Suspects in drive-by shooting arrested, Drought Emergency Declared, City Council Update, Cantwell declares fentanyl roundtable, Referendum to overturn trans youth protection law overturned, Commerce distributes money locally, Congressional hearing on small business challenges, County Executive interview after news
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STORY: Suspects in drive-by shooting arrested
Two suspects were arrested in connection to a pair of drive-by shootings that occurred early Monday morning.
At around 1:15 am Monday, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a drive-by shooting and an injury on Willey’s Lake Road. Soon after, gunshots were reported in the Eastgate Loop area in Ferndale.
Bellingham Police located a vehicle matching the description and apprehended the two occupants. 18-year old Alejandro Villa Herrera (ah-lay-HAN-dro VEE-ya her-AIR-uh) admitted to driving a 17-year old passenger who was responsible for the shootings.
Villa Herrera was booked into Whatcom County Jail and the passenger was booked into juvenile detention. The victim was taken to St. Joseph’s Medical Center for treatment of a gunshot wound to their leg.
STORY: Drought Emergency Declared
The Department of Ecology has declared a drought emergency in Whatcom County.
Early snow melt, lack of spring rainfall and low stream flows have prompted Ecology to declare drought emergencies in Whatcom and 11 other counties across the state. May and June this year are the fourth warmest and 11th driest since 1895. Three water systems in the Nooksack basin serving 346 residents are operating in emergency status. Two are importing water from other sources, and a third is predicted to follow suit.
The drought has caused limits on some water rights holders across the county and impeded fish passages. Declaring a drought emergency allows Ecology to release 3 million dollars in relief funds as grants.
STORY: City Council Update
Last night Bellingham city council passed resolutions sending two ballot initiatives to the voters.
The initiatives will increase the minimum wage as well as mandate that landlords provide economic assistance to renters displaced by large rent increases.
The council also voted to affirm housing affordability and homelessness as a public health crisis.
STORY: Cantwell calls fentanyl roundtable
U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell convened a Seattle roundtable yesterday with local experts to discuss innovations and challenges surrounding fentanyl.
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, Washington state witnessed the highest national increase in reported drug overdose deaths between February 2022 and 2023. The availability of cheap fentanyl, and Washington’s location along the I-5 corridor are two of the major drivers of the increase. However, despite the obvious crisis, Congress has yet to officially label fentanyl’s impact.
According to reporting from the Seattle Times, Cantwell emphasized the need for a congressional ‘declaration of crisis’ to secure support from federal agencies, potentially including Medicaid reimbursement for treatment. The roundtable also discussed the importance of federal grants for treatment, particularly for innovations like “health engagement hubs” that offer nonjudgmental access to treatment and various services for drug users.
Participants also highlighted the pressing need for more treatment beds and increased awareness among young people about the dangers of fentanyl to combat the crisis effectively.
STORY: Referendum to overturn trans youth protection law failed
A referendum attempting to overturn a new law expanding trans youth protection narrowly failed as it ran just 5000 signatures short.
In accordance with state law, when a child arrives at an emergency shelter the parents are required to be informed within 72 hours. However, in the case of “compelling reasons” such as neglect or abuse, the shelter is not required to do so and instead informs the state. Senate Bill 5599, the target of the referendum, expands upon these instances that include neglect or abuse related to gender-affirming care or reproductive health services.
Repeal efforts began soon after the law was signed, but only picked up steam two weeks later after support was given by the Washington State Catholic Conference. However, that effort came too late and the referendum fell short of its signature goal.
The bill took effect on Sunday.
STORY: Commerce distributes money locally
Over 40 Whatcom County restaurants, small businesses and hotels are receiving funding from a recent Department of Commerce grant.
The Washington State Department of Commerce has distributed $79 million in grants to over 1,400 hospitality sector businesses impacted by the pandemic. Any eligible business that applied was awarded money designed to provide some relief with reimbursements for covid-era losses, damages and legal fees.
Since the pandemic began, Commerce has distributed over $500 million to support the economic recovery stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.
STORY: Congressional hearing on small business challenges
Congress holds a hearing tomorrow on the challenges small businesses face in rural parts of the country. Ilwaco Washington is no exception. Reporter Eric Tegethoff has more on this story.
RURAL BUSINESS
STORY: County Executive Primary Candidates interviews after news
Primary election ballots are due next Tuesday, August first. The KMRE News team interviewed the Primary Candidates for Mayor and County Executive. Today, candidates for County Executive share their views on the new role of Whatcom County’s health department– please note, candidate Sukwant Gill was unable to attend. Make sure to tune in after the 5pm news, or head over to kmre.org to listen to the complete candidate interviews.
WX: Cloudy with afternoon rain
The weather today is cloudy with some afternoon rain and a high of 68 in Bellingham. More showers are forecast for tonight and will continue through the morning, with an overnight low of 57. Things will dry out in the coming days but the clouds will linger, keeping temperatures in the low 70s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, and Emma Toscani. 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.
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