Man arrested in Bellingham after pulling knife on two minors, Port of Bellingham announces plans for 2025, Galbraith Mountain announces three-day closure in December for game management hunt, Mount Baker Highway to drop down to single lane traffic today and tomorrow for culvert repairs, Judge allows Birch Bay Waterslides suit to continue, county now named among list of defendants, Wiser Lake now safe from biotoxin, Early school dismissal on Wednesday
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Monday, November 25th. Good afternoon, I’m Theron Danielson.
STORY: Man arrested in Bellingham after pulling knife on two minors
Bellingham Police arrested a 40-year-old man accused of pulling a knife on two minors during an argument last Thursday.
In a phone conversation with KMRE, Lieutenant Claudia Murphy confirmed the suspect’s identity as 40-year-old Nathaniel Tilton. The incident began with a verbal altercation on Railroad Avenue between Tilton and a juvenile, which escalated when he brandished a knife. A second juvenile intervened, resulting in a physical struggle during which Tilton swung the knife and damaged the second juvenile’s jacket. A bystander stepped in to help, and witnesses alerted police. Officers subdued Tilton using a bean bag launcher and a Taser before arresting him.
Tilton faces charges of first-degree assault and felony harassment. He was treated at a hospital before being booked into the Whatcom County Jail, where he remains under custody.
STORY: Port of Bellingham announces plans for 2025
The Port of Bellingham has approved a $36.7 million budget for 2025,
The budget includes $12.4 million in state and federal grants to fund key projects. A multi-year effort to modernize the Bellingham Shipping Terminal with electrification, environmental upgrades, and a portable barge ramp will be funded; so will Bellingham Airport, where funds will support airline recruitment, service expansion, and the construction of an international terminal to handle flights from Mexico and Central America. Additionally, upgrades to stormwater systems at the Fairhaven Marine Industrial Park aim to boost waterfront jobs and protect water quality.
Approximately $4.5 million will support economic development, community connections, and infrastructure projects, including replacing an aging observation tank at the Marine Life Center. The final budget will be published next Monday.
STORY: Galbraith Mountain announces three-day closure in December for game management hunt
Most of Galbraith Mountain will be closed to the public December 4th-through-6th for a deer bow hunt conducted by a small licensed group of Janicki (JAN-a-key) Logging employees.
The area is currently owned by Galbraith Tree Farm and Polygon Financial 05, and is an active logging site. In 2018, the City of Bellingham purchased a recreation and conservation easement from Galbraith Tree Farm that allows for public access to the property, irrespective of who owns it. However, Janicki is still able to conduct any and all timber management needed, which includes game management.
The hunt, Janicki states, will curb a growing population of deer on the mountain that have over-browsed young cedar saplings and cost the company over $100,000 in damages. Furthermore, according to Janicki, the increased deer population also attracts predators, like mountain lions, that are a risk to public safety.
Eric Brown, the Mountain Bike Coalition’s executive director, says volunteers will clearly mark which trails are closed during the hunt.
STORY: Mount Baker Highway to drop down to single lane traffic today and tomorrow for culvert repairs
State Route 542 near Britton Road will alternate traffic through a single lane today and tomorrow, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., for culvert repairs.
WSDOT (wash-DOT) crews will excavate and replace a damaged culvert pipe. Traffic will be directed by flaggers, and the work is weather-dependent.
STORY: Judge allows Birch Bay Waterslides suit to continue, county now named among list of defendants
A Whatcom County judge denied a request by Birch Bay Waterslides to dismiss a lawsuit filed by a visitor severely injured on one of the park’s slides in August 2023.
According to police reports, Larry Baker suffered severe injuries when his legs went through a damaged section of the Hairpin slide. He alleges the park’s owners were negligent in maintaining the facility. The park argued that Baker accepted the risks when entering the property, but the judge ruled the case could proceed.
At the same hearing, the judge also allowed Baker to expand his lawsuit to include three additional parties, including the county’s Health and Community Services. According to court records, Baker accuses the parties of failure to identify or address hazardous conditions during inspections and repairs, with the Health Department specifically accused of neglecting to audit the park’s maintenance records and falsely documenting their existence over several years. Court documents also reveal that a patron reported issues with the Hairpin slide one day before Baker’s injury, but no action was taken.
Despite the incident, Birch Bay Waterslides plans to reopen next year after renovations to mark the park’s 40th anniversary.
STORY: Wiser Lake now safe from biotoxins
Health and Community Services has lifted water contact warnings for Wiser Lake.
Microcystin (MY-crow-sis-tin) levels are now below the EPA’s safety threshold and residents and pets may now use the lake, but caution is still advised due to recurring harmful algal (AL-gull) blooms. Microcystin, a toxin affecting the liver, can cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Nutrient runoff from human and animal activity contributes to algal growth.
In the meantime, avoid areas with visible algae (AL-gee), which can appear as scum, streaks, or clumps. If exposed, rinse skin or pets with clean water.
STORY: Early school dismissal on Wednesday
And finally, a note for Whatcom County drivers—Bellingham Public Schools will have an early dismissal this Wednesday for the Thanksgiving holiday: elementary schools at 12:20 p.m., middle schools at 1:15 p.m., and high schools at 2 p.m.
All schools and the District Office will be closed both Thursday and Friday for Thanksgiving, with classes resuming next Monday.
WX: O’er cast and iron
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
We’re expecting a day of overcast skies and occasional showers throughout the county, with daytime highs in the mid-to-high 40s. The winds are expected to return to their usual calm selves, with gusts not expected to so much as crack double digit speeds. Evening lows are projected in the upper 30s and low 40s.
The light winds and temperature are expected to stick around for tomorrow, though we may see some sunshine poking through the clouds.
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, Riley Weeks, Brodey O’Brien, Paloma Ortiz, Anna Hedrick, 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 listener donations. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m Theron Danielson, and thank you for listening.
