Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Bellingham's Bloedel-Donovan Park playground will close for upgrades starting August 25, with a reopening expected in October. The renovation includes separate equipment for young children and school-aged kids, featuring over 40 play elements, including wheelchair-accessible features.
Crews have removed 13 truckloads of contaminated soil from Padden Creek as part of the ongoing cleanup of a diesel fuel spill. The Washington Department of Ecology leads the Unified Command, which reports that over 670 gallons of diesel leaked, resulting in the death of six fish. A stop work order remains in effect for the associated fish passage project until all contaminated soil is cleared.
The Seattle Sounders advanced to the Leagues Cup semifinals after defeating Puebla in a shootout following a scoreless draw. They will face the LA Galaxy, the reigning MLS Cup champions, next Wednesday in California. Meanwhile, the Mariners are struggling with a five-game losing streak and have lost seven of their last eight games.
Whatcom County certified primary election results, showing a turnout of over 31% of registered voters. Elizabeth Boyle and Maya Morales will compete for the District 2 council seat, while Kyle Christensen faces Jessica Rienstra for District 3. Both levies for the rural library district and South Whatcom Fire Authority passed.
Ferndale City Council approved a contract on August 18 with Dawson Construction to build a new Civic Campus, enhancing City Hall. The 19,000-square-foot structure will include city council chambers, municipal court, and administrative offices, while the existing City Hall will be repurposed for nonprofit services. Construction is set to begin this fall.
Ragfinery plans to reopen its retail space in downtown Bellingham following a fire that damaged its previous location. The new site will feature a downstairs retail area and an upstairs office space, with a grand opening expected before winter 2025. Community support helped raise over $40,000 to facilitate the reopening.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced that sockeye salmon fishing is now permitted in specific marine areas of the Salish Sea from August 19 to the end of the month. Anglers can retain up to two sockeye per day, in addition to the two pink salmon already allowed, while other salmon species must be released. This expansion follows an above-projected forecast for sockeye returns to the Fraser River.
Whatcom County Public Works received over $875,000 in federal funding to support the Lummi Island ferry operations. The U.S. Department of Transportation allocated $175 million to ferry providers nationwide, with Washington State receiving nearly $40 million. Upcoming cable replacement work will cancel late-night ferry trips this weekend.
Donald Malone, 61, faces trial for the first-degree murder of accountant Vaughn Hagen in Whatcom County Superior Court. Malone allegedly shot Hagen multiple times after the accountant arrived to assist him with cleaning out his late mother's garage. The trial is set to begin on September 29 and will last approximately four days.
Whatcom County has closed all beaches for recreational shellfish harvesting due to elevated levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) detected in local shellfish. This includes species such as oysters, mussels, and scallops, affecting areas from Bellingham Bay to Drayton Harbor. Residents are advised to check for biotoxin closures before harvesting.