Skagit County woman sentenced to 45 days in prison for trafficking in black bear parts, Delays on Lakeway likely as crews begin clearing dead or dying trees, Lynden City Council denies school district’s request to begin collecting impact fees, Travelers from Canada stay down— by a lot, Bellingham real estate group reports dip in local mortgage rates, Bellingham Zen Buddhism community opens doors on newly renovated temple, Comcast files lawsuit against new WA sales tax on advertisements, Free or cheap, Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4), Tree coupon back (fill)
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September 16th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Skagit County woman sentenced to 45 days in prison for trafficking in black bear parts
A Mount Vernon restaurant owner has been sentenced for illegally trafficking black bear organs.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says 54-year-old Yan Li pleaded guilty in Skagit County Superior Court to wildlife trafficking.
Li, who owns the Fortune Mandarin restaurant, received 45 days of confinement and an $1,800 fine. Investigators say she bought bear gallbladders, livers, and paws — along with waterfowl — from undercover officers who posed as hunters. Officials say some items sell for thousands of dollars in Asia.
Officials warn that the illegal trade in bear parts threatens wildlife populations.
STORY: Delays on Lakeway likely as crews begin clearing dead or dying trees
The removal of dead and dying trees along Lakeway Drive is underway.
Beginning today, motorists should expect delays as the trees are removed in the median between Interstate 5 and Ellis Street. According to the City of Bellingham, work will take place between 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. to avoid major commute times, and that the area will eventually be replanted with trees. Work is expected to be finished within three weeks.
Closures are expected in the eastbound lane closest to the median, while slowdowns in the westbound lane may occur intermittently. Access to businesses and side streets will not be affected.
STORY: Whatcom Fire District 7 places levy lift measure on November ballot
This November, Whatcom Fire District 7 will ask voters to approve a levy lid lift.
Fire Chief Ben Boyko says the measure is needed to keep up with the rise in call volumes, aging facilities, and higher operation costs.
If approved, the increase in the levy would lift the tax rate to $1.20 per $1,000 of assessed value — homes in Fire District 7 would pay about $18 more per month for a $500,000 home. The district says the money would fund 24-hour staff, new equipment, and faster response times.
Fire District 7 covers Ferndale and nearby areas. Ballots go out on October 15th.
STORY: Lynden City Council denies school district’s request to begin collecting impact fees
The Lynden School District’s request to collect impact fees from new developments has been denied.
The city council voted 4-to-3 last month against the fees, which would have added nearly $7,000 per new home or apartment to help fund school expansions. Superintendent David VanderYacht says the decision eliminates an important tool to reduce costs for current taxpayers. The district estimated the fees could have generated up to $900,000 a year for classrooms and portables.
Council members who opposed the measure cited concerns about housing costs. Supporters argued that growth should help pay for growth.
The district says Lynden High School is already well over capacity, with more than 900 students last year in a building built for 740.
STORY: Travelers from Canada stay down— by a lot
New data shows cross-border travel from Canada into Washington state has not bounced back.
The Whatcom Council of Governments reports nearly 100,000 fewer trips from Canadians this August compared to last year. Vehicle crossings from Vancouver into northwest Washington dropped nearly 40 percent across the board.
Analysts say tariffs, stricter immigration enforcement, and President Trump’s talk of making Canada the 51st state are key reasons many Canadians are choosing not to visit. State tourism officials say Washington welcomes our northern neighbors, but the slowdown continues to hit local economies hard.
Across the nation, visits from Canadians are down 25 percent so far this year.
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.
According to their website, 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.
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.
Those interested in more information can visit RedCedarZen.org.
STORY: Comcast files lawsuit against new WA sales tax on advertisements
Comcast says it will sue to block Washington’s new sales tax on digital advertising.
The law, set to take effect on October 1st, is a key piece of the state budget — expected to raise nearly $3 billion over four years.
Comcast argues the tax unfairly targets internet-based ads while it exempts traditional outlets like newspapers, TV, radio, and billboards. The company says that violates federal law, including the Internet Tax Freedom Act.
If the tax is struck down, it could leave a $475 million hole in the state’s revenue plan. The lawsuit was filed last week in Thurston County Superior Court.
WX: Down ‘n drought
And now for the weather:
It’s going to be a scorcher here in Whatcom today, with a red flag fire warning in place until 11 P.M. Daytime highs are expected to reach into the low-80s, with low humidity and winds between 15 and 45 miles per hour. This evening should, thankfully, cool things down quite a bit. Nighttime forecasts call for clear skies and lows in the high-50s.
It should be sunny and warm tomorrow as well, though in a more reasonable, low-70s kind of way.
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: Free or cheap
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.
