KMRE NEWS Transcripts

County Council, Executive seeking volunteers for over 30 commission, advisory board positions, Second deceased person discovered at Bellingham, NWCAA issues Stage 2 air quality burn ban for Maple Falls area, WDFW seeks comment on status review for killer whale, Over 200 employees hired to staff Tukwila behavioral hospital bought by Washington, Crime, taxes and artificial intelligence on tap as WA lawmakers prep for session, NASA satellites could be a new tool to help estimate snowpack, manage water resources, Students designs wanted for invasive species art contest,  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November 28th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: County Council, Executive seeking volunteers for over 30 commission, advisory board positions The Whatcom County Council and County Executive are looking for interested residents to fill vacancies in over 30 advisory boards and commissions. The positions cover a variety of local issues such as agriculture, criminal justice, and land use planning. Most board members serve terms of two, three, or four years, with specific requirements for each position.  Applications from Whatcom County residents will be accepted until 10 a.m. on January 2, 2024. More details and a list of current vacancies are available on the Whatcom County website. STORY: Second deceased person discovered at Bellingham encampment Authorities are investigating the discovery of a deceased individual found inside a tent at an encampment behind the Bellingham Walmart.  The body was identified as 45-year-old Dean Dewberry, located by another person in the tent, leading to a 911 call. This marks the second such incident at the encampment in less than a month. The cause of death is under investigation. STORY: NWCAA issues Stage 2 air quality burn ban for Maple Falls area The Northwest Clean Air Agency has issued a Stage 2 air quality burn ban for the Columbia Valley and Maple Falls area, effective yesterday.  The ban prohibits the use of indoor fireplaces and pellet stoves, and all outdoor fires of any kind. The only exception to the ban is when a woodstove is the only adequate heat source. The ban is expected to last a few days until the cold calm air changes, allowing for lingering wood smoke particles to clear. The NWCAA warns that wood smoke is especially harmful to children, adults aged 65 and over, and people with heart and lung problems. Violators of the burn ban could face fines or other enforcement actions. For more up-to-date information go to NWCleanAirWA.gov to learn more. STORY: WDFW seeks comment on status review for killer whale The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public input on a recommendation to keep the killer whale on the state’s endangered species list. WDFW says that while efforts have been made since the last status review, the Southern Resident killer whale population is still in danger. The department recommends no change to the status, keeping killer whales as an endangered species. Southern Resident orcas live in coastal ocean waters off Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. There are 75 southern resident orcas today, about as few as when the capture era ended in 1976. Among them is L25, the world’s oldest living orca at around 95 years old. She is believed to be the mother of Tokitae, the orca who passed away at the Miami Seaquarium three months ago. The draft Periodic Status Review for killer whales is available to view on the WDFW’s website. Written comments on the document can be submitted via email or by physical mail. The public comment period is open until Feb. 19, 2024. STORY: Over 200 employees hired to staff Tukwila behavioral hospital bought by Washington Washington State has hired over 200 employees for the newly named Olympic Heritage Behavioral Hospital.  Previously known as Cascade Behavioral Health, the hospital was closed in July amid conflict between staff and management. The state purchased the building in August for 30 million dollars, rehiring over half of the staff who were laid off due to Cascade’s closure.  However, Cascade’s union filed suit against the purchase – arguing that the state should rehire all past employees under the union’s contract. U.S. District Judge Barbara J. Rothstein claimed that they were unlikely to win the case, since the union contract became void when the business closed.  The new Olympic Heritage is now accepting patients and has enough staff to keep two wards open. Hospital administration says any additional hiring will be based on the funding they receive from the Legislature in the next supplemental budget session.  STORY: Crime, taxes and artificial intelligence on tap as WA lawmakers prep for session As the Washington state legislature prepares to return to session next year, they will be prepped on important topics in the upcoming weeks. Senators are gathering this week in 14 committees holding work sessions on Thursday and Friday. Then on Monday and Tuesday, 19 House panels will be in action. Legislators expect to be briefed on topics ranging from fuel surcharges levied on farmers, to the accuracy of election vote counts. Other topics include artificial intelligence in public schools, the increasing costs of construction projects, and the allocation of the new capital gains tax. The full schedule of committee sessions can be found on the Legislature’s website and the hearings will be streamed live on TVW. STORY: NASA satellites could be a new tool to help estimate snowpack, manage water resources Scientists are now able to measure snowpacks with NASA satellites.   This year scientists used a NASA satellite to measure the amount of snowpack in the Methow (MET-oww) Valley in Okanogan (ow-kuh-NAA-guhn) County and a river basin at Yosemite (yo-SEH-muh-tee) National Park. Snowpack estimates usually come from computer models, but the results from satellite measurements have proven to be surprisingly accurate. The lead author of a new study recently published in the journal “Remote Sensing of the Environment,” Hannah Besso, says this data could have a big impact on places like the Methow Valley, where not much is known about the snowpack. Researchers …

November 28th 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Security increases at Peace Arch border crossing following Rainbow Bridge explosion, Bellis Fair Macy’s employees return to work after Black Friday strike, WWU Shooting Alert, Another Shooting at Meridian, Suspect arrested in 2021 hit and run, WDFW warns of deer mating season migration near roadways, WNS – WA’s long-term care saving program, AGO wins largest largest-ever federal Emmett Till grant for Indigenous cold case project, Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, November 27th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Security increases at Peace Arch border crossing following Rainbow Bridge explosion The Peace Arch border crossing in Blaine saw increased security last Wednesday.  Officers from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection – some armed with rifles – surveilled cars entering the United States, spoke with passengers and conducted vehicle checks. The increased security came on the heels of a vehicle explosion at the Rainbow Bridge crossing in Niagara Falls last Wednesday. The vehicle’s two occupants were killed in the explosion. President Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (true-DOUGH) were informed of the incident. As of now, no evidence has been found that shows the Rainbow Bridge explosion was a terrorist attack.  STORY: Bellis Fair Macy’s employees return to work after Black Friday strike About two dozen Macy’s employees at the Bellis Fair store returned to work today after going on strike during the Black Friday weekend. The workers voted last month to launch a strike after months of increased security concerns and failed contract negotiations with the company.  Customers on Friday saw a sign listing revised business hours. Seasonal, non-union workers and members of Macy’s management team opened the store at 11 a.m. that day instead of 6. The employees at Bellis Fair joined those in Lynnwood and Tukwila in asking the public to not shop there on Black Friday, with organizers saying that over 17,000 people signed an online pledge to respect striking workers. STORY: WWU Shooting Alert An arrest has been made in a drive-by shooting reported yesterday evening that occurred about a half-mile south of the Western Washington University campus.  The shooting happened at about 6:30 p.m. on the 2700 block of McKenzie Avenue.The suspects fled in a white Honda sedan and a dark-colored station wagon.  