Heat advisory in place until 10 P.M. tomorrow, Custer man arrested for murder of well-known Bellingham accountant, Blaine stabbing – suspect arrested (for Monday), WTA fares could increase next year, L&I spotlights solar company for unsafe practices, Cannabis sales down in state, Mount Vernon seeking public help in locating vehicle involved with suspected hit-and-run, WA health officials investigating potential first-ever locally acquired malaria case, Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, August 11th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Heat advisory in place until 10 P.M. tomorrow Dangerous heat is sticking around in western Washington.
The National Weather Service has extended a heat advisory through 10 p.m. tomorrow for parts of northwest and west-central Washington, including Whatcom and Skagit counties.
Daytime highs are expected to reach the upper-80s to mid-90s, with warm overnight lows in the 60s. Forecasters say this could pose a moderate risk of heat-related illness, especially for vulnerable people without access to cooling.
Officials urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activity during peak heat, and never leave children or pets in vehicles.
For cooling shelters or support services, dial 2-1-1 or visit wa211.org.
STORY: Custer man arrested for murder of well-known Bellingham accountant
A Custer man is behind bars after confessing to a deadly shooting at his home.
61-year-old Donald Malone told Whatcom County deputies he shot and killed a man outside his house last Wednesday — then turned himself in the next day.
Investigators say the victim, who knew Malone, had offered him a ride home to help clean out his garage. Malone claimed he tried to avoid the man, but when he showed up at the property, Malone grabbed a gun and shot him multiple times without saying a word.
Cascadia Daily News reports the victim has been identified as 70-year-old Vaughn Hagen, a well-known Bellingham accountant.
Malone is currently being held on a $2 million bail.
STORY: Blaine stabbing – suspect arrested (for Monday) A stabbing suspect is behind bars after turning himself in four days after the attack.
Edward Castillo was arrested last Tuesday in Custer, accused of stabbing a man behind the Wheelhouse Tavern in Bellingham on August 1st.
Police say Castillo approached two men in the alley, both of whom knew him and told him to leave them alone. That’s when Castillo allegedly pulled a knife and stabbed one of them in the neck, face, and hip. A bartender rushed to help and applied pressure to the wounds before medics arrived.
Castillo fled on a motorcycle, but was tracked down with help from witnesses and surveillance. He now faces charges of first-degree assault.
STORY: Suspect in custody following fatal collision with Lynden school bus
A man has been arrested in connection with the crash that killed a Lynden school bus driver earlier this year.
The Bellingham Herald reports the suspect was taken into custody following a months-long investigation into the collision that killed 55-year-old Annette Lyon. She was behind the wheel of Lynden School Bus No. 24 when it was hit by a white SUV on Main Street just before 8 a.m. on May 1st. No students were on board at the time.
According to the Bellingham Herald, Lyon died at the scene. The SUV’s driver was hospitalized after the crash.
Lyon had worked for the school district since 2021. Superintendent David Vanderyacht called her a valued and dedicated team member who would be deeply missed.
STORY: Ferndale man awaiting child sexual abuse trial faces new charges (run Monday)
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. last 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: WTA fares could increase next year
It could cost more to ride the bus in Whatcom County next year.
According to Cascadia Daily News, the Whatcom Transportation Authority is considering its first fare increase in 17 years as it faces rising expenses and falling revenue. A proposal discussed during last Thursday’s WTA 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. That, however, does not 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 this year.
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: 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.
WX: That year Bowling for Soup keeps goin’ on about And now for the weather:
As we reported previously, a heat advisory is in place for pretty much the entire western half of the state for today and tomorrow, with highs across both days expected to reach into the mid-80s. Today’s maximum U.V. index rating is coming in at a hot ‘n crispy 7, brought down slightly by some light cloud cover. Expect the skies to stay mostly clear throughout today and going into this evening, where we can expect continual warm temperatures, with lows in the low-60s.
The heat advisory is currently set to continue until 10 P.M. tomorrow night, so be prepared for another scorcher.
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 _________, and thank you for listening!
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STORY: Cannabis sales down in state
STORY: Mount Vernon seeking public help in locating vehicle involved with suspected hit-and-run
STORY: WA health officials investigating potential first-ever locally acquired malaria case
Washington has a lasting buzz this week – after an East Pierce County woman was diagnosed with malaria last Saturday.
Tacoma- Pierce County confirmed her diagnosis on Wednesday. The twist? She has no recent travel history, raising the possibility this is the state’s first locally acquired case of the disease.
Health officials are investigating, suspecting a mosquito may have contracted the infection overseas — and delivered it here. Malaria claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year, and warmer, wetter conditions are helping these mosquitoes reach new places.
Washington typically records 20 to 70 cases annually, nearly all related to travel. The public risk remains low, health agencies are working to confirm the source — a reminder that the slightest buzz can carry a big story into our own backyard.
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.
