The Northern Light: February 13-19, 2025 by Point Roberts Press

Blaine City Council to consider bringing back oral comment

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Blaine City Council is expected to introduce a motion at its next meeting on Monday, February 24 that could return oral public comment to council meetings after it was banned a year ago.

Mayor Mary Lou Steward stopped letting people make three-minute public comments at the February 12, 2024 council meeting after a small group started throwing accusations at council members and city staff. The group was so disruptive that Blaine Police Department began sending officers to meetings to keep things under control.

Councilmember Eric Lewis brought up reintroducing oral comment to fellow councilmembers during the February 10 meeting. Lewis’ proposal needed support from two other council members for the motion to be placed on the next meeting’s agenda, and councilmembers Sonia Hurt and Richard May provided that support. Three councilmembers, the mayor or city manager have the authority to put items on the agenda.

A couple of members of the public hollered and fist pumped following the support from the three councilmembers. Blaine residents Donna Newman and Tina Erwin, who were involved in the initial public comments, held signs throughout the meeting on a variety of concerns, one of which advocated for oral public comment.

The state’s Open Public Meetings Act, which outlines rules for government agencies, only requires governing bodies to accept public comment either by oral or written testimony, though most agencies accept both. State law also allows members of the public to be removed if they are deemed disruptive. The city has continued to allow written comment.

In October 2023, public comment became tense following city council’s approval of a zoning text amendment that allowed large manufactured home parks in east Blaine. Distrust grew between east Blaine residents against the zoning change and the city, and a subgroup that called

(See Council, page 3)

Preschool teacher honored for saving child’s

Deputy injured in accidental firearm discharge

A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputy was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham for non-life-threatening injuries after a firearm accidentally discharged while conducting an arrest on February 11.

WCSO deputies responded to assist Lynden Police Department with a 52-year-old Blaine man who fled after brandishing a firearm in the 8000 block of Guide Meridian, according to a WCSO news release. The suspect was then pulled over and taken into custody without incident.

After the arrest, a firearm that was recovered was accidentally discharged, injuring a deputy, according to the WCSO.

The deputy has since been released from the hospital.

The Bellingham Police Department is investigating how the firearm was accidentally discharged. The WCSO declined to provide additional information, citing the ongoing investigation.

Lynden Police Department booked the man into Whatcom County Jail for second-degree assault, third-degree malicious mischief and third-degree theft.

“Every day our deputies stand between harm and the community we are sworn to serve,” wrote Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley in a statement. “While there is always a risk to deputies, events like today’s are

(See WCSO, page 3)

s Blaine mayor Mary Lou Steward, r., recognized Loni Berg, c., a caregiver at More Smiles Learning Center, for performing lifesaving CPR on Ramona Giese, c., who was choking on food on January 7. Giese’s mother, Emily, l., also participated in the proclamation reading. “Loni Berg’s quick and decisive actions exemplify exceptional care and dedication to the children under her supervision,” Steward said during the Blaine City Council meeting on February 10, before the audience erupted in applause for Berg’s actions.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

Fire district reverses plans to surplus Semiahmoo station

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North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) has changed course on its plans to surplus Station 62 in Semiahmoo after the city of Blaine announced its intent to focus housing growth in west Blaine.

“The number of homes and infill that would bring would highlight the need for a fire station there in the near future,” NWFR chief Jason Van der Veen said.

In September, the NWFR Board of Fire Commissioners discussed the future of the station, which is vacant and in need of renovations that the fire district can’t afford, including over $350,000 to fix water damage.

Van der Veen previously said the fire district, especially strapped for cash after repeated failed levy attempts, needed to direct its fi-

nances toward Station 63 in Birch Bay, where call volume was higher. Before the property could be declared surplus, the fire district was required to contact the city of Blaine, as the city has first right of refusal stemming from a 2013 quit claim deed where NWFR purchased the property from the city for $1.

However, in mid-October, the city of Blaine unveiled its plan to de-annex the 552-acre, undeveloped Grandis Pond property in east Blaine and rezone 455 acres of urban growth area (UGA) southwest of Semiahmoo. The city would also de-annex 37 acres near Dakota Creek and add 124 acres of UGA in southeast Blaine for manufacturing.

After learning of the intended shift to housing in west Blaine, Van der Veen said NWFR sent a letter to the city in October indicating that it

would keep the Semiahmoo station. The station is at 9001 Semiahmoo Parkway, just north of Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club.

In a unanimous approval of Resolution 1967-25, Blaine City Council officially acknowledged the fire district’s request to rescind its communications with the city about surplussing the property during the Blaine City Council meeting on February 10.

City manager Mike Harmon said during the meeting that staff didn’t see a good government use for the building, and the city didn’t want another liability on its books.

“The bones are good,” Harmon said. “It had some siding issues … Just like any structure that doesn’t get used, it has some mold and water penetration. It needs renovation.”

While city council has supported staff’s intent to de-annex Grandis Pond, the plan isn’t set in stone. It will likely need 60 percent approval by voters, which could be one of the first times a city has taken such action in the state, city officials have previously said.

Van der Veen said NWFR will continue status quo with the Semiahmoo station as it lacks money for upgrades or staffing. Harmon said NWFR hoped the tax base from new homes and a successful levy lid lift could fund the station.

Sheriff Tanksley to discuss law enforcement and Birch Bay incorporation

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Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell “Tank” Tanksley will discuss what law enforcement could potentially look like if Birch Bay becomes its own city during the Birch Bay Incorporation Association’s (BBIA) next meeting at 6 p.m. Thursday, February 20.

Tanksley is also expected to discuss public safety currently in Birch Bay and how those services could change if Birch Bay incorporated. Attendees will be able to ask Tanksley questions.

The BBIA Steering Committee requests attendees read the 2008 incorporation feasibility study, which details recommendations for contracting the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services on pages 52-54. The 2008 feasibility study is available at bit. ly/4gxqq6F.

The meeting will be held at North Bay Community Church, 4895 Birch Bay-Lynden Road in Birch Bay, and a Zoom link is available at incorporatebirchbay.com. Questions and comments can be sent to info@ incorporatebirchbay.com

Tanksley is the third public official to speak at a BBIA meeting after Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu and state senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) explored the idea of Birch Bay incorporation at a BBIA meeting last May.

BBIA was officially formed in November 2023 to explore the pros and cons of Birch Bay becoming its own city. Whatcom County Council approved money last summer for a feasibility study that will provide information on data, including costs, associated with incorporation. The study will look at incorporating Birch Bay in its urban growth area boundaries.

The association holds quarterly meetings and monthly steering committee meetings. BBIA is still in the early stages of exploring incorporation, which would be a multi-year process and require voter approval.

s The first Birch Bay Incorporation Association meeting in November 2023. Sheriff Donnell Tanksley will discuss law enforcement if Birch Bay becomes its own city during the next meeting at North Bay Community Church on Thursday, February 20.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

s North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Station 62 in Semiahmoo. File photo

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themselves “Save Blaine” began accusing the city of being unethical and lacking transparency on a variety of topics. Newman, using the pseudonym Madam Watchdog, played recordings of an altered voice called “the Professor,” and the group began knocking on doors of Blaine households to share their beliefs.

Blaine City Council isn’t the only governing body in Whatcom County that has prohibited oral public comment recently. Bellingham City Council reinstated oral comment in mid-January after removing it last November due to security concerns in council chambers. A speaker was removed for verbally attacking an individual last October and the Bellingham council has dealt with hate speech targeting Jews in February 2024 and March

2020, according to the Bellingham Herald

The city of Bellingham hired Blaine-based private security firm Homeland Security Operations to provide metal detector screenings at council meetings. Blaine City Council meetings have no similar security measures.

