The Northern Light: May 1-7, 2025 by Point Roberts Press

1 - 7, 2025

Family Care Network announces Blaine clinic opening

B y G race M c c arthy

Family Care Network (FCN) has announced that its long-awaited primary care clinic will open in Blaine on June 16. Birch Bay Family Medicine will close the same day and patients will be moved to Blaine.

Blaine Family Medicine, at 861 Grant Avenue, is a 5,800-square-foot clinic with 12 exam rooms, a procedure room, triage room, on-site lab services and behavioral health services.

Birch Bay Family Medicine physicians will move to the Blaine clinic. In addition to the four Birch Bay physicians, Dr. Roma Nagin and Dr. Zafir Khan will join the team in the fall.

The Blaine clinic will start only scheduling appointments for existing Birch Bay Family Medicine patients and then transition to accepting new patients in mid-August.

“After many years of planning, it is exciting to be in the final stages of this project,” Dr. Rodney Anderson, CEO of FCN, wrote in a statement. “This clinic represents our ongoing, long-term commitment to the communities and patients we serve in the north county.”

The Blaine clinic will keep Birch Bay Family Medicine’s number, 360/3715855. Birch Bay Family Medicine will be closed June 12-13 for the move, but the phone will be monitored for emergencies.

Anderson previously told The Northern Light that FCN decided to close the Birch Bay clinic because it was in a small building with limited parking that couldn’t expand.

The Blaine clinic has been over five years in the works. FCN showed interest in building a healthcare clinic on the city’s old airport property in 2019. After

(See Clinic, page 5)

Sen. Patty Murray meets with Blaine leaders

Blaine City Council approves city put Grandis Pond de-annexation plan before voters

Blaine City Council unanimously approved city staff to prepare an official plan to de-annex the Grandis Pond urban growth area (UGA) that could go before Blaine voters as soon as the November election. The city then plans to redistribute that UGA land from east Blaine to Semiahmoo for high-density housing.

UGA swap

Under the city’s proposed UGA swap, it would de-annex about 500 acres of land be-

tween the Grandis Pond property in east Blaine and the Harbor Shores property near the mouth of Dakota Creek. It would then add 460 acres of UGA land and nearly 300 acres of UGA reserve southwest of Semiahmoo. The plan would also add 124 acres of UGA land behind the fire station on Odell Road that the city is interested in zoning for manufacturing.

The earliest the swap could happen would be late this year or early next year, when the city completes its comprehensive plan update, Wenger said.

De-annexation could potentially be put

Loss in federal funds leaves food bank reeling

Local food banks are struggling after a series of federal funding freezes impacted finances and cut the amount of food coming in for hungry community members.

For the Blaine Food Bank, problems began in December when the city of Blaine discontinued $50,000 in funding earmarked for fresh milk that it had started providing during the pandemic with Covid-19 funds.

In the four months since, nothing has gotten easier for the food bank, director Lisa Dobbin said.

Federal funding cuts by the Trump administration and an economic retraction resulting in less donations from grocery stores and other sources mean the food bank is having to get creative to make sure it doesn’t turn anyone away for lack of food.

“What has changed is two things, the amount of food coming in through federal agencies and partnerships, and

the amount of food coming in through grocery store rescue programs,” Dobbin said.

The Local Food Purchase Assistance program was eliminated without any warning, removing $150,000 in funding to county food banks to purchase local produce. Roughly 15 percent of that produce had gone to Blaine.

The Emergency Food Assistance Program was cut by roughly 30 percent,

on the November 4 ballots, city officials said. The city would then need to annex the land it’s seeking to use as UGA and UGA reserve in west Blaine.To annex land in Washington state, the most common way is the 60 percent petition method, which requires the support from property owners representing 60 percent of the assessed value of the proposed annexation area. Wenger said there were two property owners of the proposed west Blaine UGA land,

(See UGA swap, page 13)

s Clockwise, from r.; U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) meets with Blaine businessman Gurdeep Bains, Blaine city manager Mike Harmon and Blaine mayor Mary Lou Steward during a roundtable discussion on impacts to border towns during the Trump administration on April 24 at Blaine City Hall. Read more on page 3.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

B y N ola N B aker

May Events at The Vault

Mother’s Day Bouquet Class

Saturday, May 10 • 11 am - 1 pm

$55 pp plus tax includes materials, instruction and refreshments

Registration required at www.auntiemsflowers.com

Mother’s Day Brunch

Sunday, May 11 • 10 am - 2 pm

Reservations on Open Table or call 360-392-0955

Wine Paired Dinner with Abacela Saturday, May 17 • 5 - 8 pm

Presented by Paula Caudill, National Sales Manager

$120 pp includes tax & gratuity

Reservations required, call 360-392-0955

Artistic Director Sabrina Gomez-Vannelli Works by Camille Smith, Camryn Gibeau, Erin Chitren, Sabrina Gomez-Vannelli & Taylor Grayum

BLAINE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

975 H St., Blaine, WA 98230 SAT., MAY 10 • 6 PM

SUN. MATINEE, MAY 11 • 1 PM

Doors open 30 min before show

$15 GENERAL ADMISSION • UNDER 2 FREE

Tickets at the door and at www.daytodaydance.com/events

Sen. Patty Murray meets with cross-border leaders in Blaine

B y G race M c c arthy

U.S. Senator Patty Murray (DWA) held a roundtable discussion with leaders from Blaine, Surrey and Point Roberts to discuss how the Trump administration’s tariff war and threats to Canada were impacting border towns.

Sitting at the table in Blaine City Hall on April 24, Murray heard from Blaine mayor Mary Lou Steward, Blaine city manager Mike Harmon, Surrey mayor Brenda Locke, Border Policy Research Institute director Laurie Trautman, Point Roberts store owner Ali Hayton and Blaine businessman Gurdeep Bains about their experiences since the Trump administration took office.

“Canada, you are our neighbors, friends, relatives,” Murray said. “I feel like the rhetoric and economic impacts are really having a longterm personal impact between people that we can’t have.”

Steward told Murray that sales tax is down, which is expected to have a significant impact to the city budget. She said businesses were laying off workers and traffic at the Blaine Visitor Information Center had decreased 42 percent in March compared to 2024.

Trautman told Murray that the number of Canadian license plates crossing into Whatcom County was down 52 percent from April 2024, continuing a trend of decreased crossings since March, which saw a 40 percent reduction compared to last year.

The Blaine area is the third busiest region along the U.S./Canada border, with about 5.5 million visits from Canadians coming into Whatcom County, she said. Border crossings had been rebounding from the pandemic, increasing year-over-year, until February.

“We’re seeing an increase in these declines, which is very wor-

risome,” Trautman said. “It’s still in the early days. Summer is our big season here for cross-border travel. Even if those trends recover a little bit, it’s going to have a very, very big effect.”

Among changes, the Port of Bellingham has reported a “drastic” decrease in Canadian travelers at Bellingham International Airport and lodging is down 12 percent in the county, which is more than any other area along the U.S./ Canada border, Trautman said.

