November 7 - 13, 2019
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IN THIS
ISSUE
APA Museum publishing fisherman’s memoir, page 2
Veteran’s Tribute: WWII dog tags found locally, page 8
Health & Wellness: Flu season is here, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Blaine schools hit immunization milestones By Oliver Lazenby
(See Vaccines, page 15)
s The city of Blaine’s public works department recently installed new radar speed signs on D Street (pictured) and Mitchell Avenue. The signs cost the city about $5,000 each. “We want people to be attentive to speeds on and around the school because a lot of kids walk to school,” said public works director Ravyn Whitewolf.
Photo by Kira Erickson
Early voting results show executive race is a squeaker By Jami Makan Only 61 votes separate the two candidates for the county executive race, according to preliminary results of the November 5 general election released shortly after 8 p.m. on election day. As of November 5 at 8:08 p.m., Tony Larson received 24,125 votes (50 percent), narrowly leading Satpal Sidhu, who received 24,064 votes (49.87 percent). Results for the Whatcom County Council district 5 seat, which represents Blaine and Birch Bay, were much more clear cut, with Ben Elenbaas receiving 5,674 votes (59.44 percent) compared to Natalie McClendon’s 3,857 votes (40.4 percent). According to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office, 49,286 ballots were initially counted with an estimated 13,000 ballots currently in the auditor’s office left to count. With 146,704 registered voters in this elec-
tion, voter turnout stood at 33.6 percent. Here are the results of other competitive county and local races: • Whatcom County Council At-Large Position B: Carol Frazey received 27,824 votes (60.36 percent), leading David Ramirez, who received 18,186 votes (39.45 percent). • Whatcom County assessor: John Romaker received 22,522 votes (50.71 percent), leading Rebecca Xczar, who received 21,793 votes (49.07 percent). • Whatcom County sheriff: Bill Elfo received 33,456 votes (70.93 percent), leading Joy Gilfilen, who received 13,635 votes (28.91 percent). • Port of Bellingham commissioner district 3: Bobby Briscoe received 28,977 votes (67.05 percent), leading Anthony Distefano, who received 14,108 votes (32.65 percent). • Blaine City Council ward 1, position 1: Richard May received 828 votes (75.14 percent), leading Randy Roose, who
received 272 votes (24.68 percent). • Blaine City Council ward 2, position 3: Garth Baldwin received 885 votes (79.09 percent), leading Steven Tojek, who received (See Election, page 15)
INSIDE
More Blaine students are vaccinated for measles this year, following recent outbreaks and a new state law that removed an exemption that allowed students to forego the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine for personal or philosophical beliefs. Currently, about 95.8 percent of Blaine K–12 students are immunized against measles, said Blaine school district nurse Jodi Greene. Last year, about 91.7 percent of students were immunized against measles. That may not sound like a big difference, but it’s huge in terms of herd immunity, a form of indirect protection whereby a high enough percentage of a population is immunized, thus conferring protection for those not immune. The threshold for herd immunity to measles is 93 to 95 percent, according to the World Health Organization. “Last year we did not reach that herd immunity threshold, so that’s huge,” Greene said. Washington state had two measles outbreaks earlier this year, with 86 total cases, according to the Washington State Department of Health, and there were similar outbreaks around the country. The first outbreak saw 72 confirmed cases from January to May. The second saw 14 confirmed cases between May and August. The majority of cases were in children 10 and younger and four people were hospitalized, according to the state health department. In response, state legislators removed the personal belief exemption from the MMR vaccinations for students. The state bill took effect July 28, 2019 and applies to public and private schools. Students and families can still apply for medical and religious exemptions from the MMR vaccine. The recent outbreak made an impression on families in the Blaine school district, Greene said. “Seeing that students can get affected by measles, I think that was a huge eye opener for families,” she said. The school district’s health room team
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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BORODIN MEETS BEETHOVEN Amit Peled, cello
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The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 2019
Fisherman’s memoir describes life working for APA salmon canneries By Jami Makan A memoir newly published by the Alaska Packers Association (APA) Museum describes life in early Point Roberts and Blaine, as well as the author’s career working for APA salmon canneries. Carl Gudbranson was a fisherman, storyteller and armchair historian, whose writings were first printed as a family memoir in 2000. With the family’s
permission, the memoir is now being published as a book, in order to share its history with the Point Roberts and Blaine communities. Born in 1907 on Whidbey Island, Gudbranson was the son of Icelandic immigrants. The family of nine moved to Point Roberts in 1913, where Gudbranson’s father worked for the APA cannery as a shipwright. They later moved to Bellingham
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of the book at the Semiahmoo Women’s Club luncheon at the Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club on Thursday, November 14. The proceeds from the sale of the book will benefit the restoration of NN59, a Bristol Bay gillnetter. The restoration is being done by Drayton Harbor Maritime, which operates the Plover ferry. When it is complete, NN59 will be a companion to the Plover, offering a sailing experience in Blaine Harbor. To learn more about the new book, please contact Brown at 360/371-3558. The Blaine Information Visitor Center is located at 546 Peace Portal Drive in downtown Blaine.
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Finley and other members of Gudbranson’s family gave the APA Museum permission to publish and sell his memoir for the benefit of Drayton Harbor Maritime and the APA Museum. Blaine artist Georgia Donovan produced the cover art depicting a young Gudbranson and his pet mice. Ellen Clothier converted the original format of the memoir into book form. Using money from the APA Museum’s donation box, an initial run of 90 copies was printed. Starting on Friday, November 8, the memoir, “Search for Yesterday,” will be available at the Blaine Visitor Information Center for $19.95 (cash or checks only). Brown will also be selling copies
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and then to Loomis Trail Road, near Custer. During the Great Depression, Gudbranson moved to Alaska, where he worked as a fisherman. He later worked in the fishing industry on San Juan Island and the Semiahmoo Spit. The memoir is full of tales about Gudbranson’s youth, his fishing career and his observations of historical events and developments. The book includes many photographs of Gudbranson’s family; other images include an illustration of a floating salmon trap and old newspaper clippings. Several years ago, Gudbranson’s niece, Brooke Finley, shared the memoir with Alice “Sunny” Brown, the APA Museum’s docent and volunteer coordinator since 2002. “I was captured by Carl’s narrative, both in style and content,” said Brown. “I read it and felt it was a treasure trove.”
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BLAINE LIBRARY DESIGN PROJECT s Blaine artist Georgia Donovan illustrated the cover of a fisherman’s memoir that is being published by the Alaska Packers Association Museum. The book will be on sale starting on Friday, November 8. Courtesy of Sunny Brown
WSP still investigating deadly Custer hit and run
Whatcom County Library System, Friends of the Blaine Library, and City of Blaine invite you to share your ideas for a new library design at the first of three community mee�ngs.
5:307:00 PM, TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
at the BLAINE SENIOR CENTER, 763 G ST.
VISIT WCLS.ORG/BLAINE FOR PROJECT UPDATES AND TO TAKE OUR SURVEY
Washington State Patrol (WSP) is still investigating a deadly hit and run collision that occurred at an I-5 rest area near Custer. Shortly before 3:30 p.m. on October 4, pedestrian Cynthia Stitt of Marysville was struck by a red or orange four-door passenger vehicle, described as possibly a Chrysler 300 or a Dodge Charger. After the collision, the vehicle fled southbound on I-5. According to a WSP press memo, Stitt had been standing in the rest area parking lot when she was struck by the vehicle. She was transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, where she died on Octo-
ber 24 due to her injuries. “We were able to talk to witnesses at the scene, but we’re hoping more people will come forward,” said WSP public information officer Heather Axtman. “It’s still an active investigation.” According to an October 6 press release, WSP detectives are examining all aspects that led to this collision and are seeking additional witnesses to the collision, the events immediately before and after the collision and the whereabouts of the involved vehicle. Anyone who has information should contact WSP detective Dan Comnick at 360/757-2008 or daniel.comnick@wsp.wa.gov.
