Neighbors question environmental impacts of proposed campground
The Point Roberts Community Advisory Committee (PRCAC) met April 16 at the community center, covering drainage funding options, governance changes, transportation funding, and a proposed campground that drew significant public comment.
Drainage funding options
Whatcom County Public Works expanded on earlier discussions about funding solutions for Point Roberts drainage issues, outlining three possibilities: a Flood Control Zone District, a focused stormwater utility, and a countywide utility.
Each option came with trade-offs related to cost, local control and longterm sustainability, and both committee members and residents asked questions during the presentation. County Councilmember atlarge Jon Scanlon also provided a broader county update, including progress on the comprehensive plan, jail and behavioral health projects, and a potential countywide ferry district to address a funding shortfall for the aging Lummi Island ferry.
Term limits change
The PRCAC approved a motion to shift at-large member terms from two years to four years.
Voter’s association representative Allison Calder said, “Everything I was seeing was four years” when comparing other advisory committees, and supported allowing “two consecutive terms” followed by a two-year break.
At-large member Rhys-Thorvald Hansen backed the change, noting shorter terms can limit effectiveness.
“They can take, like, a year or two to really learn what is going on … and then you would only have a year or two before you are out,” Hansen said.
(See Campground, page 14)
Training drills for local firefighters
At the fire district’s regular monthly April meeting, Fire Chief Christopher Carleton’s report highlighted a potentially transformative federal grant as well as a stricter stance on illegal burning in the community, and commissioner Norman Katz announced his resignation.
Building grant application moves to next phase
The department has advanced to the next stage of a USDA grant application
worth more than $1.4 million, which would help pay for a major renovation of the fire station.
“If we are lucky to receive it … we’ll receive a little over $1.4 million for the remodel,” Carleton said.
The total project is expected to exceed $2 million.
The rest of the funding would come out of the district’s capital reserve, which now sits around $1.6 million.
The chief is working with King Architecture from Bellingham. They’ve
(See Firefighters, page 10)
Photo by Erin Kelly
Business owners are invited to take survey on Canadian customer decline
Border Policy Research Institute and the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce are inviting Whatcom County business owners to take a survey on how fewer cross-border customers have affected their businesses over the past year.
The survey is focused on owners’ perceptions and experiences surrounding Canadian tourism and shopping, with researchers having a particular interest in businesses that largely serve Canadians.
The questionnaire is expected to take five minutes and asks about changes businesses have made to accommodate fewer cross-border travelers and whether they expect fewer Canadians to affect business survival, among other queries.
The survey opened March 12. Jennifer Bettis, a researcher and pro-
gram manager at the institute, said the survey will remain open until at least mid-May, depending on the number of responses received.
The research institute at Western Washington University studies cross-border topics in the Cascadia region to inform policy-makers. It has released several surveys to Blaine and Whatcom County residents since the pandemic.
The survey comes after a year of fewer Canadians traveling to the U.S., driven partly by opposition to the Trump administration and its tariffs. Vehicles with B.C. license plates traveling into Whatcom County were down 32% in January and 17% in February compared to the same months in 2025, according to the latest data from the Washington Council of Governments.
To participate in the survey, visit bpri.wwu.edu/surveys-focus-groups.
All Point Bulletin
The All Point Bulletin is published weekly by Daffodil Press, LLC.
About Daffodil Press
Daffodil Press is a locally owned, community-centered publishing company dedicated to strong local journalism and vibrant regional storytelling.
We proudly publish:
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• Waterside (summer recreation guide for coastal Northwest Washington)
Daffodil Press LLC is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association and active in chambers of commerce throughout Whatcom County and coastal Northwest Washington.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or publisher.
Letters to the Editor
We welcome thoughtful letters from our readers. Letters should address local issues of broad community interest and help foster informed civic dialogue.
Please include your name, address, email and daytime phone number for verification. Letters are limited to 150 words. We may edit for clarity, length, legality and standards of civility. We do not publish falsehoods or hate speech.
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Contributors
Seal pup season safety
Rebecca Goodwin, Kris Lomedico and Bev Mar B
Seal pup season has returned along
with the spring weather. Leashing dogs on the beach, keeping 100 feet of distance from seals and
knowing who to call when wildlife appears injured are all ways to keep local wildlife safe.
Whatcom County Fire District No. 5, PAWS response team and the Whatcom County Marine Mammal Stranding Network will coordinate response to help injured animals or abandoned seal pups.
Seal mothers may return even if a baby appears abandoned, so be sure to stay 100 feet away, protect the pup from dogs, and wait for volunteers to arrive and determine if it requires care and treatment.
If you find a seal pup, call the following organizations:
Fire department: 360-676-6711 and ask for Chief Christopher Carleton to report the animal.
