The 2025 Washington State Legislature session kicked off January 13 with a host of new bills and other major issues lawmakers need to tackle before adjourning in late April.
Some of the pre-filed bills lawmakers have already introduced and may be considering this year include reducing the DUI blood alcohol concentration limit from 0.08 to 0.05; adding more public places and locations where guns and weapons are prohibited; and a proposal to fund cameras for election drop boxes, after a ballot box was set on fire in Vancouver last year.
Here are some of the issues Cascade PBS will be watching during the 105-day session: The budget
In odd (numerically) years, lawmakers work on a new biennial budget for the state. Expect a lot of negotiating and reconfiguring this year as Washington faces a budget shortfall of potentially $10 billion to $16 billion over the next four years.
As usual, Democrats and Republicans do not see eye to eye on how to shore up the budget.
While Democratic leaders believe in the main cuts can be made for certain programs, House and Senate Democrats have said they are in support of creating new sources of revenue, especially in the wake of voters upholding the capital gains tax on the November ballot.
“The voters gave us clues about where we should do that,” said Senate majority leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) during a December interview with KING 5. “We should be taxing rich people and companies that can afford to pay more and that fairly should be paying more to support the services that we all benefit from as a community.”
And at least one lawmaker, Senator Noel Frame (D-Seattle), supports creating a new “wealth tax” for the state’s highest earners, a proposal she also introduced last year but that did not pass.
Other proposals may be on the docket this year as well. In December, governor Jay Inslee released a budget proposal to
Legislature, page 3)
Girls bowling prepares for districts, page 7
Local dog heading to Westminster, page 8
Winter sunset colors Semiahmoo Spit
Gaps in state special education funding impact Blaine school district families
The gaps in funding for special education illustrate funding problems that are being seen across school districts around the state.
State law enacts a cap on how much special education funding the state will cover for a school district. The state is required to cover special education costs for up to 17.5 percent of a school district’s student population, ranging from speech therapy to instructional aids. However, if a district has 20 percent of its population using special education services, that 2.5 percent difference must be covered by the school district.
If neither the state nor the school dis-
trict is able to provide a specific therapy, assessment or other help for students with disabilities, the cost is passed down to parents.
The Blaine school district received $4.2 million from the state to cover special education for the 2024-25 school year, but costs are projected to exceed $5.8 million. Since 2020, costs for special education have outpaced the state’s allocation by a total of $7.14 million, according to school district data.
Gina Bring, a parent of two Blaine students and an advocate for special education, said during the Fund Schools Now town hall on January 7 that her children
Funding, page 2)
s Vibrant hues decorate the sky above Semiahmoo Spit on January 20.
Photo by Grace McCarthy
Funding ...
From page 1 have been denied special education opportunities due to funding shortfalls. Bring said their family has, on multiple occasions, been forced to find outside help for their children when the district had no means to cover the costs.
“The barriers we’ve encountered trying to understand and navigate this process have taken money, precious time and sometimes our sanity,” Bring
said. “We’ve gone the route of supplementing our children’s education by paying for outside tutoring, assessments and therapies. Many families are unable to afford to take this route.”
Bring said in a follow-up interview that Blaine removed an intervention specialist from classrooms a few years ago who served as the lifeline for students with dyslexia and other specific learning disabilities.
“They go through the system always being two steps behind their peers,” Bring said of children with dyslexia.
Blaine is not alone. In the Ferndale school district, 28 percent of its $3.4 million in special education funding for the previous school year was financed, costing the district more money in interest payments down the road, school board president Dr. Kevin Erickson said during the town hall.
The cap was set to 12.7 percent when it was established in 1995 and increased to 13.5 percent in 2017, then 15 percent in 2023.
House Bill 2180, which became state law in June, increased the funding cap to 17.25 percent.
42nd district representative Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) holds a spot on the House Education Committee, and urged her constituents to reach out to not only her office, but offices of lead representatives in the committee: chair Sharon Tomiko Santos (D-Seattle) can be reached at 360/786-7944 and vice chair
Clyde Shavers (D-Oak Harbor) can be reached at 360/786-7884.
Bring said the issues with special education have persisted since her eldest child, now 24, was in school.
“Covid was an Oz behind the curtain moment,” Bring said. “The problem was always there. It’s just Covid made it everybody’s problem.”
Grace McCarthy contributed to the reporting of this article.
No injuries in Semiahmoo boat fire
s No injuries were reported in a boat fire at Semiahmoo Marina on January
to nearby boats. First responders also included Blaine Police Department, Bellingham Fire Department and Whatcom County Fire District 7. The cause of the fire was not immediately known.
Department
18. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue was dispatched at 8:09 p.m., with the first unit arriving at 8:19 p.m., chief Jason Van der Veen said. The fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes. While no one was injured in the fire, there was minor heat damage
Photo courtesy of Blaine Police
s Blaine parent Gina Bring speaks during the Fund Schools Now town hall at Blaine Middle School on January 7.
Photo by Nolan Baker
Legislature ...
From page 1
the legislature calling for a 1 percent wealth tax on residents who make more than $100 million a year. He also proposed an increase in the state’s business and occupation (B&O) tax, which would temporarily tax businesses with an annual income over $1 million at 20 percent. A 10 percent B&O tax would also be levied on some businesses in 2027 under the proposal.
But Republicans disagree on the need for more revenue sources, with Senate minority leader John Braun (R-Centralia) noting that he believed the deficit is the result of a spending problem and that tackling the budget should be addressed by cutting unnecessary items instead of raising new taxes.
Other Republicans, such as Washington GOP chairman Jim Walsh, claimed on the social media platform X that the state does not have a budget crisis, instead saying that the deficits are “projections and scare tactics” used by Democrats.
Democrats could see pushback from their own party as well, as governor Bob Ferguson said in a December interview that he was not ready to support any tax increases quite yet. Instead, Ferguson has proposed other ideas to trim the state budget, such as potentially cutting a state agency altogether, although he declined to say which one. Also, Ferguson’s transition team includes a subcommittee on reducing state spending.
More money for police
Several bills have been pre-filed that aim to fund the hiring of law enforcement officers in the state.
During his campaign, Ferguson proposed a $100 million grant program to support local governments’ hiring of more law enforcement officers. He affirmed his commitment to that campaign promise at a press availability and in a budget priorities statement on Thursday.
A bipartisan proposal introduced in December by Senator
Jeff Holy (R-Cheney) would take $100 million from the state’s general fund to support the hiring of local and tribal law enforcement officers for a grant program.
