At-risk minor reported missing in Bellingham, Bellingham K9 team arrest man violating protection order while reportedly carrying small sword, Seattle-Vancouver Amtrak service suspended after landslide, Road work at intersection of E. Smith and Hannegan expected to cause delays for remainder of week, Public hearing to be held on establishment of all-way stop in Everson, Northern giant hornet reportedly eradicated in Whatcom, and country at large, Skagit Delta farmers seek to overturn salmon finding, Free and Cheap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, December 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: At-risk minor reported missing in Bellingham Bellingham Police are asking the community to help locate a missing girl. 14-year-old Lilly Perrin is 5’5 and weighs 120 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen in Bellingham wearing blue PacMan pajama pants and a black backpack. Anyone who might have seen her or know where she might be is asked to call the Washington State Patrol. STORY: Bellingham K9 team arrest man violating protection order while reportedly carrying small sword A newly formed Bellingham police K9 team logged its first arrest on Monday night. Officer Shaun Nelson and K9 Stella successfully tracked a male suspect who violated a felony domestic violence protection order. In a phone call with KMRE Radio, BPD spokeswoman Megan Peters confirmed the suspect’s identity as 46-year-old Kenneth Kiyoshi de Los Santos. He was reportedly banging on windows at the protected person’s residence before fleeing on foot when police arrived. The K9 team tracked de Los Santos through woods and into another apartment complex, where Stella alerted to his presence near a vehicle. de Los Santos was found hiding under the vehicle, and arrested without incident. de Los Santos was found in possession of a small sword, and now faces charges for violating a court order. He remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail as of today. STORY: Seattle-Vancouver Amtrak service suspended after landslide The Seattle-to-Vancouver Amtrak service is out of service today and tomorrow morning due to a landslide in Canada. The Seattle Times reports that a landslide covered the railroad tracks near White Rock in British Columbia. Yesterday afternoon, BNSF Railway placed a 48-hour moratorium on passenger service. Ticket holders for the Amtrak Cascades trains will be provided bus service; passengers can also call Amtrak to change their reservation at no additional cost. Service is expected to resume around noon tomorrow. STORY: Road work at intersection of E. Smith and Hannegan expected to cause delays for remainder of week Expect delays the rest of the week at the intersection of East Smith and Hannegan roads, as Whatcom County Public Works crews install lights at the newly completed multi-lane roundabout. Construction is underway daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with potential delays of up to 20 minutes. Drivers are encouraged to take alternate routes. STORY: Public hearing to be held on establishment of all-way stop in Everson Whatcom County Public Works is also seeking public input on whether the intersection of South Pass and Goodwin Road in Everson should remain an all-way stop. After a fatal crash on Halloween night that killed an 11-year-old girl, crews installed LED flashing stop signs, which turned the intersection into a four-way stop. A public hearing on the proposed ordinance will be held on January 14th. More information on how to participate in the hearing is available at the Whatcom County website. STORY: Court ruling will allow SENTRI cardholders to request a revocation explanation A decision from a federal appeals court in California may help people understand why their NEXUS cards were revoked. NEXUS is part of the federal Trusted Traveler Programs and allows for easier crossings at the U.S.-Canada border, while a similar program called SENTRI allows for expedited crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border. The decision comes after a 2018 incident where Jacobo Jajati’s (huh-CO-bow juh-JAH-dee’s) SENTRI membership was revoked. Jajati’s estranged ex-wife was arrested at the border with methamphetamine. Jajati was notified by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol the same day that his SENTRI membership was revoked because he failed to meet the program’s guidelines; the Border Patrol offered no other explanation for their decision. Jajati’s membership was later reinstated, and then revoked again without explanation. Jajati brought a lawsuit against CBP in 2022. After a federal district court dismissed his claim by saying the CBP had discretion in the way the program was run, he filed an appeal. In May, the federal appeals court in California ruled that people whose SENTRI cards are revoked without explanation can request a judicial review into why their card was taken. It is unclear, however, if the SENTRI ruling will also apply to NEXUS revocations. STORY: Northern giant hornet reportedly eradicated in Whatcom, and country at large The northern giant hornet has been eradicated from Washington state and the United States at large. Both state and federal departments of Agriculture made the announcement yesterday. It follows three consecutive years without confirmed detections, meeting federal guidelines for eradication. The last confirmed sightings occurred in 2019, when the hornets were first discovered in Blaine and Nanaimo, Canada. There were no confirmed detections in 2024, including in Washington and British Columbia, despite one unverified report near Port Orchard. November 30th marked the end of the trapping season in Whatcom County. The USDA says this achievement concludes efforts to eliminate the invasive species, which posed ecological and agricultural risks. STORY: Skagit Delta farmers seek to overturn salmon finding Washington farmers are asking a federal judge to compel the National Marine Fisheries Service to withdraw its assertion that repairing a Skagit Delta tide gate could drive Puget Sound salmon and killer whales to extinction. Marine Fisheries claims the tide gate harms salmon habitat, indirectly affecting killer whales that depend on salmon for food. Skagit County Dike District 12 filed a motion arguing that Fisheries’s stance, which blocks repairs to a 140-year-old tide gate that protects 200 acres of farmland, defies logic and ignores precedent. The agency …
The Wandering ‘Hamster
December 18, 2024 News Transcript
Two Fairhaven businesses in same building report break-ins Saturday morning, Overnight winds and rain create road and power impacts, Projects to improve Fairhaven walkability to commence in 2025, Victim memorial established on site of last year’s Harris Avenue fire, Whatcom Council debating expanding port commission amid seemingly favorable public arguments, Whatcom Council debating expanding port commission amid seemingly favorable public arguments, Gov. Inslee proposes additional wealth and business taxes to soften budget shortfall, Free and Cheap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Two Fairhaven businesses in same building report break-ins Saturday morning Two businesses in the same Fairhaven building at 11th St. were burglarized early Saturday morning. According to police reports, someone used a pry tool at around 4 a.m. to break into Serendipity, stealing approximately $1,000 worth of goods— including a cash register and jewelry. Later the same morning, the office at Fairhaven Runners was also burglarized, with shoes stolen and the office ransacked. The two incidents are under investigation. STORY: Overnight winds and rain create road and power impacts Overnight winds and rain caused multiple road and power impacts in Whatcom County. According to the National Weather Service, winds at Bellingham International Airport reported gusts at near 50-miles-per-hour shortly after 2am this morning, as well as nearly an inch-and-a-half of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 9am. Officials with the City of Ferndale and the county’s Public Works department reported multiple road impacts this morning. West Smith Road between LaBounty Drive and Scout Place was closed due to water over the roadway, while East Smith Road between Sand Road and the Mount Baker Highway was closed due to low-hanging wires. Meanwhile, Puget Sound Energy said that the winds caused outages in their service area; King, Pierce and Thurston counties suffered quote-unquote “major impacts.” Scattered and localized power outages were reported across Whatcom County. The National Weather Service in Seattle says dry conditions are expected this afternoon through tonight. Furthermore, the forecasters say that another frontal system is expected across western Washington on Saturday for lowland rain and mountain snowfall, as well as a stronger system on Sunday for additional precipitation. STORY: Projects to improve Fairhaven walkability to commence in 2025 The Bellingham City Council has approved a $1.3 million contract with Strider Construction for a pedestrian upgrade project in Fairhaven. Starting early next year, the project will include a new traffic signal at 12th Street and Mill Avenue, flashing crosswalks on 12th Street and Finnegan Way, and a southbound sidewalk on Finnegan Way from 11th Street to Mill Avenue. Completion is expected by next summer. STORY: Victim memorial established on site of last year’s Harris Avenue fire On Friday, a memorial was established marking the one-year anniversary of the Harris Avenue fire and honored business owner Nathaniel Breaux (BRO), who died in the blaze that destroyed the historic Terminal Building. The tribute included photos of Breaux with loved ones, images of the lost businesses he owned—Harris Avenue Cafe and The Old Independent Coffee House—and a floral wreath with potted flowers