The Northern Light: February 11-17, 2021

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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay

February 11 - 17, 2021

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IN THIS

ISSUE

Proposed regional fire authority, page 3

Job board aimed for diversity, page 5

Borderites start sports practice, page 7

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Blaine company helps state patrol publicize missing person Birch Bay voices concerns on Jackson Road bridge

By Ian Haupt

(See Bridge, page 16)

s Kam Sihota, Kam-Way Transportation founder and CEO, speaks during the unveiling of the latest Homeward Bound trucks in partnership with Washington State Patrol in Kennewick on February 4. See story on page 15.

Photo by Kim Fetrow

County sends letter to Inslee on reopening plan B y P a t G r u bb a n d Grace McCarthy Whatcom County Council, acting in their role as the health board, had harsh words for governor Jay Inslee in a letter regarding the pandemic recovery rules for small counties. Chair Barry Buchanan wrote, “We represent Whatcom County and wish to express our frustration and deep concern about the Roadmap to Recovery plan.”

In the letter dated February 2, Buchanan noted that county businesses and residents had been “suspended in limbo” since early June despite the fact that for the most part the county had not experienced high case rates and had successfully managed the medical needs of Covid-19 patients.

In particular, Buchanan objected to the fact that counties with far higher case rates were being allowed to re-open while the

north region of which the county is part of had lower rates and wasn’t allowed the same consideration. “How is it fair or equitable that San Juan County, with a twoweek case rate of 64/100,000 has businesses shuttered, but King County, with a two-week case rate of 300/100,000 is re-opening?”

Buchanan did not address how the board’s complaint pertained to Whatcom County given that at the time of the letter, Whatcom County had a two-week case rate of 407/100,000. “The new metrics cannot be justified with science, risk or equity,” Buchanan continued. “We insist on a re-opening strategy that considers case rates, not just decreases, that doesn’t artificially tie diverse counties into a failed regional approach, and that moves more quickly to safely re-open businesses. …It’s time to let counties with low case rates join in the Phase 2 reopening,” he concluded.

Jail deputy suspected of smuggling contraband

By Ian Haupt Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested a jail work center corrections deputy February 8 for allegedly supplying a female inmate with a phone, headphones, charger, vape products and marijuana edibles.

Christopher F. Baetz, 41, was booked

into Skagit County Jail on suspicion of introducing contraband into a correctional facility in the second degree, which is a class C felony, according to a news release on the arrest.

“Members of the sheriff’s office charged with the custody, care, and well-being of inmates are held to very high standards,” sheriff Bill Elfo said. “The criminal con-

duct of Mr. Baetz in this matter represents a complete abrogation of those standards, expectations, and organizational norms.

His actions are not representative of the value of other sheriff’s office employees. I appreciate that this incident was quickly reported and swiftly dealt with.”

(See Arrest, page 2)

Frustration on a sparse vaccine supply was felt on the local level as representatives from the health department, Sea Mar, PeaceHealth, Family Care Network and Unity Care NW gave vaccine distribution updates during a town hall on February 4.

In the meeting, PeaceHealth said it had administered 6,303 vaccine shots to PeaceHealth healthcare workers; 3,508 of those in the first dose and 2,795 in the second dose. PeaceHealth also vaccinated over 1,200 county healthcare workers, first responders and others in Phase 1a. Starting February 8, it planned to give second doses to eligible people in the general public, to whom it had already given 2,000 first doses.

Sea Mar Community Health Center reported both its clinics in Bellingham and Everson were enrolled providers but only the Everson clinic had received 1,500 (See Vaccine, page 3)

INSIDE

Birch Bay community members asked designers of the new Jackson Road bridge to improve bike and pedestrian access, slow traffic and divert it toward Birch Bay Drive at its first virtual open house. They also said construction cannot interfere with Fourth of July celebrations.

Whatcom County Public Works hosted its first open house for the Jackson Road Bridge Replacement Project February 3 via Zoom. Birch Bay community members were encouraged to complete a 10-question survey prior to the meeting and voice their concerns, questions and preferences during the meeting.

“We want to make sure that everything that public works is doing is open and transparent,” said public works’ Roland Middleton in his introduction. “This is an opportunity for each one of you to talk about something as simple as a bridge, as it were. There are things that are options and, as I’ve mentioned before, we have to work on safety issues, but there are aesthetic issues and other things that public works doesn’t really have an opinion. The opinion of the community is what matters.

And that’s what we’re here for.”

Some major concerns for community members included slowing traffic off Jackson Road, providing room for bikes and pedestrians to use the bridge or building a separate pedestrian bridge for those east of Terrell Creek to have access to the beach.

Residents also wanted to discourage drivers from cutting through the neighborhoods on Wooldridge Drive by diverting drivers toward Birch Bay Drive.

Since construction will be done in the summer, many members were in consensus for construction to start after the Fourth of July. Community members also asked for the new bridge to be as nonintrusive as possible since the area has a “natural feel,” and some possible designs presented would “stick out like a sore thumb,” one community member said.

James Lee, bridge and hydraulics program manager for public works, said the

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The Northern Light • February 11 - 17, 2021

Arrest ...

news release reported.

The investigation established probable cause to arrest Baetz.

Upon reporting to work February 8, Baetz, who has worked for the sheriff’s office since 2006, was arrested and booked into Skagit County Jail. As of February 9, the jail roster showed he was being held without bail. Baetz has since been removed from the jail roster.

The sheriff’s office investigation is ongoing.

Sheriff’s office spokesperson Deb Slater said in an email Baetz was booked into Skagit County Jail to prevent the appearance of special privilege since it is an impartial location.

From page 1

On February 7, deputies assigned to the Whatcom County Jail Work Center found out that an inmate was in possession of a cell phone, headphones, phone charger, vaping materials and marijuana edibles, the release reported.

Deputies conducted a preliminary investigation that showed a person employed as a corrections deputy may have provided the contraband to the inmate. Deputies notified the command staff and the sheriff’s office launched a full criminal investigation, the

Take it to-go!

Berm virtual tour in the works

s Local geologist Mike Price of Entrada/San Juan Inc. discusses the history and features of the Birch Bay berm on February 8. Price is working with Dan Lang of video editing service DLS Media to make a virtual tour of the unfinished berm.

Photo by Ian Haupt

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February 11 - 17, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com

3

Covid-19 in Whatcom County, by school district boundaries: Recent two-week case rates and cumulative counts Last updated: 02/09/2021

Blaine Rate: 296 Count: 351

Lynden Rate: 623 Count: 977 Ferndale Rate: 580 Count: 1170

Nooksack Valley Rate: 632 Count: 576

Meridian Rate: 325 Count: 332

Mt. Baker Rate: 158 Count: 319

Bellingham Rate: 184 Count: 2147 Whatcom County reached more than 6,000 confirmed Covid-19 cases since the start of the pandemic this week, but case rates continue to drop.

“After a significant decline from a post-holiday peak in mid-January, seven-day case rates have appeared to level off in Whatcom County,” said Whatcom County Health director Erika Lautenbach during a February 4 media briefing. But, she warned, the Covid-19 rates remained higher than neighboring counties in the

north region, which will remain in Phase 1 of governor Jay Inslee’s “Roadmap to Recovery” reopening plan until at least Sunday, February 14. The north region didn’t move to the next phase because it had a 69 percent case rate increase – more than triple any other region in the state – and a 16 percent increase in the hospital admission rate. The region met the metrics on percent ICU capacity and percent positivity.

As of February 8, Whatcom County has had a total of 6,040

confirmed cases of Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic and 72 deaths, according to Washington State Department of Health (DOH) data. Seven people have died in the past week and the percent of deaths per total cases is 1.2 percent.

Nearly all school districts saw a drop in case rates, with Nooksack Valley remaining at the same rate of 632 confirmed cases per 100,000 people – the highest in the county. Lynden school district had the second highest rate

of new cases in the past two weeks, with 623 confirmed cases per 100,000 people. Blaine had a rate of 296 per 100,000 in that period, which is the third lowest in the county. In total, 304 people have been hospitalized with the virus in Whatcom County.

