North Whatcom Fire and Rescue responds to house fire in Laurel, Family of man who died of self-inflicted injuries in Whatcom jail files federal lawsuit, Acme man charged with felony after allegedly jumping into Nooksack River to escape arrest, Former Whatcom health department employee pleads guilty to domestic violence charges, sentenced to 90 days in jail, Whatcom burn ban reduced to Stage 1, Audubon Society asks for nomination of bird of Bellingham, State superintendent seeks additional $2 billion in funding for public schools, F&C for 9/11, OSPI releases latest student achievement data, OSPI releases latest student achievement data, Parking changes coming to downtown Bellingham next week, Increased scam calls to folks with building permit applications, Gas Prices Update, Alliance issues vaccine guidance for respiratory virus season, : Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17 (run by 9/15), Whatcom County Open House (run bet. 9/15-9/28), Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 11th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: North Whatcom Fire and Rescue responds to house fire in Laurel
A major house fire along the Guide Meridian near Laurel caused major traffic backups yesterday.
Two northbound lanes were closed south of Axton Road while firefighters from North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, Bellingham Fire, and Fire District 7 battled the blaze.
The home was fully engulfed when crews arrived shortly before 1:40 p.m. The Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating.
There were no reports of injuries.
STORY: Family of man who died of self-inflicted injuries in Whatcom jail files federal lawsuit
The family of a man who died after suffering self-inflicted injuries while in custody at Whatcom County Jail has filed a federal lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges Robert Barness Junior was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was arrested in June of 2023. His mother says she warned a deputy about her son’s history of attempted suicide, but he was not evaluated by a designated crisis responder before being placed in the jail’s general population.
On September 19th 2023, Barness was found unresponsive after a corrections officer reported hearing repeated banging and yelling from his cell. He was hospitalized, and taken off life support two days later.
His mother says staff failed to take appropriate steps to protect him, and that five other jail deaths, by suicide, have not resulted in administrative changes.
STORY: Acme man charged with felony after allegedly jumping into Nooksack River to escape arrest
An Acme man has been charged with a felony after police say he jumped into the Nooksack River to avoid arrest.
Court documents state 51-year-old Matthew Pruett pled not guilty on Sept. 1st to felony attempting to elude police along with several other misdemeanors.
The charges stem from an Aug. 31st incident where officers say Pruett nearly caused a head-on crash near Slater and Ferndale roads. A Lummi Nation officer had tried to pull him over, but police say he sped off, stopped on the Slater Road bridge, exited his van, and jumped into the Nooksack River.
Deputies found Pruett on the west bank of the river near the dead end of Rayhorst Road and took him into custody.
Pruett is expected back in court on Sept. 30th.
STORY: Former Whatcom health department employee pleads guilty to domestic violence charges, sentenced to 90 days in jail
A former Whatcom County health department employee has pled guilty to multiple domestic-violence charges.
Cascadia Daily News reports 57-year-old Mark Raaka admitted to third- and fourth-degree assault, computer trespass, and violating a court order. Court documents say Raaka strangled his ex-wife, threw her against a wall hard enough to damage the drywall, and later approached her with a knife.
Judge Jennifer Slattery sentenced him to 90 days in jail with work release, citing the high-risk lethality of the assaults and an alleged pattern of coercive control.
Raaka had been on paid leave for 17 months before the county terminated his employment.
STORY: Whatcom burn ban reduced to Stage 1
The burn ban in Whatcom County has been reduced to stage one.
The Fire Marshal’s Office said the increase in moisture level has helped reduce fire risk.
That means outdoor fires are okay — as long as they are no larger than 3 feet wide and 2 feet tall, and that they are more than 25 feet away from any structure made of combustible material.
STORY: City announces low-interest home improvement loans
If you’re a low- or moderate-income homeowner and your house needs some repairs, help may be available.
The City of Bellingham recently announced the Home Rehabilitation Loan program, which offers low-interest loans for repairs to keep homes safe and livable. And, you don’t have to pay the loan back until you move out!
Applications are accepted year-round. The program is also looking for contractors to join its pool and help with the work.
STORY: Audubon Society asks for nomination of bird of Bellingham
Is it a Stellar’s Jay, house finch, chickadee, or something else? Which should be the official bird of Bellingham?
The North Cascades Audubon Society has opened nominations and are looking for suggestions from the public.
Ten finalists will be announced during Bellingham Bird Week on October 5th, when open voting will select the winning bird to represent the city.
Find a link to the nomination form at northcascadesaudubon.org.
STORY: State superintendent seeks additional $2 billion in funding for public schools
Washington’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal is seeking an additional $2B to fund public schools.
He says that the requirements of the constitution are not being met and the state is falling short of the 2012 State Supreme Court ruling that basic education should be fully funded.
According to Reykdal, some of the money will expand help for students from low-income families and restore the Transition to Kindergarten program.
Reykdal will submit the request to Governor Bob Ferguson on Monday.
F&C for 9/11
If you’re looking for something free or cheap to do this weekend, here’s a bit of what’s going on around the county.
The 19th Annual Whatcom County Farm Tour is set for Saturday from 10 to 4pm. This self guided tour is free for all ages and gives visitors a chance to meet farmers and see where food comes from. It’s an Eat Local Month favorite. Visit sustainableconnections.org for more information.
