During its September 12 meeting, Blaine City Council unanimously authorized in terim city manager Dave Wilbrecht to enter into an agreement not to exceed $21,000 with a consulting firm to manage the re districting process. The money will like ly come from the city’s remaining federal Covid-19 stimulus funds, according to a city memo, which totaled around $900,000 in August. After the meeting, the city hired Redmond-based Sammamish Data Systems
Inc., the same company that Blaine school district hired last fall for redistricting re view, deputy city clerk Naomi Soulard said.
Around 10 p.m. September 9, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Blaine sector agents found an abandoned 2006 Hummer H3 with multiple large duffle bags containing a white crystalline sub
The city of Blaine is beginning to evaluate whether or not it will need to shift its voting ward boundaries to accommodate popula tion changes in the 2020 U.S. Census.
Blaine is divided into three voting wards: The first ward runs west of 6th Street to the city limits and between the U.S./Can ada border and H Street; the second ward
encompasses the downtown core west of Odell Road and runs south near the Bell Road intersection; and the third ward has Semiahmoo, a section west of Peace Portal Drive downtown, and Blaine Harbor to 6th Street.The city has two city councilmembers for each ward and one at-large councilmember for the entire city. Councilmembers Rich ard May and Kerena Higgins represent the east Blaine area, Garth Baldwin and Rhyan Lopez represent central Blaine, mayor Mary Lou Steward and Eric Davidson represent Semiahmoo and Mike Hill sits in the atlarge position.
“Vigilant and steadfast, Blaine sector Border Patrol agents secure and protect our nation from those who wish to do us harm,” said Blaine sector chief patrol agent David S. BeMiller in a statement. “This seizure is an excellent example
page 3 Cherry Point
Dennis Genrich, 49, of Bellingham, died at the scene after he was hit walk ing in the road, wearing dark clothing in an area without street lights, What com County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) spokesperson Deb Slater wrote in an email to The Northern Light
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Based on Drug Enforcement Admin istration (DEA) street value estimates, 450 pounds of methamphetamine is worth over $1.7 million.
of their commitment to this honorable mission by taking nearly 450 pounds of methamphetamine off the streets.”
Road house fire
A 49-year-old Bellingham man was struck and killed by a truck at the Portal Way and Loomis Trail Road intersection in the early morning of September 15.
WCSO, Blaine Police Department and fire personnel responded to a report of a person hit by a truck around 5:30 a.m., Slater wrote. The driver was traveling southbound on Portal Way while on his way to work when he hit Genrich. The driver faces no criminal charges, and WCSO deputies do not believe he was impaired.Washington State Patrol troopers ar rived to investigate the accident, and Bellingham Police Department assisted with identifying Genrich through fin gerprintSectionsscanning.ofPortal Way and Loomis Trail Road were closed until 9 a.m. that day.Whatcom County has had seven fa tal pedestrian or bicyclist accidents in 2022. The Blaine accident and a Sep tember 10 accident on Lakeway Drive in Bellingham have yet to be added to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) data, which currently reports five pedestrian or bi cyclistThereaccidents.havebeen 13 fatal crashes so far this year in Whatcom County, ac cording to the WSDOT data. There were three accidents involving a pedestrian or bicyclist in 2021 and 15 car accident fatalities.Therehave been 79 pedestrian fatali ties and six bicyclist fatalities through out Washington state in 2022. The WSDOT data shows there were 144 pedestrian fatalities statewide last year and 14 bicyclist deaths.
Council to review voting ward boundaries
stance. The substance was tested and determined to be methamphetamine.
September 22 - 28, 2022 FREECommunity Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay TheNorthernLight @TNLreporter @TheNorthernLightNews TheNorthernLight.com INSIDE IN ISSUETHIS
permit decision, page 2 LWV
(See City, page 3)
Nearly $2 million of meth seized near border
PRSRT STD U. S. Blaine,PermitPAIDPostageNO.87WA98230 HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer Coming Up 14 Classifieds 11 Letters 4 Police 14 Sports 6 Tides 14
Special operations supervisor Guill ermo Selva-Wuensch said an investiga tion to identify the suspects responsible is ongoing. He declined to comment on which residential area the vehicle was found.People can call 360/332-9200 to re port suspicious activity in Blaine to the U.S. Border Patrol.
The city hired an outside firm because it lacked the staffing capacity and redis tricting experience to evaluate the ward boundaries on its own, according to the city memo. The city initially considered Flo Analytics for the redistricting process, but went with Sammamish Data Systems because the company offered less expen sive services and the school district had a good experience with them, Soulard said.
BPD officers take virtual use-of-force training
s Blaine Police Department officers Devin Cooper, l., and Jordan Maphumulo stand outside of the Clear Risk Solutions trailer after virtual use-of-force training. Read more about the use-of-force training on page 15. Photo by Ian Haupt
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candidatehostforums, page 5
U.S. Border Patrol agents seized near ly 450 pounds of methamphetamine, es timated to be worth nearly $2 million, in a Blaine residential area near the U.S./Canada border.
Sweet intentionally started, awaits to Bellingham man struck, killed near Portal Way
This Week’s FLYERS Rite Aid
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Delightful 3 BD/2 BA Craftsman in the sought after gated commu nity of Semiahmoo, welcome to Blue Grouse Way! Vaulted ceil ings, no steps + the must have open concept Great Room design popular with the modern buyer. Flexible floor plan with separate living & family rooms, office nook + high speed internet allows for an easy work from home scenario. Two car attached garage, two covered patios and private, mature landscaping creates the ideal setting for relaxing or entertaining. Fabulous walkable location to the golf & country club, tennis courts & pool or a quick drive to all the amenities at the famed Resort Semiahmoo. This price point is swiftly disappearing & this charming property is turn key & ready to be your new home!
The Corps is taking pub lic comment on the EIS, which can be sent to Krenz at Dan iel.A.Krenz @usace.army.mil.
Photo by Ian Haupt
“The record of the decision will document what we are going to do with that permit,” Krenz said.
$685,000 • MLS# 1976568
A Lummi Nation representa tive declined to comment on the decision, but said the tribe is in communication with the Corps.
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Cherry Point awaits permit decision after environmental impact statement
s A vessel moored at the south wing of BP’s Cherry Point dock as seen from the beach along Gulf Road on September 20.
$759,000 • MLS# 1976558
In 1996, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved a permit to add a north wing to the already operational south wing of the dock, originally built for ARCO in 1971. BP purchased ARCO in 2000, and construction on the north wing finished in 2001. But several environmental groups sued the Corps and BP, asking for anActingEIS. as environmental group
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5560 Haida Way
The EIS is available on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agen cy’s website and at several local libraries, including the Blaine, Ferndale and Bellingham libraries.
8617 Blue Grouse Way
2 The Northern Light • September 22 - 28, 2022 4 pm - Kids Crafts, Bouncy House (weather depending) Ping Pong, Bingo & Fun 5 pm - Community Chili Cook Off 6 pm - Community Pie Baking Contest All entries for chili cookoff & pie contest due at 3:30 7 pm - Line Dancing FREE EVENT! All Are Welcome! For info, Call 360-332-6589 Grace Lutheran Church "We Are Grace" 702 G Street • www.blainegracelutheran.com FallSaturday,FestivalOctober1 Gate-Oberfest Gate-Oberfest ALLAGESWELCOME! SATURDAY, SEPT. 24th • NOON-10PM G TEWaY TAPHOUSE & GRILL a 429 PEACE PORTAL DRIVE NORTH END OF DOWNTOWN BLAINE MORE INFO & SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: GATEWAY1890TAPHOUSE-GRILL.COM VENDORS NIGHT (4pm-8pm)MARKET OKTOBERFEST(ThroughoutFOOD/BEERtheday!) KEG ROLLING KEG THROW PRETZEL EATING STEIN RELAY RACESTEIN HOLDING LIVE MUSIC! COMPETITONS 21+ CAN PARTICIPATE SIGN UP FOR COMPETITIONS AT THE GATEWAY1890 TAPHOUSE - ASK YOUR SERVER Incredible Opportunities Await! Jen Freeman • jenfreeman@windermere.com • 360-815-0803
The U.S. Army Corps of Engi neers released an environmental impact statement (EIS) August 12 that details the impact of op erating the north wing of the BP Cherry Point shipping terminal and is awaiting consultations with local tribes before it decides whether the wing will be used as previously permitted.
There are three possibilities. The Corps will either propose changes to modify the existing permit, revoke the existing per mit or leave the permit as is. If it decides to make changes, the Corps would bring the permit into compliance with the Magnu son Amendment, Krenz said.
EIS, the Corps will hold discus sions with the Department of Jus tice and other third parties. EIS project manager Daniel Krenz said an anticipated decision date was set for November 12, but will likely be delayed as the Corps still has to consult local tribes.
The one you’ve been waiting for: single level rambler in the sought after St. Andrews Green @ Semiahmoo! You’ll be delighted by the overall vibe of the established neighbor hood & the soothing sounds of the community fountain from your covered patio…the ideal spot for entertaining or relaxing. This one radiates pacific northwest charm with the cathedral ceilings, two sided gas fireplace & the stel lar location just steps to the golf & country club & dining. Meticulously maintained + recent updates include easy to maintain LVP flooring & awesome epoxy floors in the at tached 2 car garage. Nestled between Vancouver & Seattle, world class golf, Semiahmoo Resort & Spa, walking trails & a saltwater marina are at your fingertips...welcome home!
Based on the most recent EIS data, BP’s tanker traffic declined from 2014 to 2017 with the ex pansion of its pipeline and rail infrastructure, but the environ mental groups argue the growth in refinery and berthing capacity enables BP to increase traffic for profit.BPCherry Point employs more than 890 people, according to its website. Last year, it celebrated its 50th anniversary.
The study, which began over 15 years ago, compared the envi ronmental risk of using the south wing dock at maximum capacity to operating out of both the north and south wing docks. Environ mental groups expect shipping traffic to increase if the north wing is deemed usable, which is why they filed suit.
The groups found the original ly approved permit potentially violated the Magnuson Amend ment, enacted to the federal Ma rine Mammal Protection Act in 1977, which limits crude oil ves sels in Puget Sound waters.
