Vulnerable adult out of Maple Falls still missing after several weeks, Endangered missing persons alert issued for 7-month old taken from Vancouver, Prosecutor sidesteps outside investigation, Birch Bay Waterslides Pending Sale, Historic Plover foot ferry back in action, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Natl Forest temporarily bans recreational target shooting as danger of fire continues to mount, Recreational crabbing to open in Marine Area 7 North (San Juan Islands) beginning Aug. 15 [just focus on area 7], Kalshi ordered to cease most operations in WA after judge finds likely violations of gambling and consumer protection laws, WA Job Growth Slow (prepare yourself- this requires analysis!), Friday Harbor to receive Island County’s first official air quality monitor, Bus fares increase Sept 1, F&C Aug 21, Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall, Friday, August 21, 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Inside Bellis Fair Mall
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, August, 17. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Vulnerable adult out of Maple Falls still missing after several weeks
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is asking for help locating a vulnerable adult.
Deputies say 55‑year‑old James D. Harris was last seen July 25 in the Maple Falls–Kendall area. Search and Rescue teams have spent several days looking for him. Harris is 6’4″, 198 pounds, and was wearing a black motorcycle jacket, blue jeans, and a camo beanie.
Anyone with information is urged to call 911.
STORY: Endangered missing persons alert issued for 7-month old taken from Vancouver
Washington State Patrol has issued an endangered missing person alert for a 7-month-old child.
WSP says 37-year-old Raul Martinez took Marcello Martinez from the Vancouver area between 5 and 6 a.m. Sunday. Investigators say there is a credible threat to the child’s health and safety.
Marcello weighs 16 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a blue onesie with neon green lettering.
Martinez is 5-foot-6 and weighs 180 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing tight sweatpants, a white shirt, and a blue-and-green jacket.
The two are believed to be traveling in a late-90s Jeep Grand Cherokee with unknown license plates. Anyone who sees Marcello or Raul, or the vehicle, is asked to call 911.
STORY: Prosecutor sidesteps outside investigation
The Whatcom County Prosecutor is facing scrutiny over how he handled an internal ethics complaint.
Cascadia Daily News reports Prosecutor Eric Richey rejected a county HR recommendation for an outside investigation after senior deputy Dona Bracke (Dawn-uh BRAK-ee) accused Richey and Chief Criminal Deputy Erik Sigmar of ethical violations and election interference.
HR documents show Richey shut down the idea, calling an investigation too disruptive. Bracke says she asked him to send an all‑staff email addressing conduct she felt undermined her authority, but he never sent it.
A legal assistant submitted a statement alleging “unethical behavior” in the office and claiming Sigmar used his position to undermine Bracke’s authority.
Richey told CDN he won’t comment on personnel matters but stands by the office’s ethics.
STORY: Birch Bay Waterslides Pending Sale
A Skagit County man seriously injured at Birch Bay Waterslides in 2023 has agreed to a $4 million settlement.
Larry Baker, then 43, spent nearly two weeks in intensive care at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after his legs went through a panel on the Hairpin slide in August 2023. He suffered deep cuts to both legs.
Baker filed a negligence lawsuit in Whatcom County Superior Court in May 2024, naming Birch Bay Jun Yu Waterslides, Safe Slide Restoration and Kingworks Consulting Engineers. According to Baker’s attorney, all three contributed to the settlement.
The defendants could not be reached for comment.
The settlement comes as the future of the 41-year-old water park remains uncertain. In May, the park announced it would not reopen for the summer but did not explain why.
The property was listed for sale shortly afterward for $6 million. The 14-and-a-half-acre property includes the water park on about one-third of the land, with the remaining two-thirds vacant.
Real estate agent Patrick Starr of John L. Scott Bellingham said the sale has been pending for about a month. He said prospective buyers from Whatcom County are conducting a feasibility study and have a few more months to complete it.
STORY: Historic Plover foot ferry back in action
The historic Plover Passenger Ferry is back on the water in Blaine for the final four weekends of the summer season.
The 32-foot ferry carries up to 17 passengers on scenic excursions from Blaine Harbor around Drayton Harbor and Semiahmoo Bay, with views of Mt. Baker, White Rock, and local wildlife.
The Plover was built in 1944 and is Washington’s second-oldest passenger ferry. It originally transported workers to Alaska Packers Salmon Cannery on Semiahoo Spit.
