One dead, another injured in North Bellingham shooting, Bellingham residential fire leaves one seriously injured, Bellingham School District brings funding initiative to ballot, Port Candidate Forum to air on KMRE, One person was hospitalized in serious condition after a house fire in Bellingham., Port Candidate Forum to air on KMRE, State formally charges Whatcom nursing assistant with unprofessional conduct, WA State Patrol chief says department will increase security around lawmakers in response to increased political threats, Community engagement workshop on upcoming Ferndale jail to be held next month, Free and cheap
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 21st. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: One dead, another injured in North Bellingham shooting
Bellingham Police are investigating a deadly shooting late Saturday night.
According to Bellingham PD Lieutenant Claudia Murphy, officers responded to reports of gunfire near West Horton Road and Meridian Street around 11:50 p.m. but found no crime scene. A few minutes later, a vehicle arrived at St. Joseph Medical Center with two passengers suffering from gunshot wounds.
One of them, a 26-year-old man, died at the hospital. While, the other passenger — a 25-year-old man — was treated and is expected to live. Detectives are still working to identify the suspects or motives involved. Anyone with information is asked to contact Bellingham PD.
STORY: Bellingham residential fire leaves one seriously injured
One person was hospitalized in serious condition after a house fire in Bellingham.
According to South Whatcom Fire Chief Mitch Nolze, fire crews were dispatched Friday afternoon to a two-story house on Cable Street, where they were met by smoke and flames. One person made it out before firefighters arrived and was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center.
Chief Nolze said the fire was knocked down within 20 minutes, and no other victims were found. Crews from Bellingham and North Whatcom Fire also helped contain the blaze to a single house.
STORY: Bellingham School District brings funding initiative to ballot
Two levy lid lifts are headed to the ballot this November to help fund Bellingham schools.
Bellingham School Superintendent Greg Baker says the legislature still has not fully met its constitutional duty in public education funding. That combined with the rise of insurance, utilities, and payroll costs, as well as a decline in state revenue, has left local school districts no option but to ask the public for a lift in local levies.
BAKER AUDIO 1,2,3
To fill the gap, two school taxes will appear on the November ballot — a supplemental operations levy made possible by a recent increase in the state’s “levy lid,” and a facilities maintenance levy developed by the district’s capital planning committee.
BAKER AUDIO 4
Officials say the levies will not solve every budget issue but they will provide critical support to keep schools safe, functional, and welcoming for students and the community.
STORY: Port Candidate Forum to air on KMRE
The three candidates for Port Commissioner participated in a forum hosted by the Whatcom Working Waterfront Coalition last Thursday. During the forum, each of the candidates shared why they decided to run for office, and what they hope to accomplish if they are elected. To hear the forum in its entirety, please tune in to community radio KMRE 88.3 this Wednesday and Saturday at 2 p.m.
STORY: State formally charges Whatcom nursing assistant with unprofessional conduct
A Whatcom County nursing assistant is now facing charges of unprofessional conduct.
The Washington State Department of Health says certified nursing assistant Nancy Kromer is accused of neglecting a vulnerable adult in her care and engaging in an inappropriate relationship with the client’s spouse.
According to The Bellingham Herald, investigators say the client was hospitalized in August of 2023 with serious, unhealed wounds. Adult Protective Services later reported possible neglect, as well as the alleged relationship. The Department of Health says home security footage showed Kromer and the client’s spouse behaving… er, affectionately?
Kromer was formally charged in late September. Her license remains active while the case is pending.
STORY: WA State Patrol chief says department will increase security around lawmakers in response to increased political threats
Washington State Patrol is stepping up protection for lawmakers in response to rising political threats.
During an interview on TVW’s Inside Olympia, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste told host Austin Jenkins that a staff member at the Washington State Fusion Center has been assigned to monitor potential threats to legislators, whether they are in session or not.
The move comes in response to the killing of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband on June 14th. Batiste said a break-in at the state Capitol in Olympia on October 5th only reinforced their concerns about security.
The Fusion Center, run jointly by the state patrol and federal partners, will now focus on identifying and assessing threats to lawmakers. Batiste said the long-term goal is a round the clock operation capable of responding to immediate dangers.
Batiste said the change improves the agency’s ability to stay alert and coordinate effectively to keep public officials safe.
STORY: Whatcom County bucks statewide trend of worse air quality during wildfire season
As a whole, our state’s air quality worsened this past wildfire season — but not Whatcom County’s.
According to air quality data compiled by the state Department of Ecology between May and mid-October, most of Washington experienced good and moderate air quality for most of the summer. The number of unhealthy days for air quality were greater than each of the past two wildfire seasons. Central Washington was hit the hardest due to the numerous large fires burning in that region.
Western Washington, however, had only a few days of unhealthy air quality — less than elsewhere in the state — and Whatcom County itself had just a few days with moderately healthy air. Finally, at no point during this past wildfire season did the county have a day where the air was unhealthy for sensitive groups.
WX: Shine on, you crazy diamond
And now for the weather:
Some early morning clouds are expected to give way to a fairly sunny afternoon today, with highs reaching into the low-60s. The skies are expected to remain relatively clear and temperatures grow cooler as we transition into the evening, with tonight’s lows around 40 degrees.
It’s back to showers for us here in Whatcom tomorrow, with forecasts calling for increasing clouds and scattered drizzles.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron Danielson, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Bella Mae, and Kai Blais-Schmolke. 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 _ David Korb ________…. thanks for listening!
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STORY: Community engagement workshop on upcoming Ferndale jail to be held next month (INTERVIEWING RILEY TODAY– SOUND BITES COMING)
Want to have your say on the new jail and behavioral care center?
Whatcom County will host a Justice Project community workshop on November 20th from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center in Ferndale.
The event gives residents a chance to learn about progress on the project and share input on design and service priorities. Elected officials, county staff, and construction experts will be on hand to answer questions and gather feedback.
The Justice Project aims to reshape the county’s approach to criminal justice and behavioral health. It includes a new jail and behavioral care center, along with expanded behavioral health services, substance use disorder treatment, and supportive housing. The project is funded by a sales tax approved by voters in November of 2023.
STORY: Free and cheap
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.
