The Northern Light: April 25-May 1, 2024

Blaine school board delays vote on cuts

In front of a standing-room only crowd inside the Blaine school district boardroom, the Blaine school board delayed its vote on a reduced education program for the 2024-25 school year by one week. The next special school board meeting will be held 7 p.m. Monday, April 29 at the district boardroom. The board was presented with a plan to reduce roughly 30 positions throughout the district, including a K-5 principal, four special education staff, and other positions.

The proposed budget reduction would allow the district to avoid a $2.5 million deficit by reducing 11 percent of administration staff, 12 percent of classified staff, and 11 percent of teaching staff.

Blaine school board members agreed to an extra week of time to meet with the various labor unions involved and find “creative solutions,” as newly-appointed member Ryan Swinburnson said during the meeting.

“I want to be able to say, ‘This is why we had to cut the library staff person, this is why we had to cut special education,’ and I can’t answer those right now,” Swinburnson said. “I can’t answer why those cuts are the best cuts, and I think that’s what everybody deserves.”

Various staff members spoke during the public comment period of the April 22 meeting on how last year’s staffing cuts impacted the district, how more cuts will increase the workload on remaining staff, and the negative impacts it will have on students.

Carol Crauswell, a special education paraeducator at the high school, said cutting classified staff would lead to more stress, not only for the remaining classified staff, but for teachers as well.

“I don’t see how cutting classified [staff] is going to make the classrooms any safer,” Crauswell said. “I see wonderful teachers throughout the day who are so stressed I just want to give them a hug – but you can’t keep going every day hugging the teachers.”

Last year, the district eliminated 59.5 positions due to budget restraints, as reported previously by The Northern Light. Since then, voters approved a $7.5 million operations levy, which helped the district avoid even more dire financial straits, but cuts were still needed for the district to operate with a balanced budget.

“There’s no fat left to trim after last year.

Blaine police chief sworn into

Multiple women accused a public works director of inappropriate conduct. County executives agreed not to share the allegations.

Whatcom County officials paid $225,000 last November to settle claims that a former public works director sexually harassed a female employee for more than two years.

Jon Hutchings resigned in lieu of termination in October 2022, just one day before a third-party investigator interviewed three female employees who reported Hutchings had made sexual comments to them or touched them inappropriately while at work.

But county leaders never formally disciplined Hutchings or adjudicated the complaints. And they helped him get a new job, writing a favorable “letter of introduction.”

“It has been a pleasure working with Jon and I am very confident that he will serve your organization well,” the letter concludes, signed by county executive Satpal Sidhu and deputy executive Tyler Schroeder.

As part of the agreement of Hutchings’ departure, county leaders also agreed not

to disclose information about his misconduct to future employers. Hutchings now runs the public works department for the city of Lynden. He did not respond to a request for an interview.

Lynden’s city code requires department heads to be appointed by the mayor and confirmed by the city council. Mayor Scott Korthuis did not respond to multiple calls and emails, and city administrator John Williams declined to say how much they knew about Hutchings’ past behavior when the city hired him, referring to it as a “personnel matter.”

Cascade PBS reached out to Sidhu, Schroeder, and current public works director Elizabeth Kosa, who served as assistant director before Hutchings resigned. None responded to interview requests for this story.

Whatcom County spokesperson Jed Holmes wrote in an email to Cascade PBS that the county is committed to investigating allegations of inappropriate workplace behavior, but officials did not respond to de-

tailed questions about Hutchings’ departure. “[D]ue to this commitment to providing a safe, fair and respectful work environment,”

s Mayor Mary Lou Steward, r., recites the official oath of office for Blaine police chief Rodger Funk during the Blaine City Council meeting on April 22. Funk, who spent nearly three decades at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, had his first day as Blaine police chief on April 15. Read more city council news on page 5.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

Lawsuit partially settled for $8 million in Point Roberts carbon monoxide deaths

B y P at G ru BB

Whatcom County Superior Court Judge Robert E. Olson approved a settlement on April 19 between the two children of Murray Church and Gail Amundsen and three out of five defendants accused of negligence in the couple’s deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Amundsen, 61, and Church, 67, were found dead in their Point Roberts home on Thanksgiving Day evening in 2021. The two were asphyxiated when an improperly installed boiler blew off a vent fitting and released carbon monoxide into their newly constructed home. The pair were discovered by family friends who were asked to check on them after their children had been

unable to make contact with them for several days.

Ferndale-based Andgar Mechanical and general contractor Optimum Contracting and Shoreline Electrical Services, both of Point Roberts, agreed to settle for $8 million in total.

Andgar, the boiler’s installer, will pay $6 million, while Optimum and Shoreline will pay $1 million each. Two other parties, Triangle Tube/Phase III Company, New Jersey and Whatcom County were not part of the settlement and the lawsuit against them will continue.

Triangle Tube was the maker of the boiler while the county signed off on the occupancy permit of the couple’s newly constructed home even though, contrary to state law, no carbon monoxide detectors had been installed.

The April 19 hearing was held to determine the reasonableness of the settlement agreement. Under RCW 4.22.060, a judge must review proposed settlements to determine that the amount to be paid is reasonable and review nine factors in making that determination. Among these factors are the damages visited upon the plaintiffs, in this case, the premature deaths of their parents. The agreed upon damages fell within the range of recent wrongful death awards. Another factor is the defendants’ ability to pay and the risk and expense of continued litigation.

According to plaintiffs’ attorney David Brown, of Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner, the agreed upon settlement was the maximum amount payable by the defendants’ insurance providers. Further litigation would likely not have resulted in a higher settlement.

As it was, only Gary Orr of Shoreline Electric had been deposed prior to the settlement being agreed upon. Brown said Orr maintained throughout that he had installed the proper carbon monoxide detectors despite being presented with physical and technical evidence to the contrary.

Asked about reports that Optimum owner Eric Johnson and Orr had subsequently gone back to earlier projects to swap out smoke detector-only units for carbon monoxide-capable units, Brown said while they had heard rumors, they didn’t pursue them as they would have had little evidentiary value at trial. “We would not have been able to introduce it

into evidence,” he said. He added that Orr’s testimony “did not appear to be credible” and the fact that the parties agreed to settle soon thereafter lent credence to that assessment.

As for what is next, Brown said the lawsuit against Triangle Tube and Whatcom County would continue.

In Washington state, contingency fees typically run from 33 to 40 percent of settlement amounts, not including expenses. Damage awards for wrongful deaths and personal injuries are not taxable in the U.S. or Canada.

(For a fuller understanding of the circumstances behind the tragic deaths of Church and Amundsen, go to bit.ly/3xQqde4 and bit.ly/3w8xa9Q)

Commercial pot seizure at U.S./Canada border crossing lands in B.C. court

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A geographically challenged delivery truck driver may end up costing his company a pot of dough, or at least 333 pounds of gummies worth.

