The Northern Light: November 10-16, 2022

Accused knifeman arrested after being pepperballed and beanbagged

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A man was arrested in the early morning of November 7 on suspicion of stabbing another man on Peace Portal Drive un der the I-5 overpass. It took two hours for about 17 law enforcement officers to get the suspect, who refused to identify him self, to surrender.

Blaine Police Department (BPD) officers received a call at 12:11 a.m. November 7 from a man who said another male had stabbed him near the Peace Portal Drive I-5 overpass, according to BPD’s case sum mary. A witness also reported the incident to 911.

The victim told police he had tried talking to the man when the man began stabbing him, according to BPD. The vic tim, who police said had defensive wounds, described the knife as being 1-foot long.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) assisted with aid on scene and transported the victim to St. Joseph Medi cal Center in Bellingham, where he arrived around 1:15 a.m., NWFR chief Jason van der Veen said.

The police found the suspect underneath I-5 shortly after contacting the victim. BPD sergeant Tim Richardson said in addition to two Blaine officers, about five U.S. Bor der Patrol agents, three Bellingham Police Department officers, three Washington State Patrol troopers and four Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office officers with a K-9 responded. SWAT was later called and ar rived as the man was arrested at 2:13 a.m.

Richardson said the man brandished two knives, each over 1-foot long, at offi cers and the K-9 as they tried to talk him into surrendering. Officers first tried pep perballs and, after those didn’t work, used less-lethal beanbag rounds, Richardson said. The man surrendered about five min utes after the bean bags were deployed.

The man had bloodstains on his cloth ing that did not appear to be his, according to BPD’s case summary, and a trail of blood

Growing season ends for girls soccer

Democrats holding slight leads in 42nd district races

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The November 8 general election is proving to have tight races between Democrats and Republicans in Whatcom County. About 43.3 percent of the county’s 157,580 registered voters turned in their ballots by 8 p.m. Election Day. Whatcom County Auditor’s Office estimated anoth er 25,500 ballots were left to count – not including ballots dropped off on election night or mailed last minute – after nearly 68,232 ballots were counted.

The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office

announced in a November 9 news release that the elections department is behind on processing ballots because of network out ages that limited connection ability to the state’s voter registration system, VoteWA. Windstorms during the weekend of November 4 caused fiber optic outages, impacting data services, according to the auditor’s office. VoteWA checks ballots and verifies signatures, which is the first step in ballot processing. Ballots returned during the weekend and early election week have not yet been processed be cause of the system outage and a high

School surveys show teacher outlook on district

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Blaine educators were feeling ready for this school year.

At a time when national polls show teachers are less satisfied than they have been in decades, most Blaine school dis trict staff are satisfied with their jobs and feel they have a healthy work environ ment, according to a recent staff survey.

Over 80 percent of staff that responded said they were motivated, satisfied and en joyed the current culture in the district.

17,000.Solutions founder Rich Haz zard presented the staff survey results at a Blaine school board meeting October 24 in Point Roberts. 17,000.Solutions is a re search, consulting and design lab organi zation dedicated to public school improve ment, according to its website.

Superintendent Christopher Granger said the district chose 17,000.Solutions to conduct its staff support project because, along with gauging staff morale, it will de velop solutions to improve district culture. He said it’s intended to help the district re

bound from the pandemic. Across the nation

Pandemic-related issues are not spe cific to Blaine. School districts across the country are struggling to bounce back. Forty-three percent of teachers polled in a national survey conducted by EdWeek Research Center said they were dissatisfied with their job. According to the survey, which polled 1,324 teachers between Jan uary 9 and February 23, only 12 percent

er-than-average voter turnout. Whatcom County auditor Diana Bradrick said in the news release that the auditor’s office was processing ballots on November 9 but the VoteWA signature verification was oper ating slower than usual.

Sharon Shewmake (D) is in a close lead against incumbent Simon Sefzik (R) for the state senator seat in the 42nd Legisla tive District. Shewmake has 51.3 percent (23,770 votes) and Sefzik has 48.6 percent (22,518) of the votes. They are currently

s Juliana Zuzarte battles for the ball November 3 at Borderite stadium. Blaine High School girls soccer team ended the season 4-3 in its bi-district game against Meridian High School. Read more on page 6.

Photo by Janell Kortlever

Rite Aid Lighthouse Mission Ministries

BHS theater arts takes “The Little Mermaid” to center stage

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Blaine High School’s theater arts department is ready to make its pandemic comeback with Dis ney’s “The Little Mermaid” mu sical. The performance starts at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 17 through Saturday, November 19 and starts at 2 p.m. Sunday, No vember 20.

Under the direction of BHS’s new drama teacher Olivia Thei lemann, the one-hour perfor mance will bring to life the 1989 Disney classic as the protagonist mermaid, Ariel, falls in love and becomes human. The Disney ver sion is adapted from Danish au thor Hans Christian Andersen’s 19th century fairy tale.

“They’re all super thrilled,” Theilemann said of the students. “They’ve been working really hard and craving this for many years. It’s come out in their ex citement. They’re super jazzed about it.”

Except for a small play last spring, Theilemann said this will be the students’ first in-per son performance since the pan demic. Over 20 BHS actors and eight technicians have worked

nearly every weekday since mid-September to gear up for the show. The musical will have singing, dancing, fun costumes

and puppets.

Andy Marshall is the show’s musical and technical director and Renee Scheib is the assis tant director and choreographer. Theilemann said she plans to put on two large-scale performances per year as well as small perfor mances.

Theilemann said she wants au dience members to understand theater’s importance in school and watch the students’ joy as they perform.

“I really hope the community comes out and supports. These students worked really hard and the more community engage ment we can get, the better.”

The show is appropriate for all ages. General admission tickets are $10, and tickets for students and children are $5. Tickets will be sold at the door of the Perform ing Arts Center, 975 H Street.

“This group of students is ex tremely talented,” Theilemann said. “Their jaws will be on the floor for what they will see.”

s Ava Freeman, who plays Ariel, rehearses for Blaine High School’s “The Little Mermaid” on November 8. The show runs November 17-20.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

Canadian side of Peace Arch Park reopens for visitors

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B.C. Parks reopened Peace Arch Provincial Park Octo ber 24 nearly 2.5 years after it closed in June 2020 due to Covid-19 concerns.

B.C. Parks’ notice on its web site announcing the park’s re opening after 28 months said the agency has been working in collaboration with Semiahmoo

School ...

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of K-12 teachers said they were “very satisfied” with their job. The percentage dropped by 27 percent from 2012 to 2022. This is the lowest in the 34 years for which the survey had data.

An Education Week article published in September said the pandemic is largely to blame. Students’ mental health and well-being suffered while they lost the equivalent of several months’ worth of learning in reading and math.

Parents related its effect on their kids. Most parents said the first year of the pandemic curbed their children’s educa tion, according to an October 26 article from Pew Research Center, a nonpartisan Wash ington, D.C., think tank. For ty-four percent of those parents said this is still the case.

Union survey

Teachers returning to the class room had to recover lost ground, which took a toll on Blaine staff last school year.

Every year Blaine school dis trict’s employee union, Blaine Education Association (BEA), conducts an anonymous survey with school staff to get a sense of the overall school climate. Most years it’s used within BEA as background. But last school year’s, which was conducted April 7, was submitted to the school board due to the nature of the responses, and The Northern Light obtained a copy through a public records request.

