The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has reached Whatcom County and the County Council has allotted a quarter-million dollars for an emergency response. County Executive Satpal Sidhu declared a public health emergency on March 10, 2020 after the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) confirmed a case of COVID-19 in a Whatcom County resident. The individual is a woman in her 60’s …
Local Lawmakers Hope to Revive Phillips 66 Joint Venture for the Green Apple-Renewable Diesel Project
How long should it take to determine the environmental
impacts of environmentally-friendly renewable energy projects?
The sudden cancellation of the Green Apple Project left Whatcom County leaders and legislators surprised and disappointed but determined to somehow bring the project stakeholders back to the table.
Threats to Our 1st and 2nd Amendment Rights
Common Threads Northwest joined with The Fourth Corner to sponsor a forum on current and looming threats to everyone’s 1st and 2nd Amendment rights in Washington State.
Whatcom County Council passes new boating rules for Lake Samish after residents reach compromise
Boaters on Lake Samish get a little more room after the Whatcom County Council approved new boating rules on Jan. 28, 2020. The new rules are the result of a compromise reached by a majority of Lake Samish residents, and a reaction to the boating restrictions put in place last June. The new rules mean that recreational boaters can once …
What’s new in 2020 for the Port of Bellingham
Commissioners for the Port of Bellingham are rotating commission seats for 2020. Michael Shepard, who was serving as secretary, is now president. Bobby Briscoe, who was serving as president, is now vice president. Ken Bell, who was serving as vice president, is now secretary. The decision was made at the Port’s Dec. 10, 2019 meeting. Commissioner Briscoe said “it’s been …
Whatcom County Council Receives Warning Letter from Legal Representative for British Petroleum of Cherry Point
Letter to the Whatcom County Council concerning the “Interim Moratorium” from Brian Israel of Arnold & Porter: At its meeting on December 3, 2019, the Whatcom County Council voted to enact an eighth extension of the “Moratorium on the Acceptance and Processing of Applications and Permits in the Cherry Point Urban Growth Area the Primary Purpose of Which Would B …