January
• About 3,000 people celebrated the New Year with the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce’s 40th annual Polar Bear Plunge on January 1.
• Blaine was featured on Jimmy Kimmel Live as comedian Joel McHale told the story of his crossing the border during a snowstorm.
• The ad hoc downtown advisory committee held its first meeting. The city of Blaine created the committee to consider new downtown building height and parking restrictions after developers said regulations were negatively impacting them.
• The Washington state legislature returned for session to tackle affordable housing, among other priorities.
• Abortion rights activists held a reproductive freedom rally on the state capitol steps in Olympia during the first legislative session since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
• U.S. representatives Rick Larsen and Suzan DelBene called on the U.S. Postal Service to address persistent mail delays in Whatcom County after receiving complaints from constituents.
• Pete Nelson was hired as executive director of Blaine Senior Center and quickly began implementing new programs and events.
• The city of Blaine began remediation work to clean the shoreline and reduce erosion near Blaine Marine Park, signaling that the city was nearing the end of a decade of work on its Marine Park reconstruction project.
• The city of Blaine honored Blaine police officer Keith Olson for saving the life of someone experiencing a fentanyl overdose.
• After ditching the project in 2020, the city of Blaine decided to seek grant funding with the support of BNSF Railway to build a bridge over the railroad crossing on Bell Road near its intersection with Peace Portal Drive.
• Blaine resident Joyce Vanderpol, the oldest real estate managing broker in Washington state, celebrated her 99th birthday.
• Blaine city manager Mike Harmon was sworn into the position on January 17.
• State representative Alicia Rule (D-Blaine) cosponsored House Bill 1363 to reverse pursuit restrictions for law enforcement and allow agencies to write pursuit policy.
• Alcoa officials said the company was evaluating its options for the Intalco smelter, but had no immediate plans to demolish it, despite workers at the Ferndale plant saying smelter activity showed otherwise.
• Whatcom County Library System staff told trustees that the Washington State Department of Commerce turned down Birch Bay library supporters’ proposal to use an existing $2 million state grant for a library express, instead of the larger library project for which the grant was originally intended.
• The city considered purchasing the UPS building on Peace Portal Drive to become a justice center for an expanded police station, evidence storage, municipal court and additional city offices.
• Petrogas West LLC agreed to pay $4 million to the Northwest Clean Air Agency and make operational changes to its Cherry Point facility after expanding without necessary permits and not reporting emissions. It was the largest penalty settlement in the agency’s 56-year history.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required BP to limit the volume of crude oil handled at its Cherry Point terminal and prohibit handling crude oil at its north wing dock unless authorized. Environmental groups voiced opposition to the decision, saying the ceiling would allow the oil company to double its shipping capacity.
• Construction on east Blaine and Semiahmoo housing projects continued after the city had a booming year for development in 2022. The city’s largest new construction projects included The Ridge at Harbor Hills in east Blaine and Horizon at Semiahmoo.
• The Bridge Community Hope Center opened a new location on Birch Bay Drive after repeated flooding forced the nonprofit to move from its Alderson Road facility.
• U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), environmentalists and a Blaine Harbor fisherman celebrated the announcement of mining protections placed January 31 on Alaska’s Bristol Bay, which has one of the largest salmon runs in the world.
• Whatcom County Council refused to include a vaccine opponent on the public health advisory board, which raised tensions between county councilmembers and staff during the January 31 health board meeting.
February
• The Whatcom County Health and Community Services changed its name from the Whatcom County Health Department to represent its growing responsibilities.
• Blaine High School band alumnus Jake Wolfburg surprised Bob and Dorita Gray with an annual $5,000 scholarship in their name during the Blaine Fine Arts Association’s (BFAA) 26th annual Arts and Jazz fundraiser. Bob had announced he was retiring after four decades as Blaine’s band director and Dorita helped found the BFAA.
• The Blaine Planning Commission approved a second public hearing on whether large manufactured home parks should be allowed in east Blaine after failing to reach a consensus on their recommendation for city council.
• Blaine school district formed a superintendent advisory committee for superintendent Christopher Granger to receive feedback from parents before bringing ideas to the community.
• Blaine Police Department implemented a $50,000 state grant for an officer wellness program to improve officers’ mental and physical health. The grant provided officers with education courses led by mental health professionals, therapy sessions and gym memberships.
• Birch Bay library supporters traveled to Olympia to garner support for reversing the state’s rejection of their scope change for a library express.
• Whatcom County Council unanimously approved installing stop signs at the intersection of Birch Bay Drive and Birch Point Road, leading Birch Bay residents to voice their concerns over traffic safety and not feeling involved in the decision. County councilmember Ben Elenbaas and public works employees met with residents at Tony’s Tavern in Custer.