Steward also made the decision to suspend remote video access to Blaine council meetings in November 2023 after a ‘Zoombombing’ incident involving racial slurs occurred that October. City officials believed the disruption was part of several similar incidents of AI-generated bots spouting racist remarks at public meetings across Washington and Oregon around the same time.

Blaine City Council has not reinstated the remote meeting option, while other governing bodies that have experienced ‘Zoombombings,’ including Bellingham City Council, have brought them back.

Blaine mayor featured on CBC News

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The city of Blaine has experienced renewed interest from national news as the Trump administration’s policy changes could impact the border town, with a CBC News interview of Blaine mayor Mary Lou Steward last week being one of the latest spotlights.

In an interview with CBC’s The Early Edition segment with Stephen Quinn, Steward discussed President Donald Trump’s threat of Canadian tariffs, concerns of a federal funding freeze and immigration.

Steward said she was concerned a potential freeze to federal funding could impact the Bell Road Grade Separation Project, which would build an overpass above the train tracks near Bell Road and Peace Portal Drive.

“We can’t plan as a city when there’s chaos,” Steward said. “We’re in the process of trying to sign some significant contracts that depend on federal money and we can’t do that if we know the money will be ripped away in three or four months’ time, leaving us with con-

tracts we can’t fulfill.”

The mayor discussed what the Canadian dollar being $0.69 to the U.S. dollar could mean for Canadian shopping, which provides an important tax base for the city. She added the city wanted to keep Blaine a welcoming place for visiting Canadians.

Steward also spoke to the Canadian public broadcaster about immigration, which later drew criticism from some Blaine residents.

“These deportations that are being carried out, very few are actually criminals if you actually look at it,” Steward said. “These are people who are needed to work in the fields because no Americans will certainly do that job. They are people who are needed on construction, and we need new homes just as much as you do.”

The six-minute interview clip can be viewed on the CBC website at bit.ly/4aVYSqe.

WCSO ...

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unfortunate. We are grateful the deputy’s injuries are not worse, and wish them a full and swift recovery. We are thankful to our brothers and sisters in law enforcement who were so quick to respond to support our deputy.”

s From l.; Councilmembers Richard May, Sonia Hurt, Eric Davidson and mayor Mary Lou Steward at the Blaine City Council meeting on February 10.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

s From l.; Blaine mayor Mary Lou Steward and Stephen Quinn, host of The Early Edition on CBC News. Image courtesy of CBC News

s The Whatcom County Jail at 311 Grand Avenue in Bellingham. File photo

The Northern L ght

The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.

Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.

Letters Policy

The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.

Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com

Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com

Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com

Reporter Nolan Baker nolan@pointrobertspress.com

Editorial Intern Zen Hill prpintern@pointrobertspress.com

Creative Services

Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman production@pointrobertspress.com

Office Manager

Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com

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General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com

Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl, Aspen Lindsay

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXX, No 35

Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Bird of the week: The glaucous-winged gull OpiniOn

s The glaucous-winged gull is a common bird in the Blaine area that can be seen near shore. The gull is fun to observe as they forage for food, especially when dropping clams or oysters onto rocks to break them open. They begin courtship displays in spring, and pairs can remain together for several years. Bird watchers can look for various species of gulls during the Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival, March 14-16. For more information, visit wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com.

Letters

The Editor: I’d like to take a moment to remind our community of the mission of Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2).

As a community member who regularly participates in their programs, I truly appreciate the affordable classes and activities they offer. Their goal is not to take over the Blaine Senior Center or any other facility but to support and strengthen our community.

The mission of BBBPRD2 is to provide recreational opportunities, maintain spaces that enhance our quality of life, and preserve the district’s natural and recreational resources. They are committed to sustainable, growth-oriented programs that serve people of all ages and backgrounds.

By partnering with local organizations, they are able to offer a wide range of acces-

sible and inclusive activities. Over the years, BBBPRD2 has funded programs such as Blaine Youth Sports, co-ed softball, Boys & Girls Club, Cub Scouts, and the Blaine youth girls basketball team.

They’ve also supported beloved local events like Sandcastle Days, Trick or Treat on the Berm, Derby Days, Run with the Chums, and Wings Over Water. In addition, they’ve helped fund playgrounds at Marine Park and Bay Horizon Park.

Their mission is simple: to build a stronger, more connected, and more vibrant community.

Diane Major Blaine

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

CiviC Meetings

Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.

Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.

Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

/ ckimageart.com

Effective this week, The Northern Light will change its USPS delivery from Thursday to Friday.

www.thenorthernlight.com

Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.

BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.

Photo by Chuck Kinzer

Blaine cairn terrier, Tali, wins Best of Breed at Westminster

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Bow Wow & Woofs owner Heather Campbell’s cairn terrier, Talisker, won the best of breed while competing at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.

Talisker, or Tali, was the best cairn terrier at one of the most prestigious dog shows in the world. By winning his breed, Tali got to compete in his group under the lights of Madison Square Garden in New York on February 11. He was shown to the world on

Fox Sports 1, while representing Blaine. Tali gaited for the judges in the best in group competition for terriers but lost to Archer, a skye terrier. This year’s best in show was a giant schnauzer named Monty. A cairn terrier has never won a best in show, according to Westminster.

“He far exceeded expectations,” Campbell said. “He just showed himself.”

Tali is going to keep competing, Campbell said, adding that winning his breed at Westminster was a major accomplishment. It was her first

Parks and rec district to oversee Blaine events in 2025

The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) will manage the city of Blaine’s events in 2025, from the popular Fourth of July festival to a new 5K run and a regatta.

The contract will allow the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, which is without an executive director and typically organizes the events, to better support Blaine businesses.

BBBPRD2 will have a team managing its events that includes event specialist Jacquee Sovereign, the former executive director of the Blaine Chamber of Commerce who left the chamber last fall.

The Blaine events under the

BBBPRD2’s purview will be the Block Party, Fourth of July, Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival, Harbor Harvest Festival, Blaine Coastal 5K Run, and Blaine Coastal Regatta. The Blaine Coastal 5K Run will take place along the Blaine waterfront this spring with live music, vendor market and post-race celebration. The Blaine Coastal Regatta is planned to bring yachts from Blaine, Bellingham and White Rock, B.C. for races in Drayton Harbor this fall.

Those interested in volunteering at the events may contact info@bbbprd2.com.

“We moved to Blaine in August of 2022. Your newspaper is always a welcome bulletin for the area.”

-Linda Walker

This week’s supporters:

Steve & Peggy Jahn

Roberta Krenz

Linda & George Walker

Gene & Sharon Luther

time bringing a dog to Westminster.

“This is a bucket list accomplishment,” Campbell said. “It really was a magical experience.”

Tali was born on the Big Island of Hawaii in November 2021. His official competition name is GCHG CH Nakoa Talisker, named after the single malt whisky Talisker.

“That is the only malt whisky that is distilled on the Isle of Skye in Scotland,” Campbell said. “Cairns used to be named little skye terriers.”

Campbell, who previously hadn’t shown dogs in over two decades, began showing Tali once he was eligible at six months old.

At Tali’s first dog show, a cairn specialist, whose family had been breeding over 75 years, told Campbell she had an exceptional dog.

At seven months old, Tali was being shown by his handlers Bill and Taffe McFadden, who both have had successful careers guiding two Westminster winners and a runner-up.

Although he didn’t win it all this year, Campbell said the trip to New York was still a success.

