Woman, suspect of DUI, flees Ferndale police on a flat tire, Opening on Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee, WA recovers $2 million from ‘predatory’ student loan debt adjusters, Expansion of Pacific Northwest natural gas pipeline gets go-ahead, Free and Cheap, PROMO: BEYOND BARS, Run after Ruling-
______________________________
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 20th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Woman, suspect of DUI, flees Ferndale police on a flat tire
Ferndale Police arrested a woman Tuesday, following a brief pursuit, after she was spotted in her car, stuck in a ditch.
According to the Ferndale Police Department, officers were dispatched to an intersection near Ferndale High School due to a reported crash. Officers arrived at the scene and ordered 38-year-old Stephanie Lee Hendrickson to exit the vehicle, but she drove out of the ditch and fled. The officers on scene pursued the vehicle, which had a flat tire, until the vehicle came to a stop near Cascadia Elementary School.
Hendrickson was charged with suspicion of driving under the influence, hit-and-run, and attempting to elude a police vehicle. Hendrickson was released on Wednesday after posting bail.
STORY: Opening on Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee
The County Council is seeking applications to fill vacancies on the Whatcom County Ferry Advisory Committee.
The committee provides and reviews recommendations on issues that affect ferry service to Lummi Island, as well as act as a forum for those who depend upon the Lummi Island ferry service to voice their concerns.
There are six vacancies on the committee. All applicants must live and be registered to vote in Whatcom County. The application deadline is October 31st.
STORY: WA recovers $2 million from ‘predatory’ student loan debt adjusters
Washington state’s yearslong campaign to prosecute predatory
student loan adjusters has recovered more than $2 million for residents who were charged illegal fees.
According to the state’s Attorney General’s office, more than 30 student loan debt adjusters have been forced to refund illegal fees dating back to 2017. Debt adjusters offer to help students with consolidating their federal loans, a service that would be free if borrowers go directly through the federal government.
Additionally, the Attorney General’s Office found many illegal practices, including false marketing about loan forgiveness and charging above the legal limit in fees, with some adjusters even claiming to be affiliated with the federal government.
Borrowers who suspect illegal practices from a debt adjuster can submit their concerns to the state’s Attorney General’s office online.
STORY: Expansion of Pacific Northwest natural gas pipeline gets go-ahead
Yesterday, an upgrade to a natural gas pipeline running from California to Canada was approved, despite opposition at local, state, and federal levels.
TC Energy, who also owns the Keystone Pipeline, brings in natural gas from Alberta via a 1,300-mile pipeline that passes through Idaho, Washington, and Oregon to link with California networks. The proposed project will boost the pipeline’s capacity and reliability by improving three compressor stations in Kootenai (KOO-tuh-nee), Walla Walla, and Sherman Counties.
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission voted to authorize the project, allowing TC Energy to increase the amount of fracked gas by 150 million cubic feet per day. The increase is expected to raise greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 3.5 million metric tons annually, according to a filing from the Washington Attorney General and the Oregon and California justice departments.
So far Senators and Governors from Washington and Oregon, along with multiple non-profit and tribal organizations, have released statements against the upgrade. The states and intervening organizations will have the opportunity to file a ‘petition for rehearing’ to the commission. Construction will not begin until the petition is resolved.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some affordable
events happening around the County.
Tomorrow is Bellingham Comicon, hosted at the Ferndale Events Center. The convention will have artists, writers, crafters, vendors, and a costume contest. Parking is free and tickets are $15 at the door.
The Bellingham Dockside Market will also have its bimonthly pop-up on Saturday at Squalicum Harbor from 10 to 2. Visit the dock early to ensure the best selection of seafood options, from dock to table.
On Sunday, the Whatcom Museum will be hosting experts from the North Cascades Audubon Society who will teach about migration, conservation, birds in peril, and the importance of studying bird specimens. The event runs from 1 to 3, and is included with the $10 admission.
PROMO: BEYOND BARS
Coming up after the 5pm news– join community radio KMRE and Cascadia Daily News in a collaborative exploration of the many aspects of the current
Whatcom County jail and the controversy around building a new one.
Beyond Bars: The Changing Face of Justice in Whatcom County shares perspectives on the jail from the people most affected by it.
Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Sheriff Bill Elfo—appointed Sheriff in 2003 and later elected five more times, Bill Elfo has been fighting to make changes in the Whatcom County jail since he first took over the position. His position on the jail is clear:
ELFO AUDIO Jails been a nightmare
Hear more today right after the 5pm news.
WX:
Expect clouds all day today, with a high of 59 degrees. Winds light and variable with an overnight low of 49. Tomorrow, we’ll see overcast skies, mist, and reduced visibility at times with a high of 59. Whatcom should be cloudy through the weekend with a 20% chance of rain and partial sun on Sunday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN) and Carlos Braga. 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 your donations. I’m _David Korb_______________… thanks for listening.
###
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.
