High temperatures and wildfire smoke expected to hit Whatcom County, Whatcom County drug task force makes major drug bust, Lynden man pleads guilty to numerous charges in narcotics and weapons possession case, NWS to update weather reporting zones in western WA, anticipates greater accuracy in forecasts, South Whatcom Fire Authority seeking additional compensation for covering calls outside of jurisdiction
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, August 8th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: High temperatures and wildfire smoke expected to hit Whatcom County
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a heat advisory for Whatcom County beginning today.
Whatcom’s heat advisory will last at least until 9pm tomorrow with temperatures reaching as high as the low 90s, and lingering through Saturday. Temperatures are expected to cool down next week.
Wildfire smoke from British Columbia and eastern Washington is also expected to impact temperatures and air quality this week. Haze should help lower daytime highs, but may cause a small increase after dark. The Northwest Clean Air Agency says air quality levels are expected to remain moderate and most of the haze will sit in high-altitude areas making ground-level air safe for most groups.
The Weather Service reminds everyone to drink plenty of fluids, seek air conditioning, avoid physical exertion, and do not leave young children or pets unattended in cars. The smoke should begin to clear after the weekend.
STORY: Whatcom County drug task force makes major drug bust
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced five arrests yesterday as part of a Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force investigation.
The investigation centered on a gang suspected of distributing controlled substances within Whatcom County for several years. Mikel Leando Escandon-Tibillin (MEE-kell lee-AHN-do ess-can-DOAN TEE-buh-leen), 37, who authorities suspect led the gang, was arrested on Tuesday more than four months after the investigation began.
Task force investigators were monitoring a suspected drug and firearm trafficker, 34-year-old Austin Grimme (GRIM) of Bellingham back in May, when he met with individuals linked to Escandon-Tibillin, according to a news release by the Sheriff’s Office. On May 17th, Grimme was arrested after authorities found 3 ounces of suspected fentanyl-laced powder in his vehicle during a traffic stop. Investigators also learned Grimme was in possession of ghost guns – or firearms without serial numbers – as well as a 3D printer which he used to manufacture automatic firearms.
22-year-old Washington Mishael Ruiz Bomboza (MEE-shay-el roo-EEZ bahm-BO-suh), 26-year-old Edwin Lenny Vite Delgado (VEE-tay del-GAH-do), and 26-year-old Katerin Arangure-Arangure (ah-RANG-yur-a ah-RANG-yur-a) were also arrested this week for suspected involvement in the gang.
According to the press release, the drug distribution network functioned like a dispatch service, with orders taken over the phone and filled by courier. Investigators used the service twice to order drugs which confirmed Escandon-Tibillin, Bomboza, and Delgado’s involvement.
Ruiz Bomboza and Escandon-Tibillin were arrested after meeting in a Bellingham Parking lot on Tuesday; a search warrant issued on their vehicle resulted in the discovery of fentanyl-laced powder, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin. Escandon-Tibillin was arrested on suspicion of delivery of a controlled substance, leading organized crime, and money laundering.
The investigation also led to the search of two apartments where they found some 70 pounds of suspected drugs, as well as drug proceeds.
All four suspects are currently in custody at the Whatcom County Jail.
Other agencies involved in the investigation include the BPD, Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force, Washington State Patrol, DEA, Homeland Security, Bureau of Indian Affairs, ATF, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine.
STORY: Lynden man pleads guilty to numerous charges in narcotics and weapons possession case
A Lynden man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison and 18 months of community custody after pleading guilty to several felony charges.
On August 1st, 46-year-old Benjamin Vallejo (vay-YAY-ho) was sentenced in Whatcom County Superior Court for unlawful delivery and possession of methamphetamine, unlawful possession of firearms, residential burglary, second-degree assault, and witness tampering. Vallejo was initially arrested on April 25th and released on bail, only to be re-arrested two days later for additional crimes. He has a criminal record in Whatcom County dating back to 2008 that includes convictions for theft, burglary, assault, and other offenses. The most recent charges stem from a lengthy investigation by the Whatcom County Gang & Drug Task Force.
His alleged co-conspirator, Ashley M. Andrews, 31, is still awaiting trial.
STORY: NWS to update weather reporting zones in western WA, anticipates greater accuracy in forecasts
According to the Seattle office of the National Weather Service (NWS), there will soon be a significant improvement on how counties in Western Washington are alerted to upcoming weather hazards.
Under the current system, notifications are done by county. According to the Weather Service this can result in over-or-under warning of communities due to their size and climate diversity within each zone. For instance, an entire zone may be alerted when only a small portion of it is having a weather hazard. Alternatively, a decision may be made not to send an alert at all, because it’s only affecting a small area of a county.
According to the Weather Service, these changes will be most beneficial in the event of extreme snowfall, coastal flooding, or tsunami.
The Seattle office of the National Weather Service plans on implementing the new public zones next month.
STORY: South Whatcom Fire Authority seeking additional compensation for covering calls outside of jurisdiction
On July 30th, Chief Mitch Nolze of the South Whatcom Fire Authority came to the County Council with a problem. EMS calls to wilderness areas such as Chuckanut, Galbraith, and Lookout Mountains have dramatically increased but those locations are outside of the Fire Authority’s service area. As a result, the cost of emergency response to those areas are not reimbursed. To understand this complex issue better, KMRE sat down with Chief Nolze to dig into the issue. Nolze says, one of the key contributing factors is that the rise in EMS calls was completely unexpected.
DIDN’T ANTICIPATE AUDIO
Listen to the complete interview today after the 5pm News.
WX: Sun (perhaps)
And now the weather:
A heat advisory is in effect from noon today til 9 PM tomorrow, with highs for both days in the mid to high 80s. Expect calm southwestern winds, with gusts reaching up to 12 mph. Nighttime lows are expected to be in the low 60s. This weather pattern should hold through tomorrow– so expect more sun.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHRAM), Tristan Trudell, Kyler Cantrell, Ikumi Mashiko (ih-KOO-me muh-SHE-ko), Anna Vickers, and Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson. 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. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m David Korb________________… thanks for listening.
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