Of 147 BEA members last school year, 121 teachers, or 81 percent, took the survey.

Sixty percent of members who took the survey said they were dissatisfied with the over all climate of the district; how ever, 57 percent of members were pleased with the climate in their main building or worksite. Many said in the comments that Granger and the school admin istration were at fault for their overall dissatisfaction.

“The district has completely changed under Granger,” one

Nation, the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA), RCMP and other agencies to ensure the reopening was done in a safe and respectful manner.

In July, B.C. Ministry of En vironment and Climate Change Strategy officials told The Northern Light it would not reopen until B.C. Parks could verify visitors’ vaccination sta tus, which the ministry said

member wrote of the superin tendent who was hired in August 2019. “Top down decisions, cli mate of fear; lack of inclusion, communication.”

Another member summed up much of the comments, on both sides.

“There was no choice for what I see: some are extremely satis fied with the new administration at the buildings and others felt like some mistakes were made and no longer trust that things will get better,” they wrote. “I do believe Dr. Granger can at times micromanage and this is not the style Blaine is used to. However, he has made unpopular decisions that needed to be done. Covid and change has affected every one, and I think there is years of not trusting admin getting in the way. … The love of teaching is lost, and teachers are too tired to please all sides. Sorry but reality.”

New survey

But staff were positive at the beginning of this school year, ac cording to the new anonymous survey from 17,000.Solutions, which received 275 responses.

Eighty percent of those who re sponded said they were satisfied with the health of their work place environment and 91 per cent said they were satisfied with the quality and health of their re lationships with leadership. Over 80 percent of staff said they were likely to be on staff three years from now, with 50 percent saying they were “very likely.” Also, 248 staff members, or 83 percent of members who responded to the question, said they were motivat ed ahead of this school year.

“These are really good num bers,” Hazzard said. “In light of how stressed out everybody was at the end of last year, I would have thought these numbers might have been lower.”

If staff took the survey in May, Hazzard said the quantitative re sults would have been different.

Board member Don Leu, who has over 50 years’ experience in education, said it’s an issue of timing. Leu said the qualitative data is likely more reflective of past experiences related to the pandemic and other possible

was not feasible at the time.

The gate to the parking lot is closed from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. B.C. Parks asks visitors to park only in the designated parking lot and not to park on Beach Road or the access road, ac cording to its website. The park does not offer access to the beach.

Visitors can access both Ca nadian and U.S. sides of Peace

frustrations.

It took 26 minutes on average to complete the survey. In total, that accounts for 120 hours of staff time, which Granger said during the meeting, was not a small investment for the district. The responses were then used to devise a roadmap of areas for staff to focus on to support each other.

Hazzard said the qualitative feedback consisted of over 200 pages of staff comments. Based on the feedback, Hazzard said 80 percent of staff were posi tive while 20 percent said they were struggling.

Some of the staff criticisms were grouped into themes of not feeling heard or supported, dis trust or pessimism, lack of time, inconsistent expectations and unrealistic demands, things get ting in the way of what happens in the classroom, and more verti cal communication than horizon tal. No specific comments were provided in the presentation.

Asked by Leu whether the comments would be provided, Hazzard said he would leave that up to Granger.

Hazzard began the presenta tion listing sources that heighten school staff stress levels. They in clude politicization of school dis trict communities, lost learning, increase in mental health needs of students, increase in student misbehaviors and Covid-relat ed personal challenges. He also mentioned a statistic from RAND Corporation, a U.S. research or ganization, that says one in three people who say they will or want to leave a school district will leave the district.

Toward the end of the presen tation, Hazzard provided areas for administration to focus on to improve staff support: pro fessional development; culture, relationships and teams; job satisfaction and motivation; joy, fun; recognition; and personal health and wellness.

Granger then provided strate gies that could be implemented for each category. In person al development, he listed cru cial conversations for district leadership and staff as well as a heightened focus on diversity,

Arch Park from either side of the border without going through customs. The U.S. side of the park, known as Peace Arch Historical State Park, re mained open when the border closed in March 2020 due to the pandemic and became a gathering place for family and loved ones separated by the closed border.

Thirty-year Blaine resident

equity and inclusion. Other im provements included consistent staff enforcement, more engage ment and collaboration, taking input inventory, staff potlucks, more student and staff success assemblies – not just for sports, improving staff recognition, and providing wellness spaces and access to fitness classes.

With the improvements de vised, the district will work to implement them over the school year and evaluate their effective ness at the end of the year.

“I would like to commend the administration for recognizing an important problem and look ing at it head on, and working to solve it,” Leu said. “I think that says a lot about both our district, and the trust behind one anoth er, and in the leadership team. So I really want to congratulate the

Michelle Peacey and her dog Zoe visited the B.C. side of the park November 8 for the first time in over two years. Peacey said they visit the park about once every week. They had their photo taken in front of the Peace Arch Park sign to send to Peacey’s sister to say, “We’re enjoying the park again in the fall,” Peacey said.

leadership team.”

Hazzard said the type of mod el this engagement project used, with a thoughtful quantitative and qualitative balanced ap proach that translates into ac tion, is unique. He said every district should have a research aide to conduct such work and provide even more feedback than the survey.

Board president Dougal Thomas thanked staff during the meeting for taking the time to participate.

“It takes an abundance of lead ers to be a successful organiza tion,” Granger said. “We’re not going to be successful because we have a good superintendent, and a great board, and good admin istrators. It’s going to be because we have an abundance of leader ship throughout the system.”

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

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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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General Editorial

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Holiday lights go up around downtown Blaine OpiniOn

The Editor:

2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the Blaine Food Bank serving our community. During that time, we have had 10 presi dents, engaged in five wars, entered a new age of “e-everything,” welcomed a new millennium, endured terrorist attacks both foreign and domestic, had our world shut down as we fought to survive the global pandemic and now face the most raging inflation in 40 years. Through it all, because of you, we have been here, working to end hunger in our communi ty. At no time since opening in 1972 has the need been greater, or the resources more limited.

The beginning of this year we were serv ing around 400 families each week. Today we are serving just over 600 families each week, and that number increases at each distribution as new families seek our help. Skyrocketing prices for food and fuel have affected everyone, including us, as we face the same price increases as each of you. In addition, donations have decreased dramatically as folks struggle with high er costs. We are in a perfect storm of in creased need and decreased resources.

We depend on our community for the resources to do the job that we do. You are the heart and soul of the Blaine Food Bank. Without you we simply could not exist. Every year at this time we run our

Letters

only fundraiser, the Matching Funds Campaign. The funds from this campaign are vital. They are used to purchase milk and eggs for the upcoming year. This year, our generous anonymous donor and benefactor has offered us $40,000 if our community matches that amount by December 23. We need you to meet that goal. Our neighbors count on us, and we count on you.

Please help us if you can. We can’t do it without you. Donations can be made in person at 500 C Street, by mail at PO Box 472, Blaine, WA 98231 or on our website blainefoodbank.org using a debit or credit card or through PayPal.

I thank you for caring and wish you all a blessed holiday season.

Sally Church, Blaine Food Bank Blaine

The Editor:

We applaud the Bellingham and Whatcom County Council for budget ing to create a Racial Equity Commis sion (WREC). Additional thanks for the hard work done by Kristine Martens and Shu-Ling Zhao, with support from the Chuckanut Health Foundation, along with 32 residents who met over the last year to make recommendations.

