Shellfish Recall Hits Co-op + $1M Senior Fraud Bust in Whatcom

Happy Friday, Bellingham. It is April 17 and we have a few things worth knowing before the weekend kicks off. A food safety recall you will want to act on right away, a major fraud arrest by the Sheriff's Office, and a Bellingham campus sending three boomerang throwers to Indonesia. It's a full one today. Let's get into it.

Public Health

Shellfish Recall Affects Community Food Co-op and Two Bellingham Restaurants

Oysters and clams from Gomez Shellfish LLC harvested March 22 through April 9 are being recalled due to norovirus contamination.

Washington State Department of Health has issued a recall on oysters and clams commercially harvested from Mason County by Gomez Shellfish LLC. Five Whatcom County residents became ill. Norovirus symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, stomach cramps, and fatigue, typically appearing within one to two days of eating contaminated shellfish.

Three Bellingham businesses sold or served the recalled product: Community Food Co-op Downtown Store (March 27-31), Rock & Rye (March 29 through April 4), and Keenan's at the Pier (March 19-23 and March 29 through April 3).

None of those spots are still selling the affected product. If you have any recalled shellfish at home, throw it away immediately. If you ate at any of those places during those dates and feel sick, you can report your illness through the county's online form.

Full details on the recall and what to do here.

Public Safety

Sheriff's Office Arrests California Man in $1 Million Fraud Scheme Targeting Whatcom County Seniors

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, working with Department of Homeland Security agents, has arrested a California man in connection with a fraud scheme that cost three Washington state victims more than $1 million combined.

Xiaobin Zhou, 56, of California was taken into custody on April 15 and booked into the Whatcom County Jail. Detectives first opened an investigation in May 2025 after identifying a pattern of fraud, theft, and trafficking in stolen property targeting older adults.

The scheme involved victims clicking a link that allowed remote computer access. They were then told to withdraw large amounts of cash for a courier pickup. Victims were told not to involve law enforcement. One 86-year-old lost nearly $800,000. Zhou now faces charges of Theft in the First Degree, Theft from a Vulnerable Adult, and Criminal Conspiracy.

If someone you know gets a pop-up saying their computer is compromised and they need to withdraw cash, that is the scam. Tell them to hang up and call a trusted family member. Full arrest details here.

Law Enforcement

Blaine Border Patrol Unit Makes Arrest Near Everson

The Blaine Sector Border Patrol's Targeted Enforcement Unit arrested a Mexican citizen near Everson, Washington on April 13. The individual had prior arrests for hit and run and driving without a valid license, along with multiple prior immigration removals.

The subject is currently awaiting removal proceedings. More information here.

Transportation

I-5 Northbound Is Open and the City Has Thoughts on What Came Next

The City of Bellingham confirmed this week that I-5 northbound is fully open. WSDOT crews worked around the clock for nearly a month to restore access. The city says the incident reinforced the need for strong cross-agency coordination when large-scale disruptions hit the regional network, and they expect to work with partner agencies on improved planning going forward.

On the civic side, the Bellingham City Council approved an ordinance on April 13 allowing temporary alley closures, a measure that came in handy during the detour period. Read the city's full recap here.

Feel Good Friday

Three from Bellingham Are Headed to the World Boomerang Championships in Indonesia

A WWU marketing professor and two of his students are representing Team USA at the World Boomerang Championships this summer.

Ed Love, a professor in Western Washington University's Department of Finance and Marketing, has been throwing boomerangs for decades. This summer, he is bringing two others with him to Bandung, Indonesia for the 2026 World Boomerang Championships, running July 26 through August 5.

Joining Love is Forrest Morse, a WWU sophomore studying energy science and technology in the Honors College, and Gavin Bohling, a 2024 WWU marketing alum. Morse got his first boomerang throw in at Love's session during Honors Prologue in fall 2024. Less than two years later, he is headed to the world stage.

All three will compete as part of Team USA. It is the kind of story that makes you want to find out what Professor Love does at Honors Prologue every year. Read the full story from Western Washington University here.

The Upcoming Week

Your First Deep Clean Is 40% Off This Week

After a month of I-5 detours and a norovirus food recall, maybe this is the universe's way of saying: let someone else handle the scrubbing for a bit.

Cascade Home Cleaning is offering 25% off your first deep clean for new recurring clients. Book by Sunday and the discount applies. Cascade serves Bellingham and Whatcom County with a team that is local, reliable, and genuinely good at what they do.

Offer expires end of this week. Book at cascadehomecleaning.com.