BRIEF: Protesters gather in downtown Bellingham on Presidents Day
By Oren Roberts | February 17On Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, over 300 people gathered to protest outside of Bellingham’s Federal Building.
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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.
City & County
Birchwood neighborhood to receive new park
By Nathan Barber | May 17Bellingham's Parks and Recreation department applies for a $500,000 grant to turn an unused area in the Birchwood neighborhood into Storybrook Park. Learn more about the proposed park and its plans for fruition.
City & County
Safe parking programs provide safety and stability for the unhoused
By Andrea Ornelas | May 12Lake Washington United Methodist Church's Safe Parking program provides a model for Bellingham as city officials look to create safe parking situations for unhoused individuals living out of their cars.
City & County
Contract negotiation ongoing for recently unionized co-op employees
By Liam Walsh | May 12A follow-up story about the unionization drive at the two Bellingham Community Food Co-op locations.
City & County
State Route 20 reopens for the year
By Oren Roberts | May 7State Route 20’s iconic mountain views make it a popular recreation destination. Even with an early spring reopening, travelers should still be wary of inclement weather and avalanche risk.
City & County
Scrapped: ABC Recycling is leaving Bellingham
By Oren Roberts | May 1ABC’s lease with the Port was terminated in March after allegations of polluting activity earlier this year. Now, the company has withdrawn its application to build a metal shredder on Marine Drive.
