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Vol. IMondayFree · Daily
Monday, October 19, 2026·Morning Edition · Compiled 6:40a
The 60-Second Whatcom
- Weather Partly Sunny, high 59, tonight 40
- Top story Prep football roundup: LC, Baker set for showdown; 8 teams playoff hopeful (Cascadia Daily News)
- Tonight Movie Trilogy Mondays at Stones Throw Brewery, 7:00p
- Border Longest wait right now: Peace Arch, 5 min
- Number of the day Highest tide today: 8.1 ft at 2:23p
Weather
Partly Sunny 59°/40°
Partly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog
Tides · B’ham
H 2:23p 8.1′
L 5:54a 1.1′
Sun
↑7:35a ↓6:14p
10h 39m daylight
Border · Peace Arch
5 min
Sumas 0
Nooksack R.
3.6 ft
Normal · 525 cfs
Air
—
Gas · regular
$5.19
Bellingham metro avg (AAA)
Top of the News
Cascadia Daily News
Prep football roundup: LC, Baker set for showdown; 8 teams playoff hopeful
Mount Baker’s Noah Nicol-Mills runs in for a touchdown in an Oct. 16 game against Blaine. ( Andy Bronson /Cascadia Daily News)…
A protest in pictures: Whatcom County says ‘No Kings’
Salish Current · Northwest Washington joined all 50 states Saturday for the fourth installment of ‘No Kings
Prep Spotlight: Ferndale’s Brooklyn Larrabee
Cascadia Daily News · Ferndale senior setter Brookly Larrabee, left, points to the opposing side before a serve
City Hall and County
Recent actions — orders, ordinances and announcements
- City Council Meeting City of Ferndale
- Public Hearing – Zoning Moratorium – Battery Energy Storage Systems City of Blaine
- Mayor Kim Lund: Bellingham Explores Regional Fire Authority My Bellingham Now
- County Issues Proclamation for “Flood Preparedness Week” Whatcom County
- Public Hearings – 2027 Preliminary Budget City of Blaine
Upcoming meetings
Friends of the South Whatcom Library Board Meeting
Mon Oct 19, 6:30p · South Whatcom Library, South Whatcom
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookBellingham Public Library Board Meeting
Tue Oct 20, 3:30p · Lecture Room
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookOctober 20 2026 Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda
Tue Oct 20 · Port of Bellingham
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookBirch Bay Community Advisory Committee
Wed Oct 21, 6:00p · Birch Bay
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookSurvivor Wednesdays: Tribal Council in the Backyard
Wed Oct 21, 8:00p · Stones Throw Brewery
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookFriends of the Deming Library Monthly Board Meeting
Mon Oct 26, 6:30p · Deming Meeting Room, Deming
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookLive Music Tonight
- Stones Throw Brewery 7:00pMovie Trilogy Mondays
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Google CalendarApple / Outlook - The Shakedown 8:00pTruly, with The Purrs, Moth Girl Rock
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Google CalendarApple / Outlook
Live music today and tonight — more at What's Up! Magazine
Concerts
Tickets — Mount Baker Theatre
- Thu Oct 22Herb Alpert and The Tijuana Brass
- Sat Oct 24Ingrid Michaelson
- Sun Oct 25Twin Peaks: A Conversation with the Stars
- Thu Oct 29The 27th Annual Mt. Baker Film Festival
- Sat Oct 31The Rocky Horror Picture Show
- Thu Nov 5Bill Nye
Family-Friendly Events
No family events listed right now — check back soon.
Public Safety
Official dispatch and releases · incident type, area and time only
- Shellfish Harvest Closure Lifted in Southern Whatcom County Whatcom County
- Friday, October 16, 2026 Emergency Management Daily Briefing for Whatcom County Whatcom County
- Biotoxin Advisory Lifted for Toad Lake Whatcom County
- Bellingham Winter Shelter Contract Approved, Will Operate Nightly from December Through February Whatcom County
Roads, Transit and Travel
- SR 005 (MP 257.5) — The right lane of northbound I-5 will close from 6 to 10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, near Bake WSDOT
- SR 005 (MP 274.1) — The right lane of northbound I-5 will close from 8 to 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, over Dak WSDOT
- SR 542 (MP 2.79) — Eastbound and westbound SR 542/Mount Baker Highway will alternate from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. WSDOT
- SR 542 (MP 47.0) — SR 542/Mount Baker Highway travelers should expect eastbound and westbound traffic holds f WSDOT
- Border: Peace Arch 5 min · Sumas 0 min. CBP
School Closures
All districts operating normally.
