NWS issues heat advisory from July 5th-8th, Bellingham man sentenced in 2022 shooting, Bellingham woman arrested in connection with hate crime, Whatcom releases overdose data for first half of 2024, Opponents of Skagit gravel mine to appeal county’s decision, Pride in Bellingham returns this weekend, Free or cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, July 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: NWS issues heat advisory from July 5th-8th
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory for Bellingham and most of western Washington.
Starting today through Monday, temperatures are expected to reach the upper-80s and low-90s. While we are not expecting to break any records, the Weather Service advises people to drink plenty of fluids, limit their time outside, and use air conditioning – if possible. People should also ensure their pets have access to water, as well as avoid hot pavement when taking them on walks.
Meteorologists say the heat advisory is expected to end by 10 p.m. on Sunday for those on the coast, but those who live further inland will have to wait until Monday.
With the heat also comes an elevated risk of fire. Whatcom County is currently under a stage one burn ban which is not expected to end until September 14th.
STORY: Bellingham man sentenced in 2022 shooting
A Bellingham man has been sentenced for the fatal shooting of a woman.
Last Monday, 35-year-old Shilo (SHY-low) Englert was sentenced by Whatcom County Superior Court to nearly seven-and-a-half years in prison for killing 31-year-old Kasaundra Booker in February 2022. The shooting took place in a stairwell at the 22 North apartment complex in downtown Bellingham. Englert had originally been charged with second-degree murder, but his charge was reduced to second-degree manslaughter as part of a plea deal. That deal also resolved four other criminal cases Englert was facing – including another fatal shooting.
Englert will be required to register as a felony firearm offender, as well as undergo a substance use disorder evaluation and comply with any recommended treatment. The sentence includes a year-and-a-half of probation, though Englert will get credit for the two-and-a-half years he’s already served.
STORY: Bellingham woman arrested in connection with hate crime
A Bellingham woman was arrested last Tuesday after threatening to stab another woman multiple times.
38-year-old Johnye (JOHN-ee) Springer was asked to leave private property, when she berated a woman with racial and sexual slurs and threatened to stab her. Upon arriving at the scene, Bellingham Police learned that Springer had previously trespassed the property. When she continued to threaten the woman, officers arrested her on a felony harassment charge. She remains in custody on $5,000 bond.
Springer was out of custody at the time of her arrest on personal recognizance and awaiting trial for another felony harassment from another incident in March, where she threatened to stab, cut, and murder a family member and their dog.
STORY: Whatcom releases overdose data for first half of 2024
Opioid overdoses in Whatcom County seem to have leveled off after a dramatic rise, with early 2024 numbers reflecting last year’s levels.
Overdose deaths stand at 55 for the first half of 2024, compared to 136 last year, and 91 the year before. The numbers indicate a potential easing in the crisis; however, officials are uncertain if this trend will continue.
Marie Duckworth, a spokesperson for the Health and Community Services Department, noted that May and June 2024 saw numbers more in line with 2023, suggesting the trend may not hold.
County officials, responding to Executive Satpal Sidhu’s recent opioid emergency declaration, say they are treating the crisis with the urgency of a pandemic and are now offering comprehensive prevention support, intervention, treatment, and recovery strategies designed to combat the crisis.
STORY: Pride in Bellingham returns this weekend
Pride in Bellingham returns this weekend with a variety of events.
The annual Pride Parade will start at Waypoint Park at 11am Sunday, finishing at the Depot Market Square on Railroad Ave around 1pm. A map of the route can be found on the Pride in Bellingham website.
The Pride Festival, located at Depot Market Square and extending across Railroad Ave between Chestnut and Maple, will include local venders and drag performers after the parade.
Boundary Bay will be hosting a Pride Family Picnic tomorrow in their Outdoor Garden and the Cedar Dust Alley from noon to 4pm. There will also be a dance in the Market Building from 7-10pm.
Each event is free.
STORY: Opponents of Skagit gravel mine to appeal county’s decision
Community members fighting a proposed gravel mine in a rural area north of Sedro-Woolley have appealed Skagit County’s decision to approve the project.
The group, Central Samish Valley Neighbors, or CSVN, indicated they will continue fighting the mine until their concerns are addressed. Opponents of the mine argue the traffic impacts on Grip Road create an unacceptable risk to public safety.
Concrete Nor’West, a division of Miles Sand and Gravel, plans to log about 68 acres to open the mine, then haul around 23 trucks of gravel per day from the site, according to proposal documents.
Skagit county commissioners will hear the appeal as a closed-record meeting, which means that no new evidence will be presented. After the hearing they will have 60 days to issue a decision.
In a recent press release, CSVN indicated they plan to take the case to Superior Court.
STORY: Free or cheap
In addition to the Pride events happening around town, here are some other free and cheap activities to enjoy this weekend:
Celebrate Bellingham’s First Fridays Downtown tonight from 6 to 10pm and engage with local artist showcases, dining deals, late night shopping, live music and more. The Whatcom Museum offers free admission and extended hours until 9pm as part of the celebration. Visit downtownbellingham.com for more information.
The second annual Fairhaven “Chicken Festival” takes place tomorrow on the Village Green– a “whimsical afternoon” of chicken-filled fun, carnival games, exhibits, and more. The event starts at noon, ends at 4pm, and is open to all ages for $2.
If you choose to stick around the Green afterwards you can catch the 2024 season opening of the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema featuring the movie The Goonies with entertainment by the Bayou Opossums– all starting at dusk. Tickets are $7.
WX: Sun
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Clear skies and hot temperatures all weekend. Highs in the low 80s are projected, dropping to lows around 60 at night. Today and tomorrow will also feature mild west-northwest winds.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman, Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHR-am), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Ikumi Mashiko, and Anna Vickers. 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 visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m David Korb________________… thank you for listening.
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