News | The Northern Light

Two creative twists on popular fish from Semiahmoo chefs

Smoked trout salad with orange, fennel, asparagus, fingerling potatoes and tarragon vinaigrette By Devin Kellogg Smoked Trout in a fresh salad is one of my seasonal favorites. After fishing … more

By Devin Kellogg and Shawn Tolliver | 7/29/20 08:07 PM

Plan for school year sent to state, and other school district news

The Blaine school district board of directors adopted a resolution on the district’s plan for the 2020-21 school year during its July 27 board meeting that will be sent to the Washington Office … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/29/20 07:22 PM

Restricted dining, rent moratorium among new Covid-19 restrictions

Governor Jay Inslee introduced new changes to his Safe Start phased reopening plan during a June 23 press conference, including dining restrictions and a new rent moratorium, that will go into effect … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/27/20 03:10 PM

Low-barrier Covid-19 test site too expensive to continue

The Whatcom County Health Department and Whatcom Unified Command (WUC)will no longer offer free, low-barrier Covid-19 testing at Civic Field Stadium as the resources necessary were unsustainable to … more

By Ian Haupt | 7/24/20 07:50 PM

Ballots mailed for the August 4 primary election; Update voter registration online by July 27

Ballots for the August 4 primary election were mailed July 15, and voters should also have received a voters’ pamphlet by now, according to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office. Voters who … more

By Oliver Lazenby | 7/22/20 08:08 PM

Most, but not all are wearing masks, local businesses say

Many Blaine-area businesses say they’ve seen compliance with customers wearing face coverings in stores since governor Jay Inslee issued a series of statewide mandates in late June and early … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/22/20 08:02 PM

Unemployment decreased in Whatcom County in June

Washington’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased from 15.1 to 9.8 percent in June, according to preliminary data from the Washington State Employment Security Department (WSESD). … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/22/20 07:57 PM

Blaine police chief Tanksley bans neck restraints amid national policing debate

Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley has suspended the use of the vascular neck restraint by Blaine police officers until further review of the technique. The neck restraint, sometimes referred to … more

By Ian Haupt | 7/22/20 07:54 PM

Alicia Rule's campaign mailer under investigation

The Washington Office of the Secretary of State has asked the USPS, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Department of Homeland Security to investigate potential illegal activity after Alicia Rule, … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/22/20 07:51 PM

New map promoting boating features local access points

This spring, the Port of Bellingham released a promotional map to water access points along Whatcom County’s marine shoreline and freshwater lakes. The Whatcom Water Trail map aims to … more

7/22/20 07:46 PM

Have fun on the water but be safe for Paddle Safe Week

This week, July 19-25, the Washington State Parks Boating Program wants paddlers to have fun on the water while being safe. The Paddle Safe Week campaign focuses on safety on Washington’s … more

7/22/20 07:40 PM

Take-out dining area arranged at G Street plaza

The city of Blaine added chairs, tables and flowerpots at the G Street plaza in downtown Blaine and has more plans to make that plaza a space where people can enjoy food from local … more

By Oliver Lazenby | 7/22/20 07:33 PM

Majority using low-barrier Covid-19 test site lack a primary care doctor

Health department plans to release more information about low-barrier test site this week The majority of people tested at Whatcom County’s low-barrier Covid-19 pilot test site at Civic … more

By Oliver Lazenby | 7/22/20 07:28 PM

New York Times features Blaine in border story

The New York Times featured Blaine in a July 18 story about the border closure’s effects on the town, titled “This Border Town Was on the Rise. Then the Pandemic Hit.” The … more

7/22/20 06:20 PM

Beer, line dancing and other changes at Miniature World Family Fun Center

Miniature World Family Fun Center will be changing its name to Station 49, with the addition of a bar serving beer and other malt beverages. The family bar area, located behind the mini golf course, … more

7/22/20 06:14 PM

Live entertainment banned statewide starting July 20 in new Covid-19 restriction

New modifications that will increase the stringency of Washington state’s Safe Start plan went into effect today, July 20, as Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the state. Indoor and outdoor … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/20/20 06:07 PM

Summer camps and virtual activities offered to kids this summer

Though Whatcom County has recently entered phase two, summer during a pandemic is looking very different for kids this year. While many were looking forward to playing outside with friends, going on … more

By Kyra Planetz | 7/16/20 05:23 PM

Border closure extended until late August

According to Canadian news reports, non-essential travel between the U.S. and Canada is expected to remain blocked until at least August 21, as Covid-19 cases continue to rise in the U.S. Neither … more

7/16/20 04:41 PM

Blaine school district plans for hybrid schedule in the fall

The Blaine school district announced it will start the 2020-21 school year with a hybrid plan that splits students into two groups that switch between in-person and remote classes on a weekly … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/15/20 07:48 PM

County employees must take 32 hours unpaid time off, health department included

Whatcom County employees will be required to take unpaid time off within the next two months to reduce costs during the economic downturn caused by Covid-19. County council passed a resolution on … more

By Ian Haupt | 7/15/20 06:15 PM