Lummi police officer discharges weapon during arrest of man accused of ramming patrol car, Custer man arrested for unlawful firearm possession, Bellingham mayor calls 2025 budget a “temporary bridge”, Still time to vote, Several Bellingham restaurants offer free meals to children on Halloween
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KMRE brings you local news for Thursday, October 31st. Good afternoon, I’m Theron Danielson.
STORY: Lummi police officer discharges weapon during arrest of man accused of ramming patrol car
A law enforcement officer from the Lummi Nation fired multiple shots during the arrest of a Bellingham man who rammed his vehicle into a patrol car.
According to Whatcom County Sheriff’s Department Public Information Officer Deb Slater, it all started when officers from Lummi Nation Police responded to a report of a domestic disturbance on Tuesday night. 30-year-old Johnnie Hewett, who left the scene before police arrived, was found in a vehicle and attempted to run from the scene. During the ensuing chase, Hewett reportedly hit a patrol car on North Red River Road, prompting a Lummi officer to fire at least two shots in response.
Hewett fled the scene, and a multi-agency effort to assist in his capture took place. A Whatcom County K-9 unit ultimately located Hewett, who was taken into custody. He was booked into the Whatcom County Jail on multiple charges, including attempted vehicular assault, and is being held without bail.
The officer in the damaged vehicle received minor injuries from the collision but has been medically cleared, while an investigation remains active as the case has been declared an officer-involved shooting.
STORY: Custer man arrested for unlawful firearm possession
On October 18th, County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a shots-fired call at a residence on Birch Bay-Lynden Road in Custer.
43-year-old Joshua Burke was reportedly shooting a gun into the air, despite two no-contact orders prohibiting him from possessing firearms. Burke fled in a flatbed truck, stopping abruptly when deputies attempted a traffic stop. He ignored commands, reversed his truck toward deputies without hitting their vehicles, then exited and walked onto nearby property. According to Sheriff’s reports, deputies used less-lethal munitions to take him into custody. A search of his residence uncovered firearms and ammunition.
As of yesterday, Burke remained in jail on a $20,000 bond, facing charges of second-degree assault and unlawful firearm possession.
STORY: Bellingham mayor calls 2025 budget a “temporary bridge”
Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund presented a new, single-year budget for 2025, which marks a shift from the city’s previous two-year cycle.
Lund says the $543 million proposal aims to curb deficit spending and stabilize the city’s finances while maintaining essential services. Key budget elements include a 1% property tax hike, funding for public safety and climate action, and limited new positions in public service.
The proposed budget would also reallocate certain funds, increase the solid waste utility tax to support environmental projects, and redirect money from street and firefighter pension funds. This comes as a $10.8 million adjustment was recently approved to cover fire and police costs, which draws heavily on reserves and potentially advances the need for emergency reserve usage to 2025.
The council will discuss this budget proposal in a public hearing on Monday.
STORY: Still time to vote
Election Day is just a few days away, but there’s still time for Washingtonians to make their final voting decisions.
ELECTION audio
STORY: Several Bellingham restaurants offer free meals to children on Halloween
It’s Halloween, and several Bellingham restaurants are joining in the fun!
- Kids 12 and under in costume can eat free with an adult entree today, dine-in only, at all four Bellingham Jalapenos locations.
- Applebee’s will give up to two free kids’ meals (12 and under) per adult entree.
- Any costumed customer can get an entree for $6 when you dine-in from 3 p.m. to close today at Chipotle’s Bellingham locations.
- Red Robin will give free ice cream sundaes for kids in costume with a kids’ meal today.
These deals are only for today, dine-in only, and details vary by location.
WX: Halloween
And now for the weather:
The forecast today calls for consistent clouds, with infrequent showers in the afternoon and evening. Daytime highs are projected in the mid-50s, alongside calm southeastern winds. We should see a bit more this evening, with lows in the mid-40s, so if you’re going out with Trick or Treaters tonight, make sure to bring an umbrella, just in case.
More rain is expected tomorrow. Same as it ever was.
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 Theron Danielson, and thank you for listening.
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