BPD arrests two men in connection with rash of tire slashings, WCSO arrests three men accused of running small-scale criminal enterprise, New adult behavioral health center opens, City holds AMA for the public, Whatcom Reads brings bestselling author to Bellingham, Public input requested for new transit plan, Seattle utility company to pay up to $1.6B in Skagit County dam relicensing agreements, State legislature passes bill establishing legislative oversight board for sheriffs, Governor says he will approve Millionaires Tax, Worse season for flu than covid, U.S. Congress renews attempt to remove dark money, Officials concerned over spike in measles, Submissions open for designs of Whatcom’s 2026 “I Voted” stickers, Whatcom Chief dry dock dates updated, Seattle utility company to pay up to $1.6B in Skagit County dam relicensing agreements, Whatcom County to host second community engagement workshop for new jail RUN AGAIN BY/ABOUT MAR 16, No Kings Day March 28th, Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April, Places to file your taxes for free
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Monday, March, 9th. Good afternoon, I’m b______.
STORY: BPD arrests two men in connection with rash of tire slashings
Bellingham Police have arrested two men suspected of slashing tires on more than a dozen vehicles across the city.
Officers responded to the Broadway Park neighborhood on early Wednesday morning. A resident had reported a broken garage window and slashed tires on two vehicles; police then found eight more vehicles in the area with damaged tires.
Later that morning, officers investigated another vandalism call on Aurora Loop by Britton Road, where nine additional vehicles had their tires punctured. Witnesses reported seeing two men pulling on car door handles before fleeing in a dark Subaru. Authorities say the suspects caused more than fifteen thousand dollars in damage in Bellingham.
Deputies later located the two men near Britton and Hillsdale roads. They now face multiple felony charges, including malicious mischief, burglary, and vehicle prowl. Charges had not yet been formally filed as of Friday.
STORY: WCSO arrests three men accused of running small-scale criminal enterprise
The Sheriff’s Office says three men were arrested after a lengthy investigation into a small-scale criminal organization.
The arrests happened on February 26th. Authorities say the men — ages forty-seven, twenty-seven and fifty-two — allegedly sold cocaine and fentanyl, resold stolen property for profit, and laundered the proceeds through a business. Much of the money was later converted into cryptocurrency.
A search of property near Lake Samish yielded multiple firearms, suspected drugs, transaction records and about two-hundred-thousand dollars’ worth of suspected stolen property, including vehicles, ATVs and heavy equipment.
The suspected leader was hospitalized during the arrest, but later booked into jail. All three men now face multiple felony charges related to drugs, stolen property and money laundering.
STORY: New adult behavioral health center opens
A newly renovated assisted living facility for adults with severe behavioral health needs is set to open soon in Bellingham.
The Lake Whatcom Center announced on Friday that it has expanded and renovated its Birchwood building into an eighty-six bed assisted living facility. The project received a one-million-dollar grant from Whatcom County through a dedicated housing and behavioral health sales tax fund.
County leaders say the upgrades improve accessibility, allow residents greater independence, and expand services for people who need supportive living due to behavioral health challenges.
Lake Whatcom Center says residents from two existing facilities will move into the Birchwood building, with plans to later convert the vacated buildings into substance use recovery housing. An open house and tour is scheduled for March 17th.
STORY: City holds AMA for the public
Bellingham residents are invited to meet city leaders and ask questions at an upcoming community event.
Mayor Kim Lund and members of her leadership team will host the city’s first Ask Us Anything meet-and-greet of 2026 on Wednesday, March 18th, at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal.
Mingling and refreshments begin at 5:30, followed by a presentation and question-and-answer session from 6-to-7 p.m.
City officials say the event is an opportunity for residents to learn about city priorities and speak directly with local leadership.
STORY: Whatcom Reads brings bestselling author to Bellingham
New York Times bestselling author Javier Zamora (hah-vee-AIR zah-MORE-uh) is coming to Whatcom County to discuss his memoir, “Solito.” (soh-LEE-toh)
The Whatcom Reads program, a countywide book club, selected Zamora’s 2022 book as its selected title for this year. The Mount Baker Theatre will host Zamora this Friday at 7 p.m.
