Deputy-involved crash closes section of Hannegan during morning commute, Bellingham School District plots Roosevelt Elementary rebuild, Southbound I-5 at Portal Way fully blocked after collision, SNAP Recipients’ Funds Go Farther This Season with Unlimited Cost Matching, Child care grants adding nearly 30 spaces in Bellingham preschools, WA cherry growers get federal help after extreme heat hurt crops, WSDA local food system infrastructure grant applications open ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, March 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Deputy-involved crash closes section of Hannegan during morning commute First responders were dispatched yesterday at 6:40 a.m. to a crash involving a Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputy. In foggy conditions, a minivan ran a stop sign at the intersection of E Haxton and Hannegan roads, and crashed into the officer’s vehicle. Both of the drivers were treated for minor injuries after being transported to the hospital by ambulance. The roads approaching the intersection were closed for about three hours. The minivan driver was cited for a failure to yield, and driving without a license. STORY: Bellingham School District plots Roosevelt Elementary rebuild Parents and community members assembled at Roosevelt Elementary School yesterday to discuss plans to remodel the 52-year-old building. Requests for the new school building range from an air-conditioning system to improved bike, bus and pedestrian access, as well as keeping the school’s, quote, “neighborhood feel.” Director of Capital Projects for Bellingham Public Schools, Curtis Lawyer, says the new school will be a two-story, 64,000-square-foot building, and serve 450 students. The rebuild, which would be covered with money from a 2022 bond, will cost around $50 million and open by 2027 or ‘28, pending the approval of an additional bond for construction funds. The rebuild comes after a legislative report by the School Seismic Safety Project found that, in the event of an earthquake, the current Roosevelt Elementary building would be severely damaged, which would pose a threat to the lives of those inside the old building. STORY: Southbound I-5 at Portal Way fully blocked after collision Another crash happened later yesterday, when an accident blocked all lanes of southbound I-5 near Portal Way. First responders were dispatched about 2:55 pm due to reports of a vehicle hauler rolled over at the Portal Way southbound on-ramp. Officials reported that 2 additional vehicles were also involved in the crash and 2 people were injured. I-5 traffic was backed up for several miles north of Ferndale. Around 4 pm, WSDOT reported on Twitter that drivers on I-5 were using the on-ramp at Grandview as an off-ramp to circumvent the traffic, and warning of potential additional collisions. Traffic got back to normal around 5:15 p.m. after the scene had been cleared. Washington State Patrol Trooper Kelsey Harding says their investigation determined that the vehicle hauler was traveling too fast while attempting to enter southbound I-5 from Portal Way causing it to tip over and slide across lanes. A van traveling southbound then struck the hauler. The driver of the van suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the driver of the vehicle hauler was uninjured. STORY: SNAP Recipients’ Funds Go Farther This Season with Unlimited Cost Matching All three Whatcom County farmers markets have announced they will now accept SNAP Market Match with unlimited matches on local produce. According to an announcement by the county health department, $50,000 dollars in American Rescue Plan Act funds have been allocated by Whatcom County toward the initiative designed to support local farmers, enhance food security, and promote healthy eating habits among SNAP users. Previously, pandemic-era programs provided limited matching funds, but with the infusion of county funds, the markets can now offer a dollar-for-dollar match with no transaction limit. The new initiative builds on the success of a previous pilot program funded by a PeaceHealth Community Benefit Grant, which demonstrated significant increases in SNAP Market Match usage and improved food access for low-income residents. The initiative also aligns with Whatcom County’s Food System Plan and its goals of building a resilient local food economy and ensuring access to healthy food for all. STORY: Child care grants adding nearly 30 spaces in Bellingham preschools Two Bellingham preschool programs have secured grants from the Washington State Dept of Commerce to improve child care access. Gabriel’s Art Kids, located in the Lettered Streets neighborhood, will receive $600,000 to add 19 spaces, while A Child’s Life Learning Center will get almost $60,000 dollars to accommodate 10 more children. Access to quality child care is recognized as crucial for working families in Whatcom County. Recent initiatives such as integrating child-care centers into housing projects and the passing of a 10-year tax in Whatcom County for children’s education have also tried to address some of those needs. STORY: WA cherry growers get federal help after extreme heat hurt crops Federal disaster relief loans are now available to Washington’s cherry growers. Last summer, Washington’s sweet cherry growers suffered nearly $100 million dollars in losses due to extreme heat, which caused all the trees to bloom at once. This sudden surge in production flooded the market, leading to a sharp decline in cherry prices and resulting in financial setbacks for the growers. Lobbying efforts by congressional officials, including Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray as well as Representative Kim Schrier (SCHRY-er), have encouraged the U.S. Department of Agriculture to offer relief loans of up to $500,000 to help mitigate losses. The disaster declaration aims to assist growers in continuing operations during the upcoming season. Eligible areas for the loans include various counties in Washington and Oregon. The loans can be used for equipment, livestock, restructuring farming operations, or debt refinancing. Applications will be accepted until November. WX: Sun Your Whatcom County weather – today will be cloudy, with a high of 55 degrees and moderate winds. Tonight, expect rain with a low of 45. Tomorrow will bring more rain and similar temperatures. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman and Tristan Trudell. …
KMRE NEWS Transcripts
March 19, 2024 News Transcript
Suspect charged in apparent overdose death of Whatcom County Jail inmate, Single-bin recycling poised to spread beyond Bellingham after Whatcom County Council vote, Woman pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder and receives 10-year sentence, PeaceHealth to open Lynden clinic in April, NW Washington Fair adds acclaimed rapper, actor to entertainment lineup, WA students soon may not have to take the bar exam to become attorneys, Alaska Airlines blames Boeing for blowout, wants out of passenger lawsuit ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, March 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Suspect charged in apparent overdose death of Whatcom County Jail inmate A 38-year-old Everett man already incarcerated in the Whatcom County Jail is suspected of providing drugs to two other prisoners, leading to their overdoses. Last Monday, 28-year-old Andre Haas (ON-dray HOSS) was found dead in his cell and attempts to revive him with Narcan failed. Haas’s cellmate also overdosed but was still alive and taken to St. Joe’s for treatment. Yesterday, the Bellingham Police Department arrested Angel Lewis Leffingwell on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance by a prisoner and controlled substance homicide. Leffingwell had been incarcerated in the downtown Whatcom County Jail since February 25th and it is unclear how he got access to the drugs. The Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Response Team is currently investigating. STORY: Single-bin recycling poised to spread beyond Bellingham after Whatcom County Council vote Whatcom County residents may soon follow Bellingham’s lead and adopt single-bin recycling for curbside pickups. County Council members unanimously voted to proceed with a public hearing today to implement this practice under the Sanitary Service Company waste contract. The move aims to simplify recycling for customers, save on fuel costs, reduce street litter, and minimize driver injuries. Although single-stream recycling may decrease the actual amount recycled due to increased spoilage, officials highlight its overall benefits. Currently, Bellingham residents and SSC customers must sort recyclables into separate crates, but the new method consolidates all recycling into a single 96-gallon container. The program, previously trialed in 2022, is now being rolled out in Bellingham, accompanied by a switch from weekly to bi-weekly recycling pickup. Supporters acknowledge the potential decrease in recycling but emphasize the benefits, advocating for additional measures like bottle and can deposits and the WRAP Act to reduce landfill waste. The County Council hearing is scheduled for tonight’s meeting, starting at 6pm. Those interested can attend in person, or online. STORY: Woman pleads guilty to 2nd-degree murder and receives 10-year sentence A Whatcom woman has been sentenced to 10 years in prison in relation to a fatal hit-and-run incident almost two