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Bellingham Police investigating assault in Cordata neighborhood, Former council member Kershner confirms backing Hutchings in recommendation letter, Lummi Nation accuses fire district EMS of inadequate emergency services, Lengthy bridge replacement work set to begin near downtown, Lengthy bridge replacement work set to begin near downtown, One million chinook salmon die in Skagit County hatchery amid activist warnings, PSE may shut off power to prevent wildfires in some areas, Whatcom judge penalizes WWU for withholding sexual assault records  ______________________________ ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, May 6. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Bellingham Police investigating assault in Cordata neighborhood Bellingham Police Department are requesting help in connection to an active investigation. On Friday around 9 a.m., near Northwest Drive and Bakerview Road, BPD was called to investigate a man with significant injuries in a wooden encampment. When they arrived, they found Christopher Grasso with live-threatening injuries, and transported him to the hospital. According to police, investigators were able to document the scene, but some possible witnesses left before officers arrived.  Anyone with information regarding the assault is asked to contact Whatcom’s non-emergency dispatch line. STORY: Former council member Kershner confirms backing Hutchings in recommendation letter Over Saturday, former Whatcom County Council member Kathy Kershner acknowledged she wrote a positive letter of reference for former-county public works director Jon Hutchings.  The letter, along with one signed by County Executive Satpal Sidhu, in support of Hutchings who was accused of sexual harassment by women he worked with, are raising concerns about oversight inside County government. Kershner defended her recommendation, citing her positive experiences with Hutchings. Both have declined to comment on questions raised regarding a reported personal relationship between the two. County policy allows relationships between council members and employees but requires adherence to ethical standards.  Deputy Executive Tyler Schroeder has also admitted his role in editing the letter signed by Sidhu, expressing regret for not prioritizing the impacted employees. An ongoing investigation by the County Council into the matter aims to assess compliance with county policies, and identify any failures in the process. The handling of Hutchings’ resignation, including a 225 thousand dollar settlement, came under scrutiny following a Cascade PBS investigative story.  STORY: Lummi Nation accuses fire district EMS of inadequate emergency services After the death of a Lummi woman, the Lummi Nation is alleging that the Whatcom County EMS fails to provide adequate services. The allegations stem from ongoing concerns about EMS declining to transport patients, when transportation would have been appropriate. Chairman Tony Hillaire (HILL-air) says that the death of the 36 year old in April was part of a larger pattern in recent years.  Hillaire’s concerns were expressed in a letter on April 30th to Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund, Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, and Whatcom County Fire District 7 and 8 Chiefs Bill Hewett and Larry Hoffman. The letter outlined the incident in April, where the woman called 911 reporting shortness of breath and difficulty breathing. First responders then arrived and requested additional help. They later left after she was later able to gain control of her breathing, deeming it a panic attack and cancelling the request. A few hours later, the patient’s spouse called 911 saying she was unresponsive. When Whatcom EMS arrived, the patient was found dead. Sidhu responded to the letter, saying that he was concerned about the report of a larger trend, and while that the county executive role does not directly supervise fire departments, he acknowledged his responsibility as a member on the EMS Oversight Board. STORY:Lengthy bridge replacement work set to begin near downtown Two Whatcom Creek Bridges are under construction this summer. According to the Public Works Department’s monthly newsletter, both the Meador Avenue and James Street bridges will be under construction beginning this month. According to the Public Works Department, construction will switch between the two bridges to be less impactful on fish in the creek. All businesses will have access points during construction and one bridge will be open to traffic. The project is expected to cost $8.5 million and will be covered by state and federal grants. A public meeting regarding the project will be held today from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Bellingham High School auditorium. The project is expected to take a few months. STORY: One million chinook salmon die in Skagit County hatchery amid activist warnings About one million young Chinook salmon died due to a mechanical failure at a hatchery in Skagit County.  