Bellingham man killed in wrong-way crash near Tacoma identified, City of Blaine hearing on public records ends in yelling, Port of Bellingham to vote on 2024 budget, New capital gains tax brings tax in nearly $900 mi for state, WA raises $260 million in most-recent carbon-pricing auction, Orca sightings around Washington break records, Storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County this weekend
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STORY: Bellingham man killed in wrong-way crash near Tacoma identified
The Washington State Patrol has released the identities of two men who died following a wrong-way crash in Tacoma last month. One of them, 24-year-old Thomas C. Greenan, was from Bellingham.
Greenan was driving south in the northbound lane of I-705 around 4 am on October 29th when he crashed head-on into another car, which was being driven north by 43-year-old Hassan H. Ali of Seattle. Both men were injured in the wreck and later died at St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma.
According to State Patrol, drugs and alcohol are thought to have played a role in the wreck.
STORY: City of Blaine hearing on public records ends in yelling
The Blaine City Council’s hearing on public records escalated into a heated exchange last night.
The fees discussed were public record requests for scanned copies and body-worn camera footage requests, respectively. The city, facing a surge in requests, justified the fees by citing the need to allocate significant time to fulfill requests under the Public Records Act. Despite opposition from speakers, the council approved the resolutions to increase fees in a 4-0 decision.
The meeting then became chaotic as speakers criticized the higher cost. The council attempted to enforce topic restrictions, leading to shouting and arguments among attendees. Some residents accused the council of limiting access to information, while others referenced Nazi Germany.
Police officers were called to the building, and tensions remained high. Some attendees say they will file public records violations with the Washington State Attorney General.
STORY: Port of Bellingham to vote on 2024 budget
Commissioners from the Port of Bellingham are due to vote on the port’s 2024 budget during their regular board meeting next Tuesday.
The Port generates money through property taxes, marinas in Bellingham and Blaine, the Bellingham International Airport and real estate. Expenditures focus on economic development, infrastructure preservation and environmental cleanup.
Although the 2024 budget is expected to be balanced, the port is projecting a $12 million deficit, due to capital works and environmental cleanup projects. According to Port officials, despite the deficit, the port has a healthy reserve and is expected to end 2024 with $27 million. Commissioners are also expected to approve a 1% property tax levy increase, which is the highest amount taxing districts may annually increase their levy without voter approval.
A public hearing on the draft budget is scheduled for this Tuesday’s meeting, which can be attended in-person, or online at the Port of Bellingham’s website.
STORY: New capital gains tax brings in nearly $900 mi for state
According to state officials, Washington’s new capital gains tax generated $890 million in its first year.
The tax, which went into effect in 2022, imposes a 7% tax on long-term capital asset sales exceeding $250,000, excluding real estate and retirement savings transactions.
The revenue will be divided with the first $500 million going to the Education Legacy Trust Account and the remainder to the common school construction account in the capital budget.
Lawmakers and Gov. Jay Inslee anticipate allocating over $1 billion from the capital gains tax for the 2023-25 budget, with discussions on spending plans expected in the upcoming legislative session.
STORY: WA raises $260 million in most-recent carbon-pricing auction
The Washington state Department of Ecology says the recent carbon-emission allowances auction has generated approximately $260 million. Now, officials are exploring merging the state’s carbon-pricing market with California and Quebec.
The carbon-pricing program is the cornerstone of the 2021 Climate Commitment Act, requiring the state’s biggest polluting businesses to reduce their emissions or purchase ‘allowances’ to cover their emissions. State officials plan to eventually reduce the number of allowances sold, ramping up pressure on the industries to lower their emissions. The goal is for Washington to be mostly carbon free by 2050.
If successful, a merger could help settle the high prices of pollution, but relief would take time. Assuming Washington, California and Quebec agree to merge their markets, the earliest the process could be finished is 2025, according to state officials.
However, members of the state Environmental Justice Council have cautioned against linking the three regions until more is known about how it would affect efforts to make meaningful pollution reductions in Washington.
STORY: Orca sightings around Washington break records
Bigg’s killer whales, or transients, have been making a reappearance in waters near Seattle.
According to the Orca Behavior Institute, there have been 1,270 sightings in the Salish Sea since October 2022. This is the ninth record breaking year for the species, calling into question their once transient behavior.
This uptick may be a result of last year’s voluntary slowdown of commercial ships in the Puget Sound, designed to decrease noise pollution.
However, the Marine Mammal Commission noted that the Southern Resident Orca population was at an estimated 74 in July. This is due to a lack of salmon, which are declining as ocean temperatures rise.
To report your own whale sightings, visit Orcanetwork.org
STORY: Storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County this weekend
A storm expected to arrive in Whatcom County on Saturday will bring rain to the lowlands and snow to the mountains, along with strong winds that could cause power outages.
The National Weather Service forecasts a 20-to-30% chance of wind gusts to 40 mph. Rain is expected to start on Saturday evening, eventually tapering to showers on Sunday. Temperatures are expected to remain normal, with highs near 50 and lows in the 40s.
This comes on the heels of last weekend’s storm, which brought heavy rain and wind gusts up to 64 mph and knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses.
WX: Clear
Your Whatcom County weather today is mostly sunny, with a high around 45*. Winds light and variable and an overnight low of 33*. Expect things to be generally sunny tomorrow, with a high of 51.
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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