City of Bellingham enacts downtown alley closure, following passage of ordinance, Lynden school levy appears to fail…again, Former Bellingham High School teacher’s certification suspended, three years after dismissal for unprofessional conduct, Bellingham man sentenced to over 15 years for assault and attempted murder, County one step closer to creating ferry district, Port of Bellingham unanimously confirms interim leader to permanent position, Whatcom County announces beginning of scoping phase in development of controversial Ranch Quarry, Portal Container Village opens FRI, 5/1, Portal Container Village opens FRI, 5/1, Judge partially blocks law establishing statewide review board for sheriffs, Judge partially blocks law establishing statewide review board for sheriffs, Survey finds teens in WA more academically connected and have better mental health
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, April, 30. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: City of Bellingham enacts downtown alley closure, following passage of ordinance
Bellingham is closing off part of its downtown alley network as the city moves to curb drug‑related crime.
Crews have already begun fencing a three‑block stretch between Railroad and Cornwall, from Holly to Chestnut.
City officials say the move follows a 2024 executive order that identified several downtown alleys as entrenched spots for open drug use, overdoses, and hard‑to‑police activity.
It is unclear when or if the alley will be reopened to the public again.
STORY: Lynden school levy appears to fail…again
A proposed capital facilities levy in the Lynden School District appears to have failed.
According to the latest count from the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, nearly 60% of voters opposed the measure, with about 40% in favor.
The levy would have raised roughly $6.4 million a year from 2027 through 2030 for school expansions, safety upgrades, technology, and a permanent site for Lynden Academy.
While results are still unofficial, the margin suggests the outcome is unlikely to change.
STORY: Former Bellingham High School teacher’s certification suspended, three years after dismissal for unprofessional conduct
A former drivers education teacher at Bellingham High School has had his teaching licenses suspended three years after he was dismissed for unprofessional conduct.
Documented complaints against 62-year-old Stuart Soderquist (SO-dur-kwist) said he touched students during drives to gain attention and made a racially based comment to a student of color.
Soderquist told the Cascadia Daily that the school district blew up small incidents in order to fire him but he does not intend to return to teaching.
STORY: Bellingham man sentenced to over 15 years for assault and attempted murder
A Bellingham man has been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for a 2025 stabbing.
Bennie Demetrius Washington Jr., 25, received 189 months for first-degree assault and attempted second-degree murder, both charges included deadly weapon enhancements. The sentences will be served at the same time, and Washington, Jr. will also be subject to 36 months of community custody after his release.
According to court documents, Washington stabbed a man in the back during a fight on Dupont Street, and left the victim with serious injuries. Officers later found Washington nearby with blood on his hands.
A no-contact order for the victim remains in place indefinitely.
STORY: County one step closer to creating ferry district
Whatcom County is one step closer to establishing a new ferry district.
The County Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to introduce an ordinance creating a district to support the Lummi Island ferry.
The measure would allow a countywide property‑tax levy of up to 10 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, with the council and county executive serving as the district’s governing board. All revenue would go into the Ferry System Fund.
Public Works says the ferry system relies on the county’s Road Fund, which officials warn can no longer keep up with an aging vessel, deteriorating terminals, and rising emergency repair costs.
The county’s schedule calls for formal council approval on May 12, with a public hearing to be set later.
STORY: Port of Bellingham unanimously confirms interim leader to permanent position
The Port of Bellingham is turning to one of its own for its next leader.
Commissioners voted unanimously this week to appoint Tiffany DeSimone as executive director. She’s been serving in the interim role since last summer and has more than a decade of experience running the Bellingham Shipping Terminal and the Squalicum and Blaine harbors.
After the vote, DeSimone thanked commissioners for their trust.
[clip DeSimone.wav :10 out: Thank you]
The four‑month search started with 99 applicants and narrowed to five finalists. DeSimone still needs to formally accept the position.
STORY: Whatcom County announces beginning of scoping phase in development of controversial Ranch Quarry
Whatcom County says it will launch a full environmental review for a proposed new rock quarry.
Cowden Inc. wants to build the Ranch Quarry, a 64‑acre open‑pit mine on South Pass Road outside Sumas. The project spans about 108 acres and would clear roughly 65 acres of forest on land designated for long‑term rock and gravel extraction.
The quarry would be mined in four phases over up to 50 years, with about 25 truck trips a day and on‑site crushing. The footprint was reduced from an earlier proposal to avoid naturally occurring asbestos.
Because of the scale, the county is requiring a full Environmental Impact Statement. Public comment runs through May 29, including an online meeting on May 13. More details are on the county’s Ranch Quarry webpage.
WX: Those things glow, baby! They glow!
And now for the weather:
Expect more glorious sunshine here in Whatcom today, with temperatures remaining at pleasant highs in the upper 60s and low 70s. Expect some spotty clouds here and there throughout the day.
This forecast this evening calls for mostly clear skies and lows of around 50 degrees.
Expect more of this tomorrow. Man, I love spring.
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), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Kieran (KEAR-un) Dang, Bella Farris, and Jenny Lam. 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: Portal Container Village opens FRI, 5/1
The Portal Container Village on Bellingham’s waterfront has opened for the season.
The Port says the site will again host major summer events, including
Shoestring Circus, Northwest Tune-Up, and the Noisy Waters Mural
Festival. The season kicks off May 8 with a free “Party on the Pier” next to the Granary Building, featuring DJ Selector Joel Ricci and food from Mercato delle Bontà.
Port Interim Executive Director Tiffany DeSimone says the opening celebrates local creativity, maritime heritage, and a welcoming waterfront.
STORY: Judge partially blocks law establishing statewide review board for sheriffs
A federal judge has put Washington’s new sheriff‑oversight law on hold.
A U.S. District Court judge issued the ruling yesterday in Spokane, halting the law while a challenge from several Eastern Washington sheriffs moves forward. The sheriffs argue the measure is unconstitutional and undermines voters’ authority to remove an elected sheriff.
The Seattle Times reports the law would have allowed the state to oust an elected sheriff who was decertified as a peace officer — a process that normally requires a recall election. For now, the judge’s order means decertified sheriffs cannot be forced from office under the new rules while the case continues.
STORY: Survey finds teens in WA more academically connected and have better mental health
More teens in Washington say what they learn in school may be relevant to life and they have hope for the future, according to a Healthy Youth Survey.
79 percent of the 10th graders asked, said they tried their best in school, compared with 74 percent three years ago.
29 percent instead of 31 percent said they felt anxious and 75 percent they had hope of setting goals for the future.
The study was conducted by authorities including the Department of Health last year.
UPCOMING FREE/CHEAP:
Residents of Whatcom County can safely and responsibly dispose of old or leftover household paint at a Free Paint Collection & Recycling Event. The event will take place on Saturday, May 2, in Lynden. https://www.whatcomcounty.us//CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=5453
Ferndale High School’s FFA Plant Sale is this Saturday from 9 to 1 at the FHS greenhouse. You’ll find a big selection of flowers and plants grown by FFA students, and advanced metals students will also be selling handcrafted yard art.
It’s the last chance to catch the Tulip Festival in the Skagit Valley. RoozenGaarde and Tulip Town are both staying open through Sunday, and Tulip Town is offering discounted tickets this weekend.
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