Hayton, who owns International Marketplace, the only grocery store in Point Roberts, said Canadians make up 80 percent of her business in the summer.

Hayton said Canadian customers buy groceries and then return their goods when they are asked

to pay a 25 percent counter tariff at the Canadian border on U.S. goods. “So the one good sale I had that day is gone,” she said.

Hayton expressed frustration with both U.S. and Canadian bor-

der officers using their discretion to enforce rules and said one of the biggest challenges was navigating the uncertainty. She also thanked Murray for her attention to the isolated community.

Wouldn’t it be great to travel on a passenger train from and to Blaine like folks here did between 1908-1981?

Well, it’s possible again with the renewed interest in this great addition to Blaine’s bottom line and to the entire region. I opened my shop on April 18, 1995, and now 30 years later having a very big sale.

I can say this, I’ve been here long enough to know what drives a successful tourist retail downtown and that is the buying public and foot traffic.

According to Bruce Agnew with the Cascadia Institute, the main hold-up is that the BC government needs to complete their feasibility study; ours was done by WWU’s economic department like 13 years ago.

Personally, I don’t know why this roadblock exists, at a rail meeting about 13 years ago at City Hall, when asked about the fact that this would likely be the busiest stop in the state because of the more than 1 million folks who live south of the Fraser River.

It’s easier to cross at Blaine than to fight traffic and tunnels to drive the opposite direction to downtown Vancouver just to end up where they started 3 hours later and his answer was, if not the busiest stop, it will compete with busy stops like Vanc. Wash.

The ridership there then was 300,000 folks per year. Imagine what kind of boost to our economy that would be.

“Most of the people in Point Roberts feel like we’re alone in this,” Hayton said. “We don’t have help. The county’s been complete(See Murray, page 10)

Heck, if I had one extra customer a day it would be like a boom, let alone up to hundreds of customers a day.

These are customers that have the day off, some discretionary spending money and would likely come a couple hours early, many purchasing a bite to eat, do some shopping, walk about and then head back on the train.

Every day, day in and day out, servicing the entire region.

If we can have a Skye Hill Station, the community should be able to travel from an actual passenger rail station like in days past.

Any city would jump at the chance to have this asset for their town, Blaine should be excited about this close-tohappening rail opportunity.

It’s on the map of All Aboard Washington for future stops along with Edmonds, Wash. Let’s connect the dots and encourage city officials to at least make those initial phone calls to the Surrey Mayor and MLAs. How much time would that take? Picking up the phone and having a brief conversation with them.

That study would most likely be done by Stantech and Kwantlen` College.

Once complete the rest would fall into place.

Please encourage city officials to help our community with passenger rail.

Bill Becht, Horseshoe Antiques

810 Peace Portal Drive, Blaine WA 360/332-1870

Stop in for lots of great stuff

Girls Who Inspire

BY BLAINE-BIRCH BAY PARK AND RECREATION DISTRICT #2

# 1

Meet Mimi-Mix, the Young DJ Spinning for BBBPRD2's

Daughter’s Choice Dance.

This year’s Daughter's Choice Dance had a special headliner lighting up the turntables—meet Mimi-Mix, a local girl with big dreams and even bigger beats. As part of our new ongoing series “Girls Who Inspire,” we are thrilled to introduce this rising star whose passion for music is already bringing joy to the dance floor.

Mimi-Mix got her start in the DJ booth by watching her dad DJ at youth dances. “I started helping him by making sure the crowd stayed on the dance floor,” she says. “That is when I became interested in mixing songs and learning how to use the turntables.” With some guidance and encouragement, she began experimenting with his equipment and has not looked back since.

While she does not have just one favorite artist, Mimi-Mix’s playlist is packed with pop favorites like Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, Olivia Rodrigo, and Benson Boone. “I love pop music!” she says. “The song I have been listening to the most lately is Coincidence by Sabrina

When asked how she puts together her sets, Mimi-Mix shows wisdom beyond her years: “I think about the age group of the audience and choose songs that will get them dancing. Then I arrange the music in a way that keeps the energy high and people on the dance floor.” It is that thoughtful preparation— and her natural talent—that brings people to their feet.

Her favorite part of being a DJ?

“Seeing people get excited when a song they love starts playing— it is the best feeling!”

As for her ultimate goal, MimiMix keeps it simple and heartfelt: “My goal is to make people dance and have fun every time I play.” To girls who want to try something new—even if it is something not traditionally “for girls”—Mimi-Mix has this to say: “I believe any girl can accomplish whatever she sets her mind to. If you stay focused and put in the effort, do not worry about what others think, just give it your all!”

We were honored to have MimiMix bringing the energy and inspiration to this year’s Daughter’s Choice Dance. Keep an eye (and ear) out for her—this young DJ is just getting started.

Mimi-Mix, age 11, brings big energy to the turntables at this year’s Daughter’s Choice Dance, proving that girls can lead the beat.

Stay tuned for more stories in our “Girls Who Inspire” series, celebrating young changemakers in our community. Carpenter.”

Presented by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District #2. Girls Who Inspire: Celebrating local groundbreakers. Know someone we should feature? Let us know at info@bbbprd2.com

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.

Publisher & Managing Editor

Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com

Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com

Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com

Reporter Nolan Baker nolan@pointrobertspress.com

Creative Services

Doug De Visser, Ruth Lauman production@pointrobertspress.com

Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com

Advertising Sales Molly Ernst, Gary Lee sales@pointrobertspress.com

General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com

Contributors In This Issue Gary Dunster

The Northern Light

225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXX, No 46

Circulation: 11,000 copies

Next issue: May 8 Ads due: May 2

Canadian support goes up in Blaine storefronts OpiniOn Letters

The Editor:

The current legislature is a circus of minions. It’s a spectacle, a grand illusion designed to distract and deceive.

We are snowed with hollow promises and superficial gestures. While our children are dying of overdoses, the minions are festering the largest tax increase in history according to the Washington State House Republican caucus, and leaving drug dealers on the street, failing to make hard drugs a felony, and then telling you how they are fighting for you. Please.

Meanwhile, our infrastructure crumbles, roads are filled with potholes, and bridges are on the verge of collapse, yet the minions divert funds to pet projects that serve no one but themselves (yet the unions are okay with that). They inflate the budget with unnecessary expenditures, masked under the guise of compassion. This manipulative tactic not only misleads the public but also diverts crucial funds from genuinely impactful initiatives. Small businesses are being strangled by red tape and excessive regulation, unable to thrive in a competitive market.

Closing needed facilities for the most vulnerable and crying that there isn’t any affordable housing (subsidized) wherein the minions are the greatest barrier to housing. Building permits are taking months and years to approve. There is no legislation to put felons in prison or make hard drugs a felony. But law-abiding citizens are the gun problem? When almost 70 percent of those arrested for firearm charges are re-arrested within eight years

of release, according to a 2021 U.S. Sentencing Commission report.Now they cry when they need to overspend by $12 billion, or the sky will fall. There is no shortfall. The real world would say “no” you don’t have the money – what you’re doing is making up things for the taxpayers to pay for that they neither need nor want. Crying that the children and homeless will suffer is a blatant mistruth.

