Kent man found guilty of assault in case of accidental death at 2024 Ferndale cat show, External investigation uncovers details in AI video harassment case, Whatcom County enters agreement to purchase Hannegan Road property as alternative site for new jail, Whatcom’s proposed criminal justice sales tax tabled for time being, Concrete Sauk Valley road closed after washout, one-lane travel potential pending, New nonprofit launches in Whatcom with the goal of expanding access to affordable home ownership, Co-housing announced at old Roeder school building, Places to file your taxes for free, Places to file your taxes for free, Star Park open house on April 6, FREE OR CHEAP
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KMRE brings you local news for Sunday, March, 26. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Kent man found guilty of assault in case of accidental death at 2024 Ferndale cat show
A Kent man is headed to prison for his role in a deadly assault in Whatcom County.
A judge sentenced Lester Payton to 10 months behind bars after he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault in the October 2024 incident. Prosecutors say Payton struck his employer, 61-year-old Anthony Sperry, during an argument at a cat show in Ferndale, knocking him to the ground.
Sperry suffered serious injuries and died a week later. The King County Medical Examiner ruled his death a homicide due to complications from those injuries.
Payton originally faced a manslaughter charge, which was reduced as part of a plea deal. He will also be required to pay restitution at a later date.
STORY: External investigation uncovers details in AI video harassment case
An external investigation into the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has uncovered details of a workplace culture tied to a harassment lawsuit.
According to previous KMRE reporting, detective Derek Jones allegedly created and shared an AI-generated deepfake video of a fellow detective, Samantha Robinson. The video depicted her in a fabricated intimate scene with his father. In February, Robinson filed a harassment complaint against Jones and a toxic workplace claim against the department.
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s office announced yesterday that there were no rules regarding the use of AI at the time of the incident. The subsequent probe led by the Mount Vernon Police Department found insufficient evidence to criminally charge Jones. Prosecutors in the Skagit County Prosecutor’s Office declined to file charges earlier this year.
Robinson has since left the department.
Officials say the Whatcom County sheriff’s office is now developing policies governing the use of AI, as the civil case continues in court.
STORY: Whatcom County enters agreement to purchase Hannegan Road property as alternative site for new jail
Whatcom County may be changing course on the site of its future jail.
County leaders have reached a tentative deal to purchase a 19-acre property on Hannegan Road in Bellingham as an alternative to the currently approved Ferndale location.
Officials say the new site could offer easier permitting, better construction conditions, and a shorter timeline—while saving up to 2-point-5 million dollars in building costs.
The shift comes as the project faces tighter finances, with sales tax revenue falling short of projections and construction costs rising. The proposed site sits near the county’s Behavioral Health Campus, where part of the jail project is already planned.
The 4-point-07 million dollar purchase still needs approval from the Whatcom County Council.
STORY: Whatcom’s proposed criminal justice sales tax tabled for time being
In more jail-related news, tensions are rising at the Whatcom County Council over a proposed public safety tax.
Council members debated a new point-one percent sales tax at the County Council meeting Tuesday night that could bring in about 7 million dollars a year to help cover rising jail and sheriff’s office costs.
While the tax would not require voter approval, two council members are pushing to put the measure on the ballot, saying residents should have a direct say. County leaders warn delaying or rejecting the tax could force major cuts, including potential reductions in sheriff’s patrol staff.
Other council members say those cuts would be unacceptable, citing concerns about public safety and staffing levels.
The council has delayed a final decision, with further discussion set for next week, as a public hearing on the proposal remains open into April.
STORY: Concrete Sauk Valley road closed after washout, one-lane travel potential pending
A stretch of road along the Skagit River is now փակ after erosion washed part of it away.
According to a recent announcement, Skagit County has closed Concrete Sauk Valley Road at milepost 3-point-7 after the river undercut the roadway during flooding earlier this month. Officials say the river has been slowly moving toward the road for decades, but damage from March 20 flooding made the route unsafe.
County officials say the damage adds to millions already needed for flood repairs across Skagit County, as they continue working toward long-term solutions.
STORY: New nonprofit launches in Whatcom with the goal of expanding access to affordable home ownership
A new nonprofit in Whatcom County is working to expand access to affordable homeownership.
