Blaine City Council: UGA land swap, Canadian relations and the Plover
The latest news from the Blaine City Council meeting on March 24 includes the city’s proposal to swap its urban growth area from east Blaine, a resolution to support continued partnership between Blaine and Surrey, B.C. and an update on the Plover ferry’s repairs.
Urban growth area land swap proposal Councilmember Richard May asked city staff if the city had made more progress on its proposal to de-annex its urban growth area (UGA) in east Blaine and add a significant portion of UGA land near Semiahmoo.
City manager Mike Harmon said the city was working with engineering consultant David, Evans and Associates to determine how much it would cost to add utilities to the proposed UGA area in west Blaine. While the work is still in the early stages, Harmon said the cost for the sewer system could be around $20 million, though he cautioned that was a preliminary number. “It’s not looking ideal,” Harmon said.
Despite developers being responsible for part of the sewer costs, the city would likely need to put in four sewer lift stations, which Harmon said wouldn’t make sense with the city’s current sewer rate. He added the sewer conveyance that runs from Semiahmoo to the Lighthouse Point Water Reclamation Facility in Blaine Harbor likely doesn’t have the capacity to handle much more development. “Once you trigger another sewer conveyance across the bay, things start to get real expensive real fast,” he said.
Harmon said he expects to bring a recommendation to council in April.
City staff first presented the preliminary plan to council in October. The plan would de-annex Grandis Pond, once slated to bring about 1,000 homes to east Blaine, and add 460 acres of UGA land south of Semiahmoo. It would also
City, page 2)
Blaine girls golf hosts first home meet
Blaine school board approves third year of cuts
For the third consecutive year, the Blaine school board has approved budget cuts that will tighten the district’s already barebones budget by $3 million. The cuts will eliminate roughly 46 positions, merge first and second grade classes from Blaine Primary School into Blaine Elementary School, cut all C-team high school sports, and significantly reshuffle school district administration.
In a 4-0-1 vote, the board approved the recommended budget reduction, which included cuts to four department directors in the district office, two assistant principal positions, four assistant coaches and 16 certified staff positions. Erika Creydt abstained from the vote, citing a lack of
board discussion and preparation.
Blaine school district superintendent Chris Granger said seven transition to kindergarten positions could be reinstated with proper funding from the state, and 10 other positions will be added in the next school year.
While each school board member and Granger said the decision to cut more staff is never taken lightly, Granger said it’s now the “unfortunate reality” of public education funding in Washington.
“While this is not our preferred method, nobody at this table or on this team wants to do any of things represented in this plan, but it is a lack of funds from the state that causes these local decisions to
School, page 3)
Photo
Blaine Art Gallery prepares for April display
Blaine Art Gallery is rotating its artists on display for the month of April with five new artists featured.
The artists will be Carole Falleen, Deborah Haggman, Gordon Nealy, Martin Johnson and Roderick Kent. Their work will include a range of mediums including multimedia, watercolor, sculpture, photography and oil.
A Second Saturday event celebrating the new artwork will be held 4-6:30 p.m. April 12 at the gallery.
The art will be shown Thursday, April 3 through Sunday, April 27 at 922 Peace Portal Drive. The gallery is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
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From page 1
add 124 acres of UGA land near Harvey Road and would rezone an adjacent, 455 acres of UGA for manufacturing use. The plan would remove 37 acres of unincorporated UGA near the mouth of Dakota Creek.
De-annexing Grandis Pond out of the city and its UGA would likely require 60 percent approval from Blaine voters, city officials said in October. The UGA swap proposal came after Grandis Pond was sold to east Blaine residents Kevin Keck and Rebeka Ruiz-Lembo in December 2023. Community Development Services director Alex Wenger previously said he was concerned the project would not be developed as construction would need to start by July 13, 2025, when the land use entitlements expire.
Resolution on Blaine and Surrey, B.C. partnership
Mayor Mary Lou Steward read a resolution to support a positive partnership between the cities of Blaine and Surrey, B.C. Council passed the resolution 5-0.
Steward said the resolution originated from a meeting she had with Surrey mayor Brenda Locke and Harmon. Steward said Locke was concerned about the tariffs, and Steward discussed how Blaine’s economy was being impacted by the loss of Canadian customers.
“We understand where their problems are, where our problems are, and probably the solution is to work together to try to mitigate the damage to both parties by finding common areas of agreement,” Steward said.
The resolution is available at bit.ly/4cfIIZt.
Plover update Harmon told council that the Plover has passed its first U.S. Coast Guard inspection and is scheduled to have its in-water inspection in Bellingham on Monday, April 7.
“The fact that it’s prepared enough to be on the water is good news,” Harmon said. “The fact that work has started is good news.”
The city stopped Plover operations when rotting wood was found on the 81-year-old boat last August. The rotting wood was discovered just after the passenger ferry had started service following nearly two years of significant repairs.
City leaders told council last October that the new repairs would likely cost less than $20,000 and that the ferry was expected to be operating by this summer.
Support for school overpass
City council unanimously approved a resolution that supported Blaine school district’s effort to secure grant funding to build a pedestrian overpass over State Route 543 near the Blaine campus.
The city’s comprehensive plan, its long-range planning document, includes a pedestrian overpass on State Route 543 as part of a trail system connecting the Blaine campus to Pipeline Fields on Pipeline Road.
Blaine school district superintendent Chris Granger requested council’s support as it works to find project funding, Harmon said.
Deputy police chief Council unanimously agreed to create a deputy police chief position for Blaine Police Department, with lieutenant Brent Greene being promoted to the position. He will be paid $143,000 annually, which is 85 percent of the chief of police’s salary. The lieutenant position will remain vacant.
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s Artist Deborah Haggman’s watercolor that will be on display at Blaine Art Gallery in April. Photo courtesy of Margaret Owens
s The Blaine school board voted 4-0-1 to approve roughly $3 million in budget cuts for the 2025-26 school year, reducing 46 positions across the district. The vote confirmed the merger of first and second grade classes from the
primary school to the elementary school, saving the district $600,000.
School ...
be made and continue to have devastating impacts on local communities across the state,” Granger told the packed crowd at the district boardroom prior to the vote.
Most of the blame for the cuts were laid at the state legislature, which the board said has not made up for the loss in pandemic-era relief funding or addressed problems in local levy caps on school districts like Blaine.
According to data from the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction,
Washington is below the national average of K-12 education investment as a percentage of Gross State Product (3.1 percent compared to 3.6 nationally in 2020) and has seen five consecutive years of decreased education funding as a percentage of the state budget, from 52.4 percent in 2018-19 to 43.1 percent in 2023-24.
