Community efforts raise over $27,000 for injured Lummi police officer, Petition to amend AMBER alert system gains traction following this year’s Wenatchee murders, New data displays striking increases in both arrests and rate of imprisonment among those targeted by ICE in WA, Free Bird ‘n Cheap Trick, Ferndale man awaiting child sexual abuse trial faces new charges, L&I spotlights solar company for unsafe practices, WTA Increase fares next year, Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, August 8th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Community efforts raise over $27,000 for injured Lummi police officer
Shot seven times — and still fighting.
The Lummi Nation’s first officer wounded in the line of duty is recovering, as his community rallies to help.
July 28th marked the department’s first shooting injury, when a 37-year-old officer was critically injured while investigating a vehicle crash. His name has not been released, but officials say he’s making great progress after two surgeries.
The community’s response has been swift and generous. In one day, Lynden’s Syros (SEE-rowz) Greek & Italian Restaurant raised more than $20,000 through meals, a silent auction, and donations. Nearly $7,000 more came from the Lhaq’temish (LOCK-tuh-mish) Foundation — bringing the total to over $27,000 for medical and family expenses. Donations remain open through both foundations.
The suspect, 23-year-old Jesus Penuelas-Agramon (heh-SOOS peh-NOO-eh-lahs AH-gruh-mon) of Colorado, is being held without bail on attempted murder and fugitive charges. His arraignment is scheduled for today.
STORY: Petition to amend AMBER alert system gains traction following this year’s Wenatchee murders
A growing online movement is pushing for reform to Washington’s AMBER Alert system.
“Whitney’s Law” — named after Whitney Decker, the mother of three young girls found dead after a parental visit — is a Change.org petition seeking to expand AMBER Alert criteria to include all at-risk children, even when a parent is the abductor. So far, it has gathered more than 4,800 signatures.
The petition points out that current AMBER Alert rules exclude many high-risk cases, especially parental abductions with a history of abuse or warning signs. Supporters say updating the rules is urgent to prevent more children from falling through the cracks and to avoid tragedies like the one suffered by Decker’s family.
Last June, the girls were found dead at a campground outside Leavenworth. Their father, Travis Decker, remains missing. Authorities did not issue an AMBER Alert because the case did not meet existing criteria; instead, they issued an Endangered Missing Persons Advisory.
A GoFundMe campaign in memory of the girls has raised over $1 million from more than 22,000 donations to support their grieving mother.
STORY: New data displays striking increases in both arrests and rate of imprisonment among those targeted by ICE in WA
New federal data from the Deportation Data Project shows immigration enforcement in Washington state is changing.
Monthly ICE arrests have risen nearly 56 percent since President Trump’s return to office. June marked a high point with 277 arrests — skyrocketing past any other month this year. Across the country, arrests have more than doubled. While Washington’s rate remains among the lowest in the nation, Mississippi stands as the highest.
The profile of those arrested is changing, too, with arrests now involving people with no criminal history. In February, 43 percent of those arrested had criminal convictions. By June, that had dropped to 31 percent — while 57 percent had no criminal record at all. Living in the U.S. without authorization does not constitute a criminal offense. While some arrests include rare cases of illegal entry or re-entry, such charges are not brought in Washington as often as in states like Texas and Arizona.
Detention is also increasing. In September of 2023, only about one in four people arrested by ICE in Washington were kept in detention. By June of this year, however, every person arrested was detained.
The Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma is at capacity, with ICE temporarily moving 41 detainees to Alaska to make space in June.
While the Deportation Data Project says there may be some errors in the data, the overall trend is clear: more arrests, more people without criminal records, and detention in every single case.
STORY: Free Bird ‘n Cheap Trick
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.
The Northwest Washington Fair is underway at the Lynden Fairgrounds! The fair, which runs through August 16th, features fair animals, carnival rides, a value menu with meals and food items costing $10 or less, and events such as the Country Shuffle tomorrow and a ZZ Top concert on the 16th. Gates open at 11 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. General admission tickets are going for $15, although there will be plenty of free and reduced gate admission days. Also, WTA will offer free rides on all bus trips within Whatcom County for the duration of the fair. More information can be found on nwwafair.com.
