Cover Story
First Steps for Whatcom County Food Plan
by Meghan Fenwick In the 1960s, Ralph de Vries retired from dairy farming in the Skagit River Valley and spent his free time vegetable gardening in a greenhouse. He primarily grew Dutch potatoes for his friends and family, a staple … Continue reading
Cover Story
How Global Warming Causes Extreme Weather
by Ray Kamada I suspect most Whatcom Watchers believe that the current global warming/climate change era is real and mostly man-made. They also seem to know that the main source of global warming is excess greenhouse gas from fossil fuels. … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
by Joe Meche It should come as no surprise that I’ve written about the Semiahmoo Spit before in past columns. But, the more I return to this unique strip of land, the more I think about it and its special … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at August 8, 2023 Meeting Shall the council: 198. Authorize the executive to sign two contracts — totaling 4,530 — with the Opportunity Council (not to exceed ,570) and the Whatcom Center for Early … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at August 7, 2023 Meeting Shall the council 156. Appropriate ,608,082 for payroll checks issued from July 1 through July 15, 2023? (AB23813) Approved 6-0, Daniel Hammill excused. 157. Appropriate ,841,259 for goods and services checks issued from … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at August 8, 2023 Meeting Shall the commission: 65. Authorize the executive director to sign an agreed order with the state of Washington for cleanup design at the Westman Marine site? By signing this … Continue reading
Ballot Measure
City Ballot Measure – Greenways 5 Levy
Official Ballot Title: City of Bellingham Measure Proposition 2023-02 Greenways 5 Levy The Bellingham City Council adopted Resolution No. 2023-15 concerning a property tax to fund greenways, park facilities, and trails. This proposition would replace a Greenways levy for acquisition, … Continue reading
Ballot Measure
City Ballot Measure – Rental Relocation Assistance
Official Ballot Title: City of Bellingham Initiative 2023-02 concerns the adoption of a rental relocation assistance program for tenants. This measure would require landlords to provide written notice 120 days before increasing rent by more than 8% in a rolling … Continue reading
Ballot Measure
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 County issues. The … Continue reading
Ballot Measure
City Ballot Measure – City Minimum Wage
Official Ballot Title: City of Bellingham Initiative 2023-01 concerns establishing a City minimum wage above the State minimum wage. This measure would establish a City minimum wage that is .00 above the State minimum wage on May 1, 2024, increasing … Continue reading
Conservation
Whatcom Land Trust Earns National Recognition
Since 1984, Whatcom Land Trust has been working to protect Whatcom County’s special places for future generations. In August, the National Land Trust Accreditation Commission announced Whatcom Land Trust has received accreditation for the second time — proving once again … Continue reading
Pollution
Waterfront Neighborhoods Object to Scrap Metal Plans
by Bill Craven It was not a good night for ABC Recycling, the British Columbia company with an existing scrap metal operation on the Bellingham waterfront. It has hopes for its first industrial metal shredder on Marine Drive, just north … Continue reading
