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A Nooksack Valley High School student died in a car crash in Everson, Washington, early Monday. The 10th grader was ejected from a speeding vehicle that rolled off the road, while two other seniors sustained injuries and remain hospitalized.
Fleas can quickly infest homes in Whatcom County, causing discomfort for both pets and people. Experts advise homeowners to maintain cleanliness through regular vacuuming and washing pet bedding to prevent infestations. Outdoor maintenance, such as mowing lawns and applying pet-safe treatments, also plays a crucial role in flea control.
Roadwork on I-5 in Ferndale resumes Tuesday night, limiting southbound traffic to one lane from 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. until Thursday morning. Northbound commuters face a left lane closure Wednesday for guardrail repairs near the North Lake Samish exit.
Fire crews respond to three wildfires in the North Cascades, likely ignited by a lightning storm. The largest blaze, the Perry Fire, has scorched approximately 50 acres near Ross Lake, prompting closures of nearby trails and camps. Additional fires, Thunder and Big Beaver, have burned around two acres in rural Skagit County.
Federal officials arrested two firefighters working on the Bear Gulch Fire in Washington during an investigation into alleged timecard fraud. The arrests occurred as crews from Oregon prepared to cut down trees, with Customs and Border Protection verifying their identities. The Bear Gulch Fire has burned over 9,000 acres in the Olympic National Forest since it ignited on July 6.
A Ferndale City Council candidate, Steven Potvin, will remain on the November ballot despite an invalid voter registration ruling. The Whatcom County Canvassing Board determined that Potvin's listed address is a karate studio he owns, not his true residence. He plans to appeal the decision.
Washington State Ferries will allow dogs on ferries for a six-month trial period. Passengers must keep dogs leashed, with larger dogs on the floor and smaller dogs on their laps or in carriers. Feedback will be reviewed in February 2026 to determine if the policy will become permanent.
Labor Day weekend travel will cause heavy congestion on I-5 in Whatcom County, especially from Bellingham to the Canadian border. The Washington State Department of Transportation expects peak delays between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.
Crews resumed work at Padden Creek as the cleanup from a recent fuel spill nears completion. Over 670 gallons of diesel were released earlier this month, but recent sediment sampling results show levels are back below detection. The Unified Command will halt flushing operations if no recoverable fuel is found.
Whatcom County welcomes the Labor Day weekend with the North Cascades Bluegrass Festival in Deming on August 30-31. The festival features performances from several bands and offers workshops, while nearby campgrounds like Douglas Fir and Silver Fir provide great options for outdoor enthusiasts. Attendees can also enjoy comedy and live music events in Bellingham.