Cover Story
Atlantic Salmon in Washington State
Once a Prize, Now a Fugitive, State Agencies Weigh a Fish’s Future It was 1978 when Andy Appleby first interacted with an Atlantic salmon in the waters of the Puget Sound. A young biologist fresh out of school, Appleby was in the first … Continue reading
Cover Story
Changing Climate: Adaptation or Extinction
Part 1 Let’s begin as a devil’s advocate. What is it with the alarmists? The world is warming, but so what? The Earth has always warmed and cooled. Why keep global warming under 2.0 degrees C.? For example, between 15 … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
One of the most frequently asked questions I’ve heard from people who discover that I’m interested in birds is, “what’s your favorite bird?” Most of the birders I know have favorites or can at least narrow it down to a … Continue reading
Dear Watchers
League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County
Voter Forums Port Of Bellingham and Bellingham City Council Saturday, Oct 21, 10:00 a.m. City Council Chambers 210 Lottie Street, Bellingham Candidates for Port of Bellingham Districts 1 and 2 positions, Bellingham City Council Ward 6 and At-Large positions .__________________________________ … Continue reading
Being Frank
The backlash against Atlantic salmon farms in western Washington continues to grow as more than 100,000 of the non-native fish remain unaccounted for following the collapse of a Cooke Aquaculture facility in northern Puget Sound last month. Treaty tribes in … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at August 7, 2017 Meeting Shall the council: 134. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Heather Keay to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board? The board advises the city on the purchase, management, maintenance and use of properties within … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at August 7, 2017 Meeting Shall the council: 134. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Heather Keay to the Lake Whatcom Watershed Advisory Board? The board advises the city on the purchase, management, maintenance and use of properties within … Continue reading
Candidate Questionnaires
Questions to Candidates and Their Responses: City, County, Port
City of Bellingham Candidates Whatcom County Candidates Port Commission Candidates
Election 2017
Minority Rule and Voting as Protest
The American system of democracy is one of the more complex forms of government, not the least reason being the struggle to balance power, particularly among the branches. But another balance that has challenged the nation since its founding is … Continue reading
Northwest Gardening
With the arrival of fall it is time to harvest the last of the summer vegetables in the garden, set up protection for the fall greens recently planted, and put in over-wintering cover crops. And finally, sow garlic by the … Continue reading
poetrywatch
“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.” — John F. Kennedy Boris … Continue reading
Watch Out!!
A Pandora’s Cake of Discrimination
Consider this story: Two gay men walk into a bakery and ask to buy a cake for their wedding. The owner, citing religious conscience, declines. The two men sue the owner and win in lower courts, but the owner appeals, … Continue reading
Watch Out!!
Trump or Pence: Hobson’s Choice
Would our country be better off with Vice President Mike Pence as president or with Donald Trump? That question has been raised many times starting just weeks after Trump’s inauguration in January. The question can be broken down to this: … Continue reading
Whatcom: Chronic & Acute
Quest Was Public Knowledge, Professional Ignorance No Excuse!
It was public knowledge on Nov. 9, 2016,* that PeaceHealth was negotiating the sale of its medical labs, but the deal, which closed on Feb. 15, 2017, surprised Bellingham’s Family Care Network (FCN). Responding to my July 10, 2017, letter … Continue reading
Whatcom: Chronic & Acute
Community Health Is in Fact a Private Matter, Reporter Finds
Reporter John Simmons contributed to this article. The PeaceHealth St. Joseph Community Health Board exists to help its namesake hospital address unmet local healthcare needs. The board’s mission is to help the hospital write its Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) … Continue reading