Zamora will also be at the Pioneer Pavilion Community Center in Ferndale this Thursday at 7 p.m.
“Solito” tells Zamora’s three-thousand-mile solo journey from his small fishing village in El Salvador to the United States at nine years old.
Both events are the first to ever sell out in the program’s history. However, registration for a livestream remains open on the Whatcom County Library System’s website.
STORY: Public input requested for new transit plan
Bellingham residents are being asked to weigh in on plans to speed up public transit across the city.
The Whatcom Transportation Authority has released draft recommendations from its Rapid Transit Study; these recommendations are aimed at making Go Line buses faster and more reliable. Proposed upgrades include smarter traffic signals, improved bus stops, and roadway changes.
Officials say the long-term goal is to increase bus service frequency to every ten minutes along major routes in Bellingham.
Community members may review the plan and submit feedback online through the Engage Bellingham website before the proposal goes to the City Council and the WTA Board of Directors in April.
STORY: Seattle utility company to pay up to $1.6B in Skagit County dam relicensing agreements
Seattle City Light will pay up to 1.6 billion dollars as part of an agreement for the relicensing of three Skagit River dams.
The agreement would commit up to 979 million dollars to fish passage, with another 200 million going toward salmon habitat and water quality monitoring, according to the Cascadia Daily News.
Other separate agreements with the Upper Skagit, Swinomish, and Sauk-Suiattle (SOK-soo-AH-tul) tribes would see City Light spend an additional 350 million dollars on cultural centers, employment programs, and financial compensation to tribes.
The three dams generate about 20 percent of Seattle’s electricity.
STORY: State legislature passes bill establishing legislative oversight board for sheriffs
A bill to increase oversight of sheriffs in Washington has cleared the Legislature.
After nearly eight hours of debate, Senate Bill 5974 passed the House by 12 votes. The bill would create a statewide oversight board for sheriffs and raise the qualifications for holding the office, including at least five years of law‑enforcement experience and new minimum‑age requirements.
That board, within the state Criminal Justice Training Commission, would also have the authority to remove elected sheriffs who do not meet those standards.
Supporters say the bill modernizes expectations and strengthens public trust. Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley opposed it, arguing it takes power away from voters and could leave local governments paying for more extensive background checks.
The bill is now headed to Governor Bob Ferguson for his signature.
STORY: Governor says he will approve Millionaires Tax
And in more political news, Governor Ferguson has expressed his support for the latest amendment to the proposed Millionaires’ Tax.
In a statement released on Friday, Ferguson said the revised bill significantly expands the Working Families Tax Credit by adding 460,000 households and removing age restrictions. Qualifying families could receive between $300 and $1,300. The bill also preserves sales tax exemptions on common products — including diapers and hygiene items — and exempts over-the-counter medicines. Funding is included for free school lunch and breakfast for all students, as well as a dedicated 5% of tax revenue for childcare and early learning through the Fair Start For Kids Account.
Ferguson said the proposal balances tax relief for small businesses with investments in affordability, and called on the Legislature to pass the bill.
WX: The Dropp
And now for the weather:
A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 5 a.m. tomorrow for the North Cascades in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, with 6-to-12 inches of snow possible. Here in the lowlands, expect rain mixed with snow and the possibility of thunder this afternoon with highs in the mid-40s — but do not expect anything to stick. We may see some wind gusts up to 20mph. Tonight, the wind should die down, and we’ll see temps dip into the low-30s.
The snow may return for another round tomorrow. In that instance, it might even stick.
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, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Kieran (KEAR-un) Dang, and Bella Farris. 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, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________… thanks for listening!
##
STORY: Worse season for flu than covid
For the second winter in a row, flu cases in the U.S. have surged while COVID cases have declined.
