Cover Story
Neighbors Offer Vision for Samish Crest
by Stevan Harrell Editor’s Note: Whatcom Watch has entered a cooperative agreement with Salish Current. When possible, we will share each other’s content. Salish Current, an online-only news organization, covers the North Sound area and Whatcom Watch mainly covers Whatcom … Continue reading
Cover Story
Whatcom Water Supply/Demand Imbalance
Time for Action by Eric Hirst and Fred Likkel Water is one of the most critical issues facing everyone in Whatcom County. We have a structure in place to manage our water resources, in the Watershed Management Board. But the … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Beaks and Bills Part I The Road to Malheur by Joe Meche As I mentioned in the preview from last month’s “Beaks and Bills,” the first part of our spring road trip this year was revisiting our first trip together … Continue reading
Being Frank
Federal Funding Cuts Threaten Tribal Treaty Rights
Being Frank by Ed Johnstone Tribes in western Washington are already seeing the impacts of presidential executive orders on funding that supports the management of treaty-reserved resources and the region’s robust economy. These funding cuts, coupled with mass layoffs of … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at May 13, 2025 Meeting Shall the council: 115. Authorize the executive to accept a ,536,380 state grant (amendment #1) to provide additional funding for the Whatcom County Pollution Identification and Correction (PIC) Program? … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at May 6, 2025 Meeting Shall the commission: 47. Approve Stephen Crooks and Jon Sibold to the Bellingham Airport Advisory Committee? Stephen Crooks will hold the urban growth position and Jon Sibold the environmental interest position. Each will … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at May 5, 2025 Meeting Shall the council: 87. Approve the mayor’s appointment of Kathy Furtado to the Greenway Advisory Committee? The committee identifies, develops, reviews, and recommends the expenditure of Greenway Levy funds. Kathy Furtado is a … Continue reading
Climate
Articles You Might Have Missed
Climate Good News Around the world people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here are some good news briefs compiled by the Climate Issue group of the LWV of Bellingham/Whatcom. It’s Cement, It’s Steel, It’s Superwood! A fascinating … 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 Do … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Public Media Is Now Under Attack
Twenty Years Ago Since January 2014, Whatcom Watch has been reprinting articles from issues printed 20 years ago. The below articles appeared in the July 2005 issue of Whatcom Watch. Editor’s Note: With the proposed elimination of federal funding for … Continue reading
Water
Whatcom County Drought Status: Drought Emergency
Update The June issue of Whatcom Watch reprinted “Drought Encourages No-Mow Native Gardens” by Cheryl Lovato Niles under the standing head, “Twenty Years Ago.” We included the following: Editor’s Note: When this article was written twenty years ago, the state … Continue reading
