The Wandering ‘Hamster

Lynden teachers authorize first labor strike in nearly 50 years, Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of child rape, Bellingham resident accused of aiding Canadian school shooter indicted by grand jury, Break-in at Bellingham restaurant, Ballots mailed for Whatcom residents, Whatcom drug overdoses continue to decline from summer spike, down significantly from last year, Washington’s top schools official urges governor to reject a new federal K-12 tax credit program. F&C 10/17-18, F&C `10/18, F&C 10/24, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29) ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, October, 15. Good afternoon, I’m  ______.  STORY: Lynden teachers authorize first labor strike in nearly 50 years Lynden teachers have voted to authorize a strike. Cascadia Daily News reports educators approved the move after months of bargaining without a new contract. Teachers have been working under the old agreement since the start of the school year, and more than 100 rejected the district’s latest offer Tuesday. The union says core issues include more planning time, competitive pay and respect for teachers’ professional judgment. Superintendent David VanderYacht says the district is facing financial headwinds, including reduced enrollment, rising insurance costs and continued state underfunding of special education. The district says Lynden teachers have received nearly a 25‑percent salary increase since 2022 and offered a 3‑percent total raise next year, which the union rejected. Educators are also asking for more support for psychologists and counselors, and flexibility in how they use late‑arrival time. Both sides return to bargaining Monday morning. STORY: Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of child rape Bellingham police have arrested a man accused of raping a child. Officers say the assault happened in May. According to investigators, the suspect met the victim through social media and had been providing alcohol and drugs to the victim and friends as early as March. Police say he gave alcohol to the victim — who was under 14 — and then raped the child. The victim later reported the assault, and police identified the suspect. Officers arrested him on Tuesday and booked him into the Whatcom County Jail. He has since been released on bond. UPDATE: Bellingham resident accused of aiding Canadian school shooter indicted by grand jury A grand jury has indicted an alleged accomplice in a deadly school shooting in British Columbia. Federal prosecutors say 30‑year‑old James Cody Bryant spent months communicating with shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar before the February attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, where six people were killed and others injured. Bryant is charged with conspiracy to murder persons in a foreign country and is scheduled for arraignment on Oct. 22. According to the indictment, Bryant agreed to record and livestream the attack, tested the setup multiple times, offered advice on targets and weapons, and sent money for supplies used in an improvised explosive device. Prosecutors say he also discussed ways to hide their communications, acknowledging the planning was illegal. If convicted, Bryant faces up to life in prison. STORY: Break-in at Bellingham restaurant Police are investigating an early‑morning break‑in at a Bellingham restaurant. Officers say the burglary happened around 5:19 yesterday morning at Lilia’s Mexican Cuisine on East Bakerview. An unknown suspect broke through the front door, went inside, and stole the restaurant’s cash register. Staff say the drawer doesn’t hold money, but it does contain credit and debit cards left behind by customers. Anyone who thinks they may have left a card there is urged to contact their bank and cancel it. Police say they’re reviewing evidence and working to identify the suspect. STORY: Ballots mailed for Whatcom residents Ballots are now in the mail for Whatcom County voters. The Auditor’s Office says all registered voters should receive their November election ballots within the next few days. Anyone who doesn’t get one by early next week is asked to contact the Elections Division. Ballot drop boxes across the county are open, and voters can also return ballots through the mail with no stamp needed. The county reminds voters to sign their envelopes and return ballots early to avoid last‑minute delays. Election information and sample ballots are available through the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. STORY: Whatcom drug overdoses continue to decline from summer spike, down significantly from last year Overdose incidents are declining in Whatcom County. New data from Whatcom Hope shows fewer EMS calls for overdoses, fewer emergency‑department visits, and fewer opioid‑related incidents compared with recent years. The county’s EMS dashboard also reports a drop in overdose‑related dispatches, including calls involving opioids. The opioid data tools linked through Whatcom Hope — including dashboards from the Washington Department of Health, the CDC, and the UW Alcohol and Drug Abuse Institute — reflect the same trend: overdose activity has fallen from earlier peaks, though fentanyl remains the primary driver of deaths statewide and locally. The data points to a clear pattern: fewer severe overdoses are reaching EMS and emergency rooms, more people are being stabilized before an overdose becomes fatal, and opioid‑related incidents are down across all reporting systems. Health officials say the regularly updated dashboards give residents a real‑time look at overdose patterns, treatment needs, and the impact of local prevention efforts. STORY: Washington’s top schools official urges governor to reject a new federal K-12 tax credit program. Washington’s top schools official is urging Governor Bob Ferguson  to reject a new federal K-12 tax. Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal says the Education Freedom Tax Credit would expand school choice without addressing public school funding needs. The program would offer federal tax credits to people who donate to scholarship funds. While the scholarships are primarily intended for private school students, they could also pay for tutoring, books, supplies, and disability services for public school students. The Washington State Standard reports Ferguson has not yet decided whether Washington will participate and is reviewing new federal guidance. Supporters say the program could bring significant new funding for tutoring, after-school programs, and other student services. Reykdal argues the state would have limited oversight of …

