new heat pumps across their states by 2030. At least 40% of their efforts in expanding heat pump installation would go toward disadvantaged communities. Electric heat pumps work by taking warmth from outside air and transferring it indoors or, during the summer months, operate in reverse to keep temperatures low. The alliance stated that the push for heat pumps comes as part of a larger goal to decarbonize existing buildings and to prevent emissions with new construction. At present, buildings …
September 20, 2023 News Transcript
Bham lifts recreational fire ban, Stimpson Family Nature Reserve to get dedicated parking area, Ferndale Police, passerby pull occupant from vehicle fire, Concern over shelter preparedness with winter approaching, Washington’s pandemic dashboard upgraded to include flu and RSV, Price of illicit fentanyl in WA drops to as low as 50 cents a pill, WA Supreme Court strikes down restrictions on Sheriffs’ use of tear gas ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bham lifts recreational fire ban Bellingham has lifted its ban on recreational fires as of Monday. To classify as a recreational fire, the fuel must be firewood or charcoal only, no larger than 3 feet wide or 2 feet high and far enough away from structures. Garbage and yard debris burning is still banned in all of Whatcom County. For more information about what is and isn’t allowed, check with the Fire Marshal. STORY: Stimpson Family Nature Reserve to get dedicated parking area A parking lot at the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve was closed earlier today as part of the preparations for a paving project for the park’s gravel parking area. Today’s closure allowed for groundwater infiltration testing for the project which was originally scheduled for this summer, but delayed until 2024. According to an email to the Bellingham Herald from Parks and Recreation Director Bennett Knox earlier this year, the parking lot paving was delayed due to the cost of construction being over budget. The project will help create well-defined parking spaces, allow better stormwater runoff control, and potentially add a few spaces to the approximately 15 spots. The cost of the project will be $92,000. It will be funded through real estate excise taxes. STORY: Ferndale Police, passerby pull occupant from vehicle fire Ferndale Police and other first responders were able to rescue a driver from a vehicle fire yesterday. An officer came upon a vehicle that appeared to have collided with a light pole. With help from a passerby, the officer pulled a male from the vehicle while flames and heavy smoke were visible from the engine compartment. Personnel from Whatcom County Fire District 7 also responded to the fire and treated the man at the scene before transporting him to St. Joseph Medical Center for further treatment. The incident is currently under investigation. STORY: Concern over shelter preparedness with winter approaching Lighthouse Mission officials say they are concerned about space at the Mission’s Base Camp homeless shelter as winter approaches. The shelter, located downtown, has been operating at or near their 200-person capacity for most of 2023. With temperatures getting colder, the mission would normally begin operating emergency overflow shelters. However, due to lack of volunteers, no overflow shelters will be available this winter. According to Whatcom County’s Annual Report on Homelessness, this year has set a record for people experiencing homelessness with a 27% increase from 2022. The Lighthouse Mission recently received $750,000 from the county to build a new shelter to replace the Base Camp location. The new location will provide additional specialized services, but also increase capacity to 300 and double the amount of meals provided to over 1000 a day. Base Camp will close in July, and the Mission hopes to open the new location by Winter of next year. Funding for the project is currently at 21 out of 25 million dollars. STORY: Washington’s pandemic dashboard upgraded to include flu and RSV Washington has updated its online Covid dashboard to now include information on influenza and RSV cases. The new dashboard went live on Monday, showing data on viral activity, hospitalizations, ER visits and deaths from each virus. It will be updated weekly through April of next year, covering the peak season for all three viruses. The dashboard is available for access on the Department of Health website. As of now, cases of all three viruses are low, but health officials–like Dr. Greg Thompson of Whatcom County–are worried about a viral surge overwhelming hospitals and doctors’ offices, like last year. To prevent a so-called “tripledemic” from straining the healthcare system, vaccines for the flu are recommended for people six months and older, and the RSV vaccine is recommended for infants and people older than 60. An updated Covid vaccine will be available in certain areas as soon as this week. STORY: Price of illicit fentanyl in WA drops to as low as 50 cents a pill The price of illicit fentanyl in Washington keeps dropping, now costing anywhere between 50 cents to $5 a pill. According to Seattle Police Department spokesperson, Detective Judinna J. Gulpan, the price of fentanyl in Seattle can go as low as 40 cents a pill in wholesale bulk purchases. The cost has dropped considerably over the past few years due to fentanyl’s increasing presence in the market. Fentanyl is currently the cause of most opioid overdose deaths in Washington, with 90% of fatal opioid overdoses and 65% of all overdose deaths in the state having fentanyl involvement. Opioid deaths in Whatcom County have more than doubled from 44 in 2021 to 90 in 2022. STORY: WA Supreme Court strikes down restrictions on sheriffs’ use of tear gas Last Thursday, the Washington Supreme Court invalidated some of the State Legislature’s restrictions on the use of tear gas for riot control. In a 5 to 4 decision, the ruling overturned part of a 2021 law that requires police to get approval from the highest elected official in the jurisdiction when they plan to use tear gas. The ruling holds that the section of the law is unconstitutional when applied to sheriffs in non-charter counties, which accounts for 32 out of 39 counties in Washington. The court decision will not affect other sections of the law, which require officers to exhaust all alternatives to tear gas, announce that tear gas will be used and allow sufficient time and space for people to disperse before deployment. WX: Sunny/clear weather expected Today will be a mostly sunny …
September 19, 2023 News Transcript