The tax bill is coming, you’ll not escape. Renters are in for a shock.

Raymond Pelletti

Blaine

(Ed. Note: The “Blake Fix,” SB 5536 passed in 2023 after the state Supreme Court struck down the state’s felony drug possession statute, made possession of controlled substances a gross misdemeanor; possession with intent to deliver controlled substances is considered a Class B felony punishable by up to 10 years’ imprisonment and a $25,000 fine. Numerous sources indicate that Washington state faces a projected budget shortfall of approximately $12-16 billion over the next four years. The proposed budget included both spending cuts and tax increases to address the shortfall. WSDOT has estimated that it would take $14.8 billion over the next decade to achieve “minimally acceptable condition,” which is defined as planned repairs that extend the life of an asset, twice the current rate of expenditure.)

The Editor:

Hey Mawga, How you doin? How’s that 401(k) today? Have you checked to see if all of your rel-

CiviC Meetings

Circulation Independently verified by: 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. Special meeting scheduled for 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 6.

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.

Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.

atives are safe? Cuz I know there’s an offwhite hue in there somewhere. Just sayin’. Still flyin’ that VA bumper sticker? The one right next to the NRA sticker that is next to the “my kid’s an honor student” sticker? Our courageous and strong, now tragically wounded veterans can no longer take a van, that used to be provided to them for transport to a VA hospital after they tried calling the now disconnected VA Suicide Hotline. And, while you throw your half-eaten $20 burger in the trash, our kids will no longer have lunch vouchers to eat, quite possibly, the only meal they will get today cuz their parents don’t work for refineries. And have you considered how you’re going to pay for care for your aging parents who can no longer rely on Medicaid? Surely not with that 401(k), right? But there is light at the end of the Gilead Tunnel. Whew. You can now get paid $5,000 to have a child. But, be careful ladies of gold, if you took your husband’s name when you got married, you’re gonna have to work out how to vote for him again in his proposed illegal third term.

Fly that flag high cuz his “balls” are rollin’ downhill faster than you can run after them screaming, “Just give him a chance.” No, but really, how you doin’ Mawga? Bet a billion bucks you checked on your 401(k) this morning.

Carolyn Childress Blaine

Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

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. Next meeting at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 14, instead of Thursday.

BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.

Port of Bellingham: First and third Tuesday, 4 p.m., Port of Bellingham Harbor Center, 1801 Roeder Ave., Ste. 146, in Bellingham and via Zoom. Info: portofbellingham.com.

s The Blaine Chamber of Commerce and city of Blaine have partnered to distribute signs welcoming Canadians that Blaine business owners can put in their stores. Blaine Bouquets owner Sarbie Bains prepares to post her sign on April 30. The signs are available at the Blaine Visitor Information Center, 546 Peace Portal Drive.

Photo by Louise Mugar

Blessing of the Fleet returns for 41st year

B y G ary D u N ster

So, 41 years have passed since the first Blessing of the Fleet took place in 1984. Our purpose has always been and will continue to be to recognize those fishers who have been lost at sea since the turn of the century.

That number is 40 fishers. Those names are engraved on the memorial plaque which is housed at the Blaine Harbor by the conference room. When those names are called out during the service, the ship’s bell will ring and folks may come forward to put a flower in a wreath. After those 40 names are called, the names of those fishers who have passed away since the last Blessing of the Fleet will be called, the bell will ring and a flower for each fisher will be placed in the wreath.

At the end of the day, the wreath will be taken into Boundary Bay and set free by

a local fisher. This year, Jeff Markusen, skipper of the Sound Star, will have that honor.

The Fisherman’s Memorial Committee along with the Port of Bellingham and the Blaine Chamber of Commerce will host the event.

There will be dignitaries from Washington state and the city of Blaine in attendance.

The clergy will lead a prayer for the fishers and their boats to ensure safe travels to and from the harbor and the fishing grounds for the upcoming season.

The Blaine community has been outstanding in supporting the Blessing of the Fleet since 1984. So I extend an invitation to all of you on behalf of the Fisherman’s Memorial Com -

mittee to join us once again on Sunday, May 4 at 1:30 p.m. at the Blaine Harbor Boating Center on Marine Drive. If the weather is good, we will be

outside. If not, we will gather in the conference room. See you there!

Gary Dunster is chair of the Fisherman’s Memorial Committee.

Whatcom County candidates can begin filing May 5

B y G race M c c arthy

Whatcom County residents looking to get their hands in local politics, take note: Candidate filing week opens 8 a.m. Monday, May 5 and closes 5 p.m. Friday, May 9. Candidates are encouraged to file online, but filing via email, mail, fax or in person is also available. Mailed forms must be received by the filing week deadline.

The following positions are up in the election:

• Blaine City Council Ward 1. The four-year short and full term is currently held by Eric Lewis.

• Blaine City Council Ward 2. The four-year regular term is currently held by Rhyan Lopez.

• Blaine City Council Ward 3. The four-year regular term is currently held by Eric Davidson.

• Blaine City Council At-Large. The four-year regular term is currently held by Mike Hill.

• Blaine school board Director District 3. The four-year regular term

Clinic ...

From page 1

several delays from the pandemic, FCN purchased a 2.5acre parcel for about $340,000 in June 2021. The pandemic, FCN starting a new electronic medical record system, company finances and staffing issues

is currently held by Cliff Freeman.

• Blaine school board Director District 4. The two-year unexpired term is currently held by Ryan Swinburnson.

• Blaine school board Director District 5. The four-year regular term is currently held by Steve Galbraith.

• North Whatcom Fire and Rescue Commissioner Position 3. The six-year short and full term is currently held by Craig Anthony.

• Birch Bay Water and Sewer District Commissioner Position 3.

The six-year regular term is currently held by Fred Reid.

• Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 Commissioner Position 2. The four-year regular term is currently held by Sheli Moore.

• Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 Commissioner Position 4. The four-year regular term is currently held by Billy Brown.

• Whatcom County Superior court, Judge Position 5. The threeyear, unexpired term is currently held by Jennifer Slattery.

slowed the clinic’s construction, which started in late summer 2024.

The primary care clinic will bring healthcare services back to Blaine after the city’s previous clinic closed in April 2020.

FCN is a provider-owned healthcare network that has 15 locations in Whatcom and Skagit counties.

• Whatcom County Council District 1. The four-year, regular term is currently held by Kaylee Galloway.

• Whatcom County Council District 2. The four-year, regular term is currently held by Todd Donovan.

• Whatcom County Council District 3. The four-year, regular term is currently held by Tyler Byrd.

• Whatcom County Council AtLarge. The four-year, regular term is currently held by Barry Buchanan.

• Port of Bellingham Commissioner District 1. The four-year, regular term is currently held by Michael Shepard.

• Port of Bellingham Commissioner District 2. The four-year, regular term is currently held by Ken Bell.

The deadline to withdraw candidacy is 5 p.m. Monday, May 12. For more information, call the election division at the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office at 360/778-5102 or visit bit. ly/4cP1xTu. The auditor’s office is located at 311 Grand Ave, suite 103, in Bellingham.

