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Independent, fact-based news for Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit counties
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News from the Salish Current June 30, 2023
Dear Reader—
This Fourth of July weekend enjoy Matt Benoit's exclusive interview with Bill Nye the Science Guy and science teachers around the readership area, and Kai Uyehara's profile on the century-old Lincoln Theatre and the revival of downtown Mount Vernon.
We're entering election campaign season and welcome fact-based letters to the editor about candidates and campaigns. When letters become repetitious, we'll reserve the right to publish what we consider of interest to our readers. In our news stories, we aim to be factual, fair and nonpartisan. We will disclose any conflicts of interest if they arise in our reporting.
Our board of directors has welcomed onboard Jayne Freudenberger of Bellingham and bid farewell with thanks to Jessica Gigot of Bow. Jessica has her hands full farming, writing and parenting, and remains as a valued advisor.
Please share the stories about Bill Nye and the Lincoln Theatre with friends, family and associates — and encourage them to subscribe to this newsletter. Salish Current is free to read and free from advertising. And, if that's worth your while, thanks for supporting us.
—Amy Nelson, Publisher
Salish Current affirms its commitment to work for truth, justice,
equity and healing for all people.
#SayTheirNames #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace
Want more environmental news? Salish Sea News and Weather is a weekday curated compilation of news from Salish Sea news sources. Free via email or on the web.
Salish Sea News and Weather Week in Review June 30, 2023: Asteroid Day, Lpod baby, heat wave lawsuit, sewer fee burden, wildfire season, orca lesions, land protection tax, moving Tokitae.
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Change lives, expand minds, boost careers — with science — say teachers and the Science Guy
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Influenced by a short film on physics, young Bill Nye grew up to be the Science Guy, as well as a Boeing engineer, inventor and author. Even better than video? Getting muddy hands, blowing things up and launching rockets into space, say Nye and local educators. (Courtesy photo)
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By Matt Benoit
Bill Nye the Science Guy and local educators and students agree: studying science can be life-changing and career-enhancing.
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Showtime in Mount Vernon: Lincoln Theatre is a star in downtown renewal
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Patrons file into the Lincoln Theatre on South First Street in downtown Mount Vernon, many fresh from restaurants, bars and local businesses. The downtown area has seen revitalization in recent years, with the Lincoln providing a major draw. (Kai Uyehara / Salish Current photo © 2023)
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By Kai Uyehara
A symbol for local revival, the century-old Lincoln Theatre has helped stimulate business and bring back visitors to riverfront downtown Mount Vernon.
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• Be informed about school board candidates — and vote!
• Supports Riley Sweeney for school board
• Linking income inequality and hospital executive pay
Our policy: Salish Current welcomes letters to the editor from our readers. Letters should be sent with the writer’s name, address and daytime phone number. Those accepted for publication will focus on issues addressed in news articles or commentaries in Salish Current and be factual. No snark or put-downs will be acceptable; general nastiness will be rejected. Letters should not exceed 300 words and may be edited for length and clarity. Letters represent the point of view of the writer. Publication by Salish Current does not represent endorsement. Salish Current will publish letters sent to the editor at its sole discretion.
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Salish Current affirms its commitment to work for truth, justice, equality and healing for all people.
#SayTheirNames #BlackLivesMatter #NoJusticeNoPeace
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News from around the region...
(The links found here may have limited access for those who don’t subscribe to the source publication. Sorry for any inconvenience!)
