The Northern Light: January 11-17, 2024 by Point Roberts Press

January 11 - 17, 2024

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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer

IN THIS

ISSUE

Man arrested for bail jumping on rape trial, page 3

BBWARM to hold meeting on proposed rate increases

Port of Bellingham finalizes public access plan, page 3

Birch Bay meditation instructors, page 9

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Tanksley sworn in as Whatcom County Sheriff

By Nolan Baker

(See BBWARM, page 3)

s Former Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley, c., was ceremonially sworn in as Whatcom County Sheriff on January 8. Thurston County Superior Court Judge Sharonda Amamilo, l., administered the oath of office, and Tanksley’s wife, Jessie, pinned his badge.

Photo courtesy Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office

2023 year in

REVIEW

Looking back at a year that was ....

(This is the second of a two-part Year in Review. January-June was published in the January 4 issue of The Northern Light.) July • The Washington State Department of Agriculture asked the public to participate in its citizen science trapping program for the northern giant hornets, also known as “murder hornets.” • Fare Thee Well food trailer, serving gourmet dogs, opened behind The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro. • Blaine High School students competed at the Technology Student Association national competition in Louisville, Kentucky. • Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July parade brought thousands to downtown Blaine, while people celebrated Independence Day into the night on the Birch Bay shoreline. Volunteers from the annual July 5 Birch Bay cleanup filled three 30-yard Sanitary Service Company drop boxes with trash. • The historic Birch Bay sign, once on Peace Portal Drive near Bell Road, was moved to The Beach at Birch Bay bar. • Blaine Harbor Music Festival put on a week of world-class concerts around Blaine. • Blaine City Council voted 5-2 during its July 10 meeting to uphold its decision to enact a six-month emergency moratorium on processing manufactured home park building

permit applications. Over 20 people spoke during a public hearing before the vote. • Blaine City Council unanimously approved city staff to research downtown zoning changes that could increase building height restrictions and decrease parking requirements. The decision came after developers voiced frustration that current zoning limited their ability to achieve a satisfactory return on investment. • Blaine school district released a draft budget for the 2023/24 school year that would spend nearly $3.5 million less than last school year and reduce the district’s anticipated end of year deficit to $2.1 million. • Whatcom County Council voted 5-0 to place a local sales and use tax of 0.2 percent, or 20 cents for every $100, on the November general election ballot to fund construction of a new county jail and support services. • The Washington Supreme Court upheld an appellate court decision that could require Petrogas Pacific LLC to pay $15 million in taxes to Whatcom County. • Ragnar Northwest Passage racers set out from Peace Arch Historical State Park for the 200-mile, 12-leg running relay race that finished on south Whidbey Island. • The city of Blaine was on track to use only $150,000 in reserve funds, instead of $950,000, after four staff members left and

sales tax revenue improved. • Susan Sullivan was appointed as new postmaster for the U.S. Post Office in Custer. • Canoes from Nooksack Indian Tribe, First Nations in Canada and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community landed in Birch Bay on July 22 in a stop on the Paddle to Muckleshoot Canoe Journey. This was the first time the canoe journey returned since the pandemic. • A high-speed stolen vehicle pursuit (See YIR, page 5)

INSIDE

The Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resource Management (BBWARM) District announced it is seeking public input regarding an ongoing rate study and the possibility of the district increasing service charge fees for the first time in its history. A preliminary meeting to inform residents about the study, and to hear feedback from the community is scheduled for Wednesday, January 17 at 6 p.m. at 5280 Northwest Drive in Bellingham. The meeting will also hold remote viewing, and can be joined via Zoom at bit.ly/3Sb5nh0. BBWARM, which advises the Whatcom County Public Works Department on Birch Bay’s watershed, was formed in 2007 as a subzone of the Whatcom County Flood Control Zone District (FCZD) to manage stormwater in Birch Bay. The first service charges were enacted in 2008, and have gone unchanged for over 15 years, but could be going up due to infrastructure needs, the district wrote in a statement released January 3. “Due to the long list of stormwater improvement projects needed in Birch Bay and rising construction costs, it has become clear that a rate study, and likely a service charge increase, is warranted,” the district wrote in the statement. Some of the specific infrastructure improvements were laid out in the FCZD’s six-year water resources improvement plan, which estimates which projects – and how much money – is needed across the county. Birch Bay currently has 10 projects on the list, ranging from $220,000 to $2.85 million in total expenditures by 2029. For Birch Bay, the most expensive projects are estimated to be stormwater improvements at Richmond Park and Roger’s Slough, each projected to cost over $2 million in expenditures by 2029. Currently, the BBWARM service charge depends on the amount of developed land on a given property, and whether the property is zoned for single-family residences, duplexes or higher-density properties like apartments, condominiums or commercial and industrial businesses. Properties without impervious surfaces (no concrete foundations, rooftops, parking lots or gravel driveways) are not charged a stormwater fee. State law does not consider the service charge as a tax, but rather as a user fee, and thus does not require a vote, according to its website. It also allows the district to charge public properties, churches and public schools that all use the stormwater service. The service charge, which currently raises roughly $740,000 annually, amounts to roughly $75 per year for a single-family residence. The rate of growth in Birch Bay

Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . 11, 12 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14

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The Northern Light • January 11 - 17, 2024

2023 year in

REVIEW By Mike Harmon, city

As 2023 came to a close, the city of Blaine stands as a testament to resilience, progress and community spirit. 2023 was a year marked by significant achievements by city council as well as across various departments, each contributing to the city’s vibrant development. 2023 marked the end of councilmember Garth Baldwin’s term on the city council and welcomed councilmember-elect Sonia Hurt to the group. The city council acted on several important initiatives in 2023 including text amendments to the Blaine Municipal Code, improving Blaine’s infrastructure, kicking off the downtown revitalization project,

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City of Blaine reviewing and assessing downtown zoning regulations, passing a balanced budget for 2024, and securing grant funding for the initial design of the Bell Road grade separation project. The finance department had a stellar year, achieving an unqualified opinion on its 2021 financial statements, a testament to the team’s competence and dedication. Contrary to the anticipated $1 million budget deficit, 2023 is projected to conclude with a slight surplus. The financial success was primarily due to staff transitions and unfilled positions, complemented by higher-than-expected sales tax revenue. The department also played a crucial role in selecting Tyler ERP Pro, a new software system set for implementation in 2024, promising enhanced service delivery and customer engagement. Public works marked 2023 with the completion of several key projects, including the G Street sewer project, the Marine Park Shoreline Restoration, and the second-floor remodel of city hall. The team efficiently handled over a thousand service requests and nearly 70 requests for new utility services. Additionally, they concluded a study on the city’s conveyance and wastewater treatment systems, emphasizing their commitment to infrastructural excellence. The police department bid farewell to officer Jon Landis after nearly 28 years of dedicated service and welcomed officer Brandon Wasilchen. The department received $30,000 from the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission for officer wellness, which was utilized for a gym, a wellness room and counseling services. The police administrative staff moved to the second floor of city hall to centralize services, and efforts are underway to appoint a new police chief, following chief Tanksley’s election as county sheriff. Despite significant staff turnover, the Community Development Services Department (CDS) approved numerous housing projects, adding 71 new homes and eight fourplex buildings to Blaine. Major projects included Bens Truck Stop, The Ridge at Harbor Hills 2 and 3 (formerly known as East Maple Ridge) and Sea Smoke Tract D. The CDS also played a pivotal role in commu-

nity events, assisting with the Wings Over Water NW Birding Festival, Oysterfest, and Holiday Harbor Lights, among others. Their efforts in promoting tourism, such as the radio campaign with Cascade Radio Group and renting advertising space on a digital billboard near the Canadian border significantly bolstered the city’s visibility. The city clerk and manager’s office had a dynamic year, overseeing the recruitment of the new city manager, Michael Harmon, and facilitating the hiring of 12 city positions including public works director and CDS director. They managed an unprecedented number of public records requests and are now gearing up for the recruitment of a new police chief. Looking forward As we reflect on the past year, it’s clear that Blaine has not only faced its challenges head-on but has also laid a strong foundation for future growth and prosperity. Each department, through its unique contributions, has played a role in enhancing the city’s infrastructure and overall quality of life. The council’s prudent financial management, public works’ infrastructural achievements, the police department’s focus on wellness and efficiency, CDS’ fostering of community development and tourism, and the proactive approach of the city clerk and city manager’s office collectively tell a story of a city on an upward trajectory. Blaine’s journey through 2023 is a narrative of resilience, adaptability and progress. The city’s ability to surpass financial expectations, complete vital infrastructure projects, navigate staffing transitions while maintaining service quality, and foster community spirit and engagement, speaks volumes about its potential and readiness for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. As we look toward 2024, there is a palpable sense of optimism and anticipation. With new projects on the horizon, continued focus on community development, and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life for its residents, Blaine is poised for another year of growth and success. Blaine’s 2023 is not just a year in review; it’s a chapter in an ongoing story of a community that’s moving forward together.

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s From l.; Deputy city manager/city clerk Sam Crawford, planning director Alex Wenger, public works director Harpiar Gandhi and city manager Mike Harmon during the Blaine City Council meeting on November 27. Photo by Grace McCarthy

January 11 - 17, 2024 • thenorthernlight.com

Man arrested for bail jumping while on trial for rape By Grace McCarthy A man on trial for sexually assaulting a woman in Birch Bay was arrested again after he ran out of the courtroom during proceedings in mid-December. The jury later found him guilty of second-degree rape with forcible compulsion and he now faces a Class B felony charge for bail jumping. Joshua Robert Duran, 36, was arrested for running out of the Whatcom County Courthouse on December 13, 2023. He was released from Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $500 cash on December 16 and allowed to remain free until his rape conviction on December 20. The court instructed Duran to appear at 1 p.m. December 12 for a second day of court proceedings, according to the affidavit of probable cause (APC) filed in Whatcom County Superior Court. When Du-

ran did not appear, a warrant was issued for Duran’s arrest. Duran arrived at the courtroom at 2 p.m. and met privately with his attorneys. A Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to arrest Duran, but he fled after the deputy and a prosecutor’s office investigator left him alone while they were making a copy of the warrant, according to the APC. A jail security guard saw a man matching Duran’s description fleeing the Whatcom County Courthouse, and a juror called 911 and photographed Duran running past her. “She indicated that she saw the man who was on trial running away from the courthouse and thought it was odd,” according to the APC. Duran returned to court for the continuance of the rape trial on December 13 and was arrested on the warrant for jumping bail. His trial for bail jumping is tentatively scheduled for early February.

