Food assistance from the federal government is in limbo, and Blaine businesses and charities are stepping up to provide food for those in need.
With the federal government shutdown now the longest in U.S. history, the Trump administration was ordered on October 31 to resume funding for food stamps through an emergency reserve.
In court filings on November 3, the administration said it would send partial payments this month to the roughly 42 million Americans who receive benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
As of press time, much is still up in the air regarding the status of SNAP funding. Meanwhile, thousands of Whatcom County residents will be forced to go without the money to pay for groceries, not knowing exactly when government assistance will resume.
According to state data from March 2025, 903,541 Washingtonians received SNAP benefits, representing 11.2 percent of the state’s population. More than 10 percent of Whatcom County, or 24,050 people, relied on SNAP benefits.
With community members unsure of where their next meal may come, multiple charities, churches and businesses are offering help. Read on for information on where to find free and reduced food and meals as well as ways to donate.
If you know of, or own, a Blaine or Birch Bay business or charity helping feed those in need and would like to be included, email editor@thenorthernlight.com.
Blaine Food Bank
500 C Street
360/332-6350
The Blaine Food Bank is open for food distribution from 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Friday, and 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. The food bank has been operating in Blaine since 1972, and serves roughly 3,000 households per month, according to director Lisa Dobbin.
If it is your first time visiting the food bank, the organization requires a new client form to be filled out which asks for the person’s name, birthday, address, phone number and names and birth years of the people in their household. The food bank does not ask for proof of name or address. Forms can also be downloaded online at blainefoodbank.org/get-food.
The food bank can only accept food and monetary donations, and cannot accept clothing, household items or other nonfood goods. Donations are accepted daily from 9 a.m. to noon, or by appointment. To donate money, visit blainefoodbank.org/ donate. For information on how to volun-
(See Meals, page 3)
athletes to make run at state, page 6
Rain couldn’t stop the Freeman’s 11th carnival
Election results signal big changes ahead for Blaine, Whatcom County
Preliminary November 4 election results are in, and with it are many big changes coming to Blaine and Whatcom County.
The Blaine elections saw some of the most contentious races in recent years, with candidates battling for Blaine City Council as the city navigates balancing budget woes and shaping future development. Voters appeared to green light de-annexing the Grandis Pond property in east Blaine, which will determine where the city adds housing.
The Port of Bellingham will also have major changes as voters approved expanding the commission from three to five members, bringing a handful of representatives to the port for the first time since 1920. The commission race for District 2 was also heated, with business owner Carly James narrowly ahead of incumbent Ken Bell.
In addition to Blaine’s council and the port, local voters had the opportunity to shake up governing bodies, including Blaine school board and Whatcom County Council.
Voters were also tasked with deciding 12 measures that were part of a decennial review of the county code from the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission
that will result in tighter oversight of the county.
About 36 percent of Whatcom County voters submitted ballots. The Whatcom County Auditor’s Office estimated 11,700 of those returned ballots were still left to count.
Below is the November 5 ballot count, the latest election results as of press time. For updated results ahead of the November 25 election certification, visit bit. ly/3LKIQa1.
Blaine de-annexation
With future development in mind, the city of Blaine introduced a ballot measure asking voters whether they would like to de-annex 573 acres of incorporated urban growth area (UGA) in east Blaine, most of which encompasses the Grandis Pond property. Early results show the measure, Proposition 2025-07, passed the 60 percent supermajority threshold needed with 65 percent of voters in support.
City staff had planned on attempting to add unincorporated UGA near Semiahmoo and Birch Point, where it believes is one of the city’s only options for housing growth, but that plan may be in question as Whatcom County Council has recently indicated it is against the proposal. Blaine planning director Alex Wenger did not respond
to a request for comment immediately, but city staff has said it will discuss the UGA plan during its next council meeting at 6 p.m. Monday, November 10 at City Hall. Blaine planners have said Blaine is likely one of the first in the state to try de-annexing this much land. East Blaine has been slated to provide the majority of the city’s future housing stock since being annexed in the ’90s, but costly infrastructure has lagged the development for over
(See Election, page 10)
s The Freeman Halloween Carnival had children lining
Photo by Louise Mugar
Freemans bring smiles to C Street with Halloween carnival
The Freeman family celebrated its 11th annual Halloween carnival with the theme "Dark Disney Villains" on October 31 in Blaine. Children braved the rain as they collected candy from Cruella de Vil, Ursula and other Disney antagonists at stations set up along the C
•
Photos by Louise Mugar
Meals ...
teer, visit blainefoodbank.org/volunteer The Bridge Community Hope Center Food Bank
7620 Birch Bay Drive
360/366-8763
The Bridge Community Hope Center Food Bank serves about 65 families every week, according to its website. The center also provides clothes and counseling.
The food bank is open 2:30-4 p.m. every Friday and is always searching for volunteers. To register for the food bank, volunteer or donate, visit thebridgehope. com or call 360/366-8763.
CAP Food Connection
902 Adelia Street
360/392-8484
The Food Connection program provides surplus food from food service establishments and other sources to Blaine families in need with help from the Miracle Food Network in Ferndale and Sustainable Connections in Bellingham.
Program participants can pick up boxes of pre-packaged individual or family-sized portions each Tuesday between 2:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Blaine Christian Fellowship, 902 Adelia Street. The food and quantity vary by week, according to CAP.
Registration for the program can be done by emailing food@ blainecap.org with a name and phone number or by calling 360/392-8484.
Birch Bay residents are urged to contact The Bridge Community Hope Center for food assistance instead of CAP.
Blaine Senior/Community Center Community Meals
736 G Street
360/746-7910
The Blaine Senior Center provides seniors with a community lunch every weekday.
Meals are served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The senior center asks for a fee of $6 per meal for seniors or $10 per meal for those under the age of 60, though patrons may pay whatever they can afford.
Food is limited and served on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information, call 360/332-8040.
Border Town Pizza 738 Peace Portal Drive 360/703-3996
One of Blaine’s local pizza restaurants is offering free slices of leftover pizza every day after the lunch rush, which ends at 2 p.m. Slices are available until they run out.
Border Town employee Kara Massaro said the restaurant has always given out free slices to those who need it, and nothing will change now that more families aren’t receiving food stamps.
“It’s always important to us to give whenever we can,” Massaro said. “We want to make sure we’re not being wasteful. If people are going hungry, we want to help in any way we can.”
Slices that would normally be thrown out are available with no questions asked. Border Town’s owners said those looking for a free slice may call ahead.
Westside Pizza
1733 H Street, unit 200 360/392-8992
Another Blaine pizza staple announced on social media it will be serving free small pizzas to kids who dine in until SNAP
benefits for Washington families return.
The pizza joint near IGA Market will limit one kids pizza per child dining in, no purchase necessary.
“We’re not here to take sides or make this political – we simply believe no child should go hungry,” Westside Pizza wrote in a November 3 Facebook post. “We’re proud to be a part of this community, and during this time, we want to do what we can to support the families who support us.”
Owner Dusty Manderson said the idea to give out free pizza to kids in need came from general manager Hannah Burdett.
Manderson has owned Westside Pizza since its opening in 2022, and said that while the economy has required him to cut hours, the small loss the business takes from feeding hungry kids is always worth it.
BBBPRD2 Monthly Community Dinner
763 G Street 360/656-6416
Free community dinners have recently returned to the Blaine Community/Senior Center. On the third Thursday of every month, Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 partners with a local business sponsor to serve free, hot meals to the community.
The parks district is planning a classic turkey dinner on November 20. The meal is free, and donations are accepted in person.
Opportunity Council Food and Meal Resource Guide
Whatcomabc.org/food-guide
360/734-5121
Although Opportunity Council’s Basic Food Outreach program has been suspended with the uncertainty around SNAP funding, the nonprofit has put together an online Food and Meal Resource Guide. The guide can be found at whatcomabc.org/food-guide and features a weekly schedule of local food banks and meal programs. The guide is available in English, Spanish, Russian and Punjabi.
Emily Martens, communications coordinator at Opportunity Council, said the charity will be updating the guide periodically.
Opportunity Council also runs the Maple Valley Inn, which serves hot meals at Faith Lutheran Church at 2750 McLeod Road in Bellingham from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday and Thursday.
Visit Participating Businesses on the Downtown Art Walk!
Blaine Arts Council - Art Connects www.blaineartscouncil.org
From page 1
s Blaine Food Bank, 500 C Street. File photo
The Northern Light is published weekly by Point Roberts Press Inc.
