INTRO
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for [Tuesday], [May 30th]. Good afternoon, I’m
__.
STORY: BIRCH EQUIPMENT WINS 50TH SKI TO SEA
In the thrilling conclusion to the fiftieth anniversary of the Ski to Sea race Birch
Equipment took first place for the second year in a row.
Ski to Sea is a relay that pits teams against each other in seven different categories.
The race begins with cross-country skiing, then downhill skiing or snowboarding,
running, road biking, canoeing, cyclocross biking, and finally ending with sea
kayaking.
Started in 1974, the race ran every year until it was halted due to covid-19. After
resuming again last year Birch Equipment took home the first place position.
The owner of Birch Equipment and team manager Sarah RothenBueller credits the
wins to the team, the team captain Jeff Hilburn, and the unique local nature of the
team.
[Audio: no ringers: 26sec]
Rotherbueller grew up in the Chuckanuts, watching the race since its inception. For
more information on the team, tune in again on Thursday at 3pm, 4pm or 5pm to
hear more from Jeff Hilburn.
STORY: ECOLOGY DIRECTOR SPEAKS OUT ON CLEAN WATER ACT
It will now be easier for wetlands across the country to be developed after The
Supreme Court narrowed the protections of the Clean Water Act late last week.
A 5 to 4 majority in the Supreme Court ruled in favor of an Idaho couple, who
disputed that they needed a permit to build on their property near Priest Lake.
Federal officials had identified parts of their property as a wetland; the Associated
Press reports.
All nine justices sided with the Idaho couple, but disagreed on definitions on which
wetlands are federally protected. Now it will be easier for farmers, homebuilders
and developers to build on them.
Washington state Department of Ecology Director Laura Watson released a
statement calling wetland and stream protections “critical” for preserving water
quality and protecting endangered species.
Watson said that wetlands and streams in the state will continue to be protected
by state law.
STORY: WTA MAKES PARATRANSIT CHANGES
Whatcom Transit Authority has announced they will be changing the Paratransit
system starting June 11th.
Riders may no longer request a will call pickup for nonmedical appointments,
including grocery store trips.
Riders must now either schedule for a specific arrival time, or schedule a 30-
minute pick-up window. Only riders who are going home from a medical
appointment will be eligible to request a Will Call. If you are traveling back from
destinations like a restaurant, museum, hair salon, or grocery store, riders will now
be required to schedule their trips ahead of time.
STORY: FERRY CANCELLATIONS CAUSE ISSUES
Visitors to the San Juan Islands this past Memorial Day weekend faced ferry delays
and cancellations, which continues into this week.
Washington State Department of Transportation officials cite staff shortages and
mechanical issues for the cancellations.
On Saturday, at least eleven ferry runs were canceled, according to the Seattle
Times.
On Sunday, one of four ferries serving the San Juan Islands was out of commission
due to mechanical issues. Today, the Tillikum ferry route, which serves inter island
travel, was canceled due to a lack of crew members.
Travelers are advised to stay up to date by checking the ferry schedule and bulletin
at the department of transportation website.
STORY: MT. BAKER HWY CLOSED FOR UP TO 3 MONTHS
On Monday, the Washington State Department of Transportation will begin
construction on a new bridge over Squalicum creek. The project will result in a
24/7 closure between East Sunset Drive and Mount Baker Highway
and the road will stay closed for up to 105 days.
Road workers will remove the current culvert over the creek and replace it with a
single span, 105-foot-long bridge. Detours for westbound and eastbound traffic
through Hannegan Road and East Smith road will be open throughout the closure.
The project is expected to be completed by the beginning of September.
STORY: LAWMAKERS WILL HOLD TOWN HALL WEDNESDAY
State Senator Sharon Shewmake and Representative Joe Timmons, will host a town
hall tomorrow evening between 6 and 7:30 at Whatcom Community College.
Shewmake and Timmons, who represent Whatcom County, will address questions
and concerns from voters about the last legislative session as well as priorities for
- Questions can be submitted in advance online.
Representative Alicia Rule of Blaine, who is running for Whatcom County
executive, will not be attending.
WX:
Today’s forecast features partially cloudy skies with a high of 61 degrees coming
this afternoon. Tonight, be ready for it to cool down to a low of 47 degrees. Clear
skies will last all night.
Tomorrow be ready for more of the same. We can expect a high of 63 degrees
accompanied by more clear skies and a low of 46.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carl Bryden and Questen Inghram.
Tune in to local news on KMRE weekdays at 3, 4 and 5 p-m, and on demand at
kmre.org. For news tips and feedback, please send an email to 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.
