January 3 - 9, 2019
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Memorable Blaine police A look back at Tips for staying County sheriff’s reports from 2018, page 2 BHS sports, page 6 fit in 2019, page 9 reports, page 14
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Storm results in Polar Bear Plunge kicks off the New Year costly damage for Blaine, Birch Bay B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Storm, page 13)
s Hundreds of residents and visitors charged into Birch Bay during the annual Polar Bear Plunge on January 1. The event was hosted by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. Photos on page 10. Photo by Chuck Kinzer
2018 year in
REVIEW
A look back at the year that was
January • Donning costumes, revelers took part in the annual Polar Bear Plunge on January 1 at Birch Bay Beach Park. The event was hosted by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce and draws thousands of people each year. • Newly elected members to Blaine City Council, Alicia Rule, Eric Davidson, Bonnie Onyon and Charlie Hawkins took their oath of office before a regular meeting on January 8. The city council unanimously appointed Onyon as mayor and council member Steve Lawrenson as mayor, pro tempore. • Serving teens in Blaine and Birch Bay, the Health Youth Coalition hosted its first Teen Nite on January 15 at the Pizza Factory. The event featured live music, games, prizes and pizza. More than 100 people attended, including kids from Blaine, Birch Bay, Ferndale and Lynden. • Developer Mike Hill announced plans to build a mix of a commercial, office and retail space next to the Chevron gas station
he owns on Peace Portal Drive. • Birch Bay couple Pat and Patty Anderson sat down with The Northern Light to describe their 5,428-mile, 226-day boat journey around the eastern United States, called ‘America’s Great Loop.’ • Whatcom County Council appointed former chairman of the Lummi Nation Business Council Timothy Ballew II to serve a vacant at-large seat on January 16. Ballew was expected to fulfill the position until the next election and told county councilmembers he would not run for the position in November. • The state Transportation Improvement Board allocated $293,425 to the ‘Peace Portal Community Trail Phase 2’ project. The project aims to create a pedestrian connection from the new pedestrian crossing at the Peace Arch U.S./Canadian border crossing through the city to southern Blaine city limits. • Krys and Katy Bennet purchased The Railway Cafe, located at 795 Peace Portal Drive, and re-opened it on January 19.
• The Blaine school board approved a resolution to send a $12 million capital levy to voters on January 22 to fund a variety of projects the district wanted to complete over six years. Projects included updating the existing grand stand structure and purchasing property for a (See Year in review, page 7)
INSIDE
Upwards of $5 million in damage was incurred locally from the December 20 storm that left Birch Bay Drive in tatters, according to estimates from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). “While all of Whatcom County has been affected by this event, hardest hit was Birch Bay where significant road damage has occurred,” said John Gargett, deputy director of the WCSO division of emergency management, in a statement. Gusts peaked at 60 mph and sustained winds reached 50 mph during the storm, which hit the hardest between 1:45 and 3:45 p.m., Gargett said. Low atmospheric pressure caused a storm surge in Birch Bay that lifted 3-to-5-foot waves over the drive, crashing into businesses and homes. Power outages were reported for thousands of Puget Sound Energy customers across Whatcom County. Some households in the southern portion of Birch Bay, including Point Whitehorn, were without power for 18 to 20 hours, Gargett said. At least 12 homes were damaged on Birch Bay Drive as well as approximately 10 businesses, Gargett said. Bay Breeze Restaurant and Bar, located at 7829 Birch Bay Drive, was damaged so severely it was red-tagged by the county, meaning it is unsafe to enter. Recognized by its bright-blue exterior, the restaurant opened in May. A statement posted to Facebook on behalf of Bay Breeze staff and owner Chris Choi said the restaurant would be forced to cancel all events and close until further notice. “We promise to keep everyone posted on what the future holds for the Breeze as we figure things out but it is going to take some time before we have any real information to share,” Choi wrote. “Thank you all for your support. We are Birch Bay strong.” To lend support to the restaurant and its employees, staff at The Beach at Birch Bay and Boardwalk Restaurant hosted a benefit on December 27. The event featured a silent auction and a performance by The Replayzmentz, among others. “We are humbled by the generosity of our community,” read a statement from Bay Breeze. “We thank each and everyone one of you for reaching out and coming together to help us during this difficult time.” In addition to damaging about a dozen residences in Birch Bay, the storm forced at least two families out of their homes, Gargett said. One family had to relocate to Bellingham temporarily because their home was floating, held down only by plumbing. The most costly and time-consuming repair will be to Birch Bay Drive, which was severely undermined by wave action resulting in large cracks and subsidence of the road bed. Currently, one northbound lane is open between Harborview and Shintaffer with a 10 mph speed limit, according to the WCSO. Southbound traffic from Birch Bay Village and Birch Point must use Shintaffer
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
2018
Memorable year in Blaine police REVIEW reports
January 3, 11:53 p.m.: Officers responded to the 200 block of Boblett Street for a report of an intoxicated male. While responding, officers learned the individual had thrown something at the reporting person’s front door. Officers arrived and contacted the man walking in an alley. Officers learned the thrown item was a flower pot the man had stolen off another neighbor’s porch. The man was ultimately arrested on multiple charges and booked into Whatcom County Jail. January 5, 11:44 a.m.: Multiple callers reported a B.C. commercial vehicle striking a sign in
the Shell gas station parking lot. Officers arrived simultaneous to the call being dispatched. The driver of the tractor trailer was backing up and zigged when he should have zagged, bending a city of Blaine sign. A Washington state collision report was filed. January 5, 12:59 p.m.: Officers were informed of a semi-tractor trailer going southbound in the northbound lanes of I-5. CBPO, USBP and Blaine police officers responded and stopped the semi on I-5. I-5 was briefly shutdown while the semi was turned around. The Ontario driver was cited for driving the wrong way
on a freeway and released. January 16, 6:23 p.m.: A man requested police come and dust his house for fingerprints, because he suspected neighborhood youth had broken into his home and stolen his marijuana. The man had delayed contacting police after discovering the missing plant: his first action was to contact the youth’s parents and ask them to pay for it. When that attempt at extortion failed, the man then decided he wanted to pursue charges of burglary. However, after discussing the matter with an officer, who explained his concerns about the time delay, the facts of the case and evidentiary issues, the man changed his mind about criminal charges. January 20, 4:17 a.m.: A caller reported a possible intoxicated driver in the area of the Semiahmoo Marina. The officer contact-
ed witnesses on scene and learned that the driver had collided with a large log causing damage to one of the vehicle’s wheels and tires. The resident was cited for the reckless operation of a motor vehicle and released. September 4, 7:45 p.m.: Officers responded to a construction noise complaint on D Street. The construction worker agreed to stop working for the evening. (Chief’s Note: According to Blaine Municipal Code Section No. 8.10.020(C)6 construction activity, and the resulting noise, can only occur between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on weekdays; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays with no construction permitted on Sundays. The city manager can approve a variance up to 10 p.m. on weekdays. Officers have been instructed to conduct extra patrol in this area to address this concern.) September 12, 9 p.m.: Person
reported over the past couple weeks she has heard several different types of noises around the house where she lives. Person requested extra patrol. September 13, 8:38 a.m.: An employee reported a commercial vehicle abandoned on company property for over two months. They requested an officer to check it out prior to towing it to make sure it was not stolen. Officer during the investigation determined it was not stolen and attempted to contact the last registered owner of it. However, they did not have record of the vehicle anymore. Officer notified the reporting party the vehicle was not stolen. (Chief’s Note: The BPD will check out any vehicle (at a citizen’s request) on commercial/private property. If the vehicle is stolen, then we’ll (See Police, page 15)
Winter Activities
WINEMAKER DINNER SERIES
Savor reputable wines masterfully paired with seasonally inspired menus at our upcoming winemaker dinners.
Friday, January 18 | Three of Cups Winery Thursday, February 14 | Gamache Vintners Thursday, March 14 | Rodney Strong Vintners
TAP TAKEOVER SERIES
DANCING CLASSES
Drop by Packers Kitchen + Bar the first Friday of every month to celebrate some of the best hand-crafted beers in the region.
Friday, January 4 Friday, February 1 Friday, March 1
Get ready for a swingin’ good time at Semiahmoo Golf & Country Club with our series of dance classes.
| New Belgium Brewing Company | Schilling Hard Cider | Silver City Brewery
Wednesday, January 30 | West Coast Swing Wednesday, February 13 | Cha Cha Wednesday, March 27 | East Coast Swing
Find out more information and view all upcoming events at semiahmoo.com 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway | Blaine , WA 98230
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January 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
2018
year in
REVIEW
City of Blaine By Michael Jones,
Blaine residents have seen some important and exciting changes in 2018 with public safety services and citywide resources available to them. All major public services in 2018 were sustained throughout the year in conjunction with strong economic growth that saw both residential and commercial building permit requests matching or exceeding any year in the past decade. The city of Blaine’s 911 emergency response system went through a major upgrade that will help officers receive and respond to calls more quickly and efficiently. In addition, the new response system will use computer statistics (or CompStat) to critically evaluate trends and patterns of activity to help law enforcement apply resources in areas where they are needed most. 2018 brought some major changes to the Blaine Police Department. Chief Allen Schubert assumed the helm of the department and promotions were bestowed upon lieutenant Ryan King, sergeant Michael Munden, sergeant Andy Anorbes, sergeant Brent Greene and records super-
city manager
visor Amy Ebenal. There was also a new hire as Tami Mikkelson became the office specialist. The police department building received improvements and renovation and the city purchased four refurbished police vehicles to enhance the fleet. To show off the space to the community, the department sponsored its first-ever open house. Over 400 citizens showed up to the open house to meet police and fire personnel, members of the auxiliary communication service and other community entities. Kids were invited to take pictures on emergency vehicles, eat a variety of home-cooked foods and participate in a toy raffle. Students in the Blaine school district will benefit from enhancements to school security. The city and the district have partnered to provide a permanent full-time campus resource officer. In addition, the police department is working with law enforcement partners to create new emergency response protocols to address unplanned or spontaneous school safety issues. Development of Lincoln Park
Whatcom County Council By Barbara Brenner,
year in
REVIEW
continued adding to trail and parking improvement last year. Residents and visitors can now enjoy the Blaine disc golf course in Lincoln Park, an 18-hole championship-style course that is free to use and encourages outdoor recreation and tournament-style play. Community development services finalized new building and site design standards for the Central Business District. These innovative zoning standards allow for a wider mix of uses in downtown while incorporating current building practices and materials. In 2018, the finance department worked smoothly and efficiently to pass the state audit for fiscal years 2016 and 2017 and submitted all state financial reports by deadline. In addition, the finance department maintained its core services such as payroll, utility billing, accounts payable, accounts receivable and budget monitoring and reporting. The city continues to market the airport redevelopment site, and this year struck deals with IK Trucking, a truck repair and fleet services company, as well as with
2018
year in
REVIEW
s The Whatcom Disc Golf Club hosted a 100-person tournament called ‘Battle at the Border’ at the new disc golf course in Lincoln Park in June. Photo by Chris Gavey
Yorky’s for a full-service truck stop and fueling center. Several parties have expressed interest in the seven acres that remain available on the prime frontage along State Route 543. A Blaine Welcome Center opened in August 2018 as part of the Skye Hill Station. The center offers free public restrooms and a wide range of information about areas of interest in Blaine, Whatcom County and British Columbia. Volunteers are available to help visitors plan a vacation or learn more about relocating to the area.
