BPD Seeks Hit-and-Run Info + ☘️ Green Beer, 8th Grade Gear, and Old Town Traffic

Happy Monday, Bellingham. It is March 16 and there is a lot to get into this week. Grab your coffee. Let's do this.

Community

St. Patrick's Day Is Tomorrow. Green Is Definitely On.

What we can say: Tuesday, March 17 is St. Patrick's Day, and Bellingham has plenty of ways to celebrate. Whether you are into live music, a pint among friends, or just wearing green to the grocery store, there is something for everyone.

Here is what is happening around town tomorrow evening:

Live Celtic Music at a local Bellingham venue on Tuesday evening. Details on the Bellingham events calendar. Stones Throw Brewery is hosting a St. Paddy's Day Celebration. And Robert Sarazin Blake and The Dublin Letters will be performing a St. Patrick's Day show. Find tickets and details at the Bellingham events calendar.

There are also several happy hour and dinner specials around the city. A good week to discover a new favorite neighborhood spot.

Schools

8th Grade Families: High School Family Nights Are Tonight

If you have an 8th grader at home, tonight is your night. Bellingham Public Schools is hosting High School Family Nights on Monday, March 16 for 8th graders and their families to learn about what to expect in high school. It is a great opportunity to tour the buildings, ask questions, and help your student feel ready for the transition.

Check with your student's current school or the Bellingham Schools website for specific times and locations for each high school.

Also a reminder from the March school calendar: early dismissal on Thursday, March 19 at all Bellingham schools. Plan your afternoon accordingly. See the full March calendar reminders for details.

Construction Update

Old Town Construction Still Active This Week

The City of Bellingham's March 12 Inside Bellingham newsletter flagged ongoing construction activity in the Old Town district. If you are heading through that area this week, allow extra time. City crews have been active on several projects as warmer weather allows for more infrastructure work.

For the latest lane closures and construction updates, the City's road construction page is your best bet. And if Lakeway is in your route, you know the drill: leave a few extra minutes.

Upcoming Week

The Upcoming Week

Spring Is Here. Your Home Deserves a Fresh Start.

Spring arrives this Friday, and there is no better time to reset your home than right now. Cascade Home Cleaning is offering 40% off your first deep clean for new recurring clients. Book by end of the week to lock it in.

Whether you are prepping for guests, shaking off the winter grime, or just want to feel good walking into your kitchen on a Tuesday, Cascade's local team has you covered. They are Bellingham's neighbors too.

Book your spring deep clean at cascadehomecleaning.com. Offer expires this Friday.

BPD Seeks Help Identifying Hit-and-Run Driver on Cottonwood Ave

Bellingham Police traffic investigators are asking the public for help tracking down a driver who hit a pedestrian and their dog on the morning of March 11. The collision happened at approximately 6:59 a.m. at the intersection of Cottonwood Ave and W. Maplewood Ave.

According to Bellingham Police, the driver was heading east on Cottonwood Ave, ran through a posted stop sign, and struck the pedestrian and dog in the middle of the crosswalk. The driver briefly stopped near Shuksan Meadows Park and then fled north on W. Maplewood Ave. Both the pedestrian and dog were injured and required medical attention.

Police are looking for a dark-colored truck with oversized tires on smaller rims and a brush guard on the front. The headlights are described as yellow LED style, with the right one possibly burned out. No make, model, or description of the driver has been confirmed.

If you were in the area around that time, have a dash cam, or have a home security camera with a view of that intersection, BPD wants to hear from you. Here is how to reach them:

Email tip: www.cob.org/tips
Phone tip: 360.778.8611
Reference case: #26B13544

Bellingham Border Patrol Assists in Arrest of Two Guatemalan Citizens Near Bellevue

Bellingham Border Patrol agents assisted ERO Seattle in arresting two Guatemalan nationals on March 10. Fidelino Cruz-Jimenez and Roberto Ruiz-Bravo were apprehended near Bellevue, Washington. Both individuals have prior domestic violence-related arrests and are currently in removal proceedings, according to U.S. Border Patrol Blaine Sector.

Ferndale Police Respond to Brandishing Report on Portal Way

Ferndale Police responded to a report of brandishing in the 6000 block of Portal Way on March 10. A press release from the City of Ferndale was issued March 11. The full release is available through the City of Ferndale's document center. No additional details about the outcome of the response were included in the initial posting.

Whatcom County Justice Project: Public Workshop on New Jail Design This Thursday

If you have questions about how the county's new jail will actually work, here is your chance to ask them in person.

Whatcom County is hosting the second Community Engagement Workshop for its Justice Project on Thursday, March 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lynden City Annex, 205 4th Street in Lynden. The focus this time: how bed configuration in the new facility affects total capacity, and what that means for the overall design.

It is a meaningful question. The number of beds and how they are laid out in cell blocks has a direct impact on staffing ratios, operational costs, and how many people can be housed at once. These decisions shape the facility for decades. Whatcom County Government is inviting community members to learn more and share their thoughts before final design decisions are made.

If you want to weigh in on a project that will cost taxpayers significantly and affect public safety infrastructure for a generation, Thursday night in Lynden is the place to be.