Court affidavit provides additional details in Birch Bay motorcycle club shooting, Fire breaks out at seafood cold storage on Bellingham waterfront, Bellingham lifts ban on recreational fires, Parking changes coming to downtown Bellingham this week, $2 million of hazard mitigation grant money being allocated to retrofitting Lake Whatcom reservoir, Recall issued for broccoli sprouts sold in WA after potential salmonella contamination, Alliance issues vaccine guidance for respiratory virus season, OSPI releases latest student achievement data, Gas Prices Update, Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17 (run by 9/15), Whatcom County Open House (run bet. 9/15-9/28), Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept), F&C 9/24-26
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, September, 14. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
UPDATE: Court affidavit provides additional details in Birch Bay motorcycle club shooting
New details have emerged about a Labor Day weekend shootout between rival motorcycle clubs in Birch Bay.
A court affidavit filed September 9th accuses 39-year-old Jereme Paul Robertson, who investigators believe is president of the Mongols Motorcycle Club, of starting the confrontation outside a restaurant on September 6.
According to investigators, Robertson and two other Mongols members confronted 54-year-old William Huskey, who was wearing a Bandido vest. Huskey told deputies the men ordered him to remove the vest.
Huskey then pulled a handgun, and a struggle followed. The gun discharged, striking 40-year-old Diego Uribe-Gonzalez in the leg.
Investigators say Robertson later pulled another handgun and fired about six rounds toward Huskey and his wife from roughly 20 feet away, while pedestrians, families and children were nearby.
Robertson fled before deputies arrived. Prosecutors have now filed multiple felony charges against him. The investigation remains ongoing.
STORY: Fire breaks out at seafood cold storage on Bellingham waterfront
A weekend fire heavily damaged part of a waterfront warehouse in Bellingham.
Crews were called out around 10:45 Saturday night to the former Bornstein Seafoods building on Hilton Avenue. Former owner Jay Bornstein told Cascadia Daily News the blaze tore through the cold‑storage and fish‑processing area now subleased to Lineage Logistics. He said it appeared to have started near a door on the south corner of the building.
No one was inside at the time, and no injuries have been reported. Fire officials say they don’t yet know how much damage was done or what started the fire.
STORY: Bellingham lifts ban on recreational fires
Recreational fires are allowed again in Bellingham.
City officials say recent rain has lowered fire danger enough to allow recreational fires again within city limits. The Fire Department is reminding residents to keep fires small, burn only seasoned firewood or charcoal, and set them well away from homes or anything that can catch fire. Portable outdoor fireplaces need at least 15 feet of clearance.
They also urge people to stay with their fire, fully extinguish it before leaving, and keep a way to put it out nearby — like a charged garden hose, a 4‑A extinguisher, or two buckets of water. And if you’re not the property owner, get permission before you burn.
Fire crews say a little caution now will help keep conditions safe as the season shifts.
STORY: Parking changes coming to downtown Bellingham this week
Downtown Bellingham is adding new paid parking.
Look for the changes in areas where parking is currently limited by time.
The city says metered parking will help spaces turn over more often, and make it easier for people to find parking near downtown businesses and services.
Look for newly marked parking spaces and meters going in over the next few weeks. The city says some parking revenue will go back into downtown improvements and programs.
STORY: $2 million of hazard mitigation grant money being allocated to retrofitting Lake Whatcom reservoir
More than two million dollars in federal funding will head to the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District for upgrades to a water reservoir.
FEMA has approved Hazard Mitigation Grant funding for the replacement of the Division 22-1 reservoir, which was built in 1971.
The project will include earthquake retrofits and integration with the ShakeAlert early warning system, designed to help reduce the loss of water service following an earthquake.
The FEMA grant will cover 75 percent of construction costs. The replacement reservoir is expected to be completed by 2028.
STORY: Recall issued for broccoli sprouts sold in WA after potential salmonella contamination
Broccoli sprouts sold in Washington and two other states have been recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Evergreen Fresh Sprouts of Idaho, has recalled more than 200 cases of its four-ounce bags of broccoli sprouts. The products were distributed in Washington between August 24 and September 2.
The company says the product has been linked to a multistate Salmonella outbreak that has effected 22 people as of September 9.
Consumers are urged to check their refrigerators and discard any affected product. Salmonella can cause fever, nausea, and vomiting, and lead to serious illness or death in some people.
STORY: Increased scam calls to folks with building permit applications
Bellingham officials are warning about an increase in scam emails targeting people who have applied for permits.
The emails may include real details about a permit application and may come from addresses that look like legitimate Permit Center staff.
If you receive an email asking for payment related to a permit, the city says online payments should only be made through its eTRAKiT system.
If you’re unsure about an email, check the city’s Permit Center website before making any payment.
STORY: Alliance issues vaccine guidance for respiratory virus season
Health officials have released new guidance for this year’s flu season.
The West Coast Health Alliance — a partnership of public health leaders from California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington — says the recommendations cover flu, COVID‑19, and RSV. They say immunization remains the strongest protection against severe illness. It also helps reduce community spread and strain on hospitals.
They’re emphasizing vaccines for people at higher risk, including infants, older adults, pregnant individuals, people living in congregate settings, and anyone who lives or works with vulnerable community members.
The Alliance says COVID‑19, flu, and RSV vaccines are available for everyone 6 months and older. Infants can be protected through either the prenatal RSV vaccine or the infant RSV antibody shot. Young children getting the flu shot for the first time may need two doses.
Officials say they’ll keep reviewing new evidence throughout the season and will update recommendations as needed.
STORY: OSPI releases latest student achievement data
Washington’s schools chief says new student performance data shows both challenges and signs of progress.
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal says Washington students continue to match or outperform national averages and state test scores held steady. Most students showed basic grade‑level skills in English and math.
He also pointed to improving attendance, more ninth graders passing all their classes, and rising participation in dual‑credit programs — all strong predictors of on‑time graduation. Career and Technical Education dual‑credit completion dipped slightly.
New international test results show math and reading scores have been sliding worldwide for nearly twenty years, a trend researchers link to rising screen time and shifting attention spans among teens.
Reykdal says the statewide data shows both stability and areas where continued support will matter most.
WX: Partful Dodger
And now, the weather.
Look for light breezes and partial sunshine this afternoon, with the warmest hours of the day expected to hit highs near 70. Clouds should fully cover the sky by nightfall, which will cool things down to the mid-low 50s.
Tomorrow expect the leftover clouds to burn off sometime in the A.M., before returning us to partly sunny skies by the afternoon.
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), and Jenny Lam. 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: Gas Prices Update
STORY: Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17 (run by 9/15)
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.
F&C 9/24-26
Friends of the Bellingham Public Library September Book Sale
Friday, September 25, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, half-price
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, $5/bag
Lecture Room, Central Library
Visit the Lecture Room at the Central Library for the Friends of the Library September Book Sale and browse from a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. There will be items for all ages and all proceeds benefit your library. Credit card and cash payments will be accepted. Check it out!
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