posted on the fencing that surrounds the now-empty lot. Passers-by paid respects, and reflected on the loss of Breaux and the local art he supported. The fire broke out on December 16th, 2023, with flames engulfing the building by the time firefighters arrived. Breaux’s body was discovered in the wreckage 10 days later. A final investigation determined the fire started near the cafe kitchen, but could not establish the cause. STORY: Whatcom Council debating expanding port commission amid seemingly favorable public arguments The Port of Bellingham held a public hearing yesterday to discuss the potential expansion of commission from three to five members. While no resolution was introduced, the meeting featured arguments for and against the change. A dozen attendees supported the idea, and cited better representation, increased collaboration, and improved decision-making for the port’s complex operations. Proponents argued that expanding the commission would enhance efficiency and transparency without diminishing accountability. Conversely, two speakers opposed the expansion, warning of potential government bloat and increased political influence. The discussion reflects a recurring debate, as Washington state law has allowed port commissions to expand since 1992. Six of the state’s 75 ports have already done so. The last attempt to expand the Bellingham Port Commission in 2012 narrowly failed, with 49% of voters in favor. Supporters emphasized the opportunity to revisit the vision of the late Harriet Spanel (SPAN-ol), who authored the 1992 legislation. If the commission moves forward with the proposed expansion, a resolution or ballot initiative could trigger a public vote, potentially aligning with next year’s general election, when two commission seats will also be up for election. STORY: Gov. Inslee proposes additional wealth and business taxes to soften budget shortfall Governor Inslee has proposed two new taxes to address a looming budget shortfall of up to $16 billion. Inslee’s proposed 1% wealth tax on individuals with over $100 million in worldwide assets would target about 3,400 residents and raise $10.3 billion over four years. Meanwhile, a temporary 20% business tax increase on large businesses would bring in an estimated $2.6 billion. Inslee emphasized the proposals would create a fairer tax system and avoid cuts to critical state services like those made after the Great Recession. His final budget proposal also includes $2 billion in cuts, such as delaying expanded child care subsidies, closing residential habilitation centers, and pausing bonuses for nationally certified teachers. Critics, including Republican lawmakers and the state teachers union, argue the plan would prompt overspending and underfund education, while concerns about the wealth tax include potential capital flight and administrative challenges. Supporters say the tax addresses Washington’s regressive tax system, and Democrats in the Legislature may consider it, alongside Inslee’s broader proposals, during upcoming negotiations. WX: Floodrucker’s And now for your Whatcom County weather: We should see an end to the last few days of rain today. This afternoon, expect to see overcast skies progressively give way to sunshine, with …
December 17, 2024 News Transcript
Whatcom County Health and Community Services operating final no-cost vaccination clinic of the year today, Nooksack River to projected to reach “action stage” tomorrow night amid heavy rains, Custer rest areas to be closed throughout the week, Bellingham moves to eliminate parking minimums, Whatcom County seeking applicants for advisory board positions, Bellingham Public Schools shares progress on sustainability goals through 2028, Whatcom and Skagit to see increased health insurance rates, decreased tax credits in 2025 Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 17th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Whatcom County Health and Community Services operating final no-cost vaccination clinic of the year today Whatcom County Health and Community Services is hosting a free vaccination clinic today from 3-till-6 p.m. at 2030 Division Street in Bellingham. Vaccines are available for everyone 6 months and older, regardless of insurance. Children under 19 can receive the COVID-19, flu and childhood vaccines, while adults can get COVID-19, Mpox, and flu shots. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be scheduled online. STORY: Nooksack River to projected to reach “action stage” tomorrow night amid heavy rains An atmospheric river expected to bring up to 5 inches of rain to the North Cascades has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a hydrologic outlook for northwest Washington from tomorrow till Thursday. The Nooksack River in Ferndale is projected to reach action stage— 15 feet—late tomorrow night, though it will remain below minor flooding levels. Whatcom County officials are monitoring the situation, though no major concerns have been reported. The Skagit River in Mount Vernon is also expected to rise above action stage, but flooding is not currently forecast. STORY: Custer rest areas to be closed throughout the week The rest areas in Custer along Interstate 5 will see some closures throughout the week. The state Department of Transportation says that the northbound rest areas will be closed today from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., while the southbound rest area will be closed from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. tomorrow and Thursday. No reason for the closures was announced. In the meantime, WSDOT is encouraging people to use the Bow Hill rest areas instead. STORY: Bellingham moves to eliminate parking minimums In an effort to boost housing development, the Bellingham City Council voted yesterday in favor of an interim ordinance to eliminate parking minimums. The change is part of Mayor Kim Lund’s housing initiative, and is expected to reduce costs and enable more housing projects. The ordinance requires one accessible parking stall for all developments, includes bicycle parking guidelines, and will remain in effect for one year starting in January, pending a final vote on the 13th. Supporters believe removing parking mandates will increase housing supply, including affordable units, as seen in other cities. However, council members Lisa Anderson and Michael Lilliquist voiced concerns about the ordinance lacking affordability requirements. Anderson voted against the measure; Lilliquist ultimately supported the ordinance, but called the current parking mandates “broken” and unsuccessfully proposed targeting the change to affordable housing areas. City staff emphasized that increasing overall housing supply helps reduce costs, with future initiatives planned to further support affordable housing development. STORY: Whatcom County seeking applicants for advisory board positions Whatcom County is seeking applicants for multiple advisory board positions. Nearly 120 positions on over 30 advisory boards will be opening up next year. Board and committee members will advise the county council on various topics, including justice issues, food production, flood control and the environment. These positions hold 2-year, 3-year and 4-year terms on these boards, with members being appointed by either the council or the county executive. All applicants must reside in Whatcom County, and some credentials are needed for certain positions. Applications are due on January 7th. The full list of available positions is available at the Whatcom County website. STORY: Bellingham Public Schools shares progress on sustainability goals through 2028 Bellingham Public Schools has shared its progress on their 2023-to-2028 Climate Action Plan, with a focus on solar energy, air quality, transportation, and facility improvements. A nearly $3 million state grant will fund solar panel installations at five schools, generating a megawatt of energy. The district has also added three propane buses to reduce emissions, and is improving bus routes to decrease idling and car usage. In addition, with a $364,000 EPA grant, all schools will receive air-quality monitors to track pollutants and improve HVAC systems. Upgrades include high-efficiency boilers, LED lighting, and 85% green cleaning products. EV charging stations are operational at two locations, and more are planned. The district tracks energy and carbon usage publicly, and says it is committed to sustainability and cost savings. STORY: Whatcom and Skagit to see increased health insurance rates, decreased tax credits in 2025 Local residents using the state marketplace will see 8-to-22.8% health insurance premium hikes with Lifewise, Kaiser, and Regence BlueShield. The addition of Ambetter, which offers lower-cost plans, reduces the benchmark used to calculate tax credits, which impacts affordability for existing enrollees. Ambetter’s network includes providers like PeaceHealth, but lacks key options such as Family Care Network and some specialists. This raises concerns for patients with specific health needs. The Office of the Insurance Commissioner noted ongoing complaints about Ambetter’s network adequacy but approved its expansion statewide. Open enrollment for next year ends on January 15th, with resources available to help residents compare options and tax credits. STORY: Bill introduced to state senate that would exempt those over 75 from all property tax A new bill introduced in the Washington State Senate proposes exempting all residents over 75 from paying property taxes, regardless of income. Filed by Republican Senator Phil Fortunato (four-two-NAH-dough), Senate Bill 5020 also includes protections for seniors in hospitals, nursing homes, or assisted living facilities. Washington’s 2025 legislative session begins on January 13th and runs through April 27th. WX: Goodness. It’s raining again. Stop the presses. And now for your Whatcom County weather: Continued rain is forecasted for the remainder of today, with daytime highs expected around …