“It’s about showcasing the breed

and improving on the breed,” she said. “He’s a really wonderful ambassador for his breed.”

Tali now begins another show year, and in order to enter into the 150th Annual Westminster Kennel

The City of Blaine is excited to invite proposals from qualified organizations to manage the Blaine Welcome Center and Visitor Information Center starting in April of this year.

This is an opportunity to contribute to Blaine’s vibrant downtown community and enhance visitor experiences. Proposals are due March 3rd at 4:00 p.m. by emailing Alex Wenger, CDS Director, at awenger@cityofblaine.com.

The initial one-year contract is renewable annually, with the potential for a two-year extension.

Please see the City of Blaine website, www.cityofblaine.com, for more information.

Club Dog Show in 2026, he will have to be top five in his breed throughout the year. Next, he will travel to Del Mar, California, to compete in the Silver Bay Dog Show February 21-23.

s Bow Wow & Woofs owner Heather Campbell’s dog, Talisker.

Photo courtesy of Heather Campbell

s Talisker and his handler Bill McFadden at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show on February 11. Image courtesy of Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show YouTube

Heartbreak at the Baker Dome

Boys, girls basketball fall short in opening round of District 1 1A playoff in Deming, season ends for both

B y n olan B aker & Z en h ill

The Borderite winter sports season is wrapped up after both boys and girls basketball teams were bounced from the district playoff in back-to-back games at Mt. Baker High School on February 10. Boys basketball took the game down to the wire, narrowly losing to Mt. Baker in the final seconds, and the girls basketball team weren’t able to mount a large-enough comeback to defeat the Mountaineers.

Girls bowling travelled to Tukwila for the 1A/2A State Championship on February 8 and 9, finishing 11th out of 12 teams, and earned the program’s second consecutive 1A Academic State Championship, with the team combining for a 3.76 GPA, the highest among all 1A bowling programs in the state.

Boys Basketball

With two seconds left on the fourth quarter clock, down by a single point against Northwest Conference (NWC) rival Mt. Baker, the Blaine boys basketball team had one final chance to extend its season, but a dramatic final shot attempt couldn’t be made, and the Borderites lost a heartbreaker, 47-46.

The Borderites searched all season for its first conference win, but came up two points shy, falling out of the District 1 1A Playoff in the opening round on February 10 at the Baker Dome in Deming.

Seniors Josiah Weeda and Dulio Kanagie once again led the team in scoring, with Weeda recording a game-high of 15 points with 10 rebounds, and Kanagie adding 14 points along with 10 rebounds. All four seniors, including Beckum Bleazard and Jacob Dohner, scored in the final game of their

s Senior forward Dulio Kanagie battles for a rebound with a group of Mt. Baker players in the first half of Blaine’s 47-46 loss in the first round of the District 1 1A playoff in Deming on February 10.

high school careers.

Head coach Chas Kok commended the group of seniors who he said kept the team poised throughout an at-times grueling season.

“I was really proud of those four seniors in specific because all of them improved quite drastically throughout the year,” Kok said. “Those four, because they bought in to what we were trying to teach and the culture, we were able to be in that game and play teams hard all season.”

Kok mentioned the improvement of Kanagie throughout the year, and how that showed up in an epic duel between the Blaine big man and Mt. Baker center Kell Reardon, who recorded 13 rebounds, four blocked shots and four steals.

“In the mental side of the game, he’s improved quite a bit,” Kok said of Kanagie. “His effort, his energy, I think really im-

proved and I think he just trusted his natural ability. He’s one of the better athletes I’ve ever had the opportunity to coach, so he has a natural ability and was able to play confidently towards the end of the year.”

Kanagie was constantly battling with Reardon underneath the basket, drawing multiple fouls and keeping attention away from Blaine’s perimeter shooters. In the waning minutes of the game, Kanagie hit one of two free throws to tie the game at 46-46 before Reardon also made one of two free throws to put Mt. Baker up for good.

“One of the things I like to tell the team is, ‘be proud of your efforts,’” Kok said. “I thought last night was one of the games where we could say we were proud of our effort. We went for loose balls, we competed in different areas that we had struggled with earlier in the year.”

Head coach Chas Kok said he was impressed with the way the team – despite not coming out on top against conference opponents – always played with tenacity, playing close to NWC powerhouses like Lynden and Ferndale in the regular season.

Making up for a week of cancelled games due to a major snowstorm, the Borderites played three games in four days, culminating in a do-ordie playoff against Mt. Baker. Kok called it the “second winter break,” and said the team had to dig deep to continue into the postseason with full effort and energy.

changes, check engine lights,

“It says a lot about their character and who they are as people,” Kok said. “I’m really proud of them.”

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Girls Basketball

Despite falling to a 20-6 deficit to open the first quarter against Mt. Baker in the opening round of the District 1 1A Playoff on February 10, Blaine girls basketball mounted an impressive comeback that fell just a few

Blaine had just one senior –Brie Smith – competing on the varsity roster after senior Callie Cruz didn’t recover from an injury she incurred last season. Wolffis said the tenacious effort and leadership from Smith was special.

“I’ve been coaching this game for about 36 years, I don’t think I could point to a player that has given more effort more consistently than Brie does all the time,” Wolffis said.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Girls Bowling

The Blaine girls bowling team capped off another stellar season with an 11th place finish at the 1A/2A state championships in Tukwila on February 8 and 9.

Photo by Nolan Baker

points shy of the Borderites advancing to the semifinal round. The Borderites fell to Mt. Baker 43-35, ending its season with a 4-15 (1-11 NWC) record.

After last season’s team had a mass exodus of players, head coach Vic Wolffis got down to business, recruiting an almost-entirely new team with just one returning player, a monumental task for any coach at any level.

Wolffis said the team had just one player coming out to offseason workouts, with the rest of the team joining just a week before the beginning of preseason preparations. He was proud of the effort and risk that these new players took every game and every practice, win or lose.

“They came out this year and knew that we’d have some really tough games and tough competition,” Wolffis said. “They did something that took bravery and courage, all year. They just kept battling when it may have looked like there might be nothing to battle for anymore, and they did it. We’re really proud of them.”

Blaine simply didn’t have an answer for Mt. Baker’s sophomore center Rebeca Soares, who dominated the interior with 24 points, 19 rebounds, three blocked shots and three steals.

The Borderites had to find ways to score outside the paint, and got another great game from guards Kate Koreski, who finished with nine points, eight rebounds and three assists, and Brietta Sandell, who added nine points, seven rebounds and three steals.

Despite outscoring Mt. Baker 24-19 in the second half, the Borderites couldn’t complete the comeback, ending the season with a loss to a bitter conference rival.

“They were great at bouncing back,” Wolffis said of this year’s team. “We had some games that were really tough – disastrous almost, we were barely functioning – and they’d come back the next day and practice … ready to get after it.”

The team also claimed the 1A Academic State Championship with the seven-bowler team combining for a 3.76 GPA.

The first place academic state championship was the second consecutive award for the team.

Head coach Matt McAuley, who works as a paraeducator in the Blaine School District, said the team puts as much emphasis on studying as it does chucking bowling balls, treating bowling practice as a study session.

“We want everyone to be great at bowling, it’s a lifetime sport, but academics comes first, they’re student-athletes,” McAuley said. “Between their shots, if they need to finish a paper, they can work on that paper.”

Competing among the best 1A/2A bowlers in the state, the Borderites finished 11th in a field of 12 teams, scoring a collective total of 5241 points as a team. Hudson’s Bay won first place in the state tournament with a team score of 7571.