October 15, 2026 News TranscriptRead More

Cof& owner announces release from ICE detention, Bellingham winter shelter contract approved, will operate nightly from December to February, Car collision with power pole in Ferndale leaves one hospitalized and hundreds without electricity, Lighthouse Missions appoints interim CEO to permanent role, Ferndale paraeducator honored, Mayor announces official city bird, PeaceHealth announces northwest region chief to step down at end of year, AG’s office joins coalition letter opposing FCC cuts to school and library internet access, Washington’s top schools official urges governor  to reject a new federal K-12 tax credit program. F&C 10/17-18, F&C `10/18, F&C 10/24, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Health department cider pressing safety (weak story – break glass only in emergency)  ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, October, 14. Good afternoon, I’m  ______.  STORY: Cof& owner announces release from ICE detention A Bellingham business owner has been released from ICE custody.  Cof& (“Coffee”) owner Oscar Quintero Frias (keen-TARE-o FREE-us) says he’s been released after several difficult weeks, and is now working to return to everyday life. In a social media post, Quintero Frias said he is physically doing well, but is still dealing with fears and uncertainties as he adjusts to his circumstances. He thanked the community for its messages and support, and asked people to continue supporting his coffee shop by visiting, sharing its social media pages, and spreading the word to potential customers. Quintero Frias described the community’s support as an important source of encouragement as he works to keep the café open and move forward. STORY: Bellingham winter shelter contract approved, will operate nightly from December to FebruaryWhatcom County will move to a nightly winter shelter for people experiencing homelessness in Bellingham.  County Council members approved a contract with the organization Road2Home to operate the shelter from December through February, with the option to extend into March if funding remains. The shelter will offer beds for 60 people, from 7 p.m. to 8 a.m., at Lutheran Community Services Northwest on North Forest Street, the same location used for severe-weather sheltering last winter. An additional 10 beds may be added during extreme weather. The county will reimburse Road2Home up to 585-thousand dollars for the three-month operation. In previous winters, the county opened the emergency shelter only on the coldest nights. Officials say a nightly schedule will give people more reliable access to shelter and allow staff to build relationships with guests. Other winter shelter options include facilities in Ferndale and Bellingham operated by local service organizations. Information about local shelters is available through Whatcom County’s winter shelter website. STORY: Car collision with power pole in Ferndale leaves one hospitalized and hundreds without electricity A crash in Ferndale knocked out power early Tuesday morning. Whatcom News reports first responders were called around 3 a.m. to LaBounty Drive after a vehicle hit a power pole. Crews said the pole was resting on the car with lines draped over the roadway, and the area was briefly shut down. PulsePoint’s EMS log shows at least one patient was taken by ambulance to PeaceHealth St. Joseph’s Medical Center. Responders also reported darkened traffic signals on Main Street as the outage spread. Puget Sound Energy said more than 1,000 customers lost power. The utility cited a traffic accident as the cause. STORY: Lighthouse Missions appoints interim CEO to permanent role The Lighthouse Mission has named a new CEO. Interim chief executive Alvin Helms is now the permanent President and CEO of Lighthouse Mission Ministries. Helms brings more than 35 years of ministry and nonprofit leadership experience, including senior roles at Tacoma Rescue Mission and pastoral work in Whatcom County. He holds a Doctor of Ministry in strategic leadership from Corban University and a master’s in social ethics from Yale. Board chair Marty VanDriel (VAN DREEL) says the Mission is grateful for Helms’ leadership and looks forward to continued growth as the organization expands services for people experiencing homelessness. Helms says he hopes to build on the Mission’s century‑long work supporting neighbors in need. STORY: Ferndale paraeducator honored A Ferndale paraeducator has been honored for her exceptional work. Kelly Toner has been named the region’s Classified School Employee of the Year by Northwest Educational Service District 189. She works at Cascadia Elementary with students who have complex support needs. Colleagues say she’s known for helping students build confidence, independence, and meaningful learning moments. Toner says her approach is shaped by her own experience as a student who struggled but was supported by caring adults — support she now works to pass on through collaboration and structured communication tools. Toner now advances to the statewide competition for Washington’s Classified School Employee of the Year. STORY: Mayor announces official city bird Bellingham has picked its official bird. Mayor Kim Lund announced the winner during a Bird Week event Friday night. The public cast votes in a community poll organized by the North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Washington. The Great Blue Heron came out on top. The tall shorebirds are a familiar sight along Bellingham Bay, with long‑established nesting at Post Point and a new colony forming near the Little Squalicum Estuary project last year. A heron biologist is helping the city learn more about the colonies and how to protect them. The city says nesting areas are sensitive to disturbance and asks people to give the birds plenty of space. STORY: PeaceHealth announces northwest region chief to step down at end of year PeaceHealth’s top Northwest leader will retire at the end of the year. Chuck Prosper, chief executive of the PeaceHealth Northwest Region, is stepping down after nearly 40 years in healthcare leadership. Prosper joined PeaceHealth in 2019 and led the region through the COVID‑19 pandemic, major operational shifts, and a series of large capital projects at St. Joseph Medical Center. During his tenure, Prosper helped advance the hospital’s master facilities plan, including the 120,000‑square‑foot Peter Paulsen Pavillion. He also oversaw upgrades to existing patient towers, infrastructure improvements along Squalicum Parkway, …