Star Wars Day

- Anna Larson

s From r.; Mayor Mary Lou Steward reads the Blessing of the Fleet proclamation to event organizer Gary Dunster during the Blaine City Council meeting on April 28.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

Blaine baseball falls to MLB prospect-powered Mt. Vernon

B y N ola N B aker

The spring sports regular season is in its final throes before postseason madness begins. Borderite baseball took a dive after its sixgame winning streak, dropping its last four games, as did softball, which lost its last three games. Boys soccer earned its third win of the season with a tight, one-goal victory over rivals Ferndale.

Baseball

Blaine baseball knew exactly who it was up against when hosting Mt. Vernon, the top 3A school in the Northwest Conference (NWC), on April 29.

The Bulldogs are led by senior Xavier Neyens, a power-hitting shortstop that is a consensus first round pick in the upcoming MLB draft, and who has been committed to play at Oregon State University since the 8th grade.

The Borderites knew he was the best player in the state, and the best prospect to come out of Washington since Seattle’s Corbin Carroll was drafted 16th overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2019. Everyone else in the crowd soon saw exactly what all the hype was about.

Neyens crushed the very first pitch he saw from Blaine pitcher Brady Dohner over the right center field wall for a two-run home run, showing why the Mt. Vernon native has a chance to be drafted even higher than the Rookie of the Year Award winner Carroll.

The Borderites couldn’t get back on their feet after the first inning bomb, and eventually fell to Mt. Vernon 15-2, allowing a second home run to Neyens in the late innings after hitting him with a pitch and walking him in the two at bats in between.

For the Borderites, mercifully, that was the last time the team would ever face Neyens, as he now looks to take Mt. Vernon to a 3A state championship after losing in last year’s state final.

Senior catcher Evan Yates recorded a hit, along with two hits from sophomore shortstop Aaron Garza, with Dohner knocking in both Blaine runs in the game.

The loss to Mt. Vernon finished off a tough week for the Borderites, losing four straight on the back of a promising six-game winning streak.

Blaine lost 10-0 to Oak Harbor at home on April 23, then lost a pair of close games on the road against Sehome (5-1 on April 25) and Sultan (4-3 on April 28).

The losing skid puts the Borderites at 9-9 (5-8 NWC) on the season with just a few games re-

maining before the postseason kicks off.

The District 1/2 1A tournament will run from Wednesday, May 7 to Saturday, May 17 at Joe Martin Stadium and Sehome High School in Bellingham.

Blaine has just two regular season games remaining, and has a chance to leapfrog second-place 1A team Meridian in the standings for a better seed come playoff time.

The Borderites will travel to play Anacortes at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, then host one final home game at Pipeline Fields on Friday, May 2 against Burlington-Edison.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com Softball

After snapping a three-game losing streak last week with a convincing 11-5 win on the

road against Meridian on April 22, Blaine softball has lost three games in a row, all to NWC foes.

The Borderites couldn’t get the bats going against Lynden, losing 15-0 in five innings against the top 2A NWC team. Lynden pitcher Callie Ramerman earned her eighth win on the mound this season, striking out six batters and not allowing a single hit in five innings of work.

Against a hard-hitting Mt. Baker team, the Borderites couldn’t tighten up in the fielding department, getting dinged for seven errors in the 17-3 loss on April 26.

Despite the loss, Mesa Puls and Shaylie Daniels continued to show why they are two of the best hitters in the conference, with Puls going 2-3 with a single and double, stolen base and run scored, and Daniels jacking a two-run home run.

The final loss for Blaine was the closest, and probably hardest to swallow: a 5-4 loss to Burlington-Edison on April 29.

Blaine led 3-0 by the first inning after a bases-clearing, three run double by Aaliyah Bowman, but Burlington-Edison kept fighting back. After tying the game, Daniels hit her second home run in two games, this time a solo shot in the third to put the Borderites up 4-3.

But Burlington-Edison had the final say, with a go-ahead two-run homerun in the bottom of the third that would prove to be the finishing blow.

The Borderites will have a busy finish to the regular season, with five games over the first eight days of May. The Borderites will play Mt. Vernon at Pipeline Fields at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 1, then hop on the ferry to face Friday Harbor at noon Saturday, May 3.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com Boys Soccer Blaine boys soccer earned its third win on the season against its I-5 rivals Ferndale on the road on April 29, winning a nail-biting 1-0 game.

Junior goalkeeper Abel Carlson-Vega had a stellar game defending the net, earning his third clean sheet of the season. In each of Blaine’s three wins on the year, the Borderites have shut out their opponent.

Junior midfielder Dima Yuryev scored for Blaine. It was his seventh of the season, which leads the Borderites on the year. As of April 27, Yuryev’s seven goals in the 2025 season put him squarely among the top goal-scorers in the conference.

The win put the Borderites at 3-12-0 (3-11-0 NWC) with just one regular season game remaining.

Despite the rough record, the Borderites still sit above fellow 1A Nooksack Valley and Mt. Baker in the conference standings, defeating both teams in the lone matchups each team had, giving the Borderites a tiebreaker in the standings.

With the postseason fast approaching, the Borderites are locked in as the three-seed in the five-team District 1 1A tournament. The Borderites will face either Meridian or Lynden Christian, depending on how the final game of the regular season shakes out.

During its regular season encounters, Blaine lost 3-2 to Lynden Christian on March 27, and 3-1 to Meridian on April 3. The Borderites will surely hope to avenge those losses come postseason time, and grind out a tough path to the bi-district playoff and, eventually, a state berth.

Blaine’s final regular season game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, May 1 on the road against Bellingham. The District 1 1A playoffs tournament will be held at Borderite Stadium from May 3 to May 13.

Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

s Aaron Garza, l., dives into first base after a single against Mt. Vernon on April 29. Photo by Nolan Baker

s Clockwise from top l.; Blaine pitcher Brady Dohner delivers a pitch in the second inning against Mt. Vernon on April 29. Mt. Vernon shortstop and MLB prospect Xavier Neyens rounds third base after a first inning home run. Blaine players react to a pitch to Ashton Vezzetti. Photos by Nolan Baker

Active S eniors

B y N ola N B aker

The Blaine Community Center is under new management.

During an April 28 meeting, Blaine City Council voted 4-1 to have Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) take over management of the facility, which was previously managed by the Blaine Senior Center (BSC).

Eric Lewis, who wanted the senior board to manage the center for another six months, was the lone “nay” vote.

The city of Blaine owns the community center, located at 763 G Street, and adjacent pavilion. The building is rented under the city’s facilities and open spaces policy.

The vote came after months

of turbulence at the BSC, which has undergone multiple changes in leadership and governance. Former director Pete Nelson publicly resigned in December 2024 after months of negotiations with the board for more employment benefits.

Nelson’s announced departure led to a member vote to remove two former board members and Cheryl English was later announced as interim director.

BBBPRD2 and BSC submitted competing proposals to the city to manage the community center in February, with city staff recommending council choose BBBPRD2 to manage the facility. City manager Mike Harmon told council the park district’s proposal was “stronger on safe -

ty and governance,” compared to that of the senior center.