According to the Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Samish Hatchery, co-managed with the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Indian Tribe, experienced heavy rain causing floating debris to clog an intake screen. The clog resulted in low water levels and poor water quality in the outdoor pond holding 2 million Chinook fry. Nearly half of the salmon died, affecting release plans into the Samish River. An alarm failure exacerbated the incident. Concerns over hatchery conditions have prompted a lawsuit that alleges violations of the Endangered Species Act. Activists argue that government-funded hatcheries exceed fish production limits, threatening at-risk species. Fish and Wildlife is investigating. STORY: PSE may shut off power to prevent wildfires in some areas Puget Sound Energy, the state’s largest utility, is warning customers it could turn off power in some communities to prevent its power lines from sparking wildfires. According to PSE spokesperson Christina Donegan, the preventive blackouts could happen anywhere if conditions are dangerous, however it would be a, quote, “tool of last resort.”  The possible blackouts might pose the greatest harm to vulnerable residents who rely on essential electronic medical equipment — such as dialysis machines, ventilators and infant apnea monitors. PSE says it will give customers a two day notice. Recent catastrophic and fatal wildfires ignited by utility-owned lines have prompted the changes, such as the Labor Day fires of 2020, when five homes were destroyed in Pierce County. Currently, the areas at highest risk for shutoff are Greenwater, Pierce County; Skykomish, King County; Concrete, Skagit County; …

May 6, 2024 News TranscriptRead More

Big change’ in weather expected to strike Whatcom County over several days, SR20 will close ahead of potentially snow-laden storms on the horizon, Opportunity Council to launch new rental assistance program Dec. 1, City of Lynden buys last piece for trail extension, $4.8 mil in federal funding to refurbish Wash. state ferries, Methow Wildlife Area units close temporarily to protect wintering mule deer, $4.8 mil in federal funding to refurbish Wash. state ferries, Pac-12 lawsuit: New court ruling keeps conference frozen as WSU, OSU seek full control ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, November 29th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: ‘Big change’ in weather expected to strike Whatcom County over several days Storms heading towards Western Washington from the Pacific Ocean are expected to bring heavy rain and strong winds from today until next week.  While the Nooksack River is expected to remain below flood stage, the National Weather Service has stated that this could change, and that Whatcom County is not out of danger. Temperatures will rise and winds tomorrow are expected to be strong enough that power outages are a possibility. The National Weather Service also said that Bellingham could see up to an inch of rain from today until tomorrow, and up to two feet of snow is also expected to fall in the North Cascades.  STORY: SR20 will close ahead of potentially snow-laden storms on the horizon The North Cascade Highway will close for the season starting at 6 pm tonight.  The Washington Department of Transportation announced the closure of  State Route 20 will take place at the Ross Dam trailhead on the west side and the Silver Star gate on the east side. The closure comes in expectation of the two feet of snow later this week, an amount that can cause avalanche danger in the pass. Cayuse Pass and Chinook Pass have already closed for the season.  All three passes will remain closed until spring. STORY: Opportunity Council to launch new rental assistance program Dec. 1 The Opportunity Council is launching a new rental assistance program tomorrow.  The program, designed to assist low income seniors and families, will provide short-term rental assistance and case management. Those seeking services may complete a screening online at the Opportunity Council’s website, in-person at the Opportunity Council’s offices at Cornwall Avenue, or by calling their Homeless Prevention Screening Line.  Households paying more than 50% or their income for rent or making below 50% of the area median income will be randomly selected through a lottery system and contacted to be scheduled with an appointment. Applications may be submitted starting tomorrow at 9 a.m. through the afternoon of December 8th.  STORY: City of Lynden buys last piece for trail extension The Lynden City Council has acquired the last piece of land required to complete a trail that’s been in progress for almost 25 years.  The land buy will complete the Jim Kaemingk Sr. (KAY-mink) trail that currently ends at City Park. Vander Griend (GRIND) Lumber sold the narrow strip along Fishtrap Creek to the city of Lynden for $380,000. The construction of this trail section is expected to cost about $1.6 million dollars and will be finished in 2024.  According to Lynden officials, a state grant will cover approximately 60% of the expenses, including the footbridges over Fishtrap Creek. Eventually, the trail will follow the creek’s path and extend into new Dickinson Park, following the creek’s path. STORY: Methow Wildlife Area units close temporarily to protect wintering mule deer The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is closing five units of the Methow (MEH-tao) Valley Wildlife Area until next March.  The closure aims to safeguard crucial winter foraging habitat for the largest migratory mule deer herd in Washington. The Wildlife Area spans over 34,000 acres and the closure is intended to reduce human disturbance during critical winter months. Recreational opportunities for visitors will not be affected, as the popular groomed trail system will remain open. Fish and Wildlife says the Methow area plays a vital role in preserving various habitats, benefiting not only the mule deer but also songbirds, mammals, salmon, and other wildlife.  