years ago. 27-year-old Rayven Butler-Washington pleaded guilty to a count of second-degree murder following a hit-and-run incident which resulted in the death of a 38-year-old man from Deming. The man had gotten into an argument with Butler-Washington just before the incident. The County Sheriff’s Office arrested Butler-Washington a few weeks later, and she remained in custody at Whatcom County Jail with a million-dollar bond requirement until her sentencing on March 11th. In addition to jail time, Butler-Washington will serve 3 years of community custody. Court documents reveal that charges of vehicular homicide and hit-and-run resulting in death were dropped. STORY: PeaceHealth to open Lynden clinic in April PeaceHealth announced they will open a new clinic in Lynden. The over 22,000-square-foot facility on Benson Road will open on April 15th and offer primary care as well as specialties such as OB/GYN services, cardiology, and orthopedics. Mount Baker Imaging and Quest Diagnostics will provide on-site imaging and lab services. A community open house is scheduled for May 16th. STORY: NW Washington Fair adds acclaimed rapper, actor to entertainment lineup Ludacris is coming to the NW Washington Fair this summer. The Grammy-award winning rapper and star of the Fast and Furious series will appear on the last day of the fair, which runs from August 8th to the 17th. The fair program has yet to be finalized, and announcements for performances are ongoing. Tickets for his show go on sale on March 22. STORY: WA students soon may not have to take the bar exam to become attorneys On Friday the state supreme court ruled that Washington students no longer need to take the bar exam to become attorneys. A bar licensure task force seated in 2020 discovered that the test was minimally effective and provided unnecessary barriers for marginalized law students. State Supreme Court Justice Raquel Montoya-Lewis, who chaired the task force, said that creating alternative requirements would allow for more diversity in the field without decreasing competency. In place of the exam, law students would submit a portfolio based on their 500 hours of experience as an intern. The specifics and materials are yet to be developed in full. Washington is the second state to implement this change following Oregon, which started the process at the beginning of the year. STORY: Alaska Airlines blames Boeing for blowout, wants out of passenger lawsuit Alaska Airlines is redirecting the blame of the flight 1282 fuselage panel blowout to Boeing. The accident, which occurred in January, caused the fuselage panel to fall off the plane – leaving a gaping hole on its side. No one was hurt but many claim to have experienced headaches and sensitivity to loud noises following the flight. In court filings this week, Alaska asked U.S. District Judge Ricardo Martinez to dismiss claims regarding the incident against their company. Alaska’s attorney argues that the alleged damages were caused by, quote, “entities out of the company’s control.” They direct the responsibility toward Boeing as well as its supplier, Spirit Aerosystems, the company who made the malfunctioning fuselage panel. Lawyer Mark Linquist, who is representing passengers in one lawsuit, argues that both companies are to blame. He says Alaska Airlines allowed the plane to fly despite there being a restriction on the plane, while Boeing failed to properly test the plane for safety. Both companies claim they are not responsible, and say they are …
March 18, 2024 News Transcript
Whatcom County jury clears on all charges man who fatally shot his father in 2022, Police say Sehome HS “threat” was misunderstanding, Two drug dealers sentenced after arrest in Bellingham, Ski to Sea selling out months early, plans to modify race in the works, Whatcom Chief ferry dry dock schedule pending shipyard bids, From Bellingham to Hoquiam, temps hit record highs this weekend, WSP pays $1.4M to settle lawsuit alleging trooper targeted drivers of color, Alaska Airlines blames Boeing for blowout, wants out of passenger lawsuit ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, March 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Whatcom County jury clears on all charges man who fatally shot his father in 2022 An Everson man who was accused of the 2022 murder of his father has been cleared of all charges. A jury acquitted 23-year-old Ethan Michael Knight following 2 days of deliberation. The jury ruled that Ethan Knight acted in self-defense, protecting both himself and his mother, when he pulled the trigger, killing his 46-year-old father. The verdict was read aloud to a packed courtroom late Friday afternoon. After Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Rob Olson excused the jury and released members of the public from keeping decorum in the courtroom, numerous people cheered and broke into tears. His 3-week jury trial was successfully argued by the Whatcom County Public Defender’s Office. STORY: Police say Sehome HS “threat” was misunderstanding After a lockdown last week at Sehome High School, police are now saying that it was all a misunderstanding. The High School was locked down on Friday at 1:15pm due to reports of an active shooter. The lockdown was then downgraded to a Hold, and students were kept in classrooms while the school was swept. The Bellingham Police Department and Western’s university police found no threat and the hold was lifted. The next day, BPD reported that the threat was all a misunderstanding when a situation elsewhere got mistaken for Sehome. Social media users say the miscommunication happened when the Sehome Drama department was competing at Central Washington University, where an active shooter situation was happening. One of the students called their parents and during the exchange, a misunderstanding happened and the parent called 911, assuming the shooter was at Sehome. One person was killed in the shooting near Central Washington University. STORY: Two drug dealers sentenced after arrest in Bellingham Two Mexican citizens, Juan Manuel Lugo Enriquez and Guillermo Vieyra (VEE-era) Salas, were sentenced to federal prison on Friday for selling over 75,000 fentanyl pills in Bellingham. Lugo Enriquez received a 38-month sentence while Vieyra Salas was sentenced to 48 months. The investigation, aided by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office as well as Homeland Security, involved undercover officers arranging a deal at Bellingham International Airport in September of 2022. Vieyra Salas had previous charges including a drive-by shooting and cocaine trafficking. A third defendant who delivered the fentanyl, Jaime (HIGH-may) Alonso Hernandez-Hernandez, is awaiting sentencing on June 7. STORY: Ski to Sea selling out months early, plans to modify race in the works Ski to Sea participation tickets are selling out quickly. The event, scheduled for May, is a 7 leg multi-sport relay race. Out of the 500 slots in total, 416 have already been claimed. To address concerns of low snowpack levels, organizers are developing contingency plans and will make a final determination during the first week of April. If necessary, the ski portion will likely be replaced by an alpine run and a coastal mountain bike ride. Registration is open until May 24th, with the fee for high school teams being waived. STORY: Whatcom Chief ferry dry dock schedule pending shipyard bids Whatcom County Public Works Ferry Division scheduled dry dock for the Lummi Island ferry has been pushed back. Officials now say they expect the Whatcom Chief to be in a four-week dry dock sometime from April 18th to May 17th. This adjustment may result in pedestrian-only service during Memorial Day weekend. Bids for the upcoming ferry maintenance project will open on March 26th— officials expect to announce finalized dates after the bid is awarded. STORY: From Bellingham to Hoquiam, temps hit record highs this weekend This St. Paddy’s day weekend showed summer-like record high temperatures for Western Washington. According to the National Weather Service, Seattle, Olympia, and Bellingham broke temperature records. On Saturday, SeaTac airport reached 74 degrees, beating the last record high of 72 degrees set back in 1947. Sunday was slightly colder, but was still warm enough to beat the Bellingham record set in 2019. According to meteorologist Steve Reedey, the unexpected warmth was caused by a high pressure ridge arriving a month earlier than normal. Typically, our first 70-degree day is April 15th on average, and last weekend was one of 15 instances in the past 78 years in which this has occurred. However, temperatures are expected to return to the mid 50s with rain by midweek, according to the weather service. STORY: WSP pays $1.4M to settle lawsuit alleging trooper targeted drivers of color The Washington State Patrol has settled a federal lawsuit alleging one of their officers targeted people of color and immigrants with pretextual stops. The plaintiffs are all Black immigrants, and were arrested for impaired driving, though subsequent blood tests showed no intoxication. Internal documents revealed Trooper Cameron Osmer had a high number of arrests without intoxicants, with the majority being people of color. Osmer faced previous disciplinary actions for misconduct, including falsifying overtime. The lawsuit points out that despite other troopers’ concerns over the number of negative toxicology reports and arrests by Osmer without charges, he was recognized and given a commemorative plaque by patrol leadership for having the most DUI arrests in 2021. WSP spokesperson Chris Loftis reiterated the agency’s commitment to unbiased police work, pointing out Osmer’s arrests identified “deficiencies” but revealed no violation of WSP policy. Lawyers for the plaintiffs say the $1.4 million dollar settlement reflects a systemic issue within the State Patrol, …
