Whatcom man arrested for multiple instances of child rape across seven-year period, Blaine PD warns community of phony DMV text scam, Traffic speed cameras removed from test areas, First draft of bill that would have put millions of acres of WA land up for sale stalls in Senate, Free and Cheap, Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against state housing reparations program, Blood Supplies Critically Low, Ferndale looking for downtown mural proposals, New bike and turn lanes on James Street among multiple proposed construction projects weighed by Bellingham, PNW trains about to get a major upgrade, New bike and turn lanes on James Street among multiple proposed construction projects weighed by Bellingham, Former CFO of Skagit Transit sues organization and CEO for alleged retaliation after reporting financial misconduct, Kroger set to close stores throughout Washington and Oregon, Crab season opens July 17th – YAY!
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 27th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Whatcom man arrested for multiple instances of child rape across seven-year period
A man has been arrested on multiple rape and molestation charges after a months-long investigation.
The Bellingham Herald reports that 49-year-old Raymond Wolf Casebeer was arrested last Saturday in Whatcom County.
Whatcom Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater said that someone reported that Casebeer had attacked them multiple times over a 7-year period, when they were between 8 and 15 years old.
Casebeer has been charged with felony child rape. He was booked into Whatcom County Jail, but released on bond.
STORY: Blaine PD warns community of phony DMV text scam
Another text scam is hitting phones across Washington, and local law enforcement is warning residents to stay alert.
Blaine Police say scammers are sending text messages from spoofed phone numbers, claiming the recipient owes money for a traffic ticket — and threatening penalties if they do not pay up. The messages often claim to be from Washington’s Department of Motor Vehicles. But here’s the catch — Washington does not have a DMV. The correct agency is the Department of Licensing, and officials with the DOL say they never send payment demands via text.
Authorities urge anyone who receives these scam messages to report them to the Federal Trade Commission.
STORY: Traffic speed cameras removed from test areas
A pilot program aimed at getting drivers to slow down will wrap up this week, as speed cameras on two major Washington highways are removed.
The cameras — located on I-5 in Skagit County and I-90 near Liberty Lake — were part of a temporary traffic safety effort that began in April. Instead of issuing tickets, the photos were used to send 16,000 courtesy notices to drivers caught speeding, along with information about what an actual citation would cost.
The program, which lasted two months, was a partnership between the Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington State Patrol, and the Traffic Safety Commission. Officials say it’s part of a broader push to reduce high speed crashes. According to traffic statistics, 728 people were killed on Washington roads last year — a number well above pre-pandemic levels. Speeding was a factor in more than one third of these crashes.
Some of the violations recorded during the pilot were extreme — with over 270 notices sent to drivers exceeding 100 miles per hour.
STORY: First draft of bill that would have put millions of acres of WA land up for sale stalls in Senate
A controversial proposal that would put millions of acres of public land up for sale has been blocked in the U.S. Senate. However, the plan’s lead sponsor is not backing down.
Republican Senator Mike Lee of Utah pushed for the sale of up to 3.3 million acres across 11 Western states as part of a sweeping tax and spending bill. That included up to 5.4 million acres in Washington — much of it in national forests and wilderness areas.
However, the Senate parliamentarian ruled on Monday that the provision could not be fast-tracked under current budget rules, forcing Lee to scale back. In a revised version, he’s now proposing to exclude Forest Service lands and limit sales to Bureau of Land Management parcels within five miles of population centers.
Still, Washington Democrats say even the trimmed-down version could put high-value recreation areas — like the Columbia River Gorge and the Methow Valley (MEH-tao VAL-lee) — at risk.
Senator Maria Cantwell has vowed to fight the proposal “to the last minute,” while Senator Patty Murray and Governor Bob Ferguson have also raised strong objections. Conservation groups warn that the plan could harm wildlife habitat and fuel development in fire-prone areas.
While this version of the proposal has been blocked, lawmakers and advocates say the fight to protect public lands is far from over.
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday – if you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
Bellingham’s 6th Annual Bike Swap is rolling into Boundary Bay Brewery this Sunday. 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. More information is available at letsshiftgears.org.
This year’s Skagit Skies Airshow will take place tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Hosted by the Port of Skagit, this free event features thrilling aerial performances, classic aircraft displays, kids’ activities, and food vendors. Gates open at 9:30 a.m., and admission and parking are free. Details are available at portofskagit.com.
Finally, the Whatcom Horticultural Society will hold its 35th Annual Private Garden Tour in five locations across Bellingham tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Locations range from a cottage-style garden connecting three homes to, “a colorful textured garden anchored by evergreens, ground covers, and maples”. Tickets starting at $20 for members, and $25 for the general public, can be purchased at the Horticultural Society’s website.
WX: Bored Ororo Munroe
And now weather:
Looks like we’ll have another cloudy day today, with highs in the mid-60s. Early morning showers may give way to partial sunshine later this afternoon, with some forecasts placing the max U.V. index rating as high as 9, so consider sunscreen. This evening should return to a mild, cloudy drizzle, with lows in the mid-to-high 50s.
As for the weekend, Saturday will bring a drippy morning, before giving way to warm afternoon sunshine that should persist through the remainder of the day and Sunday.
