http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog The Lighthouse Blog RSS Feed http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-16_ Whatcom County stormwater staff will present two summary reports of the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resource Management (BBWARM) district’s finances and accomplishments for 2011 at tonight’s district advisory committee meeting. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-16_ http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-14_filing_for_public_office_elections_begins_may_14 The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office wants to remind county residents that filing for public office starts today, May 14, and ends May 18. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-14_filing_for_public_office_elections_begins_may_14 http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-11_state_doe_gives_support_to_funding_for_birch_bay_shoreline_enhancements The State Department of Ecology (DOE) has given its blessing to shoreline improvements for Birch Bay, making Whatcom County eligible for $7 million in state funding for the project. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-11_state_doe_gives_support_to_funding_for_birch_bay_shoreline_enhancements http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-10_blaine_planning_commission_to_discuss_re_instating_park_impact_fees On the heels of a Blaine City Council decision re-instituting water and sewer connection fees, the city’s planning commission is starting discussions on re-establishing park impact fees for new residential development. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-10_blaine_planning_commission_to_discuss_re_instating_park_impact_fees http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-09_birch_bay_beaches_closed_to_all_recreational_shellfish_harvesting The Washington State Department of Health has announced all beaches north of Sandy Point, including Birch Bay, are closed to recreational shellfish harvesting. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-09_birch_bay_beaches_closed_to_all_recreational_shellfish_harvesting http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-08_state_doe_requests_u_s__army_corps_study_combined_impacts_of_coal_terminal_proposals The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to study the combined effects of several coal terminals proposed for the Washington and Oregon coasts. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-08_state_doe_requests_u_s__army_corps_study_combined_impacts_of_coal_terminal_proposals http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-07_birch_bay_gains_at_least_eight_voting_precincts A nearly 70 percent jump in population over the last 10 years has contributed to the addition of at least eight voting precincts in the Birch Bay area. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-07_birch_bay_gains_at_least_eight_voting_precincts http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-04_next_cbp_citizens__academy_already_full__future_classes_to_held_on_olympic_peninsula Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials are planning subsequent citizens’ academy after the one scheduled to start May 15 has already filled up. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-04_next_cbp_citizens__academy_already_full__future_classes_to_held_on_olympic_peninsula http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-03_county_council_to_hold_public_hearing_on_surplus_property_sales In the market for a 2003 Chevrolet Blazer with 116,000 miles on it? How about a BMW motorcycle or a 22-foot boat in need of expensive repairs? http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-03_county_council_to_hold_public_hearing_on_surplus_property_sales http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-02_b_c__anti_coal_group_to_block_coal_trains_may_5 An anti-coal group based in British Columbia is planning to peacefully block coal trains traveling past White Rock on May 5. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-05-02_b_c__anti_coal_group_to_block_coal_trains_may_5 http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-30_whatcom_democrats_chair_announces_run_for_42nd_district_rep__seat The current chair of the Whatcom Democrats has announced her candidacy for the state representative spot currently held by a Blaine resident. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-30_whatcom_democrats_chair_announces_run_for_42nd_district_rep__seat http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-27_all_three_42nd_district_lawmakers_to_hold_telephone_town_hall All of Blaine and Birch Bay's representatives in the state legislature will be holding a telephone town hall meeting this Monday. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-27_all_three_42nd_district_lawmakers_to_hold_telephone_town_hall http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-25_mystery_solved__antique_looking_trolley_on_its_way_to_new_owner_in_canada After a bit of Internet research and a few phone calls, the identity of the antique-looking trolley siting outside a gas station in Blaine has been revealed. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-25_mystery_solved__antique_looking_trolley_on_its_way_to_new_owner_in_canada http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-23_city_council_to_consider_re_establishing_water__sewer_connection_fees Due to slower-than-expected economic growth, city of Blaine officials are asking the city council to re-implement water and sewer connection fees for new development within city limits. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-23_city_council_to_consider_re_establishing_water__sewer_connection_fees http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-20_whatcom_county_council_to_vote_on_reorganized_voting_precincts Statewide redistricting has required the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office to reorganize the county’s voting precincts, and the Whatcom County Council is set to approve these changes at its April 24 meeting. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-20_whatcom_county_council_to_vote_on_reorganized_voting_precincts http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-18_county_executive_jack_louws_pledges_portable_restrooms_for_birch_bay_this_summer The Birch Bay community will once again be equipped with portable restrooms for the summer thanks to Whatcom County executive Jack Louws. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-18_county_executive_jack_louws_pledges_portable_restrooms_for_birch_bay_this_summer http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-16_whatcom_county_executive_to_speak_at_birch_bay_chamber_meeting Whatcom County executive Jack Louws will be the featured speaker at the next Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce meeting. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-16_whatcom_county_executive_to_speak_at_birch_bay_chamber_meeting http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-13_whatcom_parks_foundation_seeks_funds_for_birch_bay_state_park_playground A Whatcom County nonprofit is seeking donated funds to build a playground in Birch Bay State Park. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-13_whatcom_parks_foundation_seeks_funds_for_birch_bay_state_park_playground http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-10_rain_barrel_workshops_slated_for_this_spring The Birch Bay Water and Sewer District (BBWSD) is planning two workshops this spring aimed at teaching Blaine and Birch Bay residents the basics of rainwater collection. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-10_rain_barrel_workshops_slated_for_this_spring http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-05_cbp__kinder_surprise_eggs_will_be_seized_at_the_border Easter travelers trying to bring Kinder Surprise eggs into the U.S. have been warned: Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents will seize them. http://thenorthernlight.com/the-lighthouse-blog/article.exm/2012-04-05_cbp__kinder_surprise_eggs_will_be_seized_at_the_border