MIPA issued for Ferndale teenager, Everson woman arrested on suspicion of assault in Bellingham, Bellingham School District issues statement following social media speculation over shuttering and sale of school buildings, Battery storage facility proposed for Custer, State Street closed for major motion picture filming, WWU hosts First Night Out, 9/25 declared Dolly Parton Appreciation Day in Bellingham, City of Ferndale announces return of FrightDale Halloween festival, Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept), Judge blocks federal government’s attempt to seize WA voter data, Report finds state medication return program broadly successful, though hampered by numerous flaws (undated), Registration open for Ferndale Zombie Fun Run, Students encounter difficulties when transferring from community college to 4-year schools (undated), Students encounter difficulties when transferring from community college to 4-year schools (undated), Paint recycling event coming to Bellingham, Another Community Conversations series meeting (run 9/28 – 10/2… meeting is 10/7), Recycling Event (run between 9/28 – Oct 1), F&C 9/24-26 Friends of the Bellingham Public Library September Book Sale, Ferndale Coffee with a Cop (run between 9/28 and 9/2)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, September, 23. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: MIPA issued for Ferndale teenager
A Missing Indigenous Person Alert has been issued for a teen last seen in Ferndale.
Washington State Patrol says 13‑year‑old Victoria Mervine was last seen around noon on September 15 off Vista Drive. She’s described as 5‑foot‑1 and about 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. Her direction of travel and clothing are unknown.
The alert was activated on behalf of the Lummi Nation Police Department. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 or the non‑emergency line.
STORY: Everson woman arrested on suspicion of assault in Bellingham
An Everson woman was arrested after another woman was found unconscious in an alley in downtown Bellingham.
Police say officers were flagged down around 1:40 a.m. Saturday in the 200 block of East Holly Street. Witnesses directed them to a nearby alley, where they found the victim on the ground and unconscious with injuries consistent with being punched in the face.
Investigators say witnesses and surveillance video showed 29‑year‑old Dakota Davis pulling the woman to the ground and punching her repeatedly for several minutes.
Bellingham Fire crews treated the victim and took her to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s emergency department. Davis was arrested at the scene without incident and booked on suspicion of second‑degree assault.
STORY: Bellingham School District issues statement following social media speculation over shuttering and sale of school buildings
Bellingham Public Schools says none of its buildings are currently available for lease or sale.
The clarification follows social media concerns about a private religious organization being given tours of the Carl Cozier (CO-zhure) and Columbia school buildings.
A district task force previously recommended closing the two elementary schools because of declining enrollment and a budget deficit, but the recommendation has received strong pushback from parents.
Superintendent Greg Baker confirmed that tours were given, but said the district will not close any school buildings for the 2026-27 school year.
The district says that if a building does eventually close, it will use a transparent public process to determine how the space is used.
STORY: Battery storage facility proposed for Custer
A large lithium-ion battery storage facility is being proposed in Custer, north of Ferndale.
Oregon-based GridStor wants to build a 100-megawatt battery energy storage system on about seven acres connecting to Puget Sound Energy’s Portal Way substation, across California Creek.
It’s one of several large battery storage projects being considered in Whatcom and Skagit counties as utilities prepare for growing electricity demand and the state’s transition away from fossil fuels.
Battery storage can hold electricity when demand is low and send it back to the grid when demand is high. Similar projects in Skagit County have faced opposition from residents concerned about potential fires, explosions and environmental impacts.
GridStor says the Custer project will meet or exceed national fire‑protection standards, follow local safety rules, and be designed to prevent environmental contamination. The company also plans to coordinate with local fire officials.
Whatcom County has rules governing large battery storage facilities, including requirements for setbacks, screening, lighting and noise.Projects are prohibited on agricultural land but can be permitted in certain rural areas near substations with a conditional‑use permit.
The GridStor proposal is now under review by Whatcom County planners, with a public hearing and decision to follow from the county hearing examiner.
STORY: State Street closed for major motion picture filming
A major motion picture production is in town.
