May 28 - June 3, 2026 IN THIS
ISSUE
FREE
Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
School foundation and student receive regional awards, page 4
Borderites qualify for track and field finals, page 6
Whatcom County water quality presentation, page 16
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Memorial Day ceremony honors fallen service members Summer
Activities Guide Inside
Blaine eases sign regulations ahead of World Cup tourism bump By NolaN Baker
Blaine City Council designated the upcoming FIFA World Cup as an official “community event” from June 1 to July 17. The resolution will temporarily relax signage regulations, allowing businesses to display more signs to attract tourists into Blaine, especially those who may be traveling between World Cup host cities Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle. While Blaine won’t be considered an official “Fan Zone” city like Bellingham, Everett or Bremerton, which will host official, FIFA-sanctioned watch
(See World Cup, page 5)
Birch Bay Incorporation Association releases feasibility study, countering county By Grace Mccarthy The Birch Bay Incorporation Association is asking the Birch Bay community to review and provide feedback on a feasibility study it published last week that shows the community is financially viable to become its own city. The study comes after Whatcom County released its feasibility study last December that concluded the unincorporated area did not have a strong enough sales tax base to keep its budget balanced. The association criticized the county’s study, led by consultants, saying it didn’t reflect the community’s interest in a barebones government that relied on contracts with outside agencies. Both feasibility studies use the Birch Bay urban growth area as the proposed city boundaries. Association leaders have said the group is neither for nor against in-
(See Feasibility, page 3)
The Blaine American Legion Post 86 and Custer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9474 honored military members who have died serving the country during Memorial Day ceremonies across Blaine and Birch Bay, including at the Hillsdale Cemetery photographed above. See more photos on page 16. Photo by Ain Fitzpatrick
Public works asks for input on Jackson Road bridge railing By Grace Mccarthy Whatcom County Public Works Department unveiled three potential railing designs for the Jackson Road bridge to the Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee on May 20 in an effort to gather feedback on the new renderings. The meeting was one of the first project updates after it stalled during the COVID-19 pandemic and then the historic November 2021 floods that severely damaged county roads. In 2021, public works staff said the proj-
ect was one of the county’s top four bridges that needed to be replaced – in the county’s fleet of 162 bridges. The weight-restricted bridge goes over Terrell Creek adjacent to the intersection of Birch Bay Drive and Jackson Road. Along with aging infrastructure, Birch Bay residents have voiced concern about the current bridge’s safety for pedestrians and bikers who don’t have their own areas separated from traffic. “The current bridge is in poor condition and showing signs of deterioration,” engineering supervisor Ben
Floyd said. “It's near the end of its useful service life. To meet current design standards, we need to replace the entire bridge.” The Birch Bay meeting was a followup to a February 2021 open house where public works staff listened to Birch Bay residents’ ideas about the project. Floyd said the department incorporated those ideas into the three railing designs and other project components. The new bridge will have a sidewalk
(Road bridge, page 5)
Scottish festival to come to Blaine By Grace Mccarthy
A Scottish festival centered around highland dance competitions will take over Blaine Marine Park on June 6. The Bellingham Scottish Gathering, which moved to Blaine for its seaside atmosphere reminiscent of Scotland, is back for its third year. The festival, which runs from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., will have highland dance competitions throughout the day, with competitors of all ages and skill levels performing in front of a certified judge.
Dancers are expected to travel from across B.C., Washington and Idaho for the event. Beyond dancing, the festival will feature boat rides around Drayton Harbor, a vendors fair, live Celtic music, youth activities, a beer garden and even a Clydesdale horse. New this year there will be a fabric and fibers contest showcasing textiles of Scottish origin. “It will bring a different aspect to the festival,” festival executive direc-
(See Festival, page 3)
Coming Up . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 12 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 6 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
TheNorthernLight.com TheNorthernLight
@TNLreporter
@TheNorthernLightNews