The assault In May 2012, law enforcement responded to St. Joseph Medical Center, where a woman was undergoing a sexual assault examination, according to court documents. The woman was with an acquaintance the night before when she met Duran in a group of the acquaintance’s friends. Court documents state Duran forcibly assaulted the woman while the two were alone in a car near Birch Bay State Park. The woman told law enforcement that she tried to get away, but Duran was too strong and she later passed out after he gave her something to drink. About six months after the assault, the sexual assault kit returned a positive DNA match for Duran. Nearly a decade later, in March 2021, law enforcement contacted Duran in Seattle and requested a buccal swab of his DNA, later confirmed a positive match to the

sexual assault examination. Whatcom County deputy prosecuting attorney Maggie Peach said she didn’t know why a decade passed between the first positive DNA connection and law enforcement contacting Duran for a confirmation test, but she filed charges in August 2021 after she received the case. Duran was booked into Whatcom County Jail on September 2, 2021, and released the next day on $1,000 cash bail. Whatcom County public defender Richard Larson declined to comment on the alleged bail jumping that occurred during trial, but said he intended to appeal the verdict on the rape charge. “We respect the jury’s decision, but we will be pursuing every and all appropriate appellate right on that,” Larson said. Peach said she was happy with the guilty verdict of second-degree rape with forcible compulsion, but

declined to comment further until Duran’s February 15 sentencing. Court records show Joshua Robert Duran has also been convicted in Washington state for theft, assault, possession of a controlled substance, possession of stolen property, assault with a deadly weapon, vehicular assault and tampering with a witness. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic or sexual violence, the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services (DVSAS) 24-hour hotline is available at 360/715-1563 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.

Port of Bellingham accepting final comments on public access plan

s Jorgensen Pier in Blaine Harbor.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

By Grace McCarthy

the project is not funded. The port listed a number of upcoming projects in the draft plan, with the following located in Blaine Harbor: • Replace about 144 concrete 16x16-inch panels at the boat launch (Rank 3, 2026-2030) • Remove and replace approximately 575 linear feet of the remaining wooden boardwalk promenade, which was not done during the Blaine marina expansion in 1998-2000 (Rank 1 – only a condition survey is scheduled for 2024) • Replace 24 shore power electric meters at the visitor dock (Rank 3, 2027-2030)

The Port of Bellingham is accepting public comment until Monday, January 22 for its draft recreation, conservation and public access plan. The plan is updated every six years to guide development of the port’s open space, park and recreation facilities, and to ensure the port maintains eligibility for Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office grants, according to the port. Projects are ranked from 1 to 3 with one indicating that the project is funded, two that it is funded within the plan’s timeline and three meaning

BBWARM ... From page 1

over the past 10-15 years has resulted in more new development, and a higher strain on the area’s drainage system, according to the district. Holly Faulstich, a natural resource specialist for Whatcom County Public Works Department, told The Northern Light that residents in Birch Bay

shouldn’t expect any clear answers by the upcoming meeting, and that more public input will be needed as the rate study process continues. “[The public meeting] is more of a head’s up that a financial analysis and rate study for BBWARM is underway,” Faulstich wrote to The Northern Light. “They are not at the point of projecting any future rates yet; that will be the subject of the April 17 meeting.”

• Fix drainage issues by repairing a storm drain, construct a berm to capture boat rinse water and replace approximately 7,500 square feet of worn asphalt at the boat launch (Rank 3; 2026-2030) • Conduct a condition survey of the access road to Jorgenson Pier (Rank 1; 2024) The draft also outlines a proposal for the port to dedicate land near the Blaine Harbor boat launch to the city of Blaine to develop a “Plover Park” where people could walk to from downtown Blaine using a proposed pedestrian bridge over BNSF Railway tracks. The port wants to complete the two-mile trail around Blaine Harbor and has planned a harbor overlook at the south-end of Marine Drive. The port opened a survey last summer to better understand how the public uses its open spaces. The port noted in its draft that it needed additional outreach to understand how its Blaine land was utilized as only 25 of the survey’s 818 respondents were

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Blaine residents. Port commissioners are slated to vote on the draft which was made available in mid-December, at the end of January. The draft plan is available to review on the port’s website, at bit. ly/41SbJ8q. Comments may also be sent directly to port commissioners Bobby Briscoe (bobbyb@

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The Northern Light • January 11 - 17, 2024

Opinion

The Northern L ght The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc. Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau. The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors. Letters Policy The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for 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.

Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Nolan Baker nolan@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Gary Lee sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com

The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777

Blaine book club review: ‘How the Other Half Eats’ By Jonathan Jakobitz “How the Other Half Eats” takes an indepth look at the American family’s complicated relationship with food. Through extensive field research conducted at dinner tables across America, interviewing families spanning the range of socio-economic backgrounds, Priya Fielding-Singh paints a portrait of both inequity and commonality. All parents want what’s best for their children. Yet Fielding-Singh finds that what is “best” is highly subjective and greatly impacted by one’s economic status. Splurging on a coffee shop treat or giving in to a child’s request for junk food can be seen as a waste of money or an unhealthy habit by some, but for families working multiple jobs and drowning in debt, these things can be something totally different: An all too infrequent opportunity to say “yes” to a child’s request. When so much is economically out of reach, parents view things completely differently. Conversely, households with strong economic stability have the capaci-

ty to worry about a child’s supposed excessive weight gain; an issue a family living paycheck to paycheck may not have the bandwidth to see as a concern. Moving beyond the topic of food inequality in America, Fielding-Singh also highlights the enduring role mothers typically assume as the parental figure who bears the psychological weight of family meals and their children’s health and eating habits. Despite many advances in gender equality, this entrenched legacy endures. The burden spans the socio-economic divide impacting most mothers. While not brought forward at the outset of Fielding-Singh’s work, this runs as a larger theme undergirding the whole book. “How the Other Half Eats” opens a window on the scope of food inequality in America and can serve as a nice starting point for engaging in conversations about our varied and unique experiences with food security and insecurity, family meals and lingering gender roles. “How the Other Half Eats” is the January selection for the Books & Bites book

s Jonathan Jakobitz holds ‘How the Other Half Eats,’ the Books & Bites book for January. Courtesy photo

group. Read the book and then join Books & Bites at the Blaine Library 1 p.m. Friday, January 19 for a time of community and lively conversation. For more information, visit bit.ly/3vjtCAJ. Jonathan Jakobitz is an avid reader and the branch manager of Blaine Public Library.

Letters The Editor: The Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA) is a law that requires state and local governments to manage Washington’s growth by identifying and protecting critical areas and natural resource lands, designating urban growth areas, preparing comprehensive plans and implementing them through capital investments and development regulations. The GMA was adopted because the Washington state legislature found that uncoordinated and unplanned growth posed a threat to the environment, sustainable economic development and the quality of life in Washington. The GMA establishes state goals, sets deadlines for compliance, offers direction on how to prepare local comprehensive plans and regulations, and sets forth requirements for early and continuous public participation. GMA requires “early, continuous, and inclusive public involvement throughout the planning process.” Every eight to ten years, depending on how quickly a community grows, comprehensive plans and development regulations are reviewed, and if needed, revised to comply with GMA and changing community needs. In a time of unprecedented growth in Blaine, the city has not held one educational workshop to involve the citizens of Blaine in planning its future. Public hear-

ings where we are allowed to comment on a proposal already negotiated between city hall and developers is not the same thing. Jay Taber Blaine The Editor: The United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps (USNSCC) was founded in 1958 by the NAVY League Of The United States. This program is a non profit youth organization that teaches kids about jobs in the U.S. Navy and all branches of the Military. The USNSCC has two programs, the Navy League Cadet Corps (USNLCC), which is for cadets ages 10-13, and the senior program USNSCC, which is for cadets ages 13-18. All cadets have to abide by the USNSCC core values: Honor, respect, commitment and service. If you enlist you can be eligible for advanced pay. Joining the USNSCC does not commit cadets to future service. The USNSCC has been building leaders of character since its inception with 78 cadets to currently having 9,131 cadets and 396 units around the U.S., Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and one in our hometown, Blaine. Blaine’s USNSCC Raymond J Evans Division will open up a world of exciting opportunities for you like, valuable training in leadership, teamwork, culinary arts, SCUBA, photojournalism and music classes.

You’ll have the chance to explore your interests while discovering new ones. The Raymond J Evans Division was named after Raymond Joseph Evans Jr. born February 22, 1921 in Bellingham. Evans was a U.S. Coast Guardsman who received the Navy Cross post-WWII for showing extraordinary heroism in battle. In 1942 shuttled Marines whose position had been taken over by Japanese forces. He kept evacuating the Marines off the island even though his best friend, Douglas Munro died in battle. He used one hand to steer his boat and the other to fire his gun, drawing enemy gunfire toward himself and away from the Marines. He was decommissioned in 1962 and died May 30, 2013. Now Raymond J Evans has a vessel named after him, the USCGC Raymond Evans and he has an award named after him, the Ray Evans Medal. Raymond J Evans Division meets every other Saturday at 0745 (starting 1/06/24) at Blaine American Legion Post 86. 4580 Legion Dr, Blaine, WA 98230. Email Jsteenmeyer@seacadets.org or call 360-220-9012 or visit seacadets.org/join Landon Kehm Blaine Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

Vol XXVIII, No 30 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

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.