State Street between Holly and Chestnut streets will close tonight, from 10 p.m. until 3 a.m. tomorrow for filming. The closure includes the area outside the Shakedown and a rear alley, with parking restrictions for production vehicles.
The movie has not been named, but the company that got the road-closure permit— TPS Productions Services— shares an Atlanta business address with Tyler Perry Studios.
Casting notices are also seeking paid extras for several scenes, including firefighters and dive-bar patrons, with filming scheduled at locations around Bellingham through next week.
As of Monday, 15 casting calls were posted for the production.
STORY: WWU hosts First Night Out
Thousands of Western Washington University students are expected to head downtown this evening.
The south end of Cornwall Avenue will be closed for First Night Out— an annual tradition that welcomes students back for the fall quarter. Students will walk to downtown Bellingham at 5 p.m., led by a band, student leaders and athletes.
Once downtown, students can find live music, games, food, and activities at local businesses. Live music starts at 5:30, with bands performing at several downtown locations through 9 p.m.
While the focus is primarily welcoming students back, local community members are welcome to join the energy, line the streets, and visit participating downtown businesses and venues during the block party.
STORY: 9/25 declared Dolly Parton Appreciation Day in Bellingham
Bellingham will mark September 25 as Dolly Parton Appreciation Day.
United Way of Whatcom County asked Mayor Kim Lund to issue the proclamation, saying Dolly Parton’s work has had a major impact on early literacy in the community. Lund signed it last week.
Parton founded the Imagination Library, and United Way operates the local program, which mails a free book each month to children from birth to age five. More than 9,000 Whatcom County kids have received books since 2022, with about 4,500 currently enrolled.
Cities nationwide are recognizing 9/25 as a tribute to Parton’s “9 to 5” legacy and her decades of philanthropy. United Way says the day underscores Dolly’s influence and the importance of early literacy for Whatcom County kids.
STORY: City of Ferndale announces return of FrightDale Halloween festival
Ferndale’s “City of Frightdale” Halloween Home Decorating Contest is back for 2026.
The city says homes across Ferndale will light up the week of Halloween with spooky displays, eerie lighting, and plenty of creative scares — and residents get to vote on their favorites.
Anyone living inside city limits can sign up to take part by Monday, October 19. Decorations must be visible from the street, and the event is intended to stay family‑friendly. Yard signs with entry numbers and QR codes for voting will be delivered to participating homes that week.
The top three scoring homes will win prizes.
The signup form can be found on the City of Ferndale website.
WX: Clever weather joke
And now for the weather…
Clouds and sunshine will dominate the skies yet again, with a small chance of showers to boot. Expect daytime highs in the mid-60s, followed by a chilly and overcast night, with lows dropping into the 40s for the first time in a good while.
Look forward to some substantial cloud cover tomorrow, along with a chance of showers.
Hello, Autumn– it must be time for pumpkin spice.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Doug Langstrom, and Cheri Cloninger (SHARE-ee CLAWN-in-jer). 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: 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.
STORY: Judge blocks federal government’s attempt to seize WA voter data
Washington has won a federal court fight to keep voters’ private information out of the hands of the U.S. Department of Justice.
A judge in the Western District of Washington dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit, which sought to force the Secretary of State to hand over unredacted voter data for every registered voter. This included birthdates, driver’s license numbers, and partial Social Security numbers
Secretary of State Steve Hobbs said the ruling reaffirms the state’s authority to protect voter privacy and administer its own elections. Attorney General Nick Brown called the decision another rejection of what he described as federal overreach, noting the DOJ has now lost similar cases nationwide.
Washington had offered a redacted voter list, but the DOJ sued to obtain full records. The judge ruled the federal demand violated federal law.
STORY: Report finds state medication return program broadly successful, though hampered by numerous flaws (undated)
A new state audit says Washington’s medication take-back program has challenges.
The program has collected more than one million pounds of unused drugs since 2020 in more than 400 secure drop-off sites statewide. However, more than 100 communities don’t meet the state’s target for convenient access— and the problem is especially pronounced in rural areas.
The program also lost one of its two collection companies in June, who withdrew citing concerns about the program’s long-term financial sustainability.