STORY: $4.8 mil in federal funding to refurbish Wash. state ferries Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murry announced yesterday that Washington ferries will receive nearly $5 million in federal funding. Washington State Ferries will be using the money to refurbish passenger areas on six aging boats in its fleet. Those six ships include the Chelan (shuh-LAN), which serves Anacortes and the San Juan Islands. The project will allow for more space between passengers in high-occupancy areas and make cleaning easier for staff. Since 2019, each of these six ferries have been out of operation for three months out of the year on average.  The upgrades come as the Washington ferry system continues to struggle with maintenance and funding. A third of the 21 available boats are currently out of service. The state plans to add an additional 16 boats to the fleet and retire many of the aging vessels. However, contracts for new boats have yet to be agreed on, with estimates pointing to 2027, at the earliest. The project expects to extend the life of the aging vessels for another five to ten years. STORY: Pac-12 lawsuit: New court ruling keeps conference frozen as WSU, OSU seek full control The Washington Supreme Court has granted an emergency stay in the legal dispute between Washington State and Oregon State and the Pac-12 conference.  The stay– issued by the Supreme Court’s commissioner– delays the attempts of WSU and OSU to take control of the conference’s governing board. WSU and OSU immediately filed an appeal directly to the judges, seeking to remove the stay.  A preliminary injunction, granted last month by a lower court, initially gave the two universities control of the Pac-12 board and its financial assets. The court commissioner’s ruling sets a December 12 deadline for motions, after which the judges will decide whether to review the …

November 29, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

Sewage floods Bellingham apartment grounds; tenants take to social media, State DNR Looking To Acquire Ownership of Sehome Haggen in property swap, Authorities arrest two Whatcom County men with more than half a pound of Fentanyl, State DNR Looking to Acquire Ownership of Sehome Haggen in property swap, Coast Guard partners with local agencies with local agencies to respond to sinking vessel, San Juan County, WSDA wraps up another season of northern giant hornet trapping, Requirement to install electric heat pumps in new houses approved by WA regulatory body, WA lawmakers revive call to let cities have elections in even-numbered years, Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November 29th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: Sewage floods Bellingham apartment grounds; tenants take to social media Residents of the Old Mill Village complex on Electric Avenue took to social media to complain about a sewage leak that took place last Friday. Silver Beach Neighborhood Association president Kerri Burnside, who is also a tenant in the complex, reported that the sewage leaked into a parking lot, the courtyard and at least one apartment unit. Burnside added that the property manager, Peak Management, had failed to protect residents from the spill, which was eventually cleaned up by a plumbing company hired by Peak Management on Saturday.  In an email to the residents, Peak Management said the spill had been caused by “a buildup of grease and baby wipes,” which caused a blockage in the line. This is not the first time tenants have filed complaints against Peak Management; in the past, their complaints ranged from leaking roofs to mold.  Whatcom County Health and Community Services staff had determined that there was no overflow into Lake Whatcom. STORY: State DNR Looking To Acquire Ownership Of Sehome Haggen in property swap The Washington Department of Natural Resources is considering a property swap that would see their ownership of a vacant office building in Issaquah exchanged for the parcel of land that houses the Sehome (SEE-home) Village Haggen. The purpose of the exchange is to provide revenue for the Common School Trust, which helps fund K-12 school construction projects statewide. DNR states that the office building in Issaquah is underproducing funds, whereas the Sehome Haggen would provide more stable long term income. The exchange would be done with RCO Capital, who is currently in the process of acquiring the Sehome Haggen. The deal is still in the early stages, and a public meeting is set for December 14th at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Bellingham. DNR welcomes public comments on the plan, whether in person or through email. STORY: Authorities arrest two Whatcom County men with more than half a pound of Fentanyl Two men were arrested in Ferndale last weekend with more than half a pound of fentanyl in their vehicle.  Deputies responded to a welfare check of a man slumped over in the driver’s seat of the vehicle on Slater Road on Sunday. There they found 2 grams of methamphetamine and about 325 grams of fentanyl, as well as a handgun.  