Bellingham and county authorities seeking information on two missing persons, Three new naloxone dispensers established across Bellingham and Maple Falls, City of Bellingham purchases 3.4 acres of land north of town, planned to connect several local trails, Department of Health reopens recreational shellfish harvesting in northern Whatcom County, PNW tribal salmon hatcheries to receive $240 million in federal funding, Updated Northwest Forest Plan to be made available, Whatcom among first counties in state to include climate change in comp plan, City rechannels traffic on Holly Street, Half of state low-income EV rebates gone, rest expected to run out in October
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 8th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham and county authorities seeking information on two missing persons
Bellingham Police are asking the public for any information they may have on two missing persons.
The first, 32-year-old Rebekah Marquez, has been missing since June, and is described as being 5’1″ and 140 pounds with dark hair. Marquez’s family believes that she has been frequenting various encampments across Bellingham.
The second, 18-year-old Matthew Sanders, was last seen on Thursday. He was last seen in a gray rain jacket, blue Champion T-shirt, cargo pants, and black and brown snow boots.
If you have any information regarding either case, please contact Bellingham Police at their non-emergency phone number or call 911.
STORY: Three new naloxone dispensers established across Bellingham and Maple Falls
Whatcom County Health and Community Services announced yesterday that it has added three new naloxone (nuh-LOCK-sone) dispenser boxes across the county.
Naloxone, which reverses opioid overdoses, is now available at the East Whatcom Regional Resource Center in Maple Falls, the Bellingham Food Bank, and the Northwest Youth Services’ Ground Floor building. The initiative, part of a broader effort to reduce opioid-related harm, offers free, 24/7 access to the life-saving medication, and was praised by health officials for increasing access to vital resources.
Naloxone is also available at Ferndale Community Services, the health department, and various pharmacies.
STORY: City of Bellingham purchases 3.4 acres of land north of town, planned to connect several local trails
The City of Bellingham says a 3.4-acre piece of land in the King Mountain neighborhood will provide key trail connections when it is developed next year.
The City Council voted unanimously on September 30th to approve purchase of the site at Telegraph Road for $1.6 million. Greenways levy funds will be used for the purchase.
The property will connect to the Jills Court and Sunset Pond trail projects, in order to create a connection between the Barkley and King Mountain neighborhoods. The north-south trail is expected to provide off-street connection from several residential developments to shopping and entertainment centers, parks, and trails such as the Squalicum Creek and Railroad trails.
A closing date for the deal was not given.
STORY: Department of Health reopens recreational shellfish harvesting in northern Whatcom County
The state Department of Health is reopening recreational shellfish harvesting in northern Whatcom County.
According to Whatcom County Health and Community Services, Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) biotoxin levels have decreased in some county beaches. However, while northern Whatcom County will reopen for shellfish harvesting, beaches from Sandy Point to the Canadian border, including west Lummi Island and Point Roberts, will remain closed for butter and varnish clams only. Lummi Nation beaches are also closed to non-tribal visitors for shellfish harvesting.
PSP biotoxins, which are not destroyed by cooking or freezing, primarily affect molluscs like clams and mussels. Butter and varnish clams retain toxins longer than other species. Officials say crab meat is safe, but crab entrails should be discarded due to potential toxins.
Harvesters should check for biotoxin updates before collecting shellfish, as PSP can cause severe illness or death.
STORY: PNW tribal salmon hatcheries to receive $240 million in federal funding
Tribes across the Pacific Northwest are due to receive nearly $240 million in funding to bolster their salmon and steelhead hatcheries.
Among the 27 tribes eligible to receive funding are the Lummi Nation, as well as the Upper Skagit, Swinomish, Nooksack and Sauk-Suiattle (SOCK SOO-adol) Indian tribes. The initial funding will help tribes address the hatcheries’ current maintenance and modernization efforts, while the rest of the funds will be made available competitively to help tribes address the long-term viability and effectiveness of critical salmon and steelhead infrastructure.
STORY: Updated Northwest Forest Plan to be made available
In more salmon-related news, a draft of the updated Northwest Forest Plan will be available soon. Although fish species won’t be addressed directly in the update, they could still benefit from improved habitat.
SALMON AUDIO
STORY: Whatcom among first counties in state to include climate change in comp plan
Skagit and Whatcom counties, along with their cities, will be among the first in Washington state to address climate-related hazards in their comprehensive plans.
Comprehensive plans are written with a 20-year outlook, but cities and counties are required to update them once every 10 years. Whatcom County passed a climate action plan in 2021 and has a climate impact advisory committee, while Skagit County is relying on the expertise of consultants. Both counties have received state funding for these efforts. County officials say that public outreach is key to the process, and have enlisted nonprofit organizations and community surveys to help gather input from underrepresented populations.
The updated comprehensive plans will also address housing, transportation, infrastructure, and economic growth, with a new focus on emissions reduction and climate adaptation. Each jurisdiction is scheduled to hold public hearings next year before adopting their plans, which are due by the end of 2025.
STORY: City rechannels traffic on Holly Street
The City of Bellingham added a new lane to a portion of Holly Street yesterday.
The new lane, located between Commercial and Bay streets, will allow drivers to turn right onto Bay. Meanwhile, the bike lane on that block now comes back outside of the parking area in order to give space for the new lane.
The Holly Street bike lane project began in May, with the removal of one lane of traffic down the street. One section of Holly is being tested with buffer-protected bike lanes, while the other section has parking-protected lanes. Feedback and questions to the city can be sent via the Engage Bellingham website.
Forecast: Cloudy showers
We’re looking at cooler, cloudier weather today, with chances of intermittent showers throughout. Daytime highs are topping out in the mid-60s, alongside calm southern winds. Showers will become more likely as the evening goes on, with nighttime low temperatures hovering right around 50 degrees.
The rain and mid-60s temperatures are expected to stick around throughout tomorrow, with showers largely concentrated in the afternoon.
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 ________________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: Half of state low-income EV rebates gone, rest expected to run out in October
