Whatcom County’s Public Works Department reported that it will have a limited capacity to respond to significant snowfall this year and advised residents to prepare for emergency situations.
One significant factor that contributes to this limited capacity is funding, according to Roland Middleton, a spokesperson for the department. The cost to maintain the county roads is higher than the amount of money coming in from the road fund, which is primarily funded through tax money from those who live in unincorporated parts of the county.
In years past, the department has pulled money from a fund balance to make up for the deficit, particularly to complete larger projects, such as the Birch Bay berm. Over the past few years, that fund has been entirely spent down due to change in leadership, according to Middleton.
The department has eliminated eight positions and frozen another 13, which remain vacant and will not be filled until the budget is balanced.
“There are 935 miles of road in unincorporated Whatcom County that doesn’t include the cities or the state highways, that’s just 935 miles of county road,” Middleton said. “The plows have to go one way and then back the other way, so that's 1,870 lane miles of road to plow. We have 40 people. 40 people to try to do it.”
With fewer employees working to maintain county roads, the department is encouraging residents to prepare for potentially heavy snowfall since not all roads can be plowed.
“We don’t know if we’re going to have a bad storm, but if we do, and we don’t prepare ahead of time, then you’re really going to feel the pinch,” Middleton said.
Middleton recommends that residents keep around two weeks’ worth of basic supplies such as food, water, gasoline and medication on hand in case people are snowed into their homes.
He also encouraged those who have necessary medical appointments to have a backup plan in case snowy roads remain unplowed.“Looking out for one another, as well, is critically important, and that’s the kind of stuff you can do now ahead of time, and not at eight o’clock in the
Holiday cheer arrives in downtown Blaine
Blaine Senior Center (BSC) members are headed to the ballot box to elect a slate of new board members and to decide how to invest $300,000 as the future of the nonprofit remains cloudy.
The BSC board had held discussions on whether to transfer 80 percent of its treasury from an Edward Jones investment fund to the Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF), a nonprofit that focuses on local philanthropy. The remaining funds would remain in a bank account for day-to-day use. Results of the election will be announced on Monday, December 15.
The decision to explore other invest-
ment options came after BSC lost its bid with the city of Blaine to manage the Blaine Community Center in July, according to BSC board president Sieneke Stevenson. The city awarded the contract to manage the building to Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2), which now oversees senior activities. Without a building under management nor a revenue source from membership dues, Stevenson said the senior center needs to completely renew its vision, and likely will need to rewrite its bylaws in order to adapt and continue serving local senior citizens in whatever way it can. Either that, or completely dissolve.
s
Photo
Seniors ...
“We’re starting from scratch,” Stevenson said. “Taking away the contract and taking away our mission has resulted in a completely new nonprofit that has to be completely rewritten. Determining how you partner with [BBBPRD2], how you may partner with Meals on Wheels … none of that is in our bylaws because we’ve never had to do that before.”
Stevenson said BSC has no source of revenue other than dividends from its investment portfolio, but added that even that has taken hits due to the ongoing economic recession. BBBPRD2 now collects the annual $45 activity fees that used to go to BSC.
“We’ve been very concerned about the instability of the market and potential volatility of the economy at this time” Stevenson said.
Kelle Rankin-Sunter, a BSC member for 20 years and board candidate, said she didn’t want to see the nonprofit relinquish control of its investment portfolio with only three current board members and after so much drastic change over the past 18 months.
“I feel like this is a huge decision,” Rankin-Sunter said. “But I don’t think we’ve given ourselves a chance. I think an incoming board deserves the opportunity to continue to pursue this possibility. I don’t think we need to be in a huge rush to close our tentpoles and move out to the desert.”
Rankin-Sunter said she did not like the idea of the nonprofit “donating” its funds to WCF, a sentiment echoed by other members. Stevenson said BSC will still have control over their funds, and a contract between the two nonprofits could have certain provisions
that allow BSC more control over its investment.
“I think what people are getting hung up on in the motion it the word, ‘donate,’” Stevenson said.
“Yes, our funds go into (WCF’s) larger pool of funds, but there would be a contract with us, we would still be working with them to set the terms.”
Brad Tuininga, vice president of philanthropy for WCF, said that while specific terms have yet to be discussed with BSC, “donor-advised funds” through WCF allow for the donating party control over its funds.
“At the end of the day, they still retain the right to direct how they want those funds to
Temporary boatyard to be created at Blaine Harbor
The 30-ton marine travel lift at Blaine Harbor has been repaired and re-certified, according to Blaine harbormaster Andy Peterson. The news was part of a harbor update given to Port of Bellingham commissioners at their November 18 regular commission meeting.
Peterson also detailed progress to date on the harbor’s do-ityourself boatyard project, saying the port was working with the city on permitting issues to allow a temporary Phase One boatyard operation. This will allow boat owners to work on their boats “on the hard” instead of while moored in the harbor. Phase Two, involving permanent improvements to the upland to support the long-term boatyard, will occur after the environmental cleanup of the former Westman boatyard site. Peterson referred to this work as “significant” and said it would take from 18 to 24 months to complete.
He added that a consultant had been retained to assist with permitting and paperwork that would be required to obtain a general boatyard permit from the state.
November 18
In other Port of Bellingham news, the port will hold a public hearing on December 9 at 2 p.m. as part of the process to establish the new commissioner districts following voter approval in the November general election to expand the commission from three to five members. Public comment will be received on the draft redistricting plan. At their regular December 16 meeting, commissioners will consider approval to the redistricting plan and assign numbers to districts.
be used,” Tuininga said. “Where they want them, how they want to pull them out and use them to benefit their community. We’re not doing anything that would be outside the scope of their work.”