UPD has also been able to work with the Bellingham Police Department to determine that there were no injuries at the scene, and the individuals targeted by the shooter were not WWU students. STORY: Another shooting on Meridian The Bellingham Police Department reports that an arrest has been made in another suspected shooting on Meridian Street. Despite reported damage, no injuries were documented. A suspect, identified as 29-year-old Roberto Briones, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. Jail records indicate charges including driving under the influence, unlawful possession of a firearm, drive-by shooting, and domestic violence.  There is no indication that the two shooting incidents are related. STORY: Suspect arrested in 2021 hit and run A suspect has been arrested in a hit and run incident that happened over two years ago. According to a filed affidavit of probable cause, the Washington State Patrol says Darren Wade Hicks, 58, hit a 21-year old Ferndale man who was assisting someone with a disabled vehicle. The impact caused significant damage to the car and the victim was thrown approximately 98 feet from the point of impact. Hicks was booked into jail on November 23rd. STORY: WDFW warns of deer mating season migration near roadways The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning drivers to be wary when driving as deer mating season continues. During mating season, deer are much more active and move between areas to find better foraging spots. In Western Washington, some groups of black-tailed deer migrate from summer ranges high in the Cascade and Olympic mountains to spend the winter in lower elevation forests and valleys, crossing roads in the process. WSDOT (WASH-dot) determined there are about 5,000 collisions with deer and nearly 300 collisions with elk each year. Two of the most common roadways that have the highest number of interactions between wildlife and vehicles are Highways 20 and 525 on Whidbey Island, and Highway 20 east of Concrete into the Cascades. WDFW recommends drivers be extra alert, pause after seeing any amount of deer, and not swerve during an imminent collision. If a collision does occur with a deer, move the body off the road if it can be done safely and report the accident to the Washington State Patrol. STORY: WNS – WA’s long-term care savings program Washingtonians with kids and older parents in need of care are praising the peace of mind the state’s new retirement savings program is providing them. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. CARES AUDIO STORY: AGO wins largest-ever federal Emmett Till grant for Indigenous cold case project Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced last Wednesday that his office will be partnering with tribes across Washington to research, identify and create an inventory of cold cases involving missing and murdered Indigenous people that date back more than 40 years. The Attorney General’s Office received $1.5 million from the federal Emmett Till Cold Case Investigations and Prosecution Program, which supports state, local and tribal law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute pre-1980 cold cases involving racially motivated crimes or civil rights violations. The $1.5 million grant is the largest-ever provided by the program. The grant project will support the work of the new Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and People Cold Case Unit in the Attorney General’s Office. The federal grant will allow the office to hire two full-time staff, whose job will be to travel across the state over the next three years and work closely with up to 10 tribes. Each tribe will also receive compensation to assist in the research. WX: Mostly Sunny Today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 48 degrees and calm winds. Temperatures will drop …

November 27, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Popular sanctioned mountain bike trail has finished conversion to hiking only trail, Lummi Indian Business Council approves basic needs distribution for adult tribal members in need, Ferndale Overpass open, Man arrested after reports of machete attack at Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham, State awards money for housing planning, WA ferry officials warn of long waits over Thanksgiving as broken boats sit idle, Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November 22nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Popular unsanctioned mountain bike trail has finished conversion to hiking only trail Last week, Whatcom County Parks & Recreation announced the completion of the Chanterelle Connector Trail.  The trail links the upper part of the Chanterelle Trail to the Hertz Trail and includes diverse forest lands and a side-trail leading to an overlook of Lake Whatcom. The trail is designated for hiking only, and includes a stair section with over 300 steps.  The hiking trail was built over the user-built Surfin’ Turf biking trail, which was shut down in 2015. Even after being officially closed, many bikers continued to ride the trail until earlier this year when the county put up signs stating its closure. The Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition advocated for Surfin’ Turf, like its neighbor and user-built trail Brown Pow, to be turned into a sanctioned mountain bike trail. The WMBC also offered to fully cover the cost of repairs to make the trail more sustainable, and to cover continued maintenance at no cost to the county by utilizing its volunteer trail maintenance crews. However, the county did not end up taking up the plan and instead contracted out the trail’s conversion to a hiking-only trail. A dedication ceremony for the new trail is planned for December, weather permitting.  STORY: Lummi Indian Business Council approves basic needs distribution for adult tribal members in need The Lummi Indian Business Council approved a community distribution to assist adult tribal members in need yesterday.  $500 will be distributed to eligible tribal members who are at least 18 years of age or older before December 31st. A motion was also made during the council meeting to begin planning for annual distribution every December that included all enrolled tribal members. The two-day distribution will take place on December 18th at the Silver Reef Casino, and December 19th at the Wex’liem (WECK-li-em) Community Building in Bellingham. More updates will be made available at the Lummi Communications’ Facebook page.   STORY: Ferndale overpass open After over 3 decades of planning and design, and funding solutions that came together in 2018, Ferndale may now have less traffic on Main Street. The newly constructed Thornton Street overpass will officially open at 3pm on December 2nd, following a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1pm. The overpass, connecting Thornton Street to the southbound I-5 off- and on-ramp roundabout at Portal Way, provides a second railway crossing in Ferndale without train interruptions.  The project began construction in 2020. STORY: Man arrested after reports of machete attack at Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham A man was hospitalized after being attacked with a machete at Maritime Heritage Park last Sunday.  37-year-old Wayne Yale was running around the park with a machete and yelling shortly after 1:30pm and subsequently struck the man in the shoulder after being told to stop. The attacked man required medical attention. The Bellingham Police Department stated that Yale was found running on Dupont Street towards downtown Bellingham. Officers used less-than-lethal equipment to stop and stun Yale, who told police he had tried to kill the man because he felt the man who told him to “shut up” had violated his rights. Yale was taken into custody without further incident and booked into the Whatcom County Jail for first-degree assault. STORY: State awards money for housing planning The Washington Department of Commerce has announced a grant of $75,000 dollars to help Bellingham plan for the development of ‘missing middle’ housing. Nearly $3 million in total will be allocated to 54 cities across 16 counties to support the adoption of local comprehensive plan policies and zoning codes promoting middle housing in residential areas. The initiative is part of efforts to meet the state’s housing goals, with a focus on increasing homeownership opportunities and diversifying rental housing.  Middle housing, defined as compatible with single-family homes and including duplexes, fourplexes, townhouses, etc., aims to address the housing shortage, rising prices, and rental costs in Washington. The Department of Commerce also announced funding for existing Housing Trust Fund projects at risk of losing affordability. STORY: WA ferry officials warn of long waits over Thanksgiving as broken boats sit idle People taking a trip on state ferries over Thanksgiving weekend are likely to face lengthy wait times.  