During the council discussion, Harmon said the city discussed the possibility of splitting management duties between the two entities, where BSC would manage during business hours and BBBPRD2 would manage early morning and evenings. Harmon said that possibility quickly fizzled during negotiations.

Councilmember Sonia Hurt, who is the city’s liaison with BSC and a senior center member, said she supported granting the contract to BBBPRD2.

“It’s become very clear to me that it’s in the best interest of everyone to have parks and rec running [the facility],” Hurt said. “I believe that that facility

has to be a benefit for the entire community of Blaine, and I think we can only do that by doing parks and rec.”

Lindsay said the district does not intend to change senior center services that were provided to members between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., and it wants to use the community center to provide after-hour services.

“The senior center program, of course, will stay the same,” Lindsay said. “Nothing’s going to change there. It’s just opening it up after hours and before hours for the community is what we’re focused on.”

BBBPRD2’s main office and activity center is located at 7511 Gemini Street in Birch Bay, and Lindsay said the district is in need of more activity space in Blaine.

Due to an increase in demand for BBBPRD2’s services in downtown Blaine, Lindsay said the district was searching for venues to grow. BSC representatives expressed disappointment in council’s decision, but said there was still much in the air in terms of negotiations between the board, BBBPRD2 and the city.

The senior center board held

a membership meeting on Wednesday, April 30 to discuss possible next steps.

Senior center board representatives did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Hurt said she would continue to monitor BBBPRD2’s management of the community center, and fiercely advocate for seniors along the way.

“I will be certain that I will be there making sure that they work cooperatively,” Hurt said. “If I ever see parks and rec saying, ‘No, you can’t do things because we don’t think it’s good,’ I’ll be right there in their face. I’ll be representing the seniors, making sure that they’re heard, that they get what they want.”

Lindsay urged senior center members to reach out to BBBPRD2 with any concerns they may have.

“Come and talk to us,” Lindsay said. “Our door is open, and we’ll answer any questions and concerns they have. We want to be partnered with them. We are coming in to utilize the rest of the facility and we want to honor them and the work that has been put in to create a strong senior program in Blaine.”

s A group of Blaine seniors socialize after a bridge game at Blaine Senior Center on June 7, 2022.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

s The Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street.

File photo

Activities that promote cognitive health

Fri, May 2: Creamy Tomato Soup, Turkey & Cheddar Sandwich, Cheese & Veggie Sandwich, Garden Salad, Fresh Grapes

Mon, May 5: Cinco De Mayo, Pork Carnitas Street Tacos or Veggie Street Tacos, Mexican Street Corn, Pinto Beans, Pineapple

Tue, May 6: Ginger Beef or Vegan Ginger Tofu, Brown Rice, Broccoli, Asian Sesame Coleslaw, Mandarin Oranges

Wed, May 7: Jamaican Jerk Chicken w/ Mango Salsa or Veggie Cutlet, Roasted Potato Medley, Brussels Sprouts, Banana Cream Pudding

Thu, May 8: Tortellini Pesto w/ Sundried Tomatoes, Italian Vegetables, Caesar Salad, Peaches

Fri, May 9: Mother’s Day Brunch, Eggs Benedict, Sausage Links, Breakfast Potatoes, Cheese Blintz w/ Berry Compote, Fresh Fruit Medley

Mon, May 12: Chicken Strips w/ Honey Must. or Veggie Strips, Macaroni & Cheese, California Blend Veggies, Garden Salad, Apple Slices

Tue, May 13: Cheeseburger w/ Lettuce, Tomato & Onion or Vegan Veggie Burger, Potato Wedges, Coleslaw, Cantaloupe

Wed, May 14: Pork w/ Apple Chutney or Veggie Cutlet w/ Chutney, Wild Rice Pilaf, Green Beans, Kale Citrus Salad, Berry Crisp

Thu, May 15: Panko Crusted Cod or Veggie Patty, Vegetable Rice Pilaf, Roasted Carrots, Spinach Salad, Strawberry Ice Cream

Fri, May 16: BBQ Chicken Salad, Cornbread, Watermelon

Mon, May 19: Apricot Glazed Pork Chop or Glazed Veggie Cutlet, Potatoes Colcannon, Broccoli Blend, Kale Citrus Salad, Raspberry Sherbet

Tue, May 20: Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas or Vegan Bean Enchiladas, Spanish Rice, Garden Salad, Coconut Cream Pudding

Wed, May 21: Birthday Lunch – Beef Stroganoff or Mushroom Stroganoff, Egg Noodles,Buttered Dill Carrots, Spinach Salad, Birthday Cake

Thu, May 22: Chicken Pot Pie or Mushroom Pot Pie, Garden Salad, Fruited Jell-O

Fri, May 23: Clam Chowder w/ Oyster Crackers or Corn & Potato Chowder, Tuna Salad Wrap, Garden Salad, Orange Slices

Mon, May 26: French Dip w/ Au Jus or Veggie Dip, Sweet Potato Fries, Pineapple Coleslaw, Orange Cream Salad

Tue, May 27: Thai Peanut Chicken or Thai Peanut Tofu, Basmati Rice, Asian Vegetables, Spinach Salad, Orange Wedges

Wed, May 28: Loaded Veg Lasagna, Garlic Toast, Italian Green Beans, Caesar Salad, Sliced Peaches

Thu, May 29: Turkey Meatloaf or Veggie Loaf, Mashed Potatoes & Gravy, Peas & Carrots, Garden Salad, Ambrosia

Fri, May 30: Ahi Tuna Salad or Grilled Tofu Salad, Spring Rolls, Fresh Grapes

Subject to change. While quantities last.

Maintaining physical health as a body ages is an important consideration, and often one of the first things that comes to mind when people think about being healthy. Yet physical health is only one component of a healthy lifestyle; individuals also must pay attention to what they do to promote cognitive health.

A 2023 study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information at the National Institutes of Health indicated that some decline in cognitive abilities is a natural part of the aging process. Attention, memory, executive cognitive function, language, and visuospatial abilities all exhibit measurable declines with age, according to the study.

Just because some measure of cognitive impairment occurs as the years march on doesn’t mean that seniors are powerless against Father Time. Certain behaviors and activities can help improve cognition.

Physical activity

It is important to stay physically active, not only for the body, but also for the brain. Harvard Health says research shows when animals exercise regularly, the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen-rich blood to the brain increase. More oxygen can reach an area of the brain that is responsible for thought and help improve brain function. Exercise also lowers blood pressure, cholesterol levels and blood sugar, all of which can be beneficial to the brain.

Engage in relaxing activities

People who are depressed, sleep-deprived or anxious tend to score poorly on cognitive function tests. While this may not be an indicator of cognitive decline, it is important to engage in behaviors that promote happiness and restfulness for mental health. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, and activities that help a person smile and laugh can be good for the brain.

Participate in stimulating activities

Stimulating activities, like word games, gardening, dancing, or playing a musical instrument, can help maintain cognitive function and enhance memory, says Healthline. Doing things that require mental effort can help stimulate and maintain cognitive function and also may improve emotional well-being.

