Whatcom County Health Dept. offering free childhood vaccination clinic today, Popular Bellingham antique store burglarized, Businesses at Bellingham’s Portal Container Village set to ramp down for the winter season, Remodel of Sudden Valley fire station to begin next month, Dozens of boats expected to turn out for inaugural Hands Across The Water flotilla celebrating friendship with Canada, Let’s Go Washington announces two new initiatives aimed at bolstering parental rights and restricting trans athletes, State Dept. of Ecology formally rejects draft report from Dept. of Energy that it claims diminishes effects of climate change, Free or cheap (kill 9/12), Free or cheap (KILL 9/19), : Reykdahl releases state assessment results – 9/10/25, Election Town Halls slated for October (kill 10/4), Tree coupon back (fill)
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KMRE brings you local news for Tuesday, September 9th. Good afternoon, I’m ______.
STORY: Whatcom County Health Dept. offering free childhood vaccination clinic today
Whatcom County’s health department will offer free childhood vaccines today.
The first of four planned immunization clinics will take place between 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. in Suite 1B of the Chestnut Professional Building, at 800 E. Chestnut Street in Bellingham.
According to a recent release, vaccination rates have declined in Whatcom and Skagit counties in recent years, mirroring nationwide trends. The most common immunizations will be available at the clinic, which includes DTaP
(D-tap) and Tdap, Hepatitis A and B, polio, and varicella — commonly known as chickenpox. The latest COVID vaccine will not be available, as the Health Department has not yet received supplies. Appointments can be made on the Whatcom County Health and Community Services website, which also has a complete list of available vaccines.
The health department has set October 7th as the date of its next free clinic, and hopes to have at least some supply of the new COVID vaccine by then. Additional clinics have been scheduled for November 4th and December 2nd.
Walk-ins are welcome, and no insurance is required.
STORY: Popular Bellingham antique store burglarized Police are investigating a smash-and-grab at the Penny Lane Antique Mall in downtown Bellingham.
According to Bellingham Police Lieutenant Claudia Murphy, the break-in was reported around 9:15 a.m. last Tuesday; someone shattered the front door and looted a display case.
Co-owner Matt Berglund said silver rings and other jewelry worth about $4,000 were stolen. No suspect has been identified; however, store owners have posted surveillance images of the suspect on Instagram.
STORY: Businesses at Bellingham’s Portal Container Village set to ramp down for the winter season
Bellingham’s Portal Container Village has started to wind down its summer season.
The waterfront hub of food trucks, live music, mini golf, and Kulshan Brewing’s Trackside beer garden will close for the winter by Sunday, November 2nd.
However, closing dates vary by business. For example, Portal Putt and Selkie Scoop ice cream plan to shut down by the end of September, while Zeek’s Pizza will stay open through Halloween. Kulshan Brewing is expected to scale back their hours in October, and Sun-E-Land Bikes will wrap up in mid-October.
The Port of Bellingham recommends checking with each business, since hours are weather-dependent and already reduced at many locations.
STORY: Remodel of Sudden Valley fire station to begin next month Construction on the long-delayed Sudden Valley fire station is finally set to begin.
The South Whatcom Fire Authority says Tiger Construction company crews are scheduled to break ground on October 6th. The project will fully renovate Station 22, which has been in need of upgrades for years. The fire authority says the project will ensure a safer, more reliable facility for years to come.
Firefighters will operate from the Geneva fire station during construction, while administrative offices will move temporarily to Bellingham’s Valley Mall complex.
Fire Chief Mitch Nolze says normal operations will continue during the transition, although a brief closure may be needed to move equipment.
The renovated station is expected to reopen next year.
STORY: Dozens of boats expected to turn out for inaugural Hands Across The Water flotilla celebrating friendship with Canada This September 19th, more than a hundred boats will set sail from Orcas to Salt Spring Island for the first-ever Hands Across the Water flotilla.
Sponsored by the Orcas Island Yacht Club and the Ganges (GAN-jeez) community, the event welcomes people from all walks of life for three days of concerts, yoga, soccer, tours, and sailing.
Organizers say they will match people without boats with crews with space. Tickets are on sale through September 16th.
STORY: Let’s Go Washington announces two new initiatives aimed at bolstering parental rights and restricting trans athletes Washington’s school culture wars are set to reignite with two new ballot initiatives.
