Blaine man arrested for charges including second-degree rape, Rollover crash claims life of one Nooksack Valley High student, two more hospitalized, Hit-and-run suspect arrested following weekend I-5 crash that injured three, Everson Police arrest Bellingham woman accused of stealing a car in Sumas, Bellingham’s supply and use of EV chargers up precipitously from 2022, Trump administration forced to restore over 100 health webpages and datasets following conclusion of WSMA lawsuit, Federal judge blocks Google search contracts, Free or Cheap (Kill 9/5), Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, September 3rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Blaine man arrested for charges including second-degree rape
Whatcom County authorities have arrested a Blaine man on suspicion of rape and unlawful imprisonment.
Police say 35-year-old Arturo Osiel Valencia Barrera (OH-see-ell vuh-LEN-see-uh buh-REH-ruh) is accused of sexually assaulting a person while they slept at a friend’s home on August 19th. According to court documents, Barrera faces charges of second-degree rape, unlawful imprisonment, and harassment with threats to kill.
He’s currently in custody at the Whatcom County Jail on a 250,000-dollar bail.
STORY: Rollover crash claims life of one Nooksack Valley High student, two more hospitalized
A rollover crash early Monday morning has left one Nooksack Valley High School student dead and two others injured.
First responders were called to Noon Road and East 67th Vista just after 2 a.m. on Monday. Superintendent Matt Galley confirmed the 10th grader died from his injuries, while two seniors remain hospitalized and are expected to recover. A crowdfunding page has been set up to help the victim’s family with funeral and medical costs.
STORY: Hit-and-run suspect arrested following weekend I-5 crash that injured three
State troopers arrested a suspect in a hit-and-run incident near Custer last Sunday.
According to a press memo from the Washington State Patrol, the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on southbound I-5. One vehicle struck the back of a second vehicle; the first vehicle came to rest on the right shoulder, while the second vehicle came to rest in the median. Both were totaled.
In the second vehicle were 36-year-old Ramya Ramanath (RUM-me-uh RAH-muh-nut), 35-year-old Ankit Singhal (AHNG-kit SIN-gall), and a 2-year-old toddler — all from Kirkland, all injured, and all transported to St. Joseph Medical Center.
The driver of the first vehicle, 40-year-old Victor R. Sweet of Ferndale, fled the scene on foot; however, he was later located and arrested on suspicion of charges including vehicular assault, hit-and-run with injury, driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. Sweet was still in custody at the Whatcom County Jail as of this morning.
STORY: Everson Police arrest Bellingham woman accused of stealing a car in Sumas
Police arrested a Bellingham woman accused of stealing a car in Sumas (SU-mass) on Monday.
Everson Police say the car was left running outside a gas station when it was taken. Officers tracked the vehicle through the owner’s phone inside, and soon got a call about a woman in distress knocking on doors nearby.
The 34-year-old suspect was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail without bail. Police remind drivers never to leave vehicles running unattended.
STORY: Bellingham’s supply and use of EV chargers up precipitously from 2022
Electric vehicle ownership in Whatcom County has doubled in just two years, with more than 6,200 EVs now registered.
The City of Bellingham says that along with the spike in ownership, demand for charging stations has also soared, with usage more than doubling since last summer. The city has installed 77 chargers since 2022, funded by a one-and-a-half-million dollar grant and two million in local transportation tax dollars. Officials say the growing network — including fast chargers along I-5 and solar-powered units — helps both commuters and visitors, as well as residents who do not have at-home charging stations.
STORY: Public comments open on Trump administration’s proposed repeal of ordinance prohibiting logging in protected forest area
Time is running out to weigh in on a controversial rollback of forest protections.
The Trump administration wants to repeal the 2001 Roadless Rule, which bans logging and road building in 58 million acres of national forests — including 400,000 acres in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Supporters say lifting the rule would boost timber production and reduce wildfire risk, while critics argue it threatens wildlife, watersheds, and Indigenous land.
Public comments are open through September 19th on the Federal Register, with nearly 17,000 having already been submitted.
Meanwhile, a rally is set for this Saturday from noon to 2pm at Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham. The event highlights this year’s totem pole journey, calling attention to threats facing Indigenous lands, waters and forests across the Northwest.
The rally will also mark the launch of the 2025 Way of the Masks campaign, led by Lummi master carver Jewell James and which seeks to honor ancestral Indigenous knowledge.
The final decision on the Roadless Rule is expected in late 2026.
STORY: Trump administration forced to restore over 100 health webpages and datasets following conclusion of WSMA lawsuit
The Trump administration has agreed to restore more than 100 health and science webpages that were taken down earlier this year.
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed in May by the Washington State Medical Association, which argued the removals made it harder for doctors and nurses to access vital public health information. The deleted resources included federal guidance on vaccines, opioid treatment, reproductive care, and LGBTQ+ health.
Federal officials say the webpages should return online in the coming weeks.
STORY: Federal judge blocks Google search contracts
A federal judge has ordered new restrictions on Google’s search business.
The ruling blocks the company from entering exclusive search contracts, and requires it to share some data with competitors. Washington state was part of a 38-state coalition that sued Google in 2020, alongside the U.S. Justice Department. The suit alleged the company illegally maintained a monopoly over internet search and online ads. The judge ruled that Google abused its market power last year, and now says this new order will help restore competition and benefit consumers.
WX: Blue Wednesday
And now for the weather:
It should be another warm, mostly sunny day here in Whatcom. Highs are projected right around 80 degrees, alongside mild west winds and a max U.V. index rating of 5. Another round of heavy haze is expected this evening, but it will likely clear up by 10 P.M and give way to a mostly clear night with lows around 60 degrees.
Tomorrow’s weather patterns look mostly identical to today’s.
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 and Cheap (Kill 9/5)
Celebrate the Salish Sea at Free First Friday!
As the summer draws to a close, paddle over to the Whatcom Museum on Sept. 5 for Free First Friday. Visitors of all ages are invited to learn all about the Salish Sea and the people and animals who call its waterways home. Create a fish print inspired by the traditional Japanese art of gyotaku, sculpt your own sea creature, decorate a buoy to add to Bellingham SeaFeast’s community net project, join a guided walk to the Whatcom Creek Hatchery — and much more! In the afternoon, hear stories from Nooksack Storytellers Tammy Cooper-Woodrich and Angela LeToi, then join in a sea shanty sing-along with The Mighty Bards of Menace in the Lightcatcher courtyard! Find a full list of events and times.
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.
