Shooting in Sedro-Woolley leaves five injured and one dead, Two arrests in credit union scam, Bellingham PD arrest man suspected of perpetrating multiple thefts from Best Buy, Three-acre brush fire burns on Portage Island, Free youth vaccine clinic tomorrow, Bellingham purchases two more tracts of land around Lake Whatcom, Trail detour near Fairhaven Park, New L&I law guarantees equal pay regardless of gender for WA workers, Utility rates in Bellingham likely to rise as city council upgrades infrastructure, WA forest health survey reveals over half a million acres of stressed or dead trees, Crab season opens July 17th, More pickleball options coming to Cornwall Park
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, July 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Shooting in Sedro-Woolley leaves five injured and one dead
A deadly shooting rocked downtown Sedro-Woolley late Saturday night.
Police say one person was killed and five others injured after gunfire broke out at Memorial Park. Officers and fire crews responded quickly, providing life-saving aid before victims were taken to local hospitals.
As of Sunday afternoon, one suspect was in custody and there was no ongoing threat to the public, according to Sedro-Woolley Police.
Investigators remain on scene and have recovered a significant amount of evidence, including two firearms. Anyone with photos, videos, or information is urged to contact police at 360-428-3211.
STORY: Two arrests in credit union scam
Two Bellingham residents are charged in a bank scam that stole thousands from two victims.
The Bellingham Herald reports that 23-year-old Jonathan Faircloth posed as a fraud investigator from Industrial Credit Union, tricking victims into giving him online access to their accounts. He and his fiancée, Nyssa (NIH-suh) March-Walker, then transferred the money into accounts they had just opened.
Faircloth was arrested on June 2nd and faces multiple felony charges, including theft, impersonation, and charges tied to a separate hit-and-run. March-Walker was arrested on June 29th and is also charged with theft.
The stolen funds were returned to both victims. ICU urges people to verify suspicious calls by contacting the institution directly.
STORY: Bellingham PD arrest man suspected of perpetrating multiple thefts from Best Buy
A man is in custody after a string of thefts from Bellingham’s Best Buy.
Police report that the suspect — identified as 40-year-old David Biasotti (bee-ah-SO-dee) in an email sent by Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy to KMRE News — stole more than $1,000 in merchandise. The thefts occurred over 30 days, starting on May 24th. Biasotti allegedly used a tool to remove anti-theft devices before leaving the store with the merchandise concealed.
After seeing listings of the stolen items online, investigators contacted Biasotti, whose profile photo matched the subject. He then sold the items to officers for cash.
Biasotti was arrested last Monday on multiple felony counts; police say they have recovered the stolen merchandise. Biasotti has not been formally charged, and is currently in custody at the Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Three-acre brush fire burns on Portage Island
A brush fire on Portage Island that started on Sunday afternoon is burning across roughly three acres.
Crews from Whatcom County and the state Department of Natural Resources responded after the fire was reported just before 2 p.m. DNR says two fire engines and a helicopter are working to contain the flames near the shoreline.
The helicopter has been scooping water from Bellingham Bay and dropping it on the blaze.
Portage Island sits just south of the Lummi Reservation and east of Lummi Island. There is no word yet on the cause of the fire.
STORY: Free youth vaccine clinic tomorrow
In response to the first confirmed measles cases in Whatcom County in over a decade, local health officials have added a second no-cost vaccine clinic for children and teenagers.
The clinic — open to anyone 18 and under — will offer all standard childhood vaccines, including the MMR shot for measles, mumps, and rubella (roo-BEH-luh). The clinic will be hosted tomorrow, July 8th, from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Chestnut Professional Building in Bellingham. Walk-ins are welcome.
Measles is one of the most contagious viruses, and can linger in the air for hours. Health officials say local vaccination rates need to rise from 87% to 95% to prevent an outbreak.
Dr. Megan Lelonek (lih-LON-neck), Whatcom County’s co-health officer, says demand for vaccines is rising as parents take steps to protect their children and the community.
STORY: Bellingham purchases two more tracts of land around Lake Whatcom
The Bellingham City Council has approved the purchase of two more tracts of land in the Lake Whatcom watershed.
