Bike patrols return to downtown Bellingham amid city’s shift in security approach, In-person public comments to return to Bellingham city council meetings next Monday, Whatcom real estate market reports bounce-back in 2024, with increased prices and sales, Whatcom real estate market reports bounce-back in 2024, with increased prices and sales, Flu cases surge in Washington, UW School of Medicine receives federal grant to study respiratory diseases akin to COVID, WA to implement new abortion pill rules, Free or Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 10th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Bike patrols return to downtown Bellingham amid city’s shift in security approach
Bellingham’s police bike patrol is back in action as part of the city’s updated downtown security plan.
A sergeant and four officers now patrol downtown daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., focusing on community engagement and quality-of-life issues. This change allows private security firm Risk Solutions Unlimited (or RSU) to concentrate on patrolling city-owned parking garages.
According to the City, the bike unit was previously deactivated due to staffing shortages but was reinstated to improve public safety and rebuild trust with downtown businesses. RSU guards, who handled round-the-clock patrols, will now focus on parking facilities during set hours.
The Downtown Bellingham Partnership supports the bike patrol’s return, noting that local businesses have pushed for more community-focused policing. However, concerns remain about balancing police presence with civilian security. The city says its goal is to streamline security efforts downtown to enhance trust and safety.
STORY: In-person public comments to return to Bellingham city council meetings next Monday
Bellingham City Council will resume in-person public comment on Monday, having suspended the practice in November due to safety concerns.
During Monday night’s council meeting, Mayor Kim Lund announced new security measures, including metal detector screenings before meetings.
In-person comments were paused last fall following reports of inappropriate and profane behavior. Councilmember Michael Lilliquist said the tone of comments had become more hostile and politically charged during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The council is also considering moving public comment to the start of meetings, but has not made a final decision.
STORY: Whatcom real estate market reports bounce-back in 2024, with increased prices and sales
Whatcom County’s real estate market rebounded last year, reaching an all-time high median home sale price of $635,000, up 7.8% from 2023.
According to Peter Ahn of The Muljat Group, total home sales rose by 3.2% compared to 2023, with about twenty-four hundred homes sold.
Bellingham led the county with the highest median home price at $765,000, followed by Lynden, Ferndale, and the Birch Bay/Blaine area. The lowest median price was in the Mount Baker area, at around $382,500.
Ahn says stabilized mortgage rates have boosted the housing market, and they expect moderate growth in sales and prices in 2025 if mortgage rates remain stable.
STORY: Flu cases surge in Washington
Flu cases are surging in Washington.
The State Department of Health says positive flu tests jumped from 148 in late November to nearly 600 by the end of December.
Officials report 11 flu-related deaths and thirty-two outbreaks in long-term care facilities. 200 flu patients were admitted to Hospitals in the last week of December.
Oregon is also urging precautions after two children died from the flu last month.
Health officials in King County recommend flu shots, wearing masks indoors, improving ventilation, and staying home if you’re sick to help slow the spread.
STORY: UW School of Medicine receives federal grant to study respiratory diseases akin to COVID
In other health-related news, the University of Washington School of Medicine received a CDC grant to study the spread of respiratory illnesses, such as the flu, COVID, and RSV, over the next five years.
The study will track 2,000 children and adults through weekly online surveys to monitor symptoms. Researchers will also study virus transmission in 150 households with confirmed infections.
The goal is to improve understanding of virus transmission and better prepare for future pandemics. Researchers say the study builds on similar work conducted before COVID-19.
STORY: WA to implement new abortion pill rules
Pharmacists in Washington are being trained by a state-based nonprofit to prescribe abortion medications via telehealth.
According to Dr. Beth Rivin (RI-ven), president and CEO of the nonprofit Uplift International, many people in Washington face barriers to abortion access due to factors such as where they live and how much money they earn. Dr. Rivin said these people would benefit most from having access to telehealth and a greater number of available pharmacists.
To that end, Uplift International partnered with an online pharmacy called Honeybee Health to launch a pilot program in which ten pharmacists were trained to prescribe abortion medications to Washington patients experiencing up to 10 weeks’ gestation. The program also features a list of clinics where patients can be referred if any in-person follow-up care becomes necessary.
The success of the pilot program has encouraged Uplift International, who said they plan to expand the program across the state. In the days leading up to President-elect Trump’s inauguration and potential abortion restrictions enacted by Congress, Dr. Rivin says the hope is for other states to implement similar models.
STORY: Free or cheap
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
The Make.Shift will host a quadruple-header, all-ages punk show starting at 8:30 tonight. The Hobby, a local punk band, will headline the occasion, with openers including Seattle’s political pop-punk outfit Kids on Fire. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Make.Shift’s website for $11; or at the door, they are cash-only, and will go for $15.
The Pickford Film Center will be hosting two special screenings this weekend. First is a 10PM Saturday screening of legendary Czech filmmaker Jan Švankmajer’s (yun SVUNK-ma-yur) 1988 adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, which combines animation and live action. Then, at 1PM Sunday afternoon the Pickford begin its Alfred Hitchcock series with a classic Hitchcock thriller – Rebecca. Tickets for both screenings starting at around $10 can be purchased at the Pickford’s website.
Finally, Village Books in Fairhaven will host a conversation between writer and Bainbridge Island native, Jonathan Evison (EH-vuh-sen) and Les Campbell of Chuckanut Radio Hour and Bellingham Theatre Guild fame. The two will talk about The Heart of Winter, Evison’s latest book, Sunday evening at 6 p.m. Tickets starting at $5 can be purchased at Village Books’ website.
WX: Eddie Drizzard
And now weather:
Consistent rain is forecast today. We will see high temperatures in the mid-upper forties, alongside mild southwestern winds. Showers will persist into the night, as temperatures drop into the high thirties.
Expect some light rain Saturday morning, giving way to overcast skies, and perhaps partial sunshine on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to remain in the 40s during the day, and thirties at night.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Riley Weeks, Brodey O’Brien, Paloma Ortiz, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren), Anna Hedrick and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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 your donations. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m David Korb_________… thanks for listening.
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