Local Frequency - Bellingham

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Saturday, May 31. Let’s start with a celebration—the city is kicking off Pride Month early today with the Whatcom Youth Pride parade at 11 am. The route runs right past City Hall, where local staff and families will be cheering on our youth. Whether you’re marching or just there to soak in the vibrant energy, it’s a great way to show support for Bellingham’s young LGBTQ+ community, and it sets the tone for a month full of Pride festivities around town. If you’re looking for more ways to celebrate throughout June, check out the local events roundup on Visit Bellingham.

As we look ahead, mark your calendars for June 21, when Maritime Heritage Park hosts Bellingham’s annual Juneteenth celebration. The event runs from 2 to 6 pm and promises live performances, community speakers, and a chance to honor freedom and resilience. It’s free and open to everyone, so bring your family and friends for an afternoon of music, food, and culture.

For outdoor enthusiasts, heads up about a change to your regular route: the Interurban Trail will have a detour this summer. This is all part of a major project to restore fish passage at Padden Creek, which will benefit salmon, trout, and other wildlife. Construction starts in late June and aims to stay within the work window for protecting local fish species, but exact timing may shift based on materials. If you want details or have questions, you can swing by the open house at Happy Valley Elementary School on the evening of June 9.

Turning to safety updates, wildfire season is starting early this year in the region, and emergency management officials have issued a level 3 alert in some nearby areas due to extreme fire danger. That means immediate evacuation for those affected, so make sure you have your go-bag ready just in case. Meanwhile, Chuckanut Drive remains closed due to a rockslide, with no current estimate for reopening. This closure is affecting both locals and visitors hoping for those iconic scenic drives, so plan alternate routes for now.

On the news front, it’s a sobering reminder to talk about gun safety. Two local juveniles were involved in a serious incident after reportedly playing with a firearm; one is now hospitalized, the other in custody. Law enforcement urges families to secure their weapons and keep lines of communication open with kids.

Finally, if you’re heading out on the roads near Everson, expect significant traffic impacts for the next five weeks due to roadwork on Everson Goshen Road. And remember, if you notice emergency alert messages on your phone, especially near the Canadian border, it’s likely part of a scheduled test.

That wraps up today’s Bellingham Local Frequency. Whether you plan to catch the parade, get outdoors, or just relax at home, we hope your Saturday is safe and memorable. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Friday, May 30th, 2025.

Let’s start off with what’s happening downtown to kick off your weekend. Tonight, the Wild Buffalo is hosting Queen Mother, so if you’re looking for a lively show and a chance to enjoy some local music, that’s the spot to check out. The downtown core is buzzing these days, offering a little something for everyone, whether you want to dive into a trivia game, explore new shops, or just catch up with friends over dinner in one of Bellingham’s cozy restaurants.

The city has been busy this week following Memorial Day, when Bellingham paused to honor our military members who gave their lives in service. If you missed the annual parade on Saturday, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s tribute. City offices and the public library took a day off for the holiday, but essential police, fire, and medics continued to serve around the clock.

Speaking of keeping our city running well, community leaders are turning their focus to Lake Whatcom. Although the main annual meeting took place last month, a follow-up discussion is set for next Wednesday, June 4th. Leaders from the city, Whatcom County, and the Lake Whatcom Water District will be talking about water quality and ongoing lake protection efforts. If you’re passionate about clean water or just want to know more about local conservation, you’re encouraged to attend in person or tune in online.

In city government news, discussions are ongoing around utility rates and how the city will fund key public services. There’s also been a recent public hearing touching on these issues, so keep an eye out for updates, especially as city leaders work to balance investments in public safety with keeping services accessible for everyone.

For those with kids or who are young at heart, Bellingham Parks and Rec has a number of fun options this weekend. Check the city calendar for outdoor activities and family-friendly happenings, from nature walks to playground meetups and even a few pop-up art stations.

Looking back at recent headlines, the city and county are also focused on downtown revitalization, with plans to increase affordable housing, enhance bike patrols, and invest in a brand-new skatepark. These investments are all about making Bellingham’s core vibrant, safe, and welcoming for everyone.

And finally, remember that the community is invited to share feedback on the pilot bike lane project along Eldridge. If you’ve got thoughts on cycling, safety, or traffic flow, your input is valued as the city looks ahead on transportation planning.

That’s a wrap for today. This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Thursday, May 29, 2025.

