The Northern Light: October 6-12, 2022

Jail release celebration turns into hit-and-run

B y I an H aupt

A Bellingham man, reportedly cele brating his release from jail, was alleged ly speeding at a rate of 80-90 mph on Birch Bay Drive when he crashed into an 84-year-old driver October 1.

Jordan Garth Pickett, 24, of Bellingham, was booked into Whatcom County Jail at 3:50 p.m. October 2 on hit-and-run, reck less driving and first-degree driving while license suspended charges. He was also charged with operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock, a breathalyzer that prevents someone from operating a vehi cle under the influence of alcohol.

Around 6:30 p.m. October 1, What com County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) deputies were dispatched to a collision at the intersection of Birch Bay Drive and Shintaffer Road. Deputies found that a vehicle driven by Pickett was traveling at a high rate of speed and recklessly passing other vehicles along Birch Bay Drive, WCSO spokesperson Kevin Mede told The Northern Light in an email. Pickett’s vehicle hit another vehicle that was attempting to pull out from Shintaffer Road.

The driver of the other vehicle was an 84-year-old woman who was transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Cen ter in Bellingham for injuries. St. Joseph Medical Center spokesperson Beverly Mayhew said in an email the woman was discharged the same day.

Witnesses, including the passenger in Pickett’s vehicle, said Pickett was trav eling at speeds up to 65 mph faster than the 25 mph zone allows, Mede said. The passenger reported that Pickett was cel ebrating his release from jail and had been drinking.

Pickett fled the scene on foot be fore deputies arrived, but he was taken into custody October 2 at his home in Bellingham and booked into Whatcom County Jail.

Pickett was found guilty last October of third-degree assault, unlawful impris onment and violating a protection order, according to court documents. He was scheduled to have a preliminary appear ance October 3 in Whatcom County Su perior Court.

Blaine puts up a fight in homecoming game

Oyster festival to take over

B y G race M c c art H y

Oyster festival organizers are busy preparing for what they hope to be the city’s new pearl of an event. The first-ofits-kind celebration will fill downtown Blaine with oyster contests, cooking demonstrations, vendors, live music, family games and more from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 8.

“It’s the first ever oyster festival so we hope the community comes out and sup ports it,” said Alex Wenger, the city of Blaine’s tourism and economic develop ment director. “It will be a great oppor tunity to hear live music and celebrate.”

Wenger, Drayton Harbor Oyster Com pany (DHO) and Blaine Chamber of Commerce are partnering to put on the festival.

Seven Blaine restaurants will take part

in oyster contests where the public and professional judges will decide which restaurants have the best tasting and best presenting oysters. Each of the partici pating restaurants will be selling oysters for $2 a piece, which include The Vault, Gateway 1890 Taphouse, Black Forest Steakhouse, Chada Thai, Railway Café, Monte’s Just A Bite and Wheelhouse Tav ern. People who vote on their favorite oysters will be entered to win DHO gift cards, DHO co-owner Steve Seymour said. DHO donated nearly 1,000 oysters to local restaurants for the contest.

Semiahmoo Resort’s executive chef and executive sous chef will give a cook ing demonstration and offer samples on G Street Plaza. DHO will have a limited menu with $2 cooked and raw oysters as

s Senior quarterback Kael Evinger hands the ball off to sophomore Colby Shipp in Blaine High School’s homecoming game on Septem ber 30. Blaine’s football team took on Mount Baker High School during the hard-fought game at the Borderite stadium. Read more about this week’s sports

by Ian Haupt

Blaine house fire sends 1 to hospital

A Blaine man was transport ed to the hospital after he was critically burned re-entering his home while it was on fire.

North Whatcom Fire and Res cue (NWFR), Whatcom County Fire District 7 and Bellingham Fire Department responded to a 7:06 p.m. house fire call on October 1. First responders ar

CAP

B y G race M c c art H y

The Community Assistance Program (CAP) is distributing clothing from its winter coat drive to keep north Whatcom County residents warm this winter.

The Blaine-based nonprofit will

distributing

rived to a mobile home in the 100 block of Poplar View Drive, near the U.S./Canada bor der, that was fully involved in flames, NWFR chief Jason Van der Veen said.

One man entered the home in an attempt to extinguish the fire after the other occupants evac uated, Van der Veen said. The man and other occupants were outside of the home when fire

crews arrived. First responders aided the man before transport ing him to St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham for criti cal burn injuries.

This comes just a month after a 68-year-old Blaine man died after setting his Sweet Road home on fire September 2. Van der Veen said the two incidents are the only house fire injuries in NW FR’s service area so far this year.

October

hats, gloves, scarves and socks for Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts residents. The clothing will be available for all ages and all sizes.

winter coats,

No appointment is needed to pick up the clothing at the CAP Center, 508 G Street. Distribu tion will take place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, October 10,

5-8 p.m. Wednesday, October 12, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oc tober 14 and from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 15.

The clothes will be upstairs in the CAP Center. Ramp access is located behind the building as well as parking spaces for people with disabilities.

Whatcom County Council September meeting roundup

B y I an H aupt

The latest news from September Whatcom County Council meetings.

Alternative 911-response team Council authorized by consent in a 6-1 vote, with councilmem ber Ben Elenbaas opposed, to enter into an over $2.2 million agreement with Washington State Health Care Authority to estab lish an alternative 911-response team pilot program.

The pilot program will as sess whether sending behavioral health professionals rather than police officers to non-violent 911 calls benefits those involved.

The Health Care Authority’s division of behavioral health and recovery provided funding for the project.

Sheriff’s union collective bargaining agreement Whatcom County entered into a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Deputy Sher iff’s Guild from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2025. Council authorized by consent with Elen baas opposed.

According to the memorandum, the agreement has wages increas ing by 6 percent in 2023, 4 percent in 2024 and 3 percent in 2025 along with a $2,000 retention bo nus each year for a maximum of $6,000. It also has 2 percent and 1 percent education incentives for bachelor’s and associate’s degrees. Juneteenth was also added as a

recognized holiday.

Birch Bay berm monitoring and plant maintenance Council authorized two con tracts, one with Coastal Geolog ical Services, Inc., for five years of monitoring the berm project and its beach improvements for $284,800. The other contract was with Squalicum Mountain Ecological Restoration Inc., for the yearlong maintenance costs of the berm’s plantings in the amount of $64,617. Council au thorized the contracts with Elen baas opposed.

