Port of Bellingham launches new project, promising environmental cleanup and new jobs, Medical examiner reports cause of death for Bellingham man who went off-roading alone, Missing Mount Vernon girl found in Michigan, Rent stabilization bill stalls in WA Senate, Providence must provide $157.8 million in refunds and debt relief for unlawful medical charges to low-income Washingtonians, Free and Cheap, BNSF Railway responsible for Tunnel 5 fire, damage, lawsuit alleges
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, February 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Port of Bellingham launches new project, promising environmental cleanup and new jobs
The Port of Bellingham is due to start a long-awaited, multi-million-dollar project that aims to create jobs and provide environmental cleanup.
The 27.5 million dollar Bellingham Shipping Terminal Modernization Project is set to launch this month after crews received their needed materials yesterday. The current shipping terminal would go through changes such as increased water depth – which would allow larger ships to access the terminal –, a reinforced dock, and the addition of a state-of-the-art stormwater management system. The project also includes the removal of 22,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the water.
The project will be supported by a 6.5 million dollar grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
STORY: Medical examiner reports cause of death for Bellingham man who went off-roading alone
The Whatcom County Medical Examiner has determined the cause of death for a 26-year-old Bellingham man reported missing last month.
The cause of death was determined to be from hypothermia. In his last communication on January 17th, Stefan Oliver mentioned off-roading at the Nooksack River. His body was discovered on the 21st in a ditch covered in snow. His vehicle was found the next day. According to a report by Whatcom County Examiner Deb Hollis, Oliver likely succumbed to hypothermia after crashing his car and attempting to walk to the road.
STORY: Missing Mount Vernon girl found in Michigan
A missing teenage girl from Mount Vernon has been found in the Midwest.
Mount Vernon Police stated they received a tip on the location of 14-year-old Ella Jones. It was found that someone had ordered a rideshare on January 6th from Jones’ house to an address in the town of South Haven, Michigan. Officials from the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office found Jones at the address on the 31st, and promptly arrested a 30-year-old suspect, who has not yet been identified. A Facebook page set up after Jones’ disappearance stated that it was believed she had been “groomed and coerced by an individual online who uses the cover name ‘Keith’.”
The suspect faces a total of four charges between Michigan and Washington, including kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct.
STORY: Rent stabilization bill stalls in WA Senate
Although homelessness and housing costs are top of mind for Washingtonians, renter protection bills are still struggling to pass in the legislature.
Authors of House Bill 2114 and Senate Bill 5961 say the aim is to provide rent predictability and stability by: limiting annual rent increases to 15% for existing tenants, requiring landlords to give six months’ notice for increases over 3%, limiting fees, and requiring consistency in month-to-month leases. The bills also extend eviction protections, offer enforcement for rent violations, and establish a landlord resource center.
Data shows significant pressure on Washingtonians to move due to rent increases. Advocates argue the bills’ will provide stability for renters and support landlords.
However, SB 5961 is effectively dead, having not passed by the deadline of January 31st. One holdout vote caused the bill to stall, from Senator Annette Cleveland from Vancouver. Cleveland said her biggest problem with the Senate bill is its core language capping rent increases at 15 percent annually, something that she says would cause long term issues. Previous versions of the bill had the limit capped at 5 percent, and was increased in a new version last Friday.
The companion version of the bill however did pass the House, and is still alive.
STORY: Providence must provide $157.8 million in refunds and debt relief for unlawful medical charges to low-income Washingtonians
The Attorney General’s Office announced yesterday that Providence Health Care must provide nearly 160 million dollars in debt and refunds to low-income Washingtonians.
State law requires hospitals to provide charity care to patients based on their income level. In 2022, Ferguson filed an enforcement action against Providence for deceiving patients who qualified for medical discounts from 2018 to 2023.
Providence now owes around 21 million, including interest, in refunds to 35,000 patients. Providence also must forgive 137 million in medical debt to over 65,000 patients. The health care provider has already forgiven 126 million in patients’ medical charges, and will pay back the remaining 11 million now that the action is filed.
Patients who will receive refunds or forgiveness will receive checks in the mail or notices that their balances have been written off. Anyone who believes they are not receiving the financial support they deserve should contact the Attorney General’s Office.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend? Here are some events happening around the county.
The Bellingham Dockside Market will also have its bimonthly pop-up on Saturday at Squalicum Harbor from 10 to 2. Visit the dock early to ensure the best selection of seafood options, from dock to table.
Also on Saturday, the Bellingham Makerspace at Bellis Fair is hosting a Mini Figure Painting event. Minifigures, like the ones used in tabletop roleplay games, will be provided, as well as paints, brushes, and instruction. All ages are welcome, and registration is required on the Bellingham Makerspace website. The event runs from 2 to 5 pm.
Finally, on Sunday, the Central Library is hosting a Crafternoon for kids aged 9 to 14. The event provides all the materials required for the project, as well as snacks. The class will run in the Lecture Room from 1:30 to 3 pm. Pre-registration is available online at the Bellingham Public Library.
WX: Rain
There is a slight chance of rain today, with a high of 54 degrees and moderate winds. The rain will give way to clouds later today, with lows of around 40. This weekend will be a little bit chillier, with lows around 36. However, the sun will finally come out, with sunshine here to stay until Tuesday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, 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: BNSF Railway responsible for Tunnel 5 fire, damage, lawsuit alleges
A new lawsuit filed against BNSF Railway alleges that they are responsible for a fire that burned over 500 acres in the Columbia River Gorge last year.
The lawsuit, filed in Skamania (skuh-MAY-nee-uh) County court, alleges that the Tunnel 5 fire started as a result of sparks, hot debris, particles, emissions and other materials from a passing BNSF Railway train that ignited nearby vegetation. It alleges that the railway company knew the risks of operating a debris prone 46-year-old locomotive amid high fire danger. The lawsuit cites a Department of Natural Resources report that identified brake debris and carbon emission particles found from that same train as being the cause of the fire.
The fire burned for over a week, burning nearly 550 acres and destroying 10 homes.
