Overdose Awareness Day, AG Ferguson announces the collection of DNA from more than 2,000 Violent and Sex offenders, North Cascade Highway Closed Again, Skagit County Pastor Sentenced For Drug Trafficking, Gen Z Mental Health, Free and Cheap, Free Bus Fare Aug 10-19
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, August 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STO[1] [2] RY: OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY
Whatcom County will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day with an event on Aug. 30 at Lee Memorial Park.
Between noon and six pm, Staff from Whatcom County Health and Community Services and Emergency Medical Services will be offering training and answering questions about the opioid epidemic.
This come-and-go style event is designed to provide casual conversation with experts. Professional staff can offer information on how to identify and respond to an overdose, and how to administer the lifesaving drug Naloxone, also known as Narcan.
Attendees over the age of 18 will be able to take home a free nasal Narcan kit when they receive training.
STORY: AG Ferguson announces the collection of DNA from more than 2,000 violent and sex offenders
The Attorney General’s office announced yesterday that their DNA project has reached a significant milestone, with more than 2,000 new profiles added to the national DNA database since the effort began.
Although Washington requires many offenders convicted of sex offenses and serious crimes to provide their DNA when convicted, some do not comply. AG Ferguson started the project nearly four years ago to collect DNA from those who slipped through the system.
Of the 2,061 profiles collected so far, 76 resulted in a match with DNA evidence already in the database. These matches can help solve cold cases, and in fact have already aided in arresting suspects from crimes dating back to the late 80s.
The Attorney General’s Office estimates that there are thousands of violent offenders living in Washington with an obligation to provide their DNA sample.
STORY: NORTH CASCADE HIGHWAY CLOSED AGAIN
As crews continue to tackle the Sourdough fire, a portion of Highway 20 has been closed once again.
The Washington State DOT announced the closure of a 26-mile stretch between Newhalem and the area just past the East Creek Trailhead, effective 5:30pm yesterday. The closure was implemented by fire crews as they continue to fight the fire through aerial operations.
At the moment, there is no estimated date for the roadway’s reopening.
STORY: SKAGIT COUNTY PASTOR SENTENCED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING
A Skagit County pastor was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for drug trafficking in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish counties.
58-year-old Reverend Steve Parker of Arlington was arrested in January with 2 ounces of fentanyl, 2.7 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,000 counterfeit fentanyl pills and a handgun.
Parker pleaded guilty to 8 felony charges, including possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, money laundering, and possession of a stolen firearm.
According to prosecutors, Parker was known in Arlington for helping those with substance abuse issues. He founded a non-profit case management company called Omni-Mana and worked with the religious organization Nest Ministries.
According to officers, Parker was supplying clients with the drugs they were struggling to recover from. Text messages revealed he was also selling guns, according to court documents.
STORY: GEN Z MENTAL HEALTH
Young people are experiencing mental health issues at alarming rates. For more, here is Eric Tegethoff with Washington News Service.
MENTAL HEALTH AUDIO
STORY: FREE AND CHEAP
Looking for free and cheap things to do this weekend?
Downtown, the Bellingham Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday at 1100 Railroad Ave. Also on Saturday, Wander Brewing is hosting a book sale from 12-5 pm to help support the Bellingham Library. For movie goers, the Fairhaven Outdoor Movie Cinema will be playing “Field of Dreams” at Fairhaven Village Green. Tickets are seven dollars.
On Sunday, Boundary Bay & Gruff Brewing are hosting Adult Swim, a block party with water balloon fights, music, and prizes. Admission is free. If you’re more trivia inclined, Stemma Brewing is having trivia night at 5:30 pm. Entry fee is 2 dollars per person for a team of up to four people.
STORY: FREE BUS FARE AUG 10-19
WTA bus trips will be free until the 19th thanks to their Free Fare Days. This coincides with the Northwest Washington Fair. Fair goers can ride Route 26 for free and skip the hassle of parking. All bus routes in Whatcom County will be free through next Saturday, with the exception of Route 80X to Mount Vernon.
WX: A Mostly Sunny Weekend
Today will be a sunny day in Bellingham, with a high near 75* and southwest winds blowing at about 3-8mph. Skies are expected to get cloudy at night, with a low of 59* and southeast winds ranging from 3-6 mph. The weekend is expected to be a mostly sunny affair, with highs in the high-70s-to-low-80s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Myles Weber, Emma Toscani and Carlos Braga. 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. ###
