Flooding in Whatcom, Skagit, Washington, Hundreds show up in opposition to proposed Whatcom County metal shredder, Ferndale company fined nearly $1 million for environmental violations at Cherry Point, Bellingham school administrators accused of failing to report student assaults resolve cases, Ferndale company fined nearly $1 million for environmental violations at Cherry Point, Bellingham landlords may see stiffer penalties for substandard housing, Amtrak service between Seattle and Portland canceled due to landslide, Don’t eat pre-cut cantaloupe if the source is unknown, CDC says, as deadly salmonella outbreak grows
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STORY: Flooding in Whatcom, Skagit, Washington
Flooding along the Skagit River has come within inches of 2021’s flood event heights, and national aid has been deployed since Monday afternoon.
The river reached nearly 39 feet in Concrete yesterday and almost 30 feet near Mount Vernon today, slightly below the peak in 2021. The Red Cross has opened an emergency shelter at Hamilton First Baptist Church in Sedro-Woolley, stocked with essential supplies, and all residents in the area are urged to seek safety immediately.
As of 10 am this morning, Whatcom County Public Works officials have reported several road closures due to flooding of the Nooksack River and adjacent streams, including: Hannegan Road, Ferndale Road, and parts of Marine Drive. The flood stages for the Nooksack have ended, but overflowed water still remains.
Emergency officials expect the impact from the floods to remain.
STORY: Hundreds show up in opposition to proposed Whatcom County metal shredder
A crowd of around 300 people gathered at the Squalicum Boathouse last night to express concerns and opposition to a proposed metal shredding facility.
The audience raised questions about noise, traffic, and environmental risks associated with ABC Recycling’s plans to build a metal shredder in the Alderwood neighborhood of Bellingham. Many attendees were vocal in their opposition, showing a desire to run ABC Recycling out of town.
Brian Sarni, a local with 40 years of experience cleaning hazardous materials, voiced his perspective:
(SOUND BITE BRIAN SARNI)
Sarah Gardener, a local, shared her concern with the shredder’s location:
(SARAH GARDENER AUDIO)
Despite shouts and comments from the crowd, the company outlined its plans, including the submission of a major project permit application and an environmental checklist. ABC Recycling has submitted documents, including a noise study and a 638-page stormwater management report, addressing worries.
Riley Sweeney, communications professional at ABC recycling, attempts to calm concerns.
(SWEENEY AUDIO 2)
The project faces potential political pressure, and the final decision rests with the Whatcom County Council.
ABC aims to start construction in 2024 and open the facility in 2025, pending permit approvals.
STORY: Bellingham school administrators accused of failing to report student assaults resolve cases
The three Bellingham school administrators accused of failing to report a former Squalicum High School student’s sexual assaults have resolved their criminal cases.
The administrators entered into a deferred prosecution agreement at a court hearing yesterday at the Whatcom County District Court, having originally pleaded not guilty in the case. The Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced that the criminal cases will continue for 90 days while the administrators do community service, and that the charges will be dismissed once that has been completed.
The administrators had originally been criminally cited in December of last year with one count of failing to report, which is a gross misdemeanor
punishable by up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine. News of the citations prompted several hundred Squalicum students to walk out of class in protest.
In a note sent to the public, Bellingham Public Schools Superintendent Greg Baker stated the district continues quote “to believe that our staff acted in good faith to protect and support a student, and that the specific information they received did not require a mandatory report.”
STORY: Ferndale company fined nearly $1 million for environmental violations at Cherry Point
The owners of a biodiesel refinery west of Ferndale are being fined $900,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology for improper waste management.
The Treoil (TREE-oil) industrial site has been used since the 80s to process pine tree rosin and refine biodiesel. During this time, the property accumulated a large amount of dangerous waste and company owners left it unsecured and improperly stored.
Ecology first discovered the lack of waste compliance in 2014 and ordered Treoil to dispose of it properly. A 2017 inspection again found non-compliance on the site, and the EPA deployed an emergency response team to conduct a cleanup. Afterwards, the owner refused to grant property access to the departments. Inspectors obtained court-ordered access in 2022 and found that the site conditions were the same or worse than before the cleanup and conducted a second cleanup. The costs of the two
cleanups totaled almost $4.3 million. The $900 thousand dollar penalty does not include cost recovery for those actions.
Treoil has 30 days to pay the penalty or appeal it to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board.
STORY: Bellingham landlords may see stiffer penalties for substandard housing
The Bellingham City Council is drafting tougher penalties for landlords whose properties fail safety inspections.
In a meeting last Monday, the council voted to pursue proposals that would expand Bellingham’s existing tenant protections and laws meant to ensure that rental properties are safe. The proposals come in response to a draft ordinance co-written by council member Kristina Martens and the renters’ advocacy group Tenants Revolt. The ordinance included a $10,000 penalty for landlords collecting rent from tenants living in substandard housing, as well as requiring landlords who failed a city inspection to pay for the costs of relocating renters.
The changes proposed by the City Council would require the hiring of eight additional inspectors at a cost of $1.2 million dollars in annual salaries and benefits.
STORY: Amtrak service between Seattle and Portland canceled due to landslide
A landslide near train tracks in southern Washington has paralyzed the Amtrak service between Seattle and Portland.
BNSF announced the closure yesterday morning, which resulted in canceled trips between the two cities. The services between Portland-and-Eugene and between Seattle-and-Vancouver are running normally. The Seattle-to-Portland service is due to restart tomorrow morning.
STORY: Inslee wants to spend $50M more to combat opioid crisis
Governor Jay Inslee is urging the state to spend an additional $50 million to address the impact of illegal opioids in Washington.
In a recent release, the Governor announced a proposed budget that includes funds for public health campaigns in schools, recovery houses, and expanded access to medically assisted treatment, especially in tribal communities and prisons. This supplemental budget would complement the existing $200 million dollars already allocated in the 2023-2025 state budget.
The plan includes distributing more naloxone to first responders, funding for police drug stings, and creating additional community health hubs to offer diverse health and social services. Tribes will receive funding to implement the “Icelandic Prevention Model” that focuses on a whole community approach to reducing youth substance use.
The governor emphasized the need to combat the influx of fentanyl by reaching vulnerable populations and removing drugs from the streets.
WX: Flood Watch/Warning, Ferndale flooding
There is an active flood watch in much of western Washington. The National Weather Service has also released a statement warning that the extra rainfall and water has increased the risk of landslides.
Today will be cloudy with a high reaching about 50 degrees and a chance of rain after 4pm. Today’s low is around 40. There will be more rain tonight, going into tomorrow morning– be safe out there.
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.
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.
