Suspect arrested in connection with Whatcom shelter stabbing, Investigation into Ferndale apartment fire rules it accidental, WWU and WCSO both refuse to aid in immigration enforcement, State Superintendent declares public schools must serve all students, regardless of citizenship status, Local Terrier to compete at Westminster, Local Terrier to compete at Westminster, Free and Cheap, Suspect arrested in connection with September Bellis Fair Mall bomb threat, Sunsets Sunset tonight in Bellingham should be around 4:56 p.m.
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, January 24th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Suspect arrested in connection with Whatcom shelter stabbing
A suspect has been arrested after a man was stabbed three times near the Bellingham severe weather shelter on Tuesday morning.
Police say the suspect reportedly made threats and tackled the victim, then stabbed him after the victim picked up a metal pole to defend himself. The suspect fled on a bike, but police later located and arrested him in an alley near East Magnolia Street around 12:30 p.m. The knife was not recovered.
The victim was treated at St. Joseph Medical Center for non-life-threatening injuries.
STORY: Investigation into Ferndale apartment fire rules it accidental
A fire that claimed the lives of two Ferndale women on December 5th was caused by furniture placed too close to a baseboard heater.
According to fire investigator Tiffany Honey, the fire began in the living room of a second-floor apartment on Eastview Place. 53-year-old Kristine Gregory died of smoke inhalation at the scene. 26-year-old Sierra Johnson was initially rescued but later died of smoke inhalation and burns at Harborview Medical Center
The incident occurred on a freezing morning with a recorded low of 31 degrees.
STORY: WWU and WCSO both refuse to aid in immigration enforcement
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and Western Washington University both announced they will not assist with federal immigration enforcement.
Western unveiled its updated policy on Tuesday. While public spaces on campus remain accessible to immigration authorities, restricted areas such as offices, classrooms, and residence halls require legal documentation for entry.
According to Communications Director Jonathan Higgins, the policy aligns with state law and reflects the university’s commitment to keeping the community informed about federal changes. President Sabah Randhawa (suh-BAH run-DAH-wah) emphasized the university’s support for undocumented students.
In addition, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced it will not enforce federal immigration laws. In a public letter released yesterday, Sheriff Donnell (dah-NELL) Tanksley said the focus of the Sheriff’s office is to protect lives and reduce crime without bias. Tanksley said that immigration enforcement is under federal jurisdiction and falls outside the scope of his office, except for violations of state law.
Additionally, under the Keep Washington Working Act, state law prohibits local law enforcement from enforcing federal immigration laws or acting solely on a person’s immigration status.
Both Western and the Sheriff’s announcements follow President Trump’s immigration crackdown, which include plans for mass deportation and raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
STORY: State Superintendent declares public schools must serve all students, regardless of citizenship status
In related news, Washington’s schools chief said the state’s public schools are required to serve all students regardless of immigration or citizenship status.
In a statement released yesterday, the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction shared guidance for schools with a roadmap of requirements related to student privacy, access to education, and immigration enforcement on school campuses.
The guidance also outlines key practices for public schools including:
- Not denying or continuing enrollment based on a student’s immigration or citizenship status;
- Serving all enrolled students regardless of citizenship or immigration status;
- Only collecting data and records necessary for enrollment and student services, and;
- Reminding educators that schools do not have the legal authority to enforce U.S. immigration law.
Superintendent Chris Reykdal (rake-DOW) said the state’s constitution ensures access to basic education for every child living within its borders, and that Washington is “unequivocally committed to supporting all of our students and families”.
STORY: Local Terrier to compete at Westminster
A cairn terrier from Blaine is gearing up to compete at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Tali, a cairn terrier like Toto from The Wizard of Oz, could follow his own yellow brick road to Madison Square Garden. This will be his first appearance at Westminster.
Three-year-old Tali started competing at just six months old. He recently won best in show at the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club. Tali’s owner, Heather Campbell, noted he’s the first cairn terrier to win a best in show in three years and only the 18th ever; Campbell, who is also the owner of Bow Wow and Woofs in Blaine, adds that Tali is “a dog of a lifetime”.
To make it to Madison Square Garden, Tali must win his breed category on February 11th. If he advances, he’ll compete in the group category that night. A group win would send him to the best in show competition, streamed live on Fox Sports 1.
STORY: Free and cheap
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.
This Sunday at 12:05 p.m., the Pickford Film Center will host a screening of From Ground Zero. The nearly two-hour documentary consists of a collection of short films by 22 Palestinian filmmakers living through war in Gaza. Through a blend of animation, documentary and fiction, these filmmakers seek to capture the perseverance of the human spirit and the creativity that thrives even in the face of devastation. The screening is co-sponsored by the Bellingham Human Rights Film Association, and a discussion will follow. Tickets can be purchased for $11 at the Pickford’s website.
At 3 p.m. Sunday, the Mount Baker Theatre will host Rising Up, the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra’s first concert of 2025. The program explores the relationship between two iconic composers: Franz Joseph Haydn and Maurice Ravel. The program is subject to change, but as of now is due to include two works by Haydn, a violin concerto from Chevalier de Saint-Georges, and a performance of Ravel’s composition for the 100th anniversary of Haydn’s death. Tickets starting at $15 can be purchased at MBT’s website.
Finally, Sunday evening will see the Wild Buffalo host the 10th Annual Bellingham Band Lottery at 8:30 p.m. This event, which Wild Buffalo will organize alongside MyBellinghamNow and the Make.Shift, will see local musicians randomly picked from a hat to form seven bands who will each have two weeks to write and perform three original songs. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the Wild Buffalo’s website, with all proceeds going to Make.Shift.
WX: The big shiny.
And now weather,
A chilly, yet mostly sunny day lies ahead of us, with highs in the mid-40s. Expect mild north-northeastern winds as the day wears on. Evening lows are projected to drop into the mid-20s.
More sun might be our calling card for the weekend, though it’s not likely to get any warmer. Enjoy the sun while you can!
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Paloma Ortiz, Stevie Sjogren (SHOW-gren), and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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 your donations. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb________… thanks for listening.
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STORY: Suspect arrested in connection with September Bellis Fair Mall bomb threat
Police arrested a 41-year-old Bellingham man yesterday in connection with a bomb threat at Bellis Fair mall.
According to police reports, the man allegedly called 9-1-1 on September 25th, claiming a bomb would explode at the mall within 10 minutes. Police and mall security found no evidence of a bomb. Investigators later determined the suspect made the call to distract police from his location near a drug dealer.
Early yesterday, the man was identified during a traffic stop and arrested on an outstanding warrant. He was charged with shoplifting and making bomb threats, and then booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Sunsets Sunset tonight in Bellingham should be around 4:56 p.m.
The darkest days of winter are almost over. Sunset in Bellingham tonight is at 4:56. Daylight is increasing by about 2 to 3-and-a-half minutes each day as we move closer to spring. In just about six weeks, we’ll see sunsets as late as 7 p.m.
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