The Northern Light: February 9-15, 2023

February 9 - 15,

2023 FREE Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay

Rule introduces bill on vehicle pursuits, page 2

Ferndale cop walks from underage sex solicitation charge

Charge dropped due to insufficient evidence

B y I an H aupt

A criminal case against a former Ferndale police officer accused of soliciting sex with the 12-year-old daughter of a woman he met while responding to a 911 call was dismissed February 6.

Whatcom County deputy prosecuting attorney Kellen B. Kooistra filed a motion in Whatcom County Superior Court February 6 to dismiss the attempted second-degree child molestation case against Michael Scott Langton, 47, of Blaine. The case was dismissed without prejudice, meaning the case can be tried in the future.

Whatcom County prosecuting attorney Eric Richey said the prosecutor’s office didn’t have enough evidence to proceed.

Since Langton was charged with attempted child molestation, Richey said to convict him the prosecutor’s office would have to prove he made a substantial step, which requires an overt act, to commit the crime. Langton requested sex but those were mere words, Richey said, which are not enough to convict.

“We thought this was the correct thing to do based on the evidence provided,” Richey said.

In the motion to dismiss, Kooistra wrote that the prosecutor’s office had probable cause for the charge and sufficient evidence that Langton intended to commit a crime. What it lacked was sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he took a substantial step toward committing the crime as the law defines it.

According to the affidavit of probable cause (APC), Langton responded to the woman’s home after a report of a collision in her apartment parking lot on July 10, 2022. Langton gathered her contact information as a witness. He returned to the woman’s apartment the next day, and the woman’s 12-year-old daughter answered the door. Langton called the woman and said he forgot the name of her apartment complex.

woman called Langton to let him know a neighbor probably had video footage of

Local auto broker settles $430,000 lawsuit, page 5

Blaine real estate agent celebrates 99 years, page 8

Arts and Jazz fundraiser raises $16,000

Corps’ BP Cherry Point limit no limit at all, environmental groups say

Environmental groups are unhappy with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ January 23 modification to its 1996 permit that limits the volume of crude oil BP can handle at its Cherry Point facility. They say the ceiling would allow the oil company to double its shipping capacity.

The Corps will limit BP’s capacity to 191 million barrels per year. This limit will be enforced through requiring annual vessel call and crude oil volume reports. However, according to BP’s website, the Cherry Point terminal can process 250,000 barrels of crude oil per day, or slightly more than 91 million barrels per year.

Friends of the San Juans marine protection and policy director Lovel Pratt said in a joint February 1 press release that the decision is nonsensical.

“The Corps’ ‘limit’ on the volume of crude oil that BP can receive at its terminal is nonsensical and unconscionable,” Pratt said. “This ‘limit’ is a license to more than double the volume of crude oil that’s currently processed at BP.”

In 1996, the Corps approved a permit to add a north wing to the already operational south wing of the Cherry Point dock, originally built for ARCO in 1971. BP purchased ARCO in 2000, and construction on the north wing finished in

(See Cherry Pt, page 3)

TheNorthernLight.com

Harmony from Discord Meets Mozart's Requiem

Wu Fei, guzheng

Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz, oud with WWU Choirs & Bellingham Chamber Chorale

s Blaine High School alumnus Jake Wolfburg (‘02) surprised Dorita and Bob Gray, pictured, with an annual $5,000 scholarship in their name during the 26th annual Arts and Jazz fundraiser on February 4. Bob will retire this year after 42 years as band director; Dorita helped found the Blaine Fine Arts Association. The fundraiser raised about $16,000 that will go toward arts scholarships, trips, programs and supplies. Read more on page 7.

Photo by Molly Ernst

Interest by parents sparks school advisory committee

Blaine school district is forming a superintendent advisory committee for superintendent Christopher Granger to receive feedback from parents before bringing ideas to the entire community.

Granger told The Northern Light in an email the advisory committee was created due to parental interest. The committee will meet in the next few weeks, he said, with a goal of having two representatives for each grade level.

“As we continue to look for ways to improve our system we have ways to get input from staff, but it is also important to get the perspective of parents,” Granger wrote. “I will be looking to this group to give me an initial response to new ideas before taking them to the entire community for feedback.”

As an example, Granger said the committee will look at options such as creative scheduling

and calendar flexibility to address issues around student needs and staffing shortages.

Granger said he plans to propose the committee to meet quarterly with an option for more frequent meetings as needed.

A survey link was sent for interested parents to take. Granger said any parents who did not receive the survey link, but would like to participate, can email pr@ blainesd.org to request the link.

Rule introduces bill to amend vehicle pursuit law

State representative Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) cosponsored a bill in Washington state legislature last month that would pull back current pursuit restrictions on law enforcement and allow agencies to write their own pursuit policy.

In 2021, the state legislature passed a bill that restricted law enforcement’s ability to pursue a vehicle when a nonviolent crime has been committed. According to RCW 10.116.060, a person must pose “an imminent threat to the safety of others and the safety risks of failing to apprehend or identify the person are considered to be greater than the safety risks of the vehicular pursuit under the circumstances.”

House Bill 1363, cosponsored by state representative and former state trooper Eric Robertson (R-Sumner), restores the initial threshold to begin a vehicle pursuit to reasonable suspicion that a crime has or is being committed while keeping the current balancing tests and safeguards, according to a January 17 press release.

Rule said in the statement, after having met with law enforcement and constituents, that a change is needed in Washington state’s pursuit law.

“Criminals know they can run and are taking advantage of well-intentioned reforms meant to curb unnecessary injuries and deaths from vehicle pursuits,” Rule said. “I voted against this change in policy in 2021, and I believe it has not had the intended effects. We cannot let criminals have a free pass. A one-size-fits-all pursuit policy simply does not work for every community in our state, and this bill will allow police agencies to set their own pursuit policies.”

Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley said the bill would allow officers more freedom to do their job. Tanksley mentioned a robbery in January 2021 as an example of when the current legislation prevents officers from enforcing the law.

“Overall, I think we should be held accountable for what we do, but we also have to have the ability to do it,” Tanksley said.

Three individuals broke into Pantec Mini Storage on Boblett Street and stole multiple firearms and other personal belong-

ings. Blaine Police Department officers responded and pursued the individuals in their vehicle after fleeing a traffic stop. With the aid of Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office and Washington State Patrol, officers were able to apprehend the individuals and seize the stolen weapons.

As a retired Washington State Patrol trooper, Robertson said he has been involved in vehicle pursuits where he decided to safely conduct a pursuit against someone violating the law and where he decided to end a pursuit out of safety concerns for himself and others.

“I’m glad we’re finding common ground to correct current statute to allow troopers, deputies, and officers to engage in a vehicular pursuit if there is reasonable suspicion the person in the vehicle has or is committing a crime,” Robertson said in a statement. “Our law enforcement professionals need this discretionary tool put back into their toolbox.”

Tanksley said the bill also addresses some training issues that the Blaine Police Department already completes. Officers undergo emergency vehicle operator course (EVOC) training once or sometimes twice per year, he said. The department also has a certified EVOC instructor. The bill would require updated EVOC training to be done every two years.

“Pursuits are dangerous, but that’s why we have very strict policies, procedures, paperwork and expectations to be held accountable,” Tanksley said.

B y I an H aupt

s Alicia Rule (D-Blaine). File photo

Cherry Pt ...

From page 1

2001. Environmental groups expected shipping traffic to increase if the north wing was deemed usable, so they filed suit, asking for an environment impact statement (EIS).

The EIS, detailing the incremental environmental risk of operating the north wing of the Cherry Point terminal, was released August 12, 2022, and the Corps awaited consultations with local tribes and the Department of Justice before coming to a decision to modify the permit on January 23.