Lake Whatcom is the primary source of drinking water for over 100,000 residents. The purchases were approved at the Council’s meeting on June 23rd, and are meant to further the city’s ongoing effort to prevent further development around the lake. Since 2001, Bellingham has purchased more than 2,800 acres, and protected another 164 through measures such as restrictive covenants and conservation easements.
North Beaver Creek Reserve, across Lake Louise Road from the Stimson Family Nature Reserve beaver pond, is the first new purchase. Skykomish (sky-KO-mish) Resources forest land on the hillside above South Bay Drive at the south end of Lake Whatcom is the second acquisition.
Since the start of 2025, Bellingham has purchased over 1,000 additional acres in the watershed.
STORY: Trail detour near Fairhaven Park
A heads-up for Interurban Trail users: a detour is in place between 10th Street and Fairhaven Park.
The temporary reroute will allow crews to remove two fish passage barriers where the trail crosses Padden Creek. The project will make the creek crossings fully accessible to native fish species.
Construction is expected to last through the fall. Trail users can find more details on the city’s website.
STORY: New L&I law guarantees equal pay regardless of gender for WA workers
Washington’s equal pay protections just got stronger.
A new rule that took effect last Tuesday expands the state’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act beyond gender — it now covers workers regardless of sexual orientation, race, immigration status, or physical ability.
The Department of Labor and Industries says equal pay will now be determined by job skill, effort, and responsibility — not just job titles.
More changes are on the way later this month. Starting July 27th, employers cannot require a driver’s license unless driving is part of the job, and larger employers must include pay and benefits information in job postings.
WX: It was the heeeeeeeeat of the moment
And now for the weather:
The forecast for today remains much as we left it, with sunny skies and high temperatures reaching into the upper-70s. Today’s U.V. index is projected to reach a maximum of 8, so consider keeping some sunscreen and water handy if you plan to be outside. Some light cloud cover is expected later this evening, with nighttime temperatures cooling down to the high-50s.
The warm sunshine should stick around through tomorrow.
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), and Nate Landi (LAND-ee). 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: Utility rates in Bellingham likely to rise as city council upgrades infrastructure
Bellingham residents could soon see a sharp jump in their water and sewer bills.
City officials say utility rates may rise more than 13% annually over the next two years, with continued increases through 2045. It’s part of a massive $1 billion plan to replace aging infrastructure, build new reservoirs and pumps, and meet environmental standards for nitrogen discharge into Bellingham Bay.
An average household bill could rise from $135 a month now to more than $400 by 2045.
The City Council will discuss the proposed rates — along with discounts for low-income households — at 1:40 p.m. Monday. A vote could follow at the full council meeting that evening at City Hall.
City spokesperson Melissa Morin says the upgrades are essential to keep water and sewer services reliable and safe for decades to come.
STORY: WA forest health survey reveals over half a million acres of stressed or dead trees
A new state survey shows that Washington’s forests are under growing stress.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, aerial surveys this year found more than 545,000 acres of trees across the state are dead or showing signs of severe stress—largely due to drought, insects, and disease.
That’s the second-highest total in the past decade. Officials say the findings highlight the urgent need for forest health treatments and wildfire prevention strategies as climate pressures intensify.
STORY: Crab season opens July 17th – YAY! (kill date 7/17!!)
Get your gear ready — Marine Area 7 South, including the San Juans and Bellingham, opens for crabbing July 17th.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says pots can be dropped Thursdays through Mondays, with no crabbing allowed on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.
A shellfish license and catch record card are required. The daily limit is five male Dungeness crabs, at least 6-and-a-quarter inches wide, plus six red rock crabs of any sex. Crab must be kept whole so size and sex can be verified.
Area 7 North – from Inati Bay to Point Roberts — remains closed. WDFW expects that season to open in mid-August, once shell condition sampling wraps up.
Always check for emergency closures before heading out. More info at wdfw.wa.gov.
STORY: More pickleball options coming to Cornwall Park
Changes are coming to the play courts at Cornwall Memorial Park.
Starting this month, the City will begin replacing two existing tennis courts with a new layout featuring three pickleball courts and one tennis court. The renovation project will temporarily close those courts through the summer, but other pickleball courts at the park will remain open.
Construction is expected to wrap up by September.
