Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct a few errors: A misspelling of Emilio Lopata's last name, a correction that Alexis Brinley was racing a shared car, not her own, and a correction of upcoming events on April 26–27 as well as the cost to compete. The Front regrets the errors.
Peruvian restaurant Cafe Rumba, located in downtown Bellingham, is a unique hub for food, dance and culture. Founded in 2012 by owners Marco Mellet and Antonio Diaz, the restaurant fosters a wide community of college students, residents and visitors.
It only takes a few hours in Bellingham to notice the sounds of trains rolling past. The minimum and maximum volume for train horns are regulated by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, which requires horns to sound at 96 dB to 110 dB – at its quietest, the sound is comparable to a power mower, and at its loudest, a live rock concert.
South End Mobile Estates, a 55+ community located in Bellingham’s Happy Valley neighborhood, recently experienced a rent increase of 33% in March, from $600 to $800. The raise in expenses caused instability and uncertainty for its residents, many of whom rely on a fixed income.
CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival goes into full swing on Thursday, April 24, at Bellingham’s Pickford Film Center. CASCADIA, an annual film festival founded in 2017, celebrates women-directed films from all around the world.
The hands of the clock on the old National Bank tick steadily on the corner of Holly and Cornwall. Sunlight catches on tall windows, and the echo of a bygone era lingers in the brick and bronze. Behind the building’s grand facade, what was once a vault for cash and coin is now housing vintage denim, retro jackets and racks of curated thrift.
On April 22, voters in select areas of Skagit and Whatcom Counties will weigh in on important local measures that could shape the future of healthcare and education in their communities.
The intersection in front of the Federal Building in downtown Bellingham filled up with protestors on April 19 at noon as part of the second “Hands Off!” protest Bellingham has seen in 14 days.
The sun was shining and smiles were wide as Bellingham residents gathered at El Sueñito Brewing Company for Walk and Roll Bellingham’s first Slow Roll of the season on April 16.
As the main chamber of Bellingham City Hall quickly reached capacity at 7 p.m. Monday, April 14, security guided the overflow of attendees to view the meeting via livestream in the mayor’s boardroom. In both the chamber and the boardroom, transgender community members and allies — dressed in funeral attire — showed up en masse, imploring the city council to pass a resolution declaring Bellingham a transgender sanctuary city.
At 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 2, immigration agents carried out one of the largest-scale raids in Washington since President Donald Trump was elected into office, arresting 37 workers at Mt Baker Roofing.
A total of 15 proposals were submitted by 14 organizations in response to the Northwest Clean Air Agency’s request for proposals, or RPF. The RFP offers $3.5 million in total funding for up to three projects. The RFP called for projects that would provide clear, tangible and positive benefits to local communities.
Signs and flags waved in the spring air on Saturday, April 5 as an estimated 4,000 people, according to Indivisible Bellingham, assembled to protest President Donald Trump and Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) advisor Elon Musk’s sweeping federal changes.
Rising housing costs and a limited job market are driving many Western Washington University graduates to seek employment outside of Bellingham. As the end of the academic year approaches, thousands of students will need to factor in where opportunity will lead them.
There’s a narrow idea of what “help” looks like for those experiencing behavioral health issues. Too many people have decided not to seek help because they believe hospitalization is the only option. Hospitalization is long-term care in a large, highly institutional environment like Western State Hospital or Smokey Point Behavioral Hospital.
Bellingham stores and restaurants once bustled with Canadian customers. Now, they look like ghost towns, comparatively. President Trump’s blitz of outrageous tariffs and scandalous comments toward Canada have Bellingham’s Canadian regulars staying home. Canadians are justified in giving the U.S. the cold shoulder. Americans, be warned; this isn’t temporary, and it’s going to leave a mark.
The City of Bellingham will commence contamination cleanup for the former RG Haley International Corporation’s wood treatment site and Cornwall Avenue Landfill in the summer of 2025 in conjunction with constructing Salish Landing Park.
Whatcom County’s new jail and Behavioral Care Center (BCC) may include design elements intended to improve incarcerated people’s mental health. Design planning for the project is expected to begin in August 2025.
Food is a vital part of daily life that can unite people across cultures. Bellingham embraces this idea with a diverse selection of delicious dishes from 25 different food trucks, trailers, carts and pop-ups in Bellingham.
On Feb. 24, the City of Bellingham held a public hearing to revise and extend the interim landmark tree ordinance for an additional six months.
Solutions by The State News