November 7 - 13, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Public hearing to address Gateway stormwater pond project By Jami Makan A public hearing will be held concerning the Gateway Regional Storm Facility, a stormwater pond that is currently under construction near the Gateway parcel, also known as the old municipal airport site. Following the public hearing, the city of Blaine intends “to assess a part of the cost and expense of those improvements against the property in that district specially benefited thereby,” according to the city’s notice of the public hearing. This would be achieved through the formation of a Local Improvement District (LID), a method by which property owners within a defined geographical area can finance an improvement benefiting their property. The public hearing will take place on Tuesday, November 12 at 6 p.m. in Blaine Council Chambers located at 435 Martin Street. The hearing is being held pursuant to Resolution 1778-19, which was adopted on October 14. The property owners who own pieces of the Gateway parcel and would be affected by the LID include Yorkston Oil Company, Mercer, Chuckanut Bay Foods and IK Truck Repair. The final two pieces of the Gateway property are currently being sold to Family Care Network and the White-Leasure Development Company, but those transactions are not yet final so the city of Blaine is currently still responsible for their portion of the $3 million project. To help pay for the project, the city received an $883,227 grant from the Whatcom County Economic Development Investment Project and a loan in the amount of $1,766,454. The city has agreed to contribute $350,000 to pay for a portion of the improvements. If the LID is formed, “the cost of the improvements not covered by the grant and the city’s contribution, estimated to be $1,766,667, shall be borne by and assessed against the property specially benefited by such improvements,” reads Resolution 1778-19. The Gateway Regional Storm Facility project dates back to 2009, but was delayed as a result
of the recession, during which few buyers expressed an interest in acquiring pieces of the former municipal airport property. The purpose of the project is to provide a regional facility for the stormwater requirements for new development, said Blaine public works director Ravyn Whitewolf. The project will construct a large stormwater pond to serve the Gateway properties, so that the property owners do not have to construct their own individual ponds. “It means the city has a better handle on the maintenance of the facility and its compliance with permits,” said Whitewolf. “It also allows for these properties to have their full square footage for development instead of taking square footage for a pond.” The stormwater pond is currently under construction between Boblett Court and Pipeline Road, southeast of IK Truck Repair. The design consultant for the project is Reichhardt & Ebe Engineering, Inc. and the construction firm is Stremler Gravel.
Construction will pause over the winter and resume early next year. “We’ll start back again when conditions are better,” said Whitewolf. “It’s been too wet to get done what we wanted to get done.” Whitewolf estimated that construction could be completed by next May. This pond will have a two “cells.” The first separates sediment from stormwater, which then goes into the second cell for storage before it is released into Cain Creek and out into Semiahmoo Bay through the existing stormwater system. Such ponds are necessary whenever development occurs. “If you have a site that’s all grass and dirt, the ground can receive some of that rainwater,” said Whitewolf. “But when you cover it with pavement and buildings, that rainwater doesn’t absorb into the ground.” After the LID is formed, there will be another public hearing for the assessment against the participating property owners, said Whitewolf.
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The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 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, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com. Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com
s Contractors recently installed a new replica of the Peace Arch outside of Blaine High School. During construction of the new high school building, the school district discovered that the old wood replica was rotted beyond repair.
Photo by Kira Erickson
Letters
Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Jami Makan jami@pointrobertspress.com Copy Editor Aly Siemion aly@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Intern Kira Erickson prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Kristin Siemion sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com Contributors In This Issue Sneha Patel, DO Craig Stellpflug The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXIV, No 21 Circulation: 10,500 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
Next issue: Nov. 14 Ads due: Nov. 8
The Editor: Bill Becht wrote in the October 24-30, 2019 issue of The Northern Light that Blaine is a speed trap and is causing not only tourists but locals to avoid downtown Blaine. I don’t think he lives in the same Blaine as I do. I’ve lived here 11 years and have never received a ticket, and I certainly don’t feel like I have to walk or drive “on egg shells.” I do, however, try to observe speed limits and traffic signs. I’ve almost T-boned someone who didn’t stop at the Peace Portal Drive and H Street intersection twice! I’ve also observed numerous drivers fly through that intersection without stopping, as well as people driving in excess of 40 mph on my neighborhood’s 25 mph streets. My neighbors and I have urged our police department to do more to stop the speeding for several years. I’m glad to see that chief Tanksley is doing more. I believe that a lot of offenders are Canadians who are unfamiliar with our streets and are more intent on looking at their surroundings than their driving. I personally feel that they should receive a lecture and warning rather than a ticket. Our children, the elderly and shoppers need to feel safe walking downtown and throughout Blaine.
As for affecting business, I can only say that it seems pretty busy at the north end of Peace Portal Drive. And my place of employment is really busy; about half of our guests are Canadian. We certainly don’t want Blaine to have a reputation as a traffic free-for-all destination. Sonia Hurt Blaine The Editor: Yes to traffic safety! No to speeding in Blaine! If you’re pushing a stroller, riding a bike or walking a dog, you know that speeding on our streets is dangerous. Elders with canes and children on bikes are most at risk. Let’s make Blaine a town known for welcoming visitors and for taking traffic safety seriously. Thank you chief Tanksley and all police officers. Mary Johnson Blaine The Editor: You cannot turn on the radio or television these days without being reminded of some sort of climate issue. We separate our trash, glass, paper and plastic. Some of us
work; we pay tax on our income, on our gas, on the items we buy. When politicians and United Nations agendas make threats, using kids to persuade action, some interesting issues on waste and pollution come to mind. Election season is upon us once again. Driving around Blaine, you’ll see several political signs. Think of the toxic ink, the resources, the waste and the ugliness they represent. Think of the stack of garbage going into the landfills. Soon these poisonous signs will be in every landfill across the United States. They are also traffic hazards, blocking oncoming views, and distractions. A good example is on H Street, by the coffee shop. The city of Blaine could set a good example by banning these signs in town. We live in changing times, where educated people don’t need a sign to know who to vote for. We don’t need extra distractions along the road. We certainly don’t need threats to pay more tax. I personally would like (Continued on next page) 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.
Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info: blainesd.org.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: blainepc@ cityofblaine.com.
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 1 p.m. Station 61. Info: nwfrs.net.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
November 7 - 13, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com (Continued from previous page) to see the money spent on these toxic signs used more creatively. This junk is not cheap. Help clean up the garbage in town. We live in one of the most beautiful places in the United States; let’s make sure that political environmental issues don’t change that. Dan Dehnke Blaine The Editor: The Community Assistance Program (CAP) would like to thank everyone in our community who donated coats and other winter clothing to the annual CAP/Interfaith Coalition Winter Coat Drive. This year, over 800 coats and many beautiful handmade hats and scarves were donated. Of these, 578 coats were given out, along with sweaters, sweatshirts, hats, scarves, gloves and socks. Items that were not distributed will be available through the Blaine Clothing Bank throughout the winter. We also want to thank the churches, businesses and other organizations that were collection
points for the coat drive, as well as the volunteers who graciously helped. Because of the amazing generosity of this community, 217 families will be warmer this winter. Thanks to all who helped make this possible! Amee Nelson CAP Coat Drive Director Blaine The Editor: The need is great. The need is now. Are the communities of Birch Bay, Blaine and Custer up for a challenge? Blaine Food Bank (BFB) has an incredible opportunity. If BFB raises $30,000 by Friday, December 20, a local resident generously promised to match community donations up to this amount. Whether you are a business, a family or an individual, please help us reach this goal. Have you ever gone to sleep hungry, not by choice but because you had no food? Are you a parent who has gone without to provide more for your children? As a child, did you go to bed hungry and then to school the next morning without breakfast? If
so, please tell your friends exactly how important it is to receive milk and proteins such as eggs, meat, fish and poultry, as well as fresh fruit and vegetables from the BFB. Encourage community giving by sharing what being able to rely on the BFB meant to you and your family. BFB needs your help. Our lines are longer and our government support has been cut. Point of fact: BFB now serves close to 100 more families per week than this time last year. We average 425 families (over 2,000 individuals) in a week and distribute over 120,000 pounds of food every month. Many people are still struggling. However, with help from our local businesses, churches and community, BFB will continue to provide help to those residents who are most vulnerable. To those who have donated in the past, thank you. You understand the need and we truly appreciate your support. Hunger is unacceptable. It is time to end
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.
Monday, November 11
City Offices Closed – Veterans Day
Tuesday, November 12 8am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee (BTAC)
hunger in our community. So, the challenge is issued: will Birch Bay, Blaine and Custer businesses, local churches and current residents step up? Will you help BFB reach our goal of $30,000 by December 20? Starting Friday, November 8, BFB will display a thermometer show-
5
ing our donors how we are progressing (from a low simmer to a full boil) as we try to reach our $30,000 goal. Our mailing address is P.O. Box 472, Blaine, WA 98231. Thank you for caring. Jerry Bladies, Blaine Food Bank Blaine
City of Blaine Notice of Public Hearings NOVEMBER 12, 2019. LOCAL IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (GATEWAY MANUFACTURING AREA): NOTICE OF PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS AND HEARING THEREON NOTICE IS GIVEN that the City of Blaine, Washington (the “City”), pursuant to Resolution No.1778-19 adopted October 14, 2019, declared its intention to initiate the formation of a Local Improvement District (Gateway Manufacturing Area) to construct storm water and other improvements in the Gateway Manufacturing District, and to assess a part of the cost and expense of those improvements against the property in that district specially benefited thereby. The public hearing upon the proposed improvements will be held before the City Council of the City in the Blaine Council Chambers located at 435 Martin Street, Blaine, Washington, at 6:00 p.m., local time, on November 12, 2019.
NOVEMBER 12, 2019. Public Hearings on the final 2020 budget are scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019, and Monday, November 25, 2019, at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000. NOVEMBER 25, 2019. Public Hearings on the final 2020 budget are scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019, and Monday, November 25, 2019, at 6:00 pm in the City Council Chambers, Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin Street, Suite 4000.