Locally owned and managed, the company also publishes the All Point Bulletin, covering Point Roberts, Mount Baker Experience, covering the Mt. Baker foothills area, Pacific Coast Weddings annual guide, and the summer recreation guide Waterside as well as maps and other publications. Point Roberts Press Inc. is a member of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association, Chambers of Commerce of Bellingham/ Whatcom County, Birch Bay, Blaine and Point Roberts and the Bellingham/Whatcom County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors.
Letters Policy
The Northern Light welcomes letters to the editor. Please include name, address and daytime telephone number for verification. Letters are limited to 350 words and may be edited or rejected for reasons of legality, length and good taste. The letters to the editor column is primarily intended to allow readers to voice their opinions on local issues of general interest to local readers. A fresh viewpoint will increase the likelihood of publication. Thank-you letters are limited to five individuals or groups. Writers should avoid personal invective. Unsigned letters will not be accepted for publication. Requests for withholding names will be considered on an individual basis. Consumer complaints should be submitted directly to the business in question or the local chamber of commerce. Only one letter per month from an individual correspondent will be published. Email letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com.
Publisher & Managing Editor Patrick Grubb publisher@pointrobertspress.com
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Contributors In This Issue
Jacob Fischler and Shauneen Miranda with WA State Standard, Marguerite Ro
The Northern Light
225 Marine Drive, Suite 200, Blaine, WA 98230
Tel: 360/332-1777
Vol XXXI, No 21
Circulation: 11,000 copies
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IGA Market employees spread Halloween spirit OpiniOn Letters
The Editor: The west Blaine Urban Growth Area (UGA) is a poor proposal for three main reasons: Distance from Blaine central, underrated infrastructural needs and environmental impacts.
First and foremost, the proposed expansion site does little to benefit Blaine businesses. Residents there would need about 15 minutes to reach the waterfront or Grant Avenue business districts even without traffic, and delays will increase as traffic grows or trains pass. Given the distance, those may easily opt to seek services from Ferndale or Bellingham instead. A UGA expansion should be designed to support local businesses, but the west UGA proposal falls short of this goal.
Infrastructure: Accessing west UGA across the harbor involves navigating narrow bridges over two rivers and a slow railroad crossing, leading to frequent traffic congestion that backs up clear to Drayton Harbor Road. The existing roads, especially Drayton Harbor Road, are dangerously narrow, with a long-standing single-lane washout still unrepaired. Increased traffic is ill-advised for the area. Sewer and water
service are limited, and actual costs to support the expansion are likely much higher than reported estimates suggest.
The Semiahmoo area supports abundant wildlife, and the golf resort community implements measures to promote it. Converting hundreds of acres of fields and woods into dense housing would disrupt the environmental habitat.
In addition, the Semiahmoo Drive hillside, regulated for storm water management to prevent landslides, requires strict runoff control; urban development here would demand careful planning for storm water absorption.
The west UGA proposal appears to be a land grab aimed at increasing tax revenue to address Blaine’s financial challenges. Instead of prioritizing tax gains from new residents – who may shop elsewhere and a plan that requires extremely costly infrastructure – the focus should shift to a UGA that supports downtown development and expansion.
My hope is that the Whatcom County Council will reject the allowance of this reckless repurposing of land use.
Doug Clark Blaine
CiviC Meetings
Blaine City Council: Second and fourth Mondays, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Town halls typically at 5:30 p.m. the first Monday meeting each month. Info: ci.blaine.wa.us.
Birch Bay Community Advisory Committee: Typically the last Thursday of each month, 6 p.m., Birch Bay Bible Community Church, 4460 Bay Road. Updated meeting info: bit.ly/3QmWVcX.
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District: Second and fourth Thursdays, 4 p.m., district office, 7096 Point Whitehorn Road, Birch Bay. Info and Zoom meeting link: bbwsd.com.
Blaine Planning Commission: Second Thursday, 6 p.m., Blaine City Council chambers, 435 Martin Street. Info: bit.ly/3EwWiZi.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation: Second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. Info: bbbparkandrec.org.
The Editor: I look forward to serving with our new combination of Blaine City Council members. I hope we can all commit to decorum and respect, and focus on what will serve the community of Blaine best.
City council can listen and respond to community concerns, and ensure that we either adjust policy, or fully explain any misunderstandings so that molehills do not grow into mountains.
A council who is listening to all the pros and cons will not always be voting seven to zero on everything put before it, and that’s OK. We want any of our neighbors to feel respected and comfortable to serve us on council or to bring debate and questions to the council. I hope we share a goal of enacting and improving good ideas for our town.
Richard May, Blaine City Council member Blaine
Please send letters to letters@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Blaine Public Works and Park Advisory Board: Second Thursday, 9:30 a.m., Blaine council chambers. Info: 360/332-8311, ext. 3330.
Blaine School Board: Fourth Monday, 7 p.m., Blaine school district boardroom, 770 Mitchell Avenue. Info: blainesd.org.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue: Third Thursday, 10:30 a.m., Station 61 at 9408 Odell Road and via Zoom. Info: nwfrs.net.
BBWARM: Birch Bay Watershed and Aquatic Resources Management (BBWARM) District Advisory Committee meets quarterly in-person and on Zoom. Info: bbwarm.whatcomcounty.org.
Port of Bellingham: First and third Tuesday, 4 p.m., Port of Bellingham Harbor Center, 1801 Roeder Ave., Ste. 146, in Bellingham and via Zoom. Info: portofbellingham.com.
s IGA Market employees followed the yellow brick road to work on October 31, providing Halloween spirit to the Blaine grocery store’s customers with their Wizard of Oz costumes. Photo courtesy of Juanita Uson
Blaine man remembered for touching lives worldwide following Peace Arch death
B y G race M c c arthy
A 43-year-old Blaine man is being remembered for helping people around the world through alternative medicine following his death at the Peace Arch border crossing.
Trinn A. Hatch, 43, co-founded Jampha Loving Kindness, a Blainebased holistic wellness company that he started after experiencing the power of plant-based medicine to overcome a life-threatening leg injury. He dedicated himself to crafting herbal medicine and creating individualized plans for people around the world who sought his healing, said his mother, Mary Hatch.
“He has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever known,” Mary Hatch said. “When you were talking to Trinn, he totally saw you. He held that space and that place to fully respond to anyone who came to him needing help.”
Hatch died in U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody on September 20 from a presumed artery blockage. The official death and toxicology report will likely be finished in the next month, according to Whatcom County Medical Examiner Dr. Aldo Fusaro.
CBP announced Hatch’s death on October 23. According to border officials, Hatch was apprehended after
driving the wrong way at the Peace Arch border crossing. He was found with illegal substances once apprehended. Officers discovered Hatch was unconscious when they moved him to secondary inspection and, despite immediate live-saving measures, were unable to revive him.
Hatch was born October 1981 in Tampa, Florida and spent his younger years in Florida and Australia.
In 2013, Hatch was working as a security guard in Washington, DC when he was the victim of a life-threatening assault. Doctors said his leg needed to be amputated to save his life, but his mother refused, believing in the power of prayer. Hatch recovered, only to have his life revolve around balancing medications – at one point tallying 17 prescriptions.
Hatch turned to prayer as his mental health declined, bogged down by brain fog from the heavy medication. Through prayer and searching for a new job, he discovered using plants as medication, including cannabidiol (CBD), in the budding marijuana field and eventually began working at a marijuana dispensary.
Doctors approved Hatch stop his prescriptions, even for his blood pressure, which was the most difficult to manage. He continued
down the path of holistic wellness and later expanded his research into terpenes, the aromatic compounds found in plants, and other traditional Tibetan medicine.
Along with alternative medicine, Hatch’s injury brought him closer to family in Washington state. He later moved to Blaine, where he co-founded Jampha about five years ago with Carina Rodriguez. The online business, based out of an industrial unit on Peace Portal Drive, sells terpenes and botanical infusions. A representative for Jampha could not be reached by press time.
Hatch would create health plans for those in need, praying over the medicine he’d give and providing guidance at all hours of the day. His plans healed many, including some who were on their death beds, Mary Hatch said.
Since his death, Mary Hatch said she has been inundated with messages from people all over the world expressing how her son helped them.
One of those clients, Pamela Santos, said in a public social media post that Hatch’s medicine and guidance healed her from late stage Lyme disease, which she’d tried battling with antibiotics for a decade.
“Trinn saved me when I was on the ground praying for help,” Santos wrote.
