Small earthquake near Stanwood, man found dead in homeless camp, ABC Recycling hosts community meeting, Fire District faces challenges, Strike yesterday at Starbucks, Rule announces run for re-election, Developer backs out of housing project, Cheap or Free Friday,
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Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, 17 November. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Small earthquake near Stanwood
A magnitude 3.1 earthquake hit our area at around 5pm yesterday.
Centered near Stanwood, the earthquake occurred at a depth of about 18 miles. Earthquakes of this magnitude are considered “minor” and typically only detectable by those nearby. There are no reports of injuries or damage.
STORY: Man found dead in homeless camp
An unidentified person was found dead at an homeless encampment near Walmart on Wednesday.
Bellingham Police are working to contact the victim’s next of kin, and an autopsy to find the victim’s cause of death has been scheduled. This is the second death reported at that encampment in the last few months.
STORY: ABC Recycling hosts community meeting
ABC Recycling will host a neighborhood meeting to discuss the details of the proposed metal shredding facility on Marine Drive.
ABC Recycling experts will be present to explain the equipment and processes involved in metal shredding, addressing how the facility fits into the industrial recycling process. The presentation will include a site plan, and potential areas of concern will be discussed, with an opportunity for the public to ask questions and express concerns.
The meeting will be held on Tuesday, December 5th from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM at the Squalicum Boathouse, located at 2600 N. Harbor Loop Drive.
STORY: Fire District faces challenges
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue is struggling to make ends meet.
Fire District 21 serves almost 34,000 people across 156 square miles, and encompasses Lynden, Laurel, Blaine, Custer, Birch Bay, Semiahmoo, and Whatcom County Fire District 4 through a contract agreement. Call volume has nearly doubled in the last decade, with 30% of calls overlapping. Last year alone, they had more than 3000 calls for emergency medical services. Despite increased demand, tax revenues have not kept pace with costs.
In an interview with KMRE, Fire Chief Jason Van Der Veen outlined the struggle to meet service demands and the need for more firefighters, facilities, and equipment.
After a successful levy lid lift in August for Fire District 4, Van Der Veen is requesting that Fire Commissioners approach voters for a levy rate reset for District 21. Chief Van Der Veen says Birch Bay, Blaine, and Semiahmoo have grown so rapidly services are stretched beyond capacity and response times are delayed.
This would be the first time in almost 20 years that North Whatcom Fire has asked voters to reset the levy rate. If approved by the Fire District Commissioners, the public can expect a hearing next Spring.
STORY: Strike yesterday at Starbucks
Yesterday was Red Cup Day, Starbucks’ official unveiling of their holiday-themed cups, and more than 200 stores went on strike for unfair labor practices. One of those locations was the King and Iowa Street store.
According to reports, Chloe Hogan, local barista and strike leader, claimed that her location unionized before the company released a benefits agreement – putting their workers at a disadvantage. They are hoping the strike gets the attention of executives.
All Bellingham locations are open this morning.
STORY: Rule announces run for re-election
State Representative Alicia Rule announced she will run for reelection to the Legislature next year. Rule seeks a third term in the 42nd District House seat she has held since 2021. This comes on the heels of defeat in this year’s race for Whatcom County executive.
Rule, a moderate Democrat and Blaine resident who runs a therapy practice in Bellingham, has focused on bills intending to help children and families access mental health services. She has also supported law-and-order legislation related to lifting restrictions on police pursuits and criminalizing street drugs.
The 2024 campaign is due to begin in May while the Republican Party has already announced they will mount a challenge for the seat.
STORY: Developer backs out of housing project
A planned townhouse development in Bellingham that would have resulted in the removal of 327 trees, is on hold.
The Seattle-based developer, Stream Real Estate & Development, has withdrawn from the purchase. According to the Cascadia Daily News, the company cited declining real estate values due to a rapid increase in mortgage rates as the reason for their decision. Despite the developer’s withdrawal, the land use permit, issued in September, remains with the Bellingham Country Club.
The club plans to keep the property off the market, monitor real estate prices, and review options in 2024. The proposed project faced opposition from the Whatcom Million Trees Project, which argued against the loss of old-growth trees.
STORY: Free or cheap Friday
It’s Free or Cheap Friday, and here are some weekend entertainment options.
Starting today and continuing until Christmas Eve it’s the Allied Arts 44th Annual Holiday Festival of the Arts. With over 100 booths of local artisans and craftspeople, the festival is located at 1331 Commercial St, and open from 10AM to 6pm.
On Saturday the NSEA (en-SEE) is hosting a Salmon Sighting event from 12-3pm on Fishtrap Creek at Bender Fields, Lynden. NSEA and the Whatcom Conservation District will be on hand to demystify the Northwest’s most iconic fish…admission is free.
Also on Saturday, Ferndale Arts Commission is hosting “Art in Action”, a free event unite local artists and the public in a captivating experience. Head to the Pioneer Pavillion in Ferndale from 1-5pm.
WX: WX
Expect partly cloudy skies all day today, with a high of 52 degrees. Overnight, you can expect a few passing clouds, but mostly clear with a low of 37. Saturday should be a mix of clouds and sun, with more clouds rolling in as the day goes on. Highs should be near 55. The rain should start sometime Saturday evening, and continue into Sunday. And that’s your Whatcom weather for the weekend.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, and Alex Michael. 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 __David Korb______________… thanks for listening.
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