Search underway for suspects in assault and vehicle theft near Aldrich Road, Blaine man arrested after allegedly menacing victim with knife, Lynden teachers reach tentative agreement, Bellingham woman sues WCSO after deputy allegedly struck her car, Whatcom County ‘unequivocally’ underprepared for jump in deportation efforts, Construction begins on Fairhaven public kayak dock, Remaining stretch of Mt. Baker Highway to Artist Point formally closes for winter, WA health plan open enrollment, WA police use-of-force dashboard, WA police use-of-force dashboard, Suicide rates increase, Public invited to Port of Bellingham open house (Oct 29), Seattle-based Uwajimaya to expand, WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, October, 26. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Search underway for suspects in assault and vehicle theft near Aldrich Road
An elderly man was attacked and robbed during a test drive in Whatcom County.
The Sheriff’s Office says it happened Thursday on Aldrich Road, where two suspects — a man and a woman — assaulted the 82-year-old victim and stole his vehicle.
Deputies are looking for a dark blue or black early‑2000s Honda CR‑V with a white stripe along the sides and a rear‑mounted spare tire. Investigators say the woman was driving that vehicle.
The male suspect reportedly fled in the victim’s 2001 Toyota Highlander, which has not been recovered.
The Sheriff’s Office is asking anyone with information to contact them — and reminds the public not to approach anyone who may be involved.
STORY: Blaine man arrested after allegedly menacing victim with knife
A 63-year-old man is in custody after allegedly threatening to kill another person with a knife in Blaine.
Police say the victim encountered the attacker outside their apartment building Wednesday afternoon. Investigators say the man was holding a hunting knife and a rock, making death threats and directing slurs at the victim.
The victim tried to enter the building through another entrance but was allegedly confronted by the attacker again.
A property manager called police, who took the man into custody after obtaining a warrant.
He remains in the Whatcom County Jail without bail following his arraignment last Thursday.
STORY: Lynden teachers reach tentative agreement
Lynden teachers have ratified a tentative contract agreement with the school district, averting a potential strike.
The Lynden Education Association says the agreement was reached last Wednesday after months of bargaining. Union members had previously voted to authorize a strike, then returned to negotiations in hopes of securing more time and resources to support students.
Union members voted to ratify the agreement, but it still needs school board approval before it becomes final.
The union thanked its members and the Lynden community for their support throughout negotiations.
STORY: Bellingham woman sues WCSO after deputy allegedly struck her car
A Bellingham woman has filed a lawsuit against the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
Court documents say Tracey Wiebe (WEE-bee) was waiting behind a school bus on January 20, preparing to turn left onto Saratoga Place, when she saw Deputy Carson Laughlin (LOF-lin) allegedly cross the center line and pass several vehicles at high speed.
Wiebe says she couldn’t move out of the way before the deputy’s vehicle struck her car. Her car spun out, and the deputy’s vehicle rolled over. Both drivers were hospitalized. No one else was injured.
The lawsuit seeks an unspecified amount in damages from the sheriff’s office, Laughlin and other parties. The allegations have not been proven in court.
STORY: Whatcom County ‘unequivocally’ underprepared for jump in deportation efforts
Local immigration lawyers say they’re bracing for a surge in deportation cases.
King 5 News reports the federal government appears to be using Washington’s voter rolls to flag permanent residents as part of a crackdown on illegal voting — a shift attorneys say could overwhelm the few local lawyers who handle removal defense.
A Point Roberts woman was detained for hours over questions about her voting history. She later died after avoiding medical care because she feared crossing the border. Lawyers say others now worry they could be detained or unable to re‑enter the U.S.
The state bar lists about 40 immigration attorneys in the region, but only a handful specialize in deportation work. Attorneys say removal cases are complex, time‑consuming, and often financially out of reach.
They say the new focus on voter rolls marks a major change. In the past, accidental registration or voting could usually be corrected without triggering deportation. Now, lawyers say discretion appears to be gone — and they expect the caseload to grow.
STORY: Construction begins on Fairhaven public kayak dock
Work has begun on a new waterfront project to expand public access to the water.
The Port of Bellingham is building a kayak dock and pocket beach next to the Community Boating Center in Fairhaven.