•
Ocean Advocates, the groups appealed when the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington ruled in favor of the Corps. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals then ordered the Corps to conduct an EIS.
$247,500 • MLS# 1989283
In a joint press release, envi ronmental organizations Friends of the San Juans, Evergreen Is lands and Friends of the Earth said their greatest concern is that the Corps has yet to restrict the number of crude oil tankers al
Leah Crews • leahcrews@windermere.com 360-305-4747
5360 Golden Eagle Lane
Can't find what you're looking for? Build the dream here! Fully ser viced lot with City of Blaine water, power & sewer, Cascade Natu ral Gas + Xfinity high speed internet. One of only two remaining lots in the fabulous new Drayton Reach development that features southwest harbor/sunset views, waterfront parks & great neighbor hood walkability. Seller is also offering custom JWR plans designed & engineered specifically to maximize the 16' wide corridor water view from the main level & from the second level deck. The in cluded plans are for a 2,242 sq ft home w/ main level primary suite + represents thousands of dollars value + months of time saving for you! Surrounded by high end brand new construc tion, this close-to-town location can't be beat!
With the release of the final
The amendment prohibits fed eral agencies from granting per mits that could “result in any increase in the volume of crude oil capable of being handled at any such facility, other than oil to be refined for consumption in the State of Washington.” The benchmark for oil volume was set October 18, 1977.
$875,000 • MLS# 1959549
lowed to use BP’s Cherry Point terminal. An environmental rep resentative could not be reached forAccordingcomment.to the EIS, the num ber of tanker transits increased by 226, or 27 percent, from 2000 to 2007, post construction of the northFromwing.2008 to 2022, BP in creased its daily refining capacity from 209,000 to 250,000 barrels per day, about 1.7 million gal lons, according to the press re lease. The refinery’s capacity has increased 60 percent since its construction in 1972.
WITH COSTUME
Former Blaine resident sentenced for catalytic converter theft ring
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FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21 • 7 PM
Sammamish Data Systems and the city’s attorneys will follow state law to ensure political bias does not influence the redistrict ing process, according to the city memo.
Whatcom County Assessor’s Office records show he was one of the home’s owners. The cause and manner of death are pend
The man who died in the Sweet Road house fire on September 2 started the fire intentionally with gasoline, investigators found.
Shawn Alan Bannon, 55, plead ed guilty August 2 to two counts of second-degree attempted traf ficking stolen property and two counts of engaging in a scrap metal business without a license. He committed the crimes from March to June 2019, although the thefts are thought to date back further, according to court doc uments. Bannon lived in Blaine at the time of his arrest, but has since relocated to another area in Whatcom County.
s A 68-year-old Blaine man died after using gasoline to ignite a fire at his Sweet Road home on September 2. Photo by Grace McCarthy
North Whatcom Fire and Res cue (NWFR), Whatcom County Fire District 7 and Bellingham Fire Department crews responded to a house fire in the 4300 block of Sweet Road around 2:50 a.m. Sep tember 2. First responders found the victim, whom the Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Of fice later identified as a 68-yearold Blaine man, deceased in the one-story manufactured home.
From March to June 2019, de tectives recorded five converter sales between the informant and Bannon. “During the sales Ban non made clear by his words and conduct that he believed he was buying stolen merchandise,” the APCBannonstates. also didn’t follow state law when recording prop er transaction procedures as a licensed scrap metal recycler, which the APC stated is “further showing that he does not believe he is conducting [a] legitimate recycling business.”
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28 • 7 PM
AND SPOOKTACULAR DRINK SPECIALS
BP Cherry Point is hosting an open house to give members of the public an opportunity to get an up-close look at the refinery’s operations.Refinery staff will offer tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, September 30 at the BP Recre ation Area, about one mile south of the Jackson and Grandview roads intersection.
LIVE MUSIC WITH TEA SEAS TRIO
Photo courtesy BP Cherry Point
will be held regardless of the weather.Tosign up for the open house, visit bit.ly/3f5CXUI.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 27 • 7 PM
Sweet Road house fire intentionally started with gasoline
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was sentenced to electronic home detention on September 12, ac cording to Whatcom County Jail booking data. He also was required to pay a $500 victim fund assess ment and $200 court filing fee.
September 22 - 28, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com 3 Leonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at Law The Immigration Law Firm 360-332-7100 www.blaineimmigration.com • 435 Martin St., Suite 2010 • Blaine, WA • U.S. green cards / naturalization • Work / investor visas • Denied entry waivers • Removal hearings • NEXUS appeals www.blaineimmigration.com • 435 Martin St., Suite 1010 • Blaine, WA • U.S. green cards / naturalization • Inadmissibility waivers • TN (NAFTA) work permits • U.S. Citizenship claims Leonard D.M. Saunders, Attorney at 360-332-7100Law Vendor Space Available Call 360-332-4544 jarke Mt BLAINE’SBYTHESEA H & G Street PlazasSaturdayDOWNTOWNBLAINE10am-2 pm Featuring LOCAL VENDORS selling HANDCRAFTED MERCHANDISE OPEN SATURDAY! Northwest Fusion Cuisine Right Here in Blaine! Wed & Thurs 4-9, Fri 4-10, Sat 4-9 277 G Street • Downtown www.TheVaultWine.comBlaine360-392-0955 LiveatEntertainmentTheVault THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 • 7 PM AUTUMN TRIVIA FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 • 7 PM LIVE MUSIC WITH TRIO SUEÑO THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 • 7 PM GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TRIVIA FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30 • 7 PM LIVE MUSIC WITH ADRIAN CLARKE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6 • 7 PM THE UNIVERSE TRIVIA FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7 • 7 PM LIVE MUSIC WITH JP FALCON THURSDAY, OCTOBER 13 • 7 PM GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TRIVIA FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14 • 7 PM LIVE MUSIC WITH THE SONG WRANGLERS THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20 • 7 PM SONGS OF THE ’70S TRIVIA
City ...
ing, a medical examiner’s office spokesperson said.
LIVE
Whatcom County Sheriff’s Of fice’s investigation into the house fire found nothing criminal, spokesperson Deb Slater said.
Judge David Freeman followed the Whatcom County prosecut ing attorney Kellen Kooistra’s rec ommendation on August 19 to sentence Bannon to serve 90 days (274 days suspended of 364 days in Whatcom County Jail). Bannon
Sammamish Data Systems will present several boundary maps at an upcoming city council meeting and will present the most popular one or two maps at a subsequent public hearing. The first meeting could be as soon as Monday, Sep tember 26 and the public hearing is scheduled for October, Soulard said. If needed, a second public hearing could be scheduled near the end of October. City council is expected to vote on the final boundary map in mid-November.
From page 1
A former Blaine resident was sentenced in Whatcom County Su perior Court after pleading guilty to running a catalytic converter theft ring that could have caused over $100,000 in estimated losses to county residents. He will serve 90 days on home monitoring.
der the event’s tent. Those interested in attending are encouraged to register early as space may fill up. The event
Whatcom County law enforce ment agencies received above 100 reports of catalytic converter thefts in late 2018 and early 2019 that were estimated to be over $100,000 in losses, according to the affidavit of probable cause (APC) filed in Whatcom Coun ty Superior Court June 2019. A catalytic converter is an exhaust emission control device under a vehicle that has valuable metals that can be resold.
A confidential informant, who was caught on video surveillance stealing a converter, told police that they sold converters to Ban non, owner of SAB Recycling in north Bellingham. The informant told police that Bannon managed a “crew of thieves,” paying them cash for the stolen converters and warning them to lay low when they received too much attention, ac cording to the APC. The informant
HALLOWEEN TRIVIA PRIZES
WCSO deputies contacted Ban non in June 2019 about the con verters and he indicated he had “strong suspicions” that converters he was purchasing were stolen, according to the APC, and said that people stealing the converters were pressuring him to continue purchasing them. He estimated to police that he purchased 50 to 60 converters in 2019.
BP Cherry Point to host open house
It’s the first fire fatality with in NWFR’s service area in 2022, which runs from north of Belling ham to the U.S./Canada border and from Birch Bay to just east of Lynden.
MUSIC WITH MICHELE D’AMOUR & THE LOVE DEALERS
told police they thought much of the county’s catalytic converter thefts would stop if Bannon was no longer purchasing them.
A presentation will teach at tendees about the refining pro cess before they can take a onehour guided bus tour inside the refinery, according to the open house registration. Tours depart every 20 minutes from the rec reation area. People can enjoy breakfast and coffee in the morn ing or lunch in the afternoon un
Northern
Please
Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/2CiMKnk.
Reporter Ian Haupt ian@pointrobertspress.com
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info and virtual meeting link: blainesd.org.
CiviC Meetings
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Virtual meeting info: bbbparkandrec.org/board-meetings.
Look at the Whatcom County voting. I threw away the voters’ pamphlet so num bers may not be exact. There were at least twice as many Republicans as Democrats on the voters’ pamphlet and ballot. So the Republican vote is split more ways. Ac cording to the total votes as reported by your newspaper, the Republicans were getting more total votes but few represen tatives.Some people make excuses for a rigged system such as rank choice voting. What happened in the Whatcom County prima ry ranked voting system is a perfect exam ple of what is wrong with the system. Let every party select their representative to appear on the ballot. Competition is good.
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verifi cation. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of le gality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on lo cal issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likeli hood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writ ers should avoid personal invective. Un signed letters will not be accepted for pub lication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submit ted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual corre spondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com
send letters noletters@thenorthernlight.comtolaterthannoononMonday.
(Editor’s note: The medical term sponta neous abortion, or miscarriage, is the loss of a pregnancy before 20 weeks’ gestation. How ever, the layperson or common use of the term (See Letters, next page)
Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com
Locally owned and managed, the com pany also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Expe rience, 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, cham bers of commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/Whatcom County Con vention and Visitors Bureau.
The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.
Letters
The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVIII, No 15 Circulation: 10,500 copies Circulation Independently verified by:
The L ght
The Editor:
Rank choice voting is a farce that bene fits the incumbent and Democrats. Alaska is a perfect example of how the system is rigged. The Republican vote was split so now a Democrat is running against a RINO (Republican in Name Only) Republican for U.S. Senate. Conservative Republicans don’t have much of a choice.
Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl, Eric Lucas
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info and virtual meeting login: ci.blaine.wa.us.
s Run with the Chums held its 10th annual 5K race at BP Highlands on September 10 to kick off Whatcom Water Week. Whatcom Water Week, which ended September 18, celebrates the importance of clean water resources. Photo by Grace McCarthy
Publisher & Managing Editor
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Editorial Inquiries
Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Advertising Sales
Bruce Kay Birch Bay
The Editor: Spontaneous abortion, also known as a miscarriage, is the loss of a pregnancy without outside intervention before 20 weeks’ gestation and affects up to 20 per cent of recognized pregnancies.
4 The Northern Light • September 22 - 28, 2022
Creative Services
Birch Bay Water & Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district offices, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.
other state with the exception of Alaska and Maine, does not have a ranked election sys tem. Instead, for partisan races, it has a Top Two primary system whereby the two can didates who received the highest number of votes advance to the general election. It can be, and has happened, that two candidates both belonging to the same party advance to the general election.)
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orrhaging. Her choice was to go back into labor hooked up to transfusion, or a dila tion and curettage (D&C). At a Catholic hospital, two doctors discussed treatment, in front of her. Having delivered her first baby by Caesarean section after 42 hours of hard labor, she did not want to have to deliver a dead fetus after more labor.
A nurse counseled her to cry for her loss saying that only one out of six conceptions actually ends in a healthy live birth. The word abortion is a word of loss, only a very small percentage of losses are due to me chanical intervention. Please help women and their doctors make decisions protec tive of a woman’s, and ultimately, family health.
Letters Policy
Ruth BlaineHiggins
North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
Runners dash for the finish line OpiniOn
Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser production@pointrobertspress.com
Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com
(Editor’s note: Washington, like every
Molly Ernst, Gary Lee sales@pointrobertspress.com
Spontaneous abortion can be subdivid ed into threatened abortion, inevitable abortion, incomplete abortion, missed abortion, septic abortion, complete abor tion and recurrent spontaneous abortion. Chromosomal abnormalities are causative in approximately 50 percent of sponta neous abortions; multiple other factors also may play a role, including ectopic pregnancy.Awoman I know of lost a baby at 15 weeks (the fetus had died a week before) and was hospitalized with massive hem
sha (Dykstra) Thompson are running for the position 1 seat.
The MVP dashboard contains information on total case counts in each county and through out the state, total weekly case counts, case information by sex at birth and age groups of people with MVP, according to a DOH press release on the dashboard.
9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting
Whatcom County Health De partment announced on Septem ber 13 that a second person in the county tested positive for MVP.
our youngest children if we ever want to see a change in our jail being full and our growing homeless population.
Thursday, October 13
Information on how to listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s website homepage under Your Government, City Council, City Council Agenda. Please check the agenda prior to each meeting as the call in number or location may change.
isn’t the President calling attention to the countless crimi nals and the deadly drug cartels that are flooding America with illegal and deadly drugs? Do you realize how many young people are killed every day with fentan yl-laced drugs coming across the southern border?
The Editor: Please don’t be afraid of “MAGA” Republicans. We just want to Make America Great Again – that’s MAGA spelled out. We want secure borders, safer streets and criminals held ac countable.Whyis our President scaring everyone that MAGA Repub licans are a threat? Don’t we all want to feel safe going shopping or walking or even driving on the streets. Why is our President call ing American citizens terrorists and threats to our democracy?
Letters ...
I didn’t expect that my advo cacy for criminal justice reform would lead me to early child hood and preschool – but after all of my asking why, I believe that at a local level, we have to say yes to strong support for
On Friday, October 7, the forum for U.S. Congressional District 2 representative candidates incum bent Rick Larsen (D) and Dan Mat thews (R) will start at 6 p.m.
million annually for early learning programs, childcare and support for vulnerable children such as those experiencing housing insecurity.
Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website. www.cityofblaine.com
The forums will be held via Zoom and can be accessed through the LWV website at bit.ly/3xuYsEO. LWV is also encouraging voters to submit questions they want can didates to answer online at bit. ly/3DwpM9n. Forum recordings will be available for those who are unable to attend on the LWV web site and the city of Bellingham’s YouTube channel, bit.ly/3NaSjTi.
LWV is a national nonpartisan
State publishes monkeypox dashboard as Whatcom totals 2 cases
Most people start experienc ing symptoms within one to two weeks of being exposed, but it can take up to three weeks for symptoms to develop.
That’s why I’ll be voting “Yes”
Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.
Sadly, our President put out the “Welcome” sign, but didn’t ask to see any identification. Don’t you have to show ID to cross the U.S./ Canada border?
Anne Freeman Birch Bay
The Editor: In 2015, I remember this headline: “Whatcom County seeks to build a new jail – $100 million.” We were told the jail was full and we needed a bigger one. We started asking ques tions, “Who is in there? How did they get there?”
But it might surprise you to also know that for many, ask ing the question of how some one ended up in our jail leads to their earliest years of child hood. When a child receives safe and loving care before the age of 5, they are far more likely to be successful by almost any measure in life, and much less likely to end up using govern ment social welfare programs or ending up incarcerated or homeless. There is even a sig nificant connection between third grade reading levels, lit eracy and those who end up incarcerated.Itisclearthat when children get the best start possible in their earliest years of life, our entire community benefits.
CITY OF BLAINE
On Wednesday, October 12, a forum will host 42nd Legislative District senator candidates in cumbent Simon Sefzik and Sha ron Shewmake at 5 p.m.
13,249 MVP vaccine doses given in Washington and 43 of those doses have been in Whatcom County.Thedashboard also shows that nearly 12,000 men have received the MVP vaccine, while almost 1,000 women have received the vaccine. People 18-34 years old have received the highest allot ment of vaccine doses, at 5,800 doses, followed by those 35-49 years old, with 4,600 doses.
The person was in their 20s and not hospitalized. This comes over a month after the first person in the county, a resident in their 50s, tested positive for MVP after like ly being exposed in King County on August 2.
MVP causes a rash that appears similar to bumps, sores, blisters or ulcers and can cause flu-like symptoms. People infected with MVP aren’t likely to get serious ly ill, according to the health department, although it can be serious for people who are im munocompromised or pregnant as well as children.
The forum for the Public Utility District 1 commissioner will kick off the series at 5 p.m. Friday, Septem ber 30. Jaime Arnett and Eric Da vidson are running for the position. The forum for Whatcom County District Court Judge position 2 will be held 6:15 p.m. that evening. Jon
athan Rands and Gordon Jenkins are running for the judge position.
organization founded in 1920 that encourages everyone, re gardless of gender, to participate in government.
Monday, September 26 6:00pm – City Council Meeting
On Friday, October 14, a fo rum for 42nd Legislative District representative 1 will start at 5 p.m. Alicia Rule (D) and Taw
Tuesday, October 11 8:30am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting
A 42nd Legislative District rep resentative 2 forum will start at 6:15 p.m. Joe Timmons (D) and Dan Johnson (R) are running for the position 2 seat.
The Washington state De partment of Health (DOH) an nounced on September 15 that it launched a data dashboard for monkeypox virus (MVP), similar to the one it created for Covid-19. This comes as Whatcom County saw its second MVP case since the outbreak started.
The League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County (LWV) is hosting a series of vir tual forums for the November 8 election candidates starting at the end of the month. The fo rums will be held until ballots are mailed Wednesday, October 19.
Heather BellinghamFlaherty
September 22 - 28, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com 5
League of Women Voters to host November election forums
I wonder how many people in America listen to CNN/MSN BC and other stations and worry that some MAGA Republican will hurt them or start a war in Amer ica? We are simply your neigh bors, concerned about the path our President is leading America down.Why
Friday, October 10 6:00pm – City Council Meeting
A person can spread the virus through close, physical contact with MVP wounds; objects, fab rics or surfaces they used; and respiratory drops or oral fluids. Someone can spread MVP once they have symptoms until all of their sores are healed and covered with new skin, which can take several weeks.
The dashboard, updated bi-week ly, will soon have data on race and ethnicity as well as vaccine distribution.“Casesare decreasing across our state, but this outbreak isn’t over yet. Access to information is critical for people to properly assess their risk factors and pro tect themselves,” said Dr. Umair Shah, state secretary of health, in a statement.Therehave been 556 MVP cas es in Washington state, accord ing to the dashboard, and nearly 80 percent of those have been in King County. There have been
From previous page
Starting 6 p.m. Tuesday, October 18, LWV will host a forum on the children’s initiative levy-lid lift, or Whatcom County Proposition 5. The proposition would increase the regular property tax levy by 19 cents per $1,000 of assessed valua tion for 10 years, according to mea sure. The levy would generate $8.2
To view the dashboard, visit the DOH website at bit.ly/3qUdgcl.
Tuesday, September 27 3:30pm – Civil Service Commission
*CANCELLED*Meeting
I became driven to find an swers. I’d guess that what I’ve since learned would astound you. There are definitely some people who do terrible things with no regard for humanity, who should be kept away from regular society. And there are plenty of people who make seri ous mistakes like driving drunk, who need a wake-up call and a dose of accountability.
on Proposition 5: The Healthy Children’s Fund on my ballot this November.
CASE LOT SALE Chevron Delo 15W 40 $26.69 per gallon Or $23.69 per gallon, when you buy a case of 3 360-332-7018 • 365 D Street, Blaine Mon-Fri 8 am - 5 pm ONLYatBlaineNAPA! SuppliesWhileLast! In Stock Now! Thank you for supporting local journalism. Please Support This Newspaper $24 (or whatever you can) Community Newspaper for Blaine & Birch Bay MAIL TO: The Northern Light, 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 l 360/332-1777 Zip:State:City:Address:Email:Name: You can also contribute online at thenorthernlight.com This week’s supporters: Dave and Mary Leu • Banagan Family “abortion” usually refers to induced termination of a pregnancy, where as miscarriage is typically preferred for spontaneous loss.)
