News in Brief is published online every Friday, and updated throughout the week with bite-sized news from across Whatcom and Skagit counties. Read a roundup of the week’s news in print the following Friday.
Friday, Aug. 31
Whatcom, Skagit among 22 counties suing state over mental health
Almost two dozen counties are suing the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) after the department refused to provide essential behavioral health treatment to hundreds of patients considered unfit for trial, according to a lawsuit filed Wednesday, Aug. 23.
The counties, alongside Washington State Association of Counties, filed the lawsuit in Pierce County Superior Court.
The lawsuit focuses on “civil conversion patients,” or individuals who face criminal charges but are deemed unfit to stand trial. In theory, those patients get transferred to DSHS, though the lawsuit alleges the department opted to “selectively deny admission” to those patients through July 13 this year.
The counties claim the department’s conduct “Has and Will Cause Actual and Substantial Injury,” according to the lawsuit.
— Reporting from Laurel Demkovich, Washington State Standard
Wednesday, Aug. 30
State Route 20 reopens between Newhalem, Silver Star campground
After closing Saturday, Aug. 26 due to fire activity, state Route 20 between Newhalem and Silver Star campground (mileposts 120–171) reopened Wednesday, Aug. 30, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Pilot car operations are in place between Rainy Pass (milepost 158) and the Blue Lake Trailhead parking lot (milepost 162).
Area, trail and camp closures remain in effect along state Route 20 within the North Cascades National Park Service Complex to manage visitor safety, firefighter access and emergency response, according to a news release from the service complex.
The Sourdough and Blue Lake wildfires have resulted in off-and-on closures of the road. The Sourdough Fire is at 6,234 acres and 25% containment as of Aug. 30, according to the service complex.
Skagit County beaches closed to shellfish harvesting due to biotoxins
All beaches in Skagit County have been closed to shellfish harvesting as of Wednesday, Aug. 30, due to increased levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP), according to a Skagit County press release.
PSP is a naturally occurring biotoxin found in all forms of Shellfish including clams, oysters, scallops, mussels and more. Crab meat does not contain the biotoxin, but other crab products such as “‘crab butter’ and crab entrails” may be affected, according to the release.
PSP can only be detected using laboratory testing and cannot be seen. The biotoxin cannot be destroyed by freezing or cooking contaminated shellfish.
Consuming shellfish with PSP can lead to “severe illness and even death,” according to the press release.
“Continued sampling will determine when closures will be lifted,” according to the release. Until then, the public can call the Marine Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or visit the state’s Shellfish Safety Map for more closure information.
Sunday, Aug. 27
Pedestrian struck by car on Meridian dies at scene
A pedestrian was struck by a car on the Guide Meridian shortly before 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26.
The vehicle, driven by 74-year-old John G. Wegrich of Bellingham, struck Roger L. Olson just south of Smith Road while traveling southbound.
Olson, 44, of Bellingham, was clearing debris out of the road when he was struck. He died on scene, according to Washington State Patrol.
Saturday, Aug. 26
Injury shutters Birch Bay Waterslides for 2023 season
One day after announcing it was closing unexpectedly for the remainder of the 2023 season, Birch Bay Waterslides confirmed in a Facebook post Saturday, Aug. 26, that it was due to an accident.
“The injury was severe enough to require shutting down the attractions,” the post stated.
The accident, which took place on one of the Main slides Friday, Aug. 25, required paramedics, according to the waterpark.
“After taking into consideration a number of variables, it was determined in the best interest of our guests and staff to close for the remaining seven operating days of the season,” the post stated. “These variables include the incident that took place, the smoke and poor air quality, and shortage of staff moving forward.”
State Route 20 closed again due to wildfire activity
State Route 20 is closed between Newhalem and Silver Star campground (mileposts 120–171) due to fire activity in the Methow Valley, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation on Saturday, Aug. 26.
The Sourdough and Blue Lake wildfires have resulted in off-and-on closures of the road, which reopened to travel just last week.
The Sourdough fire is estimated to be about 6,138 acres and at 25% containment, according to an Aug. 26 update from emergency responders.
Friday, Aug. 25
Birch Bay Waterslides closes for season unexpectedly
Birch Bay Waterslides has closed unexpectedly for the 2023 season, according to a Facebook post from the waterpark around 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 25.
“Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Birch Bay Waterslides will be closed for the remainder of the 2023 season,” the post stated. “We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”
The post did not state the reason for the sudden closure. The park could not immediately be reached for comment.
The park is offering refunds to 2023 season ticket holders and to anyone with prior reservations.
Birch Bay Waterslides is a small waterpark in Birch Bay that has been open for more than 35 years. The park contains eight slides, a kiddie pool, activity pool and hot tub.
Thursday, Aug. 24
Wildfire smoke disrupts activities, expected throughout weekend
Bellingham high schools are moving practices inside due to wildfire smoke and degrading air quality, multiple Whatcom County athletic directors confirmed on Friday, Aug. 25.
The air quality index (AQI) in Bellingham reached levels north of 100 — categorized as unhealthy for sensitive groups — in the mid-afternoon on Friday, while northeast Whatcom County (Lynden, Everson and Deming) saw an AQI as high as 138, according to IQ Air.
Sehome and Squalicum canceled a football jamboree that was scheduled for Friday night, while Lynden also axed a scheduled jamboree with Lynden Christian, Mount Baker and Ferndale.
With a heat advisory also in place over the weekend, the National Weather Service Seattle is advising residents to prioritize cooling, namely by opening windows overnight for those who do not have air conditioning.
Air quality and high temperatures are expected to gradually improve to moderate ratings in Whatcom County by Monday, Aug. 28.
