Bellingham Scoop: Wednesday Morning

Good morning, Bellingham! It’s January 8th, 2025, and we’ve got a packed newsletter for you. Last night, I-5 came to a standstill after a serious pedestrian accident near Meridian. The Port of Bellingham is charting an ambitious course for 2025 — I watched the entire meeting and broke it down for you below.

Before we get to the events, updates, and stories that keep Bellingham buzzing, we want to give a special shoutout to one of the local heroes who helps make this newsletter possible—Cascade Home Cleaning!

Whether it’s holiday glitter still lurking in the carpet or the mysterious sticky spot that won’t quit, Cascade Home Cleaning is the kind of help you can count on. If you want extra help, check them out here.

Today’s Events:

• Jazz Center of Bellingham - Cyrus Nabipoor Quartet: Experience the Cyrus Nabipoor Quartet at the FireHouse Arts & Events Center on Wednesday, January 8th, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. A treat for jazz enthusiasts! Details

• Cheba Hut Trivia: Challenge yourself with trivia at Cheba Hut on Wednesday, January 8th, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Enjoy great food and test your knowledge! Details

• Birchwood Garden Club's January Meeting: Green thumbs and plant enthusiasts, unite! Join the meeting on Wednesday, January 8, from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Hotel Leo Ballroom. Learn, share, and grow together. Details

This Week’s Must-Dos:

• Chuckanut Radio Hour's 18th Anniversary Show: Celebrate a Bellingham favorite on Thursday, January 9, at 7:00 p.m. at the New Prospect Theatre. Nostalgia meets entertainment! Details

• [FREE] Break out your roller skates or blades and glide into fun at Depot Market Square for Open Roller Skate Night! Friday, January 10, 2025 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM @ Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA. DETAILS

• 2nd Saturday Downtown Art Walk this weekend! Kick off your artful evening at the Blaine Art Gallery. Member artwork is at Aloha Café, Drayton Harbor Oyster Company, L&L Bakery, Niemann's Black Forest Steak House, Peace Arch City Café, and The Vault Wine Bar. January 11, 2025 4 - 6:30 p.m. DETAILS

• [FREE] Hike the Chanterelle Trail with the Mount Baker Sierra Club – Explore a scenic 5-mile round trip trail in Lake Whatcom Park this Sunday January 12th (10 a.m. - 4 p.m.), featuring stunning views, native wildlife, and a peaceful meander through young conifer forests. Dogs welcome! Register here.

Bike Patrol Returns Downtown!

Starting yesterday, the Bellingham’s bike patrol is back on duty! Keep an eye out for Sergeant Aspessi and Officers Thompson and Terry cruising downtown. Later this week, Officers Alves and Ridlon will join the team. They’ll be covering areas from Waypoint Park to Maritime Heritage Park and beyond, tackling quality-of-life issues, reducing drug-related crimes, and connecting with local businesses and residents.

With their wheels in motion, these officers are more accessible than ever. So, when you see them out and about, give a wave or say hello—it’s a great way to foster community connections.

[FREE] Native Landscaping Program: Neighbors Wanted!

Love the idea of a low-maintenance yard that also helps the environment? The Neighborhood Native Landscaping Program (NNLP) is calling for Lake Whatcom and Birch Bay area homeowners to join their 2025 projects.

Here’s how it works: gather three or more neighbors, fill out the interest form, and work with the NNLP team to transform your yards into stunning native landscapes. It's free, fun, and eco-friendly!

Key Benefits:

• Attract pollinators and wildlife

• No mowing, irrigation, or chemicals

• Protect water quality and reduce your carbon footprint

Sign-ups are open now, but space is limited! More details HERE.

Port of Bellingham Meeting Recap: New Faces, Fresh Ideas, and Big Moves for Bellingham

The January 7th Port of Bellingham meeting was packed with updates, laughs, and exciting news. From fresh seafood to broadband upgrades and a hearty welcome for new team members, here’s what you need to know!