In May 2023, a driver working for Kelowna-based Seven Elks Shipping Inc. picked up five pallets of cannabis products in a fiveton truck from locations in Port Coquitlam and Delta, B.C. He was supposed to deliver three pallets to We Grow B.C. in Creston, B.C. and the remainder to Westleaf Labs, L.P. in Calgary, Alberta.

Somehow, he ended up at the U.S. truck border crossing in Blaine. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) spokesperson Jason A. Givens, “The driver said he was traveling domestically in Canada and was not seeking entry to the U.S. and had made a wrong turn, ending up at the CBP Pacific Highway Cargo Facility.”

Givens said the driver presented paperwork that verified the shipment was a commercial load of marijuana. CBP officers seized the marijuana, which had a total weight of nearly 875 pounds. (Ed. Note: CBP reported the weight of the marijuana at 875 pounds; however, the lawsuit claims 151,300 grams or 333 pounds).

The driver was allowed to return to Canada and the commercial

truck was not seized.

On April 15, We Grow B.C. and Westleaf Labs sued Seven Elks in B.C. Supreme Court seeking compensation for the seized goods. Specifically, the plaintiffs are asking Seven Elks to return the $11,910.62 shipping fee that was paid in advance plus the value of the seized cannabis products which at retail would be worth $823,317. The wholesale cost of the product would be about $370,000.

According to the claim filed in court, Seven Elks has acknowledged in writing to the plaintiffs that it was at fault in respect to the seizure but has failed to return the shipping charges or compensate the two companies for the loss of their products. Further, the companies assert that not only has the seizure meant the loss of revenue and profit from the products, they have also suffered reputational losses with their customers.

It is a federal crime to bring marijuana, a Schedule 1 drug, across the U.S./Canada border even though it is legal in both B.C. and Washington state. Other Schedule 1 drugs include heroin, LSD, mescaline, MDMA, psilocybin and bath salts. Someone who admits their purpose in entering the U.S. is to buy or use marijuana will be deemed inadmissible to the U.S. and potentially charged, depending upon the severity of the traveler’s infraction.

s The exhaust flue separated from the boiler and allowed carbon monoxide to escape into the house. Courtesy photo

Settlement...

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Holmes responded, “We are not going to grant your interview requests on the subject of your email.”

Multiple complaints

Internal records reveal that three different women reported Hutchings for repeatedly hugging them without their consent, touching a female employee’s thigh and asking a high-ranking manager to see pictures of her in a swimsuit.

One female employee, who we will call “Wendy,” first reported her discomfort with Hutchings in the fall of 2021. (Cascade PBS has granted the woman’s request for anonymity to protect her privacy as a victim of alleged sexual harassment.)

The county’s initial response to her complaint was to organize a “facilitated counseling session” with her, Hutchings and a “coach.” Records show no further follow-up for nearly a year after her initial complaint, with human resources re-engaging only after a second employee came forward to report inappropriate comments and touching.

Text messages Wendy submitted to HR show Hutchings frequently contacted her on nights and weekends about personal topics, sharing family frustrations, inviting her on walks, commenting on her body and in one case telling her that he “like[s] feeling like the one who can take care of you.”

Wendy was hesitant to bring her concerns to HR after reporting her previous boss for harassment in 2014, according to a letter her lawyer sent to the county. Notes from a manager who interviewed Wendy noted she was “very skeptical” of HR due to how the previous complaint was handled and “will not be interviewed in a group setting with HR again.”

Internal records show Wendy told HR she had known Hutchings for 15 years and largely enjoyed working with him until 2020, when he began focusing unwelcome attention on her. Hutchings called her nicknames like “sweetie,” “sunshine,” “baby” and “momma.” He would hug her without asking, sometimes from behind, often enough that she put up a “no hugs” sign at her desk.

Wendy provided screenshots of 120 texts out of more than 200 she said Hutchings sent her over two years. A sample of texts circulated to senior county HR officials reveal largely one-sided conversations in which Hutchings expresses anguish over his family, seeks emotional support, offers to bring her flowers and fresh eggs, and invites her to watch the moonrise. After inviting her for a walk on a Saturday, he adds, “This is not a date!”

“Just home from sailing,” Hutchings texted one Saturday at 6:52 p.m. “Starting fire, listening to Jack Johnson. What you doing?”

In an email to Cascade PBS relayed through her lawyer, Wendy wrote that she tried at first to be patient with Hutchings, but eventually he “took it way too far.”

“My family would question me whenever they would visit or I would visit them,” she wrote, “why does your boss text you all the time at all hours?”

She first reported Hutchings’ behavior to then-assistant director Elizabeth Kosa in September 2021, according to HR records. She also confronted Hutchings that same day, according to a log she provided to HR.

About one week later, Kosa organized a “facilitated counseling session” with Hutchings, Wendy and a person HR later referred to as a “coach.” Wendy was “very clear in telling Mr. Hutchings to stop communicating with her after hours [and] about his personal life,” according to Kosa’s account in a third-party investigation report.

After the meeting, Hutchings began to treat Wendy differently at work, she told the investigator. He excluded her from important work and undermined her in front of colleagues, in one case criticizing her for wearing flip-flops. Three days after inviting her to the non-date walk, he yelled at her during a work meeting, saying “I’m done with you. I’m not talking to you anymore,” according to a log she submitted to HR. He then apologized and scheduled a meeting to discuss his feelings about her.

“It has been a pleasure working with Jon and I am very confident that he will serve your organization well,” the letter concludes, signed by the county executive and deputy executive .

view Hutchings. ‘Going on a long time’ Meeting minutes show Lynden City Council confirmed Hutchings as its public works director on May 15, 2023.

Mayor Korthuis did not respond to inquiries about Hutchings. It remains unclear how much the city of Lynden knew about Hutchings’ behavior when they hired him.

“It sickens and infuriates me how much he was not held accountable for his actions and how much he was protected,” Wendy wrote in an email. “In my opinion they clearly went out of their way on that agreement to hide everything, and to protect the abuser at the expense of the victim.”

Wendy noted that Whatcom County has updated its sexual harassment trainings since Hutchings’ departure and updated policies to require full investigations of all complaints, but said she needed years of therapy to deal with the “daily toll” of the abuse. The nonstop messages exhausted her physically and mentally, she wrote, to the point that she developed severe stomach pain leading to multiple emergency room trips.

Wendy’s attorney sent a letter to the county on October 24, 2023, accusing the county of violating federal and state laws against discrimination based on sex and retaliation against those who report it.

“It seems in this case that the county actually supported [Wendy’s] abuser,” the attorney wrote, “and certainly failed to take prompt and effective action to stop the discrimination.”

and “prospective anti-sex discrimination corrective action as negotiated.” A settlement agreement shows the county ultimately paid $225,000.

Wendy had kept a log of her interactions with Hutchings, which she later submitted to HR. An HR representative annotated Wendy’s log in pencil, circling the date when Wendy first confronted Hutchings.

“I told him I was uncomfortable with his level of engaging

me outside of work in personal matters (texting etc.) and that it was bordering on becoming super inappropriate,” Wendy wrote in that day’s entry.

