City & County
Watch out Bellingham, it’s about to get really, really windy
By Jonathan Tall | October 24Grab your ponchos and bolt down your belongings — there’s a storm coming Sunday night.
City County
City & County
How is another La Niña winter going to affect salmon in Whatcom?
By Jonathan Tall | October 21Another La Niña is expected this winter, but it may not be enough to reverse the damages brought by climate change on Whatcom’s salmon population.
City & County
Bellingham breweries here for more than craft beer
By Madison Roper | October 17For Washingtonians, craft beer is an ever-growing community. The state is ranked as the fifth-highest nationally in its number of craft breweries, boasting 428 in operation at the end of 2020. The same data showed that per 100,000 adults over the age of 21, there were 7.5 breweries — the ninth-highest nationally — meaning craft beer is nothing new.
City & County
Bellingham City Council passes resolution affirming racism is a public health crisis
By Bella Neff | October 17Bellingham City Council unanimously passed a resolution on Sept. 27, affirming that racism is a public health crisis, laying its vision for the city’s future and preparing for the creation of a new Racial Equity Commission in the county.
City & County
How to navigate Bellingham City Council’s new rules for public comment
By Kelton Burns | October 16The Bellingham City Council has begun holding sessions for public comment every other Monday through Zoom. These sessions come as a solution for hearing the public’s concerns without interfering with the regular City Council’s broadcasts.
Recreation
House shows return — with caution, hope and grooving tunes
By Julia Kohut | October 16Lights gleam under the trees as venue directors Sam Ashkenazy and Sebastian Hagman set up for another show at the Bluebird House. The Bluebird is an indoor venue with a large wooded outdoor area. Since the middle of June, their team has hosted big names such as CHRVNS, The Rhetorician, Foxy Apollo — which Ashkenazy plays in, Analog Brass and more.
City & County
Immigration reform rally in Mt. Vernon pushes for a pathway to citizenship and action from elected Democrats
By Kai Uyehara | October 15A crowd of nearly 70 assembled at the intersection of East College Way and North Laventure in Mt. Vernon on Oct. 11, advocating for a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants.
Recreation
Baker Lake Trail admitted to Old-Growth Forest Network
By David Minguez | October 13On the overcast morning of Sept. 26, Baker Lake Trail was introduced as Whatcom County’s first entrant into the national Old-Growth Forest Network. A small crowd of area residents gathered amid the trees, some estimated to be over 120 years old, to watch the historic ceremony and participate in the dedication hike.
Recreation
Pumpkins, corn mazes and hayrides — here’s where to find the full fall experience
By Ryan Scott | October 12The Harvest festival at Tulip Town farm in Mount Vernon has begun. The annual festival is offering a selection of fun, fall-themed activities every weekend through the end of October. The 2021 Harvest marks the third year Tulip Town has put on the festival.
City & County
Lynden Christian High School reopens a week early
By Matt Adams | October 10Lynden Christian High School reopened its doors to students Thursday Oct. 7, one week earlier than originally intended. The conditions that had been laid out Wednesday Sep. 29, when they closed and moved to remote learning, included a 14 day suspension of in-person activities.
City & County
Hundreds gather for Abortion Rights Rally in response to the Texas abortion ban
By Kai Uyehara | October 7Nearly a thousand individuals assembled outside Bellingham City Hall to fight for abortion rights on Oct. 2, hoisting picket signs and raising their voices. The event fostered rowdy opposition from about 20 counter-protestors, compromising the crowd’s ability to safely march through the streets, but it didn’t stop ralliers from making their voices heard.
City & County
How are vaccine requirements affecting businesses?
By Bella Neff | October 6As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, an increasing number of bars, restaurants and venues in Bellingham are requiring proof of vaccination or a negative test for patrons wishing to enter.
City & County
‘Limited compliance’ fueled a COVID-19 outbreak that forced Lynden Christian Schools online
By Matt Adams | October 5After an uncontrolled COVID-19 outbreak and pressure from local health officials forced them to close their doors last week, the Lynden Christian Schools system is hoping to resume face-to-face instruction on Wednesday, Oct. 13.
City & County
Public high schools unsure about full attendance for athletic events
By Juan Baldovinos Jr. | August 25The new school year is approaching, which means high school sports are upon us, but will schools allow full attendance for fans?
Washington State
Abnormally high summer temperatures bring wildfires, droughts
By Aria Nguyen | August 18The threat of wildfires looms over western Washington, as Gov. Jay Inslee warns Washington state residents of the potential dangers “abnormally high temperatures and dry conditions” may bring.
Washington State
Hunger on Campus: Western’s systems fail to meet student need
By Cameron Sires , Mallory Kruml and Kenneth Duncan | August 15As the summer of 2019 approached, fourth-year Western student Mike Oh had a decision to make: pay rent or go without groceries. With his student loans halted for the summer, Oh became strapped for cash in an increasingly costly college city.
Recreation
Northwest Washington Fair returns this summer
By Juan Baldovinos Jr. | August 9The Northwest Washington Fair will be back Aug. 12 after being canceled last year due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Business & Economy
Washington state fully reopens, some restaurants still struggle
By Aria Nguyen | July 27After over a year of providing to-go orders, running at half-capacity or shutting down completely, restaurants emerging from COVID-19 restrictions aren’t in the clear yet.
City & County
Bellingham Cold Storage employees return to work after strike over “unfair” labor practice
By Maddie Federici | July 21Around 120 Bellingham Cold Storage employees returned to work on Thursday, July 15, after a two-week strike over what their union representative, Teamsters Local 231, said was unfair labor practices during new contract negotiations.
City & County
Local martial arts gym hosts first event since start of pandemic
By Juan Baldovinos Jr. | July 19On June 26, Pure Fitness Martial Arts hosted its first fight event since February 2020.