PAWS response team coordinators: Julianna at 907-491-0878 or Mary at 360-945-0688.
Whatcom County Marine Mammal Stranding Network: 360-966-8845. For more information visit pointrobertspaws.org.
Fly free to medical appointments
Angel Flight West coordinates volunteer pilots to fly people to medical appointments at no cost to the passengers. Point Roberts residents face a long drive and two border crossings simply to make it to medical appointments in Bellingham, as well as an additional lengthy drive to make it to specialist appointments in Seattle or beyond.
Angel Flight West is a service that can make the journey much more manage-
Library Picks
KRIS LOMEDICO
Bestsellers:
Bumblebee Season Eileen Garvin
Mad Mabel Sally Hepworth
Hope Rises David Baldacci
The Crossroads C. J. Box
Movies:
The Housemaid Sidney Sweeney
Nuremberg Russell Crowe
Hamnet Jesse Buckley
The Senior Michael Chiklis
Music:
One Mississippi Eric Bubb
The Way I Am Luke Combs
Luck … Or Something Hilary Duff
A Pound of Feathers Black Crowes
Teen:
The Faraway Inn Sarah Beth Durst
The Escape Game Marissa Meyer
Devious Prey Scott Reintgen
Kids:
Star Stories Kate DiCamillo
Ape Escape Stuart Gibbs
Dear Fish Cris Gall
Hours:
1 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesdays and Saturdays
Express Library: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily wcls.org
able for residents with financial need or those who can’t access or use public transportation.
Flights are coordinated to the time of your medical appointment.
“Earth Angels” can be coordinated to help with ground transportation to and from airfields as well. Small, private planes are typical of Angel Flight trips and small aircrafts allow passengers to be collected from rural and remote locations, like Point Roberts.
Participants “must have a financial need or a compelling reason why you can’t use public transportation,” according to angelflightwest.org.
The organization also provides transportation for “individuals and families escaping domestic violence, disaster relief, therapeutic programs for veterans, and children’s specialty camps.” Volunteer pilot and driver applications, flight requests and more information can be found on angelflightwest.org.
Sheriff’s Report
April 3, 2:50 p.m.: Assist a person cold call on Boundary Bay Road.
April 3, 3:40 p.m.: Welfare check Uscandia Lane.
April 4, 2:49 p.m.: Mental health flag Uscandia Lane.
April 10, 5:02 p.m.: Serve papers on Edwards Drive.
April 10, 6:48 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances cold call on Tyee Drive.
April 11, 11:09 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Gulf Road.
April 9, 3:08 p.m.: Serve papers on Edwards Drive.
Harbor seals in the San Juan Islands.
Photo by Nancy K. Crowell / La Conner Community News
Photo by Pat Grubb
Neighbors helping neighbors: How CERT helps build a safer Point Roberts
In the wake of a major storm or unexpected emergency, the first few minutes are often the most critical.
When a disaster such as an earthquake or major storm strikes, emergency responders are generally focused on the most critical emergencies.
Therefore, it’s important for residents to have the ability to help themselves, their families and the community around them leading up to and following a disaster.
This is particularly true for Point Roberts, because geography makes our community easily isolated from help. Responders from elsewhere would face major logistical challenges — including two border crossings — just getting to Point Roberts and could be overwhelmed by demands of a larger more proximate population elsewhere in Whatcom County.
Outside assistance might come from Delta, B.C., but they, too, would likely be responding first to their own population’s needs before helping Point Roberts.
This is where the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) steps in, proving that sometimes the best person to help you is the person living
right next door.
CERT members are prepared to safely and efficiently assist others in the community when professional responders need additional support or are not immediately available to help.
Starting on May 30, Point Roberts residents will have a chance to complete CERT basic training and obtain essential, practical skills that can be easily learned and may well be life-saving.
Through a combination of classroom and hands-on instruction, participants will learn about disaster preparedness and basic response related to fire safety, disaster medical operations and light search and rescue.
The course culminates in a drill, putting what participants have learned into practice.
Those finishing the course, offered over four Saturdays, will join 18 fellow Point Roberts residents who successfully finished the training in 2024.
A legacy of readiness
The CERT concept was pioneered by the Los Angeles Fire Department after they recognized that residents are often the true “first” responders on the scene.
In February 1985, a delegation of Los Angeles city officials and fire department leaders traveled to Japan to study that country’s earthquake preparedness.
The team observed that Japan had a highly organized system of neighbor-
hood-level response. Because Japan is a homogenous society with a long history of seismic activity, they had already trained entire communities in specific, single-function disaster tasks.
These Japanese neighborhood teams were specialized in one area: either fire suppression, light search and rescue, first aid, or evacuation. During their visit, the Kyoto Earthquake struck, allowing the LA officials to see these community participants in action, proving that civilians could play a disciplined role in post-disaster support.
