WWU Police investigating break-in and burglary at nearby construction site, Bellingham woman bonded out of jail after threatening dog owner with knife, Food access activists’ fight continues after AG’s Albertson’s ruling, Heritage Flight Museum to honor late founder and astronaut Bill Anders, Meridian and Blaine school districts to run bonds on November ballot, Dept. of Ecology penalizes owner of sunken boat for spilling diesel off San Juan Island, Free and Cheap
______________________________
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, June 28th. Good afternoon, I’m David Korb______.
STORY: WWU Police investigating break-in and burglary at nearby construction site
Western Washington University Police are investigating a Tuesday break-in at a construction site at the Birnam Woods apartments.
Workers say numerous tools were stolen from the work area. This is the third time the site has been burglarized. The investigation is ongoing.
STORY: Bellingham woman bonded out of jail after threatening dog owner with knife
Whatcom County deputies responded to a call stating that Pamela Faye Beidel had pursued a dog owner after their animal got off leash. The caller reported that Beidel had threatened to retrieve a gun from her home before later returning with a large butcher’s knife.
Deputies later found Beidel driving on Hannegan Road. Beidel fled the scene at high speed after being informed that there was probable cause for her arrest. She was later found in a trailer off the Guide Meridian, and appeared intoxicated.
Beidel was booked into Whatcom County Jail driving under the influence, eluding arrest, and probable cause of felony harassment and brandishing a weapon. She has since left custody after covering the bond.
STORY: Food access activists’ fight continues after AG’s Albertson’s ruling
Community activists are celebrating a recent agreement that lifts a blockade that prevented grocery stores from opening in Albertson’s old location on Birchwood Avenue.
On Monday, Attorney General Bob Ferguson announced that the former Bellingham grocer had removed illegal land use restrictions that had prevented other grocery stores from opening in its former space. Albertson’s actions in the predominantly low-income area led the City of Bellingham to ban such property restrictions on grocery stores. However, the new ordinance could not be applied retroactively.
Despite the victory, the neighborhood still lacks a grocery store. Activists now say they are motivated to continue their efforts to bring an affordable and culturally reflective store to the area, which has been classified as a food desert.
STORY: Heritage Flight Museum to honor late founder and astronaut Bill Anders
The Heritage Flight Museum, founded by Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders and his wife Valerie, continues to honor his legacy following his recent death in a plane crash at age 90.
Bill, known for his iconic Earthrise photograph, established the museum in in Bellingham in 1996. It has since moved to Burlington and expanded its collection. The museum, now led by Bill’s son Greg Anders, showcases 18 aircraft and offers “Fly Days” to bring vintage planes to life.
Following Bill’s passing, the museum opened its doors for a special memorial, allowing visitors to pay respects and listen to Bill’s Christmas Eve broadcast from the moon. Anders says the museum’s goal is to preserve the stories of veterans and reflect Bill’s love of flight.
The Earthrise Gallery experience is now free and open to visitors from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
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.
The Meridian School District has announced it 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 at Meridian High School, and the repairs and upgrading of both the Performing Arts Center and the Varsity Athletic Stadium at the high school.
In addition, the Blaine School District is rerunning a $70 million bond that failed to pass in the special election 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, it would provide funding for projects that include renovations to Blaine Middle School, upgrades and additions to the Pipeline Athletic Complex, and improvements to Blaine primary and elementary schools.
STORY: Dept. of Ecology penalizes owner of sunken boat for spilling diesel off San Juan Island
The Washington State Department of Ecology will fine the owner of a boat that sank off San Juan Island $18,000 for spilling oil into state waters. Under Washington State law, chemical spills result in strict penalties.
In August 2022, the 58-foot fishing boat named the Aleutian Isle, began sinking near San Juan, leading to an extensive effort to prevent further diesel spillage and eventually raise the boat. Owner, Matthew Johnston, and his crew were rescued, but diesel continued to leak from the vessel. Over a mile of absorbent boom was deployed to contain the spill despite challenging conditions.
After it sank, the boat was located 200 feet underwater, requiring divers to secure it before it could be raised by a floating crane. During recovery, approximately 590 gallons of diesel were retrieved, but an estimated 1,500 gallons had already spilled into Haro Strait.
The majority of cleanup costs were paid by the US Coast Guard from the National Pollution Liability Trust Fund. Ecology is also seeking reimbursement from the fund for an additional $440,000 in expenses.
Johnston has 30 days to appeal the $18,000 fine to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board.
STORY: Free and Cheap
Here are some free events taking place around the county this weekend.
Tonight at 9pm, there will be an outdoor screening of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem at Pioneer Park in Ferndale. Popcorn and soda will be provided.
On Saturday, the City of Bellingham is hosting a community work party at the Cornwall Rose Garden. Volunteers will help tend the garden, with tools and equipment provided. The event starts at 9 am, and registration is available online at CoB.org/event.
Later Saturday, Sunset Silent Disco will be hosting a silent dance party at 8pm in Zuanich Park. Music will be provided via headphones or transmitters. All are welcome and should meet up at the fisherman statue.
WX: Sun
And now the weather:
The sun is expected to return for most of today, bringing with it highs in the upper 60s. Evening will see clouds gather with a low around 56. Daytime high temperatures are expected to stay fairly consistent throughout the weekend, with intermittent clouds and a chance of rain Saturday and Sunday.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers 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 visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _David Korb_______________… thanks for listening.
##
