Lummi Police shooter misidentified, Lummi Nation sets up donation fund for injured officer (follow to Lummi Police shooter misidentified), Ferndale man arrested for double assault, Kent man arrested in connection with manslaughter case from last October, Earthquakes prompt tsunami warnings, Whatcom County to host multi-department government open house, Multiple new state laws go into effect in WA, Whatcom Co. Winter Shelter update, Public input wanted on Holly Bike Lane Pilot (kill 9/30), Skagit County Commissioner announces retirement, Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 30th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Lummi Police shooter misidentified
The man accused of shooting a Lummi Nation Police officer is in jail — but his real name is still a mystery.
Cascadia Daily News reports the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is confident they arrested the right person, but say he gave deputies a false name.
At a press conference yesterday afternoon, Sheriff Donnell Tanksley said that the man was known to law enforcement and had a criminal history of drug charges.
The man remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of attempted murder.
The officer is recovering in stable condition after undergoing surgery. Their identity has not yet been publicly released.
The investigation into the shooting continues.
STORY: Lummi Nation sets up donation fund for injured officer (follow to Lummi Police shooter misidentified)
As the investigation continues, and the suspect’s identity is still unknown, the Lummi Nation is asking the community to focus on care and support.
A donation fund has been set up through the Lhaq’temish (LOCK-tuh-mish) Foundation to help the wounded officer’s family through this difficult time.
The officer’s name has not been released out of respect for the family’s wishes. The community is asked to honor their request for privacy.
STORY: Ferndale man arrested for double assault
A knife attack in Ferndale ended with a taser, a bean bag round, and felony charges.
The Bellingham Herald reports 34-year-old Curtis Bell is accused of trying to stab a man in his Fallbrook Lane apartment just after midnight on July 12th.
When a woman inside the apartment tried to protect the man with a chair, Bell allegedly turned the knife on her.
Police say the man ran outside, but Bell caught up, tackled him, and slashed his cheek with a three-and-a-half-inch pocketknife during the struggle.
By the time officers arrived, Bell had taken off — but they found him nearby, still holding the pocketknife. He dropped it when told, but ignored further commands, so officers used a taser and a bean bag round to take him down.
Bell is charged with two counts of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon — a class A felony — and is being held on a $150,000 bond.
STORY: Kent man arrested in connection with manslaughter case from last October
A Kent man has been arrested in connection with a deadly confrontation at a Ferndale cat show months ago.
Ferndale Police took the 57-year-old suspect into custody on Monday, booking him into the Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree manslaughter.
According to the Cascadia Daily News, the incident happened last October during the Paws in the Pumpkin Patch event at the Ferndale Events Center. The suspect and 61-year-old Anthony Sperry got into an argument while loading a trailer.
Police say the suspect hit Sperry with a van, smashed his phone, and shoved him twice — injuries that sent Sperry to the hospital for hip surgery and a femur repair. Sperry was discharged on October 23rd, but died at home the next day.
The King County Medical Examiner later ruled his death a homicide, caused by acute pneumonia linked to his injuries.
The suspect remains in jail on a $250,000 bond.
STORY: Earthquakes prompt tsunami warnings
Good news, tsunami watchers. You can stand down.
According to the Associated Press, a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia’s Kamchatka (kahm-CHAHT-kuh) Peninsula yesterday, prompting tsunami warnings across the Pacific — including the West Coast from California to Alaska. Initial information indicated some communities along the Washington coast could be impacted.
The tsunami alert was cancelled early this morning. The state Parks and Recreation Commission said ocean beaches have reopened, but warned that there may still be strong and unknown currents for the next 12-to-24 hours. They advise caution if you are on the shore or near the water.
STORY: Whatcom County to host multi-department government open house
Whatcom County wants you to see where your tax dollars go — up close and in person.
The county’s first-ever Open House is set for Tuesday, September 3rd, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the County Courthouse.
Residents can meet staff from across departments, explore public works projects, preview the upcoming budget, and learn about plans for the new jail and behavioral health facility. High-tech tools like the county’s property GIS (G-I-S) system will be on display, and there will be a local trivia contest with prizes.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu (SAHT-pow SEE-do) says face-to-face connections help build trust, and Council Chair Kaylee Galloway calls it a great way to engage with local government.
STORY: Multiple new state laws go into effect in WA
A slate of new state laws went into effect this past Sunday, including one that extends protections for good Samaritans.
House Bill 1046 offers protection from lawsuits to anyone breaking into a locked vehicle to rescue children, vulnerable adults, or domestic animals, provided certain criteria are met. Would-be rescuers must first have good faith reason to believe that action is necessary. After confirming that all vehicle doors are locked, and that anyone inside cannot exit without assistance, they must attempt to contact law enforcement before taking action. Good Samaritans must wait with any rescued people or animals until help arrives.
Several other new laws increase fees and fines. House Bill 1498 ups the cost of a marriage license to $100, with the revenue directed towards helping finance a new domestic violence response program.
Fees for most liquor licenses and permits, as well as recreational hunting and fishing licenses, have increased. An additional tax now applies to cigarette purchases, too.
Finally, fines for littering will more than double, from $50 to $125. Littering on highways will incur additional penalties.
WX: *distant sounds of Van Halen’s Jump*
And now for the weather:
We’re looking at another day of warm sunshine, with highs in the low-80s and a max U.V. index rating of 7. Expect mild winds throughout the day, with some sporadic cloud cover as well. This evening is set to be relatively warm as well, with lows in the high-50s.
Tomorrow’s forecast calls for warm sunshine yet again.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Cody Mills,
Aidan Larson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy (luh-ROY). 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: Whatcom Co. Winter Shelter update
STORY: Public input wanted on Holly Bike Lane Pilot (kill 9/30)
What’s next for Holly Street? The City of Bellingham wants your input.
The City is reimagining the Holly Street corridor — from Ellis to Broadway — and wants to hear from the community.
Now through September 30th, you can weigh in on priorities like bike safety, traffic flow, parking, and pedestrian access to help shape the final design.
The plan builds on last year’s Holly Bike Lane Pilot, with new improvements coming next summer to make the corridor safer and more efficient.
Share your thoughts at engagebellingham.org.
STORY: Skagit County Commissioner announces retirement
A big change is coming to Skagit County leadership, as Commissioner Lisa Janicki calls it a career after more than a decade of service.
Janicki, whose district includes Burlington, Sedro-Woolley, and communities along the North Cascades Highway, was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2014. She will retire at the end of the year, one year before her term expires.
Known for her deep community roots and leadership on housing, mental health, and family services, Janicki says it’s time to focus on what matters most — her family and ten grandchildren.
Before the end of the year, the Skagit County Democrats will nominate three candidates to fill her seat. The County Commission will then appoint her successor.
STORY: Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
https://www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums — Sat, Sept. 13
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Run with the Chums on September 13th at BP Highlands in Birch Bay.
This free, family-friendly 5K fun run celebrates salmon, clean water, and community. All ages and paces are welcome, and the scenic course offers stunning views of Whatcom County’s shoreline.
Kids 10 and under can enjoy the Smolt Sprint obstacle course starting at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K kicking off at 10.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.—arrive early for a free T-shirt while supplies last. Leashed pets are welcome!
https://www.whatcomwin.org/whatcomwaterweek – Sept 13 – 21st
