ABC Recycling submits plans for metal shredder one day before hearing, Threat of Snow closes stretch of Whatcom County Pass, San Juan Islands consider annual tourism fee for resident visitors, Everett flight diverted after off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down engines, Democracy Block, PROMO: BEYOND BARS, 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor
______________________________
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: ABC Recycling submits plans for metal shredder one day before hearing
Yesterday morning, ABC Recycling submitted application materials for a metal shredder just outside Bellingham, likely avoiding a proposed moratorium on new heavy industries in the area.
Located on a 20 acre property north of a former cement plant on Marine Drive, the proposed metal shredding plant has been the target of recent opposition. At a meeting earlier in September, residents of the nearby Alderwood and Birchwood neighborhoods expressed concerns over possible noise from the metal-shredding operations, and heavy-metal pollution from truck tires.
On the 26th, Whatcom County Council called for a vote declaring an emergency moratorium on new developments for heavy industry in the Alderwood area, including the ABC Recycling property. The vote failed by one, which gave ABC Recycling four weeks to submit an application before the council was scheduled to reconsider the moratorium.
Though the application was submitted just before the reconsideration, Whatcom Permit Center Specialist Nick Smith said in an interview that the county has not yet determined if the project is vested and whether it can avoid the moratorium or not. The reconsideration was scheduled for today at 6 pm.
STORY: Threat of snow closes stretch of Whatcom County mountain pass
Due to the urgent winter weather message issued yesterday, WSDOT has closed the road to Artist Point on state Route 542 for the season.
The warning is effective through tomorrow, and covers the Cascade mountains and passes in Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish and King counties. In addition to closing the 3 mile stretch of Mount Baker Highway, the gates on milepost 54 are closed due to the forecasted snow.
In Whatcom and Skagit counties, up to 15 inches of snow could fall in the Cascades, but snow could also impact those in Maple Falls, Newhalem, Lyman and Concrete. Lowland areas in Whatcom County will more likely see rain.
WSDOT is advising those traveling through a mountain pass to follow traction tire requirements, carry an emergency kit, and check travel conditions ahead of time.
STORY: San Juan Islands consider annual tourism fee for residents, visitors
San Juan County is considering the implementation of an annual fee to address the impacts of increased tourism.
Residents and visitors would be required to purchase a pass– similar to a Discover Pass– ranging in price from $10 to $15, for bikes, boats, and cars.
The money raised would fund infrastructure projects and management actions to enhance the islands’ resources and accommodate the growing number of tourists. County administration says the proposal aims to strike a balance between residents and visitors while managing the challenges that tourism brings to the islands, such as environmental and housing concerns. The idea received “low to medium” support from residents on the three main islands during the public meeting process in 2022, according to county data with some residents feeling it is offensive. The County says it is continuing to explore various funding options, including a business license system and expanding a lodging tax advisory committee.
STORY: Everett flight diverted after off-duty pilot accused of trying to shut down engines mid flight
An off-duty Alaska Airlines captain, riding as a passenger, attempted to shut down the engines of a flight from Everett to San Francisco.
Horizon Air flight 2059 diverted to Portland, where it landed safely. The pilot, 44-year old Joseph Emerson, was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. Radio communications revealed the crew subdued Emerson, and removed him from the flight deck after he tried to deploy the engine fire suppression system. Engine power was not lost, and the flight continued safely. Emerson, a commercial pilot since 2001, is expected to be arraigned in Portland.
STORY: Democracy Block
Election Day is coming up, and to give our listeners more insight into the candidates for office, KMRE will present a series of candidate forums.
Starting today, we’ll air a new Bellingham-Whatcom League of Women Voters forum every day at 11AM.
Hear the candidates for Whatcom County Sheriff– Doug Chadwick and Donnell (don-NELL) ‘Tank’ Tanksley tomorrow, and the candidates up for election to the Whatcom County Council– on Thursday.
PROMO: BEYOND BARS
Also– 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 the push to build a new one.
Today’s Beyond Bars interview features Andrew Reding (REDD-ing)—chair of the Whatcom County Democrats. With a long background in policy Redding says taxpayer money should be used to make the best investments to reduce Whatcom County crime, and thanks to a 2017 report, we already know what those investments should look like.
REDDING AUDIO—
Listen to the interview today right after the 5pm news.
WX: Freeze Watch
It will be rainy all day, with a high of 51° and winds around 8 mph. Tonight has lows around 40, with winds increasing to more than 10 mph. The rain will slow tomorrow and it may become sunny. There is a freeze watch in place across Whatcom and Skagit as temperatures drop to around freezing later this week. There is also a small craft advisory due to winds ranging from 15 to 25 knots.
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 listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
###
STORY: 3.1 magnitude earthquake hits Gig Harbor
A 3.1 magnitude earthquake was detected near Gig Harbor on Sunday.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the earthquake was felt through Puget Sound at around 8pm. The Pacific Northwest Seismic Network stated the epicenter of the earthquake was 17 miles northwest of Tacoma.
170 people reported feeling the earthquake to the USGS. Almost all of the responses said the earthquake’s intensity was at level 1 or 2 on the Mercalli scale, meaning there was notable, but light, shaking.
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.
