Suspect in shooting of Lummi officer charged with 1st-degree attempted murder, no bail set, Whatcom Co. Winter Shelter update, Public input wanted on Holly Bike Lane Pilot (kill 9/30), Construction begins on automated boat inspection gates at Bloedel Donovan, Dept of Ecology lifts swimming advisory at Bay View State Park; recreational shellfish harvesting closed in Skagit Bay, AG’s office joins lawsuit against Trump administration’s blocking of Planned Parenthood Medicaid funding, Drifting wildfire smoke expected to worsen air quality and cause hazy conditions in Whatcom (removed – dated info, no current AQ issues), Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
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STORY: Suspect in shooting of Lummi officer charged with 1st-degree attempted murder, no bail set
An unprovoked, violent attack on a uniformed law enforcement officer — that’s how Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley described the shooting of a Lummi Nation Police officer during a press conference yesterday afternoon.
The officer came across a seemingly entrenched truck on North Red River Road early Monday morning. As he approached to help, his body camera recorded the sound of ten shots being fired.
The officer was hit seven times. He was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center and placed in a medically induced coma before undergoing two surgeries — one on Monday, and the other on Tuesday. At the present time, he remains in stable condition.
Deputies arrested 23-year-old Jesus Abraham Penuelas-Agramon of Colorado. While he initially gave a false name, Penuelas-Agramon was later identified through fingerprints and video footage. He was located in a truck, along with three others, shortly after the incident.
In court, Penuelas-Agramon appeared visibly upset at claims that he posed a danger to others. He now faces multiple charges, including delivery of fentanyl, unlawful possession of a firearm, and attempted murder in the first degree. His arraignment is scheduled for next Friday at 10:30 a.m.
The Lummi Nation and Whatcom County communities have requested privacy and emphasized care and safety, raising over $1,300 as of yesterday to help aid the officer’s recovery. A benefit dinner is planned for next Monday in Lynden, and donations are being accepted through the Lhaq’temish (LOCK-tuh-mish) Foundation to support the officer’s recovery efforts.
Updates on the officer’s condition and the ongoing investigation are expected in the days ahead.
STORY: Whatcom Co. Winter Shelter update
Whatcom County is stepping up once again to protect Bellingham’s most vulnerable this winter.
For the third year in a row, the County will directly operate the Severe Weather Shelter after no local organizations responded to calls for operators.
The shelter will reduce capacity from 80 to 60 beds to improve safety and allow more room for on-site services. Staffing will nearly double to better
handle consecutive cold nights and illness — two issues that made staffing challenging last season.
Transportation services will be enhanced with dedicated morning rides to help guests get where they need to go. Meanwhile, the County is actively seeking community partners to run severe weather shelters outside Bellingham.
Final site approval and hiring plans are expected to be completed this fall.
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: Construction begins on automated boat inspection gates at Bloedel Donovan
Heads up, lake lovers!
Construction is underway at Bloedel Donovan Park’s boat launch, as the City installs an automated AIS inspection gate at Lake Whatcom.
The launch remains open throughout construction, though some parking spots may be temporarily blocked. Alongside the gate installation, crews are removing non-native vegetation to make way for native plants that better filter stormwater and protect lake water quality.
Once in place, the gate ensures that any boat entering when seasonal AIS staff aren’t on-site must call a hotline for a remote inspection. This will help keep out invasive species that can harm drinking water infrastructure and local ecosystems.
You can still launch year-round during park hours. If inspectors aren’t there in person, just follow the signs and call for remote assistance.
STORY: Dept of Ecology lifts swimming advisory at Bay View State Park; recreational shellfish harvesting closed in Skagit Bay
There are mixed news for beachgoers from the state Department of Ecology.
The water-contact advisory at Bay View State Park in Skagit County has been lifted. It had been in place since July 18th, but recent testing shows
bacteria levels are down and the water is now considered safe for recreation.
In Whatcom County, however, caution is still advised. Wildcat Cove at Larrabee State Park remains under a no-contact advisory due to high levels of fecal bacteria. Health officials are urging visitors to avoid swimming or wading in the area until further notice.
Meanwhile, the state Department of Health has closed all recreational shellfish harvesting in Skagit Bay due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning — or PSP — toxins.
The closure affects all species — including clams, mussels, oysters, geoduck, and scallops — which can accumulate the toxin. Crab may also be affected. While the meat is typically safe, the toxin can build up in the crab’s guts and butter.
Health officials advise cleaning crabs thoroughly, as well as avoiding the butter and internal organs to reduce the risk of illness.
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: AG’s office joins lawsuit against Trump administration’s blocking of Planned Parenthood Medicaid funding
Washington is taking the Trump administration to court once again — this time, over Planned Parenthood.
Attorney General Nick Brown has filed a lawsuit challenging a new federal budget provision that blocks Medicaid reimbursements for services provided at Planned Parenthood clinics.
Brown, backed by 23 other states, argues the move targets low-income patients and violates the Constitution. In Washington, nearly half of Planned Parenthood’s patients rely on Medicaid for care like cancer screenings, birth control, and STI testing.
The lawsuit says the provision breaks federal law and threatens access to essential health services. Brown is asking the court to block enforcement before it takes effect.
WX: Sun joke
And now for the weather:
Another warm, sunny day looks to be in the cards for us here in Whatcom. Forecasts are calling for a projected U.V. index rating of 7, with highs in the mid-to-upper 70s. Additionally, we may see some mild daytime cloud cover increase as the afternoon wears on, culminating in a cloudier evening with lows around 60 degrees.
More warm sunshine is expected tomorrow… but you probably didn’t need us to tell you that.
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: Drifting wildfire smoke expected to worsen air quality and cause hazy conditions in Whatcom (removed – dated info, no current AQ issues)
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.
