City & County
Scone bakery to open soon
By Caroline Brooks | April 28SconeGrown, a vegan bakery founded by Kyla Graham and Xander Terrell, is expected to open in the next two weeks.
Whatcom
City & County
Bellingham City Council prepares to vote on a $4 an hour hazard pay ordinance for grocery workers
By Kelton Burns | April 26The Bellingham City Council will be voting on an ordinance this May that will provide a $4 an hour hazard pay for grocery store workers. The ordinance will affect grocery stores with 10,000 square feet and over 40 employees.
Environment
Port of Bellingham to use 100% renewable energy
By Luisa Loi | April 26The Port of Bellingham is reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 86% after signing an 18-year-contract with Puget Sound Energy, according to a press release from the port.
City & County
Bellingham Public Library near reopening
By Clay Wren | April 26Bellingham Public Library is set to open the doors of its Central branch in late spring, after a remodel of its main floor.
Business & Economy
Vaccine passports could be a pivotal step in reopening the US-Canada border
By Cameron Baird | April 26Vaccine passports are sparking political debate as extended border closures continue to strain Whatcom County’s economy.
City & County
Community members share what they want from the future police chief
By Kelton Burns | April 23“A police chief needs to understand the culture of the area,” said Michael Luna, a retired border patrol agent who lives in Bellingham. “It’s not a position where one size fits all.”
City & County
Weekly Saturday market returns to Depot Square
By Liz McLane | April 23Spring has arrived in Whatcom County, and with it, the beginning of the Bellingham Farmers Market’s season, resuming weekly Saturday business from from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Depot Square Market.
Washington State
House of Representatives will vote on historic environmental legislation before end of current session
By Cliff Heberden | April 23Called by Gov. Jay Inslee “one of the most substantive pieces of climate legislation in the country,” the House of Representatives will vote on the Climate Commitment Act before the end of the legislative session, April 25.
Washington State
New state poet laureate focuses on community
By Jake Isom | April 23Rena Priest was named the new Washington state poet laureate by Governor Jay Inslee on April 1. Priest is a member of the Lhaq’ Temish, Lummi Nation and is the first Indigenous poet to assume the role.
City & County
Western’s newest admit: a murder hornet
By Cameron Martinez | April 21Western Washington University has become the first university in the United States to obtain an Asian giant hornet. The hornet is from a radio giveaway on Bellingham’s classic rock station 92.9 KISM.
Washington State
Forest management project draws community’s attention
By Cliff Heberden | April 21On March 3, the U.S. Forest Service released its environmental assessment for a new forest management project in Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest.
Travel
Border remains closed, but new CDC guidelines a sign of hope for domestic travel
By Joslin Keim | April 16The Centers for Disease Control updated guidelines for domestic travel during the COVID-19 pandemic on April 2 with a focus on those who are fully vaccinated.
City & County
The Underground opens up the pit again
By Clay Wren | April 16The Underground nightclub opened its doors on Friday, April 2, after over a year in hibernation.
City & County
Washingtonians over the age of 16 are now eligible to get a COVID-19 vaccine
By Cameron Baird | April 15All Whatcom County residents ages 16 and older are now eligible to receive their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
City & County
How COVID-19 has affected local nonprofits
By Luisa Loi | April 15Nicole Berman, the executive director at Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, has difficult choices ahead. For a few months in the early pandemic, the nonprofit ceased asking for donations because of economic insecurity and the cancellation of events Berman said. They estimated DVSAS lost 70% to 75% of the nonprofit’s donations.
City & County
Bellingham announces the new SeeClickFix app and Public Works updates
By The Western Front | April 13By Adela Cruz
Washington State
Bicycle helmets not required in Bellingham, social justice, infrastructure prioritized
By The Western Front | April 7By Sophia Struna
Health & Wellness
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen hosts COVID-19 vaccine rollout town hall
By Kyle Tubbs | April 6On the same day Western Washington University alerted students, faculty and staff to 67 positive cases among Western students, U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen hosted a virtual town hall to discuss vaccine rollout.
Housing & Development
Tiny house village expects to open in Bellingham
By The Western Front | April 6By Adela Cruz