SR 544 reopens after month long closure, Bham Climate Action Week Begins on Friday, New Central WA legislative maps could mean a shakeup in Olympia, State finds fire-prone old BNSF train ignited 500-acre blaze, WA Supreme Court Clears Roadblock for Hearing Some Childhood Sexual Abuse Cases ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: SR 544 reopens after month long closure East Pole Road near Lynden and Everson has been re-opened. It closed a month ago due to fish passage construction on Fourmile Creek below the road. On road closure news, just a reminder that the Guide Meridian between Front and Main streets in Lynden is now closed round-the-clock until 7 p.m. this Friday, Sept. 22. Check with WSDOT (WASH-dot) if you are uncertain about detours. STORY: Bham Climate Action Week begins on Friday The fifth annual Bellingham Climate Action Week starts this Friday. There are over 20 events planned, from film screenings to tours to presentations on local wildlife. This year’s theme is “Leading with Collaborative Solutions,” showcasing how participating organizations work together on climate solutions and events. In addition, Whatcom Transit Authority has partnered with the Whatcom Million Trees Project to plant one tree for every 100 bus rides during the week. They hope to plant 1,000 new trees. A large closing ceremony will be held at the downtown waterfront next Saturday, the 30th, complete with live music, an interactive kids’ play zone, electric bike demos, food trucks, and a chance to get involved with local environmental organizations. STORY: New Central WA legislative maps could mean shakeup in Olympia A U.S. District Court judge has ruled that a legislative district in Central Washington violates the rights of Latino voters and must be redrawn. Judge Robert Lasnik’s ruling states that the 15th Legislative District’s boundaries violate the Voting Rights Act of 1965, agreeing that despite meeting the required percentage of Latino voters, the district was drawn in a way that dilutes their voting power. Democratic leaders in the state legislature have decided to assign the task of redrawing the district to a federal court instead of reconvening a state commission to redraw the boundaries, citing that it would be the quote “most expedient and non-political way” unquote. The ruling comes in response to a lawsuit filed in January of 2022 by the Campaign Legal Center, Washington lawyer Edwardo Morfin, and other groups on behalf of Latino voters in the Yakima Valley. Judge Lasnik’s ruling stated that the slim 51.5% majority held by Latino voters wasn’t enough to “provide equal electoral opportunity where past discrimination, current social/economic conditions, and a sense of hopelessness keep Latino voters from the polls in numbers significantly greater than white voters,” Judge Lasnik also ruled that the plaintiffs provided “ample historical evidence of discriminatory English literacy tests, English-only election materials, and at-large systems of election that prevented or suppressed Latino voting.” The decision comes after decades of efforts on the part of voter rights organizations to boost political representation of Latinos in the Yakima Valley. STORY: State finds fire-prone old BNSF train ignited 500-acre blaze An investigation by the Washington Department of Natural Resources found that the Tunnel 5 fire in the Columbia River Gorge in July was caused by an old Burlington Northern Santa Fe train. The fire, which burned 546 acres and destroyed 10 structures over two weeks, was found to be caused by chunks of hot carbon and lubricant pads spewed from a 1970s-era BNSF locomotive. The department ruled out lighting and other ignition sources after they found 1 to 2 inch chunks of exhaust particles from a diesel engine, and more than 70 scraps of train-wheel lubrication pads in or near the three spots where the fire broke out. The objects were scattered over a 690-foot stretch, north of the track, on the same side and area where the fire began. The morning of the fire, eyewitnesses took a photo of an older green and white BNSF locomotive headed for Tunnel 5. The engine was a model from the 70s, likely with an older, non-turbocharged engine prone to emitting hot globs of carbon in its exhaust. The photos were shared with the DNR investigation. While other rail companies do not use older, more fire-prone engines during the summer, BSNF has not made it their policy at this time. STORY: WA Supreme Court Clears Roadblock for Hearing Some Childhood Sexual Abuse Cases The Washington state Supreme Court has reduced some impediments for bringing childhood sexual abuse cases to court and are considering completely eliminating the statute of limitations for them. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more. SUPREME COURT AUDIO WX: Expected rain Rain is expected in Bellingham this afternoon and into the night, clearing at some point tomorrow. The high will be 64* today. Overnight lows should dip as low as 48* on Wednesday night. Day temperatures are expected to rise into the low 70s over the next few days. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Susan Lindsey, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.###
September 15, 2023 News Transcript
Bellingham hard-of-hearing residents see support in Loops, Noisy scrap metal loading expect next week at Port of Bellingham, Task force recommends $160 million for upgrades, new high school in Lynden, Restrictions eased on food imports, Health insurance rates are about to jump for thousands, Washington Supreme Court rules against lawsuit demanding state pay more for school construction, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 15th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Bellingham hard-of-hearing residents see support in Loops A technology to help the hard-of-hearing has become widespread in Bellingham. The Loops system, known officially as Audio Frequency Induction Loop System, is a simple copper wire and a specialized amplifier that takes a few different forms. Loops connects with individual hearing aids to amplify nearby sound to the point of crystal clear audio. Most city buildings have Loops in place now, including the library, city hall and Whatcom Museum. Some local businesses also have added the technology. According to Hearing Loss Association of America’s Whatcom County chapter president Larry Wonnacott, the growing use of Loops makes spaces more accessible for people with hearing aids. He sees the Loops system as the gold standard for accessibility for hard of hearing people. STORY: Noisy scrap metal loading expected next week at Port of Bellingham ABC Recycling’s operation at the Bellingham Ship Terminal will see heavy activity next week with the arrival of a new bulk carrier ship. The M.V. Autumn Sea will dock next week and load about 27,000 metric tons of recycled iron and steel, an activity that draws complaints due to high noise levels. The loading is expected to take seven days with 70 workers laboring between 8am and 