Via FlashAlert: Bellingham, Ferndale, Meridian, Mount Baker. Lynden and Nooksack Valley post on their district sites.
Mountain Passes
Mt. Baker Hwy SR 542 · 4,250 ft
Eastbound: No restrictions
Westbound: No restrictions
Road report
Effective June 10, SR 542/Road to Artist Point has reopened for the season. Reports have ended for this season. Traditionally weather and road conditions are reported from November 1 to April 1. Should adverse weather occur that will impact travel, updates will be provided as information is availableNorth Cascade Hwy SR 20 · 5,477 ft
Road report
SR 20 North Cascade Highway is open as of Sunday, June 14. Traditionally, weather and road conditions are reported from November 1 to April 1. Should adverse weather occur that will impact travel, updates will be provided as information is available.Conditions via WSDOT
The Almanac
TodayPartly Sunny 59°
TonightPartly Cloudy then Areas Of Fog 40°
TuesdayAreas Of Fog then Sunny 62°
High tides2:23p 8.1′ · 11:20p 5.7′
Low tides5:54a 1.1′ · 9:33p 5.2′
Sun7:35a – 6:14p
Nooksack3.6 ft · Normal
Shellfish and Beaches
- Birch BayOpen
- SemiahmooClosed
- Drayton HarborConditionally Open
- Chuckanut BayClosed
Harvest status checked today — WA DOH Shellfish Safety Map. Always check before you dig.
What is Open and Closed
Seasonal at a glance — typical windows; tap any item to confirm before you go
Mountain and roads
- ClosedArtist Point road Jun–mid-Oct
- OpenNorth Cascades Hwy (SR 20) late Apr–Nov
- ClosedAlpine forest roads (Twin Lakes, Hannegan, Glacier Creek) Deadhorse Rd (FR 37) closed – see Trails
- ClosedMt Baker Ski Area late Nov–Apr
Fishing and shellfish
- ClosedDungeness crab (Marine Area 7) ~mid-Jul–Sep
- OpenSalmon (Nooksack and marine) summer–fall
- Info →Clamming and shellfish safety check the DOH biotoxin map before digging
Hunting
- OpenDeer — modern firearm mid–late Oct
- OpenWaterfowl (ducks and geese) mid-Oct–Jan
Parks and water
- ClosedSpray parks (Cornwall, Cordata, Fairhaven) Jun 15–Sep 15
Markets and events
- OpenBellingham Farmers Market Sat, Apr–Dec
- ClosedDowntown Sounds (concerts) Wed eves, Jul–Aug
Wildlife and color
- ClosedWhale watching (San Juans) spring–fall
- ClosedBald eagle watching (Nooksack/Skagit) Dec–Jan
- OpenFall color and larches October
- ClosedSkagit Tulip Festival all April
Berry picking — U-pick farms
Status is scanned daily from each farm's site; still call to confirm today's hours
Now openStrawberriesnow picking at Barbie’s Berries
- Barbie’s Berries Ferndale Directions →Open now — “ We are open every Saturday, year round, from 10-2, to sell frozen berries.”
- Shumway’s Berries Directions →
- Kamm Creek Farm Lynden
Now openRaspberriesnow picking at Barbie’s Berries
- Barbie’s Berries Ferndale Directions →Open now — “ We are open every Saturday, year round, from 10-2, to sell frozen berries.”
- Shumway’s Berries Directions →
- Kamm Creek Farm Lynden
Now openBlueberriesnow picking at Barbie’s Berries
- Barbie’s Berries Ferndale Directions →Open now — “ We are open every Saturday, year round, from 10-2, to sell frozen berries.”
- Shumway’s Berries Directions →
- Haugen’s Raspberries and Blueberries Directions →
- Breckenridge Blueberries Directions →Opening soon — “2026 Updates / Reminders Open 7 days a week, 10 am – 6 pm, starting mid-July.”
