☕ Get the Whatcom Daily in your inbox
One email every morning — weather, border waits, tonight’s music, and what’s happening around Whatcom County. Free. No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Vol. ISundayFree · Daily
Sunday, October 18, 2026·Afternoon Update · Compiled 11:23a
The 60-Second Whatcom
- Weather Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny, high 58, tonight 43
- Top story Review: ‘Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America’s Northern Border’ (Cascadia Daily News)
- Tonight Inpathos, Veriteras, Hísemtuks Hími•n at The Shakedown, 8:30p
- Border Longest wait right now: Peace Arch, 25 min
- Number of the day $103.8M of construction in the local commercial-permit pipeline
Weather
Areas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny 58°/43°
Cloudy
Tides · B’ham
H 1:42p 8.1′
L 4:50a 0.7′
Sun
↑7:33a ↓6:16p
10h 42m daylight
Border · Peace Arch
25 min
Sumas 0
Nooksack R.
3.9 ft
Normal · 664 cfs
Air
—
Gas · regular
$5.19
↓0.02 vs yesterday · Bellingham metro avg (AAA)
Top of the News
Cascadia Daily News
Review: ‘Smuggler: Drugs, Gangs, and Refugees at America’s Northern Border’
Bellingham immigration attorney details client’s journey in new book
San Juan County Council District 3 endorsement
Salish Current · To the Editor: Jennifer Swanson has my wholehearted support for the San Juan County Counci
Smugglers have snuck across porous WA-B.C. border for centuries. What’s new?
Cascadia Daily News · During Prohibition, liquor flowed from Canada to Washington regularly. In this image from
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
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookBellingham Public Library Board Meeting
Tue Oct 20, 3:30p · Lecture Room
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookOctober 20 2026 Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda
Tue Oct 20 · Port of Bellingham
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookBirch Bay Community Advisory Committee
Wed Oct 21, 6:00p · Birch Bay
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookSurvivor Wednesdays: Tribal Council in the Backyard
Wed Oct 21, 8:00p · Stones Throw Brewery
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookLive Music Tonight
- The Shakedown 8:30pInpathos, Veriteras, Hísemtuks Hími•n Metal
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / Outlook
Live music today and tonight — more at What's Up! Magazine
Concerts
Tickets — Mount Baker Theatre
- Sun Oct 18Maria Bamford
- 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
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 25 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
TodayAreas Of Fog then Mostly Sunny 58°
TonightCloudy 43°
MondayMostly Cloudy 58°
High tides1:42p 8.1′
Low tides4:50a 0.7′
Sun7:33a – 6:16p
Nooksack3.9 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 A-Sage Apartments LLC, 600 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
- $5.3M — New 2-Story Student Dev Center-WWU, 1825 Bill Mcdonald Pkwy WWU, Bellingham Bnbuilders Inc
Business and commercial
- WWU closes $12.5 million deal with PeaceHealth for new health sciences college 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
Sun Oct 18, 12:00a · Inner Compass Retreat: Navigating Your Nature through Art and Qigong, The Whidbey Institute, Clinton, WA, United StateHead south for a weekend reset on Whidbey Island. This 3-day, 2-night all-inclusive autumn retreat offers daily Shaolin…
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookSun Oct 18, 12:00p · Share and Repair Fair at Pioneer Pavilion, Offsite Location, FerndaleThe Share and Repair Fair is designed to help you save money, build DIY skills, and learn alongside…
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookSun Oct 18, 12:30p · Autumn Sound Journey, Bow Sanctuary, 3533 Chuckanut Dr, Bow, WA, 98232Kristi of Mystic Heart offers a meditative soundscape to unwind and carry you into deep relaxation. Please bring…
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookSun Oct 18, 1:00p · Friends of Lynden Library Book Sale, Lynden Large Meeting Room, LyndenFriends of Lynden Library are having a book sale! We have a wide variety of books, DVD’s and…
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookSun Oct 18, 1:00p · Tiny Art Show, FerndaleThis exhibit features a beautiful variety of artwork created by patrons who attended the Tiny Canvas Painting event.…
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookSun Oct 18, 1:30p · Come for the Drama – Dark Academia Wall Art Workshop, Whatcom Art Center, 1105 11th ST, Bellingham, WAEscape the ordinary into a world of gothic romance and rich history! Have you been dreaming of a…
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookOn the horizon
Sat Oct 31 · Bellis Fair Mall’s Spooktacular Mall-O-Ween!, Bellis Fair Mall
Add to calendar
Google CalendarApple / OutlookFri Nov 6, 6:00p · First Friday Art Walk, Downtown Bellingham
Add to calendar
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 58% 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 9/7/26
- ChuckanutLost Lake →Latest trip report 4/7/25
- Mt Baker HwyHorseshoe Bend →Latest trip report 9/27/26
- Mt BakerHeliotrope Ridge →Latest trip report 10/12/26
- 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?” 37h 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
“WTA bus driver shout out” 5d ago
“To the elementary school field trip to the library today” 3d ago
Adoptable Pet of the Day
Quinn — Cattle Dog, 6 yr, female, Bellingham
Headlines Elsewhere
- 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 NewsMount Baker football runs roughshod over Blaine in 34-7 victory →Mount Baker’s Enoc Smith runs in for a touchdown Oct. 16 during the Mountaineers’ 34-7 win over Blaine in 1A Northwest Conference…
- Salish CurrentEndorsement for Katherine Bryant Ingman for San Juan County Council, District 3 →To the Editor: Katherine Bryant Ingman has my support to be our next San Juan County Council representative for District 3 for…
- Cascadia Daily NewsBusiness merger bodes well for Bellingham’s cider scene →Bellingham Cider Co. gets creative with its cider offerings, like this cranberry spruce tip cider slushie, topped with campari. The business recently…