BP spokesperson Christina Audisho told The Northern Light in an email that BP is pleased the Corps has reached a decision.

“A decision on this matter provides regulatory certainty and allows us to consider projects that will serve our state’s future energy needs as we transition to a lower carbon economy,” Audisho wrote. “We look forward to continuing safe operations at the dock as we comply with requirements of the permit.”

A BP spokesperson did not respond to questions regarding its current shipping capacity and whether it would increase its shipments as the modified permit allows by press time.

the refinery could only process 36.5 million barrels per year, according to the press release.

“The law is clear: Federal permits cannot allow more crude oil in Puget Sound. This decision makes a mockery of that standard,” said Jan Hasselman, senior attorney at Earthjustice on behalf of the plaintiff organizations, in the statement.

Earthjustice is a nonprofit public interest organization headquartered in San Francisco. Friends of the San Juans is an environmental advocacy nonprofit based in Friday Harbor.

The Corps had refused to let BP use its north wing dock unless authorized.

Friends of the Earth oceans and vessels program director Marcie Keever said she was pleased the Corps refused to let BP use the north wing terminal but was disappointed that it did not set a lower handling cap and how long the decision took.

“It’s a sad day when it takes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 17 years after being sued to exercise its basic public responsibilities and then to use its authority to eviscerate the late senator Magnuson’s legislative legacy,” Keever said in a statement.

According to the February 1 press release, the number of crude oil tankers at the Cherry Point terminal increased by 40 percent from 1998 to 2007.

The refinery’s crude oil capacity increased by 60 percent, from 100,000 barrels per day to 250,000, from 1971 to 2022.

Evergreen Islands spokesperson Tom Glade said vessel traffic poses three threats to the orcas’ existence: Vessel noise, collisions and oil spills.

“We, the human residents of Puget Sound, currently have an opportunity to take steps towards preventing the Southern Resident Killer Whales from an -

Langton ...

From page 1

The Corps decision to modify the permit is supposed to bring it into compliance with the Magnuson Amendment, which prohibits federal agencies from granting permits that may result in an increase in crude oil beyond what a facility is capable of handling. The benchmark was set in October 1977 at 191 million barrels per year and does not include oil to be refined for consumption in Washington. But, at the time, the crash, according to the APC. Langton was not on duty at the time and the two talked for 45 minutes. The same day, he asked the woman on a date with his personal phone. They continued to communicate via phone calls and text messages and agreed to meet July 19, 2022.

The APC says Langton mentioned being into “barely legal porn” when speaking with the woman.

Langton added the woman on Signal, an encrypted messaging app, on July 19. The woman went to Langton’s house in Blaine that evening. Langton allegedly asked her to watch pornography of young girls with him. The woman refused, and he asked again later in the evening. She refused again, according to the APC.

Langton and the woman communicated daily over Signal. The APC says, according to screenshots, Langton made multiple references to being attracted to children and said he liked looking at a website of what appeared to be 10- to 15-year-old children in sexual exhibition.

He allegedly continued to

mention his attraction to girls 12 years old and younger and then asked the woman for sex with her and her daughter, according to the APC.

The woman told Langton he had crossed a line, to which he backtracked and said he thought her daughter was 18 years old, not 12. The woman then reported Langton to the Bellingham Police Department.

Langton’s attorney Emily C. Beschen released a statement January 6 that said the allegation has been devastating to Langton and his family.

“This process has been extremely painful for both me and my family,” Langton said in the February 6 statement. “I am grateful to have this chapter of my life behind me and this criminal case closed. I want to thank my friends, family, and co-workers who stood behind me and offered support through this nightmare, as well as the guild attorney, Seth Davis, and attorney Emily Beschen.”

Langton is a military veteran and has worked as a law enforcement officer in Whatcom County for over a decade, the press release read.

The city of Ferndale fired Langton August 23, 2022 due

nihilation – or, to our dishonor, letting this opportunity, to improve the orcas’ habitat by reducing the vessel traffic through the Salish Sea, slip through our fingers,” Glade said.

Evergreen Islands is a nonprofit dedicated to protecting the saltwater islands of Skagit County, and Friends of the Earth is a nongovernmental environmental organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

to an inability to carry out his duties. City of Ferndale spokesperson Riley Sweeney told The Northern Light in an email the city still has an active internal investigation that is not yet complete. “We are not able to give comment at this time,” Sweeney wrote.

Prior to being fired, Langton was placed on administrative leave in October 2021 after he allegedly contacted far-right extremist group Oath Keepers. He was reinstated later that month after an investigation concluded the complaint against him was unfounded, Sweeney previously said. Langton previously worked for Blaine Police Department and resigned in August 2012.

If you or someone you know is affected by domestic or sexual violence, call the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) 24-hour hotline at 360/7151563 or 877/715-1563. Brigid Collins Family Support Center, a Bellingham-based nonprofit working to end child abuse, can be reached at 360/734-4616 and brigidcollins.org. Lummi Victims of Crime has a 24-hour helpline at 360/312-2015. The National Domestic Violence Helpline operates a chat line at thehotline.org/help.

s A vessel moored at the south wing of BP’s Cherry Point dock as seen from the beach along Gulf Road on September 20, 2022.

Photo by Ian Haupt

The Northern L ght

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 verification. 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 limited 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. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.

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Contributors In This Issue

Doug Dahl

Renee Diaz

Jonathan Hall Ed Johnstone

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXVIII, No 34

Circulation: 10,500 copies

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OpiniOn

Being Frank: Dead zones are symptom of a warming planet

As first stewards on the front lines of climate change, treaty tribes have been sounding the alarm for more than a decade about low oxygen levels in the ocean and the Salish Sea.

My mentor, former Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) chairman Billy Frank Jr., testified about it in 2012 before the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs:

“We have dead zones in Hood Canal, dead zones in South Puget Sound, where I live, where our salmon is migrating out to the ocean,” he said. “The ocean is important to all of us. It’s dying. Who the hell is in charge?”

It’s been more than 10 years since then and it still feels like no one is in charge. Billy was addressing the U.S. government, but climate change is a global problem that requires global leadership.

Dead zones are just one symptom of a warming planet. When wind blows surface water away from the coastline, deeper water upwells to the coastal shelf. Deep water already is lower in oxygen than the surface water, but warmer temperatures and increased nutrients drive the levels of dissolved oxygen so low that the water becomes hypoxic – suffocating marine life.

Warmer water also increases the growth of phytoplankton, which die and fall to the

ocean floor, depleting oxygen as they decompose. Changes in timing, intensity and frequency of upwelling also prevent the deeper water from mixing with the surface water, which is richer in oxygen.

None of the elders from the Quinault Indian Nation remember hearing about dead zones off the coast before 2006 when we discovered more than a mile and half of beach littered with dead fish of every species.

One of our fishermen was pulling crab pots north toward Taholah. He had live crab in his pots until he crossed the Moclips River. Then it was nothing but pot after pot of dead crab for eight miles.

The 2006 hypoxic event lasted from June through October and affected more than 1,100 square miles along the Pacific coast from Washington to Oregon.

That was just the beginning. We saw more of these events in 2007, 2009 and 2011 along our beaches. In 2017, a water mass with low oxygen drove the halibut out of Quinault’s survey areas.

Our treaty rights are place-based. When climate change makes it impossible for fish and shellfish to survive in our traditional harvest areas, we lose those rights. We lose our livelihoods and the food that sustains us.

As salmon runs have declined over the past several decades, tribes have come to depend on Dungeness crab to support our economies, but dead zones threaten those fisheries. After the 2017 event, crab populations were

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 Thursday, 6 p.m.

Info: blainepc@cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.

diminished for the next three years.

