Investigation ongoing after body found in Sehome Hill Arboretum, Arrest made in animal-cruelty case, Point Roberts man indicted following altercation and bomb threat at border crossing, County court launches calendar to speed up trials, Allied Arts hires new Executive Director, Judge blocks Homeland Security from conducting election-related sweeps in nine states, including WA, DFI dings Digital Access crypto-kiosk operator, F&C 10/24, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Whatcom County ‘unequivocally’ underprepared for jump in deportation efforts, WA health plan open enrollment, WA police use-of-force dashboard, WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements, Seattle-based Uawajimaya to expand
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 23rd. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Investigation ongoing after body found in Sehome Hill Arboretum
A body was found in the Sehome Hill Arboretum.
Western Washington University reported last night that hikers discovered a body near personal belongings off of a main trail. University Police and BPD responded and say there were no obvious signs of foul play.
Officers closed the immediate area to document the scene and collect evidence. A tent and items nearby suggested the person may have been living in the arboretum, though police have not confirmed that.
The university says the person’s identity will be released once next of kin are notified. Officials maintain they don’t believe there’s any danger to students or the public.
STORY: Arrest made in animal-cruelty case
An arrest has been made in a Whatcom County animal‑cruelty case.
Detectives say they were alerted earlier this month to dozens of dogs being kept in poor conditions at a property on Russet Avenue, where the animals were being housed by Pittie Project PNW.
Investigators seized the dogs for immediate medical care and learned that 38‑year‑old Ashley Georgia of Bellingham was solely responsible for their care. Detectives established probable cause for 30 counts of first‑degree animal cruelty. Georgia was arrested today and booked into Whatcom County Jail.
All of the dogs were treated at the Whatcom Humane Society and are now being transferred to rescue partners. Officials say the animals are recovering well and are expected to be placed in adoptive homes.
STORY: Point Roberts man indicted following altercation and bomb threat at border crossing
A Point Roberts man has been indicted on federal charges tied to a bomb threat at the border.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, court documents were filed this week against 34‑year‑old Brandon Brandreth‑Gibbs in connection with a February incident at the Point Roberts Port of Entry. Deputies say he showed up at the crossing with an axe, smashed windows as well as a government vehicle, and threatened to return with a bomb.
Brandreth‑Gibbs was arrested after returning to the port and has been in Whatcom County Jail since February. Federal charges include destruction of government property and threatening federal officers.
STORY: County court launches calendar to speed up trials
Whatcom County Superior Court will launch a new calendar aimed at moving old criminal cases.
Judges can now schedule special discovery hearings for aging cases before they reach trial. At those hearings, the judge asks both sides to explain the delays — whether it’s incomplete discovery, ongoing investigations, witness interviews, cases in other jurisdictions, or plea negotiations.
The judge can then issue specific orders and deadlines to resolve those issues more quickly, and the same judge will review the case later to monitor compliance. Court officials say the goal is to identify problems earlier on, so that cases can reach resolution more quickly.
STORY: Allied Arts hires new Executive Director
Allied Arts of Whatcom County has hired a new executive director.
The organization announced that longtime local communications and community‑engagement leader Vanessa Blackburn will step into the role, following the departure of Kelly Hart earlier this year.
Blackburn’s experience includes leading the Bellingham Business Journal, helping to launch a downtown business improvement district, and serving eight years in the mayor’s office.
The hire comes as Allied Arts continues to reshape its mission and programming. The 47‑year‑old organization recently moved its gallery on Cornwall Avenue and has expanded its workshops, performances, and community gatherings after a year of public input.
The organization says it’s looking ahead to its next chapter under Blackburn’s leadership.
STORY: Judge blocks Homeland Security from conducting election-related sweeps in nine states, including WA
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Homeland Security from carrying out election‑related field operations in nine states, including Washington.
The Washington State Standard reports the injunction came after voting‑rights groups said armed agents were showing up at residences to question people about their voter status — raising concern about intimidation in the run-up to Election Day.
The ruling is a setback for the Trump administration’s effort to target alleged noncitizen voting, which studies show is extremely rare. The judge found that protecting voters from fear and interference outweighs the government’s interest in pursuing potential violations, and paused the order until today to allow time for appeal.
STORY: DFI dings Digital Access crypto-kiosk operator
The state has taken action against another crypto kiosk operator.
Washington’s Department of Financial Institutions (or DFI) filed charges against Digital Access LLC, alleging the company added markups as high as 31 percent on digital‑asset purchases — fees regulators say were not properly disclosed and totaled more than $1 million over two years. Digital Access operates 50 kiosks statewide, including one on Main Street in Ferndale.