October 14, 2026 News TranscriptRead More

Ferndale man arrested in connection with Bellingham mugging last month, RFA Public Hearing Oct 14, WWU releases datamap detailing Whatcom’s decline in Canadian visitation and shopping over last several years, Governor names new justice to Skagit Superior Court in court’s first expansion in twenty years, Flood Preparedness Open House (run 10/9 or 10/12),  Crypto company ordered to shut down (run 10/12), WA UTC issues apology following hate speech at PSE rate increase hearing, Head of state DCYF questioned over allegations of racial bias in agency, Orca Recovery Day happens Saturday (Oct 17),  BFA public meeting,  Bellingham Swimmer, 60, Breaks Pacific Northwest Masters Record at National Championships, Bellingham to hold public hearing over proposed regional fire authority (run 10/9 or 10/12), Bellingham to hold public hearing over proposed regional fire authority (run 10/9 or 10/12), Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Health department cider pressing safety (weak story – break glass only in emergency)   ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October, 12. Good afternoon, I’m  ______.  STORY: Ferndale man arrested in connection with Bellingham mugging last month A man faces charges after a strong‑arm robbery. Bellingham Police say the victim was walking on East Bakerview Road on September 9th when a man confronted him, claimed to have a knife, and forced him into a wooded area across the street. Officers say the suspect threatened to kill the victim if he didn’t hand over his wallet, then took it and told him not to call 911. The victim ran out of the woods and called police immediately. Officers found a woman nearby with the cart described by the victim, but the suspect wasn’t located that day. An officer spotted the suspect on Meridian on October 8th. He was arrested without incident and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. STORY: RFA Public Hearing Oct 14 A public hearing on Bellingham’s proposed Regional Fire Authority is set for Wednesday. City leaders and Whatcom County Fire District 8 commissioners are considering forming a Regional Fire Authority to provide fire and EMS services within their shared service areas. The Bellingham Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee will outline its proposed structure and funding plan, which has been in development since April. Any final decision — including the tax rate — would go to voters. The hearing will also take public comment on a possible Fire Benefit Charge, a fee based on the cost of providing fire protection to buildings on a property. The meeting will be held in City Hall’s Council Chambers at 6pm. Residents can speak in person by signing up outside the chambers between 5:30 and 6pm. There is no virtual option. Written comments can be submitted by email to fire@cob.org or by mail to City Hall. STORY: WWU releases datamap detailing Whatcom’s decline in Canadian visitation and shopping over last several yearsWhatcom County has lost an estimated 64-million-dollar in Canadian spending between the last two years.  According to a new analysis by Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute about 510-thousand Canadians visited Whatcom County primarily to shop in 2025, down from 1.8 million in 2019 — a drop of roughly 71 percent. Researchers say the decline accelerated in 2025 amid tensions over tariffs and U.S.-Canada relations. The impact varies across the county. In Bellingham, inflation-adjusted retail sales fell about one percent between 2019 and 2024, with clothing sales down 22 percent and general merchandise down 12 percent. Blaine and Sumas also saw declines in local fuel-tax revenue, which helps pay for transportation projects. Researchers say fewer Canadian shoppers mean less sales-tax revenue for county services, including emergency medical services, criminal justice, the new jail and behavioral health treatment center, and affordable housing. The study also finds that Canadian visitors are increasingly crossing the border for recreation and family visits rather than shopping. Researchers say the changing travel patterns add pressure to local businesses and will be important to monitor as cross-border relations continue to evolve. STORY: Governor names new justice to Skagit Superior Court in court’s first expansion in twenty years Skagit County Superior Court is adding a new judge to the bench. Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Haley Wolcott Sebens to fill the new position created earlier this year — the first expansion of the court in two decades. Sebens is a longtime Skagit County litigator with more than 16 years of experience. She currently serves as a Superior Court Commissioner, handling calendars in family law, child welfare, guardianship, probate, and juvenile matters. She previously spent over a decade in the Prosecutor’s Office, specializing in felony cases involving women and children, and has tried more than 80 jury trials. Sebens will take the bench on January 1st. STORY: Flood Preparedness Open House (run 10/9 or 10/12) It’s Water Week in Whatcom County.  Officials are inviting residents to a Flood Preparedness Open House on Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Nooksack Valley Middle School. The event includes a short presentation from Public Works and local leaders on this year’s flood outlook, current mitigation projects, and how flood‑management decisions are made. The open house brings together county flood experts, emergency responders, and community partners and offer practical preparedness tools and information. STORY: Crypto company ordered to shut down (run 10/12)A Seattle cryptocurrency company has been ordered to shut down by the end of this year and pay a two-and-a-half-million-dollar fine. The Washington Department of Financial Institutions says the order against Coinme resolves a multi-state lawsuit launched last year. The lawsuit alleged the company failed to meet state financial requirements, including accounting standards and safeguards against money laundering. The impact will be felt locally. According to Coinme’s website, the company operates 17 cryptocurrency kiosks in Whatcom County and 10 in Skagit (SKA-jit) County. Coinme must also remove its kiosks from six other states: Ohio, Georgia, Alaska, Arkansas, North Carolina and Illinois. STORY: WA UTC issues apology following hate speech at PSE rate increase hearingThe Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission has apologized after a public …

