Texas man receives 17-year sentence for murder of retired WWU dance professor, Bellingham man charged with vehicular assault following crash that injured child, Wind advisory in place for lowland Whatcom, Skagit County burn ban modified to allow for recreational fires in unincorporated areas, Nooksack Tribe, Mount Baker schools ink ‘historic’ partnership to support tribal students, CAP winter coat drive underway, Developmental disabilities program cut but not ended, State Democrats decry reported escalation of DHS efforts to combat supposed voter fraud in WA, other states, What tariffs are costing WA state, Are millionaires really moving out of WA due to income tax?, Whatcom County Open House (run bet 9/15-9/28), Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, September, 2. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Texas man receives 17-year sentence for murder of retired WWU dance professor
A Texas man has been sentenced for killing a retired Western Washington University professor.
The Bellingham Herald reports 38‑year‑old James Singleton admitted to killing 74‑year‑old Nolan Dennett in June 2024 while high on methamphetamine. Dennett taught at Western for 32 years and was remembered as the architect of its dance program.
Dennett had bought Singleton a bus ticket from Dallas so he could move into his Bellingham home. Court records say their relationship deteriorated after both used meth, and Singleton told detectives he feared Dennett had become “overly aggressive and dominant” before striking him with a hammer.
Singleton waited several days before calling 911, saying he had been high and “forgot” to call for help. Dennett died at the scene.
Singleton pleaded guilty to second‑degree murder and was sentenced to 17 years in prison, plus three years of community custody.
STORY: Bellingham man charged with vehicular assault following crash that injured child
A Bellingham man has been charged with vehicular assault after a crash that injured a child.
Deputies say 28‑year‑old Chad Vordenberg Silvers hit a utility pole just after midnight Tuesday on East Bakerview Road. They found a child in the front passenger seat, unbuckled, with significant injuries. Deputies noted the child was legally required to be in a booster or car seat.
Deputies reported finding alcoholic beverage containers in the vehicle. Silvers showed signs of impairment and was allegedly driving with a suspended license.
The Bellingham Herald reports Silvers pleaded not guilty to vehicular assault charges. He remains in custody on $25,000 bail.
STORY: Wind advisory in place for lowland Whatcom
A wind advisory is in effect for parts of northwest Washington.
It covers Island County, the lowlands of western Whatcom County, Port Townsend, and the San Juan Islands through eight o’clock tonight. The National Weather Service says southeast winds will run 15 to 25 miles an hour, with gusts up to 40.
Gusty winds may blow around unsecured objects, snap tree limbs, and cause a few power outages. With full foliage still on the trees, impacts could be more widespread than in winter. Winds will be strongest along the water.
Drivers — especially those in high‑profile vehicles — should use extra caution.
STORY: Skagit County burn ban modified to allow for recreational fires in unincorporated areas
Skagit County has modified its burn ban.
Recreational fires are now allowed in unincorporated areas thanks to recent moisture.
County officials say recreational fires must use charcoal or seasoned firewood and be kept in a non‑flammable enclosure at least 14 inches high and no wider than three feet. A charged hose or two five‑gallon buckets of water must be nearby. Portable fire pits must be 15 feet from structures, and all fires must be 25 feet from combustibles or overhanging branches. Someone 16 or older must stay with the fire at all times.
The statewide ban on burning yard debris and land‑clearing materials remains in place through September 30th.
STORY: Nooksack Tribe, Mount Baker schools ink ‘historic’ partnership to support tribal students
The Nooksack Tribe and the Mount Baker School District have formalized a new partnership to better support tribal students.
Cascadia Daily News reports the two sides unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding at a joint meeting last week. The MOU outlines priorities including improving student outcomes, strengthening collaboration, fully implementing the Since Time Immemorial curriculum, and expanding culturally relevant services and family engagement.
It also sets rules for data‑sharing and coordination on programs, and protects cultural expression at graduation ceremonies. The agreement creates a Native Student Success coordinator, funded through federal Title VI dollars and a $15,000 contribution from the tribe. That person will track grades and attendance for tribal students and serve as a liaison for families.