Not only do we need to know when and where hypoxic events are happening, we also need to understand how low dissolved oxygen affects the ecosystem.

Quinault is partnering with Oregon State University and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission to send robotic gliders to the seafloor to measure dissolved oxygen. And tribes – including Quinault – and nontreaty crabbers have taken action by attaching oxygen sensors to crab pots.

But we need to do more than monitor hypoxia. We need to address climate change on a global scale through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. We need to cut down our worldwide dependence on fossil fuels, remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and reduce the amount of nutrients released into our oceans from agriculture and wastewater.

We’re seeing this decline of oxygen levels in oceans all over the world. As Billy said, the oceans are important to all of us. We need leadership and collective action to protect marine life from dead zones and to prevent climate change from making this crisis worse.

The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission is an Olympia-based natural resources management support service organization for 20 treaty Indian tribes in western Washington.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

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

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

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

s Ed Johnstone, chairman of Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission.

Photo courtesy Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

Blaine Library adding multi-interest clubs this month

B y G ra CE m C C art H y

Blaine Library is rebounding from the pandemic with a slate of new programs to bring the community together.

Library staff is encouraging community members interested in books, board games, recipes and more to participate in new monthly programs at the Blaine library, 610 3rd Street. The meetups, which start in February, are held monthly in the meeting room.

“I hope it’s encouraging for people to make new friends and connect with the community and get involved,” said Kelly Jaite, a Blaine Library public service assistant in charge of the Monday night meet ups. “I think a lot of people are coming to have something fun to do.”

The series kicked off Monday, February 6 with “What We’re Enjoying,” a club for people to share and receive recommendations for books, movies, podcasts and board games. The group is held 4-5:30 p.m. during the first Monday of each month.

“Got Game? Board Game Club” will have its first meeting Monday, February 13. Community members will play a new game, either from the library’s collection or one they want to share, while getting to know other attendees. The club will be held 6-7:30 p.m. during the second Monday of each month.

“Recipe Swap and Share” will be held the third Monday of each month for people to swap recipes, share food and discuss cooking. Community members can bring recipes or food they want to share during a potluck at ev-

ery meeting. Each meeting will be held 4-5:30 p.m., and the first meeting will be Monday, February 27 because of Presidents Day on February 20.

“This can help us get a feel for what people in Blaine are interested in and that can help us in the long run improve our services and create closer connections,” Jaite said.

The new programs are only being offered in person, but Jaite said some could become hybrid if the demand was there.

The new clubs are adding to ones the library already offers. About 40 to 50 people have been attending each event with the

Blaine Community Orchards for Resources and Education (CORE) gardening program and the library’s youth programs, Jaite said.

The Blaine CORE gardening program has classes scheduled bimonthly on Saturdays until June. The next course will be winter orchids and indoor plant care on Saturday, February 11. Silverado Bellingham Memory Care Community will host its dementia education series at 1 p.m. Thursdays on February 16, February 23 and March 2.

The Books and Bites book club, which allows participants to discuss a book chosen monthly, is held at 1 p.m. during the third

Blaine auto broker pays $430,000 in settlement with U.S. Department of Justice

A Blaine auto broker will pay $430,000 to the U.S. Department of Justice as part of a lawsuit settling allegations that the company committed federal fraud by underreporting the value of vehicles it imported to avoid paying higher duty fees.

BidBuy Auctions LLC owner Whitney McElroy agreed to pay $430,000 to resolve claims that it purchased trucks in Canada and cited lowered values when importing them into the U.S., according to a February 7 press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Western Washington. The company did not admit to wrongdoing under the terms of the settlement.

BidBuy has offices in Blaine and Surrey that serve customers from Seattle to Vancouver, B.C., according to the company website.

Former employee Scott Hausman filed a False Claims Act lawsuit alleging false claims on behalf of the government, wrote Hausman’s attorney Stephen Teller, of Teller Law, in an email to The Northern Light. As a whistleblower, Hausman will receive 23 percent of the $430,000 settlement, or nearly $99,000, according to

the release.

One example in the lawsuit showed BidBuy purchased a 2011 Dodge Ram truck for nearly $22,500 U.S. dollars but reported it as $9,600 U.S. dollars to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, saving BidBuy about $3,200 in duties. The lawsuit alleges BidBuy underreported over 80 vehicles.

In 2020, duties on imported foreign-made trucks increased 25 percent when the U.S. exited the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and entered the U.S. Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA).

“This conduct doesn’t just cheat the government out of revenue, it gives the business an advantage not enjoyed by other auto brokers who report their vehicle values honestly,” U.S. attorney Nick Brown said in a statement. “This is an expensive lesson for BidBuy – one that could have been avoided if it followed the rules.”

The settled amount was based on the company’s finances and

BidBuy has five years to make payments, according to the press release.

Friday of every month. The next meeting on Friday, February 17 will go over “Being a Human” by Charles Foster.

“Initially, when we started the programs, it felt like people were more hesitant coming out,” Jaite said. “But in the last six months there’s definitely an increase in people coming to the programs.”

s Over 50 people attended Blaine’s CORE gardening program course on pruning January 28.

Photo courtesy Jonathan Jakobitz

Sports roundup: Basketball, wrestling all in postseason competition

B y I an H aupt

Boys basketball

Blaine boys basketball finished its regular season on a high February 2, beating the Ferndale Golden Eagles 70-52 in the Blaine High School gymnasium. The win broke a four-game losing streak for the Borderites.

No. 2-ranked Blaine was scheduled to play No. 3 Meridian at Blaine February 8, which was after press time. The winner would go on to play the winner of No. 1 Lynden Christian versus No. 4 Nooksack Valley, also February 8, for the district 1 1A championship at 7 p.m. Saturday, February 11 at Lynden High School. The losers of the February 8 games would play each other Saturday to advance on to the district 1/2 crossover play-in game.

The Borderites finished their regular season with a 13-6 overall record and a 10-5 record in conference.

Girls basketball

A clutch performance from junior Deja Dube secured No. 5 Blaine a 48-36 win over No. 4 Mount Baker February 6 at Mount Baker High School. The Lady Borderites exchanged a

win and loss with the Mountaineers during regular season, so the game was expected to be an even match up to see which team would extend its season.

After the first quarter, Blaine led the majority of the game with Mount Baker trailing close behind. The Mountaineers grabbed a five-point lead in the beginning of the fourth quarter that Dube knocked down with a stellar fourth quarter performance.

Blaine played No. 1 Nooksack Valley February 8. The winner goes on to the district 1 1A championship, while the loser plays the loser of No. 2 Lynden Christian and No. 3 Meridian, also on February 8. All games are at Lynden High School Saturday, February 11.

The Lady Borderites finished the regular season with an overall record of 3-17 and a 1-15 record in conference.

Boys wrestling

Boys wrestling finished third in the district 1/2 1A subregional tournament at Meridian High School February 4. Mount Baker won with 276.5 points, Granite Falls finished second with 257.5 points and Blaine finished third with 255 points.

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Standout performances came from Cael Button, Cal Fitzgerald, Rahul Chandran and Victor Gervol who all took first in their respective weight classes. The boys will compete in the 1A region 1 tournament Saturday, February 11 at Mount Baker High School with competition starting at 11 a.m.

Girls wrestling

The girls wrestling team took third at the subregional tournament at Squalicum High School February 4. Seven girls qualified for regionals and will compete at the regional tournament at Sedro-Woolley High School Saturday, February 11.

Head coach Damon Higgins

said this is the most wrestlers the girls team has sent to regionals in one season. Higgins said the goal is to take the girls to the state tournament Friday, February 17 and Saturday, February 18 at the Tacoma Dome. “My expectation is to take as many girls out of regionals and to the state tournament,” he said.