October 12, 2026 News TranscriptRead More

Arrest warrant issued for Lynden woman accused of animal cruelty, Blaine inches toward de-annexation, Whatcom sees uptick in DUI arrests across September, Governor nominates 99 low-income areas for state Opportunity Zones program, three in Whatcom and Skagit, Mt. Vernon debating new stadium, Supreme Court order could lead to mass redrawing of WA’s congressional districts, Freap,  Crypto company ordered to shut down (run 10/12), Flood Preparedness Open House (run 10/9 or 10/12), Orca Recovery Day happens Saturday (Oct 17), BFA public meeting, Bellingham Swimmer, 60, Wins Three Medals and Sets Pacific Northwest Masters Record, Bellingham to hold public hearing over proposed regional fire authority (run 10/9 or 10/12),  Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Health department cider pressing safety (weak story – break glass only in emergency)  ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 9th. Good afternoon, I’m  _David Korb_____.  UPDATE: Arrest warrant issued for Lynden woman accused of animal cruelty An arrest warrant has been issued for the founder of a dog rescue in Lynden. Ashley Georgia who founded Pittie Project PNW faces 30 counts of animal cruelty. The sheriff’s office said they rescued 17 dogs from the center in early October and volunteers had previously removed 13 dogs.  Most of the dogs are now in foster care. STORY: Blaine inches toward de-annexation Blaine is one step closer to shrinking its city limits. The County Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve an agreement regarding road repairs tied to the city’s de-annexation. Blaine residents voted in 2025 to remove about 570 acres of undeveloped rural land from the city’s eastern boundary. The area includes roughly a mile and a half of H Street Road, which county officials say needs pavement, signage, and drainage work done. Under the agreement, the county will oversee a $1.25M road improvement project, with Blaine covering 20 percent of the cost. The city will also remain responsible for maintaining the road until construction begins or July 2030, whichever comes first. The project could take up to 10 years to complete. Blaine’s de-annexation still requires approval from the Whatcom County Boundary Review Board. STORY: Whatcom sees uptick in DUI arrests across September According to reporting from My Bellingham Now, the number of DUI arrests in Whatcom County is up this September compared with last year. There were 34 arrests, most of them alcohol related, according to Washington State Patrol data. However, Bellingham police said DUI arrests were trending lower, with 28 last month, compared with 45 in September of last year. Bellingham police lieutenant Claudia Murphy attributed last year’s higher arrest numbers to having more patrols. STORY: Governor nominates 99 low-income areas for state Opportunity Zones program, three in Whatcom and Skagit Three local areas have been nominated for a federal program designed to encourage private investment in underserved communities. In Whatcom County, Governor Bob Ferguson selected the Salish Village area in the Lummi Nation and the downtown waterfront redevelopment area in Whatcom County for nomination. In Skagit county, downtown Mount Vernon was selected from among 99 nominations statewide for the Federal Opportunity Zones 2.0 program. This program offers tax incentives to encourage investors and developers to put money into real estate projects and businesses in economically distressed areas. The state selected the 99 proposed zones from 152 applications, including 36 in rural communities. The updated program offers enhanced tax benefits for rural investments and adds reporting requirements intended to better measure the economic effects. The nominations now go to the U.S. Treasury Department for review. If approved, the new Opportunity Zones are scheduled to take effect on January 1st, next year. STORY:  Mt. Vernon debating new stadiumThe Mount Vernon School District is considering millions of dollars in upgrades to its outdoor athletic facilities, including a covered stadium. A district advisory committee has unanimously recommended a six-year, $14.45 million capital levy to pay for covered stadium seating, accessible bleachers, a multipurpose turf field, and stadium lighting. A second option would cost nearly $18M and include a six-lane track at a middle school. The district says its 25-year-old stadium lacks covered seating and cannot currently host graduation ceremonies or regional tournaments. The smaller levy would cost about $140 a year for the owner of a half-million dollar home. The larger option would cost about $184 annually. The committee recommends the smaller levy but wants the district to gather more community input on the larger option. The district held a community meeting Wednesday and says it will determine next steps based on feedback. STORY: Supreme Court order could lead to mass redrawing of WA’s congressional districtsWashington state’s legislative district maps may have to be redrawn… again. A recent ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court narrowed part of the federal Voting Rights Act, and now a new order from the High Court has returned two cases challenging the state’s political boundaries back to a federal appeals court for another review. The legal fight centers on a Yakima Valley district where a federal judge ruled in 2023 that Latino voting power had been diluted. A court-ordered map was used in the 2024 elections and upheld by the Ninth Circuit last year. The Supreme Court’s latest action revives a separate challenge arguing the district was created through unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The decision won’t affect this fall’s elections, but it could lead to Washington’s legislative boundaries being redrawn for a third time in a decade. Republican state Representative Jim Walsh welcomed the order, while the Campaign Legal Center, which supports the current map, says it will continue fighting to preserve Latino voting power in Yakima Valley. STORY: Freap 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. The 2026 Ski Swap starts today in the Bloedel Donovan Gym at 2214 Electric Ave. The swap runs until 9:30pm tonight and continues tomorrow from 8 to 2pm. Ferndale’s Zombie Fun Run goes from 9 to 11:30 tomorrow morning at Pioneer Pavilion. It’s a …