Next issue: Jan. 18 Ads due: Jan. 12

Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us. Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m. Info: blainepc@ cityofblaine.com. Info for joining Zoom meetings: bit.ly/3EwWiZi. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Meetings are second Tues-

day, 5:30 p.m., location varies. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Note: The December 2023 meeting will be held Tuesday, December 19. 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.

January 11 - 17, 2024 • thenorthernlight.com

YIR ... From page 1

through Whatcom County ended with the vehicle driving through the U.S./Canada border and bursting into flames in Surrey, B.C. • L&L Bakery opened in downtown Blaine on July 24. • The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce hosted the Sand Sculpture Competition and Rollback Weekend. August • Whatcom County voters cast their ballots in the August 1 primary election. • Law officers, first responders and community members joined together to celebrate National Night Out at Birch Bay State Park. • The community group researching Birch Bay incorporation distributed a second survey to unincorporated residents just outside of the Birch Bay urban growth area. • The owners of Alaska Wild Fish and Chips Co. opened Dockside Bar, which served beer out of a renovated shipping container in Blaine Harbor. • Stacie Pratschner, the city of Blaine’s community development services director, had her last day in the position August 4 after taking a position with the city of Mount Vernon. • The Lady Washington tall ship made its first appearance in Blaine since the pandemic for the Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival. Pirate Daze also offered family activities during the festival at Blaine Harbor. • Living Pantry reopened on H Street after relocating from its Peace Portal Drive spot. • The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 announced it would not collect taxes in 2024 after missing the filing deadline for its six-year levy renewal to appear on the November general election ballot. • Scientists kept a close eye on

s Nooksack Indian Tribe, First Nations in Canada and Swinomish Indian Tribal Community landed in Birch Bay on July 22 during the Paddle to Muckleshoot Canoe Journey. The canoe journey was the first since the pandemic. Photo by Ruth Lauman

• Blaine Art Council’s The Wave art studio tour gave the public an opportunity to view Blaine and Birch Bay artists’ work around Blaine. • Derby Day took over Birch Bay with a parade, rubber duck derby, crab derby, vendors market, 5K fun run/walk and other activities. • Longtime Birch Bay advocate Kathy Berg served as fire marshal at the Birch Bay Derby Day parade and was celebrated for her community work, including helping see through the berm’s completion and establishing the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management Advisory Committee. • Dozens of people attended Summer Fun in the Park at Blaine Marine Park, where there was live music, food trucks and a beer garden. • Preliminary work on the Birch Bay Drive construction project

began after the project’s repaving was delayed to spring 2024. The project was scheduled to start in July, but permitting delays pushed the project start date. • Blaine school district staff greeted students as they arrived for the first day of school on August 29. September • The Community Assistance Program’s annual winter coat drive began September 1. • Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife officers set traps in the Blaine area for one mother black bear and two cubs reportedly digging through garbage. • Run with the Chums kicked off Whatcom Water Week at bp Highlands. • U.S and Canadian first respond(See YIR, page 6)

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.

January 15, 2024 City Offices Closed: Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January 22, 2024 6:00 PM – City Council Meeting

January 23, 2024 3:30 PM – Civil Service

2023

Commission Meeting

Sen. Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham)

year in

REVIEW

s Sharon Shewmake.

Drayton Harbor waters from late spring through fall after discovering a sizable population of juvenile European green crabs, indicating growth of the highly invasive species. • The Northwest Steam Society gathered their fleet and historical memorabilia at Blaine Harbor for its 50th anniversary. • A power outage in Blaine forced U.S. Customs and Border Protection to shut down the Peace Arch border crossing until power was restored. • Blaine-based TouchStone Behavioral Health opened a youth crisis triage intensive outpatient unit and nonprofit youth resource center in Everson, thanks to a nearly $1 million state grant. • The Good Ol’ Boys Semiahmoo golf group raised over $23,000 for Blaine Food Bank during its annual tournament at the Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club. • Bay City Barbershop, which opened on August 19 in Birch Bay Square. • Friends of Blaine Library and the Whatcom County Library System hosted The Jazz Explosion, a free concert in Blaine Performing Arts Center. The concert was part of the library’s Whatcom Grooves jazz series, and the first of its kind in Blaine. • The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife opened the recreational crabbing season on August 20 after a three-day delay to allow time for more crab shells to harden. • PeaceHealth announced plans to reinstate outpatient palliative care in Whatcom County, just three months after the healthcare system sparked community outrage when it eliminated the program. • A man was transported to the hospital after sustaining a serious injury on one of the main slides at Birch Bay Waterslides on August 25. The water park closed for the remainder of the season.

File photo

By Sharon Shewmake It’s been an honor to work in the state senate with so many others on behalf of Whatcom County. Nobody does this work alone and we have much to be proud of in 2023. In the budget process, we addressed the needs of our district by funding behavioral health programs, nature and wildlife restoration, agricultural investment, road safety improvements, community centers and finalized state support for the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express. We need affordable housing. That means we need to build more,

and government needs to remove red tape. I was proud to prime sponsor two housing bills, one on condominium liability reform and another making it easier to build more Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs or grannie flats) and supported many more bills. 2023 was truly the “Year of Housing.” We also passed important legislation on substance use and addiction, to support nurses and prevent gun violence. We protected your reproductive rights and passed legislation to protect orcas, support small businesses and fund safer transportation infrastructure. My job is more than passing bills; it’s also building community. This summer, Lummi Island and Point Roberts leaders separately asked for help starting a local compost facility. I realized these two remote, unincorporated communities shared more in common than compost so I arranged a trip so they could learn from each other. This fall, I met with federal officials at the White House to discuss Whatcom County building better communities. I spent my time

talking with Caitlin Durkovich, deputy Homeland Security advisor for resilience and response, to advocate for a quick FEMA flood response because families shouldn’t have to wait over a year for help after a disaster. I’m ready to continue supporting

February 12, 2024 6:00 PM –

our communities, and I hope you will reach out to make Whatcom County the best it can be. Sen. Sharon Shewmake has served the 42nd district senator since December 2022 and served as state representative from 2019 until being elected to the senate.

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The Northern Light • January 11 - 17, 2024

YIR ... From page 5

ers, law enforcement officers, motorcyclists and others attended a 9/11 memorial under the Peace Arch for the 22nd anniversary of the terror attacks. • Blaine City Council requested city staff solicit bids to complete the Plover ferry’s remaining repairs before summer 2024. • The Blaine Planning Commission voted to recommend city council approve allowing manufactured home parks that are five acres or larger to be included as a permitted use within east Blaine as long as they are limited to a smaller zoning area. • Blaine city manager Mike Harmon announced the city’s plans to eliminate about 10 percent of its staff, or 6.5 full-time positions, in a round of layoffs that would be the first of this extent in a decade. The decision came in light of the city struggling to balance its general fund, where salaries and wages make up 60 percent of the expenses. • An abandoned home at the corner of Peace Portal Drive and Fourth Street in Blaine became engulfed in flames. No one was injured. • Michael Bobbink, who served as Blaine Municipal Court judge and Whatcom County hearing examiner, died on September 25. • Blaine school board members unanimously approved placing separate levy and bond requests on the February 13, 2024 special election. • Mayor Mary Lou Steward swore in Brandon Wasilchen as Blaine Police Department’s newest officer. • bp Cherry Point hosted an open house that allowed the public to get an inside look into refinery operations. October • A Blaine man was booked into Whatcom County Jail for first-degree murder after he allegedly shot his neighbor on October 4. • A Ferndale man was arrested on charges of vehicular homicide in connection to a hit-and-run crash on Blaine Road in March that killed a 33-year-old Blaine woman. • The Blaine Chamber of Commerce hosted the first Harbor Harvest Festival that had live music, local produce, a beer garden, kids activities and a vendors market. • The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 board of commissioners said it would present a ballot measure to renew its levy of $0.10 per $1,000 of assessed home valuation in the February 13, 2024 special election. • Philadelphia-based pharmaceutical retail pharmacy chain Rite Aid initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. • Bens Market announced it would open a travel plaza across the street from the old Yorky’s station with a truck stop, Tesla supercharging site, a Carl’s Jr burger joint, Cinnabon, Jamba Juice and Pizza Hut. • The city of Blaine began investigating after an anonymous attendee loudly repeated the N-word slur in a ‘Zoombombing’ incident during the Blaine City Council meeting on October 23. • Blaine City Council voted 4-0 during its October 23 meeting to approve a text amendment to the city’s planned unit development code to allow large manufactured

home parks in east Blaine. The vote came after over a year of debate in planning commission and council meetings with east Blaine residents citing concerns of housing affordability and environmental impacts. • Longtime city employee Alex Wenger stepped into the role of city planning director. • A crowd estimated to be in the hundreds turned out October 29 at the Peace Arch to oppose the Semiahmoo First Nation’s plans to build a biofuel facility near the U.S./Canada border. Concerns included the biofuel facility’s impact on the ecosystem, health risks and public safety. • Trick-Or-Treat on the Berm in Birch Bay and the Freeman’s Halloween carnival in Blaine celebrated Halloween. November • Ace Hardware launched a soft opening for its Blaine store. • North Whatcom Fire and Rescue announced it planned to ask voters for an increase in property tax in 2024. • Blaine police chief Donnell “Tank” Tanksley won the Whatcom County Sheriff position with 52 percent of the vote (41,215). • Whatcom County voters approved Proposition 4, authorizing a sales tax to fund a new county jail and other criminal justice services. • A November 13 public hearing on Blaine City Council approving fees for copies of public records turned into a shouting match after council attempted to limit two speakers’ testimony when they began commenting on unrelated topics. • A community group researching the potential for Birch Bay to become its own city officially formed as the Birch Bay Incorporation Association on November 15, drawing a crowd of over 100 people to the meeting. • Blaine City Council remote meetings were suspended after a ‘Zoombombing’ incident during its October 23 meeting. • The Community Assistance Program organized Thanksgiving baskets for 1,200 Blaine, Birch Bay and Custer residents. • The Peace Arch border crossing had tightened security immediately following a deadly car explosion at the Rainbow Bridge crossing in Niagara Falls. • The Washington State Attorney General’s Office required PeaceHealth to refund up to $13.4 million to thousands of low-income patients across Washington, including those in Bellingham, after failing to inform them that they qualified for financial assistance. Some received direct