Big news today as Trader Joe's opens its second Bellingham location at 4255 Meridian Street in the Cordata Center. Doors open at 8 AM with a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the occasion, so if you're a fan of their unique offerings, you might want to stop by and check out the new store.

In other exciting openings, Beach Cat Brewing launches its second location today on the waterfront in downtown Bellingham. This new spot promises to be a great addition to our thriving local craft beer scene, offering waterfront views with your favorite brews.

The healthcare situation continues to evolve at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center. Although the registered nurses aren't on strike themselves, they've been showing strong solidarity with SEIU Healthcare and Union of American Physicians and Dentists workers who were on the picket line earlier this month. The nurses held an informational picket on May 15th to raise awareness about stalled contract negotiations involving wages, health insurance costs, and workplace respect.

Looking ahead to next week, mark your calendars for the second Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commissioners Meeting on Wednesday, June 4th from 3 to 5 PM. This important gathering of elected representatives from the Bellingham City Council, Whatcom County Council, and Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District will continue discussions on protecting our water quality. Community members are welcome to attend either in person or online.

For those who missed it, the Memorial Day Parade took place this past Saturday, with the City of Bellingham serving as a significant sponsor of the event. The parade ran from noon to 2 PM, starting at Alabama Street and Cornwall Avenue.

Weather-wise, we're looking at a mild day ahead, perfect for exploring one of our many local parks or hitting a trail. If you're heading out this evening, consider supporting one of our local restaurants or catching some live music at a downtown venue.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Tuesday, May 27, 2025.

Following the Memorial Day weekend, Bellingham is getting back to business today. The Whatcom County Council is holding their Regular Council and Committee Meeting this morning at the Council Chamber on Grand Avenue. If you're interested in local governance, you can attend in person or join the hybrid session starting at 8:30 AM.

For those who celebrated Memorial Day yesterday, we hope you enjoyed the holiday. City services are back to normal operations today after City Hall, Bellingham Public Library locations, and the Arne Hanna Aquatic Center were closed for the holiday.

Looking ahead, mark your calendars for next Wednesday, June 4th, when elected representatives will gather for the second Lake Whatcom Joint Councils and Commissioners Meeting. This important discussion about protecting our water quality runs from 3 to 5 PM, and community members are welcome to attend either in-person or online.

In local news, the Port of Bellingham is moving forward with plans to acquire the Boxx Berry Farm property, with intentions to develop a "Whatcom Agricultural Research Station" on the site. This acquisition represents a significant investment in our local agricultural infrastructure.

Meanwhile, travelers should note that the closure on Chuckanut Drive continues due to a rockslide. There is currently no estimate for when SR11 will reopen, so plan your routes accordingly.

For those interested in outdoor activities, registration for the 52nd annual Ski to Sea Race has already closed, having reached its 500-team capacity back in February – more than a month earlier than last year. This popular event showcases our community's enthusiasm for outdoor recreation.

Looking further ahead, the Northwest Tune-Up festival will return to Downtown Bellingham from July 11-13. Known as one of the fastest-growing outdoor festivals in the region, it promises unforgettable thrills and a great atmosphere.

For baseball fans, the Bellingham Bells have announced a new partnership with Base By Pros to support youth baseball development in our region, with programs beginning this month.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Saturday, May 24, 2025.

Today marks the final day of National Public Works Week, which has been running since May 18th. The City of Bellingham Public Works department has been celebrating with family-friendly activities throughout the week. Just two days ago, they hosted a Meet-A-Truck event where residents got to see the big trucks and equipment that keep our streets, storm drains, sewer, and water lines running smoothly. The event featured crafts, a scavenger hunt, and was free for all ages.

In local law enforcement news, authorities are investigating a concerning incident where two juveniles were "playing around" with a gun, resulting in one being hospitalized and another in jail with $1 million bail. According to reports, they had been "playing around with the laser on the gun" when the incident occurred.

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office continues to release daily activity reports, with the most recent ones available on the county website for those interested in local law enforcement activities.

Some good news to report as two missing person alerts from earlier this month have been canceled. One involved an at-risk individual last seen on May 14th leaving Bellis Fair Mall, and another Silver Alert for a person last seen on May 16th in the Bellingham waterfront area. Both alerts have since been resolved.

In development news, the Port of Bellingham is set to acquire the Boxx Berry Farm property with plans to establish a "Whatcom Agricultural Research Station" on the site.

Investigators are still looking into a fatal crash involving a Lynden school bus. Fortunately, no students were on the bus at the time of the accident. Authorities are asking anyone with dashcam footage from the area around the time of the crash to come forward.

