Body scanners are failing, allowing drugs and other contraband into Whatcom County Jail, Bellingham Asking for Public Imput: Park Naming and art installation, NWCAA lifts Stage 2 air quality ban for Maple Falls, WCC enrollment up, After a newly bought Bothel house exploded, experts urge caution, Amtrak adding 2 daily trips between Seattle, Portland, Former WSDOT economist alleges he was pressured to lie about gas prices, Blaine City approves Plover restoration project, WDFW researchers will use drones for swan and goose surveys in Whatcom, Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, as salmonella outbreak grows, Respiratory illness in Dog’s first cases reported in WA
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Body scanners are failing, allowing drugs and other contraband into Whatcom County Jail
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced last week that faulty body scanners at Whatcom County Jail have allowed drugs and other contraband to enter the facility.
Undersheriff Doug Chadwick outlined the seriousness of the issue, noting thirteen overdoses at the Jail this year, including three fentanyl overdoses in the last two weeks.
The two body scanners were bought in 2018 and 2019, but according to Chadwick have not been adequately maintained, with the company that makes the scanners not servicing them. Costs for replacing the scanners are expected to be $200,000 each and will come from the county Jail Fund.
STORY: Bellingham asking for public input: Park naming and art installation
The City of Bellingham is asking for help in choosing a name for a new park in the Cordata neighborhood. Those who want to share their ideas, or vote for others, can do so at the Engage Bellingham website.
The city is also looking for artists for an interior installation at the new buildings being built for the Pacific Street Operations Center. The section will include a glass-enclosed lobby open to the public where people can enjoy the artwork. $240,000 will be available for design, materials, fabrication and installation of the artwork. Interested artists can submit a proposal by January 5th. More information is available on the city’s Public Arts page.
STORY: NWCAA lifts Stage 2 air quality burn ban for Maple Falls area
The Northwest Clean Air Agency canceled a Stage 2 air quality burn ban for the Columbia Valley and Maple Falls area last Friday. The agency stated that the air quality has improved, although they still ask residents to limit indoor wood burning as much as possible to avoid another burn ban in the near future.
STORY: WCC enrollment up
Enrollment at colleges across the country have been down due to the pandemic, but some are starting to recover, including Whatcom Community College. Reporter Connor O’boyle has more.
WCC AUDIO
STORY: After a newly bought Bothell house exploded, experts urge caution
Experts are urging people to exercise caution with gas appliances in their homes after a Bothell house exploded Wednesday morning.
The owners of the house had finalized the purchase of the house only two days prior to the explosion. The married couple and their two children had stayed at the house for the first time the night before, and all left just a couple of hours before the explosion. Authorities in Snohomish County are still investigating the cause, though they believe it was due to a gas leak.
Experts urge anyone living in a house with gas appliances to recognize the sulfur-like smell of a gas leak, and say residents should get out of the house and call 911 immediately if they notice the smell. They also advise homeowners to ensure carbon monoxide detectors work and get regular maintenance done on gas appliances.
STORY: Amtrak adding 2 daily roundtrips between Seattle, Portland
Starting December 11, WSDOT and ODOT will introduce two additional daily roundtrip Amtrak Cascades trains between Seattle and Portland, bringing the total to six roundtrips per day. The new schedule aims to provide more convenient travel options, with additional morning and afternoon departures. Tickets for the added trains will be available starting December 1 on AmtrakCascades.com, with early booking encouraged, especially for the holidays.
STORY: Former WSDOT economist alleges he was pressured to lie about gas prices
A former economist for the Washington State Department of Transportation, Scott Smith, has alleged that he was instructed to lie about the impacts of the state’s carbon market on fuel costs.
The conservative nonprofit Citizen Action Defense Fund filed a claim on behalf of Smith, stating that he was forced out of his job for refusing to violate state law and provide false information about the cost impacts of the state’s cap-and-trade program. The claim, a precursor to a lawsuit, comes amid opposition to the state’s carbon market, with critics attributing rising gas prices to the compliance fees.
Smith alleges retaliation for refusing to mislead about the cost of the carbon market, with the claim emphasizing that this issue is not about climate change but about the treatment of an employee who refused to provide misleading information. WSDOT has yet to respond comprehensively, and investigations are expected.
WX: Flood Watch, High winds
Due to an active weather pattern that is expected to bring a series of frontal systems across the Pacific Northwest, there is a flood watch in much of Washington, including Whatcom County. The atmospheric river event could result in extensive street flooding and overflow of creeks and rivers. Today’s high will reach about 57 degrees, with lows around 48. Winds are expected to reach 23 mph in the afternoon, with gusts of up to 30 mph. The wind will persist, but settle down overnight. Tomorrow’s temperatures will be about the same.
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: Blaine city council approves Plover restoration contract
STORY: WDFW researchers will use drones for swan and goose surveys in Whatcom
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will conduct surveys of swan and geese in Whatcom using drones.
The plan comes as swan and geese migrate and return to Whatcom County and other counties in western Washington. Emphasis will be on flights over WDFW-managed lands, with WDFW seeking pre-approval by other landowners should flights over additional lands be considered.
The purpose of the flights is to assess the Department’s ability to capture high quality images of swan and geese to better monitor the birds. WDFW biologists will also assess how population estimates derived from these images compare with more traditional ground counts, helping determine the best way drones can be used to monitor waterfowl.
No area closures or significant public impacts are expected.
STORY: Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows
STORY: Respiratory illness in dogs’ first cases reported in WA
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.
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.