Whatcom County had a rate of 348.4 newly diagnosed and probable cases per 100,000 people over the past two weeks. In the county, 11.8 percent of adult ICU beds were occupied by Covid-19 patients.

Vaccine ...

ond dose appointments would be scheduled. Information is posted on the Sea Mar website as it becomes available.

Dr. Rodney Anderson, Family Care Network (FCN) president and CEO, said the clinics serve more than 25,000 patients and would prioritize vaccine distribution to them. But FCN had only received 1,400 vaccines, 900 of which were given to healthcare

workers and first responders and 500 to patients.

FCN submitted applications for its clinics to become vaccine providers on December 6 but only nine clinics had been approved, while five were pending as of February 4. Anderson said FCN had the capacity to administer 3,000 doses weekly.

Unity Care NW’s Ferndale and Bellingham locations are enrolled

providers, although the application submitted November 30 wasn’t accepted until January 15. Unity Care NW serves about 3,000 patients over the age of 65 and had ordered 3,550 doses to

From page 1

vaccine shipments. Both clinics applied to become Covid-19 vaccine providers at the same time but it took the Bellingham clinic an extra month to be approved.

A Sea Mar representative also said first dose appointments would be walk in only and sec-

Fire districts to explore amalgamation

By Ian Haupt North Whatcom Fire and Rescue (NWFR) and Whatcom County Fire District 4 are considering the creation of a regional fire authority encompassing both jurisdictions, if ultimately approved by voters.

A planning committee of three fire commissioners from each agency will meet virtually at 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 18 and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23 to discuss the option of a regional fire authority and the implications arising from that move.

The goal is to propose a plan for a regional fire authority by April. The plan will include the proposed governance, design, financing and development of fire protection and emergency service facilities and operations to elected leadership of NWFR and the fire district, according to NWFR’s website.

Together, NWFR and the fire district 4 have fire stations spanning from Semiahmoo to Agate Bay on the north side of Lake Whatcom.

A regional fire authority is a “special purpose district established by voters in a service area that provides funding for fire and emergency medical service,” according to the NWFR. The planning committee will propose its plan to the board of commissioners of both NWFR and fire district 4. If the commissioners approve the plan, they would then have an election on the proposal. All voters in the two fire district service areas would vote on the proposition.

If voters approve a regional fire authority, it will enable full consolidation of the two separate fire agencies and provide opportunities for efficiencies in delivery of fire and emergency services, sustaining current service levels and

response times.

Both agencies have already been operationally merged by contract for 10 years.

A regional fire authority would eliminate the agencies’ separate levies and replace them with a single levy, approved by voters. The same rate would be paid throughout the entire fire authority.

There are currently 13 regional fire authorities in Washington, including South Whatcom Fire Authority. The city of Blaine is the largest city in the NWFR district and continues to see population growth, according to NWFR’s website.

The meetings are to encourage community members’ input into the process. The planning committee will answer questions and take comments. For the Zoom links to both meetings and more information, visit the NWFR website at bit.ly/3jGZ428.

About 18,450 vaccine doses have been administered in the county, which is an increase of 2,686 doses since last week – more than 1,000 fewer doses than administered the previous week. Statewide, there have been 942,166 vaccine doses administered, with 213,530 doses administered in the past week, according to state data.

About 195,467 people in Washington have received two doses of the vaccine and 741,399 have received only one dose, according to DOH data. However, there are inconsistencies with the data and 5,300 vaccines are not counted as being administered in either the first or second dose.

Washington state has had 307,867 total confirmed cases since the start of the pandemic and 16,158 probable cases (probable cases come from an antigen test but not a molecular test).

About 4,558 people in Washington with the virus have died as of February 8 and 18,530 have been hospitalized.

For Whatcom County information, visit whatcomcounty.us/ covidvaccine and whatcomcounty.us/coviddata. State information is available at bit.ly/3r2URJj. Vaccine locations can be found at bit. ly/3nZiMqr. For CDC data, visit bit.ly/39Kt4qh. meet the demand but had only received 200 doses. Chief operations officer Shanon Hardie said Unity Care NW will contact patients for appointments.

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The Northern Light • February 11 - 17, 2021

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.

1920s construction in Blaine

Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com Co-publisher & Advertising Director Louise Mugar lmugar@pointrobertspress.com Editor Grace McCarthy grace@pointrobertspress.com Reporter Ian Haupt ian@pointrobertspress.com

s Cement sidewalks going in at Boblett and 3rd streets during the early 1920s. Above, the Hunter House at 287 Boblett.

Photo by J.W. Sandison

Reporting Intern Conor Wilson 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 Contributors In This Issue Doug Dahl The Northern Light 225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230 Tel: 360/332-1777 Vol XXVI, No 34 Circulation: 10,500 copies

Circulation Independently verified by:

Next issue: Feb. 18 Ads due: Feb. 12

Letters The Editor: Regarding your recent story involving the possible city annexation of land near H Street.

The recent request for annexation is driven by a local property owner to develop property at the bottom of the hill on Harborview Drive, which is off the H Street hill (Cedar Crest). This is for personal gain – not personal use.

Annexation should first be a tool to incorporate a large or larger area into the city for the benefit of the city and those properties being annexed in, not for the personal gain (profit) of just one property owner.

Although I am not opposed to annexation, the annexation process should be used for the expansion of services for the benefit of the community as a whole.

Spot zoning for the financial gain of one property owner is not in the realm of the annexation process.

The zoning and density change (number of houses allowed per acre could increase up to 6 houses per acre depending on the property characteristics). The property at the base of the hill on Harborview Road could potentially allow for up to 19 residential homes or a mixed use of apartments, multi-units or even commercial uses.

The potential zoning and density change also allows for accessory dwelling units

and/or single accessory apartments. This could allow for up to 30 or more living units.

Traffic to those homes or apartments would come off H Street on Crest Drive and then down Harborview Drive. The potential widening of Harborview Drive would be a major concern to accommodate the additional traffic.

Because the annexation would only take the property at the end of Harborview Drive into the city, any potential costs for road improvements would most likely be born by the property owners along Crest View and Harborview Drive.

The article in The Northern Light seems innocuous, but this is for a commercial housing development.

The planning meeting is set for February 22 with the city of Blaine to move this forward.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the city planning department at 360/332-8311, and make your voices heard at city council.

Raymond J. Pelletti Blaine (Ed note: Mr. Pelletti’s property is also subject for annexation if the H Street property is annexed. He has voiced opposition to the city in recent years about potential annexation. Any change in zoning would need to go through the city’s planning process.)

The Editor: If you have ever wondered if our voting system in Whatcom County is secure, you can rest assured. I have listened to Diana Bradrick, our county auditor, on two different occasions. Ms. Bradrick addressed our local voting processes to a small group of interested friends and again I heard her speak on October 16, 2020 for the City Club of Bellingham. You can listen to her as she outlines the security that is in place in our county and in our state. It is very reassuring to have her confirm what measures are in practice (BellinghamCityClub. org, search for Diana Bradrick). This is an hour long listening presentation for anyone to hear. I have taken notes on this session and compiled nearly two pages of useful, interesting information.

There may be rumors you have heard about voter fraud. Once you listen and educate yourself, you will be able to refute those rumors and know that voter fraud is one less worry we have here in Whatcom County.

Naomi Murphy Ferndale

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

February 11 - 17, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com

5

Whatcom County woman starts job board aimed for diversity

s Distinctive Voice Consulting owner Kim Harris.

Courtesy photo

By Grace McCarthy A Whatcom County woman has started a job board to help local businesses hire diverse group of workers.

Distinctive Voice Consulting owner Kim Harris had the idea come to her last November, after continually hearing Whatcom County employers voice frustration about not being able to find diverse candidates.

“They keep recruiting in the same way, which means they’ll get the same results,” Harris said.

The job board was up and running in December and since then, Harris has had employers seeking candidates everywhere from Bell-

ingham public schools looking for principals to the Community Food Co-op seeking a diversity and inclusion manager.

