Man arrested in Bellingham following non-fatal stabbing, Young man arrested in Bellingham following pair of assaults, Bellingham woman sentenced to 20 months in vehicular homicide case, Former assistant manager of Bellingham hardware store pleads guilty to embezzlement, sentencing set for later this month, Up to $10 million available in grants for applicants for Whatcom County Economic Development Investment program, Portion of Skagit River set to reopen for salmon fishing later this month, UW study finds wildfires can potentially have positive effects on global warming over time
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, June 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Man arrested in Bellingham following non-fatal stabbing
A man is behind bars after he stabbed someone at a homeless encampment near the Guide Meridian in Bellingham.
Police say a 911 caller initially reported a medical issue Saturday morning. However, during the call, the situation escalated when the suspect allegedly stabbed another person in the back. Officers responded to the encampment near East Kellogg Road and found both the suspect and the victim.
The victim was treated on scene for a non-life-threatening injury. The 61-year-old suspect did not require hospitalization, and was later booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Young man arrested in Bellingham following pair of assaults
An 18-year-old man has been arrested in connection with two assaults on unhoused individuals in downtown Bellingham.
Police were called to Railroad Avenue early Saturday morning, where one victim said he was stomped on and robbed by multiple people while sleeping on the sidewalk. A witness reported the same group later returned to attack another man; they also broke his umbrella.
Officers located a suspect matching the description and arrested him on robbery, assault, and malicious mischief charges. He was released on bail Monday night.
STORY: Bellingham woman sentenced to 20 months in vehicular homicide case
Three years after fatally striking a pedestrian while driving under the influence, a Bellingham woman has been sentenced to 20 months in prison.
Yesterday, 29-year-old Kaycee Elaine Antila (AHN-tih-lah) pleaded guilty in Whatcom County Superior Court to vehicular homicide with disregard for the safety of others. The incident happened in May of 2022, when Antila hit 37-year-old Tyler Collin Ford as he walked along Axton Road. Her blood alcohol level was twice the legal limit.
Ford’s family attended the sentencing, holding up his photo in court as his mother shared memories of her son. Judge Evan Jones imposed the agreed-upon sentence — 20 months in prison, followed by a year of community custody.
STORY: Former assistant manager of Bellingham hardware store pleads guilty to embezzlement, sentencing set for later this month
The former assistant manager of Hardware Sales in Bellingham will soon be sentenced after admitting to embezzling over 1-point-4 million dollars from the company.
According to court records, 46-year-old Amy Siniscarco (sin-is-CAR-coe) pleaded guilty in April in the U.S. District Court in Seattle to wire fraud and filing a false tax return. Cascadia Daily News reports that between 2010 and 2022, Siniscarco used fraudulent checks and money transfers, made over 18-hundred unauthorized Amazon purchases with the company credit card, and stole petty cash from the business.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is recommending a sentence of no more than 33 months in federal prison, along with full restitution to Hardware Sales and repayment of owed taxes.
Siniscarco also faces separate charges in Whatcom County, including forgery, theft, and identity theft. Her next appearance in state court is scheduled for June 25th.
STORY: Up to $10 million available in grants for applicants for Whatcom County Economic Development Investment program
Whatcom County’s Economic Development Investment program has begun taking applications for up to $10 million in available grants and low-interest loans.
The funding is intended to support projects that stimulate economic development.
The EDI program has traditionally provided financial assistance for proposals from public organizations that fulfill one or more of its goals. As laid out on its website, those goals include increasing the availability of local family wage jobs, attracting and retaining businesses, investing in affordable workforce housing and housing infrastructure, and expanding broadband internet infrastructure and access.
Previously funded projects include the extension of a popular, ADA-compliant trail in Lynden, and the providing of utilities for the Grandview Business Center in Ferndale.
This year, in addition to local governments and economic development offices, non-profit housing organizations may also apply.
Interested groups can find details and forms on the Whatcom County EDI website. Proposals must be submitted by June 30th.
STORY: I-5 closed in places tomorrow
Drivers should be prepared for delays on southbound I-5 in Whatcom County tomorrow, as maintenance crews reduce lanes for sign repairs.
According to WSDOT (WASH-dot), the right lane will close near Bakerview Road from 4 a.m. to 11 a.m. for overhead sign replacement. Later, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the left lane will be closed south of West Smith Road in Ferndale for electrical sign maintenance.
Travelers are urged to slow down and avoid distractions to ensure the safety of the workers.
STORY: Portion of Skagit River set to reopen for salmon fishing later this month
Anglers will soon be able to retain sockeye salmon on part of the Skagit River.
According to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the opening will run from June 16th through July 15th, from the Highway 536 Bridge in Mount Vernon to the Dalles Bridge in Concrete.
The daily limit is four sockeye salmon, with a minimum size of 12 inches. All other salmon species must be released. Night fishing is not allowed, and anglers with a Two-Pole Endorsement may fish with two poles.
WDFW says the decision was based on a forecast of harvestable numbers of sockeye returning to the Baker River system.
The department adds that periodic closures may occur to accommodate tribal fisheries, with updates provided as needed.
STORY: UW study finds wildfires can potentially have positive effects on global warming over time
A new study led by University of Washington researchers finds that climate-driven wildfires in Canada may actually slow global warming — at least temporarily.
The study, published by the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences journal, suggests that over the next 35 years, smoke from growing wildfires in Canada and Siberia could reduce global warming by 12%, and by as much as 38% in the Arctic.
That’s because aerosols in the smoke make clouds more reflective, bouncing more sunlight back into space and helping preserve sea ice.
Researchers caution, however, that while the cooling effect is real, wildfires still pose serious risks to human health and ecosystems — and the effect could reverse if fires begin to exhaust available fuel.
WX: Nice.
And now for the weather:
We’re looking at another bright, sunny day today, with highs around 69 degrees. The U.V. index continues to hover in potentially dangerous territory, so wear sunscreen if you plan to enjoy the sunshine. This evening’s forecast calls for clear skies and highs in the upper 40s.
The streak of sunny weather should persist through tomorrow and beyond, with highs hovering around the low 70s once again.
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), 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 _________, and thank you for listening.
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