A tumultuous two years Former executive director Pete Nelson, popular with many members, resigned from his position at the end of 2024 after months of unanswered complaints regarding a lack of health insurance and other benefits he said he was originally promised. After announcing his intent to resign, 190 BSC members held a special election in September 2024 to remove former board president Jim West, treasurer Christine Young and vice president Adele Berman in response. Yung and West resigned, though not until after co-signing a letter saying they did not recognize the meeting and election as legitimate. Due to the ongoing turmoil, the city of Blaine chose to offer the contract to BBBPRD2, citing a lack of leadership from BSC.
Since those major shakeups, Stevenson said interest in
the nonprofit took a nosedive, and the current board is still working to get people involved despite having an extremely diminished role in the lives of local seniors.
“We debated between continuing as a non-profit with the new mission of enhancing and supporting the social, health, nutritional, and emotional wellbeing of seniors in the Birch Bay/Blaine community,”
Stevenson wrote in a letter to BSC membership. “Versus partnering, or simply dissolving, in which case the remaining money would go to The Whatcom County Council on Aging as per the by-laws.”
Stevenson said that the motion to move $300,000 in funds has reinvigorated current membership and said many of the current board candidates made it a major point of discussion in their campaigns.
The election will be held in-person at the Blaine Community Center, 736 G Street, Wednesday, December 10 through Friday, December 13, and on the morning of Monday, December 15. The results will be announced that day at 12:30 p.m.
To receive more information about the future of Blaine Senior Center, members are encouraged to email BBBSeniors@ yahoo.com
B y P at G ru BB
s Andy Peterson, Blaine harbormaster, during a
Port of Bellingham meeting. Photo courtesy Port of Bellingham.
The Northern L ght
The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.
Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/ Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.
Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com
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Contributors In This Issue Kelle Rankin-Sunter, Mauri Ingram, Doug Dahl
The Northern Light
225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230
Tel: 360/332-1777
Vol XXXI, No 25
Circulation: 11,000 copies
Circulation Independently verified by:
s Counter-clockwise from top: Volunteer
up collections for the
Thanksgiving
more than 1,200 people were
food bank. Ace Hardware’s Blaine and Ferndale locations collected and donated $2000 to the Blaine Food Bank and $3000 for the Ferndale Food Bank. Pictured is Lisa Dobbin, l., of the Blaine Food Bank and Ray Maxon of Blaine’s Ace. Photos courtesy NWFR, Rosemary Connors and Molly Ernst
Local food drives help Blaine, Birch Bay food banks OpiniOn Letters
The Editor:
The nonprofit Blaine Senior Center (BSC) has an election coming up on December 15. I would like to encourage everyone who was a member of the BSC as of June 30, 2025 to vote. Ballots will be taken December 10-12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, December 15 from 8 to 10 a.m. at the BSC. Only in-person voting is permitted by our by-laws.
This election is important. It will bring a full complement of board members (as per the by-laws, we need nine) into the room to work on the future vision of the Blaine Senior Center non-profit.
The last few years have been challenging for our board(s) and our membership. I believe we have turned the corner and now have the opportunity to redirect the nonprofit with new energy and enthusiasm, partnering with Blaine Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 who take care of the day-to-day operations, the board can focus on expanding and improving activi-
ties, fundraisers and events. Nominees running for the incoming board are excited to hear from our membership about what they would like to have the board look at for possibilities.
I would ask you also to consider carefully the ballot measure that has also been put on the ballot for the board election. In my opinion, the incoming board deserves the option to review and carefully consider whether donating 80 percent of our assets is the best decision moving forward.
If you believe the Blaine Senior Center non-profit still has a job to do in our senior community, support it by voting “No” on the WCF ballot measure.
Kelle Rankin-Sunter
Blaine
The Editor:
Our Blaine Senior Center nonprofit is in peril. Blaine Senior Center members, please vote “No” on “Donating” $300,000 to the Whatcom Community Foundation
CiviC Meetings
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Town halls typically at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday meeting each month. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee: Typically the last Thursday of each month, 6 p.m., Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road. Updated meeting info: bit.ly/3QmWVcX.
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
(WCF). Here are some reasons why I believe a “No” vote is necessary. We lose complete control of 80 percent of our finances. We still have to maintain our nonprofit status with highly diminished funds.
The Blaine Senior Center funds and Whatcom Community Foundation funds are similarly invested in the stock market. No income difference.
The Whatcom Community Foundation management fees appear higher than our current brokerage fees. We lose money with WCF!
Depending on the donation, half of the “donated” funds may be inaccessible for years.
For the other half of the “donated” funds, we would have to beg to get any of our money back and the Whatcom Community Foundation has the right of refusal.
(See Letters, next page)
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.
Port of Bellingham: First and third Tuesday, 4 p.m., Port of Bellingham Harbor Center, 1801 Roeder Ave., Ste. 146, in Bellingham and via Zoom. Info: portofbellingham.com.
Laura Vogee fills
baskets for the Blaine Community Assistance project,
served. Blaine Banner Bank employees Lexi and Jarred alongside Doug Lang, c., lead Grace Core chaplain, who picked
Birch Bay
Op-Ed: Whatcom County has opportunity to lead state in maritime education and workforce development
maritime life through hands-on learning, adventure, and discovery.
Here’s an opportunity for our community: Lead the state in maritime education and workforce development.
The term “Blue Economy” was coined in 1994, referring to the development of an economic system focused on maritime business, technology, and practices that promote economic growth, ecological health, and thriving communities.