With a lack of state funding, school districts like Blaine are stuck in a loop of budget cuts, reduced staff and less opportunities for students. That results in reduced enrollment, restricting how much funding the district can receive from the state, further tightening the budget.
“We hate it, as I’m sure you guys do too, but the responsibility lies with the legislature,” board member Steve Galbraith told the crowd. “Inundate the legislature with letters and emails, that’s the only way they’re going to change, and maybe they won’t.”
To preserve as many jobs as it could, the district had to get creative with its savings for the upcoming school year, proposing moving the majority of students in Blaine Primary School to the elementary school, which will save the district $600,000 in energy and maintenance costs.
The decision to move some of Blaine’s youngest students into the elementary school was met
Public comment opens on Treoil site
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The Washington State Department of Ecology (DOE) is asking the public to comment on how to clean the Treoil Industries site, which has cost millions of dollars in environmental cleanup efforts due to oil runoff and other hazardous waste.
The Treoil site, on 34 acres just east of the bp Cherry Point refinery, had been used since the 1980s for small-scale industrial work such as tree oil processing and biodiesel production. For years, the site has been a threat to the environment due to oil runoff through wetlands that eventually reach the Strait of Georgia.
A 2017 report from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it was unknown when the plant stopped producing tall oil products, a byproduct of wood pulp manufacturing, but that the refinery was “sitting idle and largely unmonitored for approximately 10 years.”
In 2000, the EPA investigated potential threats of oil leaks at the site before DOE issued a penalty. In 2017 and 2022, federal and state environmental agencies found multiple instances of oily residue leaking into the ground at the industrial site, hazardous substances breaking containment, improper storage and labeling of chemicals, and a lack of secondary containment and site security. Those cleanup efforts by the EPA cost $4.3 million, with the
near bp Cherry Point. The site has been fined on numerous occasions for failure to properly store hazardous chemicals that flow into the Strait of Georgia.
agency removing nearly 200,000 gallons of hazardous waste and more than 3,500 tons of contaminated soil.
DOE issued a $900,000 fine in December 2023 against site owners Jagroop S. Gill and Campbell Land Corporation, and the EPA put a lien on the property to guarantee repayment on the millions spent cleaning the property, according to previous reporting by The Northern Light
The state completed its remedial investigation, finding areas of soil contaminated with petroleum by-products, heavy metals and pentachlorophenol (a highly toxic wood preservative).
by resistance from local parents, who garnered more than 400 signatures in an online petition opposing the merger.
Board member Ryan Swinburnson said the savings from the merger were too significant to not approve.
“The merger, while it’s not ideal, it puts us in a position where we have upwards of $600,000 or more that we don’t have to cut from staff, and that is to me the overriding concern,” Swinburnson said. “Not cutting essential staff, not cutting programs.”
One program proposed to be cut in preliminary budget plans was the Blaine High School theater arts program. The proposal was protested on March 19 when roughly 100 high school students walked out of class and to the district office to express their disdain.
The board was able to retain the drama director position and keep the theater program. It also kept the band program and visual arts program cuts to a minimal, which some saw as a small win among another round of gut-wrenching budget cuts.
“The reason people go to school is to learn, but where they flourish is in the extracurriculars,” Swinburnson said. “We have to maintain those the best we can.”
Washington state law requires all certificated employees whose jobs are impacted by budget cuts to be given notice before May 15. The board will vote again on a finalized version of the budget to send to the state in July.
DOE has proposed to cover the contaminated soil with clean fill and impose restrictions on activities at the site. A public comment period on the contamination study, feasibility study and public participation plan opened March 24 and will close Tuesday, April 22. Comments can be made at go.ecology.wa.gov/treoil.
DOE will also host a hybrid open house to provide information to the public and answer questions 4-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 2 at the Ferndale Public Library, 2125 Main Street. Those who want to attend the meeting virtually can register at bit.ly/43kv8lb.
Board members won’t seek reelection Board president Cliff Freeman and Galbraith announced during the meeting that they would not run for another term on school board.
Freeman said he wanted “someone younger who has a closer connection to the school” to represent the District 3 position he has held since winning the November 2023 election.
The Blaine High School class of 1971 graduate and retired civil engineer was appointed board president, and took defiant stances against the state legislature and other state agencies.
At the end of the meeting, Freeman said another reason he decided to not seek reelection was due to his refusal to participate in a state-required equity training that he called “social justice crap that our legislators continue to drive upon us.”
Galbraith was appointed to the Blaine school board in March 2024 to replace the District 5 seat.
Galbraith attended Blaine schools, served on the Blaine City Council from 1989 to 1990, and spent six years on the city planning commission.
Galbraith will step down in December when the newly-elected board member is sworn in. He said he wasn’t able to provide the time and energy required by the unpaid position.
The filing period for the school district open positions is May 5-9.
Blaine
Photo by Nolan Baker
s The Washington State Department of Ecology is asking for public comment to help aid its ongoing cleanup of the Treoil Industries site
Photo courtesy of Washington State Department of Ecology
The Northern L ght
The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.
Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.
Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
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Contributors In This Issue
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Vol XXX, No 41
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Cross-border rally held in support of Canadian-American partnership OpiniOn
s A “Peace, Love and Handshake” rally brought dozens of Canadians and Americans under the
in
on March 22. B.C. resident
Landry helped organize the rally, and grassroots
are planning more
on Saturday, April 5 and Saturday, April 12.
Rene
she decided to attend to show goodwill to Canadians. “It feels really important to show how many people are opposed to what this administration is doing to our country,” she said. “But it was mostly to create community.”
Letters
The Editor: Golf season is here!
Are you looking to get out and have some fun with friends on the golf course? If you are, we suggest you consider playing in the Annual Blaine Scholarship Foundation Golf Tournament. This year’s tournament will be held on June 7 at Loomis Trail Golf Course with a 10 a.m. shotgun start. This tournament sells out quickly, so don’t hesitate, and get your team captain to register your team by logging in to the Blaine Scholarship Foundation website at blainescholarshipfoundation.org.
All money raised during this tournament will be put toward scholarships for graduating Blaine High School seniors who are seeking to further their education and looking for financial assistance. The Blaine Scholarship Foundation has provided $475,000 in scholarships to hundreds of deserving graduates since 1992.
Todd Berge Blaine
The Editor:
My father, from Philadelphia, and his uncles in Toronto were spiritual leaders in their communities. Both of them agreed on the importance of the Ten Commandments as a basic guide for life. Perhaps this is a good time in the history of the United States to remind President Trump and his followers of the importance of a few of those commandments.
