Federal judge grants mother of four detained at Peace Arch Park opportunity to contact immigration attorney, Man who assaulted Bellingham middle schooler last year convicted of hate crime, WCSO arrests second suspect in fraud case, Stretch of Hampton Road in Everson closed in response to barn fire, Bellingham receives $1.5 million to improve fish passageways in Padden Creek, L&I Reminds Employers: Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat and Smoke Hazards, AG’s office bans sale of machine gun converters in WA, Free and cheap, WA joins multistate lawsuit over $7 billion in withheld formula grants, Dept of Health urges kids to get shots before school starts, Bellingham climbing gym – apartment combo building receives design approval, WSDOT seeking community feedback on repaving of Guide Meridian
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 16th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Federal judge grants mother of four detained at Peace Arch Park opportunity to contact immigration attorney
A federal judge in Seattle has ordered immigration officials to allow a Portland woman to contact her attorney.
Jackeline Merlos, who has lived in the U.S. for over 20 years, was detained with her four U.S.-born children and her mother at Peace Arch Park on June 28th. According to the Cascadia Daily News, Merlos was allegedly pressured into signing a voluntary return to Honduras — without speaking to her lawyer.
Merlos’s attorney filed a motion for a temporary restraining order on Monday, after learning she could be deported within days.
Merlos has a pending U-visa application and valid work authorization through 2029. She and her husband, who was later arrested by ICE in Portland, own a construction business.
Customs and Border Protection claims Merlos attempted to smuggle people into the U.S., which her supporters strongly dispute.
U.S. Representatives Maxine Dexter and Rick Larsen are now demanding answers, along with a dozen other lawmakers. The case is set for a court hearing Friday.
STORY: Man who assaulted Bellingham middle schooler last year convicted of hate crime
A California man who punched a Black middle schooler during a field trip in Bellingham has been sentenced for an allegedly racially-motivated hate crime.
According to court documents, 43-year-old Paul Jonathan Bittner pleaded guilty yesterday to an unprovoked assault on an 11-year-old boy in June of 2024. The boy told police Bittner attacked him because he was talking to a white friend.
Records show Bittner made racist remarks during and after the assault. He was later diagnosed with schizoaffective (skit-sow-uh-FEK-tuhv) disorder, and spent five months at Western State Hospital before being found competent to stand trial.
Judge Evan Jones imposed a 10-year no-contact order, as well as 18 months of post-release supervision.
STORY: WCSO arrests second suspect in fraud case
Whatcom County authorities have made a second arrest in a nationwide fraud conspiracy that may have scammed victims out of millions.
According to the Bellingham Herald, 55-year-old Xiaobin Zhou (zee-ow-BEEN SHOW) of California was arrested in May for allegedly impersonating a federal agent and stealing $100,000 in cash and gold from a Whatcom County resident. He now faces seven felony charges.
While jailed, Yang Zhou, Xiaobin’s younger brother, visited him; during a recorded conversation, the two discussed gold bars, cash, and efforts to cover their tracks. Court documents say the 30-year-old Yang admitted to checking Xiaobin’s residence and recovering cash suspected to be tied to the original scam.
Investigators believe Yang is also involved in the larger conspiracy. He now faces charges of trafficking stolen property and tampering with evidence.
Both brothers have since posted bond.
STORY: Stretch of Hampton Road in Everson closed in response to barn fire
A stretch of Hampton Road in Everson was temporarily closed due to a barn fire yesterday afternoon.
First responders were dispatched to the barn around 2:25 p.m. Hampton Road was momentarily closed between Northwood and Trapline, as several fire crews responded to the incident. Whatcom County Public Works later said that the scene was cleared, no one was injured, and Hampton Road is open for use again.
STORY: Bellingham receives $1.5 million to improve fish passageways in Padden Creek
Over four-and-a-half million dollars are coming to Whatcom and Skagit Counties to help salmon swim freely again.
