The Northern Light, September 3-9, 2020

September 3 - 9, 2020

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Why state leaders aren’t addressing budget, page 3

Birch Bay couple opens B’ham health center, page 8

No plans for more border fence, CBP says, page 15

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More Asian giant hornet sightings in Birch Bay

By Grace McCarthy Asian giant hornet sightings continue in Birch Bay as workers start appearing for the fall. The two most recent sightings occurred August 18 and 19, bringing the total count of confirmed hornet detections in Washington state to nine.

The August 18 sighting was at a restaurant on Birch Bay Drive. A restaurant patron was seated in the outdoor dining area when the hornet landed nearby, allowing the guest to take a photo of the hornet before it flew away. The patron then posted the photo on a Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Facebook page but the agency was unable to determine if the hornet was a queen or worker from the photo.

On August 19, WSDA and U.S. Department of Agriculture officials were adding experimental traps with different bait in Birch Bay, near where an unmated queen was found July 14. While setting traps, a WSDA entomologist found a dead worker in a trap set by Birch Bay beekeeper Ruthie Danielsen, who has seven traps set near her hives.

“I felt enthralled because I actually caught one. It’s cosmic,” Danielsen said after WSDA entomologist Chris Looney texted her about the finding. “There are 2,000 traps. I got really excited in February, so to catch one is like ‘yay’ but also it’s certainly too close to my hives. My protection side tunes into my honeybees.”

The worker was significantly smaller than hornets previously found in the U.S., which, WSDA said in an announcement, highlights that Asian giant hornets can be 1.5 inches or smaller; they don’t all reach two inches. The hornets are also distinguished by their large orange heads and big black eyes.

Earlier in August, Danielsen installed two traps on her honey beehives based on traps made in Japan, where the hornet is native. The trap can trap a live hornet, protecting the hive. Duvall beekeeper Matt Waddington, who made the traps,

s A medical professional conducts a nostril swab to test for Covid-19 at Birch Bay Bible Community Church on September 1. Low-barrier Covid-19 testing is available Tuesday mornings at the church by appointment and can be scheduled at testdirectly.com/whatcom.

(See Hornets, page 7)

(See Testing, page 6)

Photo by Ian Haupt

Weekly Covid-19 testing to continue in Birch Bay Whatcom County plans to continue low-barrier Covid-19 testing at the Birch Bay Bible Community Church on Tuesday mornings in the coming weeks.

Last week, the county’s mobile testing program – run by the health department and Whatcom Unified Command (WUC) – expanded to offer free Covid-19 testing that doesn’t require insurance or a physician’s referral at Birch Bay Bible Community Church, at 4660 Bay Road, and five other new locations throughout the county. Tests are available by appointment only and can be scheduled online at testdirectly. com/whatcom.

WUC public information officer Amy

Cloud said in an email that the county plans to continue to follow the publicized testing schedule at the six testing sites in the upcoming weeks. The program provides a testing site inside the border of each school district in the county.

The health department and WUC perform tests in Birch Bay on Tuesdays between 9 a.m. and noon. Test dates and registration will open weekly on Saturdays at testdirectly.com, health department director Erika Lautenbach said in an August 25 media briefing.

If a change needs to be made to the testing schedule, Cloud said the health department and WUC would announce the change as soon as they become aware.

Those with insurance must provide in-

Winter clothing drive is on through September

By Oliver Lazenby With winter on the way, the Community Assistance Program (CAP) and Interfaith Coalition are collecting warm clothing through the end of September for their annual winter clothing drive.

CAP is accepting new or gently-used winter coats, hats, gloves, scarves and socks for adults and children throughout September. All used items must be freshly-washed and enclosed in a plastic bag before being

dropped off.

XXL, XXXL and toddler sizes are in high demand, but clothing drive director Amee Nelson said she expects increased demand for most items this year.

“I think just all the way around needs are going to be greater this year,” she said.

Clothing can be dropped off at Pacific Building Center, The Bridge Community Hope Center (by appointment), Birch Bay Village Golf Pro Shop, Blaine Christ the King Church, North Bay Christ the King

Church and Blaine Grace Lutheran Church.

CAP plans to add additional collection locations, which will be posted on its website.

CAP also takes monetary donations online, which it uses to buy items in high demand. CAP will distribute the clothing by appointment throughout October. Typically, the organization operates a distribution site for one week that allows people in need to come in and browse. This year, people (See Clothing, page 7)

surance information for billing purposes when scheduling an appointment. The program is designed for drive-through testing, but it can accommodate people who don’t have a vehicle. To be tested without a car, call 370/778-6075. To schedule a test in a language other than English, call 360/778-6075.

As of September 1, 1,102 people in Whatcom County have tested positive for Covid-19 and 39 people have died from the virus, according to the Washington State Department of Health. Six people in the county were hospitalized last month, according to state data.

As of September 1, Whatcom County’s

INSIDE

By Ian Haupt

Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Health . . . . . . . . . 8 Classifieds . . . . . 11

Coming Up . . . . . 14 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14

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The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

Kayakers enjoy California Creek

WTA increases service to Blaine and Birch Bay

s Kayakers finish a day of paddling near the future California Creek Estuary Park.

Photo by Ruth Lauman

U.S. Representatives join forces in calling for more flexibility for Point Roberts B y P a t G r u bb U.S. representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Collin Peterson (MN-07), her counterpart from Minnesota, have joined forces to ask the Canadian government to provide more flexibility and clarity for residents who live in the exclave communities of Point Roberts and the Northwest Angle in Minnesota. The two communities are geographically separated from the rest of the country.

In a letter dated September 1 to the Honorable Bill Blair, the Canadian Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the lawmaker called upon the Canadian government to provide more advance notice of border policy changes and an exemption allowing travel through Canada to access the rest of the U. S. “The restriction on all discretionary travel at the Canada-U.S. border was extended until September 21, 2020 and was announced only five days before the

restrictions were set to expire.

Should border restrictions continue, more advanced notification of restriction extensions and an explanation of the metrics that contribute to future decisions would be much appreciated by our constituents,” the lawmakers wrote. “We would also greatly appreciate exemptions to allow Americans to briefly and safely transit through Canada without exiting vehicles to allow access to Point Roberts and the NW Angle.”

The two pointed out that Canada has allowed Americans to travel by car to and from Alaska through Canada and submit that the same flexibility should be extended to the two communities as well.

WTA Route 75, which serves Blaine and Birch Bay from Bellingham station, will have more service starting September 20.

File photo

By Ian Haupt Upon request from riders who needed earlier transportation to work, the Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is adding earlier weekday trips on Route 75, with service from Birch Bay and Blaine to Bellingham, and six other routes beginning September 20.

Route 75 will offer earlier northbound service, starting from Bellingham station at 6:25 a.m., whereas now service begins southbound from Blaine Cost Cutter at 7:55 a.m., according to the route schedule on WTA’s website. WTA will also increase service on Saturdays to match the current weekday service, which is still less than before the pandemic.

WTA reduced service by 30 percent on March 30 due to low ridership after the start of the pandemic and to address shortages of staffing and safety supplies, according to an August 31 press release from WTA. Safety supplies

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mostly referred to cleaning supplies – used to sanitize buses every evening – but also masks and gloves, said Maureen McCarthy, community relations and marketing manager for WTA. Since the reduction, ridership is up.

In March and April, McCarthy said ridership was down 80-85 percent. Now, ridership is only down by 30-40 percent from its pre-pandemic level and the availability of staff and supplies has also stabilized.

Riders also requested more service in a recent survey conducted

by WTA, and WTA’s new changes will meet most of those requests.

When the changes go into effect, WTA will operate Monday through Saturday at what was a Saturday-level of service before the pandemic – all 27 routes, but less frequent and with later start times than on weekdays before the pandemic. On Sundays, WTA will operate 15 routes at the same level of service it did on Sundays before the pandemic.

Riders made plenty of requests in the survey for WTA to return to full service; however, those requests cannot be met under the current conditions, McCarthy said.

Other earlier weekday trips will be added to routes 14, 190, 232, and 331 in Bellingham, Route 512 Sudden Valley and Route 72X Kendall. WTA will also add one later trip on Route 80X to Mount Vernon.

For more information on bus route changes and services, visit ridewta.com/changes.

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September 3 - 9, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

Why state leaders aren’t rushing to address state’s budget shortfall

s Washington is expecting to collect $8.8 billion less in tax revenue through 2023 because of the economic collapse caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

Photo by Matt M. McKnight/Crosscut

B y M e l i s s a S a n t o s / C r o s s c u t . c om A few months ago, an emergency session of Washington’s legislature to deal with a pandemic-related budget shortfall seemed inevitable. Now with summer coming to a close and Congress putting another stimulus package on hold, talk of a special session has fizzled.

Leaders say the earliest they would hold an emergency session at this point would most likely be after the November election, if they convene at all. It’s quite possible legislators won’t meet again until January, when their regular 105-day session is scheduled to begin.