(See Sports, next page)
Blaine lost 4-1 to Burling ton-Edison in its home open er September 15. Sophomore goalkeeper Larissa Pluschakov had a strong game in goal but the Tigers offense was unrelent ing. The Lady Borderites built momentum in the second half, creating multiple chances. Roby
Photo by Ian Haupt
s Kristina Roby dribbles through midfield in the Lady Borderites’ 3-0 win at Lakewood September 19. Photo by Molly Ernst
B y I an h aupt
spOrts
“The combination between experienced and inexperienced players is good,” Quesada said, adding that it will help many of the younger players improve.
s Evellina Yuryev dribbles through midfield in Blaine’s 4-1 loss to Burl ington-Edison on September 15. Photo by Ian Haupt
The Borderites traveled to Vashon Island September 16 where they lost to the Pirates 17-6. Blaine outgained the Pi rates but lost after giving up a touchdown and field goal shortly after breaking the dead lock in the second quarter.
s Kaitlyn Harrington looks to bump the ball over the net as teammates Gillian Rea and Brie Smith offer some encouragement. Blaine girls volleyball lost to Lynden in three straight sets September 20 in the Blaine High School gymnasium.
scored with about 10 minutes left in the game.
Head coach Gio Quesada said he was happy with how the team played. The team put a lot of pressure on Lakewood and really dominated the first half, he said. With a young team this year, he said it’s important for players to split playing time. He said this way the team will progress tre mendously over the season.
Senior quarterback Kael Evinger found junior Hunter Vezzetti on a back-corner fade from nine yards out to open the scoring. The Borderites would struggle to score again as Vashon responded immediate ly with an 83-yard touchdown pass.Sophomore Colby Shipp had a career-high 35 carries for 165 yards. Junior Victor Gervol led Blaine defensively with nine tackles, two sacks and a forced
s The Lady Borderites lost 4-1 to Burlington-Edison in their first home game of the season on September 15. Photo by Ian Haupt
Blaine girls soccer got its first win of the season on the road September 19. The Lady Bor derites beat Lakewood 3-0 with goals from senior Kristina Roby, freshman Beatrice Dickson and sophomore Juliana Zuzarte.
Football
Sports roundup: The Lady Borderites are back in action
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The girls travel to Meridi an Tuesday, September 27 and host Lynden Christian Thurs day, September 29. Both games are at 7 p.m. They are 1-2 so far this season.
fumble. Senior Jacob Voigt had two sacks and a forced fumble and junior Conner Dalry recov ered two fumbles.
Both matches are at 7 p.m. They are 0-4 this season.
Cross country
Statistics thanks to whatcom preps.com.
Lady Borderites’ 3-0 loss to the Lions on
Blaine’s co-op team with Ferndale has a meet at Forge Pool in Lynden at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, September 22. The team’s schedule can be found at bit.ly/3U5exL8.
Sports ...
The team travels to Lynden Christian Thursday, September 22 and then hosts Nooksack Valley Monday, September 26.
Boys and girls cross coun try ran against Bellingham and Mount Vernon Wednesday, September 21 at Lake Padden Park. They run next at Pipeline Fields in Blaine Wednesday, October 5. Meets start at 4 p.m.
They are back at home Fri day, September 23 against King’s High School at 7 p.m. Blaine is 0-3 this season.
Volleyball
Blaine lost at home in three straight sets to Lynden Septem ber 20 on the back of a 3-0 loss to Ferndale September 14.
Swimming
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Photo by Ian Haupt
s Gillian Rea serves in the September 20.
Check out CLASSIFIED MARKETPLACE See page 11
From previous page
“Then there’s the water quali ty in the Adams itself,” adds Ted
The whole show is so sensa
But why, exactly?
s Adams River sockeye salmon river run occurs early October near Kamloops, B.C. Photo by Dave Smith
8 The Northern Light • September 22 - 28, 2022
• This is the southernmost sur viving large and “productive” (a human assessment) salmon run in North America. Many areas far ther away, in Alaska and northern B.C., also host vast runs — but there is none whatsoever south of the Adams that represents more than a fraction of the former glo ry of Pacific salmon. The Colum bia Basin, for instance, once drew 16 million to 20 million salmon a year. Now, it’s a half-million in a good year.
The ichthyological facts are •awesome:Eachfall millions of salmon, mostly sockeye, run up the Fra ser River into the B.C. interior, and on up to the Adams, a trib utary to a tributary of the Fraser. Every four years, the so-called “dominant run” brings up to 4 million sockeye.
The water tumbles with whirl pools and cascades, an aquatic cyclotron.Butterscotch cottonwoods cast a golden glow.
Lisa Sprague
Meanwhile, at the Adams, past glories live on.
B y e r I c L
The scents of alpine water, musty damp fir and cedar, and autumn-straw meadow grass ride theThere’sbreeze.no sound but the river run’sAndrhapsody.thesalmon court and mate while we watch, celebrating their own beloved festival.
I don’t want to promote the Adams River by lamenting what’s been lost, but it’s appropriate to shade amazement with some perspective. A similar scene, for example, on a scale four times as large, could be seen for millen nia at Celilo Falls on the Colum bia, a jaw-dropping cascade now submerged by Bonneville Dam’s reservoir forever. Or, at least, un til humanity’s successors come along and undertake whatever renovation nature demands.
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I call it the real riverdance.
More than endurance, it is also a tale of nature’s grand de sign. The salmon both indicate and create a healthy ecosys tem. Thousands of other wild land beings benefit from these anadromous fish and their de votion to their land and their story. Eagles, bears, ospreys and many more feast on the spawned-out fish. Their decay ing bodies enrich the ground where the mighty trees root. The life-cycle rhythm is a song of and for the Earth’s journey around the sun.
Adams River sockeye run: Travel 4 hours to a once every 4 years phenomenon
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This year fisheries biologists are expecting 3.7 million – a number
The red-and-green sockeye, which in clear water look like bejeweled carnival celebrants, dash and dance, swirl and flash. Watching from shore is an expe rience I’ll never forget. Take your average July 4 fireworks show, multiply it a thousand times, and
Danyluk, lead interpretive guide for the Adams River Salmon So ciety. “Adams Lake is the sixth deepest in the world (1,500 feet). The water flows out of the lake cold and clear, and the river it self has enough fall that all the cascades make it rich in oxygen. The riparian zone keeps the wa ter cold. There’s just the right amount of gravel for the spawn ingDespitebeds.”
all those advantages, Danyluk urges visitors to rec ognize the effort it takes for the salmon to get here to their birth place. They brave the North Pa cific for three years, growing to maturity; find their way back to the Fraser and swim past one of the world’s great metropolitan areas, Vancouver; head up the Fraser to navigate a fearsome chasm called Hell’s Gate where the entire river surges through a bedrock defile just 115 feet wide; reach the Adams after traveling 1,240
ucas
tional and accessible that Cana dians have created a festival to celebrate their seminal specta cle. This year, September 30 to October 23, they’ll have on-site interpretive naturalists, eight to 10 local artisans, another doz en food vendors, and represen tatives of the Little Shuswap First Nations Band, whose peo ple have been celebrating and thriving on these salmon for thousands of years. This year, sockeye fans are expecting about 150,000 visitors, a pretty large number for a natural attraction involving fish.
“Whatmiles.an amazing story of en durance!” Danyluk marvels. Indeed. And…
All this is as accessible as any man-made attraction you can imagine: Paved roads lead to the park surrounding the river, splendid pathways lead to the riverbanks and viewing plat forms offer ideal vantages. No trekking poles or hiking boots needed. (I wore flip-flops … Hey, I’m a middle-age white guy.) It’s not true wilderness, but it is a tongue of the wilderness reach ing into civilization.
• The Adams is a short but fine and fruitful stretch of water be tween Shuswap Lake and Ad ams Lake, just six miles, or 10K. There is almost nothing but mountain wilderness in the wa tershed feeding the lake and riv er, so the flow is perfect in every way for salmon.
(See
s Adams River Salmon Society. Courtesy photo
First of all, the Fraser is one of the last North American rivers without a mainstem dam. Nu merous proposals to change that have so far been blown up like suspicious suitcases, so the Ad ams sockeye need climb no fish ladders, brave no murky over heated reservoirs, dodge no tugs, powerboats or pollution.
that’s a close analogy.
that may exceed, in this one small river, the entire total of natural salmon runs left in the Lower 48.
Timothy Egan once defined “the Northwest” as anywhere salmon return to spawn, so the annual Adams adagio could serve well as Cascadia’s national an them. “God keep our land glori next page)
Four million gorgeous natural acrobats, a six-mile performance runway of shimmering rock and sand and crystalline amber water, thousands of stately onlooking ancient spectators who delight in the annual dancers that come by soThedependably.earlyOctober Adams River sockeye salmon run near Kam loops, B.C., is one of the greatest natural spectacles in the Western Hemisphere, a truly one-of-akind event beloved by its human neighbors and visiting spectators – and an unsurpassed opportu nity to marvel at the power and beauty of nature.
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ous and free,” prays Canada’s an them, and here is a grand spot to do just Watchthat.the fish, and I think you’ll have an emotional re sponse to the ancient rhythm of life, death, birth and renewal. It brings tears to my eyes, honestly. Put your phone in your pocket and listen to the breeze and the waters. Take deep breaths of the brilliant air of the Monashee Mountains. Gaze upward in the
s Adams River sockeye salmon.
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tall cottonwoods, and you’ll un derstand why Tolkien’s wisest, most beloved creatures were the Ents of Middle-Earth’s Forest of Fangorn. “We must not be hasty,” declares Treebeard in The Two Tours. Hmmm. Do you sup pose that’s an issue in modern civilization?Itwouldbe meretricious to ad vise marveling at the Adams run without urging some perspective. This is likely the best place on
means you enjoy the company of friends and neighbors while we
Independent living at Solstice take care of 1 Birch
this planet to witness the miracle of salmon, so please, go – it’s a four-hour drive from Bellingham – but go in love, not consumptive entertainment. Although humans believe we are mighty, we did not make this. We can only ruin it –or treasure it.
Eric Lucas lives on a small farm on San Juan Island, where he grows or ganic hay, beans, squash and apples. For more information on Adams Riv er sockeye, visit salmonsociety.com.
