Hiker Missing Near South Twin + Downtown Sounds Returns July 8

Happy Thursday, Bellingham. July 4th weekend is almost here, and there is a lot to know before you head out the door this holiday stretch.

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Today's Weather: Expect a mostly cloudy day with rain likely after 3pm, high near 68. South southwest winds at 3 to 6 mph, with a 60% chance of rain. Tonight stays cloudy with a low around 55. Good news: the holiday weekend improves quickly. A 30% chance of rain Friday morning clears out, and Saturday and Sunday look mostly sunny with highs in the low 70s. Check the full forecast at the National Weather Service.

Search & Rescue

Search Underway for Overdue Canadian Hiker Near South Twin

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help locating an overdue hiker. Bellingham Mountain Rescue and Whatcom County Search and Rescue 4x4 units are actively working the search.

The man is identified as Gursimran Singh, also known as Randhawa, a 34-year-old Canadian who was expected back in British Columbia three days ago. His last known location was the South Twin area, and his vehicle has been located on Middle Fork Road.

If you have seen him, call 911 immediately. Full details from the Whatcom County Sheriff.

Public Safety

Fireworks Are Banned in Bellingham: Leave It to the Pros This Fourth

With the Fourth of July two days away, both the City of Bellingham and Bellingham Fire Department are reminding residents: consumer fireworks are banned within city limits. That includes sparklers and anything that leaves the ground or explodes.

The professional fireworks show at Maritime Heritage Park is the safe way to celebrate. For full details on the ban and where to watch the show, visit cob.org/news.

Holiday Services

County Offices Close Friday for the Long Weekend, Whatcom Chief on Holiday Schedule

Whatcom County Public Works offices will be closed Friday, July 3 for the Independence Day holiday weekend. If you spot a road emergency such as a missing stop sign, dial 9-1-1 to dispatch the on-call team rather than calling the office.

The Whatcom Chief ferry will operate on a holiday schedule on July 4th. Plan your crossing ahead of time and check for updated schedules at whatcomcounty.us.

Road Work

Overnight Lane Striping and Chip Seal Projects Start Right After the Holiday

Heads up: Two Whatcom County road projects kick off next week.

Two road maintenance projects are set to begin shortly after the holiday weekend. Overnight lane striping work starts July 5, affecting various county roads during nighttime hours. Plan for brief delays if you are out late that weekend. Full details on the striping project here.

The county's annual chip seal program also gets underway on July 6. Chip sealing extends pavement life, but fresh chips mean loose gravel on the road surface for a short period. Slow down in chip seal zones and keep extra distance from the vehicle ahead. Chip seal project info here.

Out and About

Downtown Sounds Returns July 8 for Its 22nd Season

One week from tonight, free outdoor music returns to downtown Bellingham. Downtown Sounds kicks off its 22nd season on July 8 at Railroad Commons, and the lineup this year is stacked.

Here is what's coming:

July 8 Boot Juice & Stapletones
July 15 Cytrus & AEFECT
July 22 Global Heat & Wasabi Samba
July 29 Bellingham All-Star Super Jam featuring over 30 local musicians
August 5 MarchFourth & Silent Disco Club

Shows are free and family-friendly. Follow Bellingham Experience for full event details.

Community

BPD Ride Along: Meet Corporal Turner, WWU Volleyball Player Turned Patrol Officer

Bellingham Police just dropped their latest Ride Along video, and this one is worth watching. Corporal Turner originally came to Bellingham to play volleyball at Western Washington University, then interned with BPD during college, and joined the force as a patrol officer eight years ago.

The video gives a real look at what a typical patrol shift looks like as she responds to a variety of calls around the city.

Community Submission

Nerds, Assemble: Pacific Nerdwest Returns August 29th

When Bellingham Comic Con wrapped up in 2024, it left a con-shaped hole in the local calendar. Django and Colette of The Comics Place filled it with Pacific Nerdwest, and after a strong 2025 debut, it's back.

Expect comic creators, local artists, game demos, vintage comic dealers, and nerdy apparel. The 2026 guest list already includes Mark Russell (Superman), Stephanie Williams (Wonder Woman), Cat Farris (My Boyfriend is a Bear), Leah Williams (Power Girl), and Bellingham's own Ken Albery, with more to come.

Tickets are on sale now at pacificnerdwest.com, and vendor and volunteer applications are open. Dust off the cosplay.

The Upcoming Week