Police activity results in Shuksan Middle School secure action, Flood Siren tests scheduled in Sumas tomorrow, City assessment underway for future recreation development at Lake Padden, Winter Shelters, WA opens health insurance exchange to undocumented immigrants, Democracy Block, Winter and Severe Weather Shelters set to open by the Holiday Season
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, November 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Police activity results in Shuksan Middle School secure action
Shuksan (SHUCK-sun) Middle School initiated a secure action yesterday afternoon after shots were fired at West Maplewood Avenue.
After shots were heard, Shuksan’s exterior doors were locked, and no one was allowed to enter or leave the building until 4 pm, when Bellingham Police gave them the all-clear. Bellingham Police also issued an advisory asking people to avoid the area during the investigation.
According to Bellingham PD, the investigation into the reports resulted in the arrest of 60-year-old Thomas Edward Paine on charges of second-degree assault and fourth-degree assault. He is currently being held at the Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Flood siren tests scheduled in Sumas tomorrow
Sumas will be conducting an annual test of the local flood siren tomorrow at 10 am.
The test follows the City’s Flood Awareness Day last weekend nearly two years after flooding devastated the greater Sumas area. No action needs to be taken, and the test will only take a few minutes.
STORY: City assessment underway for future recreation development at Lake Padden
An assessment is underway for future recreational development at Lake Padden Park.
The planned Recreation Assessment Study will analyze existing recreational use, and help ensure that future uses and development are compatible with the recreational and ecological setting of the park.
Data gathering and a public survey are underway. Those wishing to take the survey can go to EngageBellingham.org. The survey is open until November 8th.
STORY: Winter Shelters
Two new shelters are set to open up in Whatcom County. The shelters hope to provide additional space to those seeking refuge from this winter’s weather. KMRE reporter Connor O’Boyle has more.
WINTER SHELTER AUDIO
STORY: WA opens health insurance exchange to undocumented immigrants
Washington’s health insurance exchange is expanding access to health and dental plans to undocumented immigrants.
While federal subsidies will continue to be available solely to U.S. citizens and immigrants with legal documentation, the Cascade Care Savings program will be available to anyone in Washington who meets the income eligibility limits, regardless of immigration status. Currently, about one out of four of the remaining uninsured in Washington are people who are undocumented.
Washington is one of the few states to offer access and state subsidies for health insurance through its exchange to all residents regardless of immigration status. Only five other states and the District of Columbia currently offer state-funded coverage or subsidies to all residents, with Minnesota planning to do so as well by 2025.
Enrollment through the Washington State Healthplanfinder website is open through January 15th.
STORY: Washington DOH releases guidance on new COVID vax
Following guidelines from the CDC, new COVID vaccines are being rolled out to the public.
The Washington State Department of Health is recommending that everyone 6 months and older get the new COVID-19 vaccine. All updated vaccines are FDA approved and recommended to help fight the newer virus variants. Those who have not received the vaccine in any capacity, like young children, should get multiple doses of the new vaccine. The new COVID vaccine can be safely taken at the same time as the flu vaccine.
While most health insurance plans cover the vaccine, those without it can get the shot for free at local health centers, health departments, or pharmacies participating in the CDC’s Bridge Access Program.
You can find the nearest vaccine on the Washington DOH website.
STORY: Democracy Block
KMRE and Cascadia Daily have collaborated on a series of interviews with some of the 2023 candidates for office. We’ve chosen specific questions from those interviews so that listeners can compare the candidates’ positions on issues that matter most to Whatcom County.
Today after the 5pm news, the mayoral candidates– incumbent Seth Fleetwood and challenger Kim Lund– share their views on protecting our drinking water source, Lake Whatcom.
WX: Rainy
Today will be rainy with a high of around 60°. Winds will have gusts as high as 24 mph. Tonight has lows around 50. The rain will continue into tomorrow, with winds calming down during the night.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, and Connor O’Boyle. 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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STORY: Winter and Severe Weather Shelters set to open by the Holiday Season
With the Lighthouse mission basecamp at a consistent full capacity, the need for shelters rises as the temperature plummets.
Last month, Whatcom county approved leases for a Severe Weather shelter and a Winter Weather Shelter.
The Severe Weather Shelter is designed to operate only when the climate is life threatening. Ann Beck, human services supervisor for the county, is preparing for the worst:
“If temperatures drop to kind of an extreme low below 28 degrees, and we need to get people in to do some life saving measures, we wanted to have some extra space.”
Beck hopes to open their shelter later this month once the building is approved by the fire marshal.
Ashley Burger, executive director of Road2Home, also approved a lease for a winter weather shelter located in Civic field. It is expected to be open from December first to February 29th.
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Both shelters are still looking for employees and volunteers to maintain these resources. To learn more, visit road2home.org or Whatcom volunteer.org.
Run after ruling–
The Washington State Supreme Court is set to hear a significant case involving the rights of people sheltering in their vehicles.
A growing number of homeless individuals in Washington are living in their vehicles, but they face challenges due to local laws, including bans on vehicle habitation, restrictive parking rules, and towing. These laws often force people to leave their communities, even if they have lived there for a long time.
Jack Potter, a longtime resident of Lacey, was forced to live in his travel trailer due to housing market pressures. Lacey passed a law prohibiting vehicles used as shelter from parking in town for more than four hours, essentially forcing Potter and others out of their community.
Tomorrow, Potter’s case will be heard by the Washington Supreme Court.