As it relates to Canada, Greenland, Mexico, Ukraine, immigrants, and duly elected judges, Commandment Nine is very clear. “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor” (Exodus 20:16). It emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity in interactions with others, prohibiting lying and false testimony.
Commandment Ten sends a transparent message to the Republican Party and their President. “Thou shalt not covet.”
CiviC Meetings
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Neither Canada, Greenland, the Gulf of Mexico nor Ukraine are yours or any of your friends, free for the taking.
Which brings me back to an old favorite, “Thou shalt not steal,” even though President Trump’s good friend Putin thinks that stealing by force of arms is just another way in the “art of making the deal.” He’s wrong. It’s the art of making the steal.With great respect for our traditional American value of free speech, may we suggest that a discussion of the Ten Commandments in light of current politics in our country would make an invigorating topic at local religious settings throughout our country. Ron Snyder and Cathy Taggett Blaine
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.
Peace Arch
Blaine
Haidee
organizers
rallies
Blaine resident
Laventure said
Photo by Bob Schober
Former fire division chief dies from job-related cancer
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North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) division chief Shaun Ward, who served Whatcom County for over 25 years, died on March 18 from occupational-related cancer. He was 58.
Ward’s career with the fire service began with Whatcom County Fire District 8 in the Marietta-Alderwood area. He joined NWFR in 2007, where he spent the last 18 years of
his career serving as lieutenant, captain and eventually division chief of support services.
In November 2023, Ward was diagnosed with brain cancer. He underwent surgery in December 2023 and returned to work last August. He was forced to retire in December 2024 after the cancer spread.
NWFR chief Jason Van Der Veen, who worked with Ward since 2007 and knew him prior, said Ward worked tirelessly to make life better for the public
and his crew.
“He was an amazing guy who gave it all until the very end,” Van Der Veen said. “He taught us a lot of lessons about a positive attitude and how to tackle hard things, and how to do it with grace.”
Since NWFR was formed in 2006, five firefighters have been diagnosed with occupational-related cancer, three of whom have died: John Swobody, Leslie Smith and Ward.
Outside of the fire service,
Ward was a husband, son, father and grandfather.
A public memorial is being planned and more information will be released later, Van Der Veen said.
“He fought his cancer with the same heart, bravery and determination that he brought to his job every day,” NWFR wrote in a social media post.
“His positive attitude toward fighting this battle is an inspiration to everyone that knew him.”
Good To Go! doesn’t text for fee, WSDOT says
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The Washington State Department of Transportation issued a warning to Washingtonians, urging not to click on fraudulent links in text messages claiming to be the state’s toll collection program, Good To Go!The text message scams look convincing enough – usually starting with “WSDOT Toll Alert” along with fake websites mirroring WSDOT’s official payment website –and urge people to pay their outstanding balance quickly to avoid
more late fees.
The Federal Trade Commission has said the toll scams are common phishing scams, meaning that clicking on the link in the text could allow scammers to steal not only your money, but your personal information and identity as well.
WSDOT said people should instead log on to their Good To Go! account at mygoodtogo.com.
“The text messages were not sent by Good To Go!,” WSDOT wrote in a March 19 press release.
“Good to Go! never sends text
messages asking for payment.”
The top of WSDOT’s website has a bright purple banner reading “SCAM ALERT” to warn Washingtonians of the common illegal tactic.
“We’re aware of texts claiming to be from Good To Go! and saying it’s a final reminder,” the banner read. “These are from scammers, you don’t need to call us and should delete the text. We do not send texts asking for payments.”
The scam texts have become increasingly common not only
in Washington, but around the country. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center issued a statement in April 2024 saying it received tens of thousands of complaints. If you receive one of these texts that you believe to be fraudulent, the FBI suggests filing a complaint at ic3.gov that includes the phone number from where the text originated and the website linked in the text. The FBI then recommends checking your account online, “on the toll service’s legitimate website,” con-
Rent cap bill continues to move in Olympia despite objections
tacting the toll service’s customer service line, and deleting any suspicious texts received.
An attempt to impose a cap on rent increases elicited intense debate from both sides of the issue March 19 in the Senate Committee on Housing.
“Washington cannot afford to take steps that risk straining the housing economy any further,” said Carter Nelson, public affairs manager for Washington Multi-Family Housing Association in opposition to the cap.
People in favor of the cap, however, said something must be done to rein in the quickly escalating cost of housing. A rent cap will help residents remain safe in their homes instead of adding to a growing homeless population, supporters said.
“It is wrong that low-income seniors are forced to prioritize higher rent in lieu of food, doctor appointments and vital medication,” said Tina Hammond, who rents the lot where her mobile home sits and experienced rent increases monthly.
The “Residential Landlord-Tenant Act” would cap rent increases during any 12-month period of tenancy at 7 percent but does not prohibit a landlord from adjusting
B y M ary F eus N er / W ashi NG to N s tate J our N al (See Rent, page 13)
Rental
sition
Jeff and Nita Voltz
BR Hunt and JL Downey
s Shaun Ward, former NWFR division chief. Photo courtesy of NWFR
s
Housing Association of Washington members gather in oppo-
of HB 1217 at Senate Housing Committee on March 19.
Photo courtesy of Washington State Journal
Teia Dube
Sophomore • Track & Field
Teia soared to first place in the high jump at Sedro-Woolley High School last week, showcasing her skill and athleticism. A state participant last year, she continues to prove herself as one of Blaine’s top track and field athletes.
Beckum Bleazard
Senior • Track & Field
Beckum blazed past the competition to take first place in the 100m dash at Sedro-Woolley High School last week. His speed and determination continue to make him a standout athlete in Blaine.
TheNorthernLight.com
Road Rules: Road rage and aggressive driving
Question: Is it just me, or is aggressive driving and road rage getting worse?
Answer: How bad is road rage in Washington? If you’ve been the victim of it, pretty bad, for sure. And from a broader perspective, the fact that it occurs frequently enough to have a clever name suggests that it’s far too prevalent. But it’s not as easy as you’d think to put a number on it.
You’re not going to find a Washington law called ‘road rage’. In most states it’s not a legal term; historically it’s been a journalistic one, and we don’t have an agreed-upon meaning. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines it as, “An intentional assault by a driver or passenger with a motor vehicle or a weapon that occurs on the roadway or is precipitated by an incident on the roadway.”
Other definitions include committing a crime, violent anger, or aggressive behavior. If we’re trying to track road rage events, do we count every time someone angrily shakes a fist at another driver, only when one driver assaults another driver, or somewhere in between?