The HR representative underlined the beginning of the next sentence.

“This has been going on a long time.”

Visit crosscut.com/donate to support nonprofit, freely distributed, local journalism.

County email records appear to indicate that for nearly a full year following Wendy’s complaint, leadership took no further investigative or disciplinary action.

Then in early September 2022, as Hutchings cleaned out Covid-19 supplies from an operations office alongside a female worker, he held a thermometer up to her forehead to take her temperature and said, “You’re a hottie,” according to HR records. The worker later recalled to an investigator that Hutchings had put his hand on her thigh during a leadership training in 2016 or 2017.

The county brought in a third-party investigator to interview Wendy and the operations worker in late October 2022. The investigative report echoed what the female employees told Kosa and later HR. It also revealed Hutchings had allegedly told a third female colleague he would “need to see a photo of her underwater, in her swimsuit” after she shared plans for diving.

But unbeknownst to the women, Hutchings had already emailed Schroeder, the deputy executive, saying he would resign. Before the investigative report was delivered, Hutchings and senior county leaders had largely hammered out an agreement that would allow him to characterize his departure as a resignation and required the county to omit information about his misconduct when contacted by future employers.

By the time the investigative report came back, the county had already started drafting Hutchings a letter of recommendation. The investigator did not inter-

The letter alleges that despite agreeing not to contact her, Hutchings in April 2023 left a note in her mailbox that indicated an interest in re-engaging in a relationship with her. He also included a gift: a book on personal boundaries. Hutchings’ separation agreement with Whatcom County references a recent no-contact directive, although it does not say with whom.

The letter sought $400,000

s Jon Hutchings resigned as director of the Whatcom County Public Works Department in October 2022. Image courtesy city of Bellingham YouTube

Parks and rec hosts daughter’s choice dance OpiniOn

The Editor:

On April 21, the Mount Baker Foundation (MBF) hosted a ‘Share Your Spare’ living kidney donation information luncheon. A Blaine resident whose niece, living in Ohio, needs a kidney transplant read about the event in this publication. (April 11-17, Dr. William Lombard, “Make the Unfathomable a Reality: Eliminate the Kidney Transplant Waitlist”).

In September 2023, Dr. Lombard’s “moonshot” essay to eliminate the kidney transplant waitlist in Whatcom County was featured in The Northern Light. That article, amazingly, caught the attention of Atul Agnihotri, founding CEO of the organization, Kidneys for Communities (Kidneysfocommunities.org/team/atulagnihotri).

Agnihotri lives in Ohio and traveled to Whatcom County for the MBF event. He and the Blaine resident connected. Her niece’s chances of finding a match for a living kidney donor may have increased exponentially because of the serendipitous encounter.

Thank you, The Northern Light. You inform us. You unite us. Local journalism has the power to ignite us to action.

Micki

Jackson Bellingham

Thank you for the informative article on the April 11 Blaine city planning commission meeting. While it was comprehensive in its coverage, I feel it missed reporting some things that were a very, very important part of the meeting that need to be emphasized and/or acknowledged. In fact, what was not in print could have made for a good editorial.

First was the commissioners, unlike our city council, took public verbal comment. The commissioners also acknowledged they’d read email noting in their comments some of what was received. They then took all that one step further by asking several people who had spoken to return to the microphone to question them on their comments. They did not show bias in who was asked back as to whether they were for or had issues with the city parking plan being considered.

So, my applause and compliments to the planning commissioners in their embracing dialogue, involving true community input, and in showing a lack of bias/ partiality. They appeared to be a group not guided by predetermined outcomes, were active listeners, exhibited open mindedness, and importantly were seeking perspective on what is best for this

CiviC Meetings

Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.

Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.

Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.

Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Meetings are second Tuesday, 5:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

community – before they proceed to a vote. That’s good governance. Our city council on the other hand sits at meetings before the public like a bunch of cold fish with stone faces. There is no dialogue or verbal community input allowed now as council hides (in fear of what, the truth?) behind Robert’s Rules of Order, and mayor’s gag order. (The “gag” by the way, wasn’t voted on by the entire council). The council should very much take a lesson on how to listen, involve the community (as is the law), and to behave and govern as seen in the actions of the planning commission during their April 11 meeting.

Ray Leone Blaine

Correction

In the April 18 issue of The Northern Light, an article titled “Blaine High School performs ‘Mamma Mia!’” incorrectly stated the time doors opened for the opening night performance. Doors opened at 6:30 p.m., not 7 p.m. We regret the error.

Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org.

North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.

BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.

Whatcom County brings jail funding agreement to cities

Whatcom County and its cities, including Blaine, are expected to vote on an agreement that would allow the county to start allocating sales tax revenue for the future jail and behavioral health facility, as well as additional support services.

Whatcom County deputy executive Tyler Schroeder, who presented the plan to Blaine City Council on April 22, said the cities and county will be asked to vote on the agreement during their first meetings in May. The agreements need to be signed by June in order for the sales tax revenue to start going toward the project.

The agreement is in line with a letter that all of the county mayors signed last June that said they were “willing to fund virtually any new correctional facility” and follows an ordinance that Whatcom County Council passed last July outlining project commitments.

Whatcom County voters approved Proposition 4, funding the jail and support services, by 63 percent during the November 2023 election. The proposition authorized the .2 percent sales tax, or 20 cents per $100, to fund the programs. Funding will be split 60 percent by the county and 40 percent by the cities, with the cities’ share divided by population. The jail and behavioral health

facility will cost about $150 million. Design development would begin in 2025 and the total cost should be known by 2026, when construction is expected to start, according to the county’s estimates.

The jail and behavioral health facility could be ready for occupancy as soon as 2028. County council decided last year that the jail would be built in Ferndale.

The size of the jail will be based on jail use, bookings, future population growth, and future investments to reduce incarceration rates, according to the county. The jail will be built for room to grow if the facility reaches 85 percent of operational capacity.

The cities’ contribution will

Blaine City Council roundup ...

B y G race m c c arthy position was “a dream come true.”

The latest from the Blaine City Council meeting on April 22.

Police chief sworn in Council chambers was at standing capacity Monday evening as a crowd gathered for the swearing in of Blaine police chief Rodger Funk. Funk’s official ceremony came a week after his first day on April 15.

Funk has spent nearly three decades at the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, where he held high-ranking positions, the most recent being chief inspector at WCSO’s professional standards office. Funk grew up in Whatcom County and previously said he always wanted to be a police chief, and that this

School ...

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This is all meat,” Swinburnson said. “This is stuff that is vital to every student.”

District superintendent Christopher Granger mentioned the lack of funding from the state as one of the primary reasons for the cuts, a sentiment that was echoed by other school board members.

“Certainly, nobody on our leadership team, our department heads, our campus administrators, want to do any of these things,” Granger said. “However, we do have to balance the budget and continue to advocate in Olympia for the full funding of public education, which is [the state legislature’s] obligation under the state constitution.”

