Bellingham formally bans sale of kratom, Court rules against Bellingham’s ban on short-term rentals of detached housing units, Sedro-Woolley man dies over a month after car accident on North Cascades Highway, Winter crabbing season to open tomorrow in several areas, including much of San Juans, Section of highway to Artist Point temporarily closes for winter preparations, Ferguson signs executive order establishing Governor’s Space Force, Whatcom County announces flood preparedness week (run sometime week of Oct. 5th)
Independent, nonprofit community radio. KMRE brings you local news for Wednesday, September, 30. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Bellingham formally bans sale of kratom
Bellingham has approved a ban on kratom sales.
City council members voted to prohibit the sale and distribution of all kratom products within city limits. The measure passed 6–0 with one member excused on its third and final reading. The ordinance does not ban possession or use — only sales.
Kratom is a plant‑based substance with stimulant and opioid‑like effects. A naturally occurring alkaloid in the plant can produce a strong, morphine‑like response in some users.
Gas stations and smoke shops often sell higher‑potency versions, commonly labeled 7‑OH, which studies show can lead to addiction and withdrawal among frequent users.
Washington state has no laws regulating kratom, though several cities have moved ahead with their own restrictions.
Bellingham now joins that list.
STORY: Bellingham superintendent officially announces closure of two elementary schools, pending board approval
Bellingham is moving to close two elementary schools.
Starting in the 2027–28 school year, the district plans to shut down Columbia and Carl Cozier, citing declining enrollment and ongoing budget shortfalls.
Superintendent Dr. Greg Baker says they’ve made cuts to each part of the district since 2023:
AUDIO Baker.wav :08 out: fewer students
Under the proposal, Columbia students would shift to Alderwood, while Carl Cozier students would move to Sunnyland and Wade King — campuses the district says have room as enrollment continues to fall.
However, a group advocating against school closures says it isn’t a done deal yet. Lyndsy Mendoza is a local parent and former teacher.
AUDIO: Mendoza 1, Save Bellingham Schools, out:demand better analysis
Mendoza says there is still something people can do.
AUDIO: Mendoza 2, out:reach out to board members
According to the district, the closures are expected to save about $2.2 million, which district leaders say will help preserve staff and programs.
The school board will hold public hearings before making a final decision.
STORY: Court rules against Bellingham’s ban on short-term rentals of detached housing units
Bellingham’s ban on short‑term rentals in backyard cottages has been ruled unconstitutional.
A Whatcom County judge struck down the city’s prohibition on renting detached accessory dwelling units, or DADUs.
Cascadia Daily News reports homeowner Patrick Sutton sued after the city denied his request to rent out the small unit behind his Sehome Hill home. The ordinance allowed short‑term rentals in attached units but not detached ones. Judge Robert Olson said that distinction didn’t match the city’s stated interest in regulating the short‑term rental market.
Sutton says he’s glad for the ruling but expects the city may appeal. For now, owners of detached units can rent them on platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. The city plans to review the decision with the council.
UPDATE: Sedro-Woolley man dies over a month after car accident on North Cascades Highway
A Sedro‑Woolley man has died a month after a motorcycle crash on State Route 20.
The Washington State Patrol says the collision happened August 18 near O’Hara Road, when a westbound motorcycle driven by 76-year-old Larry Hildebrand slowed and was struck from behind. Both vehicles came to rest in the eastbound lane.
Troopers say Hildebrand later died from his injuries. Next of kin were notified Monday.
The other driver, a 44‑year‑old Concrete woman, was not hurt. The cause remains under investigation.
STORY: Winter crabbing season to open tomorrow in several areas, including much of San Juans
Winter crabbing opens tomorrow in the San Juan Islands and the Strait of Georgia.
WDFW says Marine Area 7 South, covering the San Juan Islands and Bellingham, and Marine Area 7 North in the Strait of Georgia, will reopen Oct. 1 for Dungeness crabbing seven days a week through Dec. 31.
Crabbers have until tomorrow to submit their summer catch record cards, even if they didn’t keep any crab. Those who don’t report will face a $10 non‑reporting fee when buying next year’s endorsement.
Daily limits remain five male hard‑shell Dungeness, plus six red rock and six Tanner crab.
WDFW says accurate summer reporting helps determine how long winter crabbing can stay open.
STORY: Section of highway to Artist Point temporarily closes for winter preparations
Winter prep on the Mount Baker Highway is bringing full daytime closures starting today.
State Route 542 is shut down in both directions from Silver Fir Campground to Picture Lake today and tomorrow from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The same closure returns Monday and Tuesday during those hours.
Anyone heading to Heather Meadows — including Artist Point, Picture Lake, Lake Ann, Chain Lakes or Ptarmigan Ridge — must be past Silver Fir Campground by 7:30 a.m. and will have to wait until 4 p.m. to return.
Officials say the closures are needed to get the mountain section ready for the snow season.
STORY: Ferguson signs executive order establishing Governor’s Space Force
Washington is launching a Space Council.
Governor Bob Ferguson signed an executive order this week establishing the council.
The council will advise the governor on Washington’s position in the global space economy, identify barriers to growth, assess workforce and research needs, and explore whether the state could support commercial launch capabilities.
Washington already hosts more than 90 space companies employing over 13,000 workers and produces roughly two‑thirds of the world’s operational satellites.
Members include representatives from Blue Origin, SpaceX, Amazon’s LEO program, Stoke Space, Interlune, and several universities, along with local officials and labor leaders.
The governor says the council will help Washington innovate and adapt as the industry rapidly expands.
WX: Sun-battical
And now for the weather…
Today gives us a break in the weather with mostly sunny skies and clear skies tonight. Daytime highs are projected in the low 60s. This evening, expect lows in the mid-40s.
Look for fog tomorrow morning, turning to clouds with a possibility of rain. There may be some partial sunshine, though exactly how partial is anyone’s guess.
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!
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STORY: Whatcom County announces flood preparedness week (run sometime week of Oct. 5th)
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