Two men arrested in connection with Bellingham drive-by shooting, Birch Bay man pleads not guilty to charges connected to shooting that left 2 injured, Friday Harbor to receive Island County’s first official air quality monitor, Bus fares increase Sept 1, Ferry crew successfully rescues passengers from rowboat in distress off Orcas Island, Power outage in Birchwood-Alderwood area cuts electricity to nearly 3,000 customers, WDFW reminds public to be wary of bears following encounter north of Lake Whatcom, Investigation launched into potential violation of transparency laws by Let’s Go Washington, Investigation launched into potential violation of transparency laws by Let’s Go Washington, WA Job Growth Slow (prepare yourself- this requires analysis!), 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 Tuesday, August , 18. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Two men arrested in connection with Bellingham drive-by shooting
Two men were arrested after shots were fired at a busy downtown Bellingham intersection early Saturday morning.
Police responded to multiple 911 calls reporting gunfire at Railroad Avenue and East Holly Street shortly before 3 a.m. Officers found shell casings and followed a white SUV believed to be involved in the incident, stopping it near State Street and East Chestnut.
Police identified the driver as 28-year-old Channon Hill of Bellingham, and the passenger as 30-year-old Lateef Abdu of San Diego. Witnesses said the shooter was wearing a cowboy hat, which officers found inside the SUV along with an empty handgun holster.
Abdu was arrested on suspicion of drive-by shooting. Hill was arrested on suspicion of complicity in the shooting for allegedly driving away from the scene. Both men were booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Birch Bay man pleads not guilty to charges connected to shooting that left 2 injured
A Birch Bay man has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges in connection to a shooting that left two people wounded, including a 2-year-old toddler.
According to court records, 62-year-old Anthony Palomba pleaded not guilty to two counts of attempted murder, felony harassment, and second-degree assault at his arraignment last Tuesday. The incident occurred in a Birch Bay home the night before; none of the injuries sustained by the victims were life-threatening.
Palomba told hospital staff that he had been intoxicated; a search of his vehicle by investigators yielded a pistol, while at least one bullet fired into the home was also found.
Palomba is currently being held at the Whatcom County Jail without bail. His jury trial is tentatively scheduled to begin on October 5th.
STORY: Friday Harbor to receive Island County’s first official air quality monitor
San Juan County now has its first regulatory‑grade air monitor station.
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 on September 1st.
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 will not count toward fare caps.
WTA says the changes will help avoid future service cuts.
STORY: Ferry crew successfully rescues passengers from rowboat in distress off Orcas Island
A Washington State Ferries crew is being credited with a quick response that helped rescue rowboaters in distress near Orcas Island.
The crew of the Tilikum received a Coast Guard call around 9:45 Friday morning. They were informed that a small rowboat was taking on water and could not maneuver.
The ferry changed course, and crew members launched a rescue boat to reach the people aboard. They safely brought the rowboaters to shore and no one required medical attention.
WSF says its crews regularly train for water rescues across the Salish Sea.
STORY: Power outage in Birchwood-Alderwood area cuts electricity to nearly 3,000 customers
A power outage yesterday in the Birchwood-Alderwood area affected nearly 3,000 customers.
Puget Sound Energy reported an outage in the area at about 8:45pm. First responders were dispatched to Eldridge Avenue after reports of an electrical emergency. The power had been expected to be restored by midnight.
An identical power outage occurred on the same block in June. On that occasion, the cause of the outage was identified as a bird or animal.
STORY: WDFW reminds public to be wary of bears following encounter north of Lake Whatcom
Washington wildlife officials are increasing patrols after a reported encounter between a black bear and a hiker north of Lake Whatcom.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says the incident happened Saturday morning on a forested trail in Whatcom County. The person involved was an adult woman hiking with her dog on a leash.
WDFW officers searched the area with trained dogs but were unable to locate the bear. Officers will continue monitoring the area.
Meanwhile, Wildlife officials would like to remind hikers to keep pets leashed, make noise while on the trail and stay aware of their surroundings.
If you encounter a bear, do not run. Stand tall, wave your arms and speak in a calm, low voice while slowly backing away. WDFW also recommends carrying bear spray where it’s easy to reach — and knowing how to use it.
STORY: Investigation launched into potential violation of transparency laws by Let’s Go Washington
Washington’s Public Disclosure Commission has opened a formal investigation into Let’s Go Washington.
The investigation follows a complaint filed back in May by Washingtonians for Ethical Government. The complaint alleges that paid content creator
Brandi Kruse provided at least 159 instances of political advertising in support of two Let’s Go Washington ballot initiatives.
The watchdog group says the advertising should have been reported as in-kind political contributions, potentially worth between $345,000 and $1.25 million.
The PDC held its initial hearing Wednesday. Investigators can gather documents, interview witnesses and subpoena records as they determine whether the Fair Campaign Practices Act was violated.
A key issue is whether Kruse qualifies for the law’s media exemption. Let’s Go Washington has argued that she is a journalist, while Kruse has publicly described herself as a commentator—not a journalist.
Let’s Go Washington was previously fined $20,000 by the PDC in 2024 for ethics violations.
WX: Little ditty ‘bout Jack ‘n Diane
Looks like we’re in for another day of predominantly sunny skies and highs in the high-70s for Bellingham and Lynden, Blaine is still chilling with a high in the low-70s. Some light breezes throughout the day oughta help everybody keep cool out there as we transition into this evening. The night skies will be mostly cloudy — so no star gazing tonight, Whatcom. Lows in the high-50s are expected.
Tomorrow, it looks to be cloudier and just a touch cooler. A gentle reminder that fall is on its way.
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, 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!)
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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