Blaine man sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder of girlfriend, Weekend windstorms leave over 2,000 PSE customers without power, City of Blaine temporarily withdraws controversial urban growth plan, Accessible voting units available in Whatcom County (for 10/14), Lynden approves tax hike, Environmentalist groups challenge Whatcom County’s “robust” assessment of AltaGas terminal, Actuary for WA’s paid family and medical leave program paints dire picture of financial future, Ferndale ballot dropbox temporarily moved (kill 10/28 without edit, 11/3 with edit), Free and Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 14th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Blaine man sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempted murder of girlfriend
A Blaine man will spend 15 years in prison for the attempted murder of his girlfriend last summer.
42-year-old Clayton Dubois (doo-BWAH) was convicted of first-degree attempted murder and unlawful firearm possession nearly two months ago. He was sentenced to prison yesterday in Whatcom County Superior Court.
According to police reports, Dubois hit his girlfriend in the face with a propane tank in August of 2024. She was later airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle with severe injuries.
Judge Evan Jones called Dubois’ actions incredibly violent behavior. Dubois told the court he never intended for the assault to happen, and called it a quote “absolute tragic event”.
STORY: Weekend windstorms leave over 2,000 PSE customers without power
Wind gusts that swept through northern Whatcom County left more than 2,000 Puget Sound Energy customers without power.
The gusts, which reached speeds of 40 miles per hour, affected the area on Sunday night and Monday morning. PSE identified trees and vegetation as the cause of virtually all of the outages.
By Monday evening, more than half of the affected locations had seen their power restored. Work is ongoing.
STORY: City of Blaine temporarily withdraws controversial urban growth plan
The City of Blaine has paused its plan to move its urban growth area from east to west.
Cascadia Daily News reports the proposal will be revisited after November’s vote on de-annexing nearly 600 acres in east Blaine. Alex Wenger, the city’s Planning Director, told the Whatcom County Planning Commission the city needed more time to work out issues and coordinate with neighbors to the south.
The plan faced opposition from Birch Bay residents and local groups, who argued it could limit Birch Bay’s growth, worsen stormwater runoff, and increase traffic. County planners also raised legal and environmental concerns.
Blaine proposed to expand the urban growth area on the Semiahmoo (seh-mi-AH-moo) Peninsula to make up for the potential lost land. However, the city has canceled its public hearing and presentation for now, and says it will refine the plan before moving forward.
STORY: Accessible voting units available in Whatcom County (for 10/14)
Voters with accessibility needs can cast their ballots independently on new accessible voting units in Whatcom County.
The units, equipped with visual and audio technology, will be available at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office starting tomorrow. They will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. through November 3rd.
On Election Day, November 4th, the office will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for accessible voting.
The Auditor’s Office is located at 311 Grand Avenue, Suite 103 in Bellingham. More information is available by calling the office’s Election Division.
STORY: Lynden approves tax hike
Lynden leaders have approved a new 0.1% public safety sales tax.
The Lynden City Council voted unanimously yesterday to impose the new tax, which is expected to bring in about 400-thousand dollars a year starting in 2026. A state law passed earlier this year allows cities to raise funds for criminal justice purposes without a public vote.
The Lynden Tribune reported last week the city’s expenses are higher than budgeted for this year, and revenue — including sales tax — has been lower. City officials say the money will help maintain police services as costs rise and revenues fall. Lynden officials say the city has not faced financial strain like this since the 2008 recession.
Council members admit they do not want to raise taxes, but say it’s necessary to keep the community safe.
STORY: Environmentalist groups challenge Whatcom County’s “robust” assessment of AltaGas terminal
Environmental groups are challenging Whatcom County’s approval of permits at the Ferndale LPG Terminal.
Nonprofit law firm Earthjustice filed an appeal on behalf of local advocates. It says the county’s decision allows terminal owner AltaGas (AL-tuh GAS) to dramatically increase propane and butane exports to Asia without a full environmental review. They argue throughput (THROO-put) at the terminal has soared since 2016, bringing more trains, ships, and pollution risks to the Salish Sea. A 2021 investigation found the facility had already expanded without proper permits, resulting in a record 4-million-dollar air-quality fine.
Whatcom County’s planning department issued a Determination of Non-Significance, which says the company’s mitigation measures make the actual impacts “non-significant.” However, Earthjustice calls that conclusion, quote, “clearly erroneous,” and says only a full Environmental Impact Statement can assess the project’s true effects on orcas, fisheries, and climate.