The public works department continues to ensure delivery of essential services, such as drinking water, electricity, stormwater management and sewer disposal. They’ve worked hard to ensure your streets are safe and well-maintained. Lots of time was spent this year planning and designing projects to be built in 2019. They include improvements to Hughes Avenue, a regional stormwater pond for the airport redevelopment site and infrastructure extensions into east Blaine.
Whatcom County Executive Office By Jack Louws,
county executive
c o u n c i l m e mb e r
This past year has been difficult for many people due to lots of changes in water codes, land use and yes, in property assessments which may result in higher taxes, although the council did not increase any of our county government taxes for existing properties or structures. For some reason, the assessor recently decided our properties are worth more. I still am looking for an explanation of that. However, at this time of year my goal is to find some good to share so this is it. I decided to offset politics by inventing extremely
2018
3
healthy, extremely delicious dark chocolate peanut butter cups, different flavored cream filled dark chocolate bonbons (pumpkin, lemon, lime, orange), my own version of Mounds and tonight I just invented my own sweet cherry cream dark chocolate bonbon. It is amazing how that sweetens and helps me stop thinking about the problems of the world. If you are ever interested in trying any, just give me a call (360/3842762) and we can arrange for you to come over for a taste. Happy holidays!
Here we are at year end 2018. It’s been quite a year for Whatcom County government. Probably the biggest impact for our citizens this year has been the strides we have made in technology improvements. We modernized our ballot counting systems allowing more efficiently administered elections with significant labor savings. We are actively working on a new permitting system that will streamline permit activities for staff and citizens. Permits issued in planning and development services, public works and the health department will be available for online viewing and tracking. This system will go live in late 2019. We also have a new agenda management system for county council meetings that will allow
Whatcom County Sheriff By Bill Elfo,
Thank you, northern Whatcom County for your support of the sheriff’s office! We appreciate your partnering with us on many fronts to keep our community safe. The level of communication that exists between community members and the neighborhood deputy have yielded many positive results. One of the challenges confronting our community is an increase in the number of persons with serious and dangerous forms of untreated mental health issues. Often these conditions are aggravated by drug abuse. The sheriff’s office has trained all deputies in crisis intervention. A highly trained crisis negotiation team responds to defuse the most
county sheriff
dangerous and imminent threats. A goal of the sheriff’s office is to attempt intervention prior to people being arrested and entering the criminal justice system. A law enforcement assisted diversion (LEAD) program was established in late 2018. LEAD deputies will use existing behavioral health services and leverage the increased capacity for mental health and substance abuse services that are anticipated to be available in 2019. This should help make our community safer and result in a wiser use of resources. Resources in the east county will be expanded in 2018 and should reduce the frequency with which the Birch Bay deputy is
the pubic to view and/or listen to council meetings in real time while providing more online access to all documents that relate to agenda items. Additionally, food safety inspection reports for local restaurants are now available online. Council adopted our next twoyear budget on November 20. This budget will allow us to stay within our monetary parameters, fund needed services and continue to streamline our services. We close out 2018 with a new council member – Carol Frazey, who was sworn in on November 27, and we say goodbye to Tim Ballew with gratitude for his service to the county. Point Roberts has a new solid waste collection and recycling
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue By Jennie Sand,
called to respond to matters outside of his assigned area. Capacity and conditions within the downtown jail continue to create challenges. The county facilities department which oversees the infrastructure is planning some major modifications to extend the life-cycle of the building and improve safety and security. This includes replacing all cell doors, improving fire safety systems and increasing our ability to monitor inmates. The sheriff’s office also acquired body and mail scanners to help prevent narcotics and other contraband from being smuggled into the jail. On behalf of our staff, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
program that will be in place January 1, 2019. This comes after many years of work between Point Roberts citizens, the Point Roberts Citizen Advisory Committee and county staff. We continue to work towards the start of the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian facility and are hopeful that the final issues are resolved soon. The community has waited a long time for this to be a reality. I see your communities – Point Roberts, Birch Bay and Blaine growing and businesses opening or evolving. I am grateful for our Canadian neighbors who live and visit here. I’m also thankful for our law enforcement and first responder personnel who are always willing to serve our citizens. Best wishes for a wonderful year in 2019!
a dm i n i s t r at i v e a ss i s ta n t
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue responded to 3,830 calls through November 2018. Almost 62 percent of those calls were for emergency medical assistance; 4 percent of the calls were for fires. The remaining 34 percent of calls were for false alarms, public assists and hazardous conditions. Aaron Ebner, Cody Bowen, Seth Richmond and Delanie Warne were hired as career firefighters in July while Charlie Baldwin was hired in August. Both Jeff Hofstad and Stefen Paige were promoted
to lieutenants. Four volunteers are expected to graduate from the Whatcom County Recruit Academy in December. Sadly, the district participated in their first line of duty death. Longtime career firefighter (33 years) John Swobody lost his battle with cancer on June 4, 2018. Former volunteer Marty Martin (24 years) also passed away in January. Both will be missed. Approximately 350 community members completed the districts free CPR classes held once a month at various (See NWFR, page 5)
4
The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
Opinion
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, 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. 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.
Seniors don their ugliest sweaters for contest
Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Stefanie Donahue stefanie@pointrobertspress.com
s From l.: Laurie Donaldson, Kathy Sitker, Walt Ducoing and Toni Blakely at the Blaine Senior Center’s ugly sweater contest on December 20.
Copy Editor Aly Siemion aly@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser, production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Adam Albert Catherine Darkenwald sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue Chuck Kinzer, PeaceHealth Medical Group The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXIV, No 28 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: Jan. 10 Ads due: Jan. 4
Letters The Editor: How unprofessional it was of chief Schubert to note “I will personally review this case with the responding officer to determine how this unsatisfactory resolution occurred” as mentioned in a December 10 police report in The Northern Light. It would have been proper if the chief had spoken to the responding officer prior to adding his “Chief’s Note” to the blotter. Actually, it would have been proper if he didn’t mention anything at all to the public about his concern. Before I retired as a Blaine police officer, there were times when dispatch was too busy to get the results back in a timely manner or the computer system was slow or down. An officer can only detain a person for a reasonable amount of time. Shame on chief Schubert. The officers of the Blaine Police Department deserve a true team leader.
Tom Erickson Blaine The Editor: The dark of the winter begins to lighten. Look at the 50-year-old picture of “Earthrise” and appreciate the earth we inhabit. We live together, all children of humanity. Can we start the New Year with hope and a renewed understanding that the framers of our Constitution feared as unseemly the “veneration for wealth” above all else? Do some people really believe that “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” is only for some and not the product of political equality, not white or anyone else’s privilege? Our forefathers did exclude women, Native Americans and slaves; does that make exclusion OK? Is what makes America great the idea that capital should work for people, rather than people work for cap-
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
ital? The feudal system is supposed to be long gone! We can figure out ways to help our disenfranchised, left out, denied and ignored brothers, sisters and neighbors. Our history has created conditions trapping the poor, minorities, the less educated and unhealthy. Now we seem caught in a snare of fear of other hues of skin, different beliefs and traditions and the change in our national demography. In the New Year, let us celebrate each other instead of things and power and become the nation of hope, promise and courage we can be, not made by stepping on others but lifting – together. Donna Starr Blaine Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Civic Meetings Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4:30 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info: bbwsd.com.
Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District: Third Wednesday, 6 p.m., location varies. Info: bbwarm.whatcom county.org.
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 7 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: blainepc@ cityofblaine.com. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Birch Bay Chamber Office, 7900 Birch Bay Drive, Birch Bay. Info: blainebirchbayparkandrec.org.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blaine.wednet.edu. North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 1 p.m. Blaine Fire Station. Info: nwfrs.net.
January 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
B y J e ss e C r e y d t ,
NWFR ... From page 3
stations in the district’s response area. The only cost was food donations (439 cans) which were donated to area food banks. The district began live-streaming the NWFR fire commissioner meetings on their website. Recordings of previous meetings are also available to the public. The district has been working on a resident firefighter program which will operate out of Semiahmoo Station 62. NWFR participated in multiple community events and fund raisers including the 9-11 Peace Arch Memorial Service, Blaine Fourth of July parade and fireworks, Pumpkin Party, Hogs and Horses Car Show, Santa Run and assisted with
Place trees curbside by 8am or drop off at Birch Bay Waterslides Donations welcome Email blainescouttreepickup@gmail.com or call 360-393-7763 with address
Get Healthy in 2019! Books, audio-books, DVDs, and magazines covering topics from Anti-inflamatory diets to Zumba whatcom county
library system
s Members of the Blaine-Birch Bay Healthy Youth Coalition received a Blaine Builder Award on July 23 at Blaine City Hall. Photo by Stefanie Donahue and dancing and getting insights into making healthy choices. Notable activities of the past year included dedicating a Buddy Bench at the Skate Park; partnering in the Run to the Border and creating Rocktoberfest – a family-friendly community festival. The HYC was awarded the 2018 Blaine Builder Award. HYC’s advocacy for a school resource officer resulted in a full-time position slated to start in January 2019. And they are just beginning. Next year’s calendar adds Blue Beats for middle schoolers with the Blaine Police Department’s bicycle patrol officers and more Talk Saves Lives sessions. These opportunities are protective factors giving kids a reason to say, “Yes” to healthy recreational activities. the Community Assistance Program’s Thanksgiving Basket giveaway and community dinners. NWFR fire chief William Pernett will resigned on December 31 and assistant chief Joe Noonchester will act as interim chief while the district searches for his replacement. NWFR would also like to thank the community for their continued support of fire and medical emergency services. NWFR would like to give special recognition to the dedicated volunteers who serve throughout the district. The district is grateful for their continued commitment and service.