Another $500,000 in non-staff expenditures will need to be cut from the 2024-25 budget, Granger said during the meeting, and the superintendent still has the ability to adjust the final budget before board approval.

One contributing factor to the district’s $2.5 million deficit is the ending of federal government-issued emergency relief funds through the pandemic-era American Rescue Plan Act. Nationwide, those funds totaled more than $275 billion, with Blaine school district receiving nearly $6.25 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of

Funk was selected from 16 candidates across the U.S. Communications contract

Blaine City Council unanimously passed a contract for communication services following community members voicing concerns about the city communicating information to the public.

The city will hire Kirby Communications to develop a communications plan that will include training and increase communication for city leaders, according to city documents.

The contract will last four months, with an initial cost of $4,500 per month that is subject to change as the plan is developed.

Education. But that money is now dried up, with no plans from the federal government to continue.

Enrollment also has an impact on how much money the district can collect from its own levies. Per state law, Blaine school district can only receive the lesser of two amounts when collecting taxes from enrichment levies like the one that passed in November 2023: $2,500 (adjusted for inflation) per full-time equivalent student, or $2.50 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

In a “property-rich” school district like Blaine, where many home values are higher than the state average, the lesser amount will always be the $2,500 (adjusted for inflation) per student amount. For the 2024-25 school year, the district will collect roughly $7.5 million.

According to district figures, before the state Supreme Court ruled in 2018 to protect funding for basic education – the McCleary case – Blaine could collect roughly $4,518 per FTE student. Now, they can only collect an inflation-adjusted $2,988 per FTE student, a difference of roughly $3 million in levy collection.

The money Blaine school district can collect through its levy is directly tied to its enrollment, which has declined 8 percent over the last five years, according to district documents. Declining birthrates in the state and Whatcom County, along with secondary students electing for

focus on debt service to the jail’s construction for the first four to six years, and once the jail is built, they will dedicate at least 50 percent of the public safety sales tax revenue to expanding incarceration prevention programs and services. Such programs could include re-entry programs, supportive housing and diversion programs, among others.

As a separate project, the county is also working to open a 23-hour crisis relief center on Division Street in Bellingham in mid-2026 with $11.3 million it received from the state legislature.

The agreement between the county and cities will create the justice project finance advisory

board that will oversee the collected funds and make open decisions about costs. The finance board will be represented by city and county officials, such as the sheriff and small cities’ elected representative, as well as someone with lived experience in the criminal justice system and a representative of the behavioral health system.

Kirby Communications is a Seattle-based public relations consulting company with clients ranging from start-ups to larger businesses such as Starbucks and Amazon, according to its website.

The contract passed 6-0, with councilmember Kerena Higgins absent.

Water reclamation facility project grant

City council unanimously approved a contract with the city and the Washington State Department of Health for the city to use nearly $193,000 of EPA National Estuary Program grant funding on five projects at the Lighthouse Point Water Reclamation Facility.

The projects cover the conceptu-

online-only curriculum, account for much of the enrollment decline, according to the district.

In an attempt to retain more students, the district announced it would be launching its own online-only high school in the 202425 school year.

“I don’t understand how cutting programs and classified staff is going to bring any more students back to Blaine,” Crauswell said. “To me, it seems to be driving them away and there has to be another way to do this.”

al design of an outfall diffuser, evaluation of the 400,000-gallon underground wastewater equalization basin for leakage, a preliminary siting study of an additional equalization basin, redundant disinfection analysis and sewage inflow and infiltration program development, according to the contract.

The contract will run through December 2025.

Remote control mower

City council unanimously approved the city manager purchase a remote control mower for just under $70,000. The Green Climber Pro 300 mower will help the city’s public works department with terrain that’s difficult to mow safely, according to the city.

spOrts

Bakker throws no-hitter, girls tennis earns first team win

Softball

Emersyn Bakker’s senior season just gets better and better.

For the future Edmonds Community College pitcher, her April 23 game against Anacortes could be the highpoint of her regular season (we’ll worry about state playoffs come May).

Bakker threw a dominant, 15 strikeout no-hitter to blank the Seahawks, allowing the Borderites to earn its 10th win of the season, bringing Blaine’s record to 10-3 (8-1 NWC).

The 6-0 no-hitter win caps off a great week for Blaine softball, which has now won its last five games after a tough, three-loss stretch last week against opponents it could very well face in district and state playoffs.

Bakker was the standout for the Borderites throughout its five game winning streak, striking out 13 batters in a 4-1 win against Coupeville on April 19, then striking out another 16 batters in another 4-1 win against Lynden Christian on April 20.

Bakker leads the Northwest Conference in earned run average (1.17), strikeouts (123), and is second in the conference in wins (9) and innings pitched (65.2).

Coming out of a marathon seven games in eight days, the Borderites emerged with a solid 4-3 record through arguably the toughest stretch of its regular season schedule. With just seven regular season games remaining, the Borderites sit atop the 1A standings, and sit just below Sedro-Woolley in all of NWC softball.

Blaine will play Mount Vernon at Pipeline Field after press time

on Wednesday, April 24 at 4 p.m., then travel to face Burlington-Edison on Friday, April 26. Baseball

After a tough, five-game losing streak put the Borderites below a .500 overall record, Blaine bounced back with a pair of conference wins against Squalicum and Lakewood this past week.

In Blaine’s 9-5 win over Squalicum on April 19, pitcher Diego Gutierrez earned the win, striking out three batters and giving up four earned runs. The Borderite hitters were extremely disciplined at the plate, collecting 11 hits and 10 walks throughout the game. Mason Akre, Deon Bowman, Evan Yates, and Matt Garza each recorded two hits.

Blaine ace pitcher Kieran Markusen showed why he’s the Borderites’ best pitcher on April 23 against Lakewood, throwing a stellar shutout performance, striking out ten batters, walking just two, and allowing only two hits through six innings.

As of April 21, Markusen is fifth in the conference in earned run average (2.05), fourth in wins (4 – now 5), and second in strikeouts (45 – now 55).

Markusen also drove in a run with a fielder’s choice groundout. Evan Yates was the first batter to show some life in the Borderite lineup when the lefty drilled a pitch into the right-center field gap for a triple. He scored easily on the next at bat when first baseman Alejandro Moser-Hernandez finally broke the 0-0 shutout in the fourth inning with a double.

The Borderites now sit at 9-8 (5-8 NWC) late in the season, and hope to finish off its final

ATHLETES of

the MONTH

Shaylie Daniels

Junior • Softball

Shaylie has had an amazing season so far, hitting .500 and jumping into a position she never played before. Shaylie is the teammate and leader that coaches wish for. She gives relentless effort, is humble, helps foster a family environment, and is constantly striving to get better.

Ellis Griffin

Junior • Boys Golf

Ellis’ great knowledge of the game of golf and course management shows by his scoring average. Ellis is coachable, considerate of others, and respects the game of golf. His sense of humor and outlook fits with the team concept the Borderite Boys Golf wants to portray.