Senator Manka Dhingra (D-Redmond) is also signed on as a co-sponsor of the bill.
Another proposal, introduced by Representative Amy Walen (D-Kirkland) would authorize counties and cities to impose a sales and use tax as a credit against the state sales and use tax to provide funding to attract and retain officers.
Housing
Building on the past several years of success with bills to increase the housing supply in Washington, lawmakers have dropped bills to continue that success.
Representative Andrew Barkis (R-Olympia) has reintroduced a bipartisan bill to allow lot-splitting, which would allow the division of a single residential lot un-
der certain conditions. It passed the House in both 2023 and 2024, but hit snags in the Senate.
While efforts to pass legislation that would have prevented landlords from raising tenant rents more than 7 percent in a year did not succeed in 2024, a similar bill has been put forward this year. In lieu of statewide renter protections, last year many cities like Spokane and Olympia passed other policies to help renters, although state law prohibits cities from passing their own policies on rent control. A recent Cascade PBS/ Elway Poll showed that 68 percent of Washington voters are in favor of limiting the amount landlords can raise the rent.
Expect to see more housing bills introduced as the Legislature gets into full swing.
More gun control measures
Democratic lawmakers have taken major steps in the past few years aiming to curtail gun vio-
lence by passing a ban on assault weapons, banning “high capacity” magazines, and placing limitations on where people in the state can have guns.
Now, Democratic lawmakers are looking at other options for the upcoming session.
Representative Darya Farivar (D-Seattle) is co-sponsoring legislation with other Democrats to limit the bulk purchase and transfers of firearms and ammunition, which would prevent firearms dealers from delivering more than one firearm to a purchaser in a 30-day period. Additionally, the amount of ammo a purchaser can buy in a 30-day period would be limited to no more than 100 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition, or more than 1,000 rounds of any other caliber of ammo.
The advocacy group Alliance for Gun Responsibility released its policy agenda in December, which noted they are pushing
Point Roberts community rallies to support local school
Community members packed the Point Roberts Community Center on January 10 to discuss the future of Point Roberts Primary School, expressing concerns about
declining enrollment and calling for renewed engagement between the school district and local families.
“The district has had no discussions about closing Point Roberts Primary School,” Blaine school
for a “permit-to-purchase” system in the state. A similar proposal in the legislature failed to pass last year. Visit cascadepbs.org/donate to support nonprofit, freely distributed, local journalism.
s
A large and engaged crowd turned out to discuss the Point Roberts Primary School on January 10. Blaine school district superintendent Dr. Christopher Granger assured residents that closure of the school was not in the cards.
district superintendent Christopher Granger assured attendees. “I think the building is very important to this community. The community is very important to the (See Point Roberts, page 9)
Valentine’s at The Vault
THURSDAY, FEB. 13 Valentine’s Trivia hosted by Alan Finston FR IDAY, FEB. 14 Dining & Dancing in The Studio With Michele D’Amour & The Love Dealers A La Carte Menu in The Bistro too
SATURDAY, FEB. 15 Winemaker’s Dinner presented by Morgan Lee of Two Vintners
SUNDAY, FEB. 16 Sunday
Photo by Erin Kelly
s The Washington state Capitol building in Olympia.
Photo by Grace McCarthy
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.
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Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl, Shauna Sowersby
The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230
Tel: 360/332-1777
Vol XXX, No 32
Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
New entrance installed at Blaine Cemetery OpiniOn
on
and cost
The Editor:
has a new
Our concern is regarding the renewal of the operational contract with the city of Blaine community center, between our nonprofit member-owned Blaine Senior Center (BSC). The city contract for the building may be awarded to a governmental agency, such as parks and recreation, to run a senior center in place of BSC. We offer the key difference between the BSC to any government-run center.
• Leadership and decision-making: BSC decisions are locally driven, while government centers are managed by outside administrators.
• Community involvement: BSC fosters local ownership and volunteerism, whereas government centers may limit community influence.
• Flexibility: BSC can quickly adapt to local needs, unlike bureaucratic agency centers that may be slow to change.
• Funding: BSC relies on donations, grants, membership fees and events while government agencies may face budget cuts, then increase senior fees for programs.
Letters
• Program relevance: BSC offers tailored programs for local seniors, while government centers might provide some standardized services that lack local relevance.
• Accountability: BSC is directly accountable to the community, promoting transparency, whereas government accountability will be more bureaucratic and not accountable to Blaine seniors.
• Social connection: BSC fosters stronger personal bonds of family, friends and neighbors, while government centers may lack community ties or concerned interest.
Our letter does not dismiss concerns by the city of Blaine over the past year and a half regarding financial management. We had to take care of those issues and embarrassment. The importance of local governance and community input is a must and an agency takeover could undermine the efficacy and personal touch that the BSC provides.
We advocate for our continuation of BSC, emphasizing strength of community engagement and tailored services. Our new manager Cheryl English is outstand-
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.
ing, and the BSC is in a sound, stable financial position. We are growing our membership and our help to the community of Blaine. We request a temporary six-month hold before any changes are made. Then reexamine our stewardship commitment to you.
Ron and Donna Rayburn Blaine Senior Center members Blaine
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Correction
In the article titled “More than Just a Bite: Meet Monte Landucci” in the January 16 issue of The Northern Light, a photo caption incorrectly spelled Shilo Lehn’s first name and incorrectly stated Lehn’s relationship to Monte Landucci. Lehn is Landucci’s partner, not wife. We regret the errors.
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.
s The Blaine Cemetery
H Street
entrance. Harpiar Gandhi, director of Blaine Public Works Department, said the sign was installed late last fall
about $30,000. The Blaine Parks and Cemetery Board recommended the idea and Blaine City Council approved it.
Photo courtesy of Jim Hermsen
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District plans major infrastructure investments in 2025
Sandi McMillan
promoted BBWSD general manager
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD) commissioners appointed Sandi McMillan as general manager following over a decade as the district’s finance director, a position in which she was lauded for improving the district’s finances.
McMillan joined the district 11 years ago with over 30 years of experience in local government work that focused on grants and contracts. McMillan has previously served on the Washington State Auditor’s Office Local Government Advisory Committee and the Washington State Department of Health Water Affordability Committee.
McMillan, alongside former general manager Dan Eisses, brought new projects to the district including a simplified 10-year revenue requirement model as well as rate-setting policy and procedure. The pair secured grants and low-interest loans for the district, including a low-interest loan that funded a $2 million automated meter reading system that quickly shows leak detection data. Low interest loans also began plans for a Point Whitehorn water reservoir and Birch Point water supply improvement project.
