Snow updates, power outages, school closures, Half of barn destroyed in fire near Lynden, Maple Falls man allegedly sets fire to own home, Proposal for free meals for school kids, Washington had sixth-highest U.S. homelessness rate in 2023, WA judge denies effort to remove Trump from ballot, Free and Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Snow updates, power outages, school closures
Bellingham schools remain closed as the snowfall from this week gets cleaned up.
Since Wednesday, a winter storm blanketed Bellingham with over 8 inches of snow. Around 1,000 Puget Sound Energy customers went without power yesterday, including those in Geneva, Lummi Island, Guemes Island, Lake Whatcom, Lake Samish, and South Bellingham.
School District closures today include Bellingham, Blaine, Lynden, Ferndale, Lummi, Mount Baker and Nooksack Valley.
Northwest Indian College, Whatcom Community College, and Bellingham Technical are also closed. Western Washington University opened at 10 a.m. today, but canceled earlier classes.
Sanitary Service is shutting down garbage pickup today, but says if today is your service day, they will pick up extra garbage next Friday at no cost.
As temperatures begin to rise today, the snow will turn to rain. Experts for the city suggest melting snow may lead to flood risk, and slush and black ice on the roadways will remain a problem. The Department of Transportation cautions drivers to stay at home if possible.
STORY: Half of barn destroyed in fire near Lynden
A Lynden barn was partially destroyed in a fire on Wednesday afternoon.
The fire started in the 2600 block of Pangborn Road around 2:30 p.m. Units from two fire districts spent over two hours trying to contain the fire, which destroyed half the barn and killed several pigs and chickens. No people were hurt. Damages are estimated to be around $50,000.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office.
STORY: Maple Falls man allegedly sets fire to own home
Another fire occurred on Wednesday, when a Maple Falls man allegedly started a fire that destroyed his own home.
Firefighters responded to the fully engulfed mobile home on Golden Valley Boulevard just before 9 p.m. on Wednesday. One person was hospitalized for smoke inhalation, and four others were displaced. The Fire Marshal’s investigation suggested Christopher Lewis started the fire by burning sage and incense. The hospitalized victim reported seeing a smoldering bundle in Lewis’s room and put it out, but Lewis re-lit it, which started the fire.
The home is a total loss, with estimated damage at $30,000. Lewis faces a 1st Degree Reckless Burning charge and is in jail without bail.
STORY: Proposal for free meals for school kids
A House bill requiring all public schools to provide free breakfast and lunch for students who request meals was unanimously approved by the House Education Committee yesterday.
House Bill 2058, proposed by U.S. Representative Marcus Riccelli of Spokane and other representatives, allows for state funding of the meals, and does not require additional money from individual schools or districts. Riccelli stated that, quote “students are not going to thrive if they don’t have access to nutritious meals,” and that without universal school meals the state would fall behind the academic progress made in other states.
The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee for consideration.
STORY: Washington had sixth-highest U.S. homelessness rate in 2023
According to a federally reported release, Washington had the sixth highest rate of homelessness in the country last year.
According to Housing and Urban development, the homelessness rate in Washington increased 27 percent since 2019. These statistics indicate that 36 people per 10,0000 residents are living without a home.
Governor Jay Inslee stated that the primary goal of this legislative season is to get more people housing. To learn more about how to help local homelessness and volunteer, visit whatcomvolunteer.org
STORY: WA judge denies effort to remove Trump from ballot
A judge in Thurston County ruled that Donald Trump will remain on the state’s presidential primary ballot.
The decision came after eight Kitsap County residents sought to remove Trump, arguing that his actions related to overturning the 2020 election and his role in the January 6th Capitol attack make him ineligible. The judge declined to address Trump’s place on the general election ballot, considering it premature.
Judge Mary Sue Wilson stated that Washington’s process for ballot challenges does not involve a trial or intensive debate, and emphasized that challenges must be filed within two days of the general election candidate list finalization.
Similar challenges under the 14th Amendment have occurred in 35 states, with decisions in Colorado and Maine on hold pending appeals. The issue may reach the U.S. Supreme Court, but a decision there is unlikely before Washington’s March 12 primary.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend? Here are some events happening around the county.
Fire and Story began yesterday, and will continue today and tomorrow from 5 to 8pm. Several fire pits have been placed along Bellingham’s Waterfront, located at West Laurel St and Granary Avenue, and will have over 30 performances by storytellers, comedians, and dancers.
For something more indoors, the Whatcom Wind Ensemble is hosting a free winter concert this Sunday at the WWU Performing Arts Center. The ensemble will be playing works by Bernstein (BURN-stine), Grainger, Orff and more. The concert runs from 2 to 3:30 pm.
Also on Sunday, the Central Library is hosting a Spin Your Own Yarn class. Spinners from the Spindrifters Guild will provide basic spinning tools, fiber, and guidance to those who want to try making their own yarn. The class will run from 1 pm to 3 pm.
WX: Rain
With the winter storm over, today will be rainy all day and have a high near 43 degrees. The rain should stop before 10 pm, with a low of 40 tonight. And it looks like the rain is here to stay, with forecasts of rain all next week.
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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