The Northern Light: September 25-October 1, 2025 by Point Roberts Press

fall festivals, page 2

Registration opens for Guinness World Records polar bear dip attempt

The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce is seeking help to put Birch Bay on the map as world record holder for the polar bear plunge.

The chamber has opened registration for its Birch Bay Polar Bear Plunge on January 1, 2026, when it will attempt to beat the Guinness World Records’ largest polar bear dip.

Chamber events coordinator Sacha Sanguinetti encouraged anyone wanting to make history to sign up early.

“We want an idea of how many people will be there,” Sanguinetti said.

The world record is currently frozen at 2,461 people who plunged into chilly waters in the Czech Republic in March. Sanguinetti hopes the community will rally together to beat that record as the New Year’s Day celebration in Birch Bay typically brings out about 1,500 to 1,800 people, though only about a third of those actually register.

Chamber coordinators hope to have early registration finished by Christmas Day. Day-of registration will be available as long as there aren’t more than 5,000 early registrants. Additionally, attendees will be required to sign in the morning of the event for their plunge to count.

Early registration will be encouraged with prizes including a two-night stay at Semiahmoo Resort with a $200 resort credit. Registrants prior to Thanksgiving Day will be entered twice, while people who register between Thanksgiving and Christmas will be given one entry.

Sanguinetti said the idea for the record attempt came about two years ago, when Beach Cat Brewing owner Jake Gobeille realized the record was within reach. The chamber spent $38,500 to use the Guinness World Records’ marketing and licensing and to pay for a representative to certify the event.

Sanguinetti said the chamber will be regularly updating its social media and newsletter, the Birch Bay Buzz, with new information about the plunge.

For more information, visit the chamber’s website at bit.ly/3VyhINk.

State coalition writes letter to city, page 4

School board looks at new cell phone policy, page 7

Free community dinners return to Blaine

s After more than five years, free community dinners returned

Donations are accepted.

Business continues as usual after heated debate last Blaine City Council meeting

Blaine City Council and department heads convened September 22 in council chambers to discuss downtown construction, a new lineman apprenticeship program and rankedchoice voting for appointed positions.

The meeting concluded without follow-up discussion on councilmember Eric Lewis’ personal emails that prompted mayor Mary Lou Steward to request his resignation during the last council meeting on September 8.

No discussion on Lewis

The mayor’s request, which wasn’t publicly backed by any other council mem-

bers, came after an anonymous public records request revealed Lewis had been communicating in what Steward believed to be a questionable way with members of the Blaine Water Coalition from mid-February to early March. Lewis used his personal email to communicate with the coalition, which has hurled accusations at local leaders for the past two years and has filed a lawsuit against the city.

The coalition requested Lewis bring two motions to council to update the city’s stormwater manual and create a code of ethics. Neither motion passed as the city’s stormwater manual was already to state

Blaine seeks input on long-range planning

B y G race M c c arthy

standards and the ethics would have been voluntary in addition to state laws. City manager Mike Harmon previously said he was consulting the city attorney about whether Lewis violated the state’s appearance of fairness doctrine surrounding his communication on a decision from the city’s hearing examiner.

Calling him a “traitor” during the September 8 meeting, Steward expressed concern Lewis could potentially leak information from executive sessions discussing the coalition’s lawsuit against the city. Steward

(See City council, page 13)

After the open house, Blaine planning director Alex Wenger will present the proposal to Whatcom County Planning Commission on Thursday, October 9 at the Northwest Annex building and remotely. The commission will hold a public hearing on the plan during the same meeting.

The city of Blaine will share its plan to grow over the next 20 years and accept feedback from the public during its comprehensive plan open house 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, September 30. Planning staff will start with a 20-minute presentation at the open house, which will be held in council chambers in Blaine City Hall, 435 Martin Street.

The city and county will submit their comprehensive plans, which are updated every decade, to the state by the end of the year. Smaller changes to the plans are made annually between the decennial updates.

For more information on the Blaine comprehensive plan, visit the city’s website at bit.ly/3Khbejx.

Photo by Celine Mauger / Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2

Fall festivities to start in Birch Bay, Blaine

B y G race M c c

Autumn is officially

and the Blaine area is not falling short on its festivals to celebrate the change of seasons.

The Birch Bay and Semiahmoo communities will welcome fall

with festivals on Saturday, October 4, while Blaine will have a seaside bash and harvest festival on Saturday, October 11. Parks and recreation fall festival

The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2) is holding its fall festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 4 in the Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. The festival will have dozens of vendors, youth activities, raffle prizes, live music from noon to 2 p.m. and free s’mores starting at noon. Semiahmoo artisan market Semiahmoo Resort is re-launching its fall artisan market from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. October 4 on the resort lawn, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. The market will have vendors, raffle prizes, a coloring area and live music from noon to 3 p.m. The resort theater will show fall movies with free popcorn and cotton candy, and pumpkin (See Festivals, page 10)

We’re Open!

Blaine is open for business!

Phase 3 of the Downtown Revitalization Project begins Monday, September 29. During construction, the following downtown businesses will remain open and have public access:

• Starbucks Coffee (entrance off F St.)

• Bordertown Mexican Grill (pedestrian walkway off G St.)

• Blaine Welcome Center (pedestrian walkway off G St.)

• Inn on the Harbor (pedestrian walkway off H St.)

• Hill’s Chevron & Gift Shop (pedestrian walkway off G St.)

• Aloha Cafe (pedestrian walkway off H St.)

• Ttowa Sushi (access through back parking lot)

• CTK Church (pedestrian walkway off H St.)

• Black Forest Steak House (enter off G St.)

• Drayton Harbor Oyster Co. (pedestrian walkway off G St.)

• Inn at the Harbor (pedestrian walkway off G St.)

• Monte’s Just A Bite (pedestrian walkway off G St.)

• Blaine Bouquets (pedestrian walkway off G St.)

• Bella Boutique Consignment (pedestrian walkway off H or G St.)

I served in Afghanistan in the U.S. Marine Corps I need a Kidney Transplant

My name is Sean Libby. It took a while for me to get to this point, but I am ready to reach out and ask for your help: I need a kidney.

I’m a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who was deployed to Afghanistan in 2009. I am 35 years old. I was born in Long Beach, California, and spent part of my early childhood in Texas, living with my dad, who passed away when I was 13. After his death, I moved to Santa Cruz, California, where I lived with my aunt. In more recent years, I moved to Whatcom County, where some of my family now live nearby. Sadly, none of them are viable candidates to donate a kidney to me.

Until 2018, I enjoyed consistently good health and lived the active life of a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. That changed when doctors with the Veterans Administration first diagnosed me with IgA nephropathy, a chronic kidney disease. At the time, very little was explained about what this would mean for my future. I was simply told to manage my diet, watch my sodium and phosphorus, and have adequate fluid intake, which I gladly did because good health is important to me.