December 16, 2024 News Transcript
Strong winds in Whatcom County result in road closure, crash, Larsen rally disrupted by pro-Palestinian supporters, Bellingham PD arrests 23 people over two days for shoplifting at Bakerview Fred Meyer, Port of Bellingham installs 250 solar panels at BLI airport, Two battery storage projects in Skagit County under review, open to public comment, Comp plan survey set to launch Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December 16th. Good afternoon, I’m Theron Danielson. STORY: Strong winds in Whatcom County result in road closure, crash A windstorm on Saturday caused widespread impacts with reportedly 2,000 in Whatcom County and 50,000 across the region losing power. According to Puget Sound Energy, fallen trees and power lines closed roads near the intersection of Nooksack and East Badger roads in Everson. The Washington State Patrol also reported a crash on I-5 south of Bellingham after a tree fell on an SUV, resulting in minor injuries to two occupants who were hospitalized. A weather station in Ferndale recorded wind gusts of 66 mph at around noon, but wind speeds decreased throughout the afternoon. STORY: Larsen rally disrupted by pro-Palestinian supporters Representative Rick Larsen faced protests from pro-Palestinian supporters at a town hall on Saturday. The protesters chanted accusations of his support for quote-unquote “genocide” after he voted for a bill providing $13 billion for Israel’s military earlier this year. Larsen defended his record, and noted he recently signed a bipartisan letter urging the Biden administration to hold both Israel and Hamas accountable for actions in the Gaza conflict. He described the letter as reflecting a “more balanced approach” than his past positions. STORY: Bellingham PD arrests 23 people over two days for shoplifting at Bakerview Fred Meyer Bellingham police arrested 23 people over two days for shoplifting at the Fred Meyer on West Bakerview Road. Officers patrolled the store on the 5th and 10th of December, resulting in 12 counts of third-degree theft, nine counts of shoplifting, and three counts of second-degree burglary. Some suspects also face charges for other offenses, including possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver, first-degree theft, violating a domestic violence no-contact order, and obstructing a public servant. Many had outstanding warrants or probable cause for additional crimes. The targeted patrols were in response to significant theft issues at the store. STORY: Port of Bellingham installs 250 solar panels at BLI airport The Port of Bellingham has installed 250 solar panels at Bellingham International Airport as part of its Climate Action Strategy to reduce energy costs and carbon emissions. According to the Port, the solar array will generate 100,000 kilowatt-hours annually, providing clean, renewable energy and lowering electricity expenses. The Port says the project is indicative of its commitment to sustainability, and says it plans to seek federal incentives to cover 30% of the costs. This marks the Port’s second major solar initiative, following the 2021 installation of over 300 panels at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. The Port says it hopes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions under its Climate Action Strategy by at least 90% by 2030, and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. STORY: Bellingham expands Lake Whatcom watershed protections The Bellingham City Council has approved measures to protect over 100 acres in the Lake Whatcom watershed that will safeguard drinking water for about 100,000 residents. The actions include combining conservation easements on Patricia Otto’s property at Agate (aah-GIT) Bay Lane and prevention of further development on the land. This would preserve 100 acres of mature forest, forested wetlands, and headwaters critical to water quality and habitat. The agreement, monitored by the Whatcom Land Trust, carries no cost to the city. Additionally, the city purchased a roughly 2-acre undeveloped property on Toad Lake Road for $225,000, removing one development unit. The efforts are part of the Lake Whatcom Watershed Land Acquisition and Preservation Program, funded by local assessments on water and sewer bills, which has protected about 2,800 acres since 2001. STORY: Two battery storage projects in Skagit County under review, open to public comment Two proposed battery energy storage system projects in Skagit County will be discussed at upcoming public meetings on Wednesday and Friday. The Goldeneye Project near Sedro-Woolley is a 200-megawatt facility proposed by Tenaska (tuh-NESS-cuh), located on pasture land near a salmon-bearing creek. Concerns about environmental and safety impacts have spurred opposition. The project is being evaluated through the state Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council process, which recently determined the project complies with Skagit County’s land use regulations. EFSEC will discuss the project further during its Wednesday meeting, but written public comments must be submitted in advance. Additional public input will be possible during the subsequent State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review. The NextEra Project near Mount Vernon is also a 200-megawatt facility, sited on industrial land in the Bayview Ridge Urban Growth Area, and is proposed by NextEra Energy Resources. It is proceeding through the local permitting process, having already passed a SEPA review. A public hearing to consider a special use permit will be held Friday, with comments accepted until Thursday or during the hearing. The Skagit County Hearing Examiner will render a decision within 10 business days of the hearing. A recent Skagit County code amendment prohibits new energy storage projects on agricultural land, but this does not affect Goldeneye, which was proposed before the change, or NextEra, which is located on industrial land. STORY: Comp plan survey set to launch The Whatcom County Planning Commission seeks public input on next year’s Comprehensive Plan. The 20-year framework outlines goals and policies for land use, zoning, development, public services, and environmental protection. The plan update, required under the Growth Management Act, aims to reflect community priorities. To help find out what those are, a public survey will run from tomorrow until January 28th, which will allow residents to share their perspectives. Residents are encouraged to participate and help shape the county’s future. WX: I am Kyler. Rainy Day Whatcom #12 and #35 And now for your Whatcom County weather: Cloudy …
December 13, 2024 News Transcript
Carjacking near border leads to a chase through county, Dangerous intersection in Whatcom County converted to a four-way stop, Ferndale Fire Dept starts food drive, Concerns grow around WA classrooms, Guaranteed free college tuition for students receiving SNAP in 2026, Free or cheap, Comp plan survey set to launch, Police arrest woman for cutting Barkley Xmas lights, Is it illegal to leave your car running when you’re not in it? Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 13th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Carjacking near border leads to a chase through county Yesterday at 1:15pm a carjacking near the Canadian border escalated into a high-speed chase down Interstate 5. The incident began when Canadian authorities pursued a stolen pickup truck near the Peace Arch border crossing. The suspect drove through the border at high speed and ignored commands from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol officers. Border Patrol helicopters and marked units pursued the vehicle to Bellingham, where Washington State Patrol troopers took over. Attempts to use stop sticks failed until Skagit County units successfully deployed them near the Bow Hill Rest Area. Law enforcement stopped the car through a PIT maneuver then arrested the suspect just after 2pm. The truck, originally from British Columbia, contained the machete used to commandeer the vehicle. One lane of I-5 was temporarily closed during the incident and reopened by 2:45 p.m. Multiple agencies, including CBP and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, assisted in the operation. STORY: Dangerous intersection in Whatcom County converted to a four-way stop A rural Whatcom County intersection has been converted to a four-way stop with flashing LED lights. Public Works officials hope that turning the intersection of South Pass and Goodwin roads into a four-way stop will prevent a repeat of the Halloween crash that killed 11-year-old Yaretzi Davila-Estrada of Sumas. She was killed by an alleged drunken driver reportedly going over 100 mph. Public Works officials had already been studying traffic at the intersection due to an increasing number of collisions. According to Public Works spokeswoman Mandy Feutz (FYOOTS), there were 28 crashes at the intersection in the past two decades. Feutz added that, while the Halloween crash was the only fatality at the intersection, there have been two other traffic deaths near the intersection in the past decade. According to a statement released by Public Works yesterday, the new traffic pattern is now in effect, and warning signs have been placed to alert drivers to the redesigned intersection. STORY: Ferndale Fire Dept starts food drive Santa and his team will be collecting non-perishable food items throughout the weekend— with a little help from the Ferndale Fire Department. Human, pet food, and monetary donations for both the Ferndale Food Bank and Whatcom Humane Society will be collected throughout Ferndale neighborhoods starting at 6 p.m. tonight and at 4 