March 15, 2024 News Transcript
Port of Bellingham sues waterfront developer after contract defaults, extension requests, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Awards Grants for Interpretation Projects, including KMRE’s Love Your Waterfront, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Awards Grants for Interpretation Projects, including KMRE’s Love Your Waterfront, Interview with Mayor Lund, Survey shows youth health better than expected, Judge rejects challenge to Washington gun control law, Free and Cheap, Alaska Airlines blames Boeing for blowout, wants out of passenger lawsuit ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, March 15th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Port of Bellingham sues waterfront developer after contract defaults, extension requests The Port of Bellingham filed a lawsuit against Harcourt Developments, the company responsible for constructing three unfinished multi-million-dollar residential condo buildings along Bellingham’s waterfront. According to port officials, the company defaulted on its development contract last year and their request for an extension was denied. Repeated failures to meet contractual obligations and environmental violations marked the company’s time on the waterfront. The lawsuit is now seeking declaratory judgment, attorney’s fees, and further relief from the court. Harcourt was originally selected in 2015 as the lead developer for about 19 acres of the Waterfront District but had it reduced to 8. The company was expected to complete its three residential buildings by the end of 2023, but now has no timeline for completion. STORY: Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Awards Grants for Interpretation Projects, including KMRE’s Love Your Waterfront KMRE has been awarded a Maritime Washington National Heritage Area grant for the local radio show Love Your Waterfront. The $5,000 dollar grant is part of a series designed to support storytelling around the people and resources who live along the waters of Washington. Show producer, Susan Lindsey, says the money will help increase the reporting of sound stories and news from the maritime community in Whatcom County. LINDSEY AUDIO Love Your Waterfront is a collaboration between KMRE Community Radio, Bellingham SeaFeast, Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition, and Bellingham Tourism. STORY: Interview with Mayor Lund In an interview with KMRE Wednesday, Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund talked about her first 72 days in office and touched on her top priorities. Mayor Lund talked about a recently announced collaboration between the City and the Bellingham School District. LUND EXCITING AUDIO When asked if the move fundamentally changes the Bellingham parks system, the Mayor had this to say– LUND PARKS NOT FOR SALE AUDIO To find out more about some of Mayor Lund’s top priorities, listen to the complete interview today after the 5pm news right here on KMRE 88.3FM. STORY: Survey shows youth health better than expected The Washington State Department of Health released the results of its 2023 Healthy Youth Survey, showing that youth health is better than expected. The project covered 217,000 students in grades 6 through 12. The survey showed improved health behaviors and mental health, along with increased social support. Substance use by Washington 10th graders has remained stable, with about 8% of students currently vaping, drinking, or using cannabis. There has been an uptrend in the use of prescription and other drugs, but this represents less than 3% of 10th graders. The Department acknowledges that more work needs to be done. Mental health outcomes among 10th graders are improving, but remain concerning, especially for youth who already face more barriers to mental health support. According to the new data, depression significantly decreased from 2021. Even so, 30% of 10th graders reported persistent depressive feelings, and nearly 15% reported suicide ideation. While these numbers are fairly high, it is also the lowest rate for Washington in 20 years. Still, officials are encouraged by the increase of students that feel that they have access to support and information if they need it. STORY: Judge rejects challenge to Washington gun control law A federal judge dismissed a challenge to Washington’s new gun law, which requires gun manufacturers and dealers to take reasonable steps to prevent their products from reaching the wrong hands. The law, known as the Firearm Industry Responsibility & Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice Act, aims to address loopholes in Federal gun law which shield the industry from liability. The law was challenged by the National Shooting Sports Foundation in federal court last year immediately after it was signed into law. U.S. District Judge Mary K. Dimke (DIM-kee) rejected the lawsuit in a decision Friday, saying the organization had not established legal standing to challenge the measure. She noted that its members were neither being sued under the law nor had they expressed intent to violate its terms. This is the eighth challenge to SB 5078 that Attorney General Ferguson has successfully defeated. Similar laws in other states, including New York, have also withstood legal challenges. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend? Here are two festivals happening this weekend. The Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival is taking place in Blaine this weekend. It began this morning, but the main event is the birding-expo at Blain Pavilion on Saturday from 10am to 5pm. The birding expo will have a live raptor presentation from Sardis Raptor Center, youth activities, arts and crafts, wildlife exhibits and other activities. A full schedule of events for the weekend is available at WingsOverWaterBirdingFestival.com. No registration is necessary for the free events. The second festival taking place is the Whatcom Cultural Art Festival, hosted at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Also running from Friday to Sunday, the event is open each day from 11am to 6pm. The festival features musical performances, food, art vendors, and more. A full program is available at AlliedArts.org. WX: Sun Your Whatcom County weather – today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 64 degrees and calm winds. Tonight will be clear and have a low of 44. It will be sunny and warmer all weekend, with temperatures nearly reaching 70 degrees. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, …
March 14, 2024 News Transcript
Presidential Primary Results for Whatcom, Inmate dies in Whatcom County jail of apparent drug overdose, Interview with Mayor Lund, Salvation Army food pantry celebrates expansion in Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood, Gov. Signs Bill to Recognize Lunar New Year, Kreidler fines Molina Healthcare $100,000 for enrollment and billing errors, Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Awards Grants for Interpretation Projects, including KMRE’s Love Your Waterfront, Judge rejects challenge to Washington gun control law ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, March 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Presidential Primary Results for Whatcom Presidential primary results have been released for Whatcom County. Both Biden and Trump won their respective primaries, by wide margins. Biden won 81% of the vote, with 11% voting uncommitted delegates. Trump won 75% of the vote, and Nikki Haley got 20%. Whatcom’s results mirror the statewide results very closely. The 2024 Presidential Election will take place on November 5th. STORY: Inmate dies in Whatcom County jail of apparent drug overdose A Whatcom County Jail inmate was found dead and a cellmate hospitalized after apparent overdoses. According to a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announcement yesterday, an attempt was made to resuscitate the inmates but was only successful with one of them. The resuscitated inmate was taken to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. It is unclear how the cellmates obtained the drugs. In the release, Sheriff Donnell (duh-NELL) Tanksley said that his office is reviewing the jail’s drug screening procedures. The exact circumstances of the death are under investigation by the Law Enforcement Mutual Aid Response Team and will be made public. STORY: Interview with Mayor Lund In an interview with KMRE yesterday, Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund talked about her first 72 days in office and touched on her top priorities. Key among them is resolving a more than 4 million dollar deficit. Pointing to a combination of declining tax revenue and overhiring, Lund says solving the shortfall will require a new approach. Lund Deficit Audio Lund says the City increased staffing by more than 30% in the last five years– a level the new income prediction does not support. However, when asked about the possibility of layoffs, she had this to say: Lund Layoffs Audio Lund says