Georgia man arrested on suspicion of attempting to extort money from Bellingham teen, BCC receives grant to create scholarships for parents in aerospace programs, WWU President outlines plan to boost enrollment following year of cuts, Bellingham Chamber of Commerce hosting event to discuss business impacts of the One Beautiful Bill, New ferry schedules start this weekend, N. Lake Samish bridge reopens today, West Coast Health Alliance announces vaccine recommendations, Free or cheap (kill 9/19), WA 3rd best for teachers, Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4), Tree coupon back (fill)
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KMRE brings you local news for Friday, September 19th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Georgia man arrested on suspicion of attempting to extort money from Bellingham teen
Whatcom County authorities have arrested a Georgia man they say threatened a Bellingham teen for cash.
According to Bellingham Police, 28-year-old Lawrence J. Sluers repeatedly harassed the 17-year-old for about a month and demanded a thousand dollars, warning he knew where the teen lived. Investigators say the threats followed an earlier pepper-spray attack involving Sluers’ girlfriend. Sluers faces charges of harassment and first-degree extortion.
He’s currently out of jail, but under a no-contact order while awaiting trial.
STORY: Ferndale City Hall closed due to flooding
Ferndale City Hall is closed today after employees found significant water damage on the main and second floors.
City officials say the leak appears to have started in a second-floor restroom, but the damage is not structural and public documents are safe. Staff are working remotely and can be reached by phone or email, and city services remain available online.
City Hall is expected to reopen for normal business hours on Monday.
STORY: BCC receives grant to create scholarships for parents in aerospace programs
Bellingham Technical College is getting a boost to help students — who are also parents — stay in school.
Washington state awarded BTC an $80,000 grant to fund annual scholarships for parents in aerospace programs. The money will help cover childcare costs, and make it easier for them to complete their degrees.
STORY: WWU President outlines plan to boost enrollment following year of cuts
After a year of painful budget cuts, Western Washington University says it now plans to grow enrollment.
President Sabah Randhawa (suh-BAH run-DAH-wah) unveiled a new initiative aimed at boosting first-year and transfer student numbers by 2026. The past year saw the reduction of about 74 staff positions due to a $20 million budget shortfall. According to Randhawa, the goal is to help stabilize finances and avoid more layoffs. The plan includes guaranteed admission for qualified local high school seniors, streamlined transfers from community colleges, and a stronger recruitment and marketing effort.
According to WWU, total enrollment for Fall remains below pre-pandemic levels.
STORY: Bellingham Chamber of Commerce hosting event to discuss business impacts of the One Beautiful Bill
Local business owners are invited to a discussion on how President Trump’s budget bill could impact Whatcom County.
The Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce will host a free online event this Tuesday, September 23rd, to explain key changes in the sweeping “One Big Beautiful Bill”. The law overhauls the U.S. tax code with new deductions, expanded credits, and major rule changes for businesses and individuals.
CPAs from VSH — an accounting firm that specializes in US/Canada cross-border and international taxation——- will lead the 9 a.m. webinar. They will also offer advice on how companies can plan ahead to navigate the new tax landscape.
STORY: New ferry schedules start this weekend
For the first time in more than 20 years, the Anacortes–San Juan Islands ferry schedule will stay the same through winter and spring.
The unchanged schedule starts Sunday, and runs until June of 2026. Riders will see 144 sailings each week — more trips than past winters — thanks to new state funding and community input. Washington State Ferries says the move gives island residents more reliable service and provides employees more stable, year-round work schedules.
STORY: N. Lake Samish bridge reopens today
After an 18-month closure, the North Lake Samish Bridge reopened at noon today.
Whatcom County Public Works says the new $10 million span replaces a 1950s bridge that had dangerous wood rot. According to the County, the new structure should safely serve the community for decades.
STORY: West Coast Health Alliance announces vaccine recommendations
The West Coast Health Alliance has announced new vaccine recommendations.
Earlier this summer, Washington announced that it had formed a data sharing partnership with California, Oregon, and Hawaii. The aim of the new organization is to align evidence-based health policies and issue joint recommendations on key health issues.
For the upcoming 2025-2026 respiratory virus season, the alliance recommends vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV to help protect families as these illnesses circulate. Washington’s Department of Health says its own guidance remains unchanged, and continues to advise everyone six months and older to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine.
Officials say their goal is to provide clear, science-based health information. The coordinated approach draws on guidance from trusted national medical groups like the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
STORY: Free or cheap (kill 9/19)
It’s Friday – 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 soon-to-close Boundary Bay Brewery is hosting its 30th anniversary party tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Bellingham’s oldest brewery is closing for good at the end of the month, but not before an all-day, all-ages block party including craft beers, local vendors, fish fry, Irish dancers, live music across 2 stages, and more. The event is free to attend. More information is available on Boundary Bay Brewery’s website.
As part of Whatcom Water Week, the Whatcom Land Trust will host a Forest Water Scavenger Hunt at the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Families can pick up an activity booklet at the trailhead, then explore the forest to learn how trees and streams keep water clean and cool. The free, family-friendly event includes kid-friendly activities and a Water Wise take-home memento.
Finally, Bellingham’s only all-vegan food festival is back, as Barkley Village Green hosts the Bellingham Veg Fest on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The family-friendly, all-ages event is free to attend, and will feature not only food vendors, but also local goods vendors, nonprofits, kid-friendly activities and live music. All items sold, distributed, and displayed at the event will be 100% vegan. More information is available on Instagram – @bellinghamvegfest – as well as bellinghamvegfest.org.
WX: Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was. Same. As. It. Ever. Was.
And now for the weather:
The week will close out with another day of warm sunshine, as the forecast calls for mostly clear skies and highs around 70 degrees. Cloud cover should remain sparse throughout the day and into the evening, when we’ll see a clear night and temperatures in the low 50s.
For those of you getting bored with the sunshine, do not fret. Tomorrow looks like we’ll see increasingly cloudy skies, and maybe even some heavy late-evening rains that are expected to continue throughout Sunday.
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: WA 3rd best for teachers
According to Wallet Hub, Washington State is the third best state for Teachers in 2025. Over the past decade, Washington has seen an increase in teacher pay of more than 75% Other factors include teacher friendly policies and the state’s fourth lowest time span before tenure goes into effect.
STORY: Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4)
This year’s election is all about local power — from city councils to school boards — and Cascadia Daily News wants voters to hear directly from the candidates.
You’re invited to two free town halls in October at the Sehome High School Theater in Bellingham. The first, focused on County Council races, is Saturday, October 4. The second, covering Bellingham City Council candidates, is Saturday, October 11. Both run from 6 to 8 p.m.
It’s your chance to ask questions, raise concerns, and hear where candidates stand before ballots drop.
Admission is free, but an RSVP is required. Reserve your seat for county races at CascadiaDaily.co/WhatcomTownHall, and for city races at CascadiaDaily.co/BhamTownHall.
STORY: Tree coupon back (fill)
Bellingham’s Tree Coupon Program is back this fall. Residents can get up to $100 off per tree at participating nurseries to plant on private property. The city says last year’s program added more than 500 trees, boosting Bellingham’s urban canopy. Sign-ups are online, and coupons are valid from October through May.