Officials with the Washington State Ferries warn travelers to be patient if their holiday includes crossing Puget Sound and to consider leaving earlier than they might have planned, as the usual late November rush in ferry travelers is expected. WSF currently has only 14 workable boats out of a fleet of 21. As a result, services such as Seattle-Bremerton and Edmonds-Kingston will be on reduced services.  WSF also warns passengers there could be last-minute schedule changes, as there are no spare boats in case one of the 14 boats has any mechanical issues. Riders are advised to download the WSDOT (wash-DOT) app, which includes ferry schedules and updates. Routes will be on their holiday schedule. STORY: Department of Natural Resources pushes for Smokey the Bear on license plates The Washington Department of Natural Resources is pushing for the creation of a specialty Smokey Bear license plate. At a meeting Monday, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz made the pitch to lawmakers, saying that the plates will help spread awareness of the growing frequency of wildfires. Franz explained that proceeds from the sales of the plates would go to wildfire prevention education and firefighter support, administered through DNR. To get the plates considered by the Department of Licensing, the initiative …

November 22, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Blaine City Council Approves text amendment allowing large manufactured home parks, Whatcom County Council approves Winter 2023-24 Severe Weather Shelter, Emergency blood supply is dangerously low in WA, U.S. Supreme Court asked to review Washington’s new tax, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS, Arroyo Park bridge open after 3 years  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, October 26th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Blaine City Council approves text amendment allowing large manufactured home parks On Monday, Blaine City Council voted to approve a text that will allow large manufactured home parks in east Blaine. The vote comes after over a year of debate in council meetings. The dispute surrounding the parks began after developers Skip and Katie Jansen submitted a planned unit development amendment. While the zoning code allows for manufactured home parks, the PUD code needed for larger developments, doesn’t. After the request, Blaine residents began voicing concerns about affordability, environmental impacts, and traffic. The planning commission recommended in September that manufactured home parks be constricted to a smaller development area. However on Monday, the city council ended up approving the amendment without a size restriction. The council held the vote with four out of seven members present. Councilmember Mike Hill said that this amendment fixes an inconsistency between zoning and PUD codes, a mistake on the part of the city. However, many residents are unhappy with the decision, not believing that the council listened to the voices of the residents.  The Jansens plan to move forward with the manufactured home park development, and asked that people keep an open mind until they see what is being presented. STORY: Whatcom County Council approves Winter 2023-24 Severe Weather Shelter Two new severe winter shelters have been funded thanks to the Whatcom County Council and City of Bellingham. These shelters will alleviate some stress from the Lighthouse Mission Ministries Base Camp, which reports to be at or near capacity most nights. The two shelters will provide a total of 95 additional beds during the winter. The first shelter will be open nightly and run by Road2Home and located at Civic Field. The second shelter will be run by the Whatcom County Health and Community Services Department. It will be located at the State Street Creamery Complex and will open on nights when forecasts meet severe weather thresholds. The United Church of Ferndale will also host a shelter that will only be open during severe weather events.  The mission would normally begin operating emergency overflow shelters. However, due to lack of volunteers, no overflow shelters will be provided this winter. The county is still looking for volunteers to get the new shelters fully staffed. STORY: Emergency blood supply is dangerously low in WA Blood banks are facing critical shortages of life-saving blood and blood products, particularly type O and Rh negative blood and platelets.  According to a recent release by Washington State Department of Health, the shortage is a result of decreased donations during the COVID-19 pandemic and are concerning because they may hinder the ability to meet emergency needs such as trauma cases. To find out more about donating blood, go to the Northwest Blood Coalition website. STORY:  U.S. Supreme Court asked to review Washington’s new tax Residents in Washington are challenging the state’s capital gains tax, claiming it violates the U.S. Constitution. A new petition delivered to the U.S. Supreme Court asserts that the court should clarify that out-of-state transactions should not be a source of taxable revenue for the state. The Washington Supreme Court had previously ruled that the capital gains tax was a tax on transactions, namely selling assets. However, according to the petition, the ruling now creates a conflict with the federal Constitution.  Washington’s tax, passed in 2021, applies to capital gains over $250,000 but exempts farmland, timber, and livestock. However, it does apply to capital gains from selling shares in businesses.The Department of Revenue estimates it will raise $833 million in its first year with proceeds being earmarked for education.   The U.S. Supreme Court has not yet decided whether to hear the case, with the Washington attorney general’s office given until November 3 to respond to the petition. STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE is airing a series of candidate forums every day at 11AM. Today, we feature a vigorous debate on the most recent Jail funding proposition. On the pro side are Peter Frazier and Stephen Gockley, and on the con side are Josh Ceretti (suh-REH-dee) and Jason McGill.  Tomorrow’s Democracy Block will feature the candidates for Ferndale Mayor, incumbent Greg Hansen and challenger Jon Mutchler. PROMO: BEYOND BARS Also– coming up after the 5pm news– a decision on whether or not to fund a new jail. KMRE, in collaboration with Cascadia Daily News, produced a series of interviews with people who have experience and opinions on the subject. This week, we are re-airing those interviews.  Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Steven Simmons, the Outreach Programs Manager at Community Action of Skagit County. A formerly incarcerated person, Simmons is working on his Master’s degree through the University of Washington, as well as working with the unhoused in Skagit County. He has a unique perspective on the work.  STEVEN AUDIO Listen to the whole interview tonight after the 5pm newscast. WX: Freeze Watch Today will be mostly sunny with a high of 51°. Tonight has lows around 34 and winds of up to 9 mph. There will be frost in some areas overnight, with the temperatures being much of the same tomorrow. There is a freeze watch in place tomorrow night across Whatcom and Skagit as temperatures drop to around 32 during the weekend. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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 …