Federal funding has been able to backfill around declining tax dollars, however, she plans to address the deficit head-on and with transparency across the entire organization. She sees the situation as an opportunity to reevaluate how things are done in municipal government, and says, although it’s unfortunate, Bellingham is not the only city facing this kind of financial strain. Lund Many Munis Audio To find out more about some of Mayor Lund’s top priorities, listen to the complete interview tomorrow after the 5pm news right here on KMRE 88.3FM. STORY: Salvation Army food pantry celebrates expansion in Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood The Salvation Army food pantry celebrated its expansion this week in Bellingham’s Birchwood neighborhood. Birchwood was classified as a food desert after it lost its grocery store in 2016. The new pantry, at 1515 Birchwood Ave., served as a Salvation Army thrift store in recent years before being converted into a traditional food bank and now transitioning to a grocery store model. The self-serve style of the pantry allows food bank users to shop around the space like a grocery store, picking up items for themselves and their families. All food is free to pick up. In the last several years, the need for food banks has increased. The Birchwood food bank has historically fed about 3,000 families each month, distributing about 1.5 million pounds of food in the last 12 months. The food bank is open 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Donations are welcome. STORY: Gov. Signs Bill to Recognize Lunar New Year In an historic move, Governor Inslee signed the bill establishing Lunar New Year as a recognized holiday in Washington. Sponsored by Representative My-Linh Thai, the bill celebrates the cultural contributions of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Innslee had this to say about it: LUNAR AUDIO Washington is now the fourth state to officially recognize the holiday, after California, New Jersey, and Colorado. STORY: Kreidler fines Molina Healthcare $100,000 for enrollment and billing errors Washington State Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler announced Tuesday that Molina Healthcare will be fined $100,000 due to errors in enrollment and billing systems. Kreidler said the problems at Molina are long standing. The Commission review began in 2021, and issues persisted even after a third-party platform was set in place in April of that year. Molina was found to have wrongly terminated customers for non-payment, denied coverage for people with pre-authorizations, and sent out incorrect invoices. Kreidler says the $100,000 fine is intended to encourage Molina to address these issues. Molina has been operating as an HMO in Washington since 1985. WX: Sun Your Whatcom County weather – today will be mostly sunny, with a high of 56 degrees and calm winds. Clouds will roll in tonight, as temperatures drop to a low of 39. Tomorrow will be sunny and warmer, with temperatures in the high 60s. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman and Tristan Trudell. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening. ## STORY: Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Awards Grants for Interpretation Projects, including KMRE’s Love Your Waterfront STORY: Judge rejects challenge to Washington gun control law A federal judge dismissed a challenge to Washington’s new gun law, which requires gun manufacturers and dealers to take reasonable steps to prevent their products from reaching the wrong …
March 13, 2024 News Transcript
Court postpones hearing for Bellingham police sergeant accused of domestic violence, Deputies use spike strip, PIT maneuver to make fentanyl arrest after early-morning chase, Homeless, service providers protest impending clearing of Bellingham Walmart encampment, Campus-wide test of Western Alert Emergency Communications on Thursday, Judge rejects challenge to Washington gun control law, WA expanding health care options for undocumented immigrants, $500K will fund genetic genealogy testing for all unidentified remains in Washington ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, March 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Court postpones hearing for Bellingham police sergeant accused of domestic violence A Bellingham police sergeant accused of domestic violence is having his hearing postponed. Bellingham Police Department Sgt. Joshua Richard McKissick (muh-KIZ-ick), aged 44, is being accused of domestic violence and sexual abuse. On February 26th, McKissick was ordered to surrender multiple firearms and had an emergency domestic violence protection order was issued against him. According to court documents, the protection order was issued in relation to a woman known to McKissick and her two children. A full hearing on the victim’s petition for a permanent two-year-long domestic violence protection order was scheduled for Monday, but has been rescheduled for April 11th. According to court commissioner Lisa Keeler, the hearing was rescheduled in order to give McKissick’s attorney time to get acquainted with the case, and based on the availability of the attorneys and the court. McKissick was originally put on desk duty in December, after BPD became aware of the domestic abuse and sexual violence allegations. Following the court orders in February, McKissick was placed on paid administrative leave. STORY: Deputies use spike strip, PIT maneuver to make fentanyl arrest after early-morning chase A Bellingham man is facing drug charges after being stopped by police in a high speed car chase. Lance David Perrine (per-RINE), aged 45, was found by deputies passed out in his car at around 5 a.m. on March 8th. They reportedly discovered drug paraphernalia in his lap and 30 grams of fentanyl in his vehicle. Before waking him, they placed a spike strip behind his car in an attempt to halt his escape. He was able to flee the scene, as officers followed close behind. They subsequently performed a PIT maneuver, forcing Perrine into a ditch. He was subsequently detained by authorities and brought to Peacehealth St. Joseph Medical Center, in case of injuries. Perrine was booked at Whatcom County Jail yesterday, for a DUI, driving without a valid license, possession of a controlled substance, and suspicion of eluding an officer. STORY: Homeless, service providers protest impending clearing of Bellingham Walmart encampment People experiencing homelessness and their advocates gathered on Saturday to protest the impending clearing of the encampment near Walmart. Around 15 people were seen demonstrating on the corner of Meridian and East Stuart road near the camp entrance. They carried signs expressing their concern with removing people from a camp spot when there is no alternative housing to support them. The proposed clearing of the encampment is the result of a lawsuit filed by the city of Bellingham against the property owner after complaints and safety concerns from local residents and business owners. Many of the Walmart encampment residents moved there after a similar camp behind the Bellingham Winco was cleared out last May – also due to a lawsuit against the landowner. Current camp Residents say many of them have no living options if the encampment gets shut down. STORY: Campus-wide test of Western Alert Emergency Communications on Thursday Western Washington University will conduct a campus-wide test of its emergency alert system tomorrow at 10:50 in the morning. The comprehensive test will include digital notifications, including text, email, webpage, desktop, social media, and campus information boards. Audible announcements will be transmitted both inside and outside, and fire alarms are expected to strobe. The university says text messages are one of the most reliable ways to quickly provide emergency information, and urges Western users to update their personal information via the Web4U application. STORY: Judge rejects challenge to Washington gun control law A federal judge dismissed a challenge to Washington’s new gun law, which requires gun manufacturers and dealers to take reasonable steps to prevent their products from reaching the wrong hands. The law, known as the Firearm Industry Responsibility & Gun Violence Victims’ Access to Justice Act, aims to address loopholes in Federal gun law which shield the gun industry from liability. The law was challenged by the National Shooting Sports Foundation in federal court last year immediately after it was signed into law. U.S. District Judge Mary K. Dimke (DIM-kee) rejected the lawsuit in a decision Friday, saying the organization had not established legal standing to challenge the measure. She noted that its members were neither being sued under the law nor had expressed an intent to violate its terms. This is the eighth challenge to SB 5078 that Attorney General Ferguson has successfully defeated. Similar laws in other states, including New York, have also withstood legal challenges. STORY: WA expanding health care options for undocumented immigrants Washington is expanding healthcare options for undocumented immigrants. This term the Legislature agreed to allocate an additional $28 million to accommodate 16,000 undocumented immigrants who applied for Apple Health coverage during the latest enrollment period. Starting in July, Apple Health will expand to cover undocumented immigrants whose incomes are 138% below the federal poverty level. Undocumented workers have been able to buy private health insurance since last year, after the state’s waiver application was approved by both the Health and Human Services Department and the Department of the Treasury. The waiver also allows for immigrants to apply for Medicaid, and assistance through the federal government’s Premium Tax Credit program. STORY: $500K will fund genetic genealogy testing for all unidentified remains in Washington The Washington Legislature has approved funds for genetic genealogy and DNA testing to decrease the backlog of unidentified remains in the state. $500,000 dollars be used to supplement existing state and …