The Farmtunes summer concert series at Bellewood Farms continues tonight with Canadian singer-songwriter Mike Edel (ee-DELL). Known for his folk-pop, indie sound — and featured on American Idol and Spotify — Edel takes the stage from 6-to-9 p.m. The concert is free and open to all.
The Upfront Theatre will hold its 21st birthday show tomorrow from 7:30-to-9 p.m. at their location on Prospect Street. The theater says the public can “expect bar games, birthday surprises, and a few too many shots… of laughter,” as the cast takes audience suggestions based on “the spirit of turning 21.” Tickets can be purchased for $21 at Upfront’s website.
Finally, the Birchwood International Market is slated to take place this Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Park Manor Shopping Center parking lot. The event, in its own words, seeks to promote, “a sense of community for northwest Bellingham through a diverse market experience”. Interact with a host of vendors, nonprofits, entertainers, and businesses of various backgrounds. While the event starts at 1 p.m., it will be preceded by neighborhood-wide garage sales in the Birchwood neighborhood from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information is available at birchwoodinternationalmarket.com.
WX: SUNNY. GET AWAY. GET A GOOD JOB WITH MORE PAY AND YOU’RE OKAY.
And now weather:
Sunny days ahead with today’s forecast calling for a max U.V. index of 7 and highs in the low-70s. We may see some clouds roll in as the afternoon wears on, ending with an overcast evening with lows in the mid-50s.
This weekend should be pleasant and sunny, with temperatures possibly breaking 80 degrees on Sunday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy (luh-ROY). 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: Ferndale man awaiting child sexual abuse trial faces new charges
A Ferndale man already facing child sex abuse charges is now facing additional accusations.
My Bellingham Now reports 37-year-old John Brooks fled to Canada last summer after a child reported abuse and coercion. He was detained in October, and Bellingham Police seized and analyzed his cell phone for evidence.
Investigators found messages between Brooks and a 40-year-old Las Vegas woman, discussing the abuse — as well as plans to assault her underage daughter. Brooks was re-arrested in the U.S. on Monday on a new warrant for sexually exploiting a minor. The woman has not yet been arrested.
Brooks’ original trial is set for October.
STORY: L&I spotlights solar company for unsafe practices
A residential solar panel company has been fined over $250,000 for failing to protect workers from fall hazards.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries says Purelight Power allowed employees to work 15 feet off the ground on a Vancouver roof without fall protection.
The company, formerly known as Solgen (SOUL-jin) Power, faces multiple violations, including lack of training, ladder misuse, and not having a written fall protection plan. This is the latest in a series of fines — totaling over $460,000 — tied to repeated safety violations since 2021.
Purelight Power operates statewide, and provides solar sales and installation services in the Bellingham area.
L&I reminds homeowners they can check contractor safety records using the agency’s Verify a Contractor tool.
STORY: WTA fares could increase next year
It could cost more to ride the bus in Whatcom County next year.
According to Cascadia Daily News, Whatcom Transportation Authority is considering its first fare increase in 17 years as it faces rising expenses and falling revenue. A proposal discussed at Thursday’s board meeting would double the base fare from $1 to $2. That means reduced fares would also increase—from 50 cents to $1—and paratransit rides would jump from $1 to $3. Children would still ride free.
WTA projects the change could boost net fare revenue from $1.2 million to as much as $3.6 million annually. But that doesn’t include potential rider drop-off due to the higher cost.
The agency is dealing with a recurring deficit. Sales tax revenues have dipped, while costs like salaries, utilities, and fuel have climbed. WTA expects its reserves to drop from $56 million to $36 million in 2025.
Board members support the idea, but staff will first consult with key stakeholders like WWU before bringing the proposal back in September. A public hearing is also planned. If approved, the fare hike would take effect in 2026.
STORY: Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
https://www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums — Sat, Sept. 13
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Run with the Chums on September 13th at BP Highlands in Birch Bay.
This free, family-friendly 5K fun run celebrates salmon, clean water, and community. All ages and paces are welcome, and the scenic course offers stunning views of Whatcom County’s shoreline.
Kids 10 and under can enjoy the Smolt Sprint obstacle course starting at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K kicking off at 10.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.—arrive early for a free T-shirt while supplies last.
