The Northern Light: October 13-19, 2022

Blaine school district sees small kindergarten cohort this year

B y I an H aupt

The Blaine school district’s budget issues are looking even worse than expected, as its incoming kindergarten class is smaller than normal.

Blaine school district superintendent Christopher Granger told school board members during a rescheduled board meeting October 4 that two kindergarten classes were consolidated due to a small kindergarten cohort.

The fewer classes freed up two teachers, one of whom will cover for another teach er while on leave and the other will sub stitute, already contracted for the 2022-23 school year. But this comes as the district is already having budgeting issues and was projecting its budget on past kindergarten enrollment numbers.

Overall, enrollment is down about 86 students from what was budgeted for this year, 43 of whom were in kindergarten.

Granger said an over-budgeting of 43 kindergarten students cost the district an estimated $738,061. It would also mean a reduction in force (RIF) would likely be necessary in March 2023 to prepare for next school year, he said. That reduction could come from a staff member retiring or resigning.

Granger said 107 kindergarten students have enrolled at Blaine Primary School. With the significant decrease, the board will have to budget conservatively for next year, he said.

“We have some increase enrollment in the high school a little bit, so as enrollment averages out through the year, we will be able to tell exactly what it is,” Granger said. “But 107 is a small group for Blaine. That’s the smallest cohort they’ve seen in a long time.”

Kindergarten class sizes will total 20 students with the consolidation, Granger said. One teacher without a class will sub stitute, as the district is having a substitute shortage, and the other teacher will cover a leave position, Granger said.

Oyster festival a hit in downtown Blaine

Blaine Police Department calls for SWAT gear on deck, purchasing shields and helmets

Blaine City Council approved the po lice department’s request to use feder al Covid-19 stimulus funds for about a $41,000 emergency purchase of tactical gear during its October 10 meeting.

Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley requested the city use a portion of its unallocated American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to purchase three ballis tic shields and six helmets. The city has

about $700,000 in unallocated ARPA funds, said finance director Dan Hever ling, which it will need to use by the end of 2024.

Tanksley told council that Blaine officers arrived at the May 25 lockdown on Blaine school district’s main campus, prompted by anonymous threatening text messages, without proper gear.

“Many of our officers went in with noth ing. Just their vest and their weapons. No shields, no helmets,” he said. “They were

Loretta Lynn, country star with Custer roots, dies

B y I an H aupt

Loretta Lynn, a coal miner’s daughter, American country music star and past Custer resident, died October 4 at her home in Hurricane Mills, Tennessee. She was 90.

Known for her candid lyrics about working-class life, Lynn is remembered for her rise from Kentucky coal country to trailblazing a path for other female country singers.

In her autobiography, “Loretta Lynn:

Coal Miner’s Daughter,” Lynn notes how she was 14 and pregnant with her first child when she left Butcher Hollow, Kentucky on a train headed across the country for Custer, where her husband, Oliver “Doolittle” Lynn, found work on a farm. She had four children by the time she was 19, ultimately having six.

Hearing her serenade the children, Doolittle thought she had a promising voice and bought her a guitar for her 18th birthday. Lynn started playing lo cal granges and taverns in the 1950s,

while she worked seven days a week as a cook and maid. She often appeared at Bill’s Tavern, which sat near Peace Portal Drive and Hughes Avenue. She formed her own band, known as the Trailblazers, and won a televised talent contest hosted by Buck Owens in Ta coma. She recorded her first album in 1960 and moved to Nashville by the end of the year.

With three Grammy Awards, 51 Top 10

called to duty. They acted and they did what we expected them to do. However, I believe we should prepare them and outfit them to go into these situations.”

No one was physically harmed during the lockdown and the student who sent the text messages was later arrested.

Tanksley originally requested $31,000 from the city to purchase two shields and six helmets. But after Tanksley told coun

s The first oyster festival was a huge success with over 5,000 oysters consumed by a crowd estimated to be in the thousands on Octo ber 8. The event took over the downtown core with oyster cooking demonstrations, family activities, a vendors market, live music and more. The historic Plover ferry offered attendees trips between Blaine Harbor and Semiahmoo Spit, with educational tours of Drayton Harbor Oyster Company’s oyster farm and nursery. More photos on pages 8 and 9.

Photo by Ruth Lauman

Now

School ...

From

“That’s why that budgeting thing is so important,” board president Dougal Thomas said. “We missed it by 43 students, and it’s about $700,000.”

Granger said kindergarten en rollment is down across Whatcom County, and generally around the U.S. He said if the district keeps having grade sizes of around 110 students, it would have a major impact through the system. Most cohort sizes vary from 140 to 160 students during early childhood education and decrease as the class gets to high school.

Washington school districts report official enrollment num bers to the Office of the Super intendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) on the first business day of October each year, which was

October 3 this year.

According to OSPI data, Blaine’s kindergarten enrollment is down 54 students from its fiveyear average. The district’s aver age cohort size from 2015-16 to 2019-20 was 161.

Bellingham school district spokesperson Dana Smith said the district’s kindergarten enrollment has stayed relatively steady at 6-7 percent of its overall enrollment.

Looking at enrollment from three schools in Bellingham, Al derwood, Cordata and Happy Valley, some schools have also seen significant drops this year. Cordata, specifically, has only 49 students enrolled in its kinder garten class, when it’s five-year average before the pandemic was 73 students. Alderwood and Happy Valley met their average or surpassed it. (Alderwood had an average of 41 students with 42 students enrolled in 2022. Happy

Valley had an average of 64 stu dents with 71 enrolled in 2022.)

Bellingham has a total of 11,672 students enrolled in its public schools, with 711 in kin dergarten, as of October 3. This school year’s enrollment is up 1.5 percent from last year, but Smith said the district’s overall enrollment is down. It peaked before the pandemic, during the 2018-19 school year, at 12,068.

From 2018-19 to 2020-21, Bell ingham’s enrollment dropped by 4.3 percent.

Granger said he hopes for teachers who know they will be moving on to let the district know early, so a reduction would not be necessary.

“That’s the goal. Nobody wants to do a RIF action,” Granger said. “As we have movement, then we’d look to not fill right away. Which is what we are al ready doing.”

Lynn ...

