Whatcom

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City & County

OPINION: Where did all our Canadians go?

By Hope Rasa | March 20

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. 

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City & County

RG Haley and Cornwall Avenue Landfill slated for cleanup this summer

By DuPree Nugent | March 18

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.

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City & County

OPINION: New Whatcom County jail and Behavioral Health Center pursues pro-mental health design

By Hope Rasa | March 18

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. 

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City & County

Bellingham’s food trucks: A flavorful blend of community and culture

By Mabaindu Mbawa | March 16

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. 

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City & County

Revised Landmark Tree Ordinance moves on to final vote

By DuPree Nugent | March 7

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. 

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City & County

Q&A: Nadine van Niekerk: How Stones Throw Brewery is honoring women in the brewing industry

By Madelyn Jones | March 7

On March 8, brewers and beer aficionados alike will gather at Stones Throw Brewery to celebrate International Women’s Day. 

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City & County

Bellingham considers plans for bike lane improvement

By DuPree Nugent | March 4

The City of Bellingham will use successes and shortcomings gathered from the Holly Street bike lane pilot program to develop interim improvements to bike lanes.

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City & County

The college tattoo rite of passage

By Mishele Ross | March 4

For many college students, turning 18 comes with newfound freedoms: voting, moving out, and for an increasing number, getting their first tattoo. Just as turning 21 is associated with a first drink at a bar, getting inked at 18 has become a rite of passage for students entering adulthood.

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City & County

Bayou on Bay’s closure can’t stop the family it has grown

By Jackson Kelly | March 3

Bayou On Bay, a Cajun and Creole restaurant in downtown Bellingham, is set to close on March 5. However, the family it created isn’t going anywhere.

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City & County

City of Bellingham buys 754 acres of forest from Nielsen Brothers Inc. for $3.65 million

By Steven Colson | February 27

The City of Bellingham finalized a $3.65 million purchase of 754 acres of forested land around Lake Whatcom from Nielsen Brothers Inc. on Feb. 14, 2025. The purchase was made as part of the Lake Whatcom Land Acquisition and Preservation Program (LWLAPP).

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City & County

New US tariffs on Canada spark concerns across the border

By Kaitlyn Ward | February 21

On Feb. 1, President Donald Trump signed an order to impose a 25% border tax on most Canadian imports and a 10% import tax on Canadian oil, natural gas and electricity. 

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Recreation

Stay active and make friends with Bellingham’s Adult Sports Leagues

By Tyler Noonan | February 20

The City of Bellingham offers seven Adult Sports Leagues annually. Providing community members with opportunities to stay active and connect. Leagues include indoor volleyball, sand volleyball, basketball, softball, badminton, kickball and roundnet. Fees vary by sport. 

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City & County

OPINION: It takes a village to keep your favorite restaurants afloat

By Mary d'Arcy | February 19

Before you even walk through the door of El Capitan's, you get a sense of the quirky atmosphere. Colorful string lights line the large bay-facing windows. The smell of fries and the sound of ‘80s rock drifts out the open door. Once inside, you will be greeted with plastic skeletons, a “Pirates of the Caribbean” pinball machine and the bar’s own Jack Sparrow figurine. 

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City & County

BRIEF: Protesters gather in downtown Bellingham on Presidents Day

By Oren Roberts | February 17

On Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, over 300 people gathered to protest outside of Bellingham’s Federal Building. 

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City & County

NWCAA requests proposals for climate resilience projects worth $3.5 million

By Steven Colson | February 12

The 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. 

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City & County

Let’s talk Galentine’s!

By Mabaindu Mbawa | February 12

Galentine’s Day, inspired by the fictional character Leslie Knope from “Parks and Recreation,” has become a beloved tradition, especially for Gen Z women. It’s traditionally celebrated on Feb. 13, the day before Valentine’s Day. It celebrates friendship and inclusivity, offering a thoughtful alternative to the romantic focus of Valentine’s Day. 

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City & County

Student night at NEKO Cat Cafe

By Natalie Brown | February 12

What better way to relax from a long midterm study session than with cats at the upcoming student day at NEKO: A Cat Cafe?

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City & County

YWCA nears completion of new emergency shelter for women and children

By Steven Colson | February 10

The Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) is finishing construction on a new shelter at 315 Lakeway Drive for families experiencing homelessness. 

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City & County

BRIEF: Put love into every petal

By Madelyn Jones | February 10

If you’re looking to get more hands-on with your Valentine’s Day gifts this year, consider these tips from a local florist to create your very own bouquet. 

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City & County

Bellingham’s elderly and disabled face challenges navigating WTA public transportation

By Mabaindu Mbawa | February 9

Some elderly and disabled Bellingham residents struggle to use the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) bus system due to limited features and accessibility issues.