The Washington Standard reports Let’s Go Washington, led by hedge fund manager Brian Heywood, announced yesterday it will collect signatures for proposals focused on parental rights and transgender participation in school sports. The group says it needs over 308,000 valid signatures by January 2nd in order to send the measures to the state Legislature.
The first initiative would undo parts of a new law signed in May that rewrote the state’s so-called ‘parental bill of rights’. Supporters argue the law reduced parental access to student medical records. Heywood says parents, not the government, should be in control.
The second proposal would ban transgender girls from competing in girls’ sports — a move that mirrors national Republican efforts.
Opponents, including Planned Parenthood and Washington Families for Freedom, say the initiatives threaten student privacy and safety, and that they’re out of step with the state’s values.
Both measures are expected to face long odds in the
Democratic-controlled Legislature next session.
STORY: State Dept. of Ecology formally rejects draft report from Dept. of Energy that it claims diminishes effects of climate change Washington state has called out the Trump administration for what it says is a dangerous distortion of climate science.
The state Department of Ecology issued a formal rebuke of a draft report from the U.S. Department of Energy, which is being used to justify the rollback of federal climate protections. State officials say the federal document ignores decades of scientific evidence and misleads the public about the risks of climate change.
Ecology Director Casey Sixkiller says Washington is already facing the consequences — from deadly heat waves and wildfire smoke, to droughts and flooding.
Ecology’s own analysis — created in partnership with the University of Washington’s Climate Impacts Group — shows the state will face more
extreme weather, shrinking snowpacks, and greater threats to health, food, water, and energy systems.
Governor Bob Ferguson called the federal report an assault on science, and warned that lives are at stake.
The state says it has met its 2020 climate targets; however, they warn that much faster emissions cuts are needed to meet 2030 goals, especially when it comes to powerful short-lived pollutants like methane.
WX: (Still) Slippery When Wet
And now for the weather:
The forecast today once again calls for a mixture of sun and light showers throughout the morning and afternoon. Temperatures should remain where they’ve been for a while, with highs in the low-70s. Expect to see a touch of cloud cover here and there throughout the day, with a partly overcast evening with lows in the mid-50s.
Tomorrow should be pleasant and sunny throughout, with continued warm temperatures.
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, Kai Blais-Schmolke (KAI BLAZE-SHMOLE-kee),
Nate Landi (LAND-ee) and Hailey LeRoy (luh-ROY). 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: Free or cheap (kill 9/12)
The 18th Annual Whatcom County Farm Tour is set for Saturday, September 13, from 10 to 4. The free, self-guided event invites all ages to visit local farms, meet the people who grow our food, and learn how it makes its way from field to table.
STORY: Free or cheap (KILL 9/19)
As part of Whatcom Water Week, the Whatcom Land Trust is hosting a Forest Water Scavenger Hunt at Stimpson Family Nature Reserve on Saturday, September 20, from 10 to 4. 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.
STORY: Reykdahl releases state assessment results – 9/10/25
Basic info: Media briefing where State Superintendent Chris Reykdal will share results from Washington’s spring 2025 statewide assessments in math and English language arts, as well as provide information about student achievement nationally and internationally.
Who: State Superintendent Chris Reykdal
What: Media briefing where Superintendent Reykdal will share results from Washington’s 2025 statewide assessments in math and English language arts, as well as provide information about student achievement nationally and internationally.
When: Wednesday, September 10 at 10 am
Where: The event will be livestreamed on OSPI’s YouTube page, OSPI’s Facebook page, and TVW. – we can get audio from this
STORY: Free or Cheap (Kill 9/12)
https://www.whatcomcd.org/run-with-the-chums — Sat, Sept. 13
Mark your calendars for the 13th Annual Run with the Chums on September 13th at BP Highlands in Birch Bay.
This free, family-friendly 5K fun run celebrates salmon, clean water, and community. All ages and paces are welcome, and the scenic course offers stunning views of Whatcom County’s shoreline.
Kids 10 and under can enjoy the Smolt Sprint obstacle course starting at 9:30 a.m., with the 5K kicking off at 10.
Check-in opens at 8:30 a.m.—arrive early for a free T-shirt while supplies last.
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.
