Cover Story
Plasmodial Slime Molds Are Not Molds
by Fred Rhoades What’s in a name? That which we call a [slime mold] By any other name would [look] as sweet. Of all the cryptogams (plant-like life forms that produce spores), perhaps the slime molds are the least well … Continue reading
Cover Story
Mysterious Disease Wreaks Havoc on Sea Stars
by Luisa Loi The causes that lead to the disease are still unknown and recovery is inconsistent. A mysterious illness that appeared eight years ago and nearly wiped out sea star populations along the Pacific Coast is continuing to leave … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche Washington Pass on State Highway 20 was opened for cross-state travel in mid-May, triggering our traditional itch to spend a few days on the drier and typically warmer side of the Cascades. On a nice west … Continue reading
Being Frank
Outdated Wastewater Facilities Undermine Water Quality Gains
by Lorraine Loomis We’ve seen some real progress over the past few years in efforts to prevent human waste from damaging the health of Puget Sound and the Washington coast. Still, we face a chronic problem with outdated wastewater treatment … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at May 10, 2021 Meeting Update on COVID-19 Response Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Department Director, provided an update on Washington state’s Roadmap to Recovery. She explained that as a whole, Whatcom County is not seeing a slowing … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at May 4, 2021 Meeting Shall the council: 107. Authorize the executive to a sign a 0,000 four-month contract (amendment #3) with G6 Hospitality Property? The county leases Motel 6 at 3701 Byron Ave. … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at May 4, 2021 Meeting Shall the commission: 56. Add certain administrative powers and duties to the executive director position? At the 1/19/2021 meeting, vote # 11, the commission authorized the executive director to … Continue reading
Climate
County Climate Impact Advisory Committee Is Releasing Action Plan for Public Comment
by Izzie Lund The Climate Impact Advisory Committee (CIAC) announced during their June 3 meeting that they tentatively plan to release their draft of the county’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) to the public on June 29. The public comment period … Continue reading
Community Service Providers
Supporting Those Living With Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
by Daniel Gray Editor’s Note: There are over 100 organizations in Whatcom County working to provide supportive services to those experiencing chronic poverty and its associated effects: addiction, homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and unemployment. Whatcom Watch believes these organizations often … Continue reading
poetrywatch
Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor “When power leads man toward arrogance, poetry reminds him of his limitations. When power narrows the area of man’s concern, poetry reminds him of the richness and diversity of existence. When power corrupts, poetry cleanses.” — … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Mercury Contamination Threatens Health of Lake Whatcom
Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been rerunning articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below article appeared in the July 2001 issue of Whatcom Watch. Editor’s Note: Part I can be read at: http://www.whatcomwatch.org/old_issues/v10i6. html#story1. The following article … Continue reading
Water
High Levels of Biotoxin Found in Wiser Lake
Recent sampling at Wiser Lake detected microcystin, a toxin produced by algae, at levels that may be harmful to people and pets. Toxin levels are more than 20 times the maximum safe level established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. … Continue reading
Background: Lake Whatcom is the drinking water source for Bellingham and surrounding areas, such as Sudden Valley. Many activities – from logging and development, to pesticides and invasive mussels hitching rides on uninspected boats – threaten the quality of our … Continue reading
Background: Lake Whatcom is the drinking water source for Bellingham and surrounding areas, such as Sudden Valley. Many activities – from logging and development, to pesticides and invasive mussels hitching rides on uninspected boats – threaten the quality of our … Continue reading
