Bellingham man hospitalized following stabbing, Arrest after Bellingham security guard assaulted, Two new naloxone dispensers added to Bellingham, more coming to Lummi Nation and Blaine, Some Ferndale businesses faced with underbilled utilities, Complaint against Sedro-Woolley mayor for non-disclosure, Bellingham campground one of best in nation, Former USPS employee arrested for attempting to defraud thousands of businesses across WA and CA, Bellingham residents complaining of damage and disruption as Ziply crews lay fiber optic cables, Port of Bellingham again considering expanding commission membership, Money from Purdue Pharma lawsuit set to arrive, OSPI to fund new student platform, Annual Bike Swap, Crab season opens July 17th
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, June 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham man hospitalized following stabbing A street fight in downtown Bellingham ended with one man stabbed in the back and two suspects behind bars.
According to Cascadia Daily News, Bellingham Police responded to an assault at Dupont Street on Tuesday morning; there, they found a 39-year-old man on the ground with two stab wounds to his back. He was taken to St. Joseph Medical Center with serious injuries, but is expected to recover.
Police say two suspects — an 18-year-old from Everett and a 25-year-old from Bellingham — were seen walking away from the scene. One had blood on his hands.
According to police, the two men allegedly challenged the victim to a fight. During the struggle, the 25-year-old reportedly stabbed the man in the back while he was on top of the 18-year-old. The teen also allegedly stabbed the victim.
Both suspects were booked into Whatcom County Jail for investigation of first-degree assault. The 18-year-old also faces a drug charge after police allegedly found him in possession of cocaine.
STORY: Arrest after Bellingham security guard assaulted
A man was arrested after assaulting a security guard at Bellingham’s Maritime Heritage Park last Saturday night.
The Bellingham Herald reports the 71-year-old male suspect had already been trespassed from the park earlier in the day. Hours later, a security guard approached the man during a disturbance; he attacked her in response.
Bellingham Police managed to successfully free the guard from the man’s grip. The suspect now faces assault and disorderly conduct charges.
Police say the case is still under investigation.
STORY: Two new naloxone dispensers added to Bellingham, more coming to Lummi Nation and Blaine
Two new naloxone (nuh-LAAK-sown) dispenser boxes have been added to Bellingham — part of a growing push to fight opioid overdoses across Whatcom County.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services says the new boxes are located at the Way Station on North State Street and at their administrative office on Girard Street. Additional boxes will soon be available at the Lummi Nation Fire Station and the Blaine Food Bank.
The boxes provide free, 24/7 access to naloxone —also known as Narcan — a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. The program aims to
provide access for people who may not be able to get it otherwise or want to do so discreetly.
Co-health officer Dr. Amy Harley says it’s safe to give naloxone if you suspect someone is overdosing, even if you don’t know what drug they’ve taken.
There are now six naloxone boxes in Whatcom County. A full map is available at whatcomcounty.us.
STORY: Some Ferndale businesses faced with underbilled utilities
The City of Ferndale has notified 83 commercial utility customers of billing errors related to stormwater charges — some going back an unknown number of years.
Whatcom News reports a recent internal audit revealed that 54 customers were underbilled, owing a combined $78,000, while 29 were overbilled and are due refunds totaling nearly $18,000.
The city says underbilled businesses have several repayment options, including monthly payments or a property lien, if the balance exceeds $5,000. Customers also have 20 days to formally dispute the charges.
Overbilled accounts will receive either a credit or a refund, depending on the amount. The city has not said how long the billing discrepancies went on.
STORY: Complaint against Sedro-Woolley mayor for non-disclosure Sedro-Woolley Mayor Julia Johnson is under fire for hiding a city grant to her husband’s business — and a conservative activist is leading the charge.
Cascadia Daily News reports anti-corruption advocate Glen Morgan filed the complaint with the Public Disclosure Commission – the latest of six complaints he’s filed this year.
The complaint alleges Johnson violated state campaign finance laws by not reporting a 9-thousand-dollar Community Development Grant, awarded to Tight Lies LLC, on her 2024 financial disclosure. Johnson owns 66-percent of that business.
The grant was given last August for refurbishing a historic building in downtown Sedro-Woolley. Johnson’s report claimed no government payments to Tight Lies during the year.
Morgan says this concealment hides a potential conflict of interest, since Johnson could influence public policy, benefiting her own business.
If confirmed, the violation could lead to penalties from the Public Disclosure Commission.
STORY: Bellingham campground one of best in nation A Bellingham-area campground has earned national recognition.
Rusty Ranch Tree Farm and Forest has been named one of Hipcamp’s 50 Favorite Places to Camp in America Right Now. The list was selected from more than half a million campsites nationwide, based on camper reviews, ratings, and editorial picks.
Located just outside Bellingham, Rusty Ranch is part working farm, part outdoor classroom, and part family-friendly retreat. It offers five tent and RV sites, a pet-friendly bunkhouse, trails through quiet woods, and extras like fresh farm breakfasts, salmon filets, and veggie baskets.
Campers can also pick berries, watch birds in the orchard, and even take a tree home with them.
