Bellingham motorist dies following collision on I-5, Whatcom undersheriff reinstated following investigation into undisclosed allegations, Lawsuit challenges Washington’s anti-housing discrimination plan, Initiative could harm wildfire efforts, Free and Cheap, Mount Vernon police currently investigating suspected murder-suicide, Blaine PD warns residents of circulating phone scam, Lynden resident injured in hit-and-run
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, November 1st, 4 days ‘til election day. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Bellingham motorist dies following collision on I-5
A motorcyclist, identified as 20-year-old Brian E. Bachman of Bellingham, died in a single-vehicle accident on northbound I5 near Northwest Avenue just after midnight yesterday.
The accident blocked all northbound lanes and one southbound lane for almost six hours. According to police reports, Bachman failed to navigate a curve, drove off the road, hit a barrier on the shoulder, and came to rest against a cable barrier. He was wearing a helmet but was ejected from the motorcycle.
STORY: Whatcom undersheriff reinstated following investigation into undisclosed allegations
Whatcom County Undersheriff Steve Harris is returning to full duty today after a two-month investigation after undisclosed allegations were made against him in late August.
Sheriff Tanksley confirmed that Undersheriff Harris, a nearly 30-year veteran of the Sheriff’s Office, was on paid administrative leave amid an independent investigation by a Seattle law firm. No details about the allegations or disciplinary actions were provided due to privacy protections. Harris, who became second-in-command last December after Tanksley’s election, had previously served as a deputy and detective.
Tanksley emphasized that administrative leave is standard practice during investigations and is non-disciplinary, and does not imply the truth of the allegations.
STORY: Lawsuit challenges Washington’s anti-housing discrimination plan
Washington’s pioneering homebuyer assistance program now faces legal challenge.
Washington’s Covenant Homeownership Program, which assists homebuyers affected by historic racist housing policies, is being sued by the Foundation Against Intolerance and Racism, a national nonprofit that has advocated against diversity efforts at schools and other organizations around the country. FAIR filed a lawsuit against the Washington State Housing Finance Commission, claiming the program violates the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment by excluding homebuyers based on race.
The program, launched this summer, offers down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time homebuyers from racial groups historically targeted by discriminatory practices, provided they meet certain income and residency criteria. FAIR argues the program should be race-neutral, alleging it excludes eligible buyers, such as white applicants.
In a recent release, the commission defended the homeownership program, citing extensive research and the persistent racial ownership gap in Washington, where Black and Hispanic ownership rates lag behind white homeownership.
STORY: Initiative could harm wildfire efforts
An initiative on the ballot for Washingtonians this year would repeal the state’s Climate Commitment Act. Opponents of the measure say it would harm efforts to fight wildfires.
Eric Tegedoff has the story…
WILDFIRE audio
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday– and here’s your list of free or cheap things to do this weekend:
Tonight: It may be drippy outside, but it’s First Friday– so grab your raincoat and visit the local artists, galleries, places to dine and sip, late night shopping, and live music all around downtown. First Fridays happen every month from 6-10pm. Walking maps are available at downtownbellingham.com.
A bunch of events are due to take place tomorrow. Firstly, it’s salmon season in Whatcom County, and the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association is hosting multiple Salmon Sightings this week and beyond. One of them is taking place tomorrow from noon till 3pm at Oyster Creek in Bow. Parking will be available by the Taylor Shellfish Farm. All Salmon Sightings are free, and a full schedule is available at the NSEA website.
Also tomorrow — learn and try a variety of adaptive sports at the YMCA Adaptive Sports Demo. The event runs from 11:30-1:30 and is free to members, $5 for non-members. The event is open to the whole community and to people of all ages and ability.
The Upfront Theatre is hosting Hellingham, Bellingham’s favorite improvised murder mystery. There are still tickets available at the Upfront Theatre’s website for the second evening show tomorrow. Tickets start at $12.30. Get them before they sell out!
Also on Saturday, why not join the Daughters of Norway for the Annual Nordic Fest? There’s entertainment all day with ethnic music, dancing, vendors, a costume parade and much more. The fun goes from 10-4pm at the Ferndale Events Center. Admission is $5.
And, finally, the Ferndale Events Center is hosting another big event on Sunday — this time, it will be Open Book: A Festival for Readers, which will run from noon till 5pm. The event, sponsored by the Whatcom County Library Foundation, celebrates readers, writers, and bookish enthusiasm with attractions spread across 20 booths and stages. Admission is free!
WX: Shower thoughts
And now weather:
Look for more clouds and showers to come in the next few days, with highs peaking in the low 50s. Expect mild east-northeast winds, with gusts up to 20 miles per hour. Evening lows are projected in the low 40s.
A near-identical weather pattern is forecast for next week. Good news for the frogs!
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THAIR-in) Danielson, Brodey O’Brien, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick, and Miguel Garduño (MEE-gel gar-DOO-ño). 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 _David Korb_______________… thanks for listening.
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STORY: Mount Vernon police currently investigating suspected murder-suicide
Mount Vernon police are investigating a suspected murder-suicide involving 24-year-old Erik Johnson and 61-year-old Dvorah Carrasco (duh-VOE-rah kuh-RAS-coe).
Carrasco, a mental health counselor, reportedly knew Johnson, and both were found deceased a week ago at Carrasco’s office on South 1st Street. Police were alerted when Johnson did not return from an appointment, which led officers to his last known location, where they discovered both bodies.
The Skagit County Coroner determined that Carrasco’s death was a homicide due to multiple gunshot wounds, while Johnson’s death was ruled a suicide from a self-inflicted gunshot.
STORY: Blaine PD warns residents of circulating phone scam
Blaine Police are alerting residents about a phone scam in which callers impersonate Blaine police officers.
The scammers use spoofed caller IDs to match the police department’s number, and tell victims they must pay fines for missing a jury summons, and then threaten them with charges or jail. Payments are often requested via Bitcoin or gift cards. Similar scams have previously targeted other county agencies.
Police agencies reiterate that they will never call to demand payment for fines or fees.
STORY: Lynden resident injured in hit-and-run
The Washington State Patrol is investigating a hit-and-run incident in Lynnwood on Wednesday evening that left one man dead and another injured.
According to the State Patrol, a 29-year-old man from Lynnwood and a 28-year-old man from Lynden were crossing Highway 99 on foot, when they were hit by a southbound SUV. The driver fled the scene, leaving the Lynnwood man dead and the Lynden man hospitalized at Harborview Medical Center.
The SUV has been impounded, and State Patrol is searching for the driver.
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