Interested parties are encouraged to attend the hearing and public comment will be invited at that time. For further information, please contact the City Clerk’s office, 360-332-8311. The meeting location is an accessible facility. Anyone wishing to attend and participate who may need special accommodation to do so should contact the City Clerk’s office no later than twenty-four (24) hour prior to the scheduled meeting.
Tuesday, November 12 4pm – Study Session – 2020 Streets & Enterprise Funds Budget (Utilities)
6pm – Regular City Council meeting s The Railway Cafe, located at 795 Peace Portal Drive, won this year’s Halloween scarecrow display contest organized by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce.
Photo courtesy of Donna Raimey
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The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 2019
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It’s flu season: time to get your vaccine By Sneha Patel, DO It’s flu season again, and early reports from the southern hemisphere hint that it may be a doozy when it hits. As in past years, we expect that the flu will affect millions of people and send hundreds of thousands of them to their local hospitals. The influenza virus (the flu) is especially harmful to children, people with chronic illnesses, older adults and pregnant women. While the flu vaccine is never perfectly matched to the strain that arrives, it does save lives. It is the single most important thing that you can do to prevent getting the flu – or to make it less severe if you do contract it. A common myth about the flu shot is that you can get the flu from the vaccine. That’s not true. The vaccine is made by either using an inactivated (killed) virus or using a single gene from the virus (not the whole virus) to create an immune response (antibodies) against the virus without giving you an infection. It takes about two weeks for your immune system to make
antibodies against the flu virus, and it’s the antibodies that protect you from getting the flu. The earlier you get your shot, the better. Some people have a reaction to the flu shot, but the reactions are usually quite mild. The most common side effects are localized reactions such as soreness, swelling or redness where the shot was given or a generalized reaction such as fatigue, low grade fever or headache. These symptoms last no more than one to two days after getting the vaccine. It’s also important to keep in mind that you can still experience flu symptoms, even after getting the vaccine. You could have been infected with a strain of the virus that was not included in the vaccine, as there are many different flu viruses that can cause illness. You may have been infected with a totally different virus, such as rhinovirus, adenovirus or coronavirus, that could cause similar flu-like symptoms. Another possibility is that you could have been exposed to influenza virus ei-
ther before getting vaccinated or in the two weeks following the vaccination, in which case your body would not have had enough time to develop immune protection. Don’t let the above reasons prevent you from getting the vaccine this year. If you do experience flu symptoms after getting the vaccine, it’s highly likely that you won’t feel as bad for as long. Besides getting the flu shot, there are everyday measures that you can follow during flu season. Make sure you wash your hands regularly with soap and water or an alcohol-based solution. Avoid contact with sick people, and if you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible. If you do get the flu, you should stay home for 24 hours after your fever is gone. You may return to work after being fever-free for 24 hours (without using a fever-reducing medicine). Talk to your healthcare provider if you need help or have questions about the flu vaccine. Sneha Patel, DO is a provider at PeaceHealth Medical Group Family Medicine in Bellingham.
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November 7 - 13, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
7
WELLNESS WELLNESS Encouraging happy, healthy lives! Encouraging happy, healthy lives!
Eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for supper By Craig Stellpflug It’s the same song I heard again just the other day: “I am eating organic, watching my calories and taking smaller portions – but I am not losing weight!” My response was to ask: “When are you eating?” You see, my philosophy for eating, whether you are young or old, fat or skinny, is to eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for supper. This advice contains a multipronged benefit. Let me explain. The human body has to shift
from acid pH to alkaline pH on a daily cycle. This tidal shift moves nutrients in and waste products out of the intracellular spaces. The body should start out acidic in the morning for breaking down nutrients and helping move nutrients into intracellular spaces for cellular energy. By early evening, the body should naturally shift to alkaline, which helps the body cycle waste products out of the intracellular spaces through the night – which nudges the pH back to acidic by the next morning. Eating a big meal at the end of the day, along with heavy night
snacking, impairs the body’s tidal shift to alkaline and therefore causes a backlog of waste in between the cells of the body. The body utilizes cortisol to
help digest big meals. The normal body starts out high in cortisol levels in the morning but tapers off throughout the day to finish low by evening. Eating a big meal
or heavy snacking toward the end of the day will raise cortisol levels (Continued on page 10)
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The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 2019
A TRIBUTE TO OUR WWII dog tags found on the beach connect Blaine’s past and present B y K i r a E r i c k so n Peyton Swope didn’t know what she’d found at first. In 2017, she was walking along the beach of Drayton Harbor near her
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home when her dog Lexi grabbed something on the shore. “I didn’t know what they were at first. I just thought, ‘These are weird,’” Swope remembers. “I took them back and showed them to my dad, and he told me that they were dog tags.” It turned out these weren’t just any tags. Despite being in great shape, they belonged to a World War II veteran who had been dead for over 50 years. Swope and her dog had discovered a piece of Pacific Northwest history. Mystery tags Private investigator Karl Swope, Peyton’s father, began searching for the owner of the dog tags, a soldier named Verne Swainson. “I thought maybe it was someone local here who they belonged to,” Karl said. After a database search provided a fruitless response, a Google search finally yielded an answer: Verne Swainson could be found buried beneath a headstone located at Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale. He had died in 1966. A career Navy man “I remember him as a little kid because the uniform was impressive,” said Marv Swainson, who recalls being four years old when his uncle Verne stopped by his home in Chicago while on leave. According to Verne Swainson’s surviving relatives – a handful of nieces and nephews – he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at a young age to provide for his family during the Great Depression. His older brother Norman had done the same thing a year and a half prior. Marv remembers his father Norman memorizing the smallest line of an eye chart and telling it to Verne, who had poor eyesight and wouldn’t have been able to enlist without knowing what the chart said. According to public records requested from the National Archives, Verne Swainson’s place of entry was Indianapolis in 1933. Depending on the time of year, he would have been 18 or 19. Verne attained the rank of chief petty officer, according to
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763 G Street • Blaine, WA 98230 • 360-332-8040
s Dog tags that were found on the beach of Drayton Harbor in 2017. The dog tags belonged to a World War II veteran named Verne Swainson, who had passed away in 1966.
Photo courtesy of the National Nordic Museum
Marv. He was a war photographer, a profession listed on his marriage certificate, but Marv doesn’t remember his uncle ever carrying a camera around after WWII. Military records indicate that Verne Swainson attended a 22week class during his service at the Naval School of Photogra-
Thank you Veterans, we appreciate you!
phy in Pensacola, Florida. According to the family, Verne flew on two bombers that were downed by enemy fire in the European and Pacific theaters of WWII. He evaded both capture and serious injury. Another family story recalls him being in Pearl Harbor on several occasions. He was report-
edly aboard a ship departing from Pearl Harbor the night before the Japanese attack on December 7, 1941. His family didn’t hear from him for weeks and worried about his safety. Many of these stories, coming directly from Swainson’s family, are unable to be corroborated with military records. “We can’t
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November 7 - 13, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
s Peyton Swope and her father Karl Swope with their dog Lexi near the area where Peyton found the dog tags on the beach in 2017. Photo by Erasmus Baxter
say if this stuff is true or not. It’s just family memories,” said Suzanne Rogers, Swainson’s niece. Several muster rolls and public records obtained from the National Archives confirm Swainson’s status as being aboard a series of ships bound for different locations during WWII, but these do not indicate which battles or where exactly Swainson was during the war. Some of these ships include the U.S.S. Manley, the U.S.S. Argonne and the U.S.S. Brooklyn. Swainson’s place of separation was the Photographic Squadron 61 in San Diego in 1954. His decorations and awards included the National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, Air Crew Insignia, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal. Finding a home Verne Swainson’s dog tags were sent to his niece Suzanne Rogers upon request of her brother, Jim Swainson, whom Karl Swope had located in Alaska as one of Verne’s surviving relatives. Rogers, a board member of the local historical society in Ellensburg, was shocked to discover them in perfect condition. She’s grateful to Peyton Swope, who found her uncle’s dog tags. “I don’t know whether she realizes it, but she did a lot,”
Rogers said. She decided to donate the dog tags to Kittitas County Historical Museum for safekeeping, hoping someday someone would be interested in learning about her preserved family history. When she received them, Kittitas County Historical Museum director Sadie Thayer began looking for a connection to military or heritage museums. At a Washington Museum Association conference in Bellingham the previous summer, she had spoken with collections manager Fred Poyner IV of the National Nordic Museum in Seattle. Since Swainson hailed from a family of Icelandic immigrants, Thayer determined that it was appropriate for this museum to be chosen as the final resting place for his dog tags. “Museums are really open to items, and all it takes is an ask,” Thayer said. “Most museums will help to find a home for an item.” The dog tags will be on display at the National Nordic Museum from February 22 to April 12, 2020 as part of a New Featured Collections exhibition in their Fjord Hall gallery. A retirement cut short According to military records, Swainson was active in the Navy from 1933 to 1954. His service was reserve from 1954 to 1964, meaning he officially retired shortly before his death in 1966.