Later that same year, in September 1985, a magnitude 8.1 earthquake devastated Mexico City. LA fire department officials traveled there as well and observed a starkly different scene.
While Japanese citizens were pretrained, Mexico City had no formal civilian training. Thousands of spontaneous volunteers stepped up to help, but they lacked coordination and safety training. While volunteers saved over 800 people, more than 100 untrained volunteers died during rescue operations because they didn’t know how to safely navigate collapsed buildings.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) formalized the program nationally in 1993. Over 600,000 individuals have received CERT training with over 3,200 teams across all 50 states and various tribal nations and U.S. territories.
The core philosophy is simple: “Doing the greatest good for the greatest number.”
By training ordinary residents in basic disaster response skills, the program ensures that when professional help is delayed, the community isn’t helpless.
What does a CERT volunteer do?
With the proper training, CERT volunteers are better prepared to deal with events that might otherwise seem overwhelming. By being more capable of sizing up a situation and properly advising emergency responders, volunteers can help to ensure that emergency resources are allocated most efficiently.
CERT volunteers are: primed to recognize the potential hazards associated with a particular type of event and take appropriate action, prepared to get to safety and/or help others to do so in a more organized fashion. capable of assuming a leadership role with those who are not trained to deal with the event. knowledgeable about basic first aid and triage techniques. familiar with systems to identi-
fy, organize and utilize available resources.
• ready to perform needs assessment, document and communicate to local authorities. able to assist others with the emotional distress associated with major emergencies and disaster conditions.
CERT training isn’t about turning civilians into professional firefighters or paramedics. Instead, it’s about providing awareness-level training so residents can stabilize a situation without putting themselves in harm’s way.
• Training covers a variety of essential skills: Disaster preparedness: How to prepare your home and family before a crisis hits.
• Fire safety: Learning to use a fire extinguisher and basic fire suppression techniques.
• Medical operations: Treating the “three killers” — opening airways, controlling bleeding, and treating for shock Light search and rescue: How to safely search a building and move victims.
Disaster psychology: Managing the emotional toll of a crisis for both rescuers and victims.
Working as a team
The Point Roberts CERT program operates under Whatcom County Fire District 5 (WCFD5) in collaboration with the Emergency Management Division of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office. Beyond individual skills, CERT members learn how to organize themselves into teams. In a disaster or emergency, these teams provide critical intelligence to professional responders, helping them prioritize where resources are needed most.
In 2025, in addition to assisting WCFD5 in responding to a tsunami warning on July 30 and missing person incidents in July and November, CERT volunteers undertook additional training and worked alongside personnel from the Whatcom County Sheriff’s office at public events like the “Strings & Things” music festival to help ensure a safe and enjoyable event for all.
How to get involved in Point Roberts
Point Roberts CERT training is open to anyone age 18 and older (teens 1517 can participate with a guardian). Thanks to WCF5, the upcoming course will be offered free to any Point Roberts taxpayer and their family members.
As we’ve seen through countless situations, Point Roberts residents have a long history of looking out for one another. CERT simply provides the tools and the training to make that help more effective.
The upcoming CERT training will take place on Saturdays from May 30 to June 20 at the firehall on Benson Road. Lunch and snacks will be provided for participants.
For more information on upcoming training and to register, contact Fire Chief Christopher Carleton, Whatcom County Fire District 5, chief@wcfd5.com, 360945-3473.
The 18 Point Roberts participants who completed CERT training in 2024. Courtesy photo
Point resident raises concern over tree cutting and land clearing in Baker Field
Concerns about tree cutting and environmental impacts tied to a disc golf course that is being built at Baker Field Park exposed apparent gaps in oversight and communication within the Point Roberts Park and Recreation District during its April regular monthly meeting.
With the help of volunteers, the district has been building a disc golf course called “Blackberry Hill” since last fall.
Minutes from the district’s June 9 meeting indicated the course “would start at the corner of the field leading into the trails and the rest of the eight holes would be in the treed and open area around the water tower.”
In the image of the proposed disc golf trail from that meeting, the course was supposed to be in the wide open blackberry field near the cell tower and water tower, just barely going into the woods near a hiking trail, colored yellow in the image, located to the south of the blackberry field.
During public comment at the April meeting, community member Etienne Zack urged the district to establish an Environmental Advisory Committee to help guide decisions affecting natural areas. He was concerned about the development of disc golf in the woods near the yellow trail in the park.
“We need people that are educated in the environment … to have some kind of say into decisions that are made when it comes to the natural environment in Point Roberts,” Zack said, pointing specifically to the community’s “40-acre forest.”
Zack described what he called ongoing damage caused by the installation of the new course.
“First it was the wetlands. Now it’s the forest being hacked away … I think what’s been damaged in the forest should get replaced.”
