BPD Gets $3.7M Safety Grant + Youth Pride Is Tomorrow in Bellingham

Today's Weather A 20% chance of showers before noon, then mostly cloudy skies with a high near 65°F. South winds 9 to 13 mph. Keep a light layer handy for the morning. Check the full forecast at the National Weather Service.

Happy Friday, Bellingham. It is May 29 and there is a lot happening heading into this weekend. Youth Pride is tomorrow, the ferry has a summer outage date you should know about, and a bridge project just hit a key milestone. Let's get into it.

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Public Safety + Civic

BPD Lands $3.7M Grant, Youth Pride Is Tomorrow, and the Herons Are Nesting

The City of Bellingham dropped a packed update this week. The Bellingham Police Department was awarded a $3.7 million grant for public safety improvements, a significant investment that the city says will support infrastructure and staffing. Full details are in the Inside Bellingham newsletter.

If you are heading downtown Saturday, plan for the Whatcom Youth Pride Parade. The event draws a crowd and you will want to know your route in advance.

Mark your calendar for mid-June: the World's Games Soccer Fan Zone is coming to Bellingham, giving the city a front-row seat to a major international event.

And on a quieter note, the Great Blue Herons are nesting again. If you spot one in the trees, give it some space. The city is asking residents to be mindful near known nesting areas this season.

Transit

Lummi Island Ferry Going Offline June 17, Plan Ahead

Lummi Island Ferry, Service Outage Planned June 17

Whatcom County has announced a planned service outage for the Lummi Island Ferry on June 17. If you have plans to travel to or from the island that day, you will need to make alternate arrangements. The county has posted details at whatcomcounty.us. Mark it in your calendar now, June 17 is a Wednesday.

Civic

Jackson Road Bridge Project: Presentation Is Up, Feedback Window Is Open

Jackson Road Bridge, Public Feedback Requested

Whatcom County has posted the Jackson Road Bridge presentation and is asking residents to weigh in. If you use that corridor, this is your chance to be part of the planning process. Read the full presentation and submit feedback at whatcomcounty.us.

Environment

Free Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Is Available Right Now in Whatcom County

Here is one of those useful things that a lot of people do not know about: Whatcom County Public Works runs a free Disposal of Toxics (DOT) facility where you can drop off used oil, cleaners, paint, garden products, and other household hazardous waste at no charge.

Before you haul anything over, check the accepted substances list at whatcomcounty.us/HHW. If your item is not on the list, the county's Waste Wise tool on that same page can point you toward other disposal options.

Infrastructure

Port of Bellingham Teams Up with Puget Sound Energy on Community Solar

Port of Bellingham + PSE, Community Solar Project

The Port of Bellingham has announced a partnership with Puget Sound Energy to bring a community solar project to the area. The collaboration positions the Port as a contributor to regional clean energy goals. More information is available at portofbellingham.com.

Schools

Bellingham Schools Facilities Task Force Has Made Its Recommendation

Bellingham School District, Facilities Planning

The Bellingham School District's facilities planning task force has submitted its recommendation, and the district has posted a full summary with next steps and a Q&A video for anyone who wants to follow along. School facilities decisions tend to have long tails, so if you have kids in the district, it is worth reading. Find the full write-up at bellinghamschools.org.

Feel Good Friday

WWU's Presidential Scholars Class of 2026 and Ferndale's Graduation Weekend

Local Wins to End Your Week

Western Washington University has announced its 2026 Presidential Scholars, the incoming students recognized for academic achievement and leadership. It is a good reminder that Bellingham keeps drawing talented young people. Meet the class at news.wwu.edu.

Over in Ferndale, graduation season is in full swing. Ferndale Schools is hosting its Graduation Celebration on May 31st. Congratulations to the graduates and their families. Full details are posted at ferndaleschools.org.

Events

Free Writing Workshop at the Whatcom Museum Tomorrow, Spots Still Available

If you are around Saturday, the Whatcom Museum is hosting a free speculative fiction workshop presented by writer Tara Campbell on May 30. The Bellingham Public Library says there are still spots open, and the buzz from people who caught her session at their Staff Learning Day last year is genuinely good.

Get more information and reserve your spot through the Bellingham Public Library.

The Upcoming Week

Sponsored

Summer Is Almost Here. Is Your Home Ready?

With the long weekend behind us and summer kicking into gear, there is no better time to refresh your space. Cascade Home Cleaning, Bellingham's local cleaning crew, is offering 40% off your first deep clean for new recurring clients. Book by the end of the week and lock in the discount before it's gone.

Whether you are getting the house ready for summer guests or just want to walk into the weekend with a spotless kitchen, Cascade's team has you covered. Schedule your clean at cascadehomecleaning.com.