October 26, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Bellingham Macy’s to strike on Black Friday; Bellis Fair employees calling for change, Fired Bellingham police detective’s court hearing delayed until December, Bomb threat derails Lummi Nation School evening meeting, Hiker stranded at Twin Lakes rescued from snowy conditions, Base Camp restricts non-resident access to day services, Western gray squirrels now consider ‘endangered’ in Washington, AG prosecutes first ‘organized retail theft’ case, Expert recommends isolating dogs amid deadly, highly contagious, ‘mysterious illness’, Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest, State awards money for housing planning independent, nonprofit community radio KMRE brings you local news for Monday, 20th November. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Bellingham Macy’s to strike on Black Friday; Bellis Fair employees calling for change Macy’s employees at Bellis Fair mall, Alderwood Mall, and Southcenter Mall, plan to go on strike on Black Friday. The strike will include about 400 employees who cite concerns over safety issues, pay that doesn’t match the rising cost of living, and insufficient measures to address shoplifting and violent shoppers.  Macy’s Workers Union UFCW 3000 urges customers to support their cause by not shopping at Macy’s during the strike. Macy’s contends that they are seeking a mutually beneficial deal. The company had discussions with workers and the union in early November but failed to reach an agreement. The strike is scheduled for this Friday. STORY: Fired Bellingham police detective’s court hearing delayed until December  A former Bellingham police detective is set to appear in court in early December on felony and gross misdemeanor charges. Adam (Bo) Stanton McGinty is accused of misappropriation of public funds, official misconduct, and third-degree theft. McGinty, who investigated sexual assault allegations in Bellingham Public Schools, is accused of misusing public funds. McGinty used another officer’s dry cleaning stipend, obtaining more than $750 worth of services in 2022 and 2023.  McGinty was placed on paid administrative leave in June, and an internal investigation recommended termination, leading to his firing in August. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison. STORY: Bomb threat derails Lummi Nation School evening meeting A bomb threat disrupted a Lummi Nation School Parent Advisory Committee meeting last Wednesday. The threat, made by juveniles who hacked into a Zoom meeting, resulted in the building being evacuated, while Lummi Nation Police, with a canine unit, searched the area. The FBI and local authorities are investigating.  STORY: Hiker stranded at Twin Lakes rescued from snowy conditions Last week, an out-of-state hiker was found at Twin Lakes after sending a distress call. He became lost after trying to find his way back from camping near Mount Baker.  The Whatcom Search and Rescue 4×4 unit had time to strategize their mission since the stranded hiker was prepared to sustain himself for the next couple days.  The volunteers were able to chain his vehicle and guide him back to the main road without harm.  STORY: Base Camp restricts non-resident access to day services The Lighthouse Mission has restricted access to its day services at Base Camp due to high demand and increasing complexity of residents’ needs.  Staff shortages and misconduct from day services for people experiencing homelessness contributed to the changes. People who are not official residents of Whatcom County can no longer use the day room or lockers. Showers and health care are on a case-by-case basis. According to staff, the shelter is reaching maximum capacity more frequently, with an increase in severe mental illness, chronic medical conditions, and substance use disorders among residents.  The mission plans to improve access once a new shelter opens next Fall. STORY: Western gray squirrels now considered ‘endangered’ in Washington Western gray squirrels are now classified as “endangered” in Washington state. The uplisting in status comes after the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission held a periodic review process for the squirrels over the past few months. The current habitat is primarily limited to three areas: the Klickitat (KLICK-uh-tat) region, the North Cascades, and the southern Puget Trough.  Researchers estimate the population to be between 450 and 1,500 squirrels. The more commonly found species, the eastern gray squirrel, is often mistaken for its threatened counterpart. Eastern grays are a non-native invasive species introduced in the early 1900s and are the most common tree squirrels in Washington’s urban areas. Now with the change in status, the squirrels have stronger legal protections, including higher penalties for harming or killing them and a greater overall effort in conserving the species moving forward. STORY: AG prosecutes first ‘organized retail theft’ caseWashington Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced the first criminal prosecution by the newly formed Organized Retail Crime Unit.  Organized Retail Crime involves groups stealing products for resale, posing a threat to retailers and potentially involving intimidation and violence. The new unit, led by Assistant Attorney General Kent Liu (LOO), is part of efforts to address organized retail crime, identified as a significant and growing problem. The unit, which began operation on July 1st, established in collaboration with the Legislature, aims to provide investigative and prosecutorial resources. STORY: Expert recommends isolating dogs amid deadly, highly contagious, ‘mysterious illness’ Dog owners are being warned about a mysterious and potentially deadly illness spreading nationwide, with over 100 reported cases in Oregon.  The illness is still under investigation and is highly contagious among dogs. Owners should be on the look-out for symptoms such as fever, lethargy, and a productive cough resembling kennel cough. Kevin Snekvik, Executive Director of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab, advises prompt veterinary attention for symptoms, and that vets test samples at state labs.  Snekvik also suggests owners avoid dog parks and unfamiliar dog congregations. Boarding pets for the holidays is also discouraged. The cause and nature of the illness remain unknown. WX:  Expect a partly sunny day, with a high of 51 degrees. Clouds will roll in towards the night, with lows around 38. Tomorrow will be warmer, but bring a high chance of rain in the afternoon. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, and …

November 20, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Small earthquake near Stanwood, man found dead in homeless camp, ABC Recycling hosts community meeting, Fire District faces challenges, Strike yesterday at Starbucks, Rule announces run for re-election, Developer backs out of housing project, Cheap or Free Friday,  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, 17 November. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.   STORY: Small earthquake near Stanwood A magnitude 3.1 earthquake hit our area at around 5pm yesterday. Centered near Stanwood, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 18 miles. Earthquakes of this magnitude are considered “minor” and typically only detectable by those nearby. There are no reports of injuries or damage. STORY: Man found dead in homeless camp An unidentified person was found dead at an homeless encampment near Walmart on Wednesday.  Bellingham Police are working to contact the victim’s next of kin, and an autopsy to find the victim’s cause of death has been scheduled. This is the second death reported at that encampment in the last few months. STORY: ABC Recycling hosts community meeting ABC Recycling will host a neighborhood meeting to discuss the details of the proposed metal shredding facility on Marine Drive. ABC Recycling experts will be present to explain the equipment and processes involved in metal shredding, addressing how the facility fits into the industrial recycling process. The presentation will include a site plan, and potential areas of concern will be discussed, with an opportunity for the public to ask questions and express concerns.  The meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Squalicum Boathouse, located at 2600 N. Harbor Loop Drive.  STORY: Fire District faces challenges  North Whatcom Fire and Rescue is struggling to make ends meet.  Fire District 21 serves almost 34,000 people across 156 square miles, and encompasses Lynden, Laurel, Blaine, Custer, Birch Bay, Semiahmoo, and Whatcom County Fire District 4 through a contract agreement. Call volume has nearly doubled in the last decade, with 30% of calls overlapping. Last year alone, they had more than 3000 calls for emergency medical services. Despite increased demand, tax revenues have not kept pace with costs. In an interview with KMRE, Fire Chief Jason Van Der Veen outlined the struggle to meet service demands and the need for more firefighters, facilities, and equipment.  After a successful levy lid lift in August for Fire District 4, Van Der Veen is requesting that Fire Commissioners approach voters for a levy rate reset for District 21. Chief Van Der Veen says Birch Bay, Blaine, and Semiahmoo have grown so rapidly services are stretched beyond capacity and response times are delayed. This would be the first time in almost 20 years that North Whatcom Fire has asked voters to reset the levy rate. If approved by the Fire District Commissioners, the public can expect a hearing next Spring. STORY: Strike yesterday at Starbucks  Yesterday was Red Cup Day, Starbucks’ official unveiling of their holiday-themed cups,  and more than 200 stores went on strike for unfair labor practices. One of those locations was the King and Iowa Street store. According to reports, Chloe Hogan, local barista and strike leader, claimed that her location unionized before the company released a benefits agreement – putting their workers at a disadvantage. They are hoping the strike gets the attention of executives.  