The wetlands Zack is referring to were discussed in the Jan. 6 regular monthly meeting, where a community member brought to the attention of the commissioners that the blackberries removed in preparation for the course had been placed on a vernal pond.
Commissioners and staff appeared unsure of the exact area Zack was describing, noting inconsistencies between trail maps and current conditions. The discussion centered on the confusion in the location of the course rather than Etienne’s suggested environmental committee, and no motion was made for an environmental committee or discussion to add it to the agenda for next month.
“Apparently the yellow trail doesn’t go where the map goes anymore,” Parks Administrator Dee Gough acknowledged.
Despite that uncertainty, some commissioners said no trees were being removed.
“I think that there is some misunderstanding of forest being hacked away. And no forest has been hacked away,” Commissioner Jen Kurtz said. “The blackberries are not considered part of the forest.”
Commissioner Allison Calder echoed that position: “When you use the word ‘hacked away’ … it suggests the removal of trees. We’re not going
in and removing any trees.”
Zack repeated several times that his concerns were not about blackberry removal and pointed instead to changes deeper in the forest near the yellow trail.
“Right now there are four platforms that have been made there,” he said.
In disc golf, discs are thrown from platforms that are flat, cleared pieces of land that are used as a starting point for a hole. They typically measure 5-6 feet wide by 10-12 feet long.
Board members and staff also said the disc golf course would not run through the forested section Zack described, with Gough saying it “wasn’t going to be on the yellow trail” and Calder adding it might only “touch one little edge piece.”
However, the discussion also revealed uncertainty about the exact location of both the trail and the course itself, with commissioners acknowledging that on-the-ground conditions may not match official maps.
Zack raised concerns about longterm impacts to what he described as an older forest.
“It seems to me that if there’s a forest there that’s 120 years old … it should not have a disc golf running through it, where people will trample absolutely everything through it,” he said.
“It’s next to it, not through it,” Calder responded.
Calder emphasized that disc golf is widely used in forested parks.
“There are multiple disc golf courses in county parks and state parks all over Washington state … It has the least environmental impact,” she said.
Following the meeting, Zack submitted an email to commissioners with photographs and video he said document recently cut trees, newly created trails and partially constructed platforms in the forested area of the yellow trail.
He wrote that he had “documented a number of trees that have been cut in the northern section of the yellow trail,” and described platforms where “plants have been buried, pulled out or uprooted,” leaving parts of the forest floor “completely stripped of vegetation.”
During the meeting’s administrative report, the district announced kayaks will be available for community use at Maple Beach over Victoria Day weekend, with sea kayaks moving to Lighthouse Park for Memorial Day. Restrooms at Baker Field have also reopened for the season.
Roberts | 360-945-0420 maureen@pointrobertscounseling.com www.pointrobertscounseling.com
Map of the park board approved course posted on social media
Map of the current location of the course
Point Roberts youth lose football access over new health insurance rule
•
•
A recent rule change by the Vancouver Mainland Football League (VMFL) is preventing four Point Roberts children from playing football in Delta, raising questions from families about how the decision was made.
For years, Point Roberts players have participated in the league through teams like the South Delta Rams, often crossing the border daily for school and activities. Parents said that changed after a February vote by league members removed a provision that had allowed non-Canadian resident players to participate with proof of insurance.
Families said they were not formally notified of the change and only learned of it weeks after registering, shortly before the season began.
Ashley Strub, a Point Roberts parent, said her son Emmett, 12, a sixth grader who played flag football with the Rams last season, had already signed up for the spring season when she learned he would not be allowed to participate.
“We registered back in January and thought everything was going to be fine,” she said. “Then in the beginning of March, a few weeks before practice, we found out.”
The spring flag football season is already underway without the affected players, and families say the rule is now being enforced.
Strub said the explanation given was that players must have provincial health coverage, known as MSP, to participate. She said that differs from previous rules, which allowed non-Canadian players to participate by providing proof of alternative insurance, and that available coverage options
may not have been fully considered.
She added that families have also signed liability waivers indemnifying the league and its member clubs, providing an additional layer of protection.
“This is just flag football and these are just children who want to play a game,” Strub said.
Strub said her son is a dual Canadian-American citizen who attends school in Delta and also participates in other sports and activities in British Columbia.
“The rest of his life happens in Canada,” she said.
She said the impact has been difficult for him.
“I would love for my child to be able to play. He loves football,” she said. “I think that five or six of his very close friends are also playing, and he was looking forward to playing with them and going to practices with them. He’s just feeling super left out right now, and he doesn’t really understand why.”
When asked how he felt, Emmett said, “I feel sad. I’m going to miss learning how to play football.”