To encourage employers, companies wanting to advertise job listings have 30 days of free job listings before they are asked to pay a fee with an amount that depends on the organization.

Employers email Harris with job information and then she will publish it on her website. People who are interested in applying to the jobs on the website will contact the employer directly. Harris said the job listings have mostly been for professional jobs but she wants people seeking entry-level jobs to find something for them

on the job board.

Harris’ network includes a wide network of local professionals and college students, but she said many of those people are part of larger organizations that can share her job postings to over a 1,000 people.

Harris started her consulting business in 2014 to promote diversity, equity, inclusion and bias awareness training and consulting. In her business, Harris talks with employees about race, class and gender in what her website describes as a non-judgmental and non-polarizing way. Harris has worked with over 20 organizations including Whatcom Transportation Authority, Whatcom County Library System and the cities of Bellingham and Lynden.

In 2015, Harris also co-founded the Bellingham Racial Justice Coalition, an advocate for ending systemic racism in Bellingham.

Right now, the job board is only promoting local jobs, but Harris said she hopes it will attract businesses across the state.

“It takes more than posting on LinkedIn and Glassdoor,” she said. “It takes someone creating relationships with communities.”

For more information, contact Kim Harris at distinctivevoiceconsulting@gmail.com or visit distinctivevoiceconsulting.com.

Looking to participate in Black History Month events this February? Kim Harris of Distinctive Voice Consulting, shared things people in Whatcom County can do this month – from book clubs to events.

“How to be an Ally, Next Steps” class: 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, February 17. Harris is hosting a virtual educational course on how people can become better allies to those with marginalized and oppressed backgrounds. The $35 class is in partnership with Whatcom Community College.

For course information and registration, visit bit.ly/3oPUlMz. “Ascendants of the Movement: Uplifting Black Women’s Voices” event: 5-7 p.m. Saturday, February 20. Harris is hosting the event, sponsored by Bellingham Public Library. More information will be available.

The Discovery channel will release a feature documentary titled “Attack of the Murder Hornets” on Saturday, February 20, which details the film crew’s experience closely following the Asian giant hornet trail last fall.

The documentary follows Blaine beekeepers Ruthie Danielsen and Ted McFall, and Washington State Department of Agriculture entomologists Sven-Erik Spichiger and Chris Looney, who spent hours in Blaine searching for Asian giant hornet nests.

“They wanted to know the details of the story of working with WSDA and being on the hunt for

the Asian giant hornet,” Danielsen said.

Danielsen said over 10 crewmembers filmed at her house, where she keeps bees, recording everything from her beehives to making plastic bottle traps.

The film is produced by Michael Paul Stephenson, who was also involved in “Best Worst Movie” and “The American Scream.”

It will premiere on the Discovery channel and online streaming service Discovery Plus. According to a Discovery Plus press release, the film is also produced by OJO Entertainment and Howard Swartz is executive producer.

The Asian giant hornet is believed to have come to the Blaine

Applications open for Peace Arch sculptures The International Peace Arch Association is accepting applications until Sunday, February 28 for the sculpture exhibit at Peace Arch Historic Park.

The association is calling for all artists to submit outdoor sculptures to be displayed in the 24th Annual Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition. The exhibit will be held from May 1 to October 1 on the U.S. side of the park, adjacent to the U.S./ Canada border crossing.

Sculpture selection is based on

artistic impression, quality, durability, aesthetic appeal and park and community appropriateness. The sculpture must also be weatherproof.

Accepted artists will receive a $250 stipend.

Since 1997, the exhibit has had over 200 sculptures from 124 different artists.

For the artist submission form, visit peacearchpark.org/call-forsculpture and for more information, contact Christina Winkler at christina@peacearchpark.org.

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.

Thursday, February 11 9:00am – Park and

Join Us Online custerumc.org Sunday Worship

Cemetery Board Meeting

6:00pm – Planning Commission Meeting *CANCELLED*

Monday, February 15 City Offices Closed – President’s Day

10 a.m.

Monday, February 22 6:00pm – City Council Meeting

Ash Wednesday Service

Thursday, February 25 6:00pm – Planning

Wednesday, February 17 6:30 p.m.

Murder hornet documentary premieres Saturday, February 20

By Grace McCarthy

DVC virtual book club meeting: 4:30-6 p.m., Saturday, February 27. DVC is in the midst of hosting an anti-racist book club supporting Black authors.

The February meeting, which is the second in the four-part series discussing “So You Want to Talk About Race” by Seattle author Ijeoma Oluo. Workshop participation is on a drop-in basis.

Commission Meeting Public Hearing – Variance for Cedar Court Apartments All City offices are currently closed to the public. Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.

Pastor Bing C. Canlas

Custer United Methodist Church 2996 Main Street • Custer

area in the fall of 2019 and one nest was eventually exterminated in October 2020. The invasive insect is feared for its ability to decapitate thousands of honeybees and wipe out colonies of native honeybees. Around 40 to 50 people a year are killed in Japan by the hornets.

“I’m really glad the documentary is coming out because the more people that understand the impacts of the invasive species, the more people will be putting up traps and looking for it,” Danielsen said. “I’m thrilled it will educate more people.”

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

360-366-5181

www.cityofblaine.com

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The Northern Light • February 11 - 17, 2021

Door construction at main jail finished ahead of schedule

By Conor Wilson Workers have finished replacing 160 jail doors at the Whatcom County Jail, well ahead of schedule, chief corrections deputy Wendy Jones said.

While mostly finished in July, additional work continued over the next few months and was completed in late September, Jones said. The Northern Light reported last spring county special projects manager Rusty Noble said he expected the $4.2 million dollar project to be completed in February as a best-case scenario.

The expedited completion was due to the county allowing Jones to reassign one of the sergeants to focus on coordinating with construction workers around the jail, she said. The original jail doors dated from 1984 and had become

a safety concern. Noble said now that the project has been completed, safety at the jail has gone up exponentially. “[The doors] were just so old, they’ve been slammed a thousand times,” he said. “We got our money’s worth.”

No projects are currently going on at the jail, outside of routine maintenance, Noble said, as his team had been focusing on the construction of the new Crisis Stabilization Center. Noble and Jones both said they expect the next major project at the jail to be focused on the HVAC systems.

In 2017, Whatcom County Council approved $12 million for repairs to the jail, planned over several years. Council approved the program after voters twice rejected a proposed two-tenths of a percent sales tax to pay for a new

jail in 2015 and 2017.

According to a 2016 assessment of the jail by architectural design firm 2 LAST, Inc., a remodel was not a viable option.

A county jail planning task force had described the need for a new jail as “critical” in 2011.

A proposal for another sales tax measure to fund the jail was written by county council chair Barry Buchanan in August 2019.

According to the proposal, the goal was to get the measure on the 2020 general election ballot, which was not met.

The county purchased land off LaBounty Road in Ferndale in 2013, which had been designated for the construction of a new facility, according to the county website.

Kittitas agreement Whatcom County still has

an inmate transfer agreement with Kittitas County, Jones said.

The agreement between the two counties allows Whatcom County to transfer inmates to the jail in Ellensburg to prevent overcrowding at the downtown jail.

The Northern Light reported in the spring that Whatcom County brought back 10 inmates being held in Ellensburg due to space opening up at the jail after the county made fewer arrests and released nonviolent inmates to reduce crowding, amid the pandemic.

Although there are no county inmates at the Kittitas County Jail currently, Jones said if Covid-19 numbers stabilize, the county will likely begin transferring inmates again. Jones said most jails across the state are avoiding the transfer of inmates currently to

prevent the spread of Covid-19.

The jail is operating under Covid-19 restrictions, with 24 beds set aside for an isolation unit for incoming inmates, Jones said. All inmates booked into the downtown jail must quarantine for 14 days in the isolation unit.

According to Jones, an asymptomatic inmate brought Covid-19 into the county Interim Work Center sparking an outbreak in late January which resulted in over 70 percent of the work center inmates testing positive.

