Bellingham Scoop: Road closures (other than I-5) + a city survey

Happy Tuesday, Bellingham. It is March 31 and we are rolling into the final day of the month with a few things worth knowing before you head out. Road closure heads-up for your commute this week, the Farmers Market is almost here, and the city wants your opinion. Let's go.

Everson Goshen Road Closes Starting Tomorrow for Three Days of Shoulder Repairs

If you drive Everson Goshen Road, mark this on your calendar now. Starting tomorrow, Wednesday April 1, the road will be closed about a half mile north of East Smith Road from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily through Friday April 3. The work is for shoulder repairs.

The closure covers all traffic, including emergency vehicles and school buses. That last part matters if you have kids on a bus route out that way. Plan alternate routes for the morning and afternoon commute through end of the week. Full notice from Whatcom County Public Works here.

The Bellingham Farmers Market Opens This Saturday, April 4

Bellingham Farmers Market | Opening Day This Saturday, April 4

If you have been watching the vendor tents sitting dormant on Railroad Avenue all winter, the wait is almost over. The Bellingham Farmers Market kicks off its 2026 season this Saturday, April 4, at Depot Market Square in the Fairhaven neighborhood.

The market runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. through the season. It is one of the best places in Whatcom County to shop local, whether you are picking up fresh produce, handmade goods, or just grabbing a coffee from one of the vendor stalls and walking around. Dozens of local vendors, farms, and makers depend on the market as a primary sales channel, so showing up early in the season matters.

Check the full vendor list and schedule at bellinghamfarmers.org.

The City Is Asking: Has Downtown Bellingham Gotten Safer?

The City of Bellingham is checking in with residents about its ongoing downtown efforts. They are running a short survey, about three minutes, asking whether you feel safer and more welcome downtown compared to before.

This is a pulse check, not a policy proposal. The city has been putting resources into downtown in recent months and they want to know if you are noticing a difference. If you have an opinion about the state of things on Commercial Street or nearby, this is a good place to put it. Take the survey here.

Vaccine Clinics Are Moving to the Girard Street Office, Starting Now

Vaccine Clinics Move to Girard Office | Appointments Wednesdays and Fridays

Whatcom County Health Department has moved its vaccine clinics to the Girard Street office. Appointments are available on Wednesdays and Fridays going forward.

If you or someone in your household needs a vaccination and was used to the previous location, make a note of the change. Appointments are required. Full details and how to book here.

Library Storytimes Are on Break, But Spring Break Programs Are Still On

Regular storytimes at Bellingham Public Library are paused until the week of April 13. Spring Break is here and the schedule shifts a bit, but the library is not going quiet.

Special programs for kids are still planned during Spring Break at all BPL locations. The Early Learning Center stays open during regular library hours for children ages birth through 5. You can check the full April program calendar online or grab a printed copy at any branch. See what is coming up at the library here.

Nearly 40 Years of Service: Corrections Sergeant Curt Mount Retires from Whatcom County Sheriff's Office

Last Saturday was Curt Mount's final day as a Corrections Sergeant with the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. He dedicated nearly four decades to Whatcom County Corrections, and by all accounts he did it with a smile on his face.

Sheriff Tanksley presented Sgt. Mount with a shadowbox at a ceremony marking his retirement. It is the kind of career that quietly keeps a community running, year after year, without a lot of fanfare. Well-earned retirement, Sergeant. Read the full sendoff from the Sheriff's Office here.

WWU Researchers Ask: Is the Pacific Northwest More Ready for a Major Earthquake Than It Was in 2001?

Pacific Northwest Earthquake Preparedness | 25 Years After Nisqually

It has been 25 years since the 2001 Nisqually earthquake rattled the region. Western Washington University researchers are taking a look at how much Pacific Northwest communities have done since then to get ready for a big one.

The short answer, from their reporting: better, but not all the way there. It is a worthwhile read if you have ever wondered whether your home, your neighborhood, or the region's infrastructure is actually prepared for a major seismic event. The full piece from WWU News lays it out in plain terms. Read the full piece here.

📅 The Upcoming Week