A blue economy is inspired by natural systems, eschews an extraction mindset and emphasizes more sustainable practices. If that sounds remarkably like what the Lummi and Nooksack tribes have been practicing for more centuries than we can count, well, yes.
So what does it mean in 2025?
Opportunity. Organizations in Whatcom County currently employ about 6,400 people in maritime work. But that number is down over the last several years, and to meet a future of diverse marine-related prospects, the sector needs more workers. Whatcom County, with its rich maritime culture and active community organizations, is perfectly positioned to capitalize on this opportunity.
Two initiatives are poised to advance the region’s maritime strengths.
Blue Schools Whatcom, organized by Northwest Maritime (NWM), a Port Townsend-based nonprofit serving the entire Puget Sound, engages people of all ages in traditional and contemporary
Letters ...
From previous page
We have to continue maintaining our nonprofit status if we want to get any of our money back at all from the Whatcom Community Foundation.
To “donate” $300,000 of the Blaine Senior Center nonprofit money, our money, to WCF, would limit future Blaine Senior Center board decisions.
This is not intended to be a judgment on the quality, integrity or value of WCF. It’s a perfectly fine organization. WCF is just not right for us at this time. Vote “No” to “donating” $300,000.
Heino Sunter Blaine
The MERIS Project, a proposed Blaine-based hub for industry, community, and applied research led by the Whatcom Working Waterfront Foundation, will build on this momentum. Both initiatives expand upon the strong platform established by regional partners including the Port of Bellingham, Bellingham Technical College, Western Washington University, All American Marine, Whatcom Working Waterfront, and many others.
MERIS stands for Marine, Economy and Research Institute for Sustainability. The two projects converge around the goal of building our region's blue economy through strategies that include K-12 education and workforce development while promoting environmental stewardship and regional economic resilience.
In a year where there were more ideas than could be funded, NWM’s 2025 request for support from the state legislators appropriations budget for the Blue Schools initiative was not funded.
In the meantime, NWM continues to pursue additional funding and is moving forward with a scaled-back, $100K pilot in Whatcom County. Early and continued exposure to maritime career possibilities is a central part of the Blue Schools' strategy.
Blue Schools Whatcom is also working with Meridian School District leaders on a five-year plan to incorporate Blue Schools into the Whatcom County Skills Center (a facility designed to support hands-on learning).
A primary goal is to ensure access for people who would not typically be exposed to the Salish Sea or maritime industry work opportunities.
Meanwhile, the MERIS Project is moving through a process to build a multi-use center supporting work in all aspects of sustainable marine aquaculture and related activities. It will be a place to research, develop and test the cutting
The Editor: Great investigative effort on the Port of Bellingham operations. Well documented, analyzed and presented. This is the kind of work that I expect out of a local newspaper. Personally, I find the operation, attitude, practices and personnel policies well beyond the scope of a publicly funded organization. Perhaps had the Port of Bellingham replied to your questions my feelings of potential incompetence, collusion, and criminal behavior would be somewhat less … but they didn’t. Keep up the good work and I will be supporting your endeavors.
Gary Wilde Birch Bay Village
edge of maritime technology and industry.
Folded within this suite of projects are opportunities for workforce development, continuing education, citizen science, community engagement and tourism. The group is on track to deliver strategic and general use plans to potential investors/funders later this fall.
What we're doing
We established the Blue Schools Whatcom Fund.
We partnered with the Blue Schools coalition.
We attended the MERIS Project design charette.
How you can help
Give to the Blue Schools Whatcom Fund.
Help the kids in your life explore maritime culture. Walk the docks in Bellingham and Blaine,
visit area beaches, the touch tank, Waypoint Park, Maritime Heritage Park fish ladder, Squalicum Pier, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, Pt. Whitehorn, Larrabee State Park, Community Boating Center … there is so much to choose from!
If you have marine recreational interests, consider joining the county’s Marine Resource Committee.
Advocate with state and federal elected officials about the importance of funding blue economy activities in Whatcom County. Northwest Maritime is building a national coalition in partnership with the state of Maine, with the long-term goal of securing federal funding for Blue Schools.
Mauri Ingram is the CEO and president of Whatcom Community Foundation.
s Mauri Ingram File photo
s Organizations in Whatcom County currently employ about 6,400 people in maritime work. But that number is down over the last several years. Photo courtesy Drayton Harbor Oyster Company
spOrts
Borderite winter sports tips off with homecourt win over La Conner
B y n olan B aker
Blaine winter sports is in full swing, and both basketball teams christened the new season with a home double-header against La Conner on December 2, splitting the matchup.
In fall sports news, Blaine swimmer Hailey Farrell won yet another 1A state title at the state championships on November 15. The win was Ferrell’s second consecutive state title in the 500-yard freestyle competition. Ferrell won with a time of 5:20.08, more than eight seconds faster than the second place swimmer.
In other Blaine honors, junior forward Kate Koreski earned an honorable mention for the All-Northwest Conference girls soccer team, voted on by NWC soccer coaches. Koreski led the team in goals scored, leading the Borderites to a 1A state playoff appearance, the first for the team in over 20 years.
Boys Basketball
After dropping the season opener to Bear Creek 66-43 on November 29, the Borderites bounced back, beating La Conner by a whopping score of 77-23 on December 2.
Senior guard/forward Landon Melton picked up a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, and junior guard Dawson Dohner led the team with 13 points and had a great night on defense with seven steals.
Blaine’s guards played well against an outmatched nonconference La Conner squad, with senior guards Kai Kerwin tallying five assists, and Daniel Banks collecting 10 points and eight rebounds.
