June 19 - 25, 2025
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CBP port director returns to Blaine, page 3
IN THIS
ISSUE
25
Weeda’s journey to T&F state, page 7
New ice cream tricycle makes rounds, page 8
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Blaine Family Medicine starts providing care
30 th See page 16
Peace Arch Education Foundation makes first donation By Nolan Baker
(See Foundation, page 6)
s Family Care Network started treating patients at Blaine Family Medicine, 861 Grant Ave, on June 16. The clinic’s opening signals the first time Blaine has had a medical facility since April 2020. The 5,800-square-foot clinic has 12 exam rooms, a procedure room, triage room, on-site lab services and behavioral health services. Photo by Grace McCarthy
Port of Bellingham to vote on expanding from 3 to 5 commissioners By Grace McCarthy The Port of Bellingham could soon pose the question to voters on whether they would like for the port commission to be expanded from three to five members. Port commissioners said during their June 17 meeting that they planned to vote on including a ballot measure regarding the expansion to the November election. The commission is slated to vote on the measure during its Tuesday, July 15 meeting, which would be the last meeting the commission could approve the measure for it to be placed on November ballots. If approved during the November election, a special election would then be held for the two new commissioner seats.
The commission’s discussion builds on previous conversations held late last year about expanding the number of port commissioners that included a public hearing and drew significant public comment. Commissioner Michael Shepard brought up the ballot measure expansion at the end of the meeting, garnering support from commissioner Ken Bell. Commission president Bobby Briscoe said he was opposed to the expansion. Under the Open Public Meetings Act, two commissioners cannot discuss port business outside of a public meeting together because it would create a quorum, port attorney Holly Stafford said. Howev(See Port, page 5)
INSIDE
More than a year after incorporating as a nonprofit, the Peace Arch Education Foundation (PAEF) marked a major milestone with its first monetary donation to the Blaine school district during the June 16 school board meeting. Blaine Elementary School science specialist Lindsey Freeman was presented with the “Above and Beyond” award, along with a $500 check for her tireless work and dedication. In a speech presenting the award, PAEF president Charles Gibson called Freeman a “kid magnet” and commended the educator for using her own money to enrich her classroom with live animals and memorable experiences – and experiments – for her students. It’s the first step in what’s been a long runway process for Blaine’s first-ever school fundraising organization that began in 2023 after Gibson retired from 17 years serving on the Blaine school board. Now, the foundation has gathered a team of officers that include former Blaine mayor Bonnie Onyon (vice president), longtime educator Bob Feaster (secretary) and a panel of community advisors. Gibson described the early phases of the foundation’s fundraising efforts as “Ready, aim, aim, aim …” with no “fire.” The past year-and-a-half have been nothing but chaotic in the nonprofit world, Gibson said, with
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