Coast Guard rescues capsized kayaker off Sucia Island, Woman accused of attempting to murder two children found competent to stand trial, WCSO investigating incident after county-owned machinery found damaged, Wind advisory in effect, Sedro-Woolley joins Mount Vernon in banning Flock security cameras, Construction to begin on new trails in Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve next June, No Kings Protest planned for Oct 17, Report finds state medication return program broadly successful, but hampered by numerous flaws, Washington completes final steps towards joining California-Quebec carbon market, Whatcom County announces flood preparedness week (run sometime week of Oct. 5th), Community Conversations District 2 (run again as a reminder at end of Sept. 29-30), Paint recycling event coming to Bellingham (Oct. 3), Another Community Conversations series meeting (run 9/28 – 10/2… meeting is 10/7), Ferndale Coffee with a Cop (run between 9/28 and 9/2)
HEADLINES
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Monday, September, 28. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Coast Guard rescues capsized kayaker off Sucia Island
A routine paddle near Sucia Island turned into a rescue Friday morning.
The Coast Guard pulled a kayaker from 54‑degree waters after a wave capsized his boat near Parker Reef. Coast Guard personnel picked up his emergency radio call, and sent crews from Bellingham and Port Angeles.
The San Juan Islander reports a response boat reached the 45‑year‑old and brought him to EMS at Brandt’s Landing Marina. His paddling partner stayed upright and made it to shore. The Coast Guard says the kayakers’ dry suits, life jackets, and working radio were key to the quick rescue.
STORY: Woman accused of attempting to murder two children found competent to stand trial
A Bellingham woman accused of trying to kill two children has been ruled competent to stand trial.
The Bellingham Herald reports 43‑year‑old Brenda Doreen Wilder‑Brown has been found competent after nearly three months of treatment at Western State Hospital. She was charged with attempted first‑degree murder after a 9‑year‑old reported that their younger sibling had been stabbed in their home last May. The 4‑year‑old was found with multiple knife wounds and signs of strangulation.
Wilder‑Brown initially showed severe psychiatric symptoms, leading to a temporary release for medical care and a court‑ordered evaluation. A psychologist later determined she could not understand the charges or assist in her defense. After months of treatment, evaluators now say her thinking is stable and she can participate in the legal process.
A new trial date will be scheduled at a hearing on October 1st.
STORY: WCSO investigating incident after county-owned machinery found damaged
A damaged piece of county road equipment has prompted an investigation in Whatcom County.
A county‑owned grader was found vandalized earlier this month. The Whatcom Sheriff’s Office confirms the machine had been parked near Mission and Wiser Lake roads when someone broke out several windows, cut the wiring, and damaged the controls. Public Works staff say the grader had been left there overnight for road work.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s office.
STORY: Wind advisory in effect
The first fall wind storm of the year is headed for Whatcom.
A wind advisory for western Whatcom County and San Juan County is in effect for late tonight until 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Southern winds of 20 to 30 miles an hour are expected, with gusts reaching 40 to 45 miles an hour.
Forecasters warn the winds could knock down tree limbs, cause a few power outages, and blow around unsecured objects. High-profile vehicles may also have a hard time in the strong winds, so drivers are urged to use extra caution.
STORY: Sedro-Woolley joins Mount Vernon in banning Flock security cameras
Sedro‑Woolley has announced a change to its police technology program.
The city voted to end its use of Flock security cameras. Police Chief Dan McIlraith (mac-ull-RAITH) told the council that, while the department followed all required procedures, the political climate around the cameras has become too polarized.
Sedro‑Woolley installed the system in 2024, but used it only intermittently. The chief pointed to heavy public‑records demands, a new state law adding stricter rules, and fewer agencies now participating in the network, which he said reduces its effectiveness.
Mount Vernon made a similar decision earlier this summer.
STORY: Construction to begin on new trails in Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve next June
Big changes are coming to the trail network at the Lookout Mountain Forest Preserve.
Whatcom County is planning three new trails in the hills above Sudden Valley, with construction expected to begin in June of 2027 and continue into 2028 or 2029.
The plan includes a three‑quarter‑mile multi‑use connector, a 1.8‑mile downhill bike trail, and a short hiking‑only extension of the Waterfall Trail. Parks staff say the new routes will take visitors through different forest types, new habitats, and remnants of old logging activity.
A contractor is expected to be hired next winter. The county will work with volunteer groups including the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition and Washington Trails Association.
The 2027–2028 budget includes $530,000 for the project, pending County Council approval.
STORY: No Kings Protest planned for Oct 17
No Kings protests are coming back on October 17th.
Campaign organizers say they have actions planned in every state, including Washington. Events are planned for Blaine, Bellingham, Nooksack, Anacortes, Burlington and Mount Vernon, as part of gatherings planned in over 140 cities across the country.
Organizers describe the events as nonpartisan voter-participation efforts. They encourage eligible voters to check their registration, learn their voting options, and make a plan to cast a ballot.