State adjusts unemployment call center hours to meet
B y M adely N J o N es
The Employment Security Department (ESD) adjusted the hours of its unemployment benefits call center during the last week of October as part of a 90-day pilot program to address an increasing number of claims.
The call center will be open for its normal hours from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, while there will be reduced hours from 8 a.m. to noon Tuesday and Thursday. Call center employees will have dedicated time from noon to 4 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday to process claims so
increased demand
that people can be paid sooner.
According to ESD, unemployment rates rise between October and March when seasonal workers are temporarily let go. However, ongoing claims are currently 20 percent higher than the same time last year, due to economic challenges that impact hiring, which is causing claimants to file for benefits for longer than typical, according to ESD.
“Unemployment insurance claims backlog is growing each day as applications continue to increase and customers are using their benefits longer,” ESD spokesperson Meghan Porter wrote in an email to The Northern Light. “With
Emotional pain from the 2013 attack caught up to Hatch and ultimately led to his last hours, his mother said. Despite navigating his own obstacles, Mary Hatch said her son lived every day providing kindness and support to anyone who needed it.
“My son had this incredible impact through his compassion and kindness,” Mary Hatch said. “He was able to be present for those who were suffering so deeply and had no one to turn to.”
the federal government shutdown and an impending peak season, the agency’s unemployment workload will continue to increase in the coming weeks and months.”
These adjusted hours will increase non-phone work time by about 50 percent and increase the number of customer service representatives on phones by almost 10 percent on Tuesday and Thursday, according to JR Richards, director of ESD’s Insurance Services Division.
Those who want to learn more about applying for benefits can visit esd.wa.gov. Claims can be applied for and status-checked at secure.esd.wa.gov.
“While Blaine is my part-time residence, I care about Blaine full-time and am happy to be able to keep up with the local news on-line and happy to support it annually!” -John Kros
November 10, 2025
5:30 PM – Study Session: Town Hall 6:00 PM – City Council Meeting Public Hearing –2026 Budget
November 11, 2025 City Offices Closed –Veterans Day
November 13, 2025 6:00 PM – Planning Commission
November 24, 2025 6:00 PM – City Council Meeting
Contact information for staff and Councilmembers can be found on the City’s website.
Call (360) 332-8311 or visit our website www.cityofblaine.com
CITY OF BLAINE ANNUAL VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Blaine!
The City of Blaine is excited to announce openings for dedicated community members to volunteer on our commissions, boards, and committees. This is your chance to make a difference and contribute to the vibrant future of our city.
Blaine Tourism Advisory Committee
Meeting Schedule: One Tuesday morning per month, approximately two hours.
Open Positions:
• Citizen At Large – Partial term ending December 31, 2025
• Lodging Industry Representative – Full term ending December 31, 2028
• Blaine Chamber of Commerce Representative – Partial term ending December 31, 2027
Public Works and Park Advisory Board
Meeting Schedule: First Tuesday of the month at 9:00 AM, approximately one hour.
Open Positions:
• Partial term ending December 31, 2025
• Partial term ending December 31, 2026
• Two full terms beginning January 1, 2026
Civil Service Commission
Meeting Schedule: Fourth Tuesday of the month at 3:30 PM, approximately one hour.
Open Positions: One full term beginning January 1, 2026
Planning Commission
Meeting Schedule: Second Thursday of every month at 6:00 PM, approximately one and a half hours.
Open Positions: One position, partial term ending December 31, 2028
How to Apply: Applications and Descriptions: Available at https://www.ci.blaine.wa.us/567/Board-Commission-Applications.
First Review Deadline: Submit your application by 4:30 PM on Friday, November 7, 2025. Applications will be accepted until vacancies are filled.
Interviews: Anticipated to occur at the 2nd regular City Council meeting in November, or the 1st
meeting in December.
s Trinn Hatch.
Photo courtesy of Mary Hatch
Pair of XC runners head to state, volleyball bows out of postseason
B y N ola N B aker
Northwest Conference (NWC) championship season is here, and the Borderites are already seeing their share of postseason drama.
Blaine cross-country showed out at the 1A District 1 Championships on October 31, with sophomore Emmanuel Rios-Martinez and junior Steven Phelps-McDonald qualifying for the 1A State Championships in Pasco on Saturday, November 8.
In volleyball, the Borderites battled hard for three games in the 1A District 1 tournament, but weren’t able to beat second-ranked Meridian and advance to the final for a chance to head to the state tournament.
Football played its last conference game against Meridian, losing 43-25 on October 30.
Cross-country
With the Halloween weather positively pouring on the Borderites at the Deming Log Show Grounds for the 1A District 1 Championships on October 31, Blaine finished third as a team in both the girls and boys varsity heats.
On the boys team, two Borderites qualified for the 1A state tournament, the first time a Blaine cross-country runner (let alone two) made it to state in six years, head coach Roberto Aguilera wrote on social media after the race.
Sophomore Emmanuel Rios-Martinez finished first overall for the Borderites with a time of 17:48.16, good for ninth place in the five-kilometer race. Close behind was junior Steven Phelps-McDonald, who placed 14th with a time of 18:32.16. Both will head to the state tournament for the first time in their young running careers.
“The ball will just keep on rolling from here on out thanks to these two,” Aguilera wrote on Instagram. “Very excited to see how many more athletes qualify each year! Very proud of these two!”
Phelps-McDonald and Rios-Martinez are the first cross-country athletes coached by Aguilera to qualify for state, a goal he has always set for his teams since taking over cross-country coaching duties in the fall of 2023.
Aguilera said the team set 11 personal records and two season-best times during the race, a show of how the team constantly improved as the grueling cross-country season wore on.
Rios-Martinez and Phelps-McDonald will now prepare for the 1A State Championship at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco on Saturday, November 8. Tickets for
the event are $14.65 for adults, and $11.50 for students, seniors and military members, and can be purchased online at bit.ly/47Zh0Q4.
A live stream of the event will be broadcast at bit.ly/4nLPjit.
Volleyball
Blaine volleyball had a tough task ahead prior to the first round of the 1A District 1 volleyball tournament. The Borderites, thanks to a four-seed in the tournament, needed to play the most games – and thus earn the most wins – to get through a gauntlet of a conference playoffs, and the team came just a game short of making it to the final round.
On November 1, the Borderites took care of Mt. Baker in a win-orgo-home opening round, winning in straight sets, 26-24, 25-20, 29-26.
In the uncomfortably close game, junior outside hitter Teia Dube led the Borderites with 13 kills and 20 digs, while senior Carly Saunders tallied eight kills and three blocks.
Blaine picked apart the Mountaineers from the service line, racking up 11 aces as a team, with senior Arianna Johnson collecting four.
Just a few hours after ending Mt. Baker’s season, the Borderites played three-seed Nooksack Valley, losing in straight sets, 25-14, 25-19, 25-21.
Up against a solid Nooksack Valley team that didn’t have to play just hours prior, the Borderites couldn’t keep up. Johnson led Blaine with seven kills and a teamhigh 13 digs, and Saunders had another solid performance with three aces and two blocks. Dube led the team with nine kills and senior Ainslee Ellis tallied 18 assists.
Just a few days after the double-header, Blaine faced off against Meridian in yet another win-or-go-home scenario, with the winner headed to the final round for a chance to win a place in the 1A State tournament.
Facing Meridian on its home court, the Borderites were pesky all night long, but couldn’t keep things together to upset the twoseed Trojans. The Borderites lost in straight sets, 25-19, 25-18, 2513, its season coming to an official end on November 4.
In what would be their final game for Blaine volleyball, seniors Johnson, Saunders, Ellis, Paige Dominick and Hannah Phelps-McDonald got plenty of time on the court. In a show of appreciation from head coach KJ Assink, Phelps-McDonald was ceremonially subbed out for the match point, allowing a chance for the senior libero to take in her final moments of high school volleyball.
It was a hard-fought game that would serve as a microcosm of Blaine volleyball’s 2025 season that ended with a 5-10 NWC record: lots of grit and tenacity, but just not the results the Borderites wanted.
Dube earned yet another double-double, finishing with 10 kills and 19 digs. Phelps-McDonald tallied 17 digs, and Johnson racked up four kills and 11 digs. Ellis had 17 assists, and Saunders led both teams with four blocks.
Stats provided by Whatcompreps.com Football
It was a slugfest of two powerful offenses in Blaine’s game against
Meridian on October 30, but the Borderites fell 43-25 on the road.