The driver, 27-year-old Nicholas Donath, was arrested and booked at Whatcom County Jail on charges related to weapons, obstruction of a law officer and possession with intent to deliver. The passenger, 25-year-old Giovanni Orrantia-Pieper (uh-RAWN-shia PIE-per), was arrested for several outstanding warrants, including second-degree theft, hit and run, and fourth-degree assault.  As of this morning, Donath has been released, and Orrantia-Pieper remains in custody at Whatcom County Jail. STORY: Coast Guard partners with local agencies to respond to sinking vessel, San Juan County Earlier this month, a vessel sank off the coast of Orcas Island, causing panic as several groups attempted to aid in the disaster.  The 80 foot long vessel, named El Capitan, was found sinking with an oil sheen at the West Sound Marina on November 18th. Divers found no evidence of oil leaking, however, the Islands’ Oil Spill Association deployed booms and absorbents as a precaution, with help from the Washington Department of Ecology. A shoreline assessment determined there was no impact to the shoreline or wildlife in the area. The Coast guard and other groups are monitoring the situation closely and the fate of the vessel is still to be determined .  STORY: WSDA wraps up another season of northern giant hornet trapping  This month, the Washington State Department of Agriculture will begin removing about 800 northern giant hornet traps placed around Whatcom County.  Tomorrow is the end of the season for trapping northern giant hornets, or NGH. No confirmed sightings have taken place to date in either Washington or British Columbia. This would make the second year in a row without any confirmed NGH sightings. The large insects were first found in 2019 in Blaine as well as the Canadian city of Nanaimo (nuh-NAI-moe). Federal guidelines say there must be 3 consecutive years with no confirmed NGH sightings before the hornets can be considered eradicated from the area. STORY: Requirement to install electric heat pumps in new houses approved by WA regulatory body Controversial regulations mandating the installation of electric heat pumps in newly constructed buildings in Washington have been approved by the State Building Code Council.  The changes, part of the state’s broader effort to reduce carbon emissions and enhance energy efficiency, will take effect on March 15, 2024. The regulations offer builders incentives for choosing electric heat pumps over natural gas furnaces during the permitting process. The council erased language mandating heat pumps for heating water and rooms in homes, and it revised how credits are awarded under the state building code scoring system. The decision follows a pause in May due to legal concerns and a federal appeals court ruling in California. Supporters praise the move for its climate and health benefits, while opponents argue it will raise costs and violate federal regulations.  STORY: WA lawmakers revive call to let cities have elections in even-numbered years The November 7 …

November 29th, 2023 News TranscriptsRead More

PeaceHealthy St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations, Thieves break into the Comics Place in Bellingham,  Sheriff’s Office investigating after possible human remains found at Ross Lake, City to buy 114 acres in Lake Whatcom watershed, Whatcom County Council agrees to spend more money on affordable housing projects, Strain continues as WA ferry fleet loses another boat, WA removes advisory votes from ballots, Democracy Block  ______________________________  Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November 1st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY: PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center penalized $21,000 for dangerous waste violations The Washington Department of Ecology has fined St. Joseph Medical Center $21,000 for repeated violations of the state’s dangerous waste laws.  An Ecology inspection in 2022 found a lack of preventative measures (like dangerous waste management and emergency procedure training), failure to inspect and document waste storage areas, and failure to submit required annual reports to Ecology. St. Joseph had already received a penalty for similar violations in 2018. PeaceHealth St. Joseph has 30 days to pay the penalty or appeal it to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board. STORY: Thieves break into The Comics Place overnight in Bellingham Thieves burglarized The Comics Place in Bellingham early Tuesday morning. Security camera footage showed two people stealing a variety of comics and cards worth thousands of dollars from behind a glass counter, shoving the items in their backpacks, and leaving.  Among the items stolen was an issue of Fantastic Four #48, with a chunk missing from the lower right cover, valued at around $500. Comics Place co-owners Django (JANG-oh) Bohren and Jeff Figley have asked that other comic shops and buyers keep an eye out for identifying marks as it is likely the thieves may try to sell the stolen goods.  STORY: Sheriff’s Office investigating after possible human remains found at Ross Lake The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is investigating after possible human remains were found in Ross Lake. The Sheriff’s Office was contacted by the National Parks Service earlier in October after a suitcase with the remains was found during a fishing trip. Detectives from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office interviewed the two fishermen, and the remains were given to the Whatcom Medical Examiner. The case is still under investigation. STORY:  City to buy 114 acres in Lake Whatcom watershed The Bellingham City Council has approved the purchase of an additional 114 acres on property in the Lake Whatcom watershed. The purchase comes as part of the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program. The program aims to purchase land in order to protect it from development, help improve water quality, and reduce flooding risks.  