Three inmates booked into the downtown jail this month tested positive for Covid-19, but were isolated and did not spread the virus, Jones said. All three have since been released.

The general population in the downtown jail remains Covid free, Jones said.

Rules of the Road: Determining pedestrian right-of-way

By Doug Dahl Question: At an intersection, where the flow of traffic in question does not have a stop sign, and there are several cars flowing through it, does a pedestrian have the right to step off the curb to cross as long as it does not cause an “immediate” hazard? Who has the right-of-way?

Answer: I’ll get to the actual answer in a moment, but I want to lead with this: Don’t hit the pedestrian. Yep, you already

knew that, I know. My point here is that there is the right-of-way, and then there’s the right thing to do.

We often talk about who has the right-of-way, but that’s really a distortion of the language in our laws. The law doesn’t define who has the right-of-way; it states who must yield the right-of-way. Maybe that sounds like two different ways of saying the same thing, but there is a difference. Think of right-of-way as something floating out there in the universe that

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But the point still stands.

Back to the question. The Revised Code of Washington doesn’t use the term “immediate hazard,” but you have the right idea. The law states that drivers must stop for pedestrians in the roadway, but adds, “No pedestrian ... shall suddenly leave a curb ... or otherwise move into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the driver to stop.”

Does that mean it’s legal for a pedestrian to step into the roadway if you have to slam on your brakes and spill your coffee all over your dash to stop in time?

Or does it mean that if the pedestrian is waiting at the curb, hopeful that you’ll stop for him, that you can keep on going because he hasn’t actually planted his foot on the roadway yet? You can

see here that while understanding right-of-way is important, if someone uses it as a tool to justify being aggressive on the roadway, they’ve missed the point.

And that brings us back to where we started. If a pedestrian is waiting at an intersection to cross the street, facing a steady stream of cars, at what point does she just take her chances and hope the next car will stop for her? If you’re a couple of cars back and see her with her toes lined up on the curb, you could choose to come to an easy stop and let her cross. Does the law demand it? No. But you could be the person that creates an opportunity for a pedestrian to safely cross the street.

You might think that’s an insignificant action, but it matters.

Over the past decade, annual pedestrian fatalities have increased in Washington, from 62 in 2009 to 107 in 2019. Regardless of

who is at fault or who should yield the right-of-way, when cars and pedestrians collide, the pedestrian has the most to lose. I’d argue, and I think the law agrees with me that, while we all have a responsibility to be law-abiding and safe road users, the burden of that responsibility falls on drivers. Along with every other traffic rule, the law adds, in part, that “every driver of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any person upon any roadway ...”

Of course, safe driving has to be rooted in an understanding of the law, which includes knowing when to yield the right-of-way.

And then we can move beyond the question of “Who has the right-of-way?” to “Did everyone get home safely?”

Doug Dahl is a manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission, Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.

Community survey on youth substance use is still taking submissions

By Ian Haupt A Blaine, Birch Bay and Point Roberts online survey for 202021 is still accepting responses from community members who would like to share their perspective on local youth issues.

The survey, administered through the Whatcom County health department by Community Resilience Research, is used alongside the Healthy Youth Survey – taken every two years by grades 6, 8, 10 and 12 in all school districts in Washington – to report community changes to the CDC’s Drug-Free Community Support Program, said Geof Morgan, coordinator for Community Resilience Research.

He said he is hoping to compile results by mid to late February.

The survey’s main purpose is to track over time what people’s perceptions are of the issues involv-

ing the community.

The CDC program gives up to $125,000 per year to more than 700 community coalitions across the country to strengthen collaboration among local partners and create an infrastructure that reduces substance use, according to its website.

“Results from the survey will be used in monthly community meetings of Birch Bay/Blaine Thrives (a broad community network of school and community representatives) this year to inform discussions on how best we can support youth, families and the communities of Blaine, Birch Bay and Point Roberts,” the survey page says.

Morgan said the survey already has more than 100 responses.

Both parents and students are encouraged to take the survey.

The BBB Thrives initiative began in June 2018 with the “goal

of formally nurturing and sustaining stronger relationships between families, staff and those agencies in the community that are positioned to offer additional social, emotional and behavioral support services for students and families,” according to its website.

This is the third year of doing the survey, Morgan said, the first being in 2018.

The survey was not administered last year due to the pandemic, but this year they’ve added answers to select-all questions pertaining to how Covid-19 has affected the community. He said the additions will provide the school and community with more useful information about how people are handling the pandemic.

To complete the survey, visit surveymonkey.com/r/2021blainesurvey.

February 11 - 17, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com

7

Student athletes resume practicing at Blaine High School

By Conor Wilson Borderites athletics will see some return to normalcy, as all four fall sports are back to practicing, but the path to competition remains complicated for most sports.

The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) fall sports season, which includes football, cross country, volleyball and girls soccer, began February 1 as teams were permitted to practice. Cheerleading practice also started last week.

In compliance with WIAA guidelines, masks must be worn at all times by both athletes and coaches during practices and competitions.

The current WIAA plan called for a seven-week season, with six weeks of competition. Three of the fall sports were supposed to begin competing this week, with football beginning next week, under the WIAA plan, but that cannot happen as the north region remains in Phase 1 of governor Jay Inslee’s “Healthy Washington” plan.

Under current guidelines, only cross county, which is designated by the WIAA as a low-risk sport, may begin competing in Phase 1.

Meets can have a maximum of 200 people, including coaches and staff, and spectators are not allowed.

Gabe Bolton, head coach of the Borderites cross country team, said the team would compete in four dual meets, starting this Wednesday against Ferndale, before a virtual league championship in March. The virtual race will be on the team’s own track and they will compare times with other league schools.

The Borderites cross country team held its first practice February 1, Bolton said. Three athletes showed up to the first practice, and Bolton said he expects more to come following approval of athletic paperwork. Other athletes stayed home due to parental concern about Covid-19, Bolton said. All athletes wore masks while running, which Bolton said caused some minor breathing concerns.

“I really appreciate the opportunity to help kids get through this time,” Bolton said. “We may not be competing for medals this season, but we get to interact and

s Borderites football practices in small groups on February 3 in preparation for a shortened season.

Photo by Conor Wilson

have some return to normalcy.”

The Borderites football team was the first to return to practice, when they resumed the week of January 18 for conditioning and six-person football training, head coach Jay Dodd said. Dodd said his athletes are currently broken in groups based on whether they are A week, B week or online-only students.

Girls head soccer coach Gio Quesada said the team, with members who had not seen each other in a year, had its first practice scheduled February 8.

Quesada said the practice will primarily be for fitness rather than soccer-specific drills. He said the practice will be optional, and expects some players will stay home because of virus concerns.

The girls volleyball team started outdoor conditioning January 25, and began indoor practice this week, said head coach Jacquie Wilskey.

Wilskey said the team expects to be working in groups of no more than six until the region changes phases. Based upon who has been showing up for conditioning, Wilskey said she expected to see most of the team during its first week of practices.

With competition likely delayed because Whatcom County hasn’t entered Phase 2 this week, the WIAA seven-week plan will become outdated. The Northwest Athletic Conference (NWC), which includes schools in Whatcom and Skagit counties, has released four additional regional

plans for six- and five-week competition periods.

The plans also adjust when

spring and winter sports would begin. Plan B completion would be six weeks, and begin for all

sports the week of February 15.

The NWC plan can be viewed at bit.ly/3oPdZIy.

Please join the Commissioners of North Whatcom Fire & Rescue and Whatcom County Fire District 4 and Fire Chief Jason Van der Veen For a virtual public meeting via Zoom Your Fire Commissioners are exploring whether to ask voters to approve creation of a Regional Fire Authority to serve our communities.

Come learn why your Fire Commissioners are discussing this option and what could change if voters approve.

Sessions: Thursday, February 18 at 3:00 pm Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 pm Zoom Links: Thursday, February 18 at 3:00 pm.

