Victim of accidental Bellingham shooting dies, Burlington PD searching for perpetrator of Sunday night shooting, Man hospitalized after being struck by train in Bellingham, Bellingham interim public works co-directors confirmed to permanent roles, Student workers at WWU go on strike, Blaine-based brewery set to open Bellingham waterfront location tomorrow, Housing prices continue to rise in Bellingham, Whatcom, and WA overall
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, May 28th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Victim of accidental Bellingham shooting dies
A tragic update from Ferndale — 18-year-old Alejandro Pallares (pah-YUH-riz) has died, a week after being shot in the head.
Pallares was reportedly playing with a gun alongside another 18-year-old when it went off. The shooting happened May 18th at a home on Creston Way in Bellingham. Police say the suspect claimed he did not know there was a bullet in the chamber, and later told officers, quote, “I messed up.”
Pallares, a Ferndale High School senior and football player, died Sunday at St. Joseph Medical Center — just one week before graduation.
The suspect was arrested on suspicion of first-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm. His arraignment is set for Friday.
The Whatcom County Prosecutor’s office has not said if additional charges will be filed now that Pallares has died.
An autopsy is scheduled.
STORY: Burlington PD searching for perpetrator of Sunday night shooting
Burlington Police are investigating a Sunday evening shooting that left one man injured.
Officers responded to reports of gunfire just after 6:30 p.m. on East Fairhaven Avenue. They found shell casings at the scene.
A 26-year-old man from Shelton was later dropped off at Skagit Valley Hospital with gunshot wounds. He’s since been transferred to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he remains in stable condition.
Police are still looking for others involved. Anyone with information is urged to contact Burlington Police.
STORY: Man hospitalized after being struck by train in Bellingham
A man is in critical condition after being hit by a Burlington Northern train in Bellingham late Sunday night.
The collision happened just before 11:30 p.m. near the tracks at Wharf and Cornwall Streets. Fire officials say the man, believed to be in his 50s, was rushed to St. Joseph Medical Center.
Train engineers told police they hit the emergency brakes, but could not stop in time.
The man’s identity and current condition haven’t been confirmed. It’s still unclear why he was near the tracks.
STORY: Bellingham interim public works co-directors confirmed to permanent roles
Mayor Kim Lund announced two new appointments to Public Works leadership positions yesterday.
Joel Pfundt (FUNT) will be Bellingham’s new Director of Public Works, and Mike Olinger (O-lin-jer) will be Deputy Director. The pair have served as interim co-directors since last July, following the dismissal of previous director Eric Johnston.
Pfundt and Olinger will continue to supervise the city’s largest department, which oversees everything from transportation planning, parking, and infrastructure maintenance to water, sewage, and stormwater management.
Pfundt is a graduate from Western Washington University, and spent seven years as Kirkland’s transportation manager. He also worked for fifteen years in Redmond, where he coordinated with Sound Transit on the expansion of the area’s light rail, and oversaw pedestrian and bike rail projects. He returned to Bellingham in the summer of 2023.
Olinger, meanwhile, has spent nearly 30 years with Bellingham’s Public Works department, starting as a utilities worker before becoming a construction inspector and manager, Operations Superintendent of Maintenance, and Assistant Director of Public Works for Operations.
According to a statement from the City of Bellingham, the appointments follow a nationwide search, which ultimately lead Lund to the conclusion that, quote, “the exceptional leadership we need is already here,” unquote.
STORY: Student workers at WWU go on strike
Student workers at Western Washington University are on strike today.
Western Academic Workers United — or WAWU — says it wants union recognition, bargaining rights, and fair pay for operational student employees. Those include resident advisors, lifeguards, and front desk staff from across the university.
This week’s strike by operational student employees at WWU comes almost exactly one year after a major walkout by over 1,000 educational student employees.
That 2024 strike led to a union contract following months of negotiations. Now, operational student workers are pushing for similar recognition and rights.
WWU officials say they support student organizing efforts, but will not recognize the union without new state legislation. The university says it is working to minimize disruption, and does not expect an impact on classes, grades, or graduation.
Picketing is expected from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. each school day the strike continues.
STORY: Blaine-based brewery set to open Bellingham waterfront location tomorrow
A popular Blaine brewery will expand to Bellingham’s waterfront.
Beach Cat Brewing will officially open its second location at C Street tomorrow. The brewery first opened in Birch Bay in 2020 — just before the pandemic — and has since built a loyal following.
The new Bellingham taproom opens at 11 a.m. Operating hours have not yet been announced.
STORY: DNR to host free vessel turn-in event in Whatcom County
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources will host a free vessel turn-in event in Whatcom County this summer.
The event is open to any Washington resident who has either proof of ownership or the legal authority to dispose of the vessel. DNR says it will not accept any boats larger than 34 feet in length.
According to the agency, the event’s purpose is to, quote, “help prevent boats from becoming derelict or abandoned and to keep pollution out of our marine habitat” unquote. Any interested parties have to submit their application by July 1st to get pre-approved before they are notified of the event’s date and location.
STORY: Housing prices continue to rise in Bellingham, Whatcom, and WA overall
Home prices are on the rise again in Whatcom County and Bellingham.
In April, Whatcom County’s median home sale price hit $605,000 — up nearly 2% from March. Bellingham’s median price reached over $649,000, a 3% increase year over year.
Experts say demand continues to outpace the supply of quality homes in the area.
Statewide, Washington ranked as the fifth most expensive state for homebuyers, with a median sale price of nearly $663,000.
WX: Some Like It Hot
And now for the weather:
Today will be bright, sunny, and hot. Temperatures should peak in the low 80s, with a U.V. index rating of 8, so protect that fragile pacific northwest skin if you’re going outside. The evening should cool down dramatically, with a passing shower or two and temperatures in the mid-50s.
Tomorrow should be cool and cloudy, with temps in the mid-60s and a projected potential quarter-inch of rain.
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.
##
Leave a Reply