Cof& owner announces release from ICE detention, Bellingham winter shelter contract approved, will operate nightly from December to February, Car collision with power pole in Ferndale leaves one hospitalized and hundreds without electricity, Lighthouse Missions appoints interim CEO to permanent role, Ferndale paraeducator honored, Mayor announces official city bird, PeaceHealth announces northwest region chief to step down at end of year, AG’s office joins coalition letter opposing FCC cuts to school and library internet access, Washington’s top schools official urges governor to reject a new federal K-12 tax credit program. F&C 10/17-18, F&C `10/18, F&C 10/24, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Health department cider pressing safety (weak story – break glass only in emergency)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, October, 14. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Cof& owner announces release from ICE detention
A Bellingham business owner has been released from ICE custody.
Cof& (“Coffee”) owner Oscar Quintero Frias (keen-TARE-o FREE-us) says he’s been released after several difficult weeks, and is now working to return to everyday life.
In a social media post, Quintero Frias said he is physically doing well, but is still dealing with fears and uncertainties as he adjusts to his circumstances. He thanked the community for its messages and support, and asked people to continue supporting his coffee shop by visiting, sharing its social media pages, and spreading the word to potential customers.
Quintero Frias described the community’s support as an important source of encouragement as he works to keep the café open and move forward.
STORY: Bellingham winter shelter contract approved, will operate nightly from December to February
Whatcom County will move to a nightly winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Bellingham.
County Council members approved a contract with the organization Road2Home to operate the shelter from December through February, with the option to extend into March if funding remains.
The shelter will offer beds for 60 people, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., at Lutheran Community Services Northwest on North Forest Street, the same location used for severe-weather sheltering last winter. An additional 10 beds may be added during extreme weather.
The county will reimburse Road2Home up to 585-thousand dollars for the three-month operation. In previous winters, the county opened the emergency shelter only on the coldest nights. Officials say a nightly schedule will give people more reliable access to shelter and allow staff to build relationships with guests.
Other winter shelter options include facilities in Ferndale and Bellingham operated by local service organizations. Information about local shelters is available through Whatcom County’s winter shelter website.
STORY: Car collision with power pole in Ferndale leaves one hospitalized and hundreds without electricity
A crash in Ferndale knocked out power early Tuesday morning.
Whatcom News reports first responders were called around 3 a.m. to LaBounty Drive after a vehicle hit a power pole. Crews said the pole was resting on the car with lines draped over the roadway, and the area was briefly shut down.
PulsePoint’s EMS log shows at least one patient was taken by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center.
Responders also reported darkened traffic signals on Main Street as the outage spread.
Puget Sound Energy said more than 1,000 customers lost power.
The utility cited a traffic accident as the cause.
STORY: Lighthouse Missions appoints interim CEO to permanent role
The Lighthouse Mission has named a new CEO.
Interim chief executive Alvin Helms is now the permanent President and CEO of Lighthouse Mission Ministries. Helms brings more than 35 years of ministry and nonprofit leadership experience, including senior roles at Tacoma Rescue Mission and pastoral work in Whatcom County. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in strategic leadership from Corban University and a master’s in social ethics from Yale.
Board chair Marty VanDriel (VAN DREEL) says the Mission is grateful for Helms’ leadership and looks forward to continued growth as the organization expands services for people experiencing homelessness.
Helms says he hopes to build on the Mission’s century‑long work supporting neighbors in need.
STORY: Ferndale paraeducator honored
A Ferndale paraeducator has been honored for her exceptional work.
Kelly Toner has been named the region’s Classified School Employee of the Year by Northwest Educational Service District 189. She works at Cascadia Elementary with students who have complex support needs. Colleagues say she’s known for helping students build confidence, independence, and meaningful learning moments.
Toner says her approach is shaped by her own experience as a student who struggled but was supported by caring adults — support she now works to pass on through collaboration and structured communication tools.
Toner now advances to the statewide competition for Washington’s Classified School Employee of the Year.
STORY: Mayor announces official city bird
Bellingham has picked its official bird.
Mayor Kim Lund announced the winner during a Bird Week event Friday night. The public cast votes in a community poll organized by the North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Washington.
The Great Blue Heron came out on top. The tall shorebirds are a familiar sight along Bellingham Bay, with long‑established nesting at Post Point and a new colony forming near the Little Squalicum Estuary project last year.
A heron biologist is helping the city learn more about the colonies and how to protect them. The city says nesting areas are sensitive to disturbance and asks people to give the birds plenty of space.
STORY: PeaceHealth announces northwest region chief to step down at end of year
PeaceHealth’s top Northwest leader will retire at the end of the year.