What happened? Mainly, Democrats, who control both chambers of the legislature, have been hoping they’ll receive some good news sometime soon – the kind that could make the state’s budget crisis a little less dire, and perhaps spare some state programs from cuts.

Waiting on Congress For months, Democratic state legislators have been hoping Congress passes a second coronavirus relief bill, one that would provide assistance to state and local governments struggling during the coronavirus pandemic. If such a package came through, it could substantially reduce the scale of the cuts legislators have to make to balance the budget.

The state is looking at a loss of $8.8 billion in tax revenue over three years due to the economic collapse caused by the pandemic. Initially, some legislators from both parties had favored holding a quick special session to start making painful budget cuts before July 1, when about $800 million in new spending began.

Then Democratic leaders decided to wait to see what happens in Congress. But earlier this month, Congress adjourned for its August recess without passing a second relief package.

Now, it looks like state officials might not know if they’re getting federal help until as late as January, said state senator Christine Rolfes, D-Bainbridge Island, the Senate’s chief budget writer. One of the biggest sticking points in the congressional negotiations has been whether the relief package should include money for state and local governments – the very question that has Washington state officials sitting on the edge of their seats.

The impasse in Congress effectively stamped out the possibility that the legislature would meet this summer to work on budget solutions, said Andy Billig, D-Spokane, the state Senate’s majority leader. Billig had previously suggested that a special session in August might make sense, but he now thinks November is more likely, if the legislature is to hold a special session this year.

“At the current time, we don’t know what will be in the federal package,” Billig said in late July.

“So it makes sense to wait to see the extent of federal aid Washington state will receive.”

Republicans, who are in the minority, have derided the waitand-see approach as a bad one, saying the legislature is abdicating its responsibility to oversee state spending. They have been calling for a special session since May, saying cutting programs earlier would result in more savings and prevent the need for deeper budget cuts later.

Election-year politics There’s also another factor at play: Elections. One Democratic senator was blunt last month in saying many of his colleagues don’t want to vote on new tax measures before the November 3 general election.

“People are coming to the conclusion that they want revenue to be a part of the budget solution, but that’s not very likely to happen before the election,” said state senator Jamie Pedersen, a Seattle Democrat who chairs the Senate Democrats’ campaign committee.

About half of the state’s 49 senators are up for reelection this fall, while all 98 House members will appear on the November ballot.

It’s also possible that proposals to increase taxes on wealthy individuals and corporations could be easier to pass in January, if voters elect new Democratic legislators who favor those policies, Pedersen said. Democrats are hoping to pick up a few Senate seats currently held by Republicans, including in swing districts such as Pierce County’s 28th Legislative District.

Even if Democrats did want to solve their budget problem by making cuts, as Republicans have suggested, it’s not clear they have the votes in the House and Senate to do that, either, said Da-

vid Schumacher, the budget director for Democratic governor Jay Inslee.

People told me they didn’t have the votes to do cuts and they didn’t have the votes to do revenue. That’s what I heard,” Schumacher said. “The elections, I am sure, are one thing that played in their heads, in terms of what kind of budget they want to do.”

Hoping for an economic rebound There are some early signs that things might be improving economically in Washington state, said House Majority Leader Pat Sullivan, D-Covington. State revenue collections were about $600 million higher than expected in June and July, taking a small dent out of the $8.8 billion three-year shortfall projected in mid-June.

If that trend holds, legislators may have fewer cuts to make after all, Sullivan said. They won’t know for sure, however, until they get an updated state revenue forecast in September.

“It’s really hard to say how that will translate, but it is good news,” he said.

The governor already did some stuff It hasn’t been total inaction at the state capitol. In May, Inslee implemented a state employee hiring freeze, limited official state travel and halted new state contracts and equipment purchases.

In June, he canceled a scheduled 3 percent wage increase for some state employees and began furloughs for others; those steps were expected to save at least $55 million over the next year.

All told, the cost-cutting measures the governor instituted will likely save the state somewhere between $150 million and $200 million over the course of the current fiscal year, said Schumacher, Inslee’s budget director.

Those savings, combined with the use of reserve money and a potential uptick in state revenues, could go a long way toward easing the state’s financial crisis in the near term, Schumacher said.

Even if the state taps all of its reserves this year, however, a sizable budget shortfall is still projected for the coming 2021-2023 budget cycle. Sullivan, the House majority leader, said that problem looms in January no matter what, even if lawmakers were to convene this year to work on some aspects of the budget.

Republicans have criticized Democratic lawmakers for leaving so many budgetary decisions to Inslee.

“This is not how laws were meant to be made,” wrote Republican state senator John Braun, R-Centralia, in a July letter. “It’s simply not.”

Sullivan said even without a special session, lawmakers and staff are doing substantial work behind the scenes to comb through the budget and brainstorm more permanent fixes.

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The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

Opinion

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.

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

Blaine school district welcomes new hires

s Clockwise from top left: Andrew Marshall, Blaine High School choir director; Dawn Walker, executive director for federal and special programs; Janie Ascencio, occupational therapist for the district; Jordan Radke, Blaine Primary School principal; Julie Strain, Blaine High School guidance counselor; Sydney Johnson, assistant athletic director and high school athletic trainer.

Photos courtesy of the Blaine school district

Letters

Editor Oliver Lazenby oliver@pointrobertspress.com Reporter & Copy Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporting Interns Kyra Planetz, Ian Haupt prpintern@pointrobertspress.com Creative Services Ruth Lauman, Doug De Visser, production@pointrobertspress.com Office Manager Jeanie Luna info@pointrobertspress.com Advertising Sales Molly Ernst sales@pointrobertspress.com General Editorial Inquiries editor@pointrobertspress.com The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVI, No 12 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: Sept. 10 Ads due: Sept. 4

The Editor: Heartfelt thanks to Nimbus Real Estate and Wild Bird Charity for hosting the American Graffiti Auto Show. Thoroughly enjoyed the day. Well done!

Angry and sorry to hear about Diane Major’s injury due to irresponsible pet owners.

I too was attacked by a dog in the area of the Skate Park. Fortunately, I only suffered bloody knees and hands in order to protect my dog. Sadly, Diane’s injuries are much worse. Since then I have had two more occasions of dogs coming at us on our walks.

The problem lies solely on the pet owners.

Brian Major was far too kind to ask please in my opinion. Keep control of your pets or don’t have one.

Linda Bennett Blaine The Editor: It can be seen that change is coming to Blaine, but will that change be seen as changed or changes?

Developers will come to make promises to our cash-poor city. Understand that community character too often has been changed adversely and forever by them.

Remember, too, how recently our city was willing to allow them to erect 60-foot tall buildings along Peace Portal Drive. The potential for loss of water views there still exists, and that needs to be carefully monitored. If developing through building here, insist that such fit in with our nature. Establish an appropriate theme for Blaine as a guideline?

There, too, will be those residential miners who come to Blaine because we are “cheap” and then quickly demand we be changed to fit their former extrinsic worlds.

Are we less to them beyond just the cost of our real estate? If they only understood

our riches.

It is in our quality of life where Blaine is quite rich. I personally have found that my neighbors are all people known to each other. There’s scenery, safety, quiet, and a freedom to be here. Wild life is the bird life. We are an eye in a surrounding storm, and there is the feel in this seaside community of living on an island without actually being one.

We are thankfully more a town than city.

Changes such as the sidewalk cafe look have been a wonderful change, keep those ongoing. Before new building, promote first remodeling or filling the vacant buildings, putting in them small shops like in La Conner. Our restaurants would benefit with draws to bring people here for more than package pick up, gas and milk. Re-create the waterfront. Get the train stop here (once Amtrak resumes). Get Blaine residents a discount when buying gas or groceries here (if gas prices have dropped here without the Canadians, why haven’t grocery prices?)

Enforce city codes in cleaning up of wayward residential properties. Can’t these be affordable?

As we change, let’s not seek quantity nor allow mining. Let us farm what we already have, to harvest and reap an ongoing quality of life that is Blaine.

Ray Leone Blaine The Editor: Thank you Marianne Scholl for your Seattle Times article on your husband’s traumatic brain injury and the similarities to our trials during Covid-19. The public must become aware of how long it takes to recover, the long-term consequences of the disease and how differently people are impacted.

Like childbearing, recovery is not complete post birth, it takes a body a year to fully

recover, if not more. Some people think recovery is quick and this disease has no life altering consequences.

Long term consequences cannot only be physical and neurological, but economic and financial. Stories like Marianne’s are huge in alerting citizens to the harsh realities of recovery prognosis. More explicit coverage is essential, perhaps it would encourage mask wearing.

Wearing masks is not about your liberty or feeling you are protected, it is about assuring protection for consumers shopping, church visitors who are not in your bubble, workers earning income, students getting educated, all of whom have diverse family members who might be vulnerable to the consequences of this disease.

Perhaps Covid-19 is God reminding us about brotherhood and compassion, but if your priority is the economy, it will take our national case number to drop significantly for our economy to start functioning again.

Please help us all by masking in public.