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday. Routes for the Santa Food Drive and a Santa Tracker are available on the Whatcom Seven Firefighters Facebook page. Residents are encouraged to gather donations and watch for Santa and his helpers. STORY: Concerns grow around WA classrooms Educational staff in Washington state want lawmakers to invest more in wages and staffing during its upcoming legislative session. They are expressing concern over increasing behavioral incidents in classrooms. Eric Tegedoff has more. CLASSROOM AUDIO STORY: Guaranteed free college tuition for students receiving SNAP in 2026 Beginning January 2026, Washington state will offer free tuition at public colleges and universities to students who receive SNAP benefits. The initiative, created by a law signed last spring, aims to reduce barriers to financial aid and address declining enrollment numbers. Students will be informed of their eligibility as early as 10th grade. While students are still encouraged to apply for aid, the program simplifies access to state scholarships, ensuring tuition-free education at community colleges, regional universities, and major institutions like the University of Washington and Washington State University. STORY: Free or cheap It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county. Two plays are being staged in a couple of theaters in Bellingham. The first is the Idiom Theater’s production of A Christmas Carol, where three actors – plus a volunteer from the audience – bring Scrooge and his ghostly visitors to life. Performances will run on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. through December 21st. Tickets starting at $12 can be purchased at the Idiom Theater’s website. Meanwhile, the Bellingham Theatre Guild offers an alternative to holiday performances with their production of The Liar, adapted from a 1644 play by Pierre Corneille (cor-NAY). It centers around Dorante (doh-RANT) – a young man who is unable to tell the truth – and his move to Paris, where he falls for a woman named Clarice and meets a manservant who is unable to lie. The final three performances will run at 7:30 p.m. both today and tomorrow, and at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets starting at $8 can be purchased at the Theatre Guild’s website. Finally, the Mount Baker Theatre will host the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s ninth annual Holiday Magic! concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The orchestra, alongside vocalists Richard Hodges and Ibidunni Ojikutu (ee-BEE-doo-knee oh-JEE-koo-too), will perform Christmas classics as well as singalongs. Tickets starting at $15 can be purchased at MBT’s website. WX: I’m not Kyle, I have no creative weather title. 🙁 And now weather: Expect showers to continue throughout the afternoon, with a high of 47 degrees. Overnight lows will be around 43*, with scattered showers and cloudiness overnight. Expect cloudy, windy, and rainy weather throughout the weekend, with overnight temperatures around 38*. However, there is a chance of sun breaking through on Sunday afternoon. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Riley Weeks, Brodey O’Brien, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at …
December 12, 2024 News Transcript
Bellingham parents charged with assault following 911 call to report their infant not breathing, Wet, windy storm heading toward Western Washington this weekend, Recent report shows Bellingham’s average delinquent credit card debt over $5,000, Travel outlet names Bellingham as best adventure destination in the world for 2024, WIAA releases amendment proposing separate sports for transgender students, Albertsons to sue Kroger following collapse of merger, Crime victim advocates in WA protest in face of funding “cliff”, Free and cheap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, December 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham parents charged with assault following 911 call to report their infant not breathing The parents of a 5-month-old baby have been arrested and charged with first-degree assault of a child after their infant suffered severe injuries consistent with shaking or impact. On October 31st, 23-year-old Genesis Salvador and 22-year-old Antonio Isaias Villalobos (VEE-YAH-lo-bos) called 911 to report that the baby was not breathing. Medics were able to revive the child—who was having seizures— and later transferred him to the Harborview Medical Center in Seattle for serious injuries. Doctors stated the injuries were life-threatening and consistent with abuse. The child was placed in Child Protective Services’ care and released from the hospital on November 5th. Salvador and Villalobos were arrested on November 24th and face class A felony charges. STORY: Wet, windy storm heading toward Western Washington this weekend The National Weather Service in Seattle says a wet and windy storm is approaching Western Washington this weekend. Friday night into Saturday morning will likely see maximum gust speeds of up to 45 mph in Bellingham and 30 mph in Lynden. The strongest winds are expected north of Everett. Up to an inch of rain is predicted in a three-day period for both Bellingham and Lynden, while 4 feet of snow are predicted at Mount Baker over the weekend. However, though some river rising is predicted and flooding is possible in coastal Whatcom County, no rivers in our region are currently predicted to flood. STORY: Recent report shows Bellingham’s average delinquent credit card debt over $5,000 A new report by Upgraded Points reveals that 7.5% of credit card holders in Bellingham are delinquent, and the average credit card debt is about $5,500. Overall, Americans hold almost $1.2 trillion in household credit card debt, with a rapid 15.2% increase in 2023’s fourth quarter being the fastest credit card debt accumulation in nearly two decades. A card debt is considered delinquent when it is 90 days or more overdue, and the number has risen across the United States as well— from 9.4% in 2021 to 12.2% in 2023. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and the Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council, over a fifth of Bellingham cardholders utilize more than 75% of their credit limits, a factor that can negatively impact credit scores. STORY: Travel outlet names Bellingham as best adventure destination in the world for 2024 Bellingham was named best adventure destination in this year’s Matador Network Travel Awards. The travel destination company touted Bellingham’s mountain biking, hiking trails, water and winter sports as top reasons to visit, as well as mentioning the city’s more relaxing pastimes. Village Books and Paper Dreams got a mention, as did several breweries, including Stemma, El Sueñito, and Otherlands. Bars around town like the Orion, Red Rum and Cap Hansen’s Lounge were noted, and Taylor Shellfish was described as having some of the finest seafood in the Pacific Northwest. Whatcom County’s tourism has been steadily increasing. According to data released by the nonprofit Bellingham Whatcom County Tourism, total travel spending hit nearly $751 million in 2023, while roughly 3.4 million tourists visited the county last year. STORY: WIAA releases amendment proposing separate sports for transgender students The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) says it will consider significant changes to high school sports rules for next year, including new guidelines for transgender athletes. Sixteen amendments to the WIAA handbook have been proposed, including one that would limit participation in girls’ sports to students assigned female at birth, replacing the current rule allowing participation based on gender identity. Both Lynden and Blaine school districts, as well as the Lynden Christian School, were among those who submitted the proposed amendment. A separate proposal suggests the creation of an open division for transgender and nonbinary athletes. An additional amendment would alter the transfer process, which would allow students to transfer schools once without family relocation, but at the same time discourage repeated transfers. Other proposals aim to reduce arm injuries in baseball and softball through stricter pitch count enforcement and penalties, as well as the addition of girls’ flag football as an official high school sport. The WIAA Representative Assembly will finalize and vote on the amendments in early 2025, with discussions starting January 27th and voting beginning April 9th. STORY: Albertsons to sue Kroger following collapse of merger Albertsons is suing Kroger after their merger was rejected in two separate court cases. The Associated Press reports that the lawsuit stems from Albertsons’ belief that Kroger didn’t do enough to secure regulatory approval for the nearly $25 billion agreement. Albertsons says Kroger refused to divest the assets necessary for antitrust approval, ignored regulators’ feedback and rejected stronger divestiture buyers; on their end, Kroger says Albertsons was responsible for quote “repeated intentional material breaches and interference throughout the merger process” unquote. The merger proposed by both chains in 2022 would have been the largest grocery store merger in U.S. history; however, the Federal Trade Commission sued to block the merger earlier this year, arguing it would raise prices and lower workers’ wages by eliminating competition. WX: Mrs. Drizzle and the Magic School Bus And now for your Whatcom County weather: Today’s forecast heralds an upcoming rainy weekend, with showers expected to begin in the late afternoon. Daytime highs are projected in the mid-40s, with calm east winds bringing in a bank of evening clouds. Nighttime lows will be in the upper-30s-to-low-40s. …
December 11, 2024 News Transcript