2:30am daily. Noise complaints from the South Hill neighborhood caused the Port of Bellingham to install a sound barrier made of stacked shipping containers next to the loading area. The height of the sound barrier is expected to increase for next week’s loading. The Port also set up a website with the purpose of informing the public through email and text notifications about updates in the shipping terminal schedule. ABC Recycling is also facing backlash regarding plans for a metal shredder and recycling facility outside of town, with 200 people gathering at a public meeting last week to discuss the potential impact of the facility and any possible dangers it could bring to the community. Residents addressed concerns about potential noise, traffic, and environmental impacts such as dust and chemicals. STORY: Task force recommends $160 million for upgrades, new high school in Lynden The Lynden School Board held a meeting last night to discuss a proposed bond that would include the construction of a new high school. The district’s bond planning task force made several proposals in a report released earlier this week, one of them being the construction of a $150 million high school to replace the 43-year-old building. This is in response to a third-party giving the current high school building a low condition assessment and the high school exceeding its capacity by 130 students – with enrollment expected to increase. Overall, the report proposes almost two dozen projects funded by a $160 million bond that would raise property taxes $1.89 per $1,000 of assessed value. STORY: Restrictions eased on food imports Restrictions have eased on the amount and type of meats that travelers can bring into the US from Canada. Those crossing into the states are now allowed to bring up to 50 pounds of beef, bison, veal, sheep, goat, swine or camelid meat. This is separate from the personal use amounts of beef, veal, and bison. Cervid meat like deer and elk is also allowed, but it must be proven to come from the Cervidae (SERVE-i-dee) family of animals. Travelers are also able to bring eggs, egg products, and poultry, however, it is best to check the USDA’s temporary restrictions page before crossing just in case. STORY: Health insurance rates are about to jump for thousands The Office of the Insurance Commissioner has approved an average premium increase of nearly 9% next year for 14 health insurers operating in Washington’s individual health insurance market. While the average may be 9%, some insurers like Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Washington, Premera Blue Cross and Bridgespan Health Co. will have premium increases of more than 15%. Health insurance premiums in the individual market will increase for the third consecutive year in 2024 after monthly premiums dropped during the pandemic because of funding provided by the American Rescue Plan. According to the 2022 census, around 220,000 Washington residents directly purchase their insurance, instead of receiving it from an employer. Of those 220,000, nearly 90% bought coverage through the state-run Washington Health Benefit Exchange, also known as Apple Health, through which more than 75% received some financial help to pay their monthly premiums. Affordability of healthcare is an increasing worry for Washingtonians according to a 2022 survey by the Altarum Healthcare Value Hub, with four in five expressing concerns about future affordability. STORY: Washington Supreme Court rules against lawsuit demanding state pay more for school construction The Washington State Supreme Court ruled unanimously on September 7th that the state is not solely responsible for covering the costs of construction for public schools. The decision, which dictates that school construction is a shared responsibility between local and state governments, is in response to a lawsuit from the Wahkiakum (wuh-Ki-uh-kuhm) School District, filed after 22 years of failed bond proposals. Wahkiakum stated it needs at least $50 million for critical repairs and to remodel its high school, which hasn’t had renovations since it was first built in 1962. The district noted in court filings that 57% of students in Wahkiakum come from low-income households, and that the per-capita income in the county is around $29,000 a year. Voters refused to pay additional taxes to pass the bonds, and the district contended construction costs would be “burdensome” even if the bond was to pass. …
September 14, 2023 News Transcript
Owner formally donates Governors Point to Whatcom Land Trust, Suspect identified in 45 year-old murder of a 16-year-old girl, WWU is partnering in new $15M NSF-funded earthquake research center, 5-day road closure in Sudden Valley, Free Tire Recycling Events for Whatcom County Residents, Data shows drop in multi family home construction in Washington, WA courts paid back $10m in fines as a result of Blake drug possession ruling ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Owner formally donates Governors Point to Whatcom Land Trust A new area will soon be open for hiking. Governor’s Point in the Chuckanut Mountains and along the coast south of Larrabee, was partially donated to Whatcom Land Trust yesterday. The nearly 100 acres of donated land will be preserved as a nature reserve, with two paths to the land’s western and southern beaches. The remaining 25 percent of land will be kept by the owner, with plans to build 16 small-footprint houses on the land south of the donated area. STORY: Suspect identified in 45 year-old murder of 16-year-old girl A 45-year-old murder has a suspect thanks to DNA matching. There were no leads at the time of 16-year-old Krisann Baxter’s murder investigation in 1978, as DNA technology was limited at the time. After copying the data from database to database in the years since, a familial match for the killer was identified. That information eventually led to Keith D. Lindblom, who became a person of interest in the case. Three years prior to the murder, Lindblom was convicted of violent assault and rape of a 16-year-old girl, but he was released from custody shortly before Baxter’s murder took place. Krisann Baxter’s case is closing however because of exceptional circumstances, as Lindblom died in a fire in 1981. STORY: WWU partnering in new $15M NSF-funded earthquake research center Western Washington University is participating in a new multi-institution earthquake research center, which will receive $15 million from the National Science Foundation over five years to study the Cascadia subduction zone and bolster earthquake preparedness. The Cascadia Region Earthquake Science Center, or CRESCENT, will be the first center of its kind in the nation focused on earthquakes at subduction zones– areas where one tectonic plate slides beneath another. The center will