Food bank ...

From page 1

equating to a roughly $600,000 cut county-wide, or $100,000 in food to Blaine, Dobbin said. Those cuts resulted in the food bank monitoring its limits to ensure it never turns someone away, Dobbin said.

For example, the food bank used to give out full gallons of milk to each patron, but now has cut that down to half-gallon jugs.

Dobbin said much of the food coming into the food bank is from the grocery rescue program, where local grocery stores donate soon-to-be expired food that food banks can quickly distribute. The amount of food

coming through that program has dwindled, as grocery stores have “tightened their belts,” Dobbin said.

Since federal funding cuts were announced in March, Dobbin said the food bank has seen a 30-40 percent reduction in dry goods, while the number of people in need only increases. The food bank currently serves between 2,800 and 3,000 households a month, with people coming from across north Whatcom County.

Dobbin said she expects next quarter to be even worse, as some federal funding was still trickling in at the beginning of the year. With no federal relief in sight, Dobbin said the food bank will need to get creative in order to find new avenues

for donations and support from individuals.

“Donations are huge, obviously,” Dobbin said. “But the second thing is, organize a food drive in your neighborhood, at your place of business, at the gym, wherever. Sharing any of our social media is a big help. We’ve got over 60 volunteers and they work tirelessly for this food bank and for this community.”

Blaine Food Bank is also in need of truck drivers to help with its food rescue program, Dobbin said. Truck drivers are needed seven days a week, for about three hours a day, to drive to Bellingham-area grocery stores to rescue food.

To learn more about how to help the Blaine Food Bank, visit blainefoodbank.org.

Murray ...

From page 3

ly nonexistent, but your team has been great and responsive.”

Locke said she was concerned about tariffs impacting Canadian businesses and many of her constituents feared crossing into the U.S. Along with other speakers, Locke told Murray one of her biggest concerns was the impact to cross-border social relations.

“I’m really glad to hear both on the economic side, which is really important for both of us to understand, and the personal side too. What you said about the social impact is really in my heart as well,” Murray said. “I don’t want to think of Canada as an enemy, and I don’t want your citizens to think of us as

somebody on the other side either.”

After her visit in Blaine, Murray traveled to Burlington to meet with farmworkers and advocates from Familias Unidas por la Justicia to hear their concerns about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Much of the conversation surrounded farmworker activist and union organizer Alfredo Juarez Zeferino, who was detained on March 25 in Sedro-Woolley, including an emotional recounting of the arrest from his wife, Beatriz Godinez. The speakers told Murray they were living in fear and requested ICE vehicles be marked. Murray ensured the groups both in Blaine and Burlington that she would share their stories in D.C. “I will make sure your voices are heard,” she said.

s U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) met with leaders from Blaine, Point Roberts and Surrey on April 24 at Blaine City Hall to discuss economic and social impacts to the border towns during the Trump administration.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

s After a series of federal funding cuts by the Trump administration and grocery stores slowing donations, Blaine Food Bank has seen a drastic decrease in incoming food, and is seeking help from the local community for support.

Photo by Nolan Baker

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Richard Gale, Deceased. NO. 25-4-00346-37. 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: April 17, 2025

Personal Representative: Linda Gale 244 Pacific Highway Bellingham, WA 98229

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. 25-4-00346-37

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In re the Estate of: ROBERT EUGENE GENGE, Deceased. Case No. 25-4-00210-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Assigned Judge: Jennifer E. 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.

1. Date probate opened: March 17, 2025

2. Date Notice to Creditors filed: April 9, 2025

3. Date of first publication: April 17, 2025

4. Date creditor claim period closes: August 17, 2025

Attorney for the Estate:

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: PAMELA LYNN BONKOSKI-WARD, Deceased. No. 25-4-00363-37. 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: April 8, 2025 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: April 17, 2025

Name of Administrator: BRITTNEY JANSEN

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: April 8, 2025

AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Administrator BRITTNEY JANSEN

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In the matter of the Estate of GORAN KARL GUSTAV CEDERBERG, Deceased. No. 25-4-00367-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) Judge Lee Grochmal

DAVID KARL ERNST CEDERBERG has been appointed as Personal Representative of the above estate. Any person having a claim against the deceased GORAN KARL GUSTAV CEDERBERG must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner provided by 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 probated proceedings have commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) thirty days after the Personal Representative 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 this notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim will be forever barred except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 or 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the probate and nonprobate assets of the Decedent.

DATE OF FILING OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS WITH CLERK OF THE COURT: April 10, 2025

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: April 24, 2025

KEITH A. BODE, WSBA #7791 314 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 688 Lynden, WA 98264-0688

TEL (360) 354-5021

Keith@Bode.net

Personal Representative: TAELAR K.M. GENOVESI

PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: DAVID KARL ERNST CEDERBERG RESIDENT AGENT AND ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Mark W. Stowe, Attorney ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: Mark W. Stowe, Attorney Stowe Law PLLC 276 Boundary Bay Road P.O. Box 129 Point Roberts, WA 98281

Phone: (360) 945-0337

Email:stowelawpllc@outlook.com

DATED this 10th day of April 2025.

Real Estate

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: SHAUN FERRIS WARD, Deceased. No. 25-4-00364-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Jennifer Slattery The Administrator named below has been appointed and has qualified as Administrator of this estate.

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: MICHAEL BERT LOYD, Deceased. No. 254-00413-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS.

Judge Robert E. Olson

The Personal Representative named below has been appointed and has qualified 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 probated 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 Filing of Notice to Creditors: April 24, 2025 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: May 1, 2025

Name of Personal Representative: NANCY SUE LEHN SMIDT

Attorney for Personal Representative: 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 April 24, 2025

STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Personal Representative: NANCY SUE LEHN SMIDT

UGA swap ...

one of whom was represented at the meeting on Monday night. Wenger said after the meeting that the representatives, from Ocean View Farms LLC, owned 237 acres of land that could be used for the UGA and were in favor of the city’s proposal.

“People in Blaine can voice their opinion on the ballots,” mayor Mary Lou Steward said.

Council discussion

Council discussed the de-annexation during a study session on April 28 before voting on it during its regularly scheduled meeting later that evening. The vote was 5-0 with councilmembers Eric Davidson and Rhyan Lopez absent.

If the city swapped UGAs, it would cost $14.2 million more to develop sewer and water infrastructure in west Blaine than east Blaine. While developers would mostly fund that infrastructure, the city would be in charge of operating and maintaining it.

Wenger added that the water infrastructure would improve Semiahmoo’s water supply, which he said “could be more robust.”

If the city did not plan for growth in Semiahmoo, it would need to either stick with its original plan to develop in east Blaine, where it would build on the aquifer but utility infrastructure would be cheaper for the city, or it would need to infill development within city limits.

“We have a lot of capacity today but 20 years from now, we’re going to have some tough decisions to make if there’s nowhere to put the housing,” Wenger said. “We’re going to have to fit thousands of more people in the city. Where are they going to go?”