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), 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 __David Korb_______… thanks for listening.
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STORY: Federal judge dismisses lawsuit against state housing reparations program
STORY: Blood supplies critically low (kill 7/2)
Blood supplies are critically low, and Bloodworks Northwest is urging the community to donate this summer.
Several upcoming drives offer a chance to help – July 3rd at Haggen’s in Sehome Village, July 7th at the City of Bellingham Blood Drive, and July 15th at WWU.
Donations are also welcome anytime at the Northwest Bloodworks Donation Center in Bellingham.
Appointments are recommended. Visit bloodworksnw.org to sign up and help save lives.
STORY: Ferndale looking for downtown mural proposals (kill 7/11)
Calling all artists!
Proposals are now open for the Ferndale’s Downtown Mural Project.
The city is seeking creative, vibrant designs to help transform downtown Ferndale with public art. Selected artists will be commissioned to create murals that reflect the community’s identity, culture, and history.
This is a paid opportunity, and artists of all backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
The deadline to submit a proposal is July 31st. Full project details and submission guidelines are available at cityofferndale.org/mural.
STORY: New bike and turn lanes on James Street among multiple proposed construction projects weighed by Bellingham
James Street in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood could see major changes aimed at improving safety and mobility.
City officials are considering a plan to reduce traffic lanes, remove parking on one side, and add bike lanes along the busy north-south corridor. The proposal is part of Bellingham’s six-year Transportation Improvement Program — an annual plan that outlines which projects will be prioritized and prepped for funding and construction.
This year’s update includes several projects, but James Street is a standout. Under current plans, the street would be narrowed from four lanes to two with a center turn lane. Bike lanes would be added in both directions, and parking on the west side — where most businesses have off-street lots — would be removed.
Public Works Director Joel Pfundt told City Council earlier this month that the current design is outdated and encourages speeding. A 2023 survey showed James Street carries up to 15,000 vehicles per day, with drivers often exceeding the 25-mile-per-hour limit through the commercial zone between Iowa and Sunset.
The proposal aims to make the corridor safer for people walking, biking, crossing the street, or turning in and out of driveways.
Other projects in the city’s long-range plan include replacing bridges on Electric Avenue and Eldridge Avenue, and adding roundabouts to several key intersections, including Meridian, Lincoln, and Fraser.
There’s no official start date yet for the James Street project. Council’s review of the transportation plan is a first step toward potential changes in the years ahead.
STORY: Former CFO of Skagit Transit sues organization and CEO for alleged retaliation after reporting financial misconduct
A former top official at Skagit Transit claims he was fired in retaliation for reporting financial misconduct and is suing the agency.
Christopher Stamey, the former Chief Financial Officer, filed a lawsuit this week in Skagit County Superior Court. In the lawsuit, he alleges that CEO Crystle Stidham misused public funds and retaliated against him after he raised concerns — including an accusation that she forged his signature to authorize $500,000 in purchases.
Stamey says he was placed on administrative leave after confronting Stidham, and then later fired after being put on what he calls an “impossible” performance plan.
He also claims that other employees who supported him faced retaliation, including another finance director who was also terminated.
The lawsuit follows a 2024 state audit that found Skagit Transit had significant deficiencies in its financial controls — though those issues were reportedly corrected.
Stamey has asked for a jury trial, back pay, removal of disciplinary actions from his record, and whistleblower protection training for management.
Skagit Transit and CEO Stidham have not responded to media requests for comment. The agency’s board held an emergency meeting Thursday in executive session to discuss the lawsuit.
STORY: PNW trains about to get a major upgrade
In more transportation news, train travel in the Pacific Northwest is about to get a major upgrade.
Amtrak has unveiled its new Airo (AIR-oh) trains, set to debut nationwide in 2026 — which will include the popular Cascades line that connects Eugene, Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, B.C.
The Airo fleet will feature panoramic windows, redesigned seating, personal lighting, onboard Wi-Fi, digital displays, and a new café car. Amtrak says the new trains will reach speeds of up to 125 miles per hour — though real-world speeds can still be affected by freight traffic.
The Cascades line has seen record demand, with nearly a million riders in 2024 — a 33% jump from the year before. The line also faced challenges earlier this year when aging train cars pulled for emergency repairs temporarily reduced service to just one working train.
Amtrak and state officials say they hope the upgrades will offer a faster, more comfortable, and car-free way to explore the Northwest.
STORY: Kroger set to close stores throughout Washington and Oregon
Kroger — the parent company of Fred Meyer and QFC — is planning to close around 60 stores across the country over the next 18 months.
The grocery giant, which operates more than 2,700 locations nationwide, announced the closures during its first-quarter earnings report Friday. While specific stores haven’t been named, Kroger says affected employees will be offered jobs at nearby locations. Based in Cincinnati, Kroger operates more than 2,700 stores across 35 states — including 59 QFC locations in Oregon and Washington, and 132 Fred Meyer stores across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
Kroger’s net profits reached $866 million for the quarter — slightly down from last year, but still strong enough to send its stock price soaring nearly 10% by the end of trading.
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.