When I moved to Bellingham later that year, local doctors began taking my deteriorating health more seriously. By 2022, I was experiencing extreme fatigue, swelling in my legs, constant itching, and feeling cold all the time. In February 2023, my blood pressure spiked, and I went into complete kidney failure. Since then, I have been on dialysis three days each week to

stay alive. This requires long days at the treatment center.

My condition is directly connected to my military service in Afghanistan. Like many service members, I lived and worked near burn pits -- large open fires used to dispose of trash, plastics, metal, chemicals, even human waste. Day and night, heavy black smoke and toxic fumes hung in the air. At the time, we were told little about the risks, and there was no choice but to continue doing our jobs in that environment. Years later, medical research and veterans’ reports confirmed what many of us suspected: prolonged exposure to these toxins could cause serious health problems. My illness was eventually linked to that exposure. The VA now recognizes burn pit toxic exposure as a cause of long-term conditions, including kidney disease, and my service connection was confirmed through that process. Even with all of this, I remain deeply grateful and hopeful. I end each day in prayer, thankful for the life I still have and the people who support me. This daily practice gives me strength. In some inexplicable way, in the last few months, it has put me in a state of peace. I have a wonderful girlfriend studying nursing at Bellingham Technical College, a joyful dog named Mia, and a hobby car, a 1989 Nissan 240SX, that reminds me of simpler times when I could just tinker in the garage. My dream is to build a family, settle down near the coast, and reclaim a fuller, healthier life. I really want

to be a more productive member of my community, as I was before. Isn’t that what we all want?

To make that possible, I need a kidney transplant. Dialysis is keeping me alive, but it is not a cure. A transplant would give me the chance to live fully again, to grow old alongside my loved ones, and to continue serving my community. If you are willing to consider becoming a living kidney donor, or if you can help spread the word, I would be deeply grateful. Living donors can continue to live long, healthy lives with just one kidney, while giving someone like me the gift of a second chance. If I am blessed with your kidney, I promise to care for it with vigilance and gratitude every single day.

Please keep me in mind and share my story. Your kindness can give me back my health and my life as I imagined it.

With heartfelt gratitude, Sean

To learn more about donation or how to be evaluated as a donor, contact Angie Krzysiek, dialysis social worker, 360-734-4243. If you can’t donate, please share my story.

For information on kidney health awareness, education and assistance programs at Mount Baker Foundation: https://mtbakerfoundation.org/focus-areas/legacy-for-kidney-health

This Fall, get your vehicle transpor ted with a purpose.

Lee Bowe Company is proud to be partnering with the Blaine Public Schools Foundation, an organization dedicated to suppor ting our community ’s students and teachers

For every transpor t you book with us this season, we'll donate a por tion of the proceeds to the foundation. When you choose LBC, you're not just getting reliable auto transpor t; you're helping to build a stronger, brighter future for our youth

We look forward to serving you!

Sincerely,

Nathan & Traci Bowe Owners of Lee Bowe Company

Sean Libby

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 Kelle Rankin-Sunter

The Northern Light

225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230

Tel: 360/332-1777

Vol XXXI, No 15

Circulation: 11,000 copies

Op-Ed: A letter from the Washington Coalition for Open Government to the city of Blaine OpiniOn

B y G eor G e e r B

The city of Blaine is weathering a lengthy and heated controversy over a housing development, resulting in mutual mistrust and recrimination that make it harder to move forward.

One of the best antidotes to mistrust is open government. Embracing transparency would help Blaine City Hall escape the volatile climate that has engulfed it.

The Washington Coalition for Open Government suggests a good first step: City officials, starting with mayor Mary Lou Steward, should follow the letter and the spirit of the state Public Records Act.

This means accepting the act’s underlying premise, in which citizens oversee the government under our democratic republic. Residents of Blaine need to know what City Hall is doing so they can evaluate its performance, personnel and policies.

We’re looking for more assurances that mayor Steward takes the Public Records Act seriously.

During a messy city council meeting on September 8, the mayor complained about the city spending money on public records requests – money that she reportedly said could have been spent on the food bank or police.

We hear this argument all the time. It usually goes like this: Responding to public records requests is nonessential and interferes with government operations. It is a needless expense.

Dismissing records requests as a nuisance completely misses the vital role they play in our civic life. For 53 years, the Public Records Act has proven itself, again and again, as one of our most effective accountability and transparency tools.

Given the public’s need to know what their government is doing, the Public Records Act is an essential government duty, not a last-minute classroom assignment done grudgingly.

Then there’s the matter of law. The Public Records Act is a body of requirements embedded in state statutes. Washington vot-

The Editor:

The First Amendment to our Constitution guarantees the right of free speech, yet this administration has threatened to use the FCC to remove broadcast licenses of those in media who do not treat President Trump “kindly.”

ers told us what they thought about public records when they passed Initiative 276 in 1972. The vote wasn’t close. The ballot measure passed with 72 percent in favor.

Citizens have other expectations of local government that are also required by law – expectations that are not easily dismissed because public officials think they are bothersome.

We expect local government to be ready when disaster strikes. Lawmakers agree. For years, state law has required cities and counties to establish emergency management operations.

Given the civic priority and legal requirements attached to these services, it would be nonsensical for a public official to argue that money spent on emergency management would have been better spent on the food bank. It’s a false choice.

When public officials apply that false choice to records requests, they reveal the low priority they put on the Public Records Act and citizen oversight. They forget that public records belong to the people, not to public officials.

In a related matter, Blaine City Council member Eric Lewis deserves both chastisement and praise for using his personal email to discuss city policy with advocates.

Public officials need to use their agency’s accounts for all of their government-related communications. Doing so makes it easier for their agency to retain their conversations and find them in response to records requests.

Lewis gets a black checkmark for failing to do so.

But he gets a gold star for responding to a records request by searching his personal email and disclosing his government-related messages. Not every public official has fulfilled the Public Records Act’s requirements so willingly.

Civic controversy invariably leads to more public records requests. Just ask the Seattle and Spokane police departments, which were deluged with public records requests following the street unrest of 2020. The reason is simple: People wanted to

Letters

People are being punished for views that disagree with the thoughts of this administration.

know what was going on and what their government was doing.

In those moments public records officers often struggle to keep up. Backlogs are common.

Local governments can act proactively to weather those storms. They can store and organize their records in ways that make it easier to find and retrieve documents. They can also fully staff their public records offices. Cross-trained employees can help temporarily if a pile of requests arrives.

We know Washington residents like the Public Records Act because their support is occasionally measured by polls, surveys and their response to records controversies. Too often government officials seem unaware of the act’s popularity.