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He was stationed at Whidbey Island Naval Air Station from 1949 to 1951. He then moved to Blaine where his parents lived, his nephew Marv said, and owned a bar on the wharf with his second wife, Marguerite. Swainson’s estate paperwork indicates that he owned shares in the Harbor Café with his wife and sold them in December 1965 to three other couples: Eythor and Margaret Westman, Leif and Dena Andersen and Carl and Dorothy Berg. The Harbor Café was a restaurant and bar located at Blaine Harbor. It closed permanently in the early 2000s. Marv Swainson, a retired dentist now living in Yakima, remembers visiting Blaine three or four times as a teenager with his family and going fishing with his uncle Verne on the gillnet boat that Verne purchased in his retirement. “I remember he spread the net out somewhere in the bay, and he fished all night,” Marv said.
“That was his routine.” On one of these nights, Verne dropped part of a coffee pot overboard, and they watched it sink into the depths. “I have a feeling that’s probably what happened to his dog tags,” Marv said. “He probably dropped them out in the water there and they washed up on the shore at some point.” While fishing commercially and working for a construction company in Alaska, Verne Swainson suffered his second heart attack and died at the age of 51. Marv remembers driving up for the funeral in Whatcom County and meeting several family members he had never seen before, “a bunch of Icelanders” from Winnipeg.
As a family, Marv said the Swainsons would often play bridge and chess when they visited Verne in Blaine. Marv remembers his uncle being a “happy-go-lucky kind of guy.” Rogers recalls that “he was a lot of fun, a great storyteller.”
Our deepest thanks for your service!
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Alcoa thanks all of our Veterans for their service with a special salute to our Intalco Veterans.
Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt thanks all of our Veterans for their service to our country
456 C Street, Blaine • 360-332-8733
We salute the true heros of our community! s Verne Swainson in uniform. Photo courtesy of the National Nordic Museum
Make Our it a sincere great thanks! year!
Thank You Veterans! Mailboxes • Shipping Package Receiving 816 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine, WA 98230
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Vwich Agency 341 H Street, Blaine 360-332-4444
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The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 2019
TH & HEALTH WELLNESS & WELLNESS Encouraging happy, healthy lives!
(Continued from page 7) temporarily to disrupt this cycle. Cortisol then floods the body, releasing glucose into the bloodstream at a time the body needs to be converting triglycerides into brain fuel and healthy essential fatty acids (EFAs). Turning up cortisol at night actually depletes energy reserves and causes adrenal burnout, pre-diabetes conditions and cortisol-related memory impairment. Also, a normal cortisol cycle is doubly important in that cortisol opposes melatonin – the nighttime sleepy hormone, while
melatonin opposes cortisol – the wake-up-and-feed-the-body hormone. In other words, cortisol starts out high in the morning, opposing and driving down melatonin. Cortisol tapers off during the day as melatonin rises in opposition to cortisol. Do you have trouble sleeping at night? This could be why. The brain accounts for less than two percent of total body weight, yet consumes about 20 percent of daily caloric intake. This makes fueling the brain correctly extremely vital. One job cortisol has is to help regulate levels of glucose in the blood by acting as
an antagonist to insulin. Cortisol stimulates the body to conserve glucose in the bloodstream for feeding the brain and other vital organs through the morning and into the afternoon. As blood sugar levels begin to naturally drop at night from smaller food intake and rising melatonin, the body begins to convert ketones into brain fuel while breaking down triglycerides (fat) into both EFAs and brain fuel. If there is too much glucose around through the night because of heavy eating, the brain and body will burn those calories instead of the ketones and triglycerides. This
Encouraging happy, healthy lives!
leads to EFA shortages, pre-diabetes challenges and metabolic diseases, helps cause excess weight gain, accelerates cognitive decline and produces inflammation throughout the body. Insulin is part of what the body uses to balance the blood sugar/glucose load at all times. But when excess glucose circulates in the bloodstream at night, the body converts what it cannot burn into triglycerides that are stored in fat cells instead of burning already stored triglycerides for fuel, causing stubborn weight gain. When this glucose conversion problem persists, the body
becomes increasingly unable to convert blood sugar into energy during the day, leading to insulin resistance, diabetes, emotional instability, dementia, heart disease, gout, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, among other things. Both physical and mental/emotional health suffer when this happens. Does any of this sound familiar to you? Try eating like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for supper and see what happens. Craig Stellpflug is a retired neurodevelopment specialist and nutritionist based in Blaine.
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s The room where Rand Dennis practices acupuncture in the Blaine Healing Arts Massage Therapy building.
Photo by Kira Erickson
B y K i r a E r i c k so n A Bellingham acupuncturist began practicing in Blaine on October 1. Practitioner Rand Dennis, owner of Affordable Acupuncture in Bellingham, decided to extend her practice to Blaine
because she regularly sees several clients from Blaine, Birch Bay and Point Roberts. “After an acupuncture session, people can really feel relaxed and it’s a shame to get back on I-5 to drive back home and undo all that,” Dennis said.
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pleased to announce moving Bellingham Clinic WeWe areare pleased announce thatthat we we areare moving ourour Bellingham Clinic 1610toGrover Street to a ground level, handicapped accessible location at 1329 King Street to a ground level, handicapped accessible location at 1329 King Street Email: info@bellinghamdentureclinic.com We We are are pleased pleased announce to announce that that weare we are are moving moving our our Bellingham Bellingham Clinic Clinic WeWe are are pleased pleased tothe announce totoannounce that that we we are moving moving our our Bellingham Bellingham Clinic Clinic pleased tothe are announce pleased that to we are moving that we our are Bellingham moving our Clinic Bellingham Clinic (near corner of Lakeway and King Street). We We are are pleased We toWe are announce pleased to announce weannounce are moving that we our are Bellingham moving our Clinic Bellingham Clinic (near of Lakeway and King Street). are pleased tothat announce that we are moving our Bellingham Clinic We We are pleased tocorner announce that we are moving our Bellingham Clinic www.bellinghamdentureclinic.com
aground ground a ground level, level, handicapped handicapped accessible accessible location location 1329 atKing 1329 King King Street Street to ato ground ato level, handicapped handicapped accessible accessible location location at location 1329 atatKing 1329 King Street Street atoground level, a level, handicapped ground level, accessible handicapped location accessible atlocation 1329 Street atStreet. 1329 King Street to ato ground level, to ato handicapped ground level, accessible handicapped location accessible at 1610 1329 King Street at 1329 King Street aLynden ground level, handicapped accessible location atStreet). 1329 King Street office still remains at Grover toOur ato ground level, handicapped accessible location at 1329 King Street Our Lynden office still remains atand 1610 Grover Street. (near (near the the corner corner ofLakeway Lakeway of Lakeway and and King King Street). (near (near the the corner corner of Lakeway of and King King Street). Street). (near the corner (near of Lakeway the corner and of King Lakeway Street). and King Street). (near the corner (near of Lakeway the corner and of King Lakeway Street). and King Street). (near the corner of Lakeway and King Street). with (near theoffice corner ofstill Lakeway and King Street). Our Our Lynden Lynden office still remains remains at at 1610 1610 Grover Grover Street. Street.
Introducing new, beautiful, spacious private suites Our Our Lynden Lynden office office still still remains remains atremains at 1610 1610 Grover Grover Street. Street. Lynden office Our Lynden still remains office still at 1610 at 1610 Street. Grover Street. Lynden office Our Lynden still remains office still atremains 1610 remains at 1610 Street. Grover Street. Our Lynden office still atGrover 1610 Grover Street. Our Lynden office still remains atGrover 1610 Grover Street. exceptional therapy services and superior 24-hour nursing care.OurOur 456 C Street, Blaine, WA 98230
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Dennis has had her Bellingham practice since 2006. With two other colleagues available in Bellingham on Tuesdays, she felt confident in dedicating this day to serving clients up north. To her, it seemed like a good fit. “I have always loved Blaine and had a connection to the community, with friends living up there,” Dennis said. “If it’s a success and we feel like we could branch out to more days per week, we would really like to be able to do that.” A graduate of the Seattle Institute of East Asian Medicine, Dennis is fully trained in Chinese medicine. She offers traditional acupuncture with needles and also cupping therapy. In addition, she has an extensive knowledge of Chinese herbs and their healing applications. Her Blaine practice is located in the Blaine Healing Arts Massage Therapy building at 366 H Street. She said massage therapists Laura Hedges and Kari Hrutfiord who own the building have both been very welcoming. To see the insurances her clinic accepts, visit affordableacupunctureclinic.com. To schedule an appointment, call 360/715-2455.
November 7 - 13, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
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NEXT ISSUE: Nov. 14 AD DEADLINE: Nov. 11
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Matter and Estate of: MARY ANN PETERSON, Deceased. No. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS RCW 11.40.030 THE PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE NAMED BELOW has been appointed as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Representative or the Personal Representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent's probate and nonprobate assets. NOTICE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: October 30, 2019 DATE: October 31, 2019 PATRICK E. MADSEN, Personal Representative Presented by: Law Offices of Roger L. Ellingson, P.S. By: Roger L. Ellingson, WSBA #19292 Attorney for Personal Representative PO Box 1258 / 289 H Street Blaine, WA 98231-1258 (360) 332-7000; Fax: (360) 332-6677
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CITY OF BLAINE
COMMUNITY PLANNER 1
Salary Range: $4,563 - $5773 per month plus 5% deferred compensation and benefits. Application packages must be received no later than 4:30pm on Friday, November 8, 2019.
