Ten kilos of cocaine seized from stopped vehicle by WCSO, Seattle man arrested following I-5 race and brief footchase in Bellingham, Three men arrested following burglary and robbery at Bellingham motel, Statewide manhunt for Travis Decker potentially at an end after discovery of human remains near Leavenworth, Nearly 50 vessels and 200 people show up for Hands Across the Water flotilla, Skagit Transit CEO requests judge dismiss lawsuit from former employee alleging retaliation for whistleblowing, New apartment building proposed for downtown Bellingham, WA 3rd best for teachers, 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 22nd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Ten kilos of cocaine seized from stopped vehicle by WCSO
A traffic stop in Bellingham led to a major drug bust last week.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office says deputies pulled over a suspicious vehicle on Eliza Avenue last Tuesday. After the two occupants gave conflicting stories, a drug K-9 was brought in and alerted to narcotics.
A search warrant turned up 10 kilograms of cocaine, a loaded gun, and cash. The cocaine was packaged with images of Marvel’s Thor.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further details have been released.
STORY: Seattle man arrested following I-5 race and brief footchase in Bellingham
Bellingham Police used a drone to help catch a suspected street racer early Tuesday morning.
Troopers first spotted two cars as they raced north on I-5 around 1 a.m. ––– one of them hit speeds near 120 miles an hour. When officers tried to pull them over, the cars exited at Lakeway Drive, and one shut off its lights in an attempt to escape.
Police say 21-year-old Gage Binz of Seattle led officers through city streets. He reportedly ran red lights and stop signs before he ditched his car and fled on foot. A drone and K-9 team tracked him down near East Maple Street, where he was arrested.
Binz is charged with attempting to elude a police vehicle. The second driver has not been found.
STORY: Three men arrested following burglary and robbery at Bellingham motel
Three men face felony charges after an alleged burglary and robbery at a Bellingham motel.
Police say the suspects climbed through a window into a room at the Days Inn on Samish Way on July 27th, and demanded to know the whereabouts of another man and quote-unquote “the money.” Court documents say the intruders assaulted a man inside while a woman tried to shield him, then stole two phones and a safe that contained illegal drugs worth about $2,600.
36-year-old Alec Dunn-Greketis (GREEK-uh-deez), 43-year-old Daniel Bock, and 20-year-old Tyler Mattingley are all charged with first-degree burglary and robbery. Investigators identified the suspects through witnesses and surveillance footage.
Two remain in the Whatcom County Jail; Bock has bonded out.
STORY: Statewide manhunt for Travis Decker potentially at an end after discovery of human remains near Leavenworth
The search for Travis Decker may finally be over.
Authorities in Washington say remains believed to be those of the 32-year-old Army veteran — accused of killing his three young daughters — were found in a remote wooded area south of Leavenworth.
According to ABC News, a drone spotted clothing that matched what Decker was last seen wearing. Other items at the scene — like Ranger shorts, chewing tobacco, and a bracelet — point to Decker, though DNA tests are still in process.
Decker vanished in late May after his daughters were found murdered near a campground. Court documents say each had been suffocated and their wrists zip-tied. Despite a nationwide manhunt and multiple sightings, Decker was never found.
His ex-wife says the family is praying the remains are his, and thanked authorities for never giving up.
STORY: Skagit Transit CEO requests judge dismiss lawsuit from former employee alleging retaliation for whistleblowing
A fired Skagit Transit finance officer says he was punished for blowing the whistle — however, the company wants the case tossed.
Former CFO Christopher Stamey (STAY-mee) claims he was fired in retaliation for his report of financial misconduct by Skagit Transit CEO Crystle Stidham (CRYSTAL STIH-dum), including the alleged forgery of his signature on $500,000 in purchases. The case follows a 2024 state audit that found Skagit Transit had major financial reporting issues, though those were later corrected.
However, as Cascadia Daily News reports, Stidham has asked a judge to throw the lawsuit out, after she called it “inflammatory” and “untrue.”
The agency says Stamey did not raise any concerns until after he was placed on leave for performance issues, and insists all spending was lawful. Stamey, who was fired in late 2023, seeks a jury trial, back pay, and whistleblower protections.
A judge has yet to rule on the request to dismiss the case.
STORY: New apartment building proposed for downtown Bellingham
The corner of East Maple and North Forest in downtown Bellingham will become the site of another new multi-family apartment complex.
Under a proposal filed by Maple Forest LLC, the complex is a mix of market-rate studios and one-bedroom apartments. The building will house 36 units in a three-story structure at 1101 N. Forest Street, with an additional basement level for vehicle parking spaces. Plans also call for a 10-foot-wide sidewalk and street trees next to the building, as well as 30 bicycle parking spaces. The two-story office structure currently on the site would be demolished.
Grinstad and Wagner, a Bellingham architectural firm, has partnered with Maple Forest. AVT Consulting, another Bellingham firm, will also consult on the project.
Washington state has established a target of 35,000 new housing units across all income levels for Whatcom County by 2044. According to local construction data, 810 residential units are under construction as of now, with another 317 in the application and review process. Roughly two-thirds of the new applications are for multi-family units.
STORY: Nearly 50 vessels and 200 people show up for Hands Across the Water flotilla
Boats, not borders — that was the message from both sides of the Salish Sea this past weekend.
Under sunny skies, 48 boats — half from the U.S., and half from Canada — met between Orcas Island and Salt Spring Island for Hands Across the Water, a grassroots show of cross-border friendship.
Organized in just four months, the flotilla brought together over 200 participants to push back against rising political tensions — including talk of Canada becoming America’s “51st state.”
Cascadia Daily News reports the event featured symbolic handshakes between boats, a warm welcome from the Canadian Coast Guard, and calls for regional resilience and cooperation.
One organizer said the event was about being the kind of neighbors who foster goodwill, not build barriers — and who choose connection over division.
Despite economic strain and fewer American visitors this year, both island communities say the connection is stronger than politics — and worth protecting.
WX: She would sleep. She would wake. She would walk.
And now for the weather:
This year’s autumn season starts with a very summer-esque day of warm sun. Daytime highs will hover around the high 60s, with a modest U.V. index rating of 4. The skies should remain fairly cloud-free all day, which will turn into a clear evening with lows around 50 degrees.
We can look forward to yet more sun tomorrow, and we’re certain the leaves will start to fall soon.
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: WA 3rd best for teachers
According to Wallet Hub, Washington State is the third best state for Teachers in 2025. Over the past decade, Washington has seen an increase in teacher pay of more than 75% Other factors include teacher friendly policies and the state’s fourth lowest time span before tenure goes into effect.
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.
