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Whatcom County's severe weather shelter faced significant challenges last winter, including staffing issues and reliance on unpredictable weather forecasts. A recent report suggests the county should operate the shelter regularly during the coldest months, despite anticipated funding declines.
A Blaine man was arrested after deputies discovered over 3,500 images and 170 videos of child pornography on a flash drive and hard drive he had dropped off. The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the content did not involve local children. The 33-year-old remains in custody without bail.
A burn ban will begin in unincorporated Skagit County on June 15, limiting outdoor fires. Fires must be contained within enclosures, measuring no more than 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet high. Water must be available at all burn sites, and additional restrictions apply.
Faber Construction has closed James Street north of Bakerview Road for 15 days as part of a roundabout project in north Bellingham. Traffic on Bakerview Road will also be limited to one lane during construction, which is expected to finish by the end of June.
Washington has joined a lawsuit with 19 other states against federal agencies for threatening to withhold funding over non-cooperation with immigration enforcement. Attorney General Nick Brown argues this stance undermines local law enforcement's trust with immigrant communities and violates the state's Keep Washington Working Act. Washington relies on approximately $1.6 billion in federal funds for emergency preparedness and infrastructure.
Trent Grisham hit two home runs, leading the Yankees to an 11-5 victory over the Mariners on May 12. The win was marred by an injury to Yankees third baseman Oswaldo Cabrera, who had to be taken off the field in an ambulance after an awkward slide.
Whatcom County's filing week closed with several key races set for the primaries. Notably, Todd Donovan's District 2 seat will see competition among Elizabeth Boyle, Maya Morales, and Mike Cullum, while District 3 features incumbent Tyler Byrd facing three challengers. Additionally, multiple local council positions will have contested races, while others remain unopposed.
Albert Rusnák scored twice, and Danny Musovski netted his fifth consecutive goal as the Seattle Sounders defeated the Houston Dynamo 3-1 on May 10. The Dynamo, now 2-6-4, played a man down after Femi Awodesu received a red card in the first half. Seattle remained unbeaten in five matches, outscoring opponents 11-2 during this stretch.
Nearly half of Whatcom County households fall below the survival threshold, according to the updated ALICE report. This figure rose from 38% in 2022 to 45% in 2023, highlighting increasing economic hardship in the region.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the BEAM Act into law on May 12, requiring speed limiters on vehicles of those convicted of serious speeding offenses. The law aims to combat a 40% rise in fatal speeding-related crashes from 2019 to 2023. The act honors four victims killed by a speeding driver in Renton.