Tuesday, February 23 at 7:00 pm.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/95374295014 Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/92101021486 Meeting ID: 953 7429 5014 Meeting ID: 921 0102 1486 via phone: 12532158782,,95374295014# via phone: 12532158782,,92101021486#

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The Northern Light • February 11 - 17, 2021

Active S eniors

Sturgill leaves parks commission after 12 years of service

s Richard Sturgill.

Courtesy photo

By Grace McCarthy After 12 years of service, Richard Sturgill stepped down as Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 commissioner

earlier this month. The Northern Light talked with Sturgill, who began with the district two years after its revival in 2006, about why he chose now to leave the district and his biggest accomplishments.

The interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

What are you most proud of during your time as commissioner?

We started with this basically nothing organization and watched it evolve into a professional park and recreation district that’s really constituent-centric, providing opportunities for citizens. One of the first things we did is get a lease with Whatcom County Parks and Recreation, and took over the abandoned gym at the former Blaine Air Force Station in Birch Bay. With our levy money, we refurbished that building and it became a recreational hub for the Birch Bay area, which was in need of those kind of things, so that was really neat.

What was your favorite project?

There was an interest in putting in a children’s playground in Blaine Marine Park. They were deciding where it would be and how it would be funded. [The city of Blaine] was trying to do it but it was going to happen like piecemeal. I pledged a chunk of money for the district, hoping the commissioners would see the merits of this proposal and back me up to allow this money to be used. The district voted and

s Blaine Senior Center director Kathy Sitker and Richard Sturgill tested exercise equipment in March 2017 after the senior center purchased equipment with BBBPRD2 funding.

File photo

passed this measure to provide this seed money to the city of Blaine to get it started.

The playground is used every

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day and I feel real proud of that.

It’s such a neat location with the water there and there’s a pirate ship and a lighthouse play structure. I feel really good about that.

What else would you consider an accomplishment during your time with parks and recreation?

Acquiring property along California Creek that saved the land from development was a real big one. Something I started in the early ’80s was wanting to have a pedestrian bicycle trail along Blaine and Birch Bay. It’s not completed but that’s another one that’s an ongoing process. It takes time but we’re working on it and I feel real good about that.

What memory stands out the most to you?

It was seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces and the sounds of their enjoyment playing on the two play structures at the west end of Marine Park. The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 was instrumental in getting this facility to become a reality. That is what it’s all about and made it all the worthwhile.

Why did you decide to resign now?

At my age, I’m approaching three-quarters of a century years old and it’s time for me to concentrate more on my family.

What time I have left for public service I want to use to finish the NN59 Bristol Bay sailboat.

It’s time for someone else to be on there. It’s no reflection on the district at all. All the commissioners are great and have their hearts into it. They don’t make any money, it’s all volunteer. It’s sincerely wanting to improve the (See Sturgill, next page)

February 11 - 17, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com

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I’m proud to be a member but it’s time for me to move on. There comes a time in everybody’s life when they need to say, ‘I’ve done it.’ After all these years, I’ve done it. I feel good about it and I’m resigning feeling good about what I did and what I tried to do.

For those who might not know, could you give a brief explanation on the NN59 sailboat?

It’s the NN59 Bristol Bay sailboat. It’s the sister sailboat to the NN79 sailboat that’s housed at the APA cannery museum at Semiahmoo Park.

We’re restoring this 115-yearold sailboat under the U.S. Coast Guard. We’re going to have it totally rebuilt and issued a certificate of inspection like its cousin, the historic Plover ferry. When it’s back in the water, it’ll be able to carry passengers for hire and earn a living to pay for its insurance, the moorage, the captain, the maintenance and all the things that go along with a boat.

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boats over one hundred years ago. It’s going to be a real addition to Blaine and our tourism industry.

000,3$ ot pu evaS

From previous page

ties for people to go sailing and learn about the maritime heritage of our area and have a glimpse what it would have been like fishing or sailing on one of these

File photo

Sturgill ...

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The Northern Light • February 11 - 17, 2021

Active S eniors PeaceHealth St. Joseph earns transcatheter valve certification The American College of Cardiology (ACC) has recognized the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cardiovascular Center for its demonstrated expertise and commitment to treating patients with moderate to severe heart valve disease with transcatheter valve implantation (or TAVI, also known as TAVR) procedures.

PeaceHealth’s TAVI program is now officially certified, the first health care provider in Washington state and among fewer than 30 in the nation to receive this esteemed distinction.

The certification from the ACC is based on evaluation of PeaceHealth’s ability to meet standards for multidisciplinary teams, formalized training, shared decision-making and registry performance.

The Cardiovascular Center developed processes to standardize patient care and increase quality measurement.

Eric King, DO, PeaceHealth cardiac interventionalist, said, “This is a wonderful recognition of the quality outcomes of our cardiology and cardiothorac-

ic surgery programs. TAVI offers an important alternative to traditional open-heart surgery for our patients with significant valvular heart disorders.”

The ACC’s Transcatheter Valve Certification is an external review and certification process that pairs with established national clinical databases to monitor patient safety and real-world outcomes related to transcatheter valve therapies.

Participation in established national clinical databases is required for hospitals interested

in achieving Transcatheter Valve Certification.

“The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cardiovascular Center has demonstrated its commitment to providing Bellingham and surrounding areas with excellent heart care,” said Phillip D. Levy, MD, FACC, chair of the ACC Accreditation Management Board.

“ACC Accreditation Services is proud to award the PeaceHealth St. Joseph Cardiovascular Center with Transcatheter Valve Certification.”

The PeaceHealth St. Joseph

Cardiovascular Center completed its first TAVI procedure in 2015 and celebrated its 250th procedure in February 2021.

TAVI is a minimally invasive heart procedure that replaces the aortic valve without open-heart surgery.

The procedure is a lasting solution that helps patients with aortic valve stenosis beat the 50 percent odds of dying in two years if their condition is left untreated and improves quality of life.

Find out more information at peacehealth.org/TAVR.

How seniors can protect themselves from Covid-19 fraud Restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus have saved untold numbers of lives. The world has adjusted to such restrictions, and many parts of the world have relaxed measures as case numbers have declined.

As communities begin returning to some semblance of normalcy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned people against letting their guard down. While many of those warnings pertain to the importance of continuing to practice social distancing as economies reopen, advisories also include

notices about fraud schemes related to Covid-19.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General has advised the general public about scams involving Medicare fraud. Such schemes are targeting Medicare beneficiaries in an assortment of ways, including through text messages, social media, telemarketing calls, and even door-todoor visits.

When perpetrating such frauds, scammers seek beneficiaries’ personal information, which they then use to fraudulently bill federal health care programs, po-

tentially leaving their victims on the hook for costly unapproved tests related to Covid-19.

The CDC notes the importance of being aware of such schemes.

Awareness can help consumers avoid being victimized by scammers, and the following are some additional measures people can take to protect themselves from Covid-19-related fraud.

• Do not share personal account information. Scammers need their victims’ personal information to perpetrate their fraudulent schemes. The CDC cautions beneficiaries to be suspicious of unsolicited requests for their

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ments on social media sites. Offers or ads for testing are one of the ways scammers are accessing personal information. Only a physician or other trusted healthcare provider should assess your condition and approve any requests for Covid-19 testing.

The Covid-19 outbreak has made it easy for criminals to exploit consumers concerned about their health.

Consumers who suspect Covid-19 fraud can contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at 866/720-5721 or visit Justice.gov/disastercomplaintform to file a complaint.

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Legal IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of: Grant W. Nelson, Deceased.

NO. 21-4-00035-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Evan Jones.

The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of First Publication: January 28, 2021 Personal Representative: David A. Nelson 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 21-4-00035-37

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Legal IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of: Fay Stockton, Deceased. NO. 21-400059-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Evan P. Jones The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.