Tribal leaders called the agreement historic, saying it reflects a shared vision for Nooksack students.
STORY: CAP winter coat drive underway
A winter coat drive is underway in Blaine and Birch Bay.
The Community Assistance Program is collecting clean, good‑quality winter coats, hats, gloves and socks for all ages through September 30. 2x, 3x and toddler sizes are in highest demand. All used items must be freshly laundered.
Donations can be dropped off at locations across the community, including the CAP Clothing Bank, Blaine Library, Blaine Senior Center, Pacific Building Center, IGA Market, Semiahmoo Marina Café, Birch Bay Village Rec Center, Windermere Realty in Birch Bay Square, and many local churches.
Coat distribution for residents of Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts will take place in October.
More information is available at blainecap.org
STORY: Developmental disabilities program cut but not ended
A long-term support program for families of children with developmental disabilities has avoided elimination.
The Washington State Standard reports funding for the state’s Parent to Parent program will drop by about ten percent, after the Department of Social and Health Services trimmed its budget to roughly $877,000 for the next year. Parent to Parent helps families navigate services for children with autism and other developmental disabilities.
The cut follows weeks of uncertainty after advocates learned the program’s contract only ran through August. Program managers say the reduction will hit multicultural coordinators who help families overcome language barriers and warn fewer families may be served.
Advocates want lawmakers to restore the funding in 2027 and write Parent to Parent directly into the state budget.
STORY: State Democrats decry reported escalation of DHS efforts to combat supposed voter fraud in WA, other states
Washington officials are pushing back against reports the Trump administration is ramping up voter‑fraud investigations in the state.
The Washington State Standard reports the Department of Homeland Security is preparing a surge of voter‑fraud probes in nine states, including Washington, despite no evidence of widespread fraud. Internal guidance obtained by CNN says Homeland Security Investigations plans to pursue leads, conduct field interviews and fast‑track cases for possible prosecution.
Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs criticized the move as a federal attempt to stir up confusion before the midterms, noting the state has recorded only five voter‑fraud cases out of 90 million ballots cast since 2008. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said he sees no indication the investigation is legitimate and pledged the state will continue to protect its election system and uphold the law.
WX: Windsday
And now for the weather…
Be prepared for a decent chunk of rain to accompany the aforementioned wind gusts later today. In typical funky late-summer fashion, this stormy afternoon’s temperatures look to be uncharacteristically warm, with highs set to hover around the upper 60s and low 70s. Expect tonight to keep up with the high winds and showers, with temperatures dropping to some more thematic lows in the mid-50s.
Some partial sunshine looks to return tomorrow, though the threat of rain will continue to loom.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger (no-ELL REE-ger), and Sean Lynch. 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: What tariffs are costing WA state
STORY: Are millionaires really moving out of WA due to income tax?
STORY: Whatcom County Open House (run bet 9/15-9/28)
Whatcom County residents will have a chance to learn more about county government during the second annual Whatcom County Open House.
The event is September 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the County Courthouse, with staff from county departments and elected offices available to answer questions and explain how county government works.
Topics will include the new jail and behavioral health care facility, the upcoming county budget process and the county court system. Attendees can also test their knowledge with Whatcom County trivia.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu said the event is intended to make local government more accessible and give residents an opportunity to connect directly with county staff and elected officials.
County Council Chair Kaylee Galloway said the open house is also an opportunity for residents to raise concerns and have direct conversations with the people who serve them.
STORY: Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept)
Whatcom County residents will soon have a chance to meet their council members and ask questions.
Three councilmembers — Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, and Jon Scanlon — will take part in a community conversation on Thursday, October 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Round Table Pizza on East Sunset Drive. It’s part of the council’s Community Conversations series, this time held with the Barkley Neighborhood Association.
The event is free and open to the public, with time for updates and a Q&A.
More information on upcoming Community Conversations events is available on the county’s website.
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