Chuck Prosper, chief executive of the PeaceHealth Northwest Region, is stepping down after nearly 40 years in healthcare leadership. Prosper joined PeaceHealth in 2019 and led the region through the COVID‑19 pandemic, major operational shifts, and a series of large capital projects at St. Joseph Medical Center.
During his tenure, Prosper helped advance the hospital’s master facilities plan, including the 120,000‑square‑foot Peter Paulsen Pavillion. He also oversaw upgrades to existing patient towers, infrastructure improvements along Squalicum Parkway, and the relocation of the Childbirth Center.
PeaceHealth says philanthropic support grew significantly under his leadership, with donor gifts totaling over $121 million for patient care programs, community health initiatives, and capital projects.
Prosper will stay on while PeaceHealth searches for his successor.
STORY: AG’s office joins coalition letter opposing FCC cuts to school and library internet access
Washington is challenging proposed cuts to a federal internet‑access program.
Attorney General Nick Brown is leading a coalition of 23 attorneys general trying to preserve the program that helps schools and libraries pay for internet access.
The E-Rate program provides more than three billion dollars a year in discounts nationwide. Washington received more than 40 million dollars this year, and 218 of the state’s 295 public schools rely on the funding.
State officials say Washington schools receive an average 77-percent discount on internet services through the program. The funding also supports the state’s K-20 Educational Network, which connects schools, colleges, universities and libraries to high-speed broadband.
The FCC is considering changes that could eliminate or reduce E-Rate funding. In their letter, the attorneys general argue that Congress created the program in 1996, and the commission cannot legally eliminate it on its own.
Brown says internet access is essential for schools and libraries, and warns that cuts could force districts to reduce staffing, programs or other services. The coalition says it’s prepared to take legal action if necessary to protect the funding.
WX: I could use some tea right now
And now for the weather…
It’s another overcast day here in Whatcom, with temperatures remaining in the low 60s. The sun should make an appearance by this afternoon, leaving us with a partly clear night sky, accompanied by lows in the mid 40s.
Tomorrow, look for mostly sunny skies with temps in the upper 60s and light winds, which should stick around until nighttime with lows in the mid-40’s again.
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 (eye) Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Doug Langworthy, and Cheri Cloninger (SHARE-ee CLAWN-in-ger). 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:Washington’s top schools official urges governor to reject a new federal K-12 tax credit program.
Washington’s top schools official is urging Governor Bob Ferguson to reject a new federal K-12 tax.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal says the Education Freedom Tax Credit would expand school choice without addressing public school funding needs. The program would offer federal tax credits to people who donate to scholarship funds. While the scholarships are primarily intended for private school students, they could also pay for tutoring, books, supplies, and disability services for public school students.
The Washington State Standard reports Ferguson has not yet decided whether Washington will participate and is reviewing new federal guidance.
Supporters say the program could bring significant new funding for tutoring, after-school programs, and other student services. Reykdal argues the state would have limited oversight of scholarship organizations while still being responsible for verifying they meet federal requirements.
Thirty-one states have already joined the program. Governors have until January 1st to opt in.
F&C 10/17-18
The ninth annual Orca Recovery Day is coming up Saturday.
The event brings volunteers together to restore salmon habitat across the region.
Locally, the Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Conservation District and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association will host a restoration work party at Lower Kenney Creek near Deming, from 9 a.m. to noon.
Volunteers will plant native trees and shrubs, spread mulch and remove invasive plants. The work helps keep streams cool and clean for salmon, which are the primary food source for the endangered Southern Resident orcas.
The event is free, but registration is required through the Whatcom Land Trust. Tools, water and snacks will be provided.
F&C `10/18
F&C 10/24
STORY: Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29)
The Port of Bellingham will hold an open house for the public on Thursday, October 29th.
Community members can talk with Port staff and project leaders about the future of the waterfront, airport, harbors, events and community programs, while sharing their questions and ideas.
The free event will include refreshments and information stations. And, while supplies last, anyone who gets a passport stamped at all the stations can take home a rubber Disco Duck.
The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse.
STORY: Health department cider pressing safety (weak story – break glass only in emergency)
Cider‑pressing season is here, and health officials are reminding Whatcom County residents to handle unpasteurized cider safely.
Raw cider can carry bacteria like E. coli, which pose higher risks for young children, pregnant people, older adults, and anyone with weakened immunity.
Officials are asking people pressing cider at home – or attending a community pressing event – to clean and sanitize grinders and presses between batches; make sure volunteers wash their hands; and keep anyone who’s been recently sick away from food handling. Only apples picked from the tree should be used, and they should be rinsed well before pressing. Any apples that are bruised or dirty should be tossed.
Finally, officials are urging people to store cider in sanitized jugs; for the safest product, people should also pasteurize it by heating it to 158 degrees. This ensures any harmful bacteria is killed.
Officials say these steps help keep fall cider traditions safe for everyone.
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