Canadian carjacker pleads guilty to two felonies in Whatcom County, Whatcom currently searching for location of next severe weather shelter, Local educational nonprofit grapples with hamstrung funding following passage of state budget, Ferguson names new state Secretary of Health, WA sues Trump admin over machine gun devices, Bellingham bakery set to close down this weekend, Eldridge Ave. bike lanes, crosswalks celebrated, Bald eagles in the Pacific Northwest suffering from spike in lead poisonings
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, June 10th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Canadian carjacker pleads guilty to two felonies in Whatcom County
On Monday, 42-year-old Shawn Bergstrom pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon and attempting to elude police.
Authorities say Bergstrom –– armed with a machete –– stole a pickup truck last December at the U.S.-Canada border near Blaine. He rammed another car, nearly ran over Border Patrol officers, and led law enforcement on a high-speed pursuit. A tactical maneuver by state troopers ended the chase in Skagit County; Bergstrom was then taken into custody after a tense 10-minute standoff.
According to court records, Bergstrom was undergoing a mental health crisis at the time and was eventually committed for treatment. The Whatcom County Superior Court judge sentenced him to eight months in jail — with credit for the seven he’s already served.
Bergstrom, an unhoused Canadian citizen, is expected to be extradited to his home country after completing his sentence, and likely barred from returning to the U.S.
STORY: Whatcom currently searching for location of next severe weather shelter
The search is on for a host to run Bellingham’s severe weather shelter next winter.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services is offering up to $550,000 for any provider willing to step up. Applicants can choose to run a shelter that opens only during dangerous weather, or one that operates nightly through the winter.
Last season, the County had to take charge after no one applied. A post-winter review recommended more consistent operations moving forward.
Interested providers have until June 24th to submit a plan or propose a location.
STORY: Local educational nonprofit grapples with hamstrung funding following passage of state budget
Treehouse, a nonprofit supporting foster youth in Washington, lost $7.4 million in state funding this year — about a third of its total budget.
According to a recent announcement, the cuts include a 65% reduction to its high school graduation support program, which is expected to impact over 1,000 students statewide.
According to its website, Treehouse helps foster students stay on track to graduate by providing one-on-one coaching and working directly with schools to ensure adequate support. Over the past decade, the organization has helped raise foster youth graduation rates from 36% to 51%, with rates nearing 70% for students involved with the organization for two or more years. In Whatcom and Skagit counties alone, Treehouse serves over 300 foster youth with educational and advocacy programs.
Despite efforts to emphasize the state’s responsibility as legal guardian, the funding cuts were approved during a difficult budget session. Advocates warn that losing these services could reverse recent progress in foster youth graduation rates.
STORY: Ferguson names new state Secretary of Health Washington will have a new secretary of health starting July 7th.
Dennis Worsham, current director of the Snohomish County Health Department, is set to lead the state Department of Health. He will be the state’s third health secretary in six years.
Worsham brings over 32 years of public health experience, which includes roles managing HIV and STD programs during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and serving as interim director for Seattle and King County’s public health department. He also held the position of deputy secretary for health at the state level.
A lifelong Washington resident, Worsham grew up in Othello and earned a bachelor’s degree in health services administration from Eastern Washington University. Governor Bob Ferguson praised Worsham’s extensive background and leadership.
STORY: WA sues Trump admin over machine gun devices
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown is suing the Trump administration over what he calls “mass-shooting devices.”
Brown joined 15 other attorneys general in challenging a new federal settlement that allows thousands of forced reset triggers — illegal machine gun conversion devices — to be redistributed across the country.
The devices let even novice shooters fire like a machine gun. Brown says the move puts deadly weapons back in circulation. In a statement, he said, quote, “this isn’t about safety — it’s about politics overriding the law” unquote.
The ATF had previously classified the devices as illegal. However, under the Trump administration, it is now agreed to stop enforcing the ban and return seized triggers — even to people not involved in the lawsuits.
ATF data shows machine-gun-style gunfire at crime scenes jumped 14-hundred-percent between 2019 and 2021 — often linked to these devices.
The lawsuit seeks an injunction to block their release, citing federal law and public safety.
STORY: Bellingham bakery set to close down this weekend
Avellino Gluten Free Bakery, known for its gluten-free baked goods, will close permanently this Saturday.
The bakery’s owners announced the closure on social media, and said the business is available for purchase. However, Avellino Coffee House, the bakery’s sister location at Railroad Avenue, will remain open, with no plans to close.
The Bakery will be open regular hours until Saturday at noon at its location on Cornwall Avenue.
STORY: Eldridge Ave. bike lanes, crosswalks celebrated A Bellingham neighborhood’s push for safer streets has paid off.
On Saturday, residents in the Columbia neighborhood celebrated the City’s decision to make permanent traffic improvements along Eldridge Avenue. The upgrades include protected bike lanes and crosswalks with flashing lights.
The Bellingham Herald reports the changes followed months of grassroots action after residents used chalk, cones and even flower pots to create
unofficial crosswalks. The City removed them — but neighbors put them back. Eventually, they took their case to City Council, urging quick action on a street known for speeding and several DUI crashes.
Jamin Agosti with Walk and Roll Bellingham called the project a success, saying it encouraged more people to walk and bike on Eldridge Avenue — a corridor that sees nearly 7,000 vehicles a day.
According to city data, pedestrian and bicycle use jumped 30-percent after the temporary lanes were installed in 2023 — even as many drivers continued to speed.
WX: Would you still love me if I was a warm?
And now for the weather:
Warm sunshine continues to dominate the forecast today, with a U.V. index of 9 and temperatures peaking in the mid-70s. The skies should remain relatively clear throughout the afternoon and evening, with nighttime temperatures dropping down to the balmy low-50s.
Tomorrow should be warm and sunny again.
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), and
Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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: Bald eagles in the Pacific Northwest suffering from spike in lead poisonings
The Wildlife Center of the North Coast in Astoria, Oregon says they are seeing an unusual surge in bald eagle poisonings.
Bald eagles, often seen as majestic symbols, are opportunistic scavengers that feed on carrion, including gut piles from hunted animals. The remains often contain lead bullet fragments that can cause fatal neurological damage, even in tiny amounts.
A 2022 study published in Science magazine and backed by the U.S. Geological Survey covered 1,210 eagles across 38 states, and found nearly half suffer chronic lead poisoning. Nearly one-third experience acute exposure, especially during hunting seasons. Lead poisoning is estimated to reduce bald eagle population growth by nearly 4% annually.
The wildlife hospital says two of three eagles recently admitted to the wildlife hospital tested positive for lead exposure. Last March, a juvenile
bald eagle in Powell Butte was also found to be suffering from lead poisoning.
In addition to bullet fragments, eagles risk lead exposure from shotgun pellets, lost fishing tackle, contaminated fish, unretrieved waterfowl, and occasionally mining sites.
The Wildlife Center says it seeks public support to fund treatment, including chelation (KEY-lay-shun) therapy, to help the affected eagles recover.
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