Eisses retired at the end of 2024 after a tenure overseeing the Birch Bay View sewer installation, sewer main replacement in Birch Bay State Park and water main project on Blaine Road. The Lummi Nation honored Eisses with a ceremonial blanket for how he managed projects in sacred tribal areas.
B y P at g ru BB
The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District’s board of commissioners has approved an $11.86 million budget for 2025, with significant investments planned for water and sewer infrastructure improvements. The budget includes a 7 percent rate increase for customers, which district officials say remains below recent inflation rates.
The 2025 budget allocates $5.83 million for capital improvement projects, with a major focus on constructing a new 170,000-gallon water reservoir at Point Whitehorn. This reservoir will serve as an emergency water supply in the event of natural disasters such as earthquakes.
“We’re planning for both current needs and future growth,” says Sandi McMillan, general manager. “As the largest urban growth area in Whatcom County with over 8,000 connections, we need to ensure our infrastructure keeps pace with development while maintaining affordable rates for our residents.”
The district plans several critical infrastructure projects in 2025, including:
• Replacing approximately 24 aging fire hydrants to improve emergency response capabilities
• Reducing inflow and infiltration issues in the sewer system during heavy rain events
• Recoating a clarifier at the wastewater treatment facility
• Upgrading electrical systems at sewer lift stations
For residential customers, the basic bi-monthly water and sewer bill will increase from $88.95 to $95.40. An average household using 1,200 cubic feet of water over 60 days will see their bill rise from $147.35 to $157.80.
McMillan notes that despite the increase, Birch Bay’s water and sewer rates remain among the lowest in Whatcom County. The district has implemented several measures to help customers manage costs, including contacting customers with delinquent accounts to connect them with fi-
Suzanne Johnson
Diana Meyer
Susan Hagan
Richard and Linda Pratt
Anonymous
Elizabeth Canez-Banagan and George Banagan
The Sefrits
Larissa Dhanani
Bob and Jo Edwardsen
nancial assistance resources.
Looking ahead, the district’s 10-year plan identifies approximately $40 million in needed improvements to the wastewater treatment plant and water distribution system. The 2025 budget represents the first step in this longer-term infrastructure investment strategy.
The district has maintained a stable financial position, with projected reserves of $9.62 million by the end of 2025, up from $8.35 million at the end of 2024. This increase in reserves comes despite the substantial capital investments planned for the year.
In other district news, Sandi McMillan, who for the last 11 years has served as district finance director, has been promoted to general manager to replace Dan Eisses who is retiring. She will be paid $175,000 annually excluding benefits. Commissioners approved her contract in December.
In board elections for 2025,
Jeff Benner was appointed president, Don Montfort as secretary and Fred Reid as vice president and assistant secretary. This year will be Montfort’s 31st on the board, while Benner and Reid enter their eighth and sixth year, respectively.
CITY OF BLAINE VACANCY
ANNOUNCEMENT
JOIN US IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BLAINE!
The City of Blaine is excited to announce openings for dedicated community members to volunteer on our commissions, boards, and committees. This is your chance to make a difference and contribute to the vibrant future of our city.
Public Works and Park Advisory Board Meeting Schedule:
One Wednesday morning per month, approximately two hours.
Open Positions:
Citizen at Large – Partial term ending December 31, 2025 Citizen at Large – Partial term ending December 31, 2027
How to Apply:
Applications and Descriptions: Available at https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/567/Board-Commission-Applications.
First Review Deadline:
Submit your application by 4:30 PM on Friday, January 31, 2025. Applications will be accepted until vacancies are filled.
Interviews:
Anticipated to occur at one of the regular City Council meetings in February.
s Sandi McMillan. Courtesy photo
spOrts
Borderites strike Bellingham Combined en-route to district tourney
The Blaine girls bowling team is wrapping up its season with one match left in their season before the District 1 Tournament begins next week. The Borderites won their match against Bellingham Combined 1350-1320 at 20th Century Bowl in Bellingham on January 21.
Ainslee Ellis led the Borderites with a 267 (146, 121) while senior co-captain Shaylie Daniels trailed her with a 256 (106, 150). Head coach Matt McAuley said these games are their last chances to iron out some details before heading into districts.
“The first game was rough but during the second game Matt was helping me with my throws a lot,” Daniels said.
With the win, Blaine will play its final regular season game against Burlington-Edison Wednesday, January 22 (after press time) at Riverside Lanes in Mount Vernon.
“I’m hoping that we put forth a good effort and we can make it to state,” McAuley said.
The Borderites took down the 4A Bellingham Combined team that unites bowlers from three Bellingham high schools – Bellingham, Squalicum and Sehome.
Bellingham Combined features one of the best bowlers in the county, Diva Marsh, who last season went to the 4A state tournament and finished 28th out of 68 bowlers.
The Borderites played without one of their co-captains, Madi Miller, so Della Cochran stepped up from JV and bowled a thirdbest score of 220 (113, 107).
“They’re a great group to have,” McAuley said. “They’re always having fun.”
The team heads into its final match of the season with one last chance to adapt to the synthetic lanes they will be using at districts, which differ from their usual wood lanes at Mt. Baker Lanes. On wood lanes the ball will hook right away, whereas on synthetic lanes the ball doesn’t hook as dramatically.
“It’s definitely hard having most of our games at Mount Baker Lanes,” McAuley said. “It makes it tough making that switch at districts. But they’re doing a really great job picking it up.”
At districts, Blaine will compete in four games featuring both 1A and 2A schools. One team out of the four will move on to state, while the top three individual bowlers from the field of eliminated teams will advance to state.
McAuley said the Borderites’ top bowler – Daniels – is trying
to improve the consistency in her throws before heading into the district tournament.
“Shaylie [Daniels] has really come forward this year as a leader as our co-captain, but also as a really great bowler,” McAuley said. “Her averages keep going up as we go.”
Daniels and Miller are the team’s only seniors and co-captains of the team. As Daniels approached her final frames in a Borderite polo, she reflected on the past few seasons with the team.
“It’s a community that brings everyone together,” Daniels said. “It’s really energetic and loud and fun.”
Daniels got into bowling last year because her friends were doing it, but she has stuck to the sport because of the team’s supportive environment.
“The nice thing with all my players is all my players want to get better,” McAuley said.
The Borderites hope to send the whole team, or at least one bowler, to state, with the tournament held Friday, February 7 and Saturday, February 8 at Bowlero South Seattle in Tukwila.
s Ainslee Ellis celebrates with Danika Morecombe after her turn against Bellingham Combined on January 21 at 20th Century Bowl in Bellingham. Ellis led the Borderites with a 267 (146, 121) in Blaine’s 1350-1320 victory over Bellingham Combined.
