Attempted Escape at Whatcom County Jail, WCSO Vehicle Crashes into Car, Court Limits Use of Paid Vacation, Real Estate Prices Cool Down, Oyster Run is Back, Hunger Remains High in Washington, Air Quality Update
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STORY: Attempted Escape at Whatcom County Jail
An inmate at the Whatcom County Jail attempted to escape yesterday after kicking his cell door down.
Christian Dillard, described by the Sheriff’s office as a dangerous and violent inmate, kicked his cell door, causing a mechanical failure that allowed it to open into an outer security area. Corrections Deputies were notified and spent over an hour trying to persuade Dillard to return to his cell. Eventually, the Emergency Response Team intervened and moved him to a safety cell.
Dillard had been held in one of the highest security units in the downtown jail. Sheriff Bill Elfo expressed concerns about the jail’s infrastructure and security systems, stating that this incident was part of a series of failures.
As a result, public tours and non-essential visits to the jail have been suspended until the Sheriff’s Office can ensure the security of the locking mechanisms and doors.
STORY: WCSO Vehicle Crashes into Car
Yesterday, all lanes of Meridian Street in Whatcom County were closed after a collision involving a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office patrol car and another vehicle.
The patrol car was traveling southbound with it’s emergency equipment on when it collided with the passenger side of a second vehicle at Kellog Road and Meridian. Both drivers, identified as Deputy Ryan Rathbun, 42, and Hailey Bergquist, 22, sustained injuries and were transported to Peacehealth St. Joseph Medical Center.
The road was reopened two hours after the crash, but the cause of the collision is still being investigated.
STORY: Court Limits Use of Paid Vacation
A recent ruling by the Washington Supreme Court may impact the flexibility of employees to use paid leave to care for a sick family member.
The incident was brought to court when an Alaska Airlines flight attendant was disciplined for using accrued vacation time to leave work and care for her sick child. Washington state law allows employees to use any form of paid leave to care for sick relatives, but Alaska Airlines argued that it was a violation of their collective bargaining agreement, which requires employees to give notice far in advance when using paid vacation time. In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement supersede the right of employees to use their choice of paid leave to care for sick family members.
STORY: Real Estate Prices Cool Down
The residential real estate market in Whatcom County is cooling down.
According to a report prepared by Ryan A. Martin, co-owner and broker at Pacific Continental Realty in Bellingham, there was a 7.6 percent drop in the median home price compared to last year. The report, which looked at prices from March-June of this year, also notes that total sales numbers declined by over 18 percent. The City of Bellingham showed the largest decline, with an average sales price drop of over 9 percent and a unit sales decrease of 24 percent.
Commercial property sales in Bellingham have also cooled down, but the market is performing better than larger metropolitan regions in the state. Seattle’s current commercial vacancy rate reached 24 percent last quarter.
STORY: OYSTER RUN IS BACK
The largest motorcycle run in the Pacific Northwest is back on after being canceled last month.
The Anacortes Oyster Run, held annually in September, attracts between 10-and- 20,000 bikers to Anacortes. The decision to cancel was prompted by increased expenses, including higher costs for police and fire services and insurance. However, organizers took to Facebook to announce the event’s continuation, after the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee unanimously recommended providing $10,000 dollars to support the event’s return.
The Anacortes City Council is expected to approve the funding at their upcoming meeting.
STORY: HUNGER REMAINS HIGH IN WASHINGTON
Food insecurity is rampant in Washington state, especially among low-income households. Black Washingtonians are most likely to experience hunger.
HUNGER AUDIO
STORY: AIR QUALITY UPDATE
According to the NW Clean Air Agency the air quality in Bellingham today is moderate– the Whatcom County area most affected by smoke is Sudden Valley.
WX: Sunny and Warm
Today’s weather is partly cloudy with a high of 81. Winds will continue to be light out of the southwest. Tonight, there will be a few clouds overnight with lows around 60. Tomorrow expect intervals of clouds and sunshine with a high of around 75 degrees and about 74% humidity.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteer 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.
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