MIPA issued for Lummi teenager, Lummi Nation member and registered sex offender arraigned for alleged assault of houseguest, No Kings rallies held this weekend, Bham Mitigation Bank to open in spring 2027, Biotoxin warning lifted for Toad Lake, Fleet of air quality monitoring vans set to be deployed statewide this winter, Settlements reached in cases against three generic drug manufacturers, F&C 10/17-18, F&C 10/24, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, October, 16. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: MIPA issued for Lummi teenager
A Missing Indigenous Person Alert has been issued for a Lummi Nation teen.
Washington State Patrol activated the alert for 13‑year‑old Victoria Mervine. She was last seen Saturday, October 12th, off South Red River Road in Ferndale. She’s described as 5‑foot‑1, about 115 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and was wearing a grey hoodie, blue jeans, and a black vest.
Anyone who sees Victoria is urged to call 9‑1‑1.
STORY: Lummi Nation member and registered sex offender arraigned for alleged assault of houseguest
A Lummi Nation man is accused of sexually assaulting a woman on tribal land.
The Department of Justics says 35‑year‑old Gideon Bewley pleaded not guilty to a sexual abuse charge yesterday in U.S. District Court in Seattle.
Prosecutors say the assault happened April 24th after the victim spent the evening at Bewley’s girlfriend’s home after drinking alcohol and later woke up to Bewley sexually assaulting her.
Court records say Bewley is required to register as a Level III sex offender because of a prior federal conviction for sexually abusing a minor.
Trial is set for December 21st. If convicted, Bewley faces up to life in prison.
STORY: No Kings rallies held this weekend
No Kings rallies to encourage early voting are happening tomorrow.
Rallies encouraging early-voting are scheduled for Bellingham, Everson and Blaine. Indivisible Bellingham will host a No Kings Vote Early event from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at Bellingham City Hall, featuring songs led by the Singing Resistance.
Additional rallies are scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m. in Everson and 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at G Street Plaza in Blaine. Organizers are encouraging eligible voters to make a plan to vote early and learn about ballot drop-off options.
STORY: Bham Mitigation Bank to open in spring 2027
A major environmental restoration project in Bellingham is set to open early next year.
City officials say the Bellingham Mitigation Bank should be operating by February or March. The project will improve water quality, reduce flooding, and protect fish and wildlife, while giving developers a more efficient way to meet environmental rules.
The City bought the land in 2018 and has been restoring its streams, wetlands and forest habitat to create environmental credits developers can purchase to offset unavoidable impacts.
Once open, Bellingham’s bank will streamline permitting and complete ecological improvements before development occurs.
STORY: Biotoxin warning lifted for Toad Lake
It’s safe to swim in Toad Lake again.
County Health and Community Services says recent water samples found toxin levels below the federal safety limit. The Health department says there are no other lake biotoxin advisories currently in effect in Whatcom County.
Officials still urge caution around harmful algae blooms, which can look like green pea soup or spilled paint on the water. Keep children and pets away from affected areas, and watch for changing conditions as wind can move algae around the lake. Toxic algae can make people and animals sick.
STORY: Fleet of air quality monitoring vans set to be deployed statewide this winter
Washington has announced a year-long study on air pollution across the state.
Beginning in December, the Department of Ecology plans to send specially equipped vehicles into more than 20 communities and participating Tribal Nations, including Bellingham, Mount Vernon, and Burlington. The vehicles will measure pollutants as they travel through neighborhoods.
The data will help scientists identify pollution hotspots that stationary monitors may miss. The study will focus on communities where residents may face greater health risks from air pollution.
Funded by the Climate Commitment Act, the project is expected to collect information for about a year, with findings scheduled for release in 2028.
STORY: Settlements reached in cases against three generic drug manufacturers
Washington has reached new settlements with three generic drug companies.
The Attorney General’s Office says Ascend Laboratories, Citron Pharma and Mayne Pharma settled allegations that they took part in a long‑running conspiracy to inflate prices and limit competition for generic prescription drugs. Ascend will pay $400,000 and Mayne will pay $650,000. Citron has shut down and agreed to non‑monetary terms.
The AG’s Office says these agreements build on earlier settlements with eight other drug companies, totaling more than $496 million. Washington has now recovered funds through a series of actions targeting what investigators describe as widespread price‑fixing in the generic drug market.
Consumers who bought generic prescription drugs between 2009 and 2019 are encouraged to apply for compensation. More information and a preliminary claim form is available at AGgenericDrugs.com.