October 9, 2026 News TranscriptRead More

Sheriff’s office investigates animal cruelty case, Bellingham man arrested in connection with B.C. school shooting, Bellingham woman arrested in connection with July hit-and-run in Birch Bay, Ranch Quarry EIS scoping phase complete, Lynden man survives hippo attack on honeymoon, writes book about experience,  Whatcom County Flood Preparedness Week, WSDOT reports all ferries back in service, WA joins coalition seeking settlement from two drug companies accused of artificial price inflation, Flood Preparedness Open House (run 10/9 or 10/12), Bellingham to hold public hearing over proposed regional fire authority (run 10/9 or 10/12), Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Health department cider pressing safety (weak story – break glass only in emergency), F&C Oct 10 ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, October, 7. Good afternoon, I’m  ______.  STORY: Sheriff’s office investigates animal cruelty case A Whatcom County dog rescue has been accused of animal cruelty. Detectives say they found roughly 30 dogs living in severe neglect at a property on Russet Avenue, where the group had been housing animals. The rescue, Pittie Project PNW, is run by 38‑year‑old Ashley Georgia of Bellingham. Deputies reported seeing dogs with open wounds, signs of parasites, matted fur soaked with urine and feces, and animals so underweight their bones were visible. Investigators say many had no access to clean water or adequate food. The property owner cooperated and allowed detectives inside the property. A search warrant was later issued so the dogs could be seized and receive immediate medical care. It was found that volunteers had previously removed 13 dogs from the property after seeing the animals’ condition. Investigators say Georgia had received food donations and thousands of dollars intended for the animals’ care. All remaining dogs are now being treated by the Whatcom Humane Society. The sheriff’s office says criminal charges are pending. STORY: Bellingham man arrested in connection with B.C. school shooting A Bellingham man is facing federal charges for allegedly helping plan a deadly school shooting in British Columbia. Prosecutors say 30‑year‑old James Cody Bryant spent months advising and assisting the shooter, 18-year old Jesse Van Rootselaar (ROT-sell-er), before the attack at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School in February. Court documents allege Bryant provided money, technical help and tactical guidance, and that he agreed to record and broadcast the shooting. Additionally, investigators say Bryant tested livestreaming equipment with the shooter, sent funds for items used in the attack, and even gave advice on how to start a car moments before the shooter left for the school. Canadian authorities say Van Rootselaar killed two people at home, then drove to the school and killed five students — as well as an educational assistant — before committing suicide.  U.S. prosecutors say Bryant faces a conspiracy‑to‑murder persons in a foreign country, a crime that can carry a life sentence. STORY: Bellingham woman arrested in connection with July hit-and-run in Birch Bay A Bellingham woman has been arrested months after a hit‑and‑run in Birch Bay.  Deputies say the crash happened on Birch Bay Drive on July 27th. The driver made a sudden U‑turn, braked hard, and swerved toward the shoulder. A passing cyclist hit the back of the vehicle, suffering a small laceration on the knee and soreness in their head, neck and leg. Investigators say the driver — 56‑year‑old Michelle Jarrell‑Orr — briefly got out of the car, but left after a male passenger told her to get back in. Three witnesses backed up the victim’s account, and the victim managed to photograph the vehicle. Deputies identified Jarrell‑Orr as the owner, and the victim picked her out of a photo lineup. Sedro‑Woolley Police arrested Jarrell-Orr on Monday; she was booked into the Whatcom County Jail without incident. STORY: Ranch Quarry EIS scoping phase complete The proposed Ranch Quarry project in Whatcom County continues to advance. County staff and consultants say they have reviewed all public comments and finished the scoping phase of the project’s Environmental Impact Statement. The EIS will study two options: the Proposed Action, allowing the quarry to move ahead, and a No Action alternative. The project would create a long‑term surface mine on a 108‑acre site near Sumas (SOO-mass), supplying rock and gravel for regional construction and infrastructure. It’s planned to operate in phases over several decades, with on‑site crushing and hauling. The EIS will look at potential impacts to the land, water, air, wildlife, cultural resources, and transportation. The public will have a chance to comment on the draft EIS later this year. STORY: Lynden man survives hippo attack on honeymoon, writes book about experience A Lynden man is sharing his story of being attacked by a hippo on his honeymoon. As reported by the Cascadia Daily News and Newsweek, Samuel and Anna McKee were canoeing in Botswana in September 2025 when a hippo charged their boat and dragged Samuel under. Anna ran towards the hippo and managed to scare the animal off, helping her husband to safety. Samuel endured the night without rescue after the attack before a helicopter flew him to a hospital in South Africa. He spent weeks recovering overseas and months in therapy back home.  The couple, both raised in Whatcom County, say the ordeal reshaped their first year of marriage and deepened their gratitude. The McKees have written a book about the attack and their relationship, and plan to seek a publisher soon. STORY: Whatcom County Flood Preparedness Week Flood Preparedness Week starts next Monday in Whatcom County. County Executive Satpal Sidhu issued the Flood Preparedness Week proclamation, saying early action can save lives and reduce damage when high water arrives. The county will share simple steps like how to assemble a grab‑and‑go kit, sign up for emergency alerts, and protect your home from flood damage, along with updates from its annual storm briefing and flood newsletter. Officials say the goal is to give residents practical tools before the winter storms return. UPDATE: WSDOT reports all ferries back in service Ferry service is back to normal today after …