Despite the Borderites opening the scoring with a 35-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Connor Brown to sophomore wide receiver Isaac Bouma, Blaine couldn’t keep up with the Trojans. Meridian put up 15 points in the third quarter, and the Borderites weren’t able to mount a late comeback.
Brown was just shy of 300 yards passing on the day, with three touchdown passes. Junior wide receiver Peyton Bouma led the team with eight receptions for 99 yards, and senior wide receiver
Kai Kerwin led the team in receiving yards with 126 on six catches. The loss dropped Blaine to a 2-7 overall record, with the Borderites going winless against its four 1A NWC opponents.
Blaine will have a chance to end its season on a high note with a final game on the road against Lakewood on Friday, November 7 at 7 p.m.
Stats provided by Whatcompreps.com
Girls soccer
Blaine girls soccer played Meridian on Wednesday, November 5 (after press time). Check thenorthernlight.com for updated results.
s From top; senior Arianna Johnson, c., digs a ball while junior Teia Dube, l., and senior Hannah Phelps-McDonald react during Blaine’s 3-0 loss to Meridian on November 4. Blaine players react to a service ace by senior libero Hannah Phelps-McDonald, c., on November 4. From left, senior Paige Dominick, junior Livia Weeda, and senior Arianna Johnson prepare for a serve on November 4. Photos by Nolan Baker
Active S eniors
November Blaine Senior Center Lunch Menu
11:30 am - 12:30 pm
Mon, November 3: Swedish Meatballs, Egg Noodles, Green Beans, Spinach Salad, Pistachio Pudding
The Blaine Senior Center will not serve community meals Thursday, November 27-Friday, November 28.
Subject to change.
While quantities last.
B y M ar G uerite r o , aar P W a director
November is National Family Caregivers Month, a chance to recognize the contributions, commitment and sacrifices made by millions of family caregivers every single day.
Across Washington state, more than 1.3 million family caregivers help their older parents, spouses or other loved ones live independently at home and in their communities, which is where they want to be. They are the backbone of our long-term care system, spending countless hours driving to doctor’s appointments, picking up prescriptions, cooking meals, managing medications and much more.
Most family caregivers don’t get paid for helping their loved ones, but they still spend plenty out of their own pockets – and it’s not cheap. A new survey from AARP revealed that nearly half of family caregivers in Washington state (49 percent) report financial setbacks. Thirty-seven percent report that they have stopped saving, 28 percent left bills unpaid or paid late, and 27 percent used up their personal short-term savings due to their caregiving responsibilities.
In addition to the financial impact, caregiving also takes a physical and emotional toll on those providing care. According to AARP’s report, one in four (25 percent) report fair or poor health, and 16 percent say they have difficulty caring for themselves. Over one in three caregivers (35 percent) experience high emotional stress while caregiving and one in three caregivers (33 percent) would like help or information on how to manage the emotional and physical stress of caregiving.
But here’s the thing: While family caregivers do so much for their loved ones, they’re too often overlooked by society and lawmakers as they hold up a broken system. That’s why this month, and every month, AARP Washington is shining a spotlight on family caregivers and calling on lawmakers to pass common sense solutions that will save them money, time and provide them with more support.
Among the priorities we’re championing: • Protecting and strengthening family caregiver support programs, and the Home and Com(See Op-Ed, page 13)
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Army veteran Charlie Partin puts healing into music
Birch Bay resident and Purple Heart recipient shares story through performances across the state
ensure accurate fire.
B y M adely N J o N es
Music can be a powerful healing tool. No one knows that more than U.S. Army veteran Charlie Partin.
The Birch Bay resident served for 12 years as a forward observer, a soldier who observes a target’s position and relays information back to artillery units or aircraft to
Partin served from 2005 to 2017, and was deployed three times to Afghanistan and once to Iraq.
“It’s a bittersweet moment in my life,” Partin said. “I gained a lot of lifelong partnerships, relationships and friendships. A lot of those things, unfortunately, were forged in fire.”
Partin is a Purple Heart recipient, an award given to those who have been injured or killed while in action due to enemy force.
On Partin’s third deployment to Afghanistan, a truck bomb, estimated to be about 3,000 pounds, hit a wall close to his unit’s dwelling. Partin was knocked unconscious.
“Once the dust settled, a lot of us were sent off because we were completely out of it,” Partin said. “Over the next couple of days I was in and out of consciousness.”
reintegrating into civilian life.
“Not to say that this is a bad thing, but nobody understands,”
“The thing about a hole, though, is you can climb out and there’s always a hand reaching down . You just may not see it . ”
Partin said. “You hope that nobody ever does have to understand where you’re coming from, going through situations like that.”
Partin turned to music, which was always significant in his life. He decided to pursue music, in part, due to encouragement from his late father.
Partin asked to play the only song he knew for his father.
“My dad came up to me kind of teary-eyed and proud, and he said, ‘Man, that was awesome, but make it yours,’” Partin said. “A couple of years ago it finally clicked, and I decided, ‘You know what, I want to do this. I want to go out, I want to play music and that’s all I want to do.’”
Similar to many veterans, Partin struggled with fitting in once returning from deployment and
While deployed in Iraq, he taught himself the guitar. At one point, while stationed in Louisiana, Partin’s dad visited him. They went to a bar where Partin’s friend was playing music and
Partin quit his job working as an HVAC technician to pursue music full time. He now plays gigs across the state, sharing his heart through raw vocals and a strum of his guitar. Many of the melodies he writes are about the veteran experience.
“One song in particular that I wrote is called, ‘Sincerely, Uncle Sam,’ and that’s my tip of the hat to the overall feeling that a lot of veterans have, which is kind of being forgotten and not fitting in anymore,” he said.
Partin hopes more veterans are exposed to healthy and creative ways to cope with trauma.
“You’ll find yourself in a small hole, and then, sometimes unknowingly, you continue digging and that hole gets deeper,” Partin said. “The thing about a hole, though, is you can climb out and there’s always a hand reaching down. You just may not see it.”
Partin will perform at 6 p.m. on Veterans Day at Beach Cat Brewing, 7876 Birch Bay Drive, suite 101. His November shows will include stops in Lynden, Sedro-Woolley Snohomish and Leavenworth.
Those who want to learn more about Partin’s music and upcoming events can find him at Charlie Partin Music on Facebook or @ charliepartinmusic on Instagram.
s Birch Bay resident Charlie Partin learned to play the guitar while serving in Afghanistan. After returning to civilian life, the U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient used music as a way to process his experience in the military. He now plays shows across Washington state.
Photos courtesy of Charlie Partin Music Facebook
Birch Bay veteran who lived to 105 remembered for patriotism
B y G race M c c arthy
John Francis Finn, a 105-yearold veteran known for flying his American flag high every day at his Birch Bay home, is being remembered for his service and dedication to democracy following his death last month.
“He was a very proud American,” his wife, Barbara Finn, said. “He was very dedicated to the point where he flew the flag every day.”
The World War II veteran’s story started on August 20, 1920, when he was born in Escanaba, Michigan. He spent his childhood in Marquette, Michigan before manufacturing Sherman tanks at Ford Motor Company’s Detroit plant in his early 20s. It was there, in 1942, when Finn was drafted and his trajectory changed from being a young Midwesterner to a U.S. Coast Guard member.
Finn’s service began on the Cutter Mahoning, an ice breaker in New York. He was later transferred to the FS-268, which transported supplies in the South Pacific. Finn, a quartermaster and signalman, was one of 22 aboard the FS-268, along with guard dogs and even a monkey.
His memories of that time included close surveillance while sailing through the Panama Canal; a kitchen fire after unloading torpedoes; and a Filipino girl named Nina, who’d wear a gunny sack and trade fresh fruit for cigarettes, which out-valued money. When interviewed last year by The Northern Light, Finn said he still got sea sick thinking of the South Pacific. Something Finn also
Veterans Day ceremony set in Blaine
Local veterans organizations will honor those who served during a Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Tuesday, November 11 at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Blaine.
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9474 and American Legion Post 86 will jointly host a tribute to military members at the park next to the Blaine Police Station, 332 H Street.
The event will include a gun salute and a speech from Marna Vinup, chaplain of the VFW Custer Auxiliary.
kept with him was the relief of returning home – especially since his ship was considered expendable.
Once back home on Michigan soil, Finn earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan, thanks to the GI Bill. He dedicated 35 years to the Pittsburg Corning Corporation, which eventually brought him to Canada, where he met Barbara.
