The Wandering ‘Hamster

Northwest Washington Fair, Another road closure in Lynden, UW moves to BIG10 in 2024, Washington buys old psychiatric hospital to provide more beds for the mental ill, Climate Change affecting hydroelectric power   ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, August the 8th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Northwest Washington Fair The Northwest Washington Fair opens in Lynden this Thursday. The event is expected to draw tens of thousands of visitors to the area over the next week. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, vendors, daily entertainment, and exhibits with local agriculture and animals. The fair will have performances by Tammy Harris Barton, Ne-Yo, the Lynden PRCA Rodeo. Admission to is fifteen dollars with discounts for children and seniors, and free tickets for kids under five. You can find parking in downtown Lynden, or at the Fisher School where shuttles will run to the fairground. More information about free and reduced gate admission can be found online at the Northwest Washington Fair website. STORY: Another road closure in Lynden State Route 544 is slated to be closed for a month starting in late August. Washington State Department of Transportation plans to remove an existing partial barrier that runs under State Route 544 at the unnamed tributary to Fourmile Creek, located about three-and-a-half miles south of Lynden, and replace it with a four-sided recast concrete box culvert. The new culvert will open up more than half a mile of fish habitat to native fish species like salmon and trout. Construction is set to begin on Monday, August 21st, after the conclusion of the Northwest Washington Fair. State Route 544 is expected to remain closed until September, with a detour to State Route 546. Detour signs are set to be posted five days before the closure. STORY: UW moves to BIG10 in 2024 The University of Washington announced on Friday that they will be leaving the Pac-12 and joining the Big Ten Conference at the beginning of the 2024 school year. The UW won’t be the only school to switch. The University of Oregon, UCLA, and USC also announced that they will be changing conferences in 2024. The decision comes after long-held worries about the upcoming Pac-12 television rights deal with Apple TV. In this new deal, Apple would pay up to fifty million dollars per year to each Pac-12 school if the league achieves its goal of five million new subscriptions. While the compensation was competitive with other conferences, many schools found the goal unrealistic. The Big Ten offered a more standard broadcast contract with members receiving guaranteed payouts that are not conditional on subscription goals. Washington joins seven other schools leaving the league. Only four schools remain in the Pac-12. STORY: Washington buys old psychiatric hospital to provide more beds for the mentally ill Washington has purchased a recently-closed psychiatric hospital in Tukwila, according to a Monday announcement from the Department of Social and Health Services. Cascade Behavioral Health Hospital was one of the state’s largest privately owned psychiatric hospitals before it closed in July. The state is expected to pay nearly 30 million dollars to the previous owner – Acadia Healthcare – based in Tennessee.   Before its closure, it treated a mix of voluntary and involuntary patients with substance use and mental health concerns.  The hospital will serve 20 so-called “civil conversion” patients from Western State Hospital who have been involuntarily committed for treatment. State law allows for involuntary detainment of patients experiencing a mental disorder or a substance use disorder and deemed dangerous to themselves or others, or unable to meet their basic needs.  The state was recently ordered by a federal judge to discharge or transfer many of the civil conversion patients from Western State. The hospital needed to make room for patients it’s required to care for under a long-standing legal settlement to keep people with severe mental illness from being warehoused in jails. Cascade Hospital is currently licensed for 137 in-patient beds. The hospital will eventually create full-time staff positions and ramp up its patient population said DSHS spokesman Tyler Hemstreet. In the meantime, it will be staffed by contract workers.  STORY: Climate change affecting hydroelectric power The Pacific Northwest’s dams are facing problems as many dams turn 100 this decade. Droughts in the region have taken a toll on our river systems, and hydroelectric power is not as effective as it once was. The dams need expensive upgrades to combat environmental changes, and it will be difficult to supplement the power necessary for larger cities on short notice. In some cases, the cost outweighs the benefits, and dams and facilities may be removed rather than upgraded. A report released from Stanford researchers finds that there is a heavier reliance on fossil fuels than in past years, indicating that clean energy will be harder to achieve than previously thought. Without meaningful modeling for climate change in how we plan for energy generation, the report suggests we will be not prepared for the energy demands of the future. WX: Sunshine The weather forecast for Bellingham predicts a partly sunny day, with a high near 76*. At night it will be mostly cloudy, with temperatures that are set to drop into the 60s. There will be a 40% chance of rain after midnight, with light and variable winds. Any potential rain or showers are likely to persist through Wednesday morning. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at  news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ###

