Wastewater contamination creates potential risk for residents drawing their water directly from Lake Whatcom, Whatcom K-9 unit aids in arrest of man on charges of reckless driving and drug possession, Prospective designs released for Bellingham’s new skate park, PeaceHealth CEO set to retire at the end of the year; company names successor, Red flag warning issued for wildfire risk in eastern WA, WA representatives cleanly split down party lines in responses to passage of Big Beautiful Bill, Food benefits reduced across the state, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, July 9th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Wastewater contamination creates potential risk for residents drawing their water directly from Lake Whatcom
A sewage spill has triggered a health advisory for some Lake Whatcom residents.
The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District reports an overflow at Camp Firwood on Monday evening sent about 885 gallons of raw sewage into a stormwater basin near the lake. Customers of the City of Bellingham or the Water District are not affected; however, Justin Clary, the General Manager of the District, had this to say.
BOIL WATER AUDIO 1
According to Clary, the failure happened in the sewage lift system that the District inherited from the Firs. The lift main broke at a bend in the pipe because it did not have a thrust block installed to help protect it. Clary also said he is not concerned that something similar may happen elsewhere in the system, and added that repairs are expected to be completed today.
Homes around the lake with treatment systems are encouraged to have them inspected.
STORY: Whatcom K-9 unit aids in arrest of man on charges of reckless driving and drug possession
A high-speed pursuit across Bellingham ended with a K-9-assisted arrest early last Friday.
Authorities say the chase, which involved three Whatcom County law enforcement agencies, started when a 36-year-old man was spotted making an illegal turn near WWU in a car without a rear license plate.
The chase escalated when a sheriff’s deputy saw the suspect speeding and passing in a no-passing zone on Yew Street. Officers deployed spike strips, which deflated two tires and forced the man to stop.
The man now faces multiple charges including DUI, resisting arrest, and possession of meth. He remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Prospective designs released for Bellingham’s new skate park
Bellingham has released concept designs for a new skatepark, set to replace the unofficial park under Roeder Avenue Bridge.
About 16,000 feet of land were purchased by the city this year to construct the project. According to the City of Bellingham, the 3-million-dollar project budget will be split by a Bellingham based organization called Northwest Skate Collective. The new skatepark will also feature live music and art.
There is currently no estimated opening date.
STORY: PeaceHealth CEO set to retire at the end of the year; company names successor
PeaceHealth will see a major leadership change at the start of 2026.
After a decade at the helm of the Vancouver-based health system, CEO and President Liz Dunne has announced she will retire at the end of next year. Sarah Ness, PeaceHealth’s current chief administrative officer and a 20-year veteran of the organization, will step into the top role on January 3rd.
Dunne’s compensation has drawn attention over the years, peaking at over 6 million dollars in 2021. Ness earned 1.25 million dollars in 2023, though details of her future compensation have not been released.
PeaceHealth praised Dunne’s leadership for making the system “better, not bigger.” Ness will become the second woman to lead the 135-year-old organization, which employs nearly 16,000 people across nine medical centers and 160 clinics.
STORY: Red flag warning issued for wildfire risk in eastern WA
A Red‑Flag Warning remains in effect for much of eastern Washington today and into Wednesday evening.
Authorities issued the alert in response to state-wide persistent hot and dry conditions, as well as erratic gusts of wind that could ignite and rapidly spread fires. The warning goes beyond a routine fire-weather advisory — under National Weather Service criteria, it signals, quote, “ideal conditions for wildfire development and rapid expansion” unquote.
So far this season, Washington has already seen a series of major fires: over 2,000 acres burned near Chelan (shuh-LAN) and Walla Walla. That number also includes large brush fires like the Red Bridge near Cle Elum (klee ELL-um), which also led to evacuations earlier this month.
STORY: WA representatives cleanly split down party lines in responses to passage of Big Beautiful Bill
Washington’s congressional delegation is deeply divided over President Trump’s newly-signed “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
The nearly 1,000-page law extends Trump’s 2017 tax cuts, boosts military and border spending, and slashes funding for Medicaid, SNAP, and the Affordable Care Act.
According to the Washington State Standard, regional reactions fell strictly along party lines. All 10 Democrats in Washington’s delegation voted no, citing deep cuts to health care and food aid. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (pruh-MIH-luh JYE-ah-paul) called the bill a cruel, horrific betrayal, while fellow Representative Rick Larsen said it punishes the working poor. U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell also condemned the bill, warning of major harm to Washington families.
Meanwhile, Republicans Michael Baumgartner and Dan Newhouse backed the bill, calling it a bold, serious step that offers tax relief, strengthens small businesses, and improves rural health care and border security.
President Trump signed the bill into law on July 4th.
STORY: Food benefits reduced across the state
And in related news, Governor Bob Ferguson warned of major cuts to food assistance in Washington after Congress passed the President’s “big beautiful bill” last Thursday.
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.
Over 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.
WX: Blow a kiss, fire a gun. I think we’re all about to get rained on.
And now for the weather:
A cooler day of clouds and rain is ahead of us today, with up to a quarter-inch of precipitation and temperatures in the high-60s. Much of the rain should peter out in the morning, though be ready for some errant showers throughout the afternoon and evening. Nighttime lows will be around the mid-50s.
We should see the sun return tomorrow after a brief period of morning clouds.
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: 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.
