Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of attempting to lure children into vehicle, High-speed pursuit in Lynden leads to arrest and hospitalization of Bellingham man, Port of Bellingham receives $17.9 million for rail connection project, Affordable housing and childcare project planned for Bellis Fair area, Skagit farmworker union argues case in court after filing wage protection lawsuit, Skagit farmworker union argues case in court after filing wage protection lawsuit, Health care company sues WA over ban on at-home sexual assault evidence kits, Meridian and Blaine school districts to run bonds on November ballot
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STORY: Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of attempting to lure children into vehicle
A Bellingham man suspected of attempting to lure children into his vehicle was arrested on Tuesday.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s office deputies were dispatched to a store in Birch Bay on Monday where the suspect had reportedly tried to lure two children into his car by offering them candy and frisbees.
The childrens’ parent asked the man to leave, but noticed he walked into the store instead and pulled up a chair next to 3 juvenile girls, before proceeding to make similar remarks. The parent then dialed 911, and the man fled the scene.
52-year-old Corey Caldwell was positively identified by the adult and another witness but denied all allegations. Caldwell was charged with suspicion of 5 counts of luring— a crime that occurs when a person tries to convince a minor to move away from public view with an intent to harm their health or safety. Caldwell remains in custody pending a preliminary bail hearing.
STORY: High-speed pursuit in Lynden leads to arrest and hospitalization of Bellingham man
On Tuesday night, a Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputy engaged in a high-speed pursuit of a man who reportedly escaped custody while at the E.R.
According to police records, 41-year-old Joshua Vermaat ran red lights going northbound on Hannegan and East Bakerview roads. A tire spike was deployed at Ten Mile and Hannegan roads, followed by a PIT maneuver– a a pursuit tactic where one vehicle forces another vehicle to turn sideways abruptly– which allowed law enforcement to end the chase. PulsePoint EMS reported that one person was sent to the hospital from the scene.
Vermaat was booked into Whatcom County Jail yesterday morning, and charged with suspicion of attempted eluding and escape. He remains in custody.
STORY: Port of Bellingham receives $17.9 million for rail connection project
The Port of Bellingham will receive nearly $18 million in federal funding for a project connecting a railway spur from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe mainline to the shipping terminal site.
U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell and U.S. Representative Rick Larsen announced the grant last Monday as part of nearly $90 million in funding across the state. The Port says the project will connect them to over 32,000 miles of track in 28 states and three Canadian provinces, helping to reduce congestion in Vancouver and the greater Puget Sound area.
Port Executive Director Rob Fix said on Wednesday that the rail connection project will result in more jobs during and after the completion of the project. The rail connection project is just one aspect of the Port of Bellingham’s plans to renovate its shipping terminal. The Port says that $45 million will be invested in the renovations over the next two years to help strengthen the main dock in an effort to support a wider range of heavy cargo and equipment.
The modernization project is expected to finish next year.
STORY: Affordable housing and childcare project planned for Bellis Fair area
The Opportunity Council, in partnership with the city, is taking the first steps in an affordable housing development with the purchase of a 2.7 acre property by Bellis Fair Mall. The $60 million project will include 130 units of housing and a childcare center.
The City says the expansion of permanently affordable housing and childcare options is a step towards addressing the high demand for housing and childcare in the Bellingham community. According to plans presented earlier this month, the development will include up to 130 affordable housing units for households whose incomes range from $25,000 – $60,000. The first phase will focus on families with the construction of the childcare center and housing units for families. The second phase, which supports seniors, is expected to begin construction in late 2025.
The project is funded by a variety of sources including the Opportunity Council, the city, Whatcom County, state agencies, a congressional allocation supported by U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, and individual community donors. Construction is expected to begin in October.
STORY: Skagit farmworker union argues case in court after filing wage protection lawsuit
A Skagit County farmworkers union, Familias Unidas por la Justicia (fah-MEE-lee-us oo-NEE-dus POR LA yoo-STEE-cee-uh) also known as FUJ, has requested a judge enforce wage protections in a lawsuit against the Department of Labor.
This move comes as nearly 40,000 workers on H-2A temporary agriculture visas arrive in Washington for the fruit harvest season. The H-2A program, which has grown by 1,000% since 2008, allows employers to hire foreign seasonal workers. Local workers often struggle to compete with the visitors who often accept lower wages.
Columbia Legal Services attorney Andrea Schmitt and FUJ’s policy director Edgar Franks argue that growers use the H-2A program to reduce wages and deter local workers. The prevailing wage system, which determines H-2A wages, is based on surveys conducted by the Washington State Employment Security Department. Court documents reveal that ESD stopped listing 2020 prevailing wage rates applicable for May 2023, leaving Washington workers without wage protections for nearly a year.
FUJ seeks a temporary injunction to enforce prevailing wage laws and possibly adjust growers’ rates. U.S. District Court Judge John H. Chun is expected to issue an order within the next week.
STORY: Health care company sues WA over ban on at-home sexual assault evidence kits
A Pennsylvania-based company producing over-the-counter sexual assault evidence kits, is suing to overturn a Washington law that bans the sale and advertising of their products.
The law, passed in 2023, asserts that over-the-counter kits are inadequate compared to forensic examinations by trained medical staff. Leda Health argues that the law unfairly targets sexual assault survivors and violates First Amendment rights. The company also maintains that the state disregards the admissibility of self-collected evidence, which they claim has been recognized historically.
However, the state attorney general’s office stated that such kits have not been used as admissible evidence in court. Attorney General Bob Ferguson pledged to defend the law, criticizing Leda’s advertising as misleading.
Other states, including Pennsylvania, New York, and Maryland, have also challenged Leda Health’s kits.
WX: Cloudy
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Today will be another day of clouds and scattered showers, with highs in the low 60s. Expect mild south-southwest winds, reaching top speeds of around 12 mph. Tonight’s lows will be in the low 50s. The sun should return tomorrow morning.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman, Kye Salinas (KEY suh-LEE-nus), Maggie Flowers, Carlee Schram (CAR-lee SHR-am), Kyler Cantrell, and Anna Vickers. 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 listener donations. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening.
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STORY: Meridian and Blaine school districts to run bonds on November ballot
Two Whatcom County school districts will run bonds on this year’s ballot.
First, the Meridian School District will place a $75 million, twenty-year bond measure on the ballot. The bond would help complete four projects: building a new middle school, the installation of a generator in Meridian High School, and the repairs and upgrading of both the Performing Arts Center and the Varsity Athletic Stadium at the high school.
Lastly, the Blaine School District is rerunning a $70 million bond that failed to pass in the special election in February. While the bond is similar to the one put on the ballot in February, the new measure would ask for a twenty-year bond, instead of the original request for a twenty-five-year bond. If passed, the bond would provide funding for a variety of projects, including renovations to Blaine Middle School, upgrades and additions to the Pipeline Athletic Complex, and improvements to Blaine primary and elementary schools.
