November 22 - 28, 2018
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ISSUE
NWFR commissioners appoint new interim fire chief, page 5
Did your ballot get counted?
Two new coaches for Fan Fest NW is coming Blaine sports, page 6 to Birch Bay, page 15
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Extending a helping hand for the holidays
Find out at myvote.wa.gov B y S t e fa n i e D o n a h u e
(See Election, page 7)
s Volunteers packed boxes with food for the Community Assistance Program’s annual Thanksgiving Basket program on November 20. Learn more about the program – including the number of pies volunteers baked this year – on page 15. Photo by Oliver Lazenby
School hosts Family Resource Fair for the community More than 46 organizations set to participate B y A ly S i e m i o n The upcoming Family Resource Fair at the Blaine high school campus is expected to offer the community a bounty of valuable resources under one roof. The event begins at 5 p.m. on Wednesday, December 5 in the Blaine High School cafeteria and will showcase numerous or-
ganizations, including the Blaine Senior Center and Whatcom Transit Authority. Event co-organizer Jodi Greene said representatives from medical and mental health organizations in Whatcom County plan to attend. Pastors from local churches will also be present. Julie Butschli, who is helping co-organize the Family Resource Fair, said that she wants the event to be well-rounded and inclusive, with resources covering all aspects of life for all demographics of the community. “This is who the school wants to be,” Butschli said, noting that the Blaine school district is a hub for the community.
Bellingham woman killed running across I-5 near Blaine By Oliver Lazenby A Bellingham woman died on November 17 after being hit by a car on Interstate 5 south of Blaine, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). Amanda Jean Mitchell, 31, reportedly ran across the median and into the southbound lanes near milepost 271 and Loomis Trail
Road, where a purple 2008 Lexus hit her. The accident occurred at about 5:05 p.m. Mitchell was pronounced dead at the scene. The 38-year-old man driving the Lexus was not injured and was not cited. The southbound lane was blocked for two and a half hours after the accident, according to the WSP.
At least 46 different organizations have committed to participating, including PeaceHealth Medical Group, Unity Care NW, Touchstone Health Clinic, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services, Boys and Girls Club of Whatcom County, Scouts of America, Blaine Family Service Center, Blaine Police Department, Early Learning and Family Services and the Blaine Food Bank. Both organizers want to make this a reoccurring event to ensure that the community is kept aware of the resources available (See School, page 7)
INSIDE
Huddled in a small conference room at the Whatcom County Courthouse, members of the county canvassing board voted last week to reject more than 400 general election ballots that were challenged largely due to issues with voter signatures. The four-person board is made up of Whatcom County auditor Debbie Adelstein, chief deputy auditor Diana Bradrick, Whatcom County prosecuting attorney Royce Buckingham and Whatcom County Council chair Rud Browne. Members are responsible for ruling on the validity of challenged ballots, certifying election results and administering recounts. In a public meeting held on November 16, the board reviewed challenged ballots one-by-one before making their determination. Approximately 20 people attended the meeting and were not permitted to take notes, photos or record audio, which Adelstein said is typical of Whatcom County Canvassing Board meetings. The meeting minutes are expected to be posted online to bit.ly/2xRUPdo this week. A total of 442 challenged ballots were rejected by the canvassing board and 28 were cured, meaning they will be counted, confirmed Whatcom County election supervisor Amy Grasher after the meeting. Seventeen ballots that were challenged due to questionable voter intent as a result of unclear vote marks were cured as were 11 others that were challenged due to their accompanying signatures not matching those in the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office records system. Five provisional ballots, which are issued to individuals who might otherwise be denied the opportunity to vote, were rejected as were 411 ballots that were challenged due to ballot signatures not matching those in the auditor’s office records. Twenty-six ballots that were challenged due to unmatched signatures were also rejected, despite voters sending in a form to the Whatcom County elections division to verify their signature. Grasher said not all challenged ballots are forwarded to the canvassing board for review. A total of 180 ballots that arrived too late and 60 ballots that were unsigned were automatically rejected. Challenging a ballot starts with county election division staff, which question ballots that contain an unverifiable signature, unclear vote marks or are placed in an improper envelope, for example. “If they have any doubt about them,” Adelstein said, “they challenge it.” Almost all county election division staff are state certified and all have completed both in-house training and Washington
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