Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
Whatcom and Skagit counties face an increased wildfire risk until Wednesday evening, prompting a Fire Weather Watch from the Washington State Emergency Management Division. The watch indicates potential critical fire conditions due to high temperatures, low humidity, and gusty winds. Residents are urged to stay prepared and informed.
Whatcom and Skagit Counties will receive $30 million to enhance fish passage by removing barriers. Bellingham will obtain over $1.5 million for improvements in Padden Creek, while Skagit County will receive over $3 million to replace a barrier under East Hickox Road.
Washington state has joined a lawsuit against the federal government for withholding $7 billion in education funding. The grants are essential for programs supporting English learners and children of migratory workers. The state argues that the federal government is legally obligated to disburse these funds.
The Washington State Department of Transportation plans to repave SR 539, also known as the Guide Meridian, from I-5 to the Canadian border in 2027. Residents can provide feedback on the project through a questionnaire available until August 7. The road serves as a vital freight corridor, accommodating 35,000 to 52,000 daily vehicles.
Whatcom County issues a moderate heat warning as temperatures rise into the 80s from July 15 to July 17. Overnight lows will remain in the low to mid 60s, prompting officials to remind residents about heat safety measures. Temperatures are expected to decrease to the mid-70s starting Friday.
Bellingham City Council approved a draft ordinance to bolster support for LGBTQ+ rights, aiming to challenge unconstitutional policies. The ordinance ensures protection for healthcare access, free speech, and gender expression, with a final vote scheduled for July 21.
Farmworker rights activist Alfredo “Lelo” Juarez Zeferino will return to Mexico after being detained by ICE since March. He opted for voluntary departure, as conditions in detention were intolerable, and a judge granted his request on July 14. Juarez Zeferino could be in Mexico within a week.
Washington state will not see the return of gun-to-machine-gun converters, as announced by Attorney General Nick Brown. This decision follows a lawsuit by multiple state attorneys general aimed at halting sales of these devices, which have been linked to mass shootings. The federal ATF and manufacturer Rare Breed Triggers agreed not to distribute these converters in states involved in the lawsuit.
A man is in custody after attempting to set a home on fire in Skagit County. The suspect, who tried to stab a resident, was apprehended after he refused to drop a knife and was shot with a non-lethal round by police. The incident unfolded Tuesday morning, prompting a swift response from local authorities.
Oregon Congresswoman Maxine Dexter visited an ICE Detention Center in Ferndale, WA, to advocate for a detained Honduran mother and her four U.S. citizen children. The family has been held for nearly two weeks without access to legal counsel, raising concerns about their treatment and the allegations against them. Dexter’s office struggled to locate the family until her involvement prompted action.