For information on how to apply, please visit the City’s website, https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/. The City of Blaine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
frequently purchase products or services from ads seen in
Statistics audited by the
Community Newspaper of Blaine, Birch Bay & Semiahmoo
FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
Call or email to advertise: 360-332-1777 or sales@thenorthernlight.com
12
The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 2019
Real Estate 4104 Fishermans Bend Lane • $578,500
9598 Sherwood Dr. Blaine • $1,498,000
5331 Coastal Lp. Birch Bay • $475,000
Unrivaled modern masterpiece in Blaine’s best kept secret - the exclusive gated Sherwood Dr. Estates! Stunning pivot door entry, 12’ motorized glass door/wall, suspended floating stairs, polished concrete floors on 5.76 park-like acres. Spaces planned & executed perfectly, custom home beyond compare.
Nearly brand new construction in beautiful seaside neighborhood of Salish Breeze! 5-BD/2.5-BA w/ separate living & family rooms + all these features: 3-car garage, 9’ ceilings, open concept living/dining/ kitchen, stunning stone fireplace, luxurious master suite, laminate flooring & covered back porch overlooking fenced backyard. Close to the Birch Bay beaches & easy I-5 access. MLS #1519338
MLS# 1446049
Jen Freeman 360-815-0803
Waterfront acreage close to booming downtown Blaine, I-5 & US/CAN border access! It’s rare to find this set up: 3 BD/2.5 BA home on 1.18 acres features soaring vaulted ceilings, open concept floor plan, high end finishes & design + the dialed in bonus space is sure to please everyone. Private back deck is ideal for entertaining while overlooking spacious backyard & Dakota Creek. Attached garage + lots of space for boat/RV parking. MLS #1522019
256 Whitetail Loop, Blaine
Semiahmoo homeS, inc.
NW LUXURY REAL ESTATE AT A HIGHER LEVEL
8045 BIRCH BAY DR. • BLAINE, WA • 360-371-7252 • BAYPROPERTIESNW.COM 4751 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd., Birch Bay - #290 $75,000 LATITUDE 49! Come enjoy some summer fun near the sandy beaches of Birch Bay! This 180 day lot is fully serviced and beautifully landscaped. Comes with plenty of room to JUST SOLD! park your travel trailer/RV, spacious shed and a large patio for entertaining. Amenities are exceptional & include a clubhouse, outside pool, tennis courts, game room, library & more!
5735 3rd Avenue, Ferndale
home zoned central business. “Amazing possibilities - i.e. ADU, duplex back of lot, business in current home PRICE REDUCED! etc. Featuring 9 ft ceilings, hardwood floors and spacious rooms with great floor plan. New roof, new water line and upgraded kitchen. Ideal business center or first time home buyer home.
$325,000
8250 Breeze Loop, Birch Bay
BRAND NEW! Birch Bay’s premier community of craftsman townhome condos nestled on 11 acres above the bay. Beautiful & private units are DON’T MISS OUT! 1,430 +/- SF, 3-BD, 2.5-BA, superbly finished w/quartz counters, rock gas fireplace, SS appliances, on-demand HW, quality fixtures, designer flooring & much more!
CeCelia Breivik • (360) 303-8161
8636 Ashbury Ct., Loomis Green
$359,000
Bay Breeze, a quiet neighborhood with only 15 homes. This 4-BD, 2.5-BA, super PENDING! clean home is well taken care of & is walking distance to beach. Fully fenced backyard w/ side gates extra pad for RV / boat. Comes with all appliances, including washer & dryer. Large extra bedrooms upstairs could be extra office/den/library room.
remaining Loomis Trail golf course view lots ready to build. Enjoy a panoramic view of the golf course, clubhouse and Mt. Baker. GOLF COURSE VIEW LOT! Offering 209 foot access off sidewalked boulevard and 113 feet of golf course frontage.
$499,000
have to see this to believe. A hidden treasure in the heart of Semiahmoo. Possible investment or just the perfect getaway. PRICE REDUCED! Don’t miss the opportunity to own water front property. Enjoy the incredible waterfront views across the strait to Pt. Roberts, White Rock & San Juan Islands from 932 SF deck. 2-BD, full bath, kitchen & living area on the main floor. No better value!
8613 Semiahmoo Dr., Semiahmoo
$560,000
SEMIAHMOO WATERFRONT!
Waterfront with stunning west facing views! Privacy awaits as you enter long driveway lined w/fruit trees & mature foliage. Foyer with vaulted NEW LISTING! ceilings leads to main living. Cozy up by the fireplace, enjoy unobstructed views of Strait of Georgia & Canada. Open kitchen. Big wrap around deck. 2 guest rooms on main & full bath. Upstairs master en-suite w/walk-in closet, FP and private deck.
Ruth Skeete • (360) 358-5075
5115 Anderson Rd., Birch Bay
5770 Nakat Way, Birch Bay
$765,000
PRICE REDUCED $20K!
NW design detail with open floor plan perfectly captures views from deck, kitchen & casual living room with FP. MOVE IN READY! Partial covered deck for entertaining. Solid core interior doors, custom shelving & trim detail. Excellent condition. Full MIL suite downstairs with own kitchen & garage. Front yard boasts extensive paver patio w/ water feature. Gated, amenity rich community.
Julie Ward • (760) 522-2564 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.
Enjoy the precious settings; back deck backs up to green space & front deck has water, Clubhouse & pool views.
MLS# 1517762
Location, Location!
9525 Semiahmoo Pkwy, Unit A102 • $699,000
Live exuberantly in this distinctive 2-BD, 2.5-BA, ground floor Marin at Semiahmoo condo. Fabulous harbor & mountain views. Expansive partially covered patio accessed by 4 sets of glass french doors creates a fabulous outdoor room. Luxe white kitchen features Wolfe range, Sub Zero fridge. 2 gracious suites. Powder rm: backlit onyx vanity. 2 underground parking spots. Storage locker. MLS# 1512847
More features than we can list. Call for details
Linda Kiens 360.815.6640
Brian Southwick 360.815.6638 Rentals - Rooms
Rentals - Commercial
Rentals - Residential
NELSON BUILDING
OCEAN VIEW 3 BR, 2 BA Blaine condo with large deck, 1-car garage with extra parking. $1850/mo + util. 510-301-7823.
925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine 5100 SF Warehousing/
FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
Manufacturing/Retail SPACE AVAILABLE Also Available Now: Up to 18,000 SF of Fenced & Paved Storage Yard
Don Nelson 360-332-2743 Email nelsbldg@msn.com
Want a new home? You’ve come to the right place!
Semiahmoo Marina Boat Slips
$175,000
$14,900
Homesite on Kickerville with beautiful, meandering Terrell Creek.
Place your ad in
CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE call 360-332-1777
21 ACRES
STARTING AT
Call Hugh for details!
360-371-5800
Owner contract possible AT 20% DOWN, 6.5% 30 year Amortization. Some residential zoning, currently in open space. Great tax advantage.
Download my GPS Home Search APP http://jlsapp.com/callhugh
Just a few blocks from the beach, this home exudes Birch Bay charm! 3-BD offers plenty of sleeping accommodations, NEW PRICE! potential rental income or simply room to relax. 9,000+ sq ft on the grassy lot offers flexibility to add storage and RV parking, or build on extra living space. Coffered ceilings, an open floor plan, and a huge front deck await your turnkey.
Heather Taylor • (425) 785-5771
4765 Tidal Way #102A $279,500 2-BD, 1.5-BA.
Hugh Brawford
www.CallHugh.com
MINUTES TO THE BEACH!
SE HOU12:30-3 PM N E OP & SUN • SAT
NEW PRICE
Call Hugh -360.371.5800
$220,000
Jeremy Porter • (360) 306-1794
Christy Imperio • (360) 201-4100
A HIDDEN TREASURE! You
$150,000
VACANT LAND! One of few
8105 Birch Bay Square St. I-5 Exit 270
FOR ALL REAL ESTATE, RESIDENTIAL OR COMMERCIAL SERVICES PLEASE
Terry Conway • (360) 410-0503
QUALITY FINISHES THROUGHOUT! Welcome to
Carl W. R. Dufton • (360) 815-6637
$488,000
BRAND NEW NEIGHBORHOOD! Brand New
home in Blaine’s newest neighborhood, Mountain Estates. Get inside and take a look NEW CONSTRUCTION! at this 5-BD, 4-BA floor plan. Large open floor plan w/ quality construction, high efficiency forced air heat & on demand Navien hot water tank. SS kitchen appliance package.