August 8, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Sourdough fire update, Involuntary Detention, Senator Murray to visit Whatcom County, Purchasing power rises in Whatcom County, Burlington Man’s death ruled a suicide, Affordable Housing moves forward in Western Washington  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, August 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY:  Sourdough fire update The Sourdough fire near Diablo continued to grow this weekend and has shut down State Route 20 until further notice. Personnel have struggled to control the fire due to the difficult terrain and extreme dryness of the area. As of yesterday, zero percent was contained and the fire continues to burn at fourteen hundred acres, more than double its size on Friday. Many people have reported seeing its large smoke cloud surrounding Mount Baker. Since last week, Seattle City Light has helped in evacuation and fire management efforts. The fire threatens the Skagit Hydroelectric Project, a set of three dams that supply up to thirty percent of Seattle’s power every year. Fire personnel continue to monitor and establish fire lines in an attempt to contain the fire. The National Park Service has closed trails, campsites, and other recreational areas near the fire indefinitely. Evacuation warnings are still in place for the Diablo community. STORY: INVOLUNTARY DETENTION A pair of July rulings by the Washington Supreme Court found that state authorities repeatedly violated the Involuntary Treatment Act.  The law allows psychiatric hospitals to hold patients experiencing a mental health or substance abuse problem against their will for up to 5 days. An individual is typically referred for evaluation by family members, first responders or medical providers when a patient is deemed a threat to themselves or others  During that 5 day period, the person must have a hearing before a judge or commissioner to review the grounds for detention.  The set of rulings found that three people were held beyond the period of legal detention. In one case, a doctor issued consecutive three-day holds on a patient before filing a petition to the court.  This ruling follows a decision by U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman on July 8th, finding the Washington Department of Social and Health Services had been violating the constitutional rights of people with mental illness since 2015. The state argued that  a lack of funding, personnel, and beds in mental health facilities forced them to incarcerate the mentally ill in jails for extended periods. However, Judge Pechman pointed to increasing wait-times for suitable hospital beds and ruled the situation was instead due to a “lack of foresight, creativity, planning and timely response to a crisis of its own making.” In 2021, more than 15,000 people with mental health issues were involuntarily detained in Washington State, an average of 41 per day.  STORY: Senator Murray to visit Whatcom County Senator Patty Murray will be visiting Whatcom County today. Senator Murray will talk to small business owners about pandemic affects and recovery efforts. She also plans to visit the site of a broadband project expanding access to high-speed internet service into the county, and plans to visit a new Early Learning Center that she’s working to secure funding for. Murray will also meet with the Superintendent of the Meridian School District, along with parents and educators, to discuss efforts to reduce the cost of childcare. STORY: Purchasing power rises in Whatcom According to smartasset.com, Whatcom County is ranked 10th in highest purchasing power for Washington State this year.  Purchasing power, or how far your dollar will go, is based on a comparison of median income and cost of living.  Our region ranked around 20th on the list in 2020. The top four counties for purchasing power– ranked in order– are King County, Benton County, Island County, and Skagit County. STORY: Burlington man’s death ruled a suicide The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s office has ruled the death of a Burlington man hit by a freight train in Bellingham a suicide. Ivan Pokrova, aged 24, was struck on the BNSF railroad tracks on July 16th below the 1100 block of Chuckanut Drive.  Pokrova’s death was the second of three deaths to be caused by trains in Bellingham since May. STORY: Affordable housing moves forward in Western Washington Madrona Highlands, a housing project in Washington state, is providing 52 units to families with very low incomes or that are homeless. The project is getting support from Beneficial State Bank, which has made assisting with affordable housing part of its mission. Here’s more on that story by Eric Tegethoff. AFFORDABLE AUDIO WX: Sunshine The weather in Bellingham today will be mostly sunny, with increasing clouds overnight. The high today is 74* and the low tonight will be around 60*. The increasing clouds will result in chance rain showers tomorrow, with definite rain on Wednesday. The storm is likely to pass by Friday. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at  news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.###

August 7, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Bellingham schools get ready for new school year, Memorial walk scheduled for Sunday, Update to 2020 for Climate Resilience, All Whatcom beaches closed to shellfish harvesting, WSDA compost reimbursement, Ecology water banking grants, Free and Cheap  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, August 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY:  Bellingham schools get ready for new school year School starts in just a few weeks, and parents throughout Whatcom County have been left wondering how recent budget cuts will affect local schools. KMRE reporter Emma Toscani sat down with Bellingham School District Superintendent Greg Baker to find out more. BAKER AUDIO STORY: Memorial walk scheduled for Sunday A walk in Bellingham on Sunday acknowledges the death of a farmworker in the community six years ago. It also marks the 78th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more on the story. WALK AUDIO STORY: Update to 2020 Plan for Climate Resilience The Department of Natural Resources has released an update on its 2020 Plan for Climate Resilience. The report discusses progress made on the plan and outlines future goals that have changed since the plan was first made. Since the plan was published, there have been many unexpected challenges facing its implementation. Covid-19, rapidly rising temperatures, and more frequent wildfires have all contributed to slowing the progress of the plan. The update sets forty new metrics in fourteen program areas as goals to track the progress of the original plan. These metrics include leasing 500 Megawatts or 5,000 acres of new solar power by 2025, keeping 95% of DNR wildfires to below 10 acres annually, and conducting climate risk assessments for 100% of DNR lease agricultural properties by 2030. The majority of the metrics have been labeled as ‘in progress’ with only a few being marked as ‘affected by Covid-19’. The department plans to provide updates to the overall progress of the plan as it continues to be implemented. STORY: All Whatcom beaches closed to shellfish harvesting Due to increased levels of the Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning biotoxin, or DSP, the Washington State Department of Health has decided to close all beaches in Whatcom County north of Sandy Point to shellfish harvesting, including Point Roberts. Beaches located south of Sandy Point have been closed since May. The DOH advises people to check their website for information on current conditions as biotoxin levels change rapidly. They also assure that shellfish sold in restaurants and stores is tested before distribution and is safe to eat. STORY: WSDA compost reimbursement  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is launching the Compost Reimbursement Program that will pay Washington farmers for purchasing and spreading compost on their land. Approximately $1 million will be distributed annually to farmers participating in the program to encourage on-farm compost use. The program also studies the benefits of compost application on soil quality. Farms participating in the program are required to collect and submit soil samples for several years from fields where compost was applied. STORY: Ecology water banking grants The Washington Department of Ecology released over 11 million dollars for the second round of Water Banking Pilot Grants on Tuesday. The grants are intended to help rural communities in headwater basins throughout the state preserve water supplies for local use.These grants fund the purchase of existing water rights to create local water ‘banks’ using Ecology’s Trust Water Right Program. One-third of each water right bought with this funding must be dedicated to instream use to support in-stream flows and salmon. STORY: FREE AND CHEAP Looking for free and cheap things to do this weekend? In honor of the anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, Washington’s three national parks will offer free admission today only. Closer to home, the Bellingham Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday at 1100 Railroad Ave. Bellingham Kids Fest runs on Saturday from 11 to 3 at Civic Stadium. Admission is free and there are  fun activities for all ages, including mini golf, bounce houses, an obstacle course and vendors. The 3rd annual Fairhaven Funky Bizarre Bazaar is back on Saturday Aug. 5 with live music and “creative re-creators, up-cyclers, collectors of the funky and unusual, musicians, writers, and artists.” It will run from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Fairhaven Village Green. The Fairhaven Outdoor Movie Cinema will be playing “A League of Their Own” on Aug. 5 at Fairhaven Village Green. Tickets are seven dollars. WX: Sunshine The weather in Bellingham today will be sunny, with overnight lows in the low-to-mid 60s and with a high near 79*. Skies are expected to get cloudy as nighttime falls, with south-south-west winds becoming calmer in the evening. Although the skies are expected to get cloudier this weekend in the city, the weather is expected to get warmer, with a high of nearly 80* on Saturday afternoon. The rest of the county won’t fare much differently, with partly cloudy skies expected and highs in the mid-70s-to-low-80s during the weekend.  OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at  news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening. ###