FOR MORE INFORMATION: (360) 778-6290
Applications due January 8 at 10am.
610 3 rd Street 360.305.3637
Paid for by Friends of Blaine Library
2019 DANCE PROGRAMS Ballet • Contemporary • Hip Hop • Creative Movement • Parent/Child & Adult Classes too!
CITY OF BLAINE Unless noted, all meetings are held at City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000 and are open to the public. Agendas can be found on the City’s website.
Tuesday, January 8 8 am – Blaine Tourism
Winter/Spring session begins Jan. 2
D
ay ay ance to
Classes held at 277 & 250 G Street, Blaine
Registration & Information www.daytodaydance.com
Advisory Committee
Thursday, January 10 9 am – Park and Cemetery Board Thursday, January 10 10 am – Public Works Advisory Committee Location: PW 1200 Yew Ave.
Thursday, January 10 7 pm – Planning Commission meeting Public Hearing: Woodberry – Planned Unit Development & Preliminary Plat Public Hearing: Walsh Marine – Shoreline Substantial Development
Monday, January 14 6 pm – Regular City Council Meeting U.S. PASSPORTS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website.
www.cityofblaine.com
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Being a teenager has never been easy, but today’s youth face challenges never before contemplated. Reviewing a state report, a group of concerned Blaine and Birch Bay people found the suicide thought rate was 5 percentage points higher than the state rate among local eighth graders. The Washington State Healthy Youth Survey showed the rate of bullying in that group was also 5 percentage points higher and their lifetime of alcohol use rate was 7 percent above the state average. These findings astounded the group, who knew something had to be done – and that it was up to our community to do it. On November 15, 2017, partnering with the Department of Health and the Blaine school district, they brought together representatives of the community and non-profits, creating the Healthy Youth Coalition (HYC). HYC’s vision is to empower youth by helping them develop a healthy, connected, confident and mindful life filled with purpose and hope. And their mission is to provide prevention programs and opportunities for youth in the north county by mobilizing community members, resources and organizations to build pathways for our youth to achieve their full potential. January 15, 2018, was the first Teen Night at The Pizza Factory. This now weekly event offers a safe place with a peer support group of experienced adult mentors connecting kids to the community, sharing a meal, singing
The Birch Bay Watershed & Aquatic Resources Management District is seeking citizens to serve on its advisory committee and represent local interests in Birch Bay’s stormwater program.
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The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
Sports 2018 Year In Review: Blaine High School sports By Oliver Lazenby For Blaine High School sports, 2018 was a year of changing leadership. Eight programs got new varsity head coaches and it was athletic director Sean Linville’s first full year in the position. Despite the changes, Blaine sports programs continued on an even keel, with previously successful programs posting winning records and others improving and rebuilding. Here’s a season-by-season look at how Blaine teams and athletes did in 2018. Winter Jacob Westfall led Blaine High School’s wrestling team at state with a third place individual finish and the Borderites came in 13th as a team. Aidan Button placed fifth in his weight class and Chase DuBois placed seventh. Caleb Bullard, Porter Schmidt, Saul Magallon and Josy Delgadillo also qualified for and
wrestled at state. In short, Blaine continued its long-standing dominance in the sport. The girls basketball team reached its first playoff game in three years thanks to a comefrom-behind 48–43 win in the final regular season game. The team held its own against higher-seeded Liberty in the playoff game, but ultimately suffered a 54–45 loss. Blaine finished its regular season with a 6–14 overall record. Blaine boys basketball is going through a transition. In 2018, celebrated coach Rob Ridnour agreed to return for one season of coaching and an inexperienced team earned a 2–18 record. Highlights of the season include victories over Coupeville High School and Eastside Preparatory School. Spring Baseball became a winning sport for Blaine after a trip to state in 2016 and despite an early loss in the playoffs, 2018’s team con-
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CITY COUNCIL VACANCY Ward 2, Position 3
All of the area within the existing city limits lying to the south of H Street, excluding those areas west of Peace Portal Drive lying north of Boblett Street. This is an excellent opportunity to serve your community. Regular City Council meetings are held the second and fourth Mondays of every month. Attendance is also required at Study Sessions and Special Council meetings. Applications may be picked up at the City Clerk’s Office, 435 Martin Street, Ste. 3000, Blaine, WA 98230, or on-line at www.cityofblaine.com. Please contact the City Clerk’s Office for additional information at (360) 332-8311. Applicant must be a citizen of the U.S. and the state of Washington, a registered voter of the city at the time of filing, have been a resident of the city for a period of at least one (1) year, and a resident of the ward. This appointment will fill a vacancy until the November election in 2019. Applications must be submitted no later than 4:30 PM Friday, January 4, 2019. Interviews with the City Council will be scheduled for late January or early February 2019.
tinued the trend. The Borderites finished 8–5 thanks to a deep batting lineup and solid pitching by Mikael Elliot, Colby Knutzen and Cam Ellis. Led by new head coach Tanner Olson, the team didn’t have any holes. However, they would have liked to go farther in the post-season; Sedro-Woolley, a team that improved much through the regular season, knocked Blaine out in a first-round district tournament game. Blaine softball found a new varsity head coach in former assistant coach Nancy Williams and finished its season with a 3–17 record. It was a tough season, with some key players leaving and others suffering injuries. Senior Taylor Miller led the team from the pitcher’s mound, pitching every game after switching to the position for the season. An experienced senior group led Blaine track and field teams in 2018. Seniors Dalton Mouw, Porter Schmidt, Rani Prasad and Josie Deming placed well throughout the season. Prasad and junior Ben Caro went all the way to the state championship and placed third in shot put and second in wheelchair discus respectively. The Blaine boys soccer team is on a slow and steady path to success spanning years. In 2018, a 2–0 senior-night win against Lynden Christian landed the Borderites in the playoffs for the second season in a row. Senior Alieu Diaw scored both goals in that game and led the team to a 5–4–2 regular season record. New coaches took over both the boys and girls golf teams. Both teams placed well in some tournaments but didn’t make the postseason. The girls tennis team enjoyed home matches on brand new tennis courts at Blaine High School. The Borderites had a winless year as a team, but several individuals stood out throughout the spring. Fall In its last season on the current Blaine High School field, it took a while for Blaine’s football team to find a winning formula. The team battled injuries and struggled as head coach Jay Dodd tried out different offensive strategies and moved key players. The team came together in the second half of the season as the Borderites battled to an even record of four wins and four losses. It added up to an exciting finish as Blaine beat Mountlake Terrace 29–10 in the first round of the district half tournament before losing to Lynden. A strong freshman class powered the Blaine girls soccer team to its best finish in three seasons. The young team had 10 freshmen, including goalkeeper Krystin Kamrath and many other starters. Blaine snagged the lowest seed into the first round of playoffs with a 4–11–1 regular season record, and played in a controlled style throughout the season that suggests a prom-
s Blaine wrestling coaches, from l., Tom Hinz, Colt Warren and Nate Button watch a match in the subregional tournament on February 3. Blaine took second in the tournament behind Burlington-Edison. Photo by Oliver Hamlin
s Blaine senior Derek Machula takes off after a reception in a September 14 game against Lynden Christian. Photo by Janell Kortlever
s Blaine seniors Ashley Dickerson and Sydney Feenstra celebrate a point during a November 3 playoff game against Lynden. Photo by Janell Kortlever
ising future. Gabe Bolton replaced Fryth Rasar as head cross country coach and a slew of young runners hint at future growth for the program. Twenty-seven Borderites came out for cross country, up from a low of just nine runners in 2016. Freshman Eleeshiyah Faulkner and junior Taylee McCormick led the girls at the Northwest District Championships. Faulkner advanced to the state meet where she placed 56th out of 162 runners. Sophomore Malachi Crump
and freshman Connor Hettinga led the boys in the Northwest District Championships. Volleyball is one of Blaine High School’s most exciting sports and under new head coach Jacquie Wilskey, the 2018 Borderites reached the state tournament for the first time in 20 years. A 3–2 victory over White River High School was the highlight of state for Borderites fans and Blaine placed ninth overall. The team earned an 8–6 regular season record (8–4 in conference).