- Cleaarian Berry Farm Directions →
- Cascade Blueberry Farm Directions →
- Eastview Blueberry Farm Ferndale Directions →
- Hannah’s Blueberries Ferndale Directions →
- Koskela Blueberry Farm Ferndale Directions →
- Grandpa’s Farm Blueberries Lynden Directions →
- Davies Blueberry Farm Lynden
- Kamm Creek Farm Lynden
- River’s Edge Blueberry Farm Everson Directions →
Now openBlackberriesnow picking at Barbie’s Berries
- Barbie’s Berries Ferndale Directions →Open now — “ We are open every Saturday, year round, from 10-2, to sell frozen berries.”
- Shumway’s Berries Directions →
- Kamm Creek Farm Lynden
Development
Biggest projects — major commercial and multifamily, by job value
- $13.9M — New 125-Room Hotel: Fairfield Inn, 825 Darby Dr, Bellingham builder TBD
- $12.2M — New 6-Story, 79-Unit Multifamily: Meridian Square East, 4274 Meridian St, Bellingham Dawson Construction LLC
- $9.8M — L4-42 Unit Mf Building W/ Shared Amenities, 1310 Dupont St, Bellingham Dawson Construction LLC
- $9.8M — L1-4 Story Senior Housing Apt Bldg: Mercy Housing, 1303 E St, Bellingham Dawson Construction LLC
- $9.6M — L1 (N) 69-Unit 6-Story Mixed-Use Bldg: Astor Building, 1317 D St, Bellingham Dawson Construction LLC
- $8.6M — L1 New 64 Unit Mf Building – BHA, 202 Unity St, Bellingham Exxel Pacific Inc
- $8.5M — L1 (N) 59-Unit 6-Story Mixed-Use Bldg: Holly Building, 1307 D St, Bellingham Dawson Construction LLC
- $7.5M — Emergency Dept. Remodel (ed Remodel): St. Joseph Med. Center, 2901 Squalicum Pkwy, Bellingham Turner Construction Company
- $7.0M — New 55-Unit Apt Complex Bld D-Sage Apartment Development LLC, 611 Dewberry Ln, Bellingham Sage King Mountain LLC
- $5.8M — New 42-Unit Apartment in Complex Bld C-Sage Apartments LLC, 601 Dewberry Ln, Bellingham Sage Apartment Development, LLC
- $5.8M — New 42-Unit Apartment in Complex Bld A-Sage Apartments LLC, 600 Dewberry Ln, Bellingham Sage King Mountain LLC
- $5.3M — New 2-Story Student Dev Center-WWU, 1825 Bill Mcdonald Pkwy WWU, Bellingham Bnbuilders Inc
Business and commercial
- Prep football roundup: LC, Baker set for showdown; 8 teams playoff hopeful Cascadia Daily News
- As school closures loom, voters owed accountability on 2022 bond request Cascadia Daily News
- 2026 Candidate Interviews Chamber
- Employers: Start Planning Now for 2027 Wage Changes Chamber
From major local employers
- WECU and Fellow Financial Cooperatives Cooperate to Give Back Across Whatcom and Skagit Counties WECU
- WECU Launches New WWU Debit Card Gives Western Students, Fans and Alumni a Way to Support Western with Every Swipe WECU
- Investing in Community: Peoples Bank Supports KulshanCLT’s Birchwood LaFreniere Court Development Peoples Bank
- Peoples Bank Establishes $25,000 Endowed Scholarship at Skagit Valley College Foundation Peoples Bank
- Rechargeable Batteries Reminder Sanitary Service Co
Major, multi-family and commercial permits — City of Bellingham. County notices →
Whatcom Homes Today
Permit of the week
$13.9M — New 125-Room Hotel: Fairfield Inn
825 Darby Dr, Bellingham · builder TBD
Permits: City of Bellingham / Whatcom County public records · market data at whatcomhouse.com
This Week's Events
Mon Oct 19, 10:00a · DSHS Mobile Office at the Library, LyndenThe Department of Social and Health Services Mobile Office is on the open road and coming to the…
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookMon Oct 19, 10:00a · Re-imagined Vintage Japanese Kimono and Obi Textile Art, DemingEnjoy a beautiful display of wall hangings by local textile artist Deymian Lesar. Deymian’s love of Japanese textiles…
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookMon Oct 19, 10:05a · Little Storytime, Dodson Room at the Central LibraryFor children ages birth – 3 with an adult partner. Join us for simple stories, songs, fingerplays, and…
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookMon Oct 19, 10:30a · Ferndale Toddler Storytime, Ferndale Large Meeting Room, FerndaleFor ages 1-3, 20 minutes. Features concept books, simple stories, and opportunities for movement and interactive participation. Meets…