August 4, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

INTRO: 07:00 Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, August 3rd.  Good afternoon I’m Glenn Northrop.  STORY:  Election results The latest update last night for Whatcom County’s primary election reveals the candidates moving forward to the run-off election.  Dan Purdy will face incumbent Satpal Sidhu for the county executive position. A close race for Bellingham City Council District 4 has incumbent Kathy Kershner and challenger Mark Stremler advancing to the general election in November. John Scanlon and Hannah Ordos lead the race for Whatcom County Council At-Large position. Sitting Mayor Seth Fleetwood is slated to face off against Kim Lund in the mayoral runoff. Hannah Stone leads the race for Bellingham City Council’s First Ward receiving over 50 percent of the vote, with A-mun Collins as the runner-up. And with fewer than 200 votes left to count, Jace Cotton and Russ Whidbee will be headed to the general election for Bellingham City Council’s At-Large position.  STORY: Cougar spotted in Blaine A cougar was spotted yesterday morning in Blaine. City officials reported a sighting along Cain Creek, near Boblett Street and Mitchell Avenue. The Fish and Wildlife Service advises those who see any cougars to make noise, keep eye contact, and refrain from running.  STORY: New Hit-and-Run alert system in place The Washington State Patrol has implemented a new Hit-and-Run Alert System.  The new system is a collaboration between state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies, along with the Department of Transportation, to better identify and track down vehicles involved in hit-and-run collisions. Vehicle descriptions, as well as full or partial license plates, will be included in the alerts which will be posted to media and social media outlets. In the event you see a suspect vehicle under an alert, the State Patrol says drivers should report their location to 911 and avoid engaging with it. STORY: Whatcom announced as rural Health Equity Zone On Wednesday, Whatcom County was selected as the ‘rural Health Equity Zone’ by the Washington State Department of Health. Passed in 2021, the Health Equity Zone initiative aims to reduce health inequities in areas with systemic issues of well-being. Prioritizing communities of color, low-income communities, and people in areas with limited access to health care, Whatcom County was selected as the rural zone due to its unique mix of primarily rural farming areas and an urban center.  South King County, which includes Burien, SeaTac, and Tukwila was selected as the urban zone. Both regions will receive two hundred thousand dollars per year for at least two years to identify health priorities and develop community action plans. The Department of Health hopes to use Whatcom as a case study for advancing health equity and bridge-building between rural and urban communities. A third zone for Native communities will be selected this winter. STORY: Veterans can get backdated benefits The PACT act that was passed last year expanded VA benefits and health care for veterans that experienced chemical warfare. Now, filing a PACT act claim before August 9 will include backdated benefits.  There is no deadline to file but in order to receive benefits going back to 2022, veterans must file by August 9th. Veterans can file on their own and don’t need an agency to file for them. The federal office of consumer alerts warns veterans to be careful of scammers who try to insert themselves into the filing process. They say the way to avoid a scam is don’t pay to file and don’t pay someone else to help you file.  STORY: TOXIC CHEMICALS IN TIRES Two Washington tribes requested federal regulators ban chemicals found in car tires that have been identified as highly toxic to salmon and other fish. The Port Gamble S’Klallam (SKLAL-um) and Puyallup tribes, along with the Yurok (YOUR-awk) tribe of California, petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday to establish regulations prohibiting the manufacture and use of the substance, known as 6PPD. Researchers have identified an offshoot of this chemical, 6PPD-q, as the culprit in early salmon deaths in streams and rivers around Puget Sound. The chemical has been shown to kill Coho salmon in a matter of hours. The state Legislature approved $2.7 million dollars for developing a 6PPD action plan, along with $5.2 million for addressing toxics from tires found in stormwater.  Tire manufacturers say they are working with state and federal regulators to find solutions. STORY: Hazard alert for heat, New Washington smoke law On the climate-front, while temperatures continue to rise, the risk of wildfires and wildfire smoke is increasing as well. The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries hopes to rework an emergency seasonal rule to address the issue. If L&I is able to make the temporary rule into a permanent one, Washington will become just the second state to pass a law regulating outdoor workers’ exposure to wildfire smoke. The proposed regulation would require employers to monitor the Air Quality Index hourly and take actions at certain levels, such as having respirators on hand for workers, or providing a room with clean air for those suffering from exposure.  There would be no requirement to stop work at even extreme air quality levels, as long as respirators are properly worn. Ultimately, whether the employee works or not would be up to employers to decide. The department is currently looking for public comment and hopes to have the proposed rule passed this fall. WX: Sunshine It’s sunshine all day, with overnight lows around 55 degrees and temperatures in the mid to high-70s. Expect things to get a bit warmer tomorrow and through the weekend as we get closer to 80 degrees. And of course, things are warmer in the county– likely in the mid-80s.  OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, 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 …

