Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Whatcom County will hold an open house for its severe winter weather shelter on November 12 at 925 N Forest St. Community members can tour the facility and ask questions starting at 4:30 p.m. The event is free and does not require registration.
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will decide by November 1 whether to relocate or demolish the iconic I-5 graffiti rock in Bellingham. The rock, significant to the community, cannot be moved intact due to logistical challenges, and WSDOT plans to offer it in smaller pieces for public distribution if no owner claims it.
An E. coli outbreak linked to Twin Sisters Creamery in Ferndale has prompted a recall of several cheese products. Affected cheeses include Whatcom Blue, Farmhouse, Peppercorn, and Mustard Seed varieties produced between late May and June 2025. Health officials urge consumers to discard the products and sanitize surfaces that may have come into contact with them.
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office plans to relocate its headquarters to Bellingham’s Cordata neighborhood. The county has reached a tentative agreement to lease a property that formerly housed Ryzex, with annual rent exceeding $500,000. The relocation aims to address substandard conditions at the current office in the county jail.
A former Western Washington University police officer, Robert Anderson, faces a state-level investigation following an on-campus incident involving the assault of a handcuffed suspect. Anderson was terminated last year after the incident, and the Whatcom County Prosecutor's Office has since pursued assault charges against him. State officials confirmed that Anderson has not worked in law enforcement since December, though his credentials remain valid.
Heavy rain and winds up to 55 mph are forecasted for Bellingham, WA, as an atmospheric river approaches on Friday, Oct. 31. The National Weather Service warns of potential heavy snow in the North Cascades with snow levels dropping to 3000 feet by Sunday. Coastal areas may experience gusts of up to 30 mph prior to this system.
Skagit County appointed Monica Negrila as the new director of public health on October 27, 2025. Negrila previously directed strategic initiatives within the Commissioner’s Office and contributed to the North Star project addressing community behavioral health and homelessness issues.
Tyler Lockett signed with the Las Vegas Raiders, reuniting with former Seahawks Pete Carroll and Geno Smith. The wide receiver aims to boost a struggling Raiders offense that ranks second-lowest in points per game. Meanwhile, the Seahawks move into first place in the NFC West during their bye week.
Barbara Demorest founded Knitted Knockers, a Whatcom County nonprofit, to provide free knitted breast prosthetics to women impacted by breast cancer. Since its inception, the organization has shipped over 1,000,000 knockers worldwide, with a network of 2,400 medical offices in the U.S. offering these alternatives to patients.
Washington state leaders advocate for lowering the legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers from .08 to .05. State Patrol Chief John Batiste cites successes in Utah, where the lower threshold has reportedly reduced impaired driving fatalities. Bellingham has seen an 18% rise in DUI arrests so far in 2025.