Two arrests made following assault and carjacking off Aldrich Road, Two separate Whatcom car chases lead to arrests of pursued drivers, Owner of Pittie Project PNW pleads not guilty to 30 counts of animal cruelty, Local water district honored, WA ESD receives over $13 million in grants to aid workers in getting trained and hired in key industries, Federal data appears to list hundreds of legal noncitizen residents on WA’s voter registration, Suicide rates increase, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (run Oct 28), Skagit County launches new strategic-plan tracking site, Whatcom Chief ferry outage (run no later than 11/3, see note), Seattle-based Uwajimaya to expand, WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October, 27. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
UPDATE: Two arrests made following assault and carjacking off Aldrich Road
Police arrested two suspects involved in a carjacking and assault case on Aldrich Road this past Sunday.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office said the victim had arranged to meet the male suspect — 57-year-old David Jackson — at Walmart for a test drive.
During the drive, Jackson told the victim to pull over and get out of the car. He then punched the victim repeatedly.
Another suspect, 58-year-old Blanca Jackson, then pulled up in a separate vehicle and began assaulting the victim also. David then drove off in the victim’s car, while Blanca left in her own vehicle.
Deputies later found the victim’s car in the suspects’ driveway.
The suspects, both from Nooksack, were booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of various charges, including first-degree robbery and second-degree assault.
STORY: Two separate Whatcom car chases lead to arrests of pursued drivers
Two separate car chases in Whatcom County this past Friday ended with the apprehension of two drivers.
The first car chase came to an end after it had stopped southbound traffic on a section of I-5. The suspect, a 21-year-old man, was reported to have violated a no-contact order, according to a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
The man was found driving down Delta Line Road with the protected person in the car; he sped off when deputies tried to stop him. This led to a car chase, which ended when troopers used the PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle near Slater Road.
The man was arrested on several charges, including kidnapping and driving under the influence. Normal traffic resumed at around 9 p.m.
The second car chase took place in Ferndale. Police said the suspect drove through a yard and nearly hit a house; officers found the license plate of a stolen vehicle in the yard.
As the search continued, officers then tried to stop another vehicle from leaving the area. The suspect sped down Portal Way; they were eventually stopped by troopers using spike strips.
The suspect, a 35-year-old individual, was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on bail of over $100,000.
UPDATE: Owner of Pittie Project PNW pleads not guilty to 30 counts of animal cruelty
A Whatcom County woman accused of abusing dozens of dogs is now facing felony charges.
Court records report 38‑year‑old Ashley Georgia pleaded not guilty yesterday after being arrested last week on 30 counts of animal cruelty. Georgia founded Pittie Project PNW, a bully‑breed rescue based in Bellingham.
Deputies searched Georgia’s property earlier this month; they found dogs living in poor conditions, with no access to food or water. Volunteers had already removed a handful of animals after discovering what they described as even worse conditions than reported. Additionally, the property owner told investigators that at least one dog had died.
Georgia’s arraignment drew a large crowd in person and online. The court commissioner said the allegations rank among the most serious animal‑cruelty cases he’s encountered. Bail for Georgia is set at $200,000, and she will not be allowed any contact with animals if she’s released.
A status hearing is scheduled for November 18th, with trial set for December 14th.
STORY: Local water district honored
A local water district is being recognized by the state for long‑term excellence in drinking‑water operations.
The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District says its Sudden Valley treatment plant has received an award for meeting all standards for 25 consecutive years. This makes the Sudden Valley plant one of only three rapid‑rate filtration plants in Washington to do so.
District leaders credit operations staff for maintaining consistently high performance. The Department of Health will present the award at the district’s Board of Commissioners meeting tomorrow.
STORY: WA ESD receives over $13 million in grants to aid workers in getting trained and hired in key industries
Washington is getting new federal funding to help more workers train for high‑demand jobs.
The state Employment Security Department says it has received over $13 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. That money will be used to expand job training and help employers hire in key industries.
About $6.5 million will support rapid reskilling for people who lost jobs through no fault of their own. These people will be connected with training, apprenticeships, and paid work‑based learning through WorkSource.
Another $6.7 million will help employers cover training costs in fields like advanced manufacturing, aerospace, healthcare, clean technology, shipbuilding, and nuclear energy.
Employment Security says the funding will support multi‑year projects and partnerships with unions, apprenticeship programs, workforce boards, and community colleges.
STORY: Federal data appears to list hundreds of legal noncitizen residents on WA’s voter registration
Federal prosecutors say hundreds of non‑citizens may be registered to vote in Washington.
The Department of Justice says data reviewed by both U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the state identified over 400 non-citizens who appear to be registered. Acting U.S. Attorney Neil Floyd says they would have voted in multiple elections. Many are lawful permanent residents who are permitted to live and work in the U.S., but are not permitted to vote.
Federal officials say some green‑card holders were registered through Washington’s Motor Voter system without realizing it — then assumed they were eligible when ballots arrived. The DOJ has asked the Secretary of State to set aside ballots from those individuals until their citizenship status can be verified.
The agency says illegal voting may carry felony penalties.
STORY: Suicide rates increase
Washington’s suicide rate increased in 2025.
According to the Washington State Department of Health, at least 1,350 people died by suicide statewide. The rate rose from 14.3 to 15.5 deaths per 100-thousand people.
The largest increase was among adults 65 and older. Suicide rates also rose among young people ages 10 to 17, rural residents, and people of Hispanic, American Indian, and Alaska Native backgrounds.
Despite the increase, the rate is still below the 2017 peak. Researchers also report encouraging findings about suicide prevention. A study published this year by the American Medical Association found the launch of the 9-8-8 lifeline came with fewer suicides among teens and young adults. This was particularly true in states where more people used the service, including Washington.
State health officials say stronger community connections and access to support remain key to prevention.
Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis can call or text 9-8-8 for free, confidential support, or visit 988lifeline.org.
WX: Drizzoli and Isles
And now for the weather…
Little has changed in the weather today, with forecasts still calling for an afternoon of gray skies, highs in the mid-50s, and infrequent light showers. Only about one-tenth of an inch of rain is expected to fall by day’s end.
That number, however, will dramatically shoot upwards as the evening wears on, with up to half an inch expected to fall overnight. Nighttime temperatures are projected in the low-40s.
The rain should slowly disappear tomorrow, with up to a quarter-inch of precipitation expected to fall during the morning.
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: Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (run Oct 28) The Port of Bellingham will hold an open house for the public tomorrow.
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: Skagit County launches new strategic-plan tracking site
Skagit County has launched a new online tool to show the public how local government is meeting its long‑term goals.
Residents can now track progress on major projects, priorities, and performance data through the county’s live strategic‑plan Skagit County has launched a new online tool to show the public how local government is meeting its long‑term goals.
County leaders say the system brings more transparency and accountability to their work, and gives the public a clearer way to follow — and weigh in on — projects, policies, and service changes.
The site is available at skagit.clearpointstrategy.com.
STORY: Whatcom Chief ferry outage (run no later than 11/3, see note)
The Whatcom Chief will be offline for several hours next Wednesday for maintenance.
The ferry will be out of service from 10:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on November 4 so crews can finish work that couldn’t be completed during dry dock because parts weren’t available. Crews will also make an electrical repair at the Lummi Island terminal during the outage.
The last morning run from Gooseberry Point is 9:50, and the last run from Lummi Island is 10:00. No additional morning trips will follow the 10 a.m. sailing.
The county says the schedule is weather‑dependent and updates will be posted on the ferry webpage.
STORY: Seattle-based Uwajimaya 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.
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.
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