Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The Washington State Department of Ecology lifted a swimming advisory at Bay View State Park in Skagit County due to improved water quality. However, advisories remain in effect at Wildcat Cove and Little Squalicum Park, where high levels of fecal bacteria were detected. Health officials warn that swimming in contaminated waters poses risks, particularly to vulnerable populations.
Washington Attorney General Nick Brown joined a coalition of 24 states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration for blocking Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood. The provision in Congressional budget legislation allegedly undermines healthcare access for low-income residents, as nearly half of Planned Parenthood's patients rely on Medicaid.
The Seattle Mariners strengthened their bullpen by trading pitching prospect Jeter Martinez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for reliever Caleb Ferguson ahead of the trade deadline. Ferguson, who has a 3.74 ERA this season, will become a free agent at the end of the year. The Mariners also promoted first baseman Tyler Locklear from Triple-A Tacoma and are set to play a crucial game against the Athletics tonight.
All lanes of I-5 in Custer, WA, reopened Tuesday after a semi-truck overturned, blocking traffic for approximately five hours. The Washington State Department of Transportation reported mile-long backups due to the incident, which occurred around 8:30 a.m. The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
The Mariners aim to narrow the gap in the AL West division as they face the Athletics tonight, following a 3-1 victory led by Luis Castillo's strong pitching. Meanwhile, the Bells dominated the Kelowna Falcons with an 11-1 win, and the Storm secured a 101-85 victory over the Connecticut Sun.
A 57-year-old man, Lester Payton, was arrested following the death of 61-year-old Anthony Sperry, who succumbed to injuries from an assault in Ferndale. The altercation occurred when Payton, hired by Sperry, bumped him with a vehicle and subsequently attacked him. An autopsy confirmed that Sperry's death was a direct result of the assault.
Skagit County Commissioner Lisa Janicki announced her retirement, effective at the end of the year. Elected in 2014, she played a key role in initiatives to combat homelessness and mental health care development in the region. Skagit County Democrats will nominate three candidates for her replacement.
New laws in Washington state raise marriage license fees and introduce increases for liquor licenses and fines for littering. These changes aim to enhance state revenue while addressing various regulatory concerns.
A tsunami advisory has been issued for coastal Washington following an 8.7-magnitude earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula. The first waves are expected to reach Washington around 11:30 p.m., with maximum heights forecasted at 1.4 feet or less. Residents are urged to stay away from beaches and waterways.
Crime rates in Whatcom County decreased nearly 19% from 2023 to 2024, according to the latest Crime in Washington report. While assaults, burglaries, and vehicle thefts dropped, both kidnapping and drug violations increased. Local police departments in Bellingham, Ferndale, and Lynden reported significant reductions in crime.