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hits and multiple gold albums, she is one of the most decorat ed woman country-recording artists. Her hits include “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man),” “One’s on the Way,” “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ on Your Mind)” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”

Lynn returned to Whatcom County to play at the North

west Washington Fair in Lyn den several times throughout the decades.

In 2013, former President Barack Obama gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Lynn suffered a stroke in 2017 and broke a hip on the first day of 2018. Her family asked for privacy as they grieve and said in a statement on her website that a memorial will be announced at a future date. She was buried in a family cemetery on her Hurricane Mills estate.

Sahara Pizza opens in Birch Bay Square

B y G race M c c art H y

A new pizza franchise has opened its doors in Birch Bay Square.

Sahara Pizza introduced the community to its newest location during a September 28 soft open ing, which owners say has been met with success.

“There’s not a lot of options up here, food-wise,” said Dan McDow ell, co-owner of the Birch Bay loca tion. “We can tell already by the re sponse we’re getting that’s it nice to

bring really good food to the area. I think people are really enjoying it.”

Sahara Pizza started in 2002 and has since grown to 19 locations, five of which are in Bolivia, said Tom Wartinger, Sahara Pizza’s CEO and co-owner of the Birch Bay lo cation. Wartinger said he saw the need for good pizza after moving to the area about a year ago to be closer to his grandchildren.

The franchise’s pizza is different from other restaurants because of its fresh ingredients, Wartinger said.

The dough is made fresh daily with olive oil instead of grease, the cheese comes from a Wisconsin dairy farm, the sauce doesn’t have preservatives and ranch is homemade.

“I won’t switch,” he said. “A lot of other companies take their product and then go, ‘Oh, I can save $5.’ That doesn’t happen here. We still use the same stuff as 20 years ago even with food costs that are crazy high.”

(See Pizza, page 15)

Loretta Lynn

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Doug Dahl

Birch Bay beekeeper speaks at Smithsonian OpiniOn

The Editor:

A recent letter cautioned us not to be afraid of MAGA Republicans. The author claims that MAGA Republicans are against crime. Most people, no matter what par ty they identify with or no party at all, are against crime and want criminals held accountable all the way up to the highest levels of government.

MAGA Republicans attacked our na tion’s capitol in an attempted coup to over throw the U.S. government.

MAGA Republicans want to ban mail-in ballots and limit your opportunity to vote.

MAGA Republicans want politicians to decide whether a woman or girl can have an abortion, not the woman or girl and her doctor.

MAGA Republicans deny election re sults without evidence unless they win,

Letters

threatening our very democracy.

MAGA Republicans create mass hysteria vilifying immigrants.

MAGA Republicans gave us Donald Trump, and they want him back.

Don’t be afraid of MAGA Republi cans? Be afraid. Be very afraid.

Susan Medina Birch Bay

The Editor:

In the simplest terms at all levels, I be lieve the purpose of government is to pro vide people with the systems needed to live and not regulate how we live.

“To” live versus “how” we live; let’s un pack that. In order to live my life, I depend on maintained roads and a safe vehicle for commuting. To pursue happiness, I need ed advanced degrees to secure my chosen

CiviC Meetings

career. To maintain my health, I trust li censed medical providers, Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Con trol and Prevention, etc. No matter who you are, these are examples of the hard and soft systems most of us require to live our lives. But I am not my neighbor. How I live is uniquely personal and often private. How I practice spirituality, whether I fol low Muhammad, Christ, Stephen Hawking or Buddha is not relevant to a functioning republic. How I experience love, with a woman, man, or not even interested in in timacy, does not affect our society. How I plan my family, should I never want to be

send

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

Birch

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.

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.

s Birch Bay beekeeper Ruthie Danielsen, c., spoke about citizen scientists’ effort to eradicate the northern giant hornets, also known as “murder hornets,” at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum on October 7. Danielsen, a member of the Mt. Baker Beekeepers Asso ciation, has helped Washington

scientists track the

largest

Letters ...

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pregnant or desire a house full of kids, those lifestyle choices have no impact on my neigh bor’s liberty. If how we live does not affect society, the govern ment has no reason to interfere.

Government should provide people with systems we all re quire such as infrastructure, utilities, education, health care, defense and regulatory entities.

Government should not dictate how we choose to live our pri vate lives. I don’t want a single penny of my taxes to pay sala ries of elected officials, if they think it’s appropriate to not only discuss, but legislate what happens behind closed doors. My doctor’s office, bedroom and spiritual place all have closed doors marked “14th Amendment.”

If your beliefs are similar to mine, vote blue, because the GOP wants liberty for people only like themselves while tell ing the rest of us how to live. In contrast, Democrats work to

Council ...

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cilmembers during the meeting that he’d eventually need another shield, they decided to add the ex tra shield to the original request.

Each shield costs about $10,000, Tanksley said, which makes the total request about $41,000.

Shields and helmets are hard to find because many police depart ments are purchasing them right now, Tanksley said. Most of the small cities in Whatcom County have helmets and shields for officers assigned to special events teams.

“A few years ago, ballistic shields and ballistic helmets were mostly reserved for Spe cial Weapons and Tactics Teams (SWAT) and other specialized law enforcement teams,” Tanksley wrote in a memo to city council. “However, we now realize there is an urgent need to have these

ensure liberty and the right to privacy for everyone.

Laura Friend Blaine

The Editor:

I want you to know a bit about Sharon Shewmake who is run ning to be our senator in the 42nd Legislative District. I have been homeless for nearly three and a half years. I have never been an abuser of any substance nor have I ever failed to pay my rent on time. Still I became homeless because of a vicious, lawless and unreasonable landlord.

Ms. Shewmake has helped me to negotiate the difficulties I have encountered many times while homeless. She has been very gen erous with her time and attention to my issues. She is a remarkably caring person with a delightful sense of humor and a down-toearth view of the problems What com County needs to address.

I am sure that whether you live on one of our farms, in the cities in the 42nd district or are facing difficulties caused by the pan demic or those other “slings and arrows” that life throws at us all,

tools readily available for patrol officers, detectives, supervisors, and school resource officers.”

Tanksley wrote that the FBI’s data on law enforcement officers killed and assaulted showed that 73 officers died during the line of duty in 2021. Of those, 14 were officers serving cities of 10,000 or fewer people. Most officers were killed by firearms.