Milania Rodriguez won at 135 pounds. Genesis Vazquez, Hailey Ferrell and Cheyenne RoseJimenez all took second place in their respective weight classes. Makenna Lausier and Kiera O’Reilly took fourth and fifth at 100 pounds, respectively.

Girls bowling

Blaine’s girls bowling team took fourth in its first postseason tournament January 24 at Riverside Lanes in Mount Vernon. The girls scored 2,349 points.

Competitive cheer

Blaine’s competitive cheer team finished seventh in the 2B/1A/2A game day small category at the state tournament at Battle Ground High School last weekend. The team finished with an overall point total of 70.8. Sultan High School took first in the category with 84.8 points.

s Deja Dube takes a jump shot in Blaine’s 48-36 win at Mount Baker High School February 6. Photo by Ian Haupt

s Blaine girls wrestling team took third at the subregional tournament at Squalicum High School February 4.

Photo by Michele Rodriguez

s The Lady Borderite bench celebrates another Blaine basket in its 48-36 win over Mount Baker High School February 6. Photo by Ian Haupt

Arts and Jazz fundraiser has successful 26th event

BHS alumnus dedicates $5,000 scholarship to Bob and Dorita Gray legacy

A Blaine High School band alumnus has established an annual $5,000 scholarship named after husband-and-wife duo Bob and Dorita Gray.

Jacksonville, Florida resident Jake Wolfburg surprised the Grays with the scholarship during Blaine Fine Arts Association’s 26th annual Arts and Jazz fundraiser on February 4. The $5,000 scholarship will be given to a Blaine student annually in perpetuity.

“The band program saved me. It gave me purpose, provided me with community and readied me to create a life of my own that I could be proud of,” said Wolfburg, who graduated in 2002.

“Bob and Dorita have put enormous effort into the success of the students.”

Bob is slated to retire at the end of the year after spending the past four decades as Blaine’s band teacher and director. Dorita founded BFAA with other parents and became a longtime organizer of the Arts and Jazz fundraiser.

“I think I just went numb. I couldn’t hear anything for a while,” Dorita said of finding out about the scholarship at the event. “Bob and I just looked at each other in shock.”

Wolfburg said band parents had an integral part of student success, whether it was helping the students go to Japan or per-

form in Victoria, B.C. Band created an inclusive environment that Wolfburg said always made him feel as though he was part of a family from when he started in sixth grade.

BFAA treasurer Kim Shea said the Grays will help set the criteria for who can apply to the scholarship and a small review committee will likely select the recipient each year. Either BFAA or the student’s university will receive the check and the student can decide to receive the funds in a lump sum or spread out.

“This scholarship will continue the legacy of building people up,” Wolfburg said. “I know Bob Gray is set to retire and I couldn’t think of a more perfect time.”

s Dorita Gray, pictured, and Bob Gray were recognized for their dedication to Blaine arts students during the Arts and Jazz fundraiser in the Blaine Middle School cafeteria on February 4. Bob has spent the past 42 years as a band teacher and Dorita helped found the Blaine Fine Arts Association.

s Blaine High School alumnus Jake Wolfburg surprises the Grays with a scholarship named in their honor during the Arts and Jazz fundraiser.

s Fundraiser attendees look at silent auction items. The event raised $16,000 to fund arts scholarships and program expenses.

s Blaine music students perform during the fundraiser. Arts, culinary and theater students also showcased their work.

Photos by Molly Ernst

Active S eniors

Blaine real estate agent celebrates 99th birthday

tal Drive with about six agents. Vanderpol’s first purchase and sale agreement consisted of only two legal-size pages. Now those are about 20 letter-size pages, she said.

In the mid-80s, Vanderpol separated from her agents and opened a one-person office. She currently works out of her Vanderpol Realty and Notary office at 289 H Street. Washington State Department of Licensing spokesperson Christine Anthony said in an email that Vanderpol is the oldest active real estate managing broker licensed in Washington.

Asked what her favorite part of real estate is, Vanderpol said, “Locating a house that makes the buyer happy. Trying to please him or her. After interviewing the people, you really have to listen carefully to what they want and write it down.”

Vanderpol has now spent three decades in real estate. She said the reason she’s continued working full time into her late 90s is because her twin sister, Renie, died of cancer in July 2020.

s Joyce Vanderpol in her Vanderpol Realty and Notary office, at 289 H Street, on February 6.

At 99, Joyce Vanderpol is the oldest real estate managing broker in Washington state. She wakes up every morning, and makes coffee and a breakfast sandwich, before

heading to her office in downtown Blaine. Most weeks she clocks in at nearly 60 hours, seven days per week – some Sundays she takes a few hours off.

“People ask me what do you attribute living so long,” she said. “What

Your Valentine Would Love Pilates

Whole Pilates

I answer is, I think positively.”

Vanderpol, who celebrated her 99th birthday on January 14, was born alongside her twin sister, Renie, in the then small town of Kirkland in 1924. Her mother hailed from London and met her father, an American WWI soldier, at a dance for troops while awaiting transfer back to the U.S. After falling madly in love, he sent money for voyage on a ship to join him in New York, which in those days took 10 days. The pair intended on settling in California but met a real estate agent while traveling through Kirkland and never left.

Upon graduating high school, Vanderpol worked for the Farm Security Administration, a New

Deal agency to aid rural communities during the Great Depression era. Vanderpol met her husband, Nicholas, in the seventh grade, later marrying him just before he was shipped off. While he was stationed at Whidbey Island’s Naval air station, Vanderpol worked in administration at U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Blaine.

After 30 years in civil service, Vanderpol retired, purchasing an IBM Selectric typewriter for $1,000 with her saved annual leave. She then earned an associate’s degree from Whatcom Community College. She transitioned into real estate, working under a broker for 2.5 years before opening her own office on Peace Por-

“When she died I felt like I wanted to continue to have something to do,” Vanderpol said. “I continued with my real estate and continued playing tennis, to a lesser degree.”

Vanderpol has maintained strong community involvement throughout the years. She served on Blaine’s airport commission, the parks commission and spent 25 years as president of Blaine Harborview Condo Association.

At the age of 85, Vanderpol started playing in tournaments throughout the U.S. professionally. The highlight of her career was being chosen by Wilson Sporting Goods to play in Austria. Vanderpol’s first singles match was won against a woman from New Caledonia. Vanderpol was a Semiahmoo tennis club member before she stopped playing last year due to balance.

She enjoys shooting pool and playing chess, which she plans to resume at Blaine Senior Center.

“Don’t just sit at home watching TV. Get out and start walking and get into activities at the senior center,” she recommended to fellow seniors. “Go to the senior center and you can meet people there. You can have lunch and dinners to take home there. It’s quite an opening for seniors.”

About 25 years ago, Vanderpol hired a contractor to have her first spec house built for sale. She became involved in the design, materials, location and what she believed the buyers desired. She would then invest that profit in building another spec house.

Last year, she had her 10th house built on Cherry Street. Vanderpol decided it would be her last home because the cost of lots and materials were too much to arrive at a reasonable price

(See Vanderpol, next page)

Photo by Grace McCarthy

,

without gouging the customer.

“I really felt disappointed, personally. I’m in real estate and other people don’t think this way but

I thought it was too much for a person to pay for a house,” she said. “There’s always the chance that they couldn’t get a loan because interest rates were going up so ultimately, it wasn’t the proper

thing for me to do at the time.”

Vanderpol used the money from the sale of the Cherry Street home to support Blaine Library, Blaine Food Bank and Blaine Senior Center.

Dementia respite program coming to Whatcom County

A dementia respite program is returning to Bellingham and Lynden in March that will give people living with dementia a space to socialize while their caretakers receive a break.

