Bellingham man sentenced for knowingly establishing online relationship with minor, Whatcom drug dealer with ties to Mexican crime organization sentenced, Trial of 2019 campsite murder suspect ends in second hung jury, PeaceHealth union calls for termination of St. Joseph’s department director, State rep launches bill that would create WA’s own DOGE, City of Mount Vernon institutes hiring freeze amid budget shortfall, Bellingham examining alternate options for mandated organic waste bins following complaints, Trump administration launches investigation into OSPI over Clark County pronoun dispute, WSDOT seeking public feedback on updated rail plan
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, April 16th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham man sentenced for knowingly establishing online relationship with minor
A Bellingham man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for exchanging explicit content with a Mississippi girl who he knew was a minor.
Court records show that 46-year-old Daniel Koval exchanged sexually explicit messages, images, and videos with the 15-year-old girl over Discord in 2022. At his sentencing in the Whatcom County Superior Court, prosecutor Caleb Nagel called Koval’s behavior “predatory,” saying the crimes were more serious than simple possession of child sexual abuse material.
In addition to jail time, Koval’s sentence also includes three years of community custody.
STORY: Whatcom drug dealer with ties to Mexican crime organization sentenced
A Whatcom County man with connections to a Mexican crime organization has been sentenced to over 18 months in prison for drug trafficking and money laundering.
29-year-old Jamie Lopez Laz Cano (LAS KAHN-no) was arrested in September after an investigation by the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force. Authorities seized approximately three-and-a-half pounds of fentanyl powder from his home and vehicle. Investigators say undercover detectives also observed Lopez Laz Cano conducting multiple international money transfers, indicating a broader network of criminal activity.
His arrest followed a coordinated crackdown that saw five other individuals taken into custody in connection with similar fentanyl and money laundering operations.
STORY: Trial of 2019 campsite murder suspect ends in second hung jury
A second jury has failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the trial of Alexander Vanags (VAN-knicks), prompting another mistrial in Whatcom County Superior Court.
Vanags, a 35-year-old man from Arlington, was charged with second-degree murder in the 2019 killing of his friend, 28-year-old Mark Stebakov (STEH-buh-kov), during a camping trip at Baker Lake. Prosecutors allege Vanags fatally slashed Stebakov at least 14 times with a machete while the two were under the influence of LSD.
Vanags’ defense team argued he acted in self-defense and should not be found guilty. The retrial, which began March 19th and spanned nearly four weeks, featured testimony from multiple witnesses and over 500 pieces of evidence.
This is the second mistrial in the case. Vanags was first tried in 2022, but that jury also deadlocked after less than two full days of deliberation. Jury decisions in criminal cases must be unanimous.
It remains unclear whether prosecutors will seek a third trial.
STORY: PeaceHealth union calls for termination of St. Joseph’s department director
A union representing hospitalists at PeaceHealth has called for the removal of the director of Sound Hospitalist Services at St. Joseph Medical Center.
According to recent reporting by Cascadia Daily News, union members alleged in a letter sent to Sound Physicians leadership that Dr. Stephanie Carr has punished staff who raised concerns, refused constructive feedback, and created a hostile environment that prompted requests for chaperones during meetings. The union claims this has severely damaged morale (more-AL) and productivity. The letter, unsigned out of fear of retaliation, urges Sound Physicians to investigate and consider terminating Dr. Carr.
The 30-member union—representing clinicians in Bellingham and Sedro-Woolley—won the right to unionize last June, but bargaining has yet to begin due to PeaceHealth’s ongoing challenge to a National Labor Relations Board ruling that deemed it a joint employer alongside Sound Physicians.
Since March of 2024, the Union of American Physicians and Dentists has filed nine unfair labor practice complaints—seven involving Sound Physicians—alleging retaliation and other violations. Two members, including union leader and nurse practitioner Rachel May, have resigned, citing Carr’s conduct and concerns for their safety.
Dr. Carr and Sound Physicians, which employs the clinicians, did not respond to multiple requests for comment. PeaceHealth declined to comment, stating the clinicians are not its direct employees.
STORY: State rep launches bill that would create WA’s own DOGE
Washington state could see the creation of its own Department of Government Efficiency — or DOGE — if a bill introduced by State Representative Jim Walsh gains traction in Olympia.
House Bill 2076, introduced by Walsh and co-sponsored by five other Republicans, aims to rein in bureaucratic inefficiency by establishing a temporary watchdog agency under the Legislature. Modeled after the federal DOGE proposed under President Trump’s second administration, the state version would audit agencies, identify waste, and recommend outdated or redundant regulations for repeal.
Under the proposal, state agencies would need to propose the repeal of two existing rules for every new one they introduce. Each agency would also see 6% of its budget held in reserve until it completes a DOGE audit. That reserve matches recent recommendations by Governor Bob Ferguson to cut agency spending amid a looming multi-billion-dollar budget shortfall.
The bill earmarks $750,000 for DOGE operations through July of 2028, after which a final report would be submitted to lawmakers and the governor. Despite its intention to improve government accountability, HB 2076 faces steep opposition in the Democrat-controlled Legislature.
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins declined to comment on the bill, and Walsh himself acknowledged the proposal is unlikely to be signed by Governor Ferguson if it reaches his desk. Still, he insists the measure is “well thought-out” and could return as a future bill or citizen initiative.
STORY: City of Mount Vernon institutes hiring freeze amid budget shortfall
A hiring freeze is in effect for Mount Vernon.
The freeze was announced by Mayor Pete Donovan through an email sent out to city employees last Thursday, and impacts all vacant positions paid through the city’s general fund except its police and fire departments.
The decision comes amid a multi-million-dollar budget deficit for Mount Vernon. Mayor Donovan estimates the city is facing a shortfall of nearly $6 million, which corresponds to roughly 15% of its operating budget.
Donovan says rising labor costs and the loss of COVID-era ARPA funds are two of the main reasons for the deficit.
WX: Shine on, you crazy diamond
And now for the weather:
Look for sun throughout most of today, with temperatures remaining solidly in the low 60s. Cloud cover should remain minimal even into the evening, which will cool things down to lows around 40 degrees.
Tomorrow’s forecast looks to be a real game changer… just kidding, it’s clear, sunny skies from here till Brooklyn!
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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STORY: Bellingham examining alternate options for mandated organic waste bins following complaints
STORY: Trump administration launches investigation into OSPI over Clark County pronoun dispute
STORY: WSDOT seeking public feedback on updated rail plan
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