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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
June 30 - July 6, 2022
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IN THIS
ISSUE
Birch Bay man arrested for setting fire to home, page 6
New Peace Portal Drive auto sales business, page 13
Mysterious grizzly bear carcass found, page 6
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Kites soaring at Birch Bay Kite Festival
Old-fashioned parade among many Fourth of July highlights By Grace McCarthy
(See July 4, page 3)
s The Birch Bay Kite Festival brought a jam-packed weekend of family-friendly activities June 25-26. There was something for everyone from lawn games, vendors, a non-gambling poker run and more. See kite festival photos on page 10, Splash Day photos on page 7 and the first downtown summer concert photos on page 8. Photo by Chuck Kinzer/CKimageart.com
Chief Tanksley looks back on 3 years with BPD By Grace McCarthy Blaine Police Department (BPD) chief Donnell Tanksley “Tank” celebrated his three-year anniversary serving the police department on June 24. The Northern Light sat down with Tanksley in his H Street office, decorated with toy police cars, mugs from different universities he visited, framed accomplishments and a white board with his top priorities for the department. Tanksley worked with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department from 1993 to 2014, the last seven of which he served as commander. He moved to Bellingham to become assistant chief of police at Western Washington University from 2014 to 2017 and then chief of police at Portland State University before joining Blaine. He’s a 22-year veteran in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force. The interview has been edited for clarity and brevity. With three years in Blaine, what does it feel like looking back at everything? I think we’ve gained a lot of ground in three short years. We’ve had transitions. The team
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we’ve put together is absolutely incredible. And I’m not saying that because I’m the chief, but they really are doing a good job. We’ve done professional development, de-escalation, crisis intervention and supervisory training. So we really do take stock in valuing every single person that’s on this team. It doesn’t matter what your particular job is, every person has a role to make this team have success. What do you see as your biggest accomplishments in the past three years? When interim chief [Michael] Knapp was here, he brought in the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs and we did the Loaned Executive Management Assistance Program (LEMAP). They examine your department policies, procedures, how you conduct business, evidence, procedures and they give a series of recommendations. I’m proud to say we’re about 90 percent complete with those recommendations. When I came in, I had zero files in this office. I didn’t even have a thumb drive. I started from ground zero. Being able to have assistance from people who were here ensured the
(See Tanksley, page 5)
TheNorthernLight
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . . . . 11 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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ThisFLYERS Week’s
JULY
TH OF H H H H
ship sailed smoothly, instead of keeling. Our vehicle fleet has been updated and that’s something that started before I got here, but I continued that mission. Last year, we got four new vehicles. Technology is changing
INSIDE
The Fourth of July is back in Blaine with its old-fashioned car show, grand parade and spectacular fireworks. The red, white and blue celebrations will be in full swing as the parade returns for the first time in three years. Start the day off with a full stomach. Blaine Senior Center will host its pancake breakfast 8-11 a.m. at the senior center, 763 G Street. Meals will include pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausages, orange juice, tea and coffee. Meals are $7 for adults and $5 for children under six. Next, take a stroll along the Car ShowN-Shine to view the vehicles at 4th and Martin streets. In the past, the car show has attracted about 250 vehicle owners who drive everything from vintage cars to lowriders, motorcycles and trucks. The car show will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a $10 entry fee will get participants dash plaques and trophy awards. Blaine Library’s blowout book sale will be going all day, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Blaine Library, 610 3rd Street. The street fair and kids zone will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with arts, crafts, commercial vendors and pony rides, among other fun activities. The historic Plover passenger ferry will offer rides from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The state’s oldest foot passenger ferry will take passengers between Blaine Boating Center visitor’s dock, 235 Marine Drive, and Semiahmoo Resort wharf dock. Tickets cost $5 for adults, $1 for youth over 12 years old and free for children under 12 years old. Live music will be playing throughout the Fourth of July celebrations, with a full line up from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. At H Street Plaza, Drayton Rock Band will kick off at 11 a.m., followed by Jimmy Wright Band (1:30 p.m.) and Leo Boots Band (3:30 p.m.) The G Street Plaza will feature Bellingham Jazz Band at 11 a.m. and Drayton Rock Band (4 p.m.). Silver City will play a noon performance at Martin Street. The old-fashioned Fourth of July parade will be a festival show-stopper along Peace Portal Drive at noon. Anyone is allowed to join the parade including military groups, kids, businesses and bands. Registration is
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Street Fair H Car Show H Live Music H Fireworks SEE COMPLETE SCHEDULE ON BACK PAGE