Date of First Publication: February 4, 2021 Personal Representative: Jeffrey Stockton 3832 Kansas Street Bellingham, WA 98229 Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225 Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 21 4 00059 37

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DATE OF FIRST PUBLICATION: January 28, 2021 PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Carole H. Shiel ATTORNEY FOR PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE: Michael T. Kleps, WSBA #37144 ADDRESS FOR MAILING OR SERVICE: 1700 D Street (zip: 98225) P.O. Box 5226, Bellingham, WA 98227

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All advertising in this newspaper is subject to Allreal realestate/rentals estate/rentals advertisthe Federal Fair Housing Act of 1968 as amended, which makes ing in this newspaper is subject ittoillegal to advertise any preference, limitation or discrimination the Federal Fair Housing Act based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap familial status or naof 1968 as amended, which makes it illegal tional origin, or an intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimto advertise any preference, limitation or disination. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertisement for real crimination based on race, color, religion, estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all sex, handicap, familial or national ori-on an equal opportunity dwellings advertised in thisstatus newspaper are available gin, or an intention to make any such prefbasis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246. erence, 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 newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll-free at 1-800-877-0246.

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February 11 - 17, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com

Mandated homeless shelters draw criticism in state legislature of that public facility for other members of the community,” Fortunato said. “So that’s the inHomeless shelters would be lo- tent of the bill.”

The Washington Housing Trust cated in more cities and counties and supplied with mental health, Fund program would likely serve employment and police resourc- as these shelters’ main source of es if a bill under consideration in funding, according to the bill’s text. Tedd Kelleher, senior manthe state legislature is adopted.

Senator Phil Fortunato (R-Au- aging director at the Washington burn) sponsored senate bill 5107 State Department of Commerce, to incentivize local governments said reliance on the trust fund to provide both emergency hous- program would not cover the ing and social services for vulner- costs of these new standards.

“When we look at local govable unhoused populations.

The bill would mandate coun- ernment finances, they don’t have ties and cities with more than the current resources or taxing 50,000 residents to establish at authority to fund shelter at the least one emergency overnight scale of this proposal, even if they shelter and ensure enough beds aggressively reallocated resourcfor the sheltered and unsheltered es,” Kelleher said.

Others testified against parts homeless population. The law would also force these shelters to of the bill that would ban the use ban possession or use of alcohol or possession of drugs and alcoand unprescribed drugs on the hol in the shelter. David Moser, a premises and to have a police professor of social work at Seattle presence during operating hours. University and frontline shelter At the hearing, more than 400 worker, said substance misuse people signed in as opposed to is a complicated issue and a ban the bill. Opponents told the Sen- would only deter people from ate Housing & Local Government seeking shelter.

“For a shelter to work as an alCommittee February 3 the law would cost too much and place ternative to the streets, it needs to unnecessary burdens on people be low-barrier and accessible and welcoming to everyone, not just who experience homelessness.

Fortunato said the bill would those who are deemed worthy,” not criminalize homelessness, Moser said.

The police presence at emerbut provide opportunities for people to move their way out of gency shelters was also contested by many commenters, who told it.

“To me it is not compassionate the committee distrust in the to have people sleeping in card- police would also keep people board boxes and on the sides from spending the night in these of roads, in campgrounds and shelters.

Dan Wise, director of homeless public parks, disrupting the use

By Sydney Brown, WSJ

O B I T U A RY

services at Catholic Community Services of King County, said police presence would put people in poverty under the direct scrutiny of law enforcement, which would further hurt communities disproportionately affected by homelessness, substance use disorders and police violence.

An unproportional number of people of color are homeless, and those communities also experience systemic racism, Wise said.

“We cannot say that you can disconnect one from the other and dictate a police presence in a shelter and expect that people will access that resource,” Wise added.

Fortunato clarified that police would serve to increase security, “not to grill anybody or charge them with some criminal charge.” However, he said he would reevaluate the police presence in the bill.

Yael-Sophia Spinoza of Chop Shop Economics told the committee the bill would stigmatize poor and homeless people without helping them find permanent housing.

“All in all, this is not a solution to housing,” she said. “If you want a solution to housing, you must impose a rent moratorium, forgive rent for all renters in Washington, and have a housing-first policy.”

The Washington State Journal is a non-profit news website managed by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation.

Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

Inslee defends regional reopening plan

By Joseph Claypoole,WSJ Governor Jay Inslee defended his plan to phase in the opening of businesses by region, saying he knows it goes too slow for some people.

“Everybody can have a rational argument against what we’re doing, but you can’t argue with the results,” Inslee said, “which is that we are ahead of 45 other states.”

According to Inslee, that

translates to an extra 8,000 lives saved in the state with more than 700,000 individuals already vaccinated.

However, many Republicans remain unsatisfied with Inslee’s approach. Several hours before Inslee made his comments February 4, four Senate Republicans announced they were forming a Freedom Caucus to press for fewer restrictions.

“Governor Inslee has a heavy-handed approach and I believe a tremendous infringement

13

on people’s personal rights and liberty,” said senator Phil Fortunado (R-Auburn). Senators Doug Ericksen (R-Ferndale), Jim McCune (R-Graham) and Mike Padden (R-Spokane Valley) joined Fortunado.

The governor’s Covid-19 restrictions on businesses are “taking the life savings of people that are just trying to run a family business, a family store,” Fortun(See Olympia, page 15)

Theo Charline (Gudmundson) Jumisko Hull January 21, 1934–January 14, 2021 Theo passed peacefully from congestive heart failure on January 14, 2021, after watching the beautiful morning sunrise with her daughter Julie and son-in-law Mike, holding her hands. Theo’s sense of humor, positive outlook, beautiful smile and giver of the best hugs ever will be missed by all.

Theo was born on December 21, 1934 to Emil and Olive Gudmundson in Blaine. Born the fifth of seven children, she grew up in a large, boisterous family that loved to laugh, a trait Theo held her entire life and passed on to her children. Theo loved to reminisce and share stories about her childhood, especially stories about growing up on a farm. She always held that connection and was a farm girl at heart.

After graduating from Blaine High School in 1953, Theo began working at the ABC Family Theater. In the spring of 1954 while stationed at the Blaine Air Force Station, Chuck Jumisko went in to see a movie and met Theo. They were married July 31. They lived briefly in California before moving to Bellevue. Their dream of becoming parents came true in 1965 when Jeff was born, then Julie in 1967. Theo was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word. She and Chuck thought it was important for her to be a stayat-home Mother, raising their kids. Together they built a warm, fun, loving, unconditional home not only for their children, but for all who entered. Chuck passed away in 1975.

At a high school reunion in 1978, Theo was reacquainted with her first love, Barrie Hull and after some smooth talking by Barrie, she moved back to Blaine in 1979 after they wed. They were married for 39 years until Barrie’s death in 2018.

Theo was a quiet but fierce advocator for things she felt strongly about. She co-founded the Bellingham chapter of PFLAG in the mid ’90s. Theo was a strong supporter of the Blaine community, as a business owner with her sister Norma Jean for several years in the ’80s, serving as Chamber secretary and volunteering at the Visitor Information Center for many years. She was nominated as Woman of the Year for Blaine in 1996. Theo grew up attending Free Church Unitarian, which she always considered “home.” She was on the church board, participated in choir and served the church and its congregation in many other ways through the years. Theo loved meeting new people of all ages and learning about them, always leaving them with a lasting impression.

Theo is survived by her son, Jeff (Jaime Calitto) Jumisko; daughter Julie (Mike) Schrader and his sons Tim and Chris; sisters June Vaughn, Norma Jean Bakarich and Lorene Meck; brother Bud (Anita) Gudmundson, many nieces, nephews and many, many friends. Her sisters Esther Pedersen and Margaret Rutherford passed in 1998.

In memory of Theo, hug your loved ones, laugh and practice kindness daily. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Free Church Unitarian, 1218 Harrison Ave Blaine, WA 98230.

A special Thank You to Graham Meeks, NP at Peace Health Cardiology for his compassionate care the past two years.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date so all can attend.

Please share your memories and photos of Theo at sigsfuneralservices.com. Upcoming notifications for celebration plans will be posted there.

