July 24 - 30, 2025
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
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ISSUE
Birch Bay development to be discussed, page 3
No injuries in car fire, page 6
Blaine alpacas compete nationally, page 9
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Splash Day awash with fun in downtown streets Construction for new Whatcom Search and Rescue building on hold By Nolan Baker
(See SAR, page 5)
s Splash Day brought sprinklers and sprinters to downtown Blaine as children ran through splash zones in a closed-off section of 3rd and Martin streets on July 18. The Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 organized the yearly tradition with the city of Blaine. The last Splash Day of the summer will be held from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, August 1 at the same location. Photo by Isabella Prince
Home improvement store opens in Blaine By Julia Hawkins Owners of a new Blaine business hope to become a fixture for home improvement needs. The store, 1 Stop Interiors, is providing the Blaine area with materials for interior remodeling, from flooring to countertops and cabinetry as well as installation opportunities. It opened on July 1 at 1733 H Street, suite 800. The Blaine location is the company’s second following the first store opening in Bellingham in 2021. Co-owner Patty Peralta said after seeing her husband and co-owner Joel Peralta install solar panel flooring for over 12 years, they realized there was an opportunity to combine both customer service and hardware knowledge.
“It’s a lot of effort. It’s a lot of work,” Patty said. “So seeing this being real … and being able to open a new location, it feels good.” The Peraltas decided to open the Blaine location after seeing that the city was in need of interior design stores. Although fresh on the block, Patty notes a distinction between the two areas. “I like the location. There’s a lot of traffic, but it’s a different atmosphere,” she said. “Everyone seems very friendly.” The business also has its products online and offers free shipping on samples. Prospective customers can also request a free estimate for installation. Additionally, 1 Stop also offers services aside from their options for interior remod(See Store, page 7)
INSIDE
While Whatcom County pauses a planned demolition of the near-century-old Northwest Annex complex in north Bellingham, one lifesaving tenant is especially unsure of its future in the complex, or where it may go next. Whatcom County Search and Rescue (WCSAR), the entity overseeing more than 200 volunteers that comprise six specialized units, was set to move from its current headquarters at the Northwest Annex and break ground this summer on a new building in Everson. However, it ran into a Catch-22 with the funding. WCSAR had been fundraising for the Everson facility when county council approved $1.5 million in funding in August 2024 for 10 years of rent at the Everson facility. Gwynn Gruizenga-Top, the WCSAR board treasurer, explained that the organization had found a developer to donate the land the new headquarters would sit upon, and rent it back to the county once occupied. Before construction could begin, the developer still needed an approved bank loan, which required a signed lease from the county. The county refused to sign a lease, saying it would not pay taxpayer funds for construction without an occupancy permit. The construction came to a standstill. The county will give WCSAR the $1.5 million for rent at its current location, but now WCSAR is asking for that money to be used for construction. The two parties are in disagreement about whether the county can give funding for a new building to a nonprofit like WCSAR. The county argues funding a new building would constitute gifting public funds. WCSAR believes that it does not violate the gifting of public funds doctrine as an organization that provides emergency rescue, an essential public service. The county is tightening its capital works budget and decided earlier this month to put on hold the demolition of the Northwest Annex. With the stop in demolition plans, WCSAR will continue working from its aging headquarters as plans to build in Everson are “on indefinite hold,” Gruizenga-Top said. Gruizenga-Top said the current 5,227-squarefoot building has eight vehicle bays and one storage shed, with only enough room for
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