Judge rules immigrants “without admission,” cannot be granted bond, in case of Whatcom County resident, State patrol seeking witnesses of alleged assault on San Juan – Anacortes Ferry last month, Community feedback open on proposed WTA route changes near WWU, Whatcom County Council votes to allow new nonprofit to manage 5,500 acre community forest near South Fork Valley, Nonprofit report highlights successes of Whatcom’s permanent supportive housing initiatives, WA representative sponsors proposal to make school shooting drills optional, Bellingham real estate group reports dip in local mortgage rates, Bellingham Zen Buddhism community opens doors on newly renovated temple, Free or cheap (KILL 9/19), Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4), Tree coupon back (fill)
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, September 15th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Judge rules immigrants “without admission,” cannot be granted bond, in case of Whatcom County resident
A recent federal immigration ruling in a Whatcom County case will impact detained immigrants nationwide.
The Board of Immigration Appeals ruled that immigrants who enter the U.S. without legal admission cannot be granted bond while they face deportation — they must remain in detention throughout their case.
The decision came in the case of a Venezuelan national in Whatcom County, who was detained after his temporary protected status expired. He requested a bond hearing to be released while his immigration case moved forward, but both the immigration judge and the Board denied it.
Gabriel Harrison, the man’s attorney, told Cascadia Daily News that undocumented immigrants who had “established a life” in the U.S. were previously eligible for bond if they were not deemed a flight risk or a danger to society. Now, the Board’s decision makes clear that anyone who entered without formal admission must stay detained until their case is resolved.
Northwest Immigrant Rights Project attorneys have challenged the policy with two class-action lawsuits. They expect many will skip appeals rather than endure years in detention.
STORY: State patrol seeking witnesses of alleged assault on San Juan – Anacortes Ferry last month
If you witnessed an assault on a ferry near San Juan County, the Washington State Patrol would like to speak to you.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office says the incident occurred on August 21st, as a woman walked off the ferry from San Juan Island to Anacortes. The Lopez Island community member was attacked after her cart bumped into a man’s leg. The suspect, a resident of Orcas Island, reportedly struck her neck with a karate chop and used abusive language before he walked away on the Anacortes side. The victim captured video of the incident.
The suspect has been identified as 68-year-old Kevin Sloan. State troopers are asking anyone who was on the ferry that day and witnessed the incident to come forward.
STORY: Community feedback open on proposed WTA route changes near WWU
Bus routes near Western Washington University and South Bellingham are poised for a major overhaul.
The Whatcom Transportation Authority has proposed a plan to fix overcrowded buses during class shifts and overlapping routes that confuse and frustrate riders. WTA says off-peak trips often run nearly empty, while passengers who travel beyond campus face crowded buses.
By using data from automated passenger counters, WTA says it aims to boost reliability and efficiency without an increase in service hours. The 2026 plan reduces the number of routes from ten to six, and features a frequent Route 190 that runs every 15 minutes on school days, along with flexible shuttles to handle peak campus demand. Three timed transfer points will simplify connections, and new real-time signage will improve the rider experience.
Public feedback is now open. Detailed information on the proposed changes and a comment form are available at www.engage.ridewta.com.
STORY: Whatcom County Council votes to allow new nonprofit to manage 5,500 acre community forest near South Fork Valley
After 8 years of work, the hillsides above the South Fork Valley will now be managed as part of a nonprofit-run community forest.
The forest was first established in 2022 with 550 acres, and expanded the following year with another 1,600. In a 4-to-3 vote last Tuesday, the Whatcom County Council approved the creation of the Stewart Mountain Community Forest. The forest includes over 5,500 acres which will be protected from development but open to selective timber harvest.
Phase 2 of the project was funded with $8.5 million in state grants. The governing board will include the Nooksack Indian Tribe, both Whatcom and Evergreen land trusts, and Whatcom County officials.
Councilmembers Ben Elenbaas, Tyler Byrd, and Mark Stremler cast dissenting votes. Elenbaas objected to the use of public funds to purchase private land.
STORY: Nonprofit report highlights successes of Whatcom’s permanent supportive housing initiatives
An independent evaluation of Whatcom County’s Permanent Supportive Housing programs have resulted in largely positive feedback.
Whatcom’s Supportive Housing program provides support services and permanent homes to households which have experienced homelessness, and have at least one member with disabilities. In its report, VillageReach — a national nonprofit that helps communities around issues of homelessness — found that the local program met national standards laid out by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
In its overview of the findings, the County’s Homelessness Resources department notes on its website that local participants felt safe and well cared-for in the transition from chronic homelessness to leased housing.