Photo by Zen Hill
s Nevaeh Zaddack showed displeasure after failing to complete a spare on January 21 at 20th Century Bowl in Bellingham. Zaddack bowled a 197 (108, 89) in Blaine’s 1350-1320 win over Bellingham Combined.
Photo by Zen Hill
s Della Cochran throws a ball down the lane on January 21 at 20th Century Bowl in Bellingham. Cochran bowled a third best 220 (113, 107). Photo by Zen Hill
spOrts
Wrestling wins on Senior Night, girls basketball defeats Oak Harbor
Boys wrestling
The Blaine boys wrestling team rewarded its cadre of seniors with one final home win on January 21, defeating Mt. Baker in a headto-head matchup, 45-36.
Seniors Tucker Greene, Denali Deming, Daniel Johner, Jaiden Constance, Thomas Cox, Blake Koreski, Zi Yu, Malloy Messenger and Otto Shelton were honored before the match with Borderite-orange flower bouquets, handed out by head coach Tom Hinz. These seniors have seen multiple state appearances and countless pins over their collective years with the program, and the Borderites wouldn’t be denied sending the group out with one final win at home in Blaine.
Blaine’s lightest- and heaviest-weight class wrestlers (Trent Crabtree and Otto Shelton) each won their respective matches by forfeit, and Blaine went out to a quick lead with multiple lightweight wins to start the matchup.
Chris Zamudio, Cole Voigt and Vinnie Saia started off the night with three wins, with Zamudio winning by a 7-5 decision after three rounds, Voigt winning quickly by fall after just 33 seconds, and Saia winning by fall in the third round.
Blaine won just one of the next six matchups, with Daniel Johner defeating Cole Christensen by fall in the second round of the 144-pound division. Rhys Milligan defeated
Gunner McGrath by fall, and Blake Koreski finished off the night with a dramatic pin of Jeremiah Sheridan in the second round.
With Blaine up 39-36 headed into the heavyweight match featuring Otto Shelton, Mt. Baker forfeited, handing Blaine the head-to-head win in front of a raucous home crowd.
The Borderites have done well in head-to-head matchups this month, defeating Meridian 39-36 on January 15 and Sehome 45-20 on January 10.
The Borderites have one last road trip before postseason play begins, with a double-header
at Oak Harbor High School on January 28. Blaine will face Oak Harbor at 6:45 p.m., then Burlington-Edison at 7:30 p.m.
Girls basketball
Blaine girls basketball had one of its best first halves to a game this season during its 22-19 win over Northwest Conference rival Oak Harbor on January 20, earning the team’s first conference win on the season.
The Borderites showed great defensive prowess in the first half, heading into halftime up 13-3 before Oak Harbor came roaring back with an 11-2 third quarter swing. Blaine was able to hold on for
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Bowman again led the team on offense with six points, and Korseki again tallied four points along with three steals.
The Borderites will travel to Redmond to face Bear Creek on Saturday, January 25, then return to Blaine to host Lakewood on Tuesday, January 28. Senior Night will be held on Wednesday, February 5 when Blaine hosts Bellingham. Stats provided by whatcompreps.com
Boys basketball
Blaine fell to 3-11 (0-10 NWC) on the season after a tough road loss to Oak Harbor on January 20, losing 82-67. In frustrating fashion, the Borderites scored a season-high 67 points on offense, even though it wasn’t enough to defeat the 3A Oak Harbor team.
the crucial conference victory in the fourth quarter, led by an eightpoint, nine-rebound performance by junior forward Aaliyah Bowman.
Sophomore guard Marcella Bring led the team with 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Kate Koreski tallied four points, four rebounds and four steals on the night.
The Borderites weren’t able to keep the momentum going the very next night after traveling to face Cedar Park Christian (CPC) on January 21. The Borderites couldn’t stop CPC’s high-powered offense, losing 6020. A 26-point second quarter by CPC put the game into blowout territory heading into halftime, but the Borderites continued to fight, putting up consistent effort throughout the night.
Oak Harbor was lights out from beyond the arc, making 45 percent of its 3-point attempts, and the Borderites simply couldn’t keep up despite its best offensive production so far this season.
Despite the loss, it was a great night on offense for senior forward Jacob Dohner, who scored a career-high 21-points on 9-of-11 shooting, leading the Borderites in scoring. Senior guard Josiah Weeda added 16 points, nine rebounds and four assists, and senior forward Dulio Kanagie scored 15 with eight rebounds.
The Borderites have a tough stretch of opponents up ahead, hosting Lynden on Thursday, January 23 before two road games against Bear Creek on Saturday, January 25 and Lakewood on Tuesday, January 28. Stats provided by whatcompreps.com
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B y n olan B aker
s Senior wrestler Cole Voigt, above, waits for instructions from the referee during his match against Mt. Baker’s Breckin Fowler on January 21. Voigt won by fall in 33 seconds.
Photo by Nolan Baker
s Blaine senior Dan Johner is declared the winner over Mt. Baker’s Cole Christensen after a win by fall in the second round at Blaine High School on January 21.
Photo by Nolan Baker
The Vault: Blaine’s bank-turned-bistro
B y Z en h ill
The Vault Bistro, Wine Bar, & Event Space has broken into
the bank of Blaine’s wine tasting scene. As the only downtown wine bar, The Vault is a spot for everyone to enjoy a vibrant bistro experience. When Joni and Alan Finston purchased the former Bank of America property at 277 G Street
in November 2016, they didn’t envision a wine bar at first. The building was initially going to be another arm of their physical therapy business.
“The thought originally was a health food cafe,” Joni said. “We said, ‘OK, at the very least we are going to do a studio for group fitness,’ which is what we did next door.”
The Vault started as just a wine bar with a limited menu due to its small kitchen.
“The kitchen was basically a slightly remodeled employee break room,” Joni said.
After a kitchen remodel in May of 2023, the wine bar’s menu expanded to meet the needs of their customers. Today the Bistro serves high-quality meals alongside up to 700 wines throughout the year.
“We’ve got an insane wine list,” Alan said. “It’s all hyper seasonal. It’s all hyper local.”
In an effort to limit waste, they source their ingredients locally and even grow some of their own herbs and berries across the street in a garden. Joni said customers have tasted the difference in their fresh ingredients.
“About 95 percent of our menu is sourced within 100 miles of our restaurant,” Joni said.