Recently, it’s begun making its way into law in some states. As of 2024, Utah has a road rage law that increases penalties for a driver who commits a crime in response to an incident that occurs on a roadway.
Getting back to our state, USA Today reported that calls to 911 for shootings on Washington highways increased from 602 in 2019 to 937 in 2023. The Gun Violence Archive shows that 11 road rage shootings causing death (3) or injury (10) oc-
curred in 2023, and over the last ten years the average has been 12.5. That’s quite a disparity, so I checked with the Washington State Patrol for some answers.
Over the past five years, reports of roadway shootings have ranged between 800 and 1,100 calls per year. In the vast majority of those calls, when law enforcement arrived there was no evidence at the scene that could lead to an investigation. Sometimes it’s because the criminal activity was traveling at 60 mph and left no evidence. Sometimes there wasn’t an actual crime. For example, some of the shooting reports turn out to be rock strikes thrown by another vehicle.
When there is evidence – injured victims, bullet holes, vehicle and driver descriptions, dash cam video – an investigation follows. In 2022 the WSP investigated 30 roadway shootings. There were 129 investigations in 2023, 76 investigations in 2024, and 24 so far this year. That’s far less than the number of reports, but any number of roadway shootings is too many. About a third of those shootings are gang related. The rest are a mix of crimes,
some of which are motivated by road rage.
But road rage shootings account for only a tiny fraction of aggressive driving events. Washington defines aggressive driving as when a driver commits two or more violations that are likely to endanger people or property, or one intentional violation that requires a defensive reaction from another driver: things like tailgating, speeding, cutting off another driver, running red lights, and weaving through traffic.
Traffic fatalities in Washington have increased from 462 in 2014 to 809 in 2023. It’s hard to say how much of that increase is from aggressive driving, but high-risk driving behaviors, whether done aggressively or mindlessly, contribute to most of those crashes.
So I’ll leave you with the advice I got from the Washington State Patrol: Keep your cool even if the other guy is an idiot. Don’t engage. Nobody wins a fight with multi-ton vehicles traveling at freeway speeds.
Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
2-story house with 3,898 square feet, 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, built-in garage, built in 2024, marine and territorial view; .26 acres land.
2-story 2 office/2 apartment building with 3,000 square feet, built in 1990, .12 acres land.
Birch
spOrts
Girls golf battles Northwest Conference rivals at Semiahmoo
Blaine spring sports is in full swing, with the weather finally cooperating to allow all seven teams to see action this week. Girls golf hosted six Northwest Conference (NWC) teams at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club, and softball and baseball started the season with a weekend of wins.
Blaine High School senior Kaitlyn Harrington, a volleyball standout, committed to play collegiately at Skagit Valley College, Blaine Athletics announced on March 24.
Harrington was a force for the Borderites under first-year head coach KJ Assink, earning AllNWC Second Team honors for her excellent senior season. She averaged 8.8 kills and one ace per game.
Girls golf
Blaine girls golf finished fourth out of seven teams at Semiahmoo Golf and Country club on March 25, with junior Thora Engen leading the way for the Borderites with a score of 51 over the ninehole match.
Meridian won the day with a combined team score of 270, with Blaine shooting a combined team score of 326.
Two Blaine golfers, Natalia Richards-Perhatch and Adeline Holley, competed in the first varsity match of their young careers, shooting a 75 and 80, respectively. Hannah Phelps-McDonald shot a 62, Olivia Tanjuaquio shot a 66 and Megan Rosenberger shot a 72.
The next match for girls golf will be at Sudden Valley Golf and Country Club in Bellingham on Monday, March 31. The first tee is at 3 p.m.
Boys soccer
Boys soccer couldn’t find a rhythm against Squalicum on March 25, losing 6-0. The Borderites had trouble stopping Squalicum forward Isaac Grimes, who scored a hat-trick.
The Borderites couldn’t seem to get the ball out of their own half of the field, and dropped to 0-4-0 to start the season.
Blaine’s next game will be on the road against Lynden Christian on Thursday, March 27 before hosting Nooksack Valley on Saturday, March 29.
Baseball
Blaine baseball started the season on March 20 with a 18-0 drubbing of Orcas Island, then a pair of home wins against Coupeville (12-0) and Mt. Vernon (5-3) during a weekend doubleheader on March 22.
The Borderites were handed its first loss of the season on March 25 against Ferndale, losing 4-0 and being held to just three hits. Catcher Evan Yates was responsible for two of those three hits, as the Borderites were shut down offensively by Ferndale pitcher Nolan Boleak, who struck out 10 batters.
Blaine baseball will be on the road for the next two games, facing Meridian on Thursday, March 27 at 4 p.m., then Lynden on Tuesday, April 1 at 4 p.m.
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s Clockwise from l.; Blaine golfer Olivia Tanjuaquio watches her drive on the fourth hole at Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club on March 25. Blaine hosted six Northwest Conference opponents through a nine-hole match, with the Borderites finishing fourth among the field of seven teams with a team score of 326. Tanjuaquio shot a 66, third best on the team. Blaine defender Milo Dahl, c., and Logan Villarreal, r., watch as Squalicum’s Isaac Grimes scores a penalty kick in the first half on March 25. Blaine midfielder Dmitriy Yuryev jostles with a Squalicum player in the first half of Blaine’s 6-0 loss on March 25.
Photos by Nolan Baker
One Birch Bay yard changed by local gardening
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On the day I visit Sherry Donald, she invites me to her open backyard and we have a seat at the picnic table. Her property is a bit removed from the Birch Bay marina, and she appreciates that it’s less foggy and windy there. After Sherry and her husband moved from Arizona to Birch Bay Village in early 2024, she started focusing on the landscaping of her home. Sherry took the Washington State University Whatcom County Extension Gardening Green course in spring 2024, and I am here to get an update on her sustainable landscaping efforts.
It was concern about climate change that initially motivated Sherry to embrace sustainable landscaping. And having recently retired, she found she had more time to learn.
For Sherry’s property, sustainable landscaping that keeps fertilizers, pesticides and eroded soils from getting into the water will make a big difference because a nearby wetland area feeds into Birch Bay.
“It feels good to do what we can,” she said.
(See Gardening page 10)
s Birch Bay resident Sherry Donald stands in front of her home in Birch Bay Village. Sherry has recently taken both the Washington State University Whatcom County Extension Gardening Green course and the Whatcom County Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program.
Photo courtesy of Cheryl Lovato Niles
& Home Garden
Whatcom County Home and Lifestyle Show returns to Lynden
The Whatcom County Home and Lifestyle Show is set to return Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6 at the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center in Lynden.
The Building Industry of Whatcom County is hosting the show, which is the largest of its kind north of Seattle. There will be free admission all weekend.