Earlier this year, city staff announced plans to remove 1,500 acres in the watershed from potential development. City administration hopes that removing the land from development will help mitigate the high levels of phosphorus pollution in the area’s main drinking water source. The city now owns more than 2,600 acres of property around the lake.  STORY: Whatcom County Council agrees to spend more money on affordable housing projects Whatcom County Council unanimously passed a resolution to increase funds for affordable housing projects. The Economic Development Investment Fund Program retains sales tax revenue for essential facilities, and will be used to help fund affordable housing. The EDI Fund is projected to generate over $6 million in 2024.  The new resolution prioritizes housing affordability and homelessness with a focus on affordable and workforce housing projects. The county anticipates needing nearly 35,000 new housing units by 2044, with over 60% of them required to be affordable. As of last month, rent in Bellingham for an average one-bedroom apartment was $1500, a 13% increase from the previous year. According to recent statistics, less than 30% of Whatcom County housing is considered affordable for median-income households.  The Washington State Department of Commerce reports the need to develop over one million homes state-wide in the next two decades. According to projected numbers, more than half of them need to be affordable for low-income residents in order to accommodate population growth. STORY: Strain continues as WA ferry fleet loses another boat Washington ferries hit a low point this weekend as another boat was taken out of service. The Chimacum (CHIM-ma-kum) ferry was decommissioned for repairs after a rod broke in one of its engines. The boat was the sole vessel operating between Seattle and Bremerton due to previous service cuts. To accommodate riders, a ferry was moved from the Kingston-Edmonds route, making both crossings serviced by only one boat each. The Chimacum was among Washington State Ferries’ newer boats, and there is no estimate of when it will be repaired. A third of the Washington ferry system is currently out of service. The state plans to add an additional 16 boats to the fleet and retire many of the aging vessels. However, contracts for new boats have yet to be agreed on, with estimates pointing to 2027, at the earliest. Washington’s ferry system now has 14 working ships out of a fleet of 21. STORY: WNS – WA removes advisory votes from ballots For the first time in more than a decade, Washington residents won’t see advisory votes on their ballots in this year’s elections. Reporter Eric Tegethoff (TEG-it-off) has more. BALLOT AUDIO STORY: Democracy Block KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County.   Today after the 5pm news, the challengers for Whatcom County Sheriff– Doug Chadwick and Donnell ‘Tank’ Tanksley– share their views on local law and justice.  WX: Sunny Today will be mostly cloudy with a high of 57° and calm winds. Tonight has lows around 50 and heavy rain after 8 pm. The rain will continue into tomorrow, with gusts of winds up to 28 mph. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu …

November 1, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

ABC Recycling submits plans for metal shredder one day before hearing, Threat of Snow closes stretch of Whatcom County Pass, San Juan Islands consider annual tourism fee for resident visitors, Everett flight diverted after off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down engines, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS, 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.   STORY:  ABC Recycling submits plans for metal shredder one day before hearing Yesterday morning, ABC Recycling submitted application materials for a metal shredder just outside Bellingham, likely avoiding a proposed moratorium on new heavy industries in the area. Located on a 20 acre property north of a former cement plant on Marine Drive, the proposed metal shredding plant has been the target of recent opposition. At a meeting earlier in September, residents of the nearby Alderwood and Birchwood neighborhoods expressed concerns over possible noise from the metal-shredding operations, and heavy-metal pollution from truck tires. On the 26th, Whatcom County Council called for a vote declaring an emergency moratorium on new developments for heavy industry in the Alderwood area, including the ABC Recycling property. The vote failed by one, which gave ABC Recycling four weeks to submit an application before the council was scheduled to reconsider the moratorium.  