A positive step in the right direction, this commission will include 31 voting

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.

members including 12 representatives from tribes and other people of color, and 19 appointed by the county execu tive and mayor.

With so much division and discord, it is refreshing to see a commission whose pur pose is to gather, evaluate data and make recommendations to eliminate racial ineq uities. We believe this will be a place for all voices to be heard. We encourage people to roll up their sleeves and apply once that process gets started.

In the meantime, there is still much work that can be done through organi zations such as our justice system com mittee, Whatcom CARE and Community to Community. Make it a point to attend some of the county’s many cultural events, or reach out and help people through tu toring or volunteering at the Food Bank.

Imagine how enriched our community will be if we all help to achieve WREC’s vision: “People of all races in Whatcom county live, thrive and belong for who they are, without fear. Every day.”

Lola Hudson, Riveters Collective Bellingham

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 A city of Blaine public works employee strings winter holiday lights near the corner of Peace Portal Drive and H Street on November 2.

Photo by Fay Brockhoff

BBWSD completes automated water meter installation

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Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD) has finished its nearly $2 million automated water meter installation project. The meters are expected to detect leaks more quickly, which will help with water conservation and save taxpayers money.

BBWSD announced Novem ber 2 that it completed the proj ect in October after three years of installation. The automated radio-read network gives more accurate readings and provides more data on the water flow rate.

Previously, BBWSD employees would use a long probe to read meters every two months but now BBWSD employees are able to read the meters from their ve hicles weekly.

“Customers can call us and we can run a data log on their usage,” BBWSD finance director

Sandi McMillan said. “If they suspect their high bill was some thing they can control, we’ll run a data log for the whole week.”

About 129 leaks per year were detected in the five-year average before the new meters, according to BBWSD. But an average of 196 leaks per year have been detected since the new meters began being installed, which is a 50 percent increase in detected leaks. Mc Millan said it’s difficult to gauge the amount of money customers are saving as more leaks are de tected, but estimated, for exam ple, something like a leaky toilet flapper, which is a common issue, could save someone about $50 to $130 per month, depending on the leak size.

McMillan said BBWSD had an employee checking on meters every day during the freeze last winter so the district could alert people of breaks.

Manufactured homes public hearing rescheduled

The city of Blaine rescheduled the planning commission’s public hearing on manufactured homes for 6 p.m. Thursday, December 8 in city council chambers, 435 Martin Street. The city announced November 7 that it pushed the hearing, previously scheduled for November 10, a month back.

The public hearing is over a proposal to fix zoning inconsis tencies impacting the approv al of manufactured home de velopments in east Blaine. The proposed change would allow manufactured homes and manu factured home parks in residen tial planned unit developments

(PUDs) in the city’s planned res idential zone. Right now, man ufactured homes aren’t allowed in PUDs but they are allowed within the city’s planned residen tial zone, which runs from 15th Street to the eastern city limits and from the U.S./Canada border to H Street Road.

Comments can be sent by mail, email and fax to Stacy Clauson, of the community development ser vices department, at 435 Martin Street, suite 3000, in Blaine. Com ments can be emailed to cdscom ments@cityofblaine.com with “East Harbor Hills LLC” in the subject line or faxed to 360/332-8330.

solved itself safely and that we were able to safely put him in custody,” Richardson said.

In 2018, the Washington state Public Works Board approved the $2 million capital project, which BBWSD finished with about $200,000 to spare. The state’s public works board set a 1.5 per cent annual rate for 20 years to pay off the project, which McMil lan said was a very attractive rate as municipal bond market rates are currently 3 to 5 percent.

BBWSD and its contracted I&I Pipe Services began replacing over 5,400 water meters, all of which were at least 15 years old, in 2019. A small percentage of newer meters didn’t need to be replaced and were set up to the radio-reading system.

BBWSD has about 8,000 con nections in its 12-square-mile service area, McMillan said.

CITY OF BLAINE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING CITY COUNCIL

Notice is hereby given that the 2023 Preliminary Budget was filed with the Blaine City Clerk on November 2, 2022. Copies of the preliminary budget are available for review in the City Clerk’s office.

Public Hearings on the final 2023 budget are scheduled for Monday, November 14, 2022, and Monday, November 28, 2022, at 6:00 pm. The meeting will be held in-person and virtually. Information on how to attend the City Council meeting virtually will be included on the agenda. City Council meeting agendas are published the Friday before the City Council meeting.

If you do not want to give testimony during the public hearing, please email your testimony to CityCouncil@cityofblaine.com. Please note that emails and letters sent to the entire Council are public record and they will be included on the City Council meeting agenda. All City Council meeting recordings are on the City’s website.

“The water department wants to thank all our customers that we impacted by the project, whether from water service inter ruptions to digging in their yards or blocking driveways,” wrote Charlie Hagin, of BBWSD’s water department, in a statement. “The cooperation and understanding we experienced was so appreciat ed by all our staff.”

CITY OF BLAINE

Information on how to listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s website homepage under Your Government, City Council, City Council Agenda. Please check the agenda prior to each meeting as the call in number or location may change.

Thursday, November 10

9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting 10:30am – Public Works Advisory Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting

Friday, November 11

City Offices Closed – Veterans Day

Monday, November 14 4:30pm – Study Session: 2023 PW Budget 6:00pm – City Council Meeting: Public Hearing on 2023 Budget

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was found in the area.

The man was booked into Whatcom County Jail for first-de gree assault and resisting arrest, according to jail booking data. He is being held without bail.

Jail staff ran the man’s finger prints after he refused to give his name to officers, but haven’t identified him yet, Richardson said. BPD officers were famil iar with the suspect, who was known to spend time under the overpass, Richardson said. BPD has received several calls re garding mental health issues for the man, but not for anything violent, he added.

“We’re glad that everything re

Anyone wishing to attend and participate who may need special accommodation to do so should contact the City Clerk’s office no later than seventy-two hours (72) hours prior to the scheduled meeting.

For further information on the 2023 budget, please contact the Finance Department, 360-332-8311.

Tuesday, November 22 3:30pm – Civil Service Commission Meeting

Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.

Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website. www.cityofblaine.com

s Above, a water meter box lid, the meter box interiors and the automated water meter. BBWSD courtesy photos

spOrts

Sports roundup: Lady Borderites fall to Trojans in penalty shootout, Blaine swimmer goes to state

Blaine girls soccer season end ed November 3 after losing 4-3 to Meridian High School in a penalty shootout in the bi-dis trict play-in game at Borderite stadium.

Having made it to the bi-dis trict playoffs last year, head coach Gio Quesada said his goal for the team this year was to make it back to bi-districts in Seattle. Penalty kicks are a flip of the coin, Quesada said.

Not much has been able to sep arate Blaine and Meridian this season. Going into the game, they had already played each oth er three times this season. Both teams had a 1-0 win and a draw.

The Lady Borderites started the game strong. Sophomore Kaela Bowman gave Blaine the go-ahead goal less than 10 minutes in. With her left foot, Bowman swept a loose ball in the box that the Trojans failed to clear from a corner kick into the back of the net.

Blaine beat the Trojans at Me ridian in similar fashion in con ference action this season. They scored off a corner late into the first half and held on to the one goal advantage with a strong de fensive performance in the second half. But Blaine had to hold on for too long last Thursday night.

Ball possession was even until the end of the first half when the momentum shifted. Blaine began to sit back more on defense and rely on counter attacks while the Trojans looked for an equalizer.