Donna Starr Blaine The Editor: For people choosing to vote for or against Trump or Biden, at least make it a legitimate reason versus the tired old “he’s not a Republican/Democrat” cliché. I, being a proud conservative, am crossing the aisle for Joe Biden for one valid reason, President Trump’s administration’s attempt to privatize the National Weather Service (NWS).

He attempted from 2017 through 2019 to have former Accuweather CEO Barry Myers become the head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) until Myers removed his name for the job (See Letters, next page)

September 3 - 9, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

Continued

“Kindly tell me why you have a problem with our president?” OK. I’ll be kind and explain the problem.

He got into office by inspiring hate, questioning the birthright of the last president. I have a problem with his constant use of innuendo, inferring that his last opponent was ‘crooked’ when she wasn’t.

The chants of his supporters (lock her up), which he encouraged, were anything but kind, or even civil. He has done immeasurable damage to the rule of law in this country by flouting congressional subpoenas, preventing testimony and suborning perjury. His refusal to adhere to norms of civility is not refreshing, but repugnant. He pardons dirty tricksters convicted of lying to the FBI. He inspires the worst in his followers, some Nazis and Klansmen.

He seems to have inspired, or perhaps just plucked up, your anger toward liberals. He certainly inspired the young man who took his mother’s semi-automatic rifle to Kenosha, Wisconsin and the

after comedian John Oliver on his HBO show last October aired a segment showing the corruption that would occur if the NWS went to a paywall type of weather information system, something this administration has spoken in favor of. That is something that most Democrats and Republicans in Congress have been venomously opposed to, yet some GOP members are still attempting it under Trump.

The NWS under NOAA is considered by most people to be the most valuable government entity that has ever existed, especially considering how many untold lives they have saved here and abroad. But to turn a proven agency over to the private sector so they can decide who gets lifesaving weather information over those who can’t pay for it is a line that no lawmaker had better cross with me, a proud weather nerd for over 35 years.

With family and friends back down south who work for the NWS, the work they do is always underappreciated. We as a country cannot afford anyone, regardless of political party affiliation, to ever try and privatize the weather information provided by the NWS. Imagine farmers, towns, cities, airlines, railroads, airports, indifamiliar with library's holds system?

Editor: viduals, truckingNot companies, re- theThe Don't have a specific title in mind?

A letter writer in this week’s istailers, etc. who don’t pay for such a system and are at the mercy of a sue of The Northern Light asked Call us and we'll gather several items for you based on your interests. privatized weather monopoly.

Request books, audiobooks, And just so you know, virtual- DVDs, music CDs, magazines, and more.

Then schedule ly all of the weather data you see a time and pick up your bag! on apps, the internet, local news, etc. from private companies comes from the NWS and they add their own graphics and analysis. Take that away and what freedom do we have left?

Gerald Patterson Blaine

To-Go Bags

The Editor and fellow Blaine residents: What has happened to the neighborliness in Blaine that I saw when my husband and I bought our house 11 years ago? The town has certainly improved in its outward appearance, but its inner being shows signs of an empathy deficit.

Just last week, we were shocked to read the letter from our friend, Brian Major, about his wife’s serious injury caused by off-leash

young man who drove through protesters in Charlottesville, Virginia. I could go on, but that point is made.

I’m glad you love our country, yet you insinuate that liberals don’t. He promised great healthcare yet is trying to delegitimize the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. As far as I can see, you are following a charlatan and scoundrel who doesn’t value truth or honesty. That’s a shame. I have listened to him, and find him offensive.

Thanks for trying to explain why you support him. I still don’t understand. Well maybe I do, but I’m explaining kindly.

As far as finding a perfect person, I don’t think that Joe Biden is perfect. But I do think that given the competition, he is an excellent choice and I invite you to reconsider your choice.

Steve Ganz Blaine

CITY OF BLAINE Due to COVID-19 and the Governor’s Proclamation, meetings are now only open to the public telephonically. Information on how to listen to the meeting live will be on the City Council agenda which is located on the City’s website homepage under Your Government, City Council, City Council Agenda.

Please check the agenda prior to each meeting as the call in number or location may change.

Monday, September 7 City Offices Closed – Labor Day

Tuesday, September 8 8:00am – Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee

Thursday, September 10 9:00am – Parks and Cemetery Board Meeting 6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting

Monday, September 14 6:00pm – City Council Meeting Thursday, September 24 6:00pm – Planning

(See Letters, page 7)

Commission Meeting

September is Library Card Sign-up Month

All City offices are currently closed to the public. Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.

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

www.cityofblaine.com

Borrow up to 125 items at one time - books, audiobooks, DVDs, video and board games, American Girl Doll kits, magazines, music CDs and more! Place a request online or by phone and pick up later.

Enjoy online subscription educational help sites for all ages, streaming movies, arts and crafts video classes, local and national newspapers, family history research, language learning and more!

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Letters...

dogs. My heart aches for her as she, I hope, recovers fully from these broken bones.

My concern, though much less serious, also concerns the responsibilities of dog ownership.

I adore dogs. If you walk by my house with your dog while I am out weeding our flower beds, I am quite likely to ask if I might pet and “talk” with your animal. However, my husband and I don’t want the day-to-day responsibilities of pet ownership, therefore we do not have dogs.

We truly enjoy our flower beds and are happy that passersby also find them attractive. But they were not created to be pooch potties.

It is disheartening to be happily weeding and find dog feces in our yard, particularly on the corner, where the fragrant white roses are.

Last week, I even found a bright yellow poop bag tossed in our bed of yellow roses – it was obviously not inadvertently dropped. If one takes the time to bag their dog’s excrement, why not go the next step and carry it home?

Blaine, we can be a lovely town where residents respect one another. All it takes is thinking about the feelings of others. In essence, let’s follow the golden rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated. This little idea can have a big impact.

Angela Garvey Blaine

Neither do we.

(360) 332-6906 885 4th St. • Blaine, WA 98230 Pastor Sandy Wisecarver

www.cityofblaine.com

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6

The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

Family Service Center providing food and hygiene supplies

By Kyra Planetz The Blaine school district’s Family Service Center (FSC) has been serving the community since 1997, and though its employees are working remotely during the pandemic, the FSC is still available to provide support to local families. Services the FSC provides include food and hygiene supplies and connections with out-of-district resources.

“Due to Covid-19 we have seen an increased need from families in our community,” said Lisa Moeller, Blaine school district public relations specialist, in an email.

According to Moeller, the FSC

has provided assistance to approximately 40 more families this year than in 2019. In partnership with Wildbird Charity, the FSC continues to provide weekend meal bags to roughly 150 low-income families.

Because each school is providing students with school supplies this year, the FSC is not conducting its usual school supply distribution. However, any family with school supply needs is encouraged to reach out to the FSC by email at fsc@blainesd.org.

Moeller said there has been more need in the community for household and hygiene items this year. But in lieu of donations of items, the FSC requests mone-

tary donations in order to reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Monetary donations will be used to purchase gas or food vouchers, personal hygiene items, household supplies, clothing, one-time emergency rent assistance and more.

To donate to the FSC, checks can be mailed to the district office at 765 H Street. Checks should be made payable to Blaine school district, with Family Service Center in the memo.

Backpacks and winter coats at T the Blaine school district’s Family Service Center. The center is still providing essentials to students and families this year.

File photo

Custer man arrested after Birch Bay-Lynden Road accident

By Grace McCarthy An August 28 vehicle collision on Birch Bay-Lynden Road and Holiday Drive resulted in a Blaine resident being sent to the hospital and the arrest of a Custer man for vehicular assault. Lanes were blocked for about five hours

after the Friday night crash until Washington State Patrol (WSP) advised the county open roads near 2 a.m., a WSP spokesperson said.

WSP officers responded to the collision at 9:17 p.m. after 25-year-old Blaine resident Christopher J. Galindo attempted to

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turn his 2009 Isuzu NPR truck left on Holiday Drive from the westbound land of Birch Bay-Lynden Road, according to a press release from the agency.

Galindo hit Brian Alan Johnson, a 47-year-old Custer resident, who was driving a 2003 silver Chevrolet Malibu eastbound

on Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Johnson, uninjured, was driving under the influence, according to the release. Both cars were totaled.

Galindo was transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Hospital in Bellingham for serious injuries, according to the WSP spokesperson. The drivers were wear-

ing seatbelts at the time of the accident.

Johnson was arrested and booked in Whatcom County Jail for vehicular assault at 12:14 a.m. on August 29, according to jail booking data. He was released on a $25,000 appearance bond on August 30, jail data shows.

Testing ...

From page 1

rate of new cases per 100,000 people in the past two weeks was 30.2. That number has declined by three cases in the last week and is getting closer to the state’s goal of 25 new cases per 100,000 people in a two-week period, which, before governor Jay Inslee paused reopening indefinitely on July 28, was a metric for counties to be able to apply for a higher phase with fewer restrictions.

The Blaine school district area has the highest rate of new cases in the past two weeks at 40 per 100,000 people, with a total of 66 cases, according to the county’s Covid-19 data.