The show will have 250 exhibitors, keynote speakers, a barbecue competition, beer garden, plant sale, food trucks and more.
Presentations will be given by Lindsay Lamb and Leslie Davis from HGTV’s “Unsellable Houses,” King5 news gardening expert
Ciscoe Morris and Kelle Sunter of Blaine CORE. Bellingham SeaFeast executive director Kevin Coleman will give a cooking demo, Zoologist Scott Petersen will give a reptile demonstration and there will be a presentation on water rights adjudication.
The show will have experts discussing home improvement, remodeling, outdoor landscaping and living, interior design, and DIY home projects. Youth activities will include face painting, a Lego building competition, scavenger hunt, among other activities.
The show will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. The
Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center is located at 1775 Front Street in Lynden.
For more information, visit biawc.com/home-show-2025.
Gardening ...
From page 8
Through the Gardening Green course, Sherry learned about the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program, which is a partnership between Whatcom County, Whatcom Conservation District and the Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management District. The program helps clusters of landowners convert lawn into native shrubs, perennials and groundcovers, creating beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes that protect water quality and improve habitat. By chance, Sherry learned that a neighbor was also interested in the program and they rallied other neighbors to apply.
The Whatcom Conservation District prepared the front yard by lay-
ing cardboard and a thick layer of wood mulch to kill the lawn. Sherry and her son also installed a dry creek bed that curves diagonally across the mulch to create structure in the otherwise blank slate. Nearby, some native salal is biding time in a nursery pot. She bought it before learning that she and her neighbors had been selected for the Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program and plans to find an appropriate place for it when the planting is finished.
Most of the new landscaping will go in the front yard. In the back, she’s keeping some lawn for the dogs but has created topography along the fence line with four-way soil mix and will add native evergreens there. Snowberry hides the road adjacent to her property during the summer, but in the winter the road is visible and loud. The evergreens will pro-
vide a better buffer once they grow. Besides being connected with native landscaping program, Sherry said what she found most helpful about the Gardening Green course was the opportunity to network with other classmates and learn about the free local and online resources, including the Master Gardener volunteers, who provide education on sound gardening practices.
Since the native landscaping course, Whatcom Conservation District returned to help Sherry and her neighbors install hundreds of native plants in a one-day planting party.
A total of 160 plants were planted in Sherry’s yard. She’s excited about the evolution of her landscaping, and she feels as though she has the resources to keep going.
How to participate:
WSU Whatcom County Extension will hold its in-person Gardening Green course in Birch Bay starting Friday, April 25. The five-week course will be held 1-3 p.m. every Friday at Birch Bay Activity Center,
7511 Gemini Street. The class costs $42 for soil testing and requires up to four hours of homework per week.
A live instruction Gardening Green course will also be held online via Zoom starting Thursday, April 24. The five-week course will be held 6-7:30 p.m. every Thursday for the first four sessions, with the last session held in person from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 17. The class costs $42 for soil testing.
To sign up for the Gardening Green courses, visit bit.ly/3SMhCkB.
The Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program is still recruiting Birch Bay area residents who live in Point Whitehorn and off of Selder Road to participate this spring. Groups that have several neighbors interested in participating are more likely to be selected. For more information and to fill out an interest form, visit bit.ly/4j7Vk7i.
Cheryl Lovato Niles is the water resources educator at WSU Whatcom County Extension.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Molly Hite, Deceased. NO. 25-4-0022637. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Robert E. Olson
The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of First Publication: March 13, 2025
Personal Representative: Cindy Maxwell PO Box 32510 Bellingham, WA 98228
Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 25-4-00226-37
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: SCOTT PETER JENKINS, Deceased. No. 25-4-00265-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Evan P. Jones.
The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors March 12, 2025 with Clerk of Court:
Date of First Publication: March 20, 2025
Name of Administrator: DAVID JENKINS
Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262
Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229
Telephone: (360) 325-2550
Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com
DATED March 12, 2025
AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262
Attorney for Administrator: DAVID JENKINS
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public Safety Towers, LLC proposes to construct a 22.9 meter AGL overall height Monopole tower at 288 D Street, Blaine, WA 98230 (Whatcom County), near latitude: 48⁰ 59’ 56.37” N, longitude: 122⁰ 45’ 00.09” W (NAD83). The tower is anticipated to be an unlit structure. The FCC Form 854 File Number is A1310439. Interested persons may review the application by going to www.fcc.gov/asr/applications and enter the Form 854 File Number. Interested parties may raise environmental concerns about the proposed action by filing a Request for Environmental Review (RER) with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC strongly encourages interested parties to file RER online; instructions can be found at www. fcc.gov/asr/environmentalrequest. However, if an online request is not possible, interested parties may mail their request to: FCC Requests for Environmental Review, Attn: Ramon Williams, 445 12th Street SW, Washington DC 20554. Additionally, Public Safety Towers, LLC invites comments on the impact the proposed tower may have on Historic Properties. Written comments may be sent to Public Safety Towers, LLC to compliance@pstctowers.com or 701 Palomar Airport Road, Suite 160, Carlsbad, CA 92011.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Marlene L. Josephson, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00255-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Lee Grochmal
The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of First Publication: March 20, 2025
Personal Representative: Teresa Kay Josephson PO Box 568 Sumas, WA 98295
Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp
301 Prospect Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp
301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 25-4-00255-37.
claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: March 18, 2025 with Clerk of Court:
Date of First Publication: March 27, 2025
Name of Administrator: BRUCE BARTNICK
Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262
Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229
Telephone: (360) 325-2550
Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com
DATED March 18, 2025 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262
Attorney for Administrator BRUCE BARTNICK
Real Estate
5716 Salish Road
MLS #2346206 $385,000
3563 Sweet Road
MLS #2343469 $710,000
8641 Ashbury Court
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Duane Claeys, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00208-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Lee Grochmal
The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW
areas are perfect for entertaining, while the upper deck has partial views of the ocean/ marina and Blaine’s 4th of July fireworks. Leah Crews 360-305-4747
Backing to a greenbelt, this Birch Bay Village charmer is priced under $400K and ready for you to update & customize to your exact tastes! This 3 bedroom/1.75 bathroom single level home would make an ideal full time residence or a fantastic addition to your portfolio. Massive primary suite & living room. Spacious driveway, covered carport parking, shop & shed provide loads of storage opportunities. Unrivaled Birch Bay Village amenities include marina & beaches. Jen Freeman 360-815-0803
New listing on 5 acres in Blaine, WA!
pump house shed to store your tools and equipment. There’s also the potential to build a shop—buyer to verify. Minutes from border. Brandi Coplen 360-201-3951
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of John Michael Hampton, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00254-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Robert E. Olsen
The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of First Publication: March 20, 2025
Personal Representative: Elizabeth Hampton 504 16th Street
Bellingham, WA 98225
Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 25-4-00254-37.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Estate of: VIJAY RANI LEENDERS, Deceased. No. 25-4-00221-37. Probate NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Assigned Judge: Jennifer Slattery
The Personal Representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the Clerk of this Court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice (twenty-four (24) months if notice is not published). If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of filing copy of Notice to Creditors: March 5, 2025.
