Report shows increase in crime across the state, Hundred Acre Wood Protected, Tiny Homes Villages Force to relocate, 2 child molestation cases in Whatcom County, Search still on for missing Burlington man, KMRE Focus Is On Primary Candidates, Northern Lights Visible
______________________________
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Report shows increase in crime across the state
According to a recent report, crime is increasing across Washington state.
The Crime in Washington report for 2022, written by the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, highlights a record-high number of murders, with a nearly 17% increase from 2021 and a significant 96% increase since 2019. Additionally, motor vehicle theft saw a 34% rise compared to the previous year.
The report also emphasizes that Washington has the lowest number of officers per thousand residents among all states, a figure that has been declining annually since 2019.
STORY: Tiny Home Villages forced to relocate
Two of Bellingham’s tiny home villages, Unity Village and Swift Haven, are facing relocation due to expanding city services and expiring permits.
The villages provide emergency shelter for approximately 50 residents. Unity Village, situated at the Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant, requires clearance for infrastructure upgrades, while Swift Haven’s permits in the Puget neighborhood will expire by the following year.
The city has identified a recently acquired property on Meridian Street as a potential relocation site. The Meridian Street property is considered suitable for temporary tiny home villages and holds the potential for future permanent affordable housing.
The Bellingham City Council will discuss a budget amendment to assess the feasibility of the relocation.
STORY: Hundred Acre Wood Protected
Bellingham’s Hundred Acre Wood, an 82-acre stretch of forest between Fairhaven Park and the Interurban Trail, will be permanently protected thanks to a newly adopted conservation easement agreement.
The Bellingham City Council unanimously approved the easement, marking the culmination of a long-term project that began in the 1990s when a development plan for the land was proposed.
The park provides recreational opportunities, education in an outdoor classroom, and environmental protection for wetlands as outlined in the city’s master plan.
STORY: 2 child molestation cases in Whatcom County
Two men are in custody after being charged with child molestation.
Johan Blevins, a 37-year-old man from Ferndale, has been arrested and is in custody for sexually assaulting a child. The assaults were reported by family members on June 23rd. The victim, a minor, revealed that they were groomed by the suspect while being babysat. Blevins is held on child rape and molestation charges.
Separately, Bradly Hicks, a 74-year-old man named from Maple Falls, was arrested on July 6th for attempted child molestation following a report of sexual assault on June 16th. Hicks remains in Whatcom County Jail.
Bail is set at $50,000 for both cases.
STORY: Search still on for missing Burlington man
The Burlington Police are seeking the public’s assistance in finding a missing 72-year-old man named Edgar Aberilla (a-bur-REE-ya.
He was last seen near Lowe’s on Sunset Drive in Bellingham on July 4th after being dropped off by a neighbor. Aberilla has dementia and primarily speaks Filipino, with limited English.
Anyone with information or sightings of Aberilla is urged to contact 911.
STORY: KMRE FOCUS IS ON PRIMARY CANDIDATES
Ballots for the August 1st primary election will be in the mail tomorrow. In order to help our listeners understand the candidates and their positions better, KMRE– in collaboration with Whatcom Community College– interviewed all the primary candidates for County Executive and Mayor of Bellingham. Starting tomorrow, every day after the 5pm news we’ll air a compilation of the candidates’ views on one question. You will also be able to find the interviews in their entirety on our website, kmre.org.
STORY: NORTHERN LIGHTS VISIBLE
People in 17 states, including Washington, are expected to be able to view the Northern Lights or aurora borealis.
Typically, the Northern Lights are most commonly observed in Alaska, Canada, and Scandinavia. However, due to the current 11-year solar cycle, reaching its peak in 2024, the lights can now be seen in more southern regions.
The Geophysical Institute at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks says the aurora should be visible in Alaska, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. Canada, specifically Vancouver, is also expected to experience auroral activity.
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Space Weather Prediction Center, the ideal viewing times for the Northern Lights are between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time.
WX: Sunny and Warm
Your Whatcom Weather today is sun and clouds mixed with a high of around 71 degrees, with Increasing clouds, and an overnight low around 56. Tomorrow, expect more clouds in the morning, gradually becoming mostly sunny with a high near 70.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Sarah Edmonds and Myles Weber. 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 listener donations. I’m ________________ and thanks for listening.
