Jury finds Maple Falls man guilty of shooting two sheriff’s deputies, Cordata Elementary to construct “security vestibule,” at front entrance, Former Bellingham dairy building demolished to make way for six-story housing development, WWU reorganization announced, Sumas group wants out of Nooksack water-rights lawsuit, Fish and Wildlife to begin deploying drones to monitor seal and sea lion populations, Helene impacts hospital supply chain in WA, WA hospital operations company receives federal grant for training nurses in caring for victims of sexual assault
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October 14th. Good afternoon, I’m Theron Danielson.
STORY: Jury finds Maple Falls man guilty of shooting two sheriff’s deputies
A Maple Falls man has been found guilty of shooting two Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputies.
63-year-old Joel Young was involved in the non-fatal shooting of the deputies in February 2022. They had responded to a report of an allegedly intoxicated Young shooting a gun into the air. Young, angry at a neighbor burning a fire in their backyard, shot both deputies after they arrived at the scene.
Young was convicted of two counts of attempted murder on September 19th. The court denied the defense’s request for a new trial and confirmed that Young’s sentencing is set for October 22nd.
STORY: Cordata Elementary to construct “security vestibule,” at front entrance
Bellingham Public Schools plans to enhance security at Cordata Elementary by constructing a quote-unquote “security vestibule” at its main entrance.
According to recent permit applications and an email from BPS, the feature will improve safety by channeling all visitors through the main office and enhancing entrance and exit visibility. The construction permit for the project was issued on September 30th, and the estimated cost is about $34,000. The vestibule is part of a district-wide effort to retrofit older buildings with security measures already implemented in newer schools, like both Options and Sehome high schools.
The project timeline is still in the planning phase.
STORY: Former Bellingham dairy building demolished to make way for six-story housing development
A former dairy building, built in 1949, was demolished last week to make way for a new mixed use development at State Street.
According to permit documents, the new State Street Creamery Project, named for the site’s former use, will provide over a hundred market rate rental units, as well as a small commercial space. There are also a hundred parking spaces, including 10 or more EV stations, plus 68 long-term and 10 short-term bike parking spaces planned for the site.
STORY: WWU reorganization announced
WWU President Sahba Randawha announced today the university will reorganize to address a long-term structural budget deficit.
Despite a recovery in enrollment post-pandemic, the university says it will restructure its administration to streamline operations, reduce costs, and better serve students. Changes include a move of various departments to different reporting chains, and the elimination of the University Relations and Marketing division.
Additional cost-cutting measures were announced as part of the plan, with an 8% reduction in WWU’s annual budget– amounting to a savings of $18 million dollars annually—phased in through 2027. The university says it aims to minimize personnel impacts by eliminating vacant positions and restructuring academic programs with low enrollment. WWU says it is also working with the state for increased funding to support faculty and staff cost-of-living adjustments.
STORY: Sumas group wants out of Nooksack water-rights lawsuit
A group consisting of Sumas (SOO-mass)) residents is seeking to be removed from the Nooksack River adjudication process.
Calling themselves Sumas Out, the residents argue their land should not be counted as part of the Nooksack Watershed, as their water generally flows downhill towards the Fraser River in British Columbia. According to a statement by Sumas Out’s Jerry DeBruin, the residents should not be required to go through the adjudication process of quote “an issue that has nothing to do with us” unquote. Ecology spokesman Jimmy Norris countered by telling The Bellingham Herald that the area makes up the lands identified by both Lummi (LUH-mee) Nation and the Nooksack Tribe as subject to their water claims.
Sumas Out has not formally made a request to be excluded from the adjudication.
STORY: Atmospheric rivers bound for western WA, increasing likelihood of flooding[6]
Two atmospheric river storms are heading toward Western Washington, bringing heavy rain and snow down to 4,000 feet in the North Cascades.
Experts say the storms will cause the Nooksack River to rise, potentially setting the stage for future flooding. The first storm today will bring light rain and breezy conditions, while a stronger storm on Tuesday will bring more rain, gusty winds, and snow. While no weather advisories have been issued, these systems could lead to future flood risks.
STORY: Fish and Wildlife to begin deploying drones to monitor seal and sea lion populations
Starting this fall, Washington’s Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will use drones to monitor local seal and sea lion populations along the coast and certain rivers.
The goal is to obtain accurate counts of marine mammals, especially harbor seals, to study their impact on salmon and steelhead populations. The drones will fly over river estuaries like Nisqually (nuh-SKWAL-ee), Dosewallips (dose-WALL-ups), and Duckabush until October 2025, counting seals on shore “haulouts.” Fish and Wildlife says the data will help estimate seal predation on salmon, and aid in salmon conservation efforts.
Harbor seals and sea lions have seen significant population growth since the 1970s due to protections under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. While this growth is not the primary cause of salmon declines, scientists say it does hinder recovery efforts, as seals consume a large number of juvenile salmon, particularly Chinook, during peak months. WDFW aims to compare seal predation impacts with other mortality factors to prioritize conservation strategies.
Washington and Oregon have explored population control methods, including non-lethal deterrents and euthanasia, in efforts to support salmon recovery, with approval from NOAA.
STORY: Helene impacts hospital supply chain in WA
The effects of Hurricane Helene are being felt in hospitals across Washington state.
According to the state Hospital Association, Helene has impacted the Baxter facility in North Carolina, which supplies about 60% of the IV solutions used every day in the United States. Medical centers across the state are conserving IV fluid solution, however, PeaceHealth spokesperson Anne Williams said that operations at St. Joseph Medical Center have not experienced any shortages.
A press release by the state Hospital Association says that the Association as well as the Northwest Healthcare Response Network will try to fill the gap by requesting the federal government encourage other manufacturers to increase production, permit imports from European Union countries and Canada, and allow hospitals to produce their own solutions.
STORY: WA hospital operations company receives federal grant for training nurses in caring for victims of sexual assault
Washington State faces a shortage of nurses trained to assist sexual assault victims, but a new grant is aiming to change that.
MultiCare Health System, which operates several hospitals in Western Washington, received a million-and-a-half-dollar federal grant to establish a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner training program. The program will offer free training to 300 nurses statewide over the next three years, with the goal of certifying 15 nurses. Although the program won’t fully meet state demand, health leaders believe it will have a significant impact on care for sexual assault survivors. The training teaches nurses to be trauma-informed and how to properly collect forensic evidence, which is essential for legal cases.
WX: Il pleut
Today kicks off a rainy week, with forecasted precipitation of up to a quarter inch. Daytime highs are expected to reach the mid-low 60s. Expect modest south-blowing winds of up to 11 mph, as well as evening temperatures in the low 50s.
The rain is expected to linger throughout tomorrow, following some patchy early morning fog.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Brodey O’Brien, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick, and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m Theron Danielson, and thank you for listening.
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