The 140‑foot floating dock is designed as a universally accessible hand‑launch area, created in partnership with paddling professionals at the Community Boating Center. Executive Director Bryan Rust says the new dock will make human‑powered boating safer and more accessible for people of all abilities, including participants in the center’s adaptive sailing and paddling programs.
The project is funded in part by a half-million-dollar state grant, with a total estimated cost of $2.4 million. The dock expected to open in early 2027
STORY: Remaining stretch of Mt. Baker Highway to Artist Point formally closes for winter
The road to Artist Point on Mount Baker Highway is now closed to vehicle traffic for the winter season.
Washington State Department of Transportation crews closed the gate at 3 p.m. Sunday, shutting off the final 2-point-7 miles of State Route 542.
The narrow road has sharp curves and steep slopes, making winter driving unsafe. Part of the route also becomes ski terrain at Mount Baker Ski Area.
This year’s closure came 10 days later than last year’s.
Backcountry recreation is still possible, but visitors should check conditions with the Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest and the Northwest Avalanche Center before heading out.
STORY: WA health plan open enrollment
Open enrollment for 2027 health and dental insurance starts November 1st.
Washington Healthplanfinder says customers can preview next year’s plans now, and the site will go offline October 31st to load updated options.
Open enrollment runs through January 15th. Washingtonians who want coverage starting January 1st need to sign up by December 31st. Those enrolling by January 15th will begin coverage February 1st.
The exchange says federal changes taking effect in 2027 make it especially important for customers to read messages from their insurer, keep account information current, and pay attention to deadlines.
More information is at wahealthplanfinder.org.
STORY: WA police use-of-force dashboard
Washington’s police use‑of‑force data is now easier for the public to see and understand.
The Attorney General’s Office says its statewide dashboard — part of the Washington State Data Exchange for Public Safety — gives Washingtonians a clear, accessible look at when and how force is used by police. The dashboard is publicly available through the Attorney General’s Office.
The tool standardizes reporting from hundreds of agencies and lets users compare trends by region or by type of call. Since launching last year, it has logged more than 4 million calls for service and more than 1,800 reportable uses of force.
Officials say the goal is transparency: showing what’s known, what’s disputed, and what’s missing so the public, policymakers, and police can make evidence‑based decisions. Lawmakers created the system to build trust and give communities a clearer window into policing statewide.
WX: Mostly quiet on the western skies
And now for the weather…
Expect partly sunny skies with temperatures in the mid-50’s. Some more cloudy skies this afternoon, and a 30% chance of rain after midnight..
Tomorrow, look for rain with highs in the mid-50s.
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: Suicide rates increase
Washington’s suicide rate increased in 2025, with at least 1,352 people dying by suicide statewide, according to the Washington State Department of Health. The rate rose to 15.5 deaths per 100-thousand people, up from 14.3 the previous year.
The largest increase was among adults 65 and older. Suicide rates also rose among young people ages 10 to 17, rural residents, and Hispanic and American Indian and Alaska Native communities.
Despite the increase, the state’s rate remains below its 2017 peak. Researchers also report encouraging findings about suicide prevention. A study published this year in the Journal of the American Medical Association found the launch of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline was associated with fewer suicide deaths among teens and young adults, particularly in states where more people used the service, including Washington.
State health officials say stronger community connections and access to support remain key to prevention.
Anyone experiencing a mental health or suicide crisis can call or text 988 for free, confidential support, or visit 988lifeline.org.
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.
STORY: Seattle-based Uwajimaya to expand
Seattle-based Asian grocery store Uwajimaya will open a new location next spring.
The store will occupy a former Rite Aid space in Town and Country Square in Issaquah and cover about 23-thousand square feet. Uwajimaya CEO Denise Moriguchi says the Eastside’s growing population has increased demand for Asian ingredients and fresh seafood.
The new store will offer everyday groceries, produce, seafood and prepared foods. Uwajimaya is also opening a location in Tacoma, bringing the 98-year-old company to six stores.
STORY: WDFW seeking public comment on plan to establish permanent requirement for fishing endorsements
Should a fee for recreational fishing in the Columbia River be made permanent?
The Department of Fish and Wildlife is inviting public comment on whether the annual fee of $8.75 for anglers should be extended beyond the expiration date in January 2028
The fee applies to anglers over 15 years old who fish for salmon or steelhead.
The comment period ends on November 20 this year.
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