Communications services for the justice project

Council authorized a nearly $150,000 contract with The Vida Agency for phase 2 of commu nication efforts provided for the county’s justice project. Council authorized by consent with Elen baas opposed.

The project, which was ap proved in August 2019 and restart ed September 2021, is an effort to improve a stressed criminal jus tice system from behavioral health services to potentially building a new jail. Through it, the county sets out to prioritize communi ty-based preventative services, maximize successful re-entry and minimize recidivism.

The Vida Agency is a woman and minority-owned, full-service multicultural communications company based in Edmonds, ac cording to its website. The total

amount paid for both phases is $186,907. Diversity, equity and inclusion to be addressed on EMS plan Council unanimously adopted an ordinance to amend county code to task two new members of the EMS oversight board and EMS technical advisory commit tee with addressing diversity, eq uity and inclusion in EMS opera tions and strategic planning.

The ordinance also says council “wishes to codify the process and elements of creating the 20232029 EMS levy service plan and include additional mechanisms to regularly track progress towards diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Whatcom Racial Equity Commission

At its next regular meeting, Tuesday, October 11, council will hold a public hearing and vote on whether to establish a county ra cial equity commission.

The ordinance to establish the Whatcom Racial Equity Commis sion in Whatcom County Code was introduced in the September 27 regular meeting by 5-2 vote, with councilmembers Elenbaas and Tyler Byrd opposed. What com County and the city of Bell ingham contracted Chuckanut Health Foundation to conduct outreach and consult a group of community stakeholders to form the commission. The group will address the county’s racial equity commitments and priorities.

WSP looking for witnesses to Skagit Valley motorcycle crash

Washington State Patrol (WSP) is seeking witnesses to the two-motorcycle crash near La Conner that killed a 64-year-old Blaine man.

The accident occurred around 2:44 p.m. on September 25 at the

intersection of State Route 20 and Bayview Edison Road in Skagit County, according to a WSP press release. Bayview Edison Road turns into Laconner Whitney Road after the intersection.

WSP troopers would like to

talk with anyone who may have observed the crash or have other information that could help the investigation. Those who wit nessed the crash can contact Dan Comnick at 360/654-1144 and daniel.comnick@wsp.wa.gov.

School

2022 Induction

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER

5-8

OpiniOn

The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.

Locally owned and managed, the com pany also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Ex perience, 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 Associ ation, Chambers of Commerce of Belling ham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.

Letters Policy

The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for veri fication. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are lim ited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Con sumer complaints should be submitted di rectly to the business in question or the lo cal chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspon dent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.

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Op-Ed: Recognizing how newspapers make a difference

B y D ean r IDI n G s , a M er I ca ’ s n ewspapers ce O

National Newspaper Week began Oc tober 2. While this isn’t the typical holi day that most families celebrate, it does provide a good opportunity to take a mo ment and recognize all of the ways that local newspapers make a difference in communities across America.

If you’re reading this, you probably al ready have a good understanding of why it is important to have a healthy news paper in your town. By subscribing to or advertising in your local newspaper, you are providing much needed support to keep trained, professional journalists covering the issues important to you. Your local newspaper is committed to being the local watchdog, covering city government, public utilities and school boards to make sure your tax dollars are being spent properly.

But, there are many other ways news papers serve their readers and commu nities, things even regular readers might not always consider.

Newspapers are reliable. Unlike con tent you can see on social media, or even from national publications or cable news channels, you can be sure that news

from your local newspaper is profession ally gathered, fact-checked and edited. Even the editorials and letters to the ed itor go through a rigorous process to get the facts correct. You might not always agree, but you can rely on the fact that what’s published has followed the high est journalistic standards. You may not agree with the positions on your news paper’s editorial page, but you probably realize that their goal is to provide you with objective and impartial news cover age in the rest of the paper.

Newspapers protect your right to know. In addition to covering what’s go ing on in your local government, most newspapers serve another critical pur pose by publishing public notices. A public notice is a notice issued by gov ernment agencies regarding proposed actions, zoning proposals, tax initiatives or other lawmaking proceedings. Most local governments are required to pub lish them in local newspapers, so all citizens have the opportunity to know what’s going on, and if necessary, take appropriate action. Newspapers provide broad community distribution. Moving a public notice to a municipal website would be like hiding the notice. News papers help keep your government’s ac

Letters

The Editor:

‘Make America Great Again;’ a political slogan that one would not suspect would invoke such vitriol as was apparent in Mr. Ganz’s recent letter to the editor.

Myself, I identify with the implied message, and the associated politi cal movement. Many of my family and friends, who know me well, do not share my political persuasions; however, to the best of my knowledge, they do not view me in the fashion that Mr. Ganz de picts, nor do I them. Hoping here that your readers, and eventually Mr. Ganz, do not harbor such contempt for what is a significant portion of our population holding alternative views.

Pete Werner Blaine

The Editor:

Whatcom County, like much of the nation, lacks sufficient quality childcare and educational opportunities for chil dren from birth to age 5.

The Healthy Children’s Fund, Prop osition 5, is a property tax levy on the November ballot. Proposition 5 has not been adequately explained to voters. Who allocates the tax funds? Will funds go to for-profit entities? Only nonprofit? Will religious-based childcare organiza tions receive funds? Who provides over

sight? What are the plans to assess quali ty? Who assesses quality? How often will assessments be given to the public?

There is broad public support for early childhood education and childcare pro grams, but to what extent is this a public or private responsibility?

One rationale for Proposition 5 is that it would enable parents to more easily and confidently participate in the labor force. The childcare crisis is weighing on labor force participation, particularly among mothers. When it comes to pay ing into a functional childcare system, businesses are freeloaders. One option is lawmakers should consider a small em ployer childcare payroll tax that is not passed on to employees.

Businesses pay property taxes at the state and local level, but businesses do not contribute a cent of dedicated fund ing to childcare. Or, short of levying an additional tax on businesses, why not permanently allocate a portion of busi ness property taxes to childcare?

Early childcare programs serve aca demic and socio-emotional ends, too. No business is free from needing high-qual ity childcare systems, both now and in the future.

