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Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay
November 3 - 9, 2022
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Don’t forget to turn back the clock Nov. 6
2020 election fraud case dismissed, page 3
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Southwest to fly from BLI to Denver, page 16
CAP prepares Trick-or-treating on Birch Bay berm returns for annual holiday toy store By Grace McCarthy
(See Toy store, page 2)
s Firefighters, princesses and witches were among those who picked up candy from Birch Bay residents and businesses along the berm in celebration of Halloween. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce held its second annual trick or treat on the berm event on October 29. Chamber event coordinator Sacha Sanguinetti estimated around 1,000 to 1,300 children attended, although he said it’s difficult to give an exact count. See more Birch Bay and Blaine Halloween photos on pages 10 and 15. Photo by Molly Ernst
Over 20 WCSO officers, including SWAT, respond to hostage situation in Birch Bay By Ian Haupt Over 20 law enforcement officers responded to a Birch Bay home after a man allegedly pointed a gun and threatened to kill two people he knew on October 29. The victims were not physically injured. The man was arrested and booked into Whatcom County Jail just after midnight October 30 on assault in the first-degree domestic violence and second-degree felony harassment charges. Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office
deputies responded to the 8600 block of Harbor Drive around 9 p.m. October 29 for a report of a male who pointed a handgun at an individual who was known to him, WCSO spokesperson Deb Slater told The Northern Light in an email. The man also allegedly verbally threatened to kill that individual and another person who was present. The man refused to exit the residence when WCSO’s Special Response Unit arrived, Slater said. Deputies obtained a search warrant to enter the residence to
Kulshan Community Land Trust opens affordable housing survey for Blaine residents By Grace McCarthy Kulshan Community Land Trust has opened a survey for Blaine residents to provide comments on future affordable housing projects. The 10-minute survey will be open through November. The questionnaire asks the survey taker’s housing situation, housing issues and barriers to becoming a homeowner. Participants can enter information anon-
ymously or provide contact information for a follow-up. The survey is available in Spanish and people who need translation assistance for another language or survey accommodation can contact Kulshan at 360/671-5600 or info@kulshanclt.org. “The survey helps us know the level of interest from people who live and work in Blaine,” Kulshan executive director Dean Fearing said. “It helps us grow our waitlist.”
Kulshan is working to bring achievable homeownership to Blaine for working-class families earning around $40,000 to $100,000 per year. The Bellingham-based group owns the land under the home, which preserves the home’s affordability for future buyers. The homeowners pay property taxes and take care of the home like any other homeowner. (See Survey, page 3)
arrest the man. He then exited the home around 11:20 p.m. and was arrested, transported and booked into jail, Slater said. Deputies evacuated the victims, who had been sheltering in place, when it was safe to do so. A total of 22 law enforcement personnel from the SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team responded to the scene, Slater said According to jail records, the man is being held for a first-degree assault charge on $100,000 bail. He also has a separate drunk driving charge.
INSIDE
Community Assistance Program (CAP) volunteers are busy gearing up for this year’s holiday toy store. The Blaine nonprofit began accepting gift donations and opened registrations for its Community Toy Store on November 1. The annual program allows Blaine and Birch Bay area families living on limited incomes to purchase toys for their children at the toy store in December. Families may purchase toys and gift cards that are discounted about 75 percent, meaning $15 will purchase $60 worth of gifts. Proceeds will be donated to The Bridge Community Hope Center emergency fund, Valley Church Essentials and Loads of Love. “I love the way it has a ripple impact in the community by supporting different organizations, getting parents involved and letting them support the community with their shopping dollars,” said CAP volunteer Laura Vogee. “It supports so many people in different sectors of the community.” The store will remain the same as last year, with an addition of free Christmas ornament craft kits being handed out as stocking stuffers, Vogee said. Donations People can donate gifts online through the Launching Successful Learning Store in Bellingham and Amazon wish lists. More information is available on CAP’s website. People can also purchase new, $20-50 toys such as craft and science kits, Legos, building toys, musical toys, scooters, book sets, sleeping bags and play tents. Toys should be for children 2-12 years old, not gift wrapped and have the regular retail price included. Gift cards of $25 value can be purchased for middle and high school students. Event organizers recommend cards from Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Michaels, Happy Teen, Happy Treats, Hobby Lobby and discount store combination cards. CAP doesn’t need Old Navy or American Eagle gift cards as there are still many left over from the 2021 store.
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