Lynden man arrested on account of suspected burglary, Bellingham chooses contractor to construct tiny home village amenities, Whatcom County no longer accepting plastic food containers for recycling, Bellingham Community Meal’s future uncertain as guests and volunteers both decline in number, Burlington-Edison School District to close one elementary and open one middle school amid budget shortfall, New state law increases penalties for negligent driving that causes serious injury or death, New state law increases penalties for negligent driving that causes serious injury or death, Judges in WA and OR block Kroger-Albertsons merger, Crime victim advocates in WA protest in face of funding “cliff” Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. In yesterday’s newscast, we reported that the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office said 43-year-old Kristine Gregory had died at the scene of a Ferndale apartment fire last Thursday. In reality, that statement was made by Ferndale Police and Whatcom County Fire District 7. We apologize for the error. STORY: Lynden man arrested on account of suspected burglary A Lynden man was arrested this Monday on suspicion of burglary. According to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater, deputies responded to the report of a burglary at a home near Lynden around noon. The victim was reportedly renting the house, and had arrived to try and do some housecleaning last week when they saw a man inside who had broken windows, damaged the walls, scrawled graffiti and left burn marks on the carpet. The 48-year-old suspect was found by deputies inside the house and arrested on suspicion of residential burglary, arson and malicious mischief. He was also found to have two outstanding warrants for criminal trespassing. STORY: Bellingham chooses contractor to construct tiny home village amenities The Bellingham City Council has chosen the contractor who will build the new tiny home village on Northwest Avenue. Summit Construction will build utilities for the new North Haven Village, while nonprofit ‘HomesNOW! Not Later’ will provide the homes. The city purchased the land for a permanent location next to the North Coast Credit Union building earlier this year. The project is estimated to cost $60,000 per home, including land and construction. HomesNOW! currently oversees two other villages in Bellingham— Unity Village and Swift Haven— both of which recently renewed their leases. It will also manage the new village when it’s completed. Construction is expected to begin in January and take a few months, depending on weather and approval processes. STORY: Whatcom County no longer accepting plastic food containers for recycling Whatcom County’s largest garbage and recycling collection operation, the Sanitary Service Company, announced late last month that they will no longer accept plastic “to-go” containers in their recycling stream. According to a recent social media post, SSC says consumers should put those containers in the trash instead. Although the City of Bellingham’s single-use plastic ordinance went into effect in 2022 —which banned single-use plastics from restaurants, grocery stores and hotels— the city’s sanitation and solid waste manager told the City Council that about 50% of businesses in Bellingham are not yet in compliance with the ordinance. According to a recycling update from Sanitary Service, to-go containers– including the clamshell type– contain several different types of plastic which can vary from container to container. This makes them harder to be accepted by secondary processors, who have a limit on how much varied plastics they can accept. Additionally, these types of containers often end up getting flattened on the conveyor belt and mistaken as paper by the automatic sorting system. The City of Bellingham’s contract with SSC was modified in 2023 to switch Bellingham residents from using a three-bin recycling system to just one. Additionally, early next year, all single-family homes in Bellingham will be given an organic waste collection tote, in addition to their garbage and recycling services. STORY: Bellingham Community Meal’s future uncertain as guests and volunteers both decline in number The future of the Bellingham Community Meal program is uncertain due to declining participation, volunteer shortages, and logistical challenges. The Cascadia Daily News reports that the program, which has provided a free monthly meal for over 40 years at Assumption Church, has suffered from declining attendance and volunteer support. According to the report, the pandemic further strained operations, and now the meal must comply with church and county policies, including having sufficient volunteers, a stable board, and hired security. The church has given the program until April to meet the requirements or risk closure. Board President Dan Welickovitch (wul-LICK-uh-vich), who manages nearly every aspect of the program, has worked to streamline operations but faces challenges with sustainability. According to CDN, Welickovitch is exploring options, and a decision will depend on whether the program can address its financial, operational, and policy challenges. STORY: Burlington-Edison School District to close one elementary and open one middle school amid budget shortfall The Burlington-Edison School District has announced it will close one elementary school and transition to a K-through-5 and 6-through-8 school system next school year. Financial challenges and a decline in enrollment means West View School will transition to an Early Learning Campus, while Allen, Bay View, and Edison elementary schools will shift to K-through-5 schools. Lastly, Lucille Umbarger (UM-barj-er) Elementary will become a middle school. The district says it hopes the changes will save around $3 million as the district faces a $15 million state funding shortfall. Although a survey showed mixed community preferences—most parents at Edison supported the K-8 model, while 65% of staff preferred the middle school option—the board prioritized the plan that offered greater financial savings. Superintendent Chris Pearson noted that inflation, collective bargaining, and reduced federal funding will likely increase expenses, necessitating quote “drastic changes” to prevent further budget deficits. The district says it will provide updates on school placement and new boundaries in early 2025 and assist families with the transition through school tours and support programs. STORY: New state law increases penalties for negligent driving that causes serious injury or …
December 10, 2024 News Transcript
Names of Ferndale apartment fire victims released, Commuters should expect backups on southbound I-5 for tree project near Lake Samish, Portion of South Bay Trail to close as city continues train noise reduction project, Claim forms for water rights lawsuit finalized, City Council approves $235k in funding for three art projects in downtown Bellingham, Skagit school districts say they are underfunded by millions of dollars, Boeing to lay off nearly 400 workers in Washington, Crime victim advocates in WA protest in face of funding “cliff” Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 10th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Names of Ferndale apartment fire victims released The names of two women killed in a Ferndale apartment fire on Thursday have been released. The victims were 43-year-old Kristine Gregory and 26-year-old Sierra Johnson. According to the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office, Gregory died at the scene of smoke inhalation, and her death was ruled accidental. Johnson was still alive when she was rescued from the fire, but she died a day later in Seattle. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office says Johnson died of smoke inhalation and burns, and her death was also ruled accidental. The fire took place in a second-floor apartment at 2145 Eastview Place. Its cause and origin are still under investigation. STORY: Commuters should expect backups on southbound I-5 for tree project near Lake Samish Commuters heading south on Interstate 5 from Bellingham should expect delays this week from a tree-removal project near Lake Samish. According to Washington Department of Transportation Madison Sehlke (sel-KEY), southbound I-5 will be reduced to one lane between mileposts 246 and 244 – that’s between North Lake Samish and Nulle Road – for hazardous tree removal and maintenance from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. today and tomorrow. Work in the area caused a seven-mile backup yesterday, with Sehlke blaming drivers who failed to use the “zipper” maneuver at the closure point for the traffic jam. STORY: Portion of South Bay Trail to close as city continues train noise reduction project As part of the City of Bellingham’s efforts to reduce train noise by establishing a quiet zone, the South Bay Trail will close temporarily at the Boulevard Park railroad tracks starting at 9 a.m. tomorrow. The initiative requires safety upgrades at 11 railroad crossings in both Fairhaven and the waterfront. Five crossings, including Boulevard Park, still need improvements. During the closure, detour signs will guide pedestrians to State Street and Bayview Drive. STORY: Claim forms for water rights lawsuit finalized The Whatcom County Superior Court has approved claim forms for a water rights lawsuit that could impact up to 30,000 people in the region. The state Department of Ecology, which filed the lawsuit in May, will likely mail summons and claim forms to affected water users in February. The deadline to submit completed forms is May 1st, 2026. Residential well users with low water use can fill out a simplified form, while those using more water must provide additional documentation. The lawsuit will establish the legality, usage limits, and priority of water rights during shortages. The decision on the priority of water rights is