Transparent government is under assault throughout the state. Its best defenders are the same people who put the Public Records Act on the books 53 years ago. If citizens want to keep open government, they need to publicly insist on it.

George Erb is secretary of the Washington Coalition for Open Government, a nonpartisan, nonprofit advocate for public records, open meetings and informed citizens.

The extremism we are currently seeing is not simply strong conviction – it is the

Letters, page 4)

A healthy democracy depends on debate, disagreement, and the free exchange of ideas. Differences of opinion are a strength when they lead to constructive dialogue and thoughtful compromise. But in the United States today, political extremism has grown into a dangerous threat, eroding trust, distorting dialogue, and undermining the foundation of democracy.

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

CiviC Meetings

Circulation Independently verified by: Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Town halls typically at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday meeting each month. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.

Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee: Typically the last Thursday of each month, 6 p.m., Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road. Updated meeting info: bit.ly/3QmWVcX.

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 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 6 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.

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.

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.

(See

s George Erb. Courtesy photo

refusal to accept facts, the rejection of legitimate outcomes, and the belief that power should be pursued at any cost. It turns any with opposing views into enemies rather than fellow citizens.

Extremist movements thrive on fear and conspiracy, often amplified by social platforms that reward outrage over understanding. Our current leadership seems to encourage these forces, placing blind obedience over loyalty to truth or country. This reality weakens democracy.

Extremist voices drown out reasonable debate and push institutions toward dysfunction.

Citizens lose faith in government when they see it hijacked by those unwilling to compromise or respect Constitutional limits. Extremism pits neighbor against neighbor, creating suspicion where there should be cooperation. Extremist narratives open the door for disinformation and manipulation from both foreign and domestic actors who benefit from division. Democracy, however, does not require uniformity – it requires commitment to common rules and respect for legitimate differences. Combating extremism means reaffirming shared values such as safety, opportunity, fairness, and freedom – values that unite Americans across political lines. These principals are not partisan; they are the bedrock of our democracy. Reducing extremism will not eliminate disagreement, but it can restore respect and stability. It strengthens institutions, allows the government to serve all citizens, and reminds us that leaders are accountable to the people, not to the loud -

est or most radical factions.

I am asking you to reject extremism and choose cooperation over chaos.

Larry Bronemann Blaine

The Editor:

In response to Ms. Alexander’s recent letter in the September 4 issue of The Northern Light , I’d like to clarify who “the comfortable few” are. In Blaine there is a growing divide between those who are already secure in their housing and resources, and the many young families, working people, and seniors on fixed incomes who are struggling to make ends meet. The “comfortable few” are those who oppose new housing, resist change, and prioritize protecting their own comfort over addressing the very real needs of others. These attitudes are ill-intent, but they have the effect of keeping Blaine unaffordable and out of reach for families who want to build their lives here.

The school district used to have 160 kids in the kindergarten classes; that has whittled down to 110 kids over the past few years as we don’t have jobs in the community to support the cost of living here, as in the surrounding cities such as Ferndale and Lynden.

We need representation on council for people with children in our school district and those running small businesses and caring for their elderly parents all at the same time, like Sarbie Bains.

We have seen the damage the current council member Eric Lewis has done by working with the Save Blaine/Water Coalition group who have cost the city hundreds of thousands of

page 4 (See Letters, page 13)

New & Gently Used Clothing for the Whole Family, Shoes & Home Décor

Stylish name brand options!

Coach, Lululemon, Nike, The North Face, True Religion, Disney, Harley Davidson, Michael Kors, Patagonia, Miss Me 372 H Street Blaine, WA 98230

Wednesday – Saturday • 11am – 5pm

week’s supporters:

CITY OF BLAINE

September 30, 2025

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM Open House: Comprehensive Plan Update

October 1, 2025

9:00 AM – Special Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee Meeting

October 7, 2025

9:00 AM – Public Works and Park Advisory Board Meeting

October 9, 2025

6:00 PM – Planning Commission Meeting

October 13, 2025 4:00 PM – 2026 Budget Discussion – Enterprise Funds 5:30 PM – Study Session: Town Hall

6:00 PM – City Council Meeting

Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.

October at The Vault

Thursdays - Trivia at 7 pm

Fridays - Live Music at 7 pm

Saturdays - 10% off wines while dining in. 15% off for club members

Sundays - Jazz Brunch

Whatcom Artist Studio Tour

Saturday, October 4 & 11 • 10 am - 5 pm

Hosting 9 members in the Studio at The Vault

Echolands Wine Paired Dinner

Saturday, October 11 • 5 pm

Presented by Doug Frost, owner

$120 includes tax & gratuity. Reservations required at 360-392-0955

Halloween Costume Contest October 30 & 31

Reservations now available on Open

Visit our website for additional information. www.thevaultwine.com

Graceful Glow Skincare

Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website www.cityofblaine.com

Nourish Your Skin, Nurture Your Soul Facials - including microdermabrasion, dermaplane, chemical peels & custom facials Lash lifts, Brow laminations, lash and tinting • Waxing

360-920-1674 • 4819 Alderson Road # 102, Birch Bay Laura Brudvik, Licensed Esthetician serving Whatcom county Fall Special 60 minute custom facial for $85, or $5 off waxing, or $5 off lash

Space Available Apply at blainechamber.com

Weather Permitting

CITY OF BLAINE ANNUAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Blaine!

The City of Blaine is excited to announce openings for dedicated community members to volunteer on our commissions, boards, and committees. This is your chance to make a difference and contribute to the vibrant future of our city.

Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee

Meeting Schedule: One Tuesday morning per month, approximately two hours.

Open Positions:

• Citizen At Large – Partial term ending December 31, 2025

• Lodging Industry Representative – Full term ending December 31, 2028

• Blaine Chamber of Commerce Representative – Partial term ending December 31, 2027

Public Works and Park Advisory Board

Meeting Schedule: First Tuesday of the month at 9:00 AM, approximately one hour.

Open Positions:

• Partial term ending December 31, 2025

• Partial term ending December 31, 2026

• Two full terms beginning January 1, 2026

Civil Service Commission

Meeting Schedule: Fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:30 PM, approximately one hour.

Open Positions:

One full term beginning January 1, 2026

How to Apply: Applications and Descriptions: Available at https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/567/Board-Commission-Applications.

First Review Deadline: Submit your application by 4:30 PM on Friday, November 7, 2025. Applications will be accepted until vacancies are filled.

Interviews: Anticipated to occur at the 2nd regular City Council meeting in November, or the 1st regular City Council meeting in December.

Belarmino scores two to beat Nooksack Valley, football wins at home

Blaine athletics had a successful week on multiple fronts, with football earning its first win of the season against Chelan, girls soccer stringing together its first winning streak and cross-country hosting its unique, cross-border, home meet at Peace Arch Historical State Park.

