BPD asking additional victims of sexual assault to come forward, Whatcom sheriff’s early retirement to create brief leadership void, WWU battles persistent sewage leak affecting Outback Farm, Broken boiler leaves Bellingham Family Partnership students, staff in limbo, WA AG, others support blocking Idaho bathroom law, Free and Cheap, Flood Watch, Nooksack River up around “Action Levels”
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday November 1st. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: BPD asking additional victims of sexual assault to come forward
The Bellingham Police Department is seeking the public’s help in identifying potential victims of sexual assault.
BPD took 27-year-old Julio Ortiz-Ortiz into custody based on probable cause for an incident occurring earlier last month. He was booked into the Whatcom County Jail following his arrest.
Victims are believed to be vulnerable men, such as those who are experiencing homelessness, or men incapacitated by alcohol and/or other substances. He is known to have picked up victims in a black truck. BPD released Ortiz-Ortiz’s photo in the hopes that other victims or witnesses will come forward.
Anyone with information concerning these incidents are requested to call the BPD’s non-emergency dispatch line.
STORY: Whatcom sheriff’s early retirement to create brief leadership void
After more than 20 years as Whatcom County’s sheriff, Bill Elfo is leaving the position eight days earlier than planned.
In a letter to the county council, Elfo cited state pension plan requirements as the reason for his early departure, with his last day set for December 31. Incoming sheriff Donnell (don-NELL) Tanksley won’t be sworn in until January 8. Tanksley, who won the November election, expressed readiness to start early if the council wishes, and both he and Elfo emphasized a friendly transition.
The council will decide on December 5 whether to appoint someone for the interim period.
STORY: WWU battles persistent sewage leak affecting Outback Farm
Fairhaven College is still struggling with sewage leaks at the University’s Outback Farm.
The leak was stopped last Monday when a hole along the pipeline was temporarily plugged. This has highlighted concern about Western’s aging stormwater system. Sewage was seen flowing into a farm waterway in October, which affected operations and forced the cancellation of the Fall Harvest Jubilee for the second consecutive year.
The University has stated that there was no indication the soil at the farm was contaminated.
STORY: Broken boiler leaves Bellingham Family Partnership students, staff in limbo
A broken boiler at Larrabee Elementary School is causing uncertainties for the Bellingham Family Partnership Program which serves nearly 300 students.
The Program has been using the 100-year-old Larrabee building, but now the school district has been unsuccessful at repairing the boiler. Temporary solutions included space heaters and external heating units, but no long-term plans have been made.
While splitting the student population across different temporary locations is possible, the district says it is also exploring other options and says it is committed to finding a welcoming and safe space for the program in the short and long term.
STORY: WA AG, others support blocking Idaho bathroom law
Washington and New York Attorneys General are leading a coalition of 20 states in an effort to block an Idaho law that bars trans students from using their preferred school bathroom.
The law, which came into effect in July, has an ongoing lawsuit against it from a seventh grade trans girl and the Boise High School Sexuality and Gender Alliance. They argue the law is unconstitutional and violates the equal protection clause, Title IX (9), and their right to privacy. As part of the lawsuit, a temporary restraining order has put the law on pause.
The group of 22 attorneys general submitted a court brief in support of the students, stating that the law violates Title IX by discriminating against gender-identity, and that the protection of transgender people does not require any significant changes or an undue compromise of privacy.
Under Washington law, school districts are required to allow trans students to use bathrooms consistent with their gender identity and must provide all students with an alternative restroom to use if they want more privacy, regardless of gender.
STORY: Free and Cheap
It’s the season for holiday events and there’s a lot going on.
Today at 5pm, the Ferndale Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Community Tree Lighting at the Centennial Riverwalk Park Fountain, with hot cocoa, cookies, and carols.
Fairhaven will have a meet and greet with Father Christmas tomorrow at the Village Green from 12-3pm. At the same time, there will be free horse-drawn carriage rides around the village. Later that day, from 5 to 8pm, the Fairhaven Firelight Stroll will feature a luminaria lined path, and cocoa or spiced cider as you stroll down the wooded path. From 5 to 9, Stones Throw Brewery is hosting the Winterfest Block Party.
The annual Holiday Port Festival will take place this weekend, from 11am to 5pm each day. Hosted at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal, the free, family-friendly event will have live performances by local music and dance groups, an annual Gingerbread House Contest and Display, and visits and photos with Santa Claus.
And finally, if you’re in the mood for something more outdoorsy, volunteer work parties are happening every Saturday until December 16th throughout Bellingham’s parks. Volunteers are needed from 9AM-12pm– you can find out which parks are being worked on by visiting VolunteerBellingham.org.
WX: Flood Watch, Nooksack River up around “Action Levels,
An active weather pattern is expected to bring a series of frontal systems across the Pacific Northwest, leading to persistent rain and mountain snow with increasing intensity through the weekend and into next week. The atmospheric river event may result in extensive street flooding and overflow of creeks and rivers. The total rainfall forecast has increased, ranging from 3 to 7 inches over lowlands and up to 10 to 12 inches over the Cascades and 10 to 15 inches over the Olympics. Today’s high will reach about 46 degrees, with lows around 43.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Alex Michael, 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 your 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 __David Korb______________ and thanks for listening.
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