Juvenile arrested in Ferndale’s Star Park arson case, WWU police investigate report of antisemitic hate crime on campus, Trees of a certain size now protected by law in Bellingham, Bellingham passes new bike, pedestrian master plans, Whatcom County Fire District 1 places bond on August ballot to build new station, Lighthouse Mission accepts offer for Willows Inn property, Western WA predicted to see above normal fire risk this summer
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STORY: Juvenile arrested in Ferndale’s Star Park arson case
A juvenile was arrested yesterday in connection with an arson in Ferndale.
According to the Ferndale Police Department, an intentional trash can fire was set at Star Park in December, with first responders unable to extinguish it before it spread further. The fire caused an estimated $180,000 in damages to the overhead picnic structure, and an additional $300 in damages to a nearby bathroom.
Ferndale spokesperson Megan Jueneman says investigators were able to use a search warrant to obtain digital evidence: phones within the area, subscribers’ information, photos, and videos that show criminal intent.
Authorities are still looking for more suspects.
STORY: WWU police investigate report of antisemitic hate crime on campus
Western Washington University Police are investigating an antisemitic hate crime that occurred on campus last week.
Police received the report of the incident on Friday, which stated that a student who was wearing a necklace with the Star of David was spat on by someone outside of Old Main. Western spokesperson Jonathan Higgins says the school cannot confirm whether the act was committed by pro-Palestine protestors. He added that the university’s student services team, quote, “addressed expectations with demonstrators”, immediately after the incident was reported.
An investigation into the alleged hate crime is ongoing.
STORY: Trees of a certain size now protected by law in Bellingham
Effective immediately, healthy trees in Bellingham with diameters of 36 inches or greater are now protected under the City of Bellingham’s new emergency tree ordinance.
The ordinance directs city staff to create and maintain a ‘Landmark Tree Inventory’ to protect mature trees — a move that was anticipated after the draft Urban Forest Plan was brought forward for council and community feedback last month. Trees of any size that aren’t automatically included in the inventory can be nominated for inclusion based on distinctive traits. Groves of trees can also be nominated for inclusion in the inventory.
City staff learned that in anticipation of the ordinance’s adoption, there has been a “substantial increase in calls to tree service companies” to remove or damage trees that would be considered landmark trees. Planning and Community Development Director Blake Lyon said in a news release yesterday that City staff was concerned people would preemptively cut down the trees in an effort to avoid new rules. The emergency ordinance is now in place for six months, and the city will need to hold a public hearing on the issue within the next 60 days.
Violations of the ordinance can result in fines of up to $5,000 per violation.
STORY: Bellingham passes new bike, pedestrian master plans
In addition to this new law, the Bellingham city council passed two master plans on Monday– one related to bikers and the other to pedestrians.
Both plans were approved unanimously, and will help guide documents for bicycle and pedestrian projects over the next 10 years. The City says both plans have four goals: safety, equity, connectivity and increasing trips, with expansion recommendations attached. Developed by staff with input from community members, the master plans recommend hundreds of improvements and new connections. However, the projects will be costly, with the total of all projects reaching nearly 750 million dollars to complete. According to the plans, the city only has about $43.5 million dedicated to bike and pedestrian projects over the next 10 years.
The city says it expects to find alternative funding sources for the projects.
STORY: Whatcom County Fire District 1 places bond on August ballot to build new station
Whatcom County Fire District 1 in the Everson area is proposing a $13 million bond measure to build a new fire station.
The measure aims to improve firefighter response times and ensure continued high-quality emergency services. The current station is insufficient due to a lack of space and sleeping quarters, and its location on unstable soil in a floodplain. The new station will include community space, meeting rooms, educational facilities, sleeping quarters, and serve as an Emergency Operations Center.
The bond, if approved, will be voted on in the August 6th election and would cost district homeowners approximately $195 annually for a home valued at $500,000.
Other local measures on the ballot in August include second attempts at Sandy Point’s Fire District 17 levy increase and Lynden School District’s bond measure for high school reconstruction.
STORY: Lighthouse Mission accepts offer for Willows Inn property
Lighthouse Mission Ministries has accepted an offer from a prospective buyer for The Willows Inn properties on Lummi Island.
The properties, assessed at about $2.4 million in 2023, include the eight-bedroom, eight-bath Willows Inn and another property with a three-bedroom home and two small cottages. The sale proceeds will fund the construction of a new $27 million homeless services facility, expected to double the capacity to shelter and serve unhoused people.
This new facility, replacing the old Holly Street shelter, will accommodate up to 400 people, with 300 regular and 100 overflow spaces. The sale marks a significant step in Lighthouse Mission’s efforts to address homelessness, using proceeds from the donation by former owners Tim and Marcia McEvoy. The Willows Inn, once a top-rated restaurant, had faced legal issues including staff underpayment and allegations of misconduct.
The buyer’s identity and offer price remain undisclosed until the sale is finalized.
STORY: Western WA predicted to see above normal fire risk this summer
According to the most recent predictions, Western Washington is entering this fire season dry, with chances of wildfire expected to build heading into the hottest months of the year.
Western Washington’s wildfire risk will begin to rise above normal in July and August, according to the National Interagency Fire Center’s wildfire outlook. The rest of the state is predicted to face normal conditions.
Washington Department of Natural Resources Fire meteorologist Matt Dehr (DARE) says he doesn’t see any indicators that this year will be as bad as years past. However, dry conditions– including low snowpack, below average precipitation and a statewide drought emergency–are driving the higher risk in the North and Central Cascades and on the Olympic Peninsula, Dehr said.
The fire center hasn’t predicted conditions beyond August, but an expected climatic switch to La Niña weather patterns, which feature cooler and wetter conditions, could bring some relief to dry conditions.
WX: Sunny
Your Whatcom County weather today – Expect a mix of clouds and sun, with a high of 62 degrees. Temperatures will drop to a low of 48 tonight. More sun is projected to come tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers AnThu Nguyen (ANNE-two new-WIN), Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman, and Kye Salinas (KEY suh-LEE-nus). 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 go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thanks for listening.
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FREE OR CHEAP 24th
After the Memorial Day Parade on Saturday, why not head over to Elizabeth Station for a free Spring Community Market on May 25th from 3-to-8 PM at 1400 W Holly St. The event will feature games, music, and local vendors with unique items.
