This coming weekend is jam-packed with festivities for the greater Whatcom area. With tree lightings and sleigh rides in Blaine, ornament making in Lynden and pop-up markets and visits with Santa in Bellingham, it's clear that Whatcom is ready to jump back into the Christmas spirit.
Local providers and politicians convened on Sept. 17, 2024, to identify solutions for Whatcom County’s ongoing opioid crisis. The Joint Behavioral Health & Legal and Justice Systems Committee meeting outlined two crucial initiatives to address gaps in the community’s social service continuum.
The 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.
Two 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.
A teenager was hospitalized in critical condition on Nov. 9 in Vancouver, B.C. after contracting the first recorded human case of bird flu in Canada, according to Canadian health officials.
With deer mating season in full swing, the Mount Baker Sierra Club and the City of Bellingham teamed up to increase efforts to prevent wildlife collisions with the “Watch for Wildlife” campaign.
The holidays can be tough for those who can't afford costumes, a holiday meal or decorations to brighten their homes. Miracle Food Network, a donations-based nonprofit that recovers and distributes food, is stepping in to relieve some financial stress through community partnerships.
The Port of Bellingham received a $1.5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency in October 2024, which it will use to fulfill the goals of its 2023 Climate Action Strategy.
As the sun set early on the evening of Nov. 8, 2024, people streamed into the warmly lit Corner Taphouse on Finnegan Way in Bellingham, Wash.
In the heart of downtown Bellingham, local professionals gather each week at the “Morning Buzz” to share coffee, career insights and camaraderie. The event is hosted by Whatcom Young Professionals, a philanthropic and community-driven association that branched off the Chamber of Commerce in 2006.
The Bellingham Food Bank, the most high-traffic food bank in Washington state, is working with the Bellingham City Council to provide $1 million in funding, while the Whatcom County Food Bank Network asks for $2 million from Washington state.
Washington state is taking a significant step to address toxic chemicals in cosmetics with the Toxic-Free Cosmetics Act. Beginning in January 2025, the legislation will restrict the use of nine hazardous chemicals and chemical classes in personal care products sold by many retailers. The law represents an initiative towards safer and more transparent products that benefit public health and the environment.
Do you have a sweet tooth? Do you believe dessert really should come first? Well, you're in luck Bellingham has plenty of spots to satisfy your sweet tooth any time of day.
Every thirty-odd days, the Bellingham Circus Guild unfailingly fills with a familiar warmth. The smell of cologne, perfume, popcorn and warmth fills the air and a band of four older men in tweed and plaid, who go by the Poor Man’s Jug Band, play old-timey folk and roots music under a yellow light before the show begins.
The Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation’s Northwest Maritime Apprenticeship is helping to fill a hole in the maritime industry. The four-year apprenticeship has three levels, each costing $1500 tuition. The program contains 12 subjects, including math, design and business practices.
For students without access to a car, the local bus system accesses local trails, including the North Chuckanut Mountain Trailhead. The Outdoor Center is an on-campus community that engages students in outdoor activities and shines a light on the areas surrounding Western. The Outdoor Center offers equipment rentals, day excursions and overnight excursions for as little as $5.
Washington has seen steady increases in minimum wage in recent years, fueled by rising inflation and ballot initiatives. In January 2025, Bellingham will raise starting wages from $17.28 to $17.66.
Owners and dogs alike joined Shake and Shine, a Bellingham dog groomer and pet shop, in their 3rd annual "Hal-O-Ween" Dog Parade on Railroad Avenue and Commercial Street on Oct. 27.
Voters can anticipate seeing four statewide measures on the November 2024 ballot. The initiatives, submitted by a group called Let’s Go Washington, concern the use of natural gas, capital gains tax, the Climate Commitment Act and the state's long-term health care program, WA Cares.
Catching a bus isn’t as simple as showing up and hopping on. To improve the efficiency of bus travel for students and the broader community, transportation officials and students alike are highlighting key etiquette practices that can make commutes smoother and less crowded.
Solutions by The State News