For those living near the US-Canada border, be aware that test emergency alert messages may be sent to residents in the area.

If you're looking for ways to enjoy our beautiful city this weekend, consider taking one of Bellingham's self-guided Stormwater Discovery Tours, where you can explore urban and parkland areas while learning how the City manages water resources.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Friday, May 23rd, 2025.

Today is a significant day for healthcare workers in our community as PeaceHealth nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center conclude their voting on a new tentative agreement. The electronic voting, which began yesterday morning, will end tonight at 8:30 PM. After four months of negotiations, 14 bargaining sessions, and working six weeks with an expired contract, the bargaining team is recommending a "yes" vote on the agreement which addresses issues like "ghost steps" in nurse advancement and concerns about the new health insurance plan implemented in January.

In local event news, a Change Management Certification Training is taking place today in Bellingham. If you're looking to enhance your professional skills, this could be a valuable opportunity.

The Whatcom County law enforcement community continues to deal with several serious incidents. A recent gun incident involving juveniles has left one hospitalized and another in jail with $1 million bail after they were reportedly "playing around with the laser on the gun." Meanwhile, a 44-year-old man was recently arrested for allegedly sending obscene online messages to a Bellingham girl and attempting to arrange a meeting for sex.

On a positive note, the Port of Bellingham is moving forward with plans to acquire the Boxx Berry Farm property, with intentions to establish a "Whatcom Agricultural Research Station" on the site, potentially bringing new agricultural innovation to our region.

The two previously reported missing persons cases in Bellingham have both been canceled, bringing some relief to concerned community members. One individual had last been seen at Bellis Fair Mall, while the other was last spotted in the Bellingham waterfront area.

In state news that affects our local healthcare workers, Governor Ferguson recently signed into law a bill strengthening workplace violence protections in healthcare settings. The new law, which becomes effective January 1st next year, requires more regular review of workplace violence incidents and annual updates to safety plans.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Thursday, May 22, 2025.

Today's a great day to experience the huge machines that keep our city running as the annual Meet-a-Truck event takes place from 1 to 3 PM in front of City Hall on Lottie Street. This free event celebrates National Public Works Week and gives everyone a chance to see up close the equipment that maintains our streets, storm drains, sewer, and water lines. The Bellingham Children's Library will be there with crafts, and there's even a scavenger hunt planned. This family-friendly event welcomes all ages, so bring the kids for an educational afternoon.

Book lovers, take note: the Friends of the Bellingham Public Library's Spring Book Sale continues today through May 24 in the Central Library Lecture Room. Thanks to a recent collaboration with Ridwell, they've received a huge inventory of donated books. Most items are priced at $2 or less, and proceeds will fund Summer Reading programs for children, teens, and adults. It's the perfect opportunity to stock up on summer reading material while supporting our library.

In healthcare news, PeaceHealth nurses at St. Joseph Medical Center begin voting today on a new tentative agreement. After four months of negotiations, 14 bargaining sessions, and working six weeks with an expired contract, the 1,100 nurses represented by the Washington State Nurses Association will vote electronically starting at 6:30 this morning through tomorrow evening. The agreement addresses concerns about "ghost steps" in experience recognition and establishes quarterly forums for nurses to discuss the new health insurance plan implemented in January.

This week, Bellingham joined communities across the nation in observing National Police Week, honoring the dedication of our law enforcement officers and remembering those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

For those planning weekend travel, remember that recent traffic incidents have occurred on both I-5 and Pacific Highway, so allow extra time for your commute and stay alert on the roads.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Tuesday, May 20th, 2025.

Traffic alerts top our news today as several closures and delays affect local commutes. Chuckanut Drive remains closed due to an ongoing rockslide with no estimated reopening time. If you're traveling on Slater Road today, expect delays between 8am and 1pm due to a bridge inspection. Daily lane closures on Interstate 5 through Bellingham continue through Thursday, so plan your routes accordingly.

In transportation project news, a three-year fish passage replacement project is set to impact I-5 traffic south of Bellingham. The work is required due to a 2013 court injunction and will affect commuters for the foreseeable future.

Local law enforcement has been busy with several recent incidents. A Bellingham man was hospitalized following an I-5 crash in Everett, with the cause still under investigation. In other news, a 20-year-old has been charged with DUI after their vehicle left I-5 and ended up in a ditch along Pacific Highway. A Whatcom Sheriff's Office deputy was also involved in a crash on Grandview Road while responding to an incident with lights and sirens.

