Whatcom County child molestation case sees sentence issued after 11 years of court proceedings, Shellfish harvesting shut down between Sandy Point and Canadian border, Oak Harbor man arrested for suspected involvement in Whatcom County drug ring, Expansion of Bellingham Port Commission set to appear on November ballot, Bellingham climbing gym / apartment combo building receives design approval, Dirty Dan Harris’ Steakhouse set to reopen this fall, Free and cheap NEED MORE FREE AND CHEAP PLEASE, Dept of Health urges kids to get shots before school starts, Bellingham community housing organization intent on purchasing old public school district office, Trial of Whatcom man indefinitely detained at McNeil Island pushed back to 2026
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, July 18th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Whatcom County child molestation case sees sentence issued after 11 years of court proceedings
After more than a decade of court delays, a Clark County man has been sentenced in a Whatcom County child molestation case dating back to 2014.
According to the Bellingham Herald, 46-year-old Kristopher Michael Martin used an Alford guilty plea on Wednesday to two counts of second-degree child molestation. This means he maintains his innocence but accepts the conviction.
Martin’s original 2018 conviction and sentence to over eight years in prison was overturned by the state Court of Appeals, which found that a judge’s private communication with the jury violated Martin’s right to a fair trial.
His retrial was delayed nearly 30 times over the next five years. Martin has now been sentenced to three years in prison and three years of community custody. However, with credit for time served and early release, he will not return to prison.
The victim — a child at the time of the abuse — told investigators the experience has had long-term emotional effects. Prosecutors say she is frustrated by the length of the case, but relieved to see it closed.
A six-year no-contact order is in place, and Martin will have to undergo sexual deviancy evaluation and treatment. Restitution will be decided later.
STORY: Shellfish harvesting shut down between Sandy Point and Canadian border
The Washington State Department of Health has announced the shutdown of recreational shellfish harvesting from Sandy Point to the Canadian border, after unsafe levels of biotoxin were detected.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning, or PSP, can cause severe illness or death. Note that it cannot be destroyed by cooking or freezing. The closure affects all species of shellfish like clams, mussels, oysters, and scallops. Crab meat remains safe, but internal organs should be discarded. The closure includes all of Drayton Harbor and Point Roberts.
Harvest within Lummi Nation tidelands is closed to non-tribal visitors. Shellfish sold in stores and restaurants is safe, as it is tested before sale.
Officials warn toxin levels can rise quickly and are not visible. Before digging, check the Washington Shellfish Safety Map or call the state biotoxin hotline at 1-800-562-5632.
STORY: Oak Harbor man arrested for suspected involvement in Whatcom County drug ring
A major drug bust has landed a 57-year-old man in Whatcom County Jail.
According to Deb Slater, public information officer for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the arrest of Andres Venegas (veh-NEH-gahs) Hernandez follows a months-long investigation by the Whatcom Regional Drug Task Force. Officers executed a search warrant at the suspect’s home earlier this week. In coordination with federal and state agencies, they recovered more than 5,000 fentanyl pills, over 1,200 grams of cocaine, and nearly 500 grams of heroin. Additionally, they found over $5,000 in cash — some of it hidden inside a Bible.
Authorities believe the man coordinated with others to distribute drugs throughout Whatcom County and acted as a central figure in collecting profits from the trafficking network.
Hernandez now faces multiple charges, including leading organized crime, money laundering, and possession with intent to deliver fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.
STORY: Expansion of Bellingham Port Commission set to appear on November ballot
Whatcom County voters will weigh in this November on whether to expand the Port of Bellingham Commission from three to five members.
Cascadia Daily News reports the resolution was approved Tuesday in a 2-1 vote after months of public discussion. It’s the first time since 2012 — when the measure narrowly failed — that the issue is back on the ballot. Supporters say the move would increase representation and improve communication among commissioners. Opponents, like Commissioner Bobby Briscoe, raised concerns about cost and timing, with the port facing budget pressures.
If approved, the port would begin redistricting in early 2026 and likely align with the five Whatcom County Council districts. Two new commissioners would be elected later that year.
The added seats would cost an estimated $126,000 annually.
STORY: Bellingham climbing gym / apartment combo building receives design approval
A long-anticipated residential and recreational development in downtown Bellingham has cleared a major hurdle.
According to Cascadia Daily News, The Arête (uh-RETT) Lofts — a six-story, 36-unit building featuring a public climbing gym — has received land use permit approvals from the City of Bellingham. The project has been in the works for nearly six years and is now moving into the building permit phase.
Located on West Holly Street across from Old Town Cafe, the site has been empty since a fire destroyed the original structure — a 1904 building known as the White House — nearly a century ago.
Developer Gabe Rogel (ROE-gull) originally envisioned a large climbing gym but expanded the plan to include housing to help secure financing. The building will feature dramatic 55-foot climbing walls, rooftop bouldering, a yoga studio, and sauna — all open to the public through memberships or day passes.
The climbing gym will be operated by Vital, a well-known name in the climbing community, which recently finalized a lease for the space.
STORY: Dirty Dan Harris’ Steakhouse set to reopen this fall
Bellingham’s Dirty Dan Harris Steakhouse is set to reopen this fall.
The restaurant has been closed since the historic Terminal building fire in 2023. The steakhouse announced its plans to reopen in a Facebook post on Wednesday; another post stated that applications for staff positions will open in late August.
No reopening date or hours have been announced.
STORY: Free and cheap NEED MORE FREE AND CHEAP PLEASE
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
Today and tomorrow will see Downtown Lynden host the annual Northwest Raspberry Festival. The event features live music, a street market, block party, and a classic auto cruise-in. More information can be found at Lynden’s Chamber of Commerce website.
Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood will host its 17th annual Sunnyland Stomp tomorrow from 3-to-8 p.m. Sunnyland residents will convert their yards into “Stomp Stops,” which can host anything from games to live music. The event also includes a live chicken race at noon in Memorial Park. More information is available at the Sunnyland Stomp website.
Finally, Fairhaven Village Green’s Outdoor Cinema is back! Audiences are welcome to bring their own blankets and beach chairs for tomorrow’s attraction: a screening of last year’s disaster film Twisters, a standalone sequel to the 1996 classic. Tickets are $7 — $8 if you pay with a credit card — and kids 4 and under can enter for free. The screening starts at 7:45 p.m.; more information can be found at Enjoy Fairhaven’s website.
WX: Clouds gather, and now my watch begins
And now weather:
Today’s forecast shows increased cloud cover and cooler temperatures, with highs dropping to the low 70s. The U.V. index will max out at a hazardous 8, however, so don’t put away the sunscreen. Cloudy skies should continue to build as the afternoon wears on, ending in an overcast night with lows in the mid-high 50s.
This weekend should remain consistently cloudy and warm, with highs stuck in the low 70s.
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), Bella Mae (BELL-uh MAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy. 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: Dept of Health urges kids to get shots before school starts
As students get ready to head back to class, the Washington State Department of Health is urging families to make sure kids are up to date on required vaccinations.
The rules apply to all students—including those in child care or remote learning.
State officials say immunizations protect children, prevent illness outbreaks, and help keep kids in school.
Childhood vaccination rates have been struggling statewide since the pandemic. In 2024, whooping cough cases jumped 25-fold amid a drop in DTaP vaccine coverage.
The Health Department says now is the time to check with your doctor and get caught up.
STORY: Bellingham community housing organization intent on purchasing old public school district office
STORY: Trial of Whatcom man indefinitely detained at McNeil Island pushed back to 2026
