String of local burglaries continues with stolen car being driven into cannabis store, Bellingham thrift store sustains damage from fire, Traffic accident cuts power to Lakeway Drive, driver in custody, Former Ferndale police officer names BPD among defendants in federal suit, Mandatory food and yard waste collection to come to Bellingham in 2025 in advance of statewide adoption
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, December 30th. Good afternoon, I’m Theron Danielson.
STORY: String of local burglaries continues with stolen car being driven into cannabis store
Bellingham Police say they are investigating seven burglaries and one attempted burglary at local businesses over a 10-day span before Christmas.
According to Lieutenant Claudia Murphy, the incidents appear unrelated, and only one suspect has been arrested.
From December 14th through the 18th, there were break-ins at Serendipity, Fairhaven Runners, and the Barber Shack. This string of burglaries was followed by another; from December 20th through the 23rd, burglaries occurred at Sandwich Odyssey, Soy House, Wellman and Zuck General Contractors and the Dank of America dispensary, as well as an attempted break-in at Stones Throw Brewery.
At Sandwich Odyssey, burglars entered through a window and stole the tip jar and items from the display case. No suspect has been identified.
A glass door was smashed, plates were damaged, and items were stolen at the Soy House. The suspect, who was caught on camera, was arrested for this and another incident involving reckless burning at El Capitan’s.
The office of Wellman and Zuck General Contractors was rummaged through, and a safe was stolen. The entry method and suspect are unknown, and there appears to be no connection to the Stones Throw Brewery attempted break-in next door.
Finally, a group of five used a stolen vehicle to break into Dank of America, stealing $5,000 in cannabis products within two minutes. The vehicle was recovered, and probable cause has been established to arrest the suspects.
Investigations are ongoing, with law enforcement pursuing leads from surveillance footage and recovered evidence.
STORY: Bellingham thrift store sustains damage from fire
Ragfinery, a nonprofit thrift shop on Bellingham’s North Forest Street, was damaged by a fire early yesterday morning
According to Captain Dustin Michaelis (muh-KAY-liss) of the Bellingham Fire Department, the fire began on the exterior of the building and worked its way up an exterior wall, up the eves and into the attic. There was only moderate fire damage to the building, but significant water damage was found. No injuries have been reported.
A social media post by Ragfinery told people to “stay tuned” on what this means for the organization’s future. A link for donations was also included.
STORY: Traffic accident cuts power to Lakeway Drive, driver in custody
A 24-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence crashed into a power pole in Bellingham on Lakeway Drive last Thursday evening, which cut power to the surrounding area for several hours.
The crash occurred after the driver ran a red light and struck the power pole, which affected the intersection of Woburn, Yew and Lakeway. The driver was uninjured, but was arrested for suspected DUI and reckless driving and booked into Whatcom County Jail. Puget Sound Energy says the power has since been restored.
STORY: Former Ferndale police officer names BPD among defendants in federal suit
Former Ferndale police officer Michael Scott Langton has filed a federal lawsuit against the Bellingham Police Department.
According to records, Langton is accusing Bellingham Police of violating his civil rights, as well as assault, false arrest, false imprisonment and negligent investigation. The lawsuit stems from Langton’s arrest during a SWAT raid at his Blaine residence in July 2022, which he alleges was conducted without probable cause or an arrest warrant.
According to a report submitted to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC), the SWAT raid and subsequent arrest came the same day a woman had come forward with evidence of recent text messages between her and Langton. It was alleged that the conversations showed that Langton proposed sex involving children, including her child. The report says law enforcement then executed a search warrant at Langton’s residence. Langton claims the messages were consensual discussions of fantasies. During the raid, Langton allegedly burned potential evidence and reset his phones, and has since refused to cooperate with Bellingham Police.
Langton was eventually charged with criminal solicitation involving a minor. After posting bail, he was placed on administrative leave by Ferndale Police, and later terminated due to his inability to perform duties while barred from carrying a firearm. His law enforcement certification was revoked in November 2022.
Citing a review of the evidence, prosecutors subsequently dismissed the criminal case against him in February 2023. Langton later accused former Ferndale Police Chief Kevin Turner of misconduct, but an investigation found no grounds for action against Turner.
Langton’s current lawsuit against Bellingham Police was filed earlier this year on July 19th. He is now scheduled for trial in January 2026.
STORY: Mandatory food and yard waste collection to come to Bellingham in 2025 in advance of statewide adoption
Starting next year, single-family households in Bellingham will be required to use the FoodPlus collection service for food and yard waste.
According to the City of Bellingham, the move aims to align local law with Washington state goals to reduce landfill organic waste by 75% by 2030. FoodPlus, offered since 2005 by Sanitary Service Company as a voluntary service, collects organic materials biweekly, including food scraps, yard debris, and compostable packaging. Currently, 8,000 households participate—- an additional 12,000 homes will be added by next May. The program will not initially include multi-family residences.
According to the City, FoodPlus costs $13.69 per month but residents can save money by reducing trash service frequency. Exemptions for at-home composters are unavailable; however, FoodPlus accepts materials like meat and dairy that are unsuitable for backyard composting because of its high-heat processing.
Processed locally by Green Earth Technology, the compost supports landscaping, agriculture, and public works while reducing emissions and cost from long-distance waste transport. The compost is also sold locally.
Bellingham joins Seattle as early adopters of mandatory composting.
WX: Where have all the good men gone, and where are all the gods?
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Our blustery, rainy streak will not come to a close today. Scattered showers are forecasted, as well as sporadically high winds and daytime highs in the mid-to-upper 40s. The rain is expected to mostly let up in the late afternoon, with evening lows forecasted in the mid-30s.
We may see a brief period of sunshine tomorrow, though temperatures will remain largely consistent.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Riley Weeks, Brodey O’Brien, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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 listener donations. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m Theron Danielson, and thank you for listening.
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