Ferndale PD to conduct active shooter training at Horizon Middle School throughout month, Bellingham man sentenced to over four years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault, Bellingham receives federal grant to improve Pine Street railroad crossing, Bham speed limits changing (Pine St follow), Three local teachers honored for outstanding classroom work, WCSO sees uptick in scam calls, Ferndale kicks off Summer of Fun, Surviving Summer Traffic Safety Campaign, Two more gray whales stranded, State starts investigation into deadly Longview accident, Intercultural Dance Day comes to Bellingham (FREE EVENT),
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, June, 3. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Ferndale PD to conduct active shooter training at Horizon Middle School throughout month
If you see police and fire crews at a Ferndale middle school this month, it’s just training.
Ferndale Police and Fire District 7 are running active‑shooter and mass‑casualty drills every Thursday evening in June at Horizon Middle School. The sessions wrap up by eight.
Officers will fire blank rounds inside the building, and neighbors may notice more emergency vehicles in the area, though outside noise is expected to be minimal.
The department says the training keeps first responders ready for critical incidents.
STORY: Bellingham man sentenced to over four years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree assault
A Bellingham man accused in a 2023 domestic violence assault has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison.
Thirty-four-year-old Charles Quintanilla (KEEN-tu-NEE-ya) pleaded guilty to second-degree assault by strangulation and two protection order violations in Whatcom County Superior Court. Prosecutors initially considered an attempted murder charge after Quintanilla admitted to assaulting a woman and called 911 himself.
Under a plea agreement, additional charges, including possession of a weapon while in jail, were dismissed. Quintanilla received a 54-month prison sentence followed by 18 months of community custody.
Restitution for the victim has not yet been determined.
STORY: Bellingham receives federal grant to improve Pine Street railroad crossing
Bellingham says it will move ahead with long‑planned safety upgrades at the Pine Street railroad crossing on the waterfront.
At Monday night’s meeting, the Bellingham City Council accepted nearly $1.2 million in federal and regional grants for the work.
The project will bring the crossing up to quiet‑zone standards and add a multi‑use path over the tracks, improving walking and biking access between Cornwall, Pine, and Wharf Street.
The full upgrade is expected to cost about $2.7 million, with bidding likely in late 2026.
STORY: Bham speed limits changing (Pine St follow)
In other City Council action, a new ordinance setting lower default speed limits was approved.
At Monday night’s meeting, the Council adopted a citywide 20‑mile‑an‑hour default on all non‑arterial streets, and on arterials unless a higher speed is posted. Higher limits remain only on designated corridors.
Public Works will phase in the new limits from 2026 through 2028, starting with 50 gateway signs at city limits and posting 20‑mile‑an‑hour limits throughout downtown. Other arterials will follow.
The city says the transition will include public outreach and an initial warning‑only period before full enforcement begins.
STORY: Three local teachers honored for outstanding classroom work
Three Whatcom County educators are being honored for outstanding work in the classroom.
Fifth‑grade teacher Chifundo Vis (VEES) of Isom (EYE-sum) Elementary and third‑grade teacher Beverly Williams of Assumption Catholic School were named Educators of the Year by the Brown & Brown Excellence in Education program.
Lynden Christian band director Kenneth Quehrn (KWERN) also received a special honor for his dedication, including continuing to teach after flooding damaged his home twice in four years.
All three educators receive $5,000, split between them and their schools.
The honorees reflect the program’s goal of celebrating inspiring teachers nominated by students and parents.
STORY: WCSO sees uptick in scam calls
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a rise in scam phone calls.
The scammers target families of people supposedly in jail. Scammers claim a loved one needs money for bail, medical treatment, or electronic monitoring. Deputies stress that law enforcement will never call and ask for payment over the phone.
Officials say many of the calls appear to come from local numbers or even display a law enforcement agency name, but often originate from outside the area.
The Sheriff’s Office has a simple message for anyone receiving these calls: hang up immediately.
STORY: Ferndale kicks off Summer of Fun
Ferndale is launching its 2026 “Summer of Fun,” a season of free events and family activities.
It all begins June 12 with Community Game Night and an outdoor screening of Zootopia 2.
The city says this year’s lineup is designed around current facilities and staffing, with a shift away from large‑scale events that no longer fit available space or vendor capacity. The Parks and Recreation Board has expanded programming throughout the year while keeping a strong summer schedule.
Events include movies, game nights, youth workshops, arts programs, and community celebrations. Details are at the City of Ferndale website.
