Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The City of Bellingham plans to eliminate 40 positions and lay off 12 employees to address a projected $10 million deficit in its 2026 budget. Mayor Kim Lund clarified that a proposed sales tax would not increase the police force but would support public safety services. The budget cuts will lead to reduced library hours and parks maintenance.
The Mariners are closer to determining their playoff opponent after the Detroit Tigers defeated the Cleveland Guardians 2-1 in Game 1 of their series. Meanwhile, Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen may be traded before the NFL deadline due to reduced playing time. The Storm's Dominique Malonga earned a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie team, highlighting her strong performance this season.
The Seattle Mariners will begin their postseason at home on Saturday against the winner of the Tigers-Guardians Wild Card Series. Scheduling conflicts may arise for the Seahawks' upcoming home games due to potential overlaps with Mariners playoff games, prompting officials to consider shifting kickoff times. In college football, the Huskies end their home win streak while the Cougars secure a victory.
A Bellingham Public Schools bus collided with another vehicle on Lakeway Drive Monday afternoon, prompting a brief road closure. No students sustained injuries, but the other vehicle's driver reported minor injuries. A replacement bus was dispatched to take the students home.
Oregon State Police arrested two men in connection with the murder of Robert Hein, a 47-year-old from Bellingham, WA. Hein's body was discovered by a hunter near Sprague River on September 23, and the suspects face multiple charges, including murder and tampering with evidence. The investigation remains ongoing.
Burn bans in North Cascades National Park and Whatcom County will end this week due to improved weather conditions. Campers can now have campfires in designated areas, while residents can conduct open burning starting October 4, provided they obtain the necessary permits.
Bellingham City Council plans to raise the threshold for obtaining a general business license from $2,000 to $4,000. If approved at their Monday meeting, the new regulations will take effect on January 1, with future adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index every two years.
Washington State Patrol has located missing Indigenous woman Nicole Day, who was reported missing after not contacting her family for about a year. Police had issued an alert indicating she might be in Skagit or King County. Authorities urged anyone with information to call 9-1-1.
A fatal crash involving a motorcycle occurred in Ferndale, resulting in the death of the motorcyclist. The two occupants of the car sustained serious injuries and were transported to a nearby hospital, along with another injured motorcyclist. The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the incident.
Thieves stole 12,000 bottles of Westland Distillery’s 10-year Garryana whiskey, valued at nearly $1 million, on July 31. The suspects used fake paperwork to pick up the shipment intended for New Jersey, and the theft was discovered a week later. Westland Distillery is focusing on customer service while enhancing supply chain security.