Bellingham security guard assaulted outside of apartment building in potential hate crime, 19-year-old motorcyclist who filmed escapades pleads guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving, Second diesel spill impedes work on fish passage improvements, Years of collaboration between Lummi Nation and BTC expected to yield record chinook return this fall, WA health officials investigating potential first-ever locally acquired malaria case, Cannabis sales down in state, Mount Vernon seeking public help in locating vehicle involved with suspected hit-and-run, Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, August 12th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham security guard assaulted outside of apartment building in potential hate crime
Bellingham Police are investigating a possible hate crime after a violent assault outside an apartment building on Sunday night.
My Bellingham Now reports officers responded to a call on North Samish Way just after 10 p.m., where a security guard reported being attacked by two men after asking them not to smoke near the entrance.
The guard, who is Hispanic or Latino, says one of the men pushed him to the ground, punched and choked him, threatened to kill him and shouted a racial slur that did not match his ethnicity. The second man allegedly held him down and tried to get his dog to bite him.
Police arrested both suspects — a 38-year-old white man, and a 51-year-old Hispanic or Latino man. They remain at the Whatcom County Jail without bail.
Detectives are reviewing the case to determine whether hate crime charges are appropriate.
STORY: 19-year-old motorcyclist who filmed escapades pleads guilty to misdemeanor reckless driving
A 19-year-old man who bragged on social media about outrunning police on his motorcycle has pled guilty to reckless driving in Whatcom County Superior Court.
According to Whatcom News, he was originally charged with hit and run and two counts of reckless driving. Under a plea deal, he received a 364-day sentence — with all 364 days suspended — and 120 hours of community service.
The Washington State Patrol says the teen posted videos online showing himself fleeing troopers at speeds of over 150 miles per hour. The footage also revealed his involvement in a January road rage incident involving a hit and run.
At the time of his arrest in April, he admitted to riding without a motorcycle endorsement, and claimed he did not think riding that fast in traffic was dangerous. He also told officers his parents did not know he owned the bike.
He was released on a $1,500 bail the day after his arrest.
STORY: Second diesel spill impedes work on fish passage improvements
For the second time in less than a week, a faulty pump deployed by Faber Construction has leaked diesel into Padden Creek.
The spills have contaminated plants, killed fish, and caused trail closures, as well as delays at the ongoing Padden Creek’s Fish Passage Improvement Project.
The first incident occurred on August 3rd, spilling 344 gallons of oil into the water. The second spill, from the same pump, took place last Thursday, and dumped an additional 332 gallons.
Earlier this summer, Faber began work on widening a culvert and replacing a fish ladder with a boulder field at the site, all with the goal of facilitating the navigation of salmon up the precipitous hillside. The contractor has now partnered with Washington’s Department of Ecology to effect a clean-up.
Faber has replaced the problematic pump, and installed enhanced secondary containment measures. In addition, according to the City of Bellingham’s website, the contractor has, quote, “implemented round-the-clock site monitoring” unquote. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has issued a stop-work order while repairs and restoration efforts continue.
STORY: Years of collaboration between Lummi Nation and BTC expected to yield record chinook return this fall
A record chinook return is expected to Whatcom Creek in downtown Bellingham this season.
According to a press release from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, 7,000 Chinook salmon are expected to return to Whatcom Creek this fall. The Chinook provide prey for Southern Resident killer whales; they also support tribal and recreational fisheries.
According to the press release, the salmon eggs are taken from the Samish River by WDFW’s Samish Hatchery staff. Once at the hatchery, the WDFW staff is joined by BTC students who assist in the incubation of the eggs; the salmon are then released into Bellingham Bay each spring. The state-managed hatchery is part of an ongoing collaboration between BTC, the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, the Lummi Nation and the Nooksack Tribe.
Lisa Wilson, vice-chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission and a member of Lummi Nation leadership, said that, quote, “we have been working collectively and diligently to bring back salmon for all of our tribal people, as well as all Washington state residents and our future generations” unquote.
STORY: WA health officials investigating potential first-ever locally acquired malaria case
Washington is dealing with a lasting buzz after an East Pierce County woman was diagnosed with malaria on August 2nd.
The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department confirmed her diagnosis last Wednesday. The twist? She has no recent travel history, raising the possibility this is the state’s first locally acquired case of the disease.
Health officials are investigating, suspecting a mosquito may have contracted the infection overseas and delivered it here. Malaria claims hundreds of thousands of lives each year, and warmer, wetter conditions are helping these mosquitoes reach new places.
Washington typically records 20 to 70 cases annually, nearly all related to travel. The public risk remains low, and health agencies are working to confirm the source — a reminder that the slightest buzz can carry a big story into our own backyard.
STORY: Cannabis sales down in state
A new report offers a snapshot of how cannabis use is shifting in Washington.
The recently released 2024 Washington Cannabis Report highlights a rise in cannabis beverages, with sodas and liquid “shots” leading the trend. Nearly 30% of past-year users tried them.
Dried flower is still the most-used product, with edibles close behind. While the legal THC limit per serving is 10 milligrams, users reported taking in an average of 35 — raising safety concerns.
Medical cannabis use is also up, with recommendations rising from 9% in 2022 to 13% in 2024.
Most consumers still prefer the legal market, citing lower costs and easier access — though about half report sharing cannabis informally.
On the retail side, however, cannabis sales have dipped since peaking at nearly $1.5 billion in 2021. According to the 2025 Washington Marijuana Sales Report, sales fell to $1.19 billion last year, and early 2025 data suggests the decline may continue.
Cannabis remains central to Washington’s economy and culture, but shifting habits signal changes ahead.
WX: Threatening metal slides
And now for the weather:
With the heat advisory sticking around for nearly all of today, be prepared for another hot one. Highs today are looking to float around the low-80s, with a max U.V. index rating of 6. Expect the skies to remain largely clear throughout the day and heading into the evening, where we’ll see things cool down to lows around the low-60s.
Provided the heat advisory does not get extended, tomorrow should see a return to temperatures in the 70s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy (luh-ROY). 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. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thank you for listening!
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Check for updates: STORY: Mount Vernon seeking public help in locating vehicle involved with suspected hit-and-run
STORY: Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
https://www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums — Sat, Sept. 13
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Run with the Chums on September 13th at BP Highlands in Birch Bay.
This free, family-friendly 5K fun run celebrates salmon, clean water, and community. All ages and paces are welcome, and the scenic course offers stunning views of Whatcom County’s shoreline.
Kids 10 and under can enjoy the Smolt Sprint obstacle course starting at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K kicking off at 10.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.—arrive early for a free T-shirt while supplies last.