It became a midfield battle, with few shots on goal. Rain, wind and cold temperatures did not help and made it rough on spectators.

With 13 minutes left in the game – almost out of nothing –a Trojan midfielder took a shot from about 35 yards out that deflected off a Blaine defender looping over sophomore goal keeper Larissa Pluschakov, who was caught off her line. The team was stunned.

Senior captain Evellina Yuryev, who was filling in for injured seniors Ava Curtright and Piper Nissen in defense, tried to rally the young team on the field while top goalscorer Kristina Roby re entered the game after subbing off injured in the first half. Nei ther team found a winner before the end of the game and through the two five minute extra time halves. Only penalties could sep arate them.

Blaine shot first. The girls missed their third and fifth pen alties while the Trojans made all of theirs, sending them on to bi-districts.

“The team put a lot of effort on the field,” Quesada said. “The team is very fresh and got a lot of experience out of the game. I’m super happy.”

Quesada said the girls have been improving tactically and that he was especially proud of how players stepped up to fill the positions of injured players. He also thanked parents and stu dents for all the support this sea son. He said he’s been watching the support grow over the years.

Swimming Freshman Hailey Ferrell won both the 50-yard and 500-yard freestyle races. She won the 50 free in 25.69 seconds, a faster state qualifying time than she already had, and the 500 free in 5:32.61, another state qualify ing time. She will go on to com pete in both events at the state meet at King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way from Thursday, November 10 to Sat urday, November 12. Ferrell is seeded fourth in the 50 yard.

Blaine’s team placed sixth in the 200-yard medley relay with a time of 2:38.90. Freshman Eden Shields, Ferrell and seniors Sylvie Lausier and Jade Shields made up the team.

“It was really a team effort from Blaine,” said head coach Julia Landon. “We’re happy coaches and hopefully happy athletes!”

Landon said as coaches they enjoy encouraging swimmers and watching them grow in a sport they can do their whole lives.

Landon also mentioned that boys swimming practice begins Monday, November 14. Students interested in joining the co-op swim team with Ferndale should contact the Blaine athletics office or email athletic director Chas Kok at ckok@blainesd.org.

Football

The Borderites lost 33-15 to Cedar Park Christian November 4 at Blaine High School stadium in their final game of the season. Blaine finished the season with a 1-9 overall record and 0-4 record in conference.

s Madeleine Ernst receives a pass on the turn in Blaine’s loss to the Meridian Trojans November 3.

Photo by Ian Haupt

One of the perks of getting old er is having more time to devote to recreation and traveling.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are roughly 52 mil lion people who are age 65 or older in the United States. With a $1.6 trillion total net worth, seniors spend more on groceries, pharmaceutical items and travel and leisure than any other demo graphic. The international travel agency Virtuoso says the average retiree spends nearly $12,000 a year on travel.

Age does not have to restrict one’s ability to travel, and with age comes experience and more opportunities to enjoy travel. Be fore taking off for parts unknown,

men and women over 50 can take steps to ensure their excursions are as safe as they are memorable.

1. Consider risk. The corona virus pandemic of 2020 taught the world that situations can change rapidly. Before booking any travel, weigh the risks and the benefits of a trip. Determine if Covid-19 is spreading where you live or at your destination. Older adults have a higher risk for se vere illness caused by the virus.

Seniors were among the first groups of people to be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

The travel resource Go Backpack ing says vaccination is now one of the primary requirements for entering destinations around the

globe. If you have not been vac cinated, now may be the time to discuss the vaccine with a doctor.

2. Travel during off-peak hours: mid-afternoon and ear ly evening tend to be busy trav el times. No matter how you’re traveling, avoiding crowds can reduce infection rates. If possible, travel in the early morning or late at night when fewer people will

photo (See Seniors, page 10)

File

1968 article shares Birch Bay vet’s days as point man

Point man: The soldier at the head of a patrol. Often considered the worst position, as it is the most dangerous. The soldier’s job is to walk out in front of the platoon to navigate and watch for enemy soldiers.

Birch Bay resident and veteran Warner Fosberg learned what it was like three weeks into his tour in Vietnam.

Fosberg was born March 27, 1945 and has lived most of his life in Birch Bay. He was drafted January 24, 1967 and served his two years in the U.S. Army.

Fosberg, speaking in 1968 as a sergeant with Old Ironsides’ Company C in the 5th Battalion, 6th Infantry, told The Armored Sentinel in Fort Hood, Texas his story of being assigned point man in Vietnam for the first time. It was published November 1, 1968 with the headline, “Every Infantryman Fears the Words, ‘Pointman move out.’”

Private first class Fosberg had been in Vietnam three weeks when his squad leader ordered him to lead out. “One of the most feared orders any man can receive in Vietnam,” the article says. He had already seen what Viet Cong booby traps could do and witnessed the accuracy of snipers. He scanned the terrain of rice paddies, jungle and hills, in fear.

“Fear is the natural instinct for anyone who could possibly be ‘the first one to get it,’ but Fosberg found that fear made him more alert,” the article reads.

His squad leader showed him the direction to take and area to sweep. He set his M16 rifle to automatic, “Hurry,” and led his squad down a hill from its night defensive perimeter.

It was a long day for Fosberg. A sound from the jungle was a Viet Cong taking aim at him and every vine could set off a booby trap. He strained to detect every sound and movement from the jungle. He led the platoon through vines and bamboo. He became disoriented and led them almost a kilometer in the wrong direction. But the platoon’s mission for the day was completed and no one had been wounded as they reached the jungles near Tam Ky at sunset.

Fosberg continued to walk point many times in the following months. He learned the sounds of the jungle and how to distinguish between nature and the enemy. He led his platoon around danger, uncovered punji sticks, a type of booby trap, and detected trip wires. “Point became a challenge of matching skills with his unseen enemy,” according to the article.

The article says no point man can detect everything. The Viet Cong mastered the manufacture and concealment of booby traps. In a few short months, few soldiers became

s Page 17 of the November 1, 1968 issue of The Armored Sentinel, a newspaper published for military and civilians in Fort Hood, Texas.

Courtesy copy

experts at avoiding them all.

Fosberg remembered when an ammo bearer, walking seventh in line, triggered a booby trap that wounded three men. Six men missed it before “the panting ‘greenie’” was blown off the trail. Fosberg remembered the medical evacuations and gritted teeth of men in pain. Because he remembered, he became a better soldier, according to the article.

The pressure at times was unbearable. News of point men in every platoon being daily casualties spread during the Americal Division’s Operation Catnip in the hills west of Duc Pho. Fosberg himself saw three friends fall at the lead of his platoon. Then it would be his turn.

Brief glances from friends expressed their sympathy. “He wondered if this was what it might be like to attend his own funeral,” the article reads. But in war, decisions must be made, jobs must be done, the article reads. And his job was to walk point.

His squad leader nodded and gave him a quick smile. Fosberg started down the jungle path with renewed confidence. He made ground slowly, carefully. He searched every tree and bush while each foot was placed precisely with caution. They inched along the trail as hours passed. Then he heard a metallic click.

Fosberg dove off the trail, spraying the brush in front of him with his M16. Unseen AK-47s ripped the bark off trees beside him, throwing dirt in his eyes. He kept firing, feeding magazines into his rifle and throwing empties over his shoulder. Then he heard retreating footsteps.

The platoon swept the area and found three spider holes less than 15 feet from where Fosberg was engaged in his one-man firefight. After a brief rest, the platoon moved out with Fosberg at point.