Dockside Market’s New Fee Structure: Supporting Small Businesses

The Dockside Market—our go-to spot for fresh seafood and maritime-inspired goodies—just got even better. The Port approved a new fee structure to support smaller vendors, making it easier for them to thrive:

• $10 for sales under $300

• $35 for sales between $301 and $1,000

• $50 for sales over $1,000

The market continues to shine as a community hub, rain or shine (well, except for that one stormy Saturday last October). Did you know they also accept SNAP benefits? That means more people can enjoy healthy, local seafood—win-win!

The Port is also looking into ways to spread the word about the market. Right now, most of the buzz comes from social media and word of mouth, but they’re cooking up some ideas to bring even more people to the docks.

BUMP-ing Up Sustainability Efforts (this is how they pronounce it!)

Let’s talk about the Building and Infrastructure Energy Management Program (BIEMP)—a mouthful, but a big deal for keeping Port buildings energy-efficient and eco-friendly. The BUMP helps the Port comply with the Clean Buildings Act, but it’s not just about checking boxes. It’s about saving money, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and making our spaces more comfortable for everyone.

Here’s what BIEMP has been up to:

• Upgrading lighting and HVAC systems

• Creating long-term maintenance plans

• Encouraging energy-saving habits among staff and tenants

To keep the momentum going, the Port is bringing in a Civic SPARK Energy Fellow. Enter Danica, a recent WWU grad who’s been crushing it as an intern. She’ll step into this new role, helping the Port bridge the gap between legal requirements and day-to-day operations. Bonus: Danica gets professional development, health benefits, and even a housing stipend. Pretty sweet deal!

Broadband: Full Steam Ahead!

Fast, reliable internet is a must, and the Port is on it. Projects in North Ferndale and North Lynden are underway to expand broadband access, thanks to grants from the county and state.

Economic Development Director Tyler Schroeder—now the Port’s unofficial “Broadband Guy”—has been busy keeping these projects on track. The good news? Design and engineering are moving forward, with completion targets set for later this year. The challenge? Rising construction costs. But don’t worry—the Port is exploring funding options to make sure these plans stay on budget.

And don’t forget—Dockside Market runs on the first and third Saturdays of every month. See you down at the docks!

Welcome Aboard, Joey and Zeke!

It’s always exciting to see new faces at the Port. This time, we’re saying hello to:

• Joey Twinford, an engineer with serious stormwater expertise. He’s worked with municipalities, utilities, and even spent time at Roche Harbor. The Port couldn’t be happier to have him on board.

• Zeke Smith, who earned his stripes as a seasonal worker and is now a full-time member of the grounds crew. You’ll spot him mowing lawns and keeping things tidy—give him a wave if you see him!

There was even a little fun at the meeting when commissioners joked about Joey singing the Cougars’ fight song as a new hire tradition. Spoiler: no singing happened (this time).

The Big Picture

Whether it’s supporting local seafood vendors, tackling broadband projects, or leading on sustainability, the Port of Bellingham is making moves that matter. 2025 is already off to a great start.

If you are interested .. the full video is here:

Welcome Back, WWU Students!

Winter term kicks off today for Western Washington University students. Campus is buzzing again, so plan accordingly if you’re navigating around town. Take advantage of your Western Wednesday! Discounts all over town. Details.

I-5 Shutdown After Pedestrian Accident: What Happened Last Night

Last night was a tough one on I-5, as both directions of the freeway were closed between Meridian and Northwest Avenue due to a serious accident involving a pedestrian. Here’s what we know:

The Incident:
Around 7:00 PM, a person walking on the freeway near Milepost 257 was struck by a vehicle. The individual sustained serious injuries, and emergency crews rushed to the scene to help.

Traffic Updates:

• 7:00 PM: Both directions of I-5 were fully closed to allow investigators and first responders to work safely.

• 8:35 PM: One northbound lane reopened, but southbound lanes remained closed. WSDOT workers directed traffic and urged drivers to slow down and give them space.

• 9:56 PM: All lanes in both directions were reopened.

Ashton heard quite a story. I have note verified this…