bound to affect farmers, local governments, tribes, and others; groundwater, surface water, and instream flow rights, vital for salmon habitat, are included as part of that decision. Ecology urges users to submit accurate forms to avoid exclusion or follow-ups. Those who do not submit forms risk exclusion from future water rights considerations. STORY: City Council approves $235k in funding for three art projects in downtown Bellingham The Bellingham City Council has approved $235,000 in grants for three downtown art projects aimed at enhancing the area’s appeal and safety. Funded by the city’s lodging tax, the grants include: Make.Shift and KZAX for $50,000, the Pickford Film Center and Bellingham Symphony Orchestra for $25,000, and Children of the Setting Sun Productions for $160,000. The grants follow a competitive process where 27 proposals were evaluated by both the Tourism and Arts commissions. Council members praised the creativity of the submissions, expressing enthusiasm for the projects’ potential to showcase local talent and revitalize downtown. STORY: Skagit school districts say they are underfunded by millions of dollars A recent virtual town hall meeting that included superintendents and school board members from all seven Skagit County school districts highlighted severe underfunding, totaling $90 million over four years. Key deficits include $47 million for special education, $8 million for transportation, and $22 million for supplies—- which have led to budget cuts, limited student access to resources and reductions in staff, as well as school closures. During the meeting, state legislators acknowledged the crisis but pointed to a $12 billion state budget shortfall. They said that, while special education is a priority, cuts are necessary and will need to come from somewhere. Officials emphasized that education remains the state’s “paramount duty,” but the Skagit school superintendents stressed that fiscal responsibility alone cannot resolve the funding gaps, which continue to harm schools and students. STORY: Boeing to lay off nearly 400 workers in Washington Boeing is laying off roughly 400 workers in Washington state. A filing with the state’s Employment Security Department from yesterday indicates that the company plans to lay off 396 workers by late February. This past October, Boeing announced it would cut 10% of its workforce to align with its quote-unquote “financial reality”; this most recent round of layoffs comes in addition to the 2,300 workers already laid off last month. Back in October, Boeing reported a $6 billion quarterly loss, its largest since 2020; the company’s 2024 has included a mid-flight door plug blowout, a Machinists strike and a potential lawsuit over two plane crashes. WX: This town burns through my clouds jokes too quickly And now for your Whatcom County weather: Expect persistent cloud cover throughout the rest of today, with occasional bursts of sunshine to remind us here in the PNW that it’s not actually due to implode for another couple billion years. Daytime highs will …
December 9, 2024 News Transcript
Man sought by police after exiting Bellingham hospital arrested and detained, Woman accused of vandalizing Whatcom County Courthouse pleads not guilty, Petition urges Whatcom severe weather shelter to increase operating temperature threshold, Budgetary concerns place pause on Whatcom County nonprofit fruit production program, Budgetary concerns place pause on Whatcom County nonprofit fruit production program, Federal judge rejects Boeing plea deal Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December 9th. Good afternoon, I’m Theron Danielson. STORY: Man sought by police after exiting Bellingham hospital arrested and detained In a follow-up to a story from last month, 50-year-old Jason Allen John was arrested again by Bellingham Police for violating a no-contact order. John was apprehended by BPD on November 11th following a high-speed pursuit that ended with him crashing a stolen car into a patrol vehicle. He was found unconscious and taken to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment, but walked away before being formally booked. On November 26th, Everett Police arrested John on suspicion of two gross misdemeanors and felony possession of a stolen vehicle. The felony charge was later dismissed, and gross misdemeanor charges were not filed. John’s latest arrest, which took place last Wednesday, means John now faces multiple felony charges across four active cases, including unlawful imprisonment, multiple counts of violating protection orders, possession of a stolen vehicle, and eluding police. As of today, John was unable to post a $250,000 bond and remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail. STORY: Woman accused of vandalizing Whatcom County Courthouse pleads not guilty The alleged Whatcom County Courthouse vandal pleaded not guilty to a variety of charges in a hearing Thursday morning. 29-year-old Victoria Rose Coe of Bellingham was arrested in connection with the break-in and vandalism on November 19th that caused over $10,000 in damage to the courthouse. Coe was indicted on charges of second-degree burglary, first-degree malicious mischief, third-degree theft and resisting arrest. Judge Thomas Verge of the Skagit County Superior Court heard the case via Zoom in a Whatcom County courtroom. Coe’s lawyer, public defender Kurt Parrish, said the incident occurred during a quote-unquote “drug-induced psychosis” and that Coe was committed to sobriety. Verge set bail at $5,000 with a $500 cash alternative and ordered trial for January 21st. Coe remains at the Whatcom County Jail as of today, where she is being held without bail. STORY: Whatcom declares emergency situation following last month’s bomb cyclone Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu (saht-POW see-DO) issued an emergency proclamation last Friday in response to the “bomb cyclone” windstorm that struck Sudden Valley last month. The decision, recommended by Sheriff Donnell (duh-NELL) Tanksley, aims to enhance the county’s eligibility for state and federal disaster assistance. The storm caused significant damage in Sudden Valley, with 23 homes struck by falling trees and at least four residents displaced, though no injuries were reported. The Division of Emergency Management is still assessing the full extent of the damage. Statewide, the storm had a severe impact, particularly in King County, where over 600,000 residents lost power. Two people in Bellevue and Lynnwood were killed by fallen trees. STORY: Petition urges Whatcom severe weather shelter to increase operating temperature threshold A petition to raise the temperature threshold for Whatcom County’s Overnight Severe Winter Shelters has garnered over 300 signatures since it was first posted last week. Currently, Bellingham’s Severe Weather Shelter is open only when overnight temperatures are expected to drop to 32 degrees or below. The petition urges county officials to increase the threshold to 40 degrees, including windchill. But upping the threshold is no easy task. Local shelters rely on volunteers to operate, and there are no paid staff running the shelter. In their last presentation to the County Council, Whatcom’s Health and Community Services projected that operating costs for the current temperature threshold would cost between $500-and-700,000 between November and March. Furthermore, an analysis conducted by WCHCS revealed that if the threshold was raised by just three degrees, opening the shelter would cost Whatcom County an additional $200-to-300,000 over the winter. Currently, there is no dedicated budget for Bellingham’s severe weather shelter, and costs are pulled from other housing services. STORY: Budgetary concerns place pause on Whatcom County nonprofit fruit production program Sustainable Connections will pause its fruit production program at Cloud Mountain Farm Center next year due to rising costs and fundraising challenges. The decision was announced in November, with the organization saying that restructuring will allow the nonprofit to focus on other impactful programs while enabling Cloud Mountain Farm to find other potential partners. Cloud Mountain, an educational farm center in Everson, merged with Sustainable Connections in 2019 and operates orchards, vineyards (VIN-yerds), and a nursery. The farm produces over 150 fruit varieties and supplies local farmers’ markets, grocers, restaurants, and food access programs. According to the announcement, staff will maintain the orchards next year as the nonprofit transitions. Sustainable Connections says it plans to continue the agriculture-based workshops held at the farm, including fruit tree care and vineyard management, and open Cloud Mountain’s nursery on February 1st. The impact of the fruit program’s pause on community partners remains uncertain. STORY: Federal judge rejects Boeing plea deal A federal judge has rejected a plea agreement that would have allowed Boeing to plead guilty and pay a fine for misleading regulators about the 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. The rejected deal, negotiated after Boeing violated a 2021 agreement protecting it from prosecution, would have resolved accusations that the company defrauded regulators about pilot-training requirements for the 737 Max. Relatives of crash victims have long advocated for a public trial, tougher financial penalties, and accountability for former Boeing executives. Prosecutors, however, stated they lacked evidence linking Boeing’s deception directly to the crashes. In his ruling, Judge O’Connor raised concerns over a provision in the agreement requiring diversity considerations in selecting an independent monitor, in keeping with the Justice Department’s policy enacted in 2018. Appointed by President George W. Bush, O’Connor questioned Justice Department and Boeing …