Case counts were increasing statewide when Inslee announced that counties could no longer move to higher phases in the state’s Safe Start Washington plan. While the rate of cases declined through August, the state hasn’t revisited its decision to pause reopening.

s A health department medical professional directs a car at the county’s low-barrier testing site at Birch Bay Bible Community Church on September 1.

Photo by Ian Haupt

HOW HAVE YOUR PLANS CHANGED? Help local businesses...

s A Whatcom County Health Department graphic shows the rate of confirmed cases per 100,000 people in a two-week period from August 16 to 29. In that period, the Blaine school district area had the highest rate of new cases in the county, with 40 per 100,000.

Image courtesy of Whatcom County Health Department

September 3 - 9, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

Letters...

From page 5

The Editor: This letter is to let the people of the local area know that we are registered as a 501(c) nonprofit organization, as the Birch Bay Historical Society Inc. Our desire is to have a museum of postcards, posters, maps, artifacts and bulletins.

We already have artifacts of early settlers from the 1800s and we already have a location for meetings as soon as this virus settles down.

Contact Bea Ball, president, at 206/660-7161.

Bea Ball Birch Bay The Editor: Fall 2020 will require some help from the community. Please encourage our youth to register to vote in the next few months?

As a retired educator, I have helped 16-18 year olds register to vote for the last 2.5 years in our county high schools. My League of Women Voters (LWV) volunteers and I have met many students; some apprehensive about exercising their right to vote, and others proudly declaring they were already registered. Many teachers and administrators welcomed us into their schools and classrooms.

This past spring required a different approach. As representatives of the LWV of Bellingham

Hornets ...

From page 1

gave Danielsen 14 to distribute to members of the Mount Baker Beekeepers Association.

Karla Salp, WSDA public engagement specialist, said Asian giant hornets typically forage 2-5 miles from their nest. Salp encouraged residents to stay vigilant in detecting the invasive hornet, as sightings are expected to increase as more workers emerge in September.

To date, WSDA has set 600 traps and almost 1,500 citizen and cooperator traps have been set in the state.

Of those approximately 2,100 traps, 68 are live traps set by WSDA, Salp said. Live traps are similar to the plastic bottle traps WSDA asked the public to set in

Clothing ...

From page 1

will have to make a reservation and can only come in one family at a time, but distribution will last all month, Nelson said. A distribution location will be announced this month.

Last year, the drive collected more than 800 coats and CAP gave away 500. The rest were donated to other clothing drives, clothing banks and churches in the community.

CAP is a volunteer-based nonprofit project of Blaine area churches that provides social services to residents of Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer, and Point Roberts.

Learn more or pre-register to receive coats at blainecap.org or contact Amee Nelson at 360/3190269.

and Whatcom County, we were able to give out almost 750 packets to graduating seniors during their virtual graduations. The law in Washington state allows 16 and 17 year olds to preregister to vote and their registration will be pending until they turn 18.

Many did so when they applied for their driver’s license. they did (AtIf bottom) not do so at the time, they must fill Thanks for your out a paper registration form they can download from vote.wa.gov.

This form may be emailed to elections@co.whatcom.wa.us, or mailed or hand delivered to the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office in the county courthouse (311 Grand Avenue #103, Bellingham, WA 98225). If one is already 18, they can go to this same website (vote.wa.gov) and fill out their registration online.

As we are working together to help our schools and communities adjust to Covid-19 restrictions, your voice about the importance of voting will encourage our youth. To be informed, all voters may go to vote411.org for nonpartisan information to all voters.

Please help make voter registration happen so we are a strong and informed community.

Jean Scribner, LWV high school voter registration Bellingham

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

July, but contain wire mesh to separate the hornet from the orange juice and rice cooking wine mixture. That keeps the hornet from drowning.

Additional live traps were set in Birch Bay a day after the August 19 detection as the agency increases its efforts to capture a hornet and track it back to its nest. WSDA would track a live hornet using radio tags developed in partnership with WSDA and the University of Washington.

“This is a marathon and we all need to keep looking,” Danielsen said.

To report an Asian giant hornet, call 800/443-6684 or visit bit.ly/34akL4H. More information on the traps beekeepers are putting on their hives can be found on Matt Waddington’s blog, aghtrap.com.

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Storewide Monday, Sept. 7

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8

The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

HEALTH & WELLNESS Encouraging happy, healthy lives!

Birch Bay couple opens health and wellness center in Bellingham

By Kyra Planetz Birch Bay couple Russell and Marika Dawe have always been interested in the health and wellness industry. Russell Dawe studied psychology and pre-medical studies in college and the two previously owned several health clubs in the Seattle area. After moving to Birch Bay three years ago, the couple began a new business venture in March: the Bellingham-based M.D. Wellness Rejuvenations & Lab Testing Medical Center.

M.D. Labs offers a wide array of services, both cosmetic and medical. The lab offers over 1,000 different types of medical tests including STD, DNA, gender reveal and corporate employee

testing. The business originally opened as a medical spa specializing in facial injections such as Botox and Juvéderm, non-surgical facelifts, facials and chemical peels. Dawe believes these services are important to wellness as they can make patients feel better about themselves.

Because these treatments are expensive, Dawe said many people will shop around for a good price, often sacrificing expertise for cheaper rates. But because M.D. Labs offers a range of services, it is able to cut down on prices while maintaining a high level of care, Dawe said.

“We offer some of the best pricing in the Northwest and our members can lock in those prices and be assured that not only will

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Licensed newest associate. SheSince is accepting new patients.

Always Welcome 1986

We offer unparalleled service on dentures!

s Birch Bay couple Russell and Marika Dawe opened M.D. Wellness Rejuvenations & Lab Testing Medical Center in March at 1501 Cornwall Avenue in Bellingham. They also now offer Covid-19 testing for free to those without insurance and a special $49 rate for patients with insurance.

Courtesy photo they receive excellent prices, they

DENTURE SERVICES: We offer UNPARALLELED SERVICE

will receive excellent customer • Precision Dentures on dentures we make: service from our medical team,” • Partial Dentures: Cast-Metal, Resin • NO-CHARGE Adjustments & Flexible • GUARANTEED Not to break* Dawe said in an email.

• Implant-Supported Dentures • FREE Annual Exams The medical center has also • Repairs, Relines & Soft Liners • NO-CHARGE Office Visits

Clayton Sulek • Emergency & New Patients James Lisa Lanham James Anderson Anderson Clayton Sulek recently expanded to include *As long as recommended maintenance has been followed.

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1610 Grover St. Suite B9

Covid-19 testing. Telehealth, remote appointments through an

online platform, is conducted by the center’s medical director Dr. Ken Stiver, who has over 40 years of medical experience. Dawe said this new way of visiting a doctor has become very popular during the pandemic and is here to stay.

M.D. Labs has two types of Covid-19 tests available to the

*As long as recommended maintenance has been followed.

360-318-0880

www.BellinghamDentureClinic.com

public: a rapid screening with results in 10 minutes and a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) nasal swab test that shows results in about 24 hours. Dawe said his company has worked with the Whatcom County Health Department to adhere to proper protocols and procedures. M.D. Labs is also CARES-Act approved to allow for patients without insurance to be tested for free, while those with insurance can be tested for $49.

Whole Pilates of Birch Bay

Authentic Classical Pilates

New Group Mat Class, Strong Fundamentals, now available via Zoom.

To enroll and learn more contact colleen@wholepilates.com s Dr. Ken Stiver

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ood Samaritan Society-Stafholt, Post-Acute Rehabilitation Services.

Introducing new, beautiful, spacious private suites with exceptional therapy services and superior 24-hour nursing care.

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All Major Insurances Accepted

Serving Whatcom County for more than 50 years.

Courtesy photo

“It provides peace of mind, it’s a nice way to find out if it’s just a normal flu or not,” Dawe said.

As a grand opening special, M.D. Labs is offering free membership with a patient’s first service, then $49.97 a month. Members pay the monthly fee which is then “banked” to their account and can be used for future services. For example, Dawe explained that three monthly payments equals 20 units of Botox to be used at the patient’s discretion.

All patients also have access to a patient portal where they can view their appointments, medications, lab results and more.

For more information about M.D. Labs visit md-wellness.com or call 360/474-3535.

September 3 - 9, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

Encouraging happy, healthy lives!

HEALTH & WELLNESS

• Screening arriving patients for Covid-19 symptoms and providing a mask and hand hygiene supplies before entering the center.

• Screening every employee for Covid-19 every shift and requiring them to wear masks at all times and appropriate PPE. • Treating suspected and symptomatic Covid-19 patients in designated areas only.

• Promoting physical distancing with new clinic layouts.

• Cleaning and disinfecting exam rooms between each patient visit, and regularly disinfecting high-traffic and high-touch areas.

Virtual visits If you don’t require in-person attention, a virtual visit is still a good option. Many peo-

ple are choosing virtual visits in non-emergency situations for routine follow-ups and non-life-threatening conditions.

