Around the Bays

City announces Yard of Week winners

The Blaine is Beautiful committee announced the first two winners of their yard of the week program, designed to recognize well-maintained landscapes and gardens in the city.

Last week’s winner was the owner of 1260 Harrison Avenue. This week’s winner was the resident tenants of 362 E Street.

Blaine community development specialist Debbie Harger created the program last month to recognize well-maintained landscapes in the city and encourage beautification efforts by homeowners.

Nominations can be made at the Blaine visitor center, at the Blaine library or by calling Harger at 543-9982.

Sheriff’s office steps up watch for stewed prunes

The Whatcom County sheriff’s officials said they will begin “Zero Tolerance Patrols” throughout the county in an effort to reduce alcohol-related traffic crashes. Deputies will work in teams conducting DUI enforcement, liquor establishment compliance checks and responding to underage drinking parties. Recognizing that excessive alcohol consumption affects more than just driving, the “Zero Tolerance Patrols” have expanded to include underage drinking and alcohol violations by restaurants and bars. Beginning this year, all drivers arrested by sheriff’s deputies for DUI will be booked into jail.

For more information, call Whatcom County Sheriff sergeant Gatterman or project coordinator Doug Dahl at 360/398-2812.

NEXUS user arrested for drug transport

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the Peace Arch port of entry arrested a 30-year-old U.S. citizen registered to participate in the NEXUS frequent traveler program on Friday, June 8, after they discovered methamphetamine, heroin and PCP in the vehicle he was driving.

Bryan Scott Johnson of Olympia, was arrested after he entered the port through a designated NEXUS lane driving a 2007 Audi A6 at about 8:45 p.m. CBP officers, during a secondary examination, discovered 124 grams of methamphetamine, 173 grams of heroin, and 61 grams of suspected PCP secreted in a box of dishwashing detergent and a box of oatmeal.

Johnson was arrested. His NEXUS pass was revoked and he was transported to the Whatcom County jail. The vehicle and narcotics were seized by CBP. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is conducting the investigation.

Event features free weight assessment
Several Whatcom County organizations will host a health and fitness fair from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, June 23 at Bellingham’s Civic Field. The event will feature free entertainment and health presentations including height, weight and body mass index assessments, demonstrations and informational booths.

More information is available at www.getmovinwhatcom.org.

Learn to spot invasive sea tunicates

The Whatcom County Marine Resources Committee and the North Sound Baykeeper will conduct a free training workshop to help individuals identify invasive tunicates, or sea squirts, document and report signings and determine when and when not to remove the animals.

Tunicates are filter feeders that attach to hard surfaces for all of their adult life and are difficult to control. For example, one of three main species of concern is able to reproduce every 24 hours in temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit and above, spawning frequently and easily when triggered by the slightest contact. Infestations of these animals have been reported right here in Whatcom County including Blaine Marina, Semiahmoo Marina.

The workshop is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 16 at the Squalicum Harbor boathouse at 2633 S. Harbor Loop Dr. in Bellingham.

For more information, call 733-8307.