Bellingham man hospitalized following motorcycle crash, Parking minimums eliminated, Fruit popsicles recalled, Man arrested in Skagit County accused of murder, More work on Little Squalicum Park, Galbraith Mtn. closed for two days, Glacier Creek Road reopens, F&C: Aug 21, Bellingham City Council issues verdict on Viewcrest Road development (Aug 21, set to be released at 0830), Ferndale council votes against multifamily tax exemption expansion, Comments open for federal government’s proposed rescinding of Roadless Rule
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, August 21st. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
Smoke from Fraser River valley wildfires is flowing into our region this afternoon. Those with respiratory issues are advised to stay indoors with windows closed and air filters on full blast.
STORY: Bellingham man hospitalized following motorcycle crash
A 33-year-old Bellingham man is hospitalized after crashing his motorcycle into some mailboxes.
Police say the crash happened Wednesday night around 7:27pm on Ridgemont Way in Bellingham’s Happy Valley neighborhood.
Witnesses told officers the man was riding above the posted speed limit when he lost control and struck the mailboxes, hitting his head.
Firefighters evaluated the man at the scene before paramedics took him to St. Joe’s.
His condition is not known.
STORY: Parking minimums eliminated
The Bellingham City Council has approved the elimination of minimum parking requirements on new development.
The council approved the changes Aug. 10th and the new rules take effect next Tuesday where developers will no longer be required to provide a set number of parking stalls under the city’s land-use code. Instead, builders can decide how much parking is appropriate for the project.
The city says the change is intended to support housing development by allowing land previously required for parking to be used for housing or other purposes.
The rules still include requirements for accessible parking when parking is provided, as well as bicycle parking requirements and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure.
Beginning in 2027, Washington cities generally will not be able to require parking for residential units smaller than 1,200 square feet or commercial spaces smaller than 3,000 square feet.
STORY: Fruit popsicles recalled
Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream is voluntarily recalling select Outshine Fruit Bars over possible glass contamination.
The recall affects five flavors of their six-count, 2.5 ounce fruit bars: Strawberry, Watermelon, Grape, Tangerine, and Black Cherry, along with the 24-count Variety Pack.
The effected products were distributed to retailers nationwide. Customers should check the batch code next to the best by date and compare to the list on the FDA website under safety recalls.
The company says the recall follows reports of glass found in the product. Although, no illnesses or injuries have yet been reported.
Customers who have effected products should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.
No other Outshine products are included in the recall.
STORY: Man arrested in Skagit County accused of murder
A man wanted in an Oregon murder case has been arrested in Skagit County.
Deputies in Lane County, Oregon were called on August 19th to check on 44-year-old Yuvonne Allison after an out-of-state caller reported concern. Allison was found dead and investigators say she’d been stabbed multiple times.
Detectives quickly identified 47-year-old Tyler Earl Essex as a suspect and obtained a murder warrant. Skagit County officers worked with Lane County detectives to effect the arrest.
Essex is now being held in the Skagit County Jail without bail.
STORY: More work on Little Squalicum Park
Restoration work is underway again at Little Squalicum Creek near the off-leash area.
Crews will reposition boulders and large timber in the creek to stabilize streambanks and reduce erosion. The work is part of ongoing restoration efforts following completion of the Estuary project in 2024.
In-water construction is taking place during an approved work period, with measures in place to protect fish and other aquatic life.
The work is expected to continue through early September, followed by native plantings this fall.
STORY: Galbraith Mtn. closed for two days
Public access to Galbraith Mountain will be closed Aug. 24th and 25th while herbicide is applied to access roads, according to Galbraith Tree Farm.
Officials are asking the public to respect the temporary closure for safety reasons.
Galbraith Tree Farm is private property managed by Janicki Logging Co. for timber production. Public access is provided through a recreational use easement purchased by the City of Bellingham in 2018.
STORY: Glacier Creek Road reopens
Good news for hikers: the road to the Heliotrope Ridge trailhead is open again.
The Forest Service says repairs to Glacier Creek Road – also known as Forest Road 39 — are complete after last winter’s flooding washed out several sections. The closure had forced hikers and climbers to add miles and elevation to reach Heliotrope Ridge, a popular day hike and launch point for north-side Mount Baker ascents.
One spur is still closed. Grouse Butte Road — aka Forest Road 36 — which splits off Glacier Creek Road at mile 7.75.
STORY: Cricket tournament debuts in Monroe this weekend
Good news for cricket fans, the Seattle Orcas have launched a new women’s tournament this week.
The inaugural Seattle Orcas Women’s T20 Exhibition runs Aug. 20 to 23rd at Fairfield County Park in Monroe. The tournament features three teams: the Bellevue Blazers, Redmond Raptors, and the Washington Waves.
Teams will play a double round-robin schedule, with the top two advancing to the championship final.
Organizers say the tournament is intended to provide emerging players with an opportunity to compete alongside experienced international athletes while helping raise the profile of women’s cricket in the Pacific Northwest.
More information is available on the Seattle Orcas Women’s T20 Exhibition website.
F&C: Aug 21
If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, here are a few ideas…
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
Bellis Fair Mall is hosting a children’s craft fair tonight from 5 to 7pm. Kids thirteen and under will be selling handmade crafts and baked goods, all priced at $5 or less. It’s cash only, and a quick, family-friendly way to support young creators.
Cordata Gallery opens a new exhibition with SeaFeast tomorrow called “Creative Currents.” The opening reception runs from 2 to 5pm, featuring regional artists reflecting the Salish Sea and Bellingham’s working waterfront.
Saturday evening, the JP Falcon Band is performing at the Acme Diner from 5 to 7pm.
And, the Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema presents “A Knight’s Tale” tomorrow on the Fairhaven Village Green. Gate opens at 6pm and the movie starts around 8pm. Admission is $7 cash $8 with card.
It’s the final weekend of the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden, with rides, food, baby goats, cows, horses, and special events this Saturday and Sunday.
WX: The heavenly hotbox
And now weather:
It’s hot, humid, and smoky in Bellingham today with low 80s, Lynden in the mid 80s, and Blaine in the mid 70s. Clouds through the night with temperatures in the low 60s.
For weekend weather, look for clouds and some overcast with a chance of rain, and cooler temperatures. There is also a chance for thunder and lightning in the afternoon. Expect rain Saturday night with lows in the upper 50s. Sunday will begin to ease up, but don’t expect to see sunshine until Monday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger, 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Bellingham City Council issues verdict on Viewcrest Road development (Aug 21, set to be released at 0830)
STORY: Ferndale council votes against multifamily tax exemption expansion
STORY: Comments open for federal government’s proposed rescinding of Roadless Rule
Comments are open for a proposed rescinding of a federal rule about National Forest lands.
The U.S. The Department of Agriculture is proposing to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule, which limits road construction and timber harvesting on National Forest lands. The USDA says this will reduce regulatory burden, and allow state officials to make their own decisions about land based on different priorities. They point to increased timber access, decreased wildfire risk and recreation profit loss as motivations for the change.
The Natural Resources Defense Council denounced the rule change, saying it would endanger wildlife, threaten clean water, and worsen climate change.
The Sierra Club says it could impact 60-million acres of protected forest lands, including old-growth forests –which can be up to 500 years old. A 2025 comment period on the rule showed 99 percent of comments were in support of keeping it.
Comments can be sent online through the Federal Rulemaking Portal until September 21st.
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