Judge rules in favor of local Canvassing Board, Caregivers at Evergreen Supported Living ratify new contract, Big-box retail vacancies increase in Bellingham once again, Dockside Market holds food drive for Bellingham Food Bank (AIR FRIDAY), Bloedel Donovan Park re-opens with updated playground, WA co-leads lawsuit against EPA’s cuts to renewable energy funding, WA education grant applications open, Free and cheap
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 17th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Judge rules in favor of local Canvassing Board
A Whatcom County judge upheld the Canvassing Board’s decision to cancel Ferndale City Council candidate Steve Potvin’s voter registration at his downtown business address.
The challenge came after questions arose about whether Potvin lived at the address he used for his registration. While the court noted Potvin’s integrity and unique lifestyle, it ruled the law is clear: the business address does not meet the legal definition of a residence.
Potvin is still a candidate on the 2025 ballot.
STORY: Caregivers at Evergreen Supported Living ratify new contract
Caregivers at Evergreen Supported Living in Bellingham have ratified a new two-year contract with higher pay and improved benefits.
The 21 unionized caregivers, represented by SEIU 775, secured a 3% wage increase, additional anniversary raises, expanded health coverage, and a new step on the wage scale. Starting pay is now at $21.75 an hour.
The agreement follows nearly a year of negotiations and comes after the workers raised the possibility of a strike. Evergreen’s executive director called the deal fair, saying it reflects a commitment to both staff and clients amid uncertainty over federal health care funding.
STORY: Big-box retail vacancies increase in Bellingham once again
Retail vacancies in Bellingham rose last quarter after the closure of several big-box stores at Sunset Square.
JoAnn Fabrics, Rite Aid, and At Home — along with Forever 21 at Bellis Fair Mall— have all closed recently. According to a quarter vacancy report from Pacific Continental Realty, the city’s retail vacancy rate climbed to 5.3% at the end of September, up from 4.5% in July.
Analysts say it may be difficult to fill the large empty storefronts, but smaller shops and restaurants continue to see steady leasing activity across other parts of the city.
STORY: Dockside Market holds food drive for Bellingham Food Bank (AIR FRIDAY)
This Saturday from 10am-2pm the Bellingham Dockside Market will hold a food drive to benefit the local Food Bank.
Bring your donation of non-perishable food or supplies, buy and donate canned fish from market vendors, or give online at the Food Bank website. Most needed items include peanut butter, alternative nut butters, pinto beans, rice, and diapers.
Donors at the Dockside Market will receive five Seafood Superstar stamps as a thank-you. The event will take place rain or shine.
STORY: Bloedel Donovan Park re-opens with updated playground
Bellingham’s Bloedel Donovan Park has re-opened with a brand-new playground.
After nearly two months of construction, the upgraded play area features more than 40 new play elements, which include slides, swings, and wheelchair-accessible ramps. It’s the park’s first major playground update in more than 25 years, with separate spaces designed for both toddlers and school-aged kids.
Parks and Recreation officials say a few finishing touches are still in the works, but the playground is ready for families to enjoy.
STORY: Superintendent Reykdal reports no indication of incoming cuts to WA special education funding
The Trump administration has laid off another 466 employees from the U.S. Department of Education, after nearly 1,300 layoffs earlier this year.
A recent report from the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction says the cuts affect every program within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. In addition, nearly all staff in the Office of Special Education Programs have been cut, which oversees services for millions of students with disabilities nationwide.
Washington’s Superintendent of Public Instruction says federal grants remain active and local school funding is not at risk, but warn that layoffs could weaken oversight and protections for vulnerable students.
STORY: WA co-leads lawsuit against EPA’s cuts to renewable energy funding
Washington says it will join 22 other states in a lawsuit against the EPA over the cancellation of $7 billion in renewable energy funding.
The lawsuit claims the EPA violated federal law and the Constitution when it shut the program down. Attorney General Nick Brown says ending the Solar for All program freezes more than $150 million in solar projects across Washington. The initiative was created by Congress and aims to bring solar power to low-income and disadvantaged communities.
Brown accuses the administration of targeting the poor, by cutting programs that lower energy costs.
STORY: WA education grant applications open
Help is on the way for Washington students.
The Washington College Grant program assists with a variety of college and job training, from four-year degrees and community colleges to workforce programs and apprenticeships. The grant is not limited to top students and is available to all eligible Washington residents based on income and family size.
According to a recent announcement from the state, a family of four earning $78,500 or less could qualify for a full award that covers public college tuition. Even families earning up to $130,000 a year may be eligible for some help, but income limits will increase next year.
Students are urged to apply now for the 2026–27 academic year and use the online calculator at WAgrant.org to estimate how much they could receive.
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
The “No Kings” march returns to Bellingham tomorrow with a rally at Maritime Heritage Park from 1 to 3 PM. The rally is open to all, with a commitment to peaceful, nonviolent protest. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes.
Orca Recovery Day is also happening tomorrow. Join Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Whatcom Conservation District, and Whatcom Land Trust by helping to restore habitat along Kenney Creek. The event runs from 9am to noon – in Deming.
On Sunday, get moving with salsa at the Majestic Ballroom located at 1027 N. Forest Street. Beginners can join the foundations class at 5:30pm, and more advanced dancers can join the practice at 6pm. Entry is $10.
WX: Drizzle, drizzle, drizzle, I made it out of clay
And now weather:
Expect the week to close out with overcast skies and scattered showers. Highs should remain in the upper 50s and there’s a chance of afternoon sunshine poking through. Don’t expect it to linger, though, as the evening’s forecast calls for more clouds and mildly cool temperatures, with lows around the mid-40s.
The forecast for the weekend is rain. And plenty of it! Up to an inch-and-a-half is expected to fall Saturday and Sunday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron Danielson, Cody Mills, 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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