Your trusted source for local Bellingham, WA news, updated daily with the most important stories from your community.
The Seattle Mariners continue their MLB playoff journey, prompting local venues in Bellingham to host watch parties. Popular spots include The Score in Ferndale and The Royal in Bellingham, both offering unique atmospheres for fans. Events are scheduled around game times, enhancing community engagement.
Bellingham's retail vacancy rate rose to 5.3% in the third quarter of 2025, marking an increase of 0.8%. This uptick stems from significant store closures in Sunset Square and Bellis Fair, although average leasing prices climbed to $20.48 per square foot.
A Border Patrol agent sustained minor injuries in a car crash during a pursuit in north Whatcom County on Wednesday morning. The collision occurred at a 4-way stop, involving an uninvolved third-party vehicle, leading to both drivers being transported to a medical center. An investigation by the Washington State Patrol is ongoing.
The Great Washington Shakeout earthquake and tsunami drill occurs at 10:16 a.m. on October 16, with participation expected from over a million residents statewide. Emergency management officials urge people to practice safety measures, including dropping, covering, and holding on. The drill aims to prepare communities for potential earthquakes from the nearby Cascadia Subduction Zone.
South Whatcom Fire Authority Fire Chief Mitch Nolze has served the community for nearly two decades, focusing on resource allocation and emergency services. He emphasizes supporting his team to ensure optimal service delivery, with three-quarters of their calls related to emergency medical services.
The Seattle Mariners aim for a 3-0 lead in the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays tonight, with George Kirby starting on the mound. Meanwhile, the Kraken fell to the Montreal Canadiens in overtime, suffering their first loss of the season. Western Washington University basketball fans gather for the annual Viking Jam to kick off the season.
Jasmine Ikeda, an Orcas Island activist, was released from Israeli military custody after being detained during a flotilla aiming to deliver aid to Gaza. She reported being held at gunpoint for over 20 hours and witnessed violence against other detainees. Ikeda's release coincided with a recent agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The ongoing government shutdown could disrupt healthcare coverage for nearly 217,000 Washington residents reliant on Affordable Care Act tax credits. If Congress fails to extend these credits, approximately 80,000 individuals may lose their health insurance due to rising premiums.
Two individuals, John Elliott and Shanelle Sunde, face over $7 million in penalties for a scheme that exploited probate laws to profit from deceased estates. They illegally managed approximately 200 estates, selling homes worth over $28 million without notifying rightful heirs. A court has permanently barred them from serving as probate administrators in the future.
The Lynden City Council approved a new one-tenth of one percent sales tax to fund public safety services, effective January 1, 2026. This tax will add a dime to every $100 purchase and is expected to generate up to $400,000 in revenue next year. Lynden joins Bellingham as the second city in Whatcom County to implement this tax.