Jail Flooding, BPS Assistant Principals on Trial, Wildfire at Galbraith Mountain, Whatcom receives money for event programs, Whatcom receives money for Rec Programs, Disruption in Guemes Island ferry service, Mayoral Primary Candidates interviews after news
______________________________
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Jail Flooding
On Sunday, an inmate at the Whatcom County jail tampered with a sprinkler head while showering, causing a massive flood on the jail’s first floor.
Corrections staff and inmates worked together to control the water and direct it to the drains. The water also caused damage to the Sheriff’s Office administrative space located below the jail, affecting interview rooms, offices, and electronic equipment.
The inmate in the shower at the time, Robert Ravencroft, is likely to face charges of Malicious Mischief. The estimated damages from this flooding are currently over $5000 and are expected to increase.
Whatccom County Sheriff spokesperson, Deb Slater, said the incident is not isolated; there have been past instances of flooding in the Sheriff’s Office administrative area due to broken pipes and inmate vandalism.
STORY: BPS Assistant Principals on Trial
Three assistant principals from Bellingham Public Schools, Jeremy Louzao, Meghan Dunham, and Chimere Hackney, are set for trial on August 28th for failing to report a student’s sexual assault.
The defendants’ cases have been consolidated, and a pre-trial hearing is set for August 25th. They each pleaded not guilty to the gross misdemeanor charge.
Bellingham Public Schools is covering the legal defense costs of the three employees, who have been reassigned to administrative roles in the district office.
STORY: Wildfire on Galbraith Mountain
Firefighters are investigating a small wildfire on Galbraith Mountain.
The fire, covering approximately three and a half acres, was reported early yesterday morning. Seventeen wildland firefighters from the Department of Natural Resources responded to the fire, according to Eric Brown of Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition, who was on the scene. The crew used a controlled burn to contain the blaze, with support from South Whatcom Fire Authority. Expect closures on Arts and Bunny trails as investigators search for the cause of the fire.
STORY: Whatcom receives money for event programs
The Washington Department of Commerce, in collaboration with WFEA and ArtsWA (ARTS-Washington), has awarded over $3 million in grants to 200 community events and festivals that were affected by the pandemic.
These events, which have been a part of communities for five or more years, reported a total revenue loss of more than $73 million due to COVID-19. The grants aim to support these “legacy-level” events in communities with populations of 100,000 or less. Organizations in Whatcom that are receiving funding include: Bellingham Arts and Music Festival, Allied Arts of Whatcom County, and Make Shift Art Space.
STORY: Whatcom Receives Funding for Rec Projects
And Whatcom County has also been awarded more than $5 million in grants from the state for outdoor recreation and conservation projects.
The funds will support nine different projects, including expanding the Stewart Mountain Community Forest by 1,600 acres through the Whatcom Land Trust. Other projects involve building a trail to connect neighborhoods to Squalicum Creek Trail and Sunset Pond Park, maintaining trails on Mount Baker, installing a bridge over Olsen Creek, and enhancing the Boulevard Park shoreline.
The state Recreation and Conservation Office distributed a total of nearly $190 million in grants statewide. San Juan County received nearly $6.5 million, and Skagit County received just over $1 million as part of the grants.
STORY: Disruption in Guemes Island ferry service
Guemes (GWAY-muss) Island Ferry Workers are warning of possible service interruptions due to ongoing crew shortages.
Flyers were sent to Skagit County officials and ferry passengers, attributing the delays to the County’s alleged refusal to negotiate a fair contract. However, Skagit County officials state that they hope there will be no service interruptions and cite state law that does not permit public employees to strike.
The County claims that they are open to contract bargaining and have not refused to discuss contract terms with the Inlandboatmen’s Union of the Pacific. Negotiations between the two parties are still ongoing.
360-293-6433
STORY: Mayoral Primary Candidates interviews after news
The KMRE Focus on Primary Candidates airs everyday after the 5pm news. You’ll hear the candidates for Mayor and County Executive speak to issues that are on our listener’s minds. Today, the County Executive Candidates share their views on a new jail– please note, candidate Sukwant Gill was unable to attend. Tune in after the 5pm news.
WX: Sunny and Warm
The weather today is sunny and warm with a high of 82 and light wind. The low tonight will be around 60 degrees. More sunshine to come with a forecast of 81 tomorrow. Some cloud cover is expected this weekend, bringing temperatures into the mid 70’s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Sarah Edmonds and Myles Weber. 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. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
###