Dementia Support Northwest (DSN), formerly known as Alzheimer Society of Washington, is a Bellingham-based nonprofit that provides support services and education. Old Friends Club started the respite program in King County and gave DSN staff the blueprint to model a program by the same name in Whatcom County, said DSN executive director Dan Gray.

Old Friends Club will be held in groups of no more than 12 people to play games, make art and have

lunch. The group was created, in part, to allow people earning moderate incomes a more affordable option for caregiving.

The group does not have medical services, health monitoring or medication assistance, according to DSN. Program staff will not administer medication and will only provide minimal assistance helping feed patients.

The group will meet for five hours per day, two days per week.

Sonlight Church, 8800 Bender Road in Lynden, will host the program from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. Christ the King Community Church, 7173 Meridian Street, will host the program from 9:30

a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Gray said he’d like for the program to expand to Blaine and Ferndale by early 2024, but this will be dependent on community partners providing spaces.

The program costs about $800 per month. Fees include supplies, activities, lunch and snacks. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis, according to DSN.

Old Friends Club replaces the Adult Day Health program that closed in Lynden in 2018.

Those interested in the program can sign up at dementiasupportnw.org or by calling DSN at 360/671-3316.

As for celebrating her 99th birthday, Vanderpol had lunch at Great Blue Heron with a dozen people and balloons. A week later, she and 99-year-old Bellingham resident Aurelie Hurd celebrated their birthdays at Tony’s

Hi, I’m Ruth.

Tavern in Custer.

Vanderpol said she plans on staying in real estate as long as her body permits.

“I was going to say, ‘For the rest of my life,’” she said. “But is that too gloomy a statement?”

I grew up in Bellingham, attended public schools and graduated from Bellingham High School and then attended Western Washington University. While my profession became teaching my dream was to travel. I received a Fulbright Teacher Exchange opportunity and spent a year in an English Girls’ School in Newcastle England. I then attended Columbia University in New York City and received a master’s degree. I was offered a supervisory position with the military schools in Europe. I really enjoyed the opportunity to travel throughout Europe with that position. My desire for more education brought me back to New York where I received a doctorate degree in education and eventually taught at the City University of New York. At that time, I was invited to be an international representative (NGO) at the United Nations and participated in other organizations relating to women and children such as UNICEF. After my return to Bellingham I grew tired of cooking and housekeeping so I made a decision to move to Solstice Independent Living. After 12 years, I have made no plans to move.

(See Vanderpol

previous page)

s A photo of twin sisters Renie, l., and Joyce Vanderpol hangs in Vanderpol’s office. Courtesy photo

County health board meeting erupts following rejection of anti-vaccine applicant

B y I an H aupt

Discussions over Whatcom County Council’s recent refusal to include a vaccine opponent on the public health advisory board raised tensions between councilmembers and staff during a January 31 health board meeting.

Councilmember Todd Donovan abruptly left the mixed online and in-person meeting as

councilmembers Kathy Kershner and Tyler Byrd questioned health advisory board chairman Steven Bennett’s reasons for rejecting anti-vaccine activist Misty Flowers and others’ applications to join the board. Four people were selected to fill seven vacancies on the board at county council’s January 10 meeting, while five other applicants were passed over.

Kershner said since the Covid-19 pandemic began county council has heard during the public comment portion of its meetings from a segment of the community that has a differing opinion on how the pandemic was handled and how it’s continuing to be handled.

“How are you planning to incorporate those voices into our public health advisory board,

the inputs and the outputs, if we don’t allow a member from that group to join and express their views and be part of the solutions that we have going forward?”

Kershner asked Bennett.

Byrd echoed Kershner and told Bennett that each of the nine applicants had experience that would lend itself to the group.

“In listening to your comments today, it strikes me that there is a thought or an opinion that somehow [the public health advisory board] is separate in what it does, and that – to be honest – [it’s] almost as if the council and the health board is secondary to [the health advisory board],” Byrd said. “And I want to make clear that [the health advisory board] exists to advise us.”

Whatcom County Health Department director Erika Lautenbach interrupted Byrd and said he was out of line.

“This is a committee of volunteers who participate. Do not

chastise them in open public comment, in an open public forum,” Lautenbach said. “This is totally inappropriate, totally inappropriate. This is a volunteer. Do you want community input, or do you want to just yell at them?”

Earlier in the meeting, Flowers said during public comment that she wanted to express her concern on behalf of herself and others in the community on why the county’s public health policies do not represent the views of a portion of the population. Flowers said three individuals who oppose the use of the Covid-19 vaccine, including herself, applied for the public health advisory board’s open positions and were blocked.

Flowers is a musician and ran unsuccessfully for county council in the August 2021 primary, where she received 9 percent of the vote. Flowers did not respond to The Northern Light’s request for comment.

WSDOT reinstates unpaid toll late fees and penalties

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin charging late fees and penalties for unpaid toll bills on March 1.

Pay By Mail customers with unpaid tolls from June 2021 will be charged late fees again, starting at the beginning of March, acting WSDOT communications manager Chris Foster said in a February 1 press release.

Drivers with an unpaid toll that has a due date before March 1 will be charged with a $5 late fee. Drivers with an unpaid toll that was already charged the $5

late fee will receive a $40 penalty for each unpaid toll.

WSDOT encourages people to make a payment as soon as possible. The department has a onetime penalty forgiveness program to waive fees and penalties if the original toll is paid.

Those unsure if they have an unpaid toll bill can contact Good To Go! at 866/936-8246 and provide their name, license plate number and the address on their vehicle registration. For more information on managing a WSDOT account, visit bit.ly/3lbUuhe.

Whatcom County Health Department changes its name

The Whatcom County Health Department announced on February 3 that it has changed its name to Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) to represent the department’s growing responsibilities.

WCHCS increased its oversight of human and community services last April when the department launched its Response Systems Division. The division serves people in mental or behavioral health crises as well as builds infrastructure to support housing needs, according to a

February 3 WCHCS press release.

“The updated name reflects Whatcom County’s ongoing commitment to providing community-based services,” WCHCS director Erika Lautenbach said in a statement. “Our increased breadth of work, while all associated with health and health outcomes, warrants the inclusion of our community and human services functions.”

Staff email addresses and the website address will remain the same, while signage and other WCHCS materials will change.

s Whatcom County councilmembers met in council chambers during the January 31 health board meeting. Courtesy photo

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THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM CITY OF BELLINGHAM

Steven Bolster, Plaintiff, v. Mark Gumley, Defendant.

