May 21 - 27, 2026 IN THIS
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
Blaine Spring Block Party photos, page 5
Blaine golfers go to state, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Foundation seeks public input on fund distribution, page 9
Birch Bay library Flower baskets go up in downtown Blaine construction to begin next month By Grace Mccarthy
Over a decade of community effort will be realized when the Birch Bay Vogt Library Express breaks ground this June. The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) Board of Trustees approved a bid by Summit Construction on Tuesday that will renovate the old Vogt family homestead into Birch Bay’s first library. The Bellingham-based company was the lowest of the six bidders, at a little over $1.4 million. WCLS Executive Director Christine Perkins said construction will start in early June and is expected to last about six months. The library at 7948 Birch Bay Drive should open to the public by the end of the year, she said. Perkins sees the library as a place where Birch Bay residents and visitors can take advantage of the location’s waterfront views with their favorite book. “It’s a feeling of gratitude that the library is moving forward,” Perkins said. “We’re excited for community members, not just in Birch Bay, but in the county. We think this will be a destination.” The Birch Bay Bookmobile, currently open 3-7 p.m. Wednesday in the library parking lot, will be moved to another location in Birch Bay during construction, Perkins said. Renovations will improve accessibility
A City of Blaine Public Works employee installs a pair of hanging flower baskets on Tuesday morning at G Street Plaza in downtown Blaine. Blaine High School’s horticulture program grew the flowers, which public works distributed this week. Read more on page 11. Photo by Nolan Baker
Custer man found incompetent Local flavor, national to stand trial for accountant’s murder (See Library, page 2)
heat: Blaine’s Underground Owl scoops up awards By Grace Mccarthy
Underground Owl Hot Sauce is on fire. That’s according to the New York City Hot Sauce Expo, which awarded the Blaine-based hot sauce makers third place for two of their spiciest bottles during the annual competition last month. Co-owners Doug and Diane Cross said they’ve entered the contest for the past three years. After not reaping the success they wanted, the husband-and-wife duo added more heat, hoping to pack an unforgettable punch to the judges. “We never understood how a judge could taste 50 sauces and actually know what that 50th sauce tastes like, or even five sauces,” Doug said. “We were wondering if the milder stuff we were sending in was getting passed over because the judges weren’t able to taste it.” The pair earned third place for Diane’s (See Heat, page 11)
By Grace Mccarthy
A first-degree murder charge has been dismissed for a 61-year-old Custer man accused of killing Bellingham accountant Vaughn Hagen last August after forensic psychologists deemed him unfit to stand trial.
The defendant, Donald E. Malone, was civilly committed to Western State Hospital and could have the charge filed against him again, if released. Judge Lee Grochmal made the ruling on May 14 in Whatcom County Superior Court after receiving a competency evaluation from the psychiatric
hospital that showed Malone lacked the ability to assist in his defense and would likely not regain that cognition. The 18-page evaluation, signed by psychologist Andreana Augustus, found Malone understood the nature of (See Murder, page 3)
DeSimone hired as port executive director
By Grace Mccarthy
The Port of Bellingham has hired the first woman to serve as executive director in its 106-year history. Port of Bellingham commissioners unanimously approved Tiffany DeSimone, who had served as interim director since June, to the position during their May 12 meeting. DeSimone previously was director of maritime, where she oversaw the port’s harbors, shipping terminal, maritime center and security. She spent over a decade of her career climbing the port’s ranks. “As Executive Director, my role is to carry out the Commission’s vision with
integrity, transparency, and a focus on results,” DeSimone wrote in a statement. Port commissioner Carly James said during the meeting that DeSimone is the first woman hired as executive director since the port was established in 1920. James, who was elected last November, serves as the second female commissioner. DeSimone takes on the role as the port focuses on large infrastructure projects at Blaine Harbor, the Bellingham Shipping terminal and the Bellingham International Airport. (See Executive director, page 2)
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