August 3, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Initial election results, Fire District 4 levy lid lift seems to be passing, Officials access fire threat to Whatcom town, Farmer fined for illegal watering, New Youth resource center opens in Eversen, Free Entrance to the Fair with Food donation, Rep Rick Larsen host app competition ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, August 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY:  Initial election results The initial results of the Whatcom County primary races are in, and although the races won’t be certified until August 15th, there are some clear leaders.  Leading the Bellingham mayoral race are Seth Fleetwood and Kim Lund. The competition for the top position in Whatcom County government– the County Executive– seems likely to be between the incumbent, Satpal Sidhu, and Republican-endorsed challenger Dan Purdy. Longtime county council member Kathy Kershner faces strong competition from challenger Mark Stremler, who positioned himself to Kershner’s political right. Currently, Stremler is leading by about 220 votes. Russ Whidbee, who previously lost a close race for Bellingham City Council, will have another chance and seems likely to face 24-year-old Jace Cotton to replace Kristina Michele Martens on the council.  Martens, who ran for mayor instead of her incumbent City Council position, finished fourth in the primary. Joe Scanlon will likely face Hannah Ordos in the Whatcom County Council At-Large Position B. Hannah Stone will face off against Eamon Collins (A-mun CALL-ins) in Bellingham Ward 1. 6,600 ballots are left to count, with an estimated 25.5% voter turnout. The next ballot count is scheduled for 5 pm tomorrow. The winners of the primary races will advance to the November 7th ballot.  Other significant races in November include the selection between current Sheriff Bill Elfo’s undersheriff, Doug Chadwick, or Blaine Police Chief Donnell Tanskley for the next Whatcom County sheriff. Additionally, voters will consider a 0.2% sales tax increase to fund a new jail and related social services, a measure that has previously failed twice in the past eight years.  STORY: Fire District 4 levy lid lift seems to be passing In more election news, early results show that voters are likely to approve the levy increase to fund Fire District 4.  About 70 percent of voters approved the measure, with 14 percent of the ballots left to count. The levy rate would increase by 36 cents per 1,000 dollars of property value, costing owners of a 550,000 dollar home an additional 200 dollars per year. The funds would allow Fire District 4 to maintain 24/7 staffing, and pay for repairs and replacement of aging equipment. Call volumes to District 4 have increased by 63 percent since 2019. Higher demand for service and inflation have made around-the-clock service more costly. STORY: Officials assess fire threat to Whatcom town As a 25-acre fire burns on Sourdough Mountain in North Cascade National Park, officials are preparing to protect the nearby town of Diablo in the event that the fire spreads. Additional wildland fire crews are headed to the steep terrain where the fire currently burns. Hikers are advised that part of the Sourdough Mountain trail has been closed, and officials warn drivers not to pull over on the nearby two lane road to take photos. STORY: Farmer fined for illegal watering A farm on 3 parcels of land in Lynden and Sumas (SUE-mass) was fined $12,000 for illegally watering blueberries. The 40-acre area was not permitted for irrigation and despite a cease and desist order filed against RAN General Partnership last summer, blueberries fields were still planted. According to recent court filings, the company never attempted to get permits to water the crops. STORY: New youth resource center opens in Everson A new Youth Resource Center is opening in Everson this month. The local practice Touchstone Counseling Group will provide services for teens and children including group therapy and after-school activities. The Resource Center includes a Youth Crisis Triage Unit for kids experiencing acute mental health challenges. It will also offer basic resources like food, clothing, toiletries, and showers to disadvantaged children and families.  Caregivers saw a huge need for youth crisis care after Covid, according to Community Outreach Coordinator Becky Rainey. The current triage unit will treat children for up to 24 hours before referring them for longer term care. Touchstone has applied for a grant to build a 16 bed unit where patients can receive treatment for up to 90 days. The new facility is at 103 West Main Street next to the Everson Police Department.  STORY: Free entrance to the fair with food donation The Northwest Washington Fair, which starts in Lynden in a little over a week, is offering free admission in exchange for food donations on Friday, August 11th.  Brown & Brown, the sponsors of ‘Food Drive Friday’, are asking for donations of canned proteins, pasta, dry pinto beans, and rice. A total of four items has to be brought in by guests in order to qualify for free admission. Brown & Brown are also accepting donations at their offices in Lynden and Seattle through August 10th. The food will be donated to the Whatcom County Food Bank Network. STORY: Rep Rick Larsen hosts app competition Yesterday, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen announced the launch of the 2023 Congressional App Challenge.  The challenge seeks to encourage middle and high school students to learn coding and gives students living in Washington’s 2nd congressional district an opportunity to create and submit their own original apps for mobile devices, computers and the Internet. The 2nd congressional district includes all of Whatcom, Skagit, Island and San Juan Counties, as well as part of Snohomish County.  Deadline for applications is November 1st, with Representative Larsen announcing the winner in December.  WX: Partly cloudy It’s sunshine all day, with overnight lows around 55 degrees and temperatures in the mid-70s. Expect things to get a bit warmer tomorrow and through the weekend as we get closer to 80 degrees. And of course, things are warmer in the county– likely in the mid-80s.  OUTRO: …