The Vault doesn’t just offer high quality wine and food. It also offers a casual fine dining experience that is hard to find north of Seattle, the Finstons said.
“We’ve had people come in from Seattle who’ve done our wine dinners or done our tasting menus, and they’ve said, ‘This is as good or better than anything in Seattle, and we pay four times as much for it in Seattle,’” Alan said.
In an effort to maximize their community reach, The Vault hosts weekly events like trivia night 7-9 p.m. every Thursday and live music 7-9 p.m. every Friday.
“It’s really about making it about community,” Joni said.
Restaurant recommendation: Joni, Alan and lead server Lexie Dixon recommend readers try the combination of the ribeye steak and the Vault Syrah by the glass.
This article is part of a series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.
Gateway1890: Blaine’s brewhouse and its prohibition era secret
B y Z en h ill
The outside of Gateway1890 Taphouse & Grill looks like your go-to brewpub, but hidden below the building’s wood floors is one of northwest Washington’s rare speakeasies.
Gary Slavin and his wife Kristen have owned Gateway1890 since December of 2021, when they added it to their restaurant ownership, which at the time included the Rustic Fork.
With the Rustic Fork closed, the Slavins dedicate their time to making Gateway a spot where customers can enjoy an affordable menu featuring burgers, fish & chips, mashed potato bowls and salads with 20 craft beers on tap from Washington, Oregon, California and Montana.
“The biggest part of it is affordability for everybody to be able to come here,” Gary said. “We love our community.”
Blaine was incorporated as a city in 1890, which is why Gary included it in the name.
Gary grew up north of the U.S./ Canada border but frequently visited Birch Bay and Blaine. He met Kristen, who grew up in Blaine, and the two now team up to run Gateway.
“Gateway has been my vision for 15 years,” Gary said. “Not having that restaurant/tap idea in Blaine, I really wanted to bring something like that here.”
In 2023, Kristen and Gary decided to create a speakeasy in the restaurant’s ground floor storage area. When the hidden room first opened, special code words were needed to enter.
The room is dimly lit and velvet booths line one side of the wall of the tunnel-like speakeasy. The name Smuggler’s Tunnel recalls tunnels used in the prohibition era to smuggle alcohol beneath authority’s noses.
“We knew we wanted to have a bar down there when we got this building,” Kristen said. “It was kind of about tying in the border and the history of Blaine and the history of prohibition here.
Today the speakeasy is not as serious about its code words and secrecy because Gary and Kristen want everyone to enjoy the
unique experience. They’ve been hosting pop-up themes like Harry Potter in the speakeasy to make the experience ever-changing.
Although Smuggler’s Tunnel and Gateway1890 are different entities, they share the same ideology.
“We’re a community restau-
rant. We want to see the community thrive,” Gary said. “We’re really trying to keep our pricing in line, if not under a lot of the places in the area, just to keep it more affordable for families.”
Restaurant recommendation: Gary and Kristen recommended that readers try the chicken/ mushroom schnitzel. For a beer they recommended the Gateway pilsner. In the speakeasy they recommended an espresso martini or an Old-Fashioned. This article is part of a series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.
s Co-owners Kristen and Gary Slavin hold pints of their tap beer at Gateway1890 Taphouse & Grill at 429 Peace Portal Drive in Blaine. The restaurant also has a speakeasy called the Smuggler’s Tunnel. Photo by Zen Hill
s The cajun prawn mash bowl at Gateway1890 Taphouse & Grill.
Photo courtesy of Gary Slavin
s The 10 oz ribeye at The Vault comes with roasted mushrooms and potatoes.
Photo courtesy of Joni Finston
s Co-owners Joni and Alan Finston stand in front of the wine wall at The Vault Bistro, Wine Bar, & Event Space at 277 G Street in Blaine. In 2016, the Finstons purchased the former Bank of America building to open the bistro.
Photo by Zen Hill
Point Roberts ...
From page 3
school district.”
Former school employee Deb Wilkowski said she’s seen the difference over the years.
“When I started working there in 2008, we had eight students. When I left in 2015, we had 19,” Wilkowski said. “When we moved here, there were three buses going to Blaine.”
The school currently serves just five students, while one parent estimated there were 30 to 40 students being homeschooled.
“I don’t speak for all of the homeschooling parents, but for some of them, the reason we don’t put our kids into the public school system is that, from our perspective, we have seen a turning away from what we see as traditional values, morals and common-sense values that we think are time-tested,” explained one man, a father of six children.
“And because we feel that there is an ideological push onto the children, we’ve retracted from that.”
Granger pointed out that the school district had a program called HomeConnection that was a blend of home schooling and school instruction, and asked if parents of homeschooled children would consider it as an option. In addition, he said the district offered an alternative online learning model for
high school students.
Several parents described how the school was previously a vibrant community hub.
“We had our Christmas shows and our silent auctions. The school was involved in the community,” one long-time parent said. “Professional artists and musicians from the community would come teach the children. It was legendary.”
Granger acknowledged the funding challenges facing the district but expressed openness to community solutions.
“We’re working with our team to see if there’s any of those things we could address in the future as we prepare for next school year,” he said.
Point Roberts residents proposed better integration with homeschooled families, increased volunteer opportunities, and improved communication about programs and policies.
“We need leadership from the top to understand the vision for this unique community,” said one resident, highlighting Point Roberts’ distinctive needs as an exclave community. “We are a unique community in a unique situation where we’re off the mainland. We need a unique solution.”
The two-and-a-half-hour meeting concluded with plans to organize an open house and explore ways to increase community involvement in Point Roberts Primary School.
PSE rates to increase over next two years
B y g ra C e M C C arthy
Birch Bay residents will see increases in their Puget Sound Energy (PSE) utility bills starting this month and continuing through next year.
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved on January 15 to increase electric rates by 11.5 percent this month and then 6.4 percent next January. The first increase will up electric bills by $13.08, to $122.16, for an average resident using 8000 kWh of energy per month. An average residential bill will then increase by $7.67, to $129.83, in January 2026. Natural gas rates will increase 10.6 percent this month and 1.8 percent in January 2026. The first increase will add $7.67, or (See PSE, page 13)
Bird of the Month: The brant
A small goose, brants congregate near the water line. Birch Bay and Drayton Harbor often is a landing area for these birds. It is the farthest north nesting goose, and in migration may fly as high as several thousand feet. The Washington Brant Foundation, along with North Cascades Audubon Society and the City of Blaine, held the first Washington Brant Festival in Blaine and Birch Bay in 2003. The festival changed its name in 2005 to Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival to include the large number of marine bird species that migrate here during spring. This year's festival is March 1416. For more information, visit wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com.