Girls soccer

The Borderites defended their home turf with a hard-fought, 3-2 win over Northwest Conference rival Nooksack Valley on September 23.

Tuesday’s win was the second in a row for Blaine, which defeated Orcas Island 7-1 on September 20. After starting the season with a 1-4 record, the Borderites seem to have found their footing, stringing together a pair of wins and inching closer to a .500 record.

The game against Nooksack Valley featured multiple equalizing goals, with the Borderites quickly jumping out to a 1-0 lead when Kate Koreski scored on a penalty kick.

But Nooksack Valley kept coming back, scoring equalizers in the first and second half. It was freshman Ruby Belarmino who made the difference for the Borderites, scoring a pair of goals including a sizzling shot in the first half from outside the penalty box.

The game was Blaine’s first conference win on the season, which it hoped to become a streak with its home game against Sedro-Woolley on Thursday, September 25.

Football

Blaine football emerged victorious from its home opener thanks to a historic freshman performance and solid defense.

Playing Chelan on September

20, the Borderites got out to a 14-0 lead and did not look back, winning 33-19 and moving to 1-2 on the season.

The Borderites jumped out to a one-touchdown lead in the first quarter when sophomore quarterback Connor Brown kept a 4thand-20 play alive to connect with freshman wide receiver Jackson Bogaards for a 30-yard touchdown. According to WhatcomPreps.com, Bogaards became just the third freshman in school history to catch a touchdown pass.

The next score for Blaine came on an electrifying, 87-yard interception return for a touchdown by senior safety Kai Kerwin.

The Mountain Goats kept themselves in the game, scoring once in the first half before Blaine scored again on a Brown pass to sophomore receiver Hunter Candanoza. Chelan scored the next two touchdowns

with a chance to tie or take the lead in the fourth quarter.

Chelan decided to go for the lead with a two-point conversion attempt, but Candanoza broke up the pass, making an impactful play on defense.

The very next play, Blaine running back Jaiden Johannesson ripped off a 60-yard touchdown run, giving the Borderites the lead for good.

Brown threw for yet another touchdown pass to put the game on ice late in the fourth quarter, connecting with Kerwin for a 26-yard touchdown pass. Kerwin finished the game with six catches for 80 yards, which is somehow the lowest single-game receiving total for the senior so far this season.

Blaine had its best game of the season defending against the run, allowing just 10 rushing yards on 27 attempts for Chelan. Sopho-

more linebacker Matt Campion filled up the stat sheet with nine tackles, three tackles for loss, one interception and a fumble recovery. The linebacker to his side all game, junior Axel Shelton, led the unit with 10 tackles.

The Borderites will look to keep the home winning streak alive when they play Granite Falls (2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday, September 26 at Borderite Stadium. Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com

Cross-country

In what is likely one of the most scenic and unique cross-country meets in the state, Blaine hosted its second home meet in the past three seasons at Peace Arch Historical State Park on September 17. The team hosted Bellingham, Lummi Nation and Sedro-Woolley for a Northwest Conference clash.

The five-kilometer route, which was designed in part by

Blaine head coach Roberto Aguilera who pushed to revive the meet, technically crosses the international border between the U.S. and Canada, though the runners don’t ever leave the confines of the park itself.

Blaine saw solid individual performances, though it didn’t get the team results it wanted in the boys or girls races as the teams both finished third.

On the girls team, underclassmen led the way, with sophomore Carrie Balback running the fastest time for a Borderite at 22:31, and freshmen Zoe Hill and Claire Wenger placing in the top-20 with times of 25:04 and 25:05, respectively.

The Bellingham girls team placed first with 16, Sedro-Woolley secured second with 48 and Blaine finished third with 79..

For the boys side, sophomore Emmanuel Rios-Martinez led the Borderite pack with an 11th place finish and time of 18:02. Juniors Steven Phelps-McDonald and Verdaan Aujla placed in the top-25 out of a heat of 67 runners, with solid sub-20 minute times of 19:11 and 19:41, respectively.

The Borderites then traveled to Whidbey Island for the 46th Carl Westling Invitational on September 20, competing in the JV five-kilometer heat. The boys team finished in first with a team score of 75, beating a field of 19 schools. Rios-Martinez again led the squad with a time of 19:03, and Phelps-McDonald was not far behind, placing fourth with a time of 20:13.

Blaine’s next meet was scheduled at Meridian High School on September 24 (after press time) in a Northwest Conference matchup that included Nooksack Valley and Lummi Nation.

s Blaine defensive end Saihou Kanagie, r., rushes the Chelan offensive line in the first half of Blaine’s 33-19 win at home on September 20.

Photo by Blake Hampton-Collins

s Freshman forward Ruby Bellarmino, top, celebrates scoring her first of two goals against Nooksack Valley on September 23. Blaine beat Nooksack Valley 3-2.

Photo by Nolan Baker

Blaine school board meets in Point Roberts

• City of Blaine hired a consultant, Surveying and Mapping (SAM) LLC, to survey and map utilities throughout the City.

• SAM will be exposing buried assets in public right-of-way and easements.

• No services will be interrupted with this project.

The Blaine school board traveled across the U.S./Canada border to Point Roberts Primary School for its yearly board meeting on the exclave September 22. The board discussed a range of issues from improving relations with the Point Roberts community to kindergarten enrollment and changing the middle and high school cell phone use policy.

Enrollment update

Interim superintendent Dan Chaplik said initial enrollment reports were slightly above budget for the 2025-26 school year, with 111 kindergarteners enrolled. Chaplik said a clearer snapshot of enrollment will be available by October 1 as some students were still enrolling.

Chaplik told the board that class sizes for grades K-3 will operate at a 17:1 student to teacher ratio.

Enrollment plays a significant part in the district’s general fund revenue, with higher enrollment granting the district more funding from the state.

Kindergarten enrollment has dropped over recent years. Departing high school seniors

have outnumbered incoming kindergarteners for multiple years in a row, a sign of a longterm, district-wide downward trend in enrollment.

New principal at Point Roberts Chaplik announced the appointment of Linsey Pike as the new principal of Point Roberts Primary School. She will continue to serve as assistant principal for Blaine Primary School and visit the Point Roberts school on a monthly basis.

“I’m really excited to be here. From all the people that I’ve met and all the conversations that I’ve had, I can definitely feel the dedication to this community and to this school,” Pike said. “My hope is that we can work together and continue to build those community partnerships and get more kids here … this is such a unique place to get an education, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Chaplik, who coincidentally was Pike’s third grade teacher at Blaine Elementary School in 1993, lauded her leadership abilities and hoped this would be a step in the right direction for district relations with Point Roberts.

