February 14 - 20, 2019
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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Participate in CERT basic training, page 2
Suspects caught in Lions Camp Horizon vandalism
City seeks to hire new public defender, page 3
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
New interim police chief appointed, page 16
Snow blankets Blaine and Birch Bay
By Jami Makan Two Blaine teenagers were transported and booked into juvenile detention, after surveillance footage was recovered at the scene of the Lions Camp Horizon vandalism incident in Birch Bay. On January 29, three Lions Camp Horizon dormitory buildings were damaged after the boys allegedly discharged multiple dry-chemical fire extinguishers, leaving corrosive residue on carpets, walls, window coverings and beds. Around the time of the incident, a video camera on the premises had been pulled down, according to a press release issued by the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). However, some photos and video footage were able to be retrieved from the camera, which showed two juvenile males. WCSO deputies contacted Blaine High School staff, and the suspects were recognized and identified. They are both males, 16 and 17 years of age, who reside in Blaine. The suspects were later located together in front of one of their residences. One of the juveniles admitted to the crime and said he had discharged at least two of the fire extinguishers at Lions Camp Horizon on January 29. One suspect was also wearing the same hat observed in the surveillance footage. Shoes were also obtained from both suspects which matched evidence found at the scene. Evidence obtained during the investigation also linked the suspects to dam-
s Heavy snowfall came to Blaine and Birch Bay earlier this week, blanketing the entire area in thick snow.
Photo by Chuck Kinzer
City reminds property owners to clear sidewalks By Jami Makan With the recent winter weather, the city of Blaine is reminding the public that property owners are responsible for removing snow, ice and other debris from sidewalks. This is pursuant to the Blaine Municipal Code, which states that when the obstruction of a sidewalk consists of ice, snow or other accumulated material, the adjacent property owner must remove such materi-
al from the sidewalk within 24 hours. The municipal code also states that when ice, snow or other material remains on a sidewalk for more than 48 hours, it can be declared a public nuisance. The public works department can then clear the sidewalk and charge the offending property owner for the cost of removal. “We want to make sure all residents are as safe as possible when traveling our streets and sidewalks this season,” said
public works director Ravyn Whitewolf in a February 8 press release. “We appreciate everyone’s assistance, as crews are focused on arterials and school bus routes.” After snow began falling on February 8, city crews removed snow from major roads and cleared curbside catch basins. In its press release, the city asked residents to notify its public works department if they see any areas with sitting water that is not draining.
The 19th annual Bite of Blaine is set for Monday, February 18 at Semiahmoo Resort. Sponsored by the Blaine Chamber of Commerce, the event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. on Monday, February 18 in the Semiahmoo Resort ballroom. It features food from local eateries as well as live and silent auctions to benefit Blaine’s Old Fashioned Fourth of July.
The following food purveyors are participating: Barnyard Coffee Roasters, Big Al’s Diner, Blaine Senior Center, The Boardwalk Restaurant, Chuckanut Bay Foods, Cost Cutter, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, Edaleen Dairy, Good Samaritan Society-Stafholt, Paso del Norte, Semiahmoo Resort, Subway and The Vault Wine Bar. To attend, guests must purchase
tickets in advance. They cost $30 per person and can be purchased at Pacific Building Center, 2677 Bell Road, or the Blaine Welcome Center, 546 Peace Portal. Tickets cannot be purchased at the door. To learn more about Bite of Blaine, visit blainechamber.com or alternatively, call 360/332-4544.
Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Coming Up . . . . . 14 Sheriff . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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Material Yard www.erinlandscaping.com Now Open! • Build & Design: 360-312-4509 • Material Yard: 360-303-7765
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Grab your tickets now for Bite of Blaine on Monday
INSIDE
(See Vandalism, page 3)