January 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Year in Review ... From page 1
school in Birch Bay. Residents would be asked to vote on the levy during a special election on April 24. • Blaine school district superintendent Ron Spanjer unveiled SafeSchools Alert, an anonymous tip line that allows students, parents and community members to report tips on bullying, harassment, drugs, vandalism or any other safety issues by email, phone, text or website. • Derek and Debbie Peris opened Barnyard Coffee, an artisan roastery and tasting room, out of their home in Blaine. • The Washington State Department of Health lifted harvesting restrictions on 129 acres of Birch Bay shellfish beds due to reduced levels of pollution. It took nearly two decades to restore water quality in the bay. • The city of Blaine announced on January 22 it had received $20,000 from California-based Rose Foundation for Communities and the Environment to advance a project to build a new public beach bordering Marine Park. • Blaine city manager Dave Wilbrecht told Blaine City Council that a mid-size grocery retailer called off plans to build a 15,000 to 20,000-square-foot storefront at the former site of the Blaine Municipal Airport, also called the Gateway Parcel. • An ultra-rare super blue blood moon graced the Hawaiian Islands, Alaska and western parts of North America on January 31. The phenomenon occurred after a super blue moon entered Earth’s shadow to create a total lunar eclipse. For viewers in Whatcom County, the totality phase ended at about 6:05 a.m. February • The Department of Ecology received $900,000 in state funding to clean up the former Blaine Marina Inc. site. In 2015, it was discovered the site contained
hazardous materials. • The 21st annual Arts and Jazz event took place on February 3 at Blaine middle school. The Blaine Fine Arts Association ‘Artist of Note’ was 12th grader Emma Welter. Welter is a participant in the Blaine High School life skills program and featured her piece titled ‘Watercolor of a Student’ in the 2017 Superintendent’s High School Art Show, hosted by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction and the Washington Art Education Association. • Five people were arrested at a model home, located at 8466 Camas Drive in Semiahmoo, on February 6 for trespassing, among other charges, following an hours-long standoff with law enforcement. • The 50th Birch Bay International Marathon and Half Marathon took place at Birch Bay State Park on February 11. Olympia resident Curtis Gessner, 28, took first place. • Blaine City Council approved the allocation of $7,489 to purchase 20 disc golf baskets on February 12 to be installed at Lincoln Park on D Street. • Property owners received sizable tax bills in the mail in mid-February, largely due to the state legislature’s decision to hike the state education levy to comply with Washington State Supreme Court’s McCleary decision. State education taxes were expected to increase from $2.23 to $3.20 per $1,000 of assessed value. • The Blaine Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual Bite of Blaine on February 19 at the Semiahmoo Resort ballroom. The event, which is a fundraiser for Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July, featured food samples from local restaurants as well as live and silent auctions. • Brothers Ryan and David Robinson opened Blaine’s Games at 477 Peace Portal Drive. The pair sold, bought and traded video games at the business. • The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District released a new study
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s The Blaine Fine Arts Association hosted Arts and Jazz at Blaine middle school on February 3. Pictured from l.: Liam Lyons, Tim Schrader and Elijah Yost. Photo by Shawn Robins that gave insight into the quantity and quality of deep aquifer groundwater found in the Blaine Groundwater Management Area (BGMA). The results highlighted the potential of the BGMA to supply water to other parts of Whatcom County. • Local residents Joel Sellinger and Ben Docksteader sat down with The Northern Light to discuss their invention, LifeDoor. The product hangs on interior doors and automatically closes doors when a home smoke detector sounds. • Blaine city manager Dave Wilbrecht announced on February 26 that he would retire on June 15. Wilbrecht worked for the city of Blaine for approximately five years.
s Mike Hill showed plans for the 2,650-square-foot and 1,500-square-foot buildings he was building on Peace Portal Drive to members of the Blaine Economic Development Advisory Committee during a tour on March 6. He confirmed that he signed a lease with Starbucks for the space. Photo by Stefanie Donahue
March • Developer Mike Hill released design plans for the 2,650-square-foot and 1,500-square-foot buildings he was building next to the Chevron station he owns on Peace Portal Drive. Hill confirmed that Starbucks would lease one of the new properties. • State lawmakers adjourned their 60-day session on March 8. The highlights for Blaine included the allocation of $1.2 million to extend utility infrastructure to east Blaine and $550,000 to update an Interchange Justification Report for a project to add a new southbound off-ramp on I-5 at exit 274. • Through a crowdfunding campaign, the community raised more than $9,000 for a Blaine family that lost their home in a house fire on March 14. • Acclaimed pianist Bob Milne performed in Blaine for the third year in a row on March 16 to raise money for the Blaine Library. • The Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival took place on March 16–18 in Birch Bay. The 16th annual event offered a look at the migratory birds that pass through the area on the Pacific Flyway, which extends from Alaska to Patagonia. • In an interview with The Northern Light, interim police chief Michael Knapp outlined the changes he had made to the Blaine Police Department, such as restructuring staff, initiating the switch to a new dispatch system and paying for a third-party analysis through the Loaned Executive Management Assistance Program, also called LEMAP. • Joining hundreds of thousands of protesters in cities across the globe, approximately 75 people, including students, parents and teachers, took part in ‘March for Our Lives’ in Blaine on March 24 to protest mass shootings at U.S. schools and to call on lawmakers to tighten gun restrictions. • Blaine City Council voted on March 26 to hire Issaquah re-
cruiting firm Prothman Company for assistance with recruiting a permanent chief of the Blaine Police Department. The recruiting services cost the city approximately $17,500. • State legislators approved a $1 million grant for the Birch Bay Community Park on Birch Bay Drive to partially compensate Whatcom County for the $2.46 million it spent to acquire the 3.6-acre property in 2014. April • The city of Blaine, the Healthy Youth Coalition and the Pizza Factory Coalition held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Blaine Skate Park on April 10 to dedicate a new anti-bullying bench. The bench is part of Pizza Factory’s corporate-wide “No Bully Zone” program. • In partnership with Blaine’s Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum, Alaskan historian Katie Ringsmuth shared stories about cannery life at the lodge in Semiahmoo Park on April 14. Ringsmuth is developing educational materials and an exhibition on the topic called “Mug Up” for the Alaska State Museum. More than 80 people attended the event. • Locals came together on April 17 to host an information session about the Community Toy Store. It marked the first step in launching the charitable program in Blaine and Birch Bay this year. • Part-time Birch Bay resident Arlene Hartley organized a tribute concert to country music singer Loretta Lynn at the Wheel House Bar and Grill in Blaine on April 14. Lynn got her start playing at taverns in Custer and Blaine. • Blaine City Council appointed Michael Jones as interim city manager on April 16, replacing city manager Dave Wilbrecht who retired on June 15. Jones began working for the city in 2007 and is the city’s former community development director. • Blaine planning commissioners voted unanimously to approve (See Year in review, page 8)
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The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
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s The Blaine High School drama club debuted a musical performance called ‘Shoe’ on May 3. The performance addressed the challenges associated with mental illness. Photo by Shari Akers
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Year in Review ... From page 7
a shoreline substantial development permit and land use variance, with modifications, for a mixed-use project at the corner of H Street and Peace Portal Drive. The project, led by Peter Gigante, 12:30 pm Early Bird included three apartments, a 1-3 pm Regular Bingo specialty restaurant, a coffee shop and barber shop. Open to the Public! Bring Your Friends! • The Blaine school board approved a cost estimate for supply$25 Minimum Pay Out Per Game $15 includes 8 games ing a full-time School Resource Ofwith 3 cards per game ficer (SRO) on April 23. Prior, the $100 Blackout! Additional cards available school district funded a half-time Lunch at Noon to purchase SRO position. Just $6 • Voters narrowly passed a six-year capital projects and technology r e t n e C levy for the Blaine school district r io ine S en la B r o f during a special election on April r e Fundrais 24. The school district was seeking the levy to raise money for mainBlaine Senior Center • 763 G Street, Blaine • 360-332-8040 From the tenance and replacement projects. Exotic Asian • Long-time city employee Sheri Sanchez retired. From 1996 to Restaurant 2004, she was the city’s deputy fiFrom the Exotic Asian with 11 “Secret nance director. Up until her retireExotic Asian ment, she was the city’s administraFusion Restaurant Sauces”... tive services director and city clerk. Restaurant with 11 “Secret with 11 “Secret May Sauces” Offers... • The Blaine High School drama Sauces” Sauces”... club debuted ‘Shoe,’ a musical performance, at the new high school theater on May 3. The performance addressed the challenges associated with mental illness. • The Bellingham Sail and Power Squadron, in partnership with the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons, hosted the SeaSkills Boating No Festival on May 12 at Blaine HarMSG No bor. The event featured a series of Added MSG boating classes, vendor booths, Added
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s More than 140 seniors graduated from Blaine High School on June 8 at the high school gym.
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safety checks, vendors and more. • During candidate filing week on May 14–18, 77 people threw their hats in the ring for 17 positions serving the state and county. Races with more than two candidates were to be winnowed down during the August 7 primary election. • Whatcom County Council unanimously passed an ordinance allowing golf carts on select roads in Birch Bay on a trial basis on May 22. The zone, which will sunset at the end of 2019, includes Birch Bay Drive from Birch Point Loop to Point Whitehorn and roads immediately connected to the drive that have 25 mph speed limits. • Blaine City Council voted to reject an offer from an investment firm to purchase 6 acres of land on the city’s Gateway Parcel, formerly the site of the Blaine Municipal Airport, on May 29. They buyer, Uppal Investments, intended to build a truck/fuel stop, a coffee shop, a fast-food restaurant and a 20,000-squarefoot grocery building on the site. Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon later explained the city wasn’t interested in a gas station at the site. • More than 4,000 people attended the Birch Bay Kite Festival on May 26 and 27. The event was hosted by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce and featured live music, pet activities, several contests, kite flying and much more. June • Plenty of events kept Blaine and Birch Bay residents and visitors busy on June 2, including visits by
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s The Sea Skills Boating Festival took place on May 12 at Blaine Harbor. Participants learned about the proper use of marine distress flares. Photo by Wayne Broadhead
tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, a Hawaiian luau dance party hosted by the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2, the opening of the Gardener’s Market and annual slug races, Ride to the Border and Beach Fest and Feast. • Former North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) firefighter John Swobody was honored by hundreds at a memorial service and procession on June 6 at Christ the King Church. Swobody passed away following a years-long battle with lung cancer. His death was deemed a result of his profession by NWFR, making it the first line of duty death of a firefighter in north Whatcom County’s history. • The city of Blaine hosted a public reception on June 7 to allow the public to meet three candidates who were vying to serve as chief of the Blaine Police Department to replace Mike Haslip who retired in October 2017. Just days after the reception, the city announced Los Angeles Police Department lieutenant Allen Schubert accepted the job offer. He was expected to start within 60 days. • More than 140 seniors graduated from Blaine High School on June 8. • Hands Across the Border took place at Peace Arch State Park on June 10. International Peace Arch Association representative Christina Winkler said more than 1,900 people attended. • The first of three Birch Bay library design meetings took place on June 11 at the BP Heron Center. The community got involved to help shape the design and function of the future library. • Blaine city manager Dave Wilbrecht retired on June 15. • Whatcom County announced that construction on the 1.6-mile sand and gravel berm and pedestrian walkway slated to be built along the beach at Birch Bay would not start in the fall, as planned. This was the third delay since the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facility Project began in 2016. • A nonprofit based in Port Townsend called the ‘New Old Time Chautauqua’ performed in Blaine and Birch Bay and June 29 and 30. One performance at the Blaine school district’s Performing Arts Center featured dancing, juggling, music and more. The second installment of the ‘Year in Review’ series will appear in the next edition of The Northern Light.
January 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
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HEALTH & WELLNESS Encouraging happy, healthy lives!