bring together scientists from 14 institutions around the US, including UW, Central and WWU. Those involved will use the lab to help model and forecast specific local and regional impacts from quakes caused by the zone off the coast of the Pacific Northwest. The lab is part of an ongoing effort to prepare for “The Big One.” Research has shown that the Cascadia subduction zone could produce an earthquake of magnitude 9.0 or greater, with many communities along the coast disastrously underprepared. If a quake of that magnitude were to happen, it could cause tsunamis to landslides, collapsing buildings and bridges, disrupting power and gas lines, and leaving water supplies inaccessible for months. While the fault hasn’t produced a quake since 1700, research shows that the zone produces magnitude 8 earthquakes about every 500 years on average, so the west coast is best off preparing for it soon. STORY: 5-day road closure in Sudden Valley A half-mile section of Lake Whatcom Boulevard between Lake Louise Road and Southern Court will be closed next week. The closure, scheduled from 7am on Monday to 4pm on Friday, will apply to all traffic, including emergency vehicles and school buses. According to the announcement from Public Works, the closure is due to emergency work needed to replace a culvert that is failing and causing severe erosion of the road shoulder. During the closure, motorists are advised to take alternative routes. STORY: Free Tire Recycling Events for Whatcom County Residents Whatcom County Health and Community Services announced yesterday that Whatcom County residents will have the opportunity to dispose of old tires at two free drop-off events in late September and early October. The tire recycling event is hosted by Health and Community Services and funded by a grant from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Over the past eight years, similar events in Whatcom County have collected over 300 tons of waste tires for recycling and disposal. Both drop-off events are set to take place at the Cedarville Drop Box and Recycling Center in Everson. The first event will take place on Sunday, September 24th, from 9:30am until 4:30pm, and the second event will take place a week later on October 1st at the same time. The Cedarville Transfer Station will only be open for tire recycling on both these days, with Whatcom County residents being able to drop off up to 20 tires per load. Only passenger vehicle and light truck tires will be accepted, and only Whatcom County residents are allowed to take part. Valid ID is required. STORY: Data shows drop in multi family home construction in Washington Building permits for apartments and other multifamily housing in Washington were down in the second quarter of the year while permits for single-family homes continued to rise. Numbers that the state Economic and Revenue Forecast Council released Tuesday showed there has been a 7,000-unit drop in multifamily permits during April to June of this year whereas single family permits increased. Overall, residential construction continues to be below last year’s levels. The slowdown comes as Washington leaders continue to push for more housing construction to help with the state’s affordable housing shortage. Lawmakers this year passed a number of bills to help increase production, such as expanding where duplexes and triplexes can be built, loosening regulations on backyard cottages and other “accessory dwelling units,” and attempting to streamline permit review processes. But most of those laws only went into effect in July and could take years to be fully implemented. STORY: WA courts paid back $10M in fines as a result of Blake drug possession ruling Since the Supreme Court’s landmark 2021 ruling that voided Washington’s drug possession law, …
September 13, 2023 News Transcript
Large-scale drug bust out of Meridian St. encampment, Inslee visits Whatcom County, Bham Public Schools unveiling new Special Education center, Peace Health responds to questions (sort of), State grants fund digital navigation services for new users, Bike race to close portion of Mount Baker Highway ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, the 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Large-scale drug bust out of Meridian St. encampment The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced yesterday the seizure of over 22 pounds of suspected fentanyl powder and fentanyl-laced pills last month from a man running a drug operation out of a homeless encampment in Bellingham. On August 29th, 34-year-old Rigoberto Vasquez Martinez, was pulled over by Oregon State Police during a routine traffic stop south of Salem, Oregon. Police discovered over 70 thousand fentanyl-laced pills and subsequently arrested Martinez. The Whatcom Sheriff’s Office Gang and Drug Task Force also searched a storage unit belonging to Martinez in Lynnwood and found nearly 8 pounds of fentanyl and other drugs. Martinez’s compound in the homeless camp on Meridian St. was also searched and shotguns, an assault rifle, and drugs were found. STORY: Inslee visits Whatcom County Governor Jay Inslee was in Whatcom County yesterday. During the visit, Inslee toured the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center and Foothills Food Bank which serves more than 350 households each week. The Food Bank’s executive director, Sam Norris, talked with Inslee about the growing difficulties of running the operation with just two full-time staff and a group of volunteers. According to Norris, the food bank saw a dramatic increase in usage after the end of the temporary boost in SNAP benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. East Whatcom is currently deemed a rural food desert by the USDA due to the lack of access to grocery stores and high poverty levels. Inslee also toured the Opportunity Council’s resource center, where he visited the Mt. Baker Head Start program, and attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the VMC electric vehicle factory in Ferndale. STORY: Bham Public Schools unveiling new Special Education center Yesterday, Bellingham Public Schools unveiled the new location for a Special Education program that serves students through the age of 21. The program, named Community Transitions, provides services intended to prepare students with mild to severe disabilities as they transition to life after high school. The program offers a part-time schedule of classes as well as job-coaching, work-based learning opportunities, and case management. The new building is located near the WECU on Birchwood Avenue. STORY: Peace Health responds to questions (sort of) (AnThu) Recent changes in the palliative care program housed at St. Joseph Hospital has left the Whatcom County community with questions. Reporter Emma Toscani sat down