“Again the thoughts of doom entered his mind. ‘My God, they were only feet away and I never saw them. Now again. How much can I take?’” the article reads.

Time stood still and jungle trails became infinity. It was he and the ever-present enemy. A glance over his shoulder

and the familiar nod from the grenadier behind him reaffirmed his faith that he was never completely alone. “Odd that just a nod or a smile could be so important in a war,” the article reads.

Fosberg’s senses were alerted again.

He saw movement behind a tree. He crept off the trail and motioned the men behind him to drop down. He saw it again. Something was there. He aimed his rifle at the area as the grenadier crawled forward to join him. Quick figures dashed behind trees, then shots were fired. The M60 gunner maneuvered on one side of the trail and a fire team came forward for more support.

The fight was over in seconds. The enemy was routed. A platoon member had been killed and the grenadier shot. It could have been worse, but a friend in pain is no consolation for any job done, the article reads.

The day ended as many in Vietnam. Fosberg was mentally and physically exhausted, but he had survived another day at point. He knew he would be called there again. He would worry about that later. He was thankful he was alive and another day had ended.

After he served, Fosberg worked on the oil pipeline in Alaska and fished here in Blaine. He still lives in Birch Bay.

Active S eniors

Seniors ...

From page 7

of cases on their Corona virus Dashboard. Visit Covid19. who.int to learn more.

4. Pack accordingly. Along with the usual travel gear, bring along hand sanitizer, antibacte rial wipes, masks, and disinfect ing sprays. Wipe down common touch points in hotel rooms, like doorknobs and remote controls.

5. Dine outside. Many people have safely returned to indoor dining. But if you want extra pro tection, ask to be seated outdoors at restaurants. Try to limit time spent in other public places if they are crowded. That includes bars, clubs or even museums.

6. Use senior-friendly services. Seek out travel services that offer the best perks for older adults. Many travel providers no longer offer senior discounts, but they may offer other ben efits, such as early boarding or assistance with traveling from gates to baggage areas.

7. Get travel insurance. Ac cording to Liz Dahl, cofounder of Boomer Travel Patrol, a website featuring expert advice geared toward the Baby Boomer demo graphic, travel insurance can be essential for older travelers. Older travelers may be more at risk of falling or getting sick and some may need extra medication if travel is interrupted or delayed. Travel insurance can provide ex tra coverage for a relatively low price if something goes wrong.

8. Don’t advertise your ab sence. It may be tempting to up load photos of your beachside vacation to social media as you are immersed in paradise. Unfor tunately, seniors tend to be tar gets for thieves because they are seen as vulnerable. Don’t make

the job easier by advertising you are away from home. In addition, have a neighbor periodically pick up your mail and set lights on timers to give the impression you are home even when you’re not.

9. Share your itinerary. Keep loved ones apprised of your gen eral travel itinerary, especially if you are traveling solo, rec ommends AARP. Keep a mobile phone on you at all times.

10. Pack copies of important documents. In the event pa

perwork is lost while traveling, request copies of prescriptions and/or statements of medical conditions from each physician and medical treatment center so you have a second set. Keep copies of your passport, driv er’s license, insurance cards, travel tickets, and other docu ments as well.

Seniors have the ability to trav el much more than other age groups. Make the experience en joyable by focusing on safety.

NEWPORT CIGARETTES King size Menthol - If you smoke these, you need to call me. 360917-4443.

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON FOR CHELAN COUNTY In the Matter of the Es tate of JAN T. STEVENS, Deceased. No. 22-4-00535-04. NONPROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. RCW 11.42.030

The notice agent named below has elected to give notice to creditors of the abovenamed decedent. As of the date of the filing of a copy of this notice with the court, the notice agent has no knowledge of any other person acting as notice agent or of the appointment of a personal representa tive of the decedent’s estate in the State of Washington. According to the records of the court as are available on the date of the filing of this notice with the court, a cause number regarding the decedent has not been issued to any other notice agent and a personal representative of the decedent’s estate has not been appointed.

Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise appli cable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.42.070 by serving on or mailing to the notice agent or the notice agent’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 notice agent’s declaration and oath were filed. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the notice agent served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provid ed under RCW 11.42.020(2)(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 11.42.050 and 11.42.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: November 10, 2022

The notice agent declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington on 15th day of August, 2022, at Highland Park, Illinois, that the foregoing is true and correct.

Notice Agent: PAMELA A. CARLSON Attorneys for the Notice Agent: David J. Bentsen

Address for Mailing or Service: Speidel Bentsen LLP

7 North Wenatchee Avenue, Suite 600 P.O. Box 881 Wenatchee, Washington 98807

Court of Notice Agent’s Oath and Declaration and Cause Number: Chelan County Superior Court Cause No. 22-4-00535-04

Prepared By: SPEIDEL BENTSEN LLP

By: David J. Bentsen, WSBA No. 42107

7 North Wenatchee Avenue, Suite 600 P.O. Box 881 Wenatchee, Washington 98807 (509) 662-1211

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: TERESA LAMB-RAMIEREZ, Deceased. No. 22-4-01027-37. NOTICE TO CRED ITORS. Judge Lee Grochmal.

The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Adminis trator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of lim itations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and fil ing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be present ed within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator 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: October 21, 2022 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: October 27, 2022

Name of Administrator: LEONA GOLLEN

Attorney for Administrators: 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: October 21, 2022

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

Attorney for Administrator: LEONA GOLLEN www.averyelderlaw.com

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JAMES M. LAVERY, Deceased. No. 224-01014-37. 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: October 19, 2022 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: October 27, 2022

Name

IN

4-01031-37.

Judge Lee Grochmal.

The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Adminis trator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of lim itations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and fil ing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be present ed within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator 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: October 25, 2022 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: October 27, 2022

Name of Administrator: JULIA MCCAFFREY

Attorney for Administrators: 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: October 25, 2022

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

Attorney for Administrator: JULIA MCCAFFREY www.averyelderlaw.com

THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In the matter of the Estates of DENNIS KEN NETH HARVEY BECKETT and SHARON ANGELEEN BECKETT, Deceased. No. 22-4-00998-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030). Judge Evan P. Jones The

BECKETT must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limita tions, present the claim in the manner provided by RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Co-Personal Rep resentatives or the Co-Personal Rep resentatives’ 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 have commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Co-Personal Representa tives 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 this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim will be forever barred except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 or 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate and nonprobate assets of the Decedents.

DATE OF FILING OF NOTICE TO CREDI

TORS WITH CLERK OF THE COURT: October 14, 2022

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: October 27, 2022

CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES: DEANNA BECKETT and JANICE FONTANA

ATTORNEY FOR CO-PERSONAL REPRE SENTATIVES: Mark W. Stowe, WSBA #16655

ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Stowe Law PLLC, 276 Boundary Bay Rd, P.O. Box 129, Point Roberts, WA 98281 Phone: (360) 945-0337

Email: stowelawpllc@outlook.com

DATED this 14th day of October 2022.

STOWE LAW PLLC: Mark W. Stowe, WSBA# 16655 Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives

Co-Personal Representatives named below have been appointed as Co-Per sonal Representatives of the above es tates. Any person having a claim against the deceased DENNIS KENNETH HARVEY BECKETT and/or the deceased SHARON ANGELEEN

THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHAT COM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JOHN SANDLIN REGIONS, Deceased. No. 22-

NOTICE TO CREDITORS.