All Bellingham locations are open this morning.  STORY: Rule announces run for re-election  State Representative Alicia Rule announced she will run for reelection to the Legislature next year. Rule seeks a third term in the 42nd District House seat she has held since 2021. This comes on the heels of defeat in this year’s race for Whatcom County executive. Rule, a moderate Democrat and Blaine resident who runs a therapy practice in Bellingham, has focused on bills intending to help children and families access mental health services. She has also supported law-and-order legislation related to lifting restrictions on police pursuits and criminalizing street drugs.  The 2024 campaign is due to begin in May while the Republican Party has already announced they will mount a challenge for the seat. STORY: Developer backs out of housing project A planned townhouse development in Bellingham that would have resulted in the removal of 327 trees, is on hold.  The Seattle-based developer, Stream Real Estate & Development, has withdrawn from the purchase. According to the Cascadia Daily News, the company cited declining real estate values due to a rapid increase in mortgage rates as the reason for their decision. Despite the developer’s withdrawal, the land use permit, issued in September, remains with the Bellingham Country Club.  The club plans to keep the property off the market, monitor real estate prices, and review options in 2024. The proposed project faced opposition from the Whatcom Million Trees Project, which argued against the loss of old-growth trees.  STORY: Free or cheap Friday It’s Free or Cheap Friday, and here are some weekend entertainment options. Starting today and continuing until Christmas Eve it’s the Allied Arts 44th Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts. With over 100 booths of local artisans and craftspeople, the festival is located at 1331 Commercial St, and open from 10AM to 6pm. On Saturday the NSEA (en-SEE) is hosting a Salmon Sighting event from 12-3pm on Fishtrap Creek at Bender Fields, Lynden. NSEA and the Whatcom Conservation District will be on hand to demystify the Northwest’s most iconic fish…admission is free. Also on Saturday, Ferndale Arts Commission is hosting “Art in Action”, a free event unite local artists and the public in a captivating experience. Head to the Pioneer Pavillion in Ferndale from 1-5pm. WX: WX Expect partly cloudy skies all day today, with a high of 52 degrees. Overnight, you can expect a few passing clouds, but mostly clear with a low of 37. Saturday should be a mix of clouds and sun, with more clouds rolling in as the day goes on. Highs should be near 55. The rain should start sometime Saturday evening, and continue into Sunday. …

November 17, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Bellingham man killed in wrong-way crash near Tacoma identified, City of Blaine hearing on public records ends in yelling, Port of Bellingham to vote on 2024 budget, New capital gains tax brings tax in nearly $900 mi for state, WA raises $260 million in most-recent carbon-pricing auction, Orca sightings around Washington break records, Storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County this weekend ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, the 16th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Bellingham man killed in wrong-way crash near Tacoma identified The Washington State Patrol has released the identities of two men who died following a wrong-way crash in Tacoma last month. One of them, 24-year-old Thomas C. Greenan, was from Bellingham. Greenan was driving south in the northbound lane of I-705 around 4 am on October 29th when he crashed head-on into another car, which was being driven north by 43-year-old Hassan H. Ali of Seattle. Both men were injured in the wreck and later died at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma. According to State Patrol, drugs and alcohol are thought to have played a role in the wreck. STORY: City of Blaine hearing on public records ends in yelling The Blaine City Council’s hearing on public records escalated into a heated exchange last night.  The fees discussed were public record requests for scanned copies and body-worn camera footage requests, respectively. The city, facing a surge in requests, justified the fees by citing the need to allocate significant time to fulfill requests under the Public Records Act. Despite opposition from speakers, the council approved the resolutions to increase fees in a 4-0 decision.  The meeting then became chaotic as speakers criticized the higher cost. The council attempted to enforce topic restrictions, leading to shouting and arguments among attendees. Some residents accused the council of limiting access to information, while others referenced Nazi Germany.  Police officers were called to the building, and tensions remained high. Some attendees say they will file public records violations with the Washington State Attorney General. STORY: Port of Bellingham to vote on 2024 budget Commissioners from the Port of Bellingham are due to vote on the port’s 2024 budget during their regular board meeting next Tuesday.  The Port generates money through property taxes, marinas in Bellingham and Blaine, the Bellingham International Airport and real estate. Expenditures focus on economic development, infrastructure preservation and environmental cleanup.  Although the 2024 budget is expected to be balanced, the port is projecting a $12 million deficit, due to capital works and environmental cleanup projects. According to Port officials, despite the deficit, the port has a healthy reserve and is expected to end 2024 with $27 million. Commissioners are also expected to approve a 1% property tax levy increase, which is the highest amount taxing districts may annually increase their levy without voter approval.  A public hearing on the draft budget is scheduled for this Tuesday’s meeting, which can be attended in-person, or online at the Port of Bellingham’s website. STORY: New capital gains tax brings in nearly $900 mi for state According to state officials, Washington’s new capital gains tax generated $890 million in its first year.  The tax, which went into effect in 2022, imposes a 7% tax on long-term capital asset sales exceeding $250,000, excluding real estate and retirement savings transactions.  The revenue will be divided with the first $500 million going to the Education Legacy Trust Account and the remainder to the common school construction account in the capital budget.  Lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee anticipate allocating over $1 billion from the capital gains tax for the 2023-25 budget, with discussions on spending plans expected in the upcoming legislative session.  STORY: WA raises $260 million in most-recent carbon-pricing auction The Washington state Department of Ecology says the recent carbon-emission allowances auction has generated approximately $260 million. Now, officials are exploring merging the state’s carbon-pricing market with California and Quebec. The carbon-pricing program is the cornerstone of the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, requiring the state’s biggest polluting businesses to reduce their emissions or purchase ‘allowances’ to cover their emissions. State officials plan to eventually reduce the number of allowances sold, ramping up pressure on the industries to lower their emissions. The goal is for Washington to be mostly carbon free by 2050. If successful, a merger could help settle the high prices of pollution, but relief would take time. Assuming Washington, California and Quebec agree to merge their markets, the earliest the process could be finished is 2025, according to state officials. However, members of the state Environmental Justice Council have cautioned against linking the three regions until more is known about how it would affect efforts to make meaningful pollution reductions in Washington. STORY: Orca sightings around Washington break records Bigg’s killer whales, or transients, have been making a reappearance in waters near Seattle.  According to the Orca Behavior Institute, there have been 1,270 sightings in the Salish Sea since October 2022. This is the ninth record breaking year for the species, calling into question their once transient behavior.  This uptick may be a result of last year’s voluntary slowdown of commercial ships in the Puget Sound, designed to decrease noise pollution.  However, the Marine Mammal Commission noted that the Southern Resident Orca population was at an estimated 74 in July. This is due to a lack of salmon, which are declining as ocean temperatures rise.  To report your own whale sightings, visit Orcanetwork.org  STORY: Storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County this weekend A storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County on Saturday will bring rain to the lowlands and snow to the mountains, along with strong winds that could cause power outages.  The National Weather Service forecasts a 20-to-30% chance of wind gusts to 40 mph. Rain is expected to start on Saturday evening, eventually tapering to showers on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to remain normal, with highs near 50 and lows in the 40s. This comes on the heels of last …