A payroll tax as an option for funding childcare has the inherent advantage of strong fiscal sustainability since this type

CiviC Meetings

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.

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.

Blaine Planning Commission: Second and fourth Thursdays, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/2CiMKnk.

tions transparent.

Newspapers are more than print. Your local newspapers deliver high-qual ity information in the format that works best for you. Newspapers have dynamic websites, apps, social media channels and newsletters, and they have made significant advancements in digital plat forms to make sure you get the news you need when you want it and how you want it. Newspaper audiences are bigger than ever thanks to the broad reach pro vided by the combined print and digital channels.

Newspapers are local. Your newspa per is local, produced by local citizens who drive the same streets, shop in the same stores and have children in the same schools as you. The local newspa per’s focus is on making the community stronger, safer and healthier. The pub lisher and staff share the same concerns as all the other residents.

Your local newspaper makes a differ ence in your community in many ways. That’s true every week, not just during National Newspaper Week.

Dean Ridings is the CEO of America’s Newspapers, an organization serving more than 1,600 newspapers across the U.S. and Canada. Learn more at newspapers.org.

of funding has access to a consistent and reliable source of income.

I acknowledge the need for quality childcare, but I will be voting “no” on Proposition 5. I suggest the promoters of this scheme go back to their drawing boards.

Delores Davies Ferndale

The Editor:

The KGMI candidate debate on Sep tember 27 made clear to me that Sharon Shewmake is by far the best person to serve the 42nd Legislative District in the Washington state senate.

I found Sharon’s performance in the debate straightforward, knowledgeable

, next page)

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Correction

In the September 29 issue of The North ern Light, Mia Thukaram’s name was mis spelled in a photo credit for the Blaine High School football photo.

We regret the error.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Virtual meeting info: bbbparkandrec.org/board-meetings.

Blaine Park and Cemetery Board: Second Thursday, 9 a.m., virtual meeting. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district offices. Info and virtual meeting link: blainesd.org.

North Whatcom Fire & Rescue: Third Thursday, 11 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.

Letters

and courteous.

For example, I was impressed by her clear explanation of the factors driving inflation in Washington state and which of those can be effectively ad dressed by the Washington state senate. This indicates to me that Sharon has the analytical capa bility to grasp complex issues and the political experience to focus on what can be realistical ly achieved by the organization in which she serves.

In contrast, I found Simon Sefzik’s debate performance to be light in content and arrogant in tone. He talked in generali ties about his own ideas and used most of his time during the debate to attack Sharon’s record in the Washington state legis lature. Throughout the debate, Simon’s consistent reference to Sharon as “Sharon Shewmake” instead of speaking to her di rectly by saying “you” or “your” sounded petty and condescend ing. It made it apparent to me that Simon does not have the temperament of a team player; whether that team is as sim ple as two people presenting a debate on KGMI, or the many teams that he would be called on to serve on as a state senator.

We need a senator in Olympia who has a clear, in-depth under standing of issues facing What com County and the ability to work effectively with constitu ents here in Whatcom County and colleagues in Olympia to move us all ahead.

The Northern Light readers, please vote for Sharon Shew make for Washington state senate.

Myra Harmer Bellingham

The Editor:

Our conversations related to childcare and early education suffer from a lack of imagina tion. What we’ve been doing since women entered the labor force in great numbers in the 1960s is not working.

We devalue our children’s needs by insinuating their daily care collides with market work outside of the home.

Pew Research found that 79 percent of Americans reject that women should return to what has been viewed as their tradi tional role. Yet when asked what is best for young children, only 16 percent of adults said having a mother who works full time is “the ideal situation.” Among full-time working moms, only 22 percent said that a full-time working mom is ideal.

Pew Research also found that among millennials, a majority of men would be willing to be stay-at-home dads if the socie tal stigma associated with that choice was mitigated.

I had a conversation about childcare needs with Lady Bird Johnson in the mid-1980s. She said a paradigm shift was war ranted – why weren’t parents challenging assumptions that their opportunities would suffer if they interrupted participation in the workforce at least until their child started school?

Lady Bird said we needed to design workplace systems that fully engage families in their children’s care. While admit ting it would take time to ac complish, she maintained it was possible to create such condi tions. If we indisputably value the well-being of our children, our culture wouldn’t consid er time out for caregiving as a black hole on a r ésumé or a det riment to the economy.

By failing to honestly address our social weaknesses, our country accumulates more of them. Our nation’s children are our greatest asset – our precious treasure. We must ensure that as working parents juggle their many responsibilities, we sup port them with workplace pol icies that let them stay home, or at least work part-time, in their child’s formative years with no harm to their future success in the workforce.

That concept is absent in the Proposition 5 conversation.

Micki Jackson Bellingham

CITY OF BLAINE

CITY OF BLAINE

OF

Draft Ward Redistricting Map

Monday, October 10 5:00pm – Special City Council Meeting 6:00pm – City Council Meeting

Tuesday, October 11 8:30am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting

Thursday, October 13 9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting

Monday, October 17 5:00pm – Special City Council Meeting

Monday, October 24 6:00pm

City Council Meeting

location

notified on the City Council meeting agenda. The current agenda can be found on the City’s website https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/Calendar.aspx?EID=2557 on the Friday prior to the meeting.

Maps of the current and proposed ward boundaries can be found on the City’s website at https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/327/City-Council or at City Hall. Below are the proposed draft ward legal boundaries:

Ward 1

Starting at the intersection of 2020 City Limits and the southern I-5 crossing.

Northwest on I-5 to H St.

East on H St to 6th St.

North on 6th St to the 2020 City Limit.

Clockwise on the 2020 City Limit to the point of the beginning.

Ward 2

Starting at the intersection of 2020 City Limits and the southern I-5 crossing.

Northwest on I-5 to H St.

West on H St to Harrison Ave.

South on Harrison Ave to Boblett St.

West on Boblett St to Drayton Harbor.

Southwest through Drayton Harbor to the 2020 City Limits.

Counter-clockwise on the 2020 City Limit to the point of the beginning.

Ward 3

Starting at the intersection of 6th St and H St.

West on H St to Harrison Ave.

South on Harrison Ave to Boblett St.

