County Council, Executive seeking volunteers for over 30 commission, advisory board positions, Second deceased person discovered at Bellingham, NWCAA issues Stage 2 air quality burn ban for Maple Falls area, WDFW seeks comment on status review for killer whale, Over 200 employees hired to staff Tukwila behavioral hospital bought by Washington, Crime, taxes and artificial intelligence on tap as WA lawmakers prep for session, NASA satellites could be a new tool to help estimate snowpack, manage water resources, Students designs wanted for invasive species art contest,
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November 28th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: County Council, Executive seeking volunteers for over 30 commission, advisory board positions
The Whatcom County Council and County Executive are looking for interested residents to fill vacancies in over 30 advisory boards and commissions.
The positions cover a variety of local issues such as agriculture, criminal justice, and land use planning. Most board members serve terms of two, three, or four years, with specific requirements for each position.
Applications from Whatcom County residents will be accepted until 10 a.m. on January 2, 2024. More details and a list of current vacancies are available on the Whatcom County website.
STORY: Second deceased person discovered at Bellingham encampment
Authorities are investigating the discovery of a deceased individual found inside a tent at an encampment behind the Bellingham Walmart.
The body was identified as 45-year-old Dean Dewberry, located by another person in the tent, leading to a 911 call. This marks the second such incident at the encampment in less than a month. The cause of death is under investigation.
STORY: NWCAA issues Stage 2 air quality burn ban for Maple Falls area
The Northwest Clean Air Agency has issued a Stage 2 air quality burn ban for the Columbia Valley and Maple Falls area, effective yesterday.
The ban prohibits the use of indoor fireplaces and pellet stoves, and all outdoor fires of any kind. The only exception to the ban is when a woodstove is the only adequate heat source. The ban is expected to last a few days until the cold calm air changes, allowing for lingering wood smoke particles to clear.
The NWCAA warns that wood smoke is especially harmful to children, adults aged 65 and over, and people with heart and lung problems. Violators of the burn ban could face fines or other enforcement actions.
For more up-to-date information go to NWCleanAirWA.gov to learn more.
STORY: WDFW seeks comment on status review for killer whale
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is seeking public input on a recommendation to keep the killer whale on the state’s endangered species list.
WDFW says that while efforts have been made since the last status review, the Southern Resident killer whale population is still in danger. The department recommends no change to the status, keeping killer whales as an endangered species.
Southern Resident orcas live in coastal ocean waters off Northern California, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. There are 75 southern resident orcas today, about as few as when the capture era ended in 1976. Among them is L25, the world’s oldest living orca at around 95 years old. She is believed to be the mother of Tokitae, the orca who passed away at the Miami Seaquarium three months ago.
The draft Periodic Status Review for killer whales is available to view on the WDFW’s website. Written comments on the document can be submitted via email or by physical mail. The public comment period is open until Feb. 19, 2024.
STORY: Over 200 employees hired to staff Tukwila behavioral hospital bought by Washington
Washington State has hired over 200 employees for the newly named Olympic Heritage Behavioral Hospital.
Previously known as Cascade Behavioral Health, the hospital was closed in July amid conflict between staff and management. The state purchased the building in August for 30 million dollars, rehiring over half of the staff who were laid off due to Cascade’s closure.
However, Cascade’s union filed suit against the purchase – arguing that the state should rehire all past employees under the union’s contract. U.S. District Judge Barbara J. Rothstein claimed that they were unlikely to win the case, since the union contract became void when the business closed.
The new Olympic Heritage is now accepting patients and has enough staff to keep two wards open. Hospital administration says any additional hiring will be based on the funding they receive from the Legislature in the next supplemental budget session.
STORY: Crime, taxes and artificial intelligence on tap as WA lawmakers prep for session
As the Washington state legislature prepares to return to session next year, they will be prepped on important topics in the upcoming weeks.
Senators are gathering this week in 14 committees holding work sessions on Thursday and Friday. Then on Monday and Tuesday, 19 House panels will be in action. Legislators expect to be briefed on topics ranging from fuel surcharges levied on farmers, to the accuracy of election vote counts. Other topics include artificial intelligence in public schools, the increasing costs of construction projects, and the allocation of the new capital gains tax.
The full schedule of committee sessions can be found on the Legislature’s website and the hearings will be streamed live on TVW.
STORY: NASA satellites could be a new tool to help estimate snowpack, manage water resources
Scientists are now able to measure snowpacks with NASA satellites.
This year scientists used a NASA satellite to measure the amount of snowpack in the Methow (MET-oww) Valley in Okanogan (ow-kuh-NAA-guhn) County and a river basin at Yosemite (yo-SEH-muh-tee) National Park. Snowpack estimates usually come from computer models, but the results from satellite measurements have proven to be surprisingly accurate.
The lead author of a new study recently published in the journal “Remote Sensing of the Environment,” Hannah Besso, says this data could have a big impact on places like the Methow Valley, where not much is known about the snowpack. Researchers have high hopes for the new method of understanding snowfall as it helps predict spring melt, and water availability as the climate changes.
WX: Fog and Partly Sunny
Much of Western Washington woke up to freezing fog this morning, and more fog is expected tomorrow morning as well. The possibility of frost on bridges and overpasses as well as reduced visibility can make the roads treacherous, so drivers are advised to use caution and maintain a safe following distance. Expect things to warm up to a high of about 45 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Tomorrow will bring more of the same, with rain expected to roll in on Thursday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Alex Michael, 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. If you’d like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
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And finally, if you’re in the mood for something more active, volunteer work parties are happening every Saturday until December 16th throughout Bellingham’s parks. Volunteers are needed from 9AM-12pm– you can find out which parks are being worked on by visiting volunteerbellingham.org.
STORY: Student designs wanted for invasive species art contest
From now through May 2024, the Washington Invasive Species Council and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife are asking students to help spread awareness about invasive species– through art.
Submissions must represent a type of invasive species, which are plants and animals that do not belong in the Washington ecosystem.
The competition will be separated into elementary, middle, and highschool. Three winners will be chosen from each division and will receive Amazon gift cards.
First place winners will also get a print of their art and have it displayed at various aquatic invasive species check stations.
For more information on how to participate, visit wdfw.wa.gov
NOV 24th FREE
Mark your calendars for the 2024 Discover Pass free days!
It’s never too early to start planning free visits to Washington’s state parks and recreation lands! The Discover Pass free days for 2024 have been announced!
And there’s one free day left this year – Friday, Nov. 24.(Discover Pass free days do not apply to Sno-Parks, which require separate permits.)
