Man arrested in Lynden on suspicion of assault and arson, Guemes Island ferry rescues pilot after splashdown in Guemes Channel, Whatcom County releases new draft of 2026-’30 homelessness plan, Caregivers at Bellingham assisted living facility threaten strike amid wage and staffing woes, Hobbs refuses DOJ request to turn over WA voter database, Microsoft president lambasts recent WA tax hikes, Bellingham scientist among team responsible for finding evidence of ancient life on Mars, WA 3rd best for teachers, Free or Cheap, New draft homeless plan, Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4), Tree coupon back (fill)
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KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, September 24th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Man arrested in Lynden on suspicion of assault and arson
A Bellingham man is behind bars after a chaotic chase that involved pepper spray, arson, a car fire, and a helicopter.
The Sheriff’s Office reports Whatcom County deputies were called Tuesday morning to Vineyard Place, where two people said they were pepper sprayed and attacked by a 30-year-old man. Deputies also learned the suspect allegedly set a vehicle on fire and may have fired a gun before fleeing the scene.
Law enforcement launched a multi-agency search — including a marine helicopter — that tracked the suspect’s vehicle north on Noon Road.
At one point, the suspect rammed a Lynden police car, drove into a ditch, and also hit another driver on Hannegan Road before finally being stopped and arrested.
He now faces multiple felony charges, including first-degree arson, second-degree assault, attempting to elude police, and hit-and-run. He is being held without bail in Whatcom County Jail.
STORY: Guemes Island ferry rescues pilot after splashdown in Guemes Channel
Crew members from the Guemes (GWEE-miss) Island Ferry rescued a pilot in the channel off Anacortes on Monday.
According to Skagit County communications manager Jenn Rogers, it was around noon when the ferry crew saw a small plane crash in the Guemes Channel. The plane, a Cessna 172, was slightly west of the ferry’s usual route.
The ferry crew called 9-1-1, and then went out on the water to rescue the pilot. Police, fire and EMS responders were on standby as the ferry returned to the mainland. The pilot — who was the solo occupant of the plane — was cold and wet but otherwise uninjured.
STORY: Whatcom County releases new draft of 2026-’30 homelessness plan
Whatcom County has unveiled its newest roadmap for tackling homelessness — and it’s an ambitious one.
The 2026–2030 plan, released last week by Whatcom County Health & Community Services, lays out seven key objectives and dozens of strategies to prevent homelessness, build affordable housing, expand shelters, and prioritize those most at risk.
The plan is grounded in guiding principles like dignity, equity, and data-driven solutions, and will be tied to annual performance measures to track progress.
It also includes bold targets. Over the next five years, the county aims to support 125 new affordable housing units, ramp up rapid rehousing and permanent supportive housing slots, and grow shelter capacity, including tiny home villages in later years.
Officials say the effort was shaped through community engagement — from people with lived experience to service providers — and will move forward in phases, with regular reports to the County Council and the public.
STORY: Caregivers at Bellingham assisted living facility threaten strike amid wage and staffing woes
Caregivers at Evergreen Supported Living in Bellingham are threatening to strike unless their demands for better staffing and pay are met.
Members of Service Employees International Union 775 say understaffing is jeopardizing care for adults with disabilities. They’re pushing for higher wages, increased training, safer staffing levels, and more operational voice.
Unionized in June of 2024, the caregivers have been in negotiations for nearly a year. They say chronic understaffing leaves clients with few outings beyond medical and grocery trips, and new hires receive less than two days of hands-on training before working solo. According to Cascadia Daily News, Evergreen has seen up to 90% staff turnover in recent years.
Evergreen’s leadership says funding shortfalls have hurt revenue, and claim they already offer above-average pay. Last week, they tentatively agreed to some union demands, excluding wages and benefits, and are now waiting on a response from union members.
The nonprofit operates under a contract with Washington’s Disability Determination Services, which sets Evergreen’s rates. The Bellingham City Council has urged both sides to negotiate rather than strike.
STORY: Hobbs refuses DOJ request to turn over WA voter database
Washington’s Secretary of State has officially denied the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to turn over all registered voters’ private information.
The DOJ sent a letter to Steve Hobbs on September 8th, requesting the driver’s license number, full date of birth, and the last four digits of social security numbers, for every registered voter in the state. As justification, the letter said that the DOJ needs to determine Washington’s compliance with the 1993 National Voter Registration Act, as well as the 2002 Help America Vote Act.
In a response posted on Tuesday, however, Hobbs expressed concerns that some elements of the request would violate state and federal law, and added that the state has already shared its public data.
Hobbs also expressed doubts about the DOJ’s stated reasons for the request, and cited public reporting that indicates that the DOJ intends to use these lists to attempt to create a national voter registration database to share information with the Department of Homeland Security to assist in immigration enforcement efforts, and for other purposes not authorized by law.
STORY: Microsoft president lambasts recent WA tax hikes
Microsoft President Brad Smith has blasted Washington’s new tax hikes, warning they could drive jobs and investment out of the state.
At the Washington Policy Center dinner on September 11th, Smith criticized lawmakers for what he called failed policies, that include higher business, capital gains and gas taxes, and a new top estate tax rate of 35 percent.
He urged the business community to push for policies that keep employers in Washington, even as Democrats defend the tax increases as a way to make the state’s tax code more fair.
STORY: Bellingham scientist among team responsible for finding evidence of ancient life on Mars
Are we alone in the universe? A Western Washington University researcher may have brought us a step closer to the answer.
According to a release by WWU, planetary geologist Melissa Rice co-authored a recently published scientific paper that describes a Martian rock collected by NASA’s Perseverance rover. The rock shows tiny markings resembling the remains of microbes that fed on iron, similar to patterns found in ancient rocks here on Earth.
Rice, a longtime NASA collaborator, helped guide the rover to the Jezero (DZEH-zuh-row) Crater, where some of Mars’ oldest rocks lie in an ancient riverbed — a prime spot to look for life. The discovery is not confirmation of ancient life on the red planet, but Rice says the possibility cannot be ruled out.
Scientists will be able to learn more once the samples are returned to Earth, but funding delays have delayed that mission to at least 2040.
WX: Sun. Sun. Severus Sun.
And now for the weather:
The forecast today calls for highs around 70 degrees, with some minimal-to-nonexistent cloud cover in an otherwise bright blue sky. This evening should see the skies remain similarly clear, with temperatures dropping down to lows around 50.
Tomorrow, expect yet more sun during the day with a slight chance of overnight rain, which may set the tone for the next few days.
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.
FREE OR CHEAP
A free household paint recycling event is coming to Bellingham—now at a new location. Due to a scheduling conflict, the one-day drop-off on Saturday, October 4 will be held at Barkley Village, 2211 Rimland Drive, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Residents can safely dispose of unwanted paints, varnishes, primers, and similar products in their original containers, five gallons or smaller. Usable paint will be recycled into new latex paint. Attendees should stay in their vehicles while staff unload materials. Pre-registration is encouraged.
STORY: New draft homeless plan
Whatcom County has released a draft of its next five-year Homeless Housing Plan, outlining strategies for 2026 through 2030. The plan calls for more overnight emergency shelter beds, standardized data collection, and stronger accountability to better serve underserved groups. New funding sources, including two housing-related sales taxes, are expected to generate at least $15 million over the next five years for affordable housing and shelter projects. However, some recommendations—such as a new tiny home village and a low-barrier night-by-night shelter—still lack full operating funds. The Housing Advisory Committee will review the draft at a public meeting on Thursday, October 9, where residents can offer feedback in person or online.
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.
