Ferndale Record December 13 2023

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Read all about it in Encore

Future Griswold Christmas lightshows

Ferndale girls beat Meridian

A guide to fulfilling senior life in Whatcom County.

In our country, 90% of people will celebrate the holidays this year.

Lady Golden Eagles travel to Mt. Baker on Dec. 16.

SPECIAL INSERT

FORUM, A4

SPORTS, B2

DECEMBER 13, 2023

SINCE 1885

FERNDALE, WASHINGTON • $1.50

Floodway properties to be bought, cleared County Council will use $9.4 million to make a wider ood ater path By Cal Bratt For the Record

WHATCOM — The process of removing

structures to create Nooksack River floodway may begin to happen in 2024. The Whatcom County Council on Nov. 21 and Dec. 5 agreed to acquire 12 properties that were substantially damaged in the November 2021 flooding and to dedicate those properties permanently to open space for floodwater to flow in the future. Four of the properties are along Main Street in Everson, three are along Hampton Road to Lynden, two are at Sumas, and three others are in the county near Ferndale, Marietta and Everson. The land

owners wanted to be bought out of their flood risk; there are others who have not wanted to be bought out. The $9.4 million project is covered largely by Federal Emergency Management Agency money to the county and will be carried out by the Washington State Military Department by May 2026. The sites will go through a process of lead-based paint and asbestos assessment. Once cleared, the properties within Everson will revert to city ownership. Along with action on four other proper-

ties earlier in 2023, the area along Main Street between Everson and Nooksack — obvious floodway when the Nooksack River overflows — is being cleared of structures that at one time may have been flood-secure but are so no longer. The record 2021 flooding showed the river’s new greater threat. Or else, some homes of value in Everson and Sumas are being given new foundations several feet higher by their owners. Addresses that are being bought out and See Whatcom on A5

Whatcom County Council will use $9.4 million to make a wider floodwater path. Pictured, houses on Main Street in Everson that were once habitable will be bought out and removed to make more Nooksack River floodway. (Cal Bratt for the Record)

Lighted Christmas Stroll continues in Ferndale

Ferndale seeks high school seniors to apply for scholarship FERNDALE — The City of Ferndale is now accepting applications for the Association of Washington Cities (AWC) Center for Quality Communities (CQC) scholarship. The scholarship is available through a statewide competitive process for high school seniors who are active in leadership in their city government, community or school and plan to pursue post-secondary education in fall 2024. The CQC is awarding three $3,000 scholarships in 2024. Scholarship recipients also receive a travel stipend to attend AWC’s Annual Conference in Vancouver, Washington, in June 2024. To be eligible as a first-time applicant, a student must be: • A Washington resident • Graduating from high school, completing homeschooling, or receiving a GED in spring/ summer 2024 • Planning to continue their education at an accredited college or trade school in the 20242025 academic year on a half-time or more basis; and • Active in leadership in their city government, community, or school, either now or in the past. Information and application materials can be found on the CQC website (https://wacities. org/cqc- home/scholarships). Completed applications are due to the City of Ferndale no later than Sunday, Jan. 28, 2024. Applications may be dropped off in person to Ferndale City Hall, 2095 Main St., or by email with the subject line “CQC Scholarship” to Communications and Community Relations Officer Megan Juenemann at meganjuenemann@ cityofferndale.org. The AWC Center for Quality Communities is a 501(c)(3) partner with the nonprofit Association of Washington Cities. The center’s goal is to help residents understand the important role cities and towns play in Washington and to grow leaders and healthy, resilient quality communities. The center promotes municipal leadership development and civic engagement and works to support students who demonstrate community leadership and commitment to their city. For more information, contact Juenemann at 360-685-2353 or meganjuenemann@cityofferndale.org.

From 5-8 p.m. Dec. 15-16, Ferndale Heritage Society will host the annual Lighted Christmas Stroll through Pioneer Village. Young guests are encouraged to prewrite letters to Santa and mail them in the Santa mailbox that will be located by the Barrett Post Office. Letter template is available on heritage website, www. ferndaleheritagesociety.com. Hot beverages will be provided onsite. Santa hasn’t committed to making an appearance, but you just never know where he might be hiding. This year, there will be a seek and find the snowmen scavenger hunt challenge. Admission is free. However, donations are gladly accepted. Pioneer Park is at 2004 Cherry St., Ferndale. (Bill Helm/Ferndale Record)

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28 pages • Volume LII • Number 42

Thursday 48°/36° Friday 48°/36° Saturday 48°/35° Sunday 48°/37°

Calendar • A3 Education • A2 Classifieds • B5 Forum • A4 Country Life • A10-12 Legal Notices • B4

Obituaries • A5 Puzzles • B6 Sports • B1

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