Blaine man arrested after collision that left cyclist hospitalized, Three Whatcom residents sickened in salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated broccoli, Car crash in Ferndale results in loss of power for over 1,000 residents, driver unharmed, City of Bellingham appoints thirteen residents to inaugural Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group, Meridian and Tremont sewer work to bring lane closures next week, Governor signs executive order intended to mitigate impact of H.R. 1’s gutting of health care and food assistance, WA Dept of Financial Institutions seeks to bar CoinFlip crypto trading platform from state market, F&C for 9/4-9/7 (holiday weekend!), Library’s Democracy Series & Voter Registration 9/9, 9/14, What tariffs are costing WA state, Are millionaires really moving out of WA due to income tax?, Whatcom Water Week runs 9/14-9/19, Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17 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 4th. Good afternoon, I’m _David Korb_____.
STORY: Blaine man arrested after collision that left cyclist hospitalized
A cyclist was hospitalized after being struck by a vehicle on Thursday.
The driver, a 56 year old Blaine man, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular assault and driving under the influence after showing signs of impairment.
The collision took place around 5 am near the 3900 block of Birch Bay-Lynden Road. The cyclist was taken to St. Joe’s with serious injuries. The driver was also taken to the hospital before being booked into Whatcom County Jail, where he remains without bail.
STORY: Three Whatcom residents sickened in salmonella outbreak linked to contaminated broccoli sprouts
Three cases of Salmonella contaminated broccoli sprouts have been reported here in Whatcom County.
The State Department of Health says thirteen illnesses are connected to the Idaho grower, Evergreen Fresh Sprouts; two have been hospitalized. Additional cases have been confirmed in Montana and Idaho. Most of the interviewed patients said they ate broccoli sprouts from the same producer, purchased at grocery stores, food co-ops, or served in restaurants.
Although broccolli sprouts do resemble alfalfa sprouts, officials say this outbreak is not connected to the recent multistate illnesses tied to alfalfa sprouts produced by a different company.
Health agencies urge people to avoid broccoli sprouts produced by Evergreen Fresh Sprouts. Discard them, clean any surfaces they touched, and seek medical care if severe symptoms develop.
STORY: Car crash in Ferndale results in loss of power for over 1,000 residents, driver unharmed
A crash in Ferndale sparked a car fire and knocked out power to about 1,300 customers Thursday afternoon.
First responders were dispatched just after 2 p.m. on Thursday to the 5600 block of Barrett Road. Early reports were that a northbound vehicle left I-5, went through a fence, and landed in a ditch, striking a power pole and bringing wires down across the road.
A second vehicle on I-5 was also involved. Both drivers were taken to St. Joe’s with non-life-threatening injuries. Barrett Road was shut down while crews cleaned up the mess.
STORY: City of Bellingham appoints thirteen residents to inaugural Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group
Bellingham has appointed the members of its first Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group.
Thirteen people were selected for the panel, including renters, landlords, property managers, and residents with housing and community-service experience. The city says the group brings a mix of lived experience and professional backgrounds that reflect Bellingham’s rental landscape, where more than half of all households are renters.
The work group is tasked with reviewing the city’s rental-housing programs and policies, identifying gaps in services, and recommending ways to improve communication and accountability between renters, landlords, and the city. Members will also look at how existing programs function day-to-day and where additional support or clarity may be helpful.
The group begins its monthly meetings on Sept. 15 at City Hall, and their work continues through late 2027, ending with a final report to the mayor and city council.
STORY: Meridian and Tremont sewer work to bring lane closures next week
Bellingham drivers should expect lane closures on Meridian Street next week.
Construction on the Tremont Lift Station begins Wednesday, September 9th. The far-right northbound lane of Meridian will close from Van Wyck Road to Tremont Avenue between 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Drivers should plan for slower traffic and backups. Crews will also be working in the Meridian–Tremont intersection, adding to delays.
The project runs through next spring as part of long-term upgrade to sewerage in north Bellingham.
STORY: Governor signs executive order intended to mitigate impact of H.R. 1’s gutting of health care and food assistance
The governor is moving to limit fallout from new federal Medicaid rules.
Gov. Bob Ferguson has ordered state agencies to prepare for sweeping eligibility and paperwork changes under H.R. 1, which tightens Medicaid requirements this year. His order creates a Continuous Medicaid Response Committee, expands navigation and outreach, and launches a statewide communications push to help people understand the new rules. Agencies are also directed to cut paperwork and coordinate with workforce, immigration, Tribal, and other community partners to reduce disruptions to care.
State officials warn up to 200,000 people could lose Apple Health by the end of next year, including about 11,000 lawfully present immigrants who lose federal eligibility Oct. 1st. And, starting Jan. 1, next year, more than 600,000 low-income adults will face new work requirements and more frequent eligibility checks.
The governor says the goal is to keep eligible Washingtonians covered as federal rules tighten.
STORY: WA Dept of Financial Institutions seeks to bar CoinFlip crypto trading platform from state market
State regulators are moving to revoke the license of crypto-kiosk operator CoinFlip.
The Department of Financial Institutions (or DFI) says an examination found that the company failed to protect customers, especially seniors, who made up more than half of CoinFlip’s Washington business. DFI’s charges allege the company ignored anti-money-laundering laws, skipped required due-diligence checks, did not enforce its own transaction limits, and allowed a backlog of alerts to go unreviewed. Regulators also say CoinFlip did not provide required disclosures or timely refunds and gave customers inaccurate transaction costs.
DFI is seeking to revoke CoinFlip’s license, bar the company and its executives from the industry, order customer refunds, and impose a fine of over one million dollars. CoinFlip can request a hearing to contest the charges.
STORY: F&C for 9/4-9/7 (holiday weekend!)
It’s Labor Day Weekend 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.
Today, Whatcom Museum’s First Friday runs until 9 p.m. with free admission and extended evening hours.
Saturday night, Stones Throw Brewery closes the street for a block-party with the UP UP UP Circus from 6 to 7pm. It’s all-ages and donation-based — lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged. And, at 7pm, the Upfront Theatre hosts Shakes-Bar, Bellingham’s 21-and-over version of Much Ado About Nothing, a short and chaotic take on the Bard.
Also on Saturday, BandZandt will be playing the Acme Diner from 6 to 8pm, in Acme!
Sunday’s Creative Currents exhibit at the Cordata Gallery remains open, offering a free Salish Sea–themed art show.
And on Labor Day, the Whatcom County Cruising Association holds its Fall Car Show from 9 to 2pm at The Cedars RV Resort in Ferndale. Spectators get in free, with raffles, trophies, and charity fundraising for several local groups.
WX: Iiiii can’t deciiide whether you should rain or shine
And now weather:
A mix of showers and sunshine close out the work week, with a tenth of an inch of rain expected. Daytime highs in the upper 60s, dropping closer to 50 degrees late tonight as a blanket of clouds rolls in.
Drizzly clouds mixed with sun will dominate the weekend.
OUTRO:
Today’s newscast was produced by volunteers Carlos Braga, Connor O’Boyle, Kyler Cantrell, Glen Hirshberg, Kathi O’Shea, Kai Blais-Schmolke, Jenny Lam, Natalie Jones, Noelle Reger, and Sean Lynch. 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: Library’s Democracy Series & Voter Registration 9/9, 9/14
STORY: What tariffs are costing WA state
STORY: Are millionaires really moving out of WA due to income tax?
STORY: Whatcom Water Week runs 9/14-9/19
STORY: Library’s Growing Community Through Food Event on 9/17
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
Thursday, September 24, 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
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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