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookMon Oct 19, 10:30a · Sumas Community Helpers Storytime, SumasFor ages 2–6, 30 minutes, A storytime featuring community helpers – like firefighters, humane society workers, and more…
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookMon Oct 19, 12:00p · Sumas Writers’ Group, Sumas Library, SumasGot a draft you really need to work on but are struggling to find time for? Come and…
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookOn the horizon
Sat Oct 31 · Bellis Fair Mall’s Spooktacular Mall-O-Ween!, Bellis Fair Mall
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookFri Nov 6, 6:00p · First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Bellingham
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Google CalendarApple / OutlookCelestial Events
Orionids — builds toward its peak Oct 21
Fast-moving meteors, around 20 per hour, often fast and bright. Look southeast toward Orion after midnight. Best the hours before dawn. With the moon 68% lit, expect mainly the brighter meteors. American Meteor Society →
Tap an event for details — sources: NOAA, the American Meteor Society, NASA
Trail Reports
- ChuckanutOyster Dome →Beware of: bugs · 10/12/26
- LarrabeeFragrance Lake →Latest trip report 10/3/26
- BellinghamPine and Cedar Lakes →Latest trip report 10/18/26
- ChuckanutLost Lake →Latest trip report 4/7/25
- Mt Baker HwyHorseshoe Bend →Latest trip report 9/27/26
- Mt BakerHeliotrope Ridge →Latest trip report 10/18/26
- Mt BakerSkyline Divide →Road closed6.3.26: Deadhorse Creek Road (FR 37) is closed until further notice due to flood damage.Latest trip report 7/5/25
Read the full closure notice
6.3.26: Deadhorse Creek Road (FR 37) is closed until further notice due to flood damage. Source → - Mt BakerYellow Aster Butte →Beware of: road conditions · 10/11/26
- Mt BakerHannegan Pass →Latest trip report 10/17/26
Latest “Beware of” from each trail's newest WTA trip report
From the City
Inside Bellingham · October 15, 2026
- Bellingham Mitigation Bank opening early next year We’re excited to share that Bellingham’s first mitigation bank is on track to open in February…
- Learn more about the City Budget We know “budget season” isn’t the most thrilling phrase—but it does lay the groundwork for the…
- Tax incentive supports investment in key Bellingham areas Two areas in Whatcom County, including Bellingham’s downtown and waterfront, were recently selected for a competitive,…
- Celebrate York’s new playgrounds Join us at Rock Hill Park next Thursday, Oct. 22, at 4:30 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting…
- Roeder Avenue Bridge work starting next week Plan for possible delays and changing traffic conditions along the Roeder Avenue Bridge between Central Avenue…
City of Bellingham — cob.org/news
Port of Bellingham
News from the working waterfront
Big boats — the Alaska ferry
The Alaska state ferry sails the Inside Passage from the Bellingham Cruise Terminal in Fairhaven — usually Fridays year-round, plus extra alternating-Saturday sailings in summer. Ferry schedule → · What is in the bay now →
Community Pulse
r/Bellingham, this week
“Just saw one of the new Bellingham police drones. Is this the new normal?” 2d ago
“Local business news update from a failed business newsletter” 3d ago
“I moved out of Bellingham because it was too expensive but my old apartment didn’t lease and they reduced the rent to something I could afford lol” 4d ago
Adoptable Pet of the Day
Lani — German Shepherd, 4 yr, female, Ferndale
Headlines Elsewhere
- Salish CurrentSan Juan County Council District 3 endorsement →To the Editor: Jennifer Swanson has my wholehearted support for the San Juan County Council, District 3. Jennifer brings an exceptional and…
- Cascadia Daily NewsCascadia’s Weekly News Quiz →Test your knowledge of the week’s news. New quiz every Monday.
- Salish CurrentVote for Jennifer Swanson →To the Editor: I want to recommend Jennifer Swanson for County Council District 3. I’ve worked with Jennifer through Shaw Islanders Inc.,…
- Cascadia Daily NewsAffordable, accessible healthcare — state candidates all want it →Incumbents and challengers alike for Washington’s statehouse agree that affordable and accessible healthcare is a priority. How they view achieving that is…