According to their website, the Future Homebuyers Organization, or FHO, focuses on first-time and lower-income buyers and aims to close the gap between local wages and rising home prices.
The group’s first project focuses on the Madrona development on North State Street in Bellingham, which is expected to include more than 100 units. Backed by a one million dollar state grant, FHO will provide down payment assistance to seven income-qualified households.
To qualify, applicants must earn 80 percent or less of the area median income, complete a five-hour homebuyer education course, and plan to purchase an FHO-affordable home.
To get started, prospective buyers can fill out an interest form and contact the Washington Homebuyers Resource Center to connect with a housing counselor.
STORY: Co-housing announced at old Roeder school building
Plans are moving forward for a new cohousing development at the old Bellingham School District Administration building on Dupont Street.
The district vacated the building in early 2024 due to flood damage, along with long-standing seismic and accessibility concerns. New renderings show a 42-home community planned for the property, which once housed the historic Roeder School.
According to the Bellingham Co-Housing website, the project, proposed by 4th Corner Commons, would become Bellingham’s second cohousing community and feature privately owned homes centered around shared common spaces and a central courtyard. About 20 households have already signed on to participate in the development.
Developers say the original school building will likely be demolished, citing high retrofit costs. The sale of the property is expected to close in the coming months, with construction slated to begin in 2027.
STORY: Places to file your taxes for free
Tax time is upon us, and 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.
WX: The Sunc Loud Fallacy
And now for the weather:
We’re looking at another mix of clouds and sunshine today, with a slight chance of showers thrown in for good measure. Daytime highs are projected in the low 50s, dropping down to the upper 30s later tonight, which is currently shaping up to be an overcast one with calm winds.
Look for the clouds to stick around tomorrow, with a bit of sunshine breaking through here and there.
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!
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STORY: Star Park open house on April 6
The City of Ferndale is inviting the community to celebrate a new addition aimed at making local parks more inclusive.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new communication board at Star Park is set for Monday, April 6th at 11:30 a.m.
The boards use symbols and pictures to help children communicate, especially those with disabilities, making it easier to interact and play.
Following the ceremony, families are invited to stay for a free Spring Break Bubble Playdate featuring games, activities, and community fun through 1 p.m.
FREE OR CHEAP
38th Annual Fairhaven Neighbors Plant and Tree Sale
Saturday, March 28th, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Hillcrest parking lot – corner of Old Fairhaven Pkwy & 14th St.
Welcome spring with an amazing assortment of plants – veggie starts, flowers, herbs, native and specialty plants, bamboo, trees, berries, ornamentals – from local and regional growers. The sale benefits non-profit Fairhaven Neighbors and a portion of profits are shared with other community non-profits, in the past donating to Bellingham Food Bank, Friends of the Family Resource Center, and the Community Boating Center. Admission is free and all are welcome. Shoppers are encouraged to bring their own boxes for transporting purchases. Fairhaven Neighbors thanks Hillcrest for sharing its space. Expert gardeners and novices – inspiration and perfect plants await.
For more information, see www.Facebook.com/FairhavenPlantAndTreeSale
School District Events
| March 20, 21, 27, 28 | 7:30 PM | Firebringer: A Rock Musical | Options Theater | $25 GA / $15 Student | Presented by Bellingham TheatreWorks in partnership with Options High School drama; directed by Zacharee Simm. |
| March 26, 27 | 7:00 PM | Vista & Horizon Middle School Play | Ferndale HS PAC | Not specified | Joint production by Vista and Horizon Middle Schools in Ferndale. |
| March 27, 28 | 7:00 PM | Sweeney Todd: School Edition | Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth | See website | BAAY student production of the Sondheim musical; directed by Dylan Cisneros and Logan Hyer-Long. |
| March 28, 29 | 2:00 PM | Sweeney Todd: School Edition | Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth | See website | BAAY student production of the Sondheim musical; directed by Dylan Cisneros and Logan Hyer-Long. |
| March 29 | 2:00 PM | Firebringer: A Rock Musical | Options Theater | $25 GA / $15 Student | Final performance of the partnership production between Bellingham TheatreWorks and Options HS Drama. |
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