March 12, 2024 News Transcript
Bellingham to have equal footing with Whatcom County on metal-shredder review, Two waterfront cleanups on Cornwall Avenue to begin next year ahead of future park, Two waterfront cleanups on Cornwall Avenue to begin next year ahead of future park, WA ferry crew, Coast Guard rescue 6 people, 2 dogs in Rosario Strait, Larsen Secures $19.3 Million for Fifteen Local Projects in Fiscal Year 2024 Spending Package, WA approves more funds for tenant attorneys as evictions remain high, WA expanding health care options for undocumented immigrants ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, March 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham to have equal footing with Whatcom County on metal-shredder review The Bellingham City Council will now jointly investigate with Whatcom County the environmental impact of the proposed mental shredder. The city council voted unanimously yesterday to co-lead the environmental investigation of ABC Recycling’s controversial proposed project on Marine Drive, even though the facility would be outside city limits. In an email from county Planning Director Mark Personius, Whatcom County has jurisdiction but would welcome the help. The timeline for completing the review isn’t clear but likely is several months away. County planners are preparing to request a consultant to review the potentially significant impacts to air quality, stormwater, and noise and traffic levels in the Alderwood area. The changes also would be felt all the way to the Bellingham Shipping Terminal, as the processed metal would be trucked from Marine Drive to the waterfront for export. According to city council member Dan Hammill, these wide-ranging effects were a good reason for the city to help in the environmental review. In an interview with Cascadia Daily News, ABC Community Relations Manager Riley Sweeney said that ABC takes no issue with the decision, and are confident that they are building a state-of-the-art facility. Only county officials will have a role in deciding final approval of the project. STORY: Two waterfront cleanups on Cornwall Avenue to begin next year ahead of future park A new 17-acre waterfront park is scheduled to open by 2027 at the former RG Haley and Cornwall Avenue Landfill sites along Bellingham Bay. The project, aimed at enhancing waterfront areas, includes cleanup efforts alongside construction of the new Salish Landing Park. The Cornwall Landfill operated from the late 1800s to 2005, while the RG Haley site was used from the mid-1800s to 1985 for various industrial purposes. Cleanup plans for the sites were finalized in 2014 and 2018, respectively. Cleanup costs are estimated at around $28 million for RG Haley and $17 million for Cornwall Landfill, with anticipated state funding covering 50%. Phase one of construction, costing $2 and half million, will provide beach access, trails, plants, and parking. Phase two, estimated at $13 million, is in development. Construction is expected to begin in 2025, with phase one opening in 2027. Concerns about parking space were raised during a public comment period, but plans are based on a 2014 master plan, with opportunities for refinement in the future. STORY: WA ferry crew, Coast Guard rescue 6 people, 2 dogs in Rosario Strait On Saturday, a Washington State Ferries crew helped the Coast Guard rescue six people and two dogs from a boat in Rosario Strait. According to the Coast Guard station in Bellingham, a 37-foot cabin cruiser called for assistance during bad weather near Decatur (duh-KEI-tur) Island around noon. A wave over the bow shattered the boat’s front windshield, injuring some of the boaters and causing the vessel to take on water. The boaters shared their GPS position before their radio lost communications. The Coast Guard issued an Urgent Marine Information Broadcast — a radio message for all boaters in the area — and dispatched vessels and a helicopter. Before the Coast Guard arrived, the ferry Samish responded and launched its rescue boat. Four boaters were taken on board the ferry, and the ferry used its size to shield the damaged boat from wind and waves. A Coast Guard boat responded soon after and took the two other passengers and their dogs on board. The Coast Guard drove the cabin cruiser safely to Anacortes while the Samish shielded it from the wind. Once on shore, the Anacortes Fire Department took the boaters to EMS to be checked for any injuries. STORY: Larsen Secures $19.3 Million for Fifteen Local Projects in Fiscal Year 2024 Spending Package Representative Rick Larsen has announced more than $19 million in funding for 15 local projects. The Fiscal Year 2024 spending package will go to critical projects across the state. The funding will benefit Bellingham, Lummi Nation, and Whatcom County as well as Mount Vernon, Skagit County, and other areas in our region. Some projects include the Lummi Indian Nation’s Slater Road Elevation Project, Mount Vernon’s Library Commons Project, Lynden’s Bradley Road Safety Improvements, and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office’s Rapid DNA System. The package now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. STORY: WA approves more funds for tenant attorneys as evictions remain high Amid a surge in eviction cases in Washington, the state is allocating additional funds to provide legal representation for low-income tenants facing eviction. Lawmakers have approved $3 million for the Office of Civil Legal Aid’s right-to-counsel program, who will hire 10 more attorneys to reach a total of 80 statewide. The move aims to address the imbalance in legal representation between landlords and tenants, particularly in areas with high eviction rates. However, some landlords advocate that funds be allocated to financial assistance for tenants who are behind on rent instead. The spike in eviction filings follows the expiration of pandemic-era tenant protections, leading to concerns about housing instability and homelessness. Since its inception, the program has represented tenants in about 15,000 cases, primarily related to unpaid rent. Although challenges such as attorney shortages and burnout exist, legal representation has proven effective in preventing evictions and mitigating harmful outcomes for tenants. The program’s budget for the upcoming year stands at approximately $18 million …
March 11, 2024 News Transcript
Bellingham Police sergeant accused of physical, sexual abuse of a woman; placed on leave, Deep cleaning downtown, ew Blaine substance use recovery center provides personalized, long-term care, Man pleads guilty to human smuggling over border in Blaine, Mount Baker School District to sell historic Hopewell Grange building, WA libraries will get Dungeons & Dragons kits for patrons to use, Bills to bolster Whatcom Co. courts ahead of water-rights proceedings sent to Inslee ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, March 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Bellingham Police sergeant accused of physical, sexual abuse of a woman; placed on leave A domestic violence protection order has been issued against a Bellingham Police Department sergeant after a woman came forward alleging he physically and sexually abused her. Bellingham Police Department Sgt. Joshua Richard McKissick (muh-KIZ-ick), aged 44, was ordered to surrender all weapons and an emergency domestic violence protection order was issued against him on February 26th. According to recent reporting by the Bellingham Herald, the protection order was issued in relation to a woman known to McKissick and her two children. Court documents state the orders were issued without notice or hearing to avoid immediate harm or injury to the victims. The documents also state that his possession of weapons presented a, quote, “serious and imminent threat to public health and safety or the health or safety of any individual”. McKissick was originally put on desk duty in December, after BPD became aware of the domestic abuse and sexual violence allegations. Following the court orders in February, McKissick was placed on paid administrative leave. Everett police are handling the administrative investigation on Bellingham police’s behalf to avoid any appearance of bias. The Lynden Police Department is currently conducting a criminal investigation into the allegations against McKissick. A full hearing on the victim’s petition for a permanent two-year-long domestic violence protection order is scheduled for today. STORY: Deep cleaning downtown In cooperation with the Downtown Bellingham Partnership, Bellingham has announced extra cleaning efforts for downtown. In line with Mayor Kim Lund’s Executive Order signed in February, according to a recent announcement from the City, the cleaning aims to improve the safety and well-being of the downtown area. Crews