Suspect in Bellingham shooting arrested, Remains of missing Marblemount man identified, Service providers claim “urgent need,” for daytime unhoused shelter in Bellingham, Bellingham Airport seeking new director of aviation, Lummi Nation breaks ground on detox center, Bellingham law firm ordered to pay $1.3 million in sexual harassment bench trial, Man suspected of human trafficking across Blaine border crossing sentenced to 15 months, Grants to Ports of Bellingham and Anacortes hit by federal funding freeze
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, February 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Suspect in Bellingham shooting arrested
Bellingham Police arrested a man suspected of shooting another man on West Maplewood Avenue last week.
Officers responded to reports of a shooting around three in the afternoon last Tuesday, and found a 37-year-old victim lying in a parking lot with a gunshot wound to the leg. A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Deputy arrived first and, with a civilian’s help, administered emergency medical aid.
Investigators determined that the suspect, 26-year-old Timothy Stovall, had confronted the victim over an unpaid gas debt from the previous day. Stovall attempted to take the victim’s car and demanded cash before shooting him in the leg with a shotgun. Detectives later recovered the shotgun discarded along I-5.
Stovall was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on Saturday, where he remains without bail.
STORY: Remains of missing Marblemount man identified
The Skagit County Coroner’s Office identified human remains found in November as those of Justin Spaeth (SPAY-th), a suspected murder victim who disappeared nearly a year ago.
The 45-year-old Spaeth went missing on February 28th of last year after leaving his home in Marblemount to visit a friend two miles away. Three weeks later, Skagit County Sheriff’s deputies arrested 31-year-old James Kelly of Concrete on probable cause of first-degree premeditated murder. Investigators determined Kelly had played a role in Spaeth’s death and took him into custody after a two-day search.
Hunters discovered skeletal human remains south of Rockport last October. DNA testing later confirmed the identity as Spaeth. The coroner’s office has not released the cause or manner of his death.
Court documents indicate that Kelly allegedly shot Spaeth following an argument where Kelly accused him of speaking to law enforcement about a case where Kelly was a suspect. Witnesses stated Kelly threatened Spaeth, saying he would put a quote “bullet in his head” unquote at a nearby creek.
Law enforcement found blood by the creek where the murder reportedly occurred. They also discovered burnt clothing during their search of the property.
Kelly faces multiple charges, including first-degree premeditated murder, unlawful possession of a firearm and attempting to elude police. He is scheduled for a status conference in Skagit County Superior Court on March 17th, and could face life in prison if convicted of murder.
STORY: Service providers claim “urgent need,” for daytime unhoused shelter in Bellingham
A local service provider to the local unhoused community says Whatcom County overnight shelters are not enough.
At a Whatcom County Council meeting last Tuesday, Amy Kenna, the operations director for Recovery Café Bellingham, urged the council to establish an additional seasonal day shelter next year, and emphasized the hardship faced by those without shelter. In past years, Bellingham has funded temporary daytime warming shelters and emergency overnight winter shelters, but these efforts have only been sustainable during extreme weather conditions. Without a daytime shelter this year, Kenna says unhoused individuals struggle to find a place to go during the day, and often seek refuge in libraries.
According to Bellingham Public Library Director Rebecca Judd, the Central Library frequently exceeds its seating capacity, which highlights the urgent need for a dedicated day shelter.
County Health and Community Services Director Erika Lautenbach (lot-n-BOCK) identified the absence of a day shelter as a critical gap in services. Melissa Morin (MORE-in), the Communications and Community Relations Director for the City of Bellingham, says the county receives state funding for emergency shelter operations, while the city has historically supplemented shelter funding from its general fund. An expansion of shelter services would require additional resources, trained staff, and an experienced organization to manage operations.
STORY: Bellingham Airport seeking new director of aviation
Bellingham Airport is looking for a new director of aviation nearly seven months after terminating the previous director for financial reasons.
The Port of Bellingham announced the job opening on social media January 29th. The post emphasized the need for a hands-on leader to oversee daily airport operations and drive growth.
BLI has faced challenges since Southwest Airlines announced last April that it would end service to the airport due to aircraft shortages and revenue concerns. Between 2021 and 2023, BLI earned over $5 million in direct revenue from Southwest. BLI aviation director Kip Turner was dismissed in July, less than a year after replacing retiring director Sunil (soo-NEEL) Harman. Nearly a month later, the airport’s deputy director of aviation resigned to take another job. Since then, Port Executive Director Rob Fix has managed airport operations on an interim basis.
