News | The Northern Light

Real estate excise tax revenues soar amidst housing demand

With all the news about unprecedented housing demand at a time when we have little to no inventory, an overlooked windfall for taxpayers is the huge gain in Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) revenues. … more

By Mike Kent | 8/4/21 06:16 PM

Health screenings at Life Impact Church on August 10

Life Impact Church is hosting health screenings to inform residents their risks of certain diseases on Tuesday, August 10. Life Line Screening is a national company that provides preventative … more

8/4/21 06:13 PM

Bellingham’s Recreation Northwest shifts focus to outdoor recreation, nature education programs

If you sign up for one of Recreation Northwest’s Nature Immersion courses at Fairhaven Park, at some point, while strolling the 18th Street Connector Trail – built by the nonprofit … more

By Ian Haupt | 8/4/21 06:11 PM

Drug seizures up dramatically with border closure, RCMP reports

After increasing its resources last year, Canadian border enforcement saw dramatic spikes in border investigations and methamphetamine seizures in 2020, while cocaine seizures dropped substantially … more

By Ian Haupt | 8/4/21 06:07 PM

PeaceHealth asks people to avoid the emergency room

PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center asks that Whatcom County residents with non-emergent health issues opt to visit their primary care physician or a drop-in clinic to preserve the facility’s … more

8/4/21 06:05 PM

Road Rules: How exactly do you navigate roundabouts?

Question: We’ve all driven through the roundabouts and while I feel like the general idea is to alleviate congestion I cannot help but feel like I’m fighting for a spot before I’m … more

By Doug Dahl | 8/4/21 05:58 PM

Obituary: Joy Darlene Dalry

Joy Darlene Dalry August 8, 1942–May 22, 2021 The family of Joy Darlene Dalry wish to invite you to a celebration of her life on August 7, 2021 from 1–5 p.m. at Birch Bay … more

8/4/21 05:52 PM

Letters to the Editor: August 5-11, 2021

The Editor: I’m a Renton resident who has visited Point Roberts on many occasions in the distant past, with many fond memories of this unique enclave of Washington state. Today I … more

8/4/21 05:49 PM

Blaine Police Department Reports: August 5-11, 2021

July 22, 7:50 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on G Street. July 22, 5:48 p.m.: Theft investigation on Boblett Street. July 22, 8 p.m.: Civilian ride-along. July 22, 9:29 p.m.: Neighborhood … more

8/4/21 05:48 PM

Sheriff's Reports, August 5-11, 2021

July 25, 5:05 p.m.: Theft on Maple Crest Avenue. July 25, 5:58 p.m.: Mental on Surf Place. July 25, 7:45 p.m.: Landlord tenant dispute on Birch Bay Drive. July 25, 10:32 p.m.: Juvenile … more

8/4/21 05:47 PM

Voting in the primary ends Tuesday, August 3

Don’t forget voting in the primary election closes Tuesday, August 3. Primary ballots need to be mailed and postmarked by August 3 or placed in a ballot drop box by 8 p.m. August 3. Drop boxes … more

7/28/21 08:13 PM

Rollback Weekend, sand sculpture competition brought all of the fun to Birch Bay

Rollback Weekend and the 38th annual sand sculpture competition brought crowds to Birch Bay July 23-25. People shuffled through Birch Bay Drive attending the old-fashioned car show on July 25 and the … more

7/28/21 08:00 PM

Family Care Network to move forward on facility

Family Care Network (FCN) is getting the ball rolling on its Blaine location now that the property is purchased, but questions remain on the future medical facility’s timeline. After a few … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/28/21 07:52 PM

Whatcom County Council prohibits building of new refineries, shipping facilities in Cherry Point

Whatcom County Council unanimously passed permanent land-use policies in its July 27 meeting that prohibit the construction of new fossil fuel refineries, coal plants and shipping facilities in the … more

7/28/21 07:51 PM

WSDA is looking for people to set Asian giant hornet traps in east Blaine, Birch Bay

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is looking for Whatcom County residents to allow Asian giant hornet traps on their property in areas that aren’t being fully monitored, … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/28/21 07:47 PM

U.S. border patrol chief visits Blaine

The U.S. Border Patrol Blaine sector received a visit from U.S. border patrol chief Rodney Scott from July 19-20. Scott became border patrol’s 24th border chief in February 2020, a position … more

7/28/21 07:40 PM

Covid-19 in Whatcom County, by school district: July 24

The Delta variant has not been detected in Whatcom County since the first case was reported July 7, but the Washington State Department of Health is warning about its spread as Covid-19 cases … more

By Grace McCarthy | 7/28/21 07:38 PM

City sends cease and desist letter to local landscaper

The city of Blaine sent a cease and desist letter to a local landscaper for pulling weeds, trimming bushes and laying mulch on city property without the city’s permission. Blaine resident … more

By Ian Haupt | 7/28/21 07:33 PM

Local youth speed shooters place at national championships

A local youth shooting team placed third, fourth and fifth in different divisions at the 2021 Scholastic Action Shooting Program (SASP) National Championships in Ohio. Team Gotta sent 11 … more

By Ian Haupt | 7/28/21 07:31 PM

Unemployment claims return to pre-pandemic levels

Since the beginning of the year, claims for unemployment insurance have trended down in Whatcom County and Washington state. But only until this summer, as the state’s economy reopens, have … more

By Ian Haupt | 7/28/21 07:29 PM