This option allows you to consult your doctor or other healthcare providers in your network via a secure video or phone appointment, all in the comfort of your home. Before your telehealth visits: • Make a list of all the medications – prescription and overthe-counter – that you take and include the name, address and phone number of your pharmacy.

• Write down details about your symptoms, concerns, pain and feelings.

(See Primary Care, page 10)

OBAGI skincare products are now in Bellingham! s Many people are choosing to visit the doctor virtually during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Get the care you need during Covid-19

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i n t e r m o u n ta i n r e g i o n a l v i c e p r e s i d e n t f o r h e a lt h s e rv i c e s , H u m a n a

Whatcom County residents have been turning to virtual medical visits, also known as telemedicine, more than ever during the coronavirus pandemic. While telemedicine companies have been around for years, the pandemic has led to a dramatic increase in virtual visits as primary care doctors, specialists and hospitals began offering the

service as a way to help keep patients safe.

Now that medical offices and hospitals are accepting patients again for in-person visits and elective procedures, you may be wondering if you should return to your doctor’s office or stick to a virtual visit. Rest assured, your healthcare providers can help you decide what’s best as

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they work to ensure safe care for patients and staff. This includes changing the ways they deliver care like screening patients ahead of time to help determine if it’s best to go to a medical office or stay at home.

In-person visits If it’s determined that an in-person visit is best for you, you’ll find that to reduce the risk of Covid-19 transmission, many facilities are taking the following steps:

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9

(360) 676-6177 • UnityCareNW.org

10

The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

Primary care ...

From page 9

• Take digital photos of any injury, rash or other visible concern.

• Have your insurance ID card available.

• Use a phone, tablet or computer that’s connected to the internet. If you’ve never video-chatted before, consider a practice

run with a friend or family member to work out the process and check the microphone and speakers. Headphones or ear buds provide better sound quality and more privacy.

• Have your home thermometer, bathroom scale, glucometer, or blood pressure monitor nearby.

Whether you choose a virtual or in-person visit, check with your health insurance provider to see if they’ve taken steps

Encouraging happy, healthy lives!

HEALTH & WELLNESS to help ease the burden during the health crisis. For example, Humana is waiving cost sharing (including copays, coinsurance and deductibles) for in-network primary care, outpatient behav-

ioral health and virtual visits for our Medicare Advantage members for the remainder of the calendar year.

Getting the care you need is always important. Consider these options to stay safe and healthy.

And remember, for life-threat-

ening emergencies, such as chest pain, difficulty breathing or suicidal thoughts, always call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Bottom line: Don’t delay care because you are worried about contracting Covid-19.

When you don’t know where to turn...

because someone drinks too much...

Al-Anon Family Groups can help.

Learn more by attending a confidential meeting in your community.

Whatcom County Al-Anon - Online Video Meetings Available (Zoom & GoToMeeting)

Information at http://whatcomafg.org

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September 3 - 9, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

NEXT ISSUE: Sept. 10

CLASSIFIEDS

MARKETPLACE Announcements

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Call 360-332-1777 8-23-18 replace wording..."Now enrolling for Fall.

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Electric

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360-393-8246 PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT Chapter 18.27.100 of the Revised Code of Washington requires that all advertisements for construction services include the contractor’s registration number in the advertisement. To verify a contractor’s license, call the Dept. of Labor and Industry’s contractors registration at 1-800-647-0982.

FIND IT IN THE CLASSIFIEDS

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Seeking full- or part-time candidates for a career in sales & office operations. Must have P/C license, life & disability a bonus.

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11

PLUS, your ad appears ONLINE FOR FREE at thenorthernlight.com/classifieds

Plus Newstands in: Bellingham • Ferndale Custer • Birch Bay Semiahmoo • Blaine

Help Wanted Part Time

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Resumes to: mikejones@joneschb.com.

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Legal SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, No. 18-2-01850-37.

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. Green Truck Financial, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Reginald Chandra, You are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the twentieth (20) day of August, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff Green Truck Financial, LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of your failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court.

The purpose of this lawsuit is to obtain a judgment for Defendant’s breach of contract and for the collection of monies due and owing. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Plaintiff’s attorneys: Andersson Cross Border Law Corp., R. Dallan Bunce, WSBA #47213, 1305 11th St. STE 304. Bellingham, WA 98225.

SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, No. 18-2-01673-37.

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. Green Truck Financial, LLC, Plaintiff, v. Iqbal Singh Samra, You are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the twentieth (20) day of August, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff Green Truck Financial, LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of your failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against you according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court.

The purpose of this lawsuit is to obtain a judgment for Defendant’s breach of contract and for the collection of monies due and owing. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose.

Plaintiff’s attorneys: Andersson Cross Border Law Corp., R. Dallan Bunce, WSBA #47213, 1305 11th St. STE 304. Bellingham, WA 98225.

All estate/rentals advertising in this newspaper is subject to Allreal real estate/rentals advertisthe Housing Actisofsubject 1968 as amended, which makes ingFederal in thisFair newspaper it illegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination to theonFederal Housing Act familial status or nabased race, color,Fair religion, sex, handicap oftional 1968origin, as amended, which makes it illegal or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimThis newspaper will not knowingly any advertisement for real toination. advertise any preference, limitationaccept or disestate which isbased in violation the law.

Our readers are hereby informed that all crimination on of race, color, religion, dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity sex, handicap, status orcall national ori- at 1-800-877-0246. basis.

To complainfamilial of discrimination, HUD toll-free gin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this

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SUPERIOR COURT OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF WHATCOM, No. 18-2-00707-37.

SUMMONS BY PUBLICATION. Green Truck Financial, LLC, Plaintiff, v. CallN-Haul Transport, LLC, and Richard Lee Castleman. Call-N-Haul Transport, LLC, and Richard Lee Castleman, are hereby summoned to appear within sixty days after the date of the first publication of this summons, to wit, within sixty days after the twenty-seventh (27) day of August, and defend the above entitled action in the above entitled court, and answer the complaint of the plaintiff Green Truck Financial, LLC, and serve a copy of your answer upon the undersigned attorneys for plaintiff, at their office below stated; and in case of Call-N-Haul Transport, LLC’s, and/or Richard Lee Castleman’s, failure so to do, judgment will be rendered against Call-N-Haul Transport, LLC, and/or Richard Lee Castleman according to the demand of the complaint, which has been filed with the clerk of said court. The purpose of this lawsuit is to obtain a judgment for Defendants’ breach of contract and for the collection of monies due and owing. This is an attempt to collect a debt and any information obtained will be used for that purpose. Plaintiff’s attorneys: Andersson Cross Border Law Corp., R. Dallan Bunce, WSBA #47213, 1305 11th St. STE 304. Bellingham, WA 98225.

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12

The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

Pregnant orcas have researchers excited, but is it too soon to celebrate?

B y H a n n a h W e i n b e r g e r / C r o s s c u t . c om When Dr. Holly Fearnbach and Dr. John Durban noticed the bodies of two female southern resident orcas widening just behind their dorsal fins, they knew it could mean only one thing: babies.

On July 26, they announced that a killer whale identified as L72 was pregnant. Soon after, they delivered news that Tahlequah, whose traumatic journey with her dead calf captured international attention two years ago, is also expecting. The world erupted in celebration. Adding newborn whales to the endangered southern resident population, which has dwindled to 73 animals, would be a big deal, and Fearnbach said she can now confirm there are pregnancies in all three pods that make up the population. But Fearnbach, marine mammal research director of Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research, and many whale researchers like her hesitate to celebrate.

“There are always pregnant whales in the population, but most pregnancies are not successful,” Fearnbach said, either because the pregnant whale miscarries or the calf dies. Fecal sample studies from the University of Washington show that 69 percent of pregnant southern resident whales lose their babies before birth or soon after. To the best of our limited knowledge, between 37 percent and 50 percent of calves don’t survive their first year.

Scientists usually avoid announcing pregnancies at all, but Fearnbach and Durban felt the announcement could reinforce their call to give whales more space and inspire more formal requests from management agencies.

Knowing about an orca pregnancy means holding your breath. Orcas having one of the longest gestation periods of any mammal, and the southern residents have very low birth rates. There have been only two births in the three southern resident pods since Tahlequah lost her calf.

“The low birth rate in general is very concerning, so I’m not going to downplay that, but in general, wild mammals have a high calf loss rate just because it’s so hard, especially for first-time moms,” said Dr. Dawn Noren, a physiological ecologist and a research

fishery biologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Each stage of early orca motherhood comes with physical and emotional hurdles, and negative human impacts on Puget Sound make things even dicier.

“One doesn’t want to be a Negative Nancy,” said Dr. Deborah Giles, a researcher with the University of Washington Center for Conservation Biology. “But there’s a lot of trepidation mixed in.”

Early days Expectant orcas gestate for 18 months, with six-month trimesters. “I think it has to do with the complexity of their brain, but a lot of it is simply that they’re big animals,” Giles said.