In a field of over 100 bowlers, Ainslee Ellis had the best individual performance for the Borderites with a cumulative score of 862 across six games. Ellis scored a high of 166 in her final individual game of the state championship.

McAuley said the team, like so many other Whatcom County teams, wasn’t able to practice all last week due to snow closures, so the team had some rust to shake off.

But despite an unplanned week off right before the state championship, the Borderites still competed along with the best bowling programs in the state. Just three years into the program, McAuley and his team have earned district championships, state berths, and now two academic state championships.

“I’m just really proud of the girls this year, they really played tough and improved so much – more than I was expecting,” McAuley said. “They put in so much work, and it was amazing to see in the classroom how much work they put in. I was really proud of them and I can’t wait to keep building this program.”

s Counter-clockwise from top right: Marcella Bring looks for a pass in the first quarter of the opening round District 1 1A playoff against Mt. Baker on February 10. Landon Melton shoots a 3-pointer. Brietta Sandell runs down the court after forcing a turnover. Josiah Weeda dribbles past a Mt. Baker defender. Kate Koreski encourages her teammates during Blaine’s fourth quarter comeback attempt.

Girls photos by Zen Hill, boys photos by Nolan Baker

& Wellness

An inside look at heart health: How advanced cardiac imaging

Have you ever wondered how doctors can see inside your heart without opening you up?

They use technology called “noninvasive cardiovascular imaging.”

This means doctors take pictures of your heart with sophisticated machines, without the need to open your chest with an incision.

These tools offer safer, faster and more accurate testing for heart conditions. That in turn can lead to better, more effective treatment. They’re usually avail-

able only in big cities and teaching hospitals, though. Why? Because the technology is often used in research. It’s also because doctors need years of extra training to use the tools, says PeaceHealth cardiologist Kevin Steel, DO. Dr. Steel is an expert in heart imaging and the director of cardiac MRI at PeaceHealth in Bellingham. He’s working with Dr. Jason Stoane, a neuroradiologist from Mt. Baker Imaging, to offer these tools in northwest Washington.

A Help Button Should Go Where You Go!

To be truly independent, your personal emergency device needs

MobileHelp® allows you to summon emergency help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by simply pressing your personal help button. Unlike traditional systems that only work inside your home, a MobileHelp medical alert system extends help beyond the home. Now you can participate in all your favorite activities such as gardening, taking walks, shopping and traveling all with the peace of mind of having a personal alert system with you. MobileHelp, the “on-the-go” help button, is powered by one of the nation’s largest cellular networks, so there’s virtually no limit to your help button’s range. No landline? No problem! While traditional alert systems require a landline, with the MobileHelp system, a landline is not necessary. Whether you are home or away from home, a simple press of your help button activates your system, providing the central station with your information and location. Our trained emergency operators will know who you are and where you are located. If you’re one of the millions of people that have waited for an alert service because it didn’t t your lifestyle, or settled for a traditional system even though it only worked in the home, then we welcome you to try MobileHelp. Experience peace of mind in the home or on the go.

“We really have something unique going on,” Steel says. Instead of heading to a city like Seattle, people in the Bellingham area can ask their provider for a referral to PeaceHealth or Mt. Baker Imaging.

When are these tests done and for what conditions?

There’s a lot to understand about advances in heart imaging technology. Here, Steel explains the basics:

Coronary computed tomography angiography: CCTA uses X-rays and 3D technology to check if there are blockages in your coronary arteries. It’s usually done for people between 30 and 70 years old, and it works best when the heart beats slowly to get clear pictures.

AI-assisted fractional flow reserve computed tomography: A CT scan takes a detailed look at your heart’s arteries. It’s used to figure out if there are blockages.

Traditionally, doctors would have to put a long, thin tube called a catheter inside your body to get pictures. But CT scans are noninvasive, so there’s no need for equipment like a catheter. They use a contrasting dye to spot blocked arteries. The AI part of the technology used by Steel and Stoane can do a detailed

analysis. This is especially helpful when there’s a lot of calcium buildup in the arteries.

The AI makes the scan more accurate because it can measure how fast or slow the contrast dye moves through the artery. It can then flag possible blockages for your doctor to review. It gives them more information to decide if you would benefit from stents to keep your arteries open.

Cardiac MRI: A MRI of the heart can be done for many reasons. It uses a system of magnets and special cameras to gather images. This test can spot things like scar tissue, fluid and inflammation, which are hard to see any other way.

“You get not just pictures of the heart, like a CAT scan, but also the motion of the heart and an evaluation of the heart muscle itself,” Steel says of the technology. It’s essentially making a movie of the heart and the valves and how they work.

A cardiac MRI can check for signs of heart failure, issues with heart valves, lumps or tumors in the heart, heart inflammation (myocarditis) and heart concerns after getting Covid-19. It can also help doctors learn more about why you have symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath or fainting.

One benefit of this type of test

is that it’s quick and easy. It can take as little as 30 minutes, or last up to an hour and a half. There’s no need for catheters to be inserted in a vein or for a stay in the hospital to have a scan done.

Cardiac stress MRI: Stress tests look at how your heart works while you make it beat harder with exercise. Often a small amount of radioactive dye called a tracer is injected in your vein to help the doctor do the test.

Using an MRI avoids the need for radiation. It can show how well the blood vessels around the heart (coronary arteries) are working. Doctors use it to figure out if these arteries are blocked or if bypass surgeries are working well. It can also show if you need stents or bypass surgery to improve heart function. It’s a good choice for women and/or when someone’s weight is a concern.

Most imaging centers that do MRI-based stress tests are attached to a hospital. Mt. Baker Imaging was among the first free-standing centers in the U.S. to offer it. In-demand technology

The collaboration between PeaceHealth and Mt. Baker Imaging means that patients in the area have access to new technology sooner than if each group had built capacity for it on its own. And since the procedures are noninvasive, you don’t have to plan for a hospital stay to get advanced scans. Sometimes Steel’s team can bring the new technology where it’s needed, too. In 2023 PeaceHealth performed the first cardiac MRI in the San Juan Islands. They used a mobile MRI scanner with a patient at PeaceHealth Peace Island Medical Center in Friday Harbor.

Since they’ve added the new technology, Steel and Stoane are seeing people not just from Bellingham or surrounding areas in Whatcom County, which they expected. They’re also getting patients referred from doctors in Canada and Seattle.

“We worked hard to create a safe, welcoming environment,” Stoane says, and their collaboration makes it easier than ever to get quality heart care close to home.

Article courtesy of PeaceHealth

s Dr. Kevin Steel.

Photo courtesy of PeaceHealth

s Dr. Jason Stoane. Photo courtesy of PeaceHealth

Health & Wellness Local

New gynecologic oncology program at PeaceHealth cancer and OB-GYN services

PeaceHealth has increased its cancer and OB-GYN services to include gynecologic oncology.

The program, which started February 1, is in partnership with one of the top-ranked gynecologic oncology programs in the U.S., the University of Washington.

Dr. Molly Brewer will lead the program, specializing in cervical cancer, endometrial cancer, gynecologic oncology, ovarian cancer, uterine sarcoma, vaginal cancer, vulvar cancer and patients at risk for gynecologic cancer.

Brewer will see patients at PeaceHealth Squalicum Parkway Obstetrics, Gynecology and Midwifery Clinic in Bellingham and perform surgery at PeaceHealth

St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham. Infusion therapy will be done at the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cancer Center.