Blaine officers typically wear ballistic vests, which don’t protect the head, arms and legs. Blaine only has one ballistic shield, but the department is unable to use it because its protection level can’t be verified, Tanksley said. Most shields only last five years but this one is estimated to be over 20 years old. Only 65 percent of Blaine officers have a ballistic helmet, he added.

Two Blaine officers are certified ballistic shield instructors as of September. They are set to train the city’s other officers on proper

we cannot do better than Sharon Shewmake as our senator.

Robert Astyk Bellingham

The Editor:

Hi, my name is Cesar Luna.

I’m not a political person. I am a father, a husband, a hard-working provider, a descendent of Mexican immigrants and a proud resident of Whatcom County. My son will be a senior in high school, my wife works in law enforcement and I am scared for our future.

Hopelessness is rampant through our community, and it seems those in charge have not done more than exasperate the problems. In the name of com passion, we are turning issues like homelessness and addiction into businesses fueled by tax dol lars with no progress in sight. Crime has elevated at a terrifying rate. We have perpetuated and fanned a culture of “All Cops Are Bastards” (ACAB) demonizing the very people who we should be empowering to serve and protect us. Working families are struggling to makes ends meet more every single day at the gas

use and best practices of shield deployments. Once the depart ment is trained, each Blaine offi cer will check out a shield every time they start their shift, carry it in their police vehicle and then return it at the end of their shift, Tanksley said.

The city does not need to go through the bid process for emer gency purchases. To ensure the city was getting a competitive price for the equipment, coun cilmember Eric Davidson asked that the motion to approve the purchase include a clause that the equipment would be pur chased once Tanksley checked with other local agencies on the prices they paid for the gear. The city would then make price nego tiations, if needed.

City council voted 6-0, with councilmember Garth Bald win excused, on the motion to emergency purchase the tacti cal gear.

Recreational shellfish harvesting closes in north Whatcom County beaches

The Washington state De partment of Health (DOH) closed all recreational shellfish harvesting in north Whatcom County beaches, from Sandy Point to Point Roberts, due to unsafe levels of paralytic shell fish poisoning (PSP), accord ing to an October 6 Whatcom County Health Department announcement.

North Whatcom County rec reational shellfish harvesting had previously reopened in late August after PSP levels forced it to close in June. All Whatcom County beaches are closed to recreational harvesting because south Whatcom County beaches have been closed.

Commercial shellfish in restaurants and markets, such as Drayton Harbor Oyster Compa ny, are safe to eat because they’ve been tested, according to the

health department.

The health department will continue to monitor shellfish biotoxin levels and will notify the public when the shellfish be comes safe to eat again. The DOH keeps an updated list of biotox in and pollution closures at bit. ly/3caFDiH and on its biotoxin hotline at 800/562-5632.

PSP biotoxin in molluscan shellfish – which includes clams, mussels, oysters and scallops – can cause severe illness and death. Symptoms include numb ness and tingling of lips and tongue within a few minutes to couple of hours of eating toxic shellfish, according to the health department. Tingling can prog ress to fingers and toes, loss of control of extremities and dif ficulty breathing. Cooking or freezing food does not destroy the PSP biotoxin.

pumps, with skyrocketing hous ing costs, rising costs of grocer ies and more. While people like me keep working and bearing the burden of “how much more can we take.”

I am asking that you carefully consider your vote in November. Don’t vote for a political affilia tion. Vote for the candidates who are committed to change. Don’t vote for the same ideology that led us into the mess, they can’t be left in charge of the “fix.” Our communities are hanging by a thread; we must drive real change now. I see the smear campaigns filling my social media feeds and mailbox – carefully executed dis tractions designed to detract us from the issues.

I’m voting for a new voice in the Washington State House of

Representatives. I’m voting to elect Dan Johnson for House seat 2 and Tawsha Dykstra Thompson for House seat 1. I’m confident these are candidates that will rep resent the interests of the 42nd Legislative District well, and I ask you to join me.

Cesar Luna Lynden

CITY OF BLAINE

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

Tuesday, October 25 3:30pm – Civil Service Commission Meeting

332-8311

www.cityofblaine.com

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Active S eniors

A Q&A regarding hospice and palliative care

Illnesses and aging can force families to make challenging de cisions regarding the health and well-being of people they love. Care facilities, home health aides and other services can help im prove quality of life for those people who are no longer well enough – physically or cognitive ly – to care for themselves. Palli ative and hospice care are part of these care offerings.

What is palliative care?

Palliative care is specialized medical services for individuals living with serious illnesses. It is not designed to cure or treat the condition itself, but it is a way to manage symptoms. It is typi cally used in conjunction with other forms of medicine that are attempting to treat or cure the disease.

What is hospice care?

Hospice is similar to palliative care in that it is geared to enhanc ing quality of life. Hospice care is for people in the last phases of incurable diseases and is intend ed to ensure they live as fully and comfortably as possible, accord

ing to the American Cancer Soci ety. Unlike palliative care, which accompanies traditional medical care, those who accept hospice care typically cease any other care attempting to cure the illness. Who can benefit from palliative or hospice care?

The National Institute on Ag ing says anyone living with a se rious illness, such as cancer, de mentia, Parkinson’s disease, and heart failure, can appreciate the support palliative care provides.

It is helpful at any stage of the illness, and is best started soon after diagnosis.

Hospice care is for those who are in the final stages of their illnesses. Generally, hospice ser vices are reserved for people who are expected to live another six months or less if their illness con tinues to run its course.

Are these services permanent?

The good news about pallia tive care and hospice care is that wishes are completely driven by the patient and his or her family.

If the patient is incapable of mak ing medical directives, his or her

medical proxy can make changes to care wishes.

Research indicates that many times hospice care is started too late because people think it’s a form of “giving up.” However, anyone in hospice care can re sume active care if they or their caregivers choose to do so.

What can palliative and hospice care resolve?

The Mayo Clinic says that pal liative and hospice care can im

prove symptoms such as pain, nausea or vomiting, anxiety, de pression, constipation, difficulty breathing, fatigue and trouble sleeping, among others.

Hospice care also can include spiritual and bereavement care. Hospice teams typically follow up with members of the immedi ate family to offer them counsel ing or other services.

Who is in charge?

Patients and their families

decide what they want out of these care measures. Palliative care teams are separate from the patient’s medical care team that’s managing their treat ment. Hospice care teams coor dinate the majority of care for the patient and communicate with the patient’s medical care team.

