Strong windstorm bound for northwestern WA, Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of assault, Sedro-Woolley man sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to last year’s fatal Halloween vehicle crash, : Bellingham City Council adopts plan to combat invasive freshwater mussels, Sedro-Woolley man sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to last year’s fatal Halloween vehicle crash, WA Dept. of Health launches map tracking measles exposures, Potential “moderate,” coalition taking shape in state Senate, Recall issued for BMW and Supra cars
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, October 23rd. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Strong windstorm bound for northwestern WA
An intense storm could bring wind, heavy rain, and power outages to Western Washington today and tomorrow.
Meteorologists at the National Weather Service in Seattle warn that winds will be particularly strong along the coast, in western Skagit and Whatcom Counties, on Whidbey Island, and in the San Juans. Gusts of 40 to 45 miles an hour have been predicted for Thursday night and Friday, with a small possibility they could reach 60 miles an hour in Whatcom County.
No hazardous weather warning has been posted as of yet, but high winds can bring down tree limbs, a leading cause of power outages in the region.
Heavy rain is also expected, with up to 1 to 2 feet of snow predicted for Mt. Baker. Snow levels could drop down as low as 2500 feet on Friday.
STORY: Bellingham man arrested on suspicion of assault
Bellingham police have arrested a man accused of an assault earlier this month in downtown Bellingham.
According to Lieutenant Claudia Murphy, officers were called to the 100 block of East Holly Street on the evening of October 7th after a man said he was attacked by a group. The victim told police that one of the attackers, 29-year-old Cecil Leroy Harvey, shouted a derogatory remark, forced him into an alley. They then knocked him down and beat him before they fled. The victim suffered a head injury that required staples.
Police later located Harvey in the same area on October 18th and took him into custody. He is now being held at Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Bellingham City Council adopts plan to combat invasive freshwater mussels
Bellingham officials have a new plan to fight a local invasion of invasive freshwater mussels in Lake Whatcom.
The Lake Whatcom Mussel Response Plan, presented to the City Council’s Public Works and Natural Resources Committee Monday, outlines how local and state agencies would respond if zebra, quagga, or golden mussels are ever detected. While Washington has no infestations yet, scientists warn that mussels spreading from Idaho and California could reach Whatcom County through shipping or transported watercraft.
The mussels can destroy ecosystems, clog water systems, and damage recreation equipment. According to Senior Scientist Mark Cecchini Beaver (chuh-CHEE-nee), from consultant group Four Peaks Environmental, the plan’s purpose is to protect the City’s water supply and ensure rapid, coordinated action to eradicate the mussels if they’re detected.
The Bellingham City Council adopted the plan, with the Whatcom County Council and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District expected to vote on it in the coming weeks.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley man sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to last year’s fatal Halloween vehicle crash
A Sedro-Woolley man will spend the next decade in prison for a deadly Halloween night crash that killed an 11-year-old Sumas girl.
Thirty-one-year-old Tyler Patton Higdon pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide and vehicular assault in Whatcom County Superior Court this week. Prosecutors say Higdon was driving 100 miles per hour and had a blood alcohol level over the legal limit when he T-boned a car and killed 11-year-old Yaretzi Davila-Estrada. Her brother was critically injured, and two other siblings were also hurt. The accident happened east of Everson last October.
Judge Lee Grochmal sentenced Higdon to 10 years in prison followed by 18 months of community custody. Grochmal said the punishment cannot reflect the full value of Yaretzi’s life — but she hopes time will help the family heal.
STORY: WA Dept. of Health launches map tracking measles exposures
The Washington State Department of Health has launched a new online tool to help track possible measles exposures across the state.
The Measles Exposure Location Tracker shows public places where someone with contagious measles recently visited. Measles is highly contagious and can live in the air for up to two hours after an infected person coughs or sneezes. The Department of Health says the tool makes it easier for people to see if they may have been exposed in order to take quick, preventive action.
People who are not immune to measles and are exposed to the virus have a high risk of being infected. Getting vaccinated within 72 hours of first exposure can reduce the chance that a person will become infected or seriously ill.
The tracker now includes Seattle-Tacoma International Airport on October 13th, when a traveler with a confirmed case passed through. Washington has confirmed 11 cases so far this year.
You can find the new tracker and measles updates at doh.wa.gov.
STORY: Potential “moderate,” coalition taking shape in state Senate
Some Republican candidates for the Washington State Senate say they hope to reshape politics in Olympia — not by pushing further right, but by building a bipartisan coalition of moderates.
The idea comes as both parties gear up for a handful of tight Senate races this November. Lawmakers expect the 2026 session to again focus on tax reforms and affordability, and a centrist bloc could complicate the Democratic majority’s ability to advance its agenda.
According to reporting by the Seattle Times, Representative Michelle Caldier (call-DEER), a Republican from Gig Harbor running in the state’s most expensive Senate race, says she’s already spoken with Democrats who may join such a coalition. Fellow candidates Amy Walen (WHALE-un), a Democrat from Kirkland, and Chad Magendanz (MAG-un-danz), a Republican from Issaquah, have also expressed interest in working across the aisle.
The effort recalls past centrist groups in Olympia — like the “Roadkill Caucus” of the early 2010s— which used its leverage to block or reshape major legislation.
Supporters of a new coalition say their goal is to bring balance back to state politics and try to find consensus around affordability, education, and tax policy, rather than partisan divides.
STORY: Recall issued for BMW and Supra cars
BMW is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles from model years 2019 to 2022 due to a risk of fire—even when the cars are parked.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the recall covers several popular models, including the Z4, 330i, X3, and X4, along with more than 1,400 Toyota Supras built by BMW. Officials say corrosion in the engine starter relay could cause overheating and potentially start a fire.
Owners are urged to park outside and away from buildings until repairs are made.
BMW will mail recall notices starting November 14th, with follow-up letters sent once parts are available.
WX: Low highs and high blows
And now for the weather:
Expect it to be blustery today, with wind speeds hovering between 20 and 40 miles per hour. Daytime highs should hover around the low 60s, and the skies will bring us heavy amounts of clouds— but less rain. Expect the overcast skies, showers and wind to all stay throughout the night, and we’ll see the temperature drop to lows around 50 degrees.
Tomorrow’s forecast calls for more wind, and more rain, with up to one inch of precipitation expected during the daytime hours alone.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Bella Mae, and Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee). 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. Check out our Patreon page or visit kmre.org and click on the banner. I’m _________, and thank you for listening!
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