Brewer’s accomplishments include a medical degree from the State University of New York (SUNY) Health Science Center in Syracuse, New York and finishing her residency at Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland, Oregon. She completed her fellowship at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, and holds a master of science degree in statistical analysis and clinical research design from University of Michigan School of Public Health. Brewer also served as a professor and clinician in gynecologic

Quelling the winter blues in Blaine and Birch Bay through activities and recreation

B y a spen l indsay

Do you find yourself looking for a way out of the dead of winter boredom that many tend to experience? Well, look no further than the Blaine and Birch Bay area for something to do. Our area has so much to offer in terms of activities to help anyone stay entertained during these long winter months.

For starters, just head on over to the Blaine Public Library and check out one of those books that you know you have been dying to read. While you are at the library, do not forget to visit the Blaine Library Winter Exhibition, featuring local artists Kay Dee Powell and Motoko Lewis. The exhibition will be starting on Saturday, February 15 and running through Saturday, March 1.

If that exhibition piques your creative fancy, then head on over to the Blaine Art Gallery located at 922 Peace Portal Drive. The gallery is open Thursday through Sunday, and opening times vary. Information can be found on the Blaine Arts Council website, blaineartscouncil.org.

As much as everyone loves art and creativity, there are some very lively things to do such as attending the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) activities this month.

However, if you are looking for some kid-friendly activities, BBBPRD2 is also hosting a Nerf Party for ages 6-12 years old on Friday, February 14. Youth ages 9-12 will get the chance to engage in a Nerf battle 4:30-6:30 p.m. before children ages 6-8 years old have their Nerf battle 6:30-8 p.m.

But don’t stop there for some family leisure time. A night of popcorn and fun will be held for the free family movie night on Friday, February 21 at the Birch

Bay Activity Center.

And if you are looking for some more entertainment, then you should also not miss the upcoming Comedy Night with standup comedian Ritch Shydner at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club on Friday, February 28. The show starts at 5:30 p.m. and continues until 8 p.m.

In addition to the fun events

happening this month, don’t forget about local nature. If you are bored or need a change of view, do not forget to walk the beautiful paths around us – even nature is ready to entertain. Enjoy all that the Blaine and Birch Bay area has to offer.

Aspen Lindsay is an intern at Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2.

oncology at the University of Arizona and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She served as professor and chair of the Department of Obstetrics

and Gynecology at the University of Connecticut Health Center. Physicians and clinicians can refer patients to Brewer by calling 360/752-5280.

s Dr. Molly Brewer.

Photo courtesy of PeaceHealth

s Waves roll into the shoreline of Birch Bay during a cold, winter day.

Photo by Celine Mauger

Chada Thai dishes up authentic flavors

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Blaine’s lone Thai restaurant is dedicated to the authentic taste of Thai food at an affordable price. Co-owners Suchada and George Probert met in Bellingham in 2002 and dreamed of owning a restaurant. Suchada owned Chada Thai and Sweet Tangerine Teriyaki, now known as Teriyaki Secret, before selling the restaurant in 2016 to focus on Chada Thai, which she and George have been running since 2008.

Suchada is from Bangkok, Thailand. After her daughter came to

the U.S. to study abroad in the early 2000s, Suchada followed. She met George while visiting a friend in Washington and the two fell in love.

Blaine did not have a Thai food restaurant when the Proberts opened Chada Thai. The building features a view of the harbor at 825 Peace Portal Drive.

“I love meeting and talking with customers,” Suchada said. “It makes me happy and proud to present my culture.”

The restaurant features authentic Thai food like wok dishes, curry and many chef specials. The chefs are native Thai, with

a kitchen and wait staff familiar with traditional Thai cuisine.

“We rely on staff who really know Thai food,” Suchada said.

The dedication to an authentic taste and experience comes with its challenges. Chada Thai’s biggest struggle has been finding staff with Thai food expertise.

“There are not many Asian restaurants in Blaine and we’ve always focused on traditional Thai menus,” Suchada said. “We aim at offering good quality food in a reasonable price range.”

Suchada dedicates her full attention to Chada Thai, where she

wants to welcome locals, Canadians and anyone craving an authentic Thai food experience.

“A lot of our customers had spent some time in Thailand through work or travel,” Suchada said. “They came in because they missed authentic Thai food.”

Being authentic is one of Chada Thai’s missions, among striving to be family-friendly and affordable. The Proberts said that since their 2008 opening, they’ve seen a growth in the number of people craving Thai food.

In the future, they hope to bring outdoor seating to their

restaurant so customers can enjoy the bay breeze and sun in the warmer months. Along with seating expansion, Chada Thai hopes to add seasonal menus with more specials. They would also like to increase their involvement in community events.

“It has been a job that I enjoy doing,” Suchada said.

Restaurant recommendation: Suchada recommends readers try the shrimp pineapple fried rice or the chicken satay.

This article is part of a series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.

Peace Arch City Cafe: A downtown Blaine favorite

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One of Blaine’s most wellknown breakfast and lunch restaurants is aptly named after Blaine’s nickname “The Peace Arch City.”

John Quimod and Kylie Bestul have owned the Peace Arch City Café since 2012, and have operated at their current location, 658 Peace Portal Drive, since late 2017.

The spacious dining floor and brick walls makes for a comforting environment at the café for

patrons to converse while enjoying a fresh meal.

“It’s been nice to be in a small community,” Quimod said. “The locals are what makes it go, and the international Canadian traffic is the icing on the cake.”

Quimod and Bestul met in Hawaii when both worked for Norwegian Cruise Line, where Quimod was a restaurant manager and Bestul was a waitress. After living in Seattle together, they moved to Blaine and opened their former restaurant Little Red Caboose in 2009.

“It was like a working honeymoon,” Quimod said. “We were just going to do that for a couple of years.”

In 2012, the location of the former Blackberry House Cafe became available at 321 H Street and the couple purchased the building to begin Peace Arch City Café. The two spent five years in that location before moving to their current downtown spot.

“I came out to Blaine looking to do something temporarily,” Quimod said. “But one door of opportunity kept opening so we

just stepped through it and followed it, and here we are today.”

Quimod owned restaurants in his hometown in the Dallas-Fort Worth area before taking a break to work for the cruise line.

“I just had to get out of the scene for a little while,” Quimod said. “I thought Hawaii would be six months, and then it turned out to be three years so that was quite the adventure.”

Today, Quimod faces the pros and cons of owning a small-town restaurant. Local support makes the job great but also makes own-

ing a restaurant in a town like Blaine difficult, Quimod said. “There’s only so many people to go around,” Quimod said. “From Namaste to Chada Thai, there’s 14 restaurants or cafés and coffee shops. The same people who support us have to support everyone else at the same time.”

Restaurant recommendation: Quimod recommends readers try the migas for breakfast and the D-Street sandwich for lunch.

This article is part of a series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.

s Peace Arch City Cafe at 658 Peace Portal Drive in downtown Blaine. The owners John Quimod and Kylie Bestul have been operating out of this location since 2017. Photo by Zen Hill

s The day break breakfast sandwich from Peace Arch City Cafe. Photo courtesy of Peace Arch City Cafe

s Suchada Probert stands inside of Chada Thai at 825 Peace Portal Drive in Blaine on February 5. Probert has been at this location since 2008.

Photo by Zen Hill

s The pad basil from Chada Thai.

Photo courtesy of Chada Thai

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Jon Patrick Miller, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00076-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Lee Grochmal

The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of First Publication: January 30, 2025

Personal Representative: Marcus R. Miller PO Box 506 Ester, AK 99725

Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225

Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Galen Richard Green, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00042-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Jennifer Slattery

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In the matter of the Estate of BERENICE ANN HOCKLEY, Deceased. No. 25-4-0005537. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030)

JANET ANNE SNELL has been appointed as Personal Representative/Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the Deceased must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner provided by RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s Attorney at the address stated below, a copy of the claim, and filing the original of the claim with the Court in which the probated proceedings have commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020 (1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim will be forever barred except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 or 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate and nonprobate assets of the Decedent.

