Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
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.
Bellingham City Council will vote Monday on funding a county-operated severe weather shelter for winter. The agreement could allocate up to $100,000 for staffing and operational costs if approved. Last winter, funding issues and a low temperature threshold hindered shelter operations.
National Public Lands Day on Saturday allows free entrance to all national parks, including North Cascades National Park. No special events are planned at North Cascades, but a volunteer opportunity will take place at Mount Rainier National Park. The next fee-free day is October 10.
The City of Bellingham will install a new traffic signal at the busy intersection of 12th Street, Mill Avenue, and Finnegan Way, starting Monday, September 29. This intersection currently accommodates over 10,000 vehicles daily, a number expected to rise with local development. Construction will involve one-lane closures and is set to continue through mid-October.
Skagit County will hold a public meeting to discuss the future of its Meals on Wheels program, which provides meals to seniors. The county faces rising costs, projected to exceed $1.7 million in 2026, while seeking a new non-profit operator for the service.