May 29 - June 4, 2025
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Blaine man arrested for child abuse material, page 5
Blaine sends 9 to state T&F tournament, page 6
Memorial Day recognized in Blaine, Birch Bay, page 7
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Scottish Roadrunner Express Car Wash opens in Blaine festival to bring dancing, athletic competitions to Blaine By Grace McCarthy
(See Festival, page 3)
s Blaine mayor Mary Lou Steward cuts the ribbon during the grand opening of Roadrunner Express Car Wash on May 22. Blaine Chamber of Commerce members and car wash staff celebrated the business opening at 825 Grant Ave. Read more on page 3.
Photo by Louise Mugar
New Birch Bay business rents golf carts, kayaks By Grace McCarthy A new Birch Bay business is driving recreational opportunities for locals and tourists alike – one golf cart and kayak rental at a time. Birch Bay Carts and Rentals celebrated its grand opening at 7608 Birch Bay Drive just in time for Memorial Day Weekend on May 23. The shop specializes in rentals of golf carts, kayaks and paddleboards, but it’s also making other outdoor products, like coolers and hammocks, more accessible to the Birch Bay community.
Birch Bay residents Nick Tew and Justina Lemcke wanted to open the storefront to share their family’s love for cruising around the bay together. Tew said he couldn’t find many golf cart communities similar to Birch Bay in Washington state and wanted to share the unique experience with others. “It’s providing both locals and visitors ways to experience how awesome Birch Bay is, like we do,” he said. “We’re excited to be able to provide that.” The couple, who both work remote corporate jobs, initially planned to rent the
$100K scam leads to arrest of one suspect By Grace McCarthy A 55-year-old California man suspected of scamming a Whatcom County resident of more than $100,000 is being held in Whatcom County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. The case is believed to be part of a nationwide organized crime group targeting seniors, according to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). Xiaobin Zhou, 55, was booked into jail for first-degree theft on May 20 after the county resident reported being a victim of
ongoing fraud to the WCSO five days earlier, on May 15. The victim told WCSO detectives that the fraud began in mid-April when they received a call from someone claiming to be officer “Daniel Lucas” from the Federal Office of the Inspector General. “Lucas” said he was investigating money laundering and drug trafficking, and the victim needed to speak with his partner “David Freeman.” “Freeman” contacted the victim and provided them with a photo of a fake
badge and credentials. He told the victim they were a fraud victim and needed to deposit money from their bank account into a federal reserve in Seattle. According to WCSO, the victim was told not to tell anyone about the money transfer, notify law enforcement, or research “Freeman” or “Lucas.” The victim was asked to contact “Freeman” twice a day, once in the morning and once at night, as well as answer (See Scam, page 5)
golf carts from their home, but saw an opportunity to expand to other outdoor rentals when a storefront became available on Birch Bay’s thoroughfare. Tew said he hoped the golf cart rentals will increase revenue at other Birch Bay businesses by better connecting tourists with the community center. To incentivize this, Birch Bay Carts and Rentals has started “Birch Bay Bingo” for customers to visit local spots and those who finish receive a shirt. Currently, there are six golf carts avail(See Carts, page 7)
INSIDE
Scottish dancing and athletic games will be a mere stone’s throw from downtown Blaine during the Bellingham Scottish Gathering on Saturday, June 7. The festival will bring 150 competitors across the Pacific Northwest and B.C. for Scottish dance, athletic, drumming, and bagpipe competitions. The festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Blaine Marine Park, with the strength competitions taking place on Semiahmoo Spit. The festival will have a vendors market selling everything from jewelry to clan booths and a Scottish storyteller. McKay’s Taphouse will host the beer garden, while food vendors serve up burgers, hot dogs and even haggis, the national dish of Scotland that is made from organ meat stuffed inside of a sheep stomach lining. “I’d love to see a resurgence of more involvement in these activities,” said Heather Richendrfer, festival founder and executive director. “Certainly, you don’t need to be Scottish to do those activities, but it is a way to celebrate your heritage if you are Scottish.” The dance competition is sanctioned by the Royal Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing and brings judges from across the U.S. It will have competitors from four years old to adults competing for cash prizes. The athletic games will include a caber toss, lifting heavy stones and hammer throwing, among other displays of strength. Gates open at 8 a.m. before the festival officially kicks off at 9 a.m. with all of the competitions. The storytelling will occur in the mid-morning and afternoon, and a massed band performance will take place around lunchtime. The pipe band competition is set for mid-afternoon, and dance events will continue through the day. The event will finish with a massed band display. The festival, which started in 2018, is celebrating its second year in Blaine. Richendrfer
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