Police Searching for Missing 14-Year-Old Indigenous Teen Last Seen Near Bellis Fair Mall

Happy Friday, Bellingham. It is August 14 and we have a full plate before you head into the weekend. We have a missing teen alert that needs eyes, a Red Flag Warning still in effect, a big local business update, and plenty of fun things happening right here in Whatcom County. Grab your coffee and let's get into it.

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Today’s Weather: Mostly sunny today with a high near 70 and a light south-southwest wind around 5 mph. Tonight stays mostly clear with a low around 55. Keep in mind the Red Flag Warning is in effect through the weekend, so outdoor burning of any kind is still banned. Full forecast at the National Weather Service.

Safety Alert

Police Searching for Missing 14-Year-Old Indigenous Teen Last Seen Near Bellis Fair Mall

Bellingham Police and the Washington State Patrol are looking for 14-year-old Terrence Charlie, who was last seen around 5 p.m. Monday heading to Bellis Fair Mall. The State Patrol has issued a Missing Indigenous Person alert for him.

If you have seen Terrence or have any information on his whereabouts, contact Bellingham Police right away. Full details on the alert here.

Fire & Air Quality

Red Flag Warning and Air Quality Alert in Effect for Whatcom County Through the Weekend

The Washington Department of Ecology confirms that smoke from eastern Washington and BC wildfires is filtering into western Washington as of August 13. Right now most of the smoke is sitting in the upper atmosphere, giving us hazy skies and those deep red sunrises and sunsets. The most noticeable impacts are expected in the foothills, the Cascades, and the eastern portions of Whatcom County.

The pattern is expected to continue into Saturday before onshore winds begin to clear things out. In the meantime, a complete outdoor burn ban remains in place for Bellingham and the surrounding area. No campfires, no recreational fires. If you are heading into the Cascades this weekend, check air quality conditions before you go. More information on the alert and what to expect.

Feel Good Friday

Your Weekend Guide: NW Washington Fair, Noisy Waters Mural Festival, Author Talks and Live Music

If you smell grilled corn and fried food in the air, your instincts are right on. The Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden runs through Sunday, August 22, and it is packed: a demolition derby, PRCA Rodeo, live music including Stone Temple Pilots and Brantley Gilbert on the Grandstand Stage, exotic animals, carnival rides, and everything in the Farm Pavilion. Plan the whole family for a day out there.

Right here in Bellingham, the Noisy Waters Mural Festival runs August 14 through 16 on the waterfront. Watch artists transform large-scale walls in real time. Village Books in Fairhaven has two author talks this weekend, starting with Robert Burns discussing Rebels in the Wild tonight, Friday August 14.

Also today: free kids' performance at Maritime Heritage Park from noon to 1 p.m. featuring Natale Luma's hoop show, Whatcom Museum activities, and Kona Ice. Full weekend rundown with times and locations here.

Family & Kids

Free Kids Performance at Maritime Heritage Park This Friday Features Hula Hoops and Kona Ice

Lunchtime at Maritime is a brand-new City of Bellingham series, and today's installment runs noon to 1 p.m. at Maritime Heritage Park. Performer Natale Luma brings the hoop show "Hoop, Hoop Hurray!" to the waterfront. After the performance, kids can get hands-on with the hoops themselves. The Whatcom Museum will have activities on site, and Kona Ice will be there for cool treats in the sun.

This is the second of three dates. Mark your calendar for August 21 as well. Details and what to bring.

Community

September Is Eat Local Month in Washington: How to Take Part in Whatcom County

September is Eat Local Month across all of Washington state, and Whatcom County is one of the best places in the region to dig in. The 19th Annual Whatcom County Farm Tour lands on September 12, with 13 farms open for visitors through Sustainable Connections. You can also follow the Farm to Table Trails map, visit farmers markets around the county, and earn points for prizes along the way.

The Bellingham Farmers Market runs every Saturday at Depot Market Square, 1100 Railroad Ave, from 10am to 2pm through mid-December. More on how to participate and where to start.

Local Business

Railway Cafe in Blaine Closing August 31 and Other Whatcom County Business News

The Railway Cafe in Blaine, housed inside a 105-year-old caboose, will close its doors on August 31. Owners Vicka and Rodney Haywood have run the spot since 2018 and are heading into retirement. It has been a one-of-a-kind stop for locals and visitors alike.

On the flip side, new businesses are opening around Whatcom County. Wingstop has opened a location in Bellingham. Get the full business roundup including other new openings here.

Community Health

Whatcom County Hosts Series of Overdose Awareness Events Throughout August

Whatcom County is observing International Overdose Awareness Day with a series of community events running through the end of the month. The series is presented by Recovery Cafe Bellingham in partnership with the Whatcom Recovery Coalition, Whatcom County Health and Community Services, and the Chuckanut Health Foundation.

Here is the lineup:

Saturday, August 15, 5:30 to 7 p.m. Voices of Recovery Panel and Open Mic at First Baptist Church/Recovery Cafe, 110 Flora Street. Free to the public.

Friday, August 28, noon to 4 p.m. Annual Overdose Awareness Resource Fair on the Bellingham City Hall lawn, 210 Lottie Street. Naloxone training, Good Samaritan law information, and community organizations on site.

Monday, August 31, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Community Memorial at Maritime Heritage Park. Candles for every person lost to overdose since 2019, a keynote speaker, and a Memorial Wall where families can submit names and photos of loved ones. Email Whatcom County Health to include a loved one on the display. Full event details here.

Civic

Governor Appoints Lynden Health Director to Whatcom Community College Board

Governor Bob Ferguson has appointed Tonja Myers, the health director from Lynden, to a seat on Whatcom Community College's Board of Trustees. She fills the vacancy left by Rebecca Johnson, who passed away in March.

Myers brings a public health background to the board at a time when the college is navigating enrollment trends and workforce development priorities for Whatcom County. More on the appointment and what it means for WCC.

City Hall

Mayor Lund Hosts Final Community Q&A of the Year Next Wednesday at Larrabee Lager

Mayor Kim Lund and her leadership team will host the last "Ask Us Anything" community event of the year on Wednesday, August 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Larrabee Lager Co. The event is open to the whole community, no registration required. Bring your questions about city priorities, upcoming projects, or anything on your mind.

If you want to flag a topic ahead of time, the City is accepting questions in advance. Full details on the event and what's on the agenda.

Civic

Whatcom County Courthouse Opens to the Public for Free Court Education Day on August 28

On Thursday, August 28, from 1 to 5 p.m., the Whatcom County Courthouse is opening its doors for a free Court Education Day. Attendees can observe court hearings, meet with judges and court officers, and attend presentations on Recovery Court, Pretrial Services, Family and Juvenile Court programs, and more. No prior knowledge of the court system is needed.

It is open to community members of any background, whether you are exploring a career in the justice system or just want to better understand how things work here in Whatcom County. More information and the Superior Court website link.

Sponsored

Weekend Ready? Let Cascade Home Cleaning Handle the Mess

You have got the fair, the waterfront festival, the farmers market, and a full weekend of Bellingham summer ahead of you. The last thing you want to come home to is a dirty house. Cascade Home Cleaning has been keeping Whatcom County homes fresh and clean, and right now they have a deal you do not want to miss.

Get 50% off your first deep clean when you sign up for recurring services. This offer expires at the end of the week, so do not sit on it. Whether you are prepping for company, catching up after a busy summer, or just ready to hand off the cleaning for good, this is your moment.

Book with Cascade Home Cleaning at cascadehomecleaning.com.

The Upcoming Week