are conducting monthly deep cleanings, focusing on alleyways and hard-to-reach areas. The efforts utilize pressure washers and vacuum trucks– specialized vehicles designed to prevent debris and pollutants from flowing into Whatcom Creek and Bellingham Bay. The executive order also plans for an increased police presence, expanded social services, and improved public education regarding public health and safety. The deep cleanings supplement the ongoing program of weekly street sweeping and litter removal performed by the City. STORY: New Blaine substance use recovery center provides personalized, long-term care In a bid to combat substance abuse and provide support to those battling addiction, Catholic Community Services will now offer intensive recovery support in Blaine. In recent reporting by the Cascadia Daily, Director Donna Wells says CCC plans to transition their offerings beyond telehealth sessions for youth treatment groups to in-person sessions. The new location in Blaine enhances accessibility for locals, particularly youth affected by the fentanyl crisis, who previously faced challenges getting to the Bellingham location. The center not only provides treatment but also links clients with community resources and aids in essential tasks like making phone calls. STORY: Man pleads guilty to human smuggling over border in Blaine A Romanian man pleaded guilty in US District Court to human smuggling near Blaine. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol officials arrested 27-year old Daniel Andronache (an-dro-NAH-kay) on Nov. 9, 2023, near Blaine at the border crossing. Andronache and a colleague were transporting 12 Romanian citizens in a car designed to fit 8– with two children hidden in the trunk. In his court appearance, Andronache admitted to helping the group so they could stay in the US illegally. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Lauren King on June 12, 2024, where he will face up to 10 years in prison. STORY: Mount Baker School District to sell historic Hopewell Grange building The historic Hopewell Grange building in Everson is up for sale. First built in 1912, the building originally housed a school, before going on to serve as a community center for members of the Hopewell Grange organization. The building has stood vacant for the last seven years, and the Mount Baker School District announced it will be selling the property in order to fund maintenance and repairs for other buildings in the school district. The assessed market value of the property is almost $400,000. Cascadia Daily News reports Interim Superintendent Phil Brockman says the district doesn’t have use for the property nor the funds to restore it, and came in response to inquiries from interested buyers. STORY: WA libraries will get Dungeons & Dragons kits for patrons to use Library systems across Washington state will receive Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) kits for patrons. The Office of the Secretary of State announced that Renton-based Wizards of the Coast will donate 75 kits containing character sheets, organizer instructions, a demo adventure, and a learn-to-play guide. The Washington State Library will distribute these kits at no cost to public, tribal, and community college libraries. In the announcement, Secretary of State Steve Hobbs emphasized the value of libraries as places of learning and community enrichment, stating that D&D provides an opportunity for people of all ages and abilities to come together, strategize, and build relationships in a role-playing setting. STORY: Bills to bolster Whatcom Co. courts ahead of water-rights proceedings sent to Inslee The Whatcom County Superior Court is poised to add additional judges following the passing of two bills by the Washington State Legislature. House Bill 1992 and Senate Bill 5828 aim to bolster the number of Superior Court judges and commissioners in Whatcom County. HB 1992 passed with a unanimous vote in both houses and looks set for the governor’s approval. Meanwhile, SB 5828 grants …
March 8, 2024 News Transcript
Man dies after being ejected from vehicle in one-car crash on North Cascade Highway, Rolled semi-truck and trailer block southbound Guide Meridian, WA to train public defenders, prosecutors for rural, underserved areas, Rolled semi-truck and trailer block southbound Guide Meridian, Miami Seaquarium gets eviction notice several months after death of Tokitae, WNS – Tree coverage in cities crucial as planet warms, WA research shows, Free and Cheap ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, March 8th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____. STORY: Man dies after being ejected from vehicle in one-car crash on North Cascade Highway A 31 year old Marblemount man was killed in a single vehicle crash early Thursday morning. Washington State Patrol reported that Skyler Marker lost control of his car on North Cascade Highway, near Moen Rd (MO-en) in Skagit, causing the vehicle to roll several times. Marker was not wearing a seatbelt. He came to rest against the eastbound guard rail, and the Subaru stopped in the westbound lane. The crash occurred at around 6 am. North Cascade Highway was closed for 2 ½ hours following the collision. STORY: Rolled semi-truck and trailer block southbound Guide Meridian A semi-truck full of potatoes rolled over in Lynden earlier this morning. First responders were dispatched just north of Main St. in Lynden at 8 am today, due to reports of a truck obstructing the road. The truck was found lying on its passenger side in the ditch, blocking the southbound lane. It took about an hour and half until the truck was back on its wheels, and according to a video posted by WSDOT (WASH-dot), potatoes remain in the ditch. Both lanes are now open. STORY: WA to train public defenders, prosecutors for rural, underserved areas A bill aimed at addressing staffing and caseload challenges in Washington’s public defense system has passed the legislature. Senate Bill 5780 will establish internship programs for aspiring attorneys in rural and underserved areas, along with training initiatives for early-career public defenders and prosecutors. Covid-related backlogs, declining law school enrollment, burnout among high-level felony case attorneys, and changes in policing make cases more time-consuming. Proponents believe SB 5780 can establish pipelines from law schools to county courthouses and provide support for young attorneys to remain in these demanding, low-paying positions. The bill received unanimous, bipartisan support and now awaits Governor Inslee’s signature. STORY: Miami Seaquarium gets eviction notice several months after death of Tokitae The place where Tokitae (TO-kuh-tay) was held in captivity for over 50 years has been served with an eviction notice. Associated Press reports that Eduardo Albor (AL-bore), the CEO of The Dolphin Company which owns the Miami Seaquarium – was told last Thursday to vacate the waterfront property in Miami-Dade County by April 21st. That same day, County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava (luh-VEEN CAH-vah) said in a news conference that the Seaquarium had numerous violations, including allowing animal habitats to decay and employing inexperienced staff. Mr. Albor stated that he intends to let his lawyers respond to the eviction notice. Tokitae (TO-kuh-tay) was held in captivity at Seaquarium for over 50 years, and died before she could return to the waters of the Pacific Ocean. A necropsy cited kidney failure as the cause of her death, as well as other chronic conditions including pneumonia. STORY: WNS – Tree coverage in cities crucial as planet warms, WA research shows Trees in urban areas provide benefits for people, including decreased temperatures and improved air quality, according to new research out of Washington state. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. TREES AUDIO STORY: Free and Cheap Here are some free or cheap events happening around the county this weekend. Western is holding a Jazz Ensemble performance on tonight at 7:30pm. The performance features works from women composers like Cat Toren, Kris Davis, and Ann Ronell (ron-ELL). The event takes place at the Performing Arts Center Concert Hall, and is free to all. On Saturday, the North Cascades Audubon Society is hosting a bird watching exploration of Whatcom Falls Park. Starting in the parking lot, guides will lead the group through the park, pointing out key landmarks. The event runs from 8:30 am to 10:30 am. Registration is available at NorthCascadesAudubon.org. Every Friday and Saturday in March, the Upfront Theatre hosts March Improv Madness. At 9:30, different improv teams compete to win, with the audience voting for winners in a bracket-style competition. Tickets are 14 dollars, 10 dollars for students. WX: Sun Your Whatcom County weather: today will be cloudy and rainy, with a high of 50 degrees and moderate winds. Rain will continue tonight, as temperatures drop to a low of 41. Winds are expected to pick up this weekend, with gusts as high as 36 mph. Expect the rain to last through monday. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman and Tristan Trudell. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. Remember, it’s Daylight Saving on Sunday so be sure to set your clocks forward. I’m __David Korb______________… thanks for listening. ##
March 6, 2024 News Transcript
