Woman arrested on suspicion of break-in and attempted car theft in Bellingham, PeaceHealth to eliminate nearly 100 jobs across system, over a quarter of which are in Bellingham, Ferndale man sentenced to five years for role in fatal 2023 crash, Tuesday sees four separate crashes across Ferndale, resulting in one injury, Proposed improvements to new Whatcom County jail now on chopping block as funding continually shrinks, Whatcom County approves purchase of office building from WWU, Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April, Places to free file your taxes, Free or Cheap
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, February, 12. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Woman arrested on suspicion of break-in and attempted car theft in Bellingham
Bellingham Police have arrested a 37-year-old woman accused of trying to steal a stranger’s car at knifepoint.
Lieutenant Claudia Murphy says the victim had just gotten into their vehicle near Samish Way last Friday morning when the suspect approached with a large knife, and threatened to kill them if they did not get out. The victim was cut on the hand while trying to disarm the woman, but managed to escape and call for help. Police later learned the suspect had allegedly broken into the victim’s apartment and rummaged through the car.
She was arrested nearby and is being held in the Whatcom County Jail on $200,000 bail.
STORY: PeaceHealth to eliminate nearly 100 jobs across system, over a quarter of which are in Bellingham
PeaceHealth says they will eliminate nearly 100 jobs across its system, with over a quarter of them in Bellingham.
According to a recent release from PeaceHealth, layoffs will take effect on April 12th. Some of the Bellingham positions to be cut include mental health therapists and clinical social workers, among others.
PeaceHealth CEO Sarah Ness announced the move to all employees, citing financial struggles that hospitals nationwide are dealing with.
Ness’ decision comes four months after the Catholic nonprofits’ last mass layoff, when 241 positions were cut.
STORY: Ferndale man sentenced to five years for role in fatal 2023 crash
A 25-year-old Ferndale man has been sentenced to five years in prison for a 2023 hit-and-run that killed a Blaine woman.
Prosecutors say Colby Jon Gunderson was riding a motorcycle alongside Ashleigh Woodward’s car on State Route 548 when he struck her side mirror and began moving into her lane. Woodward swerved, crossed the centerline and crashed. She was thrown from the vehicle and later died. Her 13-year-old daughter suffered a brain bleed but recovered.
Gunderson drove off, but investigators later linked him to the motorcycle through video and other evidence. Gunderson pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide, vehicular assault and hit-and-run causing death.
According to the terms of his sentencing, he must also pay restitution and will serve one year of community custody.
STORY: Tuesday sees four separate crashes across Ferndale, resulting in one injury
It was a demolition derby in Ferndale yesterday, as Police and Whatcom County Fire District 7 responded to four separate crashes on Tuesday.
A two-vehicle collision on the southbound I-5 at the Portal Way on-ramp started the day. No injuries were reported, but both vehicles were towed. Just before 11 a.m., officers handled a three-car rear-end crash in the 2000 block of Main Street after a driver failed to stop for traffic. No injuries there.
Around 1:50 p.m., a driver turning onto Main Street from Hovander Road failed to stop at a stop sign and was hit head-on. One person was taken to the hospital with a head laceration. That driver was arrested for driving with a suspended license and cited for no insurance and failing to stop.
The day ended with another crash near Main Street and the I-5 ramps. Minor injuries were reported, and the at-fault driver was cited for no insurance.
STORY: Proposed improvements to new Whatcom County jail now on chopping block as funding continually shrinks
Whatcom County’s new jail plan has hit a budget wall.
In a memo circulated yesterday ahead of a meeting on Thursday, Whatcom County Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresler wrote that falling tax revenues and rising construction costs are forcing officials to scale back their vision.
Deputy Executive Kayla Schott‑Bresler says the county’s goals of building a modern jail and preserving revenue for future incarceration‑reduction programs are now competing for limited funds.
Voters approved a 0.2% sales tax in 2023 for a new jail and behavioral health center, originally estimated at $150 million. Following the vote, Bellingham, the County, and the small cities worked out a payment plan for the cities to contribute 75% of revenue from the sales tax to the new jail, while the county contributed 100% of revenue. But fudning is coming in about $1 million below projections as construction costs continue to rise.
The current jail is overcrowded and often triggers booking restrictions once the population tops 320. Sheriff Donnell (duh-NELL) Tanksley recommended 600 beds, but the county says it is now considering an opening‑day capacity of 480.
The county has ruled out the two highest‑cost scenarios. The two remaining options— a $170 million and a $200 million plan— come with trade‑offs. Officials now say the higher price may require a new financing deal with the cities.
County and city leaders must settle on a budget and scope by the end of April.
STORY: Whatcom County approves purchase of office building from WWU
Whatcom County has approved the purchase of an office building from Western Washington University.
County Council authorized the sale on Tuesday night, with a five-to-two vote. KMRE previously reported the two-story building located west of the Sehome Village shopping center will sell for eight million dollars.
The building currently houses the WWU Testing and Passport Center, as well as WWU I.T. infrastructure. The sale will allow Whatcom County Planning and Development, Permitting and some Public Works services to move in.
These departments currently work in the 100-year-old County Annex building on Smith Rd. and Northwest Drive— however, according to the County that building needs a new roof, as well as major upgrades to its heating and cooling systems.
STORY: Initial election results indicate majority of Skagit County school levies set to pass
Most school levies are passing in Skagit County.
According to the County Auditor, voters are approving all but two measures.
There are two types of levies on the ballot. Enrichment levies let districts hire staff and fund activities not covered by the state. Capital levies pay for maintenance, renovations, technology and security.
Six school districts have levies on the ballot. The two failing levies are in Sedro-Wooley (SEE-droh WOOL-ee) and Darrington. Anacortes has two levies — one enrichment levy and one capital levy— and both are passing. Burlington-Edison also has 2 levies, and Concrete has one— voters are approving all three.
Some voters in Sedro-Woolley and Darrington have argued against the two levies on social media, raising concerns about accountability and whether the levies will improve educational outcomes.
The Auditor’s office is expected to release updated counts today.
WX: Partly City
And now for the weather:
Today’s forecast calls for— wait for it— increasing clouds and highs in the low 50s. This evening, expect some increased cloud cover to dominate the night skies, with the occasional light shower. Nighttime lows are projected in the low 40s.
Those evening showers will likely expand into more rain tomorrow, with a reported 80% chance of precipitation and a total of up to a quarter-inch throughout the daytime hours.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Austin Wright, Tyler Warne, 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thanks for listening!
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STORY: Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April
STORY: Places to free file your taxes
Even though the Trump Administration has ended the IRS Direct File program, many Americans can still file their taxes for free this season.
Taxpayers earning under eighty-nine thousand dollars a year can use IRS Free File software online, while those making about sixty-seven thousand dollars or less may qualify for free, in-person help through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance sites at libraries and community centers. Seniors can get no-cost help through AARP Tax-Aide, and military members can file for free through the Defense Department’s MilTax program.
Anyone can also file at no charge using the IRS’s Free File Fillable Forms on IRS dot gov. The tax filing deadline is April fifteenth.
STORY: Free or Cheap
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