Hospice and palliative care are considerations for people with serious conditions.

Oct.

Photo Louise Mugar

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Ruth Lauman Photo Anna Johnson

Photo Anna Johnson

The historic Plover passenger ferry offered free rides between Blaine Harbor and Semiahmoo Spit. The Plover provided oyster farm tours of Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. oyster nursery at the end of Jorgensen Pier and their floating oyster farm in the middle of Drayton Harbor.

Photo Merideth Goodman

Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. staff member Jackie Dexter discussed DHO’s operations and answered questions during the oyster farm tour.

Photo Richard Sturgill

BEST TASTING OYSTER

Malachai Ahmann, 9, had fun creating his oyster wind chime during Blaine Oyster Fest.

Arts Council provided the

for kids.

Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. had a large oyster on display that some say beats the Guinness World Record for the

largest oyster.

Semiahmoo Resort executive chef Micah Windham and director of guest experiences Brianna Lopez were on hand for cooking demonstrations on G Street Plaza during Blaine Oyster Fest. Their oyster risotto quickly became a crowd favorite!

Photo Kay Dee Powell

Photo Diane Butts Photo Diane Butts

Photo Diane Butts

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Leah Crews

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Louise Mugar

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Ruth Lauman

Photo Sonia Hurt

Sports

Football

Blaine opened the scoring at Meridian last week, but wasn’t able to hold off the Trojans for long. The Borderites lost 34-20 October 7.

Running and passing down field, Blaine’s offense found the end zone when senior quarter back Kael Evinger found junior Riley Ihde on a quick slant toward the goal line from nine yards out. Blaine missed the extra point, and Meridian responded in two plays. Sophomore quarterback Jaeger Fyfe ran the ball 56 yards down the right sideline for a touch down. Making the extra point, the Trojans took a one-point lead.

They scored again to take a 14-6 advantage into halftime. Meridian scored again after a 90yard drive. Then junior Justin Minjarez took the kickoff past the 50-yard line, which set up Blaine to score again. Evinger found junior Hunter Vezzetti on a 15yard pass to score. The Trojans responded, and scored again to make it 28-12.

Minjarez strip-sacked Fyfe late into the game with junior Victor Gervol recovering the ball in a great spot. In three plays, Evinger found junior Conner Dalry for a 33-yard touchdown. The twopoint conversion failed, and the game ended 34-20.

Blaine travels to Bellingham for the Bayhawks’ homecoming game Friday, October 14 at 7 p.m. at Civic Field. Blaine is 0-6 this season and 0-2 in conference.

Statistics thanks to whatcompreps.com Girls soccer Blaine girls soccer beat Mount Baker 2-0 October 5 and then lost

two hard matches on the road to Mount Vernon and King’s. The Lady Borderites lost 2-0 to Mount Vernon October 7 and 5-0 to King’s October 10.

The girls host Meridian Thurs day, October 13 at 7 p.m. Then they travel to Lynden Christian Monday, October 17 to play at 4:30 p.m. They are 4-5 this sea son and 3-1 in conference.

Volleyball

The Lady Borderites won their first at-home match of the season October 10 against Lakewood. It finished 3-1 and came on the back of a straight-set loss to Oak Harbor on the road October 5.

The team was scheduled to travel to Squalicum October 12. The girls host Meridian Tuesday, October 18 and then travel to Mount Baker Thursday, Octo ber 20. All matches are at 7 p.m. They are 1-9 this season.

Cross country Blaine hosted a three-school cross country meet October 5 at Pipeline Fields where Se dro-Woolley, Mount Baker and Blaine competed. Boys and girls ran separate 5Ks. With three laps around the baseball and softball diamonds, spectators could run from one spot to another across the fields to cheer on their re spective runners before welcom ing them home at the finish.

Senior Jackson Wright, soph omores Ian Tuski and Tucker Greene, freshman Dylan John son, and sophomore Sihann Aujla led Blaine’s team. Wright finished 14th with a time of 19:58.28. The next three all ran sub 21 min utes. Sedro-Woolley senior Todd Montgomery won in 16:50.45. No Blaine girls ran.

Blaine runs next at Civ ic Stadium in Bellingham in

spOrts

win, Blaine hosts cross country meet

the Northwest Conference Cross Country Championships Wednesday, October 19. The meet starts at 4 p.m.

BHS Hall of Fame celebrates 10 athletic achievements, contributions

Swimming Blaine’s co-op team with Ferndale will compete next at Arne Han na Aquatic Center in Bellingham

against Bellingham High School Tuesday, October 25. The meet starts at 3:30 p.m. The team’s sched ule can be found at bit.ly/3U5exL8.

s Dylan Johnson finishes the men’s varsity 5K at Pipeline Fields in Blaine on October 5.

Photo by Ian Haupt

s Ava Curtright scores a penalty in Blaine’s 2-0 win over Mount Baker High School at Borderite stadium on October 5.

Photo by Ian Haupt

s The Blaine High School Athletic Booster Club honored 10 individuals for their achievements and contri butions to Blaine High School athletics October 8 in the Performing Arts Center.

Photo by Trish Loop

CITY OF BLAINE

WORKER

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.

Plumbing

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 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.

Business Services

Customer Service Manager

EXPERIENCED

SEAMSTRESS

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

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

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

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:

Date of First Publication: September 29, 2022

Name of Personal Representative: DANA W. ORBE

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

Attorney for Personal Representative: DANA W. ORBE

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

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

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

Personal

FLEETWOOD

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

2 bedroom 2 bath, 1056 sq. ft. well maintained manufac tured home. move in ready condition, Huge lot with many beautiful evergreens, fenced, lots of room for garden, lots of parking for boats or RVs, large front deck partially cov ered & storage shed. Birch Bay Village ame nities include 24/7 security which is so im portant these days, private Salt water marina.

Billy Brown 360.220.7175

Tonya Wahl 541.707.0196

Real Estate

8283 Shintaffer Road

MLS #1955189 $1,795,000

Stunning water views from this Birch Bay Estate with a very private setting far from the main road. The grand home has every thing for entertaining; beautiful pool with great sun exposure and views of the bay, a full-size sports court w/adjustable bas ketball hoop, large, covered patio, outdoor kitchen & changing room w/3/4 bath. Cus tom-built home with grand entry, Nano wall, ocean view, gourmet kitchen with walk-in pantry, 2 prep areas, Wolf range w/2 ovens.