“I have a tremendous amount (See School, page 15)

City Council Chambers

The City of Blaine’s Community Development Services department is holding an open house for community members to learn about the City’s Comprehensive Plan update and share their ideas with city staff. Community members are encouraged to join and discuss their ideas to help Blaine plan for the next 20 years. The open house will begin with a 20-minute presentation starting at 6 p.m.

Member of the Month

Monte’s Just A Bite

Number of employees: We have four employees. How long in business: Monte’s is four years old. Established November 1, 2021.

Description of business: We are a hometown breakfast and lunch diner centered around locals and the distant travelers alike.

How the business started: In 2005, Tony’s White Spot Cafe was established until Monte was offered the business in 2021. Having worked at various restaurants around Whatcom county, we came to an agreement and the new journey began.

Future goals: To provide a place where all are welcome to be in the company of friends.

www.blainechamber.com

B y N ola N B aker

s The Blaine school board held its monthly public meeting on September 22 at Point Roberts Primary School. Photo by Pat Grubb

In the Garden with Kelle: Extending

By the time we reach the end of September most gardeners are ready for a break. We have weeded, planted, watered, harvested and worried ourselves into a well-deserved moment of inactivity. Though, there are a few of us who enjoy the challenge of seeing exactly how long we can eke out something edible (or beautiful, in the case of flowers) from our gardens.

I must admit that I belong to the second category. Admittedly, I am not always as diligent as I should be about doing all my vegetable-producing chores during the summer. This is especially true when the competition for my time includes the need to harvest apples, Italian prune plums, grapes and Asian pears. However, as the days get shorter, I am inclined to start looking around the garden to see what might winter over and how I can make that happen.

There are many easy and inexpensive ways to extend your harvest in our mild, maritime climate. I am not even going to mention the most desired thing – the greenhouse. We want to be affordable and practical.

The first thing you must understand is that you aren’t going to be watching your plants grow and produce like they do during

the summer months (nope, not even in a greenhouse). Our sun angle is too low and the temperature is just a bit too chilly. For example, most seeds won’t germinate below 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit. Select varieties can work in cooler climates like cruciferous, root and leafy vegetables. It’s also important to protect your plants from damaging weather.

The most obvious of variet-

ies are the root vegetable family: carrots, beets, turnips, radishes and so on. Once planted in late July or August, they will grow through the winter. You simply leave the plants in the ground until you need them for dinner and then dig them up. You won’t need to water them; just protect them if we get temperatures that will hover at 10-15 degrees Fahrenheit for longer than a day or two.

My easiest choice for protection is a cardboard box stuffed with shredded newspaper (leaves or hay also work) placed upside down on top of the garden bed and weighted with a rock or brick.

For an easier system that you can leave in place all winter, use simple wire hoops that are about two feet tall. Shield the hoops with a row cover to make a tent that will trap the ground heat. The row cover

allows the rain through but keeps the temperature two to four degrees warmer than the air, depending on the weight of the material. This method has been used successfully in areas like Wyoming and Colorado, where they use a double layer of material: one on the ground next to the plants and the second on the hoops over the plants.

(See Garden, page 9)

s Raised garden beds help elongate a seasonal harvest by warming the soil faster in the spring and allowing for a controlled soil blend, among other benefits.

Photo courtesy of Kelle Rankin-Sunter

& Home Garden

Garden ...

From page 8

Kale with a bit of a chill to it is simply delicious, even to those who aren’t the biggest fans of the leafy cabbage. Kale makes a great cruciferous green and is very good for you. Other leafy greens that willingly survive the winter include bok choy and Swiss chard. These can be left with no protection, though they will look pretty sad for a while after a cold event. There have only been a few winters where I’ve lost them due to desiccating cold wind. Of course, protecting them will ensure their survival. There are also cold hardy spinach and lettuce varieties that survive fairly well. If you are like me, the sticker shock from buying fresh greens last winter was enough to make me build

a raised bed and put a cover on it. Raised beds make extending your harvest easier. The soil warms up faster in the spring so that you can germinate your seeds sooner. Being elevated off of the soil grade keeps the bed from staying too wet, and controlling the soil blend in the bed maximizes its ability to support plant growth. There is still time to install a garden bed, and the galvanized metal ones are reasonably priced. In the meantime, don’t worry if you are one of those gardeners who is already finished for the season. There are CORE classes to take (see nwcore.org), seed catalogs to review and lots of gardeners to chat with in our community.

Kelle Rankin-Sunter is founder of Blaine CORE, which holds free home and gardening classes at Blaine Public Library. Rankin-Sunter can be reached at fruit@Blaine-CORE.com.

s A blooming flower provides a pop of color to the garden.

Photo courtesy of Kelle Rankin-Sunter

RECENT HOUSE & LOT PRICES

6 Beds, 4 Baths, 2,935 sqft

3 Beds, 3 Baths, 3,071 sqft

2 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 3,430 sqft

5 Beds, 3 Baths, 2,629 sqft

2 Beds, 2 Baths, 1,327 sqft

3 Beds, 2.5 Baths, 2,025 sqft

5378 Nootka Loop, Blaine 5412 Lonicera Drive, Blaine 5553 Maple Way, Blaine 5411 Beach Rock Loop Drive, Blaine 5691 Nakat Way, Blaine 9424 Turnstone Lane #29, Blaine

4 Beds, 3.5 Baths, 4,193 sqft

What’s different?

The City of Blaine Water System has recently increased the chlorine concentration in its drinking water to ensure continued compliance with all water quality standards.

What you may notice: Changes in taste, odor, or color of your tap water.

What has been upgraded? City of Blaine continually tests the water system to ensure compliance with regulations for safe drinking water.

8798 Wood Duck Way, Blaine 9790 Peace Road, Blaine 5565 Peregrine Way, Blaine 0 Maple Way Lot 31, Blaine 1130 Leighton Street, Blaine 7 Charel Drive, Blaine

Sales Representative – Full Time

Responsible for driving sales, building client relationships, and providing expert guidance throughout the design and purchasing process. Salary DOE. For more information and to apply, email Patty@1-stopinteriors.com

EXPERIENCED SEAMSTRESS

Earn

IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM In the matter of the Estates of BEATRICE MAY COLWILL and STERLING ARTHUR COLWILL, Deceased. No. 25-4-0084037. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Evan P. Jones BRUCE STERLING EDWARD COLWILL and SHEILA MARIE COLWILL have been appointed as Co-Personal Representatives of the above estates. Any person having a claim against the deceased STERLING ARTHUR COLWILL 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 Co-Personal Representatives or the Co-Personal Representatives’ 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 Co-Personal Representatives 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 said Decedent.

