Bellingham I-5 crash leaves two injured, Suspect arrested in connection with multiple burglaries of Bellingham storage units, Suspect arrested in connection with multiple burglaries of Bellingham storage units, Utility rates in Bellingham likely to rise as city council upgrades infrastructure, Whatcom receives over $2 million to improve outdoor recreation, Home prices stall in Whatcom, rise in Skagit , WA forest health survey reveals over half a million acres of stressed or dead trees, WA State Parks says reduced budget should not undermine visitor access or services over the summer, More pickleball options coming to Cornwall Park, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!, Food benefits reduced across the state
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, July 8th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham I-5 crash leaves two injured
Two women were injured in an I-5 rollover after the driver reportedly fell asleep.
The crash happened just before 9pm Saturday near Nulle (NEW-ly) Road, when a 62-year-old woman from British Columbia allegedly nodded off while driving. According to police documents, her car veered off the road, rolled and landed on its side in the bushes.
Her 85-year-old passenger was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle and remains in serious condition. The driver was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham and is in satisfactory condition.
The Washington State Patrol says both women were wearing seat belts, and drugs or alcohol were not factors.
STORY: Suspect arrested in connection with multiple burglaries of Bellingham storage units
Bellingham Police have arrested a man suspected of stealing from local storage units.
The 46-year-old man, who rents a unit at Pantec Mini Storage on the Guide Meridian, was taken into custody last Thursday. Police say at least $8,000 worth of property was stolen from multiple units in late May. An investigation linked the suspect through surveillance footage and his personal access code, which had been used at the time of the break-ins.
He’s suspected of first-degree theft, burglary, theft of a firearm, and malicious mischief. Charges are still pending.
STORY: Utility rates in Bellingham likely to rise as city council upgrades infrastructure
Bellingham residents could soon see a sharp increase 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. City spokesperson Melissa Morin (MORE-in) says the upgrades are essential to keep water and sewer services reliable and safe for decades to come.
The final reading for the proposed utility rate hike is scheduled for July 21st. If the rate increases are approved, they would go into effect on January 1st of next year.
STORY: Whatcom receives over $2 million to improve outdoor recreation
Whatcom County is set to receive over $2 million in grants to improve outdoor recreation.
According to an online announcement, the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Funding Board will direct a total of $148 million to projects across the state. The grant for Whatcom includes forest conservation in Canyon Creek and Maple Falls, safety materials for mountain bikers at Galbraith, trail conservation, and the development of a Birch Bay beach park.
Megan Duffy, the director of the Recreation and Conservation Office, noted the grants form a critical link to keeping Washington a premiere destination for outdoor adventure. She added that countless studies show being outside is important for children, and that it improves everyone’s mental and physical health.
STORY: Home prices stall in Whatcom, rise in Skagit According to new data from local real estate analyst Peter Ahn, Whatcom County home prices held steady in the second quarter of 2025 — unchanged from a year ago.
The numbers are based on figures from the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, and point to a median sale price of $634,000. Next door in Skagit
County, however, prices continue to climb upward. Skagit’s second quarter median hit $630,000 — up 8% from the same time last year.
While Bellingham still leads Whatcom in home values, prices in smaller towns like Ferndale and Nooksack Valley saw the biggest jumps. Despite rising inventory — up nearly 50% over last June — high interest rates continue to shape the market. House closings in Whatcom matched a decade low.
Analysts say sellers now face more competition, while buyers have more options.
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 over 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: WA State Parks says reduced budget should not undermine visitor access or services over the summer
Washington State Parks took a $14 million cut — but officials say services will not suffer.
The Washington State Standard reports the agency’s budget for the 2025-thru-27 cycle dropped to $257 million, down from the last biennium. However, parks spokesperson Sarah Fronk says there will be no reduction in public services this summer.
To stay afloat, the agency cut nine vacant positions and limited staff travel, but preserved frontline staff, maintenance, and campground operations.
To close the funding gap, Discover Pass revenue will now cover 71% of park costs — up from 65%. That comes with a price hike: annual Discover Passes will rise from $30 to $45 starting October 1st, with a $5 online transaction fee. It’s the first increase since the program’s launch in 2011.
Meanwhile, parks are rolling out a new online video series to help educate visitors and reduce pressure on staff.
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.
WX: Summer lovin’, AC on blast
And now for the weather:
We have another day of summer sun ahead of us today, with a max U.V. index of 8 and temperatures reaching into the high 70s. Expect some consistent, and hopefully cool, breezes throughout the day, with gusts potentially reaching speeds of up to 28 miles per hour. This evening, expect to see cloudy skies and a good chance of showers, with temperatures cooling down to lows around 60 degrees.
Rain is expected to stick around throughout much of tomorrow, which should result in a warm, humid day with up to a quarter inch of precipitation.
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: 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: Food benefits reduced across the state
Governor Bob Ferguson is warning of major cuts to food assistance in Washington after Congress passed a new reconciliation bill today.
Roughly one million Washingtonians who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, will see their monthly benefits reduced. The average household would lose about 56 dollars per month, and the maximum benefit for a family of four would drop from 975 to 848 dollars.
More than 130,000 people in the state could lose their benefits entirely unless they meet new work requirements.
The economic impact could extend beyond individual households. According to federal estimates, each SNAP dollar generates over a dollar fifty in economic activity through grocery stores, farmers markets, and more.
Washington state would also face increased costs — more than 87 million dollars in new administrative expenses and at least 100 million more in its share of program funding.