Pramod Chand • (510) 301-7823
AMAZING DEAL! The Tides...
8575 Semiahmoo Dr., Semiahmoo
$359,000
COMMERCIAL BUSINESS ZONING! Solid craftsman
Amy Bremer • (360) 961-0620
9721 Vista Terrace • $359,000 Fantastic no steps rambler on a beautiful large lot! 3 BD/2.75 BA home with a family room AND a bonus room, Located in a sought after area close to town - just minutes to the schools, downtown, the waterfront, US/CAN border & I-5 access. 2,058 SF single level well kept homes like this are hard to find! Blaine is booming, here’s your chance to be in the heart of it all! MLS #1436737
Visit us at: www.JenAndLeah.com
Leah Crews 360-305-4747
Bay Properties
4730 Tidal Way, 102-L, Birch Bay
6989 Birch Bay Drive • $728,500 Simply magical. Unbelievable attention to detail in this completely renovated front row high bank waterfront gem! Prime location & rare opportunity - spectacular west facing water & sunset views. Your own private stairs to the beach + the only property w/ a beachside shed (w/ power)! Main level AND upper level Master suites. $200K+ of updates in the last 2 years: siding, windows, doors, floors, cabinets, counters & appl. created the perfect 3 BD/3 BA VRBO getaway or full time residence. MLS #1530918
N OPE . 12-2 Sun
8855 Osprey Road ON THE GOLF COURSE! WINTER PRICING! BUY NOW! Only $599,000
Single level living 3bd/3.5bath, 1/2 acre lot, w/bonus rm. South facing 13th fairway in gated Semiahmoo. 3 car garage. Own a lifestyle, not just a home! Come check it out before it’s gone!
Find it, Sell it, Buy it, Rent it IN THE
Suzanne Dougan
360-920-7733
FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS
CLASSIFIEDS! CALL 332-1777
sales@pointrobertspress.com
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November 7 - 13, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
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13
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
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s First train to come through on the Great Northern Railway’s new waterfront line, March 15, 1909. Clearing the right of way and grading the roadbed had taken an entire year. The route included a new $8,500 depot.
Photo by A.H. Allen, courtesy Whatcom Museum
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Child rape suspect captured in Blaine
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By Jami Makan A man alleged to have assaulted and raped two young girls was captured by the U.S. Marshals in Blaine with assistance from the Blaine Police Department. On October 30, the U.S. Marshals Service’s Pacific Northwest Violent Offender Task Force (PNVOTF) arrested 36-year-old Justin Ortega, who was wanted by the Yakima Police Department on four counts of first-degree rape of a child, two counts of child molestation and one count of third-degree assault of a child. Ortega’s crimes allegedly occurred on October 10. In the following days, the Yakima Police Department asked for the public’s help in locating Ortega. “Do not approach Ortega if he is seen, as he is considered to be armed and dangerous,” read an October 18 Facebook post by the
to assist the U.S. Marshals Service/PNVOTF in attempting to apprehend Justin Ortega,” read a statement from the Blaine Police Department. “We were alerted to his outstanding warrants and the possibility he could be in the Blaine area. Blaine Police Department officers were requested to hold a perimeter for the U.S. Marshals Service team. After breaching the door, Ortega was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Service team. BPD cleared after the scene was secure and their assistance was no longer needed.” The PNVOTF is a U.S. Marshals Service-sponsored partnership composed of federal, state and local law enforcement officers from Washington, Oregon and Alaska. The primary mission of the PNVOTF is to locate, arrest and return to the justice system the most violent and most egregious federal and state fugitives.
Representative Van Werven to host town hall By Jami Makan State representative Luanne Van Werven, R-Lynden, will be hosting a town hall meeting in which she will address taxes, transportation, homelessness, the salmon population, education and other topics. The meeting will take place on Thursday, November 14 at Bob’s Burgers and Brew in the Birch Bay Square shopping center, 8120 Birch Bay Square Street, Blaine. At the meeting, attendees can ask questions, and Van Werven will offer a preview of the upcoming legislative session. “The new speaker of the house has made it clear that a capital gains income tax is on the table,” said Van Werven, who also mentioned that road usage charges are being discussed in Olympia. “I want to get an idea from community
members about where they stand on some of these issues.” Van Werven said that she plans to introduce two major bills in the next legislative session. The first would fund a feasibility study to determine if the Bellingham waterfront would be a suitable place for a pilot project for a non-profit salmon hatchery. The second would address an October 17 decision by the Washington State Supreme Court to overturn Hailey’s Law, which requires law enforcement officers to impound cars belonging to people they arrest for driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. “I am going through the recent court ruling to determine what their concerns were and to try to mitigate those concerns with a new bill to take care of Hailey’s Law, so that a person who is under the influence does not have
access to their car while they are still under the influence,” said Van Werven. For more information about the event, contact Van Werven’s legislative office at luanne.vanwerven@leg.wa.gov or 360/786-7980.
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Dining Guide
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Yakima Police Department. On October 26, Ortega was highlighted on an episode of Washington’s Most Wanted. On October 29, PNVOTF’s Yakima team received actionable information from Washington’s Most Wanted viewers that Ortega was traveling back and forth between Bellingham and Blaine. “A lead was forwarded to our PNVOTF Snohomish team, who deployed surveillance and arrest teams into Blaine,” read a U.S. Marshals news release on October 30. “At approximately 1800 hours this evening, the PNVOTF surrounded a residence in Blaine with assistance from the Blaine Police Department and began calling Ortega out. Ultimately, the PNVOTF forced entry and arrested Ortega.” The Blaine Police Department played a role in the operation. “Blaine police officers were asked
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14
The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 2019
Coming up Thanksgiving Basket Registration: Through Friday, November 15. Families with limited financial resources living in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts may sign up for a ready-to-cook turkey dinner at blainecap.org or by calling 360/332-0740. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.
ber 10, 8 a.m.–noon, 3344 Haynie Road. Choice of pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, eggs cooked to order, ham, orange juice, milk, coffee and tea. $6 adults, $3 kids ages five–12, free under five years old. Handicap accessible.
Community Toy Store Registration: Through Sunday, December 1. Families that live in the Blaine school district and qualify for free or reduced lunch can sign up to receive assistance in providing holiday gifts for their children. Details and registration are available at blainecap.org. Those not able to register online may call 360/332-0740. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program. Celebration at the Blaine Library: Thursday, November 7, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Whatcom County Library System. Cupcakes, punch, music and news from 1944, a photo prop and craft activity. Share favorite library stories and ideas for new/improved Blaine Library. Info: 360/305-3637. Stories for a Dark Night: Friday, November 8, 6–7 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Come to the library (if you dare) and gather around the fire for some scary stories. Grades 4–7. Info: 360/305-3637. Live Music at The Vault: Friday, November 8, 7–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Feat: Mary Ellen Lykins & Craig Adams. Info: 360/392-0955. Cherry Point Science Forum: Saturday, November 9, 10 a.m.–2:30 p.m., Bellingham Technical College room G102J, 3028 Lindbergh Avenue. Forum is free to attend, $5 pizza lunch available. Climate challenges for Cherry Point and the Salish Sea. Presenters: Susan Wood, Max Calloway and Todd Sandell. The Haynie Grange Breakfast: Sunday, Novem-
Answers at thenorthernlight.com 48. Something you can draw 49. Songs to one’s lover 52. Eastern Cairo mosque 55. A partner to cheese 56. Absorption unit 60. A type of sandwich 61. Herbaceous plant 63. Chinese temple classification 64. Native person of central Volga 65. Excessive fluid accumulation in tissues 66. Some take them up 67. South American nation 68. Threaten persistently 69. Morningwear DOWN 1.German courtesy title 2. Samoan capital 3. A type of carpet 4. Upper bract of grass 5. Al Bundy’s wife 6. In a careless way 7. More uncommon 8. Expressing contempt 9. Belonging to a thing 10. Adventure stories 11. Copycats 12. Farewell 13. Greek mythological builder 21. Colorless, volatile liquid 23. Monetary unit of Burma
available). No cost, but donations accepted. Wine Tasting Event: Friday, November 22, 3–7 p.m., the Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Tasting Valle de Guadalupe wines with Patrick Neri, importer of Mexican wines from Beso Imports. Info: 360/392-0955.