Lisa Sprague 360.961.0838

8370 Harborview Rd #9

MLS #1997802 $369,500

Sweetest of opportunities & a Birch Bay best value. 8370 Harborview Road #9, 55 & over property. This 2008 Karsten manufactured home is 1506 sq. ft. +/- 3 bedroom, 1.75 baths, large modern kitchen with stainless LG appliances and walk in pantry, Great room and living room areas. Vaulted ceil ings, feels like new, Propane Gas furnace and freestanding gas fireplace. New roof on home and two outbuildings in 2020. Sold mostly turn-key and will require cash buyer. Brian Southwick 360.815.6638

4732 N Golf Course Drive

MLS #2002795 $535,000

The dream awaits...delightful single level 3 bed/2 bath rambler with 3-car garage in the secure, gated community of Sea Links at Birch Bay! It’s unusual to find a 3-bay garage in a home this size and in this price point. Spacious primary suite with walk-in closet and ensuite bathroom is privately located opposite the other two bedrooms & bathroom. Fantastic walkable location to the beach, the newly completed berm & walk ing path and all the amenities of Birch Bay. Jen Freeman 360.815.0803

8032 Makah Road

MLS #1980518 $799,000

Looking for property with STUNNING VIEWS?

This property has a view of the marina, Mt.Baker, and the Bay looking south. This great home has been nicely updated with new floors, new solarium, and new kitchen. One-level living on the main with the base ment having an extra kitchenette, bedroom & bath. This is a Master gardener’s delight with low maintenance, fully landscaped yard and very little to mow. This home has a large deck spanning the width of the home.

Christy Imperio 360.201.4100

6969 Birch Bay Drive

MLS #1993664 $1,295,000

Attention to detail! This beautiful immacu late 3 bdrm 2.5 bath beachfront home has all the outstanding details plus a stunning ocean view in a coveted Birch Bay neigh borhood. Starting with a paver tiled entry showcasing a pair of palm trees, a spiral staircase greeting you inside the door & a floorplan that takes advantage of the spectacular 180-degree views. Three gas fireplaces thru-out the home, full sauna & spacious primary bed/bath w/private deck.

Randy Weg 360.305.5704

7704 Birch Bay Dr #49-7

MLS #1995714 $135,000

Enjoy this light and bright park model, in the popular beachfront community of Lei sure Park. This will be the most reasonable vacation property you will find in Birch Bay, from location to amenities & low costs. The peaceful neighborhood which features open green space, a clubhouse, tennis courts, a playground, and outdoor pool. This 385 SF, 1BD, 1 BA well-maintained park model, carpeted covered deck, and storage shed, facing south ensuring ample sunlight.

Jessica Bates 360.410.0900

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:

of First Publication: October 6, 2022

Name of Personal Representative:

BLIVEN

for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery WSBA #35262

for Mailing or Service:

Elder Law,

steve@averyelderlaw.com

DATED:

AVERY ELDER LAW,

D. AVERY,

5375 Nootka Loop

MLS #1983680 $1,399,000

Rare opportunity to realize your dream of a beautiful waterfront home in a fun commu nity. It shows as new! This is one of Birch Bay Village’s prime saltwater locations w/ breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay & Mt. Baker. 24/7 manned security offers incomparable peace of mind when home or away. Short walk to amenities including golf, marina, pickle ball, clubhouse & more. Minutes to U.S./Canada border & under 2 hrs. to Seattle. This home is turnkey.

Mike Kent 360.815.3898

4751 Birch Bay Lynden Rd #237

MLS #1968691 $220,000

Opportunity knocks, a chance to own a 365day spacious Park Model in the gated com munity of Latitude 49. Located on a beau tiful corner lot overlooking the clubhouse, relax and enjoy the setting. The home has been well cared for, has a newer roof, floor ing, newer furnace along with a newer refrigerator. Latitude 49 offers an outdoor heated pool, pickleball courts, hot tub, se curity gate, and a large reserve fund. Would make a great full-time home or weekender.

Gerry Allen 360.920.0563

8617 Blue Grouse Way

MLS #1976568 $685,000

Delightful 3 bedroom/2 bathroom Crafts man in the sought after gated community of Semiahmoo, welcome to Blue Grouse Way! Vaulted ceilings, 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 easy work from home scenario. Two car attached garage, two covered patios & private, ma ture landscaping creates ideal setting.

Leah Crews 360.305.4747

8820 Wood Duck Way

MLS #1969453 $1,275,000

Stunning new construction home situ ated just off the 2nd fairway at Semiahmoo. Views of golf course from elevated backyard covered deck plus filtered views of Drayton Harbor & Canadian Mtns. Greatroom fea tures vaulted ceiling, gas fireplace, hard wood flooring & lots of natural light w/doors to deck. High-end kitchen appl, wine fridge, oversized refrig/freezer, wall & walk-in pan tries & large quartz island. Spacious primary bedrm with dramatic tile details in bathrm!

Randy Weg 360.305.5704

5560 Peregrine Way

MLS #1992939 $869,999

Fall in love with this charming single level rambler in the heart of the highly sought after Semiahmoo community. Located on a quiet side street, with no neighbors directly behind or in front of you, & surrounded by mature lush landscaping, this is the peace ful setting you have been looking for. Beau tiful maple floors & large picture windows showcase the spacious open concept living, dining & kitchen area. Large mudroom/ laundry room with ½ bath is a real bonus.

Kathy Stauffer 360.815.4718

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.

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.

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.

ON LENA ROAD

FIND

Blaine residents post reward for alleged cat killer

B y I an H aupt

After neighbors, social media posts and rumors alerted a Blaine couple to multiple instances of cats found dismembered in the area, they have decided to post a $1,000 reward to whoever identi fies the possible killer.

Blaine residents John and Rose Fohn, who own three cats, one of whom goes outside, said they be came alarmed when two severed cat heads were found in their neighborhood over the past year. John found one across the street from their house in July 2021, and their neighbor found anoth er in his front yard on Septem ber 8. Both they said looked like clean cuts and did not appear to be the result of an animal attack.

Around the same time, Rose said she started hearing about missing cats and pieces of cats found in the Blaine area.