By the halftime buzzer, the Bor-
derites pulled out to a 36-point advantage, and didn’t look back. The Borderites allowed La Conner to score just two points in two different quarters, keeping the team below 23 points in what will likely be the Borderites best
on-paper defensive performance of the season.
The Borderites (1-1, 0-0 NWC) seem ready for conference play, which begins Wednesday, December 10 with a matchup on the road against 2A Bellingham. Before “the real season” begins, the Borderites hopped on the state ferry to play nonconference opponent Friday Harbor on December 3, after press time.
Blaine’s next home game is scheduled for Saturday, December 13 against 2A Sehome, tipoff at 7:15 p.m.
Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com
Girls Basketball
The Blaine girls basketball team hasn’t burst out of the gates to open the season the way it would presumably want to, dropping a pair of losses to Bear Creek and La Conner at home. But a few solid individual performances reveal this team’s potential.
In the November 29 game against Bear Creek, Blaine opened up the scoring with a pair of convincing 3-pointers from junior Marcella Bring and senior Brietta Sandell, jumping out to a 6-2 lead to start the season.
After that, Bear Creek went on a 25-1 swing, not allowing Blaine to score a single field goal for the rest of the half. Blaine bounced back in the second half, outscoring its opponents 32-31, but the Borderites couldn’t crawl out of
the hole it dug in that fateful second quarter. The final score: Bear Creek 58, Blaine 39.
Despite the loss, junior guard Kate Koreski, coming off an honorable mention for the All-NWC team in soccer, tallied 12 points, four assists and four steals to lead the Borderites in each category.
Senior forward Aaliyah Bowman earned a tough double-double, scrapping for 11 points and 13 rebounds, and Sandell finished with 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
In the next game against La Conner on December 2, the Borderites just couldn’t get its offense going, losing 51-24. La Conner shot exceptionally well from beyond the 3-point line, and the Borderites couldn’t seem to buy a long-range bucket.
Bowman again put in a scrappy performance from the forward position, working for 12 points and eight rebounds. Koreski also performed well near the basket, collecting a team-high 10 rebounds along with six points.
The Borderites will look to get in the win column for the first time in this young season with a game against Friday Harbor on December 3, after press time.
The Borderites then host Bellingham on Wednesdsay, December 10 for the first NWC matchup of the year for both teams. Stats provided by WhatcomPreps.com
s Blaine junior center Angus Dickson reaches for the opening tip-off to start Blaine’s 77-23 win over La Conner on December 2. Photo by Nolan Baker
s Clockwise from top left: Senior guard Marcella Bring blocks a shot during Blaine’s 51-24 loss to La Conner on December 2. Blaine senior forward Landon Melton dribbles upcourt during Blaine’s 77-23 win over La Conner on December 2. Blaine’s basketball cheer team celebrates during the first half of the boys’ team’s win over La Conner on December 2. The Blaine girls basketball bench erupts after a successful and-one basket in the second half of Blaine’s 51-24 loss to La Conner on December 2.
Photos by Nolan Baker
s The Blaine Youth Sports U12 “Lightning Bolts” capped off a 16-0 regular season with a dramatic penalty shootout victory at the Mukilteo Turkey Shoot tournament, winning 3-2. Front row, left to right: Layla Marroquin, Nora Smith, Taliya Garcia, Nora Van Winkle and Avery Gibson. Top row, left to right: Madelyn Fitzgerald, Hadley Fitzgerald, Ashley Crabtree, Izzy Hollister, Olive Berg, Myra Musto, Lyla Lapinsky, Cheyenne Kilthau, and Naomi Herrera.
Photo courtesy Randy Hollister, head coach
Photos by
Ruth Lauman
Active S eniors
Building community, one blossom at a time at Blaine Senior Center
B y k elle r ankin - s unter
I remember a craft project that we did when I was a child. Mom opened up a bag of popsicle sticks and we “built” a house. The single popsicle stick we started with wasn’t very exciting or interesting and it certainly did not seem like it could become something
that was. However, we had to start somewhere. So, we started with just one.
The Flower Project as we fondly call it, is the same story. Over six years ago, Ruth Rycroft noticed that the “unmarketable flowers” from her employer (Trader Joe’s) were simply going into the trash.
time for feasting, family gatherings, and, unfortunately, the dreaded “holidrains.” With all the cooking, cleaning, and celebrating, it’s no wonder your drains feel overwhelmed. Grease from festive meals, food scraps, and even the occasional holiday decorating mishap
2.
3. **Regular maintenance:** Schedule a quick checkup with Gary’s Plumbing and Heating. They’ll keep your plumbing in tip-top shape, ensuring your drains stay
Tue, December 23: Jamaican Jerk Chicken w/ Mango Salsa, Cilantro Lime Rice, Green Beans, Fresh Fruit
Wed, December 24: Sausage Links, Scrambles Eggs, Hashbrowns, Fresh Fruit, Cinnamon Roll, Orange Juice
The Blaine Senior Center will not serve community meals Thursday, December 25 and Friday, December 26.