CKimageart.com
Photo by Chuck Kinzer /
Boaters must stay 1,000 yards from Southern Resident killer whales
B y n olan B aker
A new state law went into effect on January 1 requiring boaters in Washington waters to stay 1,000 yards away from Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW).
The new law, passed by the state legislature in 2023, is intended to cut vessel noise that inhibits the endangered whales’ ability to echolocate for hunting and communication. The 1,000 yards, roughly half a nautical mile, will help reduce noise and allow SRKW a better chance at catching prey, according to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).
The law, co-sponsored by 42nd Legislative District senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), applies to motorized vessels as well
as nonmotorized vessels such as kayaks and paddleboards. Under the new law, all operators must stay at least 1,000 yards from SRKW, and cut engines, luff sails or stop paddling if a SRKW approaches within 400 yards.
Boaters who believe they are within the 1,000-yard buffer zone but outside the 400-yard danger zone should attempt to navigate away from the whale at a speed of seven knots or less, according to WDFW.
The law is written specifically for SRKW, which differ from transient killer whales that are allowed a 200yard buffer under federal law.
SRKW are more common in the Puget Sound and can be identified by a rounded dorsal fin and small saddle patch. All killer whale popu-
lations are federally protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but SRKW have special federal and state protections since being named an endangered species in 2005.
Currently, there are roughly 75 SRKW living in three family pods that migrate from Puget Sound to warmer waters off the coast of California. Scientists have narrowed down three main factors for the decline in SRKW population: reduced quantity and quality of prey, organic pollutants that harm immune and reproductive function, and noise disturbance caused by human vessels.
WDFW enforcement captain Alan Myers said officers understand the challenge of keeping distance while boating, adding that officers will focus on educating boaters about the new regulations
during the 2025 season.
“We recognize that there are some challenges associated with trying to predict what a group of wild animals might do, or in locations where moving 1,000 yards away could be difficult,” Myers said.
“We will issue citations when necessary, especially for egregious vio-
lations or repeat offenders, but our officers will largely be focused on making sure people understand the new laws and are trying to do the right thing by giving these whales the space they need.”
For more information about the new law, visit the WDFW website or bewhalewise.org
Local cairn terrier to compete at Westminster dog show
Bow Wow & Woofs owner Heather Campbell’s cairn terrier, Talisker, is going to be competing at the 149th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
Tali, like Toto from The Wizard of Oz, is a cairn terrier and has the chance to follow the yellow brick road to Madison Square Garden in his first ever Westminster appearance.
He will have to win his breed category on Tuesday, February 11 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in order to be sent to Madison Square Garden that night to compete in his group. If he wins, he will move on to best in show, which will be streamed live on Fox Sports 1.
“Tali is a dog of a lifetime,” Campbell said. “Dogs like him do not come around very often.”
Tali is three years old and has been competing since he was six months old. He recently won best in show at the Santa Clara Valley Kennel Club on January 12. He was the first cairn terrier to win a best in show in three years and only
the 18th ever, Campbell said. Bill and Taffe McFadden are Tali’s handlers who will be showing him at Westminster.
“They’ve actually both won the Best in Show at Westminster,” Campbell said. “We have good feelings about Westminster.”
s Bow Wow & Woofs owner Heather Campbell’s dog, Talisker, is going to compete in the Westminster dog show. Photo by Heather Campbell
Photo by Dante Aubert /courtesy of WDFW
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:
December 23, 2024 with Clerk of Court:
Date of First Publication: January 9, 2025
Name of Administrator: MYRON HAWKINS
Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Walter Willard Boyd, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00008-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Robert E. Olson
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 16, 2025
Personal Representative:
Walter Johannes Boyd
249 W Jackson St. #376
Haywood, CA 94544
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. 25-4-00008-37
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Carolyn Troutman, Deceased. NO. 25 4 00022 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 23, 2025
Personal Representative: James Troutman 1411 Woods Point Loop Ferndale, WA 98248
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 00022 37
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of William Roger Yancey, Deceased. NO. 24 4 00628 37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Lee Grochmal
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Barbara Jean McMahan, Deceased. NO. 25 4 00017 37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Robert E. Olson
All real estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.
All real estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: MARCELLA SAUVE, Deceased. No. 24-4-01160-37 NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge ROBERT OLSON. The Person named below has been appointed 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 probate 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 of the decedents’ probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: January 23, 2025, with the Clerk of Court
Date of First Publication: January 23, 2025
Name of Administrator: Sharon Grim
Attorney for Personal Representative:
Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339
Address for Mailing or Service: True North Legal Services, PLLC PO Box 934, Bellingham, WA 98227
P: (360) 639-3393
E: Genissa@truenorthlegalservices.com
DATED: January 15, 2025
True North Legal Services, PLLC
Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339
Attorney for Administrator:
Douglas Allen Reynolds
Published in The Northern Light January 23, 2025, January 30, 2025, & February 6, 2025
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 23, 2025
Personal Representative: Carolyn Sue Yancey PO Box 29072 Bellingham, WA 98228
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
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 23, 2025
Personal Representative: Linda Gale 244 Pacific Hwy. Bellingham, WA 98229
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 00017 37
Where to donate to CA fire victims
The Washington State Secretary of State’s Office has compiled a list of verified organizations where donations can be sent to help with the devastating fires in Los Angeles County.
The office’s Disaster Relief Center provides verified and registered charities when outside resources are needed after a disaster,. Organizations include the American Red Cross, District Relief and World Central Kitchen.
Non-state employees can provide donations with their credit card online, while state employees are able to also set up a monthly payroll deduction.
Investigations continue into what sparked the most destructive fires in Los Angeles history on January 7 following a dry winter. So far, the fires have killed at least two dozen, with more people missing, and destroyed thousands of homes, according to the authorities.
The center has responded to other disasters in recent years, including Hurricane Helene and the 2023 wildfires in eastern Washington.
The Disaster Relief Center can be accessed at give.wa.gov/ cfd/disaster-relief-center.
PSE ...
From page 9
$88.86 for the total bill, for the average residential gas customer using 64 therms per month. The second increase would add $1.65 per month, bringing the average bill to $89.86.
The commission is a state agency regulating private electric and natural gas utilities in Washington, such as PSE, which supplies electric service to over 1.2 million customers and natural gas service to over 900,000 customers.
The increase supports the state’s transition to clean energy. The commission authorized PSE to recover a return on certain purchase power agreements, which is the first time the commission has allowed this under the Clean Energy Transformation Act.
