U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards conduct joint rescue of sinking skiff off of Point Roberts; one deceased, Colorado man accused of shooting Lummi Police Officer pleads not guilty to all charges, Residents of primarily senior community in Bellingham report being priced out of homes, City of Bellingham to negotiate selective logging plan in 80-acre stretch of Galbraith Mountain, Reports indicate salaries of Whatcom County Councilors have more than doubled in last five years, AG’s office sues Trump administration over withholding of climate change funds, 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 Wednesday, August 13th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards conduct joint rescue of sinking skiff off of Point Roberts; one deceased
A fisherman is dead after a boat sank near Point Roberts on Monday.
The U.S. Coast Guard, Canadian Coast Guard, and a nearby boater rushed to help after a distress call came in just before 4 p.m. A 25-foot skiff was taking on water near a red buoy off Point Roberts, with two people on board.
A good Samaritan reached the scene first, pulling one fisherman from the water in good condition. They also helped rescue crews locate the second man, but despite efforts by both U.S. and Canadian responders, he was later pronounced dead after being transferred to EMS at Blaine Harbor.
Coast Guard officials say the incident underscores the critical role of both international partnerships and everyday boaters in emergencies.
STORY: Colorado man accused of shooting Lummi Police Officer pleads not guilty to all charges
The man accused of gunning down a Lummi police officer has pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and a string of drug charges.
My Bellingham Now reports 23-year-old Jesus Penuelas-Agramon (heh-SOOS peh-NOO-eh-lahs AH-gruh-mon) of Colorado was arraigned last Friday in Whatcom County Superior Court. He’s also facing charges for drug dealing and money laundering.
Investigators say the officer — a 37-year-old veteran of the Lummi Nation Police — was shot seven times after stopping to check on a car in a ditch in the early hours of July 28th.
Penuelas-Agramon was already under investigation for drug activity, and was arrested later that same day.
He’s due back in court for a status hearing on August 27th, with trial set to begin in late September.
The officer, whose name has not been released, is said to be recovering well and making what police call great progress.
STORY: Residents of primarily senior community in Bellingham report being priced out of homes
A year after its $41 million sale, Bellingham’s largest senior mobile home park is no longer the affordable haven residents once counted on.
According to The Bellingham Herald, longtime residents at Lakeway Estates say steep rent hikes are pushing them to the brink, with some paying over $1,000 a month to lease the land beneath their homes. Since private equity firm Havenpark Communities took over in March of 2024, lot rents have jumped by as much as 15%.
Residents say they’re depleting savings, picking up part-time jobs, relying on food banks, and even rationing medications — just to get by. One resident said their rent now exceeds their Social Security income.
Although Washington state now caps rent increases at 5% annually, the law came too late for many already struggling. With some homes now nearly impossible to sell at market value due to soaring rent for new buyers — up to nearly $1,700 a month — moving out is not a viable option either.
Attempts to buy the park and turn it into a resident-owned co-op failed, even with city assistance, because the $41 million price tag was simply too high.
Lakeway Estates says it has invested over $800,000 in upgrades, and maintains it’s working to keep the park thriving. However, residents say the real cost has been their peace of mind.
STORY: City of Bellingham to negotiate selective logging plan in 80-acre stretch of Galbraith Mountain
Bellingham is getting ready to log part of its own protected watershed — not for profit, but for forest health.
The City Council voted unanimously on Monday to begin negotiations with Janicki (JAN-nicky) Logging for a selective timber harvest on Galbraith Mountain, above the Geneva neighborhood near Lake Whatcom.
Officials say Douglas firs in the North Beaver Creek Preserve have grown too densely, choking out biodiversity and putting the forest at risk. The plan is to thin about 80 acres by reducing the tree count from 250 to 150 per acre — boosting spacing, improving habitat, and protecting the long-term health of the watershed.
Mayor Kim Lund visited the property and says the forest does not look healthy.
[clip: Lund.wav – 23 SECONDS – out: active forest]
Only Douglas firs will be removed, and logging is expected next summer. Any money made will go back into watershed protection.
STORY: Reports indicate salaries of Whatcom County Councilors have more than doubled in last five years
Whatcom County Council members are now making more than double what they earned just five years ago — but that rapid pay growth is slowing down.
According to the Cascadia Daily News, council salaries were around $36,000 in 2020. Today, they’re over $79,000 — for a position still considered part-time. However, with a looming county budget crunch, future raises will be limited to cost-of-living increases.
Some council members argue the job is anything but part-time. Councilmember Jon Scanlon told the salary commission he puts in 30 to 40 hours a week. and says the current pay forces most members to hold second jobs — creating barriers for parents, renters, and lower-income residents.
The commission ultimately agreed the job demands more time than part-time hours, but stopped short of major raises going forward.
Meanwhile, County Executive Satpal Sidhu (sat-POW see-DO) now earns about $244,000 — more than the governor — and the council oversees a $429 million budget.
Despite the salary bumps, Whatcom council members still make less than elected officials in similar counties like Kitsap, Thurston, and Skagit.
STORY: AG’s office sues Trump administration over withholding of climate change funds
State Attorney General Nick Brown filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration for withholding $9 million in climate funding.
According to a news release by the Attorney General’s Office, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration awarded funding to two climate focused programs in Washington state in 2022 and 2023.
Both awards were terminated, saying that they were not consistent with the president’s priorities. Brown says this violates the U.S. Constitution’s Spending Clause and separation of powers principles.
The funds would have been used for the Tribal Stewards and Coastal Resilience programs.
WX: Spartans, tonight we fight in the shade
And now for the weather:
The end of the heat advisory is looking to give way to a stretch of duller, cooler weather, beginning today with some cloudy-turned-partly-sunny skies and highs in the mid-70s. That sunshine is projected to be relatively minimal for this time of year, as we’re looking at a max U.V. index rating of only 4. This evening, expect some increasing cloud cover, alongside lows around 60 degrees.
Tomorrow’s looking to be relatively cool and overcast throughout, before the night comes with rain that may very well stick around for a good couple of days.
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.
