Clearing of Bellingham’s Bakerview encampment begins, State Supreme Court rejects immediate challenge to Whatcom County ballot measure ruling, Washington rent stabilization bill moves forward, Whatcom announces plans to roll back increased ferry rates following court decision, Ferndale School District accepting applications for two education task forces, Whatcom lifts restrictions on most shellfish farming, still in effect in Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo, Burn ban issued for Columbia Valley area, December 2024 Monthly Employment Report
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, January 23rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Clearing of Bellingham’s Bakerview encampment begins Clearing of the encampment on Bakerview Road and Northwest Drive has begun.
The Bellingham Herald reports that excavators and a hand crew privately hired by property owners were on scene on Tuesday, gathering items and moving them into large dumpsters. City employees and Bellingham Police
were also onsite, and helped to monitor traffic and provide public safety support respectively.
Last Thursday, City staff announced that they notified encampment residents of the imminent move, and told them they would be required to vacate the site by Monday. Many of the encampment’s residents had moved to the Bakerview location after the camp behind Walmart was cleared in November.
Local homeless advocates initially raised concerns about clearing the Walmart location, and say they remain worried about the displacement of unhoused individuals without offering alternative solutions.
Shelters around Whatcom County, including the Bellingham Severe Weather Shelter and Lighthouse Mission Ministries, were open and
accepting guests as of Tuesday night. Overnight temperatures are expected to drop below 32 degrees tonight.
STORY: State Supreme Court rejects immediate challenge to Whatcom County ballot measure ruling
The Washington State Supreme Court declined to review a challenge to a voter-approved property tax supporting child care and early childhood programs.
Instead, the case will be heard by the state Court of Appeals Division 1 in Seattle, with no date set yet.
According to their website, the goal of the lawsuit, led by Tim Koetje (KEH-chee) of the political action committee Washingtonians for a Sound Economy, is to revive the effort to overturn Proposition 5. The measure narrowly passed in 2022 and imposes a property tax of almost 17 cents per $1,000 of assessed home value. The tax is expected to raise approximately $10 million annually for the county’s Healthy Children’s Fund.
Whatcom County officials say they are monitoring the case closely, and express a desire for a fair judicial outcome.
STORY: Washington rent stabilization bill moves forward
A bill that would cap rent increases for Washingtonians has cleared its first hurdle in the state legislature.
House Bill 1217, co-sponsored by 40th Legislative District Representative Alex Ramel and other Washington lawmakers, passed out of the State House’s Housing Committee on Monday. The bill would limit rent and fee increases to 7% during any 12-month period, while also prohibiting rent and fee increases during the first 12 months of a tenancy.
The bill will now head to the House Appropriations Committee. Its companion bill, Senate Bill 5222, had a public hearing in the State Senate yesterday.
STORY: Whatcom announces plans to roll back increased ferry rates following court decision
Whatcom County has announced its intention to lower ferry prices.
The decision comes after a citizen complained to the County Superior Court that non-operating costs were included as part of the Lummi Island ferry fare increase – a decision which, the court says, violated the current Whatcom County Code.
A statement released yesterday by the county’s Ferry Division says that the county will be required to refund the portion of dolphin repair costs – “dolphins”, in this case, being components of the ferry docking system – previously paid by the fare box to the Ferry Fund. In total, a little over $430,000 will be credited to the fare box. All fares will also be temporarily rolled back to rates effective as of May 31st of last year.
The changes must be implemented by February 20th.
STORY: Ferndale School District accepting applications for two education task forces
The Ferndale School District is accepting applications until the end of the month for two task forces.
The goal of the Family Engagement Task Force is to develop a multi-year action plan to enhance district-wide family engagement, review policies, and analyze engagement data.
Meanwhile, the Highly Capable Learning Committee will focus on ensuring compliance with statewide policies for equitable screening of highly capable K-8 students.
More details on the openings are available on the Ferndale School District website.
STORY: Whatcom lifts restrictions on most shellfish farming, still in effect in Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo
Shellfish harvesting closures have been lifted for most of Whatcom County.
However, areas affected by water pollution or near wastewater treatment plants still remain closed. Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo waters also will remain closed until next Monday due to norovirus-related illness. Harvesters are advised to check for closures before going clamming.
STORY: Burn ban issued for Columbia Valley area
A burn ban is in effect for the Columbia Valley area.
Northwest Clean Air Agency announced yesterday that residents living in Columbia Valley, Peaceful Valley and Paradise Lakes are now under a stage 2 burn ban. Wood burning is banned indoors and outdoors for now. Stagnant air and no wind are trapping smoke in the area. NWCAA added that burning is only allowed if a wood stove is a home’s only source of heat.
The ban is expected to remain in effect for at least a few days.
STORY: December 2024 Monthly Employment Report
Washington’s economy gained 11,800 jobs in December, pushing the unemployment rate down to 4.5 percent — the lowest of the year.
During 2024, the state added a total of 30,600 jobs. Construction led the way with 4,000 new jobs, followed by leisure and hospitality with 2,900.
Despite the growth, unemployment claims in December rose to more than 70,000, up by more than 7,000 from November, primarily in construction and agriculture. Nationally, the unemployment rate dropped to 4.1 percent in December. Economists say Washington’s labor market shows steady growth as the state enters 2025.
WX: Hola. Soy Claudio. LOLOLOL!
And now for your Whatcom County weather,
Overcast skies are in the forecast for later today, with a slight chance of rain after 4 P.M. Temperatures are expected to remain consistent with the week so far— daytime highs should peak in the low-40s and evening lows will drop into the mid-to-high 20s.
The sun is expected to re-emerge tomorrow, though air temps will likely stay chilly as ever.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren), 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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