Out on bail, Bellingham manslaughter suspect ODs in same apartment a day after an 18-month had, Trial underway for Everson man accused of murdering father, New Skagit hearing examiner to review controversial decision on gravel mine project, New Skagit hearing examiner to review controversial decision on gravel mine project, Low wages, high costs: WA prisoners say they’re being exploited, according to report, WA Legislature passes 3 initiatives covering taxes, schools and police chases, Downtown Bellingham Partnership looking for new leadership ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, March 6th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Out on bail, Bellingham manslaughter suspect ODs in same apartment a day after an 18-month had A man out on bail for a conviction of suspected murder was found overdosed in the same apartment as an 18-month-old who overdosed on fentanyl. Brian Christensen, aged 55, was released from Whatcom county jail after he posted his $200,000 bail on February 10th. One day later he was found overdosing in the same apartment where an 18-month-old was rushed to the hospital after overdosing on fentanyl the day before. According to an affidavit filed by court prosecutors, the child handled a ‘tooter straw’, a method the adults in the home used to take fentanyl, and stopped breathing before being resuscitated by first responders. The affidavit also noted that Police could not investigate the case as fentanyl is not included in the ‘endangerment by a controlled substance’ statute. That statute has not been updated since 2005. Christensen was initially arrested in 2023 for first degree murder and drug possession after a man died from reportedly using his fentanyl. He is now booked in Whatcom county jail with his bail requirement doubled to $400,000. STORY: Trial underway for Everson man accused of murdering father A Whatcom County jury will decide whether an Everson man killed his father in self-defense or if he committed premeditated first degree murder. The incident happened in January 2022. Ethan Michael Knight, aged 23, says he was protecting himself and his mother when he killed his father, following escalating tension and violence in the home. During the investigation, it was found that the shooting was captured in a 8 minute cell phone video that prosecutors say undercuts the argument that he was fighting off a drunken attack from his father. According to the defense, it followed a long term pattern of drunken abuse that Knight and his mom endured. Ultimately it will be up to the jury to decide whether Knight acted in self-defense or not. The jury will weigh the definitions of self-defense, justifiable homicide, or premeditated first degree murder. Knight is currently out on bail. His mother posted a $25,000 cash bond on Knight’s behalf. STORY: New Skagit hearing examiner to review controversial decision on gravel mine project Skagit County Commissioners have assigned a new hearing examiner to review plans for a controversial gravel mine in Sedro Woolley. A previous decision made by former examiner Andrew Reeves approving the special-use permit to develop the Grip Road Gravel Mine faced criticism for being incomplete and legal pressure due to missed deadlines. The commissioners said they lacked confidence in Reeves’ ability to issue a decision on the reconsideration that would satisfy the concerned parties. The new examiner, William Nielsen, now has 90 days to review the extensive evidence from seven days of testimony and numerous documents submitted to Reeves in 2022 and issue a decision. The proposed gravel mine has faced opposition from local community groups, who have raised concerns about road safety, truck traffic, and environmental impacts. STORY: Low wages, high costs: WA prisoners say they’re being exploited, according to report A new report characterizes Washington’s incarceration system as akin to modern-day slavery. The report by advocacy group Columbia Legal Services (CLS), based on surveys and interviews with prisoners, details a system that compels individuals in prison to work for as little as $1 per hour, and at the same time face exorbitant costs to maintain their health and connections to the outside world. Advocates say the inability to save money while in prison also contributes to higher rates of recidivism. The Department of Corrections disputes some aspects of the report, pointing out that the 13th Amendment’s exception for criminal punishments allows for such labor practices, and highlighting the fact that some prison jobs pay up to $2.85 an hour. The report calls for legislative action to address these systemic issues and support measures to improve the successful re-entry into society of former-prisoners upon release. Despite recommendations for policy changes, such as higher wages and reduced costs, the state has not addressed these concerns in the current legislative session, which ends tomorrow. STORY: WA Legislature passes 3 initiatives covering taxes, schools and police chases The Washington Legislature has passed initiatives that bar an income tax, enact a “parents’ bill of rights” in schools, and ease restrictions on police pursuits of suspects. The first initiative prohibits the state and local governments from imposing an income tax, a tax that voters have rejected multiple times before. The second initiative entitles parents to certain information at public schools, including instructional materials, and medical and safety matters. The last initiative allows police to chase people if they have a “reasonable suspicion” that the person they want to chase has violated the law and threatens others’ safety. Each passed by comfortable margins in both houses of the legislature. The initiatives will now become law unless a referendum is filed within three months after the session ends. The legislature chose not to approve three initiatives to repeal the state’s capital gains tax, repeal the carbon market, and make long-term care insurance optional, but they will go on the ballot in November. All six initiatives were filed by Jim Walsh, the state Republican Party chair and state representative from Aberdeen, and received financial backing from Brian Heywood, a Redmond businessman. Progressive groups criticize the passed initiatives, while supporters argue they reflect the will of the people and …
March 5, 2024 News Transcript
Man sentenced in Bellingham transient camp shooting, Lynden High School sees double-digit jump in freshmen passing classes, No PFAS detected in Bellingham water, WA officials pulls secure laptops from 1,200 incarcerated students, Bill to help more than 35,000 Washington veterans access state benefits passes legislature unanimously, Low wages, high costs: WA prisoners say they’re being exploited, according to report ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, March 5. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Man sentenced in Bellingham transient camp shooting The man who pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a 27-year-old man in a homeless tent encampment behind Walmart in 2021 has been sentenced to 6 years in jail. Travis William Hamilton, aged 40, pleaded guilty last month to second-degree manslaughter, amended down from second-degree murder as part of his plea deal. The homicide took place in September of 2021 when law enforcement and fire personnel responded to a report of a person with a gunshot wound to the chest located in a tent at one of the encampments behind Walmart. Upon arrival, they found 27-year-old Scott Dobson dead in a tent. Witnesses said they heard a shot and saw Hamilton outside, in front of the tent. Hamilton was taken into custody and booked into jail due to outstanding arrest warrants. Hamilton will serve his 75 month sentence with credit for time served while awaiting trial. STORY: Lynden High School sees double-digit jump in freshmen passing classes Students are doing better in Whatcom County, with 9th grade passing rates jumping as much as 21 percent between 2021 and 2022. According to a recent report on student success by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, significant improvement was shown in Lynden, Mt. Baker, and Meridian High Schools with smaller improvements made in Bellingham, Ferndale, and Nooksack Valley school districts. Blaine was the only district that did not see improvement, but instead saw an almost 9 percent dip in passing rates. The progress in passing rates is attributed to a state-funded ninth-grade success initiative and the dedicated efforts of teachers and administrators. According to educational experts, passing ninth grade is considered a crucial indicator of high school completion. New programs implemented in some of the schools have contributed to the positive results, including offering direct support to students, an algebra lab class for those struggling with math, and a ‘credit repair’ approach. Despite the striking improvements, funding to maintain the initiative next year has not yet been included in the budget, however educators say they remain optimistic that the collaborative efforts and strategies developed will continue to benefit students. STORY: No PFAS detected in Bellingham water The city of Bellingham announced last week that, according to a recent test, no detectable levels of PFAS are in Bellingham drinking water. PFAS– often called ‘forever chemicals’– stays in the environment for a long time and may have adverse effects on environmental and human health. Although Bellingham’s water has no detectable