November 16, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Man recently awarded millions from state after years of abuse and neglect dies, North Cascades Highway partially reopens partially reopens after heavy snowfall, Providence nurses on strike, DOJ funds programs for juveniles in six Western Washington tribal communities, Lummi Nation, State and EPA ready grants to restore salmon habitat, improve water quality near Puget Sound, Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against WA’s carbon-pricing law, year anniversary of of bipartisan infrastructure law, many projects in Whatcom ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, the 15th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Man recently awarded millions from state after years of abuse and neglect has died A Whatcom County man who was recently awarded nearly $23 million from multiple state agencies after years of abuse and neglect has died. 67-year-old James Rupke (RUHP-key) passed away Sunday at the assisted living facility he had been living in for several months. Rupke won a lawsuit that accused the Department of Social and Health Services, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Northwest Regional Council of failing to protect him from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment by his state-paid caregiver. The lawsuit was the largest ever levied against DSHS for a severely disabled adult. The cause of death has not yet been determined. STORY: North Cascades Highway partially reopens after heavy snowfall A section of the North Cascades Highway reopened on Tuesday after being closed due to wintry weather over the weekend. The stretch of State Route 20 between the Ross Dam Trailhead and Silver Star Gate had been closed due to significant snowfall and slide concerns, but was cleared at 1pm yesterday as weather conditions improved. However, the Department of Transportation says the reopening is temporary, and the seasonal closure of the North Cascades Highway is pending. STORY: Providence nurses on strike Over 1,300 workers at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett are on strike as labor negotiations failed to produce a new contract. The strike, scheduled to last until Sunday morning, has led to concerns from hospital leaders about disruptions in patient care and the negotiation process for a new contract. According to recent reporting, the hospital claims to have had a seamless handoff of care with qualified nurses, while the union insists that conditions inside are not okay. The hospital has offered a 21.5% pay increase over three years, but the union says nurses need a 30% increase to stay competitive with contracts offered at other local hospitals. STORY: DOJ funds programs for juveniles in six Western Washington tribal communities, Lummi Nation The Department of Justice has allocated over $2 million in grants to tribal communities in Western Washington to improve services for juveniles. Six Western Washington tribes will receive money, including the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe who will each receive about $100,000. The grants, announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Tessa Gorman, cover a range of needs, including substance abuse and mental health treatment, academic support, and strategies to engage students in school. STORY: State and EPA ready grants to restore salmon habitat, improve water quality near Puget Sound The Environmental Protection Agency has allocated up to $30 million over the next six years to the Washington Department of Ecology to enhance the health of streams and rivers in the Puget Sound region. According to a recent release from Ecology, the funding aims to improve water quality, stream flows, and critical habitats by restoring native vegetation along riverbanks. Ecology will establish criteria for evaluating and implementing riverbank restoration projects in collaboration with partners such as the Washington State Conservation Commission. The initiative will ask farmers, landowners, counties, and others to identify suitable projects that will support local salmon runs, and protect waterways from the impacts of climate change. The funding is coming through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. STORY: Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against WA’s carbon-pricing law A federal judge has ruled against a natural gas power plant in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act. The law, enacted in 2021, requires top polluters to purchase greenhouse gas emissions allowances. Invenergy, the private operator of a natural gas power plant in Grays Harbor County, claimed discrimination against privately operated gas plants and unfair treatment as an out-of-state business. U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle dismissed the case, noting the Climate Commitment Act treats all owners of electric utilities and generating facilities the same, regardless of their location. Invenergy expressed disagreement with the ruling but affirmed support for Washington’s climate efforts. The ruling seems to strengthen the Climate Commitment Act against legal challenges, but according to recent reporting by the Seattle Times, right-wing groups are still seeking a 2024 ballot measure to repeal it. STORY: 2 year anniversary of of bipartisan infrastructure law, many projects in Whatcom Two years after President Biden signed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Washington state has received approximately $7.9 billion dollars from the legislation. According to a recent update from Senator Maria Cantwell, funding has been directed to various projects throughout the state, with 27 different projects funded in Whatcom County alone. Roads, bridges, transit, and climate resilience efforts are included in the projects to-date. Statewide, more than 465 grants had been allocated for infrastructure projects, totaling around $5.3 billion for transportation and $366 million for clean water projects. Examples of local projects funded by the Infrastructure act include the Lummi Island Ferry replacement, multiple fish passage projects, sidewalk upgrades in Everson and Birch Bay, and the Lake Samish Bridge. Large-scale projects state-wide include the expansion of the Port of Tacoma’s Husky Terminal, relocation of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe Upland Village, construction of a rail underpass in Washougal, and expansion of Spokane International Airport’s terminal. According to a release from the White House, $400 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been distributed throughout the country to over 40,000 specific projects across more than 4,500 communities in all 50 states, territories, and Tribes. WX: Clear Today will be mostly cloudy with a 60% chance of rain, with a high around 47° …