DATE OF FILING OF NOTICE TO CREDITORS WITH CLERK OF THE COURT: August 29, 2025

DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: September 11, 2025

CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES: BRUCE STERLING EDWARD COLWILL & SHEILA MARIE COLWILL

Date

of Notice to Creditors: September 17, 2025 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: September 24, 2025

Name of Personal Representative: DIANE BOS

Attorney for Personal Representatives: 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: September 17, 2025. AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Personal Representative DIANE BOS

THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Estate of: JASON EAVES GEISELMAN, Deceased. No. 25-4-00883-37. NOTICE TO CREDITORS. Judge Lee Grochmal

RESIDENT AGENT AND ATTORNEY FOR CO-PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES:

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 29th day of August 2025.

STOWE LAW PLLC: Mark W. Stowe, WSBA# 16655 Attorney for Co-Personal Representatives

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: September 12, 2025 with Clerk of Court:

Date of First Publication: September 18, 2025

Name of Administrator: MERIDITH COPELAND

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: September 12, 2025 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262

Attorney for Administrator MERIDITH COPELAND IN

add bonus storage. Tiffany Braun 360-594-9484 Ramona Green 360-296-8400

3824 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd MLS# 2370611 $549,000 PRICE REDUCED! Extremely PRIVATE! A FUN property! It has forest views: a wildlife parklike retreat; along California Creek; 5± acres, made for family, multi-generational living; includes Park Model w/ kitchen, living rm, & bath. Enjoy lots of stand-alone decks; with Ramps and Grab-bars; Heated/insulated shop; Barn w/mowers; Birch Bay BEACHES (2+ miles), one mile to I-5 and shopping. ROOM for every lifestyle. w/Generator; Wired for Fiber High Speed Internet & DISH. Paul Holtzheimer 360-303-4444

5279 Cherry Tree Lane

MLS# 2358648

$1,450,000

Spectacular, stunning, one of a kind, high quality well looked after mid-century home on over1 acre, South facing UNOBSTRUCTED WATER VIEW overlooking Birch Bay and San Juan Islands. Home has floor to ceiling stone fireplace, hard wood floors, large windows to capture view, expansive yard, concrete decking, located on a quiet cul-de-sac makes for a perfect retreat to call home, all this plus a 4-car garage. Close to I-5, CDN border and an easy commute to Bellingham. Nick Nicon 425-951-3719

7417 Birch Bay Dr

MLS# 2397148 $939,000

This Birch Bay waterfront gem features 3 bedrooms, 1.5 bathroom, and 1,036 sq ft with low-bank access and beach rights. Home has been recently remodeled and updated. Step out your back door onto the best hard-packed sand flats in Washington State, with a perfect westerly-facing, unobstructed water view! Large area for RV parking. Enjoy beach fires, sunsets, crabbing, clamming and boating. Ideal for full-time living or AirBNB, this property is near the State Park. Jeff Carrington 360-220-3224

Expansive views from the open living space draws you out to the patio and towards the remarkable beach of Birch Bay that is just a stone’s

City council ...

From page 1

requested Lewis resign within two weeks of September 8, or she would put forward a motion to censure him from any executive session discussing the coalition’s lawsuit against the city. The mayor’s deadline has come and gone, and Lewis remains on the council.

Nothing was said and no motions were made on the topic. The only reminder of the conflict was a handful of people in attendance who have been associated with the Blaine Water Coalition holding signs calling for the mayor to resign and decrying city governance as they’ve done previously. The sign-holders were stationed around council chambers in the front, in the back and strategically avoiding a news camera.

Also appearing to be in reaction to the last meeting, which drew raised voices, a police officer stood near city staff. Police officers have been called to council meetings periodically over the past two years to help keep decorum as coalition members have disregarded meeting instructions.

At the end of the September 8 meeting, Steward said Blaine voters may be the ones to decide whether Lewis stayed on council as his position is up in the November election. A letter campaign in support of Lewis has since been initiated.

Downtown construction

Phase three of the city’s Downtown Revitalization Project is expected to begin Monday, September 29, Blaine Public Works assistant director

Gary McSpadden told council. The third phase will close traffic on Peace Portal Drive from Starbucks to Aloha Café, though the street will remain open to pedestrian access. Traffic will be detoured through F Street, 3rd Street and H Street. G Street, the area between Hill’s Chevron and the Black Forest Steakhouse building, will not be impacted.

Downtown businesses remain open during construction. The multi-million-dollar Downtown Revitalization Project began in mid-July to make Americans with Disabilities Act improvements, along with other upgrades. Landscaping, irrigation and light poles will soon be installed as the project wraps up in some of the earlier areas.

“We’re going to start seeing some of the finished product,” McSpadden said.

Lineman apprenticeship Council unanimously approved creating a lineman apprenticeship program after years of the city struggling to hire linemen despite, at one point, offering the highest hourly pay in the state and incentivizing signing bonuses.

The city will start with one apprentice. The city will pay for the apprentice’s tuition, books, fees and travel throughout the three-year program. In exchange, the apprentice will agree to work for the city for three years after finishing the program or will be required to reimburse the city for their education and training.

“We want to showcase this,” deputy city manager Sam Crawford said. “This is huge for us. This apprentice program will allow us to cast a much wider net

in the marketplace.”

The apprentice will start earning $57.37 per hour, or 75 percent of the journey-level rate, and end with an hourly wage of $68.85, or 90 percent of the journey rate, once they’ve completed 5001 hours. Once they finish the program, the apprentice will earn 100 percent of the journey-level rate.

Harmon said there were several city employees who would be competitive applicants and he anticipated interest from dozens of others as well.

Council to use ranked-choice voting for appointments

Council unanimously approved voting via paper ballots for appointed positions, such as board members and commissioners, instead of conducting a roll call vote. If there are more than two positions, council will use ranked-choice voting, where they will write down their choices in order of preference.

The vote comes after councilmember Richard May asked council during its September 8 meeting to consider changing the way it voted on these positions. May said he wanted to change the roll call vote because other councilors had told him they’d voted for the first person nominated only because they didn’t want to vote against someone.

“In a roll call vote, there’s the potential of each council member impacting or influencing the votes of the other councilmembers,” May said. “With a paper vote, everyone writes down what they want without influence.”

Council’s decision will need to undergo legal review prior to going into effect.

From page 5

dollars in legal and other expenses – that was documented in The Northern Light this past week.

The city has had to do two rounds of job and other service cuts over the past couple years; there are more to come if we don’t elect a council to help move the city forward.

Joseph Snow Blaine

The Editor:

I’m writing this letter in support of Jiggy Sorrell. If you’re like me, and have been inundated with political ads, it’s hard to break them down; so I felt a helpful letter to my fellow Blaine voters might help.