October 7, 2026 News TranscriptRead More

 Large-scale “sickout” throws Puget Sound ferry service into chaos, Bellingham PD to rollout new “Drone as First Responder,” program following state grant, Misconduct lawsuit against deceased Bellingham therapist to move to trial, U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Bellingham vaccine mandate case, Gatorade recall due to undeclared food dyes, U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Bellingham vaccine mandate case, Gas prices in Whatcom and greater WA fall slightly,  Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Health department cider pressing safety (weak story – break glass only in emergency), F&C Oct 10 ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October, 6. Good afternoon, I’m  ______.  STORY: Large-scale “sickout” throws Puget Sound ferry service into chaos Ferry services across Puget Sound were at a standstill yesterday. 23 engine room employees called in sick; at one point, only five out of the system’s 18 ferries were running.  State law prohibits strike by ferry workers. The ferry workers’ union, the Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, said they had not coordinated the sickout, and instead described it as a, quote, “frantic cry for help from an abused and frustrated group of highly-skilled and committed workers,” unquote. Their collective bargaining agreement is such that they will not be getting any pay rises, and the next round of bargaining will not happen until next July. Governor Bob Ferguson said he expected the ferries to be running today, but it is unclear whether the stoppage will continue. STORY: Bellingham PD to rollout new “Drone as First Responder,” program following state grant Police in Bellingham will be using more aerial drones. A half-a-million dollar state grant will be used to start a Drone as First Responder program. Police and firefighters may survey locations before responders arrive. Chief of Police Rebecca Mertzig told the City Council yesterday that a drone could be sent to a scene of a 9-1-1 call within minutes. This, she said, will help to gather critical information so that the right kind of help is provided. STORY: Misconduct lawsuit against deceased Bellingham therapist to move to trial A misconduct lawsuit against a deceased Bellingham therapist will proceed to trial. Court documents show that Whatcom resident Damian Cordova Jr. started receiving mental health therapy from Reverie Shunny at Sunrise Services Inc in November 2020. Cordova alleged that Shunny “crossed professional and personal boundaries,” and that the two had an intimate relationship. Before her death last year, Shunny denied there was any personal relationship with Cordova, and petitioned for a restraining order against him. The Department of Health found that evidence did not support a violation by Shunny. A Whatcom Superior Court judge, however, decided the case should go to trial.  STORY: U.S. Supreme Court will not hear Bellingham vaccine mandate case The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to revive a 2024 lawsuit over Bellingham’s COVID‑19 vaccine mandate. According to the records, the court declined to take up the case, leaving in place earlier rulings that upheld former Mayor Seth Fleetwood’s 2021 order requiring city workers to be vaccinated. A group of employees — including EMTs, police officers, firefighters, and other staff — had argued the mandate violated their constitutional rights and amounted to wrongful termination. A federal judge dismissed the lawsuit last year — a decision upheld by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in May. With the Supreme Court declining to review the case, those decisions now stand, and the lawsuit is officially over. As the case was dismissed with prejudice, the former employees cannot file the same claims again. STORY: Gatorade recall due to undeclared food dyes If you’ve got Gatorade in the fridge, you may want to check the label. ABC News reports more than 122,000 cases of Gatorade are being recalled because the drinks contain undeclared food dyes. The FDA says the recall covers 28‑ounce bottles of Lemon Lime, Lemon Lime Zero, Orange, and Orange Zero distributed across over two dozen states, including Washington. The affected lots — which run through April, May and June of 2027 — failed to disclose the presence of Yellow No. 5 and Yellow No. 6. Federal officials classify this as a Class II recall, meaning the drinks could cause temporary or medically reversible reactions — including mild rashes or asthma‑like symptoms — mainly in people who already have sensitivities, such as those with aspirin allergies. A full list of lot codes and distribution states is available on the agency’s website. STORY: Gas prices in Whatcom and greater WA fall slightly Gas prices in Bellingham slipped this week, giving drivers a bit of relief. Regular now averages $5.32, down 4 cents from a week ago but nearly a dollar higher than a year ago. Statewide, regular gas averages $5.48, also slightly below last week’s level. Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy says average gasoline prices fell in 48 states over the last week, with diesel dropping in 48 states as well.  In a blog post, De Haan called it a “broad‑based retreat” that’s bringing relief to drivers. He says the biggest declines were in Georgia and Ohio, where fuel‑tax cuts amplified the drop, and that most states may continue to see lower prices — though some Midwest markets could swing back up. De Haan also notes that while oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz are rising, the refineries behind the strait are yet unable to move products freely, keeping gas and diesel prices higher than crude oil levels alone would suggest. STORY: Judge’s ruling blocks new state law establishing standards for county sheriffs A Thurston County judge has permanently blocked Washington’s new sheriff‑standards law. The Washington State Standard reports Judge Christine Schaller struck down the most controversial parts of Senate Bill 5974 — the measure that would have required elected sheriffs to meet the same eligibility standards as appointed police chiefs. Critics, including a dozen sheriffs who sued the state, argued the law amounted to state overreach, and that it would allow for an administrative commission to remove sheriffs elected by …

