Two Men Arrested After Shooting on Birch Bay Drive Over the Weekend

Happy Tuesday, Bellingham. It is September 8 and we are coming off a long Labor Day weekend with a clear, sunny stretch ahead. Let's get into what is happening around Whatcom County today.

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Today’s Weather: Sunny skies return today with a high near 65 and almost no wind. Tonight stays mostly clear, dropping to around 53. A great day to be outside. Full forecast at the National Weather Service.

Safety Update

Two Men Arrested After Shooting on Birch Bay Drive Over the Weekend

The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office is investigating a shooting that took place Sunday evening, September 6, on Birch Bay Drive. One person was transported to the hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening. At least two suspects were taken into custody.

Authorities connected the incident to a motorcycle gang. The investigation is ongoing. Full details on the arrests and what investigators have shared so far are here.

Community

Whatcom County's Top Food Safety Inspector Is Retiring After 37 Years

Tom Kunesh, who has led Whatcom County's food safety program for 37 years, is retiring this month. If you have ever eaten at a local restaurant without worrying too much about what is happening in the kitchen, Kunesh is part of the reason why.

His approach throughout his career leaned toward teaching rather than penalizing. He is known for treating restaurant owners and workers as people trying to do the right thing, not as targets for violations. Courtesy visits, informal walkthroughs that offer feedback without enforcement action, became a signature part of how he operated.

It is the kind of institutional knowledge that is hard to replace. Read the full story on Tom Kunesh and his 37-year career here.

Small Business Spotlight

WWU Strength Coach Damien Fisher Is a National Highland Games Champion

Western Washington University strength and conditioning coach Damien Fisher has a resume that goes well beyond the weight room. Fisher is a two-time national champion in the Highland Games, a grueling set of strength-based field events rooted in Scottish tradition.

His background spans basketball and throws coaching, and he brings that combination to his work with WWU athletes. It is a good read for anyone who follows Bellingham sports or just appreciates someone who is genuinely excellent at something unusual. Get the full profile here.

Local Sports

Squalicum Hosts Sehome in an Early-Season Conference Soccer Showdown Saturday

Fresh off a dominant season-opening win over Sehome last week, Squalicum hosts their Bellingham rival again this Saturday in what figures to be a sharp early-season conference test. Both teams came into the fall with high expectations, and this one is already circled on local soccer fans' calendars.

Given that Squalicum ended a five-year losing streak against Sehome in their opener, there will be something to prove on both sides of the pitch. Preview and context for the matchup are here.

Outdoors + Wildlife

State Wildlife Agency Turns Down Petition to Bring Back Controversial Spring Bear Hunt

The fall black bear hunting season is now underway in Whatcom and Skagit counties. Off to one side of that, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has denied a petition to reinstate the spring bear hunt, a season that ended in 2022 amid significant controversy.

The original 2022 decision not to hold the spring hunt came with serious fallout. A commission audit later found that two commissioners had withheld public records for 18 months and violated government transparency rules. The governor's office has since sent formal acknowledgment letters to those commissioners. A hunter filed two new petitions this year to bring the season back. WDFW said no.

Supporters of the spring hunt argue it manages bear populations and reduces threats to livestock. Opponents say the timing, when bears have just emerged from hibernation with low fat reserves, makes it inhumane. The full background on the petition and where things stand now is here.

Arts + Events

Live Music in Bellingham and Whatcom County: September 11-20

The next ten days have a solid stretch of live music across Bellingham and Whatcom County. The Bellingham Celtic Festival is on the horizon, with regional and international acts rolling through including San Miguel Fraser, a Spanish duo blending Castilian and Celtic traditions, performing in the area on September 14.

Jesse Stanton's weekly picks round out the calendar with venue-by-venue listings through September 20. See the full music calendar here.

The Upcoming Week