More than one hundred Whatcom County residents gathered in Ferndale for a community workshop on the Justice Project, where county officials, planners, and the design-build team outlined progress on the proposed jail and behavioral health facility. Attendees moved through interactive stations, reviewed planning materials, and offered direct feedback on costs, space needs, treatment capacity, transportation issues, and the long-term goals of the project. County leaders said the workshop was the first of three major engagement sessions that will shape the final size, scope, and budget of the new facilities.
Category: Local
Read today’s latest news, headlines and updates from Bellingham, Washington and the Whatcom County. Stay up to date on crime, politics, local business, sports and more.
Standing Up for Kids: Washington’s Battle for Parental Rights and Girls’ Sports
A growing movement across Washington is rallying parents, educators, and community members who believe state leaders have stopped listening. At the center is Brian Heywood and Let’s Go Washington, a citizen-led effort pushing for parental rights and fairness in girls’ sports. Supporters argue the issues transcend politics and focus on protecting children, restoring transparency, and giving Washington residents a direct voice through statewide initiatives.
Dave Chappelle to Bring Phone-Free Comedy Show to Seattle in December 2025
Comedian Dave Chappelle is set to headline Climate Pledge Arena on Dec. 9, 2025, in a fully phone-free show requiring all devices to be secured in Yondr pouches. The arena is urging early arrival due to added screening procedures, and strong ticket demand is expected.
Bellingham Mother and Daughter Hospitalized at UW Medical Center in Rare Genetic Heart Condition Case
A Bellingham mother and daughter were hospitalized simultaneously at UW Medical Center after doctors discovered they both suffer from a rare genetic heart condition. The mother is now on the national heart-transplant waitlist while her 19-year-old daughter recently underwent a triple bypass. The family says early screening could save lives and is urging the community to learn the warning signs of Familial Hypercholesterolemia.
Redevelopment Plans Advance for Former Burlington Building on Meridian Street
Developers are exploring a full redevelopment of the former Burlington Coat Factory building at 4131 Meridian Street, according to newly completed pre-application documents with the City of Bellingham. The proposal, led by Bellis Meridian LLC and Cole Valley Partners, would divide the large retail anchor space into multiple new suites suitable for soft-goods retail, a grocery tenant, or a fitness operator. The project remains in early planning stages, with no formal permit application yet filed.
Bellingham to Open Temporary Daytime Severe Weather Shelter on Dec. 1
The City of Bellingham will open a temporary Severe Weather Day Shelter starting December 1 at the former Lighthouse Mission Drop-In Center on Holly Street. The space will operate from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on days when the County activates its overnight severe-weather shelter, providing a warm daytime option for people experiencing homelessness. Supported by local outreach teams and service providers, the site can accommodate about 60 guests and will offer transportation from the overnight shelter. Real-time activation updates will be available at shelterstatus.com.
Whatcom County’s Housing Crisis: A Council Perspective on Density, Costs, and Finding Middle Ground
Whatcom County’s housing debate continues to highlight rising costs, infrastructure challenges, and differing views on growth. In this installment, Council Chair Kaylee Galloway discusses the need for denser development in urban areas, the high price of expanding infrastructure, and ongoing efforts to improve permitting and expand shelter options. She emphasizes finding middle ground between increasing land supply and encouraging smart density so families of all income levels can continue living in Whatcom County.
Nearly 2,000 Bellingham Customers Lose Power on Thanksgiving Day
Nearly 2,000 Puget Sound Energy customers in Bellingham lost power this afternoon after an outage that began around 3:33 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. PSE’s outage map shows roughly 1,952 customers affected as crews continue assessing the issue. No cause has been identified, and restoration is currently estimated for 7:00 p.m. as the utility works to determine the extent of the damage.
Bellingham Resident Tied to D.C. Attack; National Guard Member Not Expected to Survive
Federal officials have confirmed that 29-year-old Rahmanullah Lakanwal, the suspect in Wednesday’s shooting near the White House, had been living in Bellingham prior to the attack. One of the two National Guard members critically wounded, 20-year-old Sarah Beckstrom, is not expected to survive, according to her family. FBI agents executed an overnight search warrant at a North State Street residence as the multi-state investigation continues.
Dutch Bros Coffee Plans New Cordata Parkway Location After Months of Inactivity in Bellingham’s Development Records
After months without public updates, new documents confirm that Dutch Bros Coffee is moving forward again with plans to open in Bellingham.