March 12 - 18, 2026
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
New letters policy, page 4
B.C. daylight saving time change, page 9
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Shellfish closure, page 9
Plover’s future Mariachi, folklórico performs in Blaine uncertain beyond 2026 By Nolan Baker
(See Plover, page 5)
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23 UAL N AN TAKE I-5 EXIT 275
s Mount Vernon High School’s mariachi and folklórico program brought vibrant music and dancing to Blaine fifth through 12th grade students during March 5 performances at the Performing Arts Center. The Blaine Public Schools Foundation, which began last year, funded and organized the assembly in an effort to enhance learning opportunities for students. Photo by Traci Bowe
Blaine City Council lifts downtown building, design requirements for one year By Grace McCarthy Blaine City Council voted 5-1-1 during its Monday meeting to approve an interim ordinance that would create a one-year Wild West for downtown zoning by eliminating building height restrictions, design review and minimum parking requirements. In theory, the one-year window could give developers an opportunity to create a skyscraper with any design of their choosing in downtown Blaine, though Blaine Planning Director Alex Wenger said other regulations could impose additional requirements. “I would look at it like an economic stimulus package that’s valid for up to one year,” Wenger said.
City Manager Mike Harmon asked the planning department to review possible changes to its downtown zoning regulations that could incentivize housing growth. Wenger said the decision was a culmination of several factors, including the city struggling to attract downtown developers and housing growth sprawling from the city. It also came as the city was updating its comprehensive plan for long-term growth and responding to new state legislation focused on increasing housing stock, especially for affordable homes. Design requirements will become guidelines that still require staff approval. Other reviews, such as for ADA and stormwater,
INSIDE
Though the historic Plover ferry remains seaworthy, Blaine City Council discussed the sunk cost endured to repair, maintain, operate and insure the aging vessel during a Monday, March 9 study session before the regular council meeting. During the session, City Manager Mike Harmon said this year could be the Plover’s swan song. Increasing maintenance and staffing costs, difficulty insuring passengers and crew aboard the vessel, dwindling tourism funds and a dispute with the Plover’s former caretakers are all pushing the city away from another year of tours. LIMITED SCHEDULE The Plover will run in 2026. But with only $40,000 budgeted by the city, Finance Director Jennifer Heiner warned council members that will not be enough to run as often as in previous years. Last year, the Plover ferried 4,280 passengers over 15 weekends and cost the city roughly $135,000 in expenditures while bringing in $22,000 in revenue, Heiner said. Funding for the Plover comes from the city’s tourism dollars, which have dwindled over the past few years. Heiner warned council that the city must reduce its tourism spending by $110,000 in 2027 to stay above water. Over the past four years, the city has spent about $325,000 on the Plover, with the majority of expenses going toward repairs and maintenance, Heiner said. PLOVER BECOMES HARDER TO INSURE The Plover operates with two insurance policies: one standard policy for the boat and equipment, and another operational policy for passengers and crew members. The latter policy is up for renewal in June, and Harmon said numerous insurance companies denied requests to insure operations for more than the current $1 million liability policy. Even Lloyd’s of London, the British insurance marketplace known for insuring complex and high-risk endeavors from offshore oil rigs to singer’s vocal cords, refused to insure the Plover, Harmon said. According to Heiner, the city spent $15,500 insuring the
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(See Zoning, page 3)
NORTHWEST BIRDING FESTIVAL MARCH 13-15, 2026 BLAINE • BIRCH BAY • SEMIAHMOO
ALL-DAY BIRDING EXPO • SATURDAY, MARCH 14 • BLAINE PAVILION, 635 8TH ST. • 10 AM - 5 PM
Fun for e tir the en ! family
ILS E A G T D E E PA SE 2