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The City of Bellingham will improve bike lanes on Holly Street starting July 21, replacing parking-protected lanes with standard buffered lanes. Traffic delays are expected due to lane closures as the city aims to enhance safety for cyclists and pedestrians.
A section of I-5 and the Lakeway Drive offramp in Bellingham will close for overnight maintenance from 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 13 to 5 a.m. on Monday, July 14. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will conduct vegetation maintenance during this period, urging drivers to seek alternate routes.
The Bellingham Queer Collective (BQC) aims to create social spaces for queer individuals in Whatcom County, addressing the need for community outside traditional venues like bars. Founded by Michelle Harmeier during the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization complements existing support systems like PFLAG and Whatcom Youth Pride. BQC focuses on providing safe gathering spaces and fostering connections among diverse queer identities.
Gov. Bob Ferguson condemned federal funding cuts in Washington under a newly passed budget bill, labeling it the "Big Betrayal of a Bill." The cuts could result in a $3 billion loss in Medicaid funding, affecting over 250,000 residents and threatening hospital closures. Ferguson pledged state support for Planned Parenthood and criticized cuts to the SNAP program as detrimental to rural residents.
Bellingham hosts the Northwest Tune-Up and PRIDE events this weekend, featuring mountain biking races, live music, and community celebrations. The three-day Tune-Up event showcases prominent artists and offers free activities, while PRIDE Bellingham includes family-oriented festivities and a parade. Car shows and live rock music performances round out the weekend's local offerings.
Anthony Volpe scored the winning run as the New York Yankees defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-5 in 10 innings on July 10. The Yankees, who were hitless until the eighth inning, rallied from a five-run deficit to secure the victory, marking their first win when trailing by five or more runs since 2016.
Construction delays will begin next week on I-5 in Whatcom County as the Washington State Department of Transportation starts paving work. Crews will repave a 10-mile stretch between Blaine and the Nooksack River, with the project expected to conclude by October.
Bellingham will experience a warm spell with temperatures rising into the 80s and low 90s next week, according to the National Weather Service. A moderate HeatRisk is expected on Tuesday and Wednesday, along with elevated fire weather conditions due to low humidity and easterly winds.
Two hikers were rescued after a tree fell on them while they were on the Fragrance Lake Trail near Bellingham, Washington. South Whatcom Fire Chief Mitch Nolze reported the incident occurred at approximately 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, and both victims were transported to PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center for treatment.
Retail and office vacancies in Bellingham increased by nearly 90,000 square feet from April to June, raising the vacancy rate from 3.6% to 4.5%. The closures of Rite Aid and JoAnn Fabrics contributed significantly to this rise, while average asking prices for retail leases increased by about a dollar per square foot.