Three Whatcom farms apply for preservation easement funding from state RCO, Coast Guard rescues injured hiker from Mount Larrabee over weekend, Recent crashes in and around Ferndale claim lives of two motorists, Rep. Larsen co-sponsors bill requiring consultation of U.S. exclave residents before altering border crossing policies, Incidental fire on Mount Baker destroys baler and roughly a half-acre of hay, Election center tours scheduled, Inbound rainstorm moves Ferndale’s Jam on the River festival indoors, Get a piece of the rock!, Child welfare deaths in WA down significantly from record year, though plenty of work remains to be done, FREE or Cheap for next weekend
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, June, 25. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Three Whatcom farms apply for preservation easement
funding from state RCO
Three Whatcom farms are applying for preservation funding to protect their
land from development.
The Whatcom County Council Planning and Development Committee passed a resolution authorizing grant applications for Steensma Farm, Jensen Farm and Cloud Mountain Farm Center. Whatcom County’s Planning Development Services Conservation Easement Program will apply on behalf of the three farms.
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office compensates
landowners for limiting development opportunities to protect the livelihoods
of working farms, preserve water quality and wildlife.
The grant is a matching fund of up to 10 thousand dollars that provides 50% of the funds needed to place preservation easements on the land and set up farm stewardship plans.
Cloud Mountain Farm Center has already been placed under a permanent
easement through interim ownership from the Whatcom Land Trust.
Steensma Farm and Jensen Farm do not currently have any
preservation easements.
STORY: Coast Guard rescues injured hiker from Mount Larrabee over weekend
A Coast Guard helicopter crew helped local search and rescue efforts in the evacuation of an injured hiker from Mount Larrabee.
The hiker fell 120 feet down a ravine on the mountain east of Glacier on Saturday. The fall left her seriously injured and unable to descend as sunset was approaching. Knowing that nightfall would hamper rescue efforts, the Washington Emergency Management Division requested assistance from the Coast Guard.
After a 40-minute search, the Coast Guard spotted a reflection from hikers, leading them to the injured woman. She was safely transported to emergency medical services at the Bellingham airport.
STORY: Recent crashes in and around Ferndale claim lives of two motorists
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has released new details about two fatal crashes this week in west Whatcom County.
A driver involved in a two-vehicle collision on West Laurel Road near Ferndale on Sunday, later died after being airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Investigators say no criminal activity was involved in the crash.
In a separate incident Tuesday evening, a motorcyclist was killed in a collision with a pickup truck at the intersection of Slater and Elder roads.
According to deputies, the motorcycle was traveling westbound on Slater Road at a high rate of speed when it struck a truck turning into a gas station. No citations or charges were issued to the truck driver.
STORY: Rep. Larsen co-sponsors bill requiring consultation of U.S. exclave residents before altering border crossing policies
U.S. Representative Rick Larsen wants the government to discuss changes to border policies with exclave residents before making changes.
An exclave is a place that can only be accessed by crossing through another country. Point Roberts, Washington is one of the only towns in the U.S. that can only be entered through Canada. Point Roberts residents have a unique stake in border policies, as they must cross the Canadian border to go to work, school, get groceries, and receive health care.
Because there are so few exclaves, they’re often overlooked. Larsen said the new bill would require federal agencies to consult with communities like Point Roberts before finalizing laws that would impact their regular border crossings.
STORY: Incidental fire on Mount Baker destroys baler and roughly a half-acre of hay
A fire near Mount Baker destroyed a baler and burned about half an acre of hay Monday evening.
According to Whatcom County Fire District 14 Chief Jerry DeBruin, the fire was caused by a machinery failure while hay was being baled.
The fire caused an estimated $30,000 in damages. Wind helped spread it through about half an acre of hay before firefighters arrived.
Crews used off-road brush trucks to access the field and had the fire under control within about 15 minutes. Firefighters stayed an additional 30 to 45 minutes to put out hot spots.
No injuries were reported.
STORY: Election center tours scheduled
Whatcom County residents can get a behind-the-scenes look at how local elections are run.
The Auditor’s Office will host public tours of the county Election Center July 28th through the 30th. The tour gives visitors a chance to see how ballots are processed, learn about election security measures, and ask questions about voting procedures.
The Auditor’s office says the tour takes less than an hour and advance reservations are encouraged through the Whatcom County Elections Division.
STORY: Inbound rainstorm moves Ferndale’s Jam on the River festival indoors
Incoming rainstorms have moved the Ferndale’s Jam on the River festival indoors.
The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce announced the first day of the Jam on the River festival will be held in the Pioneer Pavilion tomorrow due to forecasted rain and thunderstorms.
Jam on the River is an annual celebration put on by the Chamber of Commerce, created as a larger and more accessible version of the Ferndale Street Festival. It’s an all-ages event that features local vendors, kids activities and musical guests.
Saturday’s event is still scheduled to take place at the Centennial River Walk Park, but could be moved to the Pioneer Pavilion if the rain continues. The festivities will take place from 4:30 to 9pm Friday and noon to 9 pm Saturday.