In the civilian world, Finn lived a life full of fly fishing, skiing, sailing and golfing – but his deep appreciation of the U.S. flag never wavered. Every single day, as long as the weather allowed, Finn hung his U.S. flag outside of his home. So many flags were hung, folded, hung, folded, day in and day out, that Finn eventually lost count.
Finn was known for displaying the 48-star flag, a token he kept from the FS-268, at his home in Birch Bay Village. The Sons of the American Revolution honored Finn with a flag award for his exemplary patriotism in June 2022.
“The flag is significant of the wonderful land we live in. It’s very precious to me,” Finn said at the time. “I have a lot of respect for it.”
Finn died peacefully from heart complications on October 11 in his home. He was laid to rest alongside fellow veterans on October 23 at the Greenacres Memorial Park in Ferndale. His military funeral featured a gun salute that ended with the sun coming out.
Barbara remembered Finn as the love of her life; a kind-hearted man, devoted Catholic, active
community member, faithful sailor and one who never turned down a cribbage game.
Finn journaled nearly every day while in the service, something Barbara is now allowing family members to decide whether they would like to keep or be shared publicly. Other items from Finn, including his uniform and some stories, will be archived in Seattle.
“You could really write a book about him,” Barbara said.
To celebrate Veterans Day, Finn visited Bob’s Burgers and Brew in Birch Bay every year, where veterans receive a free meal and share camaraderie. Barbara has decided not to return to Bob’s without Finn this year, but the flag on their front porch has flown high
every day since October 11. “As long as I’m in this house, I will continue to do it,” Barbara
said of displaying the flag. “Up at sunrise and down at sunset. John did it with dedication.”
We honor all current and former members of the Armed Services. Our country’s greatness is built on the foundation of your courage and sacrifice.
Thank you!
s Top; John Finn stands in front of his Birch Bay home at 104 years of age in 2024. Bottom; Sons of the American Revolution presents Finn with a flag award in June 2022.
Photos by Grace McCarthy
Photos by Grace McCarthy
Part of this community since 1954
Election ...
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20 years. The city pulled the trigger on finding a new option last fall after new Grandis Pond owners created additional uncertainty for the land’s development (they have since indicated they would like to develop the property but with fewer houses).
Blaine City Council
One of the most watched races for Blaine City Council was the fight between appointed incumbent Eric Lewis and Jiggy Sorrell for Ward 1 Position 2. Sorrell took the lead in a close call, with 52.5 percent of voter backing. Sorrell has become an active community member over the past couple of years, as a director of programs for a nonprofit helping local children and serving on committees aimed at improving Drayton Harbor and Blaine Harbor. Lewis, who championed being a voice for Blaine residents, was the center of controversy earlier this fall after the mayor requested he resign from council for emails that staff believed could have violated the state’s appearance of fairness doctrine, potentially putting the city at financial and legal risk.
Software developer Isaac Newland came out as a clear winner in the Ward 2 Position 4 race, receiving 62.5 percent of support, while his opponent retired nurse Ray Leone received 37.5 percent.
Don Enos, a Blaine planning commissioner and real estate agent, was elected to Blaine City Council’s Ward 3 Position 6 seat by a wide margin of 63.3 percent. Enos’ opponent, former city councilor and business owner Sukhwant Gill, received 36.2 percent of the votes.
The final city council race, the At-Large Position 7 seat, was technically contested between appointed incumbent and business owner Sarbie Bains and former councilor Mike Hill, though Hill had dropped out of the race after ballots were printed. Bains received 78.7 percent of support, while Hill, who wrote on the voters’ pamphlet that he did not want to be elected, still received 19.5 percent of votes. There were 26 write-in votes that made up 1.8 percent of voters.
Port of Bellingham expansion
The Port of Bellingham’s commission will make room for two new seats at the table as voters were largely in support of Proposition 2025-04, which will expand the commission from three to five members and create new commission districts. Voters overwhelming surpassed the 51 percent simple majority threshold with a 64.9 percent approval, turning the tide from the last time the measure went before voters in 2012.
Proponents of the port expansion have said it will improve communication among commissioners as it allows two members to discuss port business outside of meetings, something state law doesn’t allow with only three commissioners.
Port staff have said they would draw five districts by January and races for the two new seats would be included in the August 2026 primary. The new commissioners
would then take office as soon as election results are certified in November 2026.
The new port candidate with the highest number of voters would serve three years, while the candidate with the second highest votes would only serve for one year. Those commissioners would be elected in odd numbered years, which is in line with the port’s current election cycle. Voters of the entire district would elect the new commissioners.
Port of Bellingham Commission
The Port of Bellingham race between incumbent Ken Bell and Bellingham businesswoman Carly James for its District 2 was a squeaker, with Bell behind at 49.8 percent (28,159 votes) and James 96 votes ahead with 49.9 percent (28,255 votes). The race was the only contested one for the port and followed over a year of controversial decisions on development and removal of leadership positions from port commissions that drew public criticism.
The other port race, District 1, was uncontested with incumbent Michael Shepard receiving 40,455 votes. Write-in ballots tallied 766, or 1.8 percent.
Blaine school board
The Blaine school board will soon have new faces with the election of Bob Feaster in District 3 and Chelsey Belarmino in District 5.
Feaster, an experienced educator, came out ahead in his race against cybersecurity engineer
Jim Shaver, winning 61.8 percent to 37.4 percent. Feaster has 35 years’ experience in public education that includes serving as an assistant superintendent. He is the interim coordinator for the district’s Family Service Center.
Belarmino, a preschool and kindergarten teacher, ran unop-
posed for the District 5 position. Whatcom County Council
Whatcom County Council will also have new input in the coming year with two of the four council races bringing new members.
The At-Large Position A seat, which represents the entire county, saw incumbent Barry Buchanan win another term against community activist Misty Flowers, who has previous vied for the seat. Buchanan received 63.2 percent of votes, while Flowers earned 36.6 percent.
Incumbent Kaylee Galloway ran unopposed for her District 1 seat. As for the other two contested county council races, Elizabeth Boyle won District 2 with 72.4 percent against Maya Morales, and Jessica Rienstra appeared the likely winner for District 3. Rienstra received 57 percent support, while opponent Kyle Christensen had 43 percent.
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District
Birch Bay Water and Sewer District had one seat to fill in this year’s race that voters have decided will go to Joan Connell. Connell came out on top with 72.6 percent, while John Schindler received 26.8 percent. Connell is a media consultant and journalist who has served on the Salish Breeze homeowners association.
Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 incumbents
Sheli Moore and Billy Brown didn’t have to put up much of a fight in the uncontested races to retain their seats for positions 2 and 4. Moore is a bookkeeper involved in the Salishan Neighborhood Association and Brown is a real estate agent and former president of the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. Both received
about 98 percent of votes.
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue
North Whatcom Fire and Rescue, officially known on ballots as Fire Protection District 21, had one unopposed seat up for grabs. Appointed incumbent Craig Anthony earned 99 percent of voter support. Anthony is a Blaine resident and former deputy director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Whatcom County measures The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission, a 15-member group that convenes every 10 years to review the county code, put forward 12 propositions on county government, some of which passed and others that were nixed by voters.
• Proposition 1, authorizing county councilmembers to hire legislative aides, was rejected by 63.6 percent.
• Proposition 2, establishing a Whatcom County Office of the Ombuds to investigate complaints and inquiries into county government, was rejected at the first ballot count by 52 percent, or 30,320 voters. The proposition received 48 percent approval from 27,950 voters.
• Proposition 3, creating performance audits, was approved by a whooping 85 percent.
• Proposition 4, clarifying the powers and duties of county elected officials, was also passed with an overwhelming 92 percent of support.
• Proposition 5 , amending Whatcom County’s redistricting process to better comply with state law and require a public hearing, was approved with 79 percent.
• Proposition 6, adjusting the calculation of signatures required to place a referendum on ballots,
was being rejected at the second ballot count with 52.4 percent, or 30,278 voters, against it. The proposition had 48 percent, or 27,563 voters, in support.
• Proposition 7, prohibiting the county government from interfering with initiatives or charter amendments, passed with 60.3 percent in support.
• Proposition 8, requiring more public disclosure requirements upon the county executive prior to approving budgets, was approved with 93.2 percent of support.
• Proposition 9, which added accountability to financial reporting requirements, was approved with 93.2 percent support.
• Proposition 10, creating rules of procedure for charter review commission meetings, passed by 84.2 percent.
• Proposition 11, adjusting the calculation of signatures required to place a charter amendment on ballots, looked like it would be rejected as it had 59.6 percent of voters against it.
