Closure of candidate filing produces list of Whatcom election candidates ahead of August primary, Local office positions remain vacant, Suspects in Bellingham kidnapping arrested, Annual Blessing of the Fleet commemorates those lost at sea ahead of Alaskan fishing season, What’s up with the state budget? Seattle man sentenced to eight years for role in Whatcom drug ring, Whatcom County launches customer service portal for online permits
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, May 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Closure of candidate filing produces list of Whatcom election candidates ahead of August primary
The deadline has passed, and the 2025 election landscape in Whatcom County is now taking shape.
The filing period closed Friday for off-year elections which cover city councils, school boards, local courts, and commissions—from fire districts to cemeteries. According to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, races with three or more candidates will appear on the August 5th primary ballot, while two-candidate races head straight to the November 4th general election. All contests are nonpartisan, and the top two vote-getters, regardless of political affiliation, move forward.
After three terms, Whatcom County Councilmember Todd Donovan will step down and will not appear on the ballot. Three candidates have filed to fill his District 2 seat. Meanwhile, District 3 Councilmember Tyler Byrd faces stiff competition, with four challengers in the primary.
Cities like Blaine, Everson, Ferndale, Lynden, Nooksack, and Sumas also have local races on the ballot, with incumbents defending their positions and new challengers stepping forward.
Among the high-profile races:
- In Bellingham, City Council President Hollie Huthman (HUTH-min) faces epidemiologist Leah Wainman (WAYNE-min) in Ward 2.
- Skip Williams is challenged by renter advocate Kerri Burnside in Ward 4.
- Ward 6 veteran Michael Lilliquist seeks a fifth term, going up against public policy analyst Andrew Reding (REED-ing).
- At-large Councilmember Jace Cotton is running unopposed.
For the Whatcom County Council:
- Kaylee Galloway is unopposed in District 1.
- In District 2, Donovan’s now open seat features a three-way contest between Elizabeth Boyle, Mike Cullum, and Maya Morales (mo-RAH-lizz).
- District 3 incumbent Tyler Byrd is challenged by Kyle Christensen, Daniel Probst (PRO-bst), and Jessica Rienstra (REEN-strah).
- At-large incumbent Barry Buchanan faces Misty Flowers, a former candidate and vocal activist.
In Port of Bellingham races:
- Michael Shepard is unopposed in District 1.
- In District 2, Ken Bell seeks another term, facing Kaylin Bosley and Carly James.
Other multi-candidate races include Sumas (soo-MASS) City Council Position 2 and Blaine City Council Ward 2, each with three contenders.
Only residents in the relevant districts or wards can vote in primary races, while at-large seats are decided county- or citywide.
STORY: Local office positions remain vacant
In other election-related news: The Whatcom County Auditor has announced a special 3-day filing window will be open from this Wednesday through Friday.
Some local offices received no candidate filings during the regular filing week. Open positions will appear on the November 4th ballot and include commissioner roles across several fire protection districts, as well as water, cemetery, and park and recreation districts. These include:
- Fire Protection Districts 8 & 18;
- South Whatcom Fire Authority;
- Water District 13;
- Cemetery Districts 5, 9, and 11;
- Lynden Regional Park & Recreation District, and;
- the Columbia Valley Park & Recreation District.
For a full list of positions and terms, visit the county elections website or contact the Elections Office.
STORY: Suspects in Bellingham kidnapping arrested
A violent kidnapping case in Bellingham ended with two suspects in custody.
Bellingham Police released new details today following a witnessed kidnapping that took place early last Sunday. Just after 1 a.m., a man reportedly pulled a woman into a van at gunpoint, with the help of a second suspect. The victim managed to escape unharmed several hours later.
A dramatic takedown followed. Police say the primary suspect, 27-year-old Christopher William Zvara (zuh-VAH-ruh), refused commands, pulled a gun, and fled. Officers deployed non-lethal munitions and sent in Police Service Dog Rudy, who tackled the suspect; officers arrested him without further incident. Zvara was treated for non-life-threatening injuries and is now in jail facing multiple charges, including first-degree kidnapping, assault, and unlawful possession of a firearm.
His alleged accomplice, 28-year-old Margaret George Bespalova (biz-puh-LOV-ah), was arrested on Monday and charged with first-degree kidnapping. She remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail, with bail set at $50,000.
Police credit rapid collaboration between local and federal agencies for the swift arrests.
STORY: Annual Blessing of the Fleet commemorates those lost at sea ahead of Alaskan fishing season
Dozens gathered Saturday morning at Zuanich (zoo-ON-itch) Point Park for the annual Blessing of the Fleet.
Names of commercial fishermen and women who died while working on the water were read aloud. Family members stepped forward, laying flowers in a wreath as a bell tolled in their memory. The ceremony also serves as a blessing for those preparing to head north to Alaska for the summer salmon season — a journey made by thousands from Whatcom County each year.
Leaders in attendance included Governor Bob Ferguson, Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund, and Port Commissioners Bobby Briscoe and Michael Shepard. Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire (hill-AIR) called the region “salmon country,” and spoke to the deep cultural and spiritual connection Indigenous people have with the water and fishing. The ceremony also paid tribute to Clayton Hoy, a 36-year-old Everson man who died last July after falling overboard in Alaska. His name was added to the Squalicum Fishermen’s Memorial statue.
As the rain cleared, a flower-filled wreath was carried out to Bellingham Bay and laid upon the water in honor of those who never came home.
STORY: What’s up with the state budget?
A little over a week ago, lawmakers submitted a budget to Governor Ferguson after a grueling legislative session where representatives from all over the state battled to cover a 12 billion dollar shortfall.
KMRE News sat down with producer of The Capitol Beat, Riley Sweeney, to find out more about what’s up with the state budget– where are the gains, and where are the losses.
Sweeney 1
To listen to the entire interview, tune in today after the 5pm news.
WX: It May Rain
And now for the weather:
Today will be warm and overcast, with sporadic chances of rain throughout the morning and early afternoon. The sun may emerge as the afternoon wears on, though we can expect it to remain at least partly cloudy throughout the day and into the evening with temperatures as high as 60 degrees. Nighttime lows are projected in the upper-40s.
We can expect more consistent sunshine tomorrow, alongside some clouds.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), and Kathi O’Shea (O-shay). 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: Seattle man sentenced to eight years for role in Whatcom drug ring
STORY: Whatcom County launches customer service portal for online permits
Whatcom County residents can now easily track construction projects in their neighborhoods—thanks to a new online tool.
The county’s Planning and Development Services department has launched a Customer Service Portal on its website. The portal allows anyone to search permits, site maps, inspections, and other planning documents by address.
Residents can also make payments and estimate fees through the tool.
Officials say additional services for other permits and planning needs will be added over the next year.
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