August 2, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

A man named Wendell L. Anderson died in a single car crash on Reese Hill Road in Sumas last night at 7 pm. City Council may raise fees on outdoor-dining spaces, New Whatcom County fire, Update on Eagle Bluff fire, Great American Outdoors Day, Latinos lag in college completion, Two supermoons in August  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, July 31st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY:  A man named Wendell L. Anderson died in a single car crash on Reese Hill Road in Sumas last night at 7 pm.  After missing a curve in the road, he ran off the road and crashed into a tree. Declared dead at the scene, the 63-year-old Maple Falls man was not wearing a seatbelt. STORY:  City Council may raise fees on outdoor-dining spaces The city is looking to increase fees on permits for outdoor-dining spaces, also known as “streateries”. What now costs 50 dollars a year may increase to thousands of dollars as the city council deliberates changes in the upcoming months. While some restaurant owners are willing to absorb the increased costs, others are reconsidering. The suggested price for a streatery permit would be 840 dollars per occupied parking spot, as recommended by the Planning and Community Development Department. Along with the price hike come suggestions on increased safety and design regulations of these areas, such as not blocking drains or fire hydrants, keeping the surrounding area clean, and disallowing pallets and sheet plastic in their construction. The city council will likely begin deliberating on the new fees in August or September. Officials are taking public comment on the proposed changes on the Engage Bellingham website. STORY: New Whatcom County fire  A lightning strike sparked a wildfire in North Cascades National Park near Diablo Lake on Saturday. Firefighters on the ground are battling the blaze on steep terrain around Sourdough Mountain with assistance from helicopters and airplanes. Latest reports say the fire has covered 30 acres and crews do not yet have it contained. STORY: Update on Eagle Bluff fire In other wildfire news, a fire in Okanogan County is prompting residents to evacuate. The Eagle Bluff fire began on Saturday afternoon southwest of Oroville, and by night had spread into Canada near Osoyoos (uh-SOO-yoos). The fire burns across an estimated ten thousand acres in Okanogan County and is still uncontained. 250 personnel are fighting the fire and bulldozer lines have been established on parts of the perimeter.  As of last night, the Level 3 Immediate Evacuation warning has been reduced to a Level 2,  Be Ready to Evacuate. The cause of the fire is still being investigated. STORY: Great American Outdoors Day Friday is Great American Outdoors Day! To celebrate the third anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act, entrance fees to parks and nature preserves on federal land will be waived. This includes national parks, wildlife refuges, and historic monuments– including the North Cascades, Olympic, and Mt. Rainier National Parks.  The Great American Outdoors Act allocates nearly two billion dollars per year to maintenance projects that support wildlife conservation, recreation, and education programs. STORY: Latino students lag in college completion A new report finds latino students lag behind white students in college completion, and the gap is increasing. However, strategies exist to ensure success for these students. Here’s Eric Tegethoff with more on that story. LATINO COLLEGE AUDIO STORY: Two supermoons in August  Keep an eye on the night sky tomorrow night. Tuesday is the first of two supermoons in August. We get a supermoon when the moon orbits close to Earth during a full moon, making it appear exceptionally large. On the rare occasion it happens a second time in the same month, we call it a blue moon. The last time we saw two supermoons in one month was in 2018, and the next time won’t be until 2037. WX: Partly cloudy The weather today is partly cloudy with a high of 71 in Bellingham. Temperatures will cool to an overnight low of 53. While today is partly cloudy, it will be sunny for the next three days, with temperatures rising to the mid/high 70s by Thursday. STORY:  Ballots due tomorrow at 8pm Just a reminder that primary ballots are due tomorrow by 8pm. To find the dropbox location nearest to you, go to whatcom county dot U S.  OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, and Emma Toscani. 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. ###

