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Blessing of the Fleet remembers Blaine fishers Downtown block party to celebrate spring By Grace McCarthy
s The 2024 Blaine Spring Block Party.
Photo by Ruth Lauman
s Onlookers watch as the memorial wreath is carried to sea at the conclusion of the 41st annual Blessing of the Fleet, honoring local fishers lost at sea and marking the beginning of the 2025 fishing season. View more photos on page 15. Photo by Ruth Lauman
Outbound inspections back up border traffic CBP assigns acting Blaine port area director, director Gill on temporary assignment in NY B y P a t G r u bb a n d Grace McCarthy Outbound border inspections that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) started deploying at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway ports of entry in Blaine have some residents scratching their heads without clear answers from CBP on why it’s increased outgoing inspections. CBP officers began conducting outbound inspections, where they searched vehicles traveling into Canada, throughout the day and into late evening on May 1 and continued the searches through May 5. The inspections backed up traffic into Blaine itself at times, including on May 2, when vehicles lined I-5 to the H Street bridge and clogged the D Street roundabout. There were numerous reports of waits of up to 3.5 hours with every car being searched, and drivers questioned as they queued into one lane before approaching Canada customs. As of May 7, inspections had become periodic. The inspections have occurred while only two or three southbound lanes are open at the Peace Arch border crossing, causing longer wait times to enter the U.S. CBP public affairs specialist Jason Givens wrote in an email to The Northern Light that CBP was fully staffed at all ports of entry in the Pacific Northwest, and that “CBP works to maximize the number of open passenger lanes while responding
to real-time operational needs.” The outbound customs inspections and the lengthy backups gained the attention of national Canadian news outlets and appeared only to be at the Blaine crossings. “As part of its national security mission U.S. Customs and Border Protection routinely conducts inspections on outbound traffic,” Givens wrote in a statement. “These inspections are a vital tool in apprehending wanted individuals as well as in seizing a variety of contraband – which ultimately makes our communities safer.” The Northern Light emailed acting Seattle District Field Office director Greg Alvarez who oversees the Blaine area ports to request information about the justification behind the outbound inspections while few inbound booths were operational; why outbound inspections were only taking place at the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway crossings; whether a risk assessment had been made that determined the outbound inspections were necessary given the significant impact on traffic flow and whether any individuals had been apprehended or contraband seized as a result of the inspection regime. In response, Givens sent a statement attributed to Alvarez that gave an overview of CBP operations and did not specifically respond to the questions submitted. It concluded with the statement, “If you wish to request information regarding the number of appre-
hensions and seizures that have occurred as a result of outbound operations, a formal request can be submitted via the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).” Blaine immigration attorney Len Saunders said he’s never seen outbound inspections last as long as these in the almost 25 years that he’s been in Blaine. Previously, outgoing inspections only lasted for a half-day at the most and appeared targeted, seeking possibly an Amber Alert child or suspected drug trafficker, he said. “It seems like they’re targeting everyone,” (See Border, page 10)
INSIDE
Spring is arriving in celebratory style with Blaine’s Spring Block Party transforming a pair of blocks in downtown Blaine into a hub for family fun from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 17. The free festival, hosted by BlaineBirch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2), will have live music, youth activities, food trucks and a beer garden. The event will close a block of 3rd Street, from the Blaine Public Library to the Blaine Police Station, and a block of H Street, from the police station to Border Town Pizza. “This event is all about bringing the community together,” wrote Olea Mills, BBBPRD2 event coordinator, in a statement. “Whether you’re here to shop, dance, eat, or let the kids play – there’s something for everyone.” The spring celebration will kick off with the street fair that will have over 60 local vendors selling handcrafted goods, art, clothing, toys and more from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Kids activities will also start at 10 a.m. and run until 2 p.m. near Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. Entertainment will include a community scavenger hunt, lawn games and face painting. There will also be story time with Blaine Public Library at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. A beer garden opens at 1 p.m. next to Border Town Pizza, 738 Peace Portal Drive, and will start the live music lineup. Musical acts Gladstone will perform acoustic at 1 p.m., followed by Paper Heart playing ’90s grunge covers at 2:30 p.m. and SoundStation performing classic rock hits at 4 p.m. Food trucks will be serving food near the beer garden from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Food trucks include Dee’s Mini Frybread, Street Dogz, L&L Bakery, G&M Lemon Shakeups, Iconic Coffee Events and K&M Magical Potions.
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