Sheriff resumes search for missing Lynden man, Mount Vernon police searching for missing woman, Bellingham man found dead after becoming separated from snowboarding group on Mount Baker, Whatcom and Skagit residents whose homes were damaged by flooding eligible for $2.5 million in federal aid, I-5 partially closed on Wednesday, HS girls flag football back for second season, Health Alliance reaffirms child vaccination guidance
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, January 6th. Fifth anniversary of the attack on our nation’s Capitol. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Sheriff resumes search for missing Lynden man
The search continues for a Whatcom County man missing since last week.
The Sheriff’s Office says 50-year-old Richard Rutledge was reported missing on December 28th from the 200 block of River Road near the Nooksack River.
Deputies launched an immediate, large-scale search with Summit to Sound volunteers, Whatcom Search & Rescue 4×4 teams, K9 units, drones, and help from the Blaine and Sumas police. U.S. Border Patrol also brought a helicopter.
Search crews were back out the next day, and on the 30th, river sleds and additional K9 units were deployed, but dangerous river conditions forced crews to pause operations.
Another attempt was made Sunday, but Rutledge still hasn’t been found. The Sheriff’s Office says the search will resume when river conditions improve. Anyone with information is urged to call 911.
STORY: Mount Vernon police searching for missing woman
Mount Vernon Police are also asking for the public’s help to find 42-year-old Alana Taylor who was last seen at her apartment in Mount Vernon on Christmas Day.
She doesn’t have a vehicle or cell phone, and while investigators believe she may have left on her own, they say the disappearance is out of character for her. There’s also concern she may be experiencing a mental-health crisis and may not have her prescribed medications.
Taylor is described as 5-foot-10, about 135 pounds, with hazel eyes and brown hair.
Anyone seeing her should call 911—or tips can be shared directly with Mount Vernon Police.
STORY: Bellingham man found dead after becoming separated from snowboarding group on Mount Baker
A snowboarder has died at Mount Baker just days after the ski area officially opened for the season.
Bellingham Mountain Rescue, along with Air Marine, teams were called out on December 23rd after 22-year-old Nikita Plutenko of Edmonds, was reported overdue. He was riding with a group but got separated while venturing outside the marked terrain.
Sheriff’s spokesperson Deb Slater says searchers located him later that evening, but steep terrain and worsening weather made it too dangerous for recover on that day. Recovery teams returned the next day, when it was safer to reach him.
The Whatcom County Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be positional asphyxia due to falling into the snow. Family members have launched a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses.
STORY: Whatcom and Skagit residents whose homes were damaged by flooding eligible for $2.5 million in federal aid
State officials are urging flood-damaged households to apply for $2.5 million in state assistance following December’s historic storms.
The money comes from a recent disaster declaration, which unlocked $3.5 million in state aid. The first $1 million has already dispersed as emergency cash assistance to more than 2,600 households.
Officials say the state is still pursuing federal disaster aid, but this funding is meant to help families cover immediate needs like temporary housing, small repairs, and food replacement.
People with storm damage are encouraged to fill out an Unmet Needs Assessment Form at SAHelp.org. Grants are available for up to just over $1,100 dollars, depending on household size.
In Skagit County, a temporary Disaster Assistance Center will operate at the Burlington Senior Center tomorrow and Thursday, from 4:30 to 8 p.m., open to all residents and businesses.
In Whatcom County, resources include the official relief hub WhatcomStrong.com, an equipment library with dehumidifiers, fans, and pumps at Everson Public Works, and support from the Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group for debris removal, cleaning, and refurnishing.
State and local officials are also working with FEMA on a joint damage assessment that could lead to a federal disaster declaration and additional aid.
STORY: I-5 partially closed on Wednesday
Heads up for overnight drivers in Bellingham — the left lane of northbound I-5 just north of Lakeway Drive will be closed Wednesday night.
According to WSDOT the lane will be closed from 10 PM until 5 AM on Thursday morning. Crews will be replacing a Jersey barrier. Drivers are urged to plan ahead and check real-time traffic conditions.
STORY: Burn ban lifted for Columbia Valley region
The Northwest Clean Air Agency has lifted a Stage Two burn ban in Whatcom County’s Columbia Valley.
Officials say the air quality in Peaceful Valley, Paradise Lakes, and the urban growth area has improved. The Agency says residents should still limit wood burning to help prevent another ban.
STORY: HS girls flag football back for second season
Squalicum High School’s varsity girls flag football team is getting the NFL spotlight.
The Storm’s first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader at Everett Memorial Stadium has been selected for a ‘Seattle Seahawks Girls Flag Takeover’. The matchup against Jackson High School kicks off at four-thirty, and will feature Blitz the Seahawks mascot, the Seahawk dancers, giveaways, and meet-and-greets.
A second game against Monroe follows at five-thirty.
STORY: Health Alliance reaffirms child vaccination guidance
The West Coast Health Alliance says it will continue to recommend childhood vaccinations after a recent federal decision to scale back the national immunization schedule.
Earlier this week, the acting director of the CDC approved changes that significantly reduce the number of vaccines routinely recommended for U.S. children. According to a recent release from the Alliance, this decision bypasses the usual scientific review by pediatric experts as well as the public input process, and was not based on new safety or effectiveness data.
The alliance warns these changes could increase the risk of vaccine-preventable diseases, leading to more missed school days, lost work for parents, and serious illness.
Officials emphasize parents should continue discussing vaccination decisions with their pediatrician, and say insurance coverage for recommended vaccines is not expected to change this year.
WX: Hoban “Whoosh” Whooshburne
And now weather,
Today’s wind advisory may have formally lifted at noon, but the rest of the day still looks stormy, with gusts as high as 35 miles per hour and up to three-quarters of an inch of rain. A winter storm warning is in effect for the Cascade Mountains through Thursday, with a forecast for strong winds, up to 3 to 4 feet of snow, and potentially dangerous travel in mountain passes.
Daytime temperatures should be chilly, with highs in the mid-40s. This evening should mellow out, with lows in the upper 30s, wind gusts around 20 mph, and scattered showers.
Expect more blustery rain tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Austin Wright, and Kai Blais-Schmolke. 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. To help support what we do, check out our Patreon or Substack or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb________, and thanks for listening!
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