Councilmember Sonia Hurt said she would be in favor of middle-density housing in the west Blaine UGA to strike a compromise with Semiahmoo residents who have been surrounded by forested lands.

“It doesn’t make sense to do

an urban growth area swap and bring in a new piece of west Blaine UGA at low density,” Wenger said. “It doesn’t pay for itself over time.”

Councilmember Richard May said he didn’t think the development would be visible to the current Semiahmoo neighborhoods because it’s on the other side of the hill.Wenger said development could potentially attract medical facilities or grocery stores to serve both the Semiahmoo and Birch Bay communities, helping make it a place where people could remain in the community as they aged. Hurt said she knew Birch Bay residents were concerned about the city’s de-annexation plan, and asked Wenger how it would be decided who received the land if Birch Bay residents seeking incorporation wanted it.

Wenger replied that Whatcom County would need to approve growth area boundary amendments and the city would need to negotiate with Birch Bay Water and Sewer District.

“This is not just an opportunity for Blaine,” Wenger said. “This is an opportunity for the whole region to have an area to build quality housing for a long time.”

Why de-annexation

City staff first brought the plan to council’s attention last October. Staff began considering the UGA swap after land slated for the future Grandis Pond housing development was sold to east Blaine residents Kevin Keck and Rebeka Ruiz-Lembo for $10 million in December 2023.

In October, Wenger had said

he was concerned Grandis Pond would not be developed because construction plans hadn’t been submitted to the city and were set to expire. Wenger said after the recent council meeting that he spoke with the Grandis Pond developers in late February and they indicated they weren’t interested in developing their property using the same level of density. Keck is a former software engineer whose work now includes being owner of Grandis Pond Equity, according to his LinkedIn account. He did not immediately respond to an interview.

The city annexed the area in 1996 for Grandis Pond, but the development stalled because of the expense of bringing utility infrastructure to the area. Grandis Pond has been considered one of the largest areas slated for housing development in Whatcom County, which, when built out, was planned to have over 1,100 residential units.

City staff, who in recent years have denied residents’ concerns about building on the aquifer, now argue that de-annexing Grandis Pond would protect the aquifer recharge area and other natural resources. Wenger said that while the city code has safeguards in place to ensure the aquifer isn’t impacted, Grandis Pond was in the high recharge area, which is the most sensitive area to the aquifer. “To absolutely minimize any impacts to our drinking water source, limiting development is probably a good idea,” Wenger said.

s Councilors Richard May and Sonia Hurt at the Blaine City Council meeting on April 28. Photo by Grace McCarthy

s Blaine City Council approved city staff prepare an official plan to de-annex the Grandis Pond urban growth area (UGA) in east Blaine and the Harbor Shores property near Dakota Creek that could go before Blaine voters as soon as the November election. The city would then try to replace that UGA land with 460 acres of UGA and nearly 300 acres of UGA reserve near Semiahmoo (pictured). The city would also like to add 124 acres of UGA land behind the fire station on Odell Road that it envisions for manufacturing uses. Map courtesy of city of Blaine

sheriff’s repOrts

April 18, 8:53 a.m.: Hulk vehicle on Legion Drive.

April 18, 4:13 p.m.: Shots on Alderson Road.

April 18, 4:14 p.m.: Hot rod on Semiahmoo Drive and Charel Drive.

April 18, 6:02 p.m.: Domestic violence arrest on Boblett Road.

April 19, 7:46 a.m.: Domestic violence on California Trail.

April 19, 7:24 p.m.: Landlord tenant dispute on Seavue Road.

April 20, 12:48 a.m.: DUI arrest on Birch Bay Lynden Road.

April 20, 10:32 a.m.: Domestic violence arrest on Willeys Lake Road.

April 20, 10:43 a.m.: Custodial interference cold call on Halibut Drive.

April 20, 6:04 p.m.: Noise on Moonlight Way.

April 20, 6:36 p.m.: Landlord tenant dispute cold call on Shintaffer Road.

April 20, 7:03 p.m.: Welfare check on Yvonne Way.

April 20, 7:18 p.m.: Assault simple on Valley View Road.

April 21, 11:33 a.m.: Domestic order violence on Blaine Road.

April 21, 3:50 p.m.: Suspicious person on Birch Bay Square Street.

April 21, 7:08 p.m.: Juvenile problem cold call on Haynie Road.

April 22, 8:28 p.m.: Fight on

Birch Bay Lynden Road.

April 23, 11:38 a.m.: Domestic violence cold call on Salish Lane.

April 23, 3:59 p.m.: Child abuse on Ham Road.

April 23, 6:19 p.m.: Neighborhood dispute on Moonlight Way.

April 24, 5:07 p.m.: Trespass arrest on Hall Road.

pOLiCe repOrts

April 19, 8:07 a.m.: Theft on Alder Street.

April 19, 8:09 a.m.: Domestic order on California Trail.

April 19, 9:25 a.m.: Trespass on 9th Street.

April 20, 12:57 a.m.: Lewd conduct on Marine Drive.

April 20, 1:23 a.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Drayton Harbor Road.

April 21, 9:40 a.m.: Burglary on H Street.

April 22, 12:28 p.m.: Shoplift on Boblett Street.

April 22, 3:35 p.m.: Welfare

CrOssWOrd

ACROSS

1. Herring-like fish 5. Perform on stage 8. Soda

11. Small growth 13. In support of 14. Step taken when walking 15. Hollyhocks 16. Returned material authorization (abbr.) 17. Feel pain

18. San Diego ballplayer 20. Inches per minute (abbr.) 21. Fat from a pig’s abdomen 22. Create again 25. Honors once more 30. Thin coating of gold 31. Welsh river 32. Japanese novelist Mizumura 33. Husks of corn 38. Green vegetable 41. Showing guilt 43. Soldier 45. Photographers 48. Language spoken in Nigeria 49. Mimic

50. Expressed pleasure 55. Ancient Greek sophist 56. Beverage container 57. Night monkey genus 59. Lace bugs 60. Hogshead (abbr.) 61. Frameworks 62. Keyboard key 63. Greek goddess of the dawn 64. Influential Korean independence figure DOWN

1. A place to unwind 2. Helped (archaic) 3. Razorbill genus 4. Bleached 5. Continent 6. Fruit preserved in syrup 7. Impediment to one’s freedom 8. Nocturnal rodents 9. Earthy pigment 10. Relieved oneself 12. Golf score 14. Tech hub __

Alto 19. Sportscaster Andrews 23. Records electric currents 24. Popular Hitchcock film 25. Revolutions per minute 26. NY Giants legend 27. Sports radio host Patrick 28. When you hope to get somewhere 29. French seaport 34. Thai river 35. Rocker’s accessory 36. Extra charge 37. Influential American president 39. Pain in the head 40. Great Plains people 41. Consumed 42. Soluble ribonucleic acid 44. Improves 45. Secret clique 46. Behind the stern of a ship 47. Dough made from corn flour 48. Fallow deer 51. Swiss river

Coming up

Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, May 1, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s theme: general knowledge. Info: thevaultwine.com.