Most knowledge of pregnancy comes from the veterinary study of captive orcas. Detecting early pregnancy requires blood- and urine-based hormone tests on animals in captivity, or taking breath or fecal hormone samples in the field from 6,000- to 8,000pound females.

“Just being able to get a blood test from an orca is huge,” said clinical veterinarian Dr. Hendrik Nollens, who tracked three complete gestation periods in his 13 years as a clinical veterinarian at SeaWorld and now works on conservation medicine with the Pacific Marine Mammal Center.

NOAA’s Noren said, “We rely on chance, and it’s hard and getting harder when they’re not around as much.”

Keeping up with a pregnancy in the wild is difficult, largely because researchers can’t count on taking regular samples from whales on the move – or even seeing them. Orcas reach sexual maturity at age 12, and while they can get pregnant at any point in the year into their 40s, they tend to conceive in the spring.

Researchers like Nollens say healthy orcas are more likely to become pregnant, but a few elements need to be present: A male orca of reproductive age; a cycling female orca that’s receptive to him and doesn’t have reproductive diseases; and quiet space and time to conceive.

After conception, things quiet down for the first trimester. “Everything that happens happens internally,” Nollens said. “It is really not a terribly taxing period.

You could walk past a pregnant orca and not realize it.”

Within three weeks of conception, researchers can confirm pregnancies with hormone tests, Nollens said. “But it’s entirely based on laboratory results.

There’s nothing else that you would pick up on.”

Celebration and waiting game At approximately four months, researchers can identify pregnancies from ultrasounds. At approximately six months, a pregnant orca will display that widening bump, which can be identified as a pregnancy from the air. This is how Fearnbach and Durban identified the pregnancies of L72 and Tahlequah, by analyzing drone images.

Over the next year, the fetus continues to develop into a 350-pound calf, and the mother’s progesterone levels decrease as she continues gaining between 500 and 600 total pounds – a fraction of her 6,000- to 8,000pound weight.

The two pregnant southern resident orcas are likely in their second or third trimester, Nollens said. Van Ginneken suggests the pregnancies are late stage.

In the past two months of a cetacean pregnancy, he said, “you can start to see signs that mama’s feeling a little ‘blah’”: Decrease in appetite, discomfort and possible bacterial infections like bursella that cause late-term miscarriages in other cetacean species. But compared with everything that can go wrong at or following conception or birth, the odds that something will go wrong with these two pregnant animals in the next few months is more limited, he said.

But if the mother does lose her calf, she and the entire orca community must overcome the emotional loss. Whales are highly family bonded, and the UW’s Giles said their family members may know of a pregnancy through echolocation.

“It’s like living with moving and breathing ultrasound [machines] all around you, called your mom and brother and sister,” she said.

“It’s physically taxing, It’s medically taxing and dangerous, And then it’s emotionally taxing for these individuals to continuously get pregnant,” Giles said.

A traumatic birth In some pregnancies, late-term calves can become ticking time bombs in their mothers’ bodies. If a grown calf dies, gets stuck and releases bacteria in the birth canal, the mother can die.

Calves that do make it through the birth canal need to swim to the surface and take their first breath immediately. The calves’ flukes and dorsal fins are floppy in utero, but calves come out tails first over one to two hours so their fins have time to harden in the cold water. “Calves can be successful when they’re born head first, but they don’t have that functional paddle,” Nollens said, noting calves usually get assistance from other females.

Throughout this process, there’s another threat on the perimeter: Male orcas, which can become aroused during childbirth and act aggressively toward the calf if females don’t keep them away.

Nollens said he’s heard reports of newborns with rake marks, and thinks it’s likely they’re from males that tried to get access to a mom or calf during birth.

The feeding challenge Of all the stress points in a whale’s pregnancy, lactation and weaning require the most work. “Pregnancy is cheap – it’s lactation that is hard,” NOAA’s Noren said.

When orcas give birth, their caloric needs skyrocket, Nollens said, which means they must work harder to feed themselves and provide 40 percent fat whale milk to help their newborn grow quickly. “If a killer whale has unlimited access to food, the food intake within days will go up 50 percent,” Nollens said.

This responsibility can be overwhelming. “Most of these females already have other offspring that they also need to support, so it is a huge demand to support themselves, nurse their young calf and help support other offspring and family members,” Fearnbach said.

It can take two to three years, depending on whom you ask, to gradually wean a calf, which is entirely dependent upon its mother until it learns to forage. Dr. Astrid van Ginneken of the Center for Whale Research notes that where fish are scarce, weaning takes longer because calves have fewer fish to supplement their nutrition.

Dozens of researchers, policymakers and stakeholders have spent the past few years coordinating a $1.1 billion plan to save Puget Sound’s orcas from low food availability, as well as ocean disturbance and pollution. While all southern residents suffer from the effects of these factors, it’s especially pronounced for mothers and their newborns.

All of those threats compound each other, and researchers are split on which ones are worse.

“I know some people are really about, ‘It’s only the prey, only the prey,’ and other people are, you know, anti-boats, I think it’s not that simple,” Noren said.

“In my opinion, to save these whales, we have to be laser focused on the food issue, and then secondarily the toxicants issue,” Giles counters.

The nearby transient orca populations, which prefer more polluted yet more abundant sea mammals (like Steller sea lions, gray whales, minke whales) over salmon but get more to eat, still have low calf mortality and smaller intervals between females’ pregnancies, which some researchers think supports the idea that food availability is the prime issue. “If the whales had enough to eat, the toxicants would not be as much of a problem,” Giles said.

To stay pregnant, an orca needs to eat up to 300 pounds of fish a day; this amount increases during pregnancy and lactation. Southern resident orcas evolved to prey on plentiful 100-pound chinook, but the average size of those salmon today is 10 to 15 pounds, and there are fewer of them.

But ocean disturbance from vessels makes foraging harder.

Echolocating whales need quiet and space to be able to forage effectively, especially when their pods are spread out and they need to communicate.

“Whales and dolphins will stop eating when there’s too much noise and too many vessels around or close approaches, and that is a problem I feel like could really have a detrimental effect on a lactating female,” Noren said.

That’s the time when orca mothers need to put their energy into protecting and feeding their calf. Calves nurse from out of their mothers’ lines of sight, and mothers might not let calves nurse if they think they need to protect them, Nollens suggests.

If they don’t have good access to fish, or spend a lot of time disturbed by boats, they start relying on bodyfat to make milk. Wild whales lose weight rapidly, and oftentimes wind up skinny.

“And then you add the layer of pollution,” Nollens said. “It really is an uphill battle.”

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September 3 - 9, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

Celebrate Whatcom Water Week with virtual Run with the Chums

OBITUARIES

By Kyra Planetz The 8th annual Run with the Chums event, started by the Whatcom Conservation District in 2013 to spread watershed awareness, will proceed this year – despite the pandemic – by virtually educating and bringing the community together. Participants can join in any time throughout Whatcom Water Week, which is September 12-19, to “choose their own adventure” and document their experiences online.

The event usually consists of a 5K fun run, a salmon-themed obstacle course for kids, educational booths, and a raffle with prizes. Aneka Sweeney, education and outreach coordinator for the Whatcom Conservation District, said the event celebrates clean water and brings attention to how valuable the Terrell Creek watershed is. Sweeney defines a watershed as an area of land that drains into a common body of water, such as the area that drains into Terrell Creek and eventually Birch Bay. “It’s really about having that one-on-one connection and engaging opportunities for folks to learn more about what’s going on in their watershed,” Sweeney said.

This year’s event will take place at each participant’s discretion.

Participants can register online until Friday, September 4, to receive a race packet that includes a free Run with the Chums headband and conservation pledge.

Then during Whatcom Water Week, participants can choose to walk, run or bike on their own schedule at the location of their choosing. The event’s website includes a map of suggested project sites to visit that have improved water quality, fish habitat and land stewardship.

To document their experiences, participants can take a photo of themselves with their conservation pledge at the site they visited and share it on the event’s Facebook page or email it to asweeney@whatcomcd.org with the subject line “Run with the Chums 2020.” Those who submit their photos will be entered into a raffle to win one of five prizes; winners will be randomly selected at the end of Whatcom Water Week.

The conservation pledge is designed to help participants think about how they can “be a steward of the land,” Sweeney said.

Whether that means cleaning storm drains or planting trees, Sweeney said everyone can do their part to help ensure no pollutants – such as animal waste or toxic chemicals – go into our waters.

“Whether they live on a small piece of land in Birch Bay Village or they have farm animals in the county, everybody can do something to help improve the watershed,” Sweeney said.

For more information, to register and to view the project site map visit whatcomcd.org/runwith-the-chums.

13

Carole M. Pierce

June 30, 1939–August 8, 2020

s Aneka Sweeney, education and outreach coordinator for the Whatcom Conservation District, cheers on a runner at a previous Run With the Chums.