The VMFL is a member-run league in which clubs across the Lower Mainland vote on rule changes. The decision to remove the non-Canadian player provision was made collectively by those member associations.
It remains unclear what specific information about insurance coverage was presented to member clubs before the vote.
Requests for comment were sent to league President Jason Gilley, BC Football Executive Director Keith Ryan and representatives of the South Delta Rams. No responses were received by publication.
Horseback riders were spotted galloping down the beach on April 22.
Photo by Simon Burnett
Tyee Drive cleanup
Members of the community gathered to help beautify Tyee Drive on April 11.
Dahlia workshop
Clover Blossom Farm taught a dahlia workshop the weekend of April 11 and 12. The farm sells tubers, cut flower arrangements, and has a pre-paid flower share CSA (community-supported agriculture) over the summer. Contact the farm at cloverbfarm@gmail.com or through Instagram @cloverblossomfarm.
Gardens of the month
Photos by Erin Kelly
Photos by Erin Kelly
Photos by Rhiannon Allen/courtesy of the PR Garden Club
Easter fun on the Point
The annual Baker Field Easter Egg Hunt on April 5 was well-attended by children of all ages.
(Firefighters, continued from page 1)
Fire district moves closer to $1.4 million grant for station remodel
drawn up the station model.
The renovation would add two apparatus bays, expanded living quarters, new showers, and a full sprinkler system — improving firefighter safety and service to the public.
The upgrade would also allow the department to house modern fire apparatus, which struggle to fit through existing 10-foot garage doors.
Preliminary station designs may be shared with the public in the coming months.
“Fingers crossed, hoping that we can acquire these funds to improve not only the services to the internal customers, aka my members (employees and volunteers), but also to the public, by having a better fire station, a safer fire station as well,” Carleton said.
The department responded to 34 calls in March, including 11 EMS incidents, eight fire-related calls, and multiple public service responses. The station has 37 members, including 24 dual Canadian citizens, 11 Point Roberts residents, and two who travel up
from other parts of Whatcom County.
Point Roberts averages two structure fires a year, according to the fire district website.
Know the rules before you burn
Looking ahead to the burning season, the chief issued a strong warning about illegal fires.
“There’s no patience for that for my agency anymore,” he said.
Residents caught burning prohibited materials will be referred directly to state regulators, with fines ranging from $750 to over $5,000.
“That’s poisoning our air … and our community,” Carleton added.
All outdoor fires in Point Roberts require a yearly burn permit. Permits can be obtained at the Fire Hall, 2030 Benson Road, or by calling 360-945-3473 to arrange a time to issue the permit.
Fire safety rules include: burn only natural vegetation, keep piles small, clear surrounding debris, and avoid burning in windy conditions. Always
Question of the month
What is your favorite kind of flower?
have water and tools on hand and never leave a fire unattended.
Empty commissioner seat
Norman Katz has announced his resignation from the board of commissioners after four years of service, citing a planned move. The fire district board will appoint a replacement to fill the vacancy, with the appointee serving until the next general fire district election.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old and registered voters who have lived in the district for at least 30 days. They can’t have disqualifying felony convictions or conflicts of interest with the district.
The board has up to 90 days to make the appointment. Application materials, including letters of interest, are subject to public disclosure.
For more information and to contact the district visit wcfd5.com or attend the next district meeting at 4 p.m. May 13 via Zoom or in person at the fire hall.
"I like daffodils because I love seeing them lining Tyee Drive. It is my favorite sign of spring."
Dean Gregory
"The color of sea holly makes it my favorite because blue is such a unique color to find in nature."
Edward LeBlanc
"I love the scent of roses and how durable they are. I especially like the Gertrude Jekyll."
Jeri Mortimore
Photos by Erin Kelly
Church News
Would you ponder: respecting and respectful. What do they mean? How do we act respectfully? By always agreeing? Who or what are we being respectful of?
We are human, we see different sides, different shades, and having a conversation around differences can help us see the parts or issues not immediately apparent. How do we learn to talk, to converse about the differences? And still be respectful? And integrate them into a whole? Or even into messy compromises along the way to a wholeness.
Those are questions. I don’t have the answers, but maybe I have a few insights. I’d have to listen to you and to others to answer those questions. I’m asking because we are polarized these days, some one way, some another — a phase many of us (humanity) are in.
With the tremendous and beautiful success of the return of Artemis II from a 10-day trip around the moon on April 10, with a crew of four in a very small capsule, we know they had to do some work on how to live together and get the work done that sent them as pioneers up to moon orbit.
