Ferndale man sentenced following pleading guilty to child sex offenses, One of two suspects in custody following attempted robbery in Bellingham, Bellingham to raise minimum wage twice in next five months, Numerous state laws enter into effect with the new year, Free and Cheap, Two beloved Bellingham restaurants announce closures, Car crash and fire on Portal Way sends family to hospital, WA sets record for eviction filings in 2024, Public comments open on amendments to Northwest Forest Plan
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Ferndale man sentenced following pleading guilty to child sex offenses
A Ferndale man has been sentenced, by the Whatcom County Superior Court, to over 13 years in prison for child sex offenses.
55-year-old Jonathon Charles Sortino was arrested by Ferndale Police in December 2021. The arrest took place after an investigation into a child’s testimony regarding years of abuse, as well as online conversations between Sortino and a friend that included apparent confessions to the crimes. Sortino pled guilty to felony charges of first-degree rape of a child and dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexual conduct.
The judgement includes a lifetime in community custody after the sentence is served.
STORY: One of two suspects in custody following attempted robbery in Bellingham
One suspect was arrested, and another remains at large after a December 17th assault and attempted robbery at the Shamrock Motel.
A couple staying at the Motel noticed their room door begin to open from the outside. Two people were at the door; a woman, 31-year-old Rico Spencer Hill, and an unidentified man dressed in black, wearing a mask and wielding a baseball bat.
According to Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy, Hill, who was recognized by the female motel guest, attempted to steal a television and gaming console from the room – an attempt foiled by the male guest. An altercation took place between the two women, and Hill hit the female guest in the head with the bat.
Hill was located by police near Franklin and Ohio streets last Saturday afternoon and taken into custody. She has been charged with first-degree robbery and was held at the Whatcom County Jail until posting a $10,000 bond on Monday. The other suspect remains at large.
STORY: Bellingham to raise minimum wage twice in next five months
As of Wednesday, Bellingham’s minimum wage has increased by 38 cents to $17.66, following a statewide adjustment for inflation.
The city’s wage is set at a dollar higher than Washington’s minimum wage, which rises annually based on cost-of-living adjustments. Another increase will take place on May 1st, when Bellingham’s minimum wage will rise another dollar.
The city’s minimum wage applies to all employees working within Bellingham city limits, with some exemptions for specific categories, including casual labor, newspaper carriers, and elected officials. Tipped employees must still be paid minimum wage, as tips cannot be used to offset wages. City employees are technically exempt from the policy, but the city is encouraged to match the rate.
Bellingham is one of six cities in Washington with a higher minimum wage than the state’s. Seattle has the highest minimum in the state at $20.76.
STORY: Numerous state laws enter into effect with the new year
Several new Washington state laws have gone into effect in the new year, including animal testing bans, HIV prevention measures, and stricter penalties for negligent driving.
The changes aim to improve public safety, financial support, and workplace protections across the state. Here’s a rundown of a few changes:
- With some exceptions, the sale of cosmetics tested on animals will be prohibited. Violators could face fines of up to $5,000 per violation.
- Hospitals must provide post-exposure prophylactic drugs to people potentially exposed to HIV, and ensure quick access to the 28-day treatment.
- New training and workplace safety requirements for strip clubs will take effect, which include mandatory anti-harassment training and dedicated security guards. Clubs must also stop charging dancers excessive fees.
- The Diversion Cash Assistance annual limit will increase from $1,250 to $2,000 to help families cover emergency expenses like housing and food.
- And, finally, drivers who kill pedestrians, cyclists, or other vulnerable road users due to negligence can face a gross misdemeanor charge, punishable by up to 364 days in jail, a $5,000 fine, and a 90-day license suspension.
STORY: Free and 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 first First Friday event of 2025 will take place tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Allied Arts Gallery on Cornwall Avenue. The Downtown Bellingham Partnership describes First Friday as a monthly celebration that showcases local artists and galleries, places to dine and sip, late night shopping, events, live music, and more. Today’s First Friday will see the opening of Heritage in Motion at Allied Arts, an exhibition that showcases work by Indigenous artists.
The Karate Church on East Maple Street will host the Falsettos and Sunsets one-act show tomorrow at 8 p.m. The clown show, inspired by classic acts like The Three Stooges and Laurel and Hardy, is described as being packed with “outrageous physical comedy, startling emotional honesty and slapstick existential confusion.” Tickets starting at $10 can be purchased at the door, but no one will be turned away for lack of funds.
Finally, the FireHouse Arts and Events Center on Harris Avenue will host a screening of Obsessed with Light at 3 p.m. on Sunday. The documentary, which highlights the work of dancer and modernist Loïe (LOW-ee) Fuller, is described as a “meditation on light and the enduring obsession to create”. Tickets starting at $13.73 can be purchased at Kuntz (COON-tz) and Company’s website.
WX: Isn’t there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
And now weather:
A strong day of rain is forecast for today, with expected precipitation reaching up to half an inch. Daytime hours should see temperatures in the mid-to-high 40s, along with mild northeastern winds. Evening lows will be in the mid-40s.
Rain is expected to stick around through most of the weekend, with a chance of dry on Sunday.
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, Anna Hedrick and Miguel Garduño. 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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STORY: Two beloved Bellingham restaurants announce closures
STORY: Car crash and fire on Portal Way sends family to hospital
First responders were dispatched to a car crash and fire on Portal Way in Whatcom County on New Year’s Day at around 3:30 p.m.
At the scene, they found a family of four trapped inside a vehicle which was fully engulfed in flames. All occupants — two adults and two children — safely exited the car and were transported to St. Joseph Medical Center. The car’s engine compartment sustained most of the fire damage.
Portal Way was temporarily closed for about an hour.
STORY: WA sets record for eviction filings in 2024
Washington is on track to have its highest number of eviction filings in recorded history in 2024, according to the Eviction Research Network.
Nine counties have already surpassed their previous records, and eight more are expected to do so by the end of the year. In Whatcom County, 372 eviction filings have been recorded so far in 2024, tied with 2007 and the fifth-highest year since the peak with 477 evictions in 2004. The current eviction rate in Whatcom County is 1.2%, lower than the state average of 2.1%.
Evictions have risen significantly across Washington since pandemic-era protections ended. The Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program and Eviction Resolution Pilot Program were gradually phased out, which state officials say has contributed to the increase.
Eviction rates have surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with monthly filings exceeding 2019 numbers since July 2023.
STORY: Public comments open on amendments to Northwest Forest Plan
The U.S. Forest Service has proposed amendments to the 30-year-old Northwest Forest Plan that will impact nearly 800,000 acres in Skagit and Whatcom counties.
Adopted in 1994, the original plan focused on habitat protection for threatened species, but now requires updates to address evolving climate impacts, science, and social conditions. Along with local forests, the update will impact 16 national forests in the West Coast. The Forest Service says the changes aim to integrate Indigenous knowledge, improve climate and wildfire resilience, protect ecosystems, and ensure predictable timber yields.
A draft environmental impact statement (EIS) from November 2023 outlines their recommendation that combines active management with habitat protection. The EIS also differentiates between “moist” and “dry” forests, with most forests in Skagit and Whatcom counties classified as moist. It suggests opening some local forestlands to harvest and active fire management while preserving ancient stands, except in the case of cultural use or fire risk.
Public feedback on the draft EIS is open until March 17th, with meetings planned, including one in Everett on January 15th.
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