Robbery at Silver Reef Casino, Mount Vernon man pleads guilty to 2024 murder, Drought conditions worsen in Whatcom and Skagit counties, Some trails closed down as East Creek Fire continues to grow, Family of sexual harassment victim settles lawsuit with Bellingham School District, State audit faults Port over federal grant spending, WSP reports well over 7,000 drivers caught speeding since implementation of work zone cameras, WA’s “Bee Atlas,” project documents over two dozen new or rare species across first year, Pickford opens new location on Grand Avenue, Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, August 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Robbery at Silver Reef Casino
A robbery at the Silver Reef Casino has Lummi Nation Police asking for the public’s help.
According to Lummi Communications, a man is wanted in connection with a robbery that took place early yesterday morning at the casino. Authorities say no one was hurt, but the suspect is still on the loose. Lummi Nation Police are now working with the FBI to track him down.
Photos of the suspect have been released and can be seen on the Lummi Communications Facebook page. Anyone with information is urged to contact law enforcement.
STORY: Mount Vernon man pleads guilty to 2024 murder
A Mount Vernon man has admitted to a deadly shooting during a fight last year.
According to the Cascadia Daily News, 43-year-old Jorge Vasquez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the killing of 28-year-old James White in April of 2024.
Prosecutors say White punched Vasquez during a fight, prompting Vasquez to pull a gun. After being forced out of the apartment, Vasquez kicked the door back open and fired several shots. White was hit in the arm, with the bullet traveling into his chest.
Vasquez claimed he acted to protect his niece. In exchange for the guilty plea, other charges were dropped.
He faces nearly 23 years in prison, one of the harsher penalties within the standard range. Sentencing is set for September 3rd in Skagit County.
STORY: Drought conditions worsen in Whatcom and Skagit counties
Drought conditions in northwestern Washington continue to worsen.
The latest report from the U.S. Drought Monitor indicates that more than half of Whatcom County is now enduring severe drought. Additionally, over 10 percent of the county — mostly in the easternmost areas — is undergoing extreme drought.
Conditions have deteriorated significantly since last week, when severe drought affected only a quarter of the county — none of it extreme — according to U.S. Drought Monitor classifications.
Nearly three-quarters of Skagit County are also suffering from severe drought.
According to the Washington State Department of Ecology, June of 2025 was the third-driest in the past 130 years. Abnormally warm temperatures and low precipitation continued throughout July, and the Climate Prediction Center projects little relief during August.
STORY: Some trails closed down as East Creek Fire continues to grow
A lightning-sparked wildfire continues to burn in steep, rugged terrain in the North Cascades.
As of Friday, the East Creek Fire had burned about 23 acres in the Methow (MET-ow) Valley Ranger District, roughly 3 miles east of mile marker 145 on Highway 20 — about 32 miles northwest of Winthrop and just past Washington Pass.
Firefighters can’t safely reach the blaze due to the terrain, so they’re relying on natural barriers to slow its spread. Crews have protected nearby structures and are standing by to engage if conditions allow.
An area closure is in effect to protect both the public and fire crews. That includes East Creek, Mill Creek, Azurite (AZH-uh-rite), and Boulder Creek trails.
Maps and full closure details are posted on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website.
STORY: Family of sexual harassment victim settles lawsuit with Bellingham School District
Bellingham Public Schools has settled a high-profile sexual harassment lawsuit.
According to Cascadia Daily News, the family of a former Options High School student sued the district in March, claiming officials ignored her complaints and violated federal Title IX laws.
The 15-year-old left school in 2022 after what the family called a catastrophically broken response. The case was dismissed on July 17th after what the district described as an amicable settlement.
Both sides are barred from discussing the terms. The district says it’s made major policy changes under a state resolution agreement, and is committed to improving how it handles harassment.
A separate sexual assault lawsuit involving a 10-year-old student is still pending, with trial set for next July.
STORY: State audit faults Port over federal grant spending
The Port of Bellingham is under fire from the state Auditor’s Office for mishandling a federally funded contract.
As first reported by the Bellingham Herald, a recent state audit found the Port showed what it called material weaknesses in how it awarded nearly $1 million from a $4.2 million federal infrastructure grant.
Auditors say Port officials skipped key competitive steps when hiring a California firm to design a project — awarding the contract without properly ranking or scoring the proposals.
The state says this violated federal procurement rules, calling it a serious breakdown in internal controls.
In response, Port officials say they’ve already put new protocols in place and emphasized this is their first audit finding in nearly 20 years.
No other financial issues were found in the rest of the 81-page audit.
STORY: WSP reports well over 7,000 drivers caught speeding since implementation of work zone cameras
Washington’s new work zone speed cameras are catching thousands of drivers — and fast.
KOMO News reports that in just 90 days, the state’s Work Zone Speed Camera Program has issued nearly 76-hundred infractions. According to the Washington State Patrol, just under 4,000 are still being processed.
The program, launched in April by both State Patrol and the Department of Transportation, aims to reduce speed-related crashes in highway work zones. First-time violations result in a $125 fine. Just over 260 repeat offenders already face $248 penalties.
Transportation Secretary Julie Meredith said the early numbers confirm what road crews have long reported — too many drivers speed through work zones.
Notices are sent to the vehicle’s registered owner. While the infractions do not affect driving records or insurance, unpaid fines can block registration renewal.
Appeals are handled by the state Office of Administrative Hearings.
STORY: WA’s “Bee Atlas,” project documents over two dozen new or rare species across first year
Notice the bees that others miss? Those nesting in the ground, flashing green or gold, or hovering over wildflowers? Well, Washington needs you!
More than 600 native bee species live across the state. Most don’t make honey, and they don’t live in hives. Many of them are now disappearing before we even know they exist.
The Washington Bee Atlas, a partnership between the Department of Agriculture and Oregon State University, trains volunteers to photograph and collect native bees for research.
You don’t need a science degree — just the curiosity to look closer at the insects many overlook.
WX: Suncloudia Resort
And now for the weather:
The weather this week looks to take a turn for the slightly more overcast. Today’s forecast in particular calls for intermittent cloud cover among periods of sunny skies, with a U.V. index rating of 6 and highs in the low-70s. Expect things to become substantially cloudier as we get into the evening. Nighttime lows are projected around the mid-50s.
Tomorrow looks to be sunnier than today, though we may see some lasting rain kick off overnight.
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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STORY: Pickford opens new location on Grand Avenue
The owners of the Pickford Film Center opened a new location on Grand Street last Friday.
The Herald says the theatre features three brand-new screens. Two of the rooms can seat 60 people, while the more intimate third room has a capacity of 19 people.
The new location allows the Pickford to host more events and feature new and old movies.
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.