• Blaine Chamber of Commerce named Living Pantry as business of the year during its annual general meeting on February 23.
• Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 purchased its second of two land transfers from Whatcom Land Trust for park and recreation’s California Creek Estuary Park. The 24-acre park off Drayton Harbor Road will eventually have a kayak launch, trail access and habitat conservation.
• Pacific Building Center co-owner Kimberly Akre was sworn in as a school board member to represent district 1 during the February 27 meeting.
• Blaine school board recommended the district hire consultants to help with purchasing a school site in Birch Bay.
• Mulder’s Fundraiser Charity Boutique closed in downtown Blaine.
March
• Blaine utility rates increased 17.5 percent for water and 8 percent for electric, sewer and stormwater.
• The Blaine High School chess team competed at state March 3-4.
• Amtrak restored its Cascade train service to pre-pandemic levels when it returned a second round-trip to Vancouver, B.C.
• About 40 Birch Bay residents gave two hours of testimony at the March 7 Whatcom County Council meeting on their opposition to the two Birch Bay stop signs set to be installed near Birch Bay Drive and Birch Point Road. Council and public works staff agreed to further research the stop but did not change the ordinance establishing the stop signs.
• The BP corporate office in London designated Cherry Point as a preferred location for a sustainable aviation fuel production facility with a green hydrogen capability, a $1.5 billion investment.
• The Starfish Inc. building in Blaine Harbor was demolished after being condemned in June 2022. The building dated to at least 1953.
• Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu appointed Elizabeth Kosa as new director of the Whatcom County Public Works Department.
• Alcoa Corporation announced it would permanently close the Intalco aluminum smelter and AltaGas would develop the Ferndale property on March 16.
• Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival brought birding enthusiasts to Blaine March 17-19. The festival had an opening night reception, birding expo, wildlife tours and live raptor presentations.
• Canada and U.S. government officials announced that NEXUS enrollment centers would reopen at eight Canadian airports within the month. This was the first time Canadian enrollment centers reopened since the pandemic, and nearly a year after U.S. enrollment centers reopened in April 2022.
• The city of Blaine budgeted for a $950,000 deficit in its general fund as inflation required the city staff salaries and wages to increase while the city’s revenue was not keeping pace and the city had run out of its Covid-19 stimulus.
• Researchers at Simon Fraser University and Western Washington University’s Border Policy Research Institute began studying the impact of U.S./Canada travel restrictions during the pandemic with the goal of preventing future inequities if the border closes again.
• Blaine High School’s Technology Student Association students placed at state.
• Whatcom County Undersheriff Doug Chadwick announced he would run against Blaine police chief Donnell Tanksley for Whatcom County Sheriff in the November election.
• The Whatcom Council of Governments was slated to receive a $458,000 federal grant to plan an updated communications system that would improve wait time estimates at the U.S./Canada border.
April
• The Washington State Department of Health announced Covid-19 masks would no longer be required in healthcare, long-term care and corrections facilities as of April 3 because of declining respiratory virus numbers.
• E-cigarette company Juul Labs was expected to pay $1.2 billion to Blaine and 1,600 other school districts involved in a class-action lawsuit settlement for the company’s role in the youth vaping epidemic.
• The city of Blaine and the developers of East Harbor Hills and Grandis Pond jointly decided to no longer pursue a tax-increment financing district (TIF) to fund infrastructure for the east Blaine subdivisions after deciding it would not be the best funding model. The city would have taken out bonds or loans to pay for the infrastructure and then repaid those debts through projected increases in assessed property value.
• Birch Bay resident Matt Berry circulated a survey to gauge Birch Bay residents’ interest in incorporation and formed the Birch Bay Community Political Action Committee.
• Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 hosted its first daughter’s choice dance at the Birch Bay Activity Center.
• State senator Sharon Shewmake (D-Bellingham) sponsored a resolution honoring the Sikh community for Vaisakhi festival.
• Repairs continued on the historic Plover passenger ferry that were more extensive than the original restoration in the mid-’90s.
• Sarbie Bains took over as owner of Blaine Bouquets and began redesigning the downtown flower shop.
• The Washington state legislature approved Whatcom County Library System’s scope change to renovate the Vogt family homestead into a library express with a $2 million state grant. The decision reversed the proposal rejection in December 2022.
• Blaine High School theater performed the musical “Into the Woods.”
• East Blaine residents voiced opposition to Blaine City Council regarding a proposed city code change that would allow large manufactured home parks in east Blaine.
• Blaine students held a walkout April 24 in support of teachers after district administration planned to cut 65.2 positions because of low enrollment numbers. The students led another walkout after the school board meeting that night, which was held in the Performing Arts Center due to a large attendance.
• The American Public Works Association Washington Chapter awarded the Birch Bay berm project of the year in the environment category for projects that cost $5 million to $25 million.
