Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden offers its final weekend of events, featuring a variety of attractions including live music and a dog show. ZZ Top's performance is sold out, but tickets remain for Throwback Hip Hop Night on Friday. The Noisy Waters Mural Festival also returns, showcasing local talent and art.
Bellingham City Council approved a six-month extension of the Landmark Tree Ordinance, protecting large trees from development. Councilmember Dan Hammill emphasized the need for more time for planning staff, while supporters highlight the trees' role in climate regulation. Local developers argue the ordinance delays housing projects.
Bellingham Technical College Foundation awarded a record $1.42 million in scholarships for the 2025-2026 school year, benefiting nearly 600 students with an average of $2,400 each. The increase marks a notable rise from the previous year, highlighting the impact of donor generosity on student success.
Shellfish harvesting in northern Whatcom County is closed due to unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning. The Washington State Department of Health prohibits recreational harvesting from Sandy Point to the Canadian border, affecting areas such as Birch Bay and Drayton Harbor. This closure follows a similar ban earlier this summer.
Gas prices in Whatcom County, WA, have risen to an average of $4.30 per gallon, up over five percent from last year. In contrast, the national average has decreased by eight percent during the same period. Residents are now paying 36% more than the national average, with potential storm impacts looming as hurricane season approaches.
The Washington State Transportation Commission unveiled its Transportation Plan Vision 2050, outlining a strategy for the state's transportation network over the next two decades. The plan addresses issues such as traffic fatalities and infrastructure reliability, proposing solutions like zero-emission transportation and flexible transit systems.
Crews in Bellingham prepare for rain while cleaning up a diesel spill at Padden Creek. The Washington Department of Ecology installed temporary coffer dams to prevent diesel runoff and plans to remove an impacted tree before the rain begins.
Whatcom County residents can now report illegal burning through new online complaint forms provided by the Fire Marshal’s Office. The forms address non-emergency issues like prohibited materials or nuisance smoke, while emergencies should still be reported via 9-1-1.
A bat discovered in a child's bedroom in Skagit County has tested positive for rabies, marking the first confirmed case in the county this year. The family is unsure if there was contact with the bat and is seeking medical treatment. Residents are urged to avoid wild animals and ensure their pets are vaccinated.
Whatcom County braces for a series of rare summer storms bringing moderate rain and strong winds this weekend. The National Weather Service forecasts rainfall exceeding 2 inches and wind gusts up to 35 mph, prompting emergency management to warn of potential localized flooding.