April 2021

Whatcom Center for Early Learning

Editor’s Note: There are over 100 organizations in Whatcom County working to provide supportive services to those experiencing chronic poverty and its associated effects: addiction, homelessness, incarceration, mental illness, and unemployment. Whatcom Watch believes these organizations often labor unnoticed by citizens — this column is designed to add daylight to [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:39:46-08:00April 30, 2021|Community Service Providers|

Proposed Whatcom County Jail

by Maddie Smith 1983 The current Whatcom County jail in downtown Bellingham opened. 1996 Oct. 1  The county executive formed a blue ribbon panel to address criminal justice issues. On 3/20/1997, the panel recommended a 750-bed minimum security facility be funded by a one-tenth of one percent sales tax. 1997 [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:34:45-08:00April 30, 2021|Cover Story|

Whatcom County Council

Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at February 9, 2021 Meeting Shall the council: 37. Appoint Dorie Belisle to the Portage Bay Shellfish District Advisory Committee? She is a former manager (2001 – 2008) of the Tenmile Creek watershed project and is currently a member of the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:37:42-08:00April 30, 2021|Watching Government|

What the Frack?

illustrator: Hailee Wickersham by Hailee Wickersham Every day the push for concrete climate action seems to knock at the door, waiting for it to be opened and allowed a seat at the table. In 2008, when Pew Research asked U.S. adults what the top priority for the president [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:41:39-08:00April 30, 2021|Fossil Fuels|

poetrywatch

Boris Schleinkofer, poetrywatch editor “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 Artwork by Hilary Cole Subject [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:42:37-08:00April 30, 2021|poetrywatch|

State Supreme Court Will Interpret: Public Lands Held in Trust for “All the People”

by Conservation Northwest Staff Conservation Northwest, Washington Environmental Council and Olympic Forest Coalition are pleased that, on March 3, 2021, the Washington Supreme Court granted direct review in Conservation NW, et al. v. Commissioner of Public Lands et al., No.; 99183-9. This historic case asks the court to interpret the [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:40:42-08:00April 30, 2021|Conservation|

Port of Bellingham Commission

Compiled by Bill McCallum Action Taken at February 2, 2021 Meeting Shall the commission: 13. Combine three improvement projects for the Sumas property leased by Teal Jones? The roof, wood siding, exterior windows and storefront door will be replaced. Minor rot and water damage and unforeseen construction costs will increase [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:38:34-08:00April 30, 2021|Watching Government|

Bellingham City Council

Action Taken at February 8, 2021 Meeting Update on Covid-19 Response: Erika Lautenbach, Whatcom County Health Department Director, announced that as of 2/5/2021, there are 34 enrolled provider sites that offer vaccines. This week, Whatcom County has received 3,275 doses of vaccine. On 2/4/2021, she moderated a Town Hall live [Read More...]

By |2021-04-30T12:00:39-07:00April 30, 2021|Watching Government|

Bellingham Pondering Single-Use Plastic Ban

Single-use plastic foodware would be optional in Washington if Senate Bill 5022 passes the house and the governor’s desk. Bellingham City Councilmember Michael Lilliquist said he thinks it is time to continue working on a draft ordinance that would almost completely ban many kinds of disposable plastic.photo: Giovanni A. [Read More...]

By |2022-03-10T06:33:37-08:00April 30, 2021|Cover Story|
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