They worked with thousands who supported their mission, at NASA, the Canadian Space Agency and around the world. It represented years of hard work. Christina Koch, one of the four astronauts, observed they became a crew, more than a team, a group working together all the time, “stroking together” every minute, willing to sacrifice silently for each other, dutifully linked. She spoke of looking at planet Earth as “a lifeboat hanging undisturbingly in the universe — Earth and all the blackness around.” And it dawned on her, “Planet Earth, you are a crew.” We are a crew. We are here to share
and to work together and when we do, the result is something extraordinary and the vision of what we, humanity, can achieve together grows, evolves. Those of us who believe we can achieve great things together, we will need to find some ways to shift, no longer content to live at a pole — or choose the habitual paths of destruction and dominance as solutions.
If we are going to get beyond tears and fears, well, we need to laugh together, agree on some things, but we have to find them first. We have to talk, communicate respectfully. Like the crew of Artemis II, we will not always be on the joy train, but we too can commit to working as crew, as teams that aim to get back on the joy train, which Canadian crew member Jeremy spoke of — and use both our love and our darkness to find the solutions that will work toward a greater vision.
Let’s agree on small things. And find a few more we can smile and laugh about. Begin again the conversations we tossed out a while ago. Peace on Earth — we’d like that but that’s still a way off.
This month, let’s get back to making connections in small ways.
Listen to your heart, to the trees, to the eagles overhead, to the birds as they return. Make room for joy, for love, for a spiritual resonance with the divine. And try a few bridging comments with old friends and strangers. Come join us at Trinity. We have ministers of different spiritual teachings and learn from different perspectives finding Christ consciousness and resonance. We meet at 11 a.m. Sundays, excepting Vespers: in May, Vespers is May 31 at 4 p.m. Trinity’s full service schedule is in this All Point Bulletin on page 3.
Senior’s Point
Menus for May
May 1: Shrimp Louie, artisan roll and dessert
May 6: Shepherd’s pie, garden salad and dessert
May 8: Salmon with lemon caper, quinoa, spinach and dessert
May 12: Roast pork loin, mashed sweet potatoes, mixed vegetables and dessert
May 14: Tortellini alla panna with cream and diced ham, Caesar salad and dessert
May 20: Southwest chicken sand-
wich, french fries, coleslaw and dessert
May 22: Grilled bratwurst, baked beans, spinach salad and dessert
May 27: Tomato soup, cheese sandwich, chips and dessert
May 29: Baked cod, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables and dessert
Lunch is served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (or until food runs out) on Wednesdays and Fridays in the community center’s dining room. Contact prseniors@whidbey.com or call 360945-5424 for more information.
Point by the Numbers
Point Roberts clinic numbers for March 2026 (2025 numbers follow)
Import export experts - we will help you navigate both Canada Customs and US Customs Services mechanical, electrical, sailboat experts Delivery services Monthly monitoring
Fire incidents for March 2026
Total calls 34: EMS calls 11, resulting in the following transports: Airlift Northwest/LifeFlight 3, St. Joseph Hospital 2, North Whatcom Fire and Rescue 1; fire classification 8 resulting in outdoor burns — permit 2, outdoor burns — illegal 1, false alarm 2, power lines down 1, gas leak 1, carbon monoxide 1; EMS CARES/MIHC 7; public service 8.
May Tides
Historical
photo of the month
4:32 am 6.9 7:52 am 7.6 3:43 pm -1.7 11:41 pm 10.1 Fr 22 5:52 am 6.1 9:06 am 6.7 4:37 pm -0.5 Sa 23 12:27 am 9.8 7:08 am 5.0 10:48 am 5.8 5:31 pm 0.9
Children walk around a Maypole to celebrate May Day and spring in a photo the Point Roberts Historical Society believes was taken in the early 1900s. More than likely the photo was taken at the school or the church. The photographer is unknown. Courtesy of the Point Roberts Historical Society/Point Roberts History Center
Trivia from the Point Roberts History Center
Time to test your Point Roberts history. These three trivia questions are in order from easy to difficult. Find the answers on the bottom of page 8.
1. What does APA stand for?
2. What is the name given to the women's bunk house at the APA Cannery at Lily Point?
3. Who in Point Roberts founded the International Belt Sander Drag Race Association?
Taking flight
A juvenile eagle takes flight at Lily Point.
Photos by Pat Grubb
Coming up ...
Donations accepted for Point Roberts Primary School Garage Sale: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 2, 3, 9 and 10, Point Roberts Primary School. Donations accepted for the Point Roberts Primary School garage and bake sale. No large furniture, large electronics, mattresses, or clothing and shoes.
PR Hospital District: 7 p.m., May 6, via Zoom. Info: bit.ly/3Kw9Ypt.
Point Roberts Pickleball Committee: 7 p.m., May 4, Zoom. Contact melanieosmack@gmail.com for link.
PR Amateur Radio Club: 7 p.m., May 4, at the community center.
PR Beekeepers Association: 7 p.m., May 4, community center.