DFI says the company also failed to follow anti‑money‑laundering rules, did not verify customer identities or sources of funds, lacked adequate transaction monitoring, and mishandled required reporting & record‑keeping.
Regulators are seeking to revoke the company’s license, bar Digital Access and its responsible individual from the industry, order more than $1 million in customer refunds, and impose a fine of over one million dollars.
DFI also brought charges in recent months against Coinme, Bitcoin Depot, and CoinFlip — companies with multiple kiosks in Whatcom County.
F&C 10/24
Looking for some Halloween fun this weekend? Whatcom County has plenty of ways to get some.
Fairhaven’s free Spooktacular continues through Saturday at Woodstock Farm, featuring a haunted house, dancing, and a spooky séance room.
On Saturday, Stone Throw Brewery hosts a free pumpkin-carving event from noon to 5pm, and the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center offers a pumpkin patch in the pool from 4:30 to 6pm.
Also this weekend, Ferndale marks 35 years of its Sister City relationship with Minamiboso, Japan on Saturday from 1 to 4pm at Pioneer Pavilion. The free, all‑ages celebration features cultural displays, performances, youth activities, and a special pearl anniversary gift while supplies last.
Halloween festivities continue next week with downtown trick-or-treating Friday, October 30th, followed by food tastings, ghost tours, and costume parties on Halloween itself.
WX: There goes the sun, doo doo doo doooooo
And now weather…
We close the week out with a mildly sunny afternoon, with highs in the mid-50s. Look for a clear and chilly night ahead, with lows in the high 30s.
The weekend brings overcast skies and the threat of showers.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, KAI Blais-Schmolke, Jenny Lam, Doug Langworthy, and Cheri Cloninger. 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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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: Whatcom County ‘unequivocally’ underprepared for jump in deportation efforts
Local immigration lawyers say they’re bracing for a surge in deportation cases.
Cascadia Daily News reports the federal government appears to be using Washington’s voter rolls to flag permanent residents as part of a crackdown on illegal voting — a shift attorneys say could overwhelm the few local lawyers who handle removal defense.
A Point Roberts woman was detained for hours over questions about her voting history. She later died after avoiding medical care because she feared crossing the border. Lawyers say others now worry they could be detained or unable to re‑enter the U.S.
The state bar lists about 40 immigration attorneys in the region, but only a handful specialize in deportation work. Attorneys say removal cases are complex, time‑consuming, and often financially out of reach.
They say the new focus on voter rolls marks a major change. In the past, accidental registration or voting could usually be corrected without triggering deportation. Now, lawyers say discretion appears to be gone — and they expect the caseload to grow.
STORY: WA health plan open enrollment
Open enrollment for 2027 health and dental insurance starts November 1st.
Washington Healthplanfinder says customers can preview next year’s plans now, and the site will go offline October 31st to load updated options.
Open enrollment runs through January 15th. Washingtonians who want coverage starting January 1st need to sign up by December 31st. Those enrolling by January 15th will begin coverage February 1st.
The exchange says federal changes taking effect in 2027 make it especially important for customers to read messages from their insurer, keep account information current, and pay attention to deadlines.
More information is at wahealthplanfinder.org.
STORY: WA police use-of-force dashboard
Washington’s police use‑of‑force data is now easier for the public to see and understand.
The Attorney General’s Office says its statewide dashboard — part of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety — gives Washingtonians a clear, accessible look at when and how force is used by police. The dashboard is publicly available through the Attorney General’s Office.
The tool standardizes reporting from hundreds of agencies and lets users compare trends by region or by type of call. Since launching last year, it has logged more than 4 million calls for service and more than 1,800 reportable uses of force.
Officials say the goal is transparency: showing what’s known, what’s disputed, and what’s missing so the public, policymakers, and police can make evidence‑based decisions. Lawmakers created the system to build trust and give communities a clearer window into policing statewide.
STORY: WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Should a fee for recreational fishing in the Columbia River be made permanent?
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is inviting public comment on whether the annual fee of $8.75 for anglers should be extended beyond the expiration date in January 2028
The fee applies to anglers over 15 years old who fish for salmon or steelhead.
The comment period ends on November 20 this year.
STORY: Seattle-based Uawajimaya to expand
Seattle-based Asian grocery store Uwajimaya will open a new location next spring.
The store will occupy a former Rite Aid space in Town and Country Square in Issaquah and cover about 23-thousand square feet. Uwajimaya CEO Denise Moriguchi says the Eastside’s growing population has increased demand for Asian ingredients and fresh seafood.
The new store will offer everyday groceries, produce, seafood and prepared foods. Uwajimaya is also opening a location in Tacoma, bringing the 98-year-old company to six stores.
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