Local leaders spanning the maritime, government and education sectors are rallying behind an idea to build a marine center at Blaine Harbor that could be a hub for learning and recreation. The … more

Faced with continual increase in costs, the Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is seeking its first levy lid lift in 16 years. The lift will be presented to voters in the August 5 primary election. … more

A federal judge in the U.S. District Court in Seattle recently sentenced two men to prison for smuggling people near Peace Arch Historical Park, while another man faces sentencing later this month … more

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington) introduced a bipartisan bill in Congress that would limit the president’s power to impose tariffs. On April 9, President Donald Trump announced … more

In the last week of Blaine sports action before a week-long spring break hiatus, the Borderites were in full swing. Track and field hosted its first home meet of the season at Borderite Stadium on … more

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has opened its e-bike rebate lottery, which will give Washingtonians either a $300 or $1,200 rebate depending on their income in an effort to … more

Whatcom County Public Works Department (WCPW) will host virtual workshops aimed at helping water users prepare for the upcoming water rights adjudication process along the Nooksack River. Each … more

Less than a month remains before U.S. adults are required to use a REAL ID to fly domestically or enter certain federal buildings starting Wednesday, May 7. Following recommendations from the … more

Habitat for Humanity is constructing a net zero home in Custer that will be the first single-family home the nonprofit has built in three years in Whatcom County. The nonprofit, acting as the … more

Living conditions for people held on immigration charges are the source of controversy for a detention center in Tacoma, and so far, the company that runs the center will not allow the Washington … more

Question: On my daily walks I’ve noticed a large increase in outdated license tabs, some of them for more than a year. Is there a fine for not renewing? It doesn’t seem fair as I thought … more

Summer is on the horizon as the end of the school year quickly approaches. When we think of summer, we think of the outdoors, playing sports, attending art classes, summer camp, and spending time … more

The Editor: The policy of The Northern Light may be to publish letters about local rather than national issues, but as Tip O’Neill said, “All politics is local.” National … more

March 29, 12:33 a.m.: DUI arrest on Blaine Road. March 29, 12:36 a.m.: Assault arrest on Harbor Drive. March 29, 8:20 a.m.: Robbery armed cold call on Portal Way. March 30, 1:22 p.m.: … more

March 29, 2:29 a.m.: Moving vehicle accident injury on Peace Portal Drive. March 29, 3:58 a.m.: Moving vehicle accident on Bell Road. March 29, 3:17 p.m.: Death investigation on Mary … more

Thomas E. Parsons   Birch Bay resident Thomas E. Parsons, 76, died suddenly and peacefully at home on March 31, 2025. Tom retired as a supervisor at DSHS in Tacoma, and we moved … more

In a special meeting on March 31, the Blaine school board accepted the resignation letter of superintendent Christopher Granger, who will serve his last day for the district on June 30. Granger … more