Severe weather warning in place for Whatcom County, October rainfall in Bellingham was half an inch over average, Chuckanut Drive clear of overnight landslide, Sedro-Woolley man arrested following fatal crash on Halloween night, Boulevard Park severely vandalized, In-person visitation to resume at Whatcom County jail, Gov. Inslee sets National Guard on standby in advance of Election Day, Voters to decide future of long term care, Lawsuit challenges Washington’s anti-housing discrimination plan, Commercial salmon fishers in Western WA and beyond struggle with declining prices
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KMRE brings you local news for Monday, November 4th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Severe weather warning in place for Whatcom County
The National Weather Service has issued a high-wind warning for Whatcom County.
Today’s storm, which will bring southern winds of up to 35 mph and gusts of up to 60 mph, is expected to blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages and property damage are also expected. As well as the high-wind warning, a gale watch is in effect for the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and a winter storm warning is in effect for the mountains.
The Weather Service asks people to avoid being outside in forested areas and around trees and branches, and to remain in the lower levels of their homes during the windstorm and avoid windows if possible. They also ask people to use caution if they must drive.
STORY: October rainfall in Bellingham was half an inch over average
The National Weather Service has also found that last month’s rainfall amount was higher than the monthly average.
In total, Bellingham received 4.38 inches of rain in October, with a single-day record of 2.12 inches on October 27th — the day a landslide closed I-5 down for hours. On average, October rainfall sits around 3.85 inches.
Higher-than-average rainfall and cooler-than-average temperatures are expected due to a weaker La Niña system which will hit western Washington over the coming months.
STORY: Chuckanut Drive clear of overnight landslide
Chuckanut Drive has reopened after an overnight landslide blocked both lanes with dirt, debris, and car-sized boulders near milepost 13.
The road, also known as State Route 11, was closed south of Larrabee State Park. Crews from the Washington State Department of Transportation used heavy equipment to clear the scenic route, which connects Whatcom and Skagit counties.
WSDOT (WASH-dot) says landslides like this are common on the route, especially during the rainy season.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley man arrested following fatal crash on Halloween night
A Sedro-Woolley man is being held on a million-dollar bail for vehicular homicide, DUI, and assault charges following a Halloween night crash in rural Whatcom County that killed a minor and critically injured an 18-year-old.
The accident occurred when 30-year-old Tyler Higdon’s eastbound car struck a Ford Fusion turning onto Goodwin Road. The impact ejected the Fusion’s 18-year-old passenger and fatally injured the 11-year-old child. Witnesses reported Higdon was speeding, and alcohol is believed to be a factor. Higdon was treated at a hospital before being taken into custody.
The crash drew a large emergency response, but the conditions of the other passengers have not been disclosed.
STORY: Boulevard Park severely vandalized
An off-road driver caused damage at Boulevard Park with a Halloween night joyride, leaving muddy ruts near the waterfront.
According to the Bellingham Police Department’s online reports, the incident happened around 2 a.m. Friday. This is the second vandalism case in less than a year, following similar damage in November 2023. Lake Padden Park also experienced similar incidents last year, with repair costs estimated to be as high as $3,000. According to the Bellingham Parks Department, security measures like night-closed gates have been considered, but it’s unclear if gates were in place during this latest incident.
Boulevard Park is one of Bellingham’s top attractions, drawing over 400,000 visitors annually.
STORY: In-person visitation to resume at Whatcom County jail
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office has announced it will resume in-person jail visitation on December 7th.
Visitation was suspended in early 2022 due to an elevator system failure that made visits unsafe. Repair delays were attributed to the age of the infrastructure, which made replacement parts hard to find. Sheriff Donnell (dah-NELL) Tanksley emphasized the value of in-person visitation for detainee well-being and rehabilitation.
Visitation will be available only on weekends.
STORY: Gov. Inslee sets National Guard on standby in advance of Election Day
Governor Inslee has activated the Washington National Guard to support law enforcement this week as a precautionary measure.
Starting today, Guard members will be on temporary active duty until after midnight on Thursday to help protect public safety and election infrastructure. The decision follows recent arson incidents involving ballot boxes in Portland and Vancouver, Washington, where an incendiary device damaged ballots. Local officials in Whatcom County have increased ballot pickup frequency, and local law enforcement has increased patrols around dropboxes.
The Department of Homeland Security has also indicated that threats to election infrastructure are high this cycle.
STORY: Voters to decide future of long term care
Initiative 2124 would make contributions to the long-term care program known as WA (“wah”) Cares optional for workers. Opponents of the measure say it could effectively end the program.
2124 AUDIO
WX: Keep it breezy
And now for the weather:
A high wind warning has been in effect today, with average wind speeds around 30 miles per hour, and gusts reaching over 50. Rain is expected to accompany the windstorms on and off today, so please, exercise extreme caution while driving. Daytime highs are projected to be in the mid-50s.
The wind is expected to slow slightly as the evening wears on, with temperatures dropping to a low in the mid-40s.
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 listener donations. Check out our Patreon page or go to kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m ________________, and thank you for listening.
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STORY: Lawsuit challenges Washington’s anti-housing discrimination plan
Washington’s pioneering homebuyer assistance program now faces a 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 universities and other organizations. 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 one European-American applicant.
In a recent release, the commission defended the program, citing extensive research and the persistent racial homeownership gap in Washington, where Black and Hispanic homeownership rates lag behind white homeownership.
STORY: Commercial salmon fishers in Western WA and beyond struggle with declining prices
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