Two suspected fentanyl dealers arrested in Bellingham, Man arrested on suspected DUI charge after impacting WTA bus, Bill to lower BAC resurfaces during State Senate exec. Session, New student fee to be allocated at WWU, proceeds to aid in combating student food insecurity, Blaine considers merging primary and elementary schools in response to financial troubles, Sedro-Woolley residents voice concerns following sudden departure of popular school superintendent, New proposed bill would increase penalties for violence against healthcare workers in WA, Relatives of those who have died in state custody speak in support of oversight bill
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, February 26th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Two suspected fentanyl dealers arrested in Bellingham Two suspected drug dealers from Everson were arrested on Friday.
The arrests come after a months-long investigation conducted by the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force into the suspects’ activities. The two suspects, a 39-year-old man and a 45-year-old woman, allegedly worked together to buy drugs from a Seattle mall and drive them up to Whatcom County.
A search into the suspects’ car yielded a kilo of fentanyl powder inside a suitcase. A search was also conducted at their house; officers found a firearm owned by the man illegally, as he is not a U.S. citizen. According to County Sheriff Office’s spokesperson Deb Slater, the man admitted to sending proceeds from drug sales to Mexico, as well as handling funds from local members of the drug ring.
Both suspects were booked at Whatcom County Jail, where they remain as of today.
STORY: Man arrested on suspected DUI charge after impacting WTA bus
A 26-year-old man was arrested after crashing into a WTA bus in downtown Bellingham on Sunday night.
Bellingham Police Lt. Claudia Murphy said that officers observed the driver swerving and speeding on North State Street before he drove through an alley and struck the bus on East Magnolia Street.
Police arrested the driver on suspicion of driving under the influence. Fortunately, no one on the bus was injured.
STORY: Bill to lower BAC resurfaces during State Senate exec. Session
Washington state lawmakers are once again considering lowering the legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers.
State senators discussed Senate Bill 5067 in an executive session on Tuesday. If passed, the bill would reduce the legal alcohol limit from 0.08% to 0.05%.
Despite strong bipartisan support, similar proposals have failed in the last two legislative sessions. Opponents argue the change could overwhelm an already backlogged judicial system, while supporters point to a sharp rise in DUI crashes since 2019 as a reason to push the bill forward.
STORY: New student fee to be allocated at WWU, proceeds to aid in combating student food insecurity
The WHOLE Pantry, WWU’s largest food pantry, is struggling to stay stocked as student demand remains high. Within hours of replenishment, supplies are often depleted, highlighting a growing issue of food insecurity on campus.
According to a new report from the Washington Student Achievement Council, food and housing insecurity at Western increased by 5% last fall compared to 2022. Over 54% of students reported experiencing at least one form of basic needs insecurity, slightly above the statewide average of 52.4%.
The Northwest Indian College, which participated in the survey for the first time, reported even higher levels of need. Nearly 90% of its students experienced food or housing insecurity, with 27% facing homelessness. The college is using this data to advocate for House Bill 1540, a bill aimed at expanding support for homeless students.
In response, Western has expanded efforts to connect students with resources such as SNAP benefits and the Department of Social and Health Services. A newly approved student fee of $4.50 per quarter will provide sustainable funding for food pantries, including hiring a full-time staff member to oversee food recovery efforts from campus dining services.
Despite increased donations and partnerships with local businesses, Western’s Basic Needs Hub continues to seek ways to support students struggling to afford essentials.
STORY: Blaine considers merging primary and elementary schools in response to financial troubles
The Blaine School District says their primary and elementary schools may merge next year in order to close a growing budget deficit.
The proposed consolidation is one of several cost-saving measures under consideration, which were briefly discussed at a school board meeting on Monday. According to Superintendent Chris Granger, a merger could save the district an estimated $600,000.
Under the plan, Blaine Primary would become an early learning center for preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten, while Blaine Elementary would serve first through fifth grades. The district aims to reduce duplicate services, such as operating two separate offices and cafeterias.
The district faces a projected deficit of up to $3 million for the upcoming school year, driven by state underfunding and declining enrollment. While the plan would not eliminate all staff reductions, Granger hopes it will minimize job losses.
The proposal remains under discussion, with the Blaine School Board set to revisit the topic in late March. Some community members oppose the
merger, and cite concerns over student support and logistical challenges. A petition against the plan has gathered more than 300 signatures.
Superintendent Granger acknowledged the community’s frustrations, and emphasized that difficult decisions stem from inadequate state funding. The district continues to advocate for legislative solutions to secure long-term financial stability.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley residents voice concerns following sudden departure of popular school superintendent
The Sedro-Woolley community is reeling from the sudden resignation of a popular school superintendent.
Dozens of people attended a Sedro-Woolley School Board meeting on Monday. This came three days after the announcement that Superintendent Mirian Mickelson, originally hired in 2021, had departed the board. A news release by the board states that they are looking forward to quote “taking the district in a new direction, building on the work that Dr. Mickelson has done these past four years” unquote. The release also noted that four of the board members responsible for hiring Mickelson were no longer on the board.
The remaining board members were met by an upset crowd during Monday’s meeting. The Cascadia Daily News reports that community members praised Mickelson for her devotion to the community and her
qualifications; they also expressed concern about how the decision was handled.
Mickelson will receive severance equal to 18 months of her base salary, paid over the next six months in three installments. In the meantime, Assistant Superintendent Brian Isakson will serve as the interim superintendent.
WX: Not cool, dudes.
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
An overcast morning is expected to give way to a warm, mostly sunny afternoon, with highs in the upper-50s. Some returning cloud cover in the evening will bring temperatures down to the low-40s.
Some rain is expected to fall early tomorrow, petering out in the mid-to-late morning. Expect mostly sunny skies from there on out.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, and Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren). Our news director is Staci Baird. 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 _________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: New proposed bill would increase penalties for violence against healthcare workers in WA
STORY: Relatives of those who have died in state custody speak in support of oversight bill
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