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Health and Safety
Gun ban. Thurston County Superior Court Judge Allyson Zipp last Friday rejected a Moses Lake gun dealer’s request for a temporary restraining order halting enforcement of House Bill 1240, which prohibits the sale, distribution and importation of semiautomatic firearms. (Washington State Standard)
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Education
King makers. Moms for Liberty, a group that didn’t exist three years ago but which today boasts more than 100,000 members across 44 states, is being courted by Republican presidential candidates at its weekend summit. (Washington Post) See: "Impact, importance high in local school board elections" (Salish Current, June 16, 2023)
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The Border & Beyond
R2AK. Of the 39 teams that began the Race to Alaska on June 5, most dropped out and on this week Tuesday the final two finishers, kayak teams Sporting Chance and Bella Bella and Beyond, were the last two racers to arrive in Ketchikan, the 17th and 18th arrivals. (Peninsula Daily News) See: "R2AK: North by Northwest" (Salish Current/Rainshadow Journal, June 9, 2023)
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Nature
Bee research. Western Washington University graduate student Annie Jolliff is leading a study to identify the types and numbers of bumblebees in Skagit and Whatcom counties, and when the bees emerge from their nest each year. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)
Island shores. Years of unregulated shoreline armor construction in the San Juan Islands has damaged crucial ecosystems and put human properties in danger. There are plans to remove these structures for the safety of habitats and island residents. (The Planet Magazine)
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Business
Fish pens. Washington Department of Natural Resources confirms that Cooke Aquaculture by the end of May had removed its aquaculture fish pens near Hope Island in Skagit Bay. (Skagit Valley Herald/paywall)
Feedback and change. San Juan County’s Department of Community Development reports its next steps as the result of organizational change and feedback from a series of community meetings. (San Juan County)
New buses. Whatcom Transportation Authority will receive a $9.6 million federal grant to purchase 11 diesel-electric hybrid buses which will replace three 2009 diesel buses and the eight original hybrid buses in WTA’s fleet, which were acquired in 2012. (CDN/paywall)
Ferry fares. The Washington State Transportation Commission on Wednesday recommended a 4.25% boost for vehicles and walk-on passengers on Oct. 1 and another 4.25% on Oct. 1, 2024, and is taking public comment on the fare increase through July 31. (Washington State Standard)
Broadband. $1.2 billion in federal funding to extend broadband internet service to underserved areas will be distributed by the Washington State Broadband Office. (Washington State Standard)
Mine expansion. Skagit County Hearing Examiner Alex Sidles heard public testimony on the special permit to expand the Mount Erie gravel and sand mine on Fidalgo Island and said a decision would be announced in the next several weeks. (Skagit County Herald/paywall)
Oyster Run. The annual September motorcycle rally ending in Anacortes had been cancelled but will be held this year after receiving $10,000 from the city's rom the Lodging Tax Advisory Committee. (Anacortes American/paywall)
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Community
Drug site. A new website managed by a Multi-Agency Coordination Group, which consists of local health officials, community organizations, government officials and others, provides access to free naloxone kit ordering, local overdose statistics and information on local prevention resources. (KGMI)
Ballot measures. Petitions for ballot measures to increase the city’s minimum wage and provide protections to tenants were presented to the City of Bellingham this week: Initiative 1 would raise Bellingham’s minimum wage to $1 more than the state minimum wage on May 1, 2024. A second increase, to $2 over the state minimum, would take effect in May 2025; Initiative 2 would require landlords to pay a tenant's relocation assistance equal to three months’ rent if they raise the rent by 8% or more. (CDN/paywall)
Everson youth. The Youth Resource Center and Stabilization Unit, which provides crisis counseling by Touchstone Counseling, is coming to Everson and will be housed in the Madres Building which was sold in February for $630,000. (Lynden Tribune/paywall)
RR Crossing. The city of Blaine was awarded $9.5 million to conduct a study and start the design process of its overpass project at the railroad crossing on Bell Road near its intersection with Peace Portal Drive. (The Northern Light)
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Commentary
Legacy media. Douglas McLennan gives a guided tour to the dead end of the traditional newspaper's subscription and advertising business model — and what might come next, if anything. (Post Alley)
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Arts & Leisure
Candace Wellman. The author reads from her book, "Man of Treacherous Charm." July 1, 2 p.m. Village Books, Lynden. See: "Who was Edmund C. Fitzhugh?" (Salish Current Feb. 16, 2023)
"Top Gun Maverick" Fairhaven Outdoor Cinema. Entertainment: The Bayou Opossums, July 1. Movies start at dusk and entertainment about 2 hours prior to the movie. $7 per person cash, $8 per person credit card; kids 4 and under are FREE. Information.
Festival music. The Bellingham Festival of Music begins its concert series on July 1. Complete program details.
Dance dance dance. The Atlantics play at the Lopez Center Pavilion on July 3, 6 p.m.. $15/$5 youth. Tickets are at Paper Scissors on the Rock and online.
Pioneer Park plays. Unsubdued Theatre Collective, a Bellingham-based theatre company, performs "The Unsubdued Revue 3" and "Clytemnestra Has Blood on Her Hands," in Ferndale's Pioneer Park in July. Free. Show and showtime details here.
Three plays. Fairhaven Summer Repertory Theater presents, "Keely and Du" by Jane Martin; "Gidion’s Knot" by Johnna Adams; and "What the Constitution Means to Me" by Heidi Schreck. June 27-July 23, Firehouse Arts and Events Center, information and tickets here.