STORY: Surviving Summer Traffic Safety Campaign
Washington State Patrol is launching its annual “Surviving Summer” traffic safety campaign.
Agencies statewide will run high‑visibility emphasis patrols June 11th through 13th, timed with graduation season and the start of summer travel.
The campaign focuses on early June through early September — the deadliest stretch on Washington roads. More than 1,500 people have died in summer crashes over the past eight years, with speeding, impairment, distraction, and failure to yield as the top factors.
Officials say simple choices — slowing down, staying focused, and driving sober — can save lives.
STORY: Gov. Ferguson signs executive order supporting menopausal and perimenopausal women in workplace
Governor Bob Ferguson issued an executive order Monday designed to support workers experiencing menopause (MEN-uh-pawz)-related symptoms.
Ferguson says the U.S. loses up to $1.8 billion a year in productivity because of those symptoms. And in Washington, 38% of working women are between 40 and 59, the age range when menopause is most common.
Symptoms like hot flashes, sleep disruption, and brain fog can affect performance and long‑term earnings.
The order tells cabinet agencies to work with the Washington State Women’s Commission on accommodations, including flexible schedules, modifiable dress codes, and better options for regulating body temperature.
STORY: Two more gray whales stranded
Gray whale strandings are rising again in Washington.
KIRO 7 reports 23 gray whales have washed ashore in the state so far this year.
Marine biologists say many of the whales likely died from starvation, continuing a pattern linked to shifting ocean conditions and shrinking food supplies.
One of the latest whales was found along the coast of Olympic National Park, just south of where another had been discovered earlier. The other was located on a beach near Long Beach.
They’re part of 51 total strandings along the West Coast, including Washington, Oregon and California.
Federal wildlife officials are still monitoring the population after declaring an “unusual mortality event” back in 2019.
STORY: State starts investigation into deadly Longview accident
State labor investigators have launched a formal investigation into the accident at the Nippon Dynawave mill in Longview.
Eleven workers died and seven others were injured in a catastrophic chemical tank implosion. Now that all missing workers have been recovered, inspectors say they will examine the site, review safety records, and interview witnesses to determine what caused the incident and whether any workplace safety violations occurred. The investigation could take up to six months.
Labor and Industries officials say they’re also working with injured workers, as well as the families of those killed, to provide workers’ compensation benefits.
WX: Overcasting Call
And now for the weather:
We’ve got a cool and cloudy day ahead of us, with gusty winds and temperatures falling from yesterday’s high of 81 in Bellingham, 82 in Lynden, and 85 in Ferndale, to the mid-70’s today. There’s a chance we’ll see some sunshine later this afternoon, though overcast skies will roll in again by the evening. Look for a possibility of rain tonight with nighttime lows projected in the mid 50s.
Tomorrow, the clouds should thin out and so we can see more sunshine, and the high is expected to be in the low 70’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, and Jenny Lam. 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 _________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Intercultural Dance Day comes to Bellingham (FREE EVENT)
A new cultural celebration is coming to Bellingham.
Intercultural Dance Day will take place June 14th at Fisherman’s Pavilion at Zuanich Point Park, featuring live music and dance performances, cultural booths, local artists, food trucks, and family activities.
The free event is presented by ANJ Dance Project and aims to bring people together through shared cultural experiences.
Organizers say the event is designed to promote connection and belonging in the community while supporting local artists and intercultural programming.
The celebration runs from noon to 3 p.m.
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Annual Dachshund Parade and Weenie Walk, Saturday starting at 10am from the train station to Marine park. (don’t know which annual it is yet).
Lynden Airport open house 11am to 4pm.
The Whatcom Museum is inviting the community to enjoy Free First Fridays. On the first Friday of every month, admission is free at both the Lightcatcher and Old City Hall, with extended hours until 9 p.m. Visitors can explore exhibitions, family activities, workshops, and special programs led by local artists and experts. Free First Fridays are open to everyone and supported by the Art Bridges Foundation’s Access for All program.
The City of Ferndale is excited to announce the 2026 Summer of Fun, a season-long celebration of free recreational programs, family activities, and community events taking place throughout Ferndale this summer. The Summer of Fun kicks off on Friday, June 12, which also happens to be the last day of school. Families are invited to celebrate the start of summer with Community Game Night at Pioneer Pavilion, followed by Flicks in the Park featuring Zootopia 2. (condense this!)
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