payments, while others needed to apply through a claims process. • No northern giant hornets, also known as “murder hornets,” were detected in the U.S. or Canada in 2023. If no hornets are detected in the U.S. in 2024, the invasive species will be considered eradicated from the area. • Thomas Lyden was appointed Blaine Municipal Court judge. • The city of Blaine contracted Drayton Harbor Maritime to finish the Plover ferry repairs before Memorial Day Weekend 2024. December • Holiday Harbor Lights kicked off the winter season with a tree lighting ceremony and other festivities on December 2. • The Washington State Department of Ecology fined Treoil Industries, a defunct industrial site near bp Cherry Point, $900,000 for decades of improperly storing hazardous materials and environmental damage. • Blaine school board members Ben Lazarus, Don Leu, Erika Creydt, Ryan Ford and Cliff Freeman were sworn in. Lazarus, Leu, Ford and Freeman are first-time board members. • Blaine Police Department and Blaine Public Works Department administrative staff moved their offices into the second floor of city hall. • Blaine Police Department received a state grant to create a gym and wellness room in the station as well as therapy for officers. • Over 1,400 toys were donated to the Community Assistance Program’s Community Toy Store. • Namaste the Royal Taste of India opened its restaurant serving Indian food in Blaine. • The Blaine Marine Park playground area reopened as the city of Blaine finished its decade-long shoreline reconstruction project. • Harbor Custom Development, in charge of developing Horizon at Semiahmoo and previously contracted to purchase Grandis Pond, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. • Bellingham developer Ken Hertz sold Grandis Pond, a housing development slated to bring nearly 1,000 homes and commercial space to east Blaine, for $10 million to an east Blaine couple. • After years of working to secure funds for a library in Birch Bay, Whatcom County Council gave the Whatcom County Library System the remaining money needed for a library express. • The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce rang in New Year’s Eve with the Ring of Fire and Hope along the Birch Bay shoreline on December 31.

s Over 100 people attended a meeting on Birch Bay incorporation at Christ the King North Bay Community Church on November 15. The group, which had been meeting since June, was formally established as the Birch Bay Incorporation Association during the meeting. Photo by Grace McCarthy

s Derby Day took over Birch Bay on August 26 with a parade, rubber duck derby, crab derby, vendors market, 5K fun run/walk and other activities. Photo by Chuck Kinzer/ckimageart.com

s U.S and Canadian first responders, law enforcement officers, motorcyclists and others attended a 9/11 memorial under the Peace Arch on September 11. Photo by Grace McCarthy

s A man speaks to Blaine City Council during its October 23 meeting. Council voted 4-0 during the meeting to allow large manufactured home parks in east Blaine after over a year of pushback from east Blaine residents concerned about housing affordability and environmental impacts. Photo by Nolan Baker

s The Freemans put on their 9th annual Halloween carnival at the corner of C and 6th streets in Blaine on October 31. Photo by Grace McCarthy

January 11 - 17, 2024 • thenorthernlight.com

Sports Girls basketball beats Meridian, Vezzetti leads with 31 By Nolan Baker Girls Basketball After a pair of road losses last week, first to Sedro-Woolley 5144 on January 4, then 45-27 to Squalicum on January 6, Blaine girls basketball (6-7, 2-6 NWC) needed a pick-me-up. Playing its first home game since December 30, the Borderites were faced with a tough matchup against Meridian on January 9. After jumping out to a 13-3 lead going into the second quarter, the visiting Trojans stifled the Borderite offense, and then started raining down three-pointers. To finish the first half, Meridian shot 5/5 from beyond the 3-point line, and took an 18-17 halftime lead in a game that seemed well in control for the Borderites. In the second half, the shots stopped falling for Meridian, and Blaine was able to take back the lead, and this time hold it for good. The Borderites ran out the clock and sealed a 49-34 win, but the score didn’t reflect how close the game was. In the final few minutes of regulation, Blaine was able to take a fourpoint lead into a 15-point lead with a series of free-throws while the Trojans could only foul in desperation. Jordyn Vezzetti had a highly productive day offensively, finishing with a game-high of 31 points, accounting for more than half of the Borderites’ scoring, and nearly single-handedly outscoring the visiting Trojans. If there’s any time for the Borderites to get hot, now would be a great time. It’s next matchup will likely be one of the toughest of the season, when a strong, 13-1 (7-1 NWC) Lynden team comes to town on Thursday, January 11 at 7:15 p.m. After that, the Borderites go on the road to face last-place Mount Baker on Monday, January 15 at 7 p.m.

Boys Basketball Blaine boys basketball just can’t seem to put it together. After a close, 51-47 win over Mount Vernon Christian on December 28, the Borderites (3-10, 1-7 NWC) have been unable to snag another win, and its schedule for the remainder of the season doesn’t allow for many breaks. The Borderites extended its losing streak to a season-long four games with a gut-wrenching 6457 loss at home to Sedro-Woolley on January 4, and a 72-48 loss at Meridian on January 9. The Borderites keep getting solid offensive production from its weapons – Josiah Weeda and Noah Tavis combined for 35 points in Thursday’s loss to Sedro-Woolley – but just haven’t been able to stop opposing offenses. The Borderites have an average point differential of -18.9, according to the WIAA standings, which is third-worst in the Northwest Conference. With just seven games remaining on the schedule, the Borderites will face four teams ranked in the top six of the conference. While a state playoff bid isn’t officially out of reach, don’t expect these Borderites to replicate the deep run of last year’s team. The Borderites’ next matchup will be on the road against firstplace Lynden on Thursday, January 11 at 7:15 p.m. Blaine’s next home game will be against Mount Baker on Monday, January 15. Boys Wrestling Boys wrestling continues to dominate its Northwest Conference opponents, with a resounding pair of wins over Squalicum, 48-33, and Bellingham, 45-36 at Mount Baker High School on January 3. In Blaine’s matchup against Squalicum, the NWC first-place Borderites won eight of its 14 weight class matchups, with 285-pound standout Victor Gervol winning yet another in a year that has been truly dominant. Gervol finished off his night with a victory by pin against Bellingham, where he and seven

s Freshman Teia Dube goes up for a layup in the first quarter of Blaine’s 49-34 win over Meridian on January 9. Dube scored four points on the night. Photo by Nolan Baker other Borderite wrestlers won, all but two by pin. Standing atop the NWC standings with a conference-high 59.5 average point differential, look for the Borderites to make a deep playoff run come February. For now, with just a few games left in the regular season, Blaine’s next matchup is scheduled against Ferndale and an always tough, third-place Mount Baker on January 11 at Ferndale High School, starting at 6 p.m. The last regular season meet for the Borderites will be the Mat Animal tournament in Quincy on January 20, starting at 9 a.m. Girls Wrestling Girls wrestling is set to hold three home meets to finish off its regular season. The first home meet was Wednesday, January 10 against Sehome and Meridian at 6 p.m. After a brief road trip to Squalicum on Thursday, January 11, the Borderites will come back to Blaine to host the Blaine Blizzard Tournament on Saturday, January 13, starting at 9 a.m. Then, Blaine will host Lynden on Thursday, January 18.

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s Senior Bella Vezzetti lit up the scoreboard in Blaine’s 49-34 win over Meridian on January 9. Vezzetti recorded a game-high 31 points, nearly single-handedly outscoring the entire Meridian offense. Vezzetti made 13 field goals and hit on four of five free throw attempts.

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The Northern Light • January 11 - 17, 2024

Health & Wellness Local choices in health, healing & fitness. Birch Bay meditation instructors share practice and healthy eating, offer free online classes By Grace McCarthy A Birch Bay couple focused on meditation and other wellness techniques are looking to spread their knowledge to the community. Traysiah Spring and Thomas Bakken met while attending a meditation retreat in San Diego, California led by Deepak Chopra, who is world famous in meditation and alternative medicine practices. That was about 10 years ago, and since then they have taken meditation teacher training, published two books together on plant-based eating and spirituality, and held meditation and wellness classes. “Everybody is a little bit different and will find their own path,” Spring said. “We’re just offering this particular meditation and this particular way of eating.” The couple previously guided meditation classes at Semiahmoo Resort and the Blaine Senior Center, but have enjoyed keeping their classes remote since the pandemic because it allows them to connect with people across North America. The meditation classes are free and held at 8 a.m. every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Spring began meditating with (See Wellness, next page)

s Thomas Bakken and Traysiah Spring prepare plant-based meals in their Birch Bay kitchen that are used in their book “Clean Green Eating: Plant-Based to Feel Great.” The couple also shares free recipes on their website, cleangreeneating.org. Photo by Grace McCarthy

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January 11 - 17, 2024 • thenorthernlight.com