Tackle weight loss one step at a time Is losing weight on your list of resolutions for the New Year? For some of us, this feels like the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest – a little daunting. But it doesn’t have to be. Successful mountaineers offer this reassurance: every climb is made one step at a time. If losing weight is your Everest, here are a few tips to keep in mind: Set your mind on the “why.”
How to overcome workout boredom Even the most ardent fitness enthusiasts sometimes lack the motivation to exercise. Various factors, including boredom with a fitness regimen, can affect one’s motivation to hit the gym. For those instances when boredom is difficult to overcome, men and women who want to stay in shape can try these strategies: Join a sports league. If your motivation to workout is waning, consider joining a competitive sports league. Many fitness facilities even offer adults sports leagues on their premises or at nearby parks for outdoor sports. Sports such as racquetball, soccer and boxing or mixed martial arts provide great exercise and opportunities to meet other fitness-minded people. If games or competitions only take place once or twice a week, supplement your participation with more traditional workouts on off days. Take along your tablet. Many fitness facilities now include WiFi internet access with the cost of a membership. People bored with their workouts can take advantage of this perk and take their tablets with them to the gym, watching a favorite television show or movie while burning calories during the cardiovascular portions of their workouts. This gives people bored with their fitness regimens something to look forward to, and the chance to catch up with a popular show might be all the motivation people need to exercise. Periodically change your regimen. It’s easy to get bored with a workout if you’re always doing the same repetitive exercises. Speak with a personal trainer at your gym and ask for some advice on how to switch things up and still meet your fitness goals. There’s more than one way to get fit, and periodically changing your exercise regimen can be a great way to shake things up and reinvigorate your interest in exercise. Set new goals. Whether you have lost the amount of weight you set out to lose or can now squat as much as you set out to squat, set new goals so you have a new carrot dangling on the end of your stick.
Mountain climbers head uphill for the view or the rush of accomplishment. You’re not losing weight just for the sake of losing it. You’re doing it for a reason that means something to you. Is it to keep up with your kids or grandkids? Or to manage diabetes? Or to keep your favorite wardrobe? Hold fast to what drives you. Have a plan. No mountaineer starts climbing without a trail map or without knowing the terrain. You too need a clear idea in advance of how to achieve your goal. Map out a workout schedule. Put together some healthy menus. Look ahead to the “big” events on your calendar so you can create a strategy to deal with wedding cake
or other cliffs of temptation. Pack for success. This is a journey. You won’t finish it in one day so take along good provisions. Grocery shop when your resolve is high. Fill your pantry and fridge with healthful snacks. Invest in a yoga mat or a workout top. Travel with a buddy. You probably have a friend or family member who is just as eager as you to tackle “fat mountain.” Team up. Call each other your “Sherpa” and enjoy the journey in good company. Keep the end in sight. Review your plan every so often. Get out your proverbial compass and recalibrate, when necessary. If something’s not working, fix it. Rest and celebrate now and
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then. Enjoy what you learn and see along the way. Reward yourself with a mani-pedi or something that doesn’t involve food. Record your journey. Take pictures so you can look back on where you’ve been. Keep an eating journal and/or an activity log to be mindful of how you’re doing. These might also help you see daily or weekly patterns that affect your success. Share your observations to inspire other fitness seekers. Just remember, you didn’t gain extra weight overnight. Don’t expect to lose it overnight. Be patient with yourself and with your journey. And keep putting one foot in front of the other. This climb is worth the effort.
Here are several online resources to help you conquer this mountain: Weight management: bit. ly/2Aqf0Ab. Guide for a balanced diet: bit. ly/2QhSajD. Staying active during the cold weather: bit.ly/2F0hf0f. Emotional eating: bit. ly/2ArxY9H. Eating journal and activity tips: bit.ly/2F0mCgP. Weight Management – Stop Negative Thoughts: bit. ly/2s27qXV. Recognizing when you’re huIs losi hungry: bit.ly/2SBBt4g. Courtesy of PeaceHealth Medical Group
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The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
Locals take the plunge in Birch Bay
The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Birch Bay Beach Park on January 1. In addition to taking the plunge, participants also took part in a costume contest, which included categories, such as ‘Best Dressed,’ ‘Most Creative Under Age 12,’ ‘Most Creative Team’ and ‘Best Dressed Pet.’ Photos by Chuck Kinzer.
Road flares shine bright for Ring of Fire and Hope The community came together on December 31 to take part in the Ring of Fire and Hope in Birch Bay. As part of the event, hosted by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, participants lined the bay and lit road flares as a symbol of peace and hope. “It’s a visual representation of community spirit,” said executive director Douglas Bennion prior to the event. Photos by Chuck Kinzer
January 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
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12
The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
Real Estate 295 Whitetail Loop • Blaine
8045 Birch Bay Dr. Blaine, WA
360-371-7252 Century21BayProperties.com 12-3 SUN. & . T SA OPEN
4729 TIDAL WAY #102-J & 103-J, BIRCH BAY MINUTES TO THE BEACH! The Tides at
102J @ $329,000 & 103J @$334,000 Birch Bay - the premier community of craftsman cottage townhouse style condominiums nestled on 11 acres of hillside above the bay. 3-BD, 2.50-BA, Beautiful private units are over 1,400 sq ft w/ granite/quartz counters, rock gas fireplace, SS appliances.Clubhouse, pool & more!
Carl W. R. Dufton • (360) 815-6637
7650 Birch Bay Dr #O2 • Birch Bay
$235,000
IN THE HEART OF BIRCH BAY! Nice Bay Rim Condo. Grab your beach buckets because this condo has private beach right across the street. This 2-BR condo, is located right in the heart FRONT ROW BAY RIM! of Birch Bay. Bike, crab, walk or just relax. Make this year round living or come to visit on weekends. This is the perfect getaway!
CeCelia Breivik 360-303-8161
8737 Charel Drive • Semiahmoo Area
$850,000
EXPANSIVE WATER VIEWS! Stunning home combines elegance & beach living. Wide windows to enjoy Semiahmoo Bay & White Rock B.C. Main floor Master, Chef’s Kitchen, Dining & BEACH ACCESS LR all designed for endless entertaining & Huge media room.
Heather Taylor • (425) 785-5771
5014 Alder Drive • Birch Bay
$185,000
COZY LOG BEACH CABIN! Just steps away from the shores of Birch Bay, this sturdy log-built beach cabin exudes enchantment & charm. Log interiors, hardwood flooring, floor to ceiling brick fireplace a cozy, vintage CUTE AS A BUG’S EAR! lends feel inside the home. Outside offers a park-like enjoyment of spacious private lot.
Jeremy Porter • (360) 306-1794
Call Hugh -360.371.5800
$389,000
CUSTOM HOME IN BLAINE’S MOUNTAIN ESTATES! Looking for something new? Get inside and look at this floor plan! Custom kitchen with beautiful quartz counters. This 1986 SF 3-BD, 2.5-BA home features an extra NEW CONSTRUCTION! bonus room upstairs. Nice park directly across the street with lots of walking trails.
SEMIAHMOO MARINA BOAT SLIPS AVAILABLE, CALL HUGH
Hugh Brawford
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T ON
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4235 Sweet Rd. • Blaine $415,000
Private circular driveway takes you through 85 year old cedar forest to this solid cedar sided home. • Includes 2nd lot ready for new construction • 3 Beds, 1.75 Baths, 2 Wood Fireplaces • Pond with access to Spooner Creek
Christy Imperio • (360) 201-4100
3860 Loomis Trail Road • Birch Bay $299,950
JUST SHY 5 ACRES! Needs lots of TLC but would be a good space for a small business or workshop enthusiast. Great location with easy I-5 access and only minutes from the INVESTOR ALERT! Canadian Border. Property is not financeable and will need cash buyers only.
Amy Bremer • (360) 961-0620
5051 Fern Street • Birch Bay
BIRCH BAY VIEWS!
Terry Conway • (360) 410-0503
Julie Ward • (760) 522-2564
$349,000
CLOSE TO BEACH ACCESS! Rare opportunity to own this brand new beautiful home in a prime location. This Birch Bay Gem features laminate floors. Master suite looks out BRAND NEW! to the creek and there is a peek-a-boo view of the Bay from the spacious eat-inkitchen. SS appliances adorn the kitchen.
Ruth Skeete • (360) 358-5075
Some residential zoning, currently in open space, also in CREPS program. Earning roughly $3,000 per year. Owner contract is possible at 20% down, 6.5% 30 year Amortization. Wet lands credit transfer? Recreational? May be eligible for 503 use. WATER SHARE AVAILABLE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
www.CallHugh.com
Rentals - Residential BASEMENT SUITE fully furnished, 1 BD, full kitchen, w/d, wifi and cable included. Close to beach. $850/mo. N/S, N/P. 360-371-3052.
Rentals - Commercial
4,000 SF Warehouse Available Jan. 1, 2019
8105 Birch Bay Square St. - Blaine, WA 98230
360-920-0563
GerryAllen@windermere.com
2748 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine, WA 98230 $140,000
$495,000
ENJOY ALL THAT BIRCH BAY VILLAGE HAS TO OFFER! This remarkable 3520 SF 5-BD, 3-BA home in excellent condition with everything being updated in the last 5 years. Lots of room downstairs with NEWLY UPDATED! tons of entertainment space. Roof 5 years new. Get in and see for yourself.
7372 Birch Bay Drive • Birch Bay
LOOKING FOR TAX ADVANTAGES?
21 ACRES On Kickerville at Headwaters on Terrell Creek • $200,000
$195,000
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! This Birch Bay north shore view property offers a very well maintained, clean 2-BD, 1-BA single wide with a neighboring 3,523 +/- SF legal lot of record to build that highly desired Birch Bay view recreational getaway / cottage.
8128 Kayak Way • Birch Bay
ITY RTY 2290 Douglas • Ferndale $625,000 Recently upgraded ENS ROPE home w/main level D H P living. New furnace. ONE ACRE, short plat for < 31 UNITS. Next door lot also for sale HIG AMILY possible up to 53 units if combined. Water sewer hook ups +/-$10,000 per unit +one meter F I T MUL for 16-unit building. Level dry land. Next door available- up to 53 units possible if combined.
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.