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The Northern Light • February 11 - 17, 2021

Police Reports January 26, 1:50 p.m.: Blaine police responded to Wilson Avenue for a report of a delivery truck striking and knocking down a light pole. An officer investigated the incident and will complete a WSP collision report.

Blaine Public Works assisted with the power issues in the neighborhood.

January 26, 6:25 p.m.: Blaine Police were called to a report of a 35-foot sailboat on the rocks south of the Semiahmoo Marina.

Dispatch further advised the boat was not in distress and no one was injured. Police arrived with a fire crew and found the boat abandoned. Dayshift officers will advise the harbormaster’s office of the boat.

January 26, 6:52 p.m.: Blaine police responded to a business on 3rd Street for a report of a group of juveniles banging on the walls, causing a neighboring business to call the police. An officer arrived and located one of the juveniles. It was unknown if anything was broken, so further investigation with the business owner is needed.

January 27, 6:46 p.m.: Officers responded to an intentional overdose where a juvenile took a large number of prescription medications. The juvenile was

transported by aid. No further with no further incident. action was taken.

January 28, 4:26 p.m.: An January 28, 12 p.m.: A citizen officer took a report of a parking contacted law enforcement problem. A citizen called to say regarding her landlord serving she confronted someone parked her with a fake eviction notice. in a fire lane. She said the driver Officers described to the individwas rude and left. Extra patrol ual what a real eviction notice was conducted to check for would appear like. The individparking violations. ual advised she is not getting January 28, 5:37 p.m.: An offialong with her landlord. Officers cer responded to a possible road instructed her to call 911 if anyrage incident. It was determined thing criminal transpires. Officers one driver confronted another documented the circumstance after he was cut off. No threats and cleared with no further were made and no physical fight incident. had happened. One driver was January 28, 12:23 p.m.: Officers simply not comfortable that he responded to the 200 block had been confronted. Both parrange of 4th Street for a report ties were sent on their way. of a domestic verbal dispute.

January 28, 9:46 p.m.: Blaine Officers arrived and identified officers responded to a person one of the individuals involved sleeping in a bathroom at a local standing on the sidewalk next to business. The business wanted a car engine. The man explained the person to leave but did not he moved out approximately one want him trespassed. An officer month before and returned to gave the person a ride to the retrieve his engine and engine base camp in Bellingham. dolly left behind, among other items. Officers advised the items January 29, 12:36 p.m.: Offileft behind are now a civil matter cers were advised of a theft of a that needed to be handled in a blanket at a local hotel. Officers civil court. Officers spoke to the were able to obtain the names tenant of the residence, who of the individuals that rented the advised he did not have the dolly room last but the owner did not and would like the individual have other information for them. trespassed from the property.

Officers trespassed the man from the property and cleared him Report by Blaine Police Department.

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47. Turf 49. Disorganized in character 52. Takes 56. Rules over 58. More fervid 60. Sweet drink 62. Cry loudly 63. A friendly nation DOWN 1. A title of respect in India 2. His and __ 3. Employee stock ownership plan 4. A type of bond (abbr.)

5. Acting as if you are 6. Affirmative 7. Not caps 8. Type of medication 9. Monetary unit 10. Private school in New York 12. Small stream 13. A person of wealth 16. Exclude 17. Someone who vouches for you 20. Vegetable part

22. Gov’t lawyer 25. Term to address a woman 26. Swiss river 27. About senator 29. __ Paulo, city 31. Native American tribe 34. “Titanic” actor 36. Campaign for students’ rights (abbr.)

37. Capital of Senegal 38. Slang for military leader 40. Football’s big game 43. Women who threw themselves on funeral pyres 45. Equally 48. Forest animal 50. Heavy stoves 51. Releasing hormone (abbr.)

53. Song 54. Type of pickle 55. Offer in return for money 57. Soviet Socialist Republic 58. Burns wood (abbr.)

ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM

February 12 - 18 at Blaine.

Not for navigation.

49° 0’ 0”N - 122° 46’ 0”W HEIGHT

TIME

HEIGHT

Fr 12 6:50 am 10.0 12:21 pm 5.7

Telephone town hall with Senator Doug Ericksen: Tuesday, February 16, 7-8 p.m. To join the meeting, call 360/842-8841 before or during the meeting. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about developments in Olympia.

Boys & Girls Club After School Care: Monday–Thursday until 5 p.m.

Serving students in grades 1–6 at Blaine schools. Registration required weekly and is open for February. Info: parentportal.whatcomclubs.org or contact the Club at 360/332-3008.

Native Plant Sale: Now through March 1. Order online at whatcomcd. org/plant-sale. Pre-scheduled drive through pick up March 13 and 14 at the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, 3057 E Bakerview Road, Bellingham. Sponsored by the Whatcom Conservation District.

Origins and Evolutions: Five Generations Exhibit: Tuesday–Thursdays, 11 a.m.–4 p.m. and by appointment. A new exhibition featuring the art of four members o the Anderson/Syre family. Gallery Syre, 465 W. Stuart Road, Bellingham. Info: davidsyreart.com.

Allied Arts Annual Member’s Show: Tuesday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–4 p.m.,1418 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, through February 27. Featuring work from newly 100 Allied Art members including professional artists, students and new or emerging artists with works ranging from traditional paintings to photography, contemporary sculptures and everything in between. Info and virtual tour: alliedarts.org.

Pandemic Relief Options for Small Businesses Webinar: Wednesday, February 17, 10–11 a.m. and Wednesday, February 24, 2–3 p.m. Get your questions about the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) answered. Registration: bit.ly/3tICryR. Sponsored by the Small Business Administration, Seattle District Office.

Exploring Regional Fire Authority: Thursday, February 18, 3 p.m. and Thursday, February 23, 7 p.m. Join North Whatcom Fire and Rescue and Whatcom County Fire District 4 commissioners and fire chief Jason Van der Veen for a virtual public meeting exploring whether to ask voters to approve the creation of a regional fire authority. February 18 Zoom info: zoom.us/j/95374295014, February 23 Zoom info: zoom. us/j/92101021486.

Virtual Community Meeting With The Superintendent: Monday, March 1, 6 p.m. The community is invited to join Dr. Christopher Granger, Blaine school district superintendent and learn updates at the school and ask questions. Info and Zoom link at blainesd.org.

Tides TIME

Please wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

Maritime Washington National Heritage Area Project: Tuesday, February 23, 5 p.m. Join a virtual conversation about the new Maritime Washington Heritage Area and what it means for Whatcom County. Info and registration: bit.ly/3cYN6zE. Sponsored by: Bellingham Whatcom Country Tourism, Working Waterfront Coalition of Whatcom County and the Washington Trust for Historic Preservation.

59. Beloved singer Charles 61. Three-toed sloth

DATE

Coming up

5:01 pm 8.3

Whatcom Reads Online Author Events: Thursday and Friday, March 4 and 5. Join Esi Edugyan, author of this year’s Whatcom Reads book, Washington Black Thursday, March 4 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. for a conversation and writing event on Friday, March 5 at 11 a.m. Full event list and registration at whatcomreads.org.

Whatcom Cultural Arts Festival: March 5–27. Celebrating the various diverse cultures that populate our area through fine art, craft, song, dance, storytelling and other creative endeavors. Exhibitions at Allied Arts, 1418 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham with performances and workshops via social media. Info: alliedarts.org.

1:01 pm 5.1

5:53 pm 8.0

Su 14 12:40 am 0.2

7:44 am 9.7

Wings Over Water Virtual Northwest Birding Festival: March 19–21.

Live webinars, video bird walks, kids’ activities and more to enhance your outdoor experience and love of birding. Info: wingsoverwaterbirdingfestival.com.

1:41 pm 4.5

6:45 pm 7.6

Ongoing:

Mo 15 1:14 am 1.2

8:10 am 9.4

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.