Date of first publication of Notice to Creditors: March 13, 2025.
Date of Closure of Creditor Claim Period: July 13, 2025.
Attorney for the Estate:
KEITH A. BODE, WSBA #7791
Personal Representative:
MELINDA E. BAZAN
314 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 688
Lynden, WA 98264-0688
Tel. (360) 354-5021
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: EARL WILLIAM KALE, JR., Deceased. No. 254-00264-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Lee Grochmal
The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the Administrator or the Administrator’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probated proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Administrator served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of Filing of Notice to Creditors: March 12, 2025 with Clerk of Court:
Date of First Publication: March 20, 2025
Name of Administrator: DANIEL KALE
Attorney for Administrators: Steven D. Avery, WSBA #35262
Address for Mailing or Service: Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham WA 98229
Telephone: (360) 325-2550
Email: steve@averyelderlaw.com
DATED March 12, 2025
AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S.
STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262
Attorney for Administrator
DANIEL KALE
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OBITUARIES Rent ...
From page 5
the rent by any amount after a tenant vacates the dwelling unit and a tenancy ends.
Opponents said they fear rent stabilization will harm Washington’s housing market. The state is already affected by high interest rates and construction costs and rent control could push developers out of the state, said Carl Shorett, senior director of AvalonBay Communities, a real estate trust company that invests in apartments across the U.S.
However, Madeleine Foutch, legislative and campaigns director for Service Employees International Union 775, said caregivers in Washington and the elderly clients they serve face rising housing instability.
There is already a workforce shortage and one in five caregivers say they are thinking of leaving the profession due to increased living costs
And Sarah Cherin, chief of staff for United Food and Commercial Workers 3000, added grocery workers are being priced out of their communities by high rents.
The Washington State Apartment Market Report showed a 1.6 percent growth in apartment rates in the last quarter alone. This brought the median rent to $1,829, which makes Washington the sixth most expensive state for renting.
HB 1217 passed the House of Representatives, before it was sent to the Senate for review. The bill has an estimated operating cost of seven million dollars. It also calls for an independent third party to conduct an assessment of rent stabilization impacts by June 2028.
The Washington State Journal is a nonprofit news website operated by the WNPA Foundation. To learn more, go to wastatejournal.org.
Merritt Hiram Washburn
January 16, 1942 – March 3, 2025
Merritt Washburn died at home on Monday, March 3, after a long illness. His wife, Suzann, was by his side. Merritt was born in his childhood home in Birch Bay. He was the apple of the eye of his mother, father and three older sisters. Much of his childhood was spent riding his bike along the beach and working his putting green job at Halversons Resort/Seashore Inn for 10 cents an hour. Merritt participated in sports until his high school graduation in 1960 and remained an avid fan for the remainder of his life. He met the love of his life, Suzann Hawkins, in high school. They married in 1963 and remained together until his passing 61 years later. Merritt and Suzann expanded their family in 1970 with the birth of their son, Merritt Spencer Washburn.
Love of work was a lifelong passion for Merritt. He loved working with people and tried many different professions during his lifetime. His career began at Montour Chevron at 18 years of age and ended at Hill’s Chevron at 82. During the years between Merritt was a haberdasher, cobbler and seamstress as owner and operator of Merritt’s Clothing for 18 years. He also tendered in Alaska, gillnetted in Puget Sound and served at Customs Border Protection in Blaine and Point Roberts for 26 years.
Merritt spent his 83 years learning, working hard and enjoying life. Nothing in that 83 years brought him more pleasure than love of his family. Watching his son grow and experience his love of sports, and to pass that passion on to his grandchildren, Rylie and Spencer, was a lifelong source of joy for Merritt. If Merritt was here today, he would want to thank his wonderful family and friends for a great life. 83 years was not enough!
Merritt is preceded in death by his parents Eddy and Olive Washburn and sisters Eunice (Benny) Larsen and Ethel (Ray) Montour. He is survived by his wife Suzann; son Merritt Spencer; grandchildren Rylie and Spencer; sister Bonnie Larson; nephew Albert (Judy) Larsen; and nieces Debbie (Jeff) Fisher and Katrina (Kevin) Ramsey.
A celebration of Merritt’s life will be held April 6, 2025, 3:30 p.m. in the Victoria Room at Semiahmoo Resort. In lieu of flowers our family requests you donate to Hospice of Whatcom County.
Jeffory J. “Jeff” Snart
October 14, 1963 – March 15, 2025
Jeffory J. “Jeff” Snart, age 61, of Blaine passed away Saturday, March 15, 2025 at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham. He was born October 14, 1963 in Anacortes, WA to parents John Kenneth and Agnes Mildred (Barnes) Snart. To view a more complete obituary and to share your memories of Jeff please go to www.sigsfuneralservices.com.
Wendy’s new food option
is
by tribal
as
s Leaders from the Lummi Nation, Wendy’s and the community attended a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Wendy’s in the Salish Village on February 19. The fast food chain, which is located at 1399 Slater Road in the Lummi Nation,
regarded
leaders
an important step to economic growth for the nation.
Photo by Louise Mugar
sheriff’s repOrts
March 14, 1:14 p.m.: Trespass on Peace Park Drive.
March 15, 2:26 a.m.: Domestic physical on Harborview Road.
March 15, 3:56 p.m.: Fugitive warrant arrest on Pacific Highway.
March 15, 7:00 p.m.: Domestic physical on Markworth Road.
March 15, 8:12 p.m.: Sex offender registration on East Street.
March 16, 12:47 p.m.: Welfare check on Skeena Way.
March 16, 8:18 p.m.: Sex offender registration on East Street.
March 17, 2:51 a.m.: Sex offender registration on East Street.
March 17, 6:23 a.m.: Death investigation cold call on Seafair Drive.
March 17, 7:25 a.m.: Sex offender registration on East Street.
March 17, 12:27 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Birch Bay Drive.
March 17, 1:52 p.m.: Moving
vehicle accident injury on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
March 17, 2:52 p.m.: Theft cold call on Ham Road.
