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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
June 26 - July 2, 2025
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ISSUE
CVS plans to purchase Blaine Rite Aid, page 3
Rep. Larsen tours ICE facility, page 3
Measles case confirmed in the county, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Summer fun soars at Birch Bay Kite Festival Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July expected to bring thousands Additional safety precautions to be taken By Grace McCarthy
(See July 4, page 5)
s The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce kicked off its season of summer events with the Birch Bay Kite Festival on June 21 and June 22 at Birch Bay State Park. The event had free kites, lawn games, a vendors fair, live music and other entertainment. See more photos on page 7. Photo courtesy of Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce
Hill resigns from Blaine City Council, city looks to fill seat before November election By Grace McCarthy The city of Blaine is accepting applicants to serve several months on Blaine City Council after Mike Hill announced his resignation from the at-large position. Hill resigned from council on June 11. Hill, a first-term councilmember who held the position since 2022, was up for re-election in November. Hill said in a phone call that he resigned due to personal reasons. “My dad always told me, ‘Don’t sit in a crowd and yell at the referees or the players. If you’re going to yell, get involved in the game,’” Hill said. “I wanted to see how everything ran. And once I got in there, I could see I could help somewhat.” Hill owns Hill’s Chevron in downtown
Blaine and was a strong voice for revitalizing the city. He was proud of Christ the King Community Church opening downtown during his time on council and volunteered lawn mowing services to the city both before and while on council. Hill said he supported Blaine Bouquets owner Sarbie Bains for the position, the only other candidate in the November election. Following Hill’s resignation, city council discussed its options to find an interim councilmember during its June 23 meeting. City manager Mike Harmon recommended council suspend its rule on filling (See Council, page 3)
INSIDE
Blaine’s Old-Fashioned Fourth of July parade and festival is expected to bring thousands of people to downtown on Friday, July 4 with a parade, street fair, car show and fireworks, among other celebrations. The festival, which drew about 13,000 people last year, is being organized by Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2, in partnership with the city of Blaine. “Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 is really excited to share our love of community building with Blaine and all of the attendees,” said event coordinator Olea Mills. “At our core is creating these opportunities for the community to be together and celebrate the independence of our country.” Independence Day celebrations will kick off at 8 a.m. with the annual pancake breakfast at the Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. The breakfast, which runs until 11 a.m., will have pancakes, eggs, sausage, orange juice and coffee for a suggested donation of $10 per adult or $5 per child. Friends of the Blaine Library will hold a book sale, selling an assortment of books, DVDs and CDs for all ages from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. This year’s street fair will be the largest in recent years with over 120 vendors selling everything from woodworking to jewelry and home goods. The fair will start at 10 a.m. and run until the evening on H and 3rd streets. Food vendors will also be set up at both ends of the street fair to serve hot dogs, fry bread, ice cream, baked goods and other bites. The “Red, White and Vroom Car Show” will bring dozens of pre-war luxury vehicles and restored muscle cars to Martin Street, next to Blaine City Hall. Participants may sign up the day-of, before
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . 11, 12 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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