The commission denied several of PSE’s requests, including a pilot program for electrification and recovering costs through separate trackers.
PSE does not provide electricity to people living in the city of Blaine; Cascade Natural Gas serves as the city’s provider. In 2023, Whatcom County Public Utility District 1 commissioners considered ending its contract with PSE to serve county customers, but found the market rates for power would have increased. The PUD purchases power to run one industrial customer at Cherry Point and two water treatment plants.
OBITUARIES
Sharon Haws Cole Waldschmidt
December 18, 1935 – November 20, 2024
Sharon passed away peacefully in Burlington, WA due to complications with chronic lymphatic leukemia and heart problems.
She will be remembered for her tireless efforts in many organizations in Skagit County as well as working on the Blaine High School Class of 1953 reunions.
She was preceded in death by her parents Wynn and Pat Haws; husbands Gordon Cole and Leo Waldschmidt. She is survived by sisters Genée, Candis and brother Wynn. She is also survived by three children, daughter Joni; sons Warren and Garret of Skagit County; and several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in the spring at the Skagit Valley Golf & Country Club, Burlington, WA.
Road Rules: High beams and parallel roads
B y d oug d ahl
Question: What are the rules for high beams on parallel roads or divided roads? Does the 50-foot-wide median on the freeway negate the need to dim your high beams for an approaching car? What if the median is full of vegetation or has a wall that divides the freeway? What about a vehicle on a frontage road when there are cars on the freeway?
Answer: I’m going to make an assumption here; you’re asking this because you’d like to use your high beams as much as possible within the boundaries of the law. That makes sense. You can outdrive your low beam headlights at surprisingly low speeds. Even high beams aren’t as effective at illuminating our path as we might hope. How ineffective? We’ll get to that in next week’s article. That’s right, this is a two-parter.
For now, let’s take a look at the law and see if we can find an answer to your question. Drivers are required to use headlights from a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise, and any time conditions make it difficult to see people and vehicles 1,000 feet away. I’m continually bemused by laws where compliance involves humans making distance judgments. We’re notoriously bad at it. In one study that had people estimate roadway distances between 20 and 400 feet, no one was right.
But you don’t need to get out your giant tape measure. I have a better solution. My advice, while not required by law, is to always have your headlights on, no matter the time or the weather. You may not need them to see where you’re going, but it helps other road users see you coming. And that matters: Using your lights during the day results in “a statistically significant reduction in fatal crashes.”
When headlights are required, they should be bright enough to “reveal persons and vehicles at a safe distance in advance of the vehicle,” with some limitations. One of those limitations is that when approaching an oncoming vehicle within 500 feet (another distance measurement we probably get wrong), drivers are to “use a distribution of light, or composite beam, so aimed that the glaring rays are not projected into
the eyes of the oncoming driver,” or what the rest of us call low beams.
Side note: There are legitimate complaints about the amount of glare from low beams on many new cars. The law states that low beams “shall be deemed to avoid glare at all times,” which feels like the law is gaslighting us, saying, “There can’t be glare. I already said they’re fine.” Really, I think it’s intended to make it clear that by switching to low beams, you’ve complied with the law. The problem is that our laws haven’t kept up with headlight technology. Do you have to be on the same roadway as another car to be considered “oncoming?” Probably. The headlight law doesn’t make that clear, but elsewhere in the law “oncoming” only applies to vehicles on the same roadway. However, I think that misses the point.
Regardless of how you interpret the law, the important question is, ‘Are my headlights causing glare for the other driver?’ Conceivably, some of the scenarios you described might not, but how can you know for sure? I suppose you’d know if they flash their high beams at you, but that’s an unreliable indicator. To be sure that your high beams aren’t impacting the approaching driver you can switch to your low beams. The tradeoff, though, is less visibility for you. And that’s a discussion for next week’s article.
Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
File photo
sheriff’s repOrts
January 10, 9:43 a.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Clamdigger Drive.
January 10, 10:17 a.m.: Extra patrol cold call on Dahl Lane.
January 10, 10:57 a.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Blaine Road.
January 10, 11:27 a.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Harvey Road.
January 10, 3:59 p.m.: Mental health check on Petticote Lane.
January 10, 5:59 p.m.: Suspicious person on East Street.
January 11, 9:01 a.m.: Harassment cold call on Surf Place.
January 11, 5:42 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Alderson Road.
January 11, 8:19 p.m.: Sex offender registration on Custer School Road.
January 11, 10:29 p.m.: Domestic physical on Valley View Road.
January 12, 1:14 a.m.: Missing person cold call on Comox Road.
January 12, 8:57 a.m.: Abandoned vehicle on Creasey Road.
January 12, 1:09 p.m.: Assault
– simple cold call on Custer School Road.
January 12, 2:26 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on California Trail.
January 12, 3:03 p.m.: Trespass on East Street.
January 13, 7:30 a.m.: Moving vehicle injury on Kickerville and Birch Bay Lynden roads.
January 13, 9:51 a.m.: Theft cold call on California Trail.
January 13, 12:37 p.m.: Burglary cold call on Drayton Harbor Road.
January 13, 2:40 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Drayton Harbor Road.
January 13, 5:01 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Arnie Road.
January 13, 5:04 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Loomis Trail Road.
January 14, 12:33 a.m.: Burglary arrest on Birch Bay Drive.
January 14, 9:57 a.m.: Juvenile problem cold call on Rock Crab Drive.
January 14, 12:18 p.m.: Domestic order violence cold call
on Seavue Road.
January 14, 12:48 p.m.: Death investigation on Kispiox Road.
January 14, 6:12 p.m.: Domestic physical on Boblett Road.
January 14, 7:24 p.m.: DUI arrest on Birch Bay Square Street.
January 15, 12:26 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Custer School Road.
January 15, 3:42 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Surf Place.
January 15, 8:38 a.m.: Child abuse cold call on Clamdigger Drive.
January 15, 4:23 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Waters Edge Way.
January 16, 11:15 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Birch Bay Lynden Road.
January 16, 12:25 p.m.: Domestic violence arrest on Clamdigger Drive.
January 16, 4:03 p.m.: Trespass on Gemini Street.