West on Boblett St to Drayton Harbor.

well as $4 oyster stew, $5 draft beer and wine and “oys-cream.”

Oyster shucking and slurping contests will start at 4 p.m.

The historic Plover passen ger ferry will offer free rides be tween Blaine Harbor’s gate 2 and Semiahmoo Spit that will leave on the hour. The first ride will depart Blaine at 11 a.m. and the last ride will depart Blaine at 3 p.m. The 50-minute rides will visit DHO’s oyster nursery at the end of Jorgensen Pier and DHO’s floating oyster farm in the mid dle of Drayton Harbor. A DHO staff member will discuss DHO’s operations and answer questions during the tour.

DHO will also have an oys ter on display that Seymour says beats the Guinness World Records for the world’s largest oyster, although this hasn’t been recorded.

Family-friendly activities will take over G Street Plaza. The newly-formed Blaine Arts Coun cil will have artists displaying maritime-themed art and help families with arts and crafts.

Family games, water quality ed ucation booths and over 25 ven dors will be set up at the plaza.

Three bands are set to perform 1-7 p.m. downtown. Kicker ville band will play at 1 p.m. at H Street Plaza, Alex Britton will also play at 1 p.m. at G Street Plaza and the Bilongo quintet will headline the festival 5-7 p.m. at H Street Plaza.

The city of Blaine will be giv ing away 100 T-shirts to volun teers and attendees. One-half block of H Street will be closed from Peace Portal Drive, but the Peace Portal Drive intersection will remain open.

“It’ll be a fun day. It could be 200 people, or 2,000,” Sey mour said. “We’re all thinking this could be the part of some thing big.”

jarke Mt

BLAINE’S BY THE SEA

Southwest through Drayton Harbor to the 2020 City Limits.

Counter-clockwise on the 2020 City Limit to the northern intersection of 6th St.

South on 6th St to the point of the beginning.

Includes all of the Semiahmoo section of the city.

All interested citizens are encouraged to appear and be heard or submit written comments regarding this proposal. Written comments should be sent to CityCouncil@cityofblaine.com. Blaine City Hall is an accessible facility. Anyone wishing to attend and participate who may need special accommodation to do so should contact the City Clerk’s office no later than 72 hours prior to the scheduled hearing.

Samuel Crawford, Deputy City Manager/City Clerk

We’re Celebrating American Tradition

We’re Celebrating An American Tradition

We’re Celebrating An American Tradition

Local Newspapers. For centuries, Americans have relied on local newspapers for trusted, relevant information about communities that directly impacts their And with a growing portfolio of print and products, your local newspaper is positioned serve you even more effectively in the Thank you for your continued support we celebrate America’s premier community forum your local newspaper

Local Newspapers. For centuries, Americans have relied on local newspapers for trusted, relevant information about their communities that directly impacts their lives.

Local Newspapers

NATIONAL

Americans have relied on local newspapers for trusted, relevant information about their communities that directly impacts their lives.

And with a growing portfolio of print and digital products, your local newspaper is positioned to serve you even more effectively in the future. Thank you for your continued support as we celebrate America’s premier community forum your local newspaper

And with a growing portfolio of print and digital products, your local newspaper is positioned to serve you even more effectively in the future.

Thank you for your continued support as we celebrate America’s premier community forum your local newspaper

NATIONAL NEWSPAPER

NEWSPAPER

2-8,

Borderites

Four inches and 50 pounds looked to be the difference be tween players on the Mount Baker offensive line and Blaine’s defen sive line. And the Mountaineers made it count, rushing a total of 444 yards to put up 68 points on the Borderites at Blaine’s home coming game September 30.

Blaine notched two touchdowns and two two-point conversions in the third and fourth quarters for the game to finish 68-16. Mount Baker had a 47-point lead by halftime.

Sophomore quarterback Col in Davis took over in the sec ond half and found junior wide receiver Hunter Vezzetti for a 37-yard touchdown pass. The Mountaineers then returned the kickoff 80 yards for a touch down. In the fourth quarter, Da vis picked out Vezzetti again for a 54-yard touchdown pass. Passes from Davis to Vezzetti and junior Riley Ihde scored the Borderites their four extra points.

Davis finished completing nine passes out of 11 for 155 yards and two touchdowns. Vez zetti had a game-high seven re ceptions for 136 yards.

The Mountaineers’ offense com pleted over a total of 500 yards.

Blaine continues conference play at Meridian Friday, October 7 at 7 p.m. Blaine is 0-5 this sea son and 0-1 in conference. Statistics thanks to whatcompreps.com.

Girls soccer

Blaine girls soccer won its sec ond conference game of the sea

son at Nooksack Valley October 3 on the back of its first loss in conference to Lynden Christian September 29.

The Lady Borderites lost 4-0 at home to the Lyncs. They bounced back against the Pioneers on the road, taking home a 4-1 win.

The girls were scheduled to host Mount Baker October 5 at 7 p.m. They travel to Mount Vernon Fri day, October 7 to play at 4 p.m. and then to King’s Monday, October 10 to play at 6:15 p.m. They are 3-3 this season and 2-1 in conference.

Volleyball

Blaine lost 3-1 on the road to Se dro-Woolley September 29. Then they kept it close against Belling ham at home October 3, losing 3-2.

The team was scheduled to travel to Oak Harbor October 5. The girls host Lakewood Mon day, October 10 and then travel to Squalicum Wednesday, Octo ber 12. All matches are at 7 p.m. They are 0-8 this season.

Cross country

Boys and girls cross country were scheduled to run against Mount Baker and Sedro-Wool ley at Pipeline Fields in Blaine October 5. They run next at Civic Stadium in Bellingham in the Northwest Conference Cross Country Championships Wednesday, October 19. The meet starts at 4 p.m.

Swimming

Blaine’s co-op team with Fern dale will compete next at Forge Pool in Lynden against Mount Vernon Tuesday, October 11 at 3:30 p.m. The team’s schedule can be found at bit.ly/3U5exL8.

spOrts

to Mount Baker

BHS Hall of Fame ceremony to honor Blaine athletes on October 8

B y I an H aupt

The Blaine High School Ath

were inducted into the hall of fame in the group’s first ceremony in 2019, while eight individuals and two teams were inducted last year.