•
Detec Systems, manufacturer and waterproofing testing equip ment provider, and Sanitary Ser vice Company, Whatcom Coun ty’s largest recycling and garbage collector, is sponsoring the lunch. For more information or to regis ter, go to py.org/healinghearts.animalsasnaturalthera
Tips to introduce a new dog to your other dog
In recognition of the potential difficulties of welcoming a new dog into a home where a dog al ready lives, the Humane Society of the U.S. (HSUS) and the Amer ican Kennel Club (AKC) offer these suggestions to help dogs get along from the moment they •meet.Make introductions on neu tral territory. The HSUS recom mends familiarizing dogs with one another outdoors. Outdoors is neutral territory, so a dog that’s already well-established in a
A suggested $10 admission at the door includes a light vegetar ian lunch and beverages.
Photo courtesy Animals as Natural Therapy
The AKC notes that this is alright so long as the older dog does not become aggressive and injure the puppy. Growling can help the younger puppy learn and can be an effective way for the older dog to communicate.
Submit Pet Paparazzi photos to editor@thenorthernlight.com
home is less likely to feel threat ened here than if it meets its new housemate indoors in an area it already thinks is its own. The HSUS recommends walking dogs separately on a leash during this introduction, ideally at a distance where they can see each other but are not provoked by the other’s presence. Carry treats and reward the dogs for seeing each other.
• Separate the dogs during initial inside introductions. The HSUS recommends using a sturdy and tall baby gate to separate dogs when introducing them inside. Watch how they interact with this barrier in place and rein force positive interactions with treats.Introducing a new dog to a home where a dog already lives can be challenging. But various strategies can help such interac tions go smoothly.
Get a chance to pet a goat and donate to youth and veteran men tal health at Animals as Natural Therapy’s Healing Hearts Lunch.
The value dogs bring to a home is undeniable. Dog own ers and their families may wel come a new dog with open arms because they recognize these pets provide unconditional love and can make their human com panions smile no matter what else is going on in their lives. However, other dogs may be considerably less enthusiastic about rolling out the proverbial welcome mat to another furry member of the family.
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Animals as Natural Therapy to host annual lunch fundraiser
Nonprofit organization Ani mals as Natural Therapy (ANT) is hosting its annual Healing Hearts Lunch 12-1 p.m. Friday, October 7 at the Bellingham Fer ry Terminal. The event will raise scholarship funds for the organi zation’s youth and veteran mental health programs. It will also fea ture heartwarming stories and an opportunity to meet therapy ani mals in person, ANT director of development Jessie Pemble wrote in a September 8 press release.
• Keep a watchful eye on body language. The HSUS notes that hair standing up on a dog’s back, teeth baring, growling, a stifflegged gait or a prolonged stare indicate a defensive or wary re sponse from a dog. The sight of these postures merits an im mediate interruption to the in teraction. If dogs respond in a more relaxed and comfortable way during the introduction, the distance between them can be reduced, though owners should still be mindful of their body •language.Recognize puppies and older dogs may react differently. The
ANT serves youth and veter ans in northwest Washington through animal-guided mental health programs. Services include
File photo
group and individual equine therapy sessions, school pro grams and mobile therapy animal visits. All programs are offered on a sliding fee scale so that financial ability is never a barrier to mental health care. ANT’s farm in north Bellingham is home to rescued and adopted horses, goats, rab bits, chickens and dogs.
AKC notes that puppies are de veloping communication skills, so they may not recognize the rules that older dogs are trying to establish. So a puppy may be willing to play with an older, larg er dog, while the older dog may growl at its younger companion.
The above Court has appointed Lana S. Bulanova as Personal Representative of Decedent’s estate.
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Superior Court of Washington, County of King, In re the Estate of Faina Bula nova aka Ena Bulanova, Deceased. No. 22-4-05945-9 KNT. Probate Notice to Creditors. (RCW
CITY OF ENGINEERBLAINETECHIII Range: $5,623 to $6,580 per month. persons should complete the online application on the City’s website, https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/. The deadline is 4:30pm on October 7, 2022. Licensed.
360-332-1777advertise: or sales@thenorthernlight.com Community Newspaper of Blaine, Birch Bay & Semiahmoo Statistics audited by the
Attorney for Personal Representative: Jennifer A. Gellner Gellner Law WSBA #30701
NOTICE TO CREDITORS LEGACY LAW PLLC P.O. Box 3366, Arlington, WA 98223 (360) 474-7597 Fax (360) 685-7503
Legal of81%readersfrequentlypurchaseproductsorservicesfromadsseenin Call
KingCaseAddressAttorneySubsequent:SeptemberPublication:8,2022.Sept.15,Sept22,2022.forPersonalRepresentativeMichaelGeoghegan,WSBA#43238forMailingorService:NWStrategy&Planning,PLLC470051stPLSWSeattle,WA98116-4332number:22-4-04939-9SEACountySuperiorCourt Legal
• By serving upon or mailing by first class mail to me at the address provid ed below a copy of the signed Creditor’s Claim.The Creditor’s Claim must be presented by the later to occur of:
CourtBRADLEYRepresentative:RZECHULAofprobateproceedings and cause number: Snohomish County Superior Court, Cause No. 22-4-01634-31.
Attorney for Personal Representative: Tanner K. Olson, WSBA #52879
TARA TRIFON has been appointed as Personal Representative of this Estate. Any person having a claim against the dece dent 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 representa tive’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. Date of First
Address for Mailing or Service: P.O. Box 3366 3609 168th St. NE Arlington, WA 98223
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11.40.070:•Byfiling with the Court the original of the signed Creditor’s Claim, and
Date of First Publication of this Notice: Thursday, September 15, 2022
September 22 - 28, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com 11 CLASSIFIEDS MARKETPLACE 360-332-1777sales@thenorthernlight.com NEXT ISSUE: Sept. 29 AD DEADLINE: Sept. 26 Delivered to every home in the 98230 zip code. Plus Newstands in: Bellingham • Ferndale Custer • Birch Bay Semiahmoo • Blaine WE ACCEPT: u ]$16 for 15 words 25¢ for each additional word PLUS, your ad appears ONLINE FOR FREE at thenorthernlight.com/classifieds ABANDONED VEHICLE AUCTION NOTICE Meridian Towing DATE: Fri., Sept. 30 Viewing at 9 am • Auction at 10 am AUCTION ADDRESS: 925 Boblett St. Blaine, WA 98230 ORwww.Meridian-Towing.comcall360-746-9100• M-F 8-5 Published September 22, 2022 Auctions Abandoned Merchandise Sale All new - 1/2 off retail: Clothing for family, Shoes, Personal care items, Jewelry, Toys, Games, Electronics, Household items, 2014 Prius Z w/ low mileage, 1995 Ford Aerostar w/lift, Forklift, Shelving, Office equipment, Lockers, Covid test kits, & More! All must go! Wednesday - Sunday 10am-4pm 1300 Boblett Street, Blaine For Sale
• Thirty (30) days after I served or mailed this Notice to you as provided in RCW 11.40.020(3), or
Dated: September 12, 2022
DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: September 8, 2022
Personal
• Four (4) months after the date of first publication of this Notice.
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 lim itations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal represen tative or the personal representative’s attorney at 20 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 RCW 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and non-probate assets.
KENNEL/OFFICE HELP Blaine Animal Hospital. Full/part time. Good job that needs good work ethic, good health, good sense of humor, good transportation. No drugs, no smoking. Fax resume 360-332-6813 or bring to 8892 Blaine Road.
If the Creditor’s Claim is not presented within the foregoing time period, the claim will be forever barred except as provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective for claims against both the Dece dent’s probate and non-probate assets.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHING TON FOR KING COUNTY In Re The Estate of: PETER C. STUCKI, Deceased. No. 224-04939-9 SEA. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) (NTCRD)
PLEASE11.40.030)TAKENOTICE
Any person having a claim against Decedent must present the claim: • Before the time when the claim would be barred by any applicable statute of lim itations, and • In the manner provided in RCW
Address for Mailing of Service: Jennifer A. Gellner Gellner Law 8407 S. 259th Street, Suite 203 Kent, WA 98030-7536
SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF: JOSEPH ADAM RZECH ULA, Deceased. NO. 22-4-01634-31. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. RCW 11.40.030
Probate Notice to Creditors (RCW 11.40.030)
FURNISHED ROOMS in historic home, incl. amenities, NS, pet friendly starts at $600/ mo. + deposit, references required. 360-332-3449.
READ IT THENORTHERNLIGHT.COMFIRST. Want to find a new theYou’vehome?cometorightplace! READ IT THENORTHERNLIGHT.COMFIRST.
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.