I met Jiggy through his wife, Terra. She was running a non-profit giving away bicycles and our son happened to earn one of them. Since I’ve met Jiggy, he has been nothing but honest and encouraging. He would meet with us on Saturday morning breakfast with the guys from Blaine Christian Fellowship and give us his insights on a future for Blaine.

What appeals to me about Jiggy is that he hasn’t stopped volunteering to help out his neighbors. He was heavily involved in community work including helping veterans but also finds the time to listen when asked. I haven’t asked much of him. When I first met him I asked him to tell me something positive about his opponent, and he didn’t hesitate to reply. It wasn’t what he said, but that he didn’t hesitate to say something positive which impressed me.

Knowing he isn’t trying to change Blaine, but make it better, is the reason I would vote for him. Sadly, he’s not in my ward/position, but I would consider moving to vote for him (just kidding, I like my house, so he should run in our ward so I can).

If you are looking for honesty in politics, Jiggy Sorrell is your man. I’m not saying his opponent isn’t, but I do know Jiggy Sorrell is.

Mat Lang Blaine

The Editor:

We are so fortunate to live in a country with great newspapers and people with respectful opinions. This last week (I haven’t seen this week’s issue of The Northern Light), Cascadia Daily News published some great reporting and editing. So important together were the article on the Arch of Healing and Reconciliation and the letter from Perry Parsons. We should heal from what has happened to us and at the same time pledge that never again hate and judgment be allowed to damage the community. We can’t predict or control the actions of opponents, adherents or neighbors, but we should be able to speak our minds without devaluing the existence of others.

Personal choice and beliefs should remain personal. Our laws may reflect many of our beliefs, but there is a process. You do not have to like your neighbor to love and acknowledge them as a unique individual that deserves respect.

Donna Starr Blaine

The Editor: I am writing in support of Eric Lewis for Blaine City Council. Eric has consistently shown that he listens to the entire community. He does not discriminate based on political alignment, reputation, or personal history. Instead, he takes the time to do his due diligence, gather facts, and form his own well-rounded opinions. This approach ensures that all voices are heard and prevents our city council from becoming an echo chamber.

Eric understands that public service means putting the best interests of Blaine first. He takes that responsibility seriously and works with integrity, fairness and accountability. His ability to listen, weigh all perspectives, and make thoughtful decisions is exactly what Blaine needs as we move forward. I encourage my fellow residents to support Eric Lewis for Blaine City Council. Blaine deserves a representative who leads with balance, fairness, and genuine commitment to the community.

Jacquee Sovereign Blaine

s The Blaine City Council meeting on September 22 drew nearly two dozen people, three of whom held signs calling on the mayor to resign and decrying city governance.

Photo by Grace McCarthy

sheriff’s repOrts

September 13, 11:21 a.m.: Hazard cold call on Portal Way.

September 13, 3:51 p.m.: Shots on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

September 13, 4:02 p.m.: Domestic violence cold call on Birch Bay Drive.

September 13, 7:22 p.m.: Domestic violence on Boblett Road.

September 13, 10:47 p.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Harbor Drive.

September 13, 10:54 p.m.: Shots on Morrison Avenue.

September 13, 11:30 p.m.: Security check on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

September 14, 8:10 p.m.: Welfare check on Starfish Lane.

September 14, 8:26 p.m.: Welfare check on Bay Road.

September 14, 8:55 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

September 14, 10:18 p.m.: Suspicious person on Bay Road.

September 15, 12:45 p.m.: Vandalism on Ocean Cove Lane.

September 15, 2:15 p.m.: Attempted suicide on Bruce Road.

September 15, 3:32 p.m.:

Suspicious vehicle on Bay Road.

September 15, 4:08 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Kickerville Road.

September 15, 5:28 p.m.: Harassment cold call on West Road.

September 15, 9:11 p.m.:

Welfare check on Blaine Road.

September 15, 9:15 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

September 16, 12:47 a.m.: Suspicious person on Blaine Road.

September 16, 8:56 a.m.: Vandalism cold call on Harborview Road.

September 16, 9:31 a.m.:

Moving vehicle accident injury on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

September 16, 9:38 a.m.: Harassment on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

September 17, 10:13 a.m.: Welfare check on Alder Street.

September 17, 1:49 p.m.:

CrOssWOrd

ACROSS 1. Native American people of CA 5. Long periods of time (Brit.) 10. Classroom tool 12. Rods 14. One who renews 16. They start the alphabet 18. Periodical (slang) 19. Smooth singer Cole

20. Dorsal sclerites in insects

22. One from Utah 23. The world of the dead 25. Singer Redding

26. Mafia head 27. Wrongly 28. Unhappy 30. Anger 31. Dark olive black 33. Places to sit and eat 35. Made a mistake

37. Damp 38. Banned fuel type 40. Actor Damon 41. What thespians do 42. A polite address for a woman

44. Disallow 45. Swiss river 48. A banana has one 50. Afrikaans 52. Relative biological effectiveness (abbr.)

53. Agave 55. Journalist Tarbell 56. One-time tech leader 57. Incidentally (abbr.)

58. Intestinal bacterium

63. Loose sheats around the spinal cord

65. Accompanies nook

66. Vogue 67. Highly excited DOWN 1. Witch 2. Utilize 3. Writing utensil 4. Where rockers work 5. Becomes less intense 6. Consume 7. Type of catfish 8. “Horsetown, U.S.A.”

9. Atomic #50 10. The Muse of lyric poetry 11. Brings back to life 13. Humorous critiques 15. Cool! 17. Worst 18. Wet dirt 21. Useful 23. Hebrew unit of liquid capacity 24. High schoolers’ test 27. Internet device 29. City in India 32. A place to rest 34. Chat responder 35. A way to move on 36. What consumers are given 39. Digital audiotape 40. More (Spanish) 43. Disfigured 44. White (Spanish) 46. Church building 47. Georgia rockers 49. Surgeon’s tool 51. “Much __ about nothing” 54. Make by braiding 59. Local area net-

Burglary cold call on Alderson Road.

September 18, 9:29 a.m.: Welfare check on Salish Lane.

September 18, 11:52 a.m.: Welfare check on Clamdigger Drive.

September 18, 3:47 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.

September 18, 4:39 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Stein Road.

September 18, 5:25 p.m.: Security check on Holeman Avenue.

September 18, 6:27 p.m.: Hit and run cold call on Jess Road.

September 18, 8:39 p.m.: Security check on Gemini Street.

September 19, 8:30 a.m.: Sex offender registration on Harborview Road.

September 19, 9:09 p.m.: Welfare check on Harborview Road.

September 19, 11:13 p.m.: Party on Burk Road.

For a complete list of WCSO reports, visit whatcomcounty.us/2120/Activity-Reports.

work 60. Unit of work

61. Indigenous person of Thailand 62. Liquefied natural gas 64. Distance to top

ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

tides

September 25 - October 1 at Blaine. Not for navigation.

