June 20 - 26, 2024
FREE
Community Newspaper of Blaine and Birch Bay HHHECRWSSHHH Postal Customer
IN THIS
ISSUE
Swimming advisory lifted in Birch Bay, page 2
BBWARM rates to increase, page 3
PRSRT STD U. S. Postage PAID Permit NO. 87 Blaine, WA 98230
Camp Horizon celebrates 50 years, page 6
Dahl, Jackson honored as Educators of the Year
24
29 th See page 16
Summer kicks off with Birch Bay Kite Festival, Splash Day By Grace McCarthy
(See Events, page 5)
s Educators of the Year Amanda Dahl (third from left) and Lindsey Jackson (third from right) were honored at the June 17 Blaine School Board meeting by superintendent Christopher Granger (second from right) and members of the Lynden/Ferndale International Masonic Lodge. Vic Wolffis was named Coach of the Year, and Bonnie Michel was named Classified Staff of the Year. Photo by Nolan Baker
Blaine school board approves $70 million bond for November 5 election By Nolan Baker The Blaine school board voted unanimously to put a $70 million capital bond initiative before voters in the November 5 general election. Funding provided by the bond would go toward an extensive renovation and modernization of Blaine Middle School, field upgrades and additions to Pipeline Athletic Complex, and various improvements to Blaine primary and elementary schools, Point Roberts Primary School and designs for a possible future Birch Bay school, according to district documents. The initiative is practically identical to the February 2024 special election bond proposal that failed to reach the required 60
percent supermajority, keeping tax rates at $0.76 per $1,000 in assessed home value. For a median-value home of $550,000, the property owner would pay $420 annually for the bond, if approved. Among Whatcom and Skagit county school districts, Blaine has one of the lowest tax rates for bonds and levies, with the second-lowest combined tax rate at $1.61 per $1,000 in assessed property value, above just the Concrete school district’s rate of $1.41. Compared to 20 other school districts across the state with similar home values across district boundaries, Blaine still ranks toward the bottom in tax rates, just (See School, page 3)
INSIDE
Summer activities in Blaine and Birch Bay will start off on a high note with Splash Day and the Birch Bay Kite Festival. Blaine-Birch Bay Park and Recreation District 2 will kick off the summer fun with Splash Day from noon to 2 p.m. Friday, June 21 at 3rd and Martin streets in downtown Blaine. The street will be blocked off for children to run around inflatable sprinklers. The free event will also have hot dogs, snacks and ice cream for purchase. No registration required. After cooling off from the summer heat, the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce will be hosting its Kite Festival at Birch Bay State Park, 7290 Birch Bay Drive, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22 and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23. Both days of the Kite Festival will have free kites for kids, with one given per child while supplies last. There will be over 20 craft and food vendors selling art, candles, wood work and novelty items throughout the day. The Saturday schedule is as follows: • Wren the Juggler will perform from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. • Musician Michael Dayvid will perform 1-3 p.m. • Local artist Doug Parent will give a painting lesson to children at 3 p.m. A $10 registration fee is required. The Sunday schedule is as follows: • Wren the Juggler will perform from noon to 2:30 p.m. • Michael Dayvid will perform from noon to 2:30 p.m.
Coming Up . . . . . 14 Classifieds . . 11, 12 Letters . . . . . . . . . 4 Police . . . . . . . . . 14 Tides . . . . . . . . . . 14
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