12 The Northern Light • September 22 - 28, 2022 Real Estate NELSON BUILDING 925 Ludwick Ave., Blaine LEASE SPACES FOR: Warehousing-DistributionManufacturingorRetailVehicleStorageYards Near Truck Route & Shopping Mall Email or Call Don Nelson For Availability & Rates Call: 360-305-0286 Email nelsbldg@msn.com Rentals - Commercial Rentals - Rooms Rentals - Residential Jeff Carrington 360-220-3224 jcarrington@windermere.com OPEN HOUSE SAT 12-3 5078 Fern St. Birch Bay $560,000 This unique property is located on the bluff above Cottonwood beach in Birch Bay. A private setting featuring a 1600sf home with 4 bedrooms and 1 bath along with a detached, two-story, double-bay shop - lowerlevel 650sf and upper-level 270sf! Just a block from miles of sandy beaches, a walking promenade, and all the recreational activities that surround this waterfront community. Perfect opportunity to remodel to make it your dream home - you can build up to two stories and include a wrap-around deck capturing the sweeping water and mountain views. The zoning in this area allows for vacation rentals. Come home to Birch Bay and live the vacation lifestyle! MLS#1977412 BIRCH BAY LOT 7888 Carson Rd. • $310,000 Very private, shy ½ acre, partially forested beautiful lot in Birch Bay with 2 bedroom, 2014 park model. Jeff Leghorn, Real Estate Attorney & Real Estate Agent Assistance with Buying, Developing, Leasing and Selling Real Estate Reasonable Flat Fees Call Jeff: 360.366.4925 • jeff@law-office.net LAW OFFICE OF A. JEFF LEGHORN, PLLC • WA REALTY LAW, LLC Lisa Sprague 360-961-0838 Broker If you’re looking to buy or isSemiahmoosell,myhome. CALL ME FOR A FREE MarketAnalysis Call Hugh 360.371.5800 Email hugh@callhugh.com or text Hugh 360-739-5234 THE LOCAL EXPERT For All Residential & Commercial Properties! www.CallHugh.com HUGHManagingBRAWFORD,Broker Over 28 years experience helping you buy or sell your home HASSLE FREE! LOT ON LENA ROAD Buildable flat lot with possible Saltwater and Sunset views. All services available. Water only available to member of Lummi Nation. Any one can purchase and use 24 X 14 Cedar storage building. All offers considered. Price reduced to $60,000! PENDING! Location, Location! 360.815.6638 briansouthwick@gmail.com see more pictures at www.briansouthwick.com 6021 Birch Point Rd., Blaine $4,900,000 MLS#1967082 This serene 20 acre estate quality property with level building site and 709 +/- high bank waterfront with rare strolling beach access delights the soul with a brilliant southern focus, sparkling waters, wildlife, ever-changing marine activity, and dramatic views over the San Juan Islands, the Canadian Gulf Islands, and B.C. Amazing, accessible pebble beach with world class crabbing, clamming, and fishing at your footsteps. Live the dream! One of the finest pieces of property on the West Coast 8045 BIRCH BAY DRIVE, BLAINE, WA • 360-371-7252 • BAYPROPERTIESNW.COM Semiahmoo homeS, inc NW LUXURY REAL ESTATE AT A HIGHER LEVEL Bay Properties CeCelia Breivik • (360) 303-8161 5835 Ridge,SemiahmooBirchPoint$899,000 11.33 ACRE ESTATE PROPERTY WITH A VIEW! Rare west facing marine view estate property encompassing 11.33 acres overlooking bays, mountains, & islands, located on Birch Point plateau. Spectacular sunsets. Beautifully forested, relatively level with slight slope eastward. Build your dream home with elbow room offering privacy, exclusivity. Located an hour south of Van couver, BC & under two hours to Seattle. Natural beauty and environment. Property is a mile from Semiahmoo with its Inn, golf course, and a 300 slip marina. The property could potentially be divided - offering two separate estate size properties. Choices, Choices! WWW.THERIDGEATSEMIAHMOO.COM Terry Conway • (360) 410-0503 7704 Birch Bay #1204, Birch Bay $160,000 LEISURE PARK! Park Model with enclosed sunroom/additional sleeping space in Birch Bay’s popular beachfront Leisure Park. Most reasonable vacation property you will find in Birch Bay from location to amenities and ongoing expenses! Peaceful neighborhood featuring ample open green space, clubhouse, tennis courts, outdoor pool! 398 SF 1 BD, 1 BA immaculately maintained 2004 Park Model facing south ensures ample sunlight. Turn-key recreational get away. Bring beach buckets & shovels and start enjoying the beach life! Professionally managed HOA with board members who live in & love the community. Enjoy all that Birch Bay has to offer! NEW LISTING! Carl W. R. Dufton • (360) 815-6637 8739 Oertel Drive, Birch $2,250,000Point BEACHFRONTPROPERTY!DREAM Enjoy 125’ of easy & direct beach access. Cape Cod style home sits in front of neighboring properties & offers uncompromised 180 degree views of Strait of Georgia, Semiahmoo Bay, White Rock, & Canadian Coastal Range - sunsets are awe inspiring! Crab, fish, kayak off own private beach! Gourmet style kitchen w/ Granite, SS appliances, 2 splits for AC & Heat, 2 car garage, paver driveway/walks/patio, sprinkler system, auto start generator & more. 3/4 acre of park-like mature land scaping. +3 acres of beach/deeded tidelands. Under 2 hours to Seattle & 1 to Vancouver. Cable internet. WWW.NWBEACHHOUSE.COM Ruth Skeete • (360) 358-5075 7806 Birch Bay Drive #610, Birch $367,000Bay JACOB’S CONDOMINIUMS!LANDING Another fabulous UPDATED Jacob’s Landing condo! 810 SF 2 BD. 1.5 BA upper unit has partial view of Bay from deck. Features include tiled floors, wall to wall carpet in bedrooms & on stairs, newer SS appliances & granite counter-tops. Unit used primarily by the owner & has been kept in pristine condition. Enjoy all great amenities that Jacob’s Landing has to offer: indoor pool, hot tub, tennis courts, racquet ball court, clubhouse, games room. Enjoy life on the beach with restaurants, cafes nearby, crabbing, kayaking, beachcombing & much more! PRICE REDUCED! Julie Ward • (760) 522-2564 Tolmiea Court Lot 16, Horizon$249,000Neighborhood SERVICES IN & HOUSE PLANS INCLUDED! Ready for you to build your custom dream water view home - in a cul de sac! Priced to sell! Large lot (15,000 SF plus). One of the only individually owned lots in the beautiful Horizon neighborhood at Semiahmoo. Almost all of the preparation work is done for you. Seller willing to turn over 40K plus worth of plans and building work already prepaid. Water/Sewer hookup already taken care of (over 8K value). This is a ready to build lot. Don’t miss out on this opportunity and enjoy the beautiful community of Horizon at Semiahmoo with your own custom home! NEW LISTING! todayoutagesforPreparepower WITH A STANDBYHOMEGENERATOR $0 MONEY DOWN + LOW MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTIONS Contact a Generac dealer for full terms and conditions *To qualify, consumers must request a quote, purchase, install and activate the generator with a participating dealer. Call for a full list of terms and conditions. REQUEST A FREE QUOTE CALL NOW BEFORE THE NEXT POWER OUTAGE (360) 685-8291 FREE 7-Year Warranty*Extended–A$695 Value! General
All real estate/rentals advertising in this news paper 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 discrim ination. 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 ad vertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800877-0246.
WINTER RENTAL Furnished, 4BD, 2BA waterfront Birch Bay home. Two month minimum. $2400/mo. 206-334-6184.
Residents wanting to recreate have four days left in 2022 to en ter state-managed lands for free. The next day is National Public Lands Day on Saturday, Septem ber 24.
Given the limited policing re sources, it makes sense to focus enforcement efforts on the high est-risk behaviors. No one likes getting a speeding ticket, but the most current research confirms that traffic enforcement that tar gets dangerous behaviors does save lives. There are laws we want enforced because it annoys us that someone is getting away with something, and there are laws we want enforced to inter vene in high-risk driving behav iors. I know what I’d pick.
Last week, I camped next to a collector-plated Volkswagen van. Is this a no priority enforce ment situation?
September 22 - 28, 2022 • thenorthernlight.com 13 DINING GUIDE BUSINESS & DIRECTORYPROFESSIONAL 758 Peace Portal • 360-332-4045Blaine GreatMexicanAuthenticFood277 G Street • Downtown Blaine 360-392-0955 TheVaultWine.com TheVaultWine Celebrating 90 years! Auto & Residential Glass To Our Canadian Friends Enjoy Huge Savings with U.S. Prices www.louisautoglass.com Family Owned and Operated Since 1929! 1512 N. State St. (360)Bellingham734-3840 407 19th St. (360)Lynden354-3232 1721 E. College Way Mt. Vernon (360) 424-9759 Windshield Replacement Rock Chip Repairs Free Pick up & Delivery Free Loaner Cars 1 Large Business of the Year Spring Special! Must present ad for special. Not valid with any other offers. Expires June 30, 2014. Dinner on Us and a Can of Glass Cleaner with every windshield purchased and installed Louis Auto Glass The Only Validated Auto Glass Company in Whatcom & Skagit Counties. We Guarantee Your Safety BELLINGHAM 1512 N. State St. • 360-734-3840 Louis’ LYNDEN 407 19th St. • 360-354-3232 www.LouisAutoGlass.com ouis’ SEPTEMBER: SUN/10AM(.org) mi n d GAMES SUNDAYS northwoodschapel.com10AM580CSt.,Blaine360-332-8610 Keep Full Service • Budget Payment Plan • Tank Installation & Rental Modern Equipment • Safety Checks • Locally Owned & Operated 360 332-3121 2163 Nature’s Path Way • Blaine Fill your bottles - Easy RV access Proud supporters of the Blaine Community! Formerly 1st Propane of Whatcom County Counseling and Personal Coaching Transformational Hypnotherapy co-creating rapid change for personal growth Evelyne L. Hendricks BA, LHT evelynehendricks@gmail.com360.739.5606 FIRST RESPONDERS TRIBUTE Recognizing our local firefighters & law enforcement Publishes October 6 • Deadline: September 30 Call Molly today at 360-332-1777 or email sales@thenorthernlight.com SHOW YOUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT! AD SIZES: $89 Personal Message Your LOGO here 100 Main 332-0000St $69 MessagePersonal Your LOGO here 100 Main 332-0000St $49 Your LOGO here 100 Main 332-0000St Ad boxes shown are not actual size of ad.
Question: As I understand it, cars with collector vehicle li cense plates cannot be used for regular transportation, commer cial purpose or carrying a load. I regularly observe collector-plat ed vehicles at grocery and home supply stores.
Yep, you read that right. You nev er have to pay for your tabs again.
Four free state parks days left in 2022
A Discover Pass, typical ly needed for vehicle access to state-managed land, will not be required on Washington State Parks (WSP), Washington State Department of Natural Resources and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife lands for four days in 2022. In addition to Sep
s The BP Heron Center at Birch Bay State Park. File photo
While enforcement deci sions shouldn’t be made based on what’s easiest, in this case it works. Impairment, speed, dis traction and seat belt use are all clearly observable behaviors, but if an officer sees a collector plate at a grocery store or camp ground, who’s to say that isn’t occasional pleasure use? Maybe I find joy in driving a vintage car to get milk, or I enjoy camping twice a year in my 67 VW van.
The tradeoff is that a collec tor vehicle has limitations. The law states that they “may only be used for participation in club activities, exhibitions, tours, parades, and occasional plea sure driving.” I’ll note that the law doesn’t specifically prohibit commercial purposes or carry
The state designated 12 free state park days in 2022. Discover Passes, which fund state parks, cost $30 for an annual pass and $10 for a one-day permit.