PFAS, not all is well across Washington. First identified as a problem by the Department of Health in 2021, the state has now found hundreds of drinking water wells with PFAS contamination. Private well owners in Whatcom County should be aware of the potential for PFAS in groundwater. The Department of Health recommends owners test their drinking water every year. According to The Groundwater Association, sample kits can be obtained from a PFAS-certified laboratory and can cost up to $400. The City of Bellingham says this year it will begin sampling for all six chemicals listed by the state using new, stricter standards. The results from their monitoring will be reported in the City’s Consumer Confidence Report, mailed to all Bellingham drinking water customers annually. STORY: WA officials pulls secure laptops from 1,200 incarcerated students The Washington Department of Corrections pulled 1,200 secure laptops from incarcerated students statewide, after a Twitter user bought one and its security features were revealed. Wenting Zhang (WUN-ting JAANG) bought the clear plastic laptop off of eBay, only to find that the computer was secured and he was unable to access it. He posted updates, as he and other users worked to figure out the password to the laptop. On a separate website, users posted about Zhang’s thread, and shared the default password for the underlying operating system. The department then announced Thursday that it would collect all secure laptops from incarcerated students quote “to provide an immediate system update.” Incarcerated students are able to use the laptops as part of programs with universities and colleges. According to recent reporting by the Seattle Times, students said they were given little information about when and if the devices would be returned, and were concerned about the increased difficulties of completing their work. Washington corrections officials say they’re working to minimize disruptions for incarcerated learners by expediting delivery of new Securebooks in the next few weeks, backing up student work and increasing lab time on desktop computers. STORY: Bill to help more than 35,000 Washington veterans access state benefits passes legislature unanimously The Washington state Legislature has unanimously passed a bill to extend state benefits to over 35,000 Washington veterans. House Bill 2014 ensures that veterans eligible for federal benefits will now also qualify for state benefits. Additionally, it allows those vets discharged solely because of sexual orientation or gender identity to qualify for state benefits after a review, even if they don’t qualify for federal benefits. The bill is estimated to affect more than 35,000 veterans in Washington by granting them access to state benefits such as access to nursing homes, gaining veteran preference in state job applications, or down payment assistance for housing. WX: Rain Your Whatcom County weather – today will be sunny and clear, with a high of 42 degrees. Expect clouds to roll in tonight, as temperatures drop to a low of 29. The weather is projected to be the same tomorrow. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, …
March 4, 2024 News Transcript
______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. Primary ballots dispersed to Whatcom residents, Off-duty Ferndale firefighter dies in backcountry snowboarding accident near Mount Baker, Whatcom libraries to stock naloxone kits, Beavers snarl traffic on Aldrich Road, near Guide Meridian, Residents near deal to buy mobile home park in Bellingham, Puget Sound Energy tests new battery with Samish Island Community, Help for WA asylum-seekers is focus of bill passed by Legislature, Low wages, high costs: WA prisoners say they’re being exploited, according to report KMRE brings you local news for Monday, March 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______. STORY: Primary ballots dispersed to Whatcom residents It’s time for the Presidential Primary in Washington. Residents who have not received a ballot yet should contact the Auditor’s Office for a replacement. Today is the last day voters can update their address or register to vote online at VoteWA.gov. Starting tomorrow, you must change information or register in-person at the Whatcom County Auditor’s office. Ballots must be returned at one of 21 drop boxes around the County, or be postmarked by 8 p.m. on March 12th. STORY: Off-duty Ferndale firefighter dies in backcountry snowboarding accident near Mount Baker An off-duty Ferndale fire captain died in a backcountry snowboarding accident near Mount Baker over the weekend. Capitan John DeVenere (duh-vuh-NEER), aged 63, was separated from his snowboarding partner when he fell into a tree well around 1:30 p.m. last Friday. Other skiers were the first to respond according to Mount Baker Ski Area CEO, Gwyn (GWIN) Howat . Emergency technicians and Ski Patrol also arrived, but all efforts failed to revive him. DeVenere was a Captain with Whatcom County Fire District 7. He was also an experienced skier and passholder at Mount Baker Ski Resort. His wife also served as a volunteer in the ski patrol. According to the Mt. Baker Snow report, the mountain has received around seven feet of snow in the past five days. A deep snow advisory still remains in effect at the Ski Area, and conditions are expected to remain dangerous into this week. STORY: Whatcom libraries to stock naloxone kits Another chapter in the fight against the opioid crisis in Whatcom County has begun. The County Library System announced last Friday that it’s partnering with the State Department of Health to provide free naloxone kits through the library’s ten branch locations. Erika Lautenbach, director of Whatcom County Health and Community Services, stated that this partnership would allow for increased access to overdose-reversing drugs. While naloxone supplies will be limited, the library intends to refill them periodically. STORY: Beavers snarl traffic on Aldrich Road, near Guide Meridian In a peculiar traffic-related incident, Bellingham Police responded to reports of beavers obstructing traffic on Aldrich Road. Upon arrival, one beaver had fled, while another appeared injured. Efforts to assist by contacting the Whatcom Humane Society and Fish and Wildlife were hindered as the beaver disappeared into nearby brush. The same beaver caused another traffic hazard later near Meridian and Telegraph Road before being apprehended by officers and safely transported to Fish and Wildlife. STORY: Residents near deal to buy mobile home park in Bellingham There’s good news and bad news for residents of two Bellingham mobile home parks. Residents at the Samish Mobile Home Park on Samish Way are close to finalizing a deal to buy the land under their homes. People who live in the park secured a loan and worked out the contact, scheduled to close by March 15. The 3 acre site will cost the new owners around $5 million dollars. However, those who live at the much larger Lakeway Mobile Estates have so far failed to buy their land. Property owners and residents were not able to reach an agreement that covers loan repayment, maintenance, and operations. ROC (ROCK) Northwest, a program of the Northwest Cooperative Development Center, supports creation of resident owned communities and assisted with the negotiation of both deals. STORY: Puget Sound Energy tests new battery with Samish Island Community Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is set to test new environmentally friendly technology on Samish Island. A microgrid with a battery and solar array will be installed at the local fire station in a practice known as ‘islanding’. The approach aims to provide backup power during outages, while also evaluating other grid-stabilizing benefits. The project is expected to enhance local reliability, offering temporary power to nearby homes and critical functions for the fire station. PSE says this initiative is a step towards their goal of becoming a Beyond Net Zero energy company by 2045. A ribbon-cutting event for the project is scheduled for tomorrow at 1 p.m. STORY: Help for WA asylum-seekers is focus of bill passed by Legislature A bill to increase help for asylum seekers has passed the state legislature. Passed largely on party lines, the bill seeks to improve the integration of immigrants and refugees arriving in Washington and assist them with basic needs. In Federal Fiscal Year 2023, nearly 15,000 refugees applied to live in Washington, with 80 applying for Whatcom. For comparison, around 1,200 applied for King County. Only a small percentage of these refugees are asylum seekers. While refugees come to the US legally able to work, asylum seekers must wait months before they are able to receive work permits due to federal regulations. Without work, it means they often can’t afford housing, food or other necessities in the meantime. The bill will increase services, funds, and support for the asylum seekers while they await work. Governor Inslee has proposed $8.4 million in his supplemental budget to help the influx of asylum-seekers. Advocates, service providers, and legislators say it’s not enough, and are pushing for the state to allocate $25 million in its budget. The state’s budget is currently being negotiated and has to be finalized before the session ends March 7. WX: Rain Your Whatcom County weather – today will be cloudy, with a chance of rain and a high of 43 degrees. The rain will mix with snow tonight, as …