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A Sedro-Woolley woman, Amy Siniscarco, pleaded guilty to embezzling over $1.4 million from Hardware Sales in Bellingham. She committed wire fraud and filed a false tax return, leading to her arrest in January 2023. Siniscarco faces a recommended sentence of up to 33 months in prison and must repay the stolen funds and taxes.
Two private property owners are vying to relocate Bellingham's iconic graffiti rock, which must be moved for a fish passage project. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is considering proposals, with one potential site at Timberline Apartments and another at NorthStar Stone and Landscape Supply. WSDOT has stated it will ensure the rock remains a publicly accessible landmark.
The Seattle Mariners won their series against the Minnesota Twins with two walk-off victories over the weekend. Cal Raleigh hit four home runs during the series and leads the major leagues with 23 home runs this season. The Mariners maintain a half-game lead over the Astros in the AL West.
A Skagit County sex offender, Alan Meirhofer, received a 15-year federal prison sentence for charges related to child sex abuse images. The 72-year-old befriended teenagers, offering them gifts, and attempted to connect them with other predators after his release from civil commitment in 2017.
Student workers at Western Washington University halted their strike after five days, citing a productive meeting with university administrators. The Operational Student Employees union seeks recognition as an official union, despite the university's claim that state law does not extend collective bargaining rights to student workers.
A section of the Skagit River in Washington reopens for sockeye salmon fishing from June 16 to July 15. Anglers may fish between the Memorial Highway Bridge in Mount Vernon and the Dalles Bridge at Concrete, with a limit of four fish per day, each at least 12 inches long.
Western Washington University established a fund to support investigative journalism by students, following a $112,000 settlement from a lawsuit over withheld public records. The fund, initiated by former student journalists, aims to empower future students in holding institutions accountable.
Cal Raleigh hit his major league-leading 23rd home run, and Randy Arozarena delivered the winning hit in the ninth inning, leading the Seattle Mariners to a 2-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins on June 1. Luis Castillo pitched six scoreless innings, but the Twins tied the game in the ninth before Arozarena's decisive hit.
Homeowners in Whatcom County are upgrading to high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, driven by rebates and incentives. Local contractor Feller Heating & Air Conditioning notes heightened interest in heat pumps, which provide both heating and cooling efficiently. Programs from Puget Sound Energy offer rebates up to $1,500, with additional support for low-income households.
Cloud Mountain Farm Center in rural Whatcom County has closed after over 45 years of operation, impacting the local farming community. The center struggled with funding and administrative support following its merger with Sustainable Connections in 2019, leading to the shuttering of key programs. Former staff expressed feelings of betrayal and miscommunication regarding the center's management.