Subject to change. While quantities last.
s Kelle Rankin-Sunter, c., poses in front of collection of boquets created by The Flower Project. Photo courtesy Kelle Rankin-Sunter
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR WHATCOM COUNTY In re the Matter of the Trust of: ALFRED EARL SHAULIS, Deceased. No. 25-4-01071-37. NON-PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS. RCW 11.42.030.
be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1) (c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice (twenty-four (24) months if notice is not published). If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of filing copy of Notice to Creditors: November 6, 2025
Date of first publication: November 20, 2025
Date creditor claim period closes: March 20, 2026
Attorney for the Estate: KEITH A. BODE, WSBA #7791 314 Fifth Street, P.O. Box 688 Lynden, WA 98264-0688 Tel. (360) 354-5021
Personal Representative: MICHELLE S. PARMAN
Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 25-4-01057-37
The notice agent named below has elected to give notice to creditors of the abovenamed Decedent. As of the date of the filing of a copy of this notice with the court, the notice agent has no knowledge of any other person acting as notice agent or of the appointment of a personal representative of Decedent’s estate in the state of Washington. According to the records of the court as are available on the date of the filing of this notice with the court, a cause number regarding Decedent has not been issued to any other notice agent and a personal representative of Decedent’s estate has not been appointed.
Any person having a claim against Decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.42.070 by serving on or mailing to the notice agent or the notice agent’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty (30) days after the notice agent served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.42.020(2) (c); or (2) four (4) months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.42.050 and 11.42.060.
This bar is effective as to claims against both Decedent’s probate and non-probate assets.
Date of First Publication:
December 4, 2025
The notice agent declares under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington on November 11, 2025, at Bellingham, Washington, that the foregoing is true and correct.
Notice Agent
BRENDA A. STURROCK
Attorney for Notice Agent
STEVEN D. AVERY, WSBA #35262 AVERY ELDER LAW, P.S. Mailing Address: 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham, WA 98229
Court of Notice Agent’s oath and declaration and cause number: Whatcom County Superior Court, cause number as per above caption Non-Probate Notice to Creditors Avery Elder Law, P.S. 801 Samish Way, Ste. 202 Bellingham, WA 98229 (360) 325-2550 www.averyelderlaw.com
BIRCH BAY BLAINE
SEMIAHMOO
BIRCH BAY Real Estate
How local business helps traders avoid costly mistakes in a risky trade climate
B y M adelyn J ones
As questions swirl around the Trump administration’s seemingly never-ending tariff changes, PCB Global Trade Management has the answers.
PCB Global Trade Management is a brand that consists of three companies: Pacific Customs Brokers Inc., a U.S. customs broker; Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd., a Canadian customs broker; and PCB Freight Management Ltd., a freight company.
Pacific Customs Brokers (PCB) helps individual people or businesses ensure the goods they are shipping are compliant with federal regulations. PCB Global Trade Management president and CEO Greg Timm said now is a time of real uncertainty for international trade.
“Especially now in this trade climate we’re in, it can be very intimidating to commercially import your goods,” said Timm.
Timm said one of the biggest challenges he’s seen clients face recently is battling the unknown of constantly changing tariffs.
“Every time there’s a change or a new announcement, we get flooded with calls from our clients and people that are not yet our clients to say, ‘How did this change in duty or tariff affect me?’” he said.
There was previously more leniency with small errors, Timm said. However, this has changed over the past 20 years, with a dramatic shift within the last year.
Recent trade tensions between the U.S. and Canada have made accurate product classification much more important for clients, Timm said. Proper classification can result in higher duties under new trade measures, and if products are not classified correctly, the government sees it as a revenue loss.
“We really now advise clients to pay the professional to get proper information prior to shipping,” Timm said. “It’s not like asking for forgiveness instead of approval. It’s now the other way around. Ask for approval and make sure you’ve got it right before anything ships.”
In total, PCB Global Trade Management has around 300 employees, with around 55 people working in U.S. operations. It has two main offices, one in Canada and one in Blaine, where the company moved into its new building at 2150 Peace Portal Drive in December 2023.
In addition to these, it also has some smaller office spaces to house any remote workers that do not work from home.
PCB’s roots go back over a century. In 1956, Pacific Cus -
toms Brokers Ltd. took over Dennison & Raines Ltd., a customs brokerage established in 1916. At the time, PCB was owned by several Vancouver customs brokers, including the founder, Jack Todd.
Over the years, the other co-owners left or were bought out, which left the Todd family as the sole owners of PCB. PCB Inc., the U.S. brokerage, was established in Blaine on December 5, 1999.
PCB Global Trade Management prides itself on being open 24/7 for clients.
“We do not do voicemail because our opinion is that when your truck is meeting at customs or your airplane is landing in a Chicago airport, you don’t want to go to a voicemail and not be sure when you will get called back,” Timm said.
While PCB assists clients with a range of goods, Timm said it often deals with food and nursery stock. He also said the company aims to work with clients quickly to ensure they feel supported in their importing and exporting needs.
“We try to do business like we have through our history,” Timm said. “We still understand that we do not do business between companies, we do business person to person within a company.”
Road Rules: Getting left turns right
B y d ou G d ahl
Q: I was taught when turning left at an intersection onto a street with two lanes in each direction, to turn into the left (and closest) of the two lanes. If I want to eventually be in the right-hand lane, I signal and move right when it’s safe to do so. Sometimes a car behind me immediately speeds into the righthand lane, cutting me off from moving there myself after the turn. Is that legal?
A: Maybe this is a bigger problem than traffic. I’m a traffic safety nerd, not a social anthropologist, and unqualified to speculate on this, but I’ll do it anyway. Here’s my premise: life is too convenient. I was going to say easy, but that’s not right. Life can be hard sometimes, but even then, it’s still too convenient.
We can summon almost anything we need in seconds with a pocket-sized device that makes the computer NASA used to land a lunar module on the moon look downright primitive. This convenience has manifested itself in our lack of patience. Over a third of us are unwilling to wait five second for a webpage to load.
Is it any wonder that we don’t have the patience to properly make a left turn? Why turn to the correct lane and then signal before moving over one lane when we could save the effort of moving our left hand a few inches to engage the turn signal? I have an answer.