Health & Wellness Local choices in health, healing & fitness. Wellness ... From previous page

her family when she was 11 years old, which catalyzed her on a journey of learning about spirituality and exploring a silent place within herself. For Bakken, the journey began 15 years ago, and when he saw how it uplifted him, he began a meditation class at a juvenile correctional facility

where he was working. “I saw the effect on them and I felt the effect on myself,” Bakken said. “It didn’t fix everything in my life. It didn’t take away the stress, but I took a moment away from the stress and it allowed me to look at things differently.” Bakken said meditation has given him a moment to respond, and not automatically react in life. The pair lead a class on well-

s Traysiah Spring and Thomas Bakken with Deepak Chopra, c., a world famous instructor of meditation and alternative medicine. Courtesy photo

ness practices after the meditation class on Saturday and they hold a spirituality book club after their Sunday meditation class. Spring and Bakken published their first book together, “Clean Green Eating: Plant-Based to Feel Great” in June 2021, which covers how to transition into whole food, plant-based eating with over 100 recipes. After dealing with diabetes for several years, Spring began curing it in a natural way. Within a few months of eating plant-based foods without sugar and gluten, she brought her blood sugar down to normal. Spring also watched her mother Samantha heal herself from only having three months to live with stage 4 pancreatic cancer through changing her diet and alternative medicine. Bakken had high blood pressure, and through clean eating, exercise and meditation, brought his blood pressure down to normal. “You can really manage health challenges with what you eat in a big way,” Spring said. “It makes a

difference what you do. Your daily routine, your daily practices, what you eat.” Spring and Bakken recommend one of the most important things someone can do for themselves is to have a healthy daily routine. The couple, who follow Ayurveda, a holistic medical system that originated in India, said people will feel more balanced waking up around 6 a.m., eating lunch as the main meal of the day at noon, and going to bed before 10 p.m. They also recommend having a morning meditation or quiet time and then doing gentle movement, such as yoga or tai chi, to set the tone for the day.

In June, the couple published “Adventures in Awakening: 7 Levels of Discovery: Level One Who Am I?” which is the first in a seven-part book series they’re writing on meditation and inner exploration. The second book in the series is expected to be released later this year. “You don’t have to feel like you have to change everything,” Spring said. “Just do it little by little, step by step.” For more information on the free meditation classes, visit adventures-in-awakening-academy. com. Visit cleangreeneating.org for plant-based recipes and information on clean eating.

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The Northern Light • January 11 - 17, 2024

2023 year in

REVIEW By Jacquee Sovereign, executive director

As we bid farewell to 2023, the Blaine Chamber of Commerce proudly reflects on a year marked by transformative accomplishments under the leadership of executive director Jacquee Sovereign. Since assuming her role in March, Sovereign has reshaped the chamber’s landscape, fostering growth, community engagement and a re-

Blaine Chamber of Commerce markable surge in sponsorships. One of the notable achievements was the successful reimagining of Oysterfest 2023 that drew 7,000 attendees. Partnering with Semiahmoo Resort and Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, the event showcased Blaine’s vibrant community spirit and also benefited four nonprofits. The Saturday markets thrived prompting the addition of a Wednesday night market. The cher-

ished Fourth of July celebration saw a staggering crowd of 15,000-plus, reinforcing Blaine’s reputation as a welcoming community. This event, presented in collaboration with WECU, exemplified the success of community partnerships. The Drayton Harbor Maritime Festival, with approximately 3,000 attendees, featured the Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2’s Pirate Daze, enhancing the event’s family friendly environment. Harbor

Harvest Festival’s inaugural event was held in October, drawing 3,000 attendees to enjoy the seasonal offerings and harvest activities, courtesy of Christ Episcopal Church. Holiday Harbor Lights event, in partnership with the Senior Center and Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2, attracted 1,500 attendees. This family-friendly day showcased the chamber’s commitment to fostering a sense of community.

2023

Rep. Joe Timmons

year in

REVIEW

s From l.; Whatcom County Councilmember Kaylee Galloway, state senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) and Blaine Food Bank manager Sally Church discuss the food bank’s operations during a tour on August 28. Photo by Grace McCarthy

2023 year in

REVIEW By Sally Church, food

bank

director

What a year this has been for the Blaine Food Bank! We have been very busy. Our new pole building is completed. We are all are so happy to be indoors now and we are forever grateful to an anonymous benefactrix who made it all possible. In March, a cut back in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits and staggering costs for food, fuel and housing brought many new families to our doors; while at the same time free food received from the government was drastically reduced. We now must purchase food that had been free. We are

2023 year in

REVIEW By Heather Lindsay, director BBBPRD2 can proudly say that it was a year of great success and community engagement. People of all ages and abilities enjoyed our extended schedule of fitness classes, boot camps and sessions, our new art workshops, and other enrichment activities. Events like Splash Days, Pirate Daze and the Holiday Lights Dash saw record attendance, bringing together families and friends for fun and excitement. Our outdoor activities, such as

Blaine Food Bank currently serving just over 700 families each week and have distributed two million pounds of food to families in need. Through these challenging times we have received unbelievable support from our community. Monthly donations from dedicated individuals have been vital to our operation. The city of Blaine graciously awarded us $50,000 to purchase milk, which costs about $6,000 a month. The ‘Good ‘Ol Boys’ held their annual golf tournament and presented us with an amazing check for $23,230. Haggen chose us as a recipient of its annual Heroes Against Hunger Campaign and gifted us $20,600 and this week the Semiahmoo

Social Club hosted a high tea that collected $6,365 to fight hunger. In addition, Blaine primary and elementary students collected a whopping 3,455 pounds of shelf-stable food and $1,880. We have just completed our matching funds campaign, and although we don’t have a final amount, we are very confident that the goal of $40,000 has been met, and possibly even exceeded. It has been a tough year for everyone, but we have been so blessed by the generosity of our caring community. Through our darkest days you and our incredible dedicated volunteers have sustained us. We are so grateful to everyone. We thank you for caring.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 tidepool explorations, clamming and crabbing 101, and hikes, allowed people to connect with nature and explore the beauty of our surroundings. Not only did our outdoor programs grow, but so did our youth programming. Kira and Sabrina were explicitly hired with youth in mind. They created, coordinated and implemented activities designed for youth. We were excited to offer weekly one-day summer camps plus debut our Friday Play Days. These play days were free camps held at different parks in the Blaine and

Birch Bay communities throughout the summer. We also expanded our youth programming to offer afterschool enrichment classes, art classes, family dances and more, providing opportunities for learning and growth. We are proud to have supported local organizations and youth sports, and we remain committed to providing value to our community and creating memories that will last a lifetime. In short, 2023 was a year of community, enrichment and fun, and we look forward to continuing to serve you in the years to come.

s Joe Timmons.

Looking ahead to 2024, the Blaine Chamber of Commerce is set to build on this success. The lineup includes the return of these beloved events, continued collaboration with Summer Fun in the Park and Wings Over Water, and the introduction of the Scottish Gathering. The chamber invites community input and encourages volunteer participation, emphasizing its commitment to inclusivity and shared success. For inquiries, executive director Jacquee Sovereign can be reached at director@ blainechamber.com. As the chamber continues to evolve, Blaine’s future promises to be as vibrant and dynamic as its community.

File photo

B y J o e T i mm o ns It is an honor serving as one of your state representatives in the 42nd Legislative District, and I am proud of the work accomplished during the 2023 legislative session, my first session in office. I worked hard with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation and make investments in our community, and I look forward to building upon these efforts during the year ahead. I am thrilled that my bill to provide relief for seniors (House Bill 1431) passed the legislature and was signed into law by the governor. This legislation gives residents of senior living communities more peace of mind and the ability to age with dignity and comfort by providing a sales tax exemption on prepared meals. Four more bills that I prime sponsored became law in 2023, including two bills pertaining to education: House Bill 1536 eliminat-

2023 year in

REVIEW By Margaret O w e ns , p r e s i d e n t The Blaine Arts Council’s first year has been incredible. We started with the important things: Put together a great executive team, produced a monthly newsletter, created a website for our artists and became a 501(c) (3). We had our first successful fundraiser in August, The WAVE opening night and studio tour weekend, and followed it up in November with the Sea to See Pop-Up Art Show. During our first year, our membership

ed the withholding of high school diplomas to students who meet all requirements to graduate but owe less than $1,000 in debt, and House Bill 1823 expanded access to higher education by establishing a low-interest student loan program for students pursuing advanced degrees in fields that address workforce shortages. Other legislation includes my bill to create a state emergency medical reserve corps (House Bill 1452) to respond to public health and natural disasters, and House Bill 1792 to provide more transparency and clarity for filing claims as part of the water rights adjudication process in Whatcom County. Last session, I also worked with my seatmates, Rep. Alicia Rule and Sen. Sharon Shewmake, to secure funding for many important projects here in Whatcom County. This includes $2.2 million for the Bell Road and Peace Portal Road grade separation project in Blaine, $1.2 million for the Whatcom Alternative Response program, $9 million for a new 23-hour crisis relief center in Bellingham, and historic statewide investments in special education and affordable housing. I look forward to continuing this work during 2024, and to represent you to the best of my ability in the legislature. Rep. Joe Timmons has served the 42nd district since December 2022 and lives in Bellingham. You can keep up with his legislative work by signing up for his biweekly newsletter or following his legislative Facebook page.