Park music. Bellingham's Elizabeth Park summer concerts are presented every Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. through Aug. 24. Donations welcomed. Program information.
Library jazz. Bellingham Public Library presents Friends of the Library Summer Jazz in various locations on July 15, Aug. 5, Aug. 19. Free. Information and registration. Also check out the Jazz for Kids programs.
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Jump in!
Invasive removal. Join with the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association and Whatcom Land Trust on Saturdays in July (8, 15, 22, 29) to clear out invasive vegetation from the banks of the North and South forks of the Nooksack River. Registration is limited and required.
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Government
Elections
Candidate forums:
• The Bellingham-Whatcom County League of Women Voters candidate forum for Bellingham mayor candidates, July 11, 7–8:30 p.m.; Whatcom County Executive candidates, July 12, 7–8:30 p.m. via Zoom.
• The San Juan County League of Women Voters voter forum for Port of Orcas commissioner and Orcas Fire District commissioner, July 12, 6 p.m., Eastsound Fire Hall. Also on Zoom Meeting ID: 868 3123 8496, and passcode: 340496
• The San Juan County League of Women Voters voter forum for Friday Harbor Port Commissioner, July 13, 6 p.m., Grange Hall. Also on Zoom Meeting ID: 868 3123 8496, and passcode: 340496
Public Disclosure Commission June 30, 2023
City of Bellingham Mayor
• Kim Lund: Raised $30,801.79, Spent $6,440.61
• Michael McAuley: Raised $7,862.85, Spent $2,211.96
• Kristina Michele Martens: Raised $4,000,06, Spent $123.15
• Seth Fleetwood: Raised $9,135.99, Spent $6,678.96
• Chris McCoy: Raised $0, Spent $0
Whatcom County Executive
• Satpal Sidhu: Raised $62,311.41, Spent $19,195.19
• Alicia Rule: Raised $5,857, Spent $673.48, Debt $2,492.64
• Barry Buchanan: Raised $2,230, Spent $133.43, Debt $3,003.19
• Misty Flowers: Raised $625.29, Spent $2,092.64
• Dan Purdy: Raised $2,767.64, Spent $2,392.64, Debt $300
• Sukhwant Gill: Raised $6,292.64, Spent $2,092.64
Aug. 1 Primary
Whatcom County candidate filings
Skagit County candidate filings
San Juan County candidate filings
San Juan County.
The council met on June 27. Agenda items and video.
League of Women Voters Observer Corps:
• SJC County Council June 27
The council will meet again on July 11.
League of Women Voters Observer Corps:
• SJC Board of Health June 28
• SJI School Board June 28
• SJC Public Health District #1 June 28
City of Bellingham.
The council met on June 26. Agenda items included:
Public hearings:
• The council voted 6-0 (Lilliquist excused) to refer the Ordinance Amending the Old Town Overlay District Development Regulations to the Committee of the Whole for further discussion.
Legislative update: Alex Ramel and Joe Timmons
Parks and Recreation Committee:
• The council voted 6-0 (Lilliquest excused) to hold a public hearing on July 10 on the Greenways V levy.
Committee of the Whole:
• The council voted 6-0 (Lilliquest excused) agreeing to a schedule for joint county and city review of urban growth areas.
• Presentation on Washington State's New Drug Laws.
Mayor Fleetwood, Chief Mertzig and the City Attorney’s Office recommend adopting by reference the relevant state drug laws which make knowing drug possession and use in public gross misdemeanor offenses and provides for both pre- and post-charging diversion options. Council requested the administration return for additional discussion of State Senate Bill 5536 at the next Committee of the Whole work session for consideration to adopt the state legislation and repeal BMC 10.08.110.
The council will meet again on July 10.
Whatcom County.
The council met in special session on June 26. Agenda included:
• The council approved (5-1, Elenbaas opposed, Byrd absent) an ordinance providing for submission of a proposition to the qualified electors of Whatcom County pursuant to RCW 82.14.450 authorizing the collection of a local sales and use tax of two-tenths of one percent for the purpose of providing funds for costs associated with public health, safety and justice facilities and services, including behavioral health, supportive housing, public safety, and criminal justice facilities and programs. A public hearing will be held on July 11.
The council will meet again on July 11.
Port of Bellingham.
The commission will meet again on July 11.
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Salish Current is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, online local news organization serving Whatcom, San Juan and Skagit Counties. Salish Current exists to protect and improve democratic governance by reporting and curating local news with independence and strict journalistic integrity.
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