SPONSORED BY:

three games of the season on a winning streak before district playoffs begin.

Blaine’s next game is on the road against Oak Harbor on Thursday, April 25 at 4 p.m. The Borderites then host Senior Night against Bellingham at Pipeline Field on Friday, April 26 at 4:30 p.m. Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Girls Tennis

The 2024 spring season hasn’t been kind to Blaine girls tennis, a team with tons of new, underclassmen athletes joining the varsity squad. But Blaine varsity tennis finally earned its first team win of the season, defeating Mount Vernon 4-3 on the road on April 23.

Sara Olinger-Stirrat defeated

Farah Briseno in straight sets, 6-1, 6-1; Ana Tuski defeated Grace Dilworth in straight sets, 6-2, 6-1; and a pair of Blaine doubles teams won their matchups, with Sabrina Boczek and Tori Taengdaen winning in three sets, 1-6, 6-0, 6-4; and Carly Saunders and Bea Dickson win-

(Continued on next page)

s

(Top to bottom) Forward Blake Koreski attempts to dislodge the ball from Lynden Christian’s goalkeeper on April 22. Blaine pitcher Kieran Markusen walks back to the dugout on April 23. Dust flies out of the catcher’s mitt as Blaine batter Diego Gutierrez takes a pitch during Blaine’s 3-0 win over Lakewood on April 23. Photos by Nolan Baker

(Continued from previous page)

ning in three sets, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

The Borderites will hope this first win sparks a winning streak to end the season, with only five matches left before district playoffs begin in May.

The next Blaine tennis match will be against Ferndale at home on Thursday, April 25 at 4 p.m. Senior Night for girls tennis will be the final home game of the season, Monday, May 6 at 4 p.m. against Anacortes.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Boys Soccer

Blaine boys soccer suffered an agonizing, 1-0 defeat on the road against Lynden Christian on April 22, with multiple near-misses by the offense squandering what could’ve been a crucial road victory.

In the first half alone, the Borderites had shots ricochet off the Lyncs’ goal post, and multiple shots on goal peter out without any points to show for it. Lynden Christian goalkeeper Johann Veltkamp tallied four saves, but was bailed out by the goalpost at least once.

The Blaine defense stayed strong against a Lynden Christian team that liked to press high and put pressure on the back line, with the only goal coming from an errant foul that led to a free kick goal from senior Jude Decker.

The loss puts the Borderites at 7-4-2 overall with a 2-31 NWC record, dropping to third place among NWC 1A teams. Conference standings are only determined by conference games and points earned, and the Borderites haven’t been able to beat the tough Whatcom County competition, with only seven points to show for.

With just two games remaining on the regular season schedule, the Borderites will have its Senior Night against Nooksack Valley after press time on Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. The Borderites defeated Nooksack Valley 3-0 in its earlier matchup on April 8.

The Borderites have one final regular season game before district playoffs begin, against Mt. Baker on Monday, April 29, last time these two teams faced this season, Blaine won handily, 6-0 on April 10.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Track and Field

Blaine track and field is preparing for its one and only home meet of the season, which will be held Thursday, April 25 starting at 4 p.m.

Borderite track and field has had an up and down season, with great success from its throwers (discus, javelin) and sprinters (100-400 meter races, hurdles).

The Borderites will host Lakewood and Squalicum at Borderite Stadium on Thursday before four more away meets end the regular season.

spOrts Scenes from Borderite baseball, soccer

s (Clockwise from top right) Abel Calrson-Vega makes a diving save. Christian Sanchez falls outside the penalty box. Xavi Blanco weaves between Lynden Christian defenders. Kieran Markusen delivers a pitch to a Lakewood batter. Evan Yates emerges from a cloud of dust after hitting a triple. Mason Akre talks with a coach before his at-bat.

Photos by Nolan Baker

Three new buildings on Martin Street bring coastal feel

B y N ola N B aker

When Blaine resident – and “Road Rules” author – Doug Dahl decided to purchase a neighboring lot on the corner of Martin and 4th streets, he knew exactly what he didn’t want to build.

Dahl didn’t want to develop the space into some massive commercial space or a behemoth, single-family home. In -

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stead, he’s putting the final touches on three smaller buildings: two 1,150 square-foot, three bedroom homes, and a two-story commercial space on the corner.

“I just didn’t want to cover the whole property with buildings,” Dahl said. “I wanted to have some green space in between each one. I wanted to

(See Homes, next page)

s Owner Doug Dahl said construction should be finished in late summer on the three-unit lot on the corner of Martin and 4th streets in downtown Blaine. The project has three buildings that will become residential and commercial space.

Photo by Nolan Baker

& Home Garden

(See Homes, previous page)

have a yard and trees between each building.” Dahl knew that having green space between each unit would be important for any prospective buyer. And while those finishing landscaping touches have yet to be made – Dahl said he is shooting for construction to be fully complete by late summer –it’s easy to see the vision when walking by the jobsite.

“This was inspired by other architecture I’d seen with three small buildings,” Dahl said of a bike ride through Portland, Oregon. “I designed it with that series of three in mind, on the street side there’s these repeating threes with the buildings and each building’s windows that I really like.”

Dahl designed the buildings himself, and has worked alongside a local contractor every step of the way to get the

buildings up and ready. They’ll feature capacity for electric car charging ports, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms in just over 1,000 square feet of space, and views of downtown and the city hall building across Martin Street.

Another aspect Dahl is excited about is the commercial space on the corner building. The top floor will go to Dahl

(See Homes, page 10)

s The building on the corner will have commercial space on the first floor and Dahl’s business on the second floor. Photo by Nolan Baker

1-story house with 1,828 SF, 1,240 basement, 3 BD, 3 BA, 320 SF built-in garage, 442 SF balcony, 576 SF attached garage, 1,002 SF patio, built in 2007; marine view, .18 acres land.

1-story house with 1,833 SF, 2 BED, 2 BA, 193 SF patio, 140 SF patio, 312 SF deck, 144 SF storage, built in 1995, 100’ waterfront; marine views, .96 acres land.

2-story house with 2,901 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 878 SF attached garage, 439 SF deck, built in 2005; marine and territorial views, .27 acres land.

2-story 4plex with 5,886 SF, 2,880 SF built in-garage, 384 SF deck, built in 2022, .28 acres land.

2-story 4plex with 5,886 SF, 2,880 SF built in-garage, 384 SF deck, built in 2022, .24 acres land.

2-story 4plex with 5,886 SF, 2,880 SF built in-garage, 384 SF deck, built in 2022, .27 acres land.

1- story house with 1,966 SF, 1,966 SF basement, 4 BD 3 BA, 385 SF attached garage, 412 SF deck, 212 SF patio, built in 2022, .23 acres land.

Bi-level house with 2,859 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 1,088 SF built-in garage, 390 SF deck, built in 2021, .27 acres land.

1-story house with 1,968 SF, 1,716 SF basement, 5 BD, 3 BA, 576 SF attached garage, 336 SF deck, 447 SF patio, built in 2008, .48 acres land.

