Driver in custody after two-vehicle collision leaves one dead, Two Canadian nationals arrested in connection with attempted human smuggling operation via Point Roberts, Bellingham eyeing establishment of permanent day shelter on Pacific Street, Today’s the last day to purchase 92-day WTA passes before fare changes take effect this fall, New ferry district established in Whatcom, FEMA to release over half a billion in COVID-era cost reimbursements to WA, Cheap, free, and Dupree, Additional bus service for Ski to Sea
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, May 15th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Driver in custody after two-vehicle collision leaves one dead
A man is in custody after a two-vehicle collision that left one person dead Wednesday morning.
Deputies with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office responded around 5:45 a.m. to West Axton Road and Northwest Avenue. Witnesses said one driver fled on foot, while the other was trapped and unresponsive. Emergency crews attempted to free the trapped driver, but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
Deputies later located the fugitive driver, 28-year-old Dale Alderman. Alderman had injuries consistent with being involved in a crash. Witnesses and surveillance footage reportedly showed his vehicle traveling north on Northwest Drive at high speed before running the four-way stop at Axton Road and colliding with the other vehicle. Alderman was arrested on probable cause for DUI, vehicular homicide, possession of a stolen vehicle, and driving with a revoked license. He reportedly denied knowing about a collision.
STORY: Two Canadian nationals arrested in connection with attempted human smuggling operation via Point Roberts
Two Canadian nationals have been arrested near Bellingham in connection with an attempted human smuggling operation.
Federal prosecutors say 28-year-old Van Phuong Vu (VAN FWONG VOO) of Vancouver and 36-year-old Johnny Huynh of Burnaby were arrested and charged with conspiracy to transport migrants for financial gain.
Authorities allege eight Vietnamese nationals crossed near Point Roberts and were later intercepted at the Bellingham Airport after arriving on chartered flights.
U.S. Border Patrol and Homeland Security are investigating the case, which is being prosecuted in federal court in Tacoma.
STORY: Bellingham eyeing establishment of permanent day shelter on Pacific Street
Bellingham may soon open its first permanent day shelter for unhoused residents.
City leaders have signed a $1.3 million agreement to buy a former property management office on Pacific Street, with plans to turn it into a seven-day-a-week resource center before the Central Library closes for renovations later this year.
At a packed neighborhood meeting Wednesday night, Roosevelt residents and business owners voiced concerns about safety, public drug use, and impacts on children walking nearby. Mayor Kim Lund said the city plans to create a shelter protection zone around the facility, with stricter enforcement rules similar to areas near existing homeless services downtown.
The proposed center would connect clients with housing assistance, mental health care, and substance use treatment. City officials say the site would keep clients on property during operating hours, with transportation provided after hours.
If approved by the Bellingham City Council, the shelter could open as early as this fall.
STORY: Today’s the last day to purchase 92-day WTA passes before fare changes take effect this fall
WTA is making major fare changes beginning on September 1st.
According to an announcement on Facebook, the transit agency will move to a simpler pay-per-trip system with fare capping. Today is the final day passengers can buy 92-day passes, and WTA says 31-day passes will also be phased out later this summer ahead of the new fare system rollout.
Under the new model, riders will pay per trip, with automatic fare caps to limit how much frequent riders spend in one day.
Transit officials say any remaining value on monthly passes in Umo accounts after September 1st will automatically convert into stored value based on the original purchase price and unused days.
More information about the fare changes is available on the WTA website.
STORY: New ferry district established in Whatcom
Whatcom County has a new ferry district to help fund the aging Whatcom Chief.
After a lengthy public comment session Tuesday night, the Whatcom County Council approved the district in a 5-to-2 vote. Council members Ben Elenbaas and Mike Stremler voted against the measure. A separate vote on the proposed tax is expected in July. Council member John Scanlon said residents will have more opportunities to comment before that decision is made.
County officials say ferry maintenance costs have increasingly strained the Road Fund, with unincorporated residents carrying much of the financial burden even though the ferry is used by people across the county. Recent changes in state law now allow counties to create ferry taxing districts for ferries that transport vehicles.
The county says it is also seeking applicants from unincorporated areas to fill two open seats on the ferry advisory committee.
STORY: FEMA to release over half a billion in COVID-era cost reimbursements to WA
Washington state will receive more than half-a-billion dollars in long-delayed federal COVID-19 reimbursements.
The funding, announced Wednesday by FEMA, is part of a national $5.4 billion reimbursement effort. The money is expected to cover pandemic response costs like protective equipment, testing supplies, and hospital staffing.
A recent announcement from U.S. Representative Rick Larsen says the payments will help strengthen healthcare systems and replenish public health funding. U.S. Senator Patty Murray called the reimbursements overdue and criticized the delay.
FEMA says the reimbursements follow a federal audit process ordered by President Trump aimed at preventing fraud. Even some congressional Republicans had criticized the holdup, warning the funding delays weakened hospital preparedness.
Washington recorded nearly 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases and roughly 16,000 deaths during the height of the pandemic, which also left hospitals facing billions of dollars in financial loss.
STORY: Cheap, free, and Dupree
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.
Tonight from 7:30 to 9:30pm, Caden Davis will be giving a Zimbabwean-style marimba recital at The Joy of Music at 2630 Meridian St. (Bring your own chair).
Tomorrow from 6 to 9:30pm will be Bellingham Square Dance Collective’s May Potluck & square dance with Alex MacLeod & the Alderleaf String Band at the Fairhaven Library; 1117 12 St. Tickets run $12–$15, $8 students.
The Bellingham Farmers Market is free on Saturday with live music and vendors. The Marine Life Center has free admission both days, and county parks like Stimpson and Lake Padden offer easy self-guided hikes. For indoor options, Mindport runs $5 for kids, $8 for adults, and the Lynden Pioneer Museum is $10 on Sunday.
And, on Monday! The Bellingham Ukulele Orchestra Spring Concert will be held at 7pm at the Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship; 1207 Ellsworth St. The concert is free.
WX: Boogie woogie woogie
And now weather:
We close out the week with cool temperatures and rain. Expect highs in the mid-50s with possible thunderstorms; southwest winds up to 15 mph are expected. More rain tonight, with lows in the mid-40s.
Expect rain and thundershowers tomorrow, which should decrease as the day wears on. Temperatures may reach 60 on Saturday, dropping to the mid-40s. On Sunday, we should see partial sunshine and temperatures in the mid-60s.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: Additional bus service for Ski to Sea
On Ski to Sea Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Whatcom Transportation Authority will boost bus service between Downtown Bellingham and Fairhaven to help spectators and racers reach the Marine Park finish line.
Route 1 will run every 10 minutes from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and every 15 minutes from 5 p.m. to 7:55 p.m., with additional connections on Routes 14 and 105. Regular service resumes outside peak hours.
Organizers say the extra transit service will help reduce traffic and parking pressure, with a free bike valet also available at Marine Park. Fares are $1 per ride, and riders 18 and under ride free, with mobile and cash payment options available.
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