B y D ou G D ah L
Answer: My first brand new car was a 1991 Toyota Tercel. It gave us many affordable, re liable miles and ran beyond its expected lifespan. If I still had it, I could register it with collec tor plates. That doesn’t make it a classic.Thelaw allows vehicles that are at least 30 years old and in good running condition to be licensed as collector vehicles. The upside of registering your car as a classic is that collector vehicle plates are valid for the life of the vehicle.
like something a motivational speaker would say, but isn’t math ematically possible. Many crash es have more than one high-risk behavior, so those four factors contribute to 78 percent of all fa tal crashes in our state.
Our vehicle tabs help pay for transportation stuff, so licens ing your car as a collectible and then driving it like a regular car is basically cheating on your tax es. Where does that fit in as an enforcement priority? I’ve asked a lot of cops why they got into the job, and so far none of them have said it was because they wanted to collect taxes. That doesn’t mean there’s no enforce ment of registration laws, but it’s understandably less than some other violations.
ing a load, but the department of licensing interprets it that way. That seems reasonable.
Road Rules: The legality of collector plates
You might think lots of peo ple would be tempted to register their cars as collectable, but time and wear makes this a somewhat self-enforcing law. That Toyota I had, like most 30-year-old cars, is most likely no longer on the road. The few cars that last that long usually do because they’re actually worth keeping.
tember 24, the remaining days are World Mental Health Day on Monday, October 10, Veterans Day on Friday, November 11 and Native American Heritage Day on Friday, November 25, according to a WSP press release.
Local state-managed lands in clude Birch Bay State Park and Peace Arch Historical State Park.
As far as I know, misuse of a collector plate has never been listed as contributing to a traffic collision. But I can tell you the top four factors in fatal crashes in our state along with the percent age of crashes they’re involved in: Impairment (56 percent), speed ing (31 percent), no seat belt use (23 percent) and distraction (20 percent). If you add those up you get 130 percent, which sounds
Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and pub lishes TheWiseDrive.com.
Dist.
CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednes days, 5-7 p.m. 508 G Street. The Community Assistance Program clothing bank is now located in the basement of the CAP Center providing free clothing and linens. Donations accepted only during open hours or by special arrangement. Info: blainecap.org or 360/392-8484.
Sept. 14, 4:09 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Harborview Road. Sept. 14, 5:45 p.m.: Juvenile problem on N. Golf Course Road. Sept. 14, 7:05 p.m.: Domestic violence order on Stadsvold Road.
September 22-28 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Sept. 13, 9:30 a.m.: Welfare check on Martin Street.
GraceCore Grand Opening: Saturday, October 1, 1–3 p.m., GraceCore Academy, 4823 Alderson Road, unit 106. This new space is for counseling services and chaplaincy training. Info: 360/739-7988.
Sept. 10, 11:24 a.m.: Hit and run on Pacific Highway.
Sept. 11, 1:18 a.m.: Extortion investigation on A Street.
Sept. 10, 5:28 p.m.: Shots on Cody Road.
Sept. 13, 5:55 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Dodd Street.
Report by Blaine Police Department.
Temperature: High for the past week was 76°F on Sep tember 12 with a low of 49°F on September 17. Average high was 65°F and average low was 57°F.
Sept. 9, 10:05 p.m.: Welfare check on Boundary Court.
Sept. 10, 3:02 p.m.: Domestic violence order on 2nd Street.
Sept. 12, 12:27 p.m.: Minor in possession on H Street.
Sept. 10, 12:33 p.m.: Vehicle prowl on Morgan Drive.
Sept. 12, 10:52 a.m.: Court order violation on H Street.
Gate-Oberfest: Saturday, September 24, noon–10 p.m., Gateway Tap house & Grill, 429 Peace Portal Drive. Keg rolling, keg throwing, pretzel eating , stein holding and stein relay competition, live music, food and drink specials. 21+ for competition participation. Info: gateway1890tap house-grill.com.
Tu 27 12:58 am 2.0 7:08 am 8.2 12:59 pm 3.0 6:59 pm 8.9
Birch Bay Book Club: Wednesday, October 19, 4 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Book for October is Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty. Info: klia1@mac.com.
Sept. 12, 5:40 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident injury on Halibut Drive.
The Bridge Food Distribution Program: Fridays 3:30–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.
Boating Skills Courses: Weather, the science of predicting marine weath er; Basic Boating Course, skills needed to get started, regulations and nav igation; Marine Engine Maintenance, diesel, gas and outboard preventive maintenance, troubleshooting. All courses held at Bellingham Technical College. Info and registration: bit.ly/3eUJ0eD.
Sept. 11, 2:35 p.m.: Motor vehi cle accident on Birch Bay Square Street.
Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer
Sa 24 4:34 am 7.4 11:07 am 1.0 5:59 pm 8.9 11:56 pm 3.7
Sept. 11, 6:47 a.m.: Theft on 3rd Street.
Sept. 9, 6:01 p.m.: Parking prob lem on Ludwick Avenue.
Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, September 22, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Thisweek’s theme: Autumn. Info: thevaultwine.com.
5:15 pm 8.7 11:00 pm 5.3
Winter Coat Drive: September 1–30. Good quality used or new winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves, and socks are being accepted at the Blaine Li brary, Blaine Senior Center, Pacific Building Center, Cost Cutter, The Market, Birch Bay Village Rec Center, Semiahmoo Marina Cafe, Windermere-Birch Bay Square, and many local churches. Visit blainecap.org for additional col lection sites. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.
Whatcom Dream Financial Empowerment Class: Thursdays, Septem ber 22–October 20, 6:30–7:30 p.m., CAP Center, 508 G Street. Improve your financial management skills for a more secure financial future. For more info or to register: 360/296-0441 or kevin@thewhatcomdream.org. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.
Sept. 14, 10:01 a.m.: Parking problem on Runge Avenue.
Sept. 13, 4:41 p.m.: Motor vehi cle accident injury on Birch Point Road. Suspect arrested.
Sept. 12, 10:12 a.m.: Trespass on Drayton Harbor Road.
Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, September 29, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: General Knowledge. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Point Whitehorn Road.
Sept. 13, 2:36 p.m.: Drugs on 2nd Street.
up 55.51.ScotlandCheerlessUnwell
Sept. 14, 10:22 a.m.: Hot rod on Kickerville Road.
Sept. 11, 8:40 a.m.: Domestic order violence on Pacific High way. Suspect arrested.
Sept. 12, 8:34 a.m.: Parking problem on Runge Avenue.
BlaineOngoingFood
Sept. 13, 1:57 p.m.: Criminal traffic on D Street.
Sept. 13, 9:30 p.m.: Noise ordinance on 14th Street.
Fall Festival: Saturday, October 1, Grace Lutheran Church, 702 G Street. Kids crafts, bouncy house (weather dependent), ping pong, bingo and fun at 4 p.m., community chili cook off at 5 p.m., community pie baking contest at 6 p.m., line dancing at 7 p.m. Free event. All are welcome. Info: 360/332-6589.
We 28 1:32 am 1.2 8:02 am 8.4 1:37 pm 4.0 7:21 pm 8.8
Sept. 10, 8:50 p.m.: Vehicle theft on Masterson Road.
tides
Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) Meetings: Mondays 6:30–8 p.m., CAP Center, 508 G Street, Blaine. A support group for parents of adult children dealing with addiction, but open to anyone (18 or old er) seeking to learn a better way to help an addicted loved one. Evi dence-based, structured curriculum and offer peer support at no cost. Info: palgroup.org or email Bev and Dave at wamillards@comcast.net.
Sept. 13, 1:07 p.m.: Telephone fraud on Turnstone Lane.
14 The Northern Light • September 22 - 28, 2022
pOLiCe repOrts
Sept. 10, 6:57 p.m.: Vandalism on Sunrise Road.
Sept. 11, 9:30 a.m.: Vandalism on Kickerville Road.
Sept. 12, 10:47 a.m.: Burglary on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
Sept. 13, 10:57 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Holeman Avenue and Petticote Lane.
Sept. 12, 1:48 a.m.: Traffic stop on Portal Way.
Music at The Vault: Friday, September 23, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featur ing: Trio Sueno. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Fr 23 3:38 am 7.1 10:29 am 0.8 5:37 pm 8.8 11:28 pm 4.5
Music at The Vault: Friday, September 30, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featur ing: Michael Dayvid. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Sept. 12, 9:37 a.m.: Shots on West 34th Crest.
Sept. 10, 6:59 p.m.: Vehicle recovery outside city limits.
Precipitation: During the period of September 12-18, no precipitation was recorded. The 2022 yearto-date precipitation is 20.2 inches.
Live Music at the American Legion: Saturday, September 24, 7–10 p.m., American Legion, 4580 Legion Drive. Neon Shadow playing the dance music for the ’80s. Open to all guests. Info: 360/371-7311.
Sept. 10, 9:43 p.m.: Criminal traffic stop on Semiahmoo Park way.
Sept. 10, 11:41 a.m.: Noise on Henley Street.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Sept. 12, 11:09 a.m.: Warrant arrest on H Street.
Sept. 11, 8:33 a.m.: Vandalism on Arnie Road.
Th 22 2:34 am 6.9 9:47 am 0.7
Sept. 12, 1:26 a.m.: Prowler on Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Custer.
Sept. 13, 9:42 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Creasey Road, Custer.
Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum: Open Fridays, Sat urdays, Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Free, donationswelcome. Info: 360/371-3558.
49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W
Sept. 10, 6:52 p.m.: Vehicle theft on Birch Bay Drive.
Blaine Book Club: Friday, October 21, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. October title: Fathoms: The World in the Whale by Rebecca Giggs. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.
Sept. 12, 11:18 a.m.: Theft on
Su 25 5:26 am 7.7 11:45 am 1.5 6:19 pm 8.9
Mo 2612:26 am 2.8 6:16 am 8.0 12:21 pm 2.1 6:39 pm 8.9
Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednes days 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Delivery options available.Info:360/332-6350 or blainefood@hotmail.com.
