Bellingham

---

City & County

Armory Pickleball to open soon as owners put final touches on the business

By Zoe Wiley | November 8

The historic armory building at 525 N. State Street, Bellingham, is now home to Armory Pickleball, which will open for member use within the next couple of weeks.  The armory was built in 1911 and served as a hub for military logistics and defense during the First and Second World Wars. In 1953, a portion of the armory was converted into a roller rink. The building became a popular event location and a meeting place for Boy and Girl Scouts. In 1972, the National Guard sold the building to Western Washington University, that sold it again in 2018 after little use. 

---

City & County

Comic-Con comes to Bellingham

By Siena Mariani | November 7

Comic-Con is back! The popular comic book and fantasy event occurred in Bellingham on Saturday, Oct. 15, bringing renowned comic book artists, writers and professionals to share their expertise with the public.

---

City & County

Here’s what you need to know about State Senate candidates Simon Sefzik and Sharon Shewmake

By Sydney Jackson | November 6

If the primaries in Whatcom County are any indication, the 42nd District Senate seat will be a neck-in-neck race.  The candidates, Rep. Sharon Shewmake and incumbent Sen. Simon Sefzik, are long-time Whatcom County residents who never saw themselves becoming politicians.

---

City & County

A hiking guide for new backpackers

By Chloe Nelson | November 3

First-year Western Washington University student Hilary Greenwood hiked the entire Pacific Crest Trail in five months. Now, she can’t sleep in a bed because she said they’re too comfortable. “I think it’s hard for me because I slept on the ground for so much of [the trail] that I’m used to it,” Greenwood said.

---

City & County

What is Make.Shift Art Space?

By Miranda Grogger | November 1

A dark gray building with bright teal trim nestled between restaurants in downtown Bellingham is home to one of the town’s lesser-known artistic gems. This is Make.Shift Art Space.

---

City & County

Whatcom County child care initiative seeks to help families, but some residents push back

By Sydney Jackson | November 1

Two Whatcom County initiatives on the upcoming midterm ballot propose a tax increase, or levy, on property value – Proposition 2022-5 to help fund child care and early-learning services and Proposition 2022-6 to help fund emergency medical services in Whatcom County.

---

City & County

Two years after rockfall, Sehome Hill Arboretum Tunnel is fully repaired

By Bryn VanMansum | November 1

The tunnel in Sehome Hill Arboretum reopened after undergoing repairs to damage caused by falling rocks, which made the location unsafe for pedestrians in July 2020. The tunnel is located in the northern part of the Arboretum and can be accessed from the Tunnel Ridge Trailhead on Myrtle Street.

---

City & County

City of Bellingham, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association partner to improve Whatcom Falls Park salmon habitat

By Zoe Wiley | November 1

The City of Bellingham and Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association partnered to improve salmon habitat at Whatcom Falls Park with the help of volunteers. 

---

City & County

Banter Hospitality begins process of closing Commercial Street location

By Zoe Wiley | October 31

After nearly four years at their original location on Commercial Street in downtown Bellingham, Banter Hospitality will be closing the location in mid-November. Their Prospect Street location, called Banter After Hours, will become the new headquarters for owner Emile Diffley’s operation.

---

City & County

Spooky snacks to share with friends and family

By Paloma Ortiz | October 30

Halloween can be celebrated in many different ways: dressing up as someone or something you like, partying until 2 a.m. with your friends, staying at home and giving candy to the kids, watching scary movies or all of the above.  One thing everyone consistently loves during the Halloween season, however, is candy and spooky snacks.

---

City & County

Hear children's laughter? Feel a breeze down your spine? Don’t worry, most of Bellingham’s ghosts are harmless

By Tallie Johnson | October 30

Stories of unexplained occurrences at the Hotel Leo, Horseshoe Cafe, Sycamore Square and North Garden Street are common to hear around this time of year. Some locals will shrug off these strange incidents while others blame the various spirits that haunt the streets of Bellingham.  Paranormal activity seems to thrive in the Fairhaven neighborhood – particularly at the Sycamore Square building. Tales of the “Lady in Green” haunting dishwashers at the Black Cat are so common that a sign about these sightings is posted next to the elevator on the first floor. 

---

City & County

Here’s what you need to know about the 2022 Whatcom County EMS initiative

By Sydney Jackson | October 28

In 2016, Whatcom County voters approved an EMS tax levy to maintain and support county medical response and paramedic units for six years. The levy is up for renewal this year, and voter approval would double the current levy, increasing this homeowner property tax to about 29 cents per $1,000 assessed value for another six years.

---

City & County

NEKO Cat Cafe welcomes all students for College Day

By Kenna Dupree | October 28

Every Tuesday, the NEKO Cat Cafe welcomes college students to take a break, pet some cats and enjoy some drink specials. 

---

City & County

The Outback Farms fight against food insecurity

By Kenna Dupree | October 27

The Outback Farm has taken on the fight against food insecurity among Western Washington University students as it helps stock up free food pantries around campus – with the help of locally grown produce from Western’s own backyard. 

---

City & County

Pickford Film Center hosts 11th year of Bleedingham

By Maylis Laverne | October 27

The Bleedingham Film Festival will be hosting its 11th year of short horror films at the end of Halloweek, Oct. 28-30.  With 101 films and no COVID-19 mandates, Langley West, co-director for Bleedingham, is “looking forward to a Bleedingham that feels like Bleedingham.” In 2020, the festival went online and came back socially distanced in 2021. This year will be the first time since the pandemic that Bleedingham is back to ‘normal.’

---

City & County

Bellingham Police show their support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month

By Siena Mariani | October 25

Have you seen the pink patrol car yet? Bellingham Police Department recently revealed a new pink patrol cruiser to raise awareness about breast cancer during the month of October. Additionally, Police Chief Rebecca Mertzig has authorized officers to wear pink patches and badges.

---

City & County

Getting to Vancouver, British Columbia: No car? No problem.

By Maylis Laverne | October 24

Let’s say you are a Western Washington University student trying to get to Vancouver, British Columbia, for a concert.  For those who don’t have a car, wince at the price of gas or worry about their carbon footprint, FlixBus offers a way to travel without driving.

---

City & County

More bike lanes, less parking: What are the impacts?

By Nina Walsh | October 24

Bellingham City Council will hold a public hearing on Monday, Oct.  24 to vote on whether to remove public parking on several streets to install bike lanes. The upcoming decision comes as a result of the Bicycle Master Plan, which the Bellingham City Council established in 2014 to create a more bike-friendly city. 

---

City & County

BRIEF: Lighthouse Mission Ministries to begin construction on remodel soon

By Ben Larson | October 23

The remodel of Lighthouse Mission Ministries’ facility at 910 W. Holly St. has entered its second phase. Phase one saw the New Life Center at 923 W. Holly St. remodeled into a modern-day recovery center to accommodate the houseless occupants of 910 W. Holly St. during construction.

---

City & County

Whatcom Museum welcomes 'Passport to the Natural World,' companion program to new 'Un/Natural Selections' exhibit

By Kenna Dupree | October 23

The Whatcom Museum is currently showing a guest exhibit titled “Un/Natural Selections: Wildlife in Contemporary Art” alongside its companion program, "Passport to the Natural World."  “Passport to the Natural World,” or the “Passport” program for short, includes a wide range of events happening until the end of October, all free to local college students.