Cover Story
Deer affected by hair-loss syndrome observed in Washington since mid-1990s by Hope Rasa In Bellingham, Wash., the deer are locals. Columbian black-tailed deer, a very common subspecies of mule deer in the Pacific Northwest, are more frequent sights around certain … Continue reading
Cover Story
Annual Joint Lake Whatcom Meeting
Editor’s Note: For 22 years, starting in 2004, scientist and toxicologist April Markiewicz provided the community with clear, data-driven analysis of these meetings through her Whatcom Watch articles. Her work set the standard for public understanding of the lake’s long-term … Continue reading
Beaks and Bills
Beaks and Bills by Joe Meche At this time of year, the majority of bird species that migrate seasonally have already done so. The birds that we enjoyed through the long winter months have packed their feathered bags and headed … Continue reading
Watching Government
Compiled by Barry MacHale Action Taken at April 14, 2026 Meeting Shall the council: 88. Fill two vacancies on the Justice Project Oversight and Planning (JPOP) Committee? The vacancies are behavioral health provider and criminal legal system user position. The … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at April 14, 2026 Meeting Shall the commission: 41. Authorize the interim executive director to sign documents required to close the recently approve 0,000 loan to Cirrus Cycles Inc? The Bellingham company was founded in 2011, and is … Continue reading
Watching Government
Action Taken at April 13, 2026 Meeting Shall the council: 46. Authorize the mayor to sign a 0,000 purchase and sale agreement with Connor McCollum for surplus property located at 858 E. Smith Road? This 0.97-acre of city-owned parcel has … Continue reading
Watching Government
Vanishing Science, Vanishing Fairness (2)
Evidence of Bias in City of Blaine’s Avista SEPA Appeal by Geoffrey Baker Contributing Editors: Tina Erwin and Oliver Grah Part 2 Tactic 6: Signal a Future Judge With “Near Bulletproof ” Case — Hearing Examiner Bias Quantitative Analysis In … Continue reading
Climate
Articles You Might Have Missed
Climate Good News Around the world people are taking the initiative to mitigate climate change. Here are some good news briefs compiled and summarized by Jayne Freudenberger, climate committee chair, League of Women Voters of Bellingham-Whatcom County. At a time … Continue reading
Community Service Spotlight
The Right Care at the Right Time
Community Service Spotlight Embedding a behavioral health-designated crisis responder with EMS and fire saves lives and conserves resources by Steve Larsen and Jeremy Caplan When you call 911 in a mental health or substance use crisis, every minute matters … Continue reading
Incarceration
Which Jail Site Is a Preferable Location?
by Liam Walsh On March 25, Whatcom County announced it had entered into an agreement to buy a property on Hannegan Road for their proposed jail. The site is part of the Lower Squalicum Creek watershed, and contains several wetlands, … Continue reading
Native Plant Neighbors
Native Plant Neighbors by Eric Worden A few years ago, I conducted an outdoor class in Bellingham’s Arroyo Park that I called “Nature Observation Workshop.” Arroyo Park is south of Bellingham, occupying a damp ravine that conducts the soothingly babbling … Continue reading
Recycling
Single-Stream Recycling Expands Across Whatcom County
All SSC customers will transition to single-stream recycling by spring 2026 by Tori Lehman Two years after Bellingham transitioned to single-stream recycling, Sanitary Service Company (SSC) customers across Whatcom County will follow suit. The transition will see customers in residential … Continue reading
Talk to Us
Talk to Us Hope Rasa I’m a third-year student at Western Washington University majoring in journalism-news/editorial. I live in Bellingham, Wash., while attending college full-time and working in the local community. I’ve enjoyed all the opportunities writing for Whatcom Watch … Continue reading
Twenty Years Ago
Lake Whatcom’s Downward Trends
Twenty Years Ago Editor’s Note: The following article on the condition of Lake Whatcom appeared in the June 2006 issue of Whatcom Watch. by April Markiewicz Over the last several months, Lake Whatcom and the issues affecting it and the … Continue reading
Water
Nooksack Watershed Summer Supply by Eric Hirst Am I an alarmist, falsely crying wolf ? Or are our summer drought problems about to become a crisis? Here is what the data show. I’ve been studying summer water supply and demand … Continue reading
Wildfire
Fire-Prone Areas Are Growing Faster Than Anywhere Else in the Northwest
by Martina Pansze Northwest wildfires are larger and more destructive than ever before, thanks to increasingly arid summers, earlier snowmelt, and a century of fire suppression. Yet the region’s leaders continue to increase risk to residents’ lives and properties by … Continue reading