• Proposition 12, requiring the county executive to publish an analysis of how new legislation could affect land supply and construction costs, passed by 87 percent.
State Joint Resolution 8201
The lone state measure, Senate Joint Resolution No. 8201, appeared on track for approval, with 56.7 percent of state voters in support and 44 percent against.
The measure would approve a constitutional amendment that the state legislature proposed allowing taxpayer money in the state’s long-term care fund to be invested.
Whatcom County voters closely mirrored the statewide sentiment, with 61 percent of county voters in support of the measure.
IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON IN AND FOR THE COUNTY OF Whatcom In Re the Estate of Tracie Cyr, Deceased. NO. 25-4-01010-37. PROBATE NOTICE TO CREDITORS (RCW 11.40.030) JUDGE: Evan P. Jones
The personal representative named below has been appointed as personal representative of this estate. Any person having a claim against the decedent must, before the time the claim would be barred by any otherwise applicable statute of limitations, present the claim in the manner as provided in RCW 11.40.070 by serving on or mailing to the personal representative or the personal representative’s attorney at the address stated below a copy of the claim and filing the original of the claim with the court in which the probate proceedings were commenced. The claim must be presented within the later of: (1) Thirty days after the personal representative served or mailed the notice to the creditor as provided under RCW 11.40.020(1)(c); or (2) four months after the date of first publication of the notice. If the claim is not presented within this time frame, the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
the claim is forever barred, except as otherwise provided in RCW 11.40.051 and 11.40.060. This bar is effective as to claims against both the decedent’s probate and nonprobate assets.
Date of First Publication: November 6, 2025
Personal Representative: Deborah Krieger PO Box 4607 Rollingbay, WA 98061
Attorney for the Personal Representative: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Address for Mailing or Service: Katti Esp 301 Prospect Street Bellingham, WA 98225
Court of Probate Proceedings Superior Court of Whatcom County and Cause Number: Cause No. 25- 4-01009-37.
Trump administration to pay about half of November SNAP benefits amid shutdown
B y J aco B F ischler a N d s hau N ee N M ira N da , W a s tate s ta N dard
The U.S. Department of Agriculture will pay about half of November benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, though benefits could take months to flow to recipients, the department said November 3 in a brief to a federal court in Rhode Island.
A four-page report from the USDA answered U.S. District Chief Judge John J. McConnell Jr.’s order that President Donald Trump’s administration pay at least a portion of benefits to the 42 million people who receive assistance through the program by the end of November 5, despite the government shutdown.
The USDA action does not address what would happen if the shutdown stretches beyond November.
McConnell on November 1 laid out two options for the administration: pay for partial benefits by the end of Wednesday through a contingency fund which currently has about $4.65 billion available, or pay for a full month of benefits by tapping other reserve sources such as the child nutrition program by the end of November 3.USDA opted to use the contingency fund, giving the department until the end of
Wednesday to pay out benefits.But a declaration from Patrick A. Penn, USDA’s deputy under secretary for food, nutrition and consumer services, said the administrative hurdles in calculating and delivering a half-month’s portion of benefits could take “anywhere from a few weeks to up to several months.”
The department was complying with McConnell’s order by starting the process of resuming payments Monday, according to the status report signed by U.S. Justice Department officials.
USDA “will fulfill its obligation to expend the full amount of SNAP contingency funds today by generating the table required for States to calculate the benefits available for each eligible household in that State,” they said. “USDA will therefore have made the necessary funds available and have authorized the States to begin disbursements once the table is issued.”
Delayed SNAP benefits in shutdown
McConnell’s order acknowledged that calculating reduced benefits would take the government some time, which he explained was why he gave USDA until Wednesday if the department chose that path.
But Penn said Monday that was not nearly enough time, in part due to some states’ outdated systems for
processing benefits.
The federal government would provide states with updated tables for benefits at the partial funding level by Monday, he said. States will then need to send updated files to the vendors that process benefits and add them to beneficiaries’ debit-like EBT cards to be spent on groceries.
Monday marked the 34th day of the federal government shutdown, which began October 1 when Congress failed to appropriate money for federal programs or pass a stopgap spending bill.The U.S. Senate was expected to hold another procedural vote Monday evening to move forward the House-passed GOP stopgap bill that would fund the government at fiscal 2025 levels until November 21.Democrats have voted against that measure in a bid to force negotiations on expiring tax credits for people who buy health insurance on the Affordable Care Act marketplace.
On November 4, the funding lapse tied for the longest shutdown in history, which took place between 2018 and 2019.
Contingency fund dispute
Leading up to the end of October, the administration had warned it could not pay SNAP benefits for this month amid the shutdown, saying it was legally forbidden from using
the contingency fund that was supposed to be for natural disasters and similar emergencies.
But two federal judges ruled October 30 that USDA not only could use the fund, but was obligated to in order to keep SNAP benefits flowing.
Saturday marked the first lapse in benefit payments in the modern history of the program that dates to part of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s War on Poverty agenda.
Lawmakers, advocates and SNAP experts said users of the program would see a delay in November benefits as the administration worked to restart it.
The administration’s insistence it could not use its contingency fund, originally appropriated by Congress at $6 billion, was a reversal from a September 30 USDA plan on how to operate in a shutdown, which explicitly called for use of the fund to keep issuing benefits.
A month of SNAP benefits costs the federal government about $9 billion.
While USDA would not use the contingency fund to pay for regular benefits, it did spend about $750 million of the original $6 billion for other uses in October, according to a November 3 declaration to the court by Penn.
The department spent about
$450 million for state administrative expenses and $300 million for block grants to Puerto Rico and American Samoa, Penn wrote.
The department would again allocate $450 million for administrative expenses in November, and $150 million for the block grants to territories, he added.
That left $4.65 billion available for November benefits, Penn wrote. No use of child nutrition funds
Penn also explained USDA’s decision not to use a fund for a child nutrition program to cover shortfall for SNAP benefits.
The administration wanted to keep that fund fully stocked, he said.
“Child Nutrition Program funds are not a contingency fund for SNAP,” he said. “Using billions of dollars from Child Nutrition for SNAP would leave an unprecedented gap in Child Nutrition funding that Congress has never had to fill with annual appropriations, and USDA cannot predict what Congress will do under these circumstances.”The child nutrition program funds school meals, summer meals for children and summer EBT benefits for low-income families with children. The school lunch (See SNAP, page 13)
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SNAP ...
From page 12
program alone serves about 29 million children per day, Penn said.
Speaker Johnson defends Trump
At a November 3 press conference, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson continued to defend Trump’s handling of the SNAP payments.
The president is “desperate for SNAP benefits to flow to the American citizens who desperately rely upon it,” Johnson said.
The Louisiana Republican echoed Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins’ October 31 claim that sought to justify her agency’s refusal to tap into the contingency fund to pay for SNAP.“The way we always understood it was: The contingency fund could not be used legally if the underlying fund was suspended,” Johnson said.He blamed congressional Democrats for voting against the stopgap spending bill and noted
Op-Ed ...
munity Based Services (HCBS), such as Health Homes, that help older adults age at home and in their communities.
• Fully funding the partners that hold long-term care institutions accountable in the care of older adults, including the Long-Term Care Ombudsman and the Office of Public Guardianship.
• Washington state recently established a standard of care that facilities must follow to be certified for memory care services. This includes having adequate staffing levels, with staff available 24 hours a day, and implementing policies to address wandering and behavioral challenges. The AARP-supported legislation aims to enhance the safety, well-being, and quality of life of residents with dementia, ensuring they receive high-quality, specialized care in certified facilities.
• Supporting the launch of the WA Cares program in July 2026, a first-of-its-kind long-term care benefit designed to help Washingtonians meet future care needs and ease the burden on family caregivers.
• At the federal level, AARP is working to save caregivers money through the Credit for Caring Act, a proposed federal tax credit of up to $5,000 for working caregivers, and the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, which would expand flexible spending and health savings account uses. We can’t do this work alone. Your voice is needed to show lawmakers that family caregivers are a powerful constituency. AARP Washington encourages
that two judges, McConnell and Indiria Talwani in Massachusetts federal court, who separately ordered payments resume, were appointed by Democratic former President Barack Obama.
Talwani ruled Friday that the USDA plan to pause SNAP was illegal – but gave the Trump administration until November 3 to respond to her finding before she decides on a motion to force the benefits be paid despite the ongoing government shutdown.
Johnson also acknowledged the complex logistics of releasing the money to states.“So, it’s not as easy as hitting go send on a computer – you gotta go through and recalculate partial payments to the 42 million recipients of the program,” Johnson said. “That puts a huge burden on states and on the feds to try to figure that out in short order.”