The hiring timeline for a new director remains uncertain, but the first application review is scheduled for March 3rd. Fix stated in December that BLI is working to restore air service. To attract new airlines and encourage existing carriers like Allegiant to expand routes, port commissioners approved an aviation incentive package in December, including waiving terminal landing fees for two years and providing marketing funds.
STORY: Lummi Nation breaks ground on detox center
The Lummi Nation broke ground on its stabilization withdrawal management services center on Friday – the first facility of its kind on tribal land in Washington.
The center will expand the tribe’s healing campus as it continues to combat the fentanyl epidemic. The 24/7 secure residential stabilization center will feature 16 beds, healing spaces, a dining room, and a conference room. Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire (hill-UR) acknowledged past tribal leaders who envisioned the project, and emphasized the importance of healing for their people.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, Representative Larsen praised the Lummi Nation’s vision, and acknowledged the severe impact of the opioid crisis on tribal communities. In a letter read at the event, Senator Cantwell noted that Native communities have faced a disproportionate increase in overdose deaths. She emphasized that the new facility would provide culturally competent care for those struggling with opioid addiction.
Hillaire reminded attendees the Lummi Nation is more than its struggles, and declared this milestone represents a step toward healing.
The center is a collaborative effort between tribal, federal, state, and local governments, and is funded by Washington state and the Indian Health Service.
WX: Beware of singing Gene Kellys
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Today looks to be a drizzly one, with the rain largely concentrated in the afternoon. Temperatures will continue to creep higher into the low \-50s, dropping into the 40s in the evening.
Expect rain to pick up tomorrow, alongside daytime winds of up to 21 miles per hour.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, and Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren). Our news director is Staci Baird. 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 thank you for listening.
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STORY: Bellingham law firm ordered to pay $1.3 million in sexual harassment bench trial
STORY: Man suspected of human trafficking across Blaine border crossing sentenced to 15 months
The U.S. District Court in Seattle has sentenced an Oregon man to 15 months in prison for first-degree human trafficking.
Authorities arrested 46-year-old Jesus Ortiz-Plata in Everett with three non-citizens smuggled from Canada into the U.S. He pleaded guilty last November 20th to conspiracy to transport certain aliens for profit.
Since late 2022, Border Patrol agents and investigators had repeatedly encountered a phone number linked to Ortiz-Plata while intercepting non-citizens attempting illegal border crossings. After months of surveillance, law enforcement tracked Ortiz-Plata’s movements and, on May 23rd of last year, followed him from his Oregon home to an apartment in Everett, were he was arrested.
During sentencing, Judge James L. Robart condemned Ortiz-Plata’s actions, calling him a “commercial smuggler” motivated by profit, not altruism.
STORY: Grants to Ports of Bellingham and Anacortes hit by federal funding freeze
Funds promised to the Port of Bellingham and the Port of Anacortes for job creation and energy transition projects are on hold.
Both ports are working with Washington’s federal delegation to resolve the issue while their projects remain stalled. The Environmental Protection Agency awarded the grants last October through its Clean Ports Program. The Port of Bellingham received $1.5 million to develop an energy transition plan, while the Port of Anacortes secured nearly $64 million to support a public-private maritime partnership.
President Trump’s executive order on his first day in office halted grant disbursements and environmental programs. A federal judge later ruled the funding freeze unconstitutional, and ordered the administration to restore the funds. However, uncertainty continues.
During a House subcommittee hearing on February 5th, Representative Larsen criticized the freezes, calling them “a dumb move” and “disastrous.”
Mike Hogan, public affairs administrator for the Port of Bellingham, said the port received notice two weeks ago that the funds were frozen. The grant portal temporarily reopened three days later, but faced another freeze last Tuesday. A separate $500,000 EPA grant for diesel emission reduction was also paused. However, other federally funded projects, including the Bellingham Shipping Terminal and rail reconnection project, remain unaffected.
In a phone conversation with the Cascadia Daily News, Port of Anacortes Executive Director Brett Greenwood said his staff checks the federal funding portal every few hours, waiting for funds to be released. The freeze has stalled hiring plans for private partners, who planned to hire 50 employees. It also prevents the port from advancing its electrification project, replacing diesel equipment, and purchasing new machinery. Greenwood worries inflation could increase project costs if delays continue.
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