Suspect in 2024 Bellingham robbery arrested, Man in custody following high-speed chase through Bellingham, Mount Baker Imaging confirms data breach, Blaine faces spending cuts and more with declining Canadians, WCSO petitions county for new office, Free, cheap, and eggs, Trump administration launches investigation into OSPI over Clark County pronoun dispute, AG’s office defends state’s sanctuary policies amid congressional scrutiny, Bellingham examining alternate options for mandated organic waste bins following complaints, Whatcom recovery navigator program under threat from federal funding cuts, State lawmakers move forward on bills that would crack down on reckless driving and littering Whatcom County burn ban to begin on June 15th, WA Democrats unveil new spending plan following Gov. Ferguson’s wealth tax vet
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, April 18th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Suspect in 2024 Bellingham robbery arrested
A 36-year-old man was arrested earlier this month in connection with a knifepoint robbery that took place over a year ago at a local homeless encampment.
Nicholas William Toby was stopped by Bellingham Police for a bicycling violation around midnight on April 10th when they discovered two outstanding warrants for his arrest. According to Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy, Toby is accused of robbing and threatening to kill a man at the former encampment near the Walmart off Meridian Street.
The victim told police he encountered Toby outside a tent that morning, where Toby allegedly blamed him for a prior arrest, pulled a knife, and demanded his belongings. He has since been charged with first-degree robbery and felony harassment.
Toby remains in custody at Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Man in custody following high-speed chase through Bellingham
A man was booked into Whatcom County Jail Tuesday night after leading law enforcement officers on a car chase through Bellingham.
Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater says it began at 10 p.m., when deputies spotted a vehicle traveling at roughly 100 mph at the intersection of Guide Meridian and Kelly Road.
The driver refused to stop when police tried to pull him over and continued to drive at reckless speeds until stopping in a parking lot at Sequoia Drive. When ordered by deputies to exit the vehicle, the driver refused and brandished a gun. Crisis negotiators were called in to assist.
The driver was eventually arrested on suspicion of multiple charges, including threats to bomb or injure property and attempting to elude a police vehicle.
STORY: Mount Baker Imaging confirms data breach
Mt. Baker Imaging and Northwest Radiologists quietly acknowledged a cyberattack that potentially compromised sensitive patient information, including names, addresses, and Social Security numbers.
In a blog post from March 26th, the imaging provider disclosed that a “computer network disruption” discovered in late January was actually a data breach involving an “unauthorized party.” The company is still reviewing who was affected and has not yet notified patients.
Despite no confirmed misuse of the data, Northwest and MBI say they have hired identity protection firm IDX to assist concerned individuals. According to records, the breach has not been reported to the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, which is required under state law for incidents affecting over 500 residents unless doing so interferes with an ongoing investigation.
According to a report by Cascadia Daily News, Seattle-based law firm Tousley Brain Stephens is reportedly exploring a class action lawsuit but has declined to comment publicly.
Northwest and MBI say they have implemented additional security measures and are still working with the FBI and third-party investigators.
STORY: Blaine faces spending cuts and more with declining Canadians
With the arrival of tariffs (AKA import taxes) as well as provocative statements aimed at Canada, visits to Blaine from across the border have declined dramatically.
KMRE News had a chance to sit down with Mayor Mary Lou Seward to find out more about what’s happening in this small Whatcom County community.
SEWARD AUDIO 1
For a town that relies on tourism, Seward says there’s not a lot they can do, but– they are doing what they can.
SEWARD AUDIO 2
To hear more about how Blaine is dealing with the changing economic environment, be sure to listen to the entire interview today after the 5 O’clock news.
STORY: WCSO petitions county for new office
Employees from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office are urging county leaders to prioritize the construction of a new sheriff’s facility.
During a council meeting on Tuesday, Detective Derek Jones unfurled a plastic tarp used to protect case files and computers from leaking sewage — one of many examples shared by current and former staff about deteriorating conditions at the office. Issues include flooding, lack of privacy for sensitive interviews, broken plumbing, and makeshift workarounds for basic functions like soundproofing and meal breaks.