Rusty Ranch is known for creating a space where families can unplug and reconnect with nature – which, according to Hipcamp, makes it one of the region’s most welcoming spots to camp in 2025.
STORY: Former USPS employee arrested for attempting to defraud thousands of businesses across WA and CA
A former U.S. Postal Service employee from San Jose, California has been indicted in Washington state on charges of mail fraud and money laundering.
Federal prosecutors say 49-year-old Johnny Q. Nguyen (NWIN) sent fake billing statements to thousands of businesses and charities in California and Washington — posing as the state’s Corporations and Charities Division. Victims were directed to send payments to a P.O. box Nguyen rented in Olympia.
He’s accused of depositing over $82,000 from Washington businesses alone, with total alleged profits nearing $91,000. Authorities intercepted additional mail worth nearly $400,000 before he could retrieve it.
Nguyen faces up to 20 years in prison, and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Tacoma on July 1st.
The Department of Justice urges anyone receiving suspicious government mail to verify it directly with the agency using contact information from its official website.
WX: He not too bright
And now for the weather:
Today we should see mostly sunshine amid some cloud cover, with high temperatures in the mid-60s. The brightest periods of the day are expected to reach a U.V. index of 7, and winds should remain fairly calm, so if you plan to go to the beach or fire up the grill for the holiday, you should be in luck. Cloud cover will increase as the evening wears on – expect a cloudy night with lows around 50 degrees.
Tomorrow should kick off a short stretch of drizzly weather, with temperatures remaining relatively warm.
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: Bellingham residents complaining of damage and disruption as Ziply crews lay fiber optic cables
Ziply Fiber’s rollout across Bellingham is sparking complaints from residents about damage and disruption.
Cascadia Daily News reports homeowners in neighborhoods like Cordata say crews have torn up lawns, cracked driveways, and damaged sprinkler systems—sometimes working late into the night.
Ziply is installing fiber to about 4,000 addresses under a 10-year franchise agreement with the city. In areas without utility poles, crews drill underground through public utility easements, which often run beneath private yards.
Ziply says it’s following permitting rules and notifies residents in advance. The company also says it responds quickly to complaints and covers repairs—like fixing broken sprinkler lines.
Still, some call the work sloppy. In Cordata, a subcontractor damaged several sprinklers, which Ziply later repaired.
Construction is about 25% complete, with service expected to launch once the buildout wraps up.
STORY: Port of Bellingham again considering expanding commission membership
Big changes could be coming to the Port of Bellingham.
Commissioners are set to consider expanding the board from three to five members, with voters likely to decide soon.
Cascadia Daily News reports the commission directed staff to prepare a resolution for a July meeting that could trigger an election to add two seats. This follows a December public hearing where supporters said a larger board would improve representation and decision-making.
But not everyone agrees. Some worry the expansion could invite more political influence and reduce transparency. Commissioner Bobby Briscoe voiced doubts about the need for extra members.
The last time this was tried, in 2012, voters narrowly rejected the change. If the resolution passes, a public vote will happen later this year or next.
STORY: Money from Purdue Pharma lawsuit set to arrive Washington state is set to receive up to $105.6 million from a historic $7.4 billion national settlement with Purdue Pharma and the Sackler family—the largest deal to date involving individuals linked to the opioid crisis.
Attorney General Nick Brown announced the agreement Wednesday, saying the funds will help expand treatment centers, support first responders, and improve recovery services across the state.
Under the deal, the Sacklers will give up control of Purdue and will no longer be allowed to sell opioids in the U.S.
The settlement, involving all 55 eligible states and territories, is pending final approval in bankruptcy court.
Most of Washington’s share will be paid out in the next three years and must be used to combat the opioid epidemic. With this agreement, the state’s total opioid-related recoveries now exceed $1.29 billion.
Story: OSPI to fund new student platform
Washington students are one step closer to a more consistent and equitable graduation pathway, thanks to a universal online platform for High School and Beyond Plans.
The statewide graduation requirement helps students chart their futures, starting as early as 7th grade. But until recently, more than a dozen
platforms were in use—creating roadblocks for students who changed schools.
Now, all districts must transition to a single system—SchooLinks—by fall 2026. But state funding to support that shift was cut this year.
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal says his office will use limited discretionary funds to keep the platform running for one more school year and will push lawmakers for permanent funding in the next legislative session.
Reykdal says the platform helps students and families explore college, trades, and military pathways, while giving schools and the state valuable insights into workforce planning.
STORY: Annual Bike Swap (Kill 6/29)
Get ready to ride—Bellingham’s 6th Annual Bike Swap is rolling into Boundary Bay Brewery on Sunday, June 29.
Organized by Shifting Gears, the event invites residents to drop off used bikes and gear from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Sellers name their prices, and 25% of each sale helps fund programs that lower barriers for women in outdoor sports. The public can grab gear starting at 1pm—everything from bikes to parts and apparel. Test rides are allowed, and both cash and cards are accepted.
Pre-registration is available for sellers with more than 15 items.
More information is available at Lets Shift Gears-dot-org.
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.