JULY 31, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPTRead More

Upcoming Election Voting, New Mural in Columbia Neighborhood, Whatcom County Food Plan passed, Parking developments may be dropped from new local development ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, July 27th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Upcoming Election Voting According to the latest report from the Whatcom County Auditor, a little over 11 percent of ballots have been returned. For those unsure of your voting status, you can check your ballot status on the voter portal at VoteWA.gov.   Voters can return their ballots through local drop boxes until 8:00 pm on Election Day, or by mail with no stamp needed, postmarked by Election Day.  For those who want to register or update their voter information, they must do so in person at the auditor’s office located at Suite 103 of the Whatcom County Courthouse until next Tuesday. Additional resources, such as drop box locations, a voter’s pamphlet, and other relevant information, can be found on the Auditor’s website. Audits for the election will be conducted throughout August, leading up to the certification on August 15. STORY: New Mural in Columbia Neighborhood A new 40 ft road mural depicting Pacific Northwest animals has been dedicated to a teenager who tragically lost her life earlier in the year.  The mural, located at the intersection of Lynn and W North Streets, was designed by three high school students who hope to raise awareness about the impact of water pollutants on creatures in Whatcom County.  The mural was also dedicated in memory of their classmate, Lucy Guerra (GWARE-uh), who passed away in a fatal accident in May. STORY: Whatcom County Food Plan passed After being tabled three months ago, the Whatcom County Food Plan was passed on Tuesday by the Whatcom County Council. The food plan aims to create a more equitable and sustainable food system over the next 10 years. It outlines over 100 actions including expanding shared-use kitchens, supporting local farm worker’s advocacy, and funding the Whatcom County food bank network.  The plan was initially tabled due to concerns from the Whatcom County Farmers and Whatcom County Farm Bureau. KMRE spoke with Riley Sweeney, the chair of the Whatcom County Food System Committee, who had been tasked to create the plan. SWEENEY AUDIO Farmers objected to certain provisions such as too strong of a focus on organic farming and a lack of representation of different kinds of farming. After discussions with the farming community, the plan was changed to the satisfaction of the committee and the community.  The food system plan passed unanimously and, according to Sweeney, is already being implemented. STORY: Parking requirements may be dropped from new local development State lawmakers put parking mandates in their sights in 2023, including in the Northwest. Parking requirements for developers are tied to issues of housing affordability, as making space for parking ultimately contributes to higher prices. Unlike Oregon, the Washington Legislature didn’t pass three out of four of its parking-mandate proposals. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more.  PARKING AUDIO WX: Partly cloudy The weather today is partly cloudy with a high of 75 in Bellingham. Temperatures will cool to an overnight low of 55. Clouds are expected to hang around for the next few days keeping temperatures in the mid to low 70s. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, and Emma Toscani. 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. ###

JULY 27, 2023 NEWS TRANSCRIPTRead More

Drive By Shooting, Mayor Fleetwood proposes safe parking, Local blood supplies dwindling, New Parade route for Ferndale’s Old Settler’s Parade, More Wildfire’s Expected, Locals object to pipeline expansion, County Executive Primary Candidates interviews after news ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 26. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: DRIVE BY SHOOTING  Two suspects in Monday’s drive-by-shooting in Ferndale are now suspected of another shooting in Blaine.  The Sheriff’s Department said 18-year-old Alejandro Villa Herrera of Bellingham was the driver of the vehicle and he admitted to driving in the area of Custer, north of Ferndale when his passenger, a 17-year-old male, pulled out a handgun and fired several shots out of the window. At 1:30 a.m a Blaine resident reported hearing 3 gunshots in the area of Bayview and Mary Avenue. Additional witnesses reported hearing the gunfire and police later found evidence of bullet holes in a residential building. Police later discovered the firearm was reported stolen from Bonney Lake in February. The suspects have been charged with additional counts of drive-by-shooting, second-degree assault and possession of a stolen firearm. STORY: Mayor Fleetwood proposes safe parking Mayor Seth Fleetwood proposed a measure to city council on Monday that would provide supervised locations for people living in cars and RVs to park their vehicles. The ordinance would include restrictions on parking near schools and other places children are present. Bellingham will be issuing a request for proposals to find a safe site and an organization to supervise and operate it.  RV Parking Audio STORY: Local blood supplies dwindling Local blood supplies are dwindling.  Bloodworks, the blood supplier to 95 percent of local hospitals will run out of blood within the next 7 days, unless they meet their minimum of 2,500 donations. According to community engagement manager Sasha Seiden, roughly 3 percent of the local area donates blood. To encourage donations, Bloodworks has developed incentive programs that change monthly. For July, they are giving away a $3,000 prepaid gift card to one lucky donor. Appointments are required, but can be made on the same day. STORY: New Parade route for Ferndale Old Settler’s Parade The Whatcom Old Settlers Picnic Parade will follow a new route through Ferndale this year. The Junior and Grand Parades start on Saturday and are known to draw big crowds. Main Street between Hovander and Hamlin Road will close at 10:40, as well as Ferndale Road near Star Park. The Junior Parade starts and 11:00 a.m. immediately followed by the Grand Parade. STORY: More Wildfire’s Expected Washington’s typical wildfire season peaks in early August but state officials are warning that this summer, more fires are likely. Despite some rainfall this week providing temporary respite to Western Washington, the grasslands east of the Cascades did not receive any rain. About 80,000 acres have already burned across the state, and according to fire officials, the risk may extend into November again this year. Ongoing drought conditions are being magnified by the warmer and dryer conditions brought on by climate change. Officials say this winter, El Niño is expected to bring warm, tropical air, reducing the region’s snowpack and worsening the wildfire risk for next year. STORY: Locals object to pipeline expansion A pipeline that exploded in Virginia on Tuesday is owned by the company proposing to expand a fracked gas pipeline in the Northwest. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission is voting on the project tomorrow. With more on the story, here’s Eric Tegethoff. PIPELINE STORY:  County Executive Primary Candidates interviews after news Primary election ballots are due next Tuesday, August first. The KMRE News team interviewed the Primary Candidates for Mayor and County Executive. Today, candidates for County Executive share their views on what they would focus on to help the homeless crisis County– please note, candidate Sukwant Gill was unable to attend. Make sure to tune in after the 5pm news, or head over to kmre.org to listen to the complete candidate interviews.   WX: Cloudy with afternoon rain The weather today is partly cloudy with a high of 72 in Bellingham. Temperatures will cool to an overnight low of 57. Clouds are expected to hang around for the next few days keeping temperatures in the low 70s. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, and Emma Toscani. 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. ###

