Shooting near Skagit Valley College sends campus into lockdown, Bellingham house fire determined to be accidental, Whatcom County drug task force makes seventh arrest in connection with fentanyl ring, Sedro-Woolley police searching for perpetrators of cannabis store burglary, Starbucks’ baristas unionize, Whatcom County still searching for winter weather shelter Site, Gonazaga to join the PAC12, Jobs and money from CCA, but repeal looms, Weather, Gov. Inslee named in Forbes’ new list of 50 worldwide leaders in environmental sustainability
Independent, nonprofit community radio.
KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 1st. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Shooting near Skagit Valley College sends campus into lockdown
A drive-by shooting sent Skagit Valley College into lockdown yesterday afternoon.
A non-fatal shooting took place on East College Way in Mount Vernon at 12:30pm. A 41-year-old man was injured and later taken to Skagit Valley Hospital. Skagit Valley College posted a warning on Facebook asking the public to avoid the area while the investigation was ongoing. An hour later, they posted a notice when police lifted the lockdown.
Officers are asking those with information about the shooting to contact Mount Vernon Police.
STORY: Bellingham house fire determined to be accidental
An update on the Columbia neighborhood house fire last Friday afternoon revealed that a stove burner was unintentionally turned on, which ignited items on top of the stove.
According to Bellingham Fire Department spokesperson Dustin Michaelis (muh-KAY-lis), the fire at Victor Street was accidental, with damage confined to the kitchen and attic.
No people or firefighters were injured, but multiple pets died. A GoFundMe campaign was launched to support the family, and as of yesterday morning had raised close to $10,000. The fundraiser aims to help the family with immediate needs as they begin to rebuild after the tragedy.
STORY: Whatcom County drug task force makes seventh arrest in connection with fentanyl ring
A seventh person has been arrested in connection to a fentanyl trafficking ring in Whatcom County.
According to police records, a traffic stop on Sunday by a County Sheriff’s deputy revealed that the driver, a 24-year-old woman, was already wanted by law enforcement. The woman had previously been linked to the ringleader of an Everett-based drug trafficking organization. A search of her vehicle uncovered over 150 grams of suspected fentanyl powder, 10 grams of methamphetamine, and drug dealing paraphernalia.
She remains in Whatcom County Jail and is being held without bail.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley police searching for perpetrators of cannabis store burglary
Police are investigating a smash-and-grab burglary at the Smuggler Brothers dispensary in Sedro-Woolley.
The dispensary’s owner, Amy Kraus, reported that a stolen Kia crashed into the storefront around 3 a.m. last Wednesday. Police records indicate thieves stole a “modest” amount of products. The incident occurred just days before the store’s tenth anniversary.
Authorities ask anyone with information to contact Sedro-Woolley Police.
STORY: Starbucks’ baristas unionize
Starbucks Workers United announced that another store in Bellingham has voted to join the union, making it the 500th location to do so.
The store, located at Old Fairhaven Parkway and 30th Street, became the fourth Starbucks in Bellingham to join the union Monday and the thirtieth in Washington. Over the past three years, more than 11,000 baristas across 45 states and Washington, D.C., have joined the union, marking the largest union organizing effort in recent history.
The Union says its efforts have been gaining momentum, and that 100 stores have joined in just the past six months.
STORY: Whatcom County still searching for winter weather shelter
site
With winter just a few months away, Bellingham is still searching for a severe weather shelter site.
Community Health and Human Services Manager Ann Beck said that several sites that have been used in the past are not available this year, and said the county is interested in talking with anyone who has space to offer. The shelter would need to operate from November through February or mid-March, and needs to be safe, dry, and warm, with running water, locking doors, and restrooms.
Last year, the severe weather shelter operated for 20 nights when temperatures dipped below 28 degrees, and gave an average of 47 people a warm place to sleep at night. According to an “after action report” on the 2023-24 season presented to the County Council in May, the cost to operate the shelter last year was $404,000.
STORY: Gonazaga to join the PAC12
Gonzaga, a basketball powerhouse, has agreed to join the Pac-12 conference starting in the summer of 2026.
The move marks a major victory for the restructured Pac-12. Gonzaga, a consistent NCAA tournament contender and media draw, will be a partial member as it does not sponsor football.
The arrangement represents a strategic shift for the Pac-12, focusing on basketball to boost its national relevance after other schools rejected membership offers. Gonzaga’s addition strengthens the Pac-12’s basketball lineup, which includes San Diego State, and could attract other potential members.
Financial terms have not been disclosed.
STORY: Jobs and money from CCA, but repeal looms
A new report finds high returns from Washington state’s Climate Commitment Act, potentially creating 45,000 jobs and $9.1 billion in economic output over the next five years. However, a measure on the November ballot could repeal the cap-and-invest program.
CAP Audio
STORY: Weather
And now for your Whatcom County weather:
Daytime is expected to be rainy and cool, with rainfall expected mainly during the early afternoon hours and a temperature drop to 41 degrees. Winds will be blowing southwest at 5mph. The night is expected to be mostly cloudy, with a low around 33 degrees and wind gusts as high as 20mph.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Jayne Kuhlman (COOL-mun), Tristan Trudell, 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.
##
_______________________________________________
STORY: Gov. Inslee named in Forbes’ new list of 50 worldwide leaders in environmental sustainability
