Bellingham bank robber sought, New charges filed against Whatcom Co deputy, Blaine juvenile may be charged for shooting at kids with a BB gun, Failed Lynden school bond returns in November, Portal container village announces opening day, Farmer’s Market opens tomorrow, San Juan County airports get funding, Dorothy Place gets state funding, Eclipse viewing in Whatcom, Free and Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, April 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham bank robber sought
Bellingham Police have released new information about the suspect linked to the Fairhaven bank robbery last Monday.
Investigators believe the suspect may be connected to a two-toned black-and-white Ford Flex SUV, seen driving westbound on Larrabee Avenue before the robbery and departing eastbound after the robbery.
The armed robbery took place Monday evening, at the Peoples Bank branch inside the Fairhaven Haggen. Those with information about the incident or the suspect’s identity are urged to contact Bellingham Police.
STORY: New charges filed against Whatcom Co deputy
The Skagit County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed additional felony sex crime charges against former officer Austin Micheal Case.
Case, aged 24, was previously charged with two counts of unlawful imprisonment, first degree extortion, first degree burglary, and third degree rape. Now, a third woman has accused him of showing up uninvited to her home and then sexually abusing her in a vehicle in December of 2020.
Court documents show Case is now facing a total of 8 felonies – some of which have a max sentence of life in prison.
Case’s arraignment for the new felonies is scheduled for April 23rd.
STORY: Blaine juvenile may be charged for shooting at kids with a BB gun
Blaine Police are recommending juvenile assault charges against a boy suspected of shooting other kids with a BB gun.
Officers detained four juveniles behind Blaine Primary School after responding to a call. The suspect allegedly ambushed five other juveniles, causing painful welts. Officers confiscated the rifle and handed the suspect over to his parents.
Blaine Police emphasized the seriousness of the incident, and warn that BB guns can cause serious injuries, especially to the eyes. Police also note that laws that prohibit the discharge of weapons within the city apply to guns that shoot BBs, plastic pellets, or other projectiles.
STORY: Failed Lynden school bond returns in November
Lynden School District’s $157 million dollar capital bond will return to the ballot in August with a slight adjustment to the tax rate.
Originally rejected in February, the school board unanimously decided to place the bond on the August 6th ballot to fund a new high school and other school upgrades. In a recent announcement, the school board opted to revise the resolution and now propose a flat property tax increase that would add $1.36 per $1,000 of assessed value, making it slightly more affordable for taxpayers.
Despite concerns about passage, the school board and bond supporters say that recent growth in the district means school facility upgrades are crucial.
STORY: Portal container village announces opening day, Farmer’s Market opens tomorrow
Bellingham’s iconic Portal Container Village has announced they will open on May third.
Two new additions will be added to the container lineup– Zeke’s Pizza and Bin 13 Wine bar. The Portal Putt Mini Golf course will open on May 25th, now expanded to a full 18-hole course.
The first day of the Farmer’s Market is tomorrow. The vegetable toss with the Mayor starts at 9:45.
The city of Bellingham will also give away 500 trees to residents, and the first 50 customers receive a free tote bag.
The Market is open every Saturday from 10 to 2 in Depot Market Square until October.
STORY: San Juan County airports get funding
This week, the Federal Aviation Administration announced three grants totaling almost $3 million dollars to modernize Northwest Washington airports.
Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, some of the money will be used to improve airport infrastructure and runway safety at Friday Harbor Airport, Lopez Island Airport and Anacortes Airport. In a recent announcement, Representative Rick Larsen says the work will create new jobs and support existing jobs.
Representatives from the Ports of Friday Harbor, Lopez and Anacortes applauded the announcement and emphasized the grants’ importance to the regional economy.
STORY: Dorothy Place gets state funding
In more funding news, Dorothy Place in Bellingham is due to receive state money.
The Department of Commerce announced this week that it would invest nearly $20 million in awards to 31 applicants through the Housing Preservation Program. Dorothy Place, which currently has 22 affordable housing units, will receive a million dollars.
The move comes in response to a growing need for affordable housing. It is estimated that Washington state will need to create over a million new housing units over the next 20 years in order to keep up with that growing need.
STORY: Eclipse viewing in Whatcom
Despite not being in the path of totality, Bellinghamsters will still be able to see a partial solar eclipse.
The eclipse will be most prominent just before noon on Monday, starting at 10:41 a.m., peaking after 11:30 a.m., and remaining visible until 12:21 p.m. In our region, about 18% of the sun’s area will be blocked at its peak.
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday and here are some fun free or cheap things to do around our area this weekend.
It’s First Friday in Bellingham, so take a walking tour downtown and visit a variety of local artists, galleries, dining spots, late-night shopping, live music, and more. Tonight from 6-10pm.
On Saturday, the 41st annual Sumas Spring Clean-Up Day is on from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Garbage trucks will be stationed behind Sumas City Hall on First Street, and Sumas residents can dispose of bulky items, appliances, furniture, scrap metal, and branches for a small fee.
Also on Saturday, from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m., the SkillShare Space at the Bellingham Central Library will host a hands-on weaving event with fiber arts projects for library patrons of all ages.
Bellingham Dockside Market is happening at Squalicum Harbor. Fresh seafood is available for sale from local fishers. Markets are the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month starting at 10am.
And finally, Stones Throw Brewery is hosting their 8th Anniversary Block Party complete with live music. The event is FREE, family-friendly, and pet-friendly– the fun starts at 2 and goes till 8pm.
WX: Sun
Your Whatcom County weather – expect mostly cloudy skies giving way to mostly sun this afternoon with a high of 54 degrees. Clouds will return overnight and bring a low of 42 degrees. The weekend will be cloudy, with an increasing chance of rain on Sunday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman and Tristan Trudell. 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. If you would like to help keep local news accessible, check out our new Patreon page at patreon.com/kmrenews or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening.
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