July 26, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Suspects in drive-by shooting arrested, Drought Emergency Declared, City Council Update, Cantwell declares fentanyl roundtable, Referendum to overturn trans youth protection law overturned, Commerce distributes money locally, Congressional hearing on small business challenges, County Executive interview after news     ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July 25th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Suspects in drive-by shooting arrested Two suspects were arrested in connection to a pair of drive-by shootings that occurred early Monday morning. At around 1:15 am Monday, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a drive-by shooting and an injury on Willey’s Lake Road. Soon after, gunshots were reported in the Eastgate Loop area in Ferndale.  Bellingham Police located a vehicle matching the description and apprehended the two occupants. 18-year old Alejandro Villa Herrera (ah-lay-HAN-dro VEE-ya her-AIR-uh) admitted to driving a 17-year old passenger who was responsible for the shootings. Villa Herrera was booked into Whatcom County Jail and the passenger was booked into juvenile detention. The victim was taken to St. Joseph’s Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound to their leg. STORY: Drought Emergency Declared The Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency in Whatcom County. Early snow melt, lack of spring rainfall and low stream flows have prompted Ecology to declare drought emergencies in Whatcom and 11 other counties across the state. May and June this year are the fourth warmest and 11th driest since 1895.  Three water systems in the Nooksack basin serving 346 residents are operating in emergency status. Two are importing water from other sources, and a third is predicted to follow suit.  The drought has caused limits on some water rights holders across the county and impeded fish passages. Declaring a drought emergency allows Ecology to release 3 million dollars in relief funds as grants. STORY: City Council Update Last night Bellingham city council passed resolutions sending two ballot initiatives to the voters.  The initiatives will increase the minimum wage as well as mandate that landlords provide economic assistance to renters displaced by large rent increases.  The council also voted to affirm housing affordability and homelessness as a public health crisis.  STORY: Cantwell calls fentanyl roundtable U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell convened a Seattle roundtable yesterday with local experts to discuss innovations and challenges surrounding fentanyl.  According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, Washington state witnessed the highest national increase in reported drug overdose deaths between February 2022 and 2023. The availability of cheap fentanyl, and Washington’s location along the I-5 corridor are two of the major drivers of the increase. However, despite the obvious crisis, Congress has yet to officially label fentanyl’s impact. According to reporting from the Seattle Times, Cantwell emphasized the need for a congressional ‘declaration of crisis’ to secure support from federal agencies, potentially including Medicaid reimbursement for treatment. The roundtable also discussed the importance of federal grants for treatment, particularly for innovations like “health engagement hubs” that offer nonjudgmental access to treatment and various services for drug users.  Participants also highlighted the pressing need for more treatment beds and increased awareness among young people about the dangers of fentanyl to combat the crisis effectively. STORY: Referendum to overturn trans youth protection law failed A referendum attempting to overturn a new law expanding trans youth protection narrowly failed as it ran just 5000 signatures short. In accordance with state law, when a child arrives at an emergency shelter the parents are required to be informed within 72 hours. However, in the case of “compelling reasons” such as neglect or abuse, the shelter is not required to do so and instead informs the state. Senate Bill 5599, the target of the referendum, expands upon these instances that include neglect or abuse related to gender-affirming care or reproductive health services. Repeal efforts began soon after the law was signed, but only picked up steam two weeks later after support was given by the Washington State Catholic Conference. However, that effort came too late and the referendum fell short of its signature goal. The bill took effect on Sunday. STORY: Commerce distributes money locally Over 40 Whatcom County restaurants, small businesses and hotels are receiving funding from a recent Department of Commerce grant.  The Washington State Department of Commerce has distributed $79 million in grants to over 1,400 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic. Any eligible business that applied was awarded money designed to provide some relief with reimbursements for covid-era losses, damages and legal fees. Since the pandemic began, Commerce has distributed over $500 million to support the economic recovery stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. STORY: Congressional hearing on small business challenges Congress holds a hearing tomorrow on the challenges small businesses face in rural parts of the country. Ilwaco Washington is no exception. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more on this story.  RURAL BUSINESS STORY:  County Executive Primary Candidates interviews after news Primary election ballots are due next Tuesday, August first. The KMRE News team interviewed the Primary Candidates for Mayor and County Executive. Today, candidates for County Executive share their views on the new role of Whatcom County’s health department– please note, candidate Sukwant Gill was unable to attend. Make sure to tune in after the 5pm news, or head over to kmre.org to listen to the complete candidate interviews.   WX: Cloudy with afternoon rain The weather today is cloudy with some afternoon rain and a high of 68 in Bellingham. More showers are forecast for tonight and will continue through the morning, with an overnight low of 57. Things will dry out in the coming days but the clouds will linger, keeping temperatures in the low 70s. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, and Emma Toscani. 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 …