DATE OF FILING OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS WITH CLERK OF THE COURT: January 17, 2025

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: January 30, 2025

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE/ADMINISTRATOR: JANET ANNE SNELL

ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE/ ADMINISTRATOR: Mark W. Stowe, WSBA#16655

ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Stowe Law PLLC 276 Boundary Bay Road, P.O. Box 129 Point Roberts, WA 98281

Phone: (360) 945-0337

Email:stowelawpllc@outlook.com

Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 25-4-00076-37.

DATED this 17th day of January 2025. STOWE LAW PLLC: Mark W. Stowe, WSBA# 16655 Attorney for Administrator JANET ANNE SNELL

DATED January 29, 2025 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator: SHAWN THOMAS PITTMAN

Date of First Publication: January 30, 2025

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Mary Ann Blythe, Deceased. NO. 254-00117-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Robert E. Olson

Date of First Publication: February 13, 2025

Personal Representative: Nancy Blythe 3234 Northeast 98th Street Seattle, WA 98115

Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225

Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 25-4-00117-37

attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: February 5, 2025 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: February 13, 2025

Name of Administrator: NANCY DARNOLD

Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262

Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

Telephone: (360) 325-2550

Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED: February 5, 2025 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.

STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Administrator: NANCY DARNOLD

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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In the matter of the Estate of JUNE KATHERINE LEWARNE, Deceased. No. 254-00087-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030)

LESLIE ANN BAROUX has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above estate. Any person having a claim against the deceased JUNE KATHERINE LEWARNE must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner provided by RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s Attorney at

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: WALLI J. RIGGS, Deceased. No. 254-00123-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Jennifer Slattery. The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors January 31, 2025 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: February 6, 2025

Name of Administrator: CHELA RIGGS

Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262

Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

Telephone: (360) 325-2550

Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED January 31, 2025

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.

STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Administrator

CHELA RIGGS

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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: ROBERT BRUCE CAMERON, Deceased. No. 25-4-00112-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Evan Jones

The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors January 29, 2025 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: February 6, 2025

Name of Administrator: IAN B. CAMERON

Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262

Address for Mailing or Service:

Avery Elder Law, P.S.

801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

Telephone: (360) 325-2550

Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED January 29, 2025

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.

STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Administrator

IAN B. CAMERON

Road Rules: Electric bike registration

B y d ou G d ahl

Question: The law requires registration and license plates “to operate any vehicle on a public highway.” Does this mean that electric bicycles need to be licensed in Washington state? Also, in the quote above I note the word “highway.” Does that include city streets and county roads?

Answer: Here’s a paradox. A bicycle is both a vehicle and not a vehicle. According to the principles of classical physics, an object cannot be both a specific thing and not that thing at the same time. But this isn’t physics, it’s quantum mechanics. No, wait, it’s traffic law.

The law defines a vehicle as “a device capable of being moved upon a public highway and in, upon, or by which any persons or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a public highway.” You might be thinking that’s awfully broad. By that definition a pogo stick qualifies as a vehicle. Fortunately, the law continues, listing all the exclusions to that definition.

To start with, anything besides a bicycle that’s human powered is not a vehicle. (For the curious, traveling by pogo stick makes you a pedestrian.) A bicycle, though, is a vehicle, at least most of the time. Anyone riding a bike on the road has the same rights and duties as a driver, except when the law has no application to a bike. However, there are a few situations where the law states that a bicycle is not a vehicle, and that includes for the purpose of vehicle registration.

But you asked about electric bikes, specifically. The definition of a bicycle in Washington law includes electric bikes, as long as they conform to limits on power (no more than 750 watts) and top speed. Washington sorts electric-assisted bicycles into three classes. Class one and two have a top speed of 20 mph, and class three is limited to 28 mph. As long as an e-bike fits within those limits, there are no registration requirements for it and no license requirements for the rider. If it exceeds those limits, it’s no longer a bicycle; it’s a motorcycle (or motor-driven cycle if it’s under five horsepower). To ride it on the road, it would need to meet all the safety and equipment requirements for a street-legal motorcycle.

Regarding highways: When you hear Tom Cochrane sing “Life is a highway, I wanna ride it all night long,” or when Steppenwolf belts out “Get your motor running, head out on the highway,” no one is imagining a 25-mph neighborhood street. (But after those two song references you’re probably imagining that I’m old.) In the common vernacular, highways have higher speed limits, fewer intersections and connect cities and towns that are miles apart, while roadways are slower and local. In traffic law though, it’s

OBITUARY

Deborah Jean Haggman

December 15, 1951 – February 2, 2025

Deborah (Debbie) Jean Haggman passed away peacefully at Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham on Sunday, February 2, 2025. Debbie was born on Saturday, December 15, 1951 in Powell River, BC, Canada. After graduating from Max Cameron High School, she worked for MacMillan Bloedel Limited, the world’s largest papermaker at the time, in various departments.

She met her husband, Kurt, in her hometown when he was also working at the paper mill in the summer of 1970 and they were married on Christmas Eve. Debbie also spent time in Port Alberni, BC; Saint John, NB; Kamloops, BC; and Renton, WA before retiring in Blaine, WA in 2012. After moving to the United States in 2000, she became a naturalized citizen in 2007. She was a proud Canadian and always referred to herself a dual citizen.

Debbie was a gifted watercolor artist. Through participation in art shows, she received the distinguished honor of Signature Member in the Northwest Watercolor Society. She had a successful art business which included teaching art classes in Renton, and Lynden at the Jansen Art Center. Her final art show is hanging in the Great Blue Heron Grill at Semiahmoo in Blaine, WA until the end of February 2025.

Outside of her creative pursuits, Debbie loved staying active. She was an enthusiastic golfer, pickleball player and line dancer. With a wide circle of friends from the golf course, the art world, and her neighbors at Semiahmoo she enjoyed life to the fullest. Even though she lived with lymphoma for 20 years, and glioblastoma slowly took its toll, Debbie’s positive outlook and ability to adapt never wavered.

The joy of Debbie’s life was her three children and four grandchildren. Christmas was always celebrated with the whole family with a special tradition on Christmas Eve. She was a caring mother and proud grandmother. She shared her love of art with her eldest grandchild and encouraged the others to follow their own passions. Family activities were central to her enjoyment of life.

Debbie always planned ahead and enjoyed organizing travel vacations and family gatherings. Because of her Scottish heritage, her favorite vacation was the trip to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to see and hear the best bagpipers in the world.

Debbie was predeceased by her father, Sidney Southcott; her mother, Mary Southcott; and her oldest sister, Wendy Mobley. She is survived by her husband, Kurt; her son, Eric; her daughters, Angela Hot (Damir) and Lindsay Reed (Scott); her older sister, Sydney Hope; her nephews, Christopher (Sally) and Michael (Marsha) Hope; her niece, Erin Corry; and four granddaughters, Isla, Dani, Lexi and Riley.

Special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff at the Whatcom Hospice House for making her last days as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.

As per Debbie’s wishes, there will be no funeral. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Northwest Watercolor Society Foundation, PO Box 50387, Bellevue, WA 98015-0387.

s People walk their e-bikes along the Birch Bay berm. File photo

much broader. A highway is “the entire width between the boundary lines” of every public road.

