Police seeking information on whereabouts of missing woman suspected to be residing in Bellingham encampment, Bellingham’s severe weather shelter still seeking volunteers as temperatures drop, Whatcom County to hold warrant quash on Thursday, Stage 2 burn ban enacted for area of eastern Whatcom County, State audit finds housing assistance tax credit “ineffective,” and “disappointing”, Governor-elect Ferguson forms subcommittee to combat potential effects of Project 2025, Bellingham to require residents to use curbside compost bins for organic waste beginning in 2025, Court upholds decision against Meta
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, December 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Police seeking information on whereabouts of missing woman suspected to be residing in Bellingham encampment
The Bellingham Police Department is seeking help to locate 30-year-old Ruby Nicole Juhl (JULE), an Oak Harbor woman missing for over a year. She may be living in a Bellingham encampment. Juhl is 5’7″ and 135 pounds. She has no teeth, a large birthmark on her right thigh, and possibly a shaved head. Anyone with information is urged to submit a tip at the City of Bellingham’s website.
STORY: Bellingham’s severe weather shelter still seeking volunteers as temperatures drop
Volunteers are needed to help operate Bellingham’s Severe Weather Shelter, as temperatures continue to drop in Whatcom County.
The shelter, located in the Central Lutheran Church at North Forest Street, can hold up to 70 people and will be operated by the county’s Department of Health and Community Services. Until March, the shelter will open whenever overnight temperatures are expected to drop to 32 degrees or
below, with notices sent out 48 hours in advance before the shelter is expected to open.
As part of the Opportunity Council and in partnership with the county, the Whatcom Volunteer Center is offering volunteer management, recruitment and support services for the shelter, as well as training in de-escalation and crisis intervention. Volunteers must be 18 or older, complete a background check, and have access to reliable transportation. Those interested in signing up to volunteer can sign up at the Whatcom Volunteer Center’s website.
Other shelters in Whatcom County include the Ferndale Community Services shelter at the United Church building on Washington Street, the Lighthouse Mission on F Street, Stommish Hall at Lummi View Drive, and the YWCA. Options for those in Skagit County include the Community Center at Railroad Avenue in Concrete, as well as the Welcome Home Skagit Resource Center on North Laventure Road in Mount Vernon.
STORY: Whatcom County to hold warrant quash on Thursday Whatcom County District Court is hosting a Warrant Quash Day tomorrow.
Defendants with outstanding ‘failure to appear’ warrants will get an opportunity to resolve their cases. By quashing a warrant, individuals can avoid arrest, get their case back on track, and receive a new court date. The event is limited to warrants issued by the District Court.
Participants should arrive at the District Court Clerk’s Office on the fourth floor of the County Courthouse on Grand Avenue between 10 a.m. and noon. The number of quash days in 2025 will depend on how many people participate in tomorrow’s event.
STORY: Stage 2 burn ban enacted for area of eastern Whatcom County
A high-pressure weather system that traps wood smoke low to the ground has triggered a Stage 2 burn ban for eastern Whatcom County.
All indoor and outdoor wood burning is prohibited in the Columbia Valley Urban Growth Area, including Peaceful Valley and Paradise Lake. The ban includes fireplaces, stoves, and fire pits.
According to the Northwest Clean Air Commission, air quality in eastern Whatcom County is currently moderate, and poses risks to individuals sensitive to pollution. Violators may face fines or enforcement actions. Updates on the ban will be shared by the Northwest Clean Air Agency through its website and social media.
STORY: State audit finds housing assistance tax credit “ineffective,” and “disappointing”
A state audit has criticized Washington’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program for failing to deliver on its promise to allow low-income tenants to purchase their rental homes.
The program, managed by the state’s Housing Finance Commission, supports the development of affordable rental housing and is supposed to include an option for tenants to buy their homes after 15 years. However, of the nearly 1,300 low-income housing projects statewide, only 18 actually offer the option, and no homes have been sold to tenants despite roughly 140 being eligible as of 2023. Most eligible homes are managed by Tribal governments, including 85 owned by the Nooksack Indian Tribe.
Concerns raised over evictions at LIHTC housing projects managed by the Nooksack Indian Tribe prompted the audit. It was found that, while the Housing Finance Commission was not to blame, it did not effectively monitor project owners or provide sufficient guidance to facilitate home sales. Although the commission met legal requirements, it failed to ensure progress toward tenant purchases, which the audit deemed quote-unquote “disappointing.” Despite these shortcomings, the program continues to provide affordable rental housing to disadvantaged communities.
Recommendations include improved oversight, clearer guidance for project owners, and better communication about tenant purchase options.
STORY: Governor-elect Ferguson forms subcommittee to combat potential effects of Project 2025
Governor-elect Bob Ferguson says he is creating a transition team subcommittee to address Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda from the Heritage Foundation.
In a recent interview, Ferguson warned that the plan could threaten abortion access, LGBTQ+ rights, environmental protections, and workers’ rights, and could also lead to mass deportations. As attorney general, Ferguson frequently challenged Trump’s administration in court, and says he is now focused on safeguarding Washington residents’ rights.
According to a recent announcement, the subcommittee will be co-chaired by leaders from Planned Parenthood and the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, and will address potential impacts. Included in the list are federal funding cuts, restrictions on reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming care, as well as disruptions to families and the economy from mass deportations.
Critics argue Ferguson should prioritize state-level issues, but he emphasizes that federal policies like Project 2025 would significantly affect Washingtonians, which makes proactive measures necessary.
WX: I fired. I mist.
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
From a beautiful, sunny-but-cold morning we can expect at least partial sunshine for the afternoon. Daytime highs will reach the mid-40s, alongside calm winds. Evening temperatures are expected to fall into the mid-30s.
The fog is expected to mostly recede by tomorrow, as the forecast is currently calling for predominantly sunny skies and slightly warmer weather.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Riley Weeks, Brodey O’Brien, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). Tune in to lTloocal 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. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: Bellingham to require residents to use curbside compost bins for organic waste beginning in 2025
Bellingham will require all residents to participate in the FoodPlus! food waste recycling program starting early next year, ahead of a statewide mandate.
According to the City, the program costs $13.69 a month, and residents will be provided a 60-gallon bin for food scraps, yard debris, food-soiled paper, and compostable packaging, which will be collected biweekly. The initiative aims to reduce landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions by
diverting organic materials—currently 30% of the county’s waste stream—into composting.
Approximately 8,000 households already use the service, and the City says an education campaign will help the 12,000 new customers learn what materials to include. By mid-2025, residents will have three bins: one for trash, one for recycling, and another for organic waste. As per state law, areas outside Bellingham, including Whatcom County’s urban growth area, will not face the mandate until 2030.
The city says its proactive measures align with their broader goals to improve waste management and sustainability.
STORY: Court upholds decision against Meta
The Washington Court of Appeals upheld a $24.6 million penalty against Meta, Facebook’s parent company, for intentionally violating Washington’s campaign finance laws 822 times.
The court also tripled Attorney General Bob Ferguson’s legal fees to $10.5 million, citing Meta’s intentional misconduct. These penalties stem from Meta’s failure to comply with state requirements for transparency in campaign advertising, such as disclosing ad costs, sponsors, and targeting details.
Meta had argued that the law was unconstitutional and sought reduced penalties, but the court rejected these claims. The case dates back to 2020, when Ferguson sued Meta for ignoring a 2018 consent decree requiring transparency. This decision reinforces Washington’s stringent
campaign finance laws, with penalties directed to the state’s Public Disclosure Transparency Account.