March 17, 6:57 p.m.: Domestic physical cold call on Jackson Road.
March 18, 1:02 p.m.: Civil problem on Sweet Road.
March 19, 8:47 a.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury cold call
on Seashell Way.
March 19, 2:33 p.m.: Vandalism cold call on Beachcomber Drive.
March 19, 3:26 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Harborview Road.
March 19, 8:01 p.m.: Theft on Birch Bay Drive.
March 19, 9:05 p.m.: Overdose on Harborview Road.
pOLiCe repOrts
March 8, 6:43 a.m.: Death investigation on H Street.
March 9, 9:10 p.m.: Domestic – physical on Hughes Avenue.
March 11, 9:56 a.m.: Theft on Boblett Street.
March 14, 10:56 a.m.: Serve warrant on Bell Road.
March 14, 12:50 p.m.: Serve warrant on Marine Drive.
March 14, 6:25 p.m.: Theft on Boblett Street.
March 14, 8:17 p.m.: Serve warrant on Boblett Street.
March 15, 9:58 p.m.: Juvenile problem on 9th Street.
Coming up
School to Work Transition Fair: Thursday, March 27, 9 a.m.–noon, Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Road, Ferndale. Family members, educators and community members are invited to explore essential resources for students with developmental and other disabilities. Featuring local organizations offering insights and services on advocacy, employment, community inclusion and more. Info: bit.ly/4hYr7XW. Sponsored by Whatcom Health and Community Services.
Live Music at Packers: Thursday, March 27, 6–8 p.m., Packers Kitchen + Bar, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. Featuring Free Harmony. Info: Semiahmoo.com.
Craft Fair: Saturday, March 29, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., American Legion Post 7, 1688 W. Bakerview Road, Bellingham. Over 35 vendors featuring artisans, candy, baked goods, jewelry and more. cFree admission. Lots of parking. Sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary Post 7 to support local veterans and their families.
ACROSS 1. State in southwestern India 4. Pashto 10. Corpuscle count (abbr.) 11. Supervised release from prison 12. Greeting 14. Type of drug 15. __ Sagan, astronomer 16. Every year 18. Nasal cavities 22. Nova __, province 23. In an inactive way 24. Cream-colored root 26. Nervous system disease 27. Guitarist Clapton 28. Three came to see Baby Jesus 30. Lebowski’s nickname 31. Play a role 34. Not fresh 36. Where golfers begin 37. Negatives 39. Wild goat 40. Releasing hormone 41. Makes up
42. Fastens 48. Exists in large numbers
50. A connecting word 51. A phase of the heartbeat 52. Northern Ireland county
53. An independent ruler or chieftain 54. Pacific sea bream
55. Commercial 56. Azure 58. Doctor of Education 59. Protected oneself against loss 60. Car mechanics group DOWN 1. Pastes for filling crevices 2. Acquire 3. Heralds 4. News group 5. Exact copies 6. Particles 7. Noted 20th C. performer Lena 8. Tempted 9. Midway between north and east 12. Slotted, hinged
metal plate 13. South American hummingbird 17. Neither 19. Walk with confidence 20. Omit when speaking 21. Imperial Chinese currency 25. A bakery specializing in French pastry 29. Talk incessantly 31. Ethnic group of Nigeria 32. Longtime NY Times film critic 33. Beginners 35. Makes a trade 38. Sleep 41. Not moving 43. Popular drink: Pina __ 44. Potential benefits 45. A place you can get stuck in 46. Ancient Greek City 47. Chalcedony 49. Rover 56. Digraph 57. Investment vehicle
March 17, 3:47 p.m.: Theft on H Street.
March 17, 4:02 p.m.: Missing person on Cedar Street.
March 18, 3:25 p.m.: DUI on 4th Street.
March 18, 6:00 p.m.: Sex crime (no rape) on H Street.
March 18, 6:06 p.m.: Overdose on Peace Portal Drive.
March 19, 5:51 p.m.: Child abuse on F Street.
March 20, 1:43 p.m.: Assault –simple on C Street.
March 21, 1:37 p.m.: Drugs on D Street.
tides
March 27 - April 2 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Orchids and Houseplants: Saturday, March 29, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Tips and tricks for getting your orchids blooming again. Plus an orchid dividing and repotting demonstration, slide presentation and “plant sale.” Bring a houseplant to trade. Learn about general information for indoor plant care, especially during the winter months. Free. Info: nwcore.org.
Bellingham Scottish Gathering Introductory Volunteer Meeting: Saturday, March 29, 3–5 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn about volunteer opportunities for one of Whatcom County’s biggest events on June 7. Needing administrative leaders, set up, tear down, admission gate, trash pickup, parking, construction, electrical, safety, first aid, hospitality, vendors, clans, Scottish animals, and other positions. Info: heather@scottishdancesociety.org.
Comedy Night Dinner, Auction, Fundraiser: Saturday, March 29, 5 p.m., Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club, 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway. Featuring comedian Kermet Apio, winner of the Great American Comedy Festival. Dinner, silent and live auctions. Tickets $75 at Semiahmoo.com/experiences. Proceeds benefit Blaine’s Safe and Sober Grad Night.
Clamming 101: Wednesday, April 2, 2 p.m.–4 p.m., Birch Bay State Park’s bp Heron Center. Learn about local clam species, sustainable harvesting, and marine life. Dig, observe, and connect with the shoreline. Bring a bucket, shovel, boots and your shellfish license (if you want to keep the clams). All ages are welcome. Please wear appropriate footwear. Free. Discover Pass required for parking. No registration required. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
Ponds, Water Features, Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens: Wednesday, April 2, 3–5 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Learn the dos and don’ts of ponds and water features, requirements plus plants and fish. Also discussing rain gardens and new rules on rain barrels. Info: nwcore.org.
Whatcom County Home and Lifestyle Show: Friday through Sunday, April 4–6, Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1775 Front Street, Lynden. View over 250 exhibitors for home improvement information and inspiration. Seminars, PNWBA BBQ competition, Lego Masters building class, reptile show and food trucks. Free. Info: biawc.com/home-show-2025. Sponsored by the Building Industry Association of Whatcom County.
Severe and Summer Pruning: Saturday, April 5, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Focusing on overgrown fruit trees. Using a combination of pruning techniques that quickly gets your trees in shape. Requiring some follow-up care (summer pruning) during the year to maintain the initial work done. Followed by an actual hands-on severe pruning a few blocks from the library. Free. Info@nwcore.org.