Pre-sale opportunity location is everything, I-5 visibility. Zoned HighHIGHWAY COMMERCIAL way Commercial, industrial type ware houses with Blaine services, whether business or personal storage, interior can be built to suit your needs. Large overhead doors, electric door openers, gas furnace and upper windows, bathroom and upper mezzanine an option. Site will have phone cable, internet, 3 phase. When finished will have chain link fence and security gate. Seller may carry contract.
WAREHOUSE
1790 Boblett St., Blaine Office Loading Dock Fenced & Paved Yard Don Nelson 360-305-0286 nelsbldg@msn.com
Rentals - Rooms FURNISHED ROOMS Historic home. Incl. amenities, NS, pet friendly, $550/mo. + deposit, references required, 360-3323449.
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Learn how to respond in an emergency B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
s The Healthy Youth Coalition, Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce and Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 partnered to purchase a trailer from local resident Harry Davis. The groups plan to use the trailer for fundraising, education and outreach at public events, among other things. Photo by Oliver Lazenby.
Anyone can take part in basic training led by the Community Emergency Response Team, also called CERT, this month. As part of the training, participants learn how to respond to an emergency that could impact the community. “Awareness of what to do in the first few hours after a disaster is critical for the well-being of the community (including you, your family, neighbors, pets, etc.),” according to a statement from instructors, Liz Parker, Mary Lou Steward and Cheryl Strong. “Professional first responders (police, fire, medical, etc.) may be overwhelmed and not immediately available to provide assistance. Some locations may be on their own for several weeks.” Beginning on Wednesday, January 16, basic training will take place on Wednesdays from 6 to 9 p.m. and on Saturdays from 1 to 4 p.m. over a four-week period. Organizers are hoping to operate out of Blaine Fire Station 61, located at 9408 Odell Road. Instructors will teach participants how to assess hazards and damage, recognize and organize resources, evaluate injuries, provide basic medical intervention, execute light search and rescue and more. A $50 fee is required to participate and scholarships are available. To sign up, email cheryl. strong@yahoo.com.
January 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
How would Birch Bay have fared with the berm in place?
Photo by Chuck Kinzer
Photo by Chuck Kinzer
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
s Inside Bay Breeze Restaurant and Bar.
Storm ... From page 1
to Lincoln and Anderson Roads. “There is no date for repairs to Birch Bay Drive between Harborview and Shintaffer at this time,” according to the WCSO. Both north and southbound lanes of Birch Bay Drive south of Harborview are open, but the shoulders remain closed and pedestrians and bicyclists should use “extreme caution.” With a ‘Whatcom County Proclamation of Emergency’ in effect, the county is in the process of cleaning up and collecting
For many Birch Bay residents and business owners, the multi-year delay for the planned 1.6-mile beach restoration project at Birch Bay, officially called the Birch Bay Drive and Pedestrian Facilities Project, got a little more frustrating after the damaging December 20 storm surge at Birch Bay. Whatcom County plans to add sand and gravel to the beach to replace nearly 300,000 cubic yards of sediment removed in the 1950s for the Blaine Air Force Station. The additional sediment would raise the beach and create a more natural “beach profile” that would soak up the energy of incoming waves better than the current system of seawalls and other concrete structures. The project is designed to protect Birch Bay from the kind of storm that swept through the area on December 20, which chewed up asphalt, flooded buildings and pushed logs, gravel and debris across Birch Bay Drive, doing an estimated $5 million in damage. While it’s impossible to say what would have happened if the beach berm was already in place, a test section built in 1986 provides an example. Whatcom County constructed a 1,000-foot long test berm in 1986 northward from Lora Lane, near the mouth of Terrell Creek. That section of Birch Bay Drive fared better than the rest, said Roland Middleton, Whatcom County special programs manager. “It had some flooding but it still provided a tremendous amount of protection to the roadway and the foreshore,” he said. “That’s the same type of protection that we would be expecting from the project.” Beach construction was once scheduled to begin fall 2016 pending permitting and property easement acquisitions, but the county misjudged the time the administrative side of the project would take. It has made progress since then, and is currently working on the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review for the project, one of the final permitting tasks. The NEPA review requires tribes and several other entities to sign an agreement about what to do with cultural artifacts discovered during construction. Birch Bay is a historically and culturally significant area to the Lummi and other tribes. Whatcom County sent a letter to the Lummi Indian Business Council in December urging it to sign agreements for the project this month. Though December’s storm has renewed interest in the project, county officials aren’t sure how or if it will affect permitting, Middleton said. “There’s no point in trying to leverage someone’s sorrow and the impact that the community has seen,” he said. “Really we’re trying to spend our energy moving forward in a positive way.” Additional reporting by Oliver Lazenby
13
O B I T U A RY Gary Don McGee
May 25, 1933 – December 3, 2018 Gary Don McGee 85, passed away on December 3, 2018. He was born May 25, 1933 to Adele Douglas and Floyd McGee in Bellingham, WA. A lifelong resident of Blaine, he graduated from Blaine High School in 1952, served in the Korean War and was a member of Blaine American Legion Post 86. Gary had a dedicated career in commercial fishing for over 55 years in Alaska and Washington, including captain for 45 years. An avid sports fan, he enjoyed Blaine High School sports, Seahawks, Mariners, Huskies and Cougars games. Gary is preceded in death by his beloved wife Nancy, mother Adele and father Floyd, sisters Gail, Beryl, Faye, Gyla and brother Wayne. He is survived by his son Gary (Belinda LeBlanc) McGee, daughters Michelle (Rob) Reed, Cindy (Jim Hagin) Morberg, Theresa Wright McGrew, granddaughters Caitlin Reed, Autumn (Brian) Fitzgerald, Holly (Steven) Crain, Kailee Morberg, grandson Matt Reed, brother Dennis and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 5 at the Blaine American Legion. The family would like to extend their sincere love, appreciation and thanks to Debbie and Gordie Earl, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue and the staff at PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center.
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reports to determine the extent of the damage. The reports will soon be compiled and submitted to the state, Gargett said. To report damages, individuals and businesses can call the Whatcom Unified Emergency Coordination Center Damage Assessment line at 360/788-5311. Callers will be routed to a voicemail and calls will be returned starting on January 2. To learn more about storm damage repair, visit bit.ly/2VkMdpD. So far, Gargett said an estimated $4 to $5 million in damages has been reported for Blaine and Birch Bay combined – but that amount isn’t final and is subject to change.
During a public meeting on December 27 at Birch Bay Bible Community Church, county staff informed the approximately 100 people in attendance about the storm and its impact. With no set date in sight in which to repair Birch Bay Drive, Gargett said, “the county is willing to work with the community to try and find solutions.” In the meantime, Gargett assured that the WCSO, and other responding agencies, are doing what they can to ensure the public remains safe. “It’s important that we view this as a community,” he said. “I think the general feeling is ‘let’s get through this together.’”
Dining Guide 1733 H St - Ste 420 Blaine International Marketplace teriyakisecret.com Dine-in • Take-out • Reservations
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Great Authentic Mexican Food 758 Peace Portal • Blaine 360-332-4045
Sun.-Tue. 7am-2pm Wed.-Sat. 7am-7pm 360-332-3540 234 D Street, Blaine
14
The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
Sheriff’s Reports The following are summaries of law enforcement incidents handled by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
December 26, 9:49 a.m.: Follow up on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
One arrest for possession of a controlled substance.
December 26, 10:37 a.m.: Domestic verbal on Harbor Drive.
December 27, 5:35 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident blocking on Harborview Road and Anderson Road.
December 26, 11:01 a.m.: Welfare check on Harbor Drive. December 26, 11:14 a.m.: Security check on Birch Bay Square Street. December 26, 3:22 p.m.: Welfare check on H Street Road. December 26, 5:08 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. December 26, 5:10 p.m.: Alarm audible on Loomis Trail Road. December 27, 1:01 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Blaine Road. December 27, 10:08 a.m.: Theft cold call on Birch Bay Drive. December 27, 11:54 a.m.: Whatcomm record on Birch Bay Drive. December 27, 12:08 p.m.: Refer to Washington State Patrol on Blaine Road and Hoyt Road. December 27, 1:03 p.m.: Watch for on Shintaffer Road and Anderson Road. December 27, 1:39 p.m.: Domestic order violation cold call on Sunset Street, Blaine. December 27, 1:47 p.m.: Drugs cold call on Loomis Trail Road.
December 27, 5:35 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident blocking on Harborview Road and Anderson Road. December 27, 5:58 p.m.: Domestic physical on Mayfair Place. One arrest and citation for assault in the 4th degree. December 27, 6 p.m.: Watch for cold call on Birch Bay Drive and Beach Way Drive. December 27, 6:34 p.m.: Hit and run on Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Blaine Road. December 27, 8:47 p.m.: Assist agency on Pacific Highway. December 27, 11:14 p.m.: Mental on Quinault Road. December 28, 12:36 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Bay Drive. December 28, 8:54 a.m.: Assist citizen on Shintaffer Road. December 28, 9:02 a.m.: Domestic order violation on Pheasant Drive. One arrest and citation for violation of an anti-harassment order. December 28, 11:29 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Alderson Road.
Crossword
December 28, 11:30 a.m.: Watch for on Birch Drive and Terrill Drive. December 28, 12:03 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. December 28, 1:19 p.m.: Welfare check on Bay Road. December 28 3:47 p.m.: Watch for on Pacific Highway. December 28, 4:29 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Shintaffer Road and Heronswood Drive.
Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, January 5, 1-3 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Open to the public. Early bird game at 12:30 p.m. and regular bingo at 1 p.m. cost $15 for 8 games with 3 cards per game. Cash prizes. Lunch at noon for $6. Info: 360/332-8040.
December 28, 10:03 p.m.: Serve warrant on Second Street.
Live music at The Lounge: Saturday, January 5, 9 p.m.–1 a.m., The Lounge at Silver Reef Casino. Featuring Arcade Cowboy.
December 29, 1:15 a.m.: Assist agency on A Street.
Visions and Voices: Sunday, January 6, 2 p.m., Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial Street, Bellingham. Sampling a variety of short films from “Pioneers: First Women Filmmakers.” Featuring The Blot (1921) and Suspense (1913) both by Lois Webber. Tickets $10 or $5 with student ID. Info: mountbakertheatre.com.