• Blaine High School choir and band students competed at the San Juan Music Educators Association State Solo and Ensemble competition at Central Washington University.
May
• Blaine Public Works Department began sewer construction near the Blaine school campus and senior center to upgrade dilapidated sewer lines and increase the system’s capacity. The project started May 1 and ran through the summer.
• The Blaine High School band and alumni performers played “Thank you for the Music” during longtime band director Bob Gray’s last performance.
• The 39th annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony held in Blaine Harbor on May 7 honored fishers who have died at sea.
• McDonald’s opened at the corner of H Street and State Route 543 on May 10.
• International travelers not vaccinated against Covid-19 were allowed to travel freely into the U.S. after the Biden administration ended the Covid-19 public health emergency on May 11.
• Community pushback followed after a “C” curve was installed on H Street that prevented vehicles from turning left into Burger King.
• Beach Cat Prints celebrated the grand opening of its custom merchandise design and prints shop in Birch Bay on May 12, 2023.
• Blaine City Council approved an ordinance exempting early learning centers from paying 80 percent of regular traffic impact fees in an attempt to help establish or expand childcare facilities.
• The second Blaine OysterFest brought an estimated 5,000 people to downtown Blaine for cooking demonstrations, street fair, live music and other activities. The Blaine Chamber of Commerce raised nearly $7,000 for local nonprofits in addition to money Drayton Harbor Oyster Company raised for water-quality monitoring.
• Blaine City Council approved an emergency six-month moratorium on processing manufactured home park building permit applications to allow staff time to clean inconsistencies in city code.
• Outcry followed PeaceHealth’s decision to cut its outpatient palliative care program that provided comprehensive care for those chronically ill in Whatcom County. PeaceHealth also closed its allergy and immunology clinic and overnight sleep lab in Bellingham.
• Blaine City Council approved city staff modify the second floor of city hall, which previously had leased offices, for police and public works administration to relocate. City manager Mike Harmon said the decision was an inexpensive solution to the police department’s overcrowded station and would only require one stop for public services.
• Blaine City Council gave support for Kulshan Community Land Trust to conduct a feasibility study on a mixed-use library project that would create an expanded library, affordable and market-rate housing and commercial space at the current Blaine library site.
• Blaine City Council began reviewing a more affordable downtown revitalization project due to the city’s financial constraints.
• Blaine High School Chamber Choir performed at Disney California Adventure Park.
• American Legion Post 86 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9474 held a Memorial Day ceremony at the veterans’ memorial park.
• Whatcom County and Washington state employment rates fully recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic with a 3-4 percent unemployment rate.
June
• Blaine art, theater, band and choir students showcased their achievements during Evening of the Arts at Blaine High School.
• Whatcom County Public Works Department employees installed two stop signs at the intersection of Birch Bay Drive and Birch Point Road despite Birch Bay residents having voiced strong opposition to the signs in the spring.
• Former Port of Bellingham commissioner, Blaine science teacher, fisherman and community leader Jim Jorgensen’s life was celebrated after he died June 8 at the age of 83.
• Blaine High School held its 117th commencement for the class of 2023.
• Bordertown Mexican Grill co-owners Nelly Santiago and Abi Garcia opened Que Onda Fusion Cuisine in the former Rustic Fork building in downtown Blaine.
• An unofficial Hands Across the Border event brought scouts from both sides of the U.S. and Canada border to swap patches and celebrate peaceful cross-border relations under the Peace Arch on June 11, 2023. The unofficial event was the first one in-person since the pandemic.
• Whatcom County Council voted for the county’s new jail to be built in Ferndale if voters approved the jail ballot measure during the November election.
• The former owners of Ocean Bay Chinese Restaurant, April Ma and Kevin He, opened Red Ginger Asian Cuisine in Bellingham.
• Whatcom County Council unanimously approved changing the zoning code regulations to increase residential density in Birch Bay after the urban growth area was found to be growing slower than anticipated.
• Blaine school district superintendent Christopher Granger announced the district planned to lay off 50 employees ahead of 2023-24 school year, fewer than what was planned for in April, as it prepared for an expected drop in federal and state funding.
• Blaine school board extended superintendent Christopher Granger’s contract to June 30, 2026 in a 4-1 vote with commissioner Erika Creydt opposed.
• Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce welcomed about 4,000 attendees to the Birch Bay Kite Festival as a celebration to kick off the summer.
• The city of Blaine received a $9.5 million federal grant to conduct a study and start the design process of its bridge at the Bell Road railroad crossing near Peace Portal Drive. The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program provided the funding to kick start the project, expected to cost $85 million total.
(This is the first of a two-part Year in Review. July-December will be published in the next issue of The Northern Light.)
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