Washington State Standard is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. To read more articles, visit washingtonstatestandard.com.
everyone to show support for caregivers and to join the growing movement of Americans raising their voices for change. Join AARP’s “I Am a Caregiver” movement and tell lawmakers it’s time to support those who care. For more information, visit aarp.org/ caregiverswa.
AARP Washington is here for you
AARP Washington is proud to stand with our family caregivers, offering free tools and resources to help them navigate their role as a caregiver.
• The Washington “Caring for Caregivers” resource page: Visit aarp.org/caregiverswa for tips, tools and resources for caregivers and their families. You’ll find links to local events and opportunities, our monthly podcast series, stories from caregivers just like you, and more.
• Caregiving resource guide: AARP’s Washington State Family Caregiver Resource Guide helps family caregivers access key programs, services and agencies right in their community. Visit states.aarp.org/washington/caregiver-resources.
• 211 Caregiver Support Program: AARP and United Way Worldwide’ s program connects family caregivers to essential services for themselves and their loved ones via the 211 helpline. Find more at aarp.org/caregiving/211-help.
• AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group on Facebook: AARP’s official caregiving Facebook group serves as a place for family caregivers nationwide to connect, share practical tips, offer support and discuss their shared experiences. Find more at facebook.com/groups/aarpfamilycaregivers.
Road Rules: Is drinking coffee while driving too distracting?
B y d ou G d ahl
Question: I read that you can get a ticket for drinking coffee while driving, because it’s distracting. Is that true?
Answer: I suppose it depends on how bad you are at drinking coffee. There isn’t a law that specifically prohibits drinking coffee, or any other non-alcoholic beverage, while driving. However, there is a law that would apply to someone who lets their coffee get in the way of their driving.
It’s called “Dangerously distracted driving.” This is a separate distracted driving law from the one that prohibits using a cell phone. You didn’t ask about the cell phone law, but I’m going to summarize it anyway so I can point out the differences in how the two laws work (and because some folks still need a reminder).
The cell phone law states that “A person who uses a personal electronic device while driving a motor vehicle on a public highway is guilty of a traffic infraction.” To really understand that, we need to define some terms. “Driving” is anytime you’re on the roadway, even if you’re stopped at a light. A “personal electronic device” includes a phone, tablet, laptop, video game, and more – almost anything that can communicate wirelessly or retrieve data.
“Use” means holding a personal electronic device in your hand, watching video, or using your finger to “compose, send, read, view, access, browse,” and the list goes on but I’ll spare you the rest. The law does permit “minimal use of a finger to activate, deactivate, or initiate a function.” How much use is “minimal?” The Washington State Patrol interprets that to mean “a single touch.”
If an officer observes a driver using a personal electronic device, that’s justification for a traffic stop and issuing an infraction. And that’s where we find the difference between the two laws. The “dangerously distracted” law can only be enforced as a “secondary action.” Practically speaking, you can’t be pulled over just for drinking coffee, but if you spilled your coffee on your lap on your way to your company-wide presentation and now you’re frantically searching the car for napkins to clean your suit while weaving across the centerline, your coffee has become dangerously distracting. You could be pulled over for crossing the centerline and get a ticket for dangerously distracted driving. The law defines dangerously distracted as “a person who engages in any activity not related to the actual operation of a motor vehicle in a manner that interferes with the safe operation
of such motor vehicle on any highway.” The law doesn’t give any examples, probably because once you start listing them, where would you stop? But I’m sure you can think of plenty.
The dangerously distracted law says, in a much more official way, something I think we sometimes forget in our busy lives.
When you’re driving a car, your top priority is driving a car. Any activity that’s not related to “the actual operation of a motor vehicle” has the potential to take our focus away from driving.
We live in a world with drivethrough coffee stands and restaurants. We don’t even question that people will eat and drink while they drive. Maybe we should. And for anyone who can’t drive without hydration or sustenance, be intentional about your choices. Most drivers will manage a granola bar just fine (helpful tip – open the packaging before you start driving), but nobody should be eating soup while driving with their elbows. Whether it’s beverages, food, grooming, or playing the clarinet, the law is clear; if what you’re doing interferes with driving safely it’s a violation of the law.
Doug Dahl is a Blaine resident, manager with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission Region 11 and publishes TheWiseDrive.com.
WCLS seeks Board of Trustees member
B y M adely N J o N es
The Whatcom County Library System (WCLS) is accepting applicants to become a member of its Board of Trustees. The term begins February 1, 2026 and ends January 31, 2030.
The board is made up of five volunteers, whose main responsibilities are to manage the budget and establish policies. The trustees are also in charge of hiring the executive director, who oversees daily management tasks.
Some responsibilities of the position include advocating for the library system and community, determining the library system’s effectiveness and implementing new policies, among other duties.
Because WCLS and the Bellingham Public Library are independent but reciprocal systems, applicants who live outside Bellingham city limits will be given preference, due to the fact that they benefit from the county li-
brary system and their tax dollars support it, according to WCLS.
The county executive, Satpal Sidhu, will appoint the new member, and the Whatcom County Council will confirm them. Applications are due on Friday, November 21. More information and a link to the application can be found at wcls.org. Applications can also be requested in person, by mail or by phone from the county executive’s office (360/676-6717) or the county council office (360/778-5010).
sheriff’s repOrts
October 24, 12:35 a.m.: Warrant arrest on Birch Bay Drive.
October 24, 2:30 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Birch Bay Drive.
October 24, 6:30 p.m.: Vehicle recovery on Helweg Road.
October 25, 8:34 a.m.: Fraud cold call on Comox Loop.
October 25, 1:02 p.m.: Harassment cold call on Delta Line Road.
October 25, 3:25 p.m.: Traffic problem on Gemini Street.
October 25, 3:41 p.m.: Shots on Boblett Road.
October 25, 7:06 p.m.: Civil problem on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
October 25, 9:12 p.m.: Overdose on Birch Terrace Place.
October 26, 4:28 a.m.: Obstructing arrest on Valley View Road.
October 26, 8:41 a.m.: Suicidal subject on Crocket Road.
October 26, 10:15 a.m.: Shots on H Street Road.
October 26, 2:20 p.m.: Domestic order violence cold call
on Loft Lane.
October 27, 10:04 a.m.: Security check on Coastal Loop.
October 27, 10:52 a.m.: Neighborhood dispute cold call on Haynie Road.
October 27, 4:15 p.m.: Fraud cold call on Portal Way.
October 27, 4:23 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Valley View Road.
October 27, 4:37 p.m.: Death investigation on Sea Breeze Court.
October 28, 3:42 a.m.: Suspicious circumstances on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
October 28, 7:21 a.m.: Traffic stop arrest on Kickerville Road.
October 28, 10:14 a.m.: Sex crime (no rape) cold call on Stein Road.
October 28, 2:41 p.m.: Trespass on Semiahmoo Parkway.
October 28, 2:53 p.m.: Suspicious vehicle on Birch Bay Square Street.
October 28, 4:07 p.m.: Trespass on Birch Bay Square Street.
CrOssWOrd
ACROSS
1. Expression of surprise
4. Keyboard key
7. One who works on lights
12. Notable children’s story
15. Fall back into a bad pattern
16. Eye parts
18. Atomic #18
19. Of she
20. Farm state
21. One point south of southeast 24. British media entity 27. Asian garment 30. Drench 31. Expressions of pleasure 33. Turf
34. UK trade union (abbr.)
35. Bleated
37. Fifth note of a major scale
39. Paddle
41. Monetary unit of Italy
42. American classi-
cal pianist
44. Shuts down for the day
47. Seize
48. Soluble ribonucleic acid
49. Greeting
50. Some cars still need it
52. Atomic #22
53. Let go
56. Marched in public
61. U.S. residents, Mexicans and Canadians
63. Hostilities
64. Speak aloud 65. River in NE Scotland DOWN
1. Razorbill genus 2. Longtime Baltimore tight end 3. Performs on stage 4. Supports a sentiment
7. Snakelike fish 8. Men’s fashion accessory 9. Hospital worker
10. Something to scratch 11. No (Scottish) 12. Volcanic ash 13. Of this 14. American jazz drummer Watts 17. Drop down 22. English dialect 23. Predatory seabirds 24. Imams’ deputies 25. Fertility god 26. Fence material 28. Parks and DeLauro are two 29. Distinctive smell (Brit.) 32. Protein-rich liquids
36. Touch lightly 38. Season for Catholics 40. Boat race 43. Police actions 44. Chinese river 45. Waterfall (Scottish)
October 29, 8:53 a.m.: Domestic – physical on Harborview Road.
