Susan Duncan (right) passes the gavel to incoming president Shawn Campbell of Auburn
Last week, Ferndale City Clerk Susan Duncan completed her term as president of the Washington Municipal Clerks Association (WMCA). The WMCA sets the professional and educational standards for municipal clerks throughout the State of Washington. As president of the organization, Duncan coordinated their annual conference and provided support for municipal clerks statewide.
“To have a recognized expert like Susan Duncan working for Ferndale is an incredible boon to the City,” said Mayor Greg Hansen. “She brings a wealth of experience and deep knowledge of legislative procedure and state law to her work. Her commitment to transparency and good government process keeps the City running smoothly.” The City Clerk is responsible for council agendas, serves as the City’s parliamentarian, oversees record retention and public records requests and serves as the archivist for the City. In addition to those responsibilities, Duncan also serves as the Human Resources Department for the City of Ferndale, and liaison to the Ferndale Arts Commission.
Duncan, who was elected president of the WCMA in 2021, remains serving on their board as the immediate past president into 2023. “I am so grateful for the leadership, mentorship, and professional development I have received as part of the WMCA.”
For more information on the WCMA, check out their website here. For more information about the role of the City Clerk and the legislative process, see this explanatory video featuring Duncan here.
Suspect Connected to January Ferndale Homicide Arrested
The Ferndale Police Department, with the assistance of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and the Ogden Police Department, have arrested Kimberly Trujillo Mendoza. Trujillo Mendoza is being charged with Rendering Criminal Assistance 1st Degree. This is part of the investigation into the homicide of Jose Esquivel Hernandez, who was shot on January 23rd outside a gathering in Ferndale.
Investigators discovered that Trujillo Mendoza and Miguel Miranda, who was arrested and charged with Murder in the 2nd Degree for shooting Hernandez, are in a dating relationship and have a child in common. Witnesses at the gathering reported seeing Miranda and Trujillo Mendoza at the party together prior to the shooting.
Traffic cameras captured a photo of Trujillo Mendoza’s vehicle traveling south from Kingman, Arizona on January 24th, which led to Phoenix, Arizona where Miranda was later arrested.
During a search of Trujillo Mendoza’s vehicle, receipts were located from various businesses in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Phoenix, Arizona area. Using these receipts to further investigate security footage and bank records, investigators were able to verify that Trujillo Mendoza was in fact using the vehicle, along with another person who is believed to be Miranda.
During an interview with investigators, Trujillo Mendoza admitted to driving with Arizona with Miranda. She also admitted to purchasing new phones in Las Vegas, along with other supplies along the way and picking up Miranda in Portland, Oregon following the shooting.
Based on the fact that Trujillo Mendoza assisted Miranda by fleeing the state following a homicide, probable cause exists to charge her with Rendering Criminal Assistance 1st Degree. She was arrested and booked into the Whatcom County Jail on March 10th, 2022.
Have you lost or misplaced an item recently? If one of these items fits the general description of your lost property, contact Michelle with the Ferndale Police Department at 360-483-5745 to describe and claim your lost property.
Credit cards, helmet, drills, safe, cell phone, backpack
Our dedicated volunteer ham radio operators, the Ferndale Auxiliary Communications Service – ACS will be conducting an exercise this Saturday from 10am-Noon, mapping radio dead zones throughout the city. We appreciate their service and if you see them in the field, give them a wave!
City Facilities are Mask Optional Starting March 12th
In accordance with updated guidelines from the state and the Center for Disease Control, visitors to Ferndale public facilities such as City Hall, the Police Station and the Pioneer Pavilion will no longer be required to wear masks as of March 12th. Visitors are still encouraged to wear a mask if they are at high risk for severe illness or living with medically fragile individuals.
Currently, the City is working towards holding their first hybrid city council meeting in April that will be both open to the public and streaming live over Microsoft Teams.
“We have learned a great deal over the last two years on how to use technology to connect with our residents,” said Mayor Greg Hansen, “As some of these restrictions lift, we are going to keep what works and restore physical access to these spaces.”
The indoor mask requirement is now contingent on local COVID-19 case numbers. Currently Whatcom County is on track to lift their mandate on March 12th but it may return if cases spike. For more information on local COVID-19 conditions, please see the Whatcom County Health Department COVID-19 page here.
Joint Statement from the Ferndale School District and Ferndale Police Department
This morning, March 7th, the administration at Vista Middle School reported a suspicious device to the Ferndale Police Department. Students and staff were removed to a safe distance as recommended by law officials.
Law enforcement, including the Hazardous Device Unit from the Bellingham Police Department, assessed the device, disassembled it, and found it to be non-threatening. Additionally, a comprehensive search of the building and surrounding perimeter was conducted, and students & staff returned to normal operations.
In every case, the safety of our community is our top priority and guiding principle. The Ferndale School District is grateful for the quick response by Ferndale Police Department as we worked diligently and collaboratively to ensure threats are fully investigated and resolved. Together, this partnership continues to keep our students, staff, and communities safe.
As always, we encourage you, parents, students, staff, and community members, to report any concerns or questionable behavior to Ferndale Schools administration and/or Ferndale Police Department. Please remember that Ferndale Schools also have an anonymous reporting tool Vector Alert, formally known as Safe Schools Alert. By working together, we can continue to ensure a safe learning and teaching environment for all students and staff.