About a quarter of all traffic fatalities and over a third of serious injury crashes in Washington occur in and around intersections.
Maybe you think that’s not so bad; most serious crashes aren’t happening at intersections. That’s true, but intersections make up a small percentage of the miles we drive, and we travel at comparatively lower speeds through them. Per mile traveled, intersection crashes are way over-represented. The problem is all the opportunities for conflict.
How do you minimize conflict in an inherently risky bit of transportation infrastructure? Be predictable; do what other drivers expect you to do. When making a left turn, stay in your lane all the way through the intersection. Or as it says in the law, “A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from such lane until the driver has first ascertained that such movement can be made with safety,” and when turning left, the driver should leave the intersection in “the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as the vehicle on the roadway being entered.”
Even if you were to argue that
Jacqueline
Sue Washburn Nolte June 6, 1963 – November 22, 2025
Jackie passed away peacefully at her home in Blaine after a long battle of ALS.
Jackie was a Blaine High School graduate and an extremely good athlete, even receiving Athlete of the Year in her senior year and receiving a scholarship to USC for volleyball. She played volleyball, basketball, baseball and was always proud of the name given to her while playing volleyball, ‘Boomer.”
She had a long a 25-year career with the US Customs Service, being promoted to supervisor of the FP&F office, Fines Penalty and Forfeitures, who handled all the seized merchandise including narcotics that had been seized. Before becoming a supervisor, and at the beginning of her career, she was most proud of a currency seizure that she had made. During a search of a female subject, she found close to $200,000 in drug money taped in packets to the female’s body. For many years, it was the largest body currency seizure in the Area Port of Blaine, and may still be.
Many friends and fellow employees commented separately that she was like a ray of sunshine when she came into the room, working in law enforcement can tend to darken your day, but Jackie always brightened your day each time you came into contact with her. She had the most beautiful smile. Even in the mist of this terrible disease, unable to walk and even speak, she brightened the day of healthcare workers and all her hospice caregivers with her smile.
Married to her husband John for over 35 years and retiring from Customs in 2011, they both lived a very fulfilling life on their 5-acre homestead between Blaine and Lynden taking many RV trips across the United States with their Labrador dogs. She also was a fantastic cook and baker along with being a wonderful gardener and every year had the most beautiful garden.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jack and Arlene Washburn, and is survived by her husband John; her Big Boy Dutton her yellow Labrador; sister- and brother-in-law Lisa and Doug Nolte; sisters Carol Payne, Diane Petersen, and brother Dean Washburn.
A Celebration of Life will be held this coming summer at our home. A date is yet to be determined but once scheduled, friends and family will be notified.
Donations to either of the two following organizations are appreciated, The ALS Association, their mission is to help them accelerate new treatments, optimize current care, and reduce the harms of ALS, or to Eden Hospice in Bellingham, who so wonderfully cared for her during her last couple of months of life.
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL
the extreme left-hand lane isn’t available because the car in front of you is in it (a weak argument in my opinion), you still have a problem. Let’s work this out: Say I’m approaching an intersection and I want to turn left. I signal my intent for at least the last 100 feet prior to making a turn. Once I’m in the intersection, if I want to move to over I’d need to signal to the right, again for at least 100 feet. Street lanes are typically about 10 feet wide, so if we do the math it’s unlikely that you’ll find an intersection that takes more than 100 feet to get through. Practically then, it’s not really possible to change lanes during a left turn while complying with the law.
To the entire Community from The Bridge at Birch Bay Food Bank, Clothing Boutique, The Way Café, Grace Core Academy and The Christian Way Community Church.
The Washington Driver Guide agrees with me, saying, “stay in your original lane as you turn,” and, “Once you complete your turn, you can change to another lane if you need to.”
Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
File Photo
sheriff’s repOrts
November 21, 8:36 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Harborview Road.
November 21, 10:18 a.m.: Neighborhood dispute cold call on Birch Bay Drive.
November 21, 10:37 a.m.: Traffic hazard on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
November 21, 2:06 p.m.: Traffic hazard on Portal Way.
November 21, 3:46 p.m.: Vehicle theft cold call on Pipeline Road.
November 21, 6:39 p.m.: Shots on W. 30th Crescent.
November 21, 9:28 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Harborview Road.
November 22, 2:54 a.m.: Alarm audible on Drayton Harbor Road.
November 22, 3:57 a.m.: Noise on Surf Place.
November 22, 5:02 a.m.: Welfare check on Birch Bay Drive.
November 22, 7:35 a.m.: Mental health check on Bay Road.
November 22, 9:05 a.m.:
Death investigation on Anderson Road.
November 22, 12:29 p.m.: Welfare check on McGee Road.
November 22, 1:34 p.m.: Trespass on Harborview Road.
November 22, 1:51 p.m.: Neighborhood dispute on Fir Street.
November 22, 2:50 p.m.: Assault – simple on Portal Way.
November 22, 6:38 p.m.: Security check on Boblett Road.
November 23, 9:48 a.m.: Trespass on Sweet Road.
November 23, 11:18 a.m.: Disorderly conduct on Harborview Road.
November 23, 5:39 p.m.: Threat cold call on Blaine Road.
November 23, 7:35 p.m.: Public intoxication on Harborview Road.
November 23, 8:11 p.m.: Noise on Bay Ridge Drive.
November 24, 1:46 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Steller Lane.