Sheriff Donnell Tanksley stressed the office was originally a storage space, was never meant to house law enforcement operations, and has long needed replacement. While plans for a new sheriff’s office have been discussed repeatedly — and shelved — for years, financial constraints tied to rising construction costs and stagnant revenue have made progress difficult.
Currently, the county is advancing a $64 million redevelopment of the Northwest Annex, but officials said they should consider prioritizing the sheriff’s office instead — potentially adding public safety offices to the new annex design.
The sheriff’s office relocation is estimated to cost $40 million. County officials plan to revisit the conversation in the coming weeks as they weigh options.
STORY: Free, cheap, and eggs
It’s Friday – here are some free or cheap things to do around the county!
The Buffalo Exchange has a $1 Sale tomorrow to celebrate Earth Day. Proceeds from the cash-only sale will go to American Wild Horse Conservation. The store at 1209 N State St, opens at 11 a.m., so be sure to show up early for the sale!
Art in a Pickle Barn, the Skagit Art Association’s annual month-long art show, will continue through April 30th. Every day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors can browse works of over 25 local artists. The art show takes place in a small white barn across from Schuh (SCHOO) Farms, located off Memorial Highway, near Mount Vernon.
Finally, there will be live music at Stones Throw Brewery, 1009 Larrabee Ave, in Fairhaven today and tomorrow from 6-to-8 p.m. Admission is free, and today’s show will feature local songwriters from Bellingham.
WX: French Sunion Soup
And now weather:
Temperatures will remain relatively high through much of the day, with highs in the upper 60s and light clouds. Expect more clouds as the evening wears on, leading to nighttime lows in the mid-to-high 40s, along with a chance of showers.
Sadly, our weekend looks cooler and cloudier, with temperatures falling back into the 50s, with a good chance of showers throughout 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), Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, 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 __David Korb_______… thanks for listening.
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STORY: Trump administration launches investigation into OSPI over Clark County pronoun dispute
STORY: AG’s office defends state’s sanctuary policies amid congressional scrutiny
STORY: Bellingham examining alternate options for mandated organic waste bins following complaints
STORY: Whatcom recovery navigator program under threat from federal funding cuts
STORY: State lawmakers move forward on bills that would crack down on reckless driving and littering
STORY: Whatcom County burn ban to begin on June 15th
STORY: WA Democrats unveil new spending plan following Gov. Ferguson’s wealth tax veto
Washington Democratic lawmakers rolled out a revised revenue package this week aiming to raise nearly $12 billion over four years, after Gov. Bob Ferguson halted their initial wealth tax proposal.
The updated plan still targets the state’s wealthiest residents and large corporations, but avoids the previously proposed wealth tax on individuals with over $50 million. Key proposals include increased business and occupation (B&O) tax rates, tiered capital gains surcharges, and reforms to estate and property taxes. Democrats say the changes will fund public education, community safety, and essential state services while making the tax code more equitable.
While progressive advocacy groups praise the plan as a step forward, Republicans and business leaders blast it as excessive. Sen. Chris Gildon (a Republican from Puyallup) warned the package still represents quote “the largest tax increase in state history.” Others argued the tax hikes would raise costs for consumers and strain small businesses.
With the legislative session ending April 27, lawmakers are working against the clock to finalize the budget and revenue bills.
STORY: City posts warnings around Lake Padden following fatal attack on dog
A deadly attack on a dog at Lake Padden Park has raised concerns about coyotes in the Bellingham area.
The attack occurred during daytime hours last Friday, April 11th, on the off-leash trails between the dog park and Galbraith Trailhead. The dog had wandered away on its own into the trees. Parks and Recreations Operations Manager Steve Janiszewski (YAWN-uh-SHEF-ski) indicated that bite wounds to the dog’s neck suggested an attack by a coyote or another dog.
There was no confirmed sighting of a coyote in the area at the time of the incident, but Janiszewski says the Parks Department has recently received reports of coyote sightings at both Lake Padden and Whatcom Falls parks.
The City of Bellingham has posted warning signs at both locations, and urges pet owners to remain vigilant.
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