STORY: Get a piece of the rock!
If you’ve ever wanted a piece of Bellingham history, you’ll get your chance next month.
WSDOT is giving away more than a thousand pieces of the old Bellingham Rock on Saturday, July 11, at the Civic Stadium parking lot.
The pieces — each about three inches across — come from the longtime I‑5 landmark that was removed this spring during fish‑passage construction at Chuckanut Creek. The giveaway runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. or until supplies run out.
Anyone hoping to claim a piece must fill out an online waiver by noon on Friday, July 10. Waivers don’t guarantee a rock, and it’s one per person until 2 p.m. to make sure more people get a chance.
STORY: State contest honors Washington high schoolers’ research and innovations in health sciences
High school students from across the state are learning to use health and environmental data to help their communities.
Students took part in the Washington Tracking Network Youth Science Contest, which includes three categories: Health Science, Program and Policy Design, and Science Communications. Students submitted research projects, policy proposals, and social media campaigns.
This year’s winning submissions addressed topics including healthcare access, mental health, air and water quality, housing, and cancer disparities.
The Washington State Department of Health says the contest is designed to help students build STEM skills while making a positive impact on their communities.
Winners were announced in late May and received recognition in early June.
STORY: Child welfare deaths in WA down significantly from record year, though plenty of work remains to be done
Child welfare deaths are down, but state officials say they’d still like to improve outcomes.
While the total number of incidents dropped from 22 to 7 over the same time period last year, state officials say the numbers remain a concern. The Department of Children, Youth and Families says a majority of the incidents are related to exposure to drugs like opioids and fentanyl.
The Keeping Families Together Act, passed in 2021, sought to place endangered children with relatives instead of foster families to reduce traumatic experiences. But a 2024 decision forced courts to factor in the presence of opioids when considering child removals, which lead to an increase in family separations.
The Washington State Standard reports the state legislature hopes to pass bills that address the uptick in removals. However, as state budget shortfalls approach, their efforts have stalled.
WX: So SAY! Barometer! Say barometer!
And now for the weather:
Look for some consistent cloud cover to cool things down in the coming days, beginning today with highs in the low 70s. Look for rain tonight after midnight into the early morning hours, alongside lows in the mid-50s.
We should wake up to more rain tomorrow which should turn into showers and thunderstorms later in the afternoon. Chance of rain is 90% on Friday. That’s good– cuz we need it.
Friday night, look for more rain with lows in the mid-50’s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Bella Farris, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger (REE-ger), and Sean Lynch. 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________… thank you for listening!
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STORY: 4th of July fireworks info
If you’re planning to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, make sure you know the rules before you light the fuse.
Fire officials remind residents to celebrate safely and know your local fireworks laws. In unincorporated Whatcom County, consumer fireworks may only be discharged July 3rd and 5th from 6 to 11 p.m., and July 4th from 6 p.m. to midnight. Fireworks cannot be discharged on public property, roads, school grounds, or in parks without permission, and users are responsible for keeping fireworks away from people, buildings, and dry vegetation.
In Bellingham, all consumer fireworks are illegal.
Officials urge residents to check local regulations, use fireworks responsibly, and consider attending a professional fireworks display instead.
STORY: Get a piece of the rock!
If you’ve ever wanted a piece of Bellingham history, you’ll get your chance next month.
WSDOT is giving away more than a thousand pieces of the old Bellingham Rock on Saturday, July 11, at the Civic Stadium parking lot.
The pieces — each about three inches across — come from the longtime I‑5 landmark that was removed this spring during fish‑passage construction at Chuckanut Creek. The giveaway runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., or until supplies run out.
Anyone hoping to claim a piece must fill out an online waiver by noon on Friday, July 10. Waivers don’t guarantee a rock, and it’s one per person until 2 p.m. to make sure more people get a chance.
FREE or Cheap for next weekend
What: Bellingham Holi Festival 2026 — a city-wide celebration of colors, culture, food, and community (NOTE: It’s pronounced just like “holy”)
When: Sunday, June 28 | 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM (Zuanich Point Park)
Expected attendance: 500–1,000 people
The day features Bollywood dance performances (noon and 2:00 PM), a special dhol drumming showcase (1:00 PM), remarks from County Executive Satpal Singh Sidhu, coordinated color tosses with countdowns, a cultural tent with henna and samosa samples, food trucks, a photobooth, and more.
• 1 Ticket ($5) — 3 powder packets OR sunglasses and bandana
• 4 Tickets ($15) — event shirt
• 8 Tickets – Party Pack ($25) includes an event shirt, sunglasses, bandana + 6 powder packets
Sumas Community Days June 26 and 27. With a parade, live music, market vendors, as well as food vendors. Free admission. The first Annual Sumas Glow & Foam Party starts at 8pm at City Park, just before the fireworks. Just head to Sumas– you can’t miss it.
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