F&C 10/17-18
If you’re looking for free or low‑cost things to do this weekend, there’s plenty happening across Whatcom and Skagit counties.
In Mount Vernon, the Skagit Valley Family YMCA on Hoag Road hosts its free Halloween Spooktacular Saturday at 5 p.m., with carnival games, crafts and costumed community booths.
The Bellingham Dockside Market returns Saturday from 10 to 2 at Squalicum Harbor. Local fishermen sell their catch right off the boats, and the market now includes artists, crafters and hot food vendors. Admission is free.
Also Saturday, volunteers can take part in Orca Recovery Day at Lower Kenney Creek near Deming. The habitat‑restoration event runs 9 to noon, and prior registration with the Whatcom Land Trust is required.
Western Washington University hosts a free Insect Collection Open House Saturday from 1 to 4 at the WWU Biology Building. Parking is free in Lot C.
And on Sunday, Northwest Free Repairs meets at the Makerspace in Bellis Fair Mall from 1 to 3:30. Volunteers will fix small appliances, tools, toys, sewing machines and other household items at no cost.
And if you’re looking for seasonal fun: Bellewood Farms has pumpkins, a corn maze and apple picking through October. Stoney Ridge Farm in Everson offers pumpkins, apples and tractor rides on Fridays and Saturdays. And Dan Cramer’s Western Town in Lynden has a weekend pumpkin patch along with a petting zoo, train rides and pony rides.
WX: Sunioritis
And now for the weather…
The ghost of summer is visiting today with an afternoon of partial sunshine, and some of the last warm weather we’re likely to see for a while— including high temperatures near 70 degrees. Look for clouds to roll in this evening as temperatures drop into the low 50s and rain will appear in the early morning hours.
After morning rain tomorrow, expect the clouds to slowly disappear and the sun to make an effort with highs in the low 60s. Saturday night should be mostly clear with lows in the 40s, and expect to see more sun on Sunday with highs in the upper 50s. Monday– expect a repeat of Sunday’s weather. So enjoy the sunny warmth while you can!
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), KAI (eye) Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Doug Langworthy, and Cheri Cloninger (SHARE-ee CLAWN-in-ger). 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. To help support our work, check out our Patreon, or Substack, or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________… thanks for listening!
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F&C 10/24
The Ferndale Sister City – Minamiboso Japan Sister City Event – 35 Years… celebrates all the Peoples of Ferndale up to our current Minamiboso relationship.
This free, City of Ferndale Partnership event for all ages, offers something for everyone. From pumpkins where it all began…to the Official Opening Ceremony, FSCA/Minamiboso Photo History, the Pearl Divers of Minamiboso, Regional Display, Shells from both Coasts, Honoring Tsow Sum with Minamiboso, The Import Guys BIG surprise, WCLS Japan books to check out, the FSCA Literacy and Growing Program, FSCA Resource Center, the “Peoples of Ferndale Performances”…Blue Lighting Canoe Family, Ferndale Heritage Society Attire, Danza Latina, The JCYG “Eras of Japan” Runway, Wonderland tea and Haggens cookies, Door prize, JCYG Chopstick Seed Game, Youth Art Photo Op/ Mascot Lounge, BIG free raffle, attendees receive a special pearl Anniversary gift (while supplies last).
Much to learn and experience…
Celebrate with us!
EVENT SCHEDULE:
1:00PM to 1:30PM – OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
– Land Acknowledgement
– “Peoples of Ferndale” Dance – Blue Lightening Canoe Family
– Civic / Municipal Interchange
1:30PM to 3:00PM EVENT ONGOING
– All Event Offerings Listed Above
2:00PM TEA AND COOKIES
– 1ST ROUND FREE RAFFLE DRAWING
2:30PM
– 2ND ROUND FREE RAFFLE DRAWING
3:00PM – PERFORMANCE – “Peoples of Ferndale”
– Ferndale Heritage Society, Historic Attire
– Dance, Danza Latina
– The JCYG/Japanese Cultural Youth Group, “Eras of Japan” Runway
3:30PM – PUMPKIN GIVE AWAY
3:45PM – 4:00 EVENT CLOSING – THANK YOU TO ALL
STORY: Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29)
The Port of Bellingham will hold an open house for the public on Thursday, October 29th.
Community members can talk with Port staff and project leaders about the future of the waterfront, airport, harbors, events and community programs, while sharing their questions and ideas.
The free event will include refreshments and information stations. And, while supplies last, anyone who gets a passport stamped at all the stations can take home a rubber Disco Duck.
The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Squalicum Boathouse.
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