Suspect in January shooting at Ferndale park arrested by authorities in Sunnyside, Members of two Hall of Fame rock bands will perform at NW WA Fair, Search & Rescue Council planning future home in Everson, Search & Rescue Council planning future home in Everson, Lake Whatcom’s water district breaks ground for earthquake-resistant reservoirs, New Bellingham citywide minimum wage goes into effect, Commercial pot seizure at U.S./Canada border crossing lands in B.C. court, WA seeks to fix discrimination from racially restrictive property deeds, Social Security expands rental subsidy
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, May 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Suspect in January shooting at Ferndale park arrested by authorities in Sunnyside
Authorities have arrested a suspect in a January Ferndale shooting.
Javier (hah-vee-AIR) Flores Jr, 20, was arrested in connection with a robbery in Cedar Creek Park that left one person injured. According to Ferndale Communications Officer Megan Junemann, the victim and two others went to meet with Flores to buy marijuana at the park on January 17th. As the group arrived, Flores aimed a gun at the passenger and robbed them. When the victim attempted to drive away, Flores fired a single shot, hitting their shoulder. After searching Flores’s social media accounts, Ferndale police were able to gather evidence of his involvement.
Flores was taken into custody on Friday. He is currently being held at the Whatcom County Jail on multiple charges, including first-degree robbery and assault.
STORY: Members of two Hall of Fame rock bands will perform at NW WA Fair
The Northwest Washington fair has announced two hall of fame musicians have been added to its lineup.
In addition to rapper Ludacris and country singer Chris Janson, the fair announced that Ace Frehley, an original member of KISS, and Steven Adler, an original member of Guns N’ Roses, will both be performing.
The fair will run from August 8th to 11th in Lynden. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 9 am.
STORY: Search & Rescue Council planning future home in Everson
The Whatcom County Search & Rescue Council is scrambling to build a new home in Everson.
SAR’s current facility on Smith Road is due to be demolished this year to make room for the expanded Northwest Annex offices. Council treasurer Gwynne Gruizenga-Top (gruh-ZEN-guh TOP) said the nonprofit was “blindsided” by the news, as they were not informed of the plans for an expanded Annex until almost two years after the planning process had begun.
A private developer from Everson offered to donate land to the SAR, and plans were drawn up for a new building. However, the city council, which agreed to commit over a million dollars to fund construction, is facing legal hurdles in dispensing the money due to the Search and Rescue Council being a private nonprofit. Gruizenga-Top has described the process as “frustrating and demoralizing,” saying the SAR may have to “press pause” until it finds a new home.
STORY:Lake Whatcom’s water district breaks ground for earthquake-resistant reservoirs
Sudden Valley is getting new reservoirs fit to withstand earthquakes.
Funding for the $3 million project largely comes from a FEMA hazard mitigation grant. The grant was initiated in 2017 following heavy rainfall in the county. Sudden Valley’s current reservoir near Swallow Circle is over 50 years old and vulnerable to failure in the event of an earthquake. The new silo reservoirs will be connected to an earthquake early warning system and meet current seismic standards.
A groundbreaking was scheduled for today at the new 16,000-square foot site. The project will likely finish up next summer.
STORY: New Bellingham citywide minimum wage goes into effect
Bellingham’s citywide minimum wage increase went into effect yesterday.
Starting in May, Bellingham’s city-wide minimum wage will increase to $17.23, a dollar above the statewide rate. Following last year’s ballot measure, the minimum will increase another dollar next year.
According to the city of Bellingham a living wage is $15.25 for workers who have healthcare through their employers and $17.53 for those without health benefits. However, other sources estimate a living wage in Bellingham to be $27.59.
Currently only three other cities have a minimum wage above the statewide amount: Seattle, SeaTac, and Tukwila.
STORY: Commercial pot seizure at U.S./Canada border crossing lands in B.C. court
A British Columbia cannabis grower is suing a Kelowna-based shipping company for compensation over a truckload of marijuana seized at the U.S. border.
Last May, a truck driver for Seven Elks Shipping mistakenly crossed into the U.S. at the Blaine border while transporting cannabis products from We Grow B.C.. US Customs seized the load, with a retail value of more than 800 thousand dollars. According to an official spokesperson for Customs and Border Patrol, the driver said he was traveling domestically in Canada and was not seeking entry to the U.S. but made a wrong turn, ending up at the CBP Pacific Highway Cargo Facility. We Grow B.C. is seeking more than $11,000 in shipping fees, as well as compensation for the seized goods and reputational loss.
Marijuana is legal in B.C. and Washington state. However, bringing weed into the U.S. from across the border is a federal crime.
STORY: WA seeks to fix discrimination from racially restrictive property deeds
In July, a new program started by the Legislature will begin distributing money to first-time homebuyers whose families experienced housing discrimination before 1968.
The Covenant Homeownership Program aims to address disparities in homeownership opportunities for people of color. Washington state has a significant number of homes with racially restrictive deeds dating back to the 1960s. According to a report released by the National Fair Housing Alliance. Although these deeds are no longer legally enforceable, they have continued to perpetuate discrimination. In addition, the report suggests assistance programs take a “race-conscious”, not “race-neutral”, approach to address those issues.
The new ownership program will offer down payment and cost assistance funded by a new document recording fee on real estate transactions. Eligibility criteria include a household income at or below the local median income and proof of pre-1968 residency in Washington or descent from someone who resided here.
Legal challenges are anticipated, but proponents believe the program meets constitutional standards and is necessary to address ongoing discrimination.
WX: Sun
Your Whatcom County weather – Today will be sunny with a high of 62 degrees. Tonight will be mostly clear and have a low of 44. Clouds will roll in tomorrow, with temperatures reaching the upper sixties.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman, Kye Salinas (KEY suh-LEE-nus) and Tristan Trudell. 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_______________… thanks for listening.
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STORY: Social Security expands rental subsidy
The Social Security Administration announced they will expand the rental subsidy policy for those on Supplemental Security Income (SSI).
SSI provides monthly payments to individuals with disabilities, blindness, or those aged 65 and older with limited income and resources to cover basic needs like rent, food, and medicine. The department says the rule aims to simplify and broaden rental subsidy policies nationwide, improve program equality and reduce administrative burden. The expanded policy will apply nationwide starting September 30th, and will potentially increase payment amounts and eligibility for many.
For more details on SSI eligibility and applications, visit the SSA website.