On their end, AltaGas maintains their operations comply with environmental law and that the review was “robust and appropriate.”
The appeal could test Whatcom County’s 2021 rules meant to limit fossil fuel expansion at Cherry Point.
STORY: Actuary for WA’s paid family and medical leave program paints dire picture of financial future
Washington’s paid family and medical leave program could soon run hundreds of millions of dollars in the red unless lawmakers act.
According to a presentation given at the Paid Family & Medical Leave Advisory Committee meeting in September, the program’s actuary projects a deficit of more than 350-million dollars by 2029. State law caps payroll premiums for the program at 1.2%, and projections show it will hit that ceiling by 2027 — just as claims and costs continue to rise.
The program, launched in 2020, lets workers take paid time off for serious health issues or to care for family members. It has grown rapidly, with more than 240,000 Washingtonians receiving over 2 billion dollars in benefits last year alone.
Lawmakers will weigh options to keep the popular program solvent during the next legislative session. Those could include an adjustment to the premium formula or revising the cap.
WX: Sun and Son’s Vacuum Brokerage Services
And now for the weather:
Today should be pleasant — clear and sunny from start to finish, with the AccuLumen index forecast at a full 10 out of 10 for brightness. Highs are expected to remain around the low-60s, dropping down to lows in the mid-to-upper 30s later tonight. Beware of some potential frost forming during colder periods.
Expect tomorrow to be mostly clear and sunny as well.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Cody Mills, 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: Ferndale ballot dropbox temporarily moved (kill 10/28 without edit, 11/3 with edit)
Due to construction, Ferndale’s Drop Box has temporarily moved to Pioneer Pavilion Community Center at 2007 Cherry Street, for this election only! Be sure to return your ballot in an Official Ballot Drop Box by 8:00 pm November 4 or by mail, postmarked by November 4, 2025. The United States Postal Service recommends mailing by Tuesday, October 28.
You can find an official ballot box near you on the Whatcom County website.
STORY: Free and cheap
Orca Recovery Day, Sat Oct 18, Join NSEA, Whatcom Conservation District, and Whatcom Land Trust in restoring habitat along Kenney Creek! 9am-12pm – Deming, WA | Click here for more information.
Make a Difference Day, Sat Oct 25, Support the continued conservation at Whatcom Fall Park with NSEA and the City of Bellingham. 9am-12pm.
Join the City and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association in celebrating Make a Difference Day and Arbor Day in Whatcom Falls Park! This volunteer work party is on Saturday, October 25th from 9 a.m. to noon. Together, let’s improve habitat along the banks of Whatcom Creek by planting native trees and shrubs and removing invasive species close to Derby Pond. All ages and abilities are welcome, but participants under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
We will provide tools, gloves, coffee, snacks, and free pizza! We’re also giving away free tree saplings as part of our Community Tree Programs. Spots are limited, please register in advance at Bellingham Volunteer Opportunities.
Fishttrap Creek Planting, Sat, Nov 1, Help NSEA and the City of Lynden finish up planting in a newly restored section of Fishtrap Creek. 9am-12pm – Lynden, WA | Click here for more information.
Sat Nov 8, Kendall Creek Tree Planting, Convert a portion of Kendall Creek from lawn to riparian forest at the Kendall Creek Hatchery! 9am-12pm – Deming, WA | Click here for more information.
Sat Nov 15, Cordata Park Work Party Support riparian and wetland restoration with NSEA and the City of Bellingham at one of Bellingham’s most loved parks. 9am-12pm – Bellingham, WA | Click here for more information.
Sat Nov 22, California Creek Tree Planting, Join NSEA, Whatcom Conservation District, and Whatcom Land Trust to improve habitat near Drayton Harbor! 9am-12pm – Blaine, WA | More information coming soon!
Sat Dec 6, Deer Creek Tree Planting, Support coho salmon by improving riparian habitat along Deer Creek and planting trees and shrubs! 9am-12pm – Bellingham, WA | Click here for more information.
Sat Dec 13, Connelly Creek Tree Planting, Improve wetlands with NSEA and the City of Bellingham in the Connelly Creek Nature Area. 10am-1pm – Bellingham, WA | Click here for more information.
