Whatcom County activist detained by ICE transferred to Tacoma facility, Trial begins surrounding handling of Bellingham police officer’s domestic abuse, Blaine School District seeking new superintendent, New data shows wages in Whatcom County among fastest-growing in state, Whatcom Museum hosts Lego contest, Free and Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, March 28th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom County activist detained by ICE transferred to Tacoma facility
Hundreds of union members and community supporters gathered outside the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma on Thursday evening to protest the detainment of Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez and Lewelyn Dixon.
Juarez, a 25-year-old union farmworker and activist, was arrested Tuesday in Sedro-Woolley— supporters allege he was targeted for his advocacy. Dixon, a 64-year-old lab technician and SEIU Local 925 member, has been detained since February after returning from the Philippines.
ICE officials state that Zeferino, who has lived in the U.S. since the age of 13, had a deportation order from 2018, though supporters argue he may not have been aware of it. Witnesses claim ICE agents forcibly removed him from his vehicle. Community leaders, including Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, condemned the arrest, highlighting Zeferino’s role in advocating for immigrant and farmworker rights.
Protesters framed the detentions as attacks on both immigrants and union workers, with signs calling Juarez a “political prisoner.” Union leaders and lawmakers, including Sen. Patty Murray and Gov. Bob Ferguson, expressed concern over their arrests.
The Tacoma detention center, which is near capacity, has seen a rise in detainees, and activists warn of poor living conditions. A class-action lawsuit has also been filed, which challenges prolonged detentions without bond hearings.
Activists warn that his detention is part of a broader crackdown that they say is designed to inspire fear among local immigrant communities. Organizers say they will continue to fight for the release of Juarez, Dixon, and other detained immigrants.
STORY: Trial begins surrounding handling of Bellingham police officer’s domestic abuse
A trial is underway in Whatcom County Superior Court to determine whether the City of Bellingham is liable for failing to prevent domestic abuse.
The lawsuit, filed by Amanda DeBruin and others in 2020, alleges that Bellingham police ignored warnings about former Bellingham Police Department Cpl. Brooks Owen Laughlin’s abuse, and allowed it to continue. Laughlin was arrested in 2018 on domestic violence-related charges and sentenced to eight years in prison, which was later reduced in 2021.
DeBruin’s attorney argued that police failed to act on a 2017 memo from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office as well as other warnings, which is a violation of domestic violence protocols. The city’s attorney countered that police lacked firsthand evidence and were limited in their ability to intervene.
Opening statements were heard Wednesday. The trial is expected to include expert testimony on trauma and abuse, as well as statements from DeBruin, Laughlin’s ex-wife, and other witnesses. The plaintiffs are seeking millions in damages from the city.
STORY: Blaine School District seeking new superintendent
The Blaine School District has scheduled a special Board of Directors meeting for next Monday, March 31st, to develop a plan to recruit and hire a new Superintendent.
The current Superintendent, Dr. Christopher Granger, has held his position since the fall of 2019, but will become the Superintendent of Snohomish County’s Sultan School District on July 1st. His departure comes amid challenging times for the District. On Wednesday, for the third consecutive year, the Board approved significant budget cuts that will eliminate as many as 46 positions, merge Blaine Primary School’s first and second grade classes into Blaine Elementary School, reshuffle the administration, and discontinue all third-level C-team high school sports.
Granger told the Northern Light that the cuts reflect the quote “unfortunate reality”, unquote, of public education in the region. Washington state has decreased the percentage of the state budget devoted to education in each of the past five years, and ranks below the national average for percentage of K through 12 funding.
STORY: New data shows wages in Whatcom County among fastest-growing in state
New data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics show that Whatcom County’s average wage grew nearly 6% last year, making it the second-fastest growing in Washington and 26th among large U.S. counties.
The county’s average weekly wage reached $1,233 in the third quarter of 2024. Statewide, wages grew just over 5.5%, ranking Washington fourth among states.
Employment in Whatcom County also saw a modest increase of just over 1%, placing it in the top third of large counties nationwide for job growth.
STORY: Whatcom Museum hosts Lego contest
The Whatcom Museum has announced it will bring back their LEGO® competition for a second year.
Entries must be original creations (no kits) and will be displayed at the museum from April 23 to May 4. Visitors can vote for a People’s Choice Award, while judges—including LEGO® Master TV contestants Brad Bergman and Mike Tarrant—will announce winners on May 2nd during Free First Friday.
In addition to the contest, Free First Friday will feature LEGO® building challenges, children’s art activities, face painting, and performances. Visitors can also support Bergman’s LEGO® model of Old City Hall, currently up for votes on the LEGO® Ideas website.
The deadline to register is April 18th, and there are three age-group categories: families with children 5 – 10; teens 11 – 17; and adults 18 and over. More details and registration are available on the Whatcom Museum website.
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday, and here are some free or cheap thing to do around Whatcom County:
Tonight, from 9-930pm, it’s Laughs at Larrabee– with a talented lineup of some of the hottest comedians in the PNW. The event is hosted at the Larrabee Lager Company 4151 Guide Meridian Rd – tickets are $10.
On Saturday and Sunday, the Mt. Baker Rock & Gem Show will be held at Pioneer Pavillion Community Center in Ferndale. The event is free and doors open at 10:00AM.
On Sunday, why not try salsa dancing at the Majestic Ballroom at 1027 N Forest St? Fun starts at 5:30, you don’t need a partner, and entry is $10.
WX: Pitter patter whoosh
And now weather:
We should see some light showers throughout the day, with highs in the mid-50s and winds from the south-southeast. Evening lows will be in the low 40s.
Looks like sporadic showers for the weekend, and a possibility of sun on Sunday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren) and Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg). 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 _________, and thank you for listening.
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