July 25, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Stolen Vehicle crashes through border, Teen sentenced in Squalicum High School sexual assault, Man killed by freight train identified, Access to Showers and Restrooms, Former Sheriff’s deputy pleads not guilty, NW Wildflower Removed from ESA, New Orca Calves born, but population still in danger, County Excutive Primary Candidates interviews after news ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, July 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Stolen vehicle crashes through border On Saturday, a stolen SUV drove through the Peace Arch border crossing in the Nexus lane and crashed into another vehicle.  According to the State Patrol, troopers received reports of a car driving erratically northbound on I-5 in Skagit County and pursued it into Whatcom County. Officers attempted a traffic stop near the Slater Road exit, but the SUV sped ahead at about 115 miles per hour. One mile north of the border the SUV crashed into another vehicle and caught fire. The driver attempted to flee but was apprehended by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The driver, identified as 21 year-old Emil Abdullah Tunsel from Irvine, California, was treated for his injuries then handed over to the Washington State Patrol.  Tunsel was booked into Whatcom County Jail yesterday morning. STORY: Teen sentenced in Squalicum High School sexual assault A 16-year-old former Squalicum High School student was sentenced to 18–20 weeks in juvenile custody after accepting a plea deal in a sexual assault case.  The teen pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation, which stemmed from sexual contact with a female student in November and December 2021.  Originally charged with a felony of indecent liberties, the boy received the sentence as part of the plea agreement. The female victim in the case has filed a lawsuit against Bellingham Public Schools, alleging that three school administrators failed to report the sexual assault to authorities. The administrators are facing charges for failure to report, and their cases are pending in court. STORY: Man killed by freight train identified The man who was struck and killed by a freight train in Bellingham a week ago has been identified as 24-year old Ivan Pokrova from Burlington.  The incident took place on the railroad tracks below the 1100 block of Chuckanut Drive. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s office is still investigating the incident, however, Pokrova is the second person hit and killed on those tracks in less than two months. STORY: Access to Showers and Restrooms Beginning this Saturday, the City of Bellingham is ending the free shower policy at Arne Hanna Aquatic Center. In a recent release on their website, the City identified two alternatives for free showers and restrooms. Base Camp, located at 1530 Cornwall Ave, is open 24/7 and in addition to showers, provides overnight shelter, meals, and laundry.  The other option, Shower Connect, is open from 9 am to 3 pm every Thursday in the Salvation Army parking lot at 1515 Birchwood Avenue. Long-term shower access will be expanded by The Way Station, expected to open next summer. STORY: Former Sheriff’s deputy pleads not guilty Former Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputy, Austin Michael Case, pleaded not guilty to six felonies during his arraignment hearing on Friday.  The charges filed on July 14th include unlawful imprisonment, first-degree extortion, first-degree burglary, and third-degree rape. Case’s jury trial is scheduled for October 2. STORY: NW Wildflower Removed From ESA The Northwest prairie flower ‘golden paintbrush’ has been removed from the Endangered Species List.  The native flower grows in prairies in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. In 1997, the bright yellow blossoms could only be found in 10 places around the Pacific Northwest and were completely gone in Oregon. Years of restoration work have brought this species back from the brink, and provided habitat for other rare species like the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly, which lay eggs on its flowers STORY: New Orca calves born, but population still in danger In more happy environmental news, two calves have been born to an endangered population of orcas in the Salish (SAY-lish) Sea. But the whales still remain under threat. Conservation groups blame a lack of food due to four dams in eastern Washington that hamper salmon migration. Eric Tegethoff has more.  WHALE AUDIO STORY:  County Executive Primary Candidates interviews after news Primary election ballots are due next Tuesday, August first. The KMRE News team interviewed the Primary Candidates for Mayor and County Executive. We’re airing a new short segment everyday after the 5pm news. Today, candidates for County Executive share their views on urban growth areas in Whatcom County– please note, candidate Sukwant Gill was unable to attend. Make sure to tune in after the 5pm news, or head over to kmre.org to listen to the complete candidate interviews.   WX: Sunny and Warm The weather today is cloudy with some afternoon rain and a high of 68 in Bellingham. More showers are forecast for tonight and will continue through the morning, with an overnight low of 57. Things will dry out in the coming days but the clouds will linger, keeping temperatures in the low 70s. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Myles Weber. 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. ###

July 24, 2023 News TranscriptRead More