Halloween expected to see second atmospheric river hit western Whatcom and Skagit, Whatcom County Council to consider new lease agreement that would relocate sheriff’s office, Ballots due next week, Skagit County names new director of public health, WA immigration court judges continue to deny bonds to detainees despite District Court order, Judge blocks Trump administration from cutting kids mental health funds
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October 28th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Halloween expected to see second atmospheric river hit western Whatcom and Skagit
More wet and windy weather is on its way this Halloween.
The National Weather Service says another atmospheric river will pass over the region starting Friday. Heavy rain is expected through Saturday morning, especially across western Whatcom and Skagit Counties.
Coastal winds could reach up to 55 miles per hour, with additional gusts expected through Monday, November 3rd. There’s also a chance of heavy snow in the North Cascades as levels drop to around 3,000 feet by Sunday.
In the meantime, a weaker system arrives tomorrow which could bring gusts up to 30 miles an hour along the Whatcom coast.
STORY: Whatcom County Council to consider new lease agreement that would relocate sheriff’s office
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is one step closer to a new home.
A deal announced Monday involves the long-term lease of the vacant Ryzex Inc. building in Bellingham’s Cordata area — a move that would relocate deputies and staff from their cramped and outdated office space under the county jail. The two-story, 30,000-square-foot building at 4600 Ryzex Way is owned by former County Council member Rud Browne.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu said in a statement that this site is a “strategic location for emergency response” as it offers easy access to Guide Meridian and that the Sheriff’s Office could relocate there as early as next summer.
The proposed lease runs through 2033, with rent just over half a million $ per year with an option to buy. The Sheriff’s Office was supposed to move to the new county jail being planned in Ferndale. But that building is several years from completion. Sheriff Donnell Tanksley told his staff about the deal in an email with the subject line “great news” Monday afternoon, saying the new location would finally give the department a dedicated, safe, and accessible workspace after years in substandard conditions.
The County Council will consider the lease proposal at its November 5th meeting.
STORY: Ballots due next week
Next Tuesday is election day — just one week away!
As of yesterday, just over 14,000 ballots have been returned out of more than 169,000 in Whatcom County.
If you haven’t received your ballot, contact the Auditor’s Office at 360-778-5102. You can register or update your information in person at the Whatcom County Courthouse.
Drop boxes are open until 8 p.m. on election day — but a reminder that Ferndale’s box is temporarily at Pioneer Pavilion Community Center. Mail ballots must be postmarked by November 4 — the USPS recommends sending them by today.
You can always check your ballot status at VoteWA.gov or sign up for text alerts by texting “Vote” to 868392.
STORY: Whatcom County receives $6 million grant for expanding permanent supportive housing
Whatcom County will receive a major boost to expand housing for residents with behavioral health needs.
The county has been awarded $3.6 million in grant funding through the Trueblood Diversion Workgroup — money that will help create 37 new permanent supportive housing units at Lake Whatcom Center’s Lincoln Street redevelopment in Bellingham.
Of those units, 11 will be reserved for those who have experienced unconstitutional delays in mental health evaluations or restoration services after a criminal charge. Other funders include the Washington State Department of Commerce and a direct appropriation from the state legislature.
In a recent news release, County Executive Satpal Sidhu thanked state lawmakers, including Senator Sharon Shewmake, for helping to secure the funding, calling it, “a step toward building a more effective, compassionate, and sustainable justice and behavioral health system.”
According to the release, the project supports goals outlined in the Justice Project Implementation Plan, which identified a critical shortage of affordable and supportive housing in Whatcom County as one of the primary hurdles for the unhoused.
STORY: Skagit County names new director of public health
Another local government has named a new public health director.
The Skagit County Board of Commissioners announced on Monday that it has appointed Monica Negrila as Director of Public Health. Negrila previously served as director of strategic initiatives within the Commissioner’s Office, where she helped lead the North Star partnership — a joint effort launched in 2022 to address behavioral health and the unhoused in Skagit County.
Commission Chair Lisa Janicki praised Negrila’s leadership on what she called “the community’s highest priority issues.”
Her appointment follows Whatcom County’s recent selection of Champ Thomaskutty as its next director of Health and Community Services. He’s expected to start at the end of the month.
STORY: WA immigration court judges continue to deny bonds to detainees despite District Court order
A legal standoff is unfolding in Tacoma’s immigration court — where judges are accused of ignoring a federal court ruling.
On September 30th, the U.S. District Court found that Tacoma immigration judges were unlawfully denying bond hearings to many detained immigrants — keeping them in jail-like conditions for months or even years.
On September 29th, District Court Judge Tiffany Cartwright ruled that immigrants living in the U.S. long-term are legally entitled to bond hearings — rejecting a recent practice that treated them as if they were just arriving at the border. Despite the ruling, judges have continued to claim they lack jurisdiction to issue bonds.
Federal prosecutors, however, argue that Cartwright’s decision is merely “advisory” and not binding, setting up a clash between the judicial and executive branches of government. Meanwhile, long-time U.S. residents continue to live in detention unless or until lawyers can get an intervention from federal courts.
Legal experts say the Tacoma dispute could shape how immigration law is enforced nationwide — and determine how much authority federal judges have over the executive branch’s immigration system.
STORY: Judge blocks Trump administration from cutting kids mental health funds
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration from cutting funding for K through 12 mental health programs.
The move comes after Washington Attorney General Nick Brown led a coalition of 16 state attorneys general in filing suit.
The funding, part of a $1 billion congressional program, supports school mental health services and was created in response to the Uvalde school shooting. According to the National Association of School Psychologists, the funded programs have already helped nearly a million students, hired 1,300 mental health professionals, and reduced suicide risk in high-need schools by 50%.
The preliminary injunction protects programs in three Washington educational service districts and at the University of Washington. Attorney General Brown says the fight will continue to ensure Congress’s intent is followed and students receive the support they need.
WX: Cascadian Gothic
And now weather:
Expect continuing gray skies and scattered showers today, with highs in the 50s. There’s a wind advisory with a 100% chance of rain later this evening. There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms and up to three-quarters of an inch of rain expected to fall overnight. Evening lows are expected around the mid-40s.
Tomorrow, look for showers and partial cloudy skies all day.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron Danielson, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Bella Mae, and Kai Blais-Schmolke. 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. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _ David Korb ________… thanks for listening!
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