with Peace Health Leadership to find out more. Dr Scott Foster Story Audio STORY: Bike race to close portion of Mount Baker Highway Another portion of the Mount Baker Highway is set to be closed for part of the upcoming weekend, as the Mount Baker Hill Climb will shut down the eastbound side of the road between Glacier and Artist Point from 7 a.m. to noon this Sunday. The event sold out for the first time this year, and will see hundreds of cyclists in both competitive and recreational divisions tackle over 4,400 ft of elevation during the 22-mile climb. Those wanting to watch the race are encouraged to carpool and arrive early to make sure you get a spot. STORY: State grants fund digital navigation services for new users The Washington State Department of Commerce announced on Monday that it will be giving out nearly $15 million in grants to continue expanding access to the internet through digital navigator services. Commerce defines digital navigators as “trusted guides who assist community members in internet adoption and the use of computing devices.” Digital navigators help users navigate, gain skills, and acquire digital devices in a culturally competent manner. Navigators help a wide range of people, such as seniors, veterans, English language learners, and students seeking technical support. Washington currently provides navigators to all 39 counties through the Broadband Office and also through community partners like Goodwill, TechConnect, and the Seattle Housing Authority. Under these new grants, Whatcom County will offer services to residents through various Community Health Centers, organizations like Communities in Schools, or programs like the Link to Care WA hotline. In its three-year history, the Digital Navigator program has helped more than 200 thousand Washington residents access digital services, devices, and skills. WX: Rainy Day, Cloudy Night Mostly cloudy skies early today will start to clear, and become partly cloudy by afternoon. Expect a high of 68 degrees, with clear skies and a low of 49 overnight. Tomorrow, the sun comes back for a few days, with a high of 73. The sun is expected to stay with us until Sunday when cloudy skies will roll back in. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Susan Lindsey, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ###
September 12, 2023 News Transcript
Bellingham cracking down on campers and RVs parked around the city, Pair nabbed after robbery at Lynden convenience store, Hanger fire causes $25-35k in damage, Electric bus assembly facility ribbon cutting with Gov Inslee, Pair nabbed after robbery at Lynden at convenience store, WA struggles to hand out federal cash to find and replace lead pipes, FWC denied petitions for black bear hunts again, Original Washington Constitution to be displayed in Olympia ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham cracking down on campers and RVs parked around the city In an effort to move houseless people living in campers and RVs out of high-activity areas, the City of Bellingham has started placing more 72 hour limited parking signs around town. Encampments in Bellingham have drawn criticism from the public, as crime, drug use and litter are seen at many of the camp sites around town. According to the City of Bellingham, a recent call for proposals from organizations willing to oversee a safe parking location received no responses. The deadline for proposals was last month. Meanwhile, rental rates in Bellingham have continued to skyrocket in the last year, and the amount of houseless people in Whatcom County is at an all-time high. STORY: Pair nabbed after robbery at Lynden convenience store Two 18-year-old men, Alexis Molina and Pavel Barbin, were arrested late Sunday following a robbery at the Northwood Market in Lynden. They forced their way behind the counter and stole 32 hundred dollars worth of vape products. The robbery was captured on video, and the suspects were identified and arrested during a traffic stop by law enforcement officers. The pair has been booked on charges of second-degree theft and second-degree robbery and are being held without bail. STORY: Hangar fire causes $25-35k in damage A privately-owned airplane hangar near Bellingham International Airport caught fire on Saturday. The Bellingham Fire Department was alerted at 1:43pm on Saturday, by a report of smoke coming out of a hangar. When fire crews arrived, the hangar had light black smoke coming out of two sides. The crews entered the building and located the fire near the middle of the building. According to fire captain Dustin Michaelis, the suspected cause of the fire was a charging lithium-ion battery. No one was injured, and an airplane inside the hangar was unburned. Michaelis estimates the fire caused 25 to 35 thousand dollars in damage. STORY: Electric bus assembly facility ribbon cutting with Gov Inslee Governor Jay Inslee will attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Vicinity Motor Corporation’s 100,000-square-foot electric bus assembly plant in Ferndale today. According to the announcement by the British-Columbia-based VMC, the facility will address their order backlog, and improve access to Canadian port, rail and truck shipping and receiving facilities between Ferndale and Vancouver. The Ferndale facility cost $22 million dollars, and by assembling electric vehicles at the Ferndale location, VMC will meet federal regulations that require federally funded infrastructure investments to support products made in the United States by American workers. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will be visible to motorists on I-5 traveling south of the Main Street interchange in Ferndale as well as those passing on LaBounty Drive, and will be followed by remarks from company CEO Will Trainer, Governor Inslee and others. STORY: WA struggles to hand out federal cash to find and replace lead pipes Washington State has only allocated 85,000 of a possible $63 million from the federal government to find and replace lead pipes. The money comes from Biden’s 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Job Act, which provides a total of $15 billion to states to replace the lead pipes. The push to locate lead pipes across the US comes from an October 2024 deadline from the EPA. Just four cities in Washington have applied for the loans, with only Centralia actually accepting the offer. The three other water systems, the North Perry Avenue Water District, Ilwaco (uhl-WAH-co), and Cashmere, received offers and turned them down. Reasons for rejecting the offers include: parts of the loans not qualifying for forgiveness, full inspections being expensive, or needing more time to figure out how to actually survey for lead in pipes. While Whatcom may not face the same issues as cities like Centralia or