Whatcom drug task force makes 11 arrests in Bellingham operation, Dr. Ming Lin settles lawsuit with PeaceHealth, Local students tell legislators they’re being “failed” by state’s K-12 funding model, Luxury housing and commercial development proposed for Bellingham waterfront, Mount Baker Ski Area to host free avalanche awareness and rescue course, WTA budgets $150,000 to improve infrastructure near bus stops, State reps announce $56 million in federal grants to be awarded to projects statewide
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, January 9th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom drug task force makes 11 arrests in Bellingham operation
A two-month investigation by the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force has resulted in 11 arrests in downtown Bellingham on Tuesday.
According to police, the suspected leader of the drug operation was based out of a recreational vehicle parked on East Magnolia Street. Authorities say they seized 226 grams of suspected fentanyl, methamphetamine, counterfeit pills, psilocybin, and over $4,000 in cash from the RV. Undercover detectives made 24 drug purchases from the suspects in November and December. The leader of the operation, Satan Nehtah Wey, faces multiple charges, including delivery and possession of controlled substances and leading organized crime.
The task force includes members from local law enforcement agencies and the DEA. Authorities expect more arrests and emphasize the dangers of fentanyl to the community. Overdose prevention resources are available at Whatcomoverdoseprevention.org.
STORY: Dr. Ming Lin settles lawsuit with PeaceHealth
Dr. Ming Lin, an emergency room doctor fired from St. Joseph Medical Center for speaking out about COVID-19 safety practices, has settled his lawsuit against PeaceHealth.
According to a joint statement, both parties say they want to move forward and the confidential settlement was reached to avoid a prolonged trial. Lin’s lawsuit, filed in 2020, claimed he was terminated in retaliation for raising safety concerns early in the pandemic. His suggestions at the time included testing patients in the parking lot and mandatory temperature checks, but they were dismissed by hospital administrators. PeaceHealth has denied any wrongdoing.
Though the PeaceHealth case is resolved, Lin will continue a related lawsuit against TeamHealth, a private equity-owned medical labor contractor. His amended complaint against TeamHealth includes claims of wrongful termination, discrimination, and negligent hiring and supervision. Lin alleges that TeamHealth retaliated against him for raising concerns about hospital practices and a hostile work environment.
The case against TeamHealth is scheduled for a jury trial in May. Lin’s attorney emphasized that the lawsuit aims to prevent future harm to healthcare workers and patients.
STORY: Local students tell legislators they’re being “failed” by state’s K-12 funding model
A town hall in Blaine on Tuesday saw students tell legislators in attendance that they are being quote-unquote “failed” by Washington’s K-12 funding model.
Blaine Middle School eighth-grader Ruby Belarmino noted how insufficient state funding led to the lack of a librarian at her school. Ferndale High School senior Gabby Lenssen stated that insufficient funding results in local tax dollars funding basic education instead of the extra electives and after-school activities. Finally, Mount Baker Senior High senior Cailyn Jewell said her favorite teacher was laid off due to budget cuts and two science classes she was looking forward to taking were removed.
The town hall was organized by Fund Schools Now, a group of Blaine parents frustrated by the last two years of budget cuts due to insufficient state funding. In attendance were State Senator Sharon Shewmake, as well as Representatives Alicia Rule and Joe Timmons; all three politicians called upping state funding a priority heading into the legislative session, but Rule noted that they would also need to convince other members of the state legislature of the urgency of the funding crisis.
In all, the Blaine School District has been underfunded by roughly $24 million since 2020; meanwhile, Ferndale estimates that it has been underfunded nearly $23 million for special education, materials and transportation costs, while Mount Baker estimates it has been almost $18 million short.
STORY: Luxury housing and commercial development proposed for Bellingham waterfront
A two-building luxury housing and commercial development has been proposed near Bellingham’s waterfront along 10th Street, south of Taylor Dock.
The project, led by The RJ Group and designed by Zervas (ZUR-vus) Architects, includes 10 residential units and a shared 27-stall underground parking garage. The southern building would be fully residential with eight two-bedroom units, while the northern mixed-use building would have two residential units, a small restaurant, office space, and amenity areas.
A public park plaza is planned between the two buildings, offering outdoor seating and connecting to local trails, including the South Bay Trail and Taylor Dock, via an ADA-accessible gravel path. Improvements to 10th Street include a new 10-foot pedestrian trail and 25 angled public parking spaces.
According to Washington state housing targets, Whatcom County needs nearly 35,000 new housing units in the next 20 years, with Bellingham responsible for about 17,000 units. Over 60% of those must be affordable. To stay on track, the city needs to build more than 500 affordable housing units every year. Currently, 576 housing units are under construction in Bellingham, with another 612 units in the review process.
If approved, construction is expected to begin in winter 2025, with occupancy planned for winter 2026.
STORY: Mount Baker Ski Area to host free avalanche awareness and rescue course
The Mount Baker Ski Area’s Mountain Education Center is offering a free avalanche awareness and rescue course on Saturday.
The event includes hands-on training with transceivers to locate and uncover buried beacons. The Beacon Rally course runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Heather Meadows Base Area near Chair 1, with in-person registration required beforehand.
A season pass or lift ticket is not needed, and the event will conclude with a raffle.
STORY: WTA budgets $150,000 to improve infrastructure near bus stops
The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is allocating $150,000 from its 2025 Transit Access Fund to support infrastructure projects that improve access to bus stops within a quarter-mile radius. Eligible projects include sidewalks, ramps, crossing signals, and bike parking. Local, state, and tribal governments can apply for funding by Feb. 1. More details and the application link are available on WTA’s website.
STORY: State reps announce $56 million in federal grants to be awarded to projects statewide
Representative Rick Larsen and Senator Cantwell say Washington state will receive $56 million in federal funding from Senator Murray’s RAISE grant program.
The program, which supports equitable and sustainable infrastructure projects, will allocate $19.5 million of those funds to Skagit Transit’s Maintenance Facility Renovation to improve regional transportation services. Additionally, $2 million will go to Lynden’s Pepin FASST Project to relocate Pepin Creek, reduce flooding, and protect homes and farms. The project also aims to build pedestrian and bike paths and improve fish habitats.
WX: Extremely Cloudy and Incredibly Close
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
We’re expecting predominantly overcast weather today, broken up by partial sunshine and intermittent showers throughout. Daytime temps will be in the high 40s, with modest rainfall expected throughout much of the night. Temperatures are expected to drop into the high 30s.
The overnight rainfall should persist for most of tomorrow, with winds slightly increasing with speeds up to 14 mph.
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, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren), Anna Hedrick and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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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