6 minute read
Man pleads guilty in deadly I-5 crash
From page 4
Last year, more crabs were caught in fewer traps, with about eight crabs per 100 traps, Grason said.
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During the Drayton Harbor surveying, the crew started using shrimp traps which yielded so much success, they later switched to using them at their main sites – 54 out of the 71 crabs found at core sites were caught by the shrimp traps this year, Simpson said.
“It was really eye opening for us to realize that this type of trap was working incredibly well for this area,” she said. “It’s a process to go through and see what works best in different areas.”
The sheer number of juvenile crabs, which indicate if the crab population is growing in the area, was another good sign for scientists. This year, they only found four juveniles in creek mouths. Simpson said scientists would like to gain access to private properties upstream of Dakota Creek to confirm there are no crabs upstream, where juvenile crabs were found in 2020.
Meanwhile, the Lummi Indian Business Council recently declared a disaster after over 70,000 European green crabs were found in a sea pond on the Lummi Reservation, which Grason said shows the crab population’s explosion when not monitored.
“Our really intense trapping efforts are paying off. Our numbers are much lower than they were last year. We trapped even more this year and we’ve really targeted areas where we see crabs,” Simpson said. “It’s obvious in the numbers and it’s obvious when you’re trapping for a few weeks and don’t find anything. It shows how important it is to get on the ground, mobilize and get a plan in place. Hopefully next year we will see fewer and fewer crabs.”
Dakota Creek landowners can contact Allie Simpson at simpson@nwstraits.org.
Timmons runs for state representative
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s Joe Timmons. Courtesy photo also a Bellingham Food Bank board member and has served on a Bellingham neighborhood advisory commission and the city’s community development advisory board.
Timmons said his top priorities include education, affordable housing, and helping small businesses and workers come out of the pandemic.
He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Western Washington University and received his master of public administration from the University of Washington.
“I would welcome the opportunity to meet folks across the district. I think listening is so important for elected officials,” he said. “You can’t serve the community without understanding what the wants and needs are.”
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A Pierce County man pled guilty to vehicular homicide in an I-5 crash that killed a Blaine resident in July 2020.
Gary Vernon Johnson, 76, pled guilty to one count of vehicular homicide in Whatcom County Superior Court November 23. On July 1, 2020, Johnson was driving intoxicated, which resulted in a head-on collision that killed his brother in the passenger seat, David Bruce Johnson of Blaine, according to court documents. David Johnson was pronounced dead on the scene.
Gary Johnson was driving a silver Lexus when he struck a maroon Toyota Camry sedan near Slater Road in Ferndale. Johnson admitted to drinking at least five beers and taking medication before the crash, according to court documents. The driver of the Toyota Camry, 18-year-old Ilia Castrejon of Ferndale, was transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham. Gary Johnson was also transported to the hospital, sustaining a broken sternum and facial injuries before being transported to Whatcom County Jail. He was later released on a $50,000 bail July 4, 2020.
The prosecuting attorney will recommend to the judge that Johnson serve 7.5 years in Department of Corrections community custody, according to Johnson’s plea deal. Johnson is set to be sentenced January 21, 2022.
Joe Timmons, of Bellingham, announced he will run as a Democrat for the 42nd Legislative District Position 2 seat.
“I love this community and the government,” Timmons said on why he decided to run. “I think I can really help this community out in Olympia.”
Timmons is running for the seat currently held by Rep. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham), who announced she will run for state Senate.
Timmons is the northwest Washington regional representative for the governor’s office, where he liaisons Whatcom, Skagit, San Juan, Island and Snohomish county communities to the governor’s office. Before that, Timmons was the assistant director of Government Relations at Western Washington University and a policy analyst for Sound Transit. Timmons is
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CITY OF BLAINE ENGINEERING TECH III
The Engineering Technician III provides a wide variety of technical support to the public and Public Works Department, both in the office and the field, such as plan review, document processing (i.e. developer review), document archival, data collection, and inspection services for both developer and public projects. They utilize GIS tools to support technical analysis of facilities and property within the scope of department needs, assists with preparation of a wide variety of engineering designs, while also assisting the public by providing information regarding engineering practice and policy.
First review deadline is December 31, 2021 at 4:30 PM. The position is open until filled.
CITY OF BLAINE MAINTENANCE WORKERS – UTILITIES
Salary Range: $4,316 to $5,229 per month plus benefits. (2021 wages; 2022 wages will be determined by new CBA)
Applications are being accepted for two (2) Maintenance Workers with the City’s Public Works Department. These positions require a high level of personal integrity while providing fast, friendly, and effective customer service.
The Maintenance Worker performs regular and recurring public works routine maintenance, installation and repair work on City utilities including water system, stormwater, wastewater, and other related services as assigned. This position utilizes authorized equipment and facilities to accomplish the work. Individuals assigned to this classification are expected to be competent in their skill area and perform proficiently and independently those assignments of a regular and recurring nature.
Interested persons should complete the online application on the City’s website, https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/827/Maintenance-Worker-Utilities First review deadline: December 17, 2021, at 4:30pm; Open Until Filled. The City of Blaine is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Thursday, December 9 9:00am – Park and Cemetery Board Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Monday, December 13 6:00pm – City Council Meeting
Tuesday, December 14 8:00am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting
Thursday, December 23 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Friday, December 24 City Offices Closed – Christmas Day Observed
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