March 6 - 12, 2025
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Whatcom County sexual harassment update, page 3
Polar bear plunge goes for world record, page 5
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Birch Bay committee holds first meeting, page 10
Trump’s tariffs Everyone safe during Blaine school lockout go into effect for Canada, Mexico and China B y P a t G r u bb
(See Tariffs, page 7)
s The Blaine Police Department, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection secured the Blaine school district’s main campus after it went into a lockout on February 28. Blaine police determined the lockout appeared to be caused by elementary school students who likely mistook a maintenance employee with a caulking gun for a firearm. Read more on page 3. Photo by Nolan Baker
Dive into local birding with Wings Over Water By Grace McCarthy The Wings Over Water Northwest Birding Festival is returning to the Blaine area for its 22nd year with a full slate of activities, a birding expo and keynote speaker from Friday, March 14 through Sunday, March 16. Festival coordinator Debbie Harger said the festival is promoted nationally with Cornell University Lab of Ornithology and attracts people from across the U.S. and Canada. “There are a lot of people who come year after year,” Harger said. “It’s exciting that people enjoy it so much.” The festival will officially kick off with its opening dinner and featured artist reception at Blaine Senior Center, 763 G
Street, 6-9 p.m. March 14. Tickets cost $35. The event will have a meet-and-greet with the festival’s featured artist, Forrest Chel, a Birch Bay artist whose wood burning work is inspired by nature. The evening will also have a catered dinner from G.O.A.T. Sandwiches, no-host wine and beer bar, silent auction and presentation from Amy Eberling, founder of the Salish Sea School in Anacortes. On March 15, the main event open to the public will be a free, all-day birding expo at the Blaine Pavilion, 635 H Street, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The expo will have a vendor’s market, wildlife exhibits, youth activities and expert presentations. Also (See Festival, page 13)
INSIDE
As expected, President Donald Trump’s previously announced tariffs on Canada and Mexico went into effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on March 4, a move that will affect the cost of goods. One day later, the White House announced that a 30-day reprieve would be given to automakers for cars coming in through the United States-Mexico-Canada agreement (USMCA). Both the Canadian and Mexican public have rallied behind their leaders’ resistance to the tariffs. Government liquor stores across the country have de-stocked U.S. booze, especially those coming from red states. The Ontario liquor market is huge, with annual retail sales typically exceeding $6-7 billion CAD. B.C.’s market is smaller but still represents annual sales of $3-4 billion CAD. Apart from the now-exempt car manufacturers, the president has levied 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico and additional 10 percent tariffs on China. He imposed a lower 10 percent tariff on Canadian energy at the same time. Both Canada and Mexico have announced retaliatory tariffs or plans to do so shortly. Canada immediately imposed 25 percent tariffs on $30 billion worth of U.S. products and will expand that to cover another $125 billion in three weeks’ time. Mexico plans to announce its retaliatory measures on Sunday, March 9. Speaking from Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 4, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau referred to President Trump as Donald and said the U.S. move to impose tariffs “is a very dumb thing to do,” adding that it would hurt both American and Canadian families. In announcing the tariffs on March 3, Trump cited the fentanyl crisis, trade imbalances and border issues as reasons for their imposition. Trump also said the tariffs would incentivize Canada and Mexico to build car manufacturing plants in the U.S. The stress placed on fentanyl by Trump
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