Though the application was submitted just before the reconsideration, Whatcom Permit Center Specialist Nick Smith said in an interview that the county has not yet determined if the project is vested and whether it can avoid the moratorium or not. The reconsideration was scheduled for today at 6 pm. STORY: Threat of snow closes stretch of Whatcom County mountain pass Due to the urgent winter weather message issued yesterday, WSDOT has closed the road to Artist Point on state Route 542 for the season. The warning is effective through tomorrow, and covers the Cascade mountains and passes in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and King counties. In addition to closing the 3 mile stretch of Mount Baker Highway, the gates on milepost 54 are closed due to the forecasted snow. In Whatcom and Skagit counties, up to 15 inches of snow could fall in the Cascades, but snow could also impact those in Maple Falls, Newhalem, Lyman and Concrete. Lowland areas in Whatcom County will more likely see rain. WSDOT is advising those traveling through a mountain pass to follow traction tire requirements, carry an emergency kit, and check travel conditions ahead of time. STORY: San Juan Islands consider annual tourism fee for residents, visitors San Juan County is considering the implementation of an annual fee to address the impacts of increased tourism.  Residents and visitors would be required to purchase a pass– similar to a Discover Pass– ranging in price from $10 to $15, for bikes, boats, and cars.   The money raised would fund infrastructure projects and management actions to enhance the islands’ resources and accommodate the growing number of tourists. County administration says the proposal aims to strike a balance between residents and visitors while managing the challenges that tourism brings to the islands, such as environmental and housing concerns. The idea received “low to medium” support from residents on the three main islands during the public meeting process in 2022, according to county data with some residents feeling it is offensive. The County says it is continuing to explore various funding options, including a business license system and expanding a lodging tax advisory committee.  STORY: Everett flight diverted after off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down engines mid flight An off-duty Alaska Airlines captain, riding as a passenger, attempted to shut down the engines of a flight from Everett to San Francisco.  Horizon Air flight 2059 diverted to Portland, where it landed safely. The pilot, 44-year old Joseph Emerson, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Radio communications revealed the crew subdued Emerson, and removed him from the flight deck after he tried to deploy the engine fire suppression system. Engine power was not lost, and the flight continued safely. Emerson, a commercial pilot since 2001, is expected to be arraigned in Portland.  STORY: Democracy Block Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE will present a series of candidate forums.  Starting today, we’ll air a new Bellingham-Whatcom League of Women Voters forum every day at 11AM. Hear the candidates for Whatcom County Sheriff– Doug Chadwick and Donnell (don-NELL) ‘Tank’ Tanksley tomorrow, and the candidates up for election to the Whatcom County Council– on Thursday.  PROMO: BEYOND BARS Also– coming up after the 5pm news– join community radio KMRE and Cascadia Daily News in a collaborative exploration of the many aspects of the current  Whatcom County jail and the controversy around the push to build a new one.  Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Andrew Reding (REDD-ing)—chair of the Whatcom County Democrats. With a long background in policy Redding says taxpayer money should be used to make the best investments to reduce Whatcom County crime, and thanks to a 2017 report, we already know what those investments should look like.  REDDING AUDIO— Listen to the interview today right after the 5pm news.  WX: Freeze Watch It will be rainy all day, with a high of 51° and winds around 8 mph. Tonight has lows around 40, with winds increasing to more than 10 mph. The rain will slow tomorrow and it may become sunny. There is a freeze watch in place across Whatcom and Skagit as temperatures drop to around freezing later this week. There is also a small craft advisory due to winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots. OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for …

October 24, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

WA hydrogen production to get boost from share of $1B in funding, potentially in Bellingham, Public Participation Sought for Point Roberts Drainage Study, Lummis move aggressively to combat overdose deaths, WNS – Opponents push back on initiative to build jail, WA agreement would require access to trans health care in prison, Free and Cheap, WWU’s Fall 2023 First-Year Class is its Second Largest Ever,     ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 13th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.   STORY:  WA hydrogen production to get a boost from share of $1B in funding, potentially Bellingham The U.S. Department of Energy has chosen the Pacific Northwest as a Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub.  These hubs, supported by President Biden’s investment agenda, aim to create a national network for clean hydrogen production, storage, and delivery. According to the Pacific Northwest Clean Hydrogen Association, they will reduce carbon emissions, create jobs, and enhance energy security.  