ICE agents pull man from his car in Bellingham detention, Skeletal remains found near Lakeway I-5 overpass, Chuckanut Drive reopens to traffic, Bellingham residents complaining of damage and disruption as Ziply crews lay fiber optic cables, Port of Bellingham again considering expanding commission membership, OSPI to fund new student platform, Free and Cheap, Money from Purdue Pharma lawsuit set to arrive, Annual Bike Swap, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 20th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: ICE agents pull man from his car in Bellingham detention
Immigration agents smashed a car window and detained a man in Bellingham, drawing sharp criticism from family and immigrant advocates.
Ruby Castañeda (kas-tuh-NYAY-duh), co-founder of Raid Relief to Reunite Families, told the Bellingham Herald that 44-year-old Vidal Palomar-Perez (VEE-dul pah-loh-MAHR PAIR-ez) was sitting in his car Tuesday morning near Meridian and Pole Road when masked ICE agents surrounded the vehicle and broke the window to pull him out.
Palomar-Perez later told his family by phone from custody that he asked to see a warrant, but agents initially refused. When they did show one, he said it had someone else’s name and photo. He said they slammed him to the ground on the broken glass, then picked him up and slammed him on the hood of their car.
ICE has not commented on the use of force or confirmed his immigration status. Their website shows Palomar-Perez has since been transferred to the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma.
STORY: Skeletal remains found near Lakeway I-5 overpass
Human remains were found on I-5 near Lakeway Drive on Tuesday.
Kelsey Harding, a trooper and spokesperson for the Washington State Patrol, stated by email that officers responded to a report of the discovery of skeletal remains at 12:30 p.m. on June 17th. The remains were found near the southbound interstate lanes at the Lakeway Drive exit.
An investigation by the State Patrol is active and ongoing.
STORY: Chuckanut Drive reopens to traffic
Chuckanut Drive is open again after a major rockslide shut it down for nearly two months.
The Washington State Department of Transportation announced the reopening yesterday. The scenic route — also known as State Route 11 — connects south Bellingham and Skagit County.
WSDOT (wash-DOT) posted on X that crews removed over 3,600 tons of debris, including more than 15 SUV-sized boulders, and replaced 125 feet of guardrail after the April 22nd rockslide.
According to The Bellingham Herald, most of the rocks were hauled to North Hill Resources, a landscaping supplier in Burlington.
A second repair is planned about a mile south of the county line. Flaggers will manage traffic during that work.
STORY: Bellingham residents complaining of damage and disruption as Ziply crews lay fiber optic cables
Ziply Fiber’s rollout across Bellingham is sparking complaints from residents about damage and disruption.
According to the Cascadia Daily News, homeowners in Cordata and other neighborhoods say crews have torn up lawns, cracked driveways, and damaged sprinkler systems — sometimes working late into the night.
Ziply is installing fiber to about 4,000 addresses under a 10-year franchise agreement with the city. In areas without utility poles, crews drill underground through public utility easements, which often run beneath private yards.
Ziply says it’s following permitting rules and notifying residents in advance. The company also says it responds quickly to complaints and covers repairs — like fixing broken sprinkler lines.
Still, some call the work sloppy. In Cordata, a subcontractor damaged several sprinklers, which Ziply later repaired.
Construction is about 25% complete, with service expected to launch once the buildout wraps up.
STORY: Port of Bellingham again considering expanding commission membership
Big changes could be coming to the Port of Bellingham.
Commissioners are set to consider expanding the board from three to five members, with voters likely to decide soon.
Cascadia Daily News reports the commission directed staff to prepare a resolution for a July meeting that could trigger an election to add two seats. This follows a December public hearing where supporters said a larger board would improve representation and decision-making.
But not everyone agrees. Some worry the expansion could invite more political influence and reduce transparency. Commissioner Bobby Briscoe voiced doubts about the need for extra members.
The last time this was tried, in 2012, voters narrowly rejected the change. If the resolution passes, a public vote will happen later this year or next.
STORY: OSPI to fund new student platform
Washington students are one step closer to a more consistent and equitable graduation pathway, thanks to a universal online platform for High School and Beyond Plans.
