Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
A fuel spill from a generator break has temporarily closed part of Bellingham's Interurban Trail. The spill, which released several hundred gallons of diesel, has been contained, and no fuel reached Bellingham Bay. Cleanup efforts are underway, but a timeline for reopening the trail remains unclear.
Whatcom County voters will choose between multiple candidates for county council and the Port of Bellingham Board in the upcoming primary. Ballots must be submitted by 8 p.m. on August 5, with some areas, like south Bellingham, having no issues to vote on.
Lummi Nation Police seek public assistance in locating a robbery suspect from the Silver Reef Casino. The suspect, captured on security footage, wore a black T-shirt, sweatpants, and a baseball cap, and has a dark beard and numerous tattoos. No employees were harmed during the incident, which occurred early Sunday morning.
The Port of Bellingham altered its protocols following a report from the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office that identified non-compliance with federal contracting regulations. The Port failed to uniformly award a contract to Moffat and Nichol for a project funded by a $4.2 million federal grant. In response, the Port implemented a scorecard system for ranking contract bids to ensure compliance with federal law.
Bellingham's Pickford Film Center opens a new location on August 1, inviting the community to an Open House with free popcorn. The theater will show classic films starting August 2, expanding its offerings with three additional screens.
Biotoxin levels have dropped to safe levels in Whatcom County, leading to the lifting of a shellfish harvesting ban for several beaches, including Sandy Point and Drayton Harbor. However, Skagit Bay remains closed due to high levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxins, and harvesters are advised to check the state’s closure map before collecting shellfish.
Bellingham Public Schools has settled a lawsuit with a family alleging mishandling of sexual harassment reports involving their daughter. The lawsuit claimed the district failed to comply with legal requirements and inadequately addressed incidents of harassment.
A fast-moving wildfire in Okanogan County has prompted level 3 “Go Now!” and level 2 “Get Set” evacuations in Winthrop. The fire, which ignited on Stud Mountain, has consumed approximately 550 acres and is only 5% contained as of August 1. Authorities are investigating the cause of the blaze.
Drought conditions in Whatcom and Skagit counties intensify, with over half of Whatcom County now facing severe drought. The U.S. Drought Monitor reports that 10% of Whatcom County is under extreme drought, a significant increase from the previous week.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services will host a free vaccine clinic in Bellingham on August 5. The clinic will provide Hepatitis A and B shots for uninsured adults and routine childhood vaccines for individuals under 19. Appointments can be scheduled online, but walk-ins may not be guaranteed service.