Pancake Breakfast: Saturday,November 16, 8 a.m.–11 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Live Music at The Vault: Saturday, November 9, Choice of pancakes, French toast or waffles, biscuits and Terrell Creek with Whatcom Conservation 7–9 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Feat: Trio gravy, scrambled eggs, sausage, coffee and orange juice. District and BBWARM: Saturday, November 23, 9 Adults $6, kids $4. Info: 360/332-8040. Sueño. Info: 360/392-0955. a.m.–noon, park at Birch Bay Bible Community Church, California Creek with Whatcom Land Trust: Satur- 7039 Jackson Road. Sign in at blue NSEA tents. Wear Friends of Birch Bay Library board of directors meeting: Monday, November 11, 6:30–8 p.m., day, November 16, 9 a.m.–noon, parking and a shuttle sturdy shoes/weather-appropriate clothing. Join NSEA, Birch Bay Bible Community Church at the corner of are available at 1055 H Street. Replanting. Wear sturdy Whatcom Conservation District and BBWARM to help restore forest for salmon along Terrell Creek. All ages shoes and weather-appropriate clothing. Volunteers Blaine and Bay roads. Information/reserve time on under 18 years old must bring a youth liability release welcome. Under 18 years old must bring a youth liability the agenda: 206/850-8590. form. Minors under 14 years old must be accompanied release form at bit.ly/36qwg6O. Under 14 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Blaine Library Design Project Community by an adult. Info: whatcomlandtrust.org/stewardship. Engagement Meeting: Tuesday, November 12, Following the Money in Our Political Campaigns: ArtScape Teens: Tuesdays, 3–5 p.m., Soul Space 5:30–7 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Studio, 264B H Street. A safe place for teens to set their Meet with the architects and share ideas for a new/ Saturday, November 16, 10 a.m.–noon, Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth Street, Bellingham. imaginations free through art. Free studio time. Sponsor: improved Blaine Library. Info: 360/305-3637. Healthy Youth Coalition. Info: 435/704-1598. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. League of Women Voters of Xanadu Jr.: Thursday–Saturday, November 14–16, Bellingham and Whatcom County event. Speakers: Toastmasters Meeting: Tuesdays, 6:30–7:45 p.m., 7 p.m., Saturday, November 16, 2 p.m., Blaine High Public disclosure commissioner Anne Levinson and 382 Boblett Street. Improve your public speaking skills. School Black Box Theater, 1055 H Street (south side organizer and advocate Elise Orlick. Info: info@lwvbellby the football stadium). Tickets $5 at the door. Community Meals: Wednesdays, 5–6:30 p.m., Blaine inghamwhatcom.com or call 360/927-4413. Musical comedy presented by Blaine High School. Community Center, 763 G Street. Through May, except Blaine School District Community Meeting: Mon- holidays. Info: blainecap.org. Semiahmoo Women’s Club Luncheon: Thursday, day, November 18, 6 p.m., Birch Bay Bible Community Teen Nite: Saturdays, 5–9 p.m., Border Town Pizza November 14, 11:15 a.m., Palmer Room, SemiChurch, 4460 Bay Road. The community is invited to (formerly Pizza Factory), 738 Peace Portal Drive. Kids ahmoo Golf & Country Club, 8720 Semiahmoo view information from FLO Analytics and give input ages 13–18 come enjoy open mic, karaoke and games. Parkway. Speaker: Dotti Berry on integrative health, regarding future property for a school in Birch Bay. Free pizza at 5 p.m. bio-energy medicine and “electroceuticals.” $25 buffet lunch, free draws. RSVP by 5 p.m., November Blaine Primary School K–5 Annual Book Fair: Narcotics Anonymous Meeting: Sundays, 6:30–7:30 11 at 817/600-4192 or young.drum@hotmail.com. Thursday and Friday, November 21–22, and Monday p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street, and Tuesday, November 25–26, 1–4 p.m., Blaine Prima- entrance on 4th Street. Nwwana.org. Info: semiahmoowomensclub.org. ry School library, 820 Boblett Street. Proceeds purchase Town Hall with Representative Luanne Van books for students to borrow from the library. Werven: Thursday, November 14, 4–5:30 p.m., Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to Depression Bipolar Support Group: Thursday, Bob’s Burgers and Brew, 8120 Birch Bay Square calendar@thenorthernlight.com Street. Town hall concerning Birch Bay, Blaine, Custer November 21, 6–7:30 p.m., downstairs at Blaine United no later than noon on Monday. and Ferndale. Info: luanne.vanwerven@leg.wa.gov. Church of Christ (use doors on Clark Street, elevator
Crossword ACROSS 1. Vital part of a lock 5. Adherent of Zoroastrianism 10. European river 14. Nonprofit public health group 15. Make law 16. Three-banded armadillo 17. Monetary unit 18. Sandwich-like dishes 19. Sicilian city 20. Finger millet 22. Of she 23. Bullfighting maneuvers 24. Lawyers 27. A place to relax 30. Often said after “Hee” 31. Supervises flying 32. Cheer of approval 35. Something spiders twirl 37. Aggressive dog 38. Long-legged gazelle 39. Mogul emperor 40. Baltic peninsula 41. Fencing sword 42. A reward (archaic) 43. Pigeon sound 44. Type of groove 45. Inquire too closely 46. Nine Inch Nails’ debut (abbr.) 47. An often unwelcome guest
Wine Tasting Event: Friday, November 15, 3–7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar, 277 G Street. Winemaker Antonio Sanguineti pouring Italian wines. Info: 360/392-0955.
25. Bar bill 26. Body part 27. Mischievous child 28. Popular card game 29. Building occupied by monks 32. Spiritual leader 33. Independent ruler 34. He wrote about the Gold Rush 36. Bundle of banknotes 37. Corporate honcho 38. Touch softly 40. Made by oneself 41. Satisfies 43. Subcompact Toyota crossover 44. Cool! 46. Popular vegetable 47. Flower cluster 49. Transylvanian city 50. Robert and Stephen are two 51. Philippine island 52. Canadian law enforcers 53. Wings 54. He played Perry Mason 57. Ballpoint pen 58. Metrical foot 59. It has nostrils 61. Confederate soldier 62. Take in solid food
Police Reports
October 25, 3:14 a.m.: An officer conducted a welfare check on a man sleeping in a vehicle at a gas pump. The man advised he had pulled over because he was worried about being too tired to drive. The man pulled into a parking stall to sleep for a while longer. The officer cleared with no further action. October 25, 4:11 a.m.: A citizen requested that an officer contact his wife to let her know he was ready to be picked up from the hospital after not being able to reach her by phone. The officer contacted the wife and relayed the message. The officer cleared with no further action. October 25, 9:55 a.m.: Officers on routine patrol stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Officers contacted the driver and determined he had a suspended license. Officers also determined the man had a warrant for his arrest from the Ferndale Police Department and was operating a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device. Officers arrested the man and booked him into Whatcom County Jail. Officers impounded the vehicle and cleared with no further incident.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of October 28–November 3, 0 inches of precipitation were recorded. The 2019 year-to-date precipitation is 25 inches. Temperature: High for the past week was 57°F on October 28 with a low of 30°F on October 30. Average high was 55°F and average low was 33°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Tides
October 25, 8 p.m.: Officers responded to a report of a stolen vehicle. Officers located the vehicle and suspect nearby. The suspect was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail. The vehicle was returned to the owner.
DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT
October 27, 7:20 a.m.: Officers were dispatched to the 600 block of C Street for a noise complaint. Officers determined the residents had been partying loudly since 3 a.m. in the morning. Officers contacted the tenants who agreed to keep the noise down. Officers cleared with no further incident.
49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W
October 29, 1 p.m.: Officers responded to the 8500 block range of Semiahmoo Drive for a report of a burglary. Officers arrived and determined someone had stolen paint and a paint sprayer from a new construction site overnight. The reporting person declined to pursue charges. Officers documented the theft and cleared with no further incident. October 30, 5:35 p.m.: Blaine Police Department officers responded to the 1100 block of Peace Portal Drive to assist the United States Marshal’s Office with a fugitive apprehension. The individual was taken into custody. October 30, 10:27 a.m.: The school resource officer was advised that a juvenile student brought alcohol to school. The student admitted to bringing alcohol to school and consuming some while they skipped class. The student was informed that the report would be forwarded to the juvenile prosecutor for charges. October 30, 10:35 a.m.: Officers working traffic enforcement observed a vehicle that had a registered owner with a suspended license status. Officers stopped the vehicle and determined the driver was the registered owner. After investigating, officers also determined the man had a warrant for his arrest out of the Lynden Police Department. Officers arrested and booked the man into the Whatcom County Jail.