Blaine Arts Council doubled in size. We could not be prouder of where we are and where we are headed. Growing and increasing participation in the board is an important next step for our organization. We are seeking to add community members, such as yourself, who want to see the arts grow in our region. Our goal is to make Blaine the tourist destination it deserves to be and to show the world the natural beauty of this place we love to call home. (See BAC, page 13)

January 11 - 17, 2024 • thenorthernlight.com

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Legal IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: KIMBERLY ANN BARNES, Deceased. No. 23-4-01201-37 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 Representative 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 applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 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 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 of the decedents’ probate and nonprobate assets. The Notice Agent declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington on the 21st of December, 2023, at Parkville, MD that the foregoing is true and correct. Notice Agent: Andrew Michael Barnes c/o Resident Agent, Genissa M. Richardson Attorney for Notice Agent: Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339 Address for Mailing or Service: True North Legal Services, PLLC PO Box 934, Bellingham, WA 98227 P: (360) 639-3393 E: Genissa@truenorthlegalservices.com DATED: December 21, 2023 True North Legal Services, PLLC Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339 Published in The Northern Light January 4th, 11th, and 18th 2024.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Matter and Estate of: RICHARD C. MYERS, Deceased. No. 23-4-0112037. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. RCW 11.40.030. 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 notice was not provided under RCW Chapters 11.40 or 11.42, the creditor must present the claim within twenty-four months after the decedent’s date of death. 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. Notice of First Publication: Jan. 11, 2024 Personal Representative: Joseph Forde Presented by: Whatcom Law Group, P.S. Casie C. Rodenberger, WSBA #54384 Attorney for Personal Representative PO Box 1258 / 289 H Street Blaine, WA 98231-1258 (360) 332-7000; Fax: (360) 332-6677

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: CRAIG COOK, Deceased. No. 23-4-01132-37. AMENDED NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Lee Grochmal 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); 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: December 4, 2023 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: January 4, 2024 Name of Administrator: CINDY MAXWELL 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: December 4, 2023 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Administrator: CINDY MAXWELL www.averyelderlaw.com

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Philip G. Kelly, Deceased. NO. 23-401172-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Lee Grochmal 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: January 4, 2024 Personal Representative: Anthony Scott Fairris 1513 Shannon Court Carrollton, TX 75006 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. 23-4-01172-37.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Beverly Alta Odell, Deceased. NO. 23-4-01162-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Robert E. Olson 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: January 4, 2024 Personal Representative: Brian Kincaid 21821 82nd Ave. West Edmonds, WA 98026 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. 23-4-01162-37.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: KATHERYN ELIZABETH HAMILTON, Deceased. No. 23-4-01165-37 NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge David Freeman. The Person 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 of the decedents’ probate and nonprobate assets. Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: December 21, 2023, with the Clerk of Court Date of First Publication: January 4, 2024 Name of Personal Representative: Leslie Anne Hamilton-Copps Attorney for Personal Representative: Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339 Address for Mailing or Service: True North Legal Services, PLLC PO Box 934, Bellingham, WA 98227 P: (360) 639-3393 E: Genissa@truenorthlegalservices.com DATED: December 21, 2023 True North Legal Services, PLLC Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339 Attorney for Personal Representative: Leslie Anne Hamilton-Copps

MORE LEGALS ON PAGE 12

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: GERALD LYNN WELLS, Deceased. No. 23-4-01147-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge David E. Freeman The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified as Personal Representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the 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 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: December 7, 2023 with Clerk of Court: Date of First Publication: January 4, 2023 Name of Personal Representative: JAMES EUGENE HARMON Attorney for Personal Representatives: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262 Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229 Telephone: (360) 325-2550 Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com DATED: December 7, 2023 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 Attorney for Personal Representative: JAMES EUGENE HARMON

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Legal IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Estate of: ELENA MARGARETA EFTIMIU, Deceased. Probate No. 23-4-01152-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Assigned Judge: David E. Freeman 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 Clerk of this Court. 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 (twenty-four (24) months if notice is not published). 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 copy of Notice to Creditors: December 8, 2023. Date of first publication of Notice: January 11, 2024. Attorney for the Estate: KEITH A. BODE, WSBA #7791 314 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 688 Lynden, WA 98264-0688 Tel. (360) 354-5021 Personal Representative: ALINA MANESS NOTICE TO CREDITORS

MORE LEGALS ON PAGE 11

Real Estate

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: DONALD FRANKLIN KAY, Deceased. No. 24-4-00007-37 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 Representative 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 applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 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 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 of the decedents’ probate and nonprobate assets. The Notice Agent declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington on the 3rd of January, 2024, at Bellingham, WA that the foregoing is true and correct. Notice Agent: Teresa Jo Kay Attorney for Notice Agent: Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339 Address for Mailing or Service: True North Legal Services, PLLC PO Box 934, Bellingham, WA 98227 P: (360) 639-3393 E: Genissa@truenorthlegalservices.com DATED: January 3rd, 2024 True North Legal Services, PLLC Genissa M. Richardson, WSBA #56339 Published in the Northern Light January 11th, 18th, and 25th, 2024.

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All real real estate/rentals estate/rentals All advertisadvertising in this newsing newspaper is subject paperinisthis subject to the Federal Housing Act of Housing Act to theFairFederal Fair 1968 as amended, which ofmakes 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal it illegal to advertise any preference, or discrimination based on race, tolimitation advertise any preference, limitation or925 dis- Ludwick Ave., Blaine color, religion, sex, handicap familial status crimination based on race, color, religion, or national origin, or an intention to make any such preference,familial limitation status or discrimsex, handicap, or national ori- • Commercial ination. This newspaper will not knowingly gin, anadvertisement intention to any such pref- • Manufacturing acceptorany for make real estate which is in violation of the law. readers erence, limitation or Our discrimination. This • Warehousing are hereby informed that all dwellings adnewspaper will notareknowingly vertised in this newspaper available on accept any • Distribution an equal opportunity basis. To complain of 4100 advertisement for toll-free real estate vi- Sq Ft Hi Bay Warehouse with discrimination, call HUD at 1-800-which is in Washroom, Ldg Dock & Grade Lvl Doors 877-0246.of the law. Our readers are hereby olation informed that all dwellings advertised in this AVAILABLE NOW “Near Truck Route & Mall” newspaper are available on an equal opporEmail or Call Don Nelson tunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246. For Availability & Rates

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January 11 - 17, 2024 • thenorthernlight.com

2023 year in

REVIEW By Marla Tuski, co-president We can’t thank the Blaine community enough for their support over the 20-plus years of our music camp. This last year, your donations made camp possible for over 90 kids, brought world class music to our town, and you enthusiastically showed up in July for a week of concerts. On May 5, you might have come to our intergenerational Cinco de Jazz night, featuring traditional jazz and swing dancing, and sharing the stage with the choral and band kids from Blaine. A number

2023 year in

REVIEW By Jonathan Jakobitz, manager

2023 was a whirlwind year for the Birch Bay Vogt Library project. We started the year off thinking our $2 million state appropriation would be lost because of our scope of work change to a smaller library express. But, with the help of state senator Sharon Shewmake, a small group of library friends braved a cold, snowy trip to Olympia to advocate for our project. After speaking with state senators Mark Schoesler and Mark Mullet, we were able to get our denial reversed. That moment set us on a course for success, making 2023 our best year ever.

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a festival for readers. This new Transformational Hypnotherapy WCLS event truly was a book co-creating rapid change for personal growth lover’s dream. Due to the support of numerous volunteers, the Friends of Evelyne L. Hendricks BA, LHT the Blaine Library (FOBL) book 360.739.5606 sales were great successes this evelynehendricks@gmail.com year. In August, FOBL facilitated a wonderful Whatcom Grooves jazz concert in Blaine. This winter, FOBL is partnering with Blaine CORE on a new library (.org) SUN/10AM fundraising initiative. Recycling retired WCLS book bins, Blaine CORE is creating worm bins to SEPTEMBER: 580 C St., Blaine sell in support of FOBL. mi Finally, the Blaine library is n d 360-332-8610 GAMES excited for the partnership be northwoodchapel.com tween the city of Blaine, Kulshan Community Land Trust and WCLS in developing a new home for the Blaine library. We Rental Property Management appreciate the community’s support through this process.

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Blaine Public Library wart tech volunteer, we offered weekly drop-in tech support to patrons throughout 2023. Countless people have been helped with a wide range of phone, PC and internet support issues. Local artists continued to freely share their work with the public at the library, as we quarterly exhibited two new artists throughout the year. The library sees travelers and visitors stopping in daily and it’s wonderful to help raise awareness of our local arts community. WCLS partnered with Whatcom Million Trees Project on Summer Reading, which, thanks to the participation of many Blaine library readers, will see 500 trees planted in our county. Additionally, this fall saw the launch of Open Book,

DIRECTORY

year in

day Saturday downtown as we all got to enjoy what the students accomplished with their hard work. We express hearty and well deserved thanks to Bryan Johnson and Kitty King, retired Pacific Arts Association presidents, who carried us past the Covid-19 years and launched a new, invigorated festival. Currently we are endeavoring to keep the festival financially sustainable, so watch for a fundraising event. We hope that you will join us for a night of fun and community connection as we raise some donations for 2024. Learn more at Blaineharbormusicfestival.org

2023

of us participated in the Fourth of July parade, including our traditional jazz friends who bring a float every year. Many of you made it to our Blaine Harbor Music Festival concerts: Greta Matassa in the Black Box Theater, our faculty showcase at the Performing Arts Center, a dynamic sunset concert on the G street plaza (with food trucks and a beer garden), and a magical night of big band swing dancing at the Semiahmoo Country Club. Of course, our student showcase on Friday night is our capstone concert, and the student performances continued all

BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL

Thanks to the generosity of partners and supporters, the Blaine Public Library and the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) were able to offer many new resources, services and experiences to our community. The year began with a generous donation from Joyce Vanderpol to the Blaine library, allowing us to add a new small meeting room space – perfect for tutoring, online meetings, classes or work. Additionally, the donation provided us with new art installation space in the children’s area, as well as an upcoming technological enhancement to our large meeting room. Similarly, thanks to a stal-

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Friends of Birch Bay Library Friends of Birch Bay Library (FOBBL) have been busy, clocking close to 2,430 volunteer hours this year. We attended many of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce events. We started Meet and Greet Wednesdays with our book sale available during Bookmobile hours. We donned our community partner hats, participating in the Birch Bay Easter Egg Hunt, Day at the Beach, National Night Out and Holiday Lights Obstacle Dash. We had a few new fundraisers of our own: Paint Night with Doug Parent, Love Your Library Fun Run and Whatcom County Library System’s Open Book. We made some wonderful connections, which helped us increase

the amount of funds we were able to raise. In November, the Friends were overjoyed to learn that Whatcom County Councilmember Kaylee Galloway, executive Satpal Sidhu and the county council included our request for $315,000 in the federal American Recovery Plan Act budget. With that amount, we can move forward with the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express. We want to give a huge thank you to our project supporters. Friends of Birch Bay Library is focusing on continued fundraising to help further development of the library site and the historic Vogt house. Stay tuned for more project updates in 2024!

an event you won’t want to miss. A few of our other plans include: • A regularly scheduled, monthly art walk to support local artists and Blaine businesses • A children’s art camp • An artistic seal pup project • Support public art and the mural festival slated for the end of August

• The Sea to See Pop-Up Art Show returning again in early November We are excited for what the future holds for our council and would love to have you join us at our monthly general meetings or any of our upcoming events. See our calendar at blaineartscouncil. org/events.