Courtesy photo

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Carole M. Pierce passed away on August 8, 2020, after a brief illness. Carole was born June 30, 1939, in Olympia, WA, to Mildred and Antonio Frare, their only girl. She grew up tough, and worked from the age of 12 in restaurant kitchens to help out her mother. From that time on, she loved to work with the public and went on to become first a cocktail waitress, then a bartender, pull tab dealer, and bingo worker. Carole was a gorgeous woman, tall and willowy. She was always impeccably dressed, with her hair perfectly coiffed and lipstick in place.

Carole met the love of her life, Jack Pierce, in Westport, WA. They married in 1977 and he brought her home to Blaine, where they bought a little house from Bud and Aleta Dodd. She quickly shifted gears and went to work with Jack on his boat, as a cook and deck hand. She adopted quite a few of the deck hands as her “sons” and mothered them like her own.

During the winters she tended bar at several local watering holes. Her house was always noisy with laughter and cuss words, her coffee pot was always on, and she was always ready for company. She had an encyclopedic knowledge of old movies and dirty jokes, both of which she collected. Carole loved games of any kind, and took trophies in local cribbage and bowling tournaments.

In 1993, Carole and Jack added another job to their resume, as grandparents. She loved being Grammy to her only grandchild, Sierra. We just taught the child not to repeat any of Grammy and Grampy’s more colorful words at school!

Carole was preceded in death by her beloved, John K. Pierce; her mother Mildred; father Antonio; stepmother Aleua; and her oldest brother Vernon. She is survived by her cat and best friend Milo; daughter Stephanie (Keith) Pierce Sandercock; granddaughter Sierra Pierce and her man Benjamin Moore; older brother Chester Frare; and baby brother James (Charla) Fox; plus numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family.

At Carole’s request there will be no services. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Carole’s name to Banner Bank Blaine, for the addition of a plaque to Cap’t Jack’s memorial bench at Blaine Marine Park.

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David graduated from college in Seattle, with an interest in marine engineering and worked for Arco Marine in Long Beach, CA, at the age of 21, eventually relocating to Birch Bay, at the age of 45. He owned and managed the Birch Bay Getaway for many years; a quintessential beach resort for families and friends to return year after year and create their own happy memories.

David enjoyed sunsets on the beach, collecting abstract art and rare geodes, but his greatest treasure and contribution to the world was his son, Elijah.

David is predeceased by his father, Louis “Louie” Bernstein and his mother Barbara Drew Bernstein. He is survived by his son Elijah Bernstein of Blaine; older sister Shelly Bernstein of Bellingham; younger brother Aaron Bernstein, niece Story and nephew Destri Bernstein of Bellevue.

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The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

Games and Puzzles

Coming up Please wear masks and follow physical distancing guidelines.

Winter Coat Drive: Through September. New or gently used coats, hats, gloves and socks for adults and children. Collection locations: Cost Cutter, Blaine Starbucks and Pacific Building Center.

Used items must be freshly laundered and all items enclosed in a plastic bag. Complete list available at blainecap.org. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.

Ongoing: Blaine Farmers Market: Saturdays, 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Blaine’s G Street Plaza. Local and fresh produce, crafts and goodies. Flea market on the last Saturday of the month. Info: blainechamber.com.

Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.—noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.—noon. Delivery options available. Info:360/332-6350 or blainefood@hotmail.com.

Vinyl Night and Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, September 3, The Bridge Food Distribution Program: Fridays 3:30–5 The Vault Wine Bar and Bistro, 277 G Street. This week’s theme: Oregon state. Music starts at 5 p.m., trivia at 7 p.m. Info: thevault- p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road.

Registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. wine.com.

Volunteers welcome.

Birch Bay Drive-in Movie: Friday, September 4, gates open at The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesdays 3–5 6:30 p.m., movies begins around 8 p.m., Birch Bay Waterslides parking lot, 4874 Birch Bay-Lynden Road. Double feature: Grease p.m. and Fridays 12–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, and American Graffiti. $30 per car, $15 per golf cart. Classic cars 4815 Alderson Road. Donations by appointment, call 360/366-8763. encouraged with trophies awarded. Info and tickets: birchbaychamber.com.

Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: ThursLiving Pantry Ribbon Cutting: Saturday, September 5, 10 a.m., days, 1 p.m. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com.

Living Pantry, 684 Peace Portal Drive. Info: living pantry.com.

Blaine Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: First Wednesday, noon. Meeting ID on blainechamber.com.

Golf Cart and Bicycle Poker Run: Saturday, September 5, 11 a.m.–2 p.m., Free. Prizes for top hands. Info and preregistration at Blaine Library: 610 3rd Street. Curbside holds and pick up and birchbaychamber.com. returns. Monday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Billy Brown’s Crab Derby: Sunday, September 6. Weighing and Info 360/305-3600. judging noon–4. p.m., Birch Bay Visitor Center, 7900 Birch Bay Meals on Wheels & More: Wednesdays 11:30 a.m.–12:30 Drive. Info: birchbaychamber.com. p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up one Virtual Trivia Night: Thursday, September 10, 7–8 p.m. Test your fresh and six frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal. First knowledge in this fun, virtual ZOOM based event featuring seven come first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040. categories consisting of 10 questions each. Free. Pre-register your Toastmasters Virtual Meetings: Tuesdays 6:30–7:45 p.m. Info: team by Wednesday, September 9 at 6 p.m. at 360/933-1671. bbbparkandrec.com.

Crossword Answers at thenorthernlight.com

ACROSS 1. Aurochs 5. Central Dravidian language 10. Split pulses in Indian cooking 14. Tropical starchy tuberous root 15. Well known constellation 16. About aviation 17. Bowfin genus 18. Proper 19. Expression of annoyance 20. Cabbies 22. Bro or sis 23. Spiritual leader 24. Where football coaches work 27. Old TV part 30. A way to color 31. Touch lightly 32. Surround 35. Breached 37. Aristocratic young woman 38. Dry ravine 39. Hebrew measurement units 40. Supporter 41. Type of sword 42. Influential Irish playwright 43. Witch 44. Flower cluster 45. Mark Wahlberg’s animal friend 46. Psychedelic amphetamine 47. Actors’ group 48. Cool!

49. Salts 52. Group of SE China 55. Illuminated 56. Semitic Sun god 60. Water (Spanish) 61. Employed 63. Japanese ankle sock 64. Fishing fly 65. Some pheasants are this 66. Literary name for Ireland 67. Must have 68. A way to write 69. One point east of southeast DOWN 1. American state 2. Hindu model of ideal man 3. Type of acid 4. Drenches 5. “The Raven” writer 6. Emerged 7. Alpha Centauri: __ Kentaurus 8. Democratic Presidential candidate 9. Hostelry 10. Fathers 11. Any plant with leaves used for flavoring 12. Member of a Semitic people 13. Lesotho monetary unit 21. Lots 23. Jewish address corresponding to “Sir”

25. Male parent 26. A way to get 27. Body part 28. Seam in an organ 29. Landlocked African country 32. Process for producing ammonia 33. Excessive fluid accumulation in tissues 34. Bogged down 36. Native American tribe 37. Unfashionable person 38. Female grunts 40. Well known 41. Gurus 43. Norse mythological site 44. Tell on 46. __ Farrow, actress 47. Cotton fabric 49. Reciter of Scandinavian poems 50. Clouds 51. Satisfies 52. Shuttered Air Force base in Germany 53. Phil __, former CIA 54. Japanese seaport 57. Female horse or zebra 58. First month of ancient Hebrew calendar 59. Trigonometric function 61. Fashionable knowledge (Slang) 62. Insecticide

Run With The Chums Virtual Fun Run: September 12–19. Celebrate healthy water, healthy habitat and healthy people through a virtual race during Whatcom Water Week. Visit whatcomcd.org/ run-with-the-chums.

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

Police Reports August 22, 8:05 a.m.: A Blaine officer responded to a burglary that occurred sometime in the last week. The victim was away from the house for a week and came home to find that sports memorabilia was taken from his bedroom. At this time, there is no suspect.

August 22, 3:49 p.m.: Blaine officers responded to a motorcycle collision with injury at the Blaine Middle School. The injured party was learning to ride a motorcycle in the parking lot. She let go of the clutch too fast and accelerated into the wall of the school. She sustained injuries to her arm. Aid arrived and transported her to the hospital.

August 22, 7:12 p.m.: A Blaine resident called the police to report an ongoing issue with a neighbor’s dog. The dog apparently comes into the resident’s yard to relieve itself. The resident’s girlfriend has spoken to the neighbor about this issue in the past, but the problem persists. An officer contacted the neighbor and spoke with her regarding the complaint and remedies to keep her animal under control. The neighbor was given an official dog-at- large warning and informed that future occurrences would result in a criminal citation.

August 24, 12:57 a.m.: Blaine Police Department officers contacted a juvenile individual on a bike without any safety reflectors during hours of darkness in the 2600 block of Bell Road. The juvenile also had dark clothing. The juvenile was warned about the dangers of riding a bike without reflectors and dark clothing. The juvenile was given a ride home.

Weather Precipitation: During the period of August 24–30, 0.09 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2020 year-to-date precipitation is 23.9 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 76°F on August 27 and 28 with a low of 50°F on August 30.