Sa 13 12:04 am -0.7

7:18 am 9.9

2:21 pm 4.0

7:39 pm 7.2

Tu 16 1:48 am 2.3

8:32 am 9.1

3:03 pm 3.4

8:41 pm 6.8

We 17 2:20 am 3.5

8:54 am 8.9

3:45 pm 3.0

9:51 pm 6.6

Th 18 2:56 am 4.6

9:16 am 8.6

4:31 pm 2.5 11:19 pm 6.6

Weather

Precipitation: During the period of February 1 to 7, 1.75 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2021 yearto-date precipitation 7.65 inches.

Temperature: High for the past week was 55°F on February 6 with a low of 33°F on February 3. Average high was 47°F and average low was 40°F. Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.

The Bridge Food Distribution Program: Fridays 3:30–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.

The Bridge Clothing Bank Boutique: Open Wednesdays 3–5 p.m. and Fridays 12–5 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 4815 Alderson Road. Donations by appointment, call 360/366-8763.

Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: Third Thursdays, 1 p.m. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com.

Coffee With The Contractor Virtual Meetings: Fourth Thursdays, 8 a.m. Learn the progress of the Birch Bay berm project with members of Granite Construction, Whatcom County Public Works and the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. Meeting ID on birchbaychamber.com Blaine Chamber of Commerce Virtual Meetings: First Wednesday, noon. Meeting ID on blainechamber.com.

Blaine Library: 610 3rd Street. Closed in-branch visits. Curbside holds and pick up, Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Info 360/305-3637.

Meals on Wheels: New dates, beginning week of February 1, Thursdays 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Blaine Senior Center, 763 G Street. Adults 60+ pick up one hot and six frozen meals. Suggested donation $5 per meal or whatever is affordable. First come, first serve basis. Info: 360/332-8040.

Toastmasters Virtual Meetings: Tuesdays 6:30–7:45 p.m. Entertaining and educational. Have fun speaking, learn to overcome fears. Info: Call Pete 360/933-1671 or visit https://590628.toastmastersclubs.org.

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

February 11 - 17, 2021 • thenorthernlight.com

15

Love locks come to Birch Bay this weekend

s Love Locks is coming to Birch Bay this weekend in time for Valentine’s Day. The international movement is simply a padlock with names or initials of loved ones sealed on a fence and The Beach Bar at 7876 Birch Bay Drive is now a destination. The community is welcome to bring a lock on Saturday, February 13 and Sunday, February 14 between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. and seal it on their new “Friends of The Beach” wall for a $25 donation. Locks and engraving will also be available for purchase. More info at thebeachatbirchbay.com.

Photos by Molly Ernst

Kam-Way Transportation features Sofia Juarez on two trucks

By Grace McCarthy Blaine-based trucking company Kam-Way Transportation, Inc. is working with Washington State Patrol (WSP) to display photos of Sofia Juarez, who went missing from Kennewick in 2003.

“It’s really humbling,” said Kam Sihota, CEO and founder of Kam-Way Transportation. “It aligns with us giving back to the community we serve.”

WSP’s Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit unveiled photos of Juarez on the Kam-Way Transportation trucks at the Kennewick police department on February 4, 18 years after her disappearance and a day before her 23rd birthday.

This isn’t the first time KamWay has helped WSP display photos of missing children. These new trucks are part of the Homeward Bound Trucks program that raises awareness to missing children, which Kam-Way started

helping with in 2019.

“The opportunity was presented to us two years ago because it fits into our social initiative,” Kam Sihota said.

Since then, the company has featured four missing people – Teekah Lewis, Misty Copsey, Alyssa McLemore and now Juarez – on a total of eight trucks.

The Homeward Bound project began in 2005 between WSP and Gordon Trucking but took a hiatus in 2018 when the trooper who started the program died.

A former Kam-Way employee helped restart the project in January 2019. Kam-Way human resource director Harneet Sihota now leads the program with WSP. “We want to bring children home, where they belong,” said Carri Gordon, WSP missing Person Unit Program manager, during the unveiling. “We are going to continue that effort with Kam-Way Transportation and make sure none of these children

are forgotten.”

The trucks display a photo of Juarez and what she could look like today, in addition to a phone number and website for people to report information. The trucks also has a dedication to late WSP trooper Renee Padgett, who started the program, and information to join Be The Match registry, which facilitates bone marrow transplantations.

Kam-Way covers material costs and WSP selects whose photo is displayed on the trucks, Kam Sihota said.

Juarez went missing walking to the store, in an attempt to follow a family member.

The Kennewick police department’s missing case file for Juarez spans 20,000 pages, according to WSP. Kam Sihota said WSP asked the company to have trucks with the faces of two more children.

“How many come up, we’ll do,” he said.

s WSP trooper Renee Padgett and information on joining Be The Match registry on the back of the latest Homeward Bound trucks.

Photo by Kim Fetrow

Olympia ...

From page 13

ado said.

While acknowledging the criticisms, Inslee said his regional approach for determining when people can open is necessary to contain the spread of Covid-19 and makes more sense than going county by county.

“The reason we did it this way was twofold,” Inslee said. “First, we’ve added a new metric of the dynamic activity in hospitalizations and ICU capacity.”

“If you go to a county-based system, you might close the restaurants in Benton County and open them in Franklin County, a half mile away,” he added. “I can assure you, we’d be criticized for that.”

He also responded to criticism from the Whatcom County health board regarding vaccine distribution inequities between counties.

“These are not random decisions,” Inslee said. “As far as allocation, the general goal is to (See Olympia, page 16)

Buying or Selling?

Call me!

16

The Northern Light • February 11 - 17, 2021

Bridge ...

From page 1

Jackson Road bridge is in the top four of the county’s 162 bridges in terms of need for replacement.

“It’s not the bridge that we would design today,” said Jessica Soward,

principal at Sargent Engineers, Inc. and head of design for the project.

Soward said their goal for reconstruction is to minimize the impacts to the neighborhood and sensitive habitat areas. “Our project cannot worsen the flooding,” she said, adding that it probably

won’t fix it either.

They would also like to improve the aesthetics and make it a clear span bridge, without support columns, so Terrell Creek flows freely beneath it, Soward said.

“Some of these goals are conflicting, and so that’s why we’re

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here, to really weight out what’s important to the community,” she said. “For instance, we would love to make the bridge very wide and have lots of bike lanes and sidewalks for everybody, but that increases the footprint of the bridge and that increases the impact to the neighborhood during construction and also to sensitive areas.”

Soward said that because the project requires in-water work to remove the current center support for the bridge and construct the foundation of the new bridge, construction will have to be done in the summer. The state department of fish and wildlife dictates when in-water work can be done, which is when fish aren’t in the water, and that, for Terrell Creek,

is during the summer.

Soward estimated construction to take three to four months.

During the public comment portion, community members also asked for a separate project to build a sidewalk or a pedestrian area coming down the hill on Jackson Road. Many said during the summer there is a lot of unprotected foot traffic on the road.

Kulshan Services LLC representatives mediated the meeting, introducing speakers, taking questions and recording suggestions.

There will be an open house during the summer that is preceded by another online survey.

For more information, visit its website at bit.ly/2Z321Ak.

Olympia ...

NFL team without a confirmed case of Covid-19.

The vaccine allotment for Washington will be increasing soon according to Inslee, but no firm date was given by him or his team.

“We could easily do 45,000 vaccinations today, it’s just that we’ve got to have the vaccines,” Inslee said. “That’s the good news. Once we get the vaccine, we’re going to accelerate this dramatically.”

About $1 million has also been invested in communication efforts to help establish vaccine credibility in communities and improve vaccination rates.

The Washington State Journal is a non-profit news website managed by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association Foundation.

Learn more at wastatejournal.org.

From page 15

save as many lives in the state of Washington in the fairest way possible. In the quickest way possible,” Inslee said.

As part of his efforts, Inslee also said he hopes to sign and approve Senate Bill 5061 by Friday, one of several packages working their way through the legislature.

“It both increases the minimum unemployment benefits for workers and it provides $1.7 billion in unemployment tax relief for businesses,” Inslee said.

He also highlighted the work of school systems in helping 200,000 students return to in-person education and the Seattle Seahawks for being the only

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