Multi-agency operation rescues 12 kayakers in San Juans, Alleged perpetrator of Custer shooting pleads not guilty, Former Whatcom health official files claim alleging sexual harassment and hostile work environment, Ferndale police seeking community aid in locating suspects in robbery and hit-and-run, Sedro-Woolley chase leads to arrest, Two ongoing construction projects near Bellingham necessitate I-5 closures, Registration opens for Essence of Bellingham photo competition, Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, August 18th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Multi-agency operation rescues 12 kayakers in San Juans
A multi-agency operation rescued 12 kayakers successfully last Thursday, including six children.
The kayakers had used a VHF radio to call for help at approximately 1:50 p.m. from waters between Patos and Sucia Islands, west of Lummi Nation. Vessels from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Bellingham, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and Washington State Parks responded to the call. All the kayakers were transported without injury back to Orcas Island.
In a press release on the USCG website, Captain Michael Hunt called the VHF radio, quote, “a mariner’s lifeline when there is no cell phone service,” unquote.
STORY: Alleged perpetrator of Custer shooting pleads not guilty
A Custer man has pleaded not guilty to the fatal shooting tied to his mother’s estate.
The Bellingham Herald reports 61-year-old Donald Malone entered the plea last Friday in Whatcom County Superior Court. He’s accused of killing 70-year-old Vaughn Hagen on August 6th, shooting him at least five times.
According to court records, Hagen was the executor of Malone’s late mother’s estate and her longtime accountant. He had rented a U-Haul to help clean out her garage. Hagen saw Malone at a local store and offered Malone a ride back to the property, but Malone instead rode his bicycle, later telling police he disliked Hagen. When Hagen pulled into the driveway, prosecutors say Malone grabbed a handgun and opened fire.
Malone later turned himself in, and remains in the Whatcom County Jail on a $2 million bail.
STORY: Former Whatcom health official files claim alleging sexual harassment and hostile work environment
Former Whatcom County health director Erika Lautenbach has filed a $1.5 million wrongful termination claim against the county.
According to a complaint filed in Whatcom County Superior Court last Friday, Lautenbach was fired in March by County Executive Satpal Sidhu (saht-POW see-DO). She now alleges she lost her job because she is a woman who spoke up about what she calls the executive’s mistreatment of women and Whatcom County as a whole.
The complaint alleges Sidhu discriminated against Lautenbach based on her sex, retaliated against her for taking FMLA leave, and violated her First Amendment rights. The complaint also alleges the county illegally terminated her before the end of the 21-day period for considering a separation agreement. Finally, it goes on to state that Sidhu was abusive, yelling and personalizing attacks against Lautenbach, creating a hostile work environment.
The county denies the allegations, saying Lautenbach was dismissed over budget concerns and leadership issues. According to reporting by the Cascadia Daily News, the executive’s office says it stands by its decision to fire Lautenbach, and strongly denies all allegations that Lautenbach was illegally dismissed.
Lautenbach’s complaint also revives questions about how the county handled sexual harassment allegations against former Public Works Director Jon Hutchings, who resigned in 2022 and later received a settlement.
The case is now moving through the Whatcom County Superior Court.
STORY: Ferndale police seeking community aid in locating suspects in robbery and hit-and-run
Ferndale Police are asking for the public’s help after a theft and hit-and-run at a 7-Eleven.
It happened the afternoon of August 7th, when a suspect vehicle struck an unoccupied car in the parking lot and fled. Investigators believe the driver may also have been involved in a theft inside the store.
Police have posted surveillance images of the suspects and the car on their Facebook page.
Anyone with information is asked to call Sergeant Olivarez (oh-lee-VAH-res) at 360-483-5729.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley chase leads to arrest
A high-speed chase in Sedro-Woolley ended with a wanted felon and his passenger in jail — and a car full of weapons, drugs, and burglary tools.
According to Sedro-Woolley Police, the pursuit began late Friday night when officers tried to stop a car with expired Yakima plates. The driver fled, ran a stop sign, and led police on a dangerous chase through residential streets — at one point, driving directly at officers and damaging a patrol car.
Spike strips finally stopped the car near Highway 20. The driver had multiple active warrants in Skagit and Snohomish counties, and the front-seat passenger was also booked on multiple warrants.
Inside the car, officers found drug paraphernalia, shaved keys, walkie-talkies, masks, body armor, unregistered AR-15 parts, two rifles and a shotgun.
The driver now faces new charges, including eluding, assault on an officer and reckless endangerment.
STORY: Two ongoing construction projects near Bellingham necessitate I-5 closures
Bellingham drivers, brace for overnight I-5 closures and local roadwork this week.
WSDOT (wash-DOT) crews begin paving tonight at 8, closing the left lane of southbound I-5 between Northwest Avenue and Sunset Drive until 5 a.m. on Tuesday. Northbound I-5 will then fully close from Sunset to Northwest from 10 p.m. on Tuesday until 5 a.m. on Wednesday. Southbound I-5 will be fully shut down between Northwest Avenue and the Guide Meridian between 10 p.m. on Wednesday and 5 a.m. on Thursday. Expect detours and delays through early Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, city crews will pave Roeder Avenue between Coho and Squalicum ways on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the Roeder Lift Station project. The road will be reduced to one lane starting at 5 a.m. during daytime hours, so plan for delays.
Work continues on Northshore Drive, with water main upgrades and street repaving linked to the Donald Avenue Water Quality Retrofit Project. One-lane closures and flaggers will be in place.
Drive safely and allow extra time for your commute.
STORY: Registration opens for Essence of Bellingham photo competition
The City of Bellingham and the Whatcom Museum are inviting photographers to take part in this year’s Essence of Bellingham photo competition.
The free annual contest accepts entries that capture life in Bellingham, with submissions due by October 1st. All photos will become part of the museum’s historic archives, and may also appear on BTV, in city publications, and on social media.
Winners are selected by a jury and awards include Best of Show, Best of Class, Best of Category, and Honorable Mentions.
More information and the online entry form are available on the City of Bellingham’s website.
WX: Glowball Gym
And now for the weather:
We should see the sun re-emerge today sometime between the late morning and early afternoon. Expect today’s highs to rise back into the mid-70s, with a moderate U.V. index rating of 6. Some cloud cover should persist throughout the day and as we head into the evening, we will see temperatures fall to lows in the high-50s.
Tomorrow’s skies are looking mostly cloudy, though it should remain fairly warm throughout.
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: 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.
