Skagit County implements public safety sales tax, WCSO detective reports pattern of sexual harassment and discrimination culminating in distribution of AI-generated video, Whatcom County health department employee terminated due to domestic violence, Overnight I-5 closures between Blaine and Ferndale set to begin today, Bellingham Public Schools rolls out audiology clinic van for hearing-impaired students, Lynden Heritage museum set to reopen following minor interior fire, Sedro-Woolley School Board passes civility policy following October’s contentious public hearing, Climate change delays freezing temps
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, November, 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Skagit County implements public safety sales tax
Skagit County will adopt a new 0.1% public safety sales tax.
The tax, allowed under a new state law, doesn’t require voter approval if certain law enforcement standards are met. It’s expected to help close a projected $19 million budget deficit and should generate about $4 to $4.5 million a year. The county says the money will fund criminal justice programs, the county’s drug task force, and prevention efforts through the North Star partnership.
Skagit Commissioners voted unanimously in favor, and called the move necessary amid state and federal unfunded mandates and limits on property tax increases.
Other Whatcom County local governments, including Lynden and Bellingham, have already implemented similar measures, while the County is still considering it.
A public hearing on Skagit County’s 2026 budget is set for December 1st at 10 a.m.
STORY: WCSO detective reports pattern of sexual harassment and discrimination culminating in distribution of AI-generated video
A Whatcom County Sheriff’s detective has accused the department of a decade of discrimination and harassment.
Detective Samantha Robinson filed a $30 million tort claim last month, citing more than a dozen incidents of a hostile work environment. She says a sexually explicit, AI-generated video of her allegedly made by a fellow detective while on duty was shared among coworkers, which led to panic attacks that forced her to take medical leave.
The Mount Vernon Police Department is conducting a criminal investigation into the video’s creation and distribution. Sheriff Donnell (don-NELL) Tanksley says he’s also ordered an independent internal investigation, both launched after the claim was filed. Detective Derek Jones, accused of creating the video, has been placed on administrative leave.
Robinson’s attorney says the detective was subjected to years of unlawful and potentially criminal harassment instead of being supported for her work investigating child exploitation cases.
STORY: Whatcom County health department employee terminated due to domestic violence
Whatcom County has fired a health department employee who spent 17 months on paid leave while he faced two felony assault charges.
Mark Raaka (ROCK-uh) was terminated on October 20th, more than a year after a third-party investigation into his conduct concluded. Raaka continued to collect his $102,000 salary while on leave.
He’s accused of assaulting his former wife, including strangulation and use of a deadly weapon. His trial is scheduled for January.
In a termination letter, the county said Raaka’s conduct and pending charges had damaged public trust and impaired his ability to perform essential duties.
Raaka, who worked in emergency response and COVID-19 management, did not respond to requests for comment.
STORY: Overnight I-5 closures between Blaine and Ferndale set to begin today
If you’re driving southbound I-5 between Blaine and Ferndale this week, expect overnight lane closures.
The Washington State Department of Transportation says the closures will run today through Friday to fix potholes and cracks.
The left lane between State Route 543 and the Nooksack River Bridge will close at 8 p.m. tonight and stay closed until 6 a.m. Thursday.
WSDOT (WASH-dot) says after this week, the work should be wrapped up.
STORY: Bellingham Public Schools rolls out audiology clinic van for hearing-impaired students
Students in Bellingham Public Schools who experience hearing issues will now get help sooner — thanks to a new mobile audiology clinic van.
The van allows district audiologist Dr. Geeta Sawh to reach all 22 school districts in the county to perform detailed hearing tests and repair hearing aids right on school grounds. District officials say the van has already made a major impact — identifying more students with hearing loss and helping them access care faster.
The project was funded entirely by the educational nonprofit foundry10, which donated more than $400,000 for the van and its equipment.
STORY: Lynden Heritage museum set to reopen following minor interior fire
A small fire broke out at the Lynden Heritage Museum Friday evening, and caused minimal damage.
Fire officials say the blaze started in an office when a paper shredder malfunctioned, and was contained in about 20 minutes. Smoke and soot spread through the building. About $3,000 in damage was reported.
The museum is expected to re-open today while cleanup continues. Community members can help with costs by donating through the museum’s website.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley School Board passes civility policy following October’s contentious public hearing
The Sedro-Woolley School Board has adopted a new civility policy aimed at reducing disruptions during public comment periods.
The policy, which passed unanimously Monday, sets expectations for respectful behavior from board members, staff, students, parents, and visitors. It prohibits abusive language, interruptions, taunting, and jeering, and urges speakers to avoid bringing children into contentious discussions.
The move comes after heated meetings on topics like former staff departures, transgender student issues, and controversial public comments that disparaged students. This includes a recent incident where a commenter displayed a photo of a student in animal ears, and called it proof that ‘furries’ were quote ‘all over the schools’ end quote.
Board President Eric Johnson said a three-warning system will now be used for disruptions, with law enforcement called if needed. District leaders also said board meetings will no longer be held at school sites to better protect students.
Interim Superintendent Brian Isakson says the policy aims to keep public comment civil while allowing community voices to be heard.
STORY: Climate change delays freezing temps
According to a new analysis, the first freeze is happening later in the year in Seattle, and around the U.S..
A “first freeze” is defined as the first day after August 1st when temperatures hit at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Compared to 1970, Seattle’s first freeze now comes about nine days later, which reflects a broader trend of fall warming linked to climate change.
The study, by Climate Central, looked at 204 cities and found nearly 90% experience their first freeze later in the year.
WX: Drab Hand
And now for the weather:
We’re looking at another day of clouds and showers, with highs in the mid-50s. Forecast for tonight looks almost exactly the same, with temperatures barely shifting to lows in the upper 40s.
The rain should increase tomorrow, with a potential half-inch of precipitation in the forecast.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, 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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