State Supreme Court Justices to hold public hearings on two cases in visit to WWU, Bellingham man sentenced to two years in prison for involvement in fatal overdose, Mount Vernon police searching for Bellingham teen suspected of fleeing in stolen car, Backcountry skier perishes in snow immersion accident, La Conner schools levy set to pass following special election, House Democrats sponsor bill to bar police from stopping drivers for non-moving violations, Bellingham Valentine’s Day events
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, February 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: State Supreme Court justices to hold public hearings on two cases in visit to WWU
Washington’s Administrative Office of the Courts announced that State Supreme Court justices will hold court at Western Washington University for two days.
During their visit, they will answer public questions and hear arguments in two appellate (uh-PEH-luht) cases. The justices will participate in a Q&A panel next Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. in the Wilson Library Reading Room. WWU Associate Professor Ceci (SEH-see) Lopez will moderate the discussion. At 9 a.m. next Thursday, Chief Justice Stephens and eight associate justices will hear arguments in two cases: State v. Thompson—which questions whether a victim’s estate can intervene in an appeal— and State v. Abrams, which examines the requirements for vacating a conviction.
Since 1985, State Supreme Court justices have traveled across Washington to hear cases in community settings and engage with the public. The Court first visited WWU in 1986. This year, members of the Court will also attend a reception hosted by the Whatcom County Bar Association.
The public can attend both the Q&A panel and oral arguments. TVW will livestream the hearings, and attendees may bring cameras, provided they follow court guidelines. Those needing interpreters can contact Supreme Court Administrator Ashley Lipford.
STORY: Bellingham man sentenced to two years in prison for involvement in fatal overdose
55-year-old Brian T. Christensen was sentenced to two years in prison on Tuesday for his role in the overdose death of 34-year-old Agustin Gallardo (ah-GUS-teen guy-YARD-o) in March 2023.
Prosecutors initially charged Christensen with three felonies — including first-degree manslaughter — after he sold Gallardo what was supposed to be cocaine. The Whatcom County medical examiner later confirmed that Gallardo died from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl and methamphetamine.
According to court records, a neighbor later stated that Christensen, who struggled with a fentanyl addiction at the time, admitted to accidentally giving Gallardo fentanyl instead of cocaine, and expressed deep remorse.
Whatcom County Judge Evan Jones called the case “very difficult,” and sentenced Christensen to two years in prison and one year of community custody. Some of Gallardo’s loved ones reacted with anger, while the judge acknowledged the lasting impact of Christensen’s actions on the family.
STORY: Mount Vernon police searching for Bellingham teen suspected of fleeing in stolen car
Mount Vernon Police are on the lookout for a Bellingham teenager suspected of fleeing in a stolen car.
Officers pulled the 17-year-old over around 2 a.m. on Tuesday because the car lacked a rear license plate. The driver did not have a license on him, and gave officers a fake name. When asked to turn the engine off, he instead backed into a patrol car and fled the scene.
Police declined to chase the driver, citing safety concerns after he sped away with his headlights off. Investigators later identified the suspect and determined the car had been stolen.
According to Lieutenant Dave Shackleton, Mount Vernon Police has an active warrant for the teen’s arrest.
STORY: Backcountry skier perishes in snow immersion accident
A backcountry skier died at the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie (snow-KWAAL-mee) National Forest last week in a snow immersion accident.
Whatcom County Search and Rescue were summoned to the scene of the accident around noon last Wednesday. According to County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater, the rescue team had been informed that a skier had fallen head-first into deep snow. Despite resuscitation (ri-suh-si-TAY-shin) efforts by the skier’s partners, they died at the scene.
This was the first backcountry death in the National Forest this year. The Northwest Avalanche Center says there is moderate avalanche danger for the northwest slopes; they also reminded backcountry skiers and snowboarders to keep their partners in sight at all times, and to stay close enough to help them if they get buried in a tree well or other deep snow hazard.
STORY: La Conner schools levy set to pass following special election
With more than 78% in favor and just 10 ballots left to count as of 12:57 p.m. yesterday, voters in the La Conner School District overwhelmingly approved Proposition No. 1. Voter turnout reached a little over 39%.
The new levy replaces the current one, set to expire at the end of its term, and maintains the same tax rate of $1.11 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The four-year, $4.75 million levy will help bridge state and federal funding gaps. La Conner School District Superintendent David Cram said the levy will help to cover special education programs, materials and supplies, transportation, and food services.
Election officials will certify the results on February 21st.
STORY: House Democrats sponsor bill to bar police from stopping drivers for non-moving violations
A Democratic-backed bill in the state Legislature seeks to ban police from stopping drivers solely for non-moving violations, such as expired tabs or a broken headlight.
House Bill 1512 would require officers to mail warnings unless they have another legal reason to pull someone over. The bill, called the Traffic Safety for All Act, still allows officers to stop drivers for criminal offenses, missing license plates, seat belt violations, or registrations expired by more than a year. While police can still cite drivers for non-moving violations, they must first stop them for another infraction.
Officers would be required to immediately state the reason for a stop, and limit their questions unless they have reasonable suspicion of another offense. Police would also need written consent to search a car unless the stop involves a gross misdemeanor or felony.
Advocates for police accountability highlight racial disparities in traffic stops, and have pointed to data showing that state troopers search Native American drivers five times more often than white drivers. Despite low contraband discovery rates, some lawmakers, like Representative Dan Griffey of Allyn (ALLEN), argue that traffic stops can help uncover serious crimes, such as human trafficking. Police officials strongly oppose the bill, and cite the rise in traffic fatalities, which exceeded 800 in 2023 — the highest since 1990.
The Senate version of the bill remains unscheduled for a public hearing, and the House bill has yet to receive a committee vote. If passed, the measure would take effect 90 days after the legislative session ends on April 27th.
WX: 40 degrees? Now that’s a name I’ve not heard in a looong time.
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
The streak of chilly weather continues today. Daytime highs are projected to reach into the 40s, though a higher wind chill will likely curtail any beach plans. Some scattered sunshine throughout the day will give way to a cloudier evening, with lows in the upper-20s, and a chance of rain and snow, though little-to-none of the latter is expected to stick.
Expect some chance of precipitation early tomorrow morning, followed by more partial sunshine.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, and Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren). Our news director is Staci Baird. 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. 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 Valentine’s Day events
If you forgot to make Valentine’s Day plans, here are a few options–
B’ham Swing Jam Valentine’s Day Dance: The B’ham Bop hosts a swing dance lesson and social dance at The Nest on N Forest St. The event starts at 7 p.m, no experience is needed. Tickets are available online.
‘Fifty Shades of Velvet’ Improv Show: The Upfront Theatre on Prospect Street presents a hilarious, love-themed improv show at 9:30 p.m. Tickets cost are still available.
Discounted Mini Golf at Mammoth: Mammoth Mini Golf inside Bellis Fair Mall offers a buy-one-get-one-free deal on rounds of mini golf from Feb. 14-15. Open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Jay Irwin’s acoustic group performs from 6-8 p.m. at Stones Throw Brewery on Larrabee Avenue. The event is free, all-ages, and requires no reservations.
Carrie Jennings and Tara Chugh will perform at Aslan Depot on State Street. The free concert for ages 21+ starts at 8pm.
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