The regional Hydrogen Hub hopes to reduce the carbon impacts of heavy transportation, energy storage, ports, agriculture, and industrial operations. It’s expected to generate over 10,000 jobs and strengthen energy security while promoting equitable energy systems. One of the proposed sites for the hub would be here in Bellingham. The hub is eligible to receive up to $1B dollars in federal funding over nine years, with the first phase beginning in early 2024.  STORY:  Public Participation Sought for Point Roberts Drainage Study Whatcom County is conducting a study in Point Roberts to analyze current and future water drainage patterns.  The study aims to identify and understand drainage problems, develop solutions and cost estimates, and seek funding. The results will be used to create the Point Roberts Drainage Management Plan. Residents of Point Roberts are encouraged to provide input on drainage issues via a public survey.  STORY:  Lummis move aggressively to combat overdose deaths In response to recent overdose deaths in Lummi Nation, the community is acting swiftly to fight against the growing drug trade. After declaring an emergency in September, Lummi Nation has begun utilizing police to search for drugs, with random traffic stops on the reservation. Lummi Chairman Anthony Hillaire (hill-AIR) acknowledged the random stops and searches might conflict with state law, which requires police to have a warrant and probable cause before searching a car without consent and are having policy analysts review it.  A Sheriff’s Office statement said the department doesn’t participate in the checkpoints and suggested that they couldn’t book suspects from these stops due to this law. Hillaire said that Lummi Nation may go further and block main thoroughfares through the reservation altogether, including roads that are used to access non-tribal homes and businesses on Lummi Island, via the ferry terminal at Gooseberry Point.  Lummi Nation has also received federal assistance, with Senator Maria Cantwell helping the tribe partner with the FBI to address crime within the reservation. STORY:  WNS – Opponents push back on initiative to build jail A November ballot initiative would fund building of a jail near Bellingham, but some say it’s the wrong way to address issues in Whatcom County. Eric Tegitoff has more… JAIL AUDIO STORY:  WA agreement would require access to trans health care in prison A new proposed settlement agreement with the state for gender-affirming medical care in state prisons may go into effect soon. Disability Rights Washington filed the complaint and the proposed settlement agreement in federal court on Wednesday morning, after an investigation beginning in 2017. The investigation looked into the conditions for transgender people in Washington prisons. DRW alleges the state has denied transgender prisoners gender-affirming care, hormone therapy, and have subjected them to strip searches by guards of opposite gender.  The agreement, if accepted, would require that the state prison staff include a mental-health care provider specializing in gender-affirming care, and a gender-affirming medical care specialist approved by both the state and DRW. The agreement would also limit trans women in state prisons being searched by male guards, requiring that enough female guards work at the relevant facilities. The state Department of Corrections has signed off on the agreement. A judge will now need to review and accept the deal. STORY: Free and Cheap Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some affordable events happening around Whatcom County. Bellingham SeaFeast will take place this weekend at Squalicum Harbor & Fisherman’s Pavilion. The event will have seafood vendors, cooking demos, market, entertainment, and beer garden. Admission is free and the event runs from 10 to 5 on Saturday, and from 11 to 5 on Sunday. Bellingham Farmers Market and Blaine’s Market By The Sea will have their weekly markets on Saturday from 10 to 2. This weekend will be Blaine’s last Market by the Sea until May. For those looking for something a little scarier, the Upfront Theatre will be the Hellingham improv murder mystery. The show takes place every Friday and Saturday night in October at 7:30 pm and 9:30 pm. Tickets are 10 dollars for students and 16 for regular attendees. WX: Sunny Today is going to be partly sunny, with highs in the low 70s. The low will be 54 with winds blowing from 5 to 13 mph throughout the day. Rain will come later tonight, and continue into the weekend.  OUTRO: Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m. For news tips and feedback, send us an email at news@kmre.org or call 360-398-6150. KMRE is a nonprofit community radio station, powered by your donations. I’m ___David Korb_____________… thanks for listening. ###

October 13, 2023 News TranscriptRead More

