April 2018 (volume 27, issue 4)

Washington Becomes 14th State To Pass New Voices Law

by Jennifer Karchmer The New Voices Bill Preserves and Protects Students’ Freedom of Speech and the Press “We have to be the check on their power. If we don’t hold them accountable, who will?” – Tom Hanks as Ben Bradlee, … Continue reading

Yes on Initiative 1631

by Edgar Franks and Eddy Ury Last summer, Whatcom County saw firsthand the consequences of a changing climate: Wildfire smoke shrouded and choked the region while salmon died in shallowing rivers. Yet Washington State’s legislature failed to pass meaningful climate … Continue reading

Seasonal Transition

by Joe Meche As you’re reading this column, the first day of spring is behind us and the profusion of greenery is everywhere. We’re also seeing and hearing the transitional phases of our migratory birds. The birds that have spent … Continue reading

Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at February 13, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 19. Appoint Eleanor Hines to the Whatcom County Portage Bay Shellfish Protection District Advisory Committee? Ms. Hines holds a master’s in science from Huxley College and … Continue reading

Port of Bellingham Commission

Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at February 6, 2018 Meeting Shall the commission 19. Authorize the executive director to sign a 8,339 contract (amendment #3) with Pacific Security of Bellingham to provide security services? The contract was first approved … Continue reading

Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at February 12, 2018 Meeting Shall the council: 19. Ratify the collective bargaining agreement with AFSCME, Local 114L? The following agreement with city librarians will apply: wages will increase by 2.25 percent on 2/1/2018 and by 2.25 percent … Continue reading

Whatcom Conservation District Election Results

Whatcom Conservation District 2018 Election Results

Water Quality and the Politics of Obstruction

by Al Hanners To celebrate 27 years of publishing Whatcom Watch, we will be printing excerpts from 20 years ago. The below excerpts are from the April 1998 issue of Whatcom Watch. Editor’s Note: The last paragraph indicates that Dr. … Continue reading

Your Life-Sustaining Medical Treatment – Sign Up Now

by Robert A. Duke Its title alone demands your attention, but this form may also impact your death one day: Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST)! The orders are your orders to an unknown physician(s) suddenly confronted with life or … Continue reading

A Plea For Help

Editor’s Note: The following letter was written to the Catholic Archbishop of Seattle by Bill Walker of Kendall. In it he asks for help for his community, which is struggling to help each other and those in dire straits. Judge … Continue reading