Condo with 1,561 SF, 2 BD, 3 BA, detached garage, built in 2013, waterfront; marine view.

1-story house with 2,162 SF, 4 BD, 2 BA, 576 attached garage, 224 SF patio, built in 2004, 5.00 acres land.

2-story fourplex with 3,768 SF, 8 BD, 4 BA, 1,110 SF detached garage, 344 SF deck, built in 1971, .66 acres land.

3-story house with 2,960 SF, 3 BD, 4 BA, 3-car built-garage, built in 2023; marine and territorial view, .21 acres land.

2- story house with 4,430 SF, 5 BD, 5 BA, 720 SF detached garage (built in 2004), 390 SF carport, 180 SF shop and lean to, 431 SF deck, built in 1942, 4.78 acres land.

3-story house with 2,960 SF, 3 BD, 5 BA, builtin 3 car garage, deck, built in 2024; marine and territorial view, .29 acres land.

1-story house with 2,852 SF, 3 BD, 3 BA, 3-car attached garage, built in 2023; territorial view, .39 acres land.

LAND:

2 residential lots.

8 residential lots.

5.00 acres commercial land.

4.87 acres residential land.

5770 Nakat Way, Blaine

217 Marine Drive, Point Roberts

5617 Whitehorn Way, Blaine

2876 Shore Pine Place, Blaine

2858 Shore Pine Place, Blaine

2864 Shore Pine Place, Blaine

5544 Whitehorn Way, Blaine

5752 Nakat Way, Blaine

5496 Grandview Road, Blaine

Unit B302, Marin Condominiums, 9535 Semiahmoo Parkway, Blaine

1838 Burk Road, Blaine

1072 Mitchell Avenue, Blaine

5454 Lasiandra Drive, Blaine

3941 Loomis Trail Road, Blaine

5466 Tolmiea Court, Blaine 8636 Ashbury Court, Blaine Cedar View Way, Blaine Sweet Gum Drive, Blaine 8330

Homes ...

From page 9

for his business, but he hopes the bottom floor can go to a local business looking for a simple space close to downtown.

“I figured there’s a need for small commercial space near downtown,” Dahl said. “There’s a fair number of larger spaces,

but any small commercial space is in demand.”

The first design element that will pop out to any passers-by is the cedar shingles on the first floor of each building, a classic for beach towns across the country.

“With the cedar shingles, we wanted something with a coastal feel to it, so we were trying to pick colors that reflect that northwest coastal vibe,” Dahl said. “It’s pretty simple, especially with the residential spaces. I think we’ve done a nice job of efficiently creating a three bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom house in 1,150 square feet that doesn’t feel cramped. That was the goal, to keep a small footprint so you have some green area outside and you feel comfortable inside.”

Photos by Nolan Baker

MLS #2203219 $130,000 Opportunity awaits, a great 180-day lot, partially fenced for the puppy along with a well-built storage shed. Park your Motor Home / RV and settle in for a great stay, perfect for a summer retreat. Leave your lawn mower at home with artificial turf installed. The lot is located in a quiet section of Latitude 49, with a short walk to the clubhouse, pool, and exercise facility. Enjoy all Latitude 49 has, including security gate. Buyer to review and verify all information & CC&Rs.

Gerry Allen 360-920-0563

7806 Birch Bay Dr Unit #303

MLS #2219122 $340,000

Ground level Condo, Great VRBO! Garden level (Salt Spring) unit at Jacob’s Landing. West facing, 1 bedroom, 1 bath - only moments from the beach, and is surrounded by the beautifully landscaped grounds of Jacob’s Landing. Features include new laminate wood flooring, all furnishings and appliances stay. Enjoy all the amenities Jacob’s Landing has to offer: Indoor heated pool, hot tub, tennis court, great beach access, and much more. Near fantastic beach!

Jeffrey Carrington 360-220-3224

Skeena Way - Lot 10

MLS #2067337 $115,000

Great Birch Bay Village building lot on creek & beaver pond w/lots of wildlife including Great Blue Herons, ducks, & more. Very affordable lot to gain access to “Village” amenities such as saltwater marina w/ brand new docks being installed, private golf course, tennis, pickleball, clubhouse etc. Better yet, build your dream home. 24/7 Guard Gated security & community patrols for added “Peace of Mind”.

Lisa Kent 360-594-8034

Mike Kent 360-815-3898

9050 Winged Teal Court

MLS #2221750 $1,349,500

Traditional charm in Semiahmoo’s Boundary Ridge neighborhood. Tucked down a private cul-de-sac, this stately home offers timeless elegance, departing from modern trends. Rich wood flooring & detailed windows grace the interior, while the kitchen serves as the heart of the home w/ custom features. Dual living rooms feature bay windows & grand fireplaces. Dedicated formal dining room & custom office are a nod to timeless design. Elevator & grand staircase.

Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718

5523 Canvasback Road

MLS #2221428 $719,000

Welcome to Melrose Cottages in Semiahmoo, where serenity meets sophistication. This rare standalone townhome offers privacy with no shared walls. Enjoy an award winning floor plan with 2,200 sqft of singlestory living, 3 beds, 3 baths, and a 2-car garage. Vaulted ceilings and large windows create an airy feel, while the spacious great room flows into the dining and kitchen areas. The extra-large primary suite features walk-in closet and en-suite bath.

Kathy Stauffer 360-815-4718

9054 Sea Mist Lane

MLS #2211718 $789,700

Beautiful like-new home, built in 2019 w/ many upgrades. The open great room concept welcomes you in with vaulted ceilings, cozy gas fireplace & hard surface floors thru the

OBITUARIES Road Rules:

Oversized tires

B y d ou G d ahl

Question: Several years ago, the son of a coworker was ticketed for having wheels that stuck out past the fenders. They were installed by the local tire shop. Just yesterday I saw a jacked-up truck with wheels that were at least six inches exposed outside the fenders. Why can tire stores install illegal equipment?

My experience is that they can’t, by law, remove and reinstall a worn-out tire when asked to rotate them.

Answer: Let’s start from the end of the question. You’re right that tire shops won’t install worn-out tires, but I couldn’t find a Washington law that prohibits it. Admittedly, there are a lot of laws to search through, and it’s possible that I missed it, so I stopped by a reputable tire installer and talked with a service person who’s been in the tire business for several decades. Surely, he’d know what law prevented them from installing unsafe tires. He didn’t know of any law either; they don’t do it because it’s their company policy. While it is a violation of the law to drive on public roads with unsafe tires, there is no law about installing them. (At least in Washington; some states prohibit shops from installing unsafe tires.)

It probably comes as no surprise then that even though it’s not legal to drive around with tires sticking out past the fenders , there isn’t a law preventing a shop from installing them. I also talked with the tire guy about this one. He acknowledged that they do install tires for customers that extend past the fenders. They have limits though; they turn down requests to install tires that compromise the safety of the vehicle.