Coming up

CAP Winter Coat Drive: Now through September 30. Donate new or clean, good quality, winter coats, hats, gloves and socks at the CAP Clothing Bank, Blaine Library, Senior Center, IGA Market and Pacific Building Center. For other locations and more info, visit blainecap.org. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.

Winter Coat Distribution: Monday, October 6 and Friday, October 10, 9 a.m.–noon; Wednesday, October 8, 5–7 p.m.; Saturday, October 11, 10 a.m.–noon, at the CAP Center, 508 G Street. Free winter coats, hats, gloves and socks for all ages. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program, blainecap.org.

Whatcom Dream Financial Empowerment Class: Thursdays, September 25–October 30, 6:30–7:30 p.m., CAP Center, 508 G Street. Learn financial management techniques for a more secure financial future. Free. To register: 360/296-0441 or kevin@thewhatcomdream.org. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program, blainecap.org.

Fall Ladies Night: Friday, September 26, 5:30–8 p.m., VW’s Home and Garden, 8210 Portal Way. Activities include fall wreath making, planter bar, sales and refreshments. Info: vwhomeandgarden.com.

Buddy Fest: Saturday, September 27, noon–3 p.m., Northwest Washington Fairgrounds. Come celebrate the incredible individuals in our community with Down syndrome. Enjoy a fun-filled day with lunch, an awareness walk, and engaging activities for all ages. Details and registration: arcwhatcom.org/programs.

Beached Bird Training: Saturday, September 27, 2–6 p.m., Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. Join Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team (COASST) and make a difference for the environment by collecting monthly data on beached carcasses of marine birds. RSVP: coast@uw.edu or 206/221-6893.

Live Music at Station 49: Saturday, September 27, 5 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: The Invisible Cowboys. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.

Live Music at Station 49: Sunday, September 28, 3 p.m., Station 49, 4620 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Featuring: The Shannanagins. Free admission and family-friendly. Info: station49.fun.

Blaine Comprehensive Plan Open House: Tuesday, September 30, 6–7:30 p.m., Blaine City Council Chambers, 435 Marine Street, suite 4000. Community members hear about the city’s comprehensive plan update and share their ideas to help Blaine plan for the next 20 years. Info: awenger@cityofblaine.com.

“Christmas in Oz” Auditions: Thursday and Friday, October 2 and 3, 6–8 p.m., Blaine Community and Senior Center, 763 G Street. Come audition for Blaine Community Theater’s holiday performance. Info: blainecommunitytheater.com.

Blaine and Birch Bay Fall Festival: Saturday, October 4, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Birch Bay Activity Center, 7511 Gemini Street. Vendor fair, live music, drawings, s’mores bar and kids activities. Info: bbbparkandrec.org. Fall Artisan Market: Saturday, October 4, 11 a.m.– 4 p.m., Semiahmoo Tent Pavilion, 9565 Semiahmoo Parkway. Explore handcrafted goods from 20+ local vendors, beer garden, raffles, live music from Alex Britton at noon. Make it a family-friendly day with pumpkin decorating (fee applies), a complimentary coloring station, and a reserved theatre showing fall movies with complimentary popcorn and cotton candy. Info: semiahmoo.com.

Safety Preparedness Fair: Saturday, October 4, 2–4:30 p.m., Blaine Community Center Pavilion, 763 G Street. Learn about the Blaine Emergency Response Team (BERT) as they demonstrate life-saving first aid techniques, how to extinguish a fire, how to move injured people and items needed for a “go bag.”

Move Better and Age Smarter Webinar: Monday, October 6, 7 p.m.. Free. All webinar participants will receive a free physical therapy wellness kit – a starter guide to lifelong strength, balance and pain-free movement. Hosted by Natalie Milligan, MPT, MS. Register: 7elements.biz/movebetterwebinar.

Blaine School Board Candidates Forum: Tuesday, October 7, 6 p.m., Blaine Community and Senior Center, 763 G Street. Hosted by Fund Schools Now. Info: fundblaineschoolsnow.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:360/332-6350 or Info@ blainefoodbank.org.

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of September 15 to 21, 0.1 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2025 year-todate precipitation is 17.6 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 85.2°F on September 16 with a low of 48.9°F on September 19. Average high was 75.7°F and average low was 52.7°F.

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.

Senior Community Meals: Monday–Friday, 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Suggested donation of $6 per meal ($10 if under 60) or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. Donations accepted Wednesdays, 11 a.m.– 2 p.m. or by appointment. The Bridge Community Hope Center’s new location, 7620 Birch Bay Drive.

Friends of Birch Bay Library: Meets second Mondays. 6:30 p.m., Birch Bay Birch Bay Vogt Library site, 7968 Birch Bay Drive. Info: friendsofbirchbaylibrary.org.

Friends of Blaine Library: Meets third Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Find out the latest library news at this monthly FOBL Board of Directors meeting. All members and guests are welcome to attend. Info: blainelibraryfriends.org.

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

Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

School ...

From page 7

of confidence in Linsey,” Chaplik said. “She is a strong leader, fantastic person, and I couldn’t think of anybody better to connect with Point Roberts Primary.” Board considers stricter cell phone policy

The school board approved a first reading of Policy 3245, which concerns cell phone use by students while on school district grounds. The most recent telecommunication policy was ratified in 2017.

The 2017 policy allowed for each school to set its own rules about use during lunch, passing periods and classroom learning. The new policy explicitly allows an exception for 9-12 graders to use phones during lunch, with no exceptions for passing periods or for other schools.

Chaplik said he noticed during

his previous role as superintendent of the Sultan school district that students were more engaged with each other and their work with an “off and away” cell phone policy.

The newly-introduced policy still requires cell phones be turned off during the school day, with exceptions for situations of imminent danger or when allowed by staff. Both the 2017 and drafted policy also state that devices must not disrupt the learning environment and academic integrity, students can’t use phones for sexual purposes on school grounds, school officials may confiscate the device, and the school reserves the right to search the phone.

Chaplik asked the board to consider amendments and hold a second reading at next month’s board meeting.

Pat Grubb contributed to the reporting for this article

While change is constant, PeaceHealth

Advertising in The Northern Light isn’t just about promoting your business; it’s about becoming a vital part of the Blaine, Birch Bay and Semiahmoo community. With over 23,000+ print readers every week, your message reaches the homes, families, and decision-makers you care about most.

When you advertise with us, you’re not just gaining visibility—you’re building relationships. Our readers trust The Northern Light for its commitment to local stories and businesses, meaning your ad will resonate with an audience that values shopping local, supporting local, and staying connected.

LEMON PESTO RIGATONI