Bellingham woman long-suspected in overdose death arrested in connection with investigation into narcotics ring, Ferndale city councilor and restaurateur found liable for damages against former employee, Western acquires old PeaceHealth property, Planned upgrades to Lynden and Sumas border crossings appear to be stuck in limbo, One bridge completed, another reopens in Skagit County, Citizen panel moves against proposed salary increase for Governor Ferguson, AG’s office asks for leave to intervene in court case on behalf of refugees and asylees covered by Medicaid, Whatcom Chief down for several hours Wednesday (MUST RUN ON 10/20), F&C 10/24, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October, 19. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham woman long-suspected in overdose death arrested in connection with investigation into narcotics ring
A Bellingham woman awaiting trial for manslaughter is back in jail following a separate investigation.
Sixty-two-year-old Kim Ribble was arrested last Thursday in connection with an investigation into a drug ring. Authorities say the investigation, which began in early 2025, involves local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.
Investigators say there’s probable cause to charge Ribble with drug dealing and maintaining a drug house. She’s being held without bail on those separate charges.
This is not Ribble’s first brush with the law; she has pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and controlled substance homicide. Ribble is accused of facilitating the purchase of the fentanyl-laced pills that killed 31-year-old Evan Parberry in 2020.
Her trial is scheduled to begin on November 9th.
STORY: Ferndale city councilor and restaurateur found liable for damages against former employee
A Ferndale business owner and City Council member must pay a former manager more than 333-thousand dollars.
A Whatcom County judge found that Robert Pinkley, former general manager Amberleigh Brownson, and contractor Brett Wiltse had formed a legal partnership to operate the Leader Block Wine Company and Eatery. This legally entitled Brownson to a one-third share of the business.
In her lawsuit, Brownson stated she was promised an ownership stake and a share of the profits. Instead, she claims, she was treated as an employee before her termination in 2022. Pinkley denied that Brownson was a partner in the business.
A separate lawsuit by Wiltse, who also claims he was promised an ownership stake and unpaid compensation, is scheduled for trial on December 29th. Pinkley has disputed those claims as well.
STORY: Western acquires old PeaceHealth property
Western Washington University has reached an agreement to buy the former St. Luke’s Hospital site.
The university’s foundation has approved a 12-and-a-half-million-dollar grant to help pay for the purchase. The property includes the former hospital building, a nearby professional building, and an eight-unit apartment complex.
Western plans to use the site as a future home for its proposed College of Health Sciences. The new site, in their words, would serve as an anchor to health sciences education, research, outreach, and training.
The university also envisions creating a community health hub that would provide physical and behavioral health services for students and the broader community.
As part of the deal, PeaceHealth will receive about two-and-a-half acres at Western’s Lincoln Street Park and Ride site. PeaceHealth says it plans to leave that land undeveloped for future health care needs.
Western will now begin planning for the former hospital property. Both organizations say they’ll continue working with community partners as plans develop.
STORY: Planned upgrades to Lynden and Sumas border crossings appear to be stuck in limbo
Senator Patty Murray and Representative Rick Larsen are urging the Trump administration to fund upgrades planned for the Lynden and Sumas border crossings.
In a letter sent last month to the General Services Administration, the lawmakers asked the agency to prioritize upgrades at the Lynden and Sumas ports of entry. They say the projects are among nine nationwide that have been temporarily halted.
Congress approved three-point-four billion dollars in 2021 to modernize 26 land border crossings. Murray and Larsen say delays could affect trade, supply chains, and national security.
They also warn that uncertainty about construction timelines makes it harder for both cities to plan for additional commercial traffic and disruptions to downtown businesses.
The lawmakers say they have not yet received a response from the federal agency.
STORY: One bridge completed, another reopens in Skagit County
East‑county travel just got easier with two major bridge projects now finished.
The 96‑year‑old Marblemount Bridge just wrapped up a major rehabilitation, funded by an eighteen-and-a-half-million dollar federal grant. Crews repaired corroded steel, replaced failing deck patches, and restored the bridge to full two‑lane traffic – all while preserving its historic structure.
The other bridge – the Jordan Creek Bridge – saw major damage during last December’s flooding. A log jam forced the creek to cut a new path and wipe out about 70 feet of Rockport Cascade Road. To restore access, the county installed a temporary Acrow bridge over the washout.
FEMA disaster funding is reimbursing the construction and leasing costs. The span will stay in place as long as needed while a permanent replacement is designed and built — a process expected to take several years.
County leaders will mark both milestones with a ribbon‑cutting at the Marblemount Bridge on October 29th.
STORY: Citizen panel moves against proposed salary increase for Governor Ferguson
Governor Bob Ferguson will not get a pay raise.
The Washington Citizens Commission panel has recommended freezing the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general’s wages for the next two years.
Other elected officials, including state lawmakers, would receive raises of two percent in July 2027, followed by another two percent in July 2028. The secretary of state, state auditor, and insurance commissioner would receive five-percent raises in each of those years.
Commissioners adopted their recommendation accounting for the state’s tight budget. The belief that the governor and attorney general’s job responsibilities had not changed significantly was also a factor. Finally, many of the commissioners pointed to new state employee contracts that do not include across-the-board raises or cost-of-living adjustments.
The recommendations are now open for public comment, with hearings scheduled through February. The commission could revise the proposed salary schedule before taking final action.
STORY: AG’s office asks for leave to intervene in court case on behalf of refugees and asylees covered by Medicaid
Washington’s attorney general is stepping in to protect Medicaid coverage for hundreds of vulnerable residents.
Attorney General Nick Brown is asking a federal court to let his office join a lawsuit filed by a Washington resident and the Seattle‑based Neighborhood House agency. The suit challenges federal actions that could cut Medicaid funding for refugees, asylees, and other lawfully present noncitizens who qualify for Supplemental Security Income.
A federal judge has already ordered the government to keep paying benefits while the case moves forward, safeguarding coverage for over 800 Washingtonians. Brown says many affected residents are elderly or medically fragile, and could lose essential care without Medicaid.
The lawsuit argues federal law guarantees Medicaid eligibility for SSI‑qualified refugees and asylees, and that the administration must continue funding their care in the meantime.
WX: Quilt of Ghosts
And now for the weather…
Things will get cooler this week, and feature highs approaching 60 degrees with partly sunny skies. Tonight, look for fog to roll in during the early morning hours, with lows dropping to around 40 degrees by nightfall.
Tomorrow, look for fog to stick around for a while. It should, however, disappear by mid-morning, leaving us with sunny skies.
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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STORY: Whatcom Chief down for several hours Wednesday (MUST RUN ON 10/20)
The Whatcom Chief will be offline for several hours Wednesday for terminal maintenance.
Public Works says the ferry will be out of service from 10:10 a.m. to 3 p.m. while crews inspect facilities at both Lummi Island and Gooseberry Point.
The last morning run from Gooseberry Point is 9:50, and the last run from Lummi Island is 10:00. No additional morning trips will be made after that so crews can complete a full inspection.
The timing is weather‑dependent, and any changes will be posted on the ferry webpage.
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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