Yesterday, the Brian Abbott Fish Barrier Board announced the recipients of funding for projects that remove fish-blocking culverts across Washington. Bellingham will get one-and-a-half million dollars to design improvements where Padden Creek meets Harris Avenue and the McKenzie Trail.
Upstream, the city began fixing barriers at 12th, 14th, and 30th Streets last month, which has prompted trail detours in Fairhaven.
In Skagit County, the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group will receive over three million dollars to replace a culvert under East Hickox (HIK-oks) Road.
STORY: L&I Reminds Employers: Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat and Smoke Hazards
Hot weather and wildfire smoke are creating dangerous conditions for outdoor workers across Washington.
The Department of Labor & Industries reminds employers that state rules kick in at 80 degrees. That means employers must provide access to water, shade or cooling areas, and paid rest breaks. Once temperatures hit 90 or higher, breaks must be longer and more frequent.
Wildfire smoke rules also require employers to have a safety plan in place, train workers to recognize symptoms like dizziness or chest pain, and provide medical care without penalty.
More information is available on L&I’s website.
STORY: AG’s office bans sale of machine gun converters in WA
The Trump administration has agreed in court filings to omit Washington and select other states from its plans to allow distribution of machine gun conversion devices.
In a related court submission, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms has confirmed that forced reset triggers, a type of conversion device, will not be sold in those states. Rare Breed Triggers, the United States’ largest supplier of forced reset triggers, also confirmed that it will not offer the specified devices in the affected areas.
The commitments come in response to a lawsuit brought by Washington Attorney General Nick Brown and a coalition of 15 other states’ attorneys general. As a result of the new court commitments, the coalition has withdrawn its motion for a preliminary injunction; however, the case, originally filed in early June, remains active.
Weapons equipped with machine gun conversion devices can fire up to 20 bullets per second, and contributed to a 1,400% rise in machine gun fire incidents between 2019 and 2021. In a statement released last Friday, Brown lamented the need for litigation, but says he remains committed to doing, quote, “everything possible to keep Washingtonians safe from dangerous machine-gun conversion devices,” unquote.
WX: She’s still preoccupied with highs of, highs of, highs of 85
And now for the weather:
The heat advisory has been extended until 10 p.m. tonight, as we double-dip into highs in the mid-80s accompanied by ample amounts of sunshine. Expect clear skies throughout the day and into the evening, which should be relatively warm as well, as nighttime lows are only slated to drop as far as the upper 50s.
Tomorrow, look forward to a nice, cool reprieve, as temperatures drop down to a chilly 81 degrees. Please stay hydrated out there.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Cody Mills,
Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae (BELL-uh MAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy. 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: Free and cheap
Pioneer Old Settlers Grand Parade at 11am on Saturday, July 26th.
STORY: WA joins multistate lawsuit over $7 billion in withheld formula grants
Washington is joining a multi-state lawsuit against the federal government for withholding $7 billion in education grants.
Attorney General Nick Brown announced Monday that Washington and 22 other states, plus D.C., are suing the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget.
The states argue the grants—set to go out July 1st—are legally required and support programs like English learner services, classroom technology, and adult education. Education officials statewide echoed those concerns, noting that Washington’s adult education systems—critical for workforce development—are among the hardest hit.
Washington’s share includes nearly $137 million for K-12 schools and more than $13 million for adult learning.
The lawsuit demands the funding be released immediately.
STORY: Dept of Health urges kids to get shots before school starts
As students get ready to head back to class, the Washington State Department of Health is urging families to make sure kids are up to date on required vaccinations.
The rules apply to all students—including those in child care or remote learning.
State officials say immunizations protect children, prevent illness outbreaks, and help keep kids in school.
Childhood vaccination rates have been struggling statewide since the pandemic. In 2024, whooping cough cases jumped 25-fold amid a drop in DTaP vaccine coverage.
The Health Department says now is the time to check with your doctor and get caught up.
STORY: Bellingham climbing gym – apartment combo building receives design approval
STORY: WSDOT seeking community feedback on repaving of Guide Meridian
