November 23 - 29, 2017
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
WA Department of Ecology settles case with Nature’s Path, page 6-7
Holiday events listing, page 8-9
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Emergency preparedness tested locally, page 13
Holiday Harbor How the grinch almost stole Christmas... Lights festival set for December B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Holiday, page 5)
s Blaine police officer Jake Farrer questions James Patrick Kelly for allegedly attempting to steal crab pots at Blaine Marine Park.
B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Not even a grinch could stop local volunteers from decking Blaine in holiday decor last week. On November 17, James Patrick Kelly, 51, was arrested on suspicion of theft in the third degree after he dismantled and attempted to drive away with crab pots that had been used to build a Christmas tree at Blaine Marine Park. Volunteers had spent hours building
the holiday tree that day after approximately 70 of their crab pots had been stolen the night before. In preparation for the Holiday Harbor Lights festival in December, volunteers wanted to construct the tree out of 130 crab pots that were donated by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife to the city of Blaine last year. On November 16, the crab pots were moved from an offsite location to Blaine Marine Park so volunteers could get an early
Blaine man hospitalized after hit and run B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e Washington State Patrol (WSP) is asking the public for information about a hitand-run collision that happened in Blaine, seriously injuring a man and sending him to the hospital. According to WSP trooper Heather Axtman, 26-year-old Spencer Riddle was struck by a passing car at approx-
imately 7:30 p.m. on November 11 at the intersection of Peace Portal Drive and Bayview Avenue. Riddle sustained significant injuries and was transported to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham where he received surgery for multiple fractures on his left leg. He’s now recovering at his home in Blaine, Axtman said. The suspect’s vehicle is likely a 2009-
2013 gray or silver Toyota Corolla or Toyota Prius, based on a mirror that was left at the scene, Axtman said. The passenger side of the vehicle is likely missing the mirror and would have visible signs of damage, she said. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact WSP detective Craig Cardinal at 360/757-2008 or craig.cardinal@wsp.wa.gov.
Photo by Louise Mugar
start, said volunteer Debbie Harger. When the group of volunteers arrived at the park on November 17, already about two thirds of the pots had been stolen the night before, she said. But despite the setback, they proceeded to construct a small crab pot tree out of what remained. Hours after it was complete, Kelly arrived in a silver truck and began dismantling it. He had loaded about half of the pots onto the (See Tree, page 4)
INSIDE
Blaine’s annual Holiday Harbor Lights festival is just around the corner and this year organizers are planning a slew of events and activities that are sure to get locals in the holiday spirit. The fun begins on Friday, December 1 with a homemade arts and crafts Christmas bazaar at 674 Peace Portal Drive next to the Peace Arch City Cafe; doors will be open from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, December 2. Also starting on Friday is a book sale at the Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It wouldn’t be the Holiday Harbor Lights Festival without the “land of sweets” Christmas village display at the G Street plaza; during the event, passersby are encouraged to snap a photo of the artful scene. On Friday and Saturday, musical performers will set the stage at the H Street Plaza and at the arts and crafts Christmas bazaar to fill the air with holiday cheer. On Saturday, the following bands are slated to play at the arts and crafts Christmas bazaar: Allie Ryser from 11 a.m. to noon, Blaine Ukulele from noon to 1 p.m., Senior Center Jam Band from 1 to 2 p.m., Matt Audette with country Christmas music from 2 to 3 p.m., Mike Bonson with holiday jazz music from 3 to 4 p.m. and Lord Knapp from 5 to 6 p.m. The Blaine school choir and band will play at the H Street Plaza from 4 to 5 p.m. on Saturday. Starting at 3 p.m. on Saturday, all are invited to participate in the sixth annual Holiday Lights Dash, a 1.5-mile obstacle course, which begins in H Street Plaza
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