Port: ABC Recycling has 30 days to meet environmental requirements — or leave, Western Washington University plans to vacate, demolish several rental homes north of campus, Two detained in Bellingham drive-by shooting, Two detained in Bellingham drive-by shooting, Nooksack Tribe celebrates new tiny home development for community members, Car found 50 feet off Mount Baker Highway, PNW tribal nations, states sign historic Columbia Basin agreement with U.S., Low wages, high costs: WA prisoners say they’re being exploited, according to report
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STORY: Port: ABC Recycling has 30 days to meet environmental requirements — or leave
Port of Bellingham officials have given ABC Recycling an ultimatum: comply with environmental requirements within a month, or leave.
The ultimatum was issued on Thursday, just days after ABC Recycling docked a barge at Colony Wharf without permission. The company, which later moved the barge to Seattle, stated in an email to port officials that the company was unaware that Colony Wharf is part of the port’s operations. Port Executive Director Rob Fix stated at a commission meeting last Tuesday that his agency would prohibit ABC vessels from docking at the port’s properties until the company satisfies the environmental conditions of its lease.
The barge, according to Fix, likely had no pollution controls and would have posed an environmental hazard to the Whatcom Waterfront had it stayed at Colony Wharf. ABC Recycling CEO David Yochlowitz (YAW-clo-witz) said in an email to port officials that his company would comply with the requirements.
STORY: Western Washington University plans to vacate, demolish several rental homes north of campus
Western Washington University plans to demolish four decades-old residential homes and vacate two others this spring.
Located just north of campus along Ivy Terrace Street, the four homes have been uninhabited for at least a year and were originally vacated due to mold, according to Western Director of Communications Jonathan Higgins. A tree fell on one of the unoccupied units during a fall storm, making it structurally unstable. The university plans to vacate an additional two homes, having given the tenants 90 days’ notice. Higgins did not say why the two occupied residences are being vacated or whether the university expects to demolish them as well.
According to recent reporting by the Bellingham Herald, one of the residents is concerned about finding new housing. James Beach has lived in the house for 20 years, and says that he would like to keep living there if there are no plans to demolish it. Beach said that, with housing already limited in Bellingham, displacing tenants and demolishing homes worsens the problem.
Higgins said the university is assessing opportunities to develop the properties into higher-density housing or other facilities that will benefit the community.
STORY: Two detained in Bellingham drive-by shooting
Two Seattle men were booked into the Whatcom County jail last weekend on suspicion of drive-by shooting and first degree malicious mischief.
According to Bellingham Police Information Officer Megan Peters, shots were reported around 3 p.m. on Saturday near the corner of Bakerview and Hannegan Roads. An hour later, the vehicle was spotted by a sheriff’s deputy about 2 miles away, in the area near Telegraph Rd. and Meridian St. The sheriff’s office initiated a traffic stop and detained the two individuals in the vehicle, Peters said.
The investigation is ongoing.
STORY: Nooksack Tribe celebrates new tiny home development for community members
The Nooksack Indian Tribe added three tiny homes for tribal community members last week.
The tribe says the completion of these homes marks a significant milestone in addressing the critical need for housing within the community, with over 200 enrolled members on the housing waitlist. The units will each house one to two people from the Nooksack Tribal housing applicant list. Members of the Tribal Council, Nooksack elders, tribal, and community members gathered at the location in Deming to celebrate.
The Nooksack Tribe has several other housing projects underway, including three two-bedroom units and one four-bedroom unit, to be located on First Street on the Nooksack Reservation.
STORY: Car found 50 feet off Mount Baker Highway
First responders were dispatched to Mount Baker Highway about 7:50am on Sunday due to reports of a vehicle that crashed off the highway.
Washington State Patrol reported the initial information received was that the vehicle was 50 feet off the roadway with 4 occupants, about 3 miles below Mt. Baker Ski Area. The vehicle was determined to be a total loss, all occupants were able to get themselves out of the car and the driver was transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center.
The State Patrol is investigating the cause of the crash.
STORY: State legislation pass anti-book banning bill
Lawmakers in Olympia are deliberating a bill that would prohibit school districts from banning books.
In a 29-20 vote, the state Senate recently approved House Bill 2331, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. If passed, the bill would prevent school boards from banning books based on their association with protected groups like race, religion, or sexual orientation. However, school districts could still restrict access to certain books if a parent or guardian complains.
Supporters argue that the bill supports inclusivity and provides a welcoming environment for all students. Opponents advocate for parental and school board involvement in book selection.
The bill now awaits review by Governor Inslee.
STORY: PNW tribal nations, states sign historic Columbia Basin agreement with U.S.
On Friday, leaders of four Pacific Northwest tribal nations signed a historic agreement with the US that lays out the future of hydropower dams in the Columbia River Basin.
The memorandum of understanding was signed by Nez Perce(NEZ PIERCE), Umatilla (OOO-muh-till-uh), Warm Springs, and Yakama tribes, as well as Washington and Oregon. The $1 billion plan outlines tribal-led construction of 1 to 3 gigawatts of clean-energy projects, along with a deal to allow for additional dam spillover in the spring to help young Chinook (shin-OOOK) migrate to the sea.
However, not everyone is happy with the deal. Local tribes and environmental groups have been fighting to remove the dams completely, and this agreement does not guarantee any further action on that front. The settlement does pause the legal fight over wild fish restoration that began in the 90s.
It also includes a commitment to begin replacing the hydropower provided by the dam, giving hope that dam removal may be possible in the future.
WX: Snow
Your Whatcom County weather today– there is a chance of rain and snow today with a high near 44 degrees, and moderate winds. More precipitation will come late tonight with lows around 30. More snow and rain is predicted for tomorrow, although it is unlikely to stick.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman 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: Low wages, high costs: WA prisoners say they’re being exploited, according to report
A new report characterizes Washington’s incarceration system as akin to modern-day slavery.
The report by advocacy group Columbia Legal Services (CLS), based on surveys and interviews with prisoners, details a system that compels individuals in prison to work for as little as $1 per hour, and at the same time face exorbitant costs to maintain their health and connections to the outside world.
Most incarcerated individuals in Washington prisons hold jobs, with a significant portion involved in correctional industries like food service or furniture construction, which can pay higher wages. However, according to CLS respondents, many are coerced to take those positions as those incarcerated often struggle to afford necessities like food and hygiene products due to inflated prices in prison commissaries. Advocates say the inability to save money while in prison contributes to higher rates of recidivism.
The Department of Corrections disputes some aspects of the report, pointing out that the 13th Amendment’s exception for criminal punishments allows for such labor practices, and highlighting the fact that some prison jobs pay up to $2.85 an hour.
The report calls for legislative action to address these systemic issues and support measures to improve the successful reintegration into society of former-prisoners upon release. Despite recommendations for policy changes, such as higher wages and reduced costs, the state has not addressed these concerns in the current legislative session.