Flint, Michigan, there’ve been challenges in the past. According to surveys done by the Washington Department of Health in 2018, there’ve been lead levels found in schools in Whatcom that were over the EPA limit. The schools have addressed the issues and are following all recommendations to limit exposure to lead, but these surveys show that contamination is possible even with non-lead pipes. The state will open another opportunity for community water systems to apply for lead inventory and replacement loans Oct. 2 through Nov. 30. STORY: FWC denied petitions for black bear hunts again The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission denied two petitions to open a spring black bear hunting season next year after pausing the hunts in 2022. In the past, hunters have taken black bear, elk and other game from a few locations around Mount Baker. The hunts have been described by animal advocacy groups as cruel and potentially orphaning bear cubs. However, supporters say the hunts protect elk and deer numbers, ensure people’s safety, and teach people how to make ethical choices. The ongoing discussions have resulted in multiple petitions asking to reinstate spring bear season, many by the same petitioner. Wildlife Commissioner Melanie Rowland said the commission won’t authorize a hunt until there is a new, proven management reason to do so. STORY: Original Washington Constitution to be displayed in Olympia Finally, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs will host a public showing of the original Constitution of Washington this Thursday in the Legislative Building in Olympia. The event will take place between 1-4pm in honor of the U.S. Constitution Week and visitors to the Office of the Secretary of State will be able to view the original …
September 8, 2023 News Transcript
Border Patrol rescues 3 immigrant who were abandoned on a mountain, Sheriff’s Office recovers $45,000 worth of stolen bikes in Birch Bay, Bellingham police seek funding for bicycle team, Lynden firefighter’s gender discrimination lawsuit scheduled for Sunday, Bellingham invites feedback on Comprehensive Plan update, Washington Ecology not flooded by applications for drought-relief grants, Union sues to stop state purchase of psychiatric hospital until labor dispute is resolved, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 8th. Good afternoon, I’m __David Korb____. STORY: Border Patrol rescues 3 immigrants who were abandoned on a mountain Three immigrants were rescued from the mountains near Sumas after being abandoned by a smuggler last Friday. According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, Blaine Sector Border Patrol agents responded to a distress call from their party. Agents determined their location based on GPS coordinates and photos sent from their cell phone. A rope rescue was conducted by the Blaine Sector Special Operations Detachment at around 7:30 that morning. Three individuals were determined to be undocumented immigrants from Mexico, and were medically cleared after the rescue. The day before, on August 31st, the Blaine sector of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol arrested 29 immigrants from Mexico after they entered the U.S. in a freight train from Canada, although CBP found no evidence that the events were related. No other details on the arrest of the 29 immigrants were made available. STORY: Sheriff’s Office recovers $45,000 worth of stolen bikes in Birch Bay Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputies have recovered around $45,000 dollars in potentially stolen bicycles. After receiving a tip, they conducted a search of a Birch Bay residence and found 15 high-end mountain and electric bikes. A 16-year-old male suspect was arrested and charged with Possession of Stolen Property 1st Degree. STORY: Bellingham police seek funding for bicycle team Bellingham PD has applied for a $20,000 grant from the Department of Justice to equip a new team of bicycle officers. This new team will not be a part of regular bike patrols downtown, but rather assigned to crowd control for large events such as Ski to Sea and Northwest Tune-Up. According to the grant application, city officials state that “having a team of mobile officers who are trained in crowd control would have a huge impact on events by being able to respond more quickly to concerning areas.” There is currently no timeline for resuming regular bike patrols. The Police Department’s budget has rebounded from a slight decrease during Covid, now at nearly $40 million for fiscal year 2024. The total expenditure is the highest it has ever been, according to recent budget reports. The public will have a chance to comment on the grant at a public hearing before the City Council at 7 p.m. on September 11th. Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig said she hopes to have the team in place by summer 2024. STORY: Lynden firefighter’s gender discrimination lawsuit scheduled for Sunday A gender discrimination lawsuit filed against the City of Lynden Fire Department and 2 administrators will go to court on Sunday. The civil lawsuit was filed by a former Lynden Fire Dept firefighter after alleged repeat harassment based on her gender made her feel unsafe and unwelcome in the department according to her letter of resignation in 2021. She claims that men in the LFD tampered with her breast pump, hit her with a blast of water to the head that knocked her down in front of witnesses and she was “openly belittled for any perceived flaw.” The plaintiff’s claims have not been corroborated by other women in the department, but there is a “noted division” within LFD between Lynden newcomers versus Lynden-born-and-raised, regardless of gender. STORY: Bellingham invites feedback on Comprehensive Plan update Bellingham is inviting residents and visitors to give feedback on the city’s twenty-year guiding plan, called The Bellingham Plan. Attendees will be able to share their opinions on how the city should grow and discuss such topics as climate resilience, housing, recreation, economic vitality, transportation, and equitable growth. Input from the sessions will inform approaches to growth the City may consider, and will guide topics to be covered in future public events regarding the Plan. The plan hopes to lay out goals and policies that help city leaders make decisions with the next 20 years in mind. Created in 1980, it is updated regularly. The next set of updates are due in 2025. The first public session will be held online on September 20th, and the second will be in person on September 26th at Options High School. A survey will also be sent out online and through the mail. STORY: Washington Ecology not flooded by applications for drought-relief grants The Washington Department of Ecology has over $2.7 million in grant