December 6, 2024 News Transcript
Man hospitalized after being struck by train in Bellingham, Ferndale apartment fire kills one and hospitalizes another, WTA bus service to expand in June, Repeal of daylight saving among WA articles of legislation drafted for 2025, Court upholds decision against Meta, Free and cheap, Gov. Inslee imposes indefinite state agency spending freeze, Lummi Nation receives nearly $5 million for salmon habitat restoration Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, December 6th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Man hospitalized after being struck by train in Bellingham A man was hit by a train early yesterday morning in Bellingham, near the intersection of Cornwall Avenue and Wharf Street. The train struck the man while moving at 25 mph due to thick fog; the impact threw him into a ditch. The conductor reported sounding the horn to warn the man and called 911. Police found the pedestrian conscious and alert, and he was treated by the Bellingham Fire Department before being transported to St. Joseph Medical Center. STORY: Ferndale apartment fire kills one and hospitalizes another Yesterday morning also saw a fire in a Ferndale apartment leave one person dead and another in critical condition. Firefighters responded to the blaze on the second floor of a building on Eastview Place at around 7 a.m.. The fire was controlled within 30 minutes, with assistance from Ferndale Police and the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. STORY: WTA bus service to expand in June The WTA board approved expanded bus service in Bellingham starting in June, alongside its 2025 budget. The changes include increased routes to the hospital, Lummi Nation, Old Town, and a new route to the King Mountain neighborhood. Service to the waterfront will also become permanent. The budget was adjusted to address concerns about spending amid a structural deficit, and excludes nearly $6.5 million initially allocated to purchase downtown property for a new station. WTA says it plans to amend the budget if the purchase proceeds, pending guidance by the Federal Transit Administration. The updated budget allocates almost $48 million in operating revenue against about $55 million in expenses, resulting in a $10 million loss, which will be offset by reserves built from COVID-19 relief funds and conservative tax revenue management. Reserves are projected to remain at $36 million by the end of 2025. Cost-saving measures include using existing buses for expanded waterfront service and delaying vanpool van purchases. WTA says it will also evaluate strategies to address the structural deficit, including exploring revenue growth and expense reductions. STORY: Repeal of daylight saving among WA articles of legislation drafted for 2025 Washington lawmakers have begun preparing legislation for next year’s session, with pre-filing of bills having started on Monday. The legislative session starts on January 13th and will last for 105 days, during which lawmakers will work to advance their proposals. Pre-filing allows legislators to highlight their ideas early, though committee chairs ultimately decide which bills move forward. One notable pre-filed bill is Senate Bill 5001, which aims to end daylight saving time. Sponsored by Senators Jeff Wilson and Manka Dhingra (mun-KAH deen-GRA), the bipartisan bill proposes Washington adopt permanent Pacific Standard Time, which would not require federal approval. Lawmakers have tried to address the clock-switching issue for years, with limited success. While proponents argue for ending the inconvenience of daylight saving, opponents point out the challenges— including coordination with neighboring states to maintain regional time consistency. Additionally, experts remain divided on the health and safety implications of permanent standard time versus daylight saving time. STORY: Court upholds decision against Meta The Washington Court of Appeals upheld a nearly $25 million penalty against Meta, Facebook’s parent company, for intentionally violating Washington’s campaign finance laws 822 times. The court also tripled Attorney General–and Governor-elect–Bob Ferguson’s legal fees to $10.5 million, citing Meta’s intentional misconduct. These penalties stem from Meta’s failure to comply with state requirements for transparency in campaign advertising, such as disclosing ad costs, sponsors, and targeting details. Meta had argued that the law was unconstitutional and sought reduced penalties, but the court rejected these claims. The case dates back to 2020, when Ferguson sued Meta for ignoring a 2018 consent decree requiring transparency. This decision reinforces Washington’s stringent campaign finance laws, with penalties directed to the state’s Public Disclosure Transparency Account. STORY: Free and cheap It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a little of what’s going on around the county. The 45th Annual Allied Arts Holiday Festival of the Arts is in full swing, and is open every day from noon to 6pm until December 24. You can visit the market, with over 100 booths from local artists, on Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham. The Bellingham Yacht Club’s Lighted Boat Parade starts at 5:30pm this Saturday. Viewers can view the dazzling lights from the Cruise Terminal, Taylor Dock and Boulevard Park. A soup cook off at the Clubhouse will follow the parade. Bellingham’s Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony also starts at 5:30 p.m tomorrow. The event will include free hot chocolate, cookies, activities and the tree lighting at 6 p.m. The event will take place at Railroad Avenue. Fairhaven is also hosting its fair share of holiday fun for their annual Winterfest, with the Fairhaven Firelight Stroll taking place tomorrow. Starting at 5pm, hundreds of luminary candles will light the way from the Padden Creek Trailhead to Stones Throw Brewing. The Meloy Gallery in downtown Bellingham is hosting their second annual holiday market, “Small is Beautiful”. You can visit the gallery between noon and 5pm on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday through December 22nd. Finally, Madrona Wear is celebrating their grand opening at East Holly Street tomorrow with the sale of new and used outdoor gear starting at 11am, and a $25 fill-a-bag sale from noon to 4pm. DIY block printing will be available all day, with the help of a local artist from Ponderosa Prints. WX: The Rains of …
December 5, 2024 News Transcript
Former Whatcom County Jail inmate files medical malpractice suit after leg amputation, Old Bellingham recycling plant to be redeveloped into housing unit, Construction begins on Bellingham’s Woburn storage facility, Whatcom Opportunity Council secures nearly $4 million in grants for multiple homelessness services, U.N. representative calls for Nooksack tribe to cease evictions of disenrolled residents, Repeal of daylight saving among WA articles of legislation drafted for 2025, Gov. Inslee imposes indefinite state agency spending freeze, Court upholds decision against Meta, Free and cheap Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Former Whatcom County Jail inmate files medical malpractice suit after leg amputation A former Whatcom County Jail inmate has filed a civil suit in the County Superior Court after his leg was amputated during his time in jail. The complaint alleges that the inmate, arrested in late September of 2021, repeatedly requested medical attention for lesions and a rash on his leg for about two months, but was not examined or referred to a physician. In early December of 2021, after reporting extreme pain and swelling in his left thigh, he was examined and sent to a hospital, where his leg was amputated two days later. The lawsuit accuses Whatcom County, the Northwest Regional Council (NWRC), and two nurses of breaching their duty of care by delaying necessary medical treatment. It also claims the County and the Regional Council allowed unqualified staff to practice medicine beyond their training. The defendants have not yet responded to the complaint. STORY: Old Bellingham recycling plant to be redeveloped into housing unit Plans are advancing for a roughly $12 million redevelopment project in Bellingham’s Old Town that would transform a former scrap yard into a six-story, mixed-use development. The project is the work of Capron LLC & Old Town Village LLC. According to the plans, the project will be located at Astor and Holly Streets near Maritime Heritage Park, and will feature 84 middle-income housing units accommodating up to 130 residents, along with 1,600 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. Amenities include 34 parking spaces, 56 bike parking spaces, private plazas, and rooftop decks. Washington’s Department of Ecology has approved the project with conditions that include ground-floor restrictions for residential units and proper soil contamination mitigation. Bellingham faces a housing deficit, with a state mandate that requires nearly 35,000 new units in Whatcom County by 2044, 60% of which must be affordable. Currently, 466 residential units are under construction in Bellingham, with more in the planning stages. While the Old Town project does not include affordable housing, developers say it will address the city’s critical shortage of middle-income housing. Construction is expected to begin next spring, with occupancy anticipated by summer 2026. STORY: Construction begins on Bellingham’s Woburn storage facility In more construction news, work is underway on a new storage facility at the former Parks & Recreation Operations site near Bayview Cemetery. The roughly $7 million project, awarded to Faber Construction, will provide secure indoor and outdoor storage for seasonal equipment and bulk materials shared by the Parks and Public Works departments. It will also expand the Parks department’s nursery