December 29, 7:41 a.m.: Traffic signal/sign on Shintaffer Road and Birch Bay Drive. December 29, 11:20 a.m.: Civil problem on Birch Bay Drive. December 29, 11:36 a.m.: Alarm audible on Clamdigger Drive. December 29, 1:48 p.m.: Hangup (911) in progress on Birch Bay Square Street. December 29, 1:52 p.m.: Hangup (911) in progress on Birch Bay Square Street. Report by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office.
DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT
Fr 4
5:45 am
9.38 10:24 am
7.27
2:56 pm
9.13 10:37 pm
-1.21
Sa 5
6:25 am
9.72 11:16 am
7.29
3:32 pm
8.87 11:11 pm
-1.26
Su 6
6:59 am
9.90 12:04 pm
7.20
4:10 pm
8.58 11:47 pm
-1.15 7.04
Mo 7
7:33 am
9.96 12:48 pm
4:46 pm
8.24
12:19 am
-0.90
8:05 am
9.93
1:32 pm
6.81
5:24 pm
7.85
We 9 12:53 am
-0.49
8:37 am
9.83
6.50
6:04 pm
7.40
Tu 8
2:18 pm
Th 10 1:25 am
0.09
9:07 am
9.71
6.08
6:48 pm
6.89
3:06 pm
Mason Bees: Alternative Pollinators: Wednesday, January 9, 4–6 p.m. and Saturday, January 12, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn how to establish and maintain a healthy colony in your yard and neighboring areas. Local beekeeper Capp Connors will have live honeybees and a list of available locally-sourced bees on hand. Presented by Blaine C.O.R.E. (Community Orchards for Resources and Education). Info: 360/305-3637. Semiahmoo Women’s Club Luncheon: Thursday January 10, 11:15 a.m., Palmer Room, Semiahmoo Golf Course clubhouse. $25 Chicken Cordon Bleu buffet lunch plus a draw for a free lunch. This is our annual post-Christmas social luncheon (no guest speaker). Women from all communities welcome to join the club – check us out at semiahmoowomensclub.org. RSVP by 5 p.m., Monday January 7 to B.J. Windrum at 817/600-4192 or young.drum@hotmail.com. Live music at The Lounge: Saturday, January 12, 9 p.m.–1 a.m., The Lounge at Silver Reef Casino. Featuring DJ ClintWestwood. Portland Cello Project: Sunday, January 13, 3 p.m., Mt. Baker Theatre, 104 North Commercial Street, Bellingham. Playing Radiohead, Coltrane and Bach.
Tides
ANSWERS AT THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
11. Sources of stress 12. Shelter 14. French commune 15. Boggy ground 18. Old man 20. Peanut 24. Michael Corleone’s personal enforcer 26. Geological formations 28. Wages 30. Insect repellent 32. Unit of time 34. Musician 35. Not good 37. Esteemed one 38. Structures 40. Where workers sit 42. Women who foretell the future 43. Quantitative fact 45. Missing soldiers 47. Diminutive 49. This (Spanish) 50. Hold on to 51. Thrust a knife into 55. Hengyang Bajialing Airport 55. A type of sign
Blaine Scouts tree pick up in Blaine and Birch Bay: Saturday, January 5. Place tree curbside by 8 a.m. or drop off at Birch Bay Waterslides on same day. Email blainescouttreepickup@gmail.com or call 360/3937763 with address. Donations accepted.
December 28, 9:24 p.m.: Civil problem on Jackson Road.
49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W
41. County in New Mexico 1. One-time Levi’s CEO 43. No seats available 5. Emperor of Russia 44. Pulitzer-winning composer 9. Islamic theology scholar 46. Fit or irritation 11. Hammer with a large, 48. The ability to move objects wooden head through thought 13. Food 52. Skywalker mentor __-Wan 15. Can be combined Kenobi 16. Midway between east and 53. Herbal medicine seed southeast 54. “Zero Dark Thirty” director 17. Governs a noun or Bigelow pronoun 56. Preferences 19. Gorilla 57. Soundly 21. Type of trap 58. One precedes another 22. “Unforgettable” singer 59. Au revoirs 23. Atomic #10 DOWN 25. Practice fight 1. Famed explorer 26. US gov’t branch 2. Transferred property to 27. Female deer 3. Clerical vestment 29. Remarks meant for the 4. Free-swimming marine audience invertebrate 31. Undergarments 5. Cab 33. Prevent from seeing 6. Thin piece of wood 34. Masked 7. Persons without pigment in 36. “A Suitable Boy” novelist their skin 38. Invisible gaseous sub8. Fill again stance 9. Submissive 39. Sour 10. His and __
Chinese Martial Arts for Kids: Fridays, January 4–18, 3:15 – 4:15, Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Taught in the style of modern Wushu, learn to move with grace, speed and intent. Bring comfortable clothing and low-heeled workout shoes. For grades K-7. Space is limited; registration required. Info: 360/305-3637.
Town hall meeting: Saturday, January 5, 2–3:30 p.m., Meridian High School Auditorium, 194 West Laurel Road (Bellingham). Hosted by Representative Luanne Van Werven and Senator Doug Ericksen. Representative-elect Sharon Shewmake will also attend the event.
January 4–10 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
ACROSS
Coming up
Resource Seminar: Wednesday, January 17, 12:30p.m.–3 p.m. Comprehensive baby boomer real estate seminar. Speakers: Dave hiller, Rockwood Realty; Mike Hinderman, Green Homes LLC; Tim Krell, Britain/Krell PLLC; Anne Bowen, Edward Jones; Jeri Andrews, Andrews Tax Accounting and Bookkeeper; Josh Henry, Caliber Home Loans. Semiahmoo Winemaker Dinner: Friday, January 18, Reception at 5:30 p.m. with dinner seating at 6 p.m., Semiahmoo Resort. Featuring Three of Cups Winery. Reservations required: call 360/318-2028 Voiceplay: Friday, January 18, 7:30 p.m., Mt. Baker Theatre, 104 North Commercial Street, Bellingham. Five voices make up the orchestrated sound of an entire musical production. Pancake Breakfast: Saturday, January 19, 8 a.m.–11 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G street. Choice of pancakes, French toast or waffles, biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice. Adults $6, kids $4. Info: 36/332-8040. Live music at The Lounge: Saturday, January 19, 9 p.m.–1 a.m., The Lounge at Silver Reef Casino. Featuring Lemon Creek. Stomp: Thursday, January 24, 7:30 p.m., Mt. Baker Theatre, 104 North Commercial Street, Bellingham. Live music at The Lounge: Saturday, January 26, 9 p.m.–1 a.m., The Lounge at Silver Reef Casino. Featuring The Takers. Arts and Jazz: Saturday, February 2, 7 p.m., Blaine Middle School cafeteria. Admission. Hosted by the Blaine Fine Arts Association. All funds raised benefit scholarships and experiences beyond the curriculum in the Blaine School District. $5 student/senior, $7 adult. Teen Nite: Saturdays, 5–9 p.m., Pizza Factory, 738 Peace Portal Drive. Kids ages 13–18 come enjoy open mic, karaoke and prizes. Free pizza at 5 p.m.
Weather Precipitation: During the period of December 24 to 30, 2.09 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2018 yearto-date precipitation is 36.38 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 54°F on December 24 with a low of 32.6°F on December 25. Average high was 47.5°F and average low was 37°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Nar-anon Meetings: Mondays, 5:30-6:30, St. Luke’s Community Health Education Center, 3333 Squalicum Parkway, Bellingham. For anyone with an addicted loved one. Info: Wanda 360/224-6413. Alzheimer/Dementia/Memory Loss Caregiver and Care Partners Support Group: First Tuesday of the month, 1:30–3 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Info: 360/671-3316.