Auditors also found that, although the state has limited data on how effective the program is, they recommend continuing it beyond its 2029 sunset date, with changes to improve access, oversight and funding.
STORY: Registration open for Ferndale Zombie Fun Run
Registration is now open for Ferndale’s 4th Annual Zombie Fun Run.
The free, all‑ages event is set for Saturday, October 10 at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center. Check‑in starts at 9 a.m., the Kids’ Shuffle begins at 9:45, and the main run kicks off at 10.
Participants can choose one, two, or three laps — up to a full 5K — on a course that winds past Metalworks Skate Park, along the Hanadori Trail, around the P66 Sports Complex, through Pioneer Village, and back to the Pavilion.
The city is also recruiting volunteer zombies to help bring the course to life. Community groups, teams, clubs, businesses, families, and friends can adopt a section of the route and create a family‑friendly zombie scene.
Volunteer inquiries can be sent to zombie5kfunrun@gmail.com.
Registration details are available at the City of Ferndale website.
STORY: Students encounter difficulties when transferring from community college to 4-year schools (undated)
A new Washington report finds many community college students face a confusing and largely self-directed path when trying to transfer to a four-year school.
Researchers at the University of Washington found students often had to figure out transfer requirements, financial aid and credit-transfer rules on their own. Many said transferred credits didn’t always count toward their intended major, creating delays and added costs.
Community college transfer is a major pathway to a bachelor’s degree for many first-generation and low-income students. Researchers found success often depended on work schedules, childcare, transportation and finances as much as academics.
The report recommends clearer transfer information, dedicated transfer advisors and better coordination between community colleges and universities.
The findings come as Washington works toward a goal of having 70 percent of adults ages 25 to 44 earn a credential beyond high school.
STORY: Paint recycling event coming to Bellingham
If you’re looking for a way to ditch old paint, take note.
Whatcom County is hosting a free paint‑collection and recycling event on Saturday, October 3 at Barkley Village. Residents can drop off latex and oil‑based paints, acrylics, varnishes, primers, and other coatings in their original containers, five gallons or smaller. Usable paint will be recycled into new latex paint.
Last spring’s Lynden event brought in more than 97,000 pounds of paint. Attendees are asked to stay in their vehicles while staff unload materials. Spray paint, auto and marine paint, electronics, paint thinner, and driveway sealers won’t be accepted.
Pre‑registration is encouraged at circular.eco/event/Bellingham26.
STORY: Another Community Conversations series meeting (run 9/28 – 10/2… meeting is 10/7)
Whatcom County residents will have a chance to ask county councilmembers questions face-to-face next week.
Councilmembers Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, and Jon Scanlon will meet with community members Wednesday as part of the County Council’s Community Conversations series.
The event is being held with members of the King Mountain Neighborhood Association, but it’s free and open to everyone.
Councilmembers will provide updates on county government and take questions from residents.
The meeting runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bellingham Covenant Church on East Bakerview Road.
STORY: Recycling Event (run between 9/28 – Oct 1)
Whatcom County residents and businesses can get rid of unwanted paint for free at a recycling event in Bellingham.
The Paint Collection and Recycling Event is Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Barkley Village, on Rimland Drive.
Accepted items include latex and oil-based paints, acrylics, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers and primers. Paint must be in its original container and in containers of five gallons or less. There’s no need to dry out the paint before bringing it in.
Spray paint, marine and automotive paint, paint thinner and other hazardous materials will not be accepted.
People are asked to stay in their vehicles while staff unload the materials. Pre-registration is encouraged.
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!
STORY: Ferndale Coffee with a Cop (run between 9/28 and 9/2)
Ferndale police are inviting residents to sit down and chat over coffee.
The department is hosting Coffee with a Cop next Wednesday at Woods Coffee on Main Street in Ferndale.
The event runs from 9 to 11 a.m. and is part of National Coffee with a Cop Day, which promotes informal conversations between police and community members.
There’s no agenda or formal presentation. Residents can stop by to meet officers, ask questions, share concerns, or simply have a conversation.
No registration is required.
The event will be held at Woods Coffee on Main Street in Ferndale.
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