Stories | The Northern Light

Whatcom County is voting early at more than double the rate in 2016

People across the state and country are voting earlier than usual in this election, and Whatcom County is no exception. On October 27, one week before Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, the … more

By Oliver Lazenby | 10/28/20 06:08 PM

Local options for a safe and festive Halloween

The Whatcom County Health Department recommends that residents avoid higher-risk Halloween activities like parties and door-to-door trick-or-treating to slow the spread of Covid-19. In a … more

By Ian Haupt | 10/28/20 06:03 PM

Inside the eradication of the Asian giant hornet nest east of Blaine

Philip Bovenkamp was the first to arrive. At 4 a.m. he pulled his lawn chair 100 feet behind the yellow caution tape on his neighbor’s east Blaine property. He drank black coffee in the … more

By Grace McCarthy | 10/28/20 05:45 PM

Covid-19 cases by school district area, October 27, 2020

As of October 26, Whatcom County had a total of 1,577 confirmed cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic and 50 deaths, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Fifty-three of … more

10/28/20 04:48 PM

Rules of the Road: Chains and all-wheel-drive vehicles

Q: The Washington State Patrol lists “alternative traction devices” that are approved for use when “chains required” signs are posted. However, the Washington Administrative … more

By Doug Dahl | 10/28/20 04:41 PM

Police Department Reports: October 29-November 4, 2020

October 17, 6:12 p.m.: Officers were called to the Blaine Skate Park for a fight. Officers determined the altercation was mutual. Case forwarded to the juvenile prosecutor. October 18, 10:24 p.m.: … more

10/28/20 04:39 PM

Letters to the Editor: October 29-November 4, 2020

The Editor: I would like to thank our local UPS driver and a lady motorist for helping me with a traumatic incident yesterday on H Street and Ronald Drive. I was walking my dog at the nearby … more

10/28/20 04:36 PM

Birch Bay berm budget increased, questions answered

Whatcom County Council added funds to the Birch Bay berm’s project budget on October 13. The budget increase will ensure that any construction, cultural and Covid-19 issues that may arise … more

By Ian Haupt | 10/28/20 04:35 PM

Crossword Puzzle Answers, October 29-November 4, 2020

10/28/20 03:46 PM

Program that helps with utility bills can’t keep up with need

On October 13, governor Jay Inslee extended his utility shutoff moratorium that was set to expire on October 15 until December 31. Though the moratorium will temporarily keep the water … more

By Ian Haupt | 10/28/20 03:40 PM

WSDA eradicates first U.S. Asian giant hornet nest

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10/26/20 03:19 PM

First U.S. Asian giant hornet nest found in east Blaine

The Washington State Department of Agriculture located the first Asian giant hornet nest in the U.S. on October 22, a state agency spokesperson confirmed to The Northern Light. The nest was … more

By Grace McCarthy | 10/23/20 12:26 AM

Election 2020: Show us the money

If money talks, then there’s a whole lot of yakking going on in the 42nd district. As of October 19, the four candidates running for state representative district 42 seats have reported … more

By Pat Grubb | 10/21/20 06:29 PM

City plans to keep employees, cut operating expenses for 2021 budget

The grass could be longer at city parks next year and emerging issues could take longer to fix. The city of Blaine is struggling through the process of drafting a 2021 general fund budget with a … more

By Oliver Lazenby | 10/21/20 06:18 PM

Public comment needed on harbor cleanup

The Department of Ecology is asking for public comment on a legal agreement surrounding petroleum cleanup in the Blaine Harbor. Public review on this agreement, which started October 12 and is open … more

By Grace McCarthy | 10/21/20 06:04 PM

County budget proposes big drop in spending

Whatcom County executive Satpal Sidhu released a proposed $451.6 million budget for 2021-2022 with a roughly 17 percent decrease in total expenditures from the county’s amended 2020 … more

By Oliver Lazenby | 10/21/20 05:59 PM

Cause of recent outages unknown, electrical system in need of update

Recent power outages in the eastern side of Blaine, surrounding Lincoln Park and the truck route, have left residents with questions and concerns about the city’s electrical system. While the … more

By Ian Haupt | 10/21/20 05:57 PM

Inmates caught after fleeing work crew

Two minimum-security inmates escaped a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office work crew in north Bellingham around 12 p.m. on October 19. One man was found early the morning of October 21 and the … more

By Grace McCarthy | 10/21/20 05:52 PM

Washington Supreme Court rules car tab initiative unconstitutional

The Washington State Supreme Court ruled on October 15 that Initiative 976, which would have reduced car-tab taxes to a maximum $30, was unconstitutional due to too many subjects and misleading … more

By Grace McCarthy | 10/21/20 05:44 PM

Donations needed for Thanksgiving baskets

The Community Assistance Program is preparing its annual Thanksgiving dinner baskets for local families experiencing financial instability. The program will gift 230 baskets to families and $50 … more

By Grace McCarthy | 10/21/20 05:43 PM