February 9-15, 2017
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Whatcom County Sheriff Bill Elfo talks immigration, page 5
Blaine football players sign Sen. Ericksen holds letters of intent, page 6 press briefing, page 12
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Bite of Blaine Snow storm brings Blaine and Birch Bay to a halt returns this month B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
s Thatcher McGaughy enjoyed a snow day sledding at Blaine Marine Park with his father on February 6. Winter weather forced school districts throughout the county to cancel classes and on-campus activities. Folks from around the community estimate Blaine and Birch Bay received about 3 to 6 inches of snow between February 5 and 7. See more photos on page 15. Photo by Oliver Lazenby
State AG secures halt to travel ban; President challenges court order By Grace Swanson, WN P A O l y m p i a News Bureau As a member of the Somali community in the Seattle area, Mohamud Yussuf said he feels relief after President Donald Trump’s travel ban was temporarily halted. In a court hearing last Friday, U.S. District Judge James Robart ruled in Washington state’s favor and granted a temporary restraining order on Trump’s executive order that applies nationwide. Although he is a U.S. citizen, Yussuf said he was apprehensive about leaving
the country after Trump imposed his order, fearing he might not be able to return. Twenty years ago Yussuf arrived in Seattle as a Somali refugee and is now the publisher and chief editor of Runta Somali News Magazine, a Somali-English publication based in Seattle. With Somalia as his country of origin, Yussuf said he is regularly questioned when he returns from trips outside the U.S. As a Muslim, he worries what the Trump administration will do next. Along with members of the Somali community, he has concerns about leaving the U.S. He feels a little more confident now that the ban is put on hold. “Today is a victory for everybody,” he
City sales tax proposal to face public hearing B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e If you planned on chiming in at next week’s sales tax hearing, hit the road an hour earlier. Last week, city staff announced a scheduling shift to a public hearing held to discuss a potential hike in Blaine’s sales tax. Now, the hearing will take place at 5 p.m. on Monday, February 13 at 435 Martin Street, suite 4000. Previously, it was scheduled for 6 p.m. Blaine City Council is expected to vote on whether or not to include a sales tax
measure on the April 2017 special election ballot. If the city moves forward with the ballot initiative, Blaine voters would be asked to consider a 0.2 percent increase to the citywide sales tax – from 8.5 percent to 8.7. The funds would be leveraged through a Transportation Benefit District, which the council voted to form in late January. During a special meeting on February 6, councilmembers voted unanimously to assume responsibility as the district’s board, which holds the authority to collect funds and commit to projects.
In Washington state, only a simple majority vote is required for the measure to pass. If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, Blaine would join a myriad of cities throughout the state that fund transportation project funding through a TBD, including neighboring Bellingham, Lynden and Ferndale. City staff estimate the tax would generate $200,000 per year for street, sidewalk and trail projects for the next 10 years. To learn more about the initiative, visit cityofblaine.com/903/transportation-benefit-district-TBD.
said after the February 3 court hearing. The U.S. Department of Justice filed a request for an emergency stay of the court ruling Saturday evening. In their motion, Trump’s lawyers asked the court to void Judge Robart’s ruling and resume the travel suspension. Their appeal argued that the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 gives the President the authority to suspend foreign nationals who would be detrimental to the national security of the United States. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Trump administration’s (See Courts, page 10)
INSIDE
Prepare your appetite for an evening chock-full of tasty food prepared by local restaurants at the 17th annual Bite of Blaine. Sponsored by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Information Center, the event starts at 6 p.m. on Monday, February 20 at Semiahmoo Resort and will feature a social, silent and live auctions and plenty of food prepared by 13 local eateries. Big Al’s Diner, the Blaine Senior Center, Chada Thai, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, Edaleen Dairy, the Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt, Lizzie’s Cafe, Paso del Norte, Pastime Bar and Eatery, Pizza Factory, Semiahmoo Resort, Subway and Sweet Tangerine have agreed to participate this year. Blaine Chamber of Commerce treasurer Kimberli Shea said they’ve already received 40 items for the live and silent auctions – gift certificates, coupons, memorabilia and more are up for grabs. Event organizers are accepting auction items until February 13, Shea said. Tickets cost $30 per person and can be purchased at Pacific Building Center, located at 2677 Bell Road, or the Blaine Visitor Information Center at 728 Peace Portal Drive. Tickets must be purchased prior to the event. For those wishing to stay the night, Semiahmoo Resort is ofs Bite of Blaine 2016 fering a special $20 off room rate February 19 through 21. To make a reservation, visit semiahmoo.com or call 360/318-2000 using the promotion code “BITE2017.” To learn more about Bite of Blaine, call 360/332-6484 or email vic@cityofblaine.com.
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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