Tiffanie Quiding, who lives in the Lettered Streets neighbor hood, said she found her 12-year-

old cat’s limbs strewn several hundred yards from each other in her backyard July 26. Quid ing called 911 and was directed to the Whatcom Humane Society (WHS) animal control office.

An officer came out to investi gate the next day and spent two hours surveying the area and gath ering evidence, Quiding said. She said WHS reported after two weeks the testing came back inconclusive and said it was common for coy otes to attack cats at night.

After several instances were reported to the Blaine Police De partment (BPD), it recommend ed in a September 20 Facebook post that residents keep cats in side due to the increase in sus picious incidents.

On October 6, BPD spokesper son Tami Bhachu told The North ern Light in an email that the department currently has two re ports. One was a severed head on September 8 and the other was a witnessed coyote attack on Sep tember 20, Bhachu wrote.

The Fohns are asking commu nity members to call 911 if they have relevant information regard ing a possible perpetrator, so that BPD can develop more cases to investigate. The reward of $1,000 or more – if other community members contribute – will go to the individual who provides infor mation that leads to the apprehen sion of the persons responsible.

The Bellingham Herald has reported instances of a possible serial cat killer in the Bellingham area since 2019, with the most recent story from 2021. Feline remains, consistent with “human involvement,” were reported to have been found in the Lettered Streets, Roosevelt and Sunnyland neighborhoods.

WHS executive director Laura Clark told The Northern Light in an email that WHS recommends keeping domestic cats indoors or in supervised outdoor settings for their safety as well as microchip ping cats and having them wear identification tags.

Road Rules: Pedestrians and traffic

B y D ou G D a H l

Question: When people walk along roadways, they should wear bright clothes and carry lights at night. These days black seems to be the dominant color, and that is plain dumb and dan gerous. Also, people should walk facing traffic, so why do I often see pedestrians walking on the wrong side of the street?

Answer: You’re mostly not wrong, but you’re not exactly right either. As I write this, I’m sitting in a café. I took a look around, and every person here is wearing either dark or subdued colors. It’s Washington. That’s how we dress. Soon many of us in this café are going to become pedestrians, maybe crossing the street to our cars, or walking home. Meanwhile, on the road right outside the café, a cycling group just rode by, all wearing neon yellow or other bright col ored jerseys.

My point here is that pedes trians (and cyclists) aren’t ho mogeneous groups. We become pedestrians for a lot of different reasons. Even the legal defini tion of pedestrian includes more folks than you might think. The law describes a pedestri an as “any person who is afoot or who is using a wheelchair, a power wheelchair, or a means of conveyance propelled by human

power other than a bicycle.”

Consider what that includes: The kid on a skateboard headed to school, the toddler on a tricy cle in a crosswalk with his par ents, the power walkers in their reflective vests, the woman who just finished working the eve ning shift at a restaurant where the dress code for servers is all black and is walking four blocks to her bus stop, the person with all their belongings in the shop ping cart they’re pushing.

Those pedestrians will have varying levels of visibility to drivers and awareness of their environment. Yes, in a more perfect world, they’d all have bright clothing and carry lights at night. Understand, I’m not making excuses for less-thanideal pedestrian behavior. I’m just pointing out the reality that we drivers face.

I’ll challenge your statement that wearing dark clothing is, as you said, dumb. For some peo ple, being a pedestrian is less of a choice and more of an econom ic imposition. If you’re walking because you can’t afford a car, or maybe even a bus pass, you’re likely not in a position to be choosy about your clothing.

Also, many people are what I call incidental pedestrians. As an example, consider the cou ple who can’t find a parking spot near the restaurant and end up

walking a few blocks for date night.

You said pedestrians should wear bright clothes and carry lights at night, and later, that they should walk facing traf fic. I’ll point out that your first ‘should’ is a good recommenda tion, while the second ‘should’ is the law. Pedestrians are required to use sidewalks when available and accessible. Where there are no sidewalks, pedestrians are required to walk or roll facing traffic. And why wouldn’t you?

I don’t want my back toward a potential hazard.

If we’re going to end traffic fa talities, it’ll take all of us. This isn’t a 50/50 arrangement. If I’m a pedestrian I need to commit 100 percent to being alert and visible, keeping in mind that some of the drivers I encounter may not be, for whatever reason, making driving their priority at that moment. If I’m a driver, I need to commit 100 percent to watching for vulnerable folks, knowing that some of them might be hard to see or unaware of the hazards around them. The relationship between drivers and other road users has to be 100/100.

Will we get there? That’s up to us.

Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and pub lishes TheWiseDrive.com.

OBITUARY

Beverly Elaine Bridge

November 23, 1944 – July 8, 2022

Beverly, also known lovingly as “Grammie”, age 77, of Blaine, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 8, 2022.

She was born the eldest child of Jean (Kaa sa) and her first husband, Roy Johnson, and spent her unconventional childhood in Seattle and Los Angeles. Beverly married her first husband, William (Bill) Knoppi, in 1965. Together they had three children, Bill, Earl, and Janann. They later divorced in 1979.

Following her divorce, she spent many years in Skagit County, where she met her future husband, Alan Bridge, in 1983. In 1985 Alan and Beverly moved to Alaska, where they married in 1988. To gether they spent time working, boating, fishing, and enjoying the wonder and beauty of the great outdoors of Alaska. They lived in Alaska until Alan suffered a devastatingly traumatic brain injury in 1991. After this, she devoted the next 25 years to Alan’s care and re habilitation. They lived in Ramona, CA, for fifteen years, then moved to Whatcom County in 2005 to live out their remaining years.

Beverly is survived by her sons William Knoppi and Earl Knoppi; her daughter Janann (Steve) Thompson; her former daughter-inlaw Sheryl (Steve) Morrow; her grandchildren, Genevieve (Taylor) Schick, Dominique (Brandt) Eisler, William Knoppi Jr, Nicholas Knoppi; Alexander Knoppi; Maeva, Chase, and Vivienne Thomp son; her brothers Richard (Sharon) Brewster and Willie Conklin; her sister Jeannie (Daryl) Clements; her sister-in-law DeAnna (Robert) Claus, her two stepchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Beverly was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Alan, and her sisters, Candace MacKenzie and Peggy Marr. Grammie will be remembered for her generosity, hosting cele brations, her passion for gardening, her love of puzzles and books, her cooking skills, her fascination with astrology, and her love and faith in Christ.

sheriff’s repOrts

Oct. 1, 5:52 p.m.: Vandalism on Titan Terrace.