The ceremony was postponed in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The hall of fame committee is also seeking nominations from parents, coaches and communi ty members who know former school athletes who may be el

igible. The committee will keep all nominations on file and re consider them for three years, if not immediately inducted. Nomination forms will be avail able at the ceremony.

To learn more and see the nomination criteria, visit the Blaine Athletic Booster Club website at blaineathleticboost erclub.com/hall-of-fame.html.

s Junior Hunter Vezzetti goes up for a pass in the end zone in Blaine’s homecoming game against Mount Baker. He led the game in receiving yards. Photo by Ian Haupt

s Blaine homecoming queen Maddy Ernst crowns king Damian Jackson at the homecoming coronation in the Performing Arts Center September 29.

Photo by Ian Haupt

s Juliana Zuzarte with the ball in Blaine’s 4-0 loss to Lynden Christian on September 29.

Photo by Molly Ernst

Health & Wellness

New Semiahmoo Resort spa manager takes holistic approach

B y G race M c c art H y

Semiahmoo Resort’s new spa manager Joy Spoerndli knows a thing or two about holistic wellness.

“Holistic wellness helps an individual, whether it’s a man or a woman, feel cared for, nur tured, and have their heart, soul, emotions and the physical body touched,” she said. “They can walk away from an hour and say, ‘I feel nurtured. I feel so much better. My heart is happier.’”

Spoerndli started her 11-year career in the wellness industry as a lotion maker at Grace Har bor Goat Farm in Custer. Work ing at Grace Harbor made Spo

erndli realize how she would love to one day make her own lotions, which led her down the path of organic skincare and nutrition. Spoerndli earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Grand Canyon University in 2013 and her master of es thetics certification from Ever green Beauty College in 2017.

Before joining Semiahmoo at the beginning of September, she worked at M.D. Medical Spa and Wellness in Birch Bay.

Spoerndli works with about six spa coordinators and 10-15 fitness and massage therapists. She schedules fitness instruc tors, spa coordinators, mas sage therapists and estheticians

as well as locally sources spa products.

Right now, the spa includes massages, facials, body treat ments and salon services. Spo erndli said she hopes to bring new elements to these services, such as putting a greater focus on sourcing local ingredients and partnering with the culi nary team to improve the spa’s holistic wellness.

“You can get a great Washing ton raspberry wine and create a sugar scrub out of it. And then you offer a wonderful guest a glass of the same wine,” she said. “Semiahmoo is now mak ing truffles in the kitchen. Pair it. Wine, chocolates and a beau tiful raspberry wine chocolate body scrub. Creative, healthy, local, fun. It smells great and tastes great, and you can even put it on your skin.”

The new spa manager is also brainstorming ways to help cli ents better destress as the world comes out of the pandemic. One of those ways, she said, is help ing people sleep better. She en visions a “dream corner” where guests can stop by the spa after dinner and receive a to-go sleep dream bag filled with lavender pillow mist, creams with mag nesium and lemongrass bath salts. “They can have a little

s Semiahmoo Resort’s new spa manager Joy Spoerndli started at the beginning of September. Photo by Grace McCarthy

First RespondersFirst Responders

Captains Station 63 (Birch Bay)

Firefighters

Cody Bowen, Russ Briskin, Elizabeth Bronder, Tanner Brotherton, Kaleb Bruch, Tyler Budwey, Kenneth Cunningham, Gary DeJager, Jason Donnelly, Aaron Ebner, John Geleynse, Alex Georgulas, John Hollstein, Philip Jackson, Keagan Kingslien, Steven Latham, Michael Lyshol, Evan Maack, Patty McDermott, Seth Meredith, Robert Mulrooney, Alden Roberts, Wayne Sanders, Chuck Shipp, Kat Stewart, Tye Thompson, Haley Urling-Ehinger, Delanie Warne, Mark Wohlrab

Administration Staff

Jennie Sand, Benita Williams, Kelly Freeman

Mechanics

Training Captain Mike

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Volunteers

Fire Commissioners

Lieutenants

Shawn Atwood, Jeffery Bowles, Brian Carlson, Thomas Erickson, Kim Gates, Robert King, Branden Millsap, Mel Mulligan, Michael Peetoom, Chet Renskers, Lane Renskers, Sabrina Renskers, Dale Rutgers, Melissa Van Cleve, Scott Wood

Bruce Ansell, John Crawford, Scott Fischer, Kimberly McMurray, Matt Rigberg

Chief, Jason Vander Veen

Chief of Support Services, Shaun Ward

Fire Marshal,

Nielsen

Station

(Odell)

shift

Mike Nelson – B shift

Kevin Biery, Scott Brown, Tony Esser, Troy Freeman, Jeff Hofstad, Kris Jorgensen, Darrell Riehl

Blaine Police

What’s

Health & Wellness

Spa ...

From page 7

grab-and-go bag to help them sleep well that night,” she said.

As for Spoerndli’s top three tips for someone wanting to incorporate wellness into their lives, she recommends getting outside, taking time for star gazing and spending time with loved ones.

“When you go somewhere like Semiahmoo, you’re getting great customer service,” Spoerndli said. “You’re getting excellent care, you’re getting encourage ment from everyone you see and then you’re getting a fabulous facial or massage therapy with local, hand-crafted ingredients.”

s The Spa at Semiahmoo. Photo courtesy Semiahmoo Resort

NEW CARS

HINTON

GLASS

Louis Auto Glass

Salary Range:

CITY OF BLAINE ENGINEER

TECH III

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JOANN G. COLLINS, Deceased. No. 224-00919-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS.

Judge David Freeman.

CITY OF BLAINE MAINTENANCE WORKER

per month

benefits.

The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified 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 stat ute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Rep resentative 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 probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative served or mailed the no tice 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.

21,

Business Services

Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: September 22, 2022 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: September 29, 2022

Name of Personal Representative: JAMIE EDWARD COLLINS

Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

Telephone: (360) 325-2550

Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED: September 22, 2022.

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Personal Representative JAMIE EDWARD COLLINS

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHAT COM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JOHN FREDERICK HARRIMAN, Deceased. No. 22-4-00933-37. NOTICE TO CREDI TORS. Judge David E. Freeman

The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified 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 stat ute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Rep resentative 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 probated 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 Filing of Notice to Creditors: September 27, 2022 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: October 6, 2022

Name of Personal Representative: SETH FLEETWOOD

Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery WSBA #35262

Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED: September 27, 2022.