So why don’t we just call it a roadway? Well, roadway has its own definition. A roadway is the part of the highway that you drive on. The highway is the pavement, the bike lane, the sidewalk, the shoulders, and anything else between the edges of the right-ofway. The roadway is only the area designated for vehicular travel.

(Side note: Just to make things confusing, I’ll mention that the

chapter of law on snowmobiles has its own definitions for roadway and highway that are more like our common understanding.)

Applying the traffic law definition of highway to your question about vehicle registration, you couldn’t legally drive an unlicensed over-powered electric bike on the shoulder of the road, as that’s part of the highway.

Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.

sheriff’s repOrts

January 30, 8:59 a.m.: Domestic violence arrest on Birch Bay Square Street.

January 30, 5:46 p.m.: Shots on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

February 1, 10:57 a.m.: Burglary cold call on East Street.

February 1, 12:01 p.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Birch Bay Drive.

February 1, 12:29 p.m.: Theft cold call on Marine Drive.

February 2, 8:38 a.m.: Runaway cold call on Leeside Drive.

February 2, 11:25 a.m.: Burglary cold call on Gemini Street.

February 2, 3:54 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Drayton Harbor Road.

February 3, 11:39 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Birch Bay Drive.

February 3, 3:51 p.m.: Aggravated assault on Salish Lane.

February 3, 5:14 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Bruce Road.

February 4, 10:03 a.m.: Overdose on Sunset Drive.

February 4, 1:14 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Loomis Trail Road.

February 4, 2:03 p.m.: Fraud cold

call on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

February 4, 4:38 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident blocking on Kickerville Road.

February 5, 1:27 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

February 5, 3:55 p.m.: Arson no fire on Loomis Trail Road.

February 5, 5:48 p.m.: Noise

on Salish Lane.

February 6, 2:15 a.m.: DUI arrest on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

February 6, 4:31 a.m.: Domestic violence arrest on Birch Bay Drive.

February 6, 2:25 p.m.: Burglary arrest on McGee Road.

February 6, 4:15 p.m.: Hit and run on Anderson Road.

pOLiCe repOrts

February 1, 12:19 a.m.: Theft on Marine Drive.

February 1, 8:31 p.m.: Animal problem on 4th Street.

February 1, 9:31 p.m.: Hit and run on Wood Duck Way.

February 1, 10:29 p.m.: Serve warrant on Mitchell Avenue.

February 2, 11:29 a.m.: DUI on 2nd Street.

February 2, 5:53 p.m.: Hot rod on H Street.

February 2, 8:33 p.m.: Hot rod on Garfield Avenue.

February 3, 9:01 a.m.: Vehicle theft on Boblett Street.

CrOssWOrd

ACROSS

1. Racquet sport group (abbr.)

4. Norse god of thunder 8. Russian industrial city 10. What’s good for the __ 11. Round-ish shape

12. Baltimore MLBer

13. French modernist painter 15. Burned with water 16. Intestinal issue 17. Take the lead 18. Prove oneself worthy 21. None 22. Tax collector 23. Swiss river 24. Gymnast Raisman 25. Baby’s dining accessory

26. Canadian beer distributor

27. Iconic American tourist destination

34. More expansive

35. Alert

36. Popular boots

Doc __

37. Showings

38. Conclusion 39. Share a common boundary

40. Shooting sport

41. Popular side dish

42. Global energy firm 43. Chronicles (abbr.)

DOWN

1. Type of bomb 2. Polynesian island country

3. Heavenly body 4. Hard workers 5. Covered 6. Johns Hopkins Hospital founder 7. Plant of the grass family

9. Island person of the Bering Sea 10. Storehouse 12. Scarlet-flowered desert shrub 14. A pituitary hormone

15. Female sibling 17. Monetary unit

of Afghanistan

19. Empowering 20. Space station 23. Disorder 24. State of fuss 25. Footwear for babies

26. Nuclear reactor (abbr.)

27. Droves 28. Affirmative

29. Male parent 30. Utter obscenities 31. Type of verse 32. Unpleasant person

33. One who settles down

34. Founder of source-based history 36. A way to snarl

February 3, 12:53 p.m.: Rape on H Street.

February 3, 1:09 p.m.: Domestic – physical on 8th Street.

February 3, 6:49 p.m.: Burglary on Odell Road.

February 4, 10:53 a.m.: Rape on H Street.

February 5, 5:00 p.m.: Suicidal subject on G Street.

February 6, 8:29 a.m.: Prowler on Oleander Drive.

February 7, 7:54 a.m.: Disorderly conduct on Mitchell Ave.

February 7, 11:39 p.m.: Noise on E Street.

tides

February 13 - 19 at Blaine. Not for navigation.

Coming up

Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, February 15, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Over $275 in prizes. Games begin at 12:30 p.m. Eight games $15. Concession stand snacks available. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.

Love Your Shores Beach Cleanup: Sunday, February 16, 1–3 p.m., Blaine Marine Park. Show your local beach a little love. Wear warm clothing and appropriate footwear for the beach. Work gloves, trash bags, grabbers and buckets provided. Register at: tinyurl.com/cleanblaine. Sponsored by Gardens of the Salish Sea. Supper with the Superintendent: Tuesday, February 18, 6 p.m., Blaine elementary school library. The community is invited to a questions and answer meeting with Blaine school district superintendent Dr. Christopher Granger. Light meal provided. Info: blainesd.org.

Birch Bay Chamber Luncheon: Thursday, February 20, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Paso del Norte, 758 Peace Portal Drive. Speaker: Whatcom Dispute Resolution Center. Registration: birchbaychamber.com.

Blaine Chamber After-hours Networking: Thursday, February 20, 4–5:30 p.m., Paso del Norte, 758 Peace Portal Drive. Network with other local businesses. No-host. Info: blainechamber.com.

Birch Bay Incorporation Committee Community Meeting: Thursday, February 20. 6 p.m, North Bay Community Church, 4895 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Whatcom County Sheriff Donnell Tanksley will be present for an important discussion on public safety in Birch Bay and what law enforcement could look like after incorporation. In-person or on Zoom. Info: incorporatebirchbay.com.

Books and Bites: Friday, February 21, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. February title: The Art Thief: A True Story of Love, Crime, and A Dangerous Obsession by Michael Finkel.. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.

Family Movie Night: Friday, February 21, 7 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Playing family friendly movies. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch the movie on the big screen. Free popcorn. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Sauerkraut and Fermenting: Saturday, February 22, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Homemade, crispy kraut made right in your kitchen. Natural probiotics and prebiotics to help your microbiome. Learn the basics of fermentation. Free. Info: nwcore.org.

Paint and Sip Hot Chocolate: Saturday, February 22, 5:30–7:30 p.m., L&L Bakery, 477 Peace Portal Drive. Enjoy an evening painting a winter scene and enjoy hot chocolate while you paint. $30. Registration required at bbbparkandrec.org.

Library Budget Listening Session: Tuesday, February 25, 6–7:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. WCLS administrators will review the library system’s budget forecast and ask community members for their input about the library services that matter most to them and their families and their suggestions about how to move towards fiscal sustainability. Each session will include a brief presentation followed by a Q&A and hands-on interaction and discussion. Info: wcls.org.

Dahlias Workshop: Wednesday, February 26, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Dahlias are considered the premier cut flower. Easy to grow but there are some definite tips. Presentation includes experienced dahlia growers, demos and answering questions. Free tubers. Info: nwcore.org.

Family Science Night: Thursday, February 27, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Primary School, 820 Boblett Street. An evening full of scientific experiments and demonstrations. Open to the public.