The VillageReach study also lays out a number of recommendations, which includes better safety and health-related protocols and support systems. Among the suggested measures are increased behavioral and on-site staffing, the possible creation of a mobile response unit specifically devoted to PSH-related incidents, and more partnerships with external providers.
Other suggestions are to do a better job collecting and sharing information, and to explain the PSH program more clearly to the whole community so the public does not get the wrong idea or expect too much from it.
STORY: WA representative sponsors proposal to make school shooting drills optional
U.S. Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez wants to give parents the choice to opt their children out of active shooter drills.
The Washougal (WA-shoo-gull) congresswoman told House lawmakers that her 3-year-old son came home talking about “shooting bad guys” after a drill at his daycare, and warned that mandatory drills may traumatize kids without making schools safer.
Her proposal would block federal funding for mandatory drills unless parents of students under 16 are allowed to opt out. The measure passed by a bipartisan voice vote in the House Appropriations Committee.
Supporters point to research linking shooter drills with higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression among students. However, some educators and students argue that lockdown drills remain important to help kids know what to do in a crisis.
WX: LET’S GO PHAROAH, LET’S GO PHAROAH, RA, RA, RA
And now for the weather:
Today we take a turn back to the sunnier side of things. Daytime highs should float around 70 degrees, with some scattered cloud cover expected. Those clouds will fade away as the evening rolls in, with a cool, clear night and lows around 50 degrees.
A fire weather watch starts at 5 A.M. tomorrow — we’ll see plenty of sunshine and highs spiking back up to the low 80s, especially in the county. Drink plenty of water, and stay cool if you can.
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, and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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: Bellingham real estate group reports dip in local mortgage rates
If you’ve been waiting for the housing market to turn a little more buyer-friendly, now might be the time.
Mortgage rates in Whatcom County have recently dropped into the low six-percent range, according to Bellingham’s Muljat (MOE-lee-at) Group real estate agency. A 30-year fixed mortgage averaged 7% back in May — but today, it’s closer to 6.3%. That change could save buyers hundreds of dollars a month.
Local brokers say while rates are not expected to fall much further without a big shift in the economy, the slight dip could help bring more buyers into the market.
STORY: Bellingham Zen Buddhism community opens doors on newly renovated temple
Bellingham has a brand-new Zen temple.
After years of planning, Red Cedar Zen has officially opened the doors to Sansui-ji (SUN-soo-ee GEE), or Mountains and Waters Temple, in the Birchwood neighborhood. Located at Cedarwood Avenue, the fully accessible space is now home to regular meditation sessions, classes, and retreats, both in person and online.
The Soto Zen practice community has been active in Bellingham since 1991, but this is the first time they’ve had a permanent temple of their own. The group blends traditional Zen forms with a strong spirit of inclusion and accessibility.
Guiding Teacher Nomon (NOH-muhn) Tim Burnett, a long-time Zen practitioner and teacher, says the new temple is the result of years of vision, community effort, and spiritual commitment.
Those interested in more information on schedules, or how to get involved, can visit redcedarzen.org.
STORY: Free or cheap (KILL 9/19)
As part of Whatcom Water Week, the Whatcom Land Trust is hosting a Forest Water Scavenger Hunt at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve on Saturday, September 20, from 10 to 4. Families can pick up an activity booklet at the trailhead, then explore the forest to learn how trees and streams keep water clean and cool. The free, family-friendly event includes kid-friendly activities and a Water Wise take-home memento.
STORY: Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4)
This year’s election is all about local power — from city councils to school boards — and Cascadia Daily News wants voters to hear directly from the candidates.
You’re invited to two free town halls in October at the Sehome High School Theater in Bellingham. The first, focused on County Council races, is Saturday, October 4. The second, covering Bellingham City Council candidates, is Saturday, October 11. Both run from 6 to 8 p.m.
It’s your chance to ask questions, raise concerns, and hear where candidates stand before ballots drop.
Admission is free, but an RSVP is required. Reserve your seat for county races at CascadiaDaily.co/WhatcomTownHall, and for city races at CascadiaDaily.co/BhamTownHall.
STORY: Tree coupon back (fill)
Bellingham’s Tree Coupon Program is back this fall. Residents can get up to $100 off per tree at participating nurseries to plant on private property. The city says last year’s program added more than 500 trees, boosting Bellingham’s urban canopy. Sign-ups are online, and coupons are valid from October through May.
