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.
Tag: Bellingham Metro News
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.
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.
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.
Turning Point USA Chapter Launches at Lynden High School
A new student-led chapter of Turning Point USA (TPUSA) has been formed at Lynden High School
Bond Would Flip Lynden High School’s Footprint and Add Modern Labs and Arts Center
Lynden voters will decide this fall whether to approve a $129 million bond to replace Lynden High School with a reoriented north–south campus, modern career and technical labs, and a new performing arts center. Superintendent David Vanderyacht says the design will emphasize “function over fancy” and include opportunities for students to gain “pre-apprentice experience” in trades such as electrical, plumbing, and framing.