NO. Sc22-117 SUMMONS BY PUBLICA-

TION Judge Angela Anderson The State of Washington to: Mark Gumley You are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the 23rd day of March, 2023, and defend the above titled action in the above titled Court, and answer the complaint of the Plaintiff, City of Bellingham, and serve a copy of your answer upon the Plaintiff, Steven Bolster, at his address below stated. In case of your failure do so, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said Court regarding fraud, theft and such other items requested. This summons is issued pursuant to crlj4 of the District Court Civil Rules of the State of Washington. Respectfully submitted this 2nd day of February, 2023. CITY OF BELLINGHAM

Steven Bolster

315 prospect st Unit #1521 Bellingham, WA 98227

Judge David E. Freeman

The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator 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 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 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 Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c);

The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal 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 presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of First Publication:

February 9, 2023

Personal Representative: Norma Acalin 2115 Huron Street Bellingham, WA 98229

Attorney for the Personal Representative:

Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225

Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225

Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 22-4-00875-37

and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Notice of First Publication:

Feb. 9, 2023

Estate Administrator: BRIAN H. BEERMAN

Presented by: Whatcom Law Group, P.S. Roger L. Ellingson, WSBA #19292 Casie C. Rodenberger WSBA #54348 Attorneys for Administrator PO Box 1258 / 289 H Street Blaine, WA 98231-1258 (360) 332-7000; Fax: (360) 332-6677

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8142 Sehome Road

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Leah Crews 360.305.4747

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Terrace Avenue

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Come and see this charming single level home on a large fully fenced lot out in Blaine. With lots of natural light, and quality sizes for the bedrooms, and dining area there is ample living space throughout the home. Landscaping has been all freshened up, as well as the seller had someone clean the roof, gutters, pressure wash the house and the driveway, it’s ready to go! 5 minutes to I-5, restaurants and shopping just down to the bottom of the hill, convenient location. Jason Cavanaugh 360.483.9045

8637 Ashbury Ct

MLS #2026774 $789,000

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Birch Bay Drive

5375 Nootka Loop

8755 Wood Duck Way

MLS #2028020 $950,000

West facing, double wide fairway lot is the ideal location for this beautifully built custom home. Maintained with utmost care, this single-story property has a large primary suite, two comfortable guest rooms, library styled den, and the most functional kitchen-to-living room you could imagine. High ceilings in the great room, blend well with hardwood floor and spacious dining room. Property contains enclosed private courtyard (great for pets) and large deck. Kathy Stauffer 360.815.4718

5486 Salish Road

MLS #2011655 $749,900

9499 Semiahmoo Pkwy #B-10A

MLS #2020317 $750,000

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MLS #1997216 $299,500

8297 Shintaffer Road

MLS #2026346 $538,900

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BIRCH BAY

Niche wall installed at Blaine Cemetery

Harry George Rodenberger

February 21,1941 – January 23, 2023

Farmer – Firefighter – Friend. As a regular reader of obituaries to see if he was there, we know that Harry Rodenberger would be reading this with a joke at the tip of his tongue or one of his more infamous colorful phrases. Though eager for more farm projects, the Lord called Harry home for other projects on January 23, 2023.

Harry was born on Orcas Island in 1941 to George and Grace Rodenberger. As one of six siblings, Harry quickly learned to make himself known, hence the rather brilliant colored red hair. The gold capped teeth thankfully followed at a much later date, though his smile was winning from the start as many could attest to. When not whistling with skill most would aspire to, Harry loved to sing, earning him stage roles as he attended Bellingham High School. Though Harry had several careers, there were two that he seemed to have the secret manual to that left the rest of us in awe. As a farmer, Harry worked for the Green Brothers in Lynden and later ran both his own cow farm and horse ranch. There were few places that made Harry as happy as sitting up in the seat of his tractor or driving the cart with his horse Midnight. When not farming, Harry was a long-time firefighter in Bellingham. He was proud of his rather legendary direct communication style while in command, but he was prouder of all those he worked with in his time there. Harry retired as Battalion Chief after 27 years with the Bellingham Fire Department in 1997.

When not working, Harry was lover of music, sermons, traveling, and audio books. He was an extrovert’s extrovert, so whether friend, family, or stranger, Harry was ready to talk and his stories were often notorious. We will all miss his willing ear and advice.

Blaine Public Works Department utility foreman Steven Hrutfiord placed the first urn into Blaine Cemetery’s new niche wall February 2. The urn held the remains of K. Thomas, Hrutfiord’s cousin and the fourth-generation of the family buried in the cemetery.

Blaine City Council approved purchasing the niche wall in 2019, and public works staff finished installing the site area and planting surrounding geraniums last year. The cemetery has space for three more niche walls, making for about 230 spots total, public works foreman Pat Freeman said.

The city used to see 80 percent of people purchasing full burials and 20 percent opting for cremation burials, but Freeman said those numbers have shifted in recent years.

The niche wall gives people another option to honor a loved one while also keeping space in the cemetery, Freeman said. About 1,720 of the cemetery’s 2,754 plots are vacant, deputy city clerk Naomi Soulard said.

In 1934, the city took ownership of the cemetery, a nearly eight-acre property at 4175 H Street Road that was formed in 1888. The public works department maintains the cemetery grounds, and the city’s parks and cemetery board oversees cemetery operations.

It costs $2,000 to purchase a niche wall unit and $100 for the nice wall burial. A cremation burial costs $500.

Four parking spots will be added just south of the niche wall this summer, Freeman said. City council recently approved purchasing cemetery software that will digitize records, allow people to find loved ones and purchase vacant plots on the city’s website, Soulard said.

Harry is survived by his wife Terry; his seven children Tracy, Mardi, David, Dan, Tim, Don, Casie, and their spouses; five siblings Harold, Retha, Keith, Sue, Darla, and their spouses; his many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; nieces and nephews and other beloved family members.

A casual celebration (the man did love shorts after all) of his life will be held at 3RFarm on March 11, 2023, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.

Carl Benedict Broyan Jr.

August 08, 1946 – January 30, 2023

Carl Benedict Broyan Jr., age 76, passed away peacefully at his home on January 30, 2023. Carl was born on August 08, 1946 to Carl Benedict Broyan Sr. and Mary Skreenock in Hazleton, PA.

He graduated from Blaine High School in 1965, after high school, he served in the Navy for 2 years. In 1969, he started working at Intalco. In 1973, he married Bonny Gentzkow and had two kids together. Carl retired from Intalco in 2011.

Carl is survived by his wife Bonny Broyan; their daughter Desiree McGaughy (Jesse) and son Austin Broyan (Selina); grandchildren Brittain, Brielle, Thatcher, Tyson, and Logan; his brother Tim Broyan (Lynne); his sisters MaryAnn Lombardi (Paul), and Kathy Rautenbach (Steve).

The family would like to thank Whatcom Hospice and Right at Home for the care and support of Carl.

s Steven Hrutfiord honored his cousin, K. Thomas, by putting Thomas’ urn on February 2 in the first niche wall installed at Blaine Cemetery. Photo by Grace McCarthy

sheriff’s repOrts

Jan. 23, 6:06 a.m.: Death investigation on Morgan Drive.

Jan. 23, 11:48 a.m.: Property found on California Trail.

Jan. 23, 12:13 p.m.: Juvenile on Ramona Lane, Custer.

Jan. 24, 1:47 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Surf Place.

Jan. 24, 10:36 a.m.: Theft on Golf Course Drive.

Jan. 24, 3:29 p.m.: Theft on Bruce Road, Custer.

Jan. 24, 5:10 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident injury on Portal Way.

Jan. 24, 7:13 p.m.: Domestic physical on Crocket Road.

Jan. 25, 2:12 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident on Zell Road, Custer. Suspect arrested for DUI.

Jan. 25, 5:41 p.m.: Mental health issue on Park Lane.

Jan. 26, 9:43 a.m.: Vehicle prowl on Tidal Way.

Jan. 26, 3:10 p.m.: Domestic order violation on Rob Lee Drive.

Jan. 27, 4:43 a.m.: Traffic stop on Birch Bay Drive. Suspect arrested.

Jan. 27, 5:04 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Park Lane. Suspect arrested for second-degree assault.

Jan. 27, 8:13 p.m.: Juvenile problem on H Street.

Jan. 28, 8:25 a.m.: Burglary on Birch Bay Drive.

Jan. 28, 1:39 p.m.: Trespass on Arnie Road.

Jan. 28, 9:30 p.m.: Runaway on Blaine and Arnie roads.

Coming up

Jan. 29, 5:11 p.m.: Assault simple on Haynie Road. Suspect arrested for fourth-degree assault.

Jan. 30, 7:15 a.m.: Traffic stop on Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Custer. Suspect arrested for driving while license suspended.

pOliCe repOrts

Jan. 28, 10:53 a.m.: Sex crime, no rape, on B Street.