They say voting early can give voters additional time to address problems such as a signature mismatch or missing paperwork, or to make other arrangements if they’re unable to vote on Election Day.
The events are also intended to bring people together in their communities. Organizers say participants are being encouraged to keep the events lawful and nonviolent, with safety coordinators and de-escalation-trained volunteers on hand.
STORY: Report finds state medication return program broadly successful, but hampered by numerous flaws
A new state audit says Washington’s medication return program has challenges.
The program has collected over one million pounds of unused drugs since 2020 in more than 400 secure drop-off sites statewide. More than 100 communities, however, do not meet the state’s target for convenient access — and the problem is especially pronounced in rural areas.
The program also lost one of its two collection companies in June, who withdrew citing concerns about the program’s long-term financial sustainability.
Auditors recommended continuing it beyond its 2029 sunset date, with changes to improve access, oversight and funding.
STORY: Washington completes final steps towards joining California-Quebec carbon market
Washington and California are taking a new step in their joint climate strategy.
Governor Bob Ferguson and California Governor Gavin Newsom have agreed to begin linking their states’ carbon markets. The move would connect Washington’s cap‑and‑invest program with California’s long‑running cap‑and‑trade system. Ferguson’s office says the two states will now start a rulemaking process to align regulations and prepare for a unified market.
Ferguson says linking the programs would create a larger, more stable market for carbon allowances, and strengthen both states’ climate goals. California officials say the partnership could also reduce compliance costs for businesses operating in multiple states.
The rulemaking process is expected to take several months before any final decision is made.
WX: Theeeere is a caaaastle on a cloud, thaaat you can’t seeee on account of the cloooud…
And now for the weather…
Heavy cloud cover and intermittent rain are in the forecast for today, alongside winds and highs in the low-60s. The evening will go from overcast to moderately stormy; wind speeds of up to 34 mph are expected, as is roughly one-fifth of an inch of rain. Nighttime lows are projected in the low-50s.
Tomorrow, expect the clouds to remain where they are as rainfall increases.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga (BRAH-guh), Kyler Cantrell (can-TRELL), Glen Hirshberg (HERSH-berg), Kathi O’Shea (o-SHAY), Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee), Jenny Lam, Doug Langworthy, and Cheri Cloninger (SHARE-ee CLAWN-in-jer). 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 _________… thanks for listening!
##
STORY: Whatcom County announces flood preparedness week (run sometime week of Oct. 5th)
STORY: Community Conversations District 2 (run again as a reminder at end of Sept. 29-30)
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.
STORY: Paint recycling event coming to Bellingham (Oct. 3)
If you’re looking for a way to ditch old paint, take note.
Whatcom County is hosting a free paint‑collection and recycling event on Saturday, October 3 at Barkley Village. Residents can drop off latex and oil‑based paints, acrylics, varnishes, primers, and other coatings in their original containers, five gallons or smaller. Usable paint will be recycled into new latex paint.
Last spring’s Lynden event brought in more than 97,000 pounds of paint. Attendees are asked to stay in their vehicles while staff unload materials. Spray paint, auto and marine paint, electronics, paint thinner, and driveway sealers won’t be accepted.
Pre‑registration is encouraged at circular.eco/event/Bellingham26.
STORY: Another Community Conversations series meeting (run 9/28 – 10/2… meeting is 10/7)
Whatcom County residents will have a chance to ask county councilmembers questions face-to-face next week.
Councilmembers Elizabeth Boyle, Barry Buchanan, and Jon Scanlon will meet with community members Wednesday as part of the County Council’s Community Conversations series.
The event is being held with members of the King Mountain Neighborhood Association, but it’s free and open to everyone.
Councilmembers will provide updates on county government and take questions from residents.
The meeting runs from 5 to 7 p.m. at Bellingham Covenant Church on East Bakerview Road.
STORY: Recycling Event (run between 9/28 – Oct 1)
Whatcom County residents and businesses can get rid of unwanted paint for free at a recycling event in Bellingham.
The Paint Collection and Recycling Event is Saturday, October 3rd, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Barkley Village, on Rimland Drive.
Accepted items include latex and oil-based paints, acrylics, varnishes, shellacs, lacquers and primers. Paint must be in its original container and in containers of five gallons or less. There’s no need to dry out the paint before bringing it in.
Spray paint, marine and automotive paint, paint thinner and other hazardous materials will not be accepted.
People are asked to stay in their vehicles while staff unload the materials. Pre-registration is encouraged.
STORY: Ferndale Coffee with a Cop (run between 9/28 and 9/2)
Ferndale police are inviting residents to sit down and chat over coffee.
The department is hosting Coffee with a Cop next Wednesday at Woods Coffee on Main Street in Ferndale.
The event runs from 9 to 11 a.m. and is part of National Coffee with a Cop Day, which promotes informal conversations between police and community members.
There’s no agenda or formal presentation. Residents can stop by to meet officers, ask questions, share concerns, or simply have a conversation.
No registration is required.
The event will be held at Woods Coffee on Main Street in Ferndale.
Leave a Reply