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Coming up

Sheriff’s Reports January 5, 2:59 a.m.: Assist citizen on Drayton Harbor Road. January 5, 11:40 a.m.: Suspicious person on Holeman Avenue. January 5, 12:27 p.m.: Property lost cold call on Harbor Drive. January 5, 1:38 p.m.: Civil problem on Bay Road. January 5, 2:20 p.m.: Trespass cold call on Anderson Road. January 5, 4:19 p.m.: Trouble with subject on Birch Bay Square Street. January 5, 4:57 p.m.: Shots on Birch Bay Lynden Road. January 5, 10:38 p.m.: Suspicious person on East Street. January 6, 4:10 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Camas Drive. January 6, 10:54 a.m.: Burglary cold call on West Road. January 6, 3:01 p.m.: Assist citizen on Bayshore Drive. January 6, 4:34 p.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Bay Road. January 6, 7:41 p.m.: Domestic order violence cold call on

Bay Road. January 6, 8:36 p.m.: Animal problem cold call on Birch Point Loop. January 6, 8:41 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Bay Lynden Road. January 7, 5:07 a.m.: Alarm audible on Birch Bay Drive. January 7, 3:24 p.m.: Alarm audible on Gemini Street. January 7, 4:17 p.m.: Domestic verbal on H Street Road. January 7, 4:57 p.m.: Runaway cold call on Halibut Drive. January 7, 6:05 p.m.: Welfare check on Seavue Road. January 7, 8:38 p.m.: Welfare check on Birch Bay Drive. January 7, 11:11 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Beachcomber Drive. January 8, 5:17 a.m.: Trespass on Beachcomber Drive. January 8, 8:58 a.m.: Theft cold call on Delta Line Road. January 8, 12:34 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Birch Bay Lynden Road. January 8, 2:23 p.m.: Burglary

Crossword ACROSS 1. Defensive nuclear weapon 4. Moved back and forth 9. One-time coach of the Cowboys 14. Last letter 15. Cause to become less intense 16. Genus of tree bugs 17. Body art 18. Romance novelist 20. Be filled with love for 22. City 23. Make vivid 24. Horses 28. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano 29. Atomic #18 30. Shortly 31. A type of prejudice 33. Whirls 37. Six 38. Old world, new 39. __ Hess, oil company 41. Talk 42. Not off 43. Begets 44. Cars need them 46. Computing architecture (abbr.) 49. Of I

50. Journalist, activist Wells 51. Takes apart 55. Lists 58. Positively charged electrode 59. Hard, colorless compound 60. Inflammation of the peritoneum 64. Trent Reznor’s band 65. Simply dry fruit 66. “Ivanhoe” author 67. Google certification 68. French commune 69. Medieval circuit courts 70. Soviet Socialist Republic DOWN 1. Indigenous people of Mexico 2. Dietary supplement 3. Having a particular sheen or luster 4. Views 5. Academic Bill of Rights 6. Automobile 7. When you anticipate arriving 8. Beef or chicken

intestine 9. Conspiracy 10. Blood disorder 11. Long-time NBAer Shawn 12. Time zone 13. US, Latin America, Canada belong to 19. Upton Sinclair novel 21. What a cow does 24. Cavalry-sword 25. Ancient Greek war galley 26. Stars 27. Rebukes 31. Billion year periods 32. Some are in a bottle 34. Tears down 35. Lethal dose 36. Humorists 40. Midwestern US state (abbr.) 41. Frameworks 45. Rocker Billy 47. More thin 48. Dog 52. Habitual repetitions 53. State of fuss 54. Uneasy 56. Chemical compounds 57. More cognizant of

on Shipyard Road. January 8, 4:24 p.m.: Domestic order violence cold call on Halibut Drive. January 8, 5:31 p.m.: Juvenile problem on Tracy Place. January 8, 11:15 p.m.: Trespass on Beachcomber Drive. January 9, 8:46 a.m.: Theft cold call on Beachcomber Drive. January 9, 10:25 a.m.: Security check on Blaine Road. January 9, 11:45 a.m.: Traffic stop on Seashell Way. January 9, 10:59 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Valley View Road. January 9, 3:28 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Leeside Drive. January 9, 6:44 p.m.: Suspicious person on Masterson Road. January 9, 7:26 p.m.: Traffic stop on Birch Bay Square Street. January 9, 7:24 p.m.: Subject with weapon on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

reality 59. A place to build 60. Exclamation that denotes disgust 61. Supplement with difficulty 62. Very slick 63. Hill or rocky peak ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

Tides 49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W TIME

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“A Journey Toward Hope and Healing”: Thursdays, January 11–February 8, 1–2:30 p.m., Blaine United Church of Christ, 815 4th Street. This educational and supportive grief group covers many dimensions of grief, including the physical, social, emotional, and spiritual aspects of grief. Group is co-led by two Whatcom Hospice Bereavement Caregivers. Limited space. Preregistration required at 360/733-5877 or email whatcomhospicegrief@peacehealth.org. “That’s Not How I Remember it” Performance: Thursday–Saturday, January 11–13, 7 p.m., Blaine High School black box theater (enter behind the stadium). One-act all-ages comedy designed and directed by BHS students. Entry by donation (cash only). Snack bar and pizza raffle. Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, January 11, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Theme: general knowledge plus ugly holiday attire. Info: thevaultwine.com. Teen Board Game Night: Friday, January 12, 6–8 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Teens play Dungeons and Dragons, Catan and more. Free. Registration required at bbbparkandrec.org. Live Music at The Vault: Friday, January 12, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: Anna Katarina. Info: thevaultwine.com. Rain Gardens and Rain Barrels: Saturday, January 13, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn about creating a rain garden and how to manage the runoff and/or standing water by planting a “mini-forest floor” that will absorb and manage that extra water in your yard. Info: nwcore.org. Nerf War: Saturday, January 13, 1–3 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Kids ages 8–14 bring your Nerf guns and we’ll provide the ammunition and pads to make forts for protection! Create teams or stand as an individual against everyone in this fun two-hour event. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Mason Bees – Alternative Pollinators: Wednesday, January 17, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn how to support all pollinators in your own backyard. This workshop will present an overview of the problem and introduce you to native pollinators plus discuss how to establish and maintain a healthy mason bee colony in your yard. Info: nwcore.org. Supper With the Superintendent: Wednesday, January 17, 6 p.m., Blaine Elementary School Library. The community is invited to a questions and answer meeting with Blaine School District superintendent Dr. Christopher Granger. Light meal provided. Info: blainesd.org. Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Luncheon: Thursday, January 18, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Lions Camp Horizon 7506 Gemini Street. Speakers: Blaine School District superintendent Dr. Christopher Granger, Friends of Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 and Friends of Birch Bay Library president Dianne Marrs-Smith. Info and registration: birchbaychamber.com. Movie Night: Friday, January 19, 7 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Playing family friendly movies. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and watch the movie on the big screen. Free popcorn. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

January 11-17 at Blaine. Not for navigation.

DATE

The Roots Family Enrichment Program: Mondays, January 22–February 29, 6–8 p.m. Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. For families facing challenging life circumstances and parents wanting to develop family-building skills. Parents are welcomed into a judgment-free community to learn how to help children manage their own behavior, stress responses and skills for self-regulation and developing communication skills. Children learn to develop life skills to understand, talk about and cope in positive ways. Elementary and middle school groups, nursery for kids four and under. Free dinner. Register at reboundfamilies.org.