Average high was 75°F and average low was 56°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

Tides

DATE TIME HEIGHT TIME HEIGHT September 4–September 10 at Blaine.

Not for navigation.

49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W

Fr 4 1:40 am 3.8

7:06 am 7.6

August 24, 7:00 p.m.: A Canadian resident called police to report that he had hired a company to transport his vehicle to Canada from Colorado. The man explained the transport company won’t give him an exact address, but will only tell him it’s in a warehouse somewhere in Blaine. Due to Covid-19, the man advised he cannot come to Blaine to check on the vehicle. Officers advised the man to provide an exact address and they would check on the vehicle.

9:09 pm 8.1

1:27 pm 1.5

8:07 pm 8.8

Sa 5 2:14 am 3.3

7:54 am 7.5

2:01 pm 2.3

8:27 pm 8.6

Su 6 2:48 am 2.9

8:44 am 7.3

2:33 pm 3.3

8:49 pm 8.3

August 24, 11:44 p.m.: Officers attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle in the 1400 block of Hughes Avenue. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield and drove down Sweet Road to Valley View Road. Officers lost the vehicle, but later found it off Morris Road in Blaine. A Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputy deployed his K9 and found the individual hiding in the nearby bushes. Officers arrested the man and found a methamphetamine pipe on his person. The man was transported to the Whatcom County Jail where he was booked on a felony warrant from Bellingham Police Department along with eluding and drug possession charges from Blaine Police.

Mo 7 3:24 am 2.5

9:40 am 7.1

August 25, 2:14 p.m.: A man called police referencing suspicious, possibly drug-related activity in his apartment complex. The man witnessed a known drug user ride to the location and stop at an apartment for under a minute. The suspect then rode away and met with another man on a bike.

3:09 pm 4.3

Tu 8 4:04 am 2.2 10:46 am 7.0

3:49 pm 5.2

9:31 pm 7.9

We 9 4:50 am 1.9 12:04 pm 7.1

4:39 pm 6.0

9:55 pm 7.8

Th 10 5:40 am 1.6

1:38 pm 7.3

5:47 pm 6.6 10:27 pm 7.6

August 25, 4:30 p.m.: The owner of a business reported an employee who was fired threaten the business. The owner wanted to file a police report in case something does happen. A police officer took a report for record purposes.

August 25, 7:51 p.m.: Officers on routine patrol observed a vehicle with a listed registered owner that had a suspended license status. Officers stopped the vehicle and determined the driver to also be under the influence of alcohol. Officers arrested and booked the man into the Whatcom County Jail.

August 26, 7:00 p.m.: A Blaine resident called police to report branches in the power lines in the 1000 block of Mitchell Avenue.

Officers arrived and determined the branches were not an immediate hazard. The complaint was forwarded to the City of Blaine Public Works Department.

Reports provided by Blaine Police Department

An evening on the beach at Birch Bay State Park.

Photo by Oliver Lazenby

September 3 - 9, 2020 • thenorthernlight.com

No plans for more border fence, CBP says

15

The Parrishes Announce…

Linde Carmen Pearl Parrish Born August 6, 2020 8lbs 10 oz • 21” long Ike and Rachelle Parrish welcome baby girl Linde Carmen Pearl Parrish. She is so truly loved by her parents, grandparents, great-grandparents (in Kentucky), many aunties and of course, her furry siblings.

We are looking forward to sharing her with all of our friends when we’re able to do so.

Linde - Mommy and Daddy love you so much, stay wild child!

The Parrishes also celebrated their one-year anniversary on August 31.

It has been a busy year to say the least and we are so happy and full of joy!

Photo credit: Taryn Leech

s A cable fence went up in late August on the U.S./Canada border between East Boundary Road and 0 Avenue, near Lynden.

Photo by Kyra Planetz

By Oliver Lazenby The U.S. Border Patrol installed a new metal cable barrier along the Canadian border between 0 Avenue and East Boundary Road near Lynden late last month, but the border fence won’t continue west toward Blaine, a spokesperson said.

“There are no plans to extend the fence or to build in other areas,” U.S. Customs and Border Protection press officer Jason Givens said in an email.

The new, 1.48-mile section of cable fence, which runs along the border at East Boundary Road from Northwood Road to Bender Road, “is designed to prevent vehicles from crossing the international boundary, either in-

tentionally or accidentally,” said Tony Holladay, acting chief patrol agent for the Blaine Sector of the U.S. Border Patrol.

0 Avenue in B.C. runs along roads and other public infrastructure at several locations in Whatcom County, including along Peace Arch Park in Blaine.

The new barrier is in an area that sees a lot of action. It’s inside a roughly 10-mile strip that’s been the site of more than 30 illegal vehicle crossings in the past two years, Givens said. Vehicles have crossed illegally both northbound and southbound and some incidents have involved large seizures of methamphetamine.

Last October, a family from the UK made national news after steering their car southbound

across the ditch separating East Boundary Road from 0 Avenue.

The family said they accidentally crossed the border after swerving to avoid an animal. CBP said they crossed “slowly and deliberately,” and released surveillance footage that supported that claim.

The family was deported to England after nearly two weeks in federal custody.

The International Boundary Commission, which must authorize all structures within three meters of the boundary, didn’t return a request for comment.

With the U.S./Canada border closed due to Covid-19, Americans and Canadians separated by the closure use East Boundary Road and 0 Avenue to meet and visit across the boundary ditch.

Ike - I love you so much and I am so happy, grateful and excited to be on this journey with you.

To many more my love! xoxoxo - Rachelle * Trump 2020! *

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Argument over Covid-19 ends at Whatcom County jail

By Grace McCarthy Two Blaine roommates had an altercation over Covid-19 that ended in one being booked into Whatcom County Jail on fourth degree assault.

On August 22 at 8:56 p.m., Blaine police responded to a domestic violence report at the 200 block of 15th Street. When police arrived at the residence, they learned one roommate thought he had Covid-19 after being in contact with someone who tested positive, although the victim had not been tested, said a Blaine Police Department spokesperson.

The roommate with possible Covid-19 was intoxicated and refused to wear a mask in the residence, according to the police report.

The other roommate, Scott Adam Dettmar, and his daughter began throwing the victim’s belongings outside when the victim refused to leave the residence because he had paid rent until September 1, the BPD spokesperson said.

Dettmar then allegedly grabbed his roommate by the neck and pushed him outside. Officers observed finger prints and scratches around the victim’s neck but no medical attention was need-

ed. The victim did not retaliate against Dettmar and Dettmar denied allegations, according to the BPD spokesperson.

Dettmar was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail that night and released August 23 on an $1,000 appearance bond, according to jail booking data.

Wendy Jones, Whatcom County chief corrections deputy, could not speak specifically to Dettmar’s booking but said every offender is asked questions on potential Covid-19 exposure when entering the jail.

If their response indicates a possible exposure, the offender will be asked to do a temperature check, placed in a N95 mask and isolated until medical staff clears them. Medical staff will then conduct a nasal swab and a Covid-19 antibody test on inmates who exhibit signs of Covid-19 after additional questions.

As of August 31, there have been no positive Covid-19 cases in the jail. Eight staff and 23 inmates have been tested since the beginning of the pandemic, Jones said.

To date, 1,106 people in Whatcom County have tested positive for Covid-19, according to the Washington State Department of Health.

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The Northern Light • September 3 - 9, 2020

Picnic with a Purpose provides companionship for local seniors

Above, Blaine Senior Center volunteers hand out picnic meals to seniors on August 29.

Left, Blaine Senior Center director Kathy Sitker and Blaine city manager Michael Jones direct a line of seniors at Picnic for a Purpose on August 27.

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Due to the pandemic, the Whatcom Council on Aging had to cancel this summer’s Senior Day in the Park – an annual picnic and resource fair at Hovander Homestead Park in Ferndale – but made up for it with a week of drive-up cookouts for seniors, including one at the Blaine Senior Center on August 27.

The two organizations served about 115 barbecue meals to a line of seniors in their vehicles.

In addition to hamburgers or hotdogs, fresh fruit, potato salad and a cookie, seniors took home a resource bag with information about aging in place, Medicare insurance, senior care programs and other useful knowledge for seniors.

“I think it’s wonderful that they’re trying to make up for what we’re missing out on,”

said Blaine senior JoAn Newby.

“Everyone appreciated the fellowship and the chance to talk to someone.”

The nonprofit Whatcom Council on Aging has hosted Senior Day in the Park for more than 20 years. This year, from August 2428, it also hosted drive-up picnics for seniors in Sumas, Lynden, Ferndale and Bellingham.

In total, the nonprofit served about 800 meals, said Julie Meyers, nutrition director for the council’s Meals on Wheels and More program.

“It was nice to be able to reach the seniors where they live,” Meyers said. “The seniors were able to connect with staff and board members they know from the senior center, so that was fun for them.”

For more information on other Whatcom Council on Aging programs, visit whatcomcoa.org.

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