Election season is approaching once again, and once again Washington state voters will decide whether or not the state’s liquor stores will be privatized.

The Northern Light asked every candidate in a contested Whatcom County race appearing on Blaine and Birch Bay voters’ ballots, “How will you best represent Blaine and Birch Bay in county government?”

Ken Welke was in line at a hardware store when he got a call from a Birch Bay veterinary office that made his day.

The Birch Bay Farmers Market on Birch Bay-Lynden Road has been open for about six years now, but owner Keith Bowen has a whole new set of plans for the roadside grocery.

County voters will no longer need to wait until election day to drop their ballots of at a county-maintained drop box.

One out of three adults age 65 and older falls each year, and nearly a third of them will live with discomfort from the fall for the rest of their lives.

Don’t wait until there’s nothing left between you and the rain-slick pavement to check your tires. The likelihood of accidents skyrockets when you combine wet, seasonal weather and poor tire maintenance.

With gas prices hovering right around $4 a gallon, drivers need to take advantage of as many gas-saving maintenance and driving tips as they can.

A brief glimpse of some of the area's local wildlife

Silver Reef Hotel Casino Spa has begun the next phase of its expansion, which will include a new event center, theater and Mexican restaurant.

Cooking for a good cause at the Blackberry House

Blaine photographer David Riffle captured this photo of an aging boat resting outside the old cannery building on Semiahmoo Spit earlier this week. He said he’s taken this same photo dozens of times, and always comes up with something different.

The U.S. Border Patrol report for October 7 and 8, 2011

Police reports from the Blaine Police Department for October 11 - 19 , 2011

Whatcom in Bloom is a community beautification project. The annual awards ceremony was held last month. The competition begins in June each year, and runs through the summer.

Borderites fans can breathe a sigh of relief – the losing streak is over. Blaine dished out a 61-34 bruising on the Bellingham Red Raiders at Civic Field on Saturday, October 15, snapping a four-game winless streak and preserving their hopes for a postseason berth.

Girls soccer picks up their first win while volleyball loses two close games

I just received word from Blaine city manager Gary Tomsic that Blaine public works director Steve Banham will be leaving to take the public works director position with the city of Lynden.