Ferndale man receives 12 years to life for child molestation, Slow pace of condo development may lead Port of Bellingham to seek new developer, Bellingham Intl Airport receives new director of aviation, Neighborhood traffic input requested by City, Whatcom County Jail contracted employee arrested on suspicion of smuggling contraband, Foundation receives $3 million grant to protect Whatcom shorelines, Whatcom County seeking public input on 20-year environmental impact plan, WA State Patrol launches pilot program to reduce freeway collisions with officers, Businesses along Chuckanut Drive struggling in wake of rockslide, Businesses along, Bellingham brewery set to open second location
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, May 5th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Ferndale man receives 12 years to life for child molestation
A Ferndale man will serve at least 12 years—and possibly the rest of his life—in prison for abusing a child he babysat over a five-year period.
39-year-old Jonah Blevins was sentenced last August after he pleaded guilty to second-degree rape of a child and child molestation. Investigators say Blevins groomed the victim by offering gifts, food, and nicotine products in exchange for sexual acts.
A Whatcom County judge handed down an exceptional sentence — 12 years to life for the rape charge, and an additional 41 months for molestation. The victim’s mother told investigators Blevins’ actions left her family traumatized and struggling with guilt.
Blevins is currently being held at the Coyote Ridge Corrections Center in Franklin County.
STORY: Slow pace of condo development may lead Port of Bellingham to seek new developer
The Port of Bellingham is expected to decide this week whether to terminate its development agreement with Harcourt Developments.
The Ireland-based company is building three luxury condo buildings on Bellingham’s waterfront. Harcourt was selected as the “Master Developer” for the Port in 2015, but defaulted on its contract last year after falling behind schedule and facing environmental violations. If the deal is terminated during tomorrow’s meeting, Harcourt will retain the Granary Building and its condos, but the rest of the property will return to port control. Public comment will be accepted.
STORY: Bellingham Intl Airport receives new director of aviation
In other Port news– there’s new leadership at Bellingham International Airport.
The Port of Bellingham has named Matthew Rodriguez as its new Director of Aviation. Rodriguez began his career at the port as an airport rescue firefighter, and later served as operations manager for the past five years. In a recent announcement, Port officials said his deep knowledge of airport operations and commitment to growth made him the ideal candidate.
Rodriguez has been credited with the expansion of airline partnerships, increased flights from Allegiant and Alaska Airlines, and securing millions in federal funding. As director, he’ll now oversee major projects, including a $15 million runway repaving and a $100 million air traffic control tower replacement.
STORY: Neighborhood traffic input requested by City
Do you have traffic safety concerns in your neighborhood?
The City of Bellingham has announced the launch of a new Community Streets Program to improve safety on residential streets. The program is focused on residential streets only, and the program will start in the Cordata, Meridian, King Mountain, Irongate, Barkley, and Silver Beach neighborhoods.
Residents and frequent visitors are encouraged to report issues like speeding, poor visibility, and parking problems by May 31st. Submit feedback through the city’s online survey or by calling 360-778-7700.
For questions, email communitystreets@cob.org.
STORY: Whatcom County Jail contracted employee arrested on suspicion of smuggling contraband
A contracted employee at the Whatcom County Jail has been arrested for smuggling contraband into the facility.
Detectives began investigating after vapes and medications were found during routine jail searches in mid-April. According to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, a 45-year-old inmate allegedly worked with his fiancée to pass items including meth and nicotine to the 26-year-old employee, who then brought them into the jail during his shift.
The inmate now faces charges of possessing a controlled substance in a correctional facility. The employee and the woman were charged with intent to deliver. Both have since bonded out after being booked.
The employee reportedly resigned before his arrest.
STORY: Foundation receives $3 million grant to protect Whatcom shorelines
Over $3 million in state funding from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act will be reinvested to support salmon habitat restoration in Whatcom County.
According to the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office, the award will go to the Northwest Straits Foundation (NSF), which has been working since 2019 to improve salmon spawning conditions along coastal areas in Whatcom and Skagit counties. The project targets the removal of man made barriers — such as seawalls and boulders — that disrupt natural erosion processes essential for healthy habitats.
The funding will also support technical assistance for property owners to help them identify shoreline restoration options suited to their land.
Nearly six-and-a-half miles of shoreline and stream habitat will be made more accessible for spawning salmon when the project is completed later this summer.
STORY: Whatcom County seeking public input on 20-year environmental impact plan
In preparation for significant population growth, Whatcom County has released its draft environmental impact statement as part of a major 20-year planning update.
The statement evaluates housing, transportation, climate, and more across four growth scenarios. Residents can review and comment on the document now through June 1st. A public hearing and open house will be held on May 21st at the County Courthouse, with remote participation also available.
The comprehensive plan update is due by the end of 2025. More details are online at whatcomcounty.us.
STORY: WA State Patrol launches pilot program to reduce freeway collisions with officers
New technology being tested by the Washington State Patrol could soon make highways across the state much safer.
WSP is piloting a system called the Safety Cloud — a tool that sends real-time alerts to nearby drivers when a trooper’s emergency lights are activated. The alerts appear on navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, and even on some in-car dashboards.
Officials say the tech can reduce the risk of collisions by up to 90%, giving drivers precious extra time to slow down and move over. The system is currently being tested near North Bend, about 30 miles east of Seattle, and could be rolled out statewide if the pilot proves successful.
The technology is already in use by thousands of agencies nationwide, and WSP says it could be a game changer for roadside safety.
WX: Sol Train
And now for the weather:
Today we’ll see our streak of sunshine continue, with some early-morning clouds giving way to a U.V. index of 7 and highs in the mid-60s. A UV index of 7 indicates a high risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure, so make sure to wear your sunscreen if you’re going outside. The skies should stay fairly clear as things cool down in the evening, and bring temperatures down to lows in the mid-40s.
Tomorrow looks to be even warmer and sunnier, with a brief, glorious return to 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, and Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg). 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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STORY: Businesses along Chuckanut Drive struggling in wake of rockslide
STORY: Bellingham brewery set to open second location
A popular Whatcom County brewery is headed to Bellingham’s waterfront.
Beach Cat Brewing, known for its Birch Bay taproom, will expand with a second location set to open in 2025. The new space will feature outdoor seating with views of Bellingham Bay and a brewing system capable of producing over four times their current volume. The new taproom will offer 16 taps, including beer, cider, seltzer, and non-alcoholic options.
An official opening date has not been announced.
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