November 20 - 26, 2025
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Blaine mayor Op-Ed on public records, page 4
Hate crime arrest in Blaine, page 5
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Comments open for Lincoln Mews, page 13
Holiday Harbor End on the horizon for downtown construction Lights to kick off winter celebrations Night market and luminary walk returns By Madelyn Jones
(See Holidays, page 13)
s The city of Blaine’s Downtown Revitalization Project is in its final stages as crews aim to have the project finished by the end of the year, hinging on cooperation from the weather. The section of the project currently under construction, near the roundabout to F Street on Peace Portal Drive, is expected to have its eastern sidewalk complete by November 24. The remaining components of the project include adding the remaining street lights, landscaping and bollards as well as finishing work on the western side of that section after Thanksgiving. Peace Portal Drive will likely be closed at the roundabout from later afternoon to early evening for the Blaine Holiday Harbor Lights festival on Saturday, November 29, though the exact time is still being set, said Gary McSpadden, assistant director of Blaine Public Works Department. Vehicles should detour using D, 6th and H Street. Photo by Louise Mugar
Female detective files $30 million tort claim against Whatcom County alleging harassment Claim comes after fellow detective allegedly shared sexual AI-generated video By Grace McCarthy A female Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office detective has filed a $30 million tort claim against the county alleging sex-based discrimination and a hostile work environment over the past decade, among a series of complaints. The allegations came to a head after another detective allegedly circulated a sexual video of the woman that was created with artificial intelligence. Detective Samantha Robinson’s lawyers of Seattle-based law firm, Carney Badley Spellman, submitted the claim to county officials on October 23. The claim outlined a track record of al-
leged misconduct that began when Robinson was interviewing with the sheriff’s office in 2015 and grew as she climbed the ranks. In addition to the alleged AI video, Robinson claimed to have been hit twice with prosthetic penises by sheriff’s office investigators, with one of those incidents occurring when she was pregnant. The following allegations are based on Robinson’s tort claim filed with the county. AI video allegations In her claim, Robinson alleged that Whatcom County detective Derek Jones created an AI-generated video of Robin(See WCSO, page 3)
INSIDE
Holiday Harbor Lights, hosted by the Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 (BBBPRD2), will once again brighten downtown Blaine as it welcomes family, friends and visitors for a full day of celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, November 29. Starting at 10 a.m., attendees can explore a street fair featuring a variety of local vendors including Full Steam Coffee, Salish Sea Pottery, Desert Pine Chiropractic and more. Friends of Blaine Library will host its biannual book sale from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The book sale, which will benefit the nonprofit, will have books, DVDs and CDs for purchase at the library, 610 3rd Street. Santa will be available for meet-andgreet sessions from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-5 p.m. at the Studio at The Vault, 277 G Street. The Grinch will also roam the event beginning at noon. A holiday craft bazaar will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Christ the King Community Church,674 Peace Portal Drive. Live music will fill the G Street Plaza from noon to 3:30 p.m. After, the Blaine Middle and High School bands and choirs will perform carols in the plaza until 4:30 p.m. The celebration will continue with the tree lighting ceremony at 4:45 p.m. in the plaza. Free tractor train rides, horse-drawn carriage tours and photos with Santa at the Blaine Visitor Information Center will be offered 5-7 p.m. Families can enjoy carnival-style games at the event. For more information on Holiday Harbor Lights, call BBBPRD2 at 360/656-6416. Holiday Harbor Lights will coincide with the second night of Blaine Harbor Music Festival’s second annual Night Market and Luminary Walk fundraiser. The music festival’s event will be held 4-9:30 p.m. Friday, November 28 and Saturday, November 29 at the Blaine Public Library, 610 3rd Street. The Night Market will feature local
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . 12, 13 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Sports . . . . . . . . . . 7 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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This Week’s FLYERS
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Borthwick Jewelry DeWaard & Bode
Holiday Sale • BBQ on Saturday, November 22 • 11-2 Biggest Christmas Selection in Town!
Unique Gifts & Bring non-perishable food for the Blaine Food Bank Special Hot Buys!
We Have Propane! BBQs & Smokers on Sale!
Blaine 1733 H St. #700 • 360-255-7206
Benjamin Moore Paint & Supplies for your winter projects!
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Milwaukee T-shirt with tool purchase & $5 CMN donation (bring this ad)