PR Park and Recreation: 7 p.m., May 5, via Zoom. Info: prparkandrec.org. Link: bit.ly/3UCOvAU.
Point Roberts Puppet Show: “Hansel and Gretel”: 3 to 4 p.m., May 13, library. Grades K-5. Teen Corps volunteers needed. Info: wcls.org.
Eagle SkyeNet Meeting: 6 p.m., May 11, June 8, July 13, community center. Info: eagleskyenet.com.
Friends of the Point Roberts Library: 3 p.m., May 12, library. Public welcome. Info: foprl1@gmail.com
PR Water District: 5 p.m., May 12 at 2002 Benson Road. Info: pointrobertswater.com.
Fire District No. 5: 4 p.m., May 13, fire hall and via Zoom. Link: bit. ly/45YUv9U. Info: WCFD5.com.
Point Roberts Primary School Garage & Bake Sale: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 16 and 17, Point Roberts Primary School.
Garden Sale: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 16, 142 Burns Way. Sponsored by the PR Garden Club.
Historical Society: 7 p.m., May 20, Point Roberts History Center.
PR Community Advisory Committee: 7 p.m., May 21, community center and via Zoom. Zoom Link: bit.ly/3S8GCB3. Info: PRCAC.comment@gmail.com.
Juniors Pickleball Clinic: 9 to 11 a.m., May 23, community center courts. Ages 8 to 15. Learn the basics of pickleball. Bring a pickleball paddle/water. Info: 503-869-7310.
Friday Market and Flea: 1 to 4 p.m., May 23, International Marketplace.
Cemetery District No. 8: 5 p.m., May 25, community center. Public welcome.
PR Garden Club: 6:45 p.m., May 26, members garden visits. Info: info@ pointrobertsgardenclub.org.
PR Book Club: 6 p.m., May 27, library. For this month’s title, call 360-945-6545.
CERT Training: Saturdays from May 30 to June 20, firehall, 2030 Benson
Road. Info: chief@wcfd5.com.
Ongoing
Events and Hours
After School Soccer: 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., through June 11, Baker Field. Drop in. Age groups: 4 to 7, 8 to 12 and 13 to 16. All skill levels welcome. Info: pointrobertsprimarypto@gmail.com.
Roadside Stands: Ollie Otter and Slow Botanicals: May 9, 10, 16, 17, 24 and 25, July 3, 4 and 5, Saturdays and Sundays in August, and September 5 and 6. Slow Botanicals only: Saturdays and Sundays in June and July. Slow Botanicals on Culp Court, Ollie Otter Bakery Box on Sunrise Drive.
Point Roberts Dollars for Scholars: Open Enrollment: Until Friday, May 15. Students must complete an online profile at pointroberts.dollarsforscholars.org.
Craft and Game Night: 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesdays, library.
The Raven: Tuesdays and Thursdays, rides to Bellingham/surrounding area. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Fridays, offering flexible stops on the Point. Info: prtheraven. com. Book your ride: bit.ly/45PVJFP, call 360-788-9473 or prtheraven@gmail.com.
Point Roberts Walkers: 8 a.m., Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Saturdays are at Lily Point. Tuesdays and Thursdays vary, and locations can be found at prwalkers.wordpress.com.
Point Roberts Storytime: 10:30 to 11 a.m., Wednesdays, library. Ages 2-6. Seniors and More Lunches: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Wednesdays and Fridays, community center. All ages welcome. Info: prseniors@whidbey.com or 360-945-5424.
Ukulele Group: 6 p.m., Wednesdays, community center. All skill levels welcome.
PR Food Bank: 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., Fridays, community center. Info: prfoodbank.org.
The Commons: noon to 2:30 p.m., Saturdays, back room at the community center.
History Center: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturdays, community center.
Point Roberts Eagles Club: 3 to 4:30 p.m., Sundays, community center. Parent attendance mandatory. Age 5 to 11. Info: pointrobertseaglesclub@ gmail.com.
PR Library Hours: 1 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Library express hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Point Roberts Clinic Hours: Primary care provider schedule: Dr. Lary: Mondays and Thursdays, 9 to 4 p.m.; Dr. Sean: Tuesdays, 9 to 4 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday hours vary with nurse availability. Appointment needed. Urgent care can be accessed through telemedicine or in person at the Bellingham clinic, 1050 Lakeway Drive, 360-746-6531, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. Please call for an appointment before coming in, even for urgent care services. Info: 360-945-2580 or admin@supertrackurgentcare.com.
Self Storage
Obituary: Luther Olson
Department of
The Washington State Department of Health issued a countywide closure for recreational harvest of molluscan shell-
Luther Olson came into the world September 2, 2000 and spent the next twenty-five years sharing his special brand of kindness, enthusiasm and humor with us. He died on March 18, 2026, before his life really unfolded its strong wings.