Oct. 1, 6:36 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident blocking, injury on Shin taffer Road and Birch Bay Drive.

Oct. 2, 10:50 a.m.: Theft on Nakat Way.

Oct. 2, 9:30 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Bayshore Drive.

Oct. 3, 4:43 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Valley View Road, Custer.

Oct. 3, 4:50 a.m.: Shots on Loft Lane and Alderson Road.

Oct. 3, 7:59 a.m.: Theft on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

Oct. 3, 9:48 a.m.: Traffic problem on Birch Bay Drive and Harborview Road.

Oct. 3, 5:04 p.m.: Shots on Giles Road.

Oct. 3, 7:14 p.m.: Threat on Masterson Road.

Oct. 4, 3:47 a.m.: Suspicious person on Ocean Mist Drive and Grandview Road.

Oct. 4, 11:06 a.m.: Brandishing on Quinault Road.

Oct. 5, 9:05 a.m.: Civil problem on Salish Lane.

Oct. 5, 9:31 a.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Custer.

Oct. 5, 6:55 p.m.: Suspicious circum stances on Ramona Lane, Custer.

Oct. 6, 7:24 p.m.: Behavioral

health issue on Surf Place.

Oct. 6, 8:05 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Sunrise Road, Custer.

Oct. 6, 8:52 p.m.: Domestic physical on Loft Lane.

Oct. 7, 12:22 p.m.: Domestic or der violation on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Suspect arrested.

Oct. 7, 7:15 p.m.: Impound on Ham Road, Custer.

pOLiCe repOrts

Sept. 30, noon: Auto theft on Peace Portal Drive.

Sept. 30, 6:48 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Wilson Avenue.

Oct. 1, 1:17 a.m.: Verbal domes tic on Birch Court.

Oct. 1, 7:04 p.m.: Residential fire on Poplar View Street.

Oct. 1, 11:53 p.m.: Found wallet on Marine Drive.

Oct. 2, 9:03 a.m.: Collision on D Street.

Oct. 2, 9:35 a.m.: Found drugs on 3rd Street.

Oct. 2, 4:17 p.m.: Juvenile prob lem on 8th Street.

Oct. 3, 8:47 a.m.: Trespass on McMillan Avenue.

Oct. 3, 12:12 p.m.: Abandoned vehicle on Mitchell Avenue.

Oct. 3, 2:19 p.m.: Collision on Martin Street.

Oct. 3, 2:51 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on A Street.

Oct. 3, 3:38 p.m.: Verbal domes

CrOssWOrd

Muslim ruler

Scottish ancestor

Hat 50. Horse mackerel

Alcoholic accom paniment

Tech department

Manifesting approval

to Boston (abbr.)

who fight an establishment

student, learns

groomer of horses

where

might

Type of sword 33. Knife for fruits or vegetables 34. Stinkhorns 38. Stroke 39. Industrial pro cess for producing ammonia

Sir __ Newton

Wild goat

Upper bract of grass 58. Of I 59. Large wading bird 60. Military prisons

Famed American cartoonist

Rise 65. Greek God of war and courage DOWN 1. Sewing needles 2. Functionary 3. Induces vomiting

The finger farthest from the thumb

Not moving

Sports official

Water purification process (abbr.)

University of Dayton

Indo-Malaysian evergreens

High schoolers’ math course

Yankovic is a

one

Adversaries

Merchandisers

Radioactive metal (abbr.)

Atomic #52

The back 23. One-time comput er giant

Female of a horse

Football’s big game (abbr.)

Vehicle 31. Single Lens Reflex

It’s becoming more prevalent 33. Political action committee

Makes lightbulbs

Natural home of an animal

In bed 37. Superman villain 38. The Golden State 40. One who leads prayers in a mosque 41. They accompany a leader

Atomic #18

Electronic countermeasures

The appearance of something

Connecting line on a map

Deep red color

Secret affairs

tic dispute on Alder Street.

Oct. 3, 4:15 p.m.: Juvenile prob lem on 6th Street.

Oct. 4, 4:54 p.m.: Criminal traf fic on H Street.

Oct. 4, 8:30 p.m.: Malicious mis chief on Peace Portal Drive.

Oct. 5, 12:49 a.m.: Behavioral health on D Street.

Oct. 5, 8:40 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Goshawk Road.

Oct. 5, 11:58 a.m.: Trespass on Boblett Court.

Oct. 5, 2:51 p.m.: Disorderly conduct on Semiahmoo Parkway.

Oct. 5, 12:49 a.m.: Behavioral health on D Street.

Oct. 5, 8:40 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Goswack Road.

Oct. 5, 2:51 p.m.: Domestic dispute on B Street.

Oct. 5, 7:04 p.m.: Juvenile prob lem on H Street.

Report by Blaine Police Department.

Drenches

Contains music

Expression of surprise

Intestinal pouches

Where birds are born

__ and behold

Cools your home

The First State

ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

tides

October 13-19 at Blaine.

Coming up

Thanksgiving Baskets Registration: Friday, October 14–Friday, November 11. Free, ready-to-cook Thanksgiving dinners for those with limited financial resources living in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer and Point Roberts. Reservations required at www.blainecap.org or call 360/3838027. Baskets will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 22, 12:00–2:30 pm, in Blaine.

Blaine Arts Council: Thursday, October 13, 6:30 p.m., Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. BAC members will discuss enjoyable initiatives in the works. Anyone interested in the Blaine art scene should take advantage of this excellent opportunity to learn more about what the council offers. For more info, visit blaineartscouncil.org.

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

Exploring Your Medicare and Healthcare Options: Friday, October 14, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Presenta tions and representatives on hand to help you with your Medicare and healthcare decisions. Sponsored by the Whatcom Council on Aging. Info: 360/332-8040.

Virtual Election Forum: Friday, October 14. 42nd Legislative Dis trict representative 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-What com County.