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Personal Representative: SETH FLEETWOOD

Wanted

EXPERIENCED

Customer Service Manager

ABC LANDSCAPING & More!

care, flower beds, berry removal, shrub/hedge trimming, beauty bark, gravel, power washing, gutter cleaning, hauling. 360-820-0446. Licensed & Insured. www. abclandscapingandmore.com.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Mabel F. Trent aka Carol Trent, De ceased. NO. 22-4-00899-37.

PROBATE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Evan P. Jones

The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal represen tative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provid ed in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mail ing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be pre sented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provid ed 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.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: RICHARD L. BEAVER, Deceased. No. 224-00924-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS.

Judge Evan Jones.

The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified 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 stat ute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Rep resentative 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 probated 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 Filing of Notice to Creditors: September 26, 2022 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: September 29, 2022

Name of Personal Representative: TERRI LYNN HOLIEN (AKA ORAVITS)

Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262

Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

Telephone: (360) 325-2550

Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED: September 26, 2022

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.

STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHAT COM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JUDY LYNN TURGEON, Deceased. No. 224-00925-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS.

Judge David Freeman.

The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified 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 stat ute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Rep resentative 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 probated 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 Filing of Notice to Creditors: September 26, 2022 with Clerk of Court:

of First Publication: September 29, 2022

Name of Personal Representative: DANA W. ORBE

for Personal Representatives:

D. Avery, WSBA #35262

for Mailing or Service:

Elder Law, P.S.

Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

(360)

excellent knowledge of

data entry, shipping, & inventory management for

Attorney for Personal Representative: TERRI LYNN HOLIEN (AKA ORAVITS)

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: VICTOR BURTON BLIVEN, Deceased. No. 22-4-00939-37.

NOTICE TO CRED

ITORS. Judge Evan P. Jones

The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified 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 stat ute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Rep resentative 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 probated 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 Filing of Notice to Creditors: September 29, 2022 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: October 6, 2022

Name of Personal Representative: WILLIAM BLIVEN

Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery WSBA #35262

Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

Telephone: (360) 325-2550

Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED: September 29, 2022.

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Personal Representative: WILLIAM BLIVEN

Real Estate

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: MARTHA L. BEAVER, Deceased. No. 224-00923-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Lee Grochmal

The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified 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 stat ute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Personal Rep resentative 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 probated 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 Filing of Notice to Creditors: September 26, 2022 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: September 29, 2022

Name of Personal Representative: TERRI LYNN HOLIEN (AKA ORAVITS)

Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262

for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229

(360) 325-2550

steve@averyelderlaw.com

September 26, 2022 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.

D. AVERY, WSBA

Personal

LYNN

Bay

Carl

8739 Oertel Drive, Birch Point

BEACHFRONT DREAM PROPERTY!

CAP’s Thanksgiving basket registration begins Friday, October 14

B y G race M c c art H y

Blaine area residents with fi nancial constraints will soon be able to secure a ham and tradi tional sides for their Thanks giving meal. Community As sistance Program (CAP) is set to open registration for its Thanksgiving meal basket pro gram from Friday, October 14 to Friday, November 11.

The Blaine nonprofit offers its annual meal program to Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Rob erts households. Boxes will be sized for the number of people in a family. Vouchers may be avail able for individuals if they qual ify, as well as for families with out access to cooking facilities. People can call CAP at 360/3838027 for more information.

Thanksgiving baskets will come with a ready-to-cook din ner of ham, potatoes, yams, stuffing mix, onions and celery, chicken broth, gravy mix, cran berry sauce, canned green beans, milk and rolls and butter. Turkey will not be included this year because the avian flu outbreak impacted the nonprofit’s ability to purchase enough turkeys, ac cording to a CAP press release. Pies also won’t be included.

People can register for a bas ket online at blainecap.org, or if they’re unable to access the website, by calling CAP at 360/383-8027. A postcard with distribution details will be mailed to everyone who reg isters for a basket. Volunteers will distribute baskets noon to 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Novem

ber 22 at 1750 Grant Avenue, behind the Cost Cutter grocery store.

CAP provided Thanksgiving baskets to 241 families in 2021, but organizers expect the bas ket demand and food costs to be greater this holiday season. The nonprofit is looking for com munity contributions as it relies solely on donations and doesn’t receive government assistance.

People may make donations online at blainecap.org or by writing a check to CAP with “Thanksgiving baskets” in the memo line. Checks should be mailed to 508 G Street, Blaine WA, 98230. Donations to CAP, a 501(c)(3) organization, are tax-deductible.

BP Cherry Point refinery tour draws crowd

OBITUARY

Barbara J. Gildersleeve-Bunch

April 28, 1952 – September 20, 2022

Barbara “Barbie” Gildersleeve-Bunch was born to Murray and Elaine Gildersleeve in Til lamook, Oregon, on April 28, 1952. She died peacefully at her home in Yuma, Arizona, on September 20, 2022. She was 70.

Barbara grew up unconventionally; wearing a life jacket on a floating logging camp on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska. There she learned to love the outdoors and smoke and can the fish she caught. As was the family tradition, she earned her student pilot’s license before she could legally drive a car.

She graduated from Upper Columbia Academy and went on to study creative writing at Walla Walla University, where she earned the ASB Spirit Award for her enthusiasm and willingness to be involved in student activities. Barbara expressed herself best in writing, especially poetry and short stories, which she described as “sunlight from my soul coming out.”

She was also a music enthusiast who sang, played guitar, and at one time, earned her living as a vocal performer in Alaska. She attended several concerts featuring her favorite singer, Emmylou Harris, and hosted many living room dance parties when her chil dren were small.

She was an exceptional cook with an uncanny ability to throw together any combination of ingredients to create a nurturing and delicious meal. She took pride in feeding groups large and small and especially loved preparing her dishes for customers and pot lucks. She leaves behind many treasured family recipes.

Barbara loved animals and shared her life with many cherished pets including an orphaned deer fawn, a Canadian goose named Penny, and many cats and dogs: Smith, Hoffman, Remmington and Bella, to name a few.