CrOssWOrd
ACROSS
1. Spiritual leaders
7. A type of solution
13. Fortified wine
14. Edible mollusk
16. They precede C 17. A way to compare 19. Government lawyer 20. “Game of Thrones” actor Ciaran 22. The eighth month (abbr.) 23. Very willing 25. __ ex Machina 26. Makes happy 28. Type of berry 29. A doctrine 30. Popular Dodge truck model 31. Dekagram 33. Naturally occurring solid 34. Company officer 36. Villains 38. Cricket frogs 40. Influential German psychologist 41. Endured 43. A female domestic
44. You can get stuck in one 45. Cigarette (slang) 47. Fiber optics network
48. Group of blood disorders (abbr.) 51. Employee stock ownership plan 53. Belonging to the bottom layer 55. Sound 56. MLB legend Hank 58. Very attractive person 59. Late beloved sportscaster Craig 60. South Dakota 61. Mocking 64. Symbol for gold 65. Longtime Braves pitcher Julio 67. Humor 69. Shawl 70. Preliminary patient assessment
DOWN 1. Animal disease 2. Commercial 3. Necklace material 4. Containers
5. A way to save for your future 6. Colorado Heisman winner Rashaan 7. Dipped down 8. Head injury (abbr.) 9. Lay about 10. Intestinal 11. Opposite of yes 12. Caused to be loved 13. Spiritual leader of Islam 15. Businesslike 18. Not in 21. Number above the line in a fraction 24. An animal with its own day 26. Pouch 27. Swedish krona 30. Start over 32. Field flowers 35. Fourteen 37. A visual way to interact with a computer 38. Up-to-date 39. Campaigns 42. Touch lightly 43. “Boardwalk Empire” actress
November 24, 2:13 p.m.: Suspicious person on Delta Line Road.
November 24, 2:40 p.m.: Suicidal subject on Delta Line Road.
November 24, 2:52 p.m.: Theft cold call on Creasey Road.
November 24, 9:22 p.m.: Suicidal subject on H Street Road.
November 25, 11:01 a.m.: Welfare check on Birch Bay Square Street.
November 25, 1:21 p.m.: Mental health check on Drayton Harbor Road.
November 25, 1:33 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Markworth Road.
November 25, 4:17 p.m.: Alarm panic on Whitehorn Way.
November 25, 10:21 p.m.: Runaway cold call on Stein Road.
For a complete list of WCSO reports, visit whatcomcounty.us/2120/Activity-Reports.
Gretchen
46. Violent seizure of property
47. Supporter of the Pope
49. Anxiety
50. Body fluid
52. One who’s faking it
54. Title of respect
55. Chilean city
57. City in central Japan
59. Silk garment
62. A form of dance
63. Automobile
66. The man
68. Justice Dept. head honcho
ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
tides
December 4 - 10 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Coming up
Pacific Arts Market: December 5–7, 12–14 and 19–21, 10 a.m.–7 p.m., near the Bellis Fair mall food court. Info: pacificartsmarket.com. Christmas is Oz: Friday and Saturday, December 5-6, 12-13, 7 p.m. and Sunday, December 7 and 14, 2 p.m., Blaine High School black box theater (enter behind Borderite Stadium). Enjoy a family-friendly musical for the holiday season. Tickets online or at the door: Adults $17, seniors/veterans/students $14, children age 12 and under $12. Info: blainecommunitytheater.com.
Candy Cane Lane Christmas Market: Friday, December 5, 9 a.m.–6 p.m. and Saturday, December 6, 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m., St. Anne Church, 604 H Street. Shop local vendors for gifts and holiday treats. BMS Holiday Market: Saturday, December 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m., Blaine High School cafeteria (enter behind Borderite Stadium). Over 60 vendors plus music and raffles. Supports Blaine Middle School PTSO. Holiday Port Festival: Saturday, December 6, 11 a.m.–6:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 7, 11 a.m.–5 p.m., Bellingham Cruise Terminal, 355 Harris Avenue, Bellingham. Featuring music and dance performances, gingerbread house display, visit and photos with Santa, and a lighted boat parade. Info: bit.ly/3MeZX4b.
Paper Star Ornament Workshop: Saturday, December 6, 2–3:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn to make two different kinds of beautiful paper star ornaments. Library staff will demonstrate the steps to creating these lovely paper ornaments to enjoy for the holidays and all year long. Patience and care for detail are helpful for this craft. Materials provided. Space is limited registration is required at wlcs.org.
Carols by Candlelight: Wednesday, December 10, 6 pm, Zion Lutheran Church, 7215 Valley View Road, Ferndale. Sing favorite Christmas carols and songs and enjoy the spirit of the season. Serving refreshments and fellowship to follow. Info: 366-5567 or office@zionlutheranwhatcom.org.
Mason Bee Cocoon Cleaning Workshop: Saturday, December 13, 9:30–11:30 a.m., Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. Bring your cocoons in tubes, boards, etc. and willing hands. We are offering a supervised opportunity to learn how to clean your mason bee cocoons to improve your population (and share with friends). Please email fruit@blaine-core.com for further descriptions of how to transport your cocoons and the supplies that you will need.
Blaine Let’s Make Presents: Thursday, December 11, 3–4 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Featuring all the supplies and ideas you’ll need to craft beautiful, meaningful gifts for the loved ones in your life. For grades K-5. Info: wcls.org.
Movie Night at the Library: The Library that Dolly Built: Thursday, December 11, 6–7:30 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. An evening screening of “The Library that Dolly Built,” a documentary taking viewers behind the scenes of Dolly Parton’s non-profit program, the Imagination Library. After the film, members of Whatcom County Library System’s award-winning Right to Read team will talk about their training for WCLS staff on issues related to privacy, confidentiality and intellectual freedom. Space is limited; registration is required at wcls.org.