Real Estate

5756 Salish Road

MLS #1992937 $335,000

5371 Nootka Loop

MLS #2014748

$978,000

5375

MLS #1983680

Nootka Loop

$1,399,000

8370 Harborview Rd #9

MLS #1997802 $349,000

8283

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

flooring to appliance and the final detail of window coverings.

Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718

Charming 2-bedroom home on a large cor ner lot in the sought-after Birch Bay Village community! This remodeled home would make an ideal getaway spot, affordable full-time residence, or a fantastic addi tion to your investment portfolio - it would be easy to rent this out now and build the dream house later! Updated low mainte nance flooring, on-trend wood accent wall, new cabinets, counters, furnace, hot water tank...nothing left to do but move right in!

Leah Crews 360.305.4747

Incredible opportunity to own 2 STORY 4 BEDROOM 80ft+ waterfront home in Birch Bay Village. First time on market with 1700sq.ft. of living space & vistas of Birch Bay, Mt. Baker & San Juan. Convenient trail to Clubhouse, Golf Course, Tennis, Pickleball & Marina less than block away. Step off your concrete seawall to miles of pristine Inland Pacific Beaches. Impossible to replicate to day, huge carport provides potential expan sion opportunities. This is the ideal choice. Mike Kent 360-815-3898

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

Sweetest of opportunities & a Birch Bay best value. 8370 Harborview Road #9, 55 & over property. 2008 Karsten manufactured home is 1506 sq. ft. +/- 3 bedroom, 1.75 baths, large modern kitchen with stainless LG ap pliances & walk in pantry, Great room & liv ing room areas. Vaulted ceilings, feels like new, Propane Gas furnace & freestanding gas fireplace. New roof on home & two out buildings in 2020. Home is going to be sold mostly turn-key & will require cash buyer. Brian Southwick 360.815.6638

Deceased. No. 22-4-0103237. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Evan P. Jones

The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Adminis trator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of lim itations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and fil ing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be present ed within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator 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: October 25, 2022 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: October 27, 2022

Name of Administrator: JACCI KNISKERN (AKA JACCI L. YOUNG)

Attorney for Administrators: 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: October 25, 2022 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Administrator: JACCI KNISKERN (AKA JACCI L. YOUNG) www.averyelderlaw.com

8249 Valley View Road

MLS #1987144 $798,000

Almost 40-acre homestead is where magical moments are made. It catapulted dreams of small farming & created sense of self-sustaining lifestyle. If you have ever wanted charm of a 1916 farmhouse with modern updates this is the home for you. The floorplan has been thoughtfully opened up to create a light airy feel with old charac teristics intact. Beautiful chef’s kitchen with quartz counters. Cross-fenced fields with shelter for field rotation. Great hobby farm.

Brandi Coplen 360.201.3951

5234 Drayton Harbor Road

MLS #2011182 $195,000

View says it all, great value for the money. North facing lot overlooking Drayton Harbor, North Shore Mountains, Semiahmoo spit, White Rock BC. Enjoy all that the harbor has to offer, bird watching, kayaking or moor a boat for crabbing. Nearby Semiahmoo re sort offers sandy beaches, walking paths and evening entertainment. All this and minutes to the Canadian border / I-5 for your 90-minute Seattle commute. This really is a must see, build your weekend getaway.

Gerry Allen 360-920-0563

8617

Blue Grouse Way

MLS #1976568 $649,700

Delightful 3 bedroom/2 bathroom Crafts man in sought after gated community of Semiahmoo, welcome to Blue Grouse Way! Vaulted ceilings, no steps + must have open concept Great Room design popular with the modern buyer. Flexible floor plan with separate living & family rooms, office nook + high speed internet allows for an easy work from home scenario. Two car attached garage, two covered patios and private, ma ture landscaping creates ideal setting.

Jen Freeman 360.815.0803

8820 Wood Duck Way

MLS #1969453 $1,275,000

Stunning new construction home situated just off 2nd fairway at Semiahmoo. Views of golf course from the 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

9043 Gleneagle Drive

MLS #2011107 $689,000

2020-21 remodel--phenomenal 3 bed/3 bath Gleneagle Villa has been outfitted with numerous upgrades that are sure to please!

Quiet location, private and peaceful. Main floor living makes for an excellent use of space with private ensuite for guests up stairs. Kitchen has been completely remod eled--refined designed, new appliances, custom cabinetry, countertops, & hardware. Primary bath boasts new cabinets, floors, & faucets. Updates are immaculate and shine!

Kathy Stauffer 360.815.4718

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Paul D. Hodge, Deceased. NO. 22-400983-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDI TORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Robert E. Olson.

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.

All real estate/rentals advertising in this news paper is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap familial status or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrim ination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings ad vertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800877-0246.

in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.

Whatcom County to host Birch Bay meeting to discuss flooding predictions

B y G race M c c arthy

Whatcom County government and an environmental consulting firm are hosting a community meeting on flood vulnerability and risk assessment 1-3 p.m. Sat urday, November 19 at Birch Bay State Park’s BP Heron Center.

The meeting will focus on the Whatcom County Coastal and Riv erine Compound Flood Vulnera bility and Risk Assessment project.

County employees hope to better understand river and coastal flood ing impacts, which will be used for policies and preventive plans.

Whatcom County Council approved $100,000 in August for Seattle-based Environmen tal Science Associates (ESA) to start the project.

“The report will be a vulnera bility assessment that will identi fy assets most at risk and tell the county where it needs to priori tize adapting to sea level rise and how it needs to start preparing,” ESA principal engineer Lindsey Sheehan said, giving examples of moving infrastructure to a differ ent location or creating barriers for sea level rise.

ESA consultants will show flooding projections, ask com munity members to share their observations and be available to speak with residents. Sheehan said the meeting will cover sea level rise education, projections University of Washington scien

tists are providing the state and the impact of 1 foot versus 3 feet of sea level rise.

“We will be looking for input from the public on communi ty values,” Sheehan said. “That could be specific places, how folks use the coast, whether they really value businesses along the coast that could be threatened or if they live there and are con cerned about their homes.”

The project’s partners include the county, Port of Bellingham, U.S. Geological Survey, Washington Sea Grant, Washington state Depart ment of Ecology and the cities of Blaine, Ferndale and Bellingham.

The BP Heron Center is located

at 7290 Birch Bay Drive. Discover Passes are required for vehicles at the state park. The county will of fer a limited number of day passes.

People who are unable to attend the meeting may also provide feedback on the Whatcom Coun ty Coastal and Riverine Flooding Survey at bit.ly/3U6Zro1

The project is expected to end in June 2023. Sheehan said there will be more public meetings on the project at the beginning of 2023 and in late spring.

“The more information we get from the public, the better the plan will fit the community and provide solutions for what people want,” Sheehan said.

Road Rules: Airbag safety in vehicles

B y D ou G D ahl

Question: I drive an Escalade. It’s a tank. My airbag went off in a collision and it almost killed me. I think I should have the op tion to disconnect it. It’s my car. Many other cars don’t have it. Why should I?

Answer: I’d like to start with a different question. Does the ju risdiction responsible for design ing, building and maintaining a road also have an obligation to protect the people who use that road? If your answer is no, we’re going to disagree on what fol lows. But before you answer, let’s talk about roller coasters.