Jan. 28, 7:54 p.m.: Theft on E Street.

Jan. 29, 6:02 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Alder Street.

Jan. 30, 8:40 a.m.: Burglary on 3rd Street.

Jan. 30, 9:28 a.m.: Homeless person on B Street.

Jan. 30, 1:25 p.m.: Civil problem on H Street.

Jan. 30, 1:37 p.m.: Domestic order violation on 4th Street.

Jan. 30, 1:54 p.m.: Neighborhood dispute on 15th Street.

Jan. 31, 8:26 a.m.: Harassment on Garfield Avenue.

Jan. 31, 9:25 a.m.: Motor vehicle accident (street not reported).

Jan. 31, 11:44 p.m.: Trespass on H Street.

CrOssWOrd

ACROSS

1. Shed tears

5. Luxury jewelry designer 10. Goddess of wisdom

12. Convert into a particular form

14. Working-class people

16. It borders Canada (abbr.)

18. A princess can detect its presence

19. Red-brown sea bream

20. Defunct retail empire

22. Vase

23. Demeter’s equivalent

25. Monetary unit of the Maldives

26. French and Belgian river

27. Small amount 28. High schoolers’ test

30. Animal’s foot

31. Some is red

33. Per __: each

35. Swedish jazz pop duo

37. Plate for Eucharist

38. Train line

40. Russian pop duo

41. Stake

42. Plant by scattering

44. Female sibling

45. City of Angels hoopsters (abbr.)

48. Popular cookie brand

50. Group of Niger-Congo languages

52. A team’s best pitcher

53. Vomits

55. 19th letter of Greek alphabet

56. Men’s fashion accessory

57. Its capital is Pierre (abbr.)

58. Expensive cut of steak

63. Popular James Cameron film

65. A __: relating to knowledge gleaned from deduction

66. Kids’ snow toys

67. Flip side to yin

DOWN

1. Global public health agency

2. Snake-like fish

3. Midway between northeast and east

4. Dabbed

5. TV show

6. Folk singer DiFranco

7. Canadian flyers

8. Of the dowry

9. Commercial 10. The act of imitating

11. Equipment used to broadcast radio or TV signals

13. Lands of an emir

15. Swiss river 17. Island

18. Monetary unit of Afghanistan

21. One who surrenders under agreed conditions

23. Garfield is one

24. A baglike structure in a plant or animal

27. Small boats used in the Black Sea

29. Small savory Spanish dishes

32. Body part

34. Touch lightly

35. Popular grilled foods on a stick

36. __ Hess: oil company

39. Antelope with a reddish coat

40. Pharaoh of Lower Egypt

43. Pink Floyd’s Roger

44. Short and thick

46. Small, sac-like cavities

Jan. 31, 5:34 p.m.: Welfare check on Halibut Drive.

Feb. 1, 8:46 a.m.: Burglary on Martin Street.

Feb. 1, 11:46 a.m.: Vehicle theft on Adelia Street.

Feb. 1, 12:41 p.m.: Traffic hazard on E Street.

Feb. 1, 3:14 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on C Street.

Feb. 2, 10:55 a.m.: Vehicle inspection on Peace Portal Drive.

Feb. 2, 11:50 p.m.: Juvenile problem on H Street.

Feb. 2, 2:28 p.m.: Domestic verbal on Martin Street.

Feb. 2, 7:54 p.m.: Motor vehicle accident on Semiahmoo Parkway.

Feb. 2, 9:12 p.m.: Suspicious person on H Street Road.

47. Performer __-Lo

49. Entrails of animal used as food

51. __ King Cole, musician

54. Where construction is done

59. Chap

60. Investment vehicle

61. Often mixed with tonic

62. Holiday beverage egg __

64. Against

ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

Weather

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, February 9, 6 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: General knowledge. Info: thevaultwinebar.com.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, February 10, 6 p.m., 277 G Street. Featuring: Trio Sueño. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Winter Orchid and Indoor Plant Care: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn tips and tricks for getting orchids blooming again. Plus an orchid re-potting demonstration and discussion of general information for indoor plant care, especially during the winter months. Info: wcls.org.

My Furry Valentine Cat Show: Saturday, February 11, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. and Sunday, February 12, 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale. A two-day, 12-ring cat show for pedigreed and household cats. Sponsored by the Evergreen Cat Fanciers. Info: evergreencatfanciers.org.

Blaine Senior Center Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, February 11, noon–3 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Over $275 in prizes. Early bird starts at 12:30 p.m. Regular bingo at 1 p.m. Eight games $15. Info: 360/332-8040.

Blaine Community Theater Presents: It Happened One Night: Saturday, February 11, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., Blaine Boating Center Conference Room, 235 Marine Drive. Readers Theater event based on the classic 1934 screwball comedy staring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Dessert, coffee and limited Champagne drinks served. Tickets: $13 at blainecommunitytheater.com.

Super Bowl Viewing Party: Sunday, February 12, 2:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Grilling hot dogs and sausages, bring your own beverages and snacks, $1 football square party game. $5 donation appreciated. Info: 360/332-8040.

Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Meeting: Thursday, February, 16, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Christ the King North Bay, 4895 Birch Bay Lynden Road. Speaker: Britt Kane with St. Joseph Medical Center Foundation and Whatcom Hospice Foundation. No-host lunch. RSVP at birchbaychamber.com.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, February 16, 6 p.m., 277 G Street. This week’s theme: Presidents. Info: thevaultwinebar.com.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, February 17, 6 p.m., 277 G Street. Featuring: Mary Ellen Lykins and Craig Adams. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Movie Night: Friday, February 17, 7 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Playing family-friendly movie. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch the movie on the big screen. Free popcorn. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Housing for Seniors and People with Disabilities: Monday, February 20, 10–11:30 a.m. Moderator Lara Welker, MPH, Consultant for Aging Well Whatcom Blueprint, will facilitate discussion with panelists. Free. Registration required to receive Zoom link at lwvbellinghamwhatcom.org. Recorded for later viewing.

Blaine Chamber of Commerce Annual General Meeting: Thursday, February 23, noon–1 p.m., Great Blue Heron Grill, 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway. Meet the 2023 board of directors, 2022 business of the year presentation, prize drawings. No host lunch. RSVP by February 20 to info@ blainechamber.com or 360/332-6484.

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 Bank: Fridays 2:30–4:30 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.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.

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 donation $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 ($8.50 if under 60) or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Blaine Arts Council: Meets second Thursday, 6:30 p.m., at Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Meeting is open to the public. The council promotes, cultivates and supports the arts in order to enrich the lives of the community through creativity with a variety of cultural events, education and shows. Info: blaineartscouncil.org.

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

Parents of Addicted Loved Ones (PAL) Meetings: Tuesdays 6:30–8 p.m., CAP Center, 508 G Street, Blaine. A support group for parents of adult children dealing with addiction, but open to anyone (18 or 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 and Dave at wamillards@comcast.net.

Alaska Packers Association Cannery Museum: Open Saturdays and Sundays, 1–5 p.m., 9261 Semiahmoo Parkway. Free, donations welcome. Info: 360/371-3558.

Birch Bay Book Club: Wednesday, February 16, 4 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. February title is Horse by Geraldine Brooks. Info: klia1@mac.com.

Blaine Book Club: Friday, February 17, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street.

February title: Being a Human by Charles Foster. Info: Kelly at 360/305-3637.

Blaine Serenity Al-Anon: Mondays, noon–1 p.m. on Zoom. Have you been dealing with alcoholism with a friend or family member? Info: Jerrylyn at 360/305-2246.

Report by Blaine Police Department

Washington crime victims could get added confidentiality

ther,” Nobles said.