Lake Whatcom fire 90% contained, The blob to return to PNW, Work begins on Whatcom Falls Park Trestle removal, PeaceHealth to restore palliative care, Avian Flu spreading, Money available for those affected by E WA wildfires, Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only, WA traffic deaths trending higher  ______________________________ Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, the 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.  STORY: Lake Whatcom fire 90% contained The Lake Whatcom fire is nearly enclosed as firefighters report that 90 percent of it is contained. The north flank of the fire has been a particularly hard area to reach for ground crews because of steep slopes and cliffs. However over the weekend, helicopters have dropped water on this area and managed to secure it. Now with the more difficult areas taken care of, firefighters are finishing up the effort on foot. The fire broke out last Monday and there was a Level 2 evacuation order in place for much of last week. Now that most of the fire has been taken care of, the evacuation order has been downgraded to Level 1, and state and federal government officials are leaving the mop-up operations to local Department of Natural Resources crews. Blue Canyon Road will remain closed for non-residents until further notice. STORY: The Blob to return to the PNW A mass of warm ocean water known as “The Blob”, is predicted to revisit the Pacific coast for a third time. The return of the Blob could mean less snow for skiers and snowboarders and an extension on the current drought. The increased temperature of the water may also drive away salmon in search of cooler waters to feed in.  The Blob was first detected in 2013, where it led to mass seabird die-offs, migrations of fish and plankton, lower oxygen levels, and an increase in  toxic algae blooms that affected marine mammals. After its first appearance, the Blob split up into multiple smaller warm water bodies, affecting Alaska, Mexico, as well as the Pacific Northwest. Although forecasters hoped that weather patterns were going to shift back in 2017, the Blob has returned and, in combination with a predicted El Niño, this coming winter looks to be much warmer and drier than usual. STORY: Work begins on Whatcom Falls Park Trestle removal The beloved Whatcom Falls Park Trestle is being removed. According to park officials, the structure is beyond repair and will be removed by the end of September so the work doesn’t interfere with salmon spawning in the creek below the trestle. According to Bellingham Parks and Recreation Project Engineer Gina Austin, the trestle is in a floodway, where structures are no longer permitted and some of the trestle’s pilings have rotted all the way through. Also, the timber used in the trestle was treated with creosote (kree – uh – sowt), which contaminates water bodies. People are asked to stay away from the structure during demolition. STORY: PeaceHealth to restore palliative care The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation, in partnership with PeaceHealth, has announced its intention to reinstate an outpatient palliative care program or OPPC for the residents of Whatcom County.  This decision comes in response to community feedback following PeaceHealth’s earlier announcement to reduce comprehensive palliative care services. In a recent announcement, Dr. Scott Foster, the CEO of PeaceHealth Medical Group, acknowledged that the previous decision regarding OPPC was made hastily without consulting key stakeholders and apologized for any distress it caused. In the release, PeaceHealth said a new model has been developed with a focus on sustainability and improved efficiency to serve both cancer and non-cancer patients. The proposed model was approved by the Foundation Board last week.  PeaceHealth plans to launch the program in early 2024. STORY: Avian flu spreading The Washington State Department of Health and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are advising the public to avoid any contact with wild birds, particularly those that appear sick or dead. The outbreak of bird flu affecting birds and seals near Fort Flagler State Park which began in July seems to be spreading. Initial findings suggest that three harbor seals from the same area may also be infected with avian influenza, with confirmation testing pending. WDFW has already removed over 1,700 deceased Caspian terns and gulls from the area and is actively monitoring the situation.  Recent detections of infected Caspian terns have also been reported near the Port of Everett, Port of Tacoma, and along the lower Columbia River. Although human infections of avian influenza are rare, they can occur through extended contact with infected animals or surfaces contaminated with their saliva or feces. Dogs and other animals can also become sick from bird flu, so don’t let your pets come in contact with sick or dead animals. WDFW urges the public to report any sick or dead birds promptly using their online form. To learn more, go to the Fish and Wildlife webpage. STORY: Money available for those affected by E WA wildfires Cash relief is available for people affected by the Eastern Washington wildfires. Residents in Spokane, Pend Orielle (POND uh RAY) and Whitman counties – if affected by the fires – can apply for immediate cash relief from Washington’s Disaster Cash Assistance Program. Unlike other cash relief programs, applying as a single person or non-pregnant individual is an option. This money is not available to people already receiving other disaster cash relief however, and the awarded amount is based on income, household size and need. Relief dollars can – at maximum – range from over $400 for a single person to over $1500 for a household of 10 or more. People can apply online at washingtonconnection.org or in person at their local community services office or call the disaster cash assistance hotline at 877-501-2233 to complete the entire application process over the phone. STORY: Bainbridge ferry limited to walk ons only The Bainbridge ferry will reduce crossings to only one boat and only allow walk-on travel …

September 5, 2023 News TranscriptRead More