For parents and children looking for activities today, don't forget that yesterday marked the start of Builders Club at the Central Library, running from 3:30 to 5:30 pm for children ages 4 to 12. Coming up on Thursday, the popular Meet-A-Truck event will be held from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at 210 Lottie Street between City Hall and the Central Library. Kids can interact with Public Works crews and learn about the equipment that keeps our city running.

On the development front, construction has begun on an 8-block Old Town development project that will bring 800 new mixed-income residential units over the next decade.

For those on Lummi Island, be aware that the fire district has implemented HIGH fire danger restrictions during the ferry dry dock period. Large outdoor burn piles are not allowed and written permits are postponed.

Residents should note that all Bellingham Public Library locations will be closed next Monday, May 26th, for Memorial Day.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Saturday, May 17, 2025.

Today is shaping up to be an exciting day in Bellingham with several community events happening around town. Western Washington University is rolling out the blue carpet for their annual Block Party, which kicks off today. The university is inviting the entire Bellingham community to join in for free family fun. This popular event features food, music, and plenty of activities for attendees of all ages, making it a perfect weekend outing for families looking to experience some campus spirit.

If you're a cycling enthusiast, today is also Bike to Work and School Day in Bellingham. This city-wide initiative celebrates and encourages residents to incorporate biking into their daily commutes. While today is a Saturday, many are still expected to participate in this community event that promotes sustainable transportation. It's a great opportunity to dust off your bicycle and join fellow residents in embracing our city's bike-friendly culture.

In development news, construction continues on the ambitious 8-block Old Town development project that began back in March. This major urban renewal effort is transforming a significant portion of our historic district, with more details available on the city's official website.

Looking ahead to next week, Western's campus will see some changes as the AS Bookstore will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, May 20 and 21. Students preparing for end-of-term activities should plan accordingly.

For those interested in politics and international relations, mark your calendars for May 22, when WWU's International Affairs Association and Political Science department will co-host an event titled "The Trump Effect: How to Lose an Ally in 10 Days." This timely discussion comes as we approach election season.

And if you're planning your end-of-month activities, financial expert Paul Merriman will be in town on May 29 to share strategies for financial success, which might be worth attending as we head into summer.

The weather today is expected to be typical spring conditions for the Pacific Northwest, so dress accordingly if you're heading to the WWU Block Party or cycling around town.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We'll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.

Good morning, this is your Bellingham Local Frequency for Friday, May 16, 2025.

The city is kicking off the day with a celebration of Bike to Work and School Day, encouraging residents of all ages to dust off those bikes and take to the streets. There are events and refreshments set up around town to support anyone riding in today, so be sure to check out the city’s website for locations and details. This annual event is a great way to promote healthy commuting and community spirit, so whether you’re a seasoned cyclist or just dusting off the wheels, today is your day to join in.

If you’re wandering downtown, keep an eye out for some exciting public art happenings. Today marks the beginning of the Trike Track Community Mural creation on Commercial Street, a hands-on event where community members can actually help paint a new mural that will brighten up our city core. And all summer long, downtown alleys are being transformed by installations like the Setting Sun Alley Activation, which promises vibrant Coast Salish artwork. And starting this month, four playful Find Billy sculptures pop up around the city, kicking off a June-long scavenger hunt. Whether you’re looking for Instagram-worthy spots or a weekend adventure, these public art projects are turning Bellingham into a canvas for creative storytelling.

For music lovers and families, more dates are on the horizon. The Make.Shift Art Space is planning “Radio Forever” with live music and art later this summer, and the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra will join forces with the Pickford Film Center for a silent film with live music in August. Keep your calendars handy and stay tuned for more.

Meanwhile, a quick heads-up from Whatcom County. There is a special three-day filing period for public office, running through the end of today. If you want to make a difference in your community, visit the county elections office for more details.

On the public safety front, local law enforcement worked swiftly this week to arrest suspects in a reported Bellingham kidnapping, and thankfully the victim escaped unharmed. Whatcom County has also reported its first case of mumps since 2018, a reminder for all to keep immunizations up to date. And if you’re near the Canadian border, don’t be alarmed by test emergency alerts coming through today—our neighbors to the north are running a drill.

As always, there’s plenty happening close to home in Bellingham. Whether you’re biking to work, painting a mural, or just soaking in the good weather, we wish you a wonderful Friday.

This has been Bellingham Local Frequency. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates.

This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.