program. The project, funded by the city’s street and transportation funds as well as real estate excise taxes, also includes new sidewalks, enhanced crossing ramps, and a flashing pedestrian crossing on Woburn Street. The City says the project will incorporate public art on walls facing busy streets through Bellingham’s ‘1% for the Arts’ program. Construction is expected to be completed by March. STORY: Whatcom Opportunity Council secures nearly $4 million in grants for multiple homelessness services The Whatcom County Council approved approximately $4 million in contracts with the Opportunity Council to support homelessness services. Last night’s decision at the Whatcom County Council meeting included about $650,000 for 22 North, a low-barrier housing facility in downtown Bellingham. The approval follows public scrutiny after council member Ben Elenbaas proposed defunding the facility. The council rejected Elenbaas’s resolution in July, but incorporated new contract amendments to enhance oversight, tenant safety, and reporting. The new rules include mandatory welfare checks for unaccounted tenants and on-site monitoring to address issues proactively. Despite the changes, Elenbaas said he remains skeptical about the Opportunity Council’s leadership and accountability. Greg Winter, executive director of the Opportunity Council, expressed willingness to address concerns and highlighted ongoing efforts to improve services at 22 North, which include integrating behavioral health and addiction recovery support. The council also approved funding for other programs that support the homeless, including $1 million for housing case management and over $2.3 million for the Whatcom Homeless Service Center. The final votes reflect divided opinions— council members Elenbaas, Tyler Byrd, and Mark Stremler consistently opposed the contracts and cited concerns about the Opportunity Council’s effectiveness. Byrd, however, did support the case management funding after seeing positive program data. Further evaluation of permanent supportive housing programs is expected next year to refine the County’s approach to homelessness and related challenges in the community. STORY: U.N. representative calls for Nooksack tribe to cease evictions of disenrolled residents A United Nations representative has called for the Nooksack Tribe to stop the eviction of disenrolled Indigenous families. In a social media post last Friday, Special Rapporteur (rah-poor-TER) Balakrishnan Rajagopal (buh-luh-KRISH-nun ruh-juh-GO-paul) referred to the situation as dire, and called for the Nooksack Tribe to quote “stop the forced eviction scheduled today of 3 families, and find a more humane solution” unquote. Rajagopal urged both federal and state governments to quote “prevent this eviction and, if it still takes place, to ensure immediate access to emergency housing” unquote. This comes after the court system ruled in favor of the Nooksack Tribe continuing the evictions of families they say have not provided adequate proof of their lineage – a requirement for families to live in tribal housing. In order to avoid facing removal by Tribal law enforcement, these families opted to leave their homes voluntarily last week. WX: Foggy Nelson, attorney at …
December 4, 2024 News Transcript
Woman implicated in kidnapping of Bellingham man facing multiple felony charges, Bellingham to require residents to use curbside compost bins for organic waste beginning in 2025, Whatcom County initiates controversial fire department cost review, Whatcom listed by Dept. of Interior among WA counties most at risk for landslides, State funds for aiding the homeless running low, Gov. Inslee imposes indefinite state agency spending freeze, Court upholds decision against Meta Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, December 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Woman implicated in kidnapping of Bellingham man facing multiple felony charges 34-year-old Janelle Hill has been charged with multiple felonies for allegedly leading a kidnapping and robbery in Bellingham on October 29th. According to court documents, Hill and two masked accomplices kidnapped a man she knew, claiming he had stolen property from her. The group ransacked the victim’s workplace and stole various items. The victim was then forced to drive the group to another location, where they tied him up in the back of his van. The victim managed to escape and sought help from a nearby resident. Hill was arrested on November 11th in a storage unit. She was found in possession of a firearm despite being prohibited from doing so due to prior convictions. Hill faces charges of first-degree kidnapping, first-degree robbery with a deadly weapon, theft of a motor vehicle, and unlawful firearm possession. The investigation is ongoing, and her accomplices remain unidentified. STORY: Bellingham to require residents to use curbside compost bins for organic waste beginning in 2025 Bellingham will require all residents to participate in the FoodPlus! food waste recycling program starting early next year, ahead of a statewide mandate. According to the City, the program costs $13.69 a month, and residents will be provided a 60-gallon bin for food scraps, yard debris, food-soiled paper, and compostable packaging, which will be collected biweekly. The initiative aims to reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic materials—currently 30% of the county’s waste stream—into composting. Approximately 8,000 households already use the service, and the City says an education campaign will help the 12,000 new customers learn what materials to include. By mid-2025, residents will have three bins: one for trash, one for recycling, and another for organic waste. As per state law, areas outside Bellingham, including Whatcom County’s urban growth area, will not face the mandate until 2030. The city says its proactive measures align with their broader goals to improve waste management and sustainability. STORY: Whatcom County initiates controversial fire department cost review Whatcom County has launched a controversial study to explore efficiencies and potential cost savings in its fire protection and EMS systems. The more-than-$220,000 study, approved by the County Council last December and led by consulting firm Mission Critical Partners, aims to identify collaboration or consolidation opportunities among the county’s 12 fire districts, one regional fire authority, two municipal fire departments, and one EMS system. According to the County, the study will evaluate compliance with national standards, staffing needs, and response times, with a draft report expected by next summer. Fire officials, who were excluded from early discussions, protested the study and cited inaccuracies in the council’s supporting documents. Initial interactions with Mission Critical have drawn criticism, with fire leaders reporting the firm’s lack of familiarity with local systems and state laws. Some officials have labeled the study a misuse of taxpayer funds. Despite a rocky start, MCP consultant Rick Harrison acknowledged the challenges but noted progress through recent interviews and facility tours with fire chiefs, EMS managers, and union representatives. STORY: Whatcom listed by Dept. of Interior among WA counties most at risk for landslides According to the Department of the Interior, Whatcom County is among the ten Washington counties most at-risk for landslides. County-level data published by the department’s Geological Survey in September found that roughly 82% of land in the county is susceptible to landslides, which amounts to almost 1,760 square miles. This ranks Whatcom tenth in the list of counties most susceptible to landslides. Chelan County, where nearly 95% of the land is susceptible, ranks first. Landslides, which are often impossible to predict, are typically caused by forces such as heavy rainfall, snowmelt, earthquakes, volcanic activity and human activities. Risk factors include urbanization, logging and deforestation. There were 310 fatal landslides around the world in the first half of 2024 alone, with a combined death toll of 2,315. The Department of the Interior says that, on average, 25-to-50 people are killed by landslides annually in the United States. STORY: State funds for aiding the homeless running low The Department of Commerce says that Washington state faces a $403 million shortfall in funding for homelessness services due to a decline in revenue from document recording fees. A Whatcom County Health and Community Services report from last year says that there are over a thousand people in the county experiencing homelessness on any given night. However, programs like emergency shelters, rent assistance, and homeless youth support depend on the fees that homebuyers pay, and the slowdown in the housing market has resulted in a drastic drop in funding. Commerce has asked the Legislature to allocate money from the general fund to avoid service cuts, address inflation, and support local governments experiencing similar funding declines. The state is also grappling with a projected $12 billion deficit in its overall operating budget over the next four years. Lawmakers face a tough challenge balancing budget priorities, with proposals like new taxes on high-value real estate sales potentially resurfacing next year. Divisions remain within the legislature, however, with Democrats pushing for new revenue streams to try to support programs and Republicans opposing additional taxes. STORY: Gov. Inslee imposes indefinite state agency spending freeze In other budget-related news, Governor Inslee has implemented a spending freeze for state government agencies to help address that projected $12 billion deficit over the next four years. The freeze applies to nonessential hiring, service contracts, equipment purchases and travel, though there is an …