The statewide graduation requirement helps students chart their futures, starting as early as 7th grade. However, until recently, more than a dozen platforms were in use — creating roadblocks for students who changed schools.
Now, all districts must transition to a single system — SchooLinks — by fall of 2026. However, the state funding to support that shift was cut this year.
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal (RAKE-doll) says his office will use limited discretionary funds to keep the platform running for one more school year, and will push lawmakers for permanent funding in the next legislative session.
Reykdal says the platform helps students and families explore college, trades, and military pathways, while giving schools and the state valuable insights into workforce planning.
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a little of what’s going on around the county.
Today marks the beginning of this year’s Lummi Nation Stommish (STOM-mish) Water Festival. The event, which originated in 1946 as a means of celebrating the safe return of World War II veterans, returns for its 79th edition with tons of vendors, activities, artists and food. All community members are invited to the occasion, which also sees great attendance from other tribes and First Nations from across Cascadia. More information is available on the festival’s Facebook page — oh, and admission is free!
Aslan Depot is hosting a Summer Solstice Market at its State Street location tomorrow from noon to 6 p.m. The free, 21-plus event will feature local vendors ranging from Sage Art Glass to Sonder Farmstead. More details can be found at Aslan’s website.
Finally, tomorrow will also see Maritime Heritage Park host Bellingham’s annual Juneteenth celebration from 2-to-6 p.m. The event, returning for its third year, includes activities such as a parade highlighting Black-owned businesses, as well as a DJ, food truck and games for all ages. More information can be found on Miraculous Eventz’ — that’s E-V-E-N-T-Z — website and Instagram page.
WX: Marty, we have to go back to the 50s
And now for the weather:
Today looks to take a turn for the cloudier and rainier, with highs maxing out in the high 50s and low 60s. Much of the precipitation is expected to be concentrated in the late morning and early afternoon, with chances of more throughout the remainder of the afternoon. That’s all before the rain picks up hard in the evening, to the tune of a potential half-inch over the course of the night. Evening lows are projected in the low 50s.
This weekend looks to remain predominantly overcast and drizzly, with temperatures continuing to float around the 50s and 60s.
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), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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: Money from Purdue Pharma lawsuit set to arrive
Washington state is set to receive up to $105.6 million from a historic $7.4 billion national settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family—the largest deal to date involving individuals linked to the opioid crisis.
Attorney General Nick Brown announced the agreement Wednesday, saying the funds will help expand treatment centers, support first responders, and improve recovery services across the state.
Under the deal, the Sacklers will give up control of Purdue and will no longer be allowed to sell opioids in the U.S.
The settlement, involving all 55 eligible states and territories, is pending final approval in bankruptcy court.
Most of Washington’s share will be paid out in the next three years and must be used to combat the opioid epidemic. With this agreement, the state’s total opioid-related recoveries now exceed $1.29 billion.
STORY: Annual Bike Swap (Kill 6/29)
Get ready to ride—Bellingham’s 6th Annual Bike Swap is rolling into Boundary Bay Brewery on Sunday, June 29.
Organized by Shifting Gears, the event invites residents to drop off used bikes and gear from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Sellers name their prices, and 25% of each sale helps fund programs that lower barriers for women in outdoor sports. The public can grab gear starting at 1pm—everything from bikes to parts and apparel. Test rides are allowed, and both cash and cards are accepted.
Pre-registration is available for sellers with more than 15 items.
More information is available at Lets Shift Gears-dot-org.
STORY: Crab season opens July 17th – YAY! (kill date 7/17!!)
Get your gear ready—Marine Area 7 South, including the San Juans and Bellingham, opens for crabbing July 17th.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says pots can be dropped Thursdays through Mondays, with no crabbing allowed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
A shellfish license and catch record card are required. The daily limit is five male Dungeness crabs, at least 6-and-a-quarter inches wide, plus six red rock crabs of any sex. Crab must be kept whole so size and sex can be verified.
Area 7 North – from Inati Bay to Point Roberts — remains closed. WDFW expects that season to open in mid-August, once shell condition sampling wraps up.
Always check for emergency closures before heading out. More info at wdfw.wa.gov.