Music at The Vault: Friday, October 14, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featur ing: The Song Wranglers. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Build Community Day and Candidate Forum: Saturday, October 15, 8:30 a.m. with candidate forum at 11:45 a.m., 1095 Telegraph Road, Bellingham. Join Habitat for Humanity staff and volunteers help with minor repairs and community projects. Candidate forum during the lunch hour at the Unity Spiritual Center with Tawsha Thompson, Sharon Shewmake, Simon Sefzik, Alicia Rule and Trevor Smith sharing their thoughts on the affordable housing crisis. Sponsored by: Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County.

Comedy Night at Great Blue Heron: Saturday, October 15, 7 p.m., Great Blue Heron Grill, 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway. Featuring Ritch Shydner. For adults 21+. Tickets $30. Reservations 360/371-7015., ext. 4.

Virtual Election Forum: Tuesday, October 18, 6 p.m. Forum on the chil dren’s initiative levy-lid lift or Whatcom County Proposition 5. Forum held via Zoom and can be accessed at lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org. Sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County.

WTA Public Meeting on Proposed Route 75 Changes: Wednesday, October 19, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street and Thursday, October 20, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Birch Bay Chamber of Com merce, 4819 Alderson Road, suite 103. Drop in any time. Info: Beckyk@ ridewta.com or ridewta.com.

Northwest Avalanche Center Fundraiser: Thursday, October 20, 6–9 p.m., Boundary Bay Brewery, 1107 Railroad Avenue, Bellingham. Support avalanche awareness in the Pacific Northwest with great food, beer and a lot of chances to win adventure gear and other great raffle prizes. Benefits Northwest Avalanche Center. Sponsored by Mount Baker Experience. Info: mountbakerexperience.com.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, October 20, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Thisweek’s theme: Music from the 1970s. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Blaine Community Theater Presents Wyrd Sisters: October 2130, Blaine High School orange and black box theater. Wyrd Sisters is a loose adaptation of Shakespeare’s MacBeth from the witches’ point of view but also pokes fun at politics, theater, fairy tales and several other of Shakespeare’s plays. Tickets: Blainecommunitytheater.com. Music at The Vault: Friday, October 21, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featur ing: Tea Seas Trio. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Blaine Chamber Breakfast Meeting: Tuesday, October 25, 7:30–8:30 a.m., Blaine Boating Center, 225 Marine Drive. Speakers: Eric Zimpfer and Sal Paredes of BP Cherry Point Refinery. Breakfast provided by BP. RSVP required. Info: blainechamber.com.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, October 27, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: Halloween. Costume contest and drink specials. Info: thevaultwine.com.

DSHS Mobile Community Services Office: Friday, October 28, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Apply for cash assis tance, basic food assistance, medical assistance, and Medicare Savings Program. Drop off paperwork, complete an eligibility or mid-certifica tion review or make changes to an existing case. Info: 360/332-8040.

Music at The Vault: Friday, October 28, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featur ing: Michele D’Amour and The Love Dealers. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Trick or Treat on the Berm: Saturday, October 29, 3-6 p.m., along the Birch Bay berm promenade, Kids come trick or treat at different stops along the berm. Photo costume contest, treats and Halloween activities for the whole family at the Birch Bay Community Library, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Sponsored by the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce.

Trunk or Treat: Saturday, October 29, 5–7 p.m., The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Blaine Ward, 2550 Thornton Road, Ferndale. Chili cookoff, kids carnival games and trick or treating. Info: 360/603-3393.

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of October

no precipitation was record ed. The 2022 year-to-date

is 20.2 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 75°F on Oc tober 3 and 7 with a low of 47°F on October 6. Average high was

and average

Trick or Treat at St. Anne: Monday, October 31, 5-7 p.m., St. Anne Catho lic Church, corner of H and 6th streets. Treat bags and more for kids.

Ongoing

Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 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 re quired at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

was

CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednes days, 5-7 p.m. 508 G Street. The Community Assistance Program cloth ing 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.

Submissions

Pizza ...

The restaurant owners hope to add a few indoor and outdoor ta bles and eventually create an out door beer garden. Sahara Pizza, which currently delivers about 12 minutes from the store, hopes to deliver beer and wine in the future.

They also want to help the community through things such as joining the local chambers of commerce, working with the Blaine school district and spon soring local sports teams.

“We really want to be involved in the community,” Wartinger said. “We’re trying to support them in many different ways.”

Sahara Pizza is located at 8115 Birch Bay Square, suite 121. The restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. For more informa tion, call 360/922-3500.

The Bridge opens office for counseling services and chaplain training

B y G race M

The Bridge Community Hope Center recently opened a new of fice for its new chaplain training program and counseling services in Birch Bay.

The Bridge celebrated a grand opening for its Grace Core Acad emy office, located at 4823 Alder son Road in unit 106, on October 1. Several chaplains graduated from the program during the grand opening.

The Bridge’s executive director Lee Connors started the chaplain cy program about four years ago

while he was working at Light house Mission in Bellingham.

Lee Connors saw a need for more people to become chaplains, cer tified clergy members who pro vide emotional support for peo ple through organizations such as nonprofits or hospitals. The Grace Core trained chaplains and counselors help people with life challenges such as addiction, mar ital problems, abuse and mental health issues, Lee Connors said.

The program is three semesters consisting of eight week classes.

The program costs $1,000 per se mester and is done mostly online,

with an option for some class es to be taught at the office. The American Association of Christian Counselors certifies the counsel ors and chaplains.

Counseling is free to members of the community, according to the Bridge’s website. The office, which is neighboring the Bridge’s main center at 4815 Alderson Road, was made to be a private space for people to seek coun seling if they wanted, said the Bridge’s Rosemary Connors.

“Not everyone wants to be walking into a big building where there is a lot of activity,” she said. “It’s quiet. It’s peaceful.”

Grace Core has had about 25 people graduate since the pro gram started, Rosemary Connors said. The chaplains help first re sponders, the Community Assis tance Program, the Lighthouse Mission and other organizations

throughout the community.

“There’s a lot of bless ing,” Rosemary Connors said.

“There’s a lot of opportunity as

a result of the training.”

For more information on Grace Core, visit the Grace Core website at gracecore.org.

Elegant Birch Bay Water View Estate

s From l.; Bob Jones, Lorelei Bowers, Doug Lang, Lee Connors, Mark Coplin, Dan Williams and Carol Crauswell. Those holding certificates celebrated graduating from the Grace Core program on October 1.

Photo courtesy Rosemary Connors