Bellingham council passes resolution calling for ceasefire in Middle East, Bellingham council proposal meant to quiet ABC Recycling meet resistance, Mount Baker Ski Area announces opening date after receiving snow over the weekend, Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges sets emergency funding for BTC as top priority, Lummi Nation to receive $1m to help make roadways safer, Fish and Wildlife proposes killing over 400,000 barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to protect endangered spotted owl, PSE to build Montana wind farm as coal-fired energy winds down, Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows, Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham council passes resolution calling for ceasefire in Middle East
During their final meeting for 2023, Bellingham City Council unanimously passed a resolution condemning racism and violence and calling for an “immediate ceasefire” in the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The resolution avoids delving into detailed aspects of the conflict but condemns racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia, and expresses concern for the 17,000 lives lost in the conflict without supporting either side. The resolution urges the Biden administration to push for a ceasefire and de-escalation.
STORY: Bellingham council proposal meant to quiet ABC Recycling meet resistance
Also at the council meeting, a proposal by Bellingham leaders to prohibit overnight quote “construction and industrial noises” met resistance from city officials.
Language being developed by City staff for inclusion into local regulatory codes would restrict overnight work by ABC Recycling. The new proposed ordinance comes after complaints from residents of South Hill and other neighborhoods that operations have disturbed their sleep. An agreement between the company and the longshoremen’s union determined that crews will stop work at midnight as a means of appeasing the residents.
Opposition to the restrictions, however, have been mounting. Port of Bellingham Executive Director Rob Fix told the council yesterday that the noise ordinance wouldn’t only affect ABC Recycling but many other maritime businesses. Fix also said the language on enforcement is very subjective. The code states that a police officer at the scene would have to make a reasonable determination as to whether the noises were disturbing quote “the peace, comfort and repose of others”.
While some council members such as Lisa Anderson are intent on making the new rules work, Mr. Fix suggested holding off on enforcing the ordinance until after ABC Recycling loads its next ship under the new hour restriction. The next scrap-metal loading is likely to happen in the first quarter of 2024.
STORY: Mount Baker Ski Area announces opening date after receiving snow over the weekend
Last weekend, Mount Baker received 17 inches of snow – and that means the ski area is opening.
The park will be available to season pass holders tomorrow, and will open to the general public on Thursday. A few events are planned for opening weekend–Santa will visit for free photos with kids, and the Baker Beacon Rally will teach mountain rescue techniques.
To check weather updates, visit mt.baker.us
STORY: Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges sets emergency funding for BTC as top priority
Repairs to Bellingham Technical College are the top priority in a recent funding request from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
The board voted unanimously Thursday on a motion for funds to repair BTC’s Campus Center. The almost-$20 million dollar request will help fix seismic reinforcement deficiencies in the building. The building has been closed since July after issues with truss points were found by engineers. The closure affects the library, food pantry, student support services, ID services, and student life services, which all had to move to different parts of campus.
The request has been sent to the State Legislature and the Campus Center building will stay closed through the 2023-24 academic year.
STORY: Lummi Nation to receive $1m to help make roadways safer
Communities across Washington, including the Lummi Nation, will receive nearly $40 million to make roadways safer for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians.
The funding, which comes from the Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, includes three project implementation grants and 22 planning grants.The Lummi Indian Business Council will receive $1 million dollars to develop a comprehensive safety action plan, and to make nine targeted intersections safer.
The Safe Streets and Roads for All program is among the transportation investments included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The law has funded nearly 1,200 transportation projects in the State of Washington in the two years since its signing in November of 2021.
STORY: Fish and Wildlife proposes killing over 400,000 barred owls in the Pacific Northwest to protect endangered spotted owl
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed a controversial plan to shoot over 400,000 barred owls over the next 30 years to protect the endangered spotted owl.
First recorded in eastern Washington in 1965 and in western Washington in 1973, Barred owls are a non-native species and have outcompeted the spotted owls for resources. The agency argues that the drastic measure is necessary to save the spotted owl from extinction. Other methods, such as sterilization and nonlethal removal, were considered impractical. The proposal has sparked ethical debates, with concerns about human responsibility for the presence of barred owls in the region. In the proposal, the agency emphasizes the need to conserve both species and justifies the lethal removal as a last resort for species preservation.
STORY: PSE to build Montana wind farm as coal-fired energy winds down
Puget Sound Energy, Washington’s largest private utility, is planning to build a 248-megawatt wind farm in Stillwater County, Montana.
PSE says the Beaver Creek wind farm will power over 80,000 homes and support the transition away from coal. Energy from the farm will replace electricity currently generated by a Montana coal plant and is part of the company’s efforts to meet Washington state’s requirements to eliminate coal-fired power by 2025.
PSE says renewable energy now makes up more than 45% of its total power supply, with a goal of reaching 60% clean energy by 2025. PSE plans to start generating electricity from Beaver Creek in 2025.
WX: Sunny
Today will be mostly sunny with a high of about 47 degrees and a low around 34. No rain is expected today, just some light winds. Tomorrow will be a little warmer with rain coming later in the afternoon.
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 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.
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STORY: Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows
And finally, if you’re in the mood for something more active, 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.
STORY: Abortions jump 23% in WA as visiting patients reverse decade-long decline
The number of abortions in Washington increased by 23% in 2022, reaching the highest level in a decade.
New data released by the Washington State Department of Health shows 20,000 abortions were performed, nearly 3,800 more than the previous year, reversing a long-term decline. The Department of Health attributes the rise to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion.
Nonresidents seeking abortions in Washington hit a modern peak, accounting for 7% of all abortions, with a 46% increase from the previous year. The trend of out-of-state individuals seeking abortion care in Washington has been ongoing since 2017. Despite the overall increase, the majority of procedures were concentrated in specific counties, notably in the Puget Sound region.
The data suggests that even in states without severe abortion restrictions, individuals may cross borders for care, emphasizing the importance of factors beyond legal regulations.
FREE FRIDAY
Lighted bikes and all-ages fun: The weather outside might seem frightful, but a bunch of lighted bikes, music, hot cocoa and general merriment will be delightful!! Save the date for the 3rd annual Lighted Bike Parade, December 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m. This all-ages event starts in Downtown Bellingham (at Depot Market Square – 1100 Railroad Ave) and Fairhaven (at Hillcrest Church – 1400 Larrabee Ave) and converges at Boulevard Park for live music and other entertainment. Free and open to all. Costumes are encouraged, holiday cheer is required! Co-hosted with WTA, Downtown Bellingham Partnership, Fairhaven Association, Whatcom Smart Tips and Western Washington University.