It may not seem like it, but there are similarities between amusement parks and our trans portation infrastructure. And I’m not talking about all the clowns you find in both places. Think of buying a car like paying for an entry ticket into Magic Moun

tain. It gives you access – now you can drive on the roads (or ride on the roller coasters). You also have an expectation that you’ll be safe. If the amusement park owners didn’t require rid ers to use the restraints on their rides or failed to maintain them and someone was injured or killed, you’d expect the park to take responsibility for that.

It’s even more important to provide safe transportation than it is safe amusement rides. We entrust our government with building and maintaining our transportation infrastructure. And unlike a roller coaster, most people don’t have the option to not use it. If you think a roller coaster is scary, you can just de cide not to ride it. How would your boss respond if you called work and said, “I can’t make it in today. The roads are too scary.”

Individually, you might want to reduce the safety of your vehicle

because you misperceive the risk and protective factors, so consid er the data.

From 1990 to 2008 there were over 290 deaths caused by air bags. Ninety percent of those occurred before 1998, when air bag design was changed to make them safer, and over 80 percent of people killed were not wear ing a seat belt or were wearing it improperly. Since 2009, when the Takata airbag recall began, there have been 19 deaths from Taka ta airbags That sounds bad, and it is, because every one of those fatalities was a person who mat tered. Compare that though, with the over 50,000 lives saved by airbags. If your vehicle is reason ably new, you always wear your seat belt, and you don’t have an outstanding airbag recall, your odds of being killed by your air bag are near zero. (And for the

Wade David Larsen

May 26, 1963 – October 24, 2022

Wade David Larsen, was born in Bellingham on May 26, 1963, and passed away in his sleep on October 24, 2022. He graduated from Bell ingham High School in 1981.

Wade was a highly intelligent, meticulous man. Anyone who knew Wade knew that music was his passion. He began playing the acoustic guitar at age 7. He taught him self how to play the piano and many other instruments. In high school, the orchestra teacher would have Wade listen to a tape-re cording of a song and Wade would write the sheet music for the entire orchestra. After high school, he performed with a num ber of local and regional bands. Wade also loved to sing at local Karaoke establishments.

In 1995 he was presented with the Mayor’s Art Award for bring ing together 12 local songwriters to produce a CD called “A Seam less Connection” which featured their original works.

Wade was also multilingual. While he did not have any formal training, he was fluent in several languages, including Spanish, Danish, and Hindi. In fact, to ensure the privacy of his business, records were written in Hindi!

Wade was the owner/operator of Walkabout Window Washing and had many local residential and business clients. Clients ap preciated the fact that he went above and beyond what the job required. He took pride in doing a great job.

Wade was preceded in death by his father, Ronald E. Larsen; grandparents Elmer and Florence Norman, and Pete and Myrtle Larsen. He is survived by his son Dayn Larsen and daughter Emma Larsen; his mother Nancy Larsen-Kolakowski and stepfather George Kolakowski; his sister Rhonda Vogelzang; his uncle Fred Norman; and his uncle and aunt Craig and Charmaine Engdahl.

At a later date, there will be a private family gathering to cele brate his life at his favorite place in Whatcom County…Hovander Park in Ferndale. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Whatcom County Parks and Recreation, Attn: Wade Larsen Me morial, 3373 Mt. Baker Highway, Bellingham, WA 98226.

s The BP Heron Center in Birch Bay State Park. File photo

Oct. 28, 11:34 p.m.: Vehicle prowl on Main Street, Custer.

Oct. 29, 9:45 a.m.: Behavioral health issue on Surf Place.

Oct. 29, 10:53 a.m.: Trespass on Sunburst Drive.

Oct. 29, 2:26 p.m.: Traffic prob lem on Kayak Way.

Oct. 29, 3:08 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Dory Court.

Oct. 29, 4:13 p.m.: Neighbor hood dispute on Birch Lane.

Oct. 29, 4:28 p.m.: Shots on Blaine Road.

Oct. 29, 5:09 p.m.: Suspicious person on Golf Course Drive.

Oct. 29, 8:03 p.m.: 911 hangup on Loomis Trail Road, Custer.

Oct. 30, 4:08 p.m.: Behavioral health issue on Surf Place.

Oct. 30, 6:57 p.m.: Harassment on Alder Street.

Oct. 31, 12:03 p.m.: Death investigation on Dean Drive, Custer.

Oct. 31, 3:01 p.m.: Civil problem on Birch Bay Drive.

Oct. 31, 5:52 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Hoier Road.

Oct. 31, 6:43 p.m.: Civil standby on Catalina Court.

Oct. 31, 10:06 p.m.: Suicidal

subject on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

Oct. 31, 10:16 p.m.: 911 hangup on Outrigger Loop.

Nov. 1, 5:06 a.m.: Theft on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

Nov. 1, 7:56 a.m.: Burglary on Harborview Road.

Nov. 1, 1:51 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Hillvue and Selder roads.

Nov. 1, 2:33 p.m.: Neighbor hood dispute on East Street.

Nov. 1, 1:27 p.m.: Forgery on Nicole Lane, Custer.

Nov. 1, 2:04 p.m.: Drugs on East Street.

Nov. 1, 11:28 p.m.: Hot rod on Harborview and Birch Bay-Lynden roads.

Nov. 2, 9:22 a.m.: Neighborhood dispute on Birch Bay Drive.

Nov. 2, 12:42 p.m.: Suspicious cir cumstances on Tsawwassen Loop.

Nov. 2, 3:36 p.m.: Trespass on Blaine Road.

Nov. 2, 8:12 p.m.: Threat on Anderson Road.

Nov. 2, 8:51 p.m.: Vandalism on Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Custer.

pOLiCe repOrts

Oct. 28, 7:25 a.m.: Hit and run un attended vehicle on Marine Drive.

Oct. 28, 12:59 p.m.: Abandoned vehicle on Bayview Avenue.

Oct. 29, 1:12 a.m.: Suspicious circumstance on A Street.

Oct. 29, 2:07 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on H Street.

Oct. 29, 2:28 p.m.: Trespass au thorization letter on Sea Mist Lane.

Oct. 29, 4:36 p.m.: Domestic dispute on 8th Street.

Oct. 29, 6:17 p.m.: Violation of court order on Rene Court.

CrOssWOrd

Oct. 30, 10:52 a.m.: Fraud inves tigation on Goldeneye Lane. Oct. 31, 12:45 a.m.: Traffic stop on H Street.

Nov. 1, 3:03 p.m.: Trespass on Peace Portal Drive.

Nov. 2, 1:07 p.m.: Suspicious circumstance on A Street.

Nov. 2, 11:53 a.m.: Telephone harassment on Gleneagle Drive. Nov. 3, 4:07 p.m.: Auto collision on H Street.

Report by Blaine Police Department.

Coming up

Thanksgiving Baskets Registration: Through 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 atblainecap.org or call 360/383-8027. Baskets will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, November 22, noon–2:30 pm, in Blaine.

Community Toy Store Toy Drive: Through December 2. High quality toysin the $20–$50 range are needed for Blaine/Birch Bay’s holiday gift assistance program. Unwrapped toys may be dropped off at the Blaine Library, Blaine Senior Center, Pacific Building Center, Birch Bay Village Rec Center, and Semi ahmoo Golf Club, marina cafe, athletic club and resort. Online direct delivery and monetary donation options are also available. Visit blainecap.org for full details. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program. For questions, email toystore@blainecap.org.