Victims and witnesses who want to keep track of perpetrators in prison to know when they are released will be able to keep their identities private, if a bill that passed the Washington state Senate with broad bipartisan support becomes law.

“This bill creates a safer environment for the victims and survivors, and they are not placed again in harm’s way because of a public records request,” said T’wina Nobles (D-Fircrest).

The Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) provides a tracking program for victims and witnesses so they know when the person who victimized them is released into the community.

The current law requires that inmates will not be notified nor have access to the location of the individuals who request to track them when they are in prison.

However, the DOC is required to keep a record of the requests and there is a chance that perpetrators can find out who wants to be notified of their release through public records, Nobles said. With the bill, those records will remain confidential.

“People from domestic violence cases need the space to find healing, but that is incredibly challenging when they are concerned for their safety or if they are at risk of being harmed fur-

Did

Eligible crimes are violent offenses such as sex offenses, domestic violence and felony harassment. Court order violations are also included.

Last year, legislation added five more offenses to the list, including domestic violence offenses, third-degree assault, unlawful imprisonment, vehicular homicide by disregard for the safety of others and controlled substance homicide.

“As you know, data privacy is a big deal nowadays. There’s so much data that’s out there. So much is going on the internet,” state senator Matt Boehnke (R-Kennewick) said. “There are a lot of things that we need to look after to ensure we have that balance to protect our data where that’s needed.”

“This bill’s sole purpose is to use good governance to protect survivors and witnesses. It is designed with respect for the processing of trauma by expanding who can be notified and providing survivors the assurance that they won’t be put at extra risk of harm,” Nobles said.

The bill now moves to the House of Representatives for consideration by the Community Safety, Justice, and Reentry Committee.

Forty-eight of 49 senators voted for the bill with one senator excused from the debate.

The Washington State Journal is a nonprofit news website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

Bill in state legislature aims to stop female genital mutilation

People who perform female genital mutilation on a minor could face criminal and civil penalties if a bill now in the state senate becomes law.

Female genital mutilation, or FGM, involves removal or injury to female genital organs for nonmedical reasons. It is a cultural procedure for young girls more commonly practiced in some African countries but instances of it in the U.S. are increasing among immigrants.

“Unfortunately, I am told by members of the community that not only licensed health professionals are involved, but others that are not subject to those license requirements are also involved in this practice in our state,” said state senator Karen Keiser (D-Des Moines), who

sponsored the bill.

Senate Bill 5453 would allow minors who are victims of female genital mutilation to bring a civil action against people who perform the surgeries.

The civil action would need to be brought within 10 years of the injury, but the statute of limitations would not apply to a minor until they reach the age of 18.

“Until they become 18, they don’t really have the ability to act on their own,” she said. “It’s a combination of trauma and maturity that needs to be considered in this case.”

The bill also makes it unprofessional conduct for any healthcare professional to conduct the operations on a minor, and the Washington State Department of Health is directed to establish an education pro -

gram to prevent the practice.

The bill creates criminal penalties as well. A person performing the operation or knowingly transporting a minor to the procedure would be guilty of a gross misdemeanor. Criminal prosecutions can be brought up to the victim’s 28th birthday.

Initially, Keiser was not considering including a criminal charge in the bill but changed her mind after community members said it was necessary to ensure effective elimination of the practice.

The bill passed out of the Senate Law and Justice Committee on February 2.

The Washington State Journal is a nonprofit news website funded by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation. Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

s The state Senate was gaveled into order at the beginning of January.

Photo by Alexandria Osborne/Washington State Journal

Road Rules: Washington state bill aims to lower impaired driving

Unless this is the only news(ish) article you read each week, you’ve likely at least seen a headline about the bill that would lower our state’s impaired driving blood alcohol content (BAC) level to .05. This is such an obviously good idea that no one could possibly disagree (he says with misplaced confidence.) Before we go any further, I’ll state my bias – as you might guess, I’m inclined to support things that increase the safety of all road users.

We all have our biases, and not everyone shares mine, so let’s start with something we can all agree on. Too many people are killed in impaired driving crashes in our state. Over half of all traffic fatalities in Washington involve impairment and 32 percent of those involve alcohol. No matter what your political persuasion, that’s unacceptable. We’re seeing this now in Washington’s legislature with bipartisan agreement that something needs to be done to reverse the current trend of increasing traffic fatalities.

Most of us never drive impaired, but that doesn’t mean DUI laws don’t affect us. If other drivers think it’s okay to be on the road with a .05 BAC, that’s a risk for everyone. At that level, drivers are seven times more likely than a driver with a zero BAC

level to get in a fatal crash. Sober road users shouldn’t have to tolerate that risk.

There’s plenty of research showing that lowering the BAC level to .05 works. Examples around the world include many European countries, and in Australia, where they consume a similar amount of alcohol per capita as Americans, but they have a traffic fatality rate of less than half that of the US. Closer to home, when Utah lowered its limit to .05 (so far, the only state to do so), fatal crashes went down by nearly 20 percent and incidents involving alcohol impairment decreased by almost 15 percent. Meanwhile, DUI arrests didn’t go up appreciably. The .05 BAC law prompted drivers to make a conscious decision to not drive impaired.

I mentioned that not everyone is in favor of this bill. When the bill was recently discussed in the Senate’s Law and Justice Committee, many people spoke up to support the bill, but two people (who represent the alcohol industry) stated their opposition. One representative supported our current threshold, stating that it is “based on science and law enforcement guidance.” It’s true that in 1999 Washington moved from a .10 to a .08 BAC level with the support of science and law enforcement, but for more than a decade the scientif-

ic view has been that at .05 BAC even heavy drinkers are impaired at a level that affects their driving, and the federal government has recommended that states adopt a .05 law since 2012.

The other representative said, “there is no discernible way to recognize signs of intoxication at .05.” She may believe that’s true about a server’s ability to recognize impairment in a customer, but when it comes to driving, that level of alcohol has a discernible reduction in coordination, ability to visually track moving objects and response to emergency situations.

Prior to Utah’s passing of the law, there was also opposition, with concerns including tourism and beverage sales. After the law passed those concerns were proven unfounded, as tourism and alcohol sales remained strong.

DUI laws aren’t about penalizing people for drinking alcohol. Many countries have already figured this out. In Europe, where most countries already have a .05 BAC law (and some are even lower), people actually drink more than Americans. They just don’t drive afterward.

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

Natural history: Belted kingfishers

No matter how often I see them, I am always delighted when a belted kingfisher appears in view along Terrell Creek or in the marina near my Birch Bay home. Sometimes I am alerted to their presence by their chattering call, which is loud and sounds prehistoric. Belted kingfishers always seem to have a serious and determined attitude as they seek a meal of small fish. Their large crested head looks a little out of proportion for their body size. Interestingly, the female belted kingfisher is more brightly colored than the male. The opposite is true for many bird species. Belted kingfishers usually nest in an underground burrow near the water’s edge. Both the male and female typically dig the bur-

row. When the chicks hatch, they are fed partially digested fish by their parents.

Kingfishers commonly sit on a favorite observation spot day after day. When I see these individuals repeatedly, I greet them as old friends. (I do realize, however, that they likely see me as a potential threat). Belted kingfishers can be found in most of North America and Central America. I have enjoyed watching them dive into sluggish waterways in the Everglades, and clear streams in southcentral Alaska.

Jonathan Hall resides in Birch Bay. He is a retired biologist who has worked in many regions of the U.S. while employed with the State of New York, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, several environmental consulting firms, and the Tulalip Tribes of Washington.

B y J onat H an H all

s A belted kingfisher on Semiahmoo Spit.

Photo by Eric Ellingson