October 29, 1:06 p.m.: Trespass cold call on Semiahmoo Parkway.
October 29, 5:41 p.m.: Domestic violence arrest on Pacific Highway.
October 29, 8:25 p.m.: Domestic violence – assault arrest on Birch Bay Drive.
October 29, 11:14 p.m.: Overdose on Birch Bay-Lynden Road.
October 30, 9:49 a.m.: Landlord-tenant dispute cold call on Harborview Road.
October 30, 1:45 p.m.: Civil problem on Birch Bay Drive.
October 30, 2:04 p.m.: Civil problem cold call on Sunset Drive.
October 30, 6:14 p.m.: Animal problem on Valley View Road.
For a complete list of WCSO reports, visit whatcomcounty.us/2120/Activity-Reports.
46. Walk ostentatiously
51. Type of carpet
54. Mauna __, Hawaiian volcano
55. Sea eagles
56. An enclosure for confining livestock
57. Dry
58. An increase in price or value
59. The highest point of something
60. Government lawyers
62. Larry and Curly’s pal
ANSWERS: THENORTHERNLIGHT.COM
tides
October 30 - November 5 at Blaine. Not for navigation.
Coming up
Thanksgiving Baskets: Registration is open through November 14 for ready-to-cook Thanksgiving dinner baskets for low-income households of three or more people living in Blaine, Birch Bay, Custer, or Point Roberts. Low-income households of one or two people can register for a prepared Thanksgiving take-out meal. Distribution will take place on November 25 in Blaine. Register at blainecap.org or call 360/393-9483. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program. Donation info: blainecap.org.
Blaine/Birch Bay Community Toy Store Toy Drive: Now through December 5. Drop off locations for brand new, unwrapped toys include the Blaine Library, Blaine Community Center, Pacific Building Center, The Way Cafe in Birch Bay, Blaine Westside Pizza, Birch Bay Village Rec Center, Semiahmoo Golf and Country Club, Marina Cafe, and Semiahmoo Spa. Monetary donations also accepted. For more info, including online wish list ordering: blainecap.org. Sponsored by The Community Assistance Program.
Blaine/Birch Bay Community Toy Store Registration: Now through November 30. Give holiday gift assistance for lower income families living within the Blaine school district. For more info and to register online, visit blainecap.org or call 530/828-5195. Sponsored by the Community Assistance Program.
Bulbs for Spring Flowers: Saturday, November 8, 9:30–11 a.m., Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. Now is time to order and plant tulips, crocuses, hyacinths and daffodils. Discussing forcing bulbs for an indoor display to brighten your winter days. Local daffodil grower and bulb expert, Bill Carter, will join the workshop. Info: nwcore.org.
25th Annual Nordic Fest: Saturday, November 8, 10 a.m.– 4 p.m., Ferndale Events Center, 5715 Barrett Road. Shop Nordic gifts and crafts, Scandinavian bakery, Norsk kafe, Bunad parade. Entertainment with music and dancing all day. Admission: $5. Presented by Daughters of Norway. Info: Contact Donita Reams at donitascell@gmail.com or 360/220-3027.
Autumn Pop-Up Market: Saturday, November 8, 4–7 p.m., 7 Elements Spa, 7714 Birch Bay Drive. Shop throughout the spa from vendors of art, clothes, food and more. Info: 7elements.life.
Whatcom Hospice Gala Auction: Saturday, November 8, 5 p.m., Four Points Sheraton, 714 Lakeway Drive, Bellingham. Live and silent auctions, a dessert dash, and a program hosted by longtime Hospice friends, Dave Walker and Allen Fee. Info and tickets: bit.ly/47W5vc6.
Haynie Grange Breakfast: Sunday, November 9, 8 a.m.–noon, Haynie Grange, 3344 Haynie Road. Serving pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, eggs, ham, coffee, tea, milk and orange juice. Cost: $10.
Celebration of Light Service: Sunday, November 9, 4:30–5:30 p.m., Bellingham Cruise Terminal Dome Room, 355 Harris Avenue. Please bring a picture or meaningful object to place on the memory table for the duration of the program. Sponsored by PeaceHealth Whatcom Hospice. Please RSVP by November 6 to: whatcomhospicegrief@peacehealth.org.
All About Owls: Thursday, November 13, 3–4 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Learn about nocturnal birds of prey and discover how to conserve and protect them. Info: wcls.org.
Trivia at The Vault: Thursday, November 13, 7 p.m., The Vault Wine Bar + Bistro, 277 G Street. Info: thevaultwine.com.
Intro to Garden Design 101: Saturday, November 15, 10 a.m.–noon, Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. Featuring special guest Cheryl Niles, of WSU Extension. Discuss hardscape assessments, materials, integration of plant materials, developing a plan and execution. This class is introductory to the four-part class offered in the spring. Info: nwcore.org.
Puzzles and Pastries: Monday, November 17, 4–6 p.m., Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. All puzzle enjoyers are welcome to come in and spend time solving alongside others the 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Info: wcls.org.
Blaine Art Gallery Gift Shop Opening Reception: Saturday, November 15, 4–7 p.m., Blaine Art Gallery, 922 Peace Portal Drive. Blaine Arts Council presents a holiday gift shop filled with handcrafted works by local artisans. Refreshments. Blaine High School choir performing 4:45–5:15 p.m.
Community Dinner: Thursday, November 20, 5:30–7 p.m., Blaine Community Center, 763 G Street. Enjoy a turkey dinner, community and connections over dinner. Free, donations accepted. Info: call or text 360/656-6416.
Ongoing
Blaine Food Bank: 500 C Street. Open Mondays 9 a.m.–noon, Wednesdays 5–7 p.m., and Fridays 9 a.m.–noon. Info:360/332-6350 or Info@blainefoodbank.org.
The Bridge Food Bank: Fridays, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m., The Bridge Community Hope Center, 7620 Birch Bay Drive. New registration required at thebridgehope.com or call 360/366-8763. Volunteers welcome.
Weather
Precipitation: During the period of October 27 to November 2, 2.3 inches of precipitation was recorded. The 2025 year-to-date precipitation is 23.1 inches.
Temperature: High for the past week was 63.4°F on October 29 with a low of 40.4°F on October 30. Average high was 57.9°F and average low was 43.1°F.
Submissions to Coming Up should be sent to calendar@thenorthernlight.com no later than noon on Monday.
Courtesy Birch Bay Water & Sewer Dist.
Holiday gift shop comes to Blaine Art Gallery
Blaine Arts Council will host an opening reception for its holiday gift shop 4-7 p.m. Saturday, November 15 at the Blaine Art Gallery. The Blaine
High School choir will perform festive songs during the reception at 4:45 p.m.
The gift shop will feature the work of over 20 artisans from the Blaine Arts Council (BAC), including Georgia Donovan,
Joseph Kinnebrew and the late Dennis Olason. An array of locally produced art will be featured for purchase, such as jewelry, ornaments, paintings, custom woodworks and more. The gift shop will run from Sat -
urday, November 15 through Tuesday, December 23. The gallery is at 922 Peace Portal Drive and is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. The gift shop will be open during normal gal -
lery hours, as well as from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, December 22 and Tuesday, December 23. The gift shop will be closed for the Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28. For more information about the gallery or gift shop, visit the BAC website at blaineartscouncil.org
s Dishware from Jennifer Korn will be some of the art for sale at the Blaine Art Gallery holiday gift shop. Photo courtesy of Blaine Arts Council
We’re Staying Open!
• Gateway 1890 Taphouse (entrance off Marine Dr.)
• L & L Bakery (pedestrian walkway off F St.)
• Vapester Smoke Shop (pedestrian walkway off F St.)
• Edaleen Dairy (entrance off F St.)
• Starbucks (entrance on F St. or Peace Portal)
We are excited to announce the start of Phase 3.5 of the Downtown Blaine Revitalization Project, is slated for Monday, November 3. Please be aware that during this construction phase, traffic from the roundabout south to F Street will be reduced to a single lane with intermittent closures. While this next phase brings important upgrades, we want to assure everyone that our fantastic downtown businesses will remain open and accessible. Nearby Businesses Also Open!
Phase 3.5 Construction Detour to start November 3 • Bordertown Mexican Grill • Blaine Welcome Center • Hills Chevron // Gift Shop
