Bellingham woman accused of kidnapping son after fleeing to and being extradited from Panama, Man arrested after allegedly crashing stolen vehicle into backyard of Everson home, Measles outbreak in Snohomish, Fate of controversial proposed Bellingham residential area to be decided in coming months following pair of hearings, Whatcom Museum announces installation of new exhibit in downtown Bellingham’s Lightcatcher Alley, Kendall burn ban back on, Bill under consideration in house would ban sale and distribution of farmed octopus on grounds of high intelligence, Free or cheap, MLK day events
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 16th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Bellingham woman accused of kidnapping son after fleeing to and being extradited from Panama
A Bellingham woman faces federal kidnapping charges after allegedly taking her young son out of the country in violation of a court-ordered parenting plan.
The Department of Justice says 32-year-old Talisa Manuella Munoz appeared in U.S. District Court in Seattle after being extradited from Panama. Prosecutors allege Munoz failed to return her 4-year-old son to his father last September and used false documents to obtain a passport before secretly flying to Panama.
A judge ordered Munoz held without bail, calling her a flight risk. Her son has since been reunited with his father.
Munoz is charged with international parental kidnapping and making false statements on a passport application.
STORY: Man arrested after allegedly crashing stolen vehicle into backyard of Everson home
A 37-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly crashed a stolen vehicle through the backyard fence of a house in Everson.
According to the Everson Police Department the vehicle, a 2015 Chevy Silverado, was reported missing last Monday. Police tracked the vehicle using its onboard GPS and attempted to conduct a traffic stop.
The driver refused, and led police on a chase that ended when he left the roadway and crashed through a backyard fence on the 2000 block of East Pole Road. After fleeing on foot, the driver was detained and booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of motor vehicle theft.
He was released on his own recognizance on Tuesday.
STORY: Fate of controversial proposed Bellingham residential area to be decided in coming months following pair of hearings
The future of a proposed housing development in Bellingham’s Edgemoor neighborhood is now in the hands of a hearing examiner.
According to a City of Bellingham project page, the development, known as The Woods at Viewcrest, would create 38 single-family housing lots on 38 forested acres near Mud Bay Cliffs.
A neighborhood group, Protect Mud Bay Cliffs, has appealed the city’s environmental determination, and argues the project could harm water quality, wildlife habitat, and slope stability.
The developer disputes the group’s claims, saying most of the forest and shoreline buffers would remain protected and stormwater treatment would exceed code requirements.
The city says impacts can be mitigated and that a full environmental impact statement is not required.
Testimony is underway, and the hearing examiner expects a decision by March.
STORY: Whatcom Museum announces installation of new exhibit in downtown Bellingham’s Lightcatcher Alley
The Whatcom Museum announced the installation of a new exhibit in the alley of its Lightcatcher building.
Titled “Nocturnal Lanterns,” the exhibit features metal lantern sculptures that depict nocturnal animals native to the Pacific Northwest.
The sculptures were created in collaboration between Sparks Designs and the Femme Metal Collective. Funding for the exhibit was provided by the City of Bellingham and the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee.
STORY: High school schedules set to change in Fall
Schedules at Bellingham, Sehome, and Squalicum high schools are expected to change beginning this fall.
According to a recent announcement by the school district, the High School Schedule Ad Hoc Committee has recommended a shift from the current eight-period day to a seven-class schedule.
Under this proposal, students would take seven classes per semester. In addition there would be a mix of full-schedule days along with ‘block’ days that feature three or four classes. Graduation credit requirements would be adjusted to reflect the change. Options High School would keep its current four-period quarter system.
District officials say the change is driven by ongoing state funding shortfalls and is intended to balance budget savings while preserving educational quality and student opportunity.
STORY: Kendall burn ban back on
A Stage One air-quality burn ban is now in effect for the Columbia Valley, including Peaceful Valley and Paradise Lakes.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency says cold, stagnant air is trapping harmful wood smoke. During the ban, no visible smoke is allowed from any woodstove or fireplace beyond a 20-minute startup period. Fireplaces and uncertified woodstoves may not be used unless they are the home’s only adequate source of heat. All outdoor burning is prohibited.
STORY: Measles outbreak in Snohomish
Public health officials are reporting a measles outbreak in Snohomish County after three unvaccinated children tested positive this week.
The cases are linked to exposure from a contagious family visiting from South Carolina late last month. Health officials say the family, including two unvaccinated children, spent time in Marysville, Mukilteo, and Everett between December 27th and January 1st. Measles symptoms can appear up to three weeks after exposure.
Snohomish County Health Officer Dr. James Lewis says more cases are expected and has urged people to check their vaccination status. The measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine provides about 97 percent protection and is considered safe and effective.
STORY: Bill under consideration in house would ban sale and distribution of farmed octopus on grounds of high intelligence
On Wednesday, the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee passed out a bill that bans the sale, possession, transport, or distribution of farmed octopus.
Supporters say octopuses are highly intelligent and capable of suffering, and the bill will ensure their harvest is more humane. The measure passed on a party-line vote, with Democrats in favor and Republicans opposed. Critics say they still have concerns about the scope of the legislation.
House Bill 1608 builds on a 2024 law that banned octopus farming in Washington and will fine violators up to one thousand dollars. The bill now heads to the House Rules Committee, where lawmakers will decide whether it advances to a full House vote.
STORY: Free or cheap, MLK day events
It’s Friday and Martin Luther King Jr. Day is on Monday. Here are some local events you might want to check out.
On Saturday from 11am-2pm, why not join the Day of Service Community Work Party at Squalicum Creek Park? Plant native trees and shrubs to help restore fish and wildlife habitat and water quality. All ages and abilities are welcome. Free snacks, pizza, Tony’s coffee as well as tools and gloves are provided. Register in advance at cob.org.
Also on Saturday, the Whatcom Trading Card Show will be held in the lobby of the Whatcom Community College sports complex. The event runs from 1 to 5pm, and admission is $8.
On Sunday, why not check out Studio: Blazing Bonfire – at the FIG Studio at Whatcom Museum from 10am-4:30pm. The FIG studio is a make-and-take space for kids, and the activity is free with museum admission.
On MLK Monday join the community celebration called Mission Possible: Moving, Building, Uniting at Sehome High School from 10am-2pm. There’s a free breakfast, performances, local vendors and more. The event is hosted by the Community Consortium for Cultural Recognition— a coalition of educational, local government, and nonprofit partners across Whatcom County. Find out more at wwu.edu/mlk.
WX: Prettiest month of the year so far
And now weather:
We close the week out with sunshine, and highs are in the low 50s once again. Cloud cover disappears today, leaving us with a clear night sky and temperatures in the low 30’s. It’s a rare opportunity for locals to view the northern lights, which NOAA says could appear this weekend. The best times for a view of the aurora is just after sunset, just before sunrise, or an hour before midnight.
Weekend weather should be similar, so good news if you enjoy the sun! Sun lasts until Monday, when clouds return.
KMRE News will be taking Monday off… enjoy the holiday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Austin Wright, 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. To help support what we do, check out our Patreon or Substack or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