money to help farmers affected by droughts but has received only a handful of applications since declaring several emergencies in July. Ecology has so far only awarded one grant to the Clallam County Public Utility District for water hauling, and rejected another from the Okanogan Irrigation District. Three other applications are pending, but according to Ecology spokesman, Jimmy Norris, none of them are related to agriculture. Norris believes it’s possible the lack of applications is a sign the program may not be addressing current problems. The grants are limited to projects relating to drought hardships that affect the delivery of drinking water supplies, the survival of fish and wildlife, and the viability of agricultural activities and livestock operations. Under this criteria, Okanogan’s application was rejected as not having a substantial benefit for irrigators or fish, relative to the cost. The U.S. Drought Monitor reported Thursday that 75% of Washington was in some stage of drought. Among 11 Western states, only New Mexico has a higher percentage. Large parts of the county here in Whatcom are classified as in “extreme” drought, with the rest being “severe”. Grant applications are available until November 20th. STORY: Union sues to …
September 7, 2023 News Transcript
Proposed metal processing plant met with resistance, Emergency response exercise scheduled at airport, Weeklong closure on SR 539/Guide Meridian in Lynden, Blaine area experiences impact from fewer border crossings, $60 million coming to combat fentanyl epidemic, NWNS Medicaid ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, the 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Proposed metal processing plant met with resistance A metal shredding plant is proposed for the waterfront north of Bellingham, and part of the community doesn’t want it there. The plant would take large metal objects – like cars and appliances – and shred them down into pieces that are easily recyclable. At a meeting last night hosted by the Birchwood Neighborhood Association, South Hill, Alderwood and Birchwood residents gathered to voice their concerns about the potential plant. ABC Recycling – the company that would control the plant – was not invited to attend, and was not invited to speak on the panel that facilitated the meeting. But two representatives showed up anyway to answer questions “because they believe in providing accurate information to the community” according to ABC Recycling’s spokesperson Riley Sweeney, who attended the meeting. The company has not submitted a proposal to the county for the plant so details about it are scarce. The plant intends to be a sustainable option, providing green-collar jobs along with reducing noise at ABC’s other plant near the Port. The potential site is off Marine Drive near Locust Beach and is already zoned for “Heavy Impact Industry.” During the meeting, attendants shouted over the panelists when they answered questions, repeatedly saying “we don’t want it.” Sweeney said that the plant will be enclosed in a sound-attenuating building to make it essentially soundproof and that staff will make sure the “nasty bits don’t go where they aren’t supposed to go.” The plant could be up and running as early as 2025 if all goes smoothly according to Sweeney. Increased traffic in the area with trucks carrying materials will be expected if the plant is built. STORY: Emergency response exercise scheduled at airport The Port of Bellingham announced today that an emergency response exercise is due to take place at Bellingham Airport tomorrow. Between 9am and 2pm, people traveling near the airport will see emergency vehicles responding to the northeastern airfield. According to the Port of Bellingham, the exercise’s purpose is to “give the airport, mutual aid partners and emergency responders the opportunity to train for a real aircraft emergency in a safe and controlled environment.” Agencies participating in the drill include the Bellingham Fire Department, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department, the American Red Cross and St. Joseph’s Hospital. STORY: Weeklong closure on SR 539/Guide Meridian in Lynden State Route 539 between Front and Main streets in Lynden will be closed for three days, starting on the night of the 18th. Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will be replacing the existing fish barrier with a new fish-passable box culvert, with installation of the new culvert requiring a full closure of the roadway. The new culvert will open an estimated six miles of habitat for native fish. A signed detour will direct travelers around the work zone until the road’s reopening on the night of September 21st. STORY: Blaine area experiences impact from fewer border crossings Three months after border restrictions between the U.S and Canada were lifted, Blaine area businesses are still feeling the impact of fewer people crossing the border. June was the first summer without restrictions on the US-Canada border as the mandatory proof of Covid-19 vaccination was lifted. The Peace Arch crossing is the busiest in the state, with over 300,000 personal vehicles crossing in just July. However, this amount was still about 73,000 short of July’s pre-Covid total. Blaine businesses are feeling the impacts in different ways. Some businesses have reported having more clients as competing stores close down, while others have changed ownership and decreased staffing and hours. Most heavily impacted is the gas tax revenue in Blaine. Current revenue as of today is $48,000, less than a third of what it was in 2019. However, even with a decrease in traffic from Canada, many businesses report domestic tourism offsetting some of the loss. Blaine’s lodging tax reached the second highest on record last year and is an optimistic sign to officials that Blaine will have a slow recovery toward pre-pandemic volumes. STORY: Thurston County judge rules ban on assault weapons will remain The ban on the sale of assault weapons in Washington state will remain in place for now, according to a Thurston County judge’s ruling last Friday. Judge Allyson Zipp denied a request for a preliminary injunction, just three months after she denied a temporary restraining order to block the sale of assault weapons in the same lawsuit. This is the third time in as many months legal action has been taken to stop the ban Governor Jay Inslee and Attorney General Bob Ferguson, who is representing the state in the lawsuit, requested that the legislature ban assault weapons during the last session. Exceptions are included in the bill for those who inherit assault weapons, and the law does not retroactively affect current gun owners in Washington. Violation of the new law carries a fine of no more than $5000 and jail time for up to 364 days. STORY: ~$60 million coming to combat fentanyl epidemic Over 60 million dollars will come to Washington in the next three months to help combat the opioid epidemic. The money comes from a recent resolution with Walmart, for the role its pharmacies played in fueling the epidemic. In total, Walmart will have to pay over 3 billion to multiple states, with nearly 63 million going to Washington. It is the latest resolution in a larger over 1 billion dollar total the Attorney General’s Office collected from multiple companies beginning last year. Half of this total will go to eligible cities and counties, and the rest will go …