Community Toy Store Registration: Families who need holiday gift assistance can get full details and register online through November 27 at blainecap.org or call 530/828-5195. Sponsored by the Community Assis tance Program.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, November 10, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: Thanksgiving. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Veterans Day Tribute: Friday, November 11, 11 a.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 332 H Street. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9474 and American Legion Post 86 will host its annual Veterans Day tribute.

Music at The Vault: Friday, November 11, 7 p.m., 277 G Street. Featuring: Mary Ellen Lykins and Craig Adams. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Lummi Island Holiday Studio Tour: Saturday, November 12 and Sunday, November 13, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Over a dozen artists and craftspeople offering their work at 11 locations around the island. Enjoy paintings, drawings, prints, notecards, jewelry, photography, sculpture, glass, pottery, metalwork, stone work, quilts, clothing, knitwear and more. Map and info: Facebook/LummiIsland Studio Tour.

Blaine Senior Center Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, November 12, 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.

American Legion Post 86 Veterans Prime Rib Dinner: Saturday, Novem ber 12, 5-7:30 p.m., American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. AmericanLegion Post 86 will host a special dinner for veterans. $20 for early tickets, $25 at the door, veterans get prime ribs for free. Live music.

Wildlife Photography From a Designer’s Perspective: Monday, Novem ber 14, 6 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street, Join us for a presentation with wildlife photographer Mike Caroff.

Free Business Seminar: Tuesday, November 15, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. Eric Grimstead with the WWU Small Business Devel opment Center will discuss topic of how to find and retain good employees, marketing strategies, know your financials. Cost: $5. Pizza dinner provided. Registration required at blainechamber.com. Sponsored by Sahara Pizza.

Birch Bay Chamber Annual General Meeting: Thursday, November 17, 4–6 p.m., Birch Bay Leisure Park clubhouse. Speakers, networking, refresh ments. Info: birchbaychamber.com.

ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

tides

November 10 to 16 at Blaine. Not for navigation.

49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT

Th 10 7:33 am 9.6 12:38 pm 6.7

5:02 pm 8.5

Fr 11 12:31 am -1.1 8:19 am 9.7

1:26 pm 7.1 5:22 pm 8.2

Sa 12 1:07 am -0.8 9:09 am 9.6

2:24 pm 7.3 5:36 pm 7.8

Su 13 1:45 am -0.5 10:01 am 9.4

3:42 pm 7.4 5:36 pm 7.5

Mo 14 2:25 am 0.0 10:53 am 9.3

Tu 15 3:10 am 0.6 11:40 am 9.2

We 16 3:59 am 1.2 12:21 pm 9.1

BHS Drama Performance “The Little Mermaid”: Thursday–Saturday, No vember 17–19, 7 p.m., Sunday November 20, 2 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Blaine High School students perform the Disney musical. Children and students $5, general admission $10.

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 required at theb ridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednesdays, 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. Dona tions by appointment, call 360/366-8763.

Meals on Wheels Frozen Meals: Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–noon, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up five frozen meals. Suggested dona tion $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Meals on Wheels Hot Lunches: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.,Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Suggested donation of $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Friends of Birch Bay Library: Meets second Mondays. 6:30 p.m., Birch Bay Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Info: friend sofbirchbaylibrary.org.

Friends of Blaine Library: Meets third Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Find out the latest library news at this monthly FOBL Board of Directors meeting. All members and guests are welcome to attend. Info: blainelibraryfriends.org.

WeatherParents 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 older) seeking to learn a better way to help an addicted love one. Evidence-based, structured curriculum and peer support at no cost. Info: palgroup.org or email Bev andDave at wamillards@comcast.net.

Precipitation: During the period of October 31 to November 6, 4.2 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2022 year-to-date pre cipitation is 28.7 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 57°F on No vember 4 with a low of 32°F on November 3. Average high was 50°F and average low was 39°F.

Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

Birch Bay Book Club: Wednesday, November 16, 4 p.m., Birch Bay Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive Book for November is Redemption of Wolf 302 by Rick McIntyre. Info: klia1@mac.com.

Blaine Book Club: Friday, November 18, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. November title: The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow.. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.

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.

Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

H H H HELECTION RESULTS 2022

separated by 1,252 votes.

Incumbent Alicia Rule (D) is ahead for the state representative position 1 seat in the 42nd Legis lative District. Rule received 52.1 percent (24,095 votes), while her challenger, Tawsha (Dykstra) Thompson, received 47.8 percent (22,080 votes) in support. The two are separated by 2,015 votes.

Joe Timmons (D) is in the lead for the 42nd Legislative District’s state representative position 2 seat. Timmons has 51.8 percent (32,882 votes), while Dan John son (R) has 48 percent (22,152 votes). Timmons is leading by 1,730 votes.

Jonathan Rands appears to have won the Whatcom County District Court judge position 2 race. Rands received 62.3 per cent (36,030 votes), while his opponent, Gordon M. Jenkins, received 37.3 percent (21,579 votes) in November. Rands is in the lead by 14,451 votes.

The commissioner district 3 seat for Public Utility District No. 1 is also neck-and-neck. Jaime Arnett is in the lead with 51.2 percent (27,817 votes), while Eric Davidson has 48 percent (26,083 votes). The two are sepa rated by 1,734 votes.

For Washington state Secretary of State, incumbent Steve Hobbs (D) received 50 percent (834,206 votes) throughout the state. Julie Anderson (nonpartisan) has 46.9 percent (783,268 votes).

U.S. Senate incumbent Patty Murray (D) easily retained her seat. Murray received 56.9 per cent in support statewide, while Tiffany Smiley (R) received 42.9 percent votes statewide.

U.S. representative Rick Larsen (D) will retain his seat in Wash ington state’s 2nd U.S. Congres sional District. Larsen received 61.5 percent in support state wide, while Dan Matthews (R) received 38.3 percent in support statewide.

The next ballot count was scheduled for 5 p.m. November 9. The election will be certified November 29. To view election results, visit bit.ly/3FZAXsD.

As for Whatcom County ballot measures, the children’s initiative levy lid lift, Proposition 2022-5, is failing with 51.7 percent (34,323 votes) against and 48.3 percent (32,039 votes) in support. Prop osition 5 would authorize the county to increase property taxes to fund early learning programs, childcare and support for home less and other vulnerable chil dren. The measure would increase the regular property tax levy by $.19 per $1,000 of assessed valua tion for 10 years, generating about $8.2 million annually.

The county’s Emergency Med ical Services levy increase, Prop osition 2022-6, looks like it will pass as 63.9 percent (42,316 votes) are in support, and 36.1 percent (23,905 votes) are against. The levy would allow the county to continue to impose a regular property tax levy of $.295 or less per $1,000 of assessed val uation for six years.

less than half a percent of drivers who are shorter than 4’6” or have a medical condition that necessi tates disabling an airbag, you can submit a request to do so.)

Meanwhile, traffic fatalities are on the rise, both in Washington and across the U.S. Proper occu pant protection, including seat belts and airbags, diminishes your risk. Airbags reduce driver fatalities by 29 percent, and when combined with a seat belt that in creases to 61 percent.

I’ll also challenge your state ment that many other cars don’t

have airbags. They’ve been re quired since 1999, and given that the average age of a car on the road is about 12 years, only a tiny slice of cars without air bags are left.

Once we’re on a shared net work of roads, we all work from a shared set of rules. You might not like every traffic law, but they exist to protect road users, and making optional a rule that saves thousands of lives would be an irresponsible action by the entities tasked with the safe ty of our roads.

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