November 15, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Bellingham suffers weekend vandalism, Birch Bay awarded nearly $3m in state construction loans, Test of Canadian emergency alert system scheduled for Nov. 15th, Northwest Safe Trails Task Force awarded DOJ grant to enhance prosecutions in tribal communities, WNS – WA cap-and-trade spending falls short for frontline communities, Thurston County elections office is sixth in WA to receive suspicious envelope ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, the 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham park suffers weekend vandalism Boulevard park was damaged on Sunday after someone drove across its lawn. The damage was reported by a neighbor early Sunday morning. According to the Bellingham Herald, tires had ripped into the grass, leaving long tracks of dirt on the surface. Parks and Recreation Director Niclole Oliver considered the damage to be significant. A sign was also blown over in the same night, but this was found to be a result of a windstorm. A timeline and budget for the repairs is yet to be determined. STORY: Birch Bay awarded nearly $3m in state construction loans Birch Bay Water and Sewer District was granted two loans to improve water quality and supply. The first of the two loans will be put towards a new water storage tank at Point Whitehorn. The second will be used to replace water mains at Birch Bay and Semiahmoo (SEM-ee-AH-moo). Birch Bay is the largest urban growth area in Whatcom County, and currently serves over 8,000 water connections annually. Officials from the Water and Sewer district stated that the loans were essential to replace aging equipment, such as a 50-year-old pipe at the Birch Bay watershed.. Interest rates for the $3m project will be 1.65%, which will help keep water rates affordable. STORY: Test of Canadian emergency alert system scheduled for Nov. 15th A test of the Canadian Alert Ready system is scheduled for tomorrow at 1:55 PM. As a result, US residents near the border may receive emergency alert messages on phones and via Canadian television and radio broadcasts. The test will be similar to the American nation-wide test conducted earlier last month. STORY: Northwest Safe Trails Task Force awarded DOJ grant to enhance prosecutions in tribal communities The Northwest Safe Trails Task Force is set to receive almost $900,00 to help fight crime in tribal communities. The FBI’s Pacific Northwest Safe-Trails Task Force investigates major crimes on tribal land, and is a collaboration between the FBI and five local tribes– the Swinomish (SWIN-uh-mish), Tulalip (too-LAY-lip), Lummi, Nooksack, and Upper Skagit Tribes. In a recent release from the Department of Justice, it was announced that the five-year grant will support an additional federal prosecutor to handle cases in tribal or federal court. It will also support tribal law enforcement as they collaborate to combat drugs and violent crimes on tribal lands. The grant follows a successful two-year period during which over eight federal cases were prosecuted for armed drug dealing in tribal communities. The new Special Assistant US Attorney who is hired to work with the Safe Trails Task Force will join three other tribal liaisons working in the Western District of Washington. STORY: WNS – WA cap-and-trade spending falls short for frontline communities Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act promised funds for communities on the front lines of climate change. One group is tracking those dollars to make sure the state follows through. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. CAP AUDIO STORY: Thurston County elections office is sixth in WA to receive suspicious envelope The Thurston County Auditor’s Office is the latest election office to receive a suspicious envelope containing white powder. According to the Auditor’s Office, the county intercepted the envelope, which the U.S. Postal Service had sent advance warning about. Staff isolated the unopened envelope and turned it over to law enforcement. Ballot processing was not impacted. Five other Washington election offices previously received unknown white powder in their mail. King, Skagit, Spokane, and Pierce county offices were evacuated on Wednesday, and Snohomish County elections officials turned over a piece of suspicious mail to the FBI on Thursday. The envelopes sent to King and Spokane counties tested positive in a field test for traces of fentanyl, and the Pierce County envelope contained baking soda. No one has been harmed by the packages. WX: Clear Today will be mostly sunny, with a high near 50° degrees and a low of 37. Rain will come later tonight, continuing into tomorrow. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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. ### Run after ruling– The Washington State Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case involving the rights of people sheltering in their vehicles. A growing number of homeless individuals in Washington are living in their vehicles, but they face challenges due to local laws, including bans on vehicle habitation, restrictive parking rules, and towing. These laws often force people to leave their communities, even if they have lived there for a long time. Jack Potter, a longtime resident of Lacey, was forced to live in his travel trailer due to housing market pressures. Lacey passed a law prohibiting vehicles used as shelter from parking in town for more than four hours, essentially forcing Potter and others out of their community. Tomorrow, Potter’s case will be heard by the Washington Supreme Court.

October 14, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Thursday count seals races, Fleetwood, Chadwick concede, Student sues Lynden School District, educators for discrimination, defamation, Student sues Lynden School District, educators for discrimination, defamation, Birch Bay incorporation group seeks community input, North Cascades and other Washington passes temporarily closed, Washington makes its biggest forestland purchase in more than a decade, Swans have returned to Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, WDFW re-establishes hotline to report injuries ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, the 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Thursday count seals races, Fleetwood, Chadwick concede Election 2023 is over and Whatcom County residents have spoken. In the Bellingham mayoral race, incumbent Seth Fleetwood conceded late Thursday. Nonprofit leader Kim Lund is now set to become the next mayor with 52.9% of the vote. In the Whatcom County Sheriff contest, Donnell “Tank” Tanksley won the race with almost 52% of the vote. Undersheriff Doug Chadwick conceded Friday afternoon. Satpal Sidhu will return as Whatcom County executive, winning over 57% of the vote. Ben Ellenbaas, Jon Scanlon, and Mark Stremler all won their races for Whatcom county council positions. In Bellingham City Council races the winners are Hannah Stone, Dan Hammill, and Jace Cotton. The new jail tax passed, and Bellingham residents also approved community initiatives for a higher minimum wage and relocation assistance for rent increases. Some school board races remain too close to call, with the next ballot count scheduled for November 17 and final certification of all elections on November 28. STORY: Overnight high winds leave thousands without power across Whatcom County Storm winds late Friday night left thousands of homes across the county without power. According to Puget Sound Energy, 230 outages were reported since Friday night with amost 16,000 customers losing power. Winds as high as 67 mph were reported by the National Weather Service, knocking trees and other vegetation onto power lines. Among the largest outages was one affecting more than 2,500 customers in the Puget, Samish, and Happy Valley neighborhoods. Other large outages were recorded in Kendall and Blaine. PSE worked overnight and throughout Saturday morning to get the power restored. STORY: Student sues Lynden School District, educators for discrimination, defamation A former Lynden High School student is suing the school district and two educators for alleged discrimination and defamation. According to the lawsuit, the school district discriminated and defamed the student when teacher Julie Clift allegedly started a false sexual rumor about her, which impacted the student’s education. It also alleges that Lynden High School principal, Ian Freeman, failed to take steps to rectify the harm caused by the rumor, as well as failing to follow district policy regarding sexual harassment of its students. The student’s lawsuit accuses the educators and the district of violating her civil rights, including Title IX violations. The student has requested general, special, and punitive damages. Court documents show that she has also demanded a trial by jury on all issues. STORY: Birch Bay incorporation group seeks community input Next week, a community group will be voting on the boundaries of a potentially incorporated City of Birch Bay. The Birch Bay incorporation group will be meeting to discuss creating what would be the fourth largest city in Whatcom County. As a non-incorporated municipality, Birch Bay does not have its own local government. However, the group feels that its population of around 10,000 should be able to have representation and govern itself. The organization is advocating for Whatcom County to conduct a feasibility study on Birch Bay incorporation that would