I missed the opportunity to have a conversation with him about the safety of everyone else. That’s what this law is all about – protecting other road users from rocks and other road debris thrown up by unprotected tires. Tires projecting past the fenders aren’t the crime of the century, but they are an objectively negative contributor to traffic safety in exchange for a subjective improvement in style.

But let’s not put too much blame on the tire shops. The most egregious offenders might not be getting their tires installed on their vehicle by a pro. My source said that customers sometimes come in with loose wheels for tire installation. When this happens the shop doesn’t know what vehicle the wheels will end up on, but he speculates that some of these are the ones that would get turned down by many tire shops if they drove in.

Why is it legal to install tires

Guy M. Amsberry

March 15, 1960 – March 2, 2024

Beloved son, brother, friend, chef, sailor, genius, and prankster passed away on March 2, 2024 after a courageous battle with metastatic cancer.

Guy was born on March 15, 1960 and grew up in Blaine, WA. He graduated from Blaine High School in 1978 and from Western Washington University in 1983 with a degree in computer science/business administration.

Guy was the oldest of five siblings and was exceptionally well read, wise, kind, funny, and generous. His superpower was figuring out how to navigate the impossible and spent his career as a computer systems professional in sales, systems architecture, support and applications design.

As a kid, Guy loved reading, science, chemistry experiments, mercilessly teasing his siblings, or pranking his parents and their friends.

As an adult, Guy loved sailing with the crew on the Equus, gaming, new and exciting electronic gadgets, new cars, cooking for and laughing with family and friends, and being an exceptional guardian to his beloved pet companions.

For his closest friends, Guy was a trusted soul mate who inspired and supported big dreams.

Guy is preceded in death by his father Alan. He is survived by his mother Mary, brothers Alan (Jakki) and Eric (Susan), his sisters Amy and Ele (Kevin), numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends. Vaya con dios dear one. Donations in memory of Guy should be made to the Seattle Humane Society or your animal shelter of choice.

Guy’s closest friends and family held a celebration of life on April 13, 2024.

Mary Eytzen

September 30, 1937 – April 13, 2024

Mary Eytzen was born Mary Evelyn Schroeder to Harry and Linda Schroeder in their home near Clayton, WA on September 30, 1937.

Mary joined Bob in heaven Saturday, April 13, 2024, after his own promotion on March 23, 2024, in the comfort of the wonderful caretakers at Lynden Christian Health Care Center and her four children all nearby. A celebration of life will be held for Mary and Bob, 1 p.m., Friday, May 3, 2024 at Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road, Blaine, WA 98230. To view a more complete obituary and share memories of Mary please go to www.sigsfuneralservices.com.

Stephen Gerald Hyde

Stephen Gerald Hyde, age 85, of Blaine, passed away in Blaine on Monday, April 23, 2024. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, April 26, 2024, 12:30 p.m. at St. Anne Catholic Church, 604 H Street, Blaine, WA 98230. A Graveside service with military honors will follow at 2 p.m. at Hillsdale Cemetery, 4504 California Trail, Blaine, WA 98230.

on a vehicle that are unsafe or that extend past the fenders, knowing that the owner of that vehicle is going to violate the law the moment they drive out of the parking lot? I don’t know. Our lawmakers have taken a different approach with other vehicle modifications. For example, a window tinting business is required to install a tag verifying that the tint meets the requirements for light transmission.

The lesson here is this: just because a tire shop is willing to install tires on your vehicle doesn’t mean you’re okay to

drive them on public roads. It’s up to the vehicle owner to be legal. Tire shops generally have customers sign a release of liability stating that they take full responsibility for the fitment of their tires.

Finally, for anyone who wants to legally drive around with tires sticking out six inches past the fender, you have an option: move to Alabama. That state, as far as I can tell, doesn’t have any laws about fenders.

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

sheriff’s repOrts

April 13, 12:15 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Willeys Lake Road.

April 13, 1:34 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Stein Road.

April 13, 2:20 p.m.: Trespass cold call on Beachcomber Drive.

April 13, 4:57 p.m.: Welfare check on Seashell Way.

April 13, 6:29 p.m.: Trespass on Leeside Drive and Alderson Road.

April 13, 10:02 p.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay Square Street.

April 14, 3:20 p.m.: Property found on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

April 14, 4:41 p.m.: Hot rod on Bruce Road.

April 14, 7:55 p.m.: Welfare check on Birch Bay Drive.

April 15, 2:07 a.m.: Welfare check on Halibut Drive.

April 15, 10:30 a.m.: Assist citizen on Halibut Drive.

April 15, 12:29 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Terrace Drive.

April 15, 4:56 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

April 15, 7:14 p.m.: Domestic –verbal on Sunrise Road.

April 16, 2:08 p.m.: Vehicle abandoned on Portal Way.

April 16, 9:41 a.m.: Sex offender

registration on Harborview Road.

April 16, 10:03 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Cedar Street.

April 16, 2:11 p.m.: Welfare check on Cedar Street.

April 16, 2:21 p.m.: Neighborhood dispute cold call on Harborview Road.

April 16, 4:05 p.m.: Missing person cold call on Salish Road.

April 16, 5:39 p.m.: Assist citizen on Bay Road.

April 16, 6:23 p.m.: Traffic problem on Pipeline Road.

April 17, 7:33 a.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Stein Road.

April 17, 10:07 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Moonglow Court.

April 17, 11:16 a.m.: Traffic problem cold call on Drayton Harbor Road.

April 17, 11:46 p.m.: Traffic problem cold call on Shintaffer Road.

April 17, 12:42 p.m.: Trespass cold call on Birch Point Road and Selder Road.

April 17, 1:32 p.m.: Moving vehicle accident on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

April 17, 2:41 p.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Portal Way.

April 17, 4:18 p.m.: Welfare

CrOssWOrd

27. Earthy pigment

28. Genus of earless seals

29. “Key to the Highway” bluesman

32. By or in itself

33. Hot fluid below the earth’s surface

34. Partner to trick

36. British Air Aces

37. Ammunition

38. Supervises flying

1. “Mad Men” leading man

2. Water (Spanish)

3. Annoy 4. Bulgarian capital

5. Japanese title

6. Capital of Zimbabwe

7. Giraffe

40. Health care for the aged 41. Flanks

43. Millimeters

44. Where wrestlers perform

46. Not around 47. Flightless bird

49. Bell-shaped flowers of the lily family

50. Expressed con -

check on East Street.

April 17, 5:39 p.m.: Assist citizen cold call on Harborview Road.

April 17, 6:26 p.m.: Trouble with subject cold call on Pipeline Road.

April 17, 7:51 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Carstan Court.

April 17, 9:35 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Harborview Road.

April 18, 9:24 a.m.: Theft cold call on Drayton Harbor Road.

April 18, 11:56 a.m.: Hit and run on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

April 18, 4:09 p.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

April 18, 5:21 p.m.: Juvenile Problem on McGee Road.

April 18, 9:19 p.m.: Trespass cold call on Holeman Avenue.

April 19, 12:29 a.m.: Domestic violence cold call on Holeman Avenue.

