Blaine police arrest man in connection with break-in and sexual assault, Prospective price of replacing Lummi Island ferry increases, Bellingham bowling alley listed for sale, Whatcom and Skagit County tribes to receive federal funding for fish hatcheries, Low and moderate income WA households to be eligible for new state Clean Energy Credit
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July 30th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Blaine police arrest man in connection with break-in and sexual assault
A Blaine man was arrested last Saturday on suspicion of raping a former coworker.
The woman told Blaine Police that she woke up in the early morning last Tuesday to find 48-year-old Darrell Cochran on top of her. She said Cochran held her down and forcibly raped her as she told him no and screamed for help. The woman reported that she had last worked with Cochran around three years ago, and that he had been asked to leave a party thrown at her house the day before the incident. The woman showed bruises on her arms and side to police officers, and added she believed she had internal injuries.
Cochran was arrested on suspicion of a variety of charges, including first-degree rape and burglary. He was released on bail from the Whatcom County Jail yesterday.
STORY: Mayors fires two top City of Bellingham managers
Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund dismissed two of the city’s top managers yesterday.
Public Works Director Eric Johnston and Human Resources Director Elizabeth Monahan were terminated as Lund says she’s seeking a quote “new direction” unquote for her administration.
In a statement to local news outlets, Lund said quote “Both Eric and Elizabeth have made significant contributions during their time with the city. I am grateful for their work on our team. This decision is not connected to any specific actions or one event. It is a strategic change in leadership to support the directions of my administration and the comprehensive needs of the city at this time” unquote.
Lund also said in the statement that the city is currently identifying interim directors and will begin recruiting as soon as possible.
Johnston has worked in the city’s public works department since 2012, and was named public works director in May of 2020 after serving nine months as interim director.
Monohan was hired in May of 2021 by former Mayor Seth Fleetwood after serving more than 11 years as director of human resources for the Port of Bellingham.
STORY: Prospective price of replacing Lummi Island ferry increases
Replacing the Lummi Island Ferry will be a pricier endeavor than county estimates previously projected.
In a committee session last Tuesday, Whatcom County Council members found that cost estimates for both the replacement ferry and upgrades to the ferry terminal are up 90% from 2021 estimates.
In 2022, Whatcom County received $35 million in state and federal grants for a 34-car electric ferry. That ferry now costs about $90 million, and if purchased, the county would have to come up with another $50 million in funding.
Whatcom County Public Works Director Elizabeth Kosa presented numerous replacement options to the council that include a diesel ferry instead of an electric boat, a countywide tax, or a bridge to Lummi Island.
STORY: Bellingham bowling alley listed for sale
Park Bowl and Splitz Grille, one of Bellingham’s two beloved bowling alleys, has been listed for sale by the owner.
The bowling alley and restaurant were listed on Craigslist yesterday for almost $5 million. The sale includes the 27,500 square foot building – the restaurant, bowling alley, and arcade – as well as two parcels of commercially zoned land.
Park Bowl is located at 4175 Meridian St. in Bellingham.
STORY: Whatcom and Skagit County tribes to receive federal funding for fish hatcheries
The Departments of Interior and Commerce announced a $240 million investment into tribal nation fish hatcheries on the West Coast last Thursday.
The initial funding will help 27 tribes in Washington, Alaska, Oregon, Idaho, and California address fish hatchery maintenance and modernization. Although no sourcing funds have been allocated, the Lummi nation – along with 20 other tribes in Washington – will receive $2 million of the initial funding to repair hatcheries, according to NOAA. The remaining funds will be awarded competitively to tribes in the coming months, federal officials say.
Lisa Wilson, Secretary of the Lummi Indian Business Council, said that the funding is quote “being dispersed through self-governance, which means it’s going straight to the tribes” unquote.
Wilson added that the Lummi nation funds will be used to support tribal hatcheries at Lummi Bay and Skookum Creek on the South Fork Nooksack river, which are 60 years old and in need of repairs. Wilson stressed the importance of these hatcheries, as salmon are used in funeral ceremonies – which have unfortunately become more common in recent years due to the fentanyl crisis.
While many believe these hatcheries have and will continue to play a vital role in replenishing the salmon and steelhead population, some argue they are harmful to endangered species. According to their website, Wild Fish Conservancy and The Conservation Angler filed a lawsuit in April claiming that the hatchery programs on the Columbia River below the Bonneville Dam are threatening several species of salmon and steelhead.
Despite this, The Department of Interior noted that the hatcheries produce millions of fish annually – positively impacting both commercial and tribal subsistence of salmon and steelhead.
STORY: Low and moderate income WA households to be eligible for new state Clean Energy Credit
This summer, about one-fifth of electricity customers in Washington will qualify for a $200 energy credit, funded by the state’s Climate Commitment Act.
According to the Washington State Department of Commerce, approximately 675,000 low- and moderate-income households are eligible for the credit, which is financed by a carbon-pricing initiative that requires large polluters to buy allowances or reduce emissions. Gov. Jay Inslee emphasized the credit’s immediate relief, particularly for those who also receive assistance for heat pumps and solar installations. The program is designed to help offset rising energy costs, and the one-time credit will be automatically applied to eligible accounts by September 15th. Customers already in low-income assistance programs will automatically receive the credit, while others must apply online.
Since early 2023, the carbon-allowance auctions have generated over $2 billion dollars. However, in November, voters will decide on Initiative 2117, which proposes to repeal the CCA. Proponents highlight the Climate Care Act’s benefits, while critics argue it leads to higher consumer prices. Despite challenges and political opposition, the Commerce department says the energy credit aims to reduce some of the financial burden of rising energy costs and demonstrate the CCA’s value.
For application details, customers can visit wacleanenergycredits.com.
WX: Sun
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
A slight chance of rain this morning is giving way to a mostly cloudy day with a high in the late 60s. Mild south-blowing winds throughout the day, with gusts of up to 10 mph. Winds and temperatures alike will calm as evening settles in, with a nighttime low of around 60. Temperatures will continue to heat up as the week goes on with low 70’s tomorrow and partly-cloudy skies.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHRAM), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Ikumi Mashiko (ih-KOO-me muh-SHE-ko), Anna Vickers, and Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson. 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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