City County

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City & County

BRIEF: Bellingham community gathers to honor victims of ICE violence

By Aidan Hadley | January 27

As the sun began to set on Western Washington University on Monday, Jan. 26, countless voices chanted “presente” in response to the reading of 38 names, one for each person whose death was caused by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other federal immigration officers since the beginning of President Donald Trump’s second term.  

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City & County

SNAP disruptions are hard – they’re even harder when food access is already fragile

By Janessa Bates | December 12

For many people, the loss of benefits compounded barriers that were already making food access difficult – like living in a rural area where groceries aren’t as easily accessible, or managing a chronic condition that restricts diet flexibility.

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City & County

Limited fueling options persist in Blaine Harbor

By DuPree Nugent | December 10

In order to install a public fuel dock, the port must first conduct a cleanup and then determine if installing fuel tanks is feasible, said Mike Hogan, public affairs administrator for the Port of Bellingham.

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City & County

Q&A: Why 101-year-old Joanne Rasmussen still shows up to protest today

By Janessa Bates | December 10

Now 101, Joanne Rasmussen has lived through more than a century of political change and has taken part in activism at different points in her life. Today, she’s the most senior member of a protest group at The Willows retirement community.

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City & County

The didgʷálič Wellness Center rolls out second mobile medical unit in Bellingham

By Adah Bassok | December 3

Mobile Medical Units are Federal Drug Enforcement Agency-approved locations for dispensing methadone, vivitrol and suboxone for people interested in medication-assisted treatment services for addiction. The first mobile medical unit in Bellingham started operating in January and is located on Division Street. 

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City & County

Whatcom transit riders could see fares increase next year

By DuPree Nugent | December 3

Whatcom Transit Authority has proposed increasing bus fare prices in response to rising operating costs and will seek board approval later this winter.

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City & County

Port approves lease to install solar panels on Fisherman’s Pavilion

By DuPree Nugent | November 18

The Port of Bellingham approved a lease agreement with Puget Sound Energy on Oct. 21 to install a solar array on the Fisherman’s Pavilion roof at Squalicum Harbor as part of a community solar program.

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City & County

Whatcom County Artists of Clay and Kiln’s ceramics studio tour returns for a fifth year

By Sophia Jellinghaus | November 12

2025 marks the 5th year of WACK’s studio tour. On Nov. 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., multiple studio locations in Bellingham, Ferndale and Lynden will open their doors to the public, inviting guests to peruse artists’ clay creations and attend ceramics demonstrations. 

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City & County

Crowds gather, chants echo at ‘No Kings’ protests in Bellingham

By Brodey O’Brien , Adah Bassok and Janessa Bates | October 27

It was the second nationwide demonstration in the movement against what the No Kings organizers were calling “chaos, corruption, and cruelty.” 

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City & County

City of Bellingham introduces new 0.1% sales tax, which begins early 2026

By Adah Bassok | October 21

David Brauhn, the city of Bellingham’s assistant communications and community relations director, said that the state allows cities to use funds from this sales tax for a broad range of public safety-related purposes.

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City & County

Bellingham Urban Forest Plan on pause

By Adah Bassok | October 14

Bellingham’s Urban Forestry Management Plan is currently paused due to a limited number of staff and their abilities. 

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City & County

New Little Squalicum Park heronry completes first nesting season

By Carden Mercier | October 13

The City of Bellingham is collaborating with Hamer Environmental to monitor the new heronry and release a protection plan for the Little Squalicum herons in their 2025 annual report on the Post Point Heron Colony. 

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City & County

Bellingham City Council candidates meet at CDN town hall

By Bodey Mitchell | October 13

With Election Day nearing, candidates for Bellingham City Council gathered at a town hall meeting on Saturday, Oct. 11 at Sehome High School to discuss housing, protecting vulnerable groups and their rights, communication and biking infrastructure.  

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City & County

March for Gaza unites community in downtown Bellingham

By DuPree Nugent and Janessa Bates | October 10

An estimated 200 people gathered in Maritime Heritage Park on Oct. 7, participating in the March for Gaza wearing keffiyehs, waving flags and holding homemade signs, where members from various groups spoke in solidarity with Palestine.

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City & County

Introducing -HUT-, a nightclub designed for the 18+ crowd

By Sophia Jellinghaus | October 9

It’s been a month since Bellingham’s newest club, -HUT-, first opened its doors, but the venue is just getting started. -HUT- aims to be a space where everyone, especially young people, can feel free to be themselves and enjoy the music. 

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City & County

Downtown Sounds officially back for summer

By Bridgette Jennings | August 6

Downtown Sounds has officially returned for the summer. The first event, held July 9 at the intersection of Bay Street and Prospect Street, went from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and was the beginning of a summer-long event. These events will continue every Wednesday night until Aug. 6. 

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City & County

Vital’s upcoming rope gym expected to foster climbing community

By Bridgette Jennings | July 22

Rock climbing is reaching new heights in Bellingham, not only as a physical outlet, but as a strong social engagement tool and hidden gem for mental well-being. With Vital’s rope gym on the way at 315 W. Holly St., the expansion of the local climbing scene is on the horizon, offering climbers a new space to grow their skills.

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City & County

City ordinance would write LGBTQ+ protections into law

By Farrel Harten | July 15

The Bellingham City Council is moving forward with an ordinance designed to strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ residents, especially transgender and nonbinary individuals, by adding anti-discrimination language to city law.

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City & County

Community to Community channels outrage into action

By Tori Lehman | July 13

A small room in the Clover Block building in downtown Bellingham beams with light and the sounds of community. It hosts Community to Community’s participation labs — one of many events the group organizes to fight for better conditions for farm workers, immigrants and food sovereignty in Skagit and Whatcom counties.

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City & County

The kismet histories of Bellingham’s historic buildings

By Brenna Witchey | June 13

When Ken Culver first laid eyes on the historic Gamwell home, all he could think was, “God almighty, what is that?” The home, built in 1890, is a hulking mass of intricate craftsmanship sitting on the corner of 16th Street and Douglas Avenue in Fairhaven.