Whatcom County man who shot at sleeping father acquitted on reason of insanity, Lummi Nation police arrest man in connection with drug-related homicide, Skagit County Health Department issues opioid overdose spike alert, City of Bellingham makes move to expand ‘middle’ housing, Bellingham adds 100 acres to protected land around Lake Whatcom, Stormwater monitoring team reports elevated levels of E. coli at two runoff locations around Taylor Dock, WA among 16 states suing Trump administration over cuts to National Science Foundation
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, May 29th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom County man who shot at sleeping father acquitted on reason of insanity
A Whatcom County man accused of shooting at his sleeping father has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.
The Bellingham Herald reports that 57-year-old Scott Allen Granger was acquitted of attempted second-degree murder yesterday at the Whatcom County Superior Court — instead, he’s been committed to Western State Hospital for treatment.
Court records say the incident happened in January 2021, while Granger was living with his father in Sedro-Woolley. He reportedly entered his father’s bedroom and fired a shotgun — but missed. His father escaped and called the police.
Granger is also now barred from owning firearms and ordered to have no contact with his father.
STORY: Lummi Nation police arrest man in connection with drug-related homicide
A man suspected in a drug-related death on the Lummi Nation has been arrested.
MyBellinghamNow-dot-com reports that 36-year-old Richard Solomon was taken into custody after Lummi Police responded to a medical emergency Sunday on Smokehouse Road.
The victim, identified only as a member of the Lummi Nation, died later that morning.
Solomon is being held on charges of homicide and drug possession. Authorities say he also had active warrants from Bellingham Police for DUI and theft.
The investigation into the death is ongoing.
STORY: Skagit County Health Department issues opioid overdose spike alert
Skagit County Public Health is warning of a spike in drug overdoses.
According to the agency, several non-fatal overdoses occurred last Sunday, mainly in Mount Vernon and involving people in their 20s. Officials believe opioids — likely fentanyl — were involved.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin, and is often mixed into other drugs without the knowledge of users. The county’s Drug Enforcement Unit is concerned about a highly variable and potent fentanyl powder supply, and expects the trend to continue.
Health officials urge people to carry naloxone (nuh-LAAK-sown), which can reverse opioid overdoses. Free kits are available through Skagit County Public Health.
Resources and help are available at SkagitRising-dot-org.
STORY: City of Bellingham makes move to expand ‘middle’ housing
On May 19th, the Bellingham City Council approved two key ordinances designed to increase affordable housing options.
One would expand what’s referred to as ‘middle’ housing — residential developments that fall in between single-family homes and large multi-family buildings. Previously, middle housing was only allowed in certain neighborhoods and zones. The new ordinance would allow for duplexes, triplexes, and townhomes throughout all residential zones in Bellingham.
The second proposed update would improve the city’s Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program, aimed at incentivizing affordable housing.
Mayor Kim Lund called for both measures in her 2024 executive order on housing, and says the changes will quote “deliver better tools to generate more, and more affordable, housing” unquote.
According to the City of Bellingham, the interim ordinance will go into effect on June 3rd. New state laws set to take effect next year require that middle housing be allowed across Bellingham; as such, in addition to increasing housing opportunities, the approval of the ordinance will move Bellingham toward compliance with those laws.
City Council will take a final vote on the changes on June 9th.
STORY: Bellingham adds 100 acres to protected land around Lake Whatcom
Bellingham has added nearly 100 acres of protected land around Lake Whatcom.
City Council approved the purchase of 48 acres last week, following earlier acquisitions totaling 46 acres in March and April. All of it is part of the city’s Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program, which has now preserved just under 37-hundred acres since 2001 — funded through a residential utility surcharge.
The new properties include two sites in the foothills south of Lake Whatcom, and two more above the lake’s north shore. The total price tag: nearly 2-million dollars.
City Public Works spokesperson Stefanie Cilinceon (si-lin-SEE-on) told The Herald the city and county are working with ecological forestry consultants to develop a Lake Whatcom Forest Management Plan. The goal, she said, is to protect water quality, improve forest health, and allow for responsible recreation where appropriate.
Lake Whatcom supplies drinking water to around 100,000 people in Bellingham and nearby communities.
STORY: Stormwater monitoring team reports elevated levels of E. coli at two runoff locations around Taylor Dock
As temperatures rise, a swim in Bellingham Bay might sound inviting — but experts say you should think twice.
Environmental nonprofit RE Sources posted on Facebook that its stormwater monitoring team found dangerously high levels of contamination near Boulevard Park and Taylor Dock.
They said water near Boulevard Park appeared brown, frothy, and smelled like sewage. Lab results showed E. coli levels more than 50 times above the safe limit. Just last week, levels were over 10 times the limit near Taylor Dock.
RE Sources urges caution and advises the public to avoid the water if you have any open wounds — and if you do go into the water, be sure to shower thoroughly afterward.
STORY: WA among 16 states suing Trump administration over cuts to National Science Foundation
Washington has joined 15 other states in a lawsuit aimed at stopping cuts to the National Science Foundation.
According to a press release from State Attorney General Nick Brown, the lawsuit challenges moves by the Trump administration to reduce funding and programs that support science, technology, engineering, and math — or STEM — education.
The states argue the cuts would cause irreparable harm and violate federal law, adding that the programs are essential to keeping the U.S. globally competitive in science and technology.
According to the lawsuit, the foundation began to shutter projects last month that supported women, minorities, and people with disabilities in STEM fields. The NSF announced this month it would also cap indirect research costs — like lab space and equipment — at just 15-percent of grant funding.
Court documents claim those decisions go against Congressional intent.
So far, the foundation says more than 17-hundred research grants have been canceled, amounting to 1-point-4 billion dollars.
WX: Petrichor delivery service
And now for the weather:
Expect warm showers throughout the day today, with highs in the mid-60s with about a quarter-inch of precipitation throughout the day, alongside a slight chance of thunderstorms. The clouds should recede bit by bit, with a clear evening in store and lows in the mid-to-high 40s.
We’ll pivot straight back to sunshine tomorrow, with temperatures spiking back into the 70s.
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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