October 6, 2026 News TranscriptRead More

Two hospitalized after car crashes into fence near Maple Falls,  New high school in Bellingham,  Bellingham considers changes in code, Stretch of I-5 construction south of Bellingham set to wrap up this week, Bellingham Bird Week (Air OCT. 5), Whatcom County announces flood preparedness week, Library closed Oct. 8, WDFW to recommend classifying burrowing owl as endangered, seeking public comment, WA leaders push back against Canadian pipeline, AG’s office establishes permanent Sexual Assault Investigations Support Team, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Crud comes early, Health department cider pressing safety, F&C Oct 10 ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October, 5. Good afternoon, I’m  ______.  STORY: Two hospitalized after car crashes into fence near Maple FallsTwo Maple Falls men were injured Saturday night in a crash on Kendall Road. The Washington State Patrol says an 18-year-old Maple Falls man was driving northbound around 7:25 p.m. when he attempted to pass another vehicle, struck a fence, and came to rest on the east side of the road. The driver, as well as a 20-year-old male passenger, were not wearing seatbelts; both of them were injured. The driver was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center, while the 20-year-old man was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Two other passengers, a 20-year-old Bellingham woman and a 25-year-old Maple Falls man, were wearing seatbelts and were not injured. The State Patrol says drugs or alcohol were involved.  STORY: New high school in Bellingham Families in Whatcom and Skagit counties will have a new private high school option next fall. Cascadia Daily News reports the region’s first Catholic high school will open in Bellingham for the 2027–2028 school year, after the Archdiocese of Seattle approved the project in August. The school will begin its operations at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, while leaders work through permitting and search for a permanent site. They expect 18 to 25 ninth-graders in the first class, and plan to add grades each year. Tuition will likely begin around $14,000. Students do not have to be Catholic, but the school will include religious education and regular Mass. It will also run a four‑day school week, with Mondays set aside for teacher planning and optional student support or internships. The school’s board will spend the next several months hiring staff, choosing curriculum, and applying for state private‑school approval. STORY: Bellingham considers changes in codeBellingham is proposing changes to its home occupation rules. The changes would give home-based businesses more flexibility by allowing them to operate in accessory buildings, sell goods made on-site, and have up to three employees. The city says the proposal is a first step toward potentially allowing more small-scale commercial activity in residential neighborhoods. That broader change could be introduced as early as 2027, with the goal of supporting walkability, neighborhood gathering places, and local employment. STORY: Stretch of I-5 construction south of Bellingham set to wrap up this week Travel on I-5 near Chuckanut Creek should return to normal soon.  WSDOT (wash-DOT) says the northbound main lanes are expected to reopen by Friday morning. Drivers have been using a bypass lane since June, while crews built a new, fish-passable bridge over Chuckanut Creek. Meanwhile, work continues on the nearby Old Samish Road bridge, which has been closed since April. WSDOT expects that road to reopen by December. STORY: Bellingham Bird Week (Air OCT. 5)Welcome to Bellingham Bird Week! The North Cascades Audubon Society, in cooperation with Audubon Washington, is hosting an array of bird-themed activities starting today. These activities include storytimes at the Bellingham Public Library and a bird-drawing session, as well as a screening of Lights Out Texas at the Whatcom Museum – followed by a panel discussion. Residents can also vote for Bellingham’s official bird. Mayor Kim Lund will announce the winning bird this Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. STORY: Whatcom County announces flood preparedness week  Whatcom County is getting ready for flood season this week. The county says Flood Preparedness Week is designed to share information on how to prepare for floods. This information includes how to build an emergency kit, sign up for local alerts, and protect your home from flood damage. The county will also highlight ongoing flood mitigation projects. A Flood Preparedness Open House will be held Wednesday, from 5 to 7 p.m., at Nooksack Valley Middle School. STORY: Library closed Oct. 8All Bellingham Public Library locations will be closed this Wednesday for the library’s annual Staff Learning Day. The day gives staff from different branches a chance to meet for professional development and training. The library will reopen Thursday on its regular schedule. STORY: WDFW to recommend classifying burrowing owl as endangered, seeking public commentWashington’s burrowing owl might be listed as an endangered species. The Department of Fish and Wildlife has asked for public comment on a draft report recommending the state list the burrowing owl as endangered. WDFW estimates fewer than 100 breeding pairs remain in Washington, mostly in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Basin. The owls once lived across much of Eastern Washington, but habitat loss and degradation have sharply reduced their numbers and range. The public can comment on the proposal through December 31st. The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission is expected to consider the recommendation next February. STORY: WA leaders push back against Canadian pipelineGovernor Bob Ferguson and Department of Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller are criticizing Canada’s decision to fast-track a proposed oil pipeline project. The Canadian Major Projects Office has designated the West Coast Oil Pipeline a project of national interest — a move that could limit environmental reviews and public input. Ferguson and Sixkiller say the project would significantly increase the amount of crude oil and the number of tankers moving through the Salish Sea. They say the proposed supertankers could carry up to 92 million gallons of oil — about 260 percent more than the largest tankers currently using these waters. Washington officials say existing spill-response resources would …