November 8–14 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Fr 8
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Su 10 4:20 am
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8.88 10:22 pm
1.02
Mo 11 5:08 am
8.13 10:19 am
4.84
3:53 pm
8.84 10:52 pm
0.33
Tu 12
5:52 am
8.69 11:03 am
5.37
4:17 pm
8.75 11:22 pm
-0.24
We 13 6:34 am
9.13 11:47 am
5.89
4:41 pm
8.63 11:56 pm
-0.68
Th 14 7:20 am
9.45 12:31 pm
6.37
8.48
5:05 pm
October 30, 2:49 p.m.: Blaine police were dispatched to a runaway report. Officers checked the area but were not able to locate the missing juvenile. A missing person report was completed and the juvenile was entered into criminal justice databases. October 31, 2:09 a.m.: An officer was flagged down by a male who reported seeing flashlights around a house in the early morning hours. Officers contacted the tenants who advised they were outside putting up their Halloween decorations. The officers cleared with no further action. October 31, 3:11 a.m.: An officer responded to a report of two people in the roadway. The officer checked the area and was not able to locate anyone. Reports provided by Blaine Police Department
s Meet with the architects and share ideas for a new/improved Blaine Library at the Blaine Senior Center on Tuesday, November 12. Photo by Kira Erickson
November 7 - 13, 2019 • thenorthernlight.com
Election ... From page 1
230 votes (20.55 percent). • Blaine school district director district 2: Dougal Thomas received 1,831 votes (54.19 percent), leading Todd Berge, who received 1,537 votes (45.49 percent). • Blaine school district director district 4: Charles Gibson received 1,828 votes (54.02 percent), leading Tana Perkins Reneau, who received 1,536 votes (45.39 percent). • Fire Protection District 21 commissioner position 3: Scott Fischer received 3,924 votes (62.91 percent), leading Kathy Berg, who re-
Vaccines ... From page 1
worked hard to help families comply with the new law, Greene said. When the law passed, district nurses and health assistants sent out letters to all families, and they reached out again before school started this fall. While some students who had personal exemptions to MMR got vaccinated, others obtained religious exemptions or lab tests to prove immunity, Greene said. The district wasn’t alone in its efforts; specialists from PeaceHealth and the Whatcom County Health Department came to the district’s back to school fair to provide free vaccines for students and adults. The county health department regularly offers immunization clinics. “It’s really exciting to see the effort going into protecting our kids and our families,” Greene said. At the beginning of the school year, several students without proof of vaccination or a certificate of exemption were not allowed to come to school, but returned after getting the first of two required MMR doses. Currently,
ceived 2,285 votes (36.64 percent). • Birch Bay Water and Sewer District commissioner position 3: Fred Reid received 1,271 votes (67.97 percent), leading Patrick Alesse, who received 591 votes (31.6 percent). The final results of the election will not be available until Tuesday, November 26, when the Whatcom County Canvassing Board is expected to certify the results of the election. The preliminary results released on the evening of November 5 reflect ballots that were processed and scanned by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office prior to election day, said chief deputy auditor Diana Bradrick. “What’s in the count tono students are excluded from school because of the new law. Measles is a contagious respiratory illness. It causes a rash and fever and can be deadly in rare cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Most children don’t have side effects from the vaccine. Side effects that do occur may include soreness, temporary pain, fever and mild rash, according to the CDC. Nationally, more than 1,200 measles cases have been reported in the U.S. in 2019, with most cases in New York. That’s the most cases in the U.S. in a single year since 1992, according to the CDC. State law requires students to be vaccinated for tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, polio, Hepatitis B, measles, mumps, rubella and varicella (chicken pox). Families can still claim a personal exemption for vaccines other than MMR. For the 2018-2019 school year, 88.5 percent of Blaine students had completed all required vaccinations. Statewide, 88.8 percent of students had all their vaccines and 87.3 percent of Whatcom County students did, according to the state Department of Health.
night is everything we’ve been able to get opened, signature-verified and scanned in,” she said. The initial results did not include ballots that were mailed with valid postmarks, deposited in drop boxes or hand-delivered on election day, said Bradrick. The next ballot count was scheduled for the following day, November 6, at 8 p.m. and results could be updated as often as daily prior to certification, she said. The results released on November 5 are subject to change. For the most up-to-date tallies, visit co.whatcom. wa.us/1732/current-election.
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Understanding the First Amendment is key to protecting our free society.
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Freedom to v Assemble or protest allows you to nonviolently assemble, privately or publicly, with an aim of accomplishing a common goal or acting on a common idea.
Freedom to Peaceably Assemble or protest allows toReligion nonviolently publicly, with Freedom of Speech • you Freedom of • Freedom of the Press assemble, • Freedom to Peaceably privately Assemble • Freedom or to Petition the Government an aim of accomplishing a common goal or acting on a common idea.
A Blaine man allegedly set fire to an RV where he and a woman were living in an attempt to kill her, according to a November 5 news release from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred on November 2 shortly after 11 a.m. Deputies were called to assist North Whatcom Fire and Rescue after the suspect, 29-yearold Spencer Langei, refused to cooperate with fire personnel and drew a knife on them.
Langei, who was disarmed by the firefighters but continued to fight with them, had allegedly made a statement earlier in the day that “Today’s the day! We’ve been living in hell but we will be happy in heaven!” He set fire to the RV while the woman was in the shower. She was able to put out the fire with a towel and escaped the residence. The woman was not injured. Langei was booked into Whatcom County Jail on the investigation of attempted murder, arson, brandishing a weapon and resisting arrest.
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The Northern Light • November 7 - 13, 2019
Obstruction case dismissed against Blaine City Council candidate By Jami Makan The case against a Blaine City Council candidate accused of obstructing law enforcement officers has been dismissed. Steven Tojek, a border patrol agent who is running for the Blaine City Council ward 2 seat, was charged with obstructing Blaine police officers during a late-night traffic stop in 2017, after the officers decided to impound his vehicle. Tojek was a passenger in his own vehicle, which was being driven 111 mph by an intoxicated driver before it was pulled over. The case against Tojek was dismissed on October 31 in Whatcom County District Court following a pre-trial hearing of a defense motion to dismiss the case for insufficiency of evidence. After hearing arguments from Tojek’s attorney, William Johnston, and a prosecutor, Judge David Grant dismissed Tojek’s obstruction charge. “I didn’t see any physical ac-
tions that Mr. Tojek engaged in which would increase the level of danger,” the judge said in a courtroom video of the hearing provided to The Northern Light by Johnston’s office. “His actions seemingly didn’t slow down the officers’ investigation of [the driver]. It didn’t hinder it in any way that I could see.” The judge determined that “the actions of the defendant really posed … a minor inconvenience in the context of the overall DUI investigation” of the driver. The judge continued, “Nothing that [Tojek] did slowed down that investigation whatsoever.” Whereas the Blaine officers’ decision to transfer the DUI investigation of the driver to Washington State Patrol delayed the investigation by about 17 minutes, “Tojek’s confrontation took all of two minutes, far less time,” said the judge. The judge also said that Tojek’s argument with the Blaine officers about the impoundment of his vehicle was constitution-
ally protected speech. “The cases cited by the defense here really highlight the fact that Mr. Tojek did nothing physical to hinder or delay the officer in the performance of this investigation,” said the judge. “The only thing Tojek did, although he was abrupt with him, gruff, was to assert his constitutionally protected right.” The judge continued: “I could understand why he would be upset with the thought of them towing his car when it was safely off the roadway. It wasn’t impeding traffic in any manner, that’s clear. It presented no hazard to anyone on the road. There was no basis that I could see given by the officers to support any suspicion that Tojek was impaired so he couldn’t drive away. Eventually Tojek said, ‘You don’t have to worry about me driving, I’ve got someone else to come. Give them the keys.’” Johnston said that the judge’s decision to dismiss the obstruction charge was clear and convincing. “We battled this thing for God knows how long,” he said. “I
have a lot of people whose cases get dismissed for insufficient evidence, but I’ve never seen anything like that.” Tojek said he felt vindicated by the judge’s decision. “It’s almost like the judge was saying the same thing that was going through my head for the past 21 months,” said Tojek. “It was like listening to myself talk when he was up there.” Tojek said that the judge’s decision, which came just days before the November 5 general election, “is kind of just the beginning of what’s necessary.” He said that while many voters cast their ballots prior to his acquittal, he remained hopeful of a possible victory against opponent Garth Baldwin. “I don’t like to see Blaine look bad, but I was attacked by the police department,” Tojek said. “There’s got to be corrections made. Hopefully, if I get elected, I can at least sit down and create a plan and hopefully we can all come up with a solution together.”
s Steven Tojek, a border patrol agent and city council candidate. File photo
Tojek said that if he is elected to city council, he will push for more training of Blaine police officers. “If the police can do that to me, they can do that to anybody,” he said. “So this is a problem that needs to be fixed. And I hope that I get a chance to make a difference.” According to preliminary results on November 5, Garth Baldwin received 885 votes, leading Tojek, who received 230 votes.
Upcoming science forum to address climate change locally B y K i r a E r i c k so n The Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee will be hosting a science forum at Bellingham Technical College on Saturday, November 9. The forum will be from 10
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Room 102J in Building G. The forum, titled “Climate Challenges in the Salish Sea,” is free of charge and is open to the public. A $5 pizza lunch will be available for purchase. Some of the speakers include
Padilla Bay Reserve education coordinator Susan Wood, kelp biologist Max Calloway, forage fish biologist Todd Sandell and environmental studies professor Sean McDonald. McDonald will be speaking about the recent increase in European
green crabs, an invasive species recently detected in Drayton Harbor. “The emphasis is that it’s a presentation of scientific studies and works,” science forum organizer Robert Kaye said. “It’s intended to be a somewhat scholarly afternoon, but it will all be in the backdrop of
the issues of climate change.” As a member of the Cherry Point Aquatic Reserve Citizen Stewardship Committee, Kaye is responsible for surveying Cherry Point and the reserve. The committee helps provide input for ongoing citizen science projects in the area.
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