Birch Bay Activity Center Programs: 7511 Gemini Street. Pound Fit, pickle ball, yoga, badminton, barre, toddler time, Zumba, kids after school play, movie nights, Pilates, Let’s Get Fit, step fitness, Qi Gong and meditation, restorative stretch. Days and times: bbbparkandrec. com. Blaine Paviilion Programs: 635 8th Street. Strength training, step fitness, Zumba, yoga, restorative stretch. Days and times: bbbparkandrec.com.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
January 3 - 9, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Police reports ... From page 2
get it towed. If it is simply abandoned, then caretaking responsibility falls upon the property owner.) September 16, 5:45 p.m.: A couple stopped off at the Blaine police department because a man’s wife would not give his phone back after finding a dating website on his phone. The man wanted officers to have his wife turn the phone back over to him. Over the course of the contact the wife revealed that she was a victim of domestic violence recently. Since the allegations stemmed in Birch Bay, WCSO was notified and took over the investigation. September 20, 9:20 p.m.: Officers responded to a report of a fight outside of a local restaurant. Six people were involved in an apparent minor injury altercation. Based on the conflicting statements from the involved parties, the information will be forwarded to the prosecutor for review. September 21, 8:44 a.m.: Person who wished to remain anonymous called to report young children were crying a lot in an apartment near them. Officers arrived and contacted two sisters with four children who had come to visit their parents for the weekend. The sisters were fighting over a Barbie doll, so the mother took the doll away, which made all the kids cry. The children stopped crying and the mothers apologized for any disturbance. September 21, 11:24 p.m.: Dispatch reported the fire department was in route to a residence for an activated fire alarm. Officer arrived with the fire department and found the activated fire alarm was an old fire alarm which had been thrown away in the trash outside, but the batteries had not been removed. The batteries were removed from the fire alarm. September 21, 3:35 p.m.: Officers received a report that there was a man behind the skate park using drugs. A man claiming to be homeless was contacted behind the skate park. He denied using drugs and officers saw no evidence of drug use. He claimed to have come to Blaine for the food bank. Officers soon discovered that the man had a misdemeanor warrant out of Bellingham. However, due to jail restrictions, the man was not arrested for his warrant. He was
warned to contact the Bellingham Court to take care of his warrant and advised that there were probably better places to hang out besides behind the skate park. The man agreed and left the area. September 25, 8:39 a.m.: While on a traffic stop for stolen vehicle, the driver was discovered to be DWLS 3rd. The driver was arrested, cited and released with a mandatory court date. The vehicle was collected by Meridian Towing to be collected by the owner. September 25, 1 p.m.: Officers were dispatched to a 911 hang up. Officer arrived and found a person who was yelling inside a room at a local motel. Officers made entry and discovered a domestic violence assault had occurred, however, the suspect had left on foot upon police arrival. Officers canvassed the area for approximately an hour, however the man was not located. PC is posted. Hotel management advised to call 911 if the man returns. The report was forwarded to the prosecutor for charging on September 27. September 26, 9:10 p.m.: Officers responded to a suspicious circumstance where it was reported a male was shouting like a drill instructor. Officers contacted a female who stated she wanted to join the military and her uncle was showing her what a drill instructor sounds like. September 27, 2:34 p.m.: An officer was dispatched to Starbucks after an employee was threatened by a customer in the drive-through. Officers documented the incident and advised the employees to call back when the woman returns so she could be trespassed. September 28, 12:13 p.m.: An officer was dispatched to a local business for multiple counterfeit bills. Officer arrived and documented the passers information and collected the bills. The person claimed they were obtained from a business in Canada. September 28, 6:39 p.m.: A man called police to say he was being stalked by an ex. The officer provided the man with several solutions to the matter. The man agreed to call police the next time the suspect arrived at his home. The suspect will be trespassed from the property. No criminal threats were found to have occurred. September 29, 2:36 p.m.: Blaine Police responded to the 1700 Block of H Street where
s Allen Schubert was sworn in as chief of the Blaine Police Department by city clerk and assistant to the city manager Sam Crawford on August 20. Schubert previously served as a lieutenant at the Los Angeles Police Department. Photo by Stefanie Donahue
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s Four Blaine police officers were promoted in 2018. From l.: Blaine Police Department lieutenant Ryan King, sergeant Brent Greene and sergeant Michael Munden. Sergeant Andy Anorbes was unavailable. Photos by Mathew Roland
a suspicious man was reported to be digging in the dirt. Officer contacted the man who was compliant and polite and advised he was bored and had been cleaning the flowerbed to kill some time. No criminal actions observed. October 1, 12:31 p.m.: An Officer was dispatched to the Blaine High School for a student with marijuana. An Officer arrived and was informed marijuana was found in their backpack. The juvenile was advised he was under arrest and the charges were to be forwarded to the juvenile prosecutor. The juvenile’s mother was contacted and informed of the situation. She arrived sometime later and took the juvenile home per school policy. October 3, 1:34 p.m.: A person reported her adult son was trashing her house and had made threats to damage her house. Officers located the son in the house, which had been damaged. Officer arrested the son for malicious mischief and harassment. Arrestee was booked into the Whatcom County Jail. October 6, 3:50 p.m.: Officers responded to a missing child report. While checking the surrounding area the child returned home. The child had simply lost track of time. October 6, 4:30 p.m.: Officers responded to a counterfeit bill at a business. It is unknown who paid with the counterfeit bill as it was caught later by an employee. The bill was booked into evidence. October 6, 12:20 a.m.: Blaine Police were dispatched to a bar to trespass an individual after he threw a drinking glass and left without paying his tab. Police arrived and checked the area but did not immediately locate him. The suspect was known to police and was contacted and trespassed a day later. October 9,1:27 a.m.: Officers responded to the Peace Arch Point of Entry for a report of an individual in possession of scheduled narcotics. Officers arrived and confirmed the suspect was in possession of scheduled narcotics. Officers arrested and booked the individual into the Whatcom County Jail. Officers cleared with no further incident. October 12, 10:50 p.m.: Blaine police learned of break-in at a Blaine storage business. Approximately $500 in goods were stolen. The incident is under investigation. October 12, 11:32 p.m.: A Blaine officer on patrol stopped a vehicle for defective taillights. The driver was found to be DWLS 3rd was arrested, cited, and released with a mandatory court date. The man’s vehicle keys were held by the police
pending the arrival of a licensed driver in lieu of impoundment. October 14, 6:24 p.m.: A highly intoxicated woman called Blaine police to report that a lot of vehicles were parked on the roadway and there was a party on the street. An officer arrived in the area within a few minutes and found a group gathering peacefully for a church function at a nearby residence. No vehicles were observed as being parked illegally and the group was very much under control. October 16, 10:10 p.m.: Blaine police were dispatched to multiple reports of a wrong way driver northbound in the southbound lanes of I-5. Police checked the area but were unable to locate any vehicles. Police cleared without incident. October 16, 10:27 p.m.: An officer on patrol was flagged down by a 19-year-old man near a closed business. The man claimed two employees had thrown rocks at him. The young transient man is known to police. Employees of the closed business also called police and wanted the man moved along. Officers asked the man if he would like a ride to a homeless shelter. He politely declined. Police cleared without incident after the man left the area. October 17, 12:35 p.m.: Person reported her daughter was walking home from school last week when she noticed a person walking in front of her wearing a ski mask and had what looked like a knife in his back pocket. Person said she advised her daughter needed to report something like that right away. Officer took a report for informational purposes.(Chief’s Note: I’m not sure if this is a kid preparing for Halloween, or a fan of the iconic John Carpenter movie (released in theaters last week). Whatever the case, our officers have been advised to conduct extra patrol in the area.) October 19, 12:18 p.m.: Officers took a welfare check request for an elderly male who left and has dementia. Another call came in that the elderly male showed up at a business. His caretaker arrived and brought him back home. An officer spoke with him and addressed the concerns. October 19, 2:14 p.m.: Officers took a juvenile runaway report. The juvenile had left two days prior and not had contact with his parent. The juvenile was entered by Kulshan dispatch as a runaway. October 22, 10:53 a.m.: A woman called police about her friend whom she believes is not doing well. Apparently the friend believes she is being followed by
the police. An officer told the woman police are not following her friend. She then requested police go to the friend’s house and tell her that. Police told the woman that would not be the best idea and may only make the situation worse. October 23, 12:27 a.m.: Officers responded to the alleyway in the 500 block of Cherry Street for a report of a structure fire. Officers arrived and found a burn pile had re-ignited and was again burning close to a large structure. Officers were able to extinguish the fire before it became out of control. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue arrived shortly after and finished extinguishing the fire. Officers cleared with no further incident. October 28, 8:47 a.m.: An officer was informed that suspicious paperwork was located in the restroom at the Peace Arch Park. A park ranger advised he found hand written paperwork containing information regarding the President, bombings and FBI papers. The officer contacted the FBI, who advised they were interested but would not be able to respond until October 29. Evidence was turned over to FBI. October 29, 10:46 p.m.: Officers responded to the 900 block of Boblett Street for a report of an assault. Officers arrived and contacted the victim who advised he was walking his cats when he was assaulted with a recycling bin. The individual advised he did not want to press charges but wanted the police to speak to the individual. Officers attempted to contact the assailant but were unable to locate the suspect. Officers cleared with no further incident. November 14, 3:28 p.m.: An individual called about his ex-girlfriend taking his vehicle’s battery. It was determined the girlfriend owns the vehicle and they were in a dating relationship for six years. They both drive the vehicle. The individual was informed the matter is civil and needed to be handled through the courts. November 18, 8:45 a.m.: Officers were dispatched to a juvenile problem, which turned into a DV Malicious Mischief. Juvenile son head butted the parents’ ceiling causing a hole about 12 inches in diameter. The juvenile was booked into the Whatcom County Juvenile Detention Center. December 9, 5:42 a.m.: A business reported someone damaged a glass door caused by shooting it out with a BB gun. The case is under investigation. (Chief’s note: I have zero tolerance for vandalism, of any form, in this city. A juvenile home or jail is where these suspects will find themselves when they are caught.)
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The Northern Light • January 3 - 9, 2019
What you should know about waterfowl hunting in Drayton Harbor Every year the Blaine Police Department receives a great deal of inquiries regarding waterfowl hunting in Drayton Harbor. According to chief of police Allen Schubert, “The department understands the delicate balance that exists between ornithologists studying migrations, birders enjoying the annual Wings over Water festival and duck hunters participating in a time-honored pastime. It’s our job to accommodate everyone by adhering to the existing laws.” The following should provide some insight. The exact dates of waterfowl season are set by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and vary from year to year, with the season typically starting in October. Legal hunting hours are from sunrise to approximately 30 minutes before sunset. The city of Blaine’s season runs until January 27, 2019 and includes the hunting of duck and geese. Bird limits vary by the species being hunted. According to WDFW warden David Jones, “Many of the hunts taking place in Drayton Harbor are being done by hunters from other states. The hunts are highly regulated and the violation rates are typically low.” Blaine Municipal Code prohibits hunting within city limits. For Drayton Harbor, city limits extend about 100 yards into the water from the high tide mark. However, a good portion of Drayton Harbor falls under the coun-
ty’s jurisdiction and is patrolled by the WDFW, not the Blaine Police Department. In other words, the Blaine Police Department can enforce waterfowl hunting laws near the shorelines of the Port of Bellingham, Blaine Harbor, the incorporated downtown area, developed areas in Semiahmoo and the immediate vicinity around the Semiahmoo Resort. According to Schubert, “If you’re standing on the beach at Semiahmoo Resort or walking along the spit and you can hear the hunters talking on their boats, then most likely they are violating our jurisdiction. Give us a call.” The following Blaine Municipal Code (BMC) applies to waterfowl hunting: BMC 9.20.140 Hunting. Except as otherwise provided, it shall be unlawful to hunt within the city limits. The term “to hunt” shall be defined as provided in RCW 77.08.010 and shall include any effort to kill, injure, capture or harass a wild animal or wild bird. Violations of this section shall be a misdemeanor. Council shall have authority to authorize specific forms of hunting in designated areas of the city by resolution. Any such action shall require a finding that such activity does not constitute a nuisance or danger to public safety. Any such authorized hunting shall be limited to persons on private property with the written authority of the property owner. Nothing in this section shall be
s The city of Blaine’s waterfowl hunting season runs through Sunday, January 27. construed to supersede any provisions contained in RCW Title 77 or any provision of the Washington Administrative Code. Blaine police officers will respond to any calls of suspected illegal hunting, but they are bound
by jurisdictional guidelines. However, they are always willing to meet with hunters returning to city landings to determine if they are exceeding legal hunting limits. Special thanks to Blaine police officer Brad Gullikson and
Courtesy of the city of Blaine
WDFW warden Dave Jones. For more information, refer to the Washington State Migratory Waterfowl and Upland Game Seasons at bit.ly/2rO2qWP. Courtesy of the Blaine Police Department
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