January 16, 5:07 p.m.: Civil problem on Yellow Fin Court.
tides
Coming up
Live Music at CTK Blaine: Friday, January 24, 6 p.m., CTK Blaine, 674 Peace Portal Drive. Featuring John Van Deusen and R. Turmer. Tickets: $10 advance at bit.ly/40zgVPz or $15 at door. “A Journey of Hope and Healing”: Thursdays, January 23–February 27, 1–2:30 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ, 815 4th Street. Six-week grief series, co-led by two Whatcom Hospice bereavement caregivers, covers many dimensions of grief, including the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual. Limited to 10 participants. Questions and registration: 360/788-6690 email WhatcomHospiceGrief@peacehealth.org.
“Time to Play” Movie Screening, Potluck and Discussion: Friday, January 24, 5 p.m., Trinity Church, 1880 APA Road, Point Roberts. View the film by Kim Hunter, a childhood teacher who will discuss issues around child development and the needs of today’s children. Potluck at 5 p.m., screening and discussion to follow at 6 p.m. Bring a dish to complement the pasta dinner. Parents, grandparents and educators are encouraged to come for an uplifting conversation. Info: dailyplanetamazon1@yahoo.com.
Seed Sprouting/Starting: Saturday, January 25, 9:30–11:30 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Start thinking about getting vegetables started including how many seeds, types, when to start, how to transplant, and more. Grow sprouts in your kitchen, tips, tricks and growing tables. Free. Info: nwcore.org.
Paint and Sip Hot Chocolate: Saturday, January 25, 5:30–7 p.m., L&L Bakery, 477 Peace Portal Drive. Paint a beautiful winter scene and enjoy delicious refreshments. Ages 8+. $30 per person. Info and registration: bbbparkandrec.org.
Raise Your Spiritual IQ: Starting Sunday, January 26, 2 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. 12 events, meeting every two weeks. For anyone wanting to explore contemplations and spiritual exercises to open a window to your inner spiritual being. A free “Raise Your Spiritual IQ” journal will be the basis for this series. Hosted by Linda Walker. Info: SingHU@olypen.com. Orchids and Houseplants: Wednesday, January 29, 3–5 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Tips and tricks for getting your orchids blooming again. Plus an orchid dividing and re-potting demonstration, slide presentation and “plant sale.” Bring a houseplant to trade. Learn about indoor plant care, especially during the winter months. Free. Info: nwcore.org.
ACROSS 1. “Loser” rocker 5. Partner to relaxation 9. Mixing 11. Winged nut 13. Expression of blame 15. Vast ocean 16. Comedienne Gasteyer 17. Multiply 19. Meat from a pig (French) 21. Related 22. Rocker Stewart 23. Surprise completely 25. Loon 26. Canister 27. Large, deep-bodied fish
29. Takes forcefully 31. Oil cartel
33. Palmer and Hepburn are two 34. More than one 36. Places down purposefully 38. Pitching statistic 39. Type of sword 41. Witnesses 43. Body part
44. Mixes slowly 46. Satisfy 48. Strong belief
52. One’s physique (slang) 53. More frightening 54. Soup cracker 56. Teaches 57. One who carries something 58. Actor Sean 59. Changes DOWN
1. __ Aires, city 2. Coarse grass 3. Type of gene 4. Door handle 5. Competition 6. Muslim ruler title 7. Hunting expeditions 8. Large mollusk 9. Bind securely 10. Former U.S. presidential candidate 11. 2-point plays in football 12. Breezed through 14. Type setting 15. Felt for 18. Codified rules 20. Small dome 24. Chevrotain 26. Male reproduc-
tive gland 28. Controversial beliefs
30. Z Z Z 32. One who confines another 34. Bishop 35. Garlands 37. Bird that flies by the coast
38. Optical device 40. Greek goddess of discord 42. Some are “Rolling”
43. Formerly (archaic)
45. Thrust a knife into 47. German river 49. Atomic #26 50. Make a grotesque face 51. Primordial matter of the universe 55. Chinese philosophical principle
ANSWERS:
January 23 - 29 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Teen Night: Friday, January 31, 6–8 p.m., Border Town Pizza, 738 Peace Portal Drive. Teens 13–16 enjoy a fun night of games, activities and pizza. Free. Registration required at bbbparkandrec.org. Kombucha: Saturday, February 1, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Get in touch with your inner “Genghis” by learning more about this interesting elixir at this fun, informative presentation. Sampling different flavors, demonstrating how to make your own and sending you home with your own culture (SCOBY) to start brewing. Free. Info: Nwcore.org.
Ponds, Water Features & Rain Gardens: Wednesday, February 5, 3–5 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Learn the dos and don’ts of ponds and water features! Requirements such as location, equipment/utilities, maintenance and the fun stuff like fish and plants. Also discussing rain gardens and how they differ from a water feature. Free. Info: nwcore.org.
Let’s Make Valentines: Thursday, February 6, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Kids make Valentine cards for all the loved ones in your life. We’ll have all the supplies you need, you bring your creative spirit and open heart. Info: wcls.org. Arts and Jazz Fundraiser: Saturday, February 8, 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.
Adult Prom: Saturday, February 8, 7–9:30 p.m., Blaine Pavilion, 635 8th Street. Live music by Clearbrook Dixie Jazz Band, sweet treats and mocktails. 21+ sober event. Tickets $25 at bbbparkandrec.org or call/text 360/656-6416.
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.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of January 13 to 19, 0.2 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2025 year-to-date precipitation is 1.5 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 45.1°F on January 16, with a low of 30°F on January 13. Average high was 42.4°F and average low was 31.5°F.
WeatherUnderground.com
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.
Meals on Wheels Frozen Meals: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–noon, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up five frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.
Senior Community Meals: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Suggested donation of $5 per meal ($8.50 if under 60) or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.
The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Donations accepted Wednesdays, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. or by appointment. The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive.
Friends of Birch Bay Library: Meets second Mondays. 6:30 p.m., Birch Bay Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Info: friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org.
Friends of Blaine Library: Meets third Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Find out the latest library news at this monthly FOBL Board of Directors meeting. All members and guests are welcome to attend. Info: blainelibraryfriends.org.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Blaine businesses bring expertise to Mount Baker Theatre wedding show
s One of the first wedding shows of the season took place at Mount Baker Theatre on January 19. Pacific Coast Weddings magazine (sister publication of The Northern Light) was on hand, along with local Blaine vendors. Clockwise from l.; Gary with Pacific Coast Weddings magazine; Lili from L&L Bakery; Emily with Semiahmoo Resort; Alan and Zach from The Vault Bistro, Wine Bar, & Event Space. The new 2025 edition of Pacific Coast Weddings, the go-to guide for Northwest couples, will premier at the Seattle Wedding Show on Saturday, February 1 and Sunday, February 2. For more information, visit pacificcoastweddings.us.
