WCSO officer involved in Maple Falls shooting placed on administrative leave, Deming man killed in crash near Van Zandt, South Whatcom Fire Authority to cease emergency services to remote locations outside of service area, Gas prices hit record in Bellingham, Whatcom officials gather in ceremony to honor workers killed on the job nationwide, Candidate Filing week now underway, Dept. of Agriculture establishes response protocol following last year’s escape of one buzzillion bees
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, May, 4. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
UPDATE: WCSO officer involved in Maple Falls shooting placed on administrative leave
Authorities have released new details about an officer-involved shooting that left one man dead in Whatcom County last week.
Last Friday, the Bellingham Police Department said that the officer who fired the fatal shots is a member of the Ferndale Police Department assigned to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.
The shooting occurred April 26 in Maple Falls. as members of the Sheriff’s Office Special Response Unit attempted to arrest two suspects linked to an earlier incident. During the operation, a SWAT officer opened fire, striking 36-year-old Luis E. Fernandez, who died at the scene. No officers or bystanders were injured.
Officials said the officer involved has been placed on administrative leave, consistent with department policy.
A second suspect, identified as 38-year-old Kayla C. James, was taken into custody and booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
Court records show Fernandez had multiple felony convictions dating back to 2008.
The investigation remains ongoing.
STORY: Deming man killed in crash near Van Zandt
Multiple crashes kept first responders busy Saturday, including one deadly collision in eastern Whatcom County.
The Washington State Patrol says the first crash happened around 10:30 a.m. on northbound I-5, just north of the Old Fairhaven Parkway interchange.
Authorities say the right lane was closed due to nearby maintenance work at the time. Three people from the three car collision were taken to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center with injuries. The cause of that crash remains under investigation.
A short time later around 12:10 p.m., crews responded to a second, more serious crash along State Route 9 near Van Zandt.
Investigators say a 73-year-old Deming man driving a utility vehicle, was making a left turn when it collided with a Kia Sportage traveling southbound. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.
The 16-year-old driver of the SUV was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Troopers say drugs or alcohol do not appear to be involved.
Both directions of SR 9 were closed for several hours during the investigation.
STORY: South Whatcom Fire Authority to cease emergency services to remote locations outside of service area
A major change to emergency response in South Whatcom County is set to take effect this summer.
The South Whatcom Fire Authority announced it will stop responding to 911 calls outside its designated service area starting July 1, citing rising costs and unresolved legal concerns.
Fire Chief Mitch Nolze said the decision follows failed negotiations with Whatcom County over a service agreement. The fire authority’s board voted to end responses to areas where no formal contract exists.
The change impacts several popular and remote locations, including Lake Whatcom, Lookout Mountain, Chuckanut Mountain—excluding Larrabee State Park—and parts of Galbraith Mountain. Lake Samish will not be affected.
Officials say emergency calls in those backcountry areas will increasingly rely on volunteer search and rescue teams coordinated by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
County leaders warn the shift could lead to longer response times. They say planning is underway to address potential gaps in coverage, especially in heavily used recreation areas.
The fire authority says it remains open to future agreements but, for now, the changes will move forward as scheduled.
STORY: Gas prices hit record in Bellingham
According to AAA, gas prices are breaking records and wallets at the same time.
While the national average has yet to break the previous record of $5 a gallon, here in Washington it is a different story. The state average and the county average were both broken over the weekend, and continue to climb. Currently, the state average is $5.67 while the county average is around $5.61.
While gas prices are high across Whatcom County, we’re sitting right around the state’s midpoint. The cheapest fuel in Washington is in Asotin, just under five dollars a gallon. The most expensive is in San Juan County, where prices have climbed to about $6.60.
STORY: Whatcom officials gather in ceremony to honor workers killed on the job nationwide
Community members gathered Tuesday to honor workers killed on the job, including two men from Whatcom County.
Union members, local leaders and residents met near the Bellingham Public Library for a solemn ceremony marking Workers Memorial Day. The event commemorates workers nationwide who died in job-related incidents over the past year.
Organizers read aloud the names of 115 Washington workers who died in 2025, with a bell tolling after each name.
Among those honored were Whatcom County Public Works employee Brandon Gipson, who was killed in a job site accident, and North Whatcom Fire Division Chief Shaun Ward, who died from job-related cancer.
Kim Lund and Satpal Sidhu issued a joint proclamation recognizing the day, emphasizing the importance of workplace safety.
Labor leaders said the ceremony serves as a reminder of ongoing risks workers face and the need for strong safety protections.
The annual observance coincides with the anniversary of the federal Occupational Safety and Health Act and aims to honor lives lost while advocating for safer working conditions.
STORY: Candidate Filing week now underway
Candidate filing for the 2026 election cycle is now underway.
The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office says it will run untill 5 p.m. Friday, May 8. Anyone seeking local elected office must submit a declaration of candidacy by that deadline.
Officials say candidates can file online, in person, or by email or fax, but all filing fees must be paid before the deadline.
A random lot draw to set the ballot order will take place just after filing closes.
Candidates who decide to withdraw have until 5 p.m. Monday, May 11, to do so.
Election officials encourage prospective candidates to complete the process early to avoid last-minute issues.
STORY: Dept. of Agriculture establishes response protocol following last year’s escape of one buzzillion bees
Washington state now has a plan in place for a very unusual kind of emergency: large-scale honey bee spills.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has released a new guide for first responders following a 2025 crash near Lynden that sent millions of bees swarming with no formal response protocol in place.
The new 10-page plan outlines how to safely handle crashes involving commercial bee shipments, including coordination with beekeepers, roadway safety, and protecting the hives when possible.
Matt Klein with the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Division of Emergency Management helped develop the plan after leading last year’s response.
The new guidance emphasizes that public safety comes first, but it also encourages preserving bees whenever possible due to their major economic and environmental importance.
Officials say billions of bees move through Washington each year, and the new plan should help responders act faster and more safely during future incidents.
WX: Sun Over Birch (bay)
And now for the weather:
It’s looking like we’re in for another sunny day here in Whatcom, with highs today reaching the mid to upper 70’s with some constant breezes. The skies look to clear up tonight and remain cloudless heading into this evening, wherein we’ll see temperatures drop to lows in the mid-50s.
Tomorrow looks like we will see temperatures cooling off, along with some cloud cover expected later this week. For now though, you can still expect those gorgeous U.V. rays to make an appearance.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), 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 _________… thanks for listening!
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