He grew up mostly in Point Roberts, Washington, where the forest meets the ocean and the border runs through the middle of everything. The trees and the tides shaped him early, and that love of wild places never left him. The border did too, and he didn’t like artificial lines that separated people from each other and from their potential.
Through his father’s maritime career he traveled frequently with his
family, always looking for a way to get in the water and a way to make new friends. He loved spending time in Saskatchewan and in San Francisco with his extended family. He was passionate about sports, whether playing soccer or rooting for the Mariners.
As an adult Luther made his home in Bellingham. He liked being his own boss and was a talented entrepreneur with a passion for local producers and creators. He valued what’s particular and handmade in a world that keeps tilting toward the generic. With a huge heart he was devoted to the people, and dogs, he loved. He led with compassion and generosity.
Luther developed epilepsy as he entered adulthood. He died on March
18th following a seizure, with his beloved dog Kova at his side. He would have wanted her remembered exactly as she was: loyal and loving. He is survived by his mother Meg and his father Brad, his sister Liz and Breonna, his girlfriend and fierce protector for many years. He also leaves behind a circle of devoted friends, a dozen beautiful bongs that can only be described as functional art, and an impressive collection of immaculate shoes. Luther had places to go and footwear to ensure he went there in style.
We will gather to celebrate Luther on Friday, June 12 at 2 p.m. at Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale. Please bring memories and water balloons.
issues shellfish harvest closure for all county beaches
fish on Friday, citing unsafe levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin.
The biotoxin was detected in molluscan shellfish in multiple Whatcom County locations, according to a statement from Whatcom County Health and Community Services (WCHCS) published on Friday.
The harvest closure is for all Whatcom County beaches, including Point Roberts. Lummi Nation has also closed shellfish harvesting in Bellingham Bay, Birch Bay
and Semiahmoo, according to its website. Molluscan shellfish include clams, mussels, oysters and scallops, and the state health department said mussels usually contain the highest concentration of the paralytic toxin detected over the past week.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning and other naturally occurring biotoxins cannot be destroyed by freezing or cooking, according to the county. The algae that contains the biotoxin cannot be seen and can only be detected through laboratory testing.
The closure does not affect shellfish sold in restaurants and markets, such as Drayton Harbor Oyster Co., which are tested before distribution and are safe to eat.
WCHCS communications specialist Marie Junek said biotoxin conditions can change rapidly and are not uniform across all beaches in the county. She advised recreational shellfish harvesters to
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check the state shellfish closure website for regular updates.
The shellfish closure map can be found at bit.ly/4tqeJWn. The DOH Biotoxin Hotline can also provide up to date information on shellfish closures, at 800-5625632.
Junek said the county has not received any reports of biotoxin poisoning and is responding to the state department of health’s closure.
Junek could not provide an estimate on when shellfish harvesting would reopen.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning biotoxin can cause severe illness and death. Initial symptoms include numbness and tingling of lips and tongue, which can begin anywhere from minutes to hours after eating toxic shellfish. Death from paralytic shellfish poisoning can occur in less than 30 minutes, according to the WCHCS.
Neighbors question environmental impacts of proposed campground
Advisory group
A motion was also approved to move forward with forming a Transportation Benefit District fund advisory group.
Hanson said creating a formal, documented plan “makes for a much stronger case if we are applying for grants,” especially for matching funds, adding that preparation is key since “oftentimes, we find out about grants only a week or 10 days before they’re due.”
Campground SEPA review and public comment
The committee received an informational overview of the proposed campground at Johnson and Mill roads, where a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA ) determination of non-significance has been issued.
Officials clarified that SEPA addresses environmental impacts only, not whether the project aligns with community preferences; a separate conditional use permit decision will come later. Residents raised concerns about the appeal process, which required a $1,200 filing fee by April 20. Calder explained that after the appeal window, the project would go before
a hearing examiner, where “anyone from the community … can have their say.”
Public comment focused heavily on environmental and neighborhood impacts. At-large member Brian Hunter said SEPA appeals typically lead to added conditions rather than outright denial, noting, “At best you are going to get additional conditions added.”
A nearby resident expressed concern about compatibility with the neighborhood, saying, “These people will be coming here … having a great time … but to encroach it into a neighborhood that is peaceful and quiet, that is where I have a problem.”
Others questioned environmental findings in the SEPA report, particularly the absence of documented bald eagles on the site.
Kimberly Butts criticized the report, saying, “They know it’s there … Why aren’t they checking the box?”
Discussion also highlighted that while additional wildlife review may still be required, SEPA itself “never tells you no,” as Calder put it, but instead adds mitigation requirements. The appeal window is expected to close around April 20, with a hearing examiner date to be scheduled afterward, likely with at least two weeks’ public notice.