Whatcom Farm Expo: Saturday, March 1, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., WECU expo building of the Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, Lynden. Learn about all the resources available to you, from local organizations to businesses and community groups. Local speakers give presentations on topics related to all aspects of farming.Free. Hosted by Whatcom Conservation District and Whatcom County Public Works. Info: whatcomcd.org/whatcom-farm-expo.

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of February 3 to 9, 0.1 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-to-date precipitation is 2.7 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 43.5°F on February 8, with a low of 12°F on February 7. Average high was 35.1°F and average low was 20.1°F.

Dahlias Workshop: Saturday, March 1, 9:30–11:30 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Dahlias are considered the premier cut flower. Easy to grow but there are some definite tips. Presentation includes experienced dahlia growers, demos and answering questions. Free tubers. Info: nwcore.org.

Arts and Jazz Fundraiser: Rescheduled to Saturday, March 1, 7 p.m., Blaine High School cafeteria. Family fun, art, music and theater performances, culinary sampling, live and silent auctions. Tickets at the door: $10 adults, $5 students/seniors, children under 5 free. All funds raised support scholarships and extracurricular experiences for students in the Blaine school district arts departments. Info: blainefinearts@gmail.com.

Ongoing

Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Info:360/3326350 or Info@blainefoodbank.org.

The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m. 508 G Street. The Community Assistance Program clothing bank is now located in the basement of the CAP Center providing free clothing and linens. Donations accepted only during open hours or by special arrangement. Info: blainecap.org or 360/392-8484.

Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Whatcom Community Foundation talks federal funding freeze and impact to local nonprofits

y Z en h ill

Mauri Ingram, president and CEO of Whatcom Community Foundation, a philanthropic hub for nonprofits in the county, spoke with The Northern Light about the uncertain federal funding issues nonprofits are apparently facing.

The Trump administration ordered a freeze on federal grants and contracts on January 28. U.S. District Court Judge Loren L. AliKhan partially blocked the freeze in response to a lawsuit filed by the National Council of Nonprofits and other organizations. Twenty-three attorney generals have also sued to block the freeze. However, on February 10 a federal judge ordered the administration to unfreeze billions, saying it had not followed the order to unfreeze the funding. This conversation has been edited for clarity and brevity.

TNL: What do you want nonprofits to know right now?

WCF: Your work is valued. It’s easy to feel discouraged and disregarded in a situation like this. Second, remember to breathe. I don’t mean that to sound patronizing because this is a very stressful time. That said, people are more creative and make better decisions when they are calm. Take stock of what you can control and plan accordingly. Stay in communication with your contacts in federal departments to the

best of your ability and communicate needs proactively to donors.

TNL: Where can they go for more information?

WCF: The National Council of Nonprofits and the Nonprofit Association of Washington are great resources. We will do our best to keep organizations informed and will continue to rely on our state and national partners to have the most current information.

TNL: What resources are available for nonprofits in this uncertain time?

WCF: Current and former board members, staff and other key supporters who are thinking together about how best to navigate this uncertainty. The other critical resource is donors. Nonprofits are supported by donors of all political stripes who value their work. This is not a partisan issue.

TNL: What are the biggest challenges for nonprofits dealing with this uncertainty regarding federal funding?

WCF: The difficulty in planning, particularly if a significant portion of their budget comes from the federal government. Scenario planning is important. Even if funding isn’t technically frozen, it may be delayed due staffing shortages, technology issues or both. Organizations need to be as prepared as possible. For many organizations, this is an incredibly hard time to support staff

who may be concerned about the security of their jobs.

TNL: How would a federal freeze on funding to these nonprofits negatively impact them?

WCF: It already has. Organizations have diverted staff time away from their mission-related work to better understand the landscape; assessed their risks to make contingency plans; paused programs until they have more clarity on what’s likely to happen next; fielded questions from clients, staff, donors, funders like the Community Foundation and the media; and are planning for temporary or permanent staff reductions.

If funds already committed are rescinded, they could have budget shortfalls and potential short or long-term impacts on programs and projects as well as potential long-term financial instability, depending on the organization.

TNL: Are there certain nonprofits most reliant on federal dollars?

WCF: Many of the organizations that help meet basic needs – food banks, housing providers, community health clinics – are usually the first ones we think of. Workforce training and many arts and culture, environmental and other organizations are also affected.

TNL: Are there alternative sources of funding to which nonprofits can apply during this uncertainty?

WCF: Unfortunately, the phil-

anthropic sector does not have the resources to come close to filling the hole that would be left by a federal funding freeze.

TNL: Are there actions Whatcom Nonprofit Network is taking to address the potential funding freeze?

WCF: Whatcom Nonprofit Network is a program of the Whatcom Community Foundation. We’re communicating with our federal representatives to ensure they know how a freeze or even the threat of a freeze is impacting local organizations. We’re also communicating with donors and encouraging them to give. Lastly and most importantly, we’re available to work with organizations as they think through options.

TNL: Why are our Whatcom County nonprofits important to the community?

WCF: Combined, local nonprofits touch the lives of every person in Whatcom County. Think about your average week, month or year and I’ll guarantee that more than one nonprofit organization plays a role in your life and the lives of the people you live, work, learn and play with. Whatcom County would look and be very different without the nonprofits that contribute to every aspect of this place.

TNL: How can the community help our nonprofits right now?

WCF: Give to the organizations that matter to you. Contributions

from individuals are the most important source of funding for many nonprofits. Reach out to your federal representatives to advocate on behalf of nonprofits and ask your friends and family to do the same. And while it may seem like a small thing, sending a card to let staff at your favorite organizations know they’re appreciated means a lot. Nonprofits have been working at and beyond their capacity for four-plus years. We can’t say ’thank you’ often enough. For more information on Whatcom Community Foundation, visit whatcomcf.org.

Whatcom Museum to display three famous French artworks

Whatcom Museum will soon have three famous French artists’ work displayed in partnership with the National Gallery of Art.

Three pieces – “Still Life with Sleeping Woman” by Henri Matisse, “Picking Flowers” by Auguste Renoir and “The Battle of Love” by Paul Cézanne – will be shown in the “Verdant” exhibit at the museum’s Lightcatcher Building starting Friday, February 14.

“Radical in their day, Renoir, Cézanne and Matisse expanded the ways artists could envision the world, with ripple effects that extended across generations and to the artists well known in our region,” wrote Whatcom Museum chief curator Amy Chaloupka

in a statement.

The exhibit is part of the National Gallery of Art’s “Across the Nation” program where the Washington, D.C. gallery is loaning famous artwork to 10 regional museums through 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the U.S.

Information at the exhibit will show more than just the iconic art. Background on the works will also be provided, such as how Matisse’s “Still Life with Sleeping Woman” was looted during World War II.

“It’s a privilege each time we’re entrusted with an artwork, either for exhibition or safekeeping within our collection, and that the National Gallery would partner with us to share these masterworks with Bellingham is a

real honor,” wrote Patricia Leach, executive director of Whatcom Museum, in a statement.

The exhibit will be on display

for free during the Free First Friday from noon to 9 p.m. Friday, March 7. The museum is also offering free admission for K-12

field trips visiting the exhibit. The Lightcatcher Building is located at 250 Flora

in downtown Bellingham.

Street

s Mauri Ingram, president and CEO of Whatcom Community Foundation. Courtesy photo

s “Picking Flowers” (1875) by French artist Auguste Renoir. The National Gallery of Art is loaning the oil-on-canvas artwork to Whatcom Museum starting Friday, February 14, through 2026. The piece is part of the National Gallery of Art’s Ailsa Mellon Bruce Collection. Photo courtesy of Whatcom Museum