Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
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.
The Seattle Mariners begin a crucial road trip against the Cleveland Guardians after losing their last five away games. Meanwhile, the Huskies and Cougs kick off their college football seasons, and the Sounders prepare to face Lionel Messi's Inter Miami in the Leagues Cup Championship. The Storm achieved a significant comeback victory over the Minnesota Lynx.
A Lynden man, Joseph Drager, faces charges after a sexual assault and robbery at Little Squalicum Park in Bellingham on August 20. Armed with a knife, Drager assaulted the victim and stole her wallet, which was later recovered. He remains in custody at Whatcom County Jail without bail.
The Dallas Cowboys traded edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. Parsons signed a four-year, $188 million contract, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history. The Seattle Sounders advance to the Leagues Cup Championship after defeating the LA Galaxy 2-0.
A documentary titled “Lynden,” detailing the 2020 racial justice protest in Lynden, is now available for streaming. The film features Amsa Burke, a then-17-year-old girl adopted from Ethiopia, who led the town's first racial justice march after George Floyd's death. It premiered in August 2024 and is accessible on various platforms, including Apple TV+, Prime Video, YouTube, and Google Play.
Washington's Department of Natural Resources and American Forests launched the Tree Equity Score Analyzer, a free online tool assessing tree coverage's impact on community health. Bellingham boasts an average score of 85, with some neighborhoods achieving a perfect 100, highlighting significant temperature reductions in tree-rich areas.
COVID-19 cases are rising slightly in Whatcom and Skagit Counties, with ER visits for COVID symptoms increasing since late July. Despite this uptick, Washington remains at low risk for a widespread outbreak, with only a few counties nearing a medium risk threshold.
Bellingham City Council rejected a proposal to annex 146 acres of land northeast of the city, voting 5-1 with one abstention. Council member Hollie Huthman cited a $10 million budget shortfall as a primary concern, emphasizing the financial burden of the annexation, which was projected to cost over $200,000 annually.
Bellingham's North Haven Tiny Home Community opened with 19 new units and 23 relocated from Unity Village. HomesNOW! aims to construct additional villages to further address homelessness in the area. Residents began moving in earlier this year.