Memorial bench for Henry King installed at Boulevard Park, Evening crash stalled I-5 for 3 miles, ‘Fire & Story’ Set To Illuminate Bellingham’s Waterfront, Financially troubled Mount Baker School District appoints interim superintendent, Washington seeks options to curb rent pressure for tenants of state-financed housing, AG Ferguson calls for increase to penalty for price-fixing, collusion, Free and Cheap
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 5th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Memorial bench for Henry King installed at Boulevard Park
A memorial bench honoring Henry King has been installed in Boulevard Park.
The bench, which is located along South Bay Trail between the park’s boardwalks, was donated by community member Fernando Gonzalez. Gonzalez had organized a campaign with the hope of raising $1,500 for the bench. In the end, the campaign raised $2,200, with the extra $700 being donated towards another fund for Mr. King’s funeral expenses.
Gonzalez stated that, while he did not know King personally, he personally felt it was the “Bellingham thing to do.”
STORY: Evening crash stalled I-5 for 3 miles
I-5 was stalled for over an hour yesterday as a crash closed the northbound lanes.
First responders were dispatched to I-5 north of the Sunset Drive interchange about 5:15pm due to reports of a crash. The northbound on-ramp was subsequently closed and the DOT advised motorists to use alternative routes. The left lane was reopened around 5:40, but stalled traffic remained for at least 3 miles past the Samish Way interchange.
STORY: ‘Fire & Story’ Set To Illuminate Bellingham’s Waterfront
Bellingham’s waterfront is set to be lit up when a new event takes place later this month.
From the 18th to the 20th, over 30 unique performances will take place around the Waterfront Pump Track as part of “Fire and Story”. The winter event will host evenings with acoustic songwriters, poets, dance troupes, cirque, live blacksmithing, and more. Paper Whale is organizing the event, open to all ages and attendance is free. An event schedule and map is available at Paper-Whale.com.
STORY: Financially troubled Mount Baker School District appoints interim superintendent
The Mount Baker School Board appointed Phil Brockman as interim superintendent in a special meeting last night. He will be succeeding Mary Sewright, who retired in December.
Brockman, a retired superintendent from Sedro-Woolley School District, will serve in the interim role for at least a year. The school board says it plans to hire a permanent superintendent by spring 2025. The district currently faces binding conditions with the state’s Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction due to ongoing financial challenges.
Brockman, known for his financial experience, said in his December 19th interview with the school board that he emphasized a collaborative approach to rebuild trust and plans a listening tour to address concerns within the school district.
The school board says it will engage the community in spring to outline expectations for a permanent superintendent, with interviews and hiring anticipated in early 2025.
STORY: Washington seeks options to curb rent pressure for tenants of state-financed housing
In the new legislative session, Washington officials will consider new restrictions on rent increases for affordable housing supported by taxpayer funds.
Despite failed attempts last year to limit annual rent increases for all tenants, lawmakers plan to reintroduce similar proposals in the upcoming session informed by an interim report published by the Washington State Housing Finance Commission and the Department of Commerce.
The report cites a lack of available affordable homes, a growing income-rent gap, and the delicate balance between stabilizing renters and housing providers and attempts to address challenges in affordable housing. It also suggests measures such as limits on rent hikes, incentives for housing providers, a review of policies that contribute to rent burdens, and suggests equitable rent increase practices. According to the report, many people are only one rent increase away from housing instability.
The departments say more research and analysis is required, which they plan to work on throughout the year. A final version of the report is expected next December.
In the meantime, many of the lead sponsors of last year’s rent stabilization bills– including Representative Lekanoff (luh-KAN-off) and Ramel (RAM-ull)– have already introduced similar proposals in the state House.
STORY: AG Ferguson calls for increase to penalty for price-fixing, collusion
Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson is proposing legislation to increase penalties for antitrust violations.
In a media release, Ferguson stated he is joining forces with State Senator Yasmin Trudeau and State Representative Darya Farivar in calling for an increase in penalties for anti-competitive behavior like price-fixing and collusion. Currently, the maximum penalty for such violations in Washington state is $900,000 for corporations, regardless of whether the illegal activity results in a profit many times that amount. By comparison, Texas has penalties that can reach up to $30 million.
The proposed legislation would increase the maximum penalty up to three times the illegal gains or losses avoided. By law, paid penalties would go to the state general fund. Ferguson expects the legislation would increase revenues to the state.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend? Here are some events going on around the county.
The Central Branch of Bellingham Public Library will be hosting Little Looms this Saturday. Members of the Whatcom Weavers Guild will be there to guide patrons through different kinds of weaving projects. Materials will be provided, and no registration is required. The event runs from noon to 3 pm.
Also on Saturday is the Makerspace open Craft Time at Bellis Fair. The Bellingham Makerspace will feature a project demonstration, provide materials, and is open to those of all skill levels. This free event runs from 2 to 5pm, and registration is available online at the Bellingham Makerspace website.
And, on Sunday, the Salsa Collective is hosting a salsa class at The Majestic Ballroom. The class starts at 5:30 pm, with open dancing from 7 to 8. No experience, partner, special clothes, or shoes are required. There is a fee of $10 per person, although if costs are prohibitive it can be waived. Registration not required.
WX: Rainy, Wind Advisory
It will be rainy all day, with a high of 48 degrees and winds gusting as high as 24 mph. There is a wind advisory in place starting at 1 pm today and ending tonight at 1 am as winds reach as high as 31 mph. Showers will continue overnight, with a low of 38 degrees. The rain will let up Sunday morning, with a chance of snow later that night.
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 _David Korb_______________, and thanks for listening.
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