Solidarity with Canada Rally: Saturday, April 5, noon–4 p.m., Peace Arch State Park. Peaceful demonstration to affirm “the people’s” respect, historical mutual alliance and interests with our Canadian friends. Local, regional, state/provincial and national officials were invited.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of March 17 to 23, 2.3 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2025 year-to-date precipitation is 10.8 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 54.7°F on March 18, with a low of 34.6°F on March 18. Average high was 52.5°F and average low was 38.3°F.
Boating Safety Classes: April 7–10, May 5–8, June 9–12. Eighthour course in two-hour sessions over four days. For anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify for a Boater Education Card, issued by the Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission. Cost: $15 plus separate downcast of e-book or $25 for printed book. Info and reservations: bliaux.com or email boatingsafetyWA@gmail.com. Sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla.
Life Line Screening: Wednesday, April 9, 10:50 a.m.–noon, American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Offering preventative health screenings for carotid artery disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease. Info and appointments: lifelinescreening.com.
Live Music at Packers: Thursday, April 10, 6–8 p.m., Packers Kitchen + Bar, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. Featuring Michael Dayvid. Info: Semiahmoo.com.
Ongoing
Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Info:360/3326350 or Info@blainefoodbank.org.
The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.
CAP Clothing Bank: Mondays and Fridays, 9 a.m.–noon and Wednesdays, 5–7 p.m. 508 G Street. The Community Assistance Program clothing bank is now located in the basement of the CAP Center providing free clothing and linens. Donations accepted only during open hours or by special arrangement. Info: blainecap.org or 360/392-8484.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Authentic Indian flavors: Namaste brings royal taste to D Street
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Chirag Prajapati’s dream of one day owning a restaurant came true when Namaste The Royal Taste of India opened at 234 D Street in Blaine in December 2023. Prajapati has now opened another restaurant in Bellingham after increased demand for its authentic flavors.
“I had a dream when I was nine years old to open a restaurant,” Prajapati said. “I came to Blaine to drop somebody off to visit Canada and I saw the for sale sign here.”
After growing up in Ahmedabad in western India, Prajapati moved to the U.S. in 2010, first landing in New York, but eventually heading west to escape the cold winters. In Seattle, he worked as a laborer and at a gas station.
Once he acquired some construction skills, Prajapati started his own construction business and began saving to fulfill his childhood dream of owning a restaurant.
“I wanted to open a restaurant in Lake Sammamish but they didn’t
give me a spot because I didn’t have experience,” Prajapati. “That was a very tough time.”
Namaste, at 234 D Street in Blaine, serves Indian favorites such as butter chicken, korma, biryani and curries. Chef Arul Sebastian, or “Anna,” is the one who makes Namaste taste so good, Prajapati said.
“Everybody loves the food,” Prajapati said. “People drive half an hour to come to eat because they can’t find any good Indian food.”
Prajapati emphasized that his group is what makes the restau-
rant special. He said Jasmine Johnson played an important role in helping establish the menu when the restaurant first opened.
“Without them, I’m nothing,” Prajapati said. “It’s hard to find people like that.”
Namaste’s second location opened its doors in downtown Bellingham on December 18, exactly a year after it opened the Blaine restaurant. Prajapati saw demand for a Bellingham location after customers had told him they traveled up to
Blaine just to eat at Namaste. But Blaine’s location is still a priority for Prajapati and his staff, he said. “I want to have a restaurant where friends and family come together,” Prajapati said. “That’s why my plan is to make a restaurant, not a fast food business.”
Restaurant recommendation: Prajapati recommends readers try the new chicken methi curry or chicken saag curry.
This article is part of a series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.
Tokyo Monster Sushi serves Godzilla portions in Birch Bay Square
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Owner Phillip Kim has found home after opening his Tokyo Monster Sushi restaurant in Birch Bay Square.
Since opening last February, Kim has noticed this community is different compared to areas in western Washington where he previously owned restaurants.
“I had lots of restaurants before,” Kim said. “It’s much quieter here.”
Originally from Federal Way, Kim has made a life working in construction and being a restau-
rateur. Sometimes those two skills have crossed over, as Kim said he has helped build close to 100 restaurants.
“I used to have an Italian steakhouse, a karaoke place and sushi restaurant,” Kim said. “I just happened to come up here, and I thought it might be a good idea to move here.”
Kim intends to settle permanently at Tokyo Monster Sushi, 8125 Birch Bay Square Street, suite 202.
“I’m 65 years old,” Kim said. “I’m building a house up here, so
I’m not going anywhere.”
This is good news for the customers who have enjoyed the restaurant’s extensive menu that features sushi, teriyaki, chow mein and more.
“We have everything,” Kim said. “If you want to get real authentic Japanese, Korean and Chinese food, this is the spot.”
The fish comes from JFC International Inc. in Seattle, a major distributor of Asian food products in the U.S.
“We’ve got some very good quality food up here,” Kim said.
“There’s plenty of options.”
The “monster” in Tokyo Monster Sushi is not just a name. The restaurant serves large portions and features complimentary soup. These qualities balance the cost of the meals so that customers keep coming back, Kim said.
The food is delivered by a robot waiter.
Kim is heavily involved with the restaurant’s day-to-day business and kitchen. He is a handson owner who helps wait, serve, and cook 365 days a year, since
the business is open seven days a week.
Tokyo Monster Sushi has been known for its live music, which will increase during the summer. Right now, there is music Wednesday through Sunday, but live music will be played every day during the summer.
Restaurant recommendation: Kim recommends readers try the sashimi, yakisoba or the chicken teriyaki.
This article is part of a series in The Northern Light highlighting Blaine and Birch Bay restaurants.
s Namaste The Royal Taste of India staff, from l.; Arul Sebastian, Chirag Prajapati, Jasmine Johnson, Giri Vemi, Manuel Jose, Gabriel Jose, Luis Jose and Laquan Gully.
Photo by Zen Hill s The goat biryani from Namaste. Photo courtesy of Namaste
s Phillip Kim stands at the sushi bar inside of Tokyo Monster Sushi in Birch Bay Square on February 28. Kim opened the restaurant February 3, 2024.
Photo by Zen Hill
s A sashimi platter from Tokyo Monster Sushi. Photo courtesy of Tokyo Monster Sushi
This Area is Booming!
The Northern Light is now mailed directly to 10,027 homes, 620 more than last year.
Plus, total circulation is now 11,000 copies per week.
Effective 3/6/25
More people live in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo than anywhere else in Whatcom County outside of Bellingham.
The Northern Light difference:
• mailed to every household in Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo.
• largest audited newspaper circulation in the county
• NOW 11,000 copies distributed every week
• 85% regularly read The Northern Light and 81% frequently purchase products/services from ads in the newspaper
