News in Brief

Blaine student teacher, friend break world record
After 75 long hours, Blaine student teacher Natalie Svenvold and Brandi Carbee, both of Bellingham, gingerly slipped off their teeter totter and into the Guinness Book of Records. The duo started the effort at the Puyallup Fair on Thursday, September 11 at 10 a.m., and finished at 1 p.m. on Sunday, September 14. The women needed to complete 24 hours of teeter tottering to hold the new Guinness Book of World Record, but extended the time to 75 hours. Natalie will graduate from Western Washington University (WWU) this winter with a degree in physical education, and plans to work as an elementary physical education teacher. Brandi graduated in 1994 from WWU and coaches sprints and hurdles for the WWU varsity track and field team.

Nunamaker, Berge head to general election
Unofficial primary results Tuesday evening declared incumbent Betty Nunamaker and Todd Berge as the top two vote-getters for the Blaine School Board and they will now head to the November 4 general election. Nunamaker had nearly 50 percent of the vote, and Berge followed with 26.8 percent. Chuck Green, a real estate agent and Blaine planning commission member received 24.8 percent of the vote. As of Tuesday evening, 1,315 people voted; however, the absentee ballots remain to be counted. Nunamaker, who had children and now grandchildren in the Blaine school system, has been involved for 24 years, and wishes to continue working with the school board. Berge, a BP Cherry Point supervisor, wants a parent on the school board, as there currently are none.

Visitors Information Center sets new hours
The Blaine Visitors Information Center will have new hours starting September 22 and running through December 31. The center will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In other VIC news, the city of Blaine has entered discussions with the Blaine Chamber of Commerce to take over the center. No definite plans have been released yet.

Increased county patrols over next two weeks
Law enforcement agencies across Whatcom County will be targeting safety belt and child car seat violators from Washington Traffic Safety Commission�s �Click It or Ticket� occupant protection program. The Whatcom County traffic safety team has organized three multi-jurisdictional emphasis patrols including Thursday, September 25 in the Bellingham/Sudden Valley area and Tuesday, September 30 on county roads. In Washington, the fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $101.

Additional school construction tours available
The Blaine school district is continuing to invite the public to attend a tour of the newly remodeled school facilities. The following tours have been scheduled: Thursday, October 2 at 10 a.m.; Wednesday, October 15 at 5:30 p.m.; and Tuesday, October 28 at 6 p.m. Those interested in the tours should call the education service center at 332-5881 to make a reservation. The group meets at 770 Mitchell Avenue .

Campbell trial moved up again, no date set
The trial of Mike Campbell, the former North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Services division chief charged with second degree child molestation and rape of a child in the second degree, was scheduled to begin Monday, September 14; however, the trial date has been moved up again, according to the county clerk�s office. No date has been set yet and no information was available as to why the date was moved.
Campbell was arrested in October of 2002 on the suspicion he raped a young girl while he served as the Point Roberts chief. The rape is alleged to have occurred in 1999, when the 13-year-old girl was visiting Campbell�s home in Point Roberts. The girl first told a counselor about the alleged rape. Campbell was booked into jail and released on his own recognizance.