answer questions on city operating costs and tax revenue. The study would be an update to one done in 2008 to help determine whether the group wants to move forward. The Whatcom County Executive’s Office has given verbal support to help update the study. Whatcom County’s land use code states that the county will “actively support incorporation as appropriate” in Birch Bay. If bylaws are passed in the upcoming meeting, the association will have further communication with Whatcom County on the study. The meeting will take place on Wednesday at 5:30 pm at Christ the King Community Church. STORY: North Cascades and other Washington passes temporarily closed Due to the risk of snow slides, both directions of the North Cascades Highway have been closed. According to the WSDOT(WASH-dot), snow fell in the cascades at a rate of four to six inches an hour Saturday night, causing dangerous conditions. State Route 20 is closed from the west side of milepost 134 to the east side of milepost 171. The Cayuse (KAI-oos) and Chinook passes are also closed due to icy conditions. The Department of Transportation will provide an update on Tuesday. For more information on traveling for the holidays, visit WSDOT.wa.gov. STORY: Washington makes its biggest forestland purchase in more than a decade The Washington Department of Natural Resources will purchase about 9,000 acres of forestland in southwest Washington to generate revenue from logging. The transaction, which is the largest state land purchase in more than a decade, was approved by the State Board of Natural Resources last Tuesday. The land, located in Wahkiakum (wuh-Ki-uh-kuhm) County, will cost the state $55 million dollars. Money for the purchase will come from proceeds from previous land transactions and from revenue generated by the state’s auctions of air pollution allowances to businesses. Revenue from the land would benefit the Common School trust, which goes toward K-12 construction across the state. The property is currently owned by a private landowner. The deal is expected to close in mid-December. STORY: Swans have returned to Skagit, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties, WDFW re-establishes hotline to report injuries The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has reestablished a hotline to report sick, injured, or dead swans. The hotline is part of the WDFW’s ongoing effort to assess the impact of lead poisoning on trumpeter and tundra swans, which are returning to Whatcom County and other counties in western Washington. While lead shot has been banned for waterfowl hunting in the state …

November 13, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Update on vote count, Interview with Riley Sweeney, Person arrested after starting ‘unintentional’ fire at Planned Parenthood, Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire spoke to Congress about fentanyl in Indigenous communities, Ballot counts delayed after white powder, fentanyl sent to WA election offices, WSDOT on second day of real-time system data outage, Blaine substitute teacher arrested on suspicion of first-degree child molestation ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, November 9th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Update on vote count There have been some changes in the preliminary election results. Blaine Police Chief Donnell Tanksley passed Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick in the race for Whatcom County Sheriff. After the second round of ballots were counted, Tanksley leads by nearly 4 percent. In the race for Bellingham Mayor, incumbent Seth Fleetwood is trailing challenger Kim Lund, by 52% to 47% after a second day of counting. Fleetwood led on Election Night by 140 votes. Other races are looking decisive. Incumbent County Executive Satpal Sidhu may win reelection, as he leads Dan Purdy by more than 11 percentage points.  Scanlon is ahead of Ordos by 57% to 43% for the at-large county seat, which could change the political makeup of the council. The results will be updated later this week and certified on Nov. 28. STORY: Interview with Riley Sweeney Riley Sweeney is running for Meridian School District Position 5, and is narrowly behind his opponent in their race for the school board. KMRE reporter Connor O’Boyle sat down with Riley to learn more about why he chose to run. SWEENEY AUDIO STORY: Person arrested after starting ‘unintentional’ fire at Planned Parenthood A suspect was arrested in connection with a fire that took place at the Planned Parenthood facility on Ellis Street yesterday morning.  Fire alarms triggered around 4 a.m. Wednesday, and Bellingham fire crews arrived to find the front entryway on fire. A bench in the outside of the clinic was destroyed by the fire, which also caused damage to nearby walls, ceiling, lamps and a fixture that appeared to be a camera on the building. The total damage is estimated to be over $7,500. Clinic staff do not believe the act to have been malicious. Bellingham PD arrested and booked a yet unnamed male suspect into the Whatcom County Jail. The man is being held on suspicion of second-degree arson and first-degree malicious mischief. STORY: Lummi Nation Chairman Tony Hillaire spoke to Congress about fentanyl in Indigenous communities Leaders of Native American tribes detailed the fentanyl crisis in Indigenous communities during a Wednesday U.S. Senate hearing. One of those leaders was Lummi Chairman Tony Hillaire, who has declared a state of emergency in Lummi Nation. He and other tribal leaders in Washington state have been calling on Governor Inslee to declare its own public health emergency over the opioid crisis. At the meeting, tribal leaders discussed issues with jurisdiction. In 2021, the Supreme Court ruled that tribal officers have the authority to detain non-Natives suspected of committing crimes on reservations until non-Native law enforcement arrives, but the authority to detain can only go so far. If the nearest county can’t take that person, then the tribal police have to let them go. Leaders want to be able to charge that person in tribal court. More than 200 American Indian and Alaska Native people died from synthetic opioid overdoses from 2018 to 2022 in Washington state. STORY: Ballot counts delayed after white powder, fentanyl sent to WA election offices Ballot counts were delayed in several counties after an unknown white powder was found in envelopes, including traces of fentanyl in mail received by two of the offices. Election offices in King, Pierce, Skagit and Spokane counties were evacuated Wednesday after the white powder was found. Fentanyl was found in some envelopes sent to Spokane and King counties. Ballot counting was halted in those offices, as contact with fentanyl can cause overdose. The powder sent to the Pierce County Elections Office was determined to be baking soda. Included with that ballot was a vague message that referenced stopping the election. Governor Inslee condemned the incidents, calling it an “attack on democracy”. King County and Okanogan County election officials have previously received suspicious substances in envelopes during the Aug. 1 primary election. The Okanogan County envelope was determined to be unharmful while King County’s contained “trace” amounts of fentanyl. No workers were harmed by the incidents. STORY: WSDOT on second day of real-time system data outage Officials with the WSDOT said that a system outage that has affected both their website and mobile apps since early Tuesday is due to a security incident aimed at interrupting travel-related information. The outage was first reported about 6am on Tuesday. The result was disabled pages on the WSDOT website and blank real-time resources in the agency’s mobile apps. The outage appeared to continue as of this morning. WX: Rainy There’s rain in the afternoon today, with a high near 55° and light winds. Tonight will have a low of around 43, with wind having gusts of up to 20 mph. The rain will continue into tomorrow morning, and last throughout the weekend and all of next week. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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. ### STORY: Blaine substitute teacher arrested on suspicion of first-degree child molestation A substitute teacher at Blaine Middle School was arrested on a charge of first-degree child molestation on November 2nd.  61-year-old Gerald William Robinson had allegedly touched at least two underage girls inappropriately, and caused more than 10 others to feel uncomfortable by staring or making inappropriate comments. Blaine PD lieutenant Michael Munden stated that all of these incidents have …

November 9, 2023 News TranscriptRead More