April 19, 8:32 a.m.: Suspicious person on Valley View Road.

April 19, 10:45 a.m.: Fraud cold call on Crocket Road.

April 19, 10:48 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Harborview Road.

April 19, 6:08 p.m.: Welfare check on Bay Road.

cern for

51. Satisfies

52. Flew off!

53. Wings

54. Load a ship

57. Vigor

58. British title

59. Whiskeys

61. __ Adams: founding father

62. Body of water

tides

April 25 - May 1 at Blaine. Not for navigation. 49° 0’ 0”N

Coming up

Community Breakfast: Saturdays, 8–11 a.m., American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. All-you-can-eat pancakes $5, kids 4 and under get free pancakes. Other breakfast items available for purchase. Hosted by G.O.A.T. Sandwiches. Info: 360/296-4204. Portion of proceeds benefits the American Legion.

Birch Bay Chamber After-hours Networking: Thursday, April 25, 5–6:30 p.m., The Beach Bar, 7876 Birch Bay Drive. No-host networking with other chamber and community members. Info: birchbaychamber.com.

BHS Theater Presents “Mamma Mia!”: Thursday–Saturday, April 25–27, 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Blaine High School students perform in the musical. Tickets: $12, students and seniors $10.

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, April 25, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s theme: general knowledge Info: thevaultwine.com.

Karaoke Night: Friday, April 26, 5:30–7:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Come sing and have fun. Info: blaineseniorcenter.org.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, April 26, 7 p.m, The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: Dick and Jane. Info: thevaultwine.com.

Dahlias: Saturday, April 27, 9–11 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Dahlias are considered to be the premier cut flower. They are easy to grow, but there are some definite tricks. Presentation includes expert dahlia growers, live demos and answering questions. Free tubers. Info: nwcore.org.

Spring Open House: Saturday, April 27, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. VW’s Home & Garden, 8210 Portal Way. One day sales, planter bar, greenhouse tours at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Info: vwhomeandgarden.com.

Mermaids in Birch Bay: Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Birch Bay State Park. Free family fun. Take “shellfies” with a traveling professional mermaid group, enjoy story time hosted by Friends of Birch Bay Library, walk on the beach with Friends of Birch Bay State Park and Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 and learn about marine life. Info: birchbaychamber.com.

DEA National Rx Take Back: Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Birch Bay Vogt Community Library, 7948 Birch Bay Drive. Drop off unwanted and unneeded controlled, uncontrolled or over-the-county medications. Cannot accept IV solutions, injectables, inhalers, syringes, chemotherapy medications, vaping devices that have non removable batteries or medical waste.

Smoking Meats for Beginners: Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. It’s easier and less expensive than you think! An operating meat smoker will be on display, with delicious smoked sausages to be sampled after the presentation. Topics covered will include smoking equipment; types, styles and pros and cons. Discussion of different wood used for smoking meats as well as their preparation for the smoker. Tips, ideas and recipes will also be covered. Info: nwcore.org.

Clamming 101: Saturday, April 27, 1 p.m., Birch Bay State Park Heron Center. Learn shellfish regulations, how to dig for clams, clam species and methods of cleaning and cooking. Bring your shellfish license, shovel/trowel and a small bucket if you wish to keep clams. Led by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreations and Friends of Birch Bay State Park naturalists. Free. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.

Dahlias: Wednesday, May 1, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Dahlias are considered to be the premier cut flower. They are easy to grow, but there are some definite tricks. Presentation includes expert dahlia growers, live demos and answering questions. Free tubers. Info: nwcore.org.

Kombucha: Wednesday, May 1, 5–7 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Known as “The Elixir of Life,” Kombucha origins remain shrouded in mystery. Some drink it for health, some for flavor. Learn more about this interesting elixir at this fun, informative presentation. Sample different flavors, demonstration on how to make your own, and get sent home with your own culture (SCOBY) to start brewing. Info: nwcore.org. The Firestarter Conference: May 2-5, hosted by The Christian Way Community Church, 1733 H St. Unit 260. Thursday night is a youth rally, 6:30pm-9:00pm. Main event is Friday 6:30pm-9:30pm, Saturday 9:00am-9:00pm, & Sunday 10:00am-11:30am. Registration is open now! www.thechristianway.church.

Jaz de Mayo: Friday, May 3, 7–10 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Live music by Bellingham Dixieland All Stars, Blaine High School jazz band and jazz and swing choirs. $20 adults, $5 students, $10 members. Proceeds benefit the Blaine Harbor Music Festival.

Composting and Worms: Saturday, May 4, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Whether you have been thinking about a compost bin or becoming a worm wrangler, this workshop will get you started on composting. Covering the basics of food waste “recycling.” followed by managing worms, indoors and out. Info: nwcore.org.

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of April 15 to April 21, 0.1 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2024 year-todate precipitation is 12.0 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 77.7°F on April 20 with a low of 36.7°F on April 18. Average high was 64.0°F and average low was 40.9°F.

Star Wars Day: Saturday, May 4, 5:04 p.m., Gateway1890 Taphouse, 429 Peace Portal Drive. Dress in your favorite Star Wars character and meet like-minded friends who love everything Star Wars. We will take a short sidewalk stroll through downtown Blaine and finish at the Gateway 1890 Taphouse. Free. Family friendly.

Blessing of the Fleet: Sunday, May 4, 1:30 p.m., Blaine Harbor Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. Remembering local fishers lost at sea during its 40th ceremony.

Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Delivery options available. Info:360/332-6350 or Info@blainefoodbank.org.

The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

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

Blaine kindergarten enrollment open

Blaine school district is currently registering kindergarteners for the 2024-25 school year who will be five years old on or before August 31, 2024.

While Blaine Primary School already held its first kindergarten information night in February, prospective parents can still find more information about registration by contacting school secretary Angela Rogers at 360/332-1300, or via email at

arogers@blainesd.org

Registrations begin being processed in late spring, according to the Blaine primary school website, and all enrollment documents must be provided to the registrar by August 20. If additional time is needed to enroll your child, contact the registrar at bpsregistrar@blainesd.org

In order to complete your registration, the following must be provided: birth certificate or passport

for age verification, a recent utility or rental/lease agreement for address verification, immunization records or a complete exemption form (immunization records are not required to register, but must be provided before the student’s first day of school), and any court documents, if applicable.

For more information on kindergarten registration, visit the school district’s website at bit. ly/3WaHsAL

Drop off old prescription drugs in Birch Bay on Saturday, April 27

A site will be set up at the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express property for people to throw out old medications for the DEA’s National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, April 27.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies will be at the library site, 7948 Birch Bay Drive, to collect old or expired medication from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Birch Bay is one of two collec-

tion sites in Whatcom County, with the other being the Bellingham Police Department.

The national drug take back day allows people to anonymously and safely dispose of unneeded

medications to prevent medication misuse and opioid addiction, according to the DEA’s website. In April 2023, the DEA recorded receiving about 663,700 pounds of medication.