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December 2019
Páatstel Creek
On October 29, the Washington State Committee on Geographic Names finalized its recommendation to change the name of Squaw Creek northeast of Lynden to Páatstel Creek. Páatstel is the original name for this creek in the Nooksack language, and the … Continue reading
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December 2019
Lake Whatcom Needs More Rigorous Action
A restored and permanently protected Lake Whatcom Reservoir to serve as the primary source of clean drinking water for current and future Bellingham and Whatcom County residents that requires minimal chemical treatment to exceed all standards of the Safe Drinking … Continue reading
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October-November 2019
Bitter Invader
A bitter invader — Marasmiellus peronatus “fuzzy foot” The subject of this column is a common local mushroom that hasn’t always been in Whatcom County. This mushroom has roundish (convex) yellow to light-brown caps, yellowish gills producing cream-colored spores and … Continue reading
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October-November 2019
Recent Attacks on the Environment
September 2019, Week one: Trump administration announces plans to undo energy-efficient lightbulb standards first set in motion by George W. Bush. Week two: The Environmental Protection Agency repeals Obama-era definitions of “Waters of the United States,” cutting U.S. Clean Water … Continue reading
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September 2019
5G Is Coming to Bellingham
5G, the fifth generation of cellular technology, is headed to Bellingham. From July through December of 2018, the city of Bellingham went through the process of creating regulations for the deployment of small cell telecommunication facilities in the city rights-of-way. … Continue reading
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September 2019
Whatcom Transit Authority Is Losing Riders: What Could We Learn From Kingston, Ontario?
How Kingston Transit Doubled Its Ridership in 10 Years Part 1 The Whatcom Transportation Authority (WTA) is a transit provider whose ridership has been stagnant or in decline in recent years after a dramatic growth of ridership between 2005 and … Continue reading
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August 2019
How Is Whatcom Dealing With Recyclables?
In 2018, the United States became suddenly aware of how ill-equipped we are for handling our own waste. Without much advance notice, China stopped accepting the world’s garbage. Shipping containers were turned away at the port and told to take … Continue reading
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July 2019
More Than 10,000 Expected at Lummi Stommish Grounds
Part 2 Imagine a young person telling you they have no direction, purpose, or sense of belonging within their own community. It’s something that’s been heard repeatedly and it’s exactly the kind of thing Paddle to Lummi Tribal Canoe Journey … Continue reading
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July 2019
This Year We Could Really Use Ranked Choice Voting
And here is a chance to try it out! This year Bellinghamsters and their neighbors have a huge array of contested elections and the candidates to go with them. Of nine elections total, we have eight — yes, eight! — … Continue reading
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July 2019
How Ranked-Choice Votes Are Counted
For both single-winner elections (like mayor or county executive) and multi-winner elections (like the state legislature or the county council), the voters vote for as many candidates as they favor and rank their choices. If the election is for a … Continue reading
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