September 6, 2023 News Transcript
Lake Whatcom fire contained, County council accepts Satpal Sidhu’s first veto, State to keep fiscal tabs on La Conner, Mt Baker, Marysville school, Whatcom well owners required to prove their water rights in court, Nursing homes to have proposed minimum staffing requirements, Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, the 6th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Lake Whatcom fire contained The Lake Whatcom fire is officially contained, but the work is not quite over yet. Former public information officer for the Lake Whatcom fire Chris Hankey said that this week will be about fighting the fire, and making sure the previously built fire lines hold. There are lines put up surrounding the fire on all sides except the one that touches the lake. After this week, firefighters will patrol the surrounding area until the fall rains come. Smoke will continue to rise from the Lake Whatcom area in the coming weeks as the fire burns itself out. Blue Canyon Road is still closed to through traffic, but residents in the area no longer have to worry about evacuation. The southern portion of the Hertz trail remains closed, and it is uncertain when it will reopen. The portion closed is about a mile and a half north of the fire. Boaters are still advised to avoid the Southeastern part of Lake Whatcom as there is going to be debris in the water as the fire continues to burn. Kmre news will continue to update the community as they become available. STORY: County council accepts Satpal Sidhu’s first veto The Whatcom County Council held a special meeting yesterday to decide whether to overturn County Executive Satpal Sidhu’s (SID-du) veto on an ordinance that would have changed how the Lummi (LUH-mie) Island ferry fare is calculated. The decision to overturn the veto never came to vote, and the veto was upheld. Sidhu’s veto was his first in more than three and half years as county executive. In a memo, Sidhu explained that the proposal to change the fares without first soliciting the advisory committee broke from county tradition and procedure. The council has historically conferred to relevant advisory boards and commissions before adopting code changes. With the veto now upheld, the council hopes that trust is being rebuilt with the community moving forward. The ordinance included a complicated formula for calculating ferry fares, involving what qualifies as a day-to-day expense and what is a major repair or replacement. Riders had expressed issue specifically with the wording “operating expenses” which had replaced the words “regular and routine maintenance”. According to public comment, the breach of public trust when the council pushed for the ordinance without first consulting the Lummi Island Ferry Advisory Committee was a key sticking point. STORY: State to keep fiscal tabs on La Conner, Mt Baker, Marysville schools State officials will be keeping a close eye on the Marysville, La Conner and Mount Baker school districts as the three begin the school year without a balanced budget. Because the state requires that school districts balance their budget before school begins, each district came to an agreement with the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction instead. The agreement requires the districts to regularly file budget reports and restore financial reserves to certain levels by a prescribed date. Signing the so-called “binding conditions” pacts, which span at least two years, assures the district’s access to money and allows the OSPI and the Educational Services District to closely review and recommend school district decisions. Fewer than 20 such agreements have been signed in the last two decades. While each district’s situation is unique, all three are dealing with the fiscal effects of lower enrollment, an end of federal pandemic aid, and increased costs of labor and supplies. Plenty of other districts are as well, which according to a recent interview, has the Superintendent of Public Instruction chief financial officer T.J. Kelly wondering if this could be a sign of things to come. STORY: Whatcom well owners required to prove their water rights in court Officials from the Washington State Department of Ecology are preparing to file a water adjudication in the Whatcom County Supreme Court that would require Nooksack (NUUK-sak) Watershed residents to file a claim to prove the legality of their water rights. A water right adjudication is the legal process to resolve conflict and competition on a water source. Adjudication legally determines whether each water right on a source is legal, how much water can be used, and its priority during shortages. In the event of a water shortage, those holding the oldest water rights have priority. The Department of Ecology predicted that it would take 10 to 20 years before the court would issue a final decree. Local groups such as Whatcom Family Farmers have protested the Department of Ecology’s plans. The groups have proposed a collaborative approach to deciding water rights, one that would bring results in a much shorter time frame. They argue that the parties involved in the adjudication would be prevented from pursuing these potentially faster collaborative settlements as they would be involved in the litigation and unable to communicate directly. STORY: Nursing homes to have proposed minimum staffing requirements The Biden administration is proposing federal regulations mandating minimum staffing levels for nursing homes across the United States. Under these proposed rules, nursing homes would be required to provide a minimum of three hours of care to each resident daily, with a portion of this care delivered by certified nursing assistants and the rest by registered nurses. For instance, a nursing home with 100 residents would need at least two RNs and 10 CNAs per shift to meet this minimum requirement, along with having an RN on staff around the clock. While Washington state already surpasses these federal staffing standards on average, the announcement has generated mixed reactions among groups associated with the state’s 200 nursing homes, which collectively care for approximately 12,000 individuals. …
