Bellingham police investigating hate crime against sixth-grader, Bellingham police arrest man on suspicion of assault, attempted kidnapping in Fairhaven, Swimming advisories lifted for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove and Birch Bay beaches, Lummi Island vehicle ferry resumes Saturday afternoon, Ex-Washington state auditor fights disbarment following prison time, Free and Cheap, Former student causes security scare at Squalicum High School
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STORY: Bellingham police investigating hate crime against sixth-grader
Bellingham police are investigating a hate crime after a sixth-grade student was assaulted during a field trip on Wednesday.
According to the BPD, a group of middle school students and staff were walking in front of the police station when the suspect crossed the street and without warning, turned and pushed the victim, described in the report as, “a pre-teen child of color,” and made a comment similar to, quote, “are you gonna talk to a white man like that?” The 42 year-old suspect, identified from BPD arrest reports as Paul Jonathan Bittner, then hit the victim in the face with a closed fist. Staff intervened and called law enforcement.
During questioning, the suspect used derogatory language toward Black people and made a statement indicating people should assault them. He was arrested on suspicion of malicious harassment and assault of a child.
In a video response, Mayor Kim Lund and Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig denounced the attack, and stated that the work of the new Whatcom Racial Equity Commission is more necessary than ever. In a letter to the community, Bellingham Public Schools Superintendent Greg Baker wrote the district was opposed to anti-Black racism and racism in all forms. Counseling support services are being provided to all students.
Bittner is currently being held at Whatcom County Jail, with his bail set to half a million dollars.
STORY: Bellingham police arrest man on suspicion of assault, attempted kidnapping in Fairhaven
Bellingham police arrested a man on Thursday following his alleged attempt to kidnap and assault a woman.
The victim reported to police that she had gone to meet up with John Brooks Ferlin at his Fairhaven apartment, only for Ferlin to approach her from behind and place a rag soaked with rubbing alcohol over her mouth. The victim was able to escape as Ferlin made additional threats.
Multiple 911 calls were made by bystanders who witnessed the victim running away, screaming for help. The victim later identified Ferlin to police, who was arrested without incident. A search of Ferlin’s apartment yielded illegal drugs and associated paraphernalia.
Ferlin was booked into Whatcom County Jail on charges of second-degree assault with a sexual motivation, kidnapping, and possession of a controlled substance. He remains in custody.
STORY: Swimming advisories lifted for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove and Birch Bay beaches
Swimming advisories were lifted for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove, and Birch Bay beaches.
Yesterday, Whatcom County Health and Community Services lifted swimming advisories for Larrabee State Park at Wildcat Cove, and Birch Bay beaches. The advisories were issued last Thursday after high levels of fecal bacteria were found. According to the Department of Ecology, new water samples have shown lower levels of fecal bacteria.
Ecology says it can be difficult to predict when bacteria levels may rise again and advises swimmers to look for updated information. They pointed out that one potential source is outfalls, where water from rivers, sewers, or drains empty into the ocean, and advises swimmers to avoid these areas.
County health officials have yet to confirm the cause of the outbreak and advisories for Boulevard Park and Little Squalicum remain in effect.
STORY: Lummi Island vehicle ferry resumes Saturday afternoon
The Lummi Island Ferry will resume vehicle service around 4 p.m. Saturday, after a month-long scheduled dry dock outage.
Restoration of the Whatcom Chief’s service is contingent upon completion of remaining dry dock work, including sea trials, according to Whatcom County Public Works. If the date or time changes because of unforeseen circumstances, Public Works will provide an update.
As a result of the resumed service, the Lummi Island shuttle van will end its service on Monday and ferry parking will change. People with vehicles parked either at the Gooseberry Point Dock or the Lummi Island main parking area will need to move their vehicles by Friday. Any vehicles left in the area after the deadlines will impact ferry queuing traffic and will be subject to towing.
The last passenger-only ferry service will run through midnight on Friday at Gooseberry Point. On Saturday, from midnight to around 4 p.m., there will be no ferry service during the dock changeover. Only one outage is anticipated while the dock modifications and floats are dismantled.
STORY: Ex-Washington state auditor fights disbarment following prison time
Disgraced former state auditor Troy Kelley is contesting his disbarment due to his 2017 conviction on eight felonies, which led to his imprisonment.
Kelley requested the state Supreme Court to overturn the disbarment recommendation from the State Bar Association’s Disciplinary Board, and advocated instead for his six-year suspension to count as “time served”. While serving in the state House and as Washington state auditor, Kelly faced legal troubles from his real estate services business between 2006 and 2008, which led to charges including money laundering, possession of stolen property, lying to federal officials, and filing false tax returns. Prosecutors alleged he kept about $3 million dollars in fees meant for homeowners. Following his indictment, he received eight felony convictions. Kelley has been suspended from the bar since January 2018.
The former auditor says he has no intention of practicing law again and cited his public service and the time elapsed since his offenses as mitigating factors. Conversely, the bar association’s attorney maintained that disbarment was necessary to uphold the integrity of the legal profession, stressing that Kelley’s felony convictions involved crimes of dishonesty.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are a few events happening around the county.
The Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth is hosting the second weekend performance for The Spongebob Musical. Student performances will take place tonight at 7, and tomorrow at 2 and 7 pm. Tickets are available online and in person, starting at 12 dollars.
Also tomorrow is Whatcom This Whey, a dairy farm, creamery, and cheesemaking tour. 8 farms and creameries across the county are participating, hosting free tours, handing out samples, and providing picnic spots. The event runs from 10 am to 4 pm, with a full list of locations and activities available online at WADairy.org.
WX: Cloudy
And now for your Whatcom County weather…
This weekend is likely to be a soggy one. There’s a 50% chance of showers this afternoon, with a high near 66 degrees and winds at around 7 mph. The likelihood of rain will increase during the night, and temperatures are expected to drop to the high-40s. Tomorrow morning will come with a 90% chance of rain, as well as a possible thunderstorm. The rain is expected to last throughout the rest of the weekend.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman, Kye Salinas (KEY suh-LEE-nus), Maggie Flowers, and Kyler Cantrell. 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. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening.
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STORY: Former student causes security scare at Squalicum High School
A former Squalicum High School student caused a security scare at their old school last Wednesday.
Both Squalicum and the nearby Northern Heights Elementary School were placed in Secure protocol for an hour-and-a-half after the former student was spotted on Squalicum’s soccer field. During this time, all doors to the school were locked, and no one was allowed in or out.
Police officers, as well as the individual’s family, were initially successful in addressing the issue. However, the individual was later spotted again on Squalicum’s property, which prompted the school to be placed back into the Secure protocol for nearly an hour. Police and the individual’s family were called back to the scene, and the person eventually left the property with assistance.
The Bellingham School District said the individual showed no intent to harm.