Throughout her life, Barbara held many vocations including supporting the establishment of two successful businesses: Erick son Supply in Portland, Oregon, and Plumbing Parts & Supply in Boise and Nampa, Idaho.

She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend who spent the first hour of every day in Bible reading, devotions, and prayer. She was preceded in joining her Lord and Savior by her parents, brothers Ronald and Roger, daughter-in-law Angela Darnell, special cousin Julie Burden, in-laws Bill J. and Mae Fern Bunch, and beloved friends Barney Beer and Georgine Ross (Beer).

Barbara is survived by her husband of more than 40 years, Bil ly Wayne Bunch of Yuma, AZ; children; Melissa Darnell (Dave) of Shasta, CA, Levi Darnell of Oregon City, OR, Kaysha Woodard of Blaine; grandchildren William and Makenna Woodard, Emillie Darnell, and Carter Darnell Keltner; brother Richard (Marilyn) of Wrangell, AK, sister Susan Gildersleeve of Republic, WA; sis ters-in-law Cheryl Toole (Brett) and Brenda Downes (Bill); broth ers-in-law Eugene Bunch, and Bryan Bunch (Eva); close cousins: Helen Steed, Kathy O’Bryan (O.B), Keaton Gildersleeve (Colleen); lifelong friends Carolyn Moore (Robert), Jack Gleason (Jan), and Yuma friends Don Emerick and Barbara Gibson, Sue Elliott-Brew ster, and our much-loved, adopted Luna Family.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation for the tender and compassionate care provided by Hospice of Yuma.

A memorial service announcement will be forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made in Barbara’s honor to World Central Kitchen.

s BP Cherry Point hosted guided refinery tours on September 30 to allow the public to better understand its operations. Food and beverages were also served at the BP Recreation Area as attendees learned about the refinery from staff.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

sheriff’s repOrts

Sept. 24, 7:31 p.m.: Theft on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

Sept. 24, 10:57 p.m.: Fight on Legion Drive.

Sept. 25, 12:26 a.m.: Party on Birch Bay Drive.

Sept. 25, 12:51 a.m.: Shots on Creasy Road, Custer.

Sept. 25, 11:44 a.m.: Behavioral health issue on Harborview Road.

Sept. 25, 5:36 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Anderson Road.

Sept. 26, 2:39 a.m.: Prowler on Portal Way, Custer.

Sept. 26, 10:39 a.m.: Vehicle theft on Harbor Drive.

Sept. 26, 5:10 p.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

Sept. 26, 9:11 p.m.: Neighbor hood dispute on Harborview Road.

Sept. 26, 9:45 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Portal Way, Custer.

Sept. 27, 5:23 a.m.: Harassment on Harborview Road.

Sept. 27, 8:39 p.m.: Traffic haz ard on Henry and Gulf roads.

Sept. 27, 9:18 p.m.: Harassment on Salish Road.

Sept. 28, 5:18 a.m.: Behavioral health issue on Salish Lane.

Sept. 28, 11:27 a.m.: Threat on West Road.

Sept. 28, 4:30 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Peace Park Drive, Custer.

Sept. 28, 5:48 p.m.: Burglary on

Henley Lane.

Sept. 28, 6:34 p.m.: Explosives found on Birch Bay Drive.

Sept. 29, 7:48 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Coastal Loop.

Sept. 29, 12:33 p.m.: Theft on Lincoln Road.

Sept. 29, 8:44 p.m.: Shots on Willeys Lake Road, Custer.

Sept. 29, 9:49 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Behme Road, Custer.

Sept. 30, 11:48 a.m.: Suspicious person on Shintaffer and Lincoln roads.

Sept. 30, 5:12 p.m.: Subject with weapon on Bayvue and Selder roads.

Sept. 30, 5:22 p.m.: Noise on Harborview Road.

Sept. 30, 6:32 p.m.: Neighbor hood dispute on James Tree Lane.

Sept. 30, 7 p.m.: Domestic ver bal on Loomis Trail Road.

pOLiCe repOrts

Sept. 23, 7:21 a.m.: Motor vehi cle theft on Runge Avenue.

23, 8:48 a.m.: Warrant arrest for second-degree assault, resisted arrest, on Adelia Street.

Sept. 23, 9:54 a.m.: Welfare check on 8th Street.

Sept. 23, 10:07 a.m.: Juvenile problem on G Street.

Sept. 23, 12:16 p.m.: Found property on Peace Portal Drive. Sept. 23, 3:20 p.m.: Threats on H Street.

Sept. 23, 11:57 p.m.: Failure to yield on Yew Avenue.

Sept. 24, 12:47 a.m.: Misde meanor assault on Bayview Avenue.

Sept. 24, 1:18 a.m.: Found prop erty on C Street.

Sept. 24, 2:19 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Martin Street. Sept. 24, 3:06 p.m.: Hit and run

CrOssWOrd

again

Harris

creamy white cheese

collision on Hughes Avenue.

Sept. 24, 5:50 p.m.: Animal problem on Alder Street.

Sept. 24, 10:09 p.m.: Suspected online child porn on D Street.

Sept. 25, 11:43 a.m.: Criminal traffic on 2nd Street.

Sept. 25, 5:43 p.m.: Theft on Martin Street.

Sept. 25, 10:46 p.m.: Possession of stolen property on 2nd Street.

Sept. 26, 6:37 p.m.: Landlord/ tenant issue on Kingsley Avenue.

Sept. 26, 10:22 p.m.: Death investigation on A Street.

Sept. 27, 12:38 a.m.: Disorderly conduct on Semiahmoo Parkway.

Sept. 27, 6:45 a.m.: Burglary on Peace Portal Drive. Sept. 29, 11:26 p.m.: Hit and run on Peace Portal Drive.

