November 19 - 25, 2020
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
CBP allegedly covered up unlawful detentions, page 5
New spa opens in Birch Bay, page 6
Holiday Market by the Sea continues, page 9
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
New Covid-19 Holiday Harbor Lights arrive in Blaine restrictions in effect statewide By Grace McCarthy
(See Covid-19, page 3)
s New LED lights that can change color were installed in trees on four blocks of Peace Portal Drive in downtown Blaine last week. The lights are the first round of new lights. More are coming as fundraising continues for the Blaine Holiday Harbor Lights project. See the story on page 6.
Photo by Oliver Lazenby
Author publishes nonfiction graphic novel By Grace McCarthy Blaine author and former journalist Rick Wood released his latest book November 9 that chronicles an around-the-world journey to answer one burning question: Why do humans poach animals? The Human Snare is a 97-page nonfiction graphic novel, both written and illustrated by the self-published author. It follows Wood’s solo travels from 2017 to 2019 in Tanzania, China, Yellowstone National Park and then Costa Rica to understand animal trade. “It’s the human snare,” Wood said. “It’s their connection to these ideas of animal trafficking and poaching, which happen all around the world. There are no human beings on this planet that are exempt from the issues of poaching and animal trafficking because we’re all touched by
it.” It all started while working on his film “Deconstructing Eden” between 2015 and 2016 in Florida. Wood said he saw two sea otters killed and realized the incident wasn’t an anomaly, but that it had a large effect on a small mammal population and their habitat. Then, in 2015, the death of Cecil, a well-known elephant poached by an American trophy hunter in Zimbabwe, made international headlines and created conversation on animal trade. “I started to see it as more and more of an issue to look at animals as a commodity, that’s really what made me think this is something we need to talk about,” he said. “Not just animals that we eat for food or animals for agriculture or pets, but how the illegal animal trade really adversely affects the biodiversity of species that are
already on the brink of extinction.” Wood started writing the book in 2016, right after finishing his previous book, Rough Cut: Lessons from an Endangered (See Author, page 7)
INSIDE
New Covid-19 restrictions went into effect across Washington state on November 17, creating some of the tightest limitations for businesses since the pandemic began in March. In efforts to prevent a third wave of infections, governor Jay Inslee announced restrictions on the following: Indoor social gatherings – People are prohibited to meet indoors with non-household members unless they quarantine for 14 days before or quarantine for seven days and test negative no more than 48 hours before meeting. Restaurants and bars – Indoor seating closed but to-go orders and outdoor dining is allowed for parties of five or fewer. Retail and grocery stores – Occupancy limited to 25 percent with gathering areas closed such as food courts. Religious services – Occupancy limited to 25 percent or a maximum of 200 people if that number is fewer. Solo musicians are allowed but no group musical performances. Gyms – Indoor fitness centers are closed but outdoor classes and activities are allowed in groups of five or fewer. Entertainment – Movie theatres, bowling alleys, museums, zoos and aquariums are closed indoors. Real Estate – No open houses. Professional services – Employees must work from home when possible and close offices to the public. Open offices need to be limited to 25 percent occupancy. Salons and tattoo shops – Occupancy limited to 25 percent. “We are today in a more dangerous position than we were in March when our first stay-at-home order was issued,” Inslee said during a November 15 press conference. “We’re in a more dangerous position due to accommodation of the extent of this virus, which is now throughout the state and the nation, and because of the situation we’re heading into in the winter months.” The state experienced over 2,000 new cases per day over the November 14-15 weekend, with cases doubling from two weeks ago, according to the governor’s office. Forty percent of those who’ve
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Pets . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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