Federal immigration enforcement alleges Lynden man detained by ICE was gang member, BPD arrests two men in connection with Bellingham homicide, Flock of Whatcom County migratory birds tests positive for avian flu, City of Bellingham named in two lawsuits pertaining to crosswalk and bike lane safety, Salmon come back to Whatcom Creek, Local story airs on PBS on Monday, Philanthropic grant to WA’s ECEAP program set to add 10,000 preschool slots, Free and cheap
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Friday, November 14th. Good afternoon, I’m David Korb______.
STORY: Federal immigration enforcement alleges Lynden man detained by ICE was gang member
Federal immigration officials say a Lynden man who was arrested last month is tied to a Mexican gang with criminal history.
Homeland Security agents took Jesus Alejandro Lopez Ruiz (hay-SOOS al-uh-HAN-dro lo-PEZ rue-EES) into custody Oct. 29th, with help from Whatcom County deputies.
In a Nov. 13th press release, U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector Chief Rosario Vasquez (ro-SAHR-ee-oo vas-KEZ) said Lopez Ruiz is a member of the Sureño (suh-RYAIN-yo) gang and previously faced an immigration arrest in 2016. He’s now charged with assaulting a federal officer and entering the country without inspection. Agents say he rammed an officer’s vehicle during a pursuit two weeks before his arrest, which injured two officers.
Immigration advocates dispute key details and say there’s no evidence the crash happened. They call the case a pretext for deportation.
Lopez Ruiz remains in ICE custody at a correctional facility in Louisiana.
STORY: BPD arrests two men in connection with Bellingham homicide
Bellingham Police have arrested two men in connection with a deadly shooting last month near West Horton Road and Meridian Street.
Jail records show 19-year-old Royelio Manuel Marquez and 20-year-old Alan Ramos were booked this morning on suspicion of second-degree murder and attempted murder.
The charges stem from the October 18th shooting. Around 11:50 p.m., officers responded to reports of gunfire, but found nothing. Minutes later, a vehicle arrived at PeaceHealth St. Joseph with two injured men. A 26-year-old victim died at the hospital, while a 25-year-old survivor is recovering.
BPD says the investigation remains active.
STORY: Flock of Whatcom County migratory birds tests positive for avian flu
Health officials say about 25 wild birds found dead near Wiser Lake tested positive for avian influenza.
The Whatcom County Health Department says the bird flu is circulating among migratory birds and warns that it can spread to backyard flocks.
The news comes as a Grays Harbor County resident has preliminarily tested positive for avian flu — potentially the state’s first human case this year. According to the Washington State Department of Health, the source of the potential infection has not yet been determined. The patient, an older adult with underlying health conditions, was hospitalized earlier this month and is now being treated in King County.
Officials say there’s no public risk, and most human cases come from direct contact with infected birds, not from people.
Residents who work directly with domestic or wild birds are urged to take precautions, report sick or dead wildlife, and contact county health officials if they develop symptoms after exposure.
STORY: City of Bellingham named in two lawsuits pertaining to crosswalk and bike lane safety
The City of Bellingham faces two new lawsuits over serious injuries from car crashes that plaintiffs say were made worse by poor road design.
In one case, filed Oct. 23rd, Bellingham resident Donald Scarmuzzi says he was hit by a turning vehicle while riding an e-scooter in the bike lane on West Holly Street last December. He suffered major leg injuries and claims the city failed to keep the bike lane safe.
A second lawsuit, filed Nov. 2nd by Whatcom County resident Christine Jewett, stems from a January crash at Eldridge and Lafayette. Jewett was hit in a marked crosswalk and suffered severe knee injuries. Her suit argues the intersection had inadequate lighting — just one streetlight where state guidelines say there should be at least two.
Both plaintiffs are seeking damages, and the cases are scheduled for discussion in executive session at Monday’s City Council meeting.
STORY: Salmon come back to Whatcom Creek
Great news from Padden Creek!
Chum salmon are now swimming upstream past the site where two partial fish passage barriers were recently removed. According to the City of Bellingham, work continues on the streambanks and the nearby Interurban Trail but water now flows freely through the new fish-friendly culverts.
Visit the City’s website for viewing spots and more information.
STORY: Input wanted on new skatepark
In more Bellingham news, the City wants your input on the new waterfront skate park.
Whether you like rails and ledges or bowls and banks, now is the time to share your ideas. An online design survey will be open until Monday, or you can join the open house Monday at 6 p.m. at Depot Market Square. Meet the team, see conceptual designs, and help shape Bellingham’s skatepark.
Find out more on the City’s waterfront skatepark project web page.
STORY: Local story airs on PBS on Monday
A local Lummi artist will be featured in a full-length documentary on Cascade PBS this coming Monday.
The film “Story Pole” shares the journey of local artist Jason LeClair, as Jay Kosa (“KOHSA”) and Natasha Brennan of Children of the Setting Sun explain.
CSS STORY POLE AUDIO
Again, Story Pole will be aired on Cascade PBS’s World channel next Monday at 6pm.
STORY: Philanthropic grant to WA’s ECEAP program set to add 10,000 preschool slots
Washington early learning programs will get a boost after budget cuts left thousands of children without ECEAP (or Ecap) spots.
Gov. Bob Ferguson announced on Wednesday that the Ballmer Group, founded by former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife, will fund (with a $1B grant) up to 10,000 additional early childhood learning slots over the next decade. The state plans to enroll 2,000 more children next school year.
ECEAP, which supports children from birth to age five, was hit hard by 2025 budget cuts, losing about $60 million and roughly 2,000 slots. The Trump administration defunded programs serving children under three, and full access for low-income families was delayed until 2030-31.
In a recent press release, state lawmakers say they’ll create an account to accept the Ballmer grant, while ensuring state-funded slots are not cut. Advocates say early learning investments not only help children academically and socially but also reduce future costs linked to poverty and the criminal justice system.
Ferguson said the funding could have a “significant” impact, while lawmakers stressed the importance of supporting vulnerable families despite budget challenges.
STORY: Free and cheap
It’s Friday, so here are some events happening throughout our area.
Ferndale’s Got Talent 2025 will be held tonight, at 7pm at the Ferndale High School auditorium. All proceeds go to scholarships for Ferndale theater arts seniors. Tickets are $10.
On Saturday, Cordata Park Work Party will support riparian and wetland restoration with NSEA and the City of Bellingham. The event runs from 9am to noon. Sign ups are located at cob.org/event.
WX: Pour quoi? It no do that, it pour water.
And now weather:
Today’s weather will be much the same with up to a quarter-inch of rain, wind gusts reaching up to 20 miles per hour, and highs around 50 degrees. The evening should be similar to last night, with temperatures in the mid-40s.
Surprisingly, we expect more of the same all weekend.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron Danielson, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Bella Mae, and Kai Blais-Schmolke. 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!
##