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Tu 16 2:18 am

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Weather Precipitation: During the period of December 25 to 31, 1 inch of precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-to-date precipitation is 1 inch. Temperature: High for the past week was 54.7°F on January 4 with a low of 31.7°F on January 1. Average high was 50.2°F and low was 37.8°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

Big Bucks Bingo: Saturday, January 20, 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. Lunch at 11:30 a.m. available for $8. Info: 360/332-8040. Intro to Garden Design 101: Four-week class beginning Saturday, January 20, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Learn how to look at your yard as if you were a landscape designer. This is especially important for placement of fruit bearing trees, bushes and vines and vegetable gardens. Will also discuss your overall yard including hardscape assessments, materials use, integration with your home and/or views, sunlight observations, air flow and other major landscaping decisions. Let’s Pour: Learn the Art of Acrylic Pouring: Saturday, January 20, 3–5 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. $35 includes all materials. Registration required at bbbparkandrec.org. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 Levy Renewal Education Event: Wednesday, January 24, 10 a.m., 7523 Kickerville Road. Learn how the levy supports the many programs and events within the community and how you can help promote awareness by encouraging a yes vote for a successful levy renewal. Coffee and cinnamon rolls to be served. Everyone welcome. Info: bbbprd2_pac@yahoo.com. Making Your Own Ghee: Wednesday, January 24, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Join us for a live demonstration on how to make this delicious, pure butterfat. Ghee is gluten and lactose free, can be used as a spread and is an excellent choice for frying. Live Music at the Senior Center: Friday, January 26, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Featuring Jaded Lovers plus line dancing and more. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org. Pruning 101: Saturday, January 27, 9–11 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. This is the perfect time to start pruning. We will discuss tools, why prune, decisions necessary (learning to understand growth habits of trees/bushes). We will also present on overgrown trees and how to get them back in shape. Home Buying Workshop: Saturday, January 27, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Learn how much you can afford, understanding credit and budgeting for a down payment and other expenses. Free. Space is limited. RSVP 360/752-8253 or email doug.cornelsen@bannerbank.com. Soccer Clinic: Saturday, January 27, 1–4 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Kids ages 10–14 learn drills and tips to improve skills with former soccer pro Kyle Long. $25. Registration required at bbbparkandrec.org. Illuminate Birch Bay: Saturday, January 27, 5 p.m., along the Birch Bay berm. Start at the Birch Bay Vogt Library with hot chocolate, cider, choir music and walk through a lighted path along the berm. Making or bringing your own lanterns is encouraged. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

January 11 - 17, 2024 • thenorthernlight.com

2023

Blaine school district

year in

REVIEW By Chris Granger, superintendant

With the 2023 calendar year coming to an end, I want to thank you for the opportunities we are provided to serve students, staff, families and the community. We will continue to work hard for each student, each day with a robust academic offering and hands-on experiences to help make Blaine the best place in Washington for our students to get a well-rounded education that prepares students to be college, career and citizenship ready. The spring of 2023 saw Blaine achieve successes in many areas

of student activities, including athletics and fine arts, which showed citizens all over the state of Washington the pride we have. The fall of 2023 brought a schedule adjustment of Wednesday late starts that allowed staff dedicated time for meaningful collaboration to address student needs in the classroom setting. We have already seen positive impact from the time staff get to spend together reviewing data and collaborating on next steps to support students. The Blaine school district has many key issues on the horizon in 2024, including seeking a replacement levy to support educational programs and operations, as well as a bond measure which,

among other things, would seek to provide an updated Blaine Middle School facility. More information on these measures can be found on our website at blainesd.org. I hope to see you at upcoming community events or in attendance at our monthly Supper with the Superintendent to answer your questions and work together to continually improve our school district. On behalf of the board of directors and the entire Blaine school district staff, we would like to take this opportunity to thank the collective communities of Point Roberts, Birch Bay and Blaine for your support in making great things happen for all students.

s From l.; Blaine school board members Ben Lazarus, Don Leu, Erika Creydt, Ryan Ford and Cliff Freeman were sworn in by superintendent Christopher Granger during the December 12 school board meeting. All of the school board members were elected during the November general election, with Lazarus, Ford and Freeman being new faces on the board. Photo by Nolan Baker

2023

Blaine Senior Center

year in

REVIEW By Pete Nelson, executive

director

2023 has been a wonderful year for the Blaine Senior Center. Membership and community programs have grown considerably as we have incorporated necessary changes to our philosophy, structure and programming. The renovation of our center has come by diversifying our programming, enhancing our efforts to include the community, and committing to making our center one of the nicest locations for seniors and the community at large in our county. Additionally, we have embraced the credo of “kindness” as our number one rule. These changes were possible through significant hours of extra effort from our staff and volunteers. Efforts this year include a substantial increase in membership, community programs and events. The focus has been to broaden our appeal to every generation of seniors (to include the silent generation, baby boomers and Generation X) through broader and more diverse programming and events. Focus on the community has opened the center to multiple partnerships with community organizations to include Wings Over Water, homeowner associations, CORE (Communi-

ty Orchards for Resources and Education), and Blaine Arts Council. We have become inclusive to the community by opening our arms to the Blaine schools, families, local organizations, nonprofits and more. We are not just for seniors but consider ourselves a “center for active living” for the community. 2024 will see us continue to integrate into the Blaine community with a focus on community programs and events such as art workshops, live music events and community meals. Our partnerships will continue to blossom as we look to establish ourselves as a core nonprofit organization in Blaine. Seniors will continue to see a broad range of classes and programs with emphasis this year on raising money for new gym equipment – all for the same $45 annual fee. Many don’t realize we are a 501(c)(3) so we will continue to look for local businesses and organizations to get involved and partner with the center. There are so many great opportunities to support our center for active living through membership, volunteerism, donations or by sponsoring one of our great programs or events. Pete Nelson is the executive director of the Blaine Senior Center.

For 29 years, The Northern Light difference: Did you know? October 12 - 18, IN THIS

ISSUE

2023

per of Blaine and Community Newspa

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Blaine man arrested on suspicion of killing neighbor

More people live in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo than anywhere else in Whatcom County outside of Bellingham.

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com booked into What A Blaine man was egree suspicion of first-d County Jail on er 4. murder on Octob r Sr., 76, was arrest Maha ld Haro e Wayn WhatOctober 4 after deped around 4 p.m. ff’s Office (WCSO) com County Sheri t (BPD) Police Departmen e Blain and at uties ing to calls of a shoot officers responded Leaf Mo#12 in the Maple 4612 East Street ble bile Home Park. affidavit of proba According to the was bor ed his neigh cause, Mahar claim sing him but Mahar haras threatening and tives. detec to specifics was unable to give ified by WCSO as The victim, ident pro67, of Blaine, was ties Vincent Reames, the scene after depu nounced dead on ful. but were unsuccess attempted CPR, porch his from un Mahar fired a shotg his own on ing stand was at Reames, who to court records. ng property, according called 911 after heari Another neighbor ding 29-28 and saw Mahar “stan O r., during Blaine’s the shotgun blast ng a gun,” a WCS ver Justin Minjarez, holdi porch Photo by Nolan Baker with senior recei on his front ed the victim lying fourth-quarter score notic “She . , c., celebrates a release stated on page 7. d in front of his res- s Junior running back Colby Shipp more groun Read the 6. er on Octob shot face down over Meridian on Mr. Mahar if he had homecoming win idence. She asked d ‘Yeah.’” Reames. He replie ation O public inform According to WCS ff deputies had re, sheri Slater Deb r boroffice four separate neigh es sponded to at least third en Mahar and Ream 2023-04 hope a hood disputes betwe . None of the four nents of Proposition light con2021 r. since November nal acbe the charm to green current crisis relief cente resulted in crimi tion of a 23-hour l ex- time could t of the previous disputes annually in capita in struction on a replacemen er Slater said. • $8-10 million fund an in-person $8 million also laN Bak d and o told tivity or arrests, woul N jail y tedly tax new B sion, r had repor penses for the health jail. The facility and diver The day prior, Maha landses for a behavioral al task of financing behavioral health programs. he was upset at the For the monument jail in Whatcom one-time expenr. his other neighbor re-entry threatent cente for a new rent, and said he fund housing and jail, located in downtown He construction will be asked to consid- treatm lord for increasing l investments to The current courts landlord’s girlfriend. • $6 million in capita es. ent to the county kill County, voter ened to shoot the adjac sales tax from and servic ty rt gham shoot coun to suppo Bellin the modate try going expand recovin 1983 to accom sing er increasing 9 percent to fund in-part re-en also said he was n to maintain and house, was built ing data Reames was haras nt to least a • $4 millio rtive housing programs. According to book Office seen 8.8 perce Reames because estimates to be at r 148 inmates. and suppo said she had never ff’s what the county tment, with ery twice rejected simila him. The neighbor com County Sheri is housrs. inves have What s Maha ime the the voter s by ty one-t haras on nt Coun or the jail with 51.4 perce tted $39.5 milli Reames threaten annual operas of October 9, ing, Mahar admi measures, in 2015 $21 million in ly in (WCSO), Following the shoot had more than investments ballot (See Jail, page 10) ure, and more vocal detectives that he . Major capital rejecting the meas g no. When in an interview with and claimed Reames ating costs 58.6 percent votin 7, propoes pro- 2017 with wanted to kill Ream ” Mahar didn’t pro- include: out by November $3 million from filled are (with s n dead. ballot millio be to ruc• $12 “deserved . 14 3) in funding for const Coming Up . . . . posed sales tax) (See Homicide, page

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t-and-ru on Blaine Road hi

vit ding to the affida ting erratically, accor (APC) filed in Wha of probable cause bail as of Octo rior Court. com County Supe ing data. to pass the Ashbook ccarthy 7, M pted h e c attem Marc a r on By G The motorcycle and then Around 5:30 p.m. ng a road drivi on ane ted was two-l 33, arres , a on the has been N. Woodward A Ferndale man hter, 13, in Mazd into the Mazda’s lane as oncoming in con- leigh a with her daug ular homicide moved , accordcharges of vehic Blaine 2007 Mazd seat. The Mazda was headached the motorcycle nd-run crash on nger inter- traffic appro statements cited in the APC. nection to a hit-a ar-old the passe ss e Road, near the that killed a 33-ye right to ed south on Blain Harbor Road, when ing to witne Road in March lly moved to the ton The Mazda initia n of Dray Blaine woman. attempted to ) booked sectio e rcycl (WSP l moto Patro ’s 3) Washington State (See Crash, page What- Gunderson a. Witnesses told WSP inerson, 22, into the Mazd Colby Jon Gund rcycle was driv6. Gunder- pass moto ber the Octo that on vestigators com County Jail in lieu of $250,000 son was being held to jail ber 10, according

INSIDE

household in y Blaine, Birch Ba hom iaicihdemoo hicu em ved Slar thn ged wia Motorcyclist char n earlier this year

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