Bridge Community Christmas Tree Lighting: Friday, December 12, 6–9 p.m., The Way Cafe, 4823 Alderson Road. Pictures with Santa and live Christmas music with local artists.
Christmas Kids Party: Saturday, December 13, 2–3:30 p.m., American Legion Post 86, 4580 Legion Drive. Featuring cocoa and cookies with Santa, presents for kids 12 and under, crafts and singalong. Free. Sponsored by American Legion Auxiliary.
24th Annual Caroling Event at Semiahmoo: Saturday, December 13, Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club, 8720 Semiahmoo Parkway. Featuring visits with Santa at 4:30 p.m., a special children’s program with award-winning children’s artist and entertainer Dana Cohenour at 5 p.m., and a community sing-along at 5:45 p.m. with Wendy Donaghy and Dana Cohenour on piano. Enjoy complimentary cookies, cocoa and holiday punch. Free.
The Coats Holiday Concert: Sunday, December 14, 4 p.m., Blaine Performing Arts Center. A cappella brand brings incredible harmonies and family fun with the Blaine High School chamber choir. Tickets: $25 at bit.ly/4plP7Iu. Presented by Blaine High School choir programs and Blaine Fine Arts Association.
Books and Bites: Friday, December 19, 1 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. December title: “Solito” by Javier Zamora. Info: wcls.org.
Ongoing
Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Info: 360/3326350 or info@blainefoodbank.org.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of November 24 to 30, 0.8 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2025 year-to-date precipitation record is 27.5 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 58°F on November 28, with a low of 30.9°F on November 30. Average high was 49.1°F and average low was 38.6°F.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Flowers ...
She thought that, if her employer allowed, she could deliver them to the Blaine Senior Center (BSC) and they could be used to decorate the building.
They wouldn’t last long but they would get a new life and be enjoyed by many more people. Trader Joe’s agreed and other employees helped Ruth to set aside the “nicer bouquets.” Soon, Ruth’s husband Rob was enlisted to assist with the delivery of the flowers and they expanded the deliveries to Stafholt nursing/ rehabilitation and eventually the Blaine library.
Volunteers from BSC helped to arrange the flowers to decorate the dining tables. If there were enough flowers, they created larger bouquets to decorate around the building.
Time passed and flowers arrived. Some weeks none and other weeks four buckets full would be available. It was a great arrangement and everyone at BSC, Stafholt and the Library greatly appreciated the addition of flowers to their environment. At Stafholt, the residents were encouraged to help make up the bouquets, providing another activity for them.
Ruth also promoted the idea with Trader Joe’s that the Blaine Food Bank could use food donations. When the opportunity to put the grocery chain’s name on the list arrived, the Blaine Food Bank was encouraged to submit the request. The new Trader Joe’s was built and when they opened, the Blaine Food Bank was chosen as one of the recipient agencies for their edible food products. Since, the truck from the Blaine Food Bank was already coming to Bellingham it was suggested that the flowers just be added to the load! While this took Ruth and Rob out of their “volunteer deliv-
ery job,” it also made it possible for a larger number of flowers to be delivered in better condition.
Currently, the Blaine Food Bank makes available to volunteers at the Blaine Senior Center their excess flowers. They receive flowers from both Trader Joe’s and Costco.
Many are distributed to patrons of the Food Bank, but a portion of flowers are held back for distribution to the Flower Project. The volunteers gather at 10am on Monday mornings at
the Senior Center for a bouquet making party! But before snipping and arranging can begin, a large bucket is made up to go to Stafholt and the Blaine Library. We set aside a few bundles to
send over to the Blaine Information Center and we create a bucket to be delivered to the Blaine Birch Bay Park & Recreation District 2 office in Birch Bay.
Over the next several hours,
over 30 bouquets are created. We harvest flowers from the prior week’s bouquets that still look good, to integrate into the new bouquets. Some weeks, we get fewer flowers than others, so it is good to be in the habit of salvaging what we can.
We are also building bouquets that will be delivered to Blaine City Hall offices, Blaine School District administration office, the individual school offices, the new clinic and the Blaine Public Works office. By the way, all the plant materials that are no longer useable are composted appropriately.
I want to give a special thank you to everyone who has helped develop and grow the Flower Project. This would be impossible without the inspiration of Ruth when she made that first delivery, the exceptional consideration of Costco and Trader Joe’s for their support of our local food bank, the generous sharing of flowers from the food bank, and the volunteers who come and manage the flowers. I get the special privilege of actually delivering the flowers around Blaine –what a gift!
The flowers give so much joy to the folks who work in our public offices, and put a smile on the face of everyone who walks in their doors. One cannot really be grumpy when looking at a bouquet of flowers.
From all our small efforts we build beautiful “indoor flower gardens” every week, throughout our city. I would call that the definition of community building. Drop by BSC, the Blaine Library or any of our public offices and say “hi” to the flowers.
s The Flower Project at Blaine Senior Center provides bouquets donated from local grocery stores to brighten up local organizations.
Photos courtesy Kelle Rankin-Sunter
New Traffic Pattern in Effect
The Downtown Blaine Revitalization Project, is well underway, with all businesses remaining open and accessible. Please be aware of the new traffic pattern during this phase. Traffic from the roundabout south to F Street will be reduced to a single lane with intermittent closures.
Gateway 1890 Taphouse (entrance off Marine Dr.)
L & L Bakery (pedestrian walkway off F St.)
Vapester Smoke Shop (pedestrian walkway off F St.) • Edaleen Dairy (entrance off F St.) • Starbucks (entrance on F St. or Peace Portal)
