Bellingham man facing 11 felony charges after investigation into $400,000 cannabis fraud case, Everson man accused of assault and rape sentenced to three years in prison following guilty plea, Ferndale council opposes junk fee initiative, Port of Bellingham releases strategy for revitalizing Point Roberts, Phase 1 of Bellingham childcare / affordable housing project expected to be completed by next spring, Fires still burning in WA, Orcas Island group, politicians call for release of flotilla member detained by Israel, WWU & WCC launch guaranteed admission, More than $3.4 million in grants allocated to Whatcom County to aid in salmon habitat restoration, Intruder causes “significant damage,” after breaking into WA Capitol Building
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, October 7th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham man facing 11 felony charges after investigation into $400,000 cannabis fraud case
A months-long fraud investigation has landed a Bellingham man in jail.
46-year-old Jason Kenneth Lehman allegedly convinced several friends and relatives to invest in nonexistent cannabis stores. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office told KMRE News that eight people invested $400,000 in the scam. One of the investors eventually found out none of the cannabis stores were real. Lehman later admitted to the deception. He also said he would eventually repay investors – something which never happened.
Lehman was eventually detained on September 30th at his Sudden Valley home and taken to Whatcom County Jail. He has since been bonded out. Lehman faces five felony counts of first-degree theft and money laundering.
STORY: Everson man accused of assault and rape sentenced to three years in prison following guilty plea
An Everson man is headed to prison for domestic violence following a disturbing 2021 case.
According to court records, 43-year-old Pedro Perez-Lopez was sentenced yesterday in Whatcom County Superior Court to three years in prison, followed by two years of community custody.
The case began after a woman wrote police a letter saying Perez-Lopez had sexually and physically assaulted her, threatened her with a knife, and forbade her from leaving the house. Perez-Lopez later pleaded guilty to felony harassment, third-degree rape, unlawful imprisonment, and two counts of assault.
Perez-Lopez did not speak at his sentencing, and the victim declined to provide a statement. Judge Jennifer Slattery called the experience “terrifying” and urged Perez-Lopez to seek treatment for domestic violence and behavioral issues while in prison.
STORY: Ferndale council opposes junk fee initiative
The Ferndale City Council has come out against a citizen initiative aimed at limiting rental “junk fees.”
The measure would prohibit what supporters call unfair or excessive fees charged to renters. In a five-to-two vote on Monday night, the council approved a resolution that opposed the measure.
Council member Jon Mutchler (MUCH-lur), who sponsored the resolution to oppose, said the initiative could have unintended consequences and discourage landlords from renting, which would make housing less affordable.
Supporters, led by Community First Whatcom, argue the proposal would help tenants as it requires fee transparency; it would also place a cap on additional charges for things like mail delivery or in-unit appliances.
Even with the council’s opposition, however, the measure remains on the ballot. Ferndale voters will decide the issue in November.
STORY: Port of Bellingham releases strategy for revitalizing Point Roberts
Point Roberts may be getting an economic lifeline.
In a new economic strategy unveiled yesterday, the Port outlined its plan to help the remote border town overcome years of isolation, infrastructure issues, and an overdependence on Canadian tourism.
Funded by a state grant, the plan outlines steps to diversify the economy. Included in the report are a suggested broadband expansion, sewer system improvements, and the creation of a resilience hub for small businesses and workforce training.
The Port will present the strategy to the community on October 16th at the Point Roberts Community Center, with an option to join online.
Officials say the next step is working with locals and partners to set priorities and secure funding to turn the plan into action.
STORY: Phase 1 of Bellingham childcare / affordable housing project expected to be completed by next spring
Construction is underway on a bold new housing project in Bellingham.
Cedar Commons, located at the corner of Bellis Fair Parkway and Eliza Avenue, will include more than 120 affordable apartments and a five-classroom early learning center.
According to a recent release, the Opportunity Council’s two-phase development aims to provide affordable, sustainable housing for families and older adults in Whatcom County.
Phase 1 is already underway. It features family housing and the early learning center with up to 80 new childcare slots — a big boost for local parents. It’s expected to be finished by next spring.
Phase 2, which starts this year, will focus on senior housing for adults 62 and older. It will offer sensory-friendly units, shared wellness spaces, and two-bedroom options designed to accommodate live-in caregivers or roommates.
The project prioritizes accessibility, green space, and energy efficiency, along with new bike and pedestrian paths to better connect the neighborhood.
Supported by city, county, state, and federal partners, the Opportunity Council says Cedar Commons is a key step toward housing that’s affordable, sustainable, and truly community-focused.
STORY: Fires still burning in WA
Two wildfires east of the Cascade Mountains have become the state’s largest this season, covering over 125 square miles.
The Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires, both sparked by lightning, are being fought by more than 2,400 firefighters and 18 aircraft, and cost about $1 million per fire per day. Blewett (BLEW-IT) Pass, which connects Leavenworth and Ellensburg, has been closed since late September, with no reopening date currently set.
Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove visited the area last Wednesday, and highlighted that longer fire seasons along with reduced wildfire funding are behind the higher costs. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources estimates overall costs could reach $132 million through the next fiscal year. Upthegrove also noted that the longer fire season is fueled by climate change, and stressed the importance of wildfire resilience funding to better protect communities and ecosystems.
Officials say they expect both fires to burn until an end-of-season weather event finally extinguishes them.
STORY: Orcas Island group, politicians call for release of flotilla member detained by Israel
Calls are growing for the release of an Orcas Island woman currently detained in Israel.
Jasmine Ikeda (ee-KEH-dah) — known locally as Jas — was detained last Wednesday while attempting to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. Ikeda was part of the Global Sumud (soo-MOOD) Flotilla, which involved participants from more than 40 countries.
San Juan County Council member Justin Paulsen confirmed the detention, and says Ikeda and others must be granted due process and released swiftly. U.S. Representative Rick Larsen stated last Thursday that his office is working with Ikeda’s family, and that he has contacted the State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Israel to ensure her humane treatment and immediate release.
The flotilla’s organizers say some detainees have begun a hunger strike, and claim the interception took place in international waters — which they say raises questions about Israel’s authority to detain them.
WX: I’d rather be SHINY
And now for the weather:
Expect today to be mostly sunny and beautiful once again, with highs in the mid-60s. Partial cloud cover is expected throughout the day as well as the evening, when we’ll see temperatures drop to lows in the upper-40s.
Those clouds should gather over throughout the night, so look for some staunchly overcast skies and a solid chance of rain tomorrow.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRA-guh), Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Theron (THARE-un) Danielson, Cody Mills, Aidan Larson, 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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STORY: WWU & WCC launch guaranteed admission
Students at Whatcom Community College now have a guaranteed path to a bachelor’s degree at Western Washington University.
A new transfer partnership was announced by both schools on Monday. The agreement guarantees admission to Western for Whatcom students who complete a transfer degree with at least a 2.5 GPA — and also waives the $70 application fee.
In a release, WCC President Justin Guillory says the partnership removes uncertainty for students and strengthens collaboration between the two
institutions. Western President Sabah Randhawa says the program expands access and removes barriers for transfer students.
Qualifying students will enter Western as juniors, with direct admission into nearly 30 majors and coordinated advising to ensure a smooth transition.
Whatcom joins four other community colleges in the region now offering guaranteed transfer to Western Washington University.
STORY: More than $3.4 million in grants allocated to Whatcom County to aid in salmon habitat restoration
More than three million dollars is coming to Whatcom County to help restore salmon habitat.
The Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office announced over sixty-one million dollars in grants statewide this week — including three projects in Whatcom County.
The largest grant — nearly two-point-four million dollars — goes to the Lummi Nation Natural Resources Department to restore more than a mile of habitat along the South Fork Nooksack River. The project will add logjams and cooler water areas to support spawning salmon, including Chinook.
The Nooksack Indian Tribe will receive half a million dollars to plan restoration of thirty miles of the Nooksack River.
And the Whatcom Land Trust will use more than five hundred thousand dollars to purchase and restore land along lower Kenney Creek.
State officials say these efforts are key to protecting wild salmon — nearly three-quarters of which are now listed as threatened or endangered in Washington.
STORY: Intruder causes “significant damage,” after breaking into WA Capitol Building
A man with hammers broke into Washington’s Capitol, torching historic artifacts and leaving behind heavy damage.
Governor Bob Ferguson says the intruder smashed his way into the Legislative Building late Sunday, vandalized flags and statues, then set a fire in the historic State Reception Room.
KOMO News reports troopers were on scene within 30 seconds and arrested 34-year-old Gunnar Schubert as he tried to leave. Court documents say he broke in through a ground-floor window with a hammer, and troopers found a bottle of Zippo lighter fluid and a lighter near the window.
Schubert was booked into the Thurston County Jail on charges of burglary, arson, and malicious mischief. He appeared in court yesterday afternoon, where a judge released him on his own recognizance following a mental-health evaluation.
Officials say the attack was not politically motivated.
Among the damage: a burned U.S. and Washington flag, a shattered historic glass door, a charred 1928 rug, and burn marks on the State Reception Room’s original teak floor.
Cleanup and repairs are underway. Legislative leaders say the “people’s house” remains open, and the work of democracy will continue.
