Snow impacts much of city services, Power outages leave over 1,500 in the dark during snow event, Immigration board resists Bellingham council’s effort to suspend meetings, Ferndale Police ask public’s help in locating hit-and-run suspect, Cross-state travel in WA hindered as winter storm hammers passes, AG Ferguson: Insurance company must repay every penny to Washingtonians it denied due to mental health discrimination, Washington state considers innovative approach: allowing food benefits eligibility as proxy for free college tuition
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, January 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Snow impacts much of city services
With more than a foot of snow falling yesterday, City and County crews continue to work to clear priority snow routes.
Pole Road in the vicinity of Everson is closed in both directions today (between Hannegan Road at milepost 2 and Noon Road at milepost 4) due to multiple collisions and spinouts caused by winter weather conditions. Snowplows have been deployed to clear the roadway, but the duration of the closure is unknown.
State, county and municipal plows were at work overnight but authorities warn that, even where the snow has been cleared, a layer of ice may remain. First responders and tow companies across the County were busy this morning as vehicles slid off roadways as a result of the slick conditions. Travelers in the area are advised to use alternate routes and exercise caution in winter weather conditions.
Local schools, along with Whatcom Community College, Bellingham Technical College, Western Washington University, and Northwest Indian College all closed again today due to weather. WTA buses are running, although there are detours on some routes. The daytime warming shelter will be open, and the City Hall, including the Finance Department and Permit Center, will remain open but online resources are encouraged.
Many City services, including the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center, Bellingham Public Library locations, Whatcom Museum, and Civic Field, will remain closed. Residents are urged to limit travel to essential trips, give snow plows space, clear their cars of snow, allow extra time for travel, and drive according to road conditions. Traction tires are advised on Mt. Baker highway.
Residents are advised to report snow and ice removal needs, downed trees, and other hazardous conditions through phone or online reporting.
STORY: Power outages leave over 1,500 in the dark during snow event
The snow event was also responsible for more than a thousand people losing power yesterday.
Puget Sound Energy reported that over 1,500 addresses in the Glacier area lost power shortly before 10 a.m. Hundreds more were impacted by localized outages in the Geneva and Chuckanut neighborhoods, with both outages reported to have begun about noon. Power has since been reestablished to all affected areas.
STORY: Immigration board resists Bellingham council’s effort to suspend meetings
Members of the City’s Immigration Advisory Board are pushing back on a proposal from Bellingham officials to temporarily suspend their activities.
The proposal, presented earlier this month by Council Member Hannah Stone, suggested halting board meetings, alleging that IAB members lacked mandatory training and were not fulfilling their policy recommendation role. IAB members refuted these claims on Tuesday, presenting a spreadsheet of past recommendations and proposals. The board voted to send a letter asking the council not to suspend but to form a workgroup for better communication and resource support.
Stone clarified that her intention is not to end the IAB but to address differences in how the board and city perceive its work. Board members emphasized the need for the IAB, claiming that it is the only government body that the immigrant community can turn to for help. The board further expressed concern that a suspension would hinder their work and should continue, despite existing tensions.
STORY: Ferndale Police ask public’s help in locating hit-and-run suspect
Ferndale Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a hit-and-run suspect and their vehicle.
According to a press release, the collision occurred on Main Street in the early hours of New Year’s Day. The driver struck and severely injured a pedestrian before fleeing the scene. The suspect’s vehicle was last seen driving westward near I-5.
From debris left at the scene, investigators believe the vehicle is a darker-colored 2015 Ford F-150. They believe the passenger side was damaged in the accident. Anyone with information as to the identity of the driver or the vehicle is asked to contact Ferndale Police by either phone or email.
STORY: Cross-state travel in WA hindered as winter storm hammers passes
On Wednesday, roads in the Cascades were closed due to the brutal winter storm.
According to the Washington Department of Transportation, travel across the passes was limited as cars spun out amid snow and ice. Eastbound Interstate-90 between North Bend and Snoqualmie pass, along with Highway 2 between Scenic and Coles Corner were eventually closed in the afternoon. The passes re-opened for vehicles with chains at 6 p.m. Stevens pass Ski area also closed due to extreme weather, but opened this morning with normal operations.
STORY: AG Ferguson: Insurance company must repay every penny to Washingtonians it denied due to mental health discrimination
Attorney General Bob Ferguson has announced that Allianz (ALL-ee-ahnz), the world’s largest insurance company, will pay $1.5 million dollars for discriminating against Washingtonians with mental health disorders.
Allianz, known for selling travel insurance to millions in Washington, denied claims related to mental health events, citing a discriminatory exclusion in its policies. The denials were challenged in a civil rights lawsuit by Ferguson’s office, leading to a resolution that requires Allianz to reimburse affected individuals for travel losses and premiums. Allianz will also pay around $700,000 for restitution distribution and investigation costs.
The investigation revealed that Allianz did not perform statistical analysis before implementing the exclusion, and only attempted to justify it after the investigation began. Allianz changed its policy in 2023, following an order by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner to remove discriminatory mental health exclusions.
STORY: Washington state considers innovative approach: allowing food benefits eligibility as proxy for free college tuition
Washington state policymakers are considering a groundbreaking approach to college financial aid.
The Washington Student Achievement Council is proposing guaranteed financial aid to anyone qualifying for SNAP Basic Food benefits— without requiring a separate financial aid application. The aid could then be used for apprenticeships, certificate programs and job training, as well as degree programs at public and private colleges. Governor Jay Inslee supports the idea, and has included relevant funding in his 2024 supplemental budget proposal.
According to the Council, the approach would eliminate barriers for low-income individuals. The state-funded Washington College Grant would also play a crucial role, providing financial aid for education and training.
The proposal would particularly benefit Basic Food recipients, who are among the state’s lowest-income residents. WSAC’s research shows that disadvantaged recipients surpass their parents financially within three years of college graduation, reducing reliance on public benefits in the future.
WX: Snow, Wind Advisories
Today will be snowy and rainy all day, with a high near 33 degrees and light winds. Precipitation should stop before 10 pm, with a low of 32. Expect the snow to be replaced with rain tomorrow, and temperatures will rise to a high of 43 degrees. Bundle up, stay warm, and stay safe!
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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