Flu primarily affects the respiratory system, while COVID can impact multiple organs and cause long-term complications known as long COVID. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 25 million people have caught the flu this season, resulting in 330,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths. By comparison, since October COVID has sickened between 3 and 9 million people, with up to 170,000 hospitalizations and around 20,000 deaths.
Experts say the difference reflects changes in the viruses as well as human immunity. Early in the pandemic, COVID was far more deadly and transmissible than flu, but widespread vaccination and prior infections have now tempered its impact. Meanwhile, the H3N2 flu strain has mutated— leaving vaccines less effective and driving higher flu numbers.
Public health officials caution that both viruses still pose serious risks and vaccination remains the main defense against severe illness for both viruses.
STORY: U.S. Congress renews attempt to remove dark money
Congressman Rick Larsen has joined 184 colleagues in reintroducing the DISCLOSE Act, legislation aimed at ending “dark money” in U.S. elections.
Larsen, who represents Washington’s 2nd Congressional District, said the bill targets secret spending by super PACs, corporations, and other organizations, and requires disclosure of donors who contribute more than $10,000. It also strengthens prohibitions on foreign influence, expands disclosure for online political ads, and applies to payments made to social media influencers.
Dark-money spending has surged since the 2010 Citizens United decision, and reached $1.9 billion in the 2024 election cycle, up from less than $5 million in 2006. According to Larsen, the DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to modernize campaign finance rules and ensure voters have clear information about who is shaping elections.
STORY: Submissions open for designs of Whatcom’s 2026 “I Voted” stickers
Submissions are now open for this year’s “I Voted” stickers in Whatcom County.
According to an announcement, the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office has organized the contest and will feature the winning design in its office beginning on July 15th. Submissions are required to fit within a 4-inch diameter circle. Hand-drawn as well as digital designs are accepted— but no AI-generated art is allowed.
Entries are due by May 1st. More information can be found at “Whatcomcounty-dot-U.S.-slash-Elections”
STORY: Officials concerned over spike in measles
Washington health officials say measles cases are rising sharply this year.
The Washington State Department of Health has confirmed 26 measles cases across four counties so far in 2026. That’s already more than double the 12 cases reported statewide during all of last year.
Most of the cases are in children, and nearly all involve people who are unvaccinated or whose vaccination status is unknown. Cases have been reported in Snohomish, Clark, Stevens and Kittitas counties.
Health officials say measles is highly contagious and spreads through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes. They say the MMR vaccine remains the most effective protection against the disease.
Nationally, the U.S. has now recorded more than 1,100 measles cases this year.
STORY: Whatcom Chief dry dock dates updated
The Whatcom Chief ferry will be out of service for its annual dry dock later this spring, Whatcom County officials announced Wednesday.
The outage is scheduled from Saturday, April 25, through Sunday, May 17, a week later than previously planned. The ferry, which carries both vehicles and pedestrians between Gooseberry Point and Lummi Island, will be replaced by a pedestrian-only vessel during the maintenance period.
This year, Lummi Island riders will no longer have access to the shuttle service that normally helps passengers get around. County documents say the shuttle vans, originally obtained from WTA surplus, have reached the end of their usable life, and replacing them is cost-prohibitive.
STORY: Whatcom County to host second community engagement workshop for new jail RUN AGAIN BY/ABOUT MAR 16
Whatcom County wants the public to weigh in on plans for the new jail and behavioral health facility.
The county will host its second community engagement workshop for the voter-approved Justice Project next month in Lynden. The initiative, passed in November 2023, includes construction of a new jail and a behavioral care center.
County leaders are expected to decide this spring on the final capacity, scope and budget before construction begins later this year.
Residents can review project updates and provide feedback at the workshop, scheduled for Thursday, March 19th, at the Lynden City Annex Chamber.
STORY: No Kings Day March 28th
STORY: Lummi Island ferry dry dock scheduled for mid-April
STORY: Places to file your taxes for free
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.
Leave a Reply