Motorcycle pursuit in Bellingham leads to arrest, Judge rules in favor of plaintiff on certain points of Lummi Island ferry suit, Camano Island police announce closure of 20-year-old murder investigation, Permanent speed reduction coming to stretch of I-5 in Skagit County, State Democrats plan to push for further restrictions on rent hikes, Senators Cantwell and Murray to pursue changes to proposed national immigration reform bill, School-based health clinic open in east Whatcom
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, January 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Motorcycle pursuit in Bellingham leads to arrest
Police arrested a man in Bellingham last Thursday after he crashed a stolen motorcycle while trying to flee.
A Washington State Patrol trooper spotted the motorcycle on Lakeway Drive and attempted a traffic stop. The suspect led officers on a chase that ended when he hit a retaining wall at the dead end of Verona Street. He tried to escape on foot, but was quickly apprehended.
Authorities booked the man into the Whatcom County Jail without bail after checking him at the hospital.
STORY: Judge rules in favor of plaintiff on certain points of Lummi Island ferry suit
Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Evan Jones has ruled a planned 2024 ferry fare increase was calculated incorrectly. Jones ordered Whatcom County to exclude about $800,000 in emergency maintenance costs from fares and blocked the higher rates until the county restructures its fare system.
Jones rejected the claim that tideland lease payments to the Lummi Nation should also be excluded from fares.
Lummi Island resident Peter Earle filed a lawsuit in April, arguing the county violated its own charter which requires ferry users to cover 55 percent of operating costs by improperly including maintenance and lease costs as part of the ferry budget.
Whatcom County officials say they will review the ruling to determine next steps.
The Whatcom Chief ferry is the main transportation link for Lummi Island residents.
STORY: Camano Island police announce closure of 20-year-old murder investigation
A 20-year-old Camano Island murder case has been closed, but the suspect will not face trial.
The Island County Sheriff’s Office identified 69-year-old Carl Schlobom as the perpetrator in the 2003 killing of Tammy Mattson. Schlobom is currently serving a life sentence in Arizona for a separate murder. Mattson’s body was found at Camano Island State Park, and a cigarette butt with Schlobom’s DNA linked him to the crime in 2009. Schlobom cannot be prosecuted for Mattson’s murder, even if prosecutors had sufficient evidence to prove his guilt, because he suffers from advanced dementia.
Prosecutors say they hope the case closure provides some comfort to Mattson’s family.
STORY: Permanent speed reduction coming to stretch of I-5 in Skagit County
The speed limit on a two-and-a-half-mile stretch of I-5 in Burlington between State Route 20 and Cook Road will permanently drop from 70 to 60 mph starting this Wednesday.
Washington State Department of Transportation crews will install the new signs in the morning, and the change will take effect immediately. WSDOT (WASH-dot) says the increased traffic in the area makes the speed reduction necessary and notes it will align this section of freeway with the speed limits in nearby Burlington and Mount Vernon.
STORY: State Democrats plan to push for further restrictions on rent hikes
Democratic lawmakers in the state say they will try to revive efforts to pass a rent stabilization bill this year.
A new bill, backed by Rep. Emily Alvarado and Sen. Yasmin Trudeau, would cap yearly rent increases at 7% for most tenants. The bill would also require landlords to give 180 days’ notice for rent hikes over 3% and limit move-in fees. Backers argue the bill will help reduce evictions and homelessness, though it faces opposition from landlords, developers, and Republicans who warn it could worsen the housing shortage by discouraging new construction.
Supporters believe the bill has a better chance this year due to changes in the Senate’s makeup and new legislative priorities. However, opponents suggest rental assistance for those in need instead would be more effective than rent caps, and emphasize the need to increase housing supply by permit reduction and land-use reforms.
The proposal is expected to move quickly in the House but may face challenges in the Senate. Debate is likely to be intense— although both sides agree that the state is experiencing a critical housing crisis, they disagree on the best approach.
STORY: Senators Cantwell and Murray to pursue changes to proposed national immigration reform bill
Congress will focus on immigration policy this week as the Senate begins debating the Laken (LAY-kun) Riley Act, a bill that requires the deportation of undocumented immigrants charged with minor crimes.
The bill passed the House with bipartisan support after the murder of a Georgia woman by a man who was in the U.S. illegally. The Senate’s procedural vote to debate the bill saw most Senate Democrats, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, voting in favor, while Sen. Patty Murray was absent but expressed opposition to the current version of the bill.
Supporters argue the bill addresses public safety and border security concerns, while critics, including Murray, warn it could divert resources from the detention of violent criminals and be misused to target groups like Dreamers and essential workers. The bill also faces criticism for its high cost and potential to end programs like Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
The bill signals a tougher stance on immigration from some Democrats, partly in response to voter concerns after Donald Trump’s election. Republicans say they plan to introduce more immigration bills, including measures to punish sanctuary cities and increase penalties for undocumented immigrants who commit certain crimes.
Debate on the bill will begin before Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20th.
STORY: School-based health clinic open in east Whatcom
A new Sea-Mar health clinic has opened its doors at the Mount Baker Senior High School.
The clinic, which opened last Tuesday, will be open weekly from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. while school is in session, and has an on-site staff consisting of a provider and clinic coordinator.
The clinic, which is fully funded by state grants, will initially be open solely to students at Mount Baker School High; however, Aly Robinson, a community health specialist with Whatcom Health and Community Services, said the quote-unquote “ultimate goal” is to offer services to the general public. To that end, the Mount Baker School District has requested state funding for a permanent space accessible to the community. Assuming the request is granted, Robinson says, the clinic could open to the public within a few years.
WX: Sun of the Mask
And now for your Whatcom County weather,
Today’s forecast calls for some early morning fog, followed by an afternoon of partial sunshine, with daytime highs in the low 40s. Expect clouds to increase as the evening wears on, bringing nighttime temperatures down to the mid-low 30s.
Cool temperatures and moderate sunshine are expected to stick around for the next couple of days, so expect a similar weather pattern tomorrow.
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). 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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