October 5, 2026 News TranscriptRead More

Lummi man pleads guilty to ownership of illegal firearms and shooting two bald eagles, Bellingham-based healthcare provider formally names interim CEO to long-term position, Bellingham mayor to address city’s response to recent ICE activity, Fairhaven sidewalks under repair,  Mount Baker Ski Area staff gear up for potentially historic season amid Super El Nino conditions, Blaine-based cookie restaurant to celebrate grand opening of Bellingham location this weekend, Western WA U.S. attorney removed by Trump after less than an hour last July reinstated following judicial injunction, Free and cheap, Whatcom County announces flood preparedness week (run sometime week of Oct. 5th), Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Bellingham considers changes in code, Crud comes early, Bellingham Bird Week (Air OCT 5), Library closed Oct 8, WA leaders push back against Canadian pipeline, F&C Oct 10 ​​Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October 2nd. Good afternoon, I’m  _David Korb_____.  STORY: Lummi man pleads guilty to ownership of illegal firearms and shooting two bald eagles In U.S. District Court Seattle on Thursday, 39‑year‑old Lummi Nation man Joel David Ridley pled guilty of killing two bald eagles. He was arrested last February after Lummi Nation Police responded to gunfire and found a dead eagle in his SUV. Court records say a witness on the Lummi Reservation heard two shots and saw someone pick an eagle up off the ground. Moments later, another eagle fell from a tree on the witness’ property, badly injured. Officers later found Ridley’s SUV nearby, with a dead eagle inside, then arrested him. A search warrant turned up a .22‑caliber rifle. Ridley is barred from possessing firearms because of a 2003 first‑degree assault conviction in Whatcom County. Ridley faces up to 15 years in prison for unlawful firearm possession and up to a year for each eagle killed. STORY: Bellingham-based healthcare provider formally names interim CEO to long-term positionUnity Care NW has named Bonnie Ross as its new CEO, effective October 5th. Ross joined the Bellingham health system in 2021 as chief financial and compliance officer and has served as interim CEO since June. She previously led a rural community health center in Oregon and has 20 years of experience in health care finance and operations. Ross succeeds Jodi Joyce, who retired in June after six years as CEO. During Joyce’s tenure, Unity Care NW expanded to nearly 25,000 patients a year and opened the Way Station Health and Hygiene Center. STORY: Bellingham mayor to address city’s response to recent ICE activity Bellingham mayor, Kim Lund, will speak next week about the city’s response to ICE enforcement. She’s giving a presentation titled “Protecting the Rights and Dignity of All,” focusing on how Bellingham is addressing ICE overreach. Organizers note Whatcom County has the highest per‑capita rate of ICE detentions in Washington. Indivisible Bellingham says her talk will headline its All Hands meeting, which has been shifted to Tuesday at 7pm at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship at 1207 Ellsworth St. A Q&A will follow. The event is free and open to the public. STORY: Fairhaven sidewalks under repair Sidewalk and street-tree work is about to get underway in Fairhaven. Crews begin work Monday on the 1100 block of 11th Street in Fairhaven. Crews will repair sidewalk tripping hazards, replace dead or damaging trees, and enlarge some tree wells to give them room to grow. The project is expected to take about two weeks Businesses will remain accessible, but on-street parking will be limited during construction. New trees will be planted after the work is complete. STORY: Mount Baker Ski Area staff gear up for potentially historic season amid Super El Nino conditionsMount Baker Ski Area is preparing for what could be a big snow season. Season passes go on sale tomorrow at 7am, with an online waiting room opening at 6am. General Manager Mike Trowbridge says snowfall patterns from past strong Niños suggest the area could see hundreds of inches of snow this season. Meanwhile, WSDOT crews will close part of Mount Baker Highway Monday and Tuesday, October 5th and 6th, from 7:30am to 4pm. The closure will be between Silver Fir Campground and Heather Meadows for seasonal road preparation. STORY: Blaine-based cookie restaurant to celebrate grand opening of Bellingham location this weekendBlaine-based Chewzy Cookies will open a store in Bellingham this weekend. The new drive-thru location will hold its grand opening tomorrow at 1259 Barkley Blvd across the street from Lowe’s. The shop will offer free cookie samples all day, with more than a dozen varieties, including gluten-free options.  Chewzy Cookies says they will also serve Dirty Sodas, energy drinks, and coffee made with locally roasted organic beans. STORY: Western WA U.S. attorney removed by Trump after less than an hour last July reinstated following judicial injunction A federal judge has stepped in to reverse a sudden shake‑up in Washington’s top federal prosecutor’s office. Roger Rogoff was dismissed less than an hour after being sworn in as the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, even though federal judges had appointed him to the job after it sat vacant. UPI reports that Judge Stanley Bastian [BAST-yin] ruled that a court‑appointed U.S. attorney cannot be removed unilaterally, saying Rogoff has been the rightful officeholder since July 15th. He ordered Rogoff reinstated until the Senate confirms a replacement. Trump has nominated Simon Peter Serrano for the position. The Justice Department says it will appeal and seek to pause the ruling immediately. STORY: Free and cheap 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. Bluegrass First Fridays returns to Stones Throw Brewery at 1009 Larrabee Ave in Fairhaven tonight from 6 to 8pm. Admission is free. Allied Arts opens a new free exhibition today at its 1213 Cornwall Avenue gallery, featuring painting, jewelry, and woodburning inspired by nature and story. There’s a reception tonight from 6 to 9pm with live music. Exhibit hours are 11 to 4pm Saturday and …

October 2, 2026 News TranscriptRead More