BHS FFA Plant Sale: Friday, May 2, 3:30–6:30 p.m., Saturday, Mary 3, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., Blaine High School greenhouses (next to Borderite Stadium). Shop a great selection of plants and support Blaine High School’s FFA program.

Live Music at The Vault: Friday, May 2, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Featuring: Tea Seas Trio. Info: thevaultwine.com.

check on Peace Portal Drive.

April 23, 11:39 a.m.: Suspicious vehicle on 4th Street.

April 23, 1:11 p.m.: Domestic order on Boblett Street.

April 23, 9:43 p.m.: Suspicious person on Runge Avenue.

April 23, 11:24 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Wood Duck Loop.

April 24, 9:04 a.m.: Runaway on H Street.

April 24, 6:55 p.m.: Juvenile problem on Harrison Avenue.

April 25, 5:59 p.m.: Animal problem on A Street.

52. Grayish white 53. Engrave 54. College’s Blue Devils 58. Midway between south and southeast

Container Gardening: Saturday, May 3, 9:30–11:30 a.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Join us for an “out of the ground and into the box” introduction to container gardening. If you think that you MUST have a plot of land or maybe mobility issues have slowed you down, we want to help you not give up on gardening! We will start with the basics from choosing containers and the right plants to learning how to water and feed them. Free. Info: nwcore.org.

Clamming 101: Saturday, May 3, 3–5 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.

Bellingham Scottish Gathering Volunteer Meeting: Saturday, May 3, 3–5 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Be involved in one of Whatcom County’s best loved events coming to Blaine on June 7. Volunteers needed with all kinds of skills: clerical, set up and tear down, clean up, parking, first aid and runners for various events. Info: heather@scottishdancesociety.org.

Spring Car Show: Sunday, May 4, 9 a.m.–2 p.m., Les Schwab, 1731 La Bounty Drive, Ferndale. Dash plaques, trophies, raffle, 50/50 draw, t-shirts, free NSRA inspections. $20 to register a vehicle, free for spectators. Info: wccacruisers.org.

Share Your Spare: Sunday, May 4, noon–2 p.m., Squalicum Boathouse, 2600 N. Harbor Loop, Bellingham. Learn about being a living kidney donor, Lunch provided. Registration: bit.ly/4jJDkjS Info: Kate@ mtbakerfoundation.org.

Blessing of the Fleet: Sunday, May 4, 1:30 p.m., Blaine Boating Center, 235 Marine Drive. Honoring and recognizing local fishers who were lost at sea.

tides

May 1 - 7 at Blaine. Not for navigation.

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of April 21 to 27, no precipitation was recorded. The 2025 yearto-date precipitation is 14.3 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 71°F on April 25 with a low of 34.7°F on April 23. Average high was 64.2°F and average low was 39.5°F.

Star Wars Day Community Stroll: Sunday, May 4, 5 p.m., meet at Gateway1890 Taphouse, 429 Peace Portal Drive. Free, family-friendly event. Wear your favorite Star Wars costume, hat or shirt. Info: blainerunnersgroup@yahoo.com.

Boating Safety Classes: May 5–8, June 9–12. Eight-hour 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. Live Music at Packers: Thursday, May 8, 6–8 p.m., Packers Kitchen + Bar, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. Featuring Wild Hearts. Info: Semiahmoo.com.

Peace Arch Community Chorale Concert: Thursday May 8, 7 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Performing folk songs: The Music of the People featuring storytellers Jen and Nat Whitman. This is community choir is open to anyone who likes to sing ages 18 and up who are interested in creating community through making music.

Mother Earth Danzas: Saturday, May 10, 6 p.,m. and Sunday, May 11, 1 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. Day-to-Day Dance students perform. Doors open 30 minutes prior to show. Admission $15, under two free. Tickets at the door or at daytodaydance.com/events.

Let’s Bump up the Lights: Skits of The Carol Burnett Show: Saturday, May 10, 3 and 7 p.m., Blaine high school black box theater (entrance behind Borderite Stadium). Tickets $10 at the door or blainetheater.org. Presented by the Blaine Community Theater.

Blaine Japanese Story Theater: Saturday, May 10, 2–3 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Kids Come to the library to experience Kamishibai, traditional Japanese story theater, and make a set of your own Kamishibai cards. Info: wcls.org.

Dinner Dance Fundraiser: Saturday, May 10, 5–10 p.m., Bellingham American Legion, 1688 West Bakerview Road. Dinner, live DJ, raffle and auction. Benefits Engedi Refuge to help victims of human and sex trafficking in Whatcom Country. Tickets $50, call or text 360-201-4334. Sponsored bay the Philoptochos of St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Church. 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:360/332-6350 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.

Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.

State budget could preserve Transition to Kindergarten program

B y N ola N B aker

Blaine school board met for its April 28 meeting just one day after the Washington state legislature approved a $77.1 billion 2025-27 biennium budget, allocating $2.46 billion for K-12 education.

That multi-billion dollar expenditure for public education represents 43.2 percent of the state operating budget, down slightly from last cycle’s 43.4 percent of the budget, and still below the high water mark of above 50 percent of the budget that public education funding reached in 2018, according to data from the state Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI).

If the budget remains as is after Governor Bob Ferguson goes through “line by line” as he said on April 27, crucial programs will be preserved in the Blaine school district, keeping jobs that were originally slated to be cut in last month’s reduced education plan.

Transition to Kindergarten, a program funded through the state that prepares pre-K students for their first years at Blaine Primary School, will remain funded at its current level. That will allow three teaching positions and four para-educator positions to be kept on staff that were originally slated to be cut.

In an update on the reduced education plan from superintendent Christopher Granger during the board meeting, staff cuts represent a 38 percent reduction in

administrative staff, five percent reduction in classified staff, two percent reduction in teaching staff, and 12 percent reduction in athletic expenditures.

The state budget also provided more special education funding, a specific ask from school districts and parents across the state, and a slight bump in materials, supply and operating cost (MSOC) funds.

State-funded MSOC funds increased to $35.27 per student, allocating an additional $70,000 to the Blaine school district.

Granger said that increase still doesn’t catch up to the drastically increasing price tag for MSOC, with insurance for the district going up $95,000.

“MSOC investments by the state won’t even offset the increase in cost for the insurability of the district,” Granger told the board.

One major blow to the district with the new budget is the removal of OSPI grants, which helped keep costs down for Associated Student Body and extracurricular activities. It also removed specific grants for homeless student support, ninth grade success and outdoor learning.

Board searching for interim superintendent

The Blaine school board held a special meeting on April 21 to review, in executive session, applicants for the district’s open superintendent position. No decision was made on a specific candidate, but the board announced it is looking to name an interim

superintendent for the 2025-26 school year while it continues to search for a replacement.

Granger accepted a position as superintendent of the Sultan school district in March, and will

leave the district at the end of this school year.

“Once the interim superintendent is selected, the board will begin the process of reviewing the parameters for the perma-

nent search,” Granger wrote in an April 21 statement. “School and community stakeholders will have opportunities to provide input throughout the process over the next year.”

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

Place your message where it counts

•