Blaine Serenity Al-Anon: Mondays, noon–1 p.m. on Zoom. Have you been dealing with alcoholism with a friend or family member? Info: Jerry lyn at 360/305-2246.
Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings: Tuesdays at 7 p.m., Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at noon, women’s meeting Mondays at 4 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ basement, 855 4th Street. Info: 208/750-8772 or shannonsessions2020@gmail.com.
Gina Williams Performance: Saturday, September 24, 7:30 p.m., Firehouse Arts and Events Theater, 1314, Harris Avenue, Bellingham. Blaine resident Gina Williams performs gospel/jazz and music of Whitney Houston. Adults $20, students, seniors and veterans $15. Info: ginawilliams.com.
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Sept. 12, 5:50 p.m.: Civil matter on Bayview Avenue.
Sept. 13, 5:35 a.m.: Vehicle theft on Beachcomber Drive.
Sept. 13, 10:05 p.m.: Harass ment on Sweet Road.
Sept. 11, 11:41 a.m.: Suspicious person on Drayton Harbor Road.
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The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m, The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Donations by appointment, call 360/366-8763.
Meals on Wheels: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–12 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up one hot and six frozen meals. Suggest ed donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first servebasis. Info: 360/332-8040.
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Sept. 11, 11:54 a.m.: Suspi cious circumstances on Bayview Avenue.
Sept. 12, 5:07 p.m: Found necklace on Marine Drive.
Sept. 11, 12:46 p.m.: Littering on Ham Road, Custer.
Blaine Police Department (BPD) is asking any residents who recognize the individual in the photo to call 911.
On its social media, BPD re leased a photo of an individual in a hoodie with the hood up and a four-legged animal on the front. The individual also appears to be holding a phone and wearing a baseball cap under their hood in the low-quality image.
“We can only go based on what we know,” Valentine said, as he asked whether I knew if the man with the gun was the intruder or the homeowner (I didn’t). But
Two women and a kid run out of a house and one says, “There’s a man in there with a gun.” Won dering what else they might have said – “And he’s going to shoot him?” – I’m brought into the house.Easing around a corner to the hallway, I see a balding man who looks to be pointing a gun at someone in a room at the end of the hall. I can’t see the other per son or the gun. A second later, I can see the gun. I point my gun at him and yell, “Put the gun down. Drop the gun!” He looks at me and drops the gun.
whatever actions you take, he said, you have to be able to jus tifyForthem.the actual training, Blaine Police Department (BPD) officers and law enforcement across the state go through five different vir tual scenarios that have them use their past training and personal judgment to navigate tense situa tions. They are given prop weap ons, a handgun, Taser and rifle, varying for each scenario, and prepped with little information –trespass or active shooter – about what they are about to encounter.
Blaine police searching for person of interest
student, is pointing a gun at the person on the ground.
He said the first place he looks at are the hands. When I got out
Clear Risk Solutions, an in surance program administration and risk management company based in Ephrata, was contract ed as a third party administrator. They offer the training to police departments throughout Wash ington. BPD does the training annually.Iwatched as BPD officers Jor dan Maphumulo and Devin Coo per dealt with a man dousing himself in gasoline, a man tres passing and later found to be kid napping someone, a distressed officer in a locker room, and two active shooter scenarios.
Photo
of my car to join them for the training session, he said he im mediately looked at my hands and belt. I was carrying a D7100 Nikon and reporter’s notebook. During the simulation, Maphu mulo instructed the student with the gun to put the gun down. The
student eventually did. Based off his observations – the three people standing without a gun were all facing the person on the ground, not afraid of the student holding the gun – he knew in a matter of seconds the person on the ground was the shooter.
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BPD says callers should let the dispatcher know it is not an emer gency and that they would like to speak with an officer. An officer will call back to record the information.
Taking on Blaine Police Department’s virtual use-of-force training
The simulation restarts, and this time the man turns and shoots. Standing in the dark room of a trailer parked in the Blaine Li brary parking lot, having shot two rounds over the head of the man on the screen after he shot two at me, I found myself flustered.
B y I an h aupt
courtesy BPD
Jason Valentine, a retired Wash ington State Patrol trooper of 31 years, who’s running the training, debriefs me after each scenario. He asks me why I did what I did and points out the consequences, but, more importantly, has me ar ticulate a reason for my actions.
As Cooper went through this scenario, I asked Maphumulo what he was looking for when he did it. “The threat,” he said.
In one of the active shooter scenarios – a school shooter –the simulator takes the trainee into a classroom with four people standing around one person lying on the floor. One of the people standing, who appeared to be a
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Read about the flooding on page 2 by Grace McCarthy Jan. 13 19, 2022 FREE Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay TheNorthernLight @TNLreporter @TheNorthernLightNews TheNorthernLight.com INSIDE IN ISSUETHIS Biden declares flooding a major disaster, page 3 100 kg of meth stopped at Canadian border, page 10BPD officers wearing body cameras, page 4 City welcomescouncilnewcouncilmembers B M arthy All of Blaine City Council met January 10 for the time in council chambers since August, when it voted to conduct online meetings until governor Jay Inslee lifted the state mask mandate. Council was joined by new council members Kerena Higgins, Rhyan Lopez and Mike Hill. Council voted 5-2 on Mary Lou Steward as its new mayor, with two dissenting votes, Lopez and Hill in favor of Hill as mayor. During her speech after being nominat ed for mayor, Steward said she had lived in B.C. and worked as an anesthesiologist in L.A. before moving to Blaine. She has served on city council, is an instructor for the community emergency response team and volunteers with Blaine’s auxiliary com munications service that works the Blaine police department. Hill gave a 10-minute impassioned speech after his nomination about how he’s lived in his whole is tired of seeing its development stunted. Hill criti cized council members for never thanking him for his free lawn mowing service to the city, and condemned lack of communica tion within the city. Council voted for councilmember Richard May to serve as mayor pro tempo re; councilmembers Eric Davidson, Lopez and voted for Davidson. About dozen in-person audience mem bers left following the vote for mayor. A few members of the public wanting to speak during public comment and public hearing portions of the meeting attended the hybrid meeting via Zoom. Patchy audio for virtual participants caused council to briefly recess its study session before the main meeting. After several procedural items, council opened the public hearing for the proposed H Street annexation that continue the annexation process for two parcels of land, 3.26 acres at 4455 H Street and 1.63 acres at 2221 Cedarwood Lane. Annexation for the area was first pro posed in November 2020, when the 4455 H Street landowner sent a request to the Whatcom County Council voted 4-2 to appoint 22-year-old Simon Sefzik (R-Fern dale) as state senator for the 42nd Leg islative District to replace the late Doug Ericksen.“Weare not here, in Whatcom County, a conglomeration of red and blue precincts,” Sefzik said during the meeting. “Instead, we come together to help those in need – whether it’s in flood relief or housing affordability, in homelessness or crime –and give them the support they deserve. believe we need a young, fresh energetic voice to represent Whatcom.” Sefzik is the youngest current member of the state legislature and the young est senator on record, said Erik Smith, a spokesperson for the state senate Repub licanSefzikcaucus.recently graduated from Patrick Henry College, a private Christian school in Virginia, with a bachelor’s degree in American politics and policy. He interned the White House Coronavirus Task Force before being hired full time in the White House Management Office. In 2021, Sefzik distributed Covid-19 vaccines while working as an operations and logistics coordinator for Nomi Health in Denver, Colorado.According to his resume, Sefzik has also volunteered for the Whatcom County Re publican Party since 2013 and interned in the office of U.S. Congressman Ted Budd. County council was in charge of voting for a new state senator after Doug Ericksen died December 17, 2021, battling a monthlong case of Covid-19. Ericksen had held a Sefzik appointed 42nd Legislative District senator (See Sefzik page 5) G race c arthy Health officials warn omicron surge has not peaked G race M c arthy (See City page 3) (See Omicron page 6) This Week’s FLYERS Rite Aid Whatcom County health officials say the county has not yet reached its peak during the omicron surge, which has already caused Covid-19 to skyrocket to num bers unseen during the nearly two-year pandemic.Dr.Sudhakar Karlapudi, PeaceHealth chief medical officer, said during a Janu ary 11 media conference that the Belling ham hospital had its highest number of Covid-19 patients on January 9, with 61 patients. This is 19 patients higher than its 42-patient peak during the delta variant surge in Covid-19mid-2021.casesare expected to peak the end of January or mid-February, Dr. Kar lapudi said. To prepare for the surge, the hospital has limited procedures and creat ed more Covid-19 isolation areas. “Where we are right now is at a scale that’s like nothing we’ve seen in the past,” said Erika Lautenbach, director of What com County Health Department (WCHD). “It pales in comparison.” County health officials voiced concern that the Covid-19 case numbers and hos pitalizations did not return to their base line in late fall, as they should have after the delta surge. New daily case counts in the past two weeks have been around 300-400, near ly triple and quadruple the numbers seen during previous peaks, Lautenbach said. She added these are likely undercounts more at-home Covid-19 tests 225 Marine Drive, Ste. 200, Blaine, WA • 360/332.1777 sales@thenorthernlight.com • www.thenorthernlight.com Does Your Business Sell Goods or Services? Do You Want To Significantly Increase Those Sales? If so, you should be advertising in The Northern Light, the newspaper with the highest circulation in Whatcom County. Each week the U.S. Post Office delivers the paper to all 9,349 homes in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo. The combined population of these communities, 15,990, is larger than either Ferndale or Lynden. Total CVC-audited circulation including newsstands? 10,500. Who reads us? People who love award-winning, local news coverage who want to be informed and up-to-date with news that they can use. These households have tremendous purchasing power – 81% of readers frequently purchase products and services from ads in The Northern Light.* In 2020, these households bought or spent:* • 2,367 new or used vehicles • $60 million on dining & entertainment • $5.1 million on cleaning services • $10 million in HVAC systems & services • $17.8 million on home improvements • $26.3 million on clothing • $14.3 million on medical health services • $5.6 on lawn & garden services/supplies * Source 2021 Circulation Verification Council Reader Survey If you would like to learn the dollar value of your market in our circulation area, please call Louise Mugar, Co-Publisher and ask for a free market & ROI assessment.