Also tomorrow, Run with the Chums at BP Highlands in Blaine. A free, family-friendly 5K, plus the Smolt Sprint for kids 10 and under. Check-in starts at 8:30am, the kids’ sprint at 9:30am, and the 5K at 10am. Free T-shirts while supplies last, and leashed pets are welcome.
Dog Days of Summer returns Sunday from 11 to 3pm behind the Whatcom Humane Society’s Division Street Shelter. It’s a free festival featuring pet demonstrations, contests, vendors, and shelter resources.
The Wag-a-thon also kicks off at Dog Days, launching a walk-from-anywhere fitness and fundraising challenge to log 10,000 collective miles and raise $25,000 for the shelter. Participants can walk, run, bike, or paddle from anywhere, solo or as a team, with early registration open now.
WX: Storm Ankles
And now weather.
Grey skies for today and the weekend, with forecasts calling for heavy cloud cover, with highs around 70 degrees for the Bellingham and Lynden. Blaine continues with highs in the mid 60s. Evenings will be the same with lows in the mid 50s all around.
Expect more warmth on Saturday and good breezes on Sunday that will help to push out the clouds. But, not before there’s some drizzle.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, and Jenny Lam. 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 _David Korb________… thanks for listening!
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STORY: OSPI releases latest student achievement data
Washington’s schools chief says new student performance data shows both challenges and signs of progress.
State Superintendent Chris Reykdal says Washington students continue to match or outperform national averages and state test scores held steady. Most students showed basic grade-level skills in English and math.
He also pointed to improving attendance, more ninth graders passing all their classes, and rising participation in dual-credit programs — all strong predictors of on-time graduation. Career and Technical Education dual-credit completion dipped slightly.
New international test results show math and reading scores have been sliding worldwide for nearly twenty years, a trend researchers link to rising screen time and shifting attention spans among teens.
Reykdal says the statewide data shows both stability and areas where continued support will matter most.
STORY: Parking changes coming to downtown Bellingham next week
Downtown Bellingham is adding new paid parking.
Look for the changes in areas where parking is currently limited by time.
The city says metered parking will help spaces turn over more often, and make it easier for people to find parking near downtown businesses and services.
Look for newly marked parking spaces and meters going in over the next few weeks. The city says some parking revenue will also go back into downtown improvements and programs.
STORY: Increased scam calls to folks with building permit applications
Bellingham officials are warning about an increase in scam emails targeting people who have applied for permits.
The emails may include real details about a permit application and may come from addresses that look like legitimate Permit Center staff.
If you receive an email asking for payment related to a permit, the city says online payments should only be made through its eTRAKiT system.
If you’re unsure about an email, check the city’s Permit Center website before making any payment.
STORY: Gas Prices Update
STORY: Alliance issues vaccine guidance for respiratory virus season
Health officials have released new guidance for this year’s flu season.
The West Coast Health Alliance — a partnership of public health leaders from California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington — says the recommendations cover flu, COVID-19, and RSV. They say immunization remains the strongest protection against severe illness. It also helps reduce community spread and strain on hospitals.
They’re emphasizing vaccines for people at higher risk, including infants, older adults, pregnant individuals, people living in congregate settings, and anyone who lives or works with vulnerable community members.
The Alliance says COVID-19, flu, and RSV vaccines are available for everyone 6 months and older. Infants can be protected through either the prenatal RSV vaccine or the infant RSV antibody shot. Young children getting the flu shot for the first time may need two doses.
Officials say they’ll keep reviewing new evidence throughout the season and will update recommendations as needed.
STORY: Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17 (run by 9/15)
STORY: Whatcom County Open House (run bet. 9/15-9/28)
Whatcom County residents will have a chance to learn more about county government during the second annual Whatcom County Open House.
The event is September 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the County Courthouse, with staff from county departments and elected offices available to answer questions and explain how county government works.
Topics will include the new jail and behavioral health care facility, the upcoming county budget process and the county court system. Attendees can also test their knowledge with Whatcom County trivia.
County Executive Satpal Sidhu said the event is intended to make local government more accessible and give residents an opportunity to connect directly with county staff and elected officials.
County Council Chair Kaylee Galloway said the open house is also an opportunity for residents to raise concerns and have direct conversations with the people who serve them.
STORY: Community Conversations District 2 (run at end of Sept)
Whatcom County residents will soon have a chance to meet their council members and ask questions.
Three councilmembers — Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, and Jon Scanlon — will take part in a community conversation on Thursday, October 1 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Round Table Pizza on East Sunset Drive. It’s part of the council’s Community Conversations series, this time held with the Barkley Neighborhood Association.
The event is free and open to the public, with time for updates and a Q&A.
More information on upcoming Community Conversations events is available on the county’s website.
F&C 9/24-26
Friends of the Bellingham Public Library September Book Sale
Friday, September 25, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm, half-price
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am – 3:00 pm, $5/bag
Lecture Room, Central Library
Visit the Lecture Room at the Central Library for the Friends of the Library September Book Sale and browse from a huge selection of books, DVDs, and more. There will be items for all ages and all proceeds benefit your library. Credit card and cash payments will be accepted. Check it out!
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