This season could be especially important for the Plover. Organizers say its future is uncertain, and funding for another season may not be available.
The ferry operates Friday through Sunday, with departures beginning at noon. Tickets are nine dollars for adults and four dollars for children ages three to 12.
STORY: Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie Natl Forest temporarily bans recreational target shooting as danger of fire continues to mount
The Mt. Baker–Snoqualmie National Forest has temporarily banned all target shooting due to extreme fire danger.
The order took effect August 13 and applies across all forest lands, roads, and trails. Shooting is only allowed for people actively hunting under state regulations. The move comes after officials confirmed target shooting sparked the Prairie Mountain Fire near Darrington — a blaze already costing about $3.2 million to fight.
The Forest remains under a full campfire ban, and fireworks are prohibited. Only pressurized gas or liquid‑fuel stoves with shut‑off valves are allowed.
Smoking is restricted to enclosed vehicles or buildings, designated campgrounds, or cleared areas.
STORY: Recreational crabbing to open in Marine Area 7 North (San Juan Islands) beginning Aug. 15 [just focus on area 7] (note- this is dated for broadcast AFTER 8/15)
Good news for crabbers — the northern San Juan Islands are now open for crabbing.
Marine Area 7 North opened for crabbing on Saturday, with the season running Thursdays through Mondays through Sept. 28. The state Department of Fish and Wildlife says the later start is because Dungeness in Area 7 North molt later, and test fisheries showed enough crab had reached the required hardshell condition to begin the season.
Marine Area 7 South is already open under the same Thursday‑through‑Monday schedule.
The agency reminds crabbers to review gear rules, carry the required license and catch record card, and make sure pots are properly weighted to avoid lost gear.
STORY: Kalshi ordered to cease most operations in WA after judge finds likely violations of gambling and consumer protection laws
The prediction‑market company Kalshi has been ordered to shut down much of its business in Washington.
A King County judge ruled the company is likely running an illegal gambling operation. The order blocks Kalshi from offering bets on sports, elections, politics, entertainment, tech, science, and “mentions.” It also requires Kalshi to geofence Washington users by early September and bars the company from advertising those wagers in the state.
Attorney General Nick Brown says the injunction prevents Kalshi from misleading consumers about the legality of its service. The ruling follows a July injunction that Kalshi failed to pause at the Court of Appeals.
Washington law prohibits internet gambling, and the AG’s office says it will continue enforcing that ban.
WX: In teh mittens
Expect warm air and mostly sunny skies for the remainder of today, with highs set to peak in the mid 70s. Look for cloud cover tonight with lows in the upper 50s. Tomorrow expect clearer skies with highs in the mid 70s and overnight lows in the mid 50s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Nate Landi, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger (no-ELL REE-ger), and Sean Lynch. 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: WA Job Growth Slow (prepare yourself- this requires analysis!)
STORY: Friday Harbor to receive Island County’s first official air quality monitor
San Juan County now has its first regulatory‑grade air monitor.
The Northwest Clean Air Agency installed the new station in Friday Harbor that meets strict federal accuracy standards.
The monitor tracks fine particulate pollution — the main health threat from wildfire smoke. Officials say it will give residents reliable, locally collected air‑quality data for the first time and help show the county meets federal clean‑air standards.
The agency plans to expand its sensor network across the islands, adding about 15 new locations through next year.
Readings from the Friday Harbor monitor are available on NWCAA’s Air Quality Center website.
STORY: Bus fares increase Sept 1
Bus fares in Whatcom County are going up September 1.
WTA says rising costs and slower sales‑tax growth are prompting its first fare increase since 2008. Adult fares will rise to $2, with a $6 daily and $60 monthly cap. Reduced‑fare riders will pay $1, and youth will still ride free.
Paratransit fares will increase to $3, with a $6 daily cap and a $30 monthly cap.
WTA is introducing fare capping for fixed‑route riders. Using the same Umo card, Umo app, or bank card lets each trip count toward the caps — and once you hit them, the rest of your rides are free. Cash won’t count toward fare caps.
WTA says the changes will help avoid future service cuts.
F&C Aug 21
Children’s Craft Fair at the Bellis Fair Mall
Friday, August 21, 5:00 – 7:00 pm
Inside Bellis Fair Mall
Enjoy a wide array of handmade crafts and baked goods created by children ages 13 and younger. All items are priced $5 or less; cash only sales. Fun for all ages to shop for unique treasures and support local youth.
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