Bruce and Spike are two

Precipice

Wombs

A radio band

Emphasizes an amount

tides

from one’s

transit body

amount of

account

type of cheese

pig

palm

computer language

Fleshy extensions

the throat

to 10 meters

Weather

Coming up

Registration: Friday, October 14–Friday, Novem

11. Free, ready-to-cook

dinners for those with limited

resources living in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer, and Point Roberts.

required at www.blainecap.org or call 360-383-8027. Baskets will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 22, noon-2:30 p.m., inBlaine.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, October 6, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Thisweek’s theme: The Universe. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Annual Healing Hearts Lunch: Friday, October 7, 12–1 p.m., Bellingham Ferry Terminal, 355 Harris Avenue, Bellingham. Fundraiser for Animals as Natural Therapy to help youth and veteran mental health. Register: animal sasnaturaltherapy.org/healinghearts.

Virtual Election Forum: Friday, October 7, 6 p.m. U.S. Congressional District 2 with Rick Larsen (D) and Dan Matthews (R). Forum held via Zoom and can be accessed at lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org/. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County.

Music at The Vault: Friday, October 7, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featuring: JPFalcon. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Blessing of the Animals: Saturday, October 8, 11 a.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 382 Boblett Street. Animals should be on a leash or in a carrier.

Blaine Senior Center Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, October 8, noon–3p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Over $275 in prizes. Early bird starts at 12:30 p.m. Regular bingo at 1 p.m. Eight games $15. Info: 360/332-8040.

Blaine Oyster Fest: Saturday, October 8, noon–6 p.m., H Street and Peace Portal Drive. Live entertainment, shucking and slurping contests, oyster cook off with area restaurants featuring Drayton Harbor Oysters, family and kids activities on G Street Plaza. Info: blainebythesea.com.

Harvest Festival: Saturday, October 8, noon–2 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church and Blaine United Church of Christ, Corner of 4th and Boblett streets. Free event for all ages. Pick a pumpkin, harvest sunflower seeds, play vegetable games, enjoy mulled cider, musky, kids activities and more. Hosted by the Children’s Giving Garden of Christ Episcopal. Info: email childrensgivinggarden@yahoo.com.

BHS Athletic Hall of Fame 2022 Induction Ceremony: Saturday, Oc tober 8, 1 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. 2022 inductees are: Walt Blauser, Joan Swansen Campbell, Elizabeth “Betty” Cronk, Marion Gobba to, Shayne Moore, Bob and Dorita Gray, Joe Paciorek, Laura Sibillia Nelson, and Jerilyn Boykin Ginnis.

Winter Coat Distribution: Monday, October 10 and Friday, October 14, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.; Wednesday, October 12, 5–8 p.m.; Saturday, October 15, 10 a.m.–noon. CAP Center, 508 G Street. Free winter coats, hats, gloves, and socks for those living in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer, and Point Roberts. Spon sored by the Community Assistance Program. Info: Amee 360-319-0269.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, October 13, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: General Knowledge. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Virtual Election Forum: Friday, October 14. 42nd Legislative District rep resentative position 1 with Alicia Rule (D) and Tawsha Dykstra Thompson (R) at 5 p.m. and 42nd Legislative District representative position 2 with Joe Timmons (D) and Dan Johnson (R) at 6:15 p.m. Forum held via Zoom and can be accessed at lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org/. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County.

Ongoing

Blaine Food 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.

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.

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.

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 Frozen Meals: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–noon, Blaine Se nior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up five frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first servebasis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Meals on Wheels Hot Lunches: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Suggested donationof $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. As of October 17 this will become five days a week. Info: 360/332-8040.

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) Meetings: Tuesdays 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 peer support at no cost. Info: palgroup.org or email Bev and Dave at wamillards@comcast.net.

Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum: Open Fridays, Sat urdays, Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Free, donationswelcome. Info: 360/371-3558.

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.

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.

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.

Report by Blaine Police Department.

Road Rules: Alerting drivers who need to turn on their headlights

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Question: When leaving an evening wedding, I followed a car driven by my grandmother. She had borrowed the car, so she was unfamiliar with it, and was driv ing without the lights on. I had no clue how to alert her to turn on her lights. Can you think of any way I could have helped?

Answer: A few years ago, I bought a car that had Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). For any one unfamiliar with DRLs, they’re kind of like headlights, but dim mer, and they come on automat ically when you start your car. The idea is that the lights make your car more visible in the day time, especially in poor lighting conditions, like dawn, dusk and the next seven months in western Washington.

Before I criticize DRLs, let me state that I love daytime vehicle lighting. As a cyclist, I’m fre quently checking my rearview mirror for approaching vehicles, and I’ve noticed that I can spot cars with their lights on much earlier than those without, even on sunny days. That gives me more time to anticipate where I might get passed and ride ac cordingly. That’s good for me and good for the driver.

But let’s get back to the car I bought. The first time I drove it at night I was in a city. Between the light from the DRLs and the streetlights, I could see fine, and I concluded that the car had au tomatic headlights. I was wrong. I didn’t realize it until later when I tried to turn the high beams on and nothing happened. The poor up-front lighting was a problem, but I’d argue that the bigger issue was on the back end. DRLs only turn on lights in front, so I was driving in the dark with no tail lights on.

I don’t know if, like me, your grandmother was fooled by DRLs, or if there was some other reason she didn’t have the lights on. Either way, there’s a bigger underlying problem. If you’ve been driving for a while, it’s easy to assume you know how to drive any car you encounter. Get into

the driver’s seat of a new vehicle and you’re quickly dissuaded of that belief. Sure, the general op eration is the same, but when you attempt to set the cruise control and instead flash your high beams at an oncoming car or douse your windshield with washer fluid, you know what I’m talking about.

Some of the unfamiliarity is fairly benign, like what I just mentioned. Some of it, like ve hicle lighting, is a lot more crit ical. Maybe in your car you turn on your headlights by twisting a stalk on the steering column. In a borrowed car that same move ment might adjust the rate of the intermittent wipers. Rely on your habits, and you’ll be in the dark.

As to what you could have done to help, short of following her home so she didn’t get rear-ended, I don’t know. Any help she could use would have been before she started driving. I think it’s safe to assume that since you were driv ing behind her, you weren’t the one who loaned grandma the car, but here’s a suggestion to anyone who loans out their car. When you hand over your keys, men tion to the borrower, “Hey, this is the first time I’ve loaned you my car, so feel free to take a minute before you drive off to make sure

you’re familiar with all the knobs and switches.”

Getting to know the car you’re driving costs nothing more than a minute or two and can make a big difference in your safety.

Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Com mission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.

Alicia Rule works for

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