May 12 - 18, 2016
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Boys baseball triumphs in playoffs, page 6
Health and Wellness special section, page 8
Local author remembers stars of Hollywood, page 9
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
GPT project in jeopardy after Army Corps of Engineers rejects permit By Steve Guntli
(See GPT, page 3)
s Protesters line the streets outside the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds to protest Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump’s speech on May 7. The Trump rally drew thousands of supporters and protesters to Lynden. See more photos from the rally online at thenorthernlight.com.
Photo by Steve Guntli
Trump rally draws thousands to Lynden By Steve Guntli The town of Lynden was bustling last weekend after Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump made a stop at the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds on May 7. Trump’s visit marked the first time a presidential candidate has visited Whatcom County since 2000, when Democratic candidate Bill Bradley made a campaign stop. Trump’s visit came as something of a surprise to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department, which only received two days’ notice. Typi-
cally, candidates let local law enforcement know about a visit at least two weeks in advance, to allow enough time to arrange security for the event. Trump made campaign stops in Lynden and Spokane on Saturday to drum up support in advance of the Washington Republican primary on May 24. The businessman and former reality TV star is the presumptive nominee for the Republican party after his last two challengers, Senator Ted Cruz and Governor John Kasich, dropped out of the race last week, but he has not yet secured the 1,247 delegates required for a nomination.
Driver found not guilty in deaths of two teens By Steve Guntli A Bellingham man standing trial for the deaths of two Ferndale teens was found not guilty in Whatcom County Superior Court on May 4. William Jeffrey Klein, 35, had been charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and two counts of vehicular assault after he drove his Toyota 4Runner
into a class of Windward High School students walking on the sidewalk. Two teens, Shane Ormiston, 18, and Gabriel Anderson, 15, were killed in the accident, and two others were seriously injured. Klein and his 3-year-old son, who was a passenger, were unharmed. Troopers at the scene asked Klein if he had used drugs, who replied he used cannabis frequently. A blood test showed he
did not have any drugs or alcohol in his system at the time of the accident. During his interview, Klein told troopers he had fallen asleep at the wheel. Michael Brodsky, Klein’s defense attorney, presented expert testimony to the effect that his client had an undiagnosed sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea that had been preventing him from (See Verdict, page 3)
Trump has drawn ire from both Democrats and Republicans for his off-the-cuff style of speaking and unprecedented policy positions, most famously his proposals to deport more than 11 million undocumented illegal immigrants and bar Muslims from entering the country. He’s also drawn a large number of fervent supporters, many of whom lined up outside the fairgrounds in Lynden hours before he was due to speak. Trump had received a frosty reception from officials and residents when his team (See Trump, page 2)
INSIDE
The future of the Gateway Pacific Terminal (GPT) is in question after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) rejected a permit for the project on May 9. USACE rejected the permit on the grounds that the Cherry Point coal terminal would infringe on federally protected Lummi fishing grounds. The Lummi tribe launched a complaint with USACE in an effort to block the project in January 2015. Lummi Nation president Tim Ballew announced the USACE decision before the Lummi Indian Tribal Council, where the news was met with cheers and celebration. The decision is a victory for the Lummi and other opponents to the controversial development. Opponents have claimed the increase in train traffic and environmental impact would far outweigh the financial benefits. An independent environmental impact study had been underway for several years. A first draft had been scheduled for October, but SSA Marine, majority shareholders in the GPT project, suspended the study early in April until USACE announced its decision. The Lummi launched their complaint on the grounds that the GPT would infringe on their usual and accustomed fishing areas, which are protected under the Point Elliott Treaty of 1855. At this time, it is unclear if SSA Marine has a path forward. The Bellingham company owns 51 percent of the proposed $700 million coal terminal, which would be used to export up to 48 million tons of coal and goods to Asia annually. In a press release, Bob Watters, president of Pacific International Terminals, a joint venture between SSA and Cloud Peak Energy that sponsored the terminal, expressed shock at the decision.
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Police . . . . . . . . . 15 Coming Up . . . . . 15 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 15
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