Rockslide shuts down Chuckanut Drive
By Oliver Mortell | April 26On Tuesday, April 22, a massive rockslide forced the closure of State Route 11, Chuckanut Drive, between Chuckanut Manor (milepost 9.5) and the Oyster Dome trailhead (milepost 10).
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City & County
NWCAA requests proposals for climate resilience projects worth $3.5 million
By Steven Colson | February 12The Northwest Clean Air Agency (NWCAA) is requesting proposals for projects promoting community climate resilience. A $3.5 million pool will be used to support up to three projects selected by the organization.
City & County
State Individual Assistance program opens for victims of bomb cyclone
By Hope Rasa | February 4Whatcom, Snohomish and King County residents affected by November’s bomb cyclone can now qualify to receive financial aid. Former Gov. Jay Inslee unlocked $1 million in Washington State Disaster Individual Assistance (IA) Program funds with an emergency proclamation on Jan. 7.
City & County
Drayton Harbor emergency shellfish harvesting closure ends
By Hope Rasa | January 29The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) issued an emergency closure of commercial and recreational shellfishing in Drayton Harbor on Jan. 7. The closure applied to all species of molluscan shellfish and lasted until Jan. 27.
City & County
Port of Bellingham approves third vendor fee category to Dockside Market
By DuPree Nugent | January 26The Port of Bellingham Board of Commissioners on Jan. 7 approved the addition of a new $10 fee category for vendors with sales under $300 at the Bellingham Dockside Market.
City & County
Deck the halls with art and fun: Bellingham’s Holiday Festival of the Arts returns!
By Grace Aukschun-Johnson | December 2With the scent of evergreen and cinnamon filling the crisp air, downtown Bellingham has become a festive haven for art lovers and holiday shoppers during the five-week Holiday Festival of the Arts.
City & County
Bellingham purchases 116 acres for park and trail development
By Hope Rasa | November 26The City of Bellingham purchased 116 acres of land from the Washington State Department of Natural Resources for a new park. The land, which comes in parcels, contains a portion of the Bellingham Bay to Baker Trail and a chunk of Squalicum Creek.
City & County
Bloedel Donovan and Rock Hill Park playgrounds to be replaced
By Hope Rasa | November 25Two Bellingham playgrounds are to be replaced with safer, more accessible, enjoyable and age-inclusive models. Construction is set to begin in June 2026. The City of Bellingham is currently seeking public input to help select new equipment for Rock Hill Park playground and Bloedel Donovan Park playground. The surveys for these playgrounds close after Nov. 25.
Recreation
Samish Park closed due to bridge construction
By Ross Osborne | July 13Due to extensive wear and tear on the bridge adjacent to Samish Park, the construction equipment and materials needed for the job will be stored at the nearby Samish Park, closing one of Bellingham’s more popular warm weather hangouts for two summers.
City & County
Water rights lawsuit in Whatcom County to deal with water shortage
By Ikumi Mashiko | June 5Washington's Department of Ecology filed a lawsuit to reassess water rights in nearby water sources, such as the Nooksack River and Lake Whatcom. Their efforts could result in less use and higher water levels, which would benefit recovering salmon populations, but harm Whatcom farmers drawing from these public water sources.
City & County
Holly Street bike lane project drives conversations about safety
By Oren Roberts | June 1The new bike lane makes downtown Bellingham more accessible to cyclists; feedback on the project has raised concerns about safety.
City & County
Washington State Department of Ecology declares emergency drought
By Margaret Baumgartner | May 29On April 16, the Washington State Department of Ecology issued an emergency drought declaration. Learn more about how this impacts Washington residents, and why not all droughts have to due with lack of rainfall.
City & County
The legal challenge that could change how Bellingham regulates short-term rentals
By Oren Roberts | May 25Patrick Sutton has represented homeowners in cases that overturned short-term rental bans in Austin, Dickinson and other Texas cities. Now, the real estate lawyer is making moves in Bellingham.
City & County
Revitalizing Bellingham: A closer look at downtown grants
By Andrea Ornelas | May 23Small business grants help to transform the downtown storefronts of Bellingham and Tacoma. Learn more about how small business owners can apply and put the funding into action.
City & County
Southwest Airlines to leave Bellingham International Airport
By Liam Walsh | May 18Southwest Airlines is leaving Bellingham, citing aircraft delivery issues. The community has concerns about the decision and why it's happening.
