Whatcom Word, the word of Whatcom
- by City of BellinghamFree First Friday, Police K9s, construction updates, We Scoop Photo Contest, and more: a news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamOn August 24, 2026, the City appointed its first ever limited-term Landlord and Tenant Advisory Work Group to create more opportunities to hear from people who rent and people who manage rentals.
- by City of BellinghamWhatcom Water Week, new rental protections, salmon season, Fall Parks Playbook, and more: a news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamOn August 24, Bellingham City Council approved a resolution to adjust Bellingham’s land use permit fees. The minor fee increases go into effect October 1, 2026.
- by City of BellinghamBellingham City Council gives final approval for updated rental protections.
- by City of BellinghamWe are excited to introduce our new Building Official, Kim Barker. While Kim is new to this role, she is not new to our Planning and Community Development team.
- by City of BellinghamCity begins implementing lower speed limits to improve safety
- by City of BellinghamOn August 21, 2026, in a special meeting, Bellingham City Council announced its unanimous decision to uphold the Hearing Examiner’s decision approving the preliminary plat and associated permits with conditions.
- by City of BellinghamLittle Squalicum Estuary work, new parking rules, library seeks artists, Ask Us Anything wrapped, and more: a news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- by City of BellinghamAsk Us Anything, utility report, I-5 lane reduction, Children’s Craft Fair, and more: a news roundup from the City of Bellingham
- On September 1st, Executive Satpal Sidhu transmitted his recommended budget for the 2027-2028 biennium to the County Council for their consideration.
- Whatcom County is issuing its Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) pursuant to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA).
- Rain possible this morning with clearing this afternoon. Small craft advisory for coastal waters this morning. A county-wide stage 2 burn ban in effect until further notice, no outdoor burning allowed. Visit WhatcomReady Facebook for preparedness tips.
- The Whatcom Chief will depart for dry dock on Saturday, September 12, 2026. We anticipate the ferry will return to its regular schedule on Sunday, October 4, 2026.
- Mostly cloudy today, but rain later today. Gale warning followed by small craft advisory for coastal waters and wind advisory for the western county. A county-wide stage 2 burn ban in effect until further notice, no outdoor burning allowed.
- The closures will affect the Gooseberry Point Emma lot and the Lummi Island Ferry back parking lot.
- Mostly sunny today, but looks like rain will move in Wednesday. Gale warning Tuesday night to Wednesday night. A county-wide stage 2 burn ban in effect until further notice, no outdoor burning allowed. Summer water safety tips below.
- The outage stemmed from the missed inspection requirement, not a known safety issue with the vessel. The Whatcom Chief passed today's inspection, and the Coast Guard cleared it for service.
- The Whatcom County Disposal of Toxics facility will be closed on Wednesday, September 16 for a planned closure.
- Recent testing at Toad Lake detected microcystins at levels that may be harmful to people and pets.
- The next planning director brings more than two decades of experience helping organizations work through complex planning, leadership, and organizational challenges
- Whatcom County Public Works will temporarily close Lake Louise Road and Lake Whatcom Boulevard August 24–26 for roadside mowing and pavement striping.
- If you get your drinking water directly from Lake Samish through your own private drinking water system, be aware that a recent surface water test found increased levels of microcystin, a cyanotoxin that can be produced by blue-green algae, in the lake.
- Whatcom County is taking the next step to reduce child care costs for Whatcom County families. Last night, the County Council approved a contract with AidKit to run the new Whatcom Kids First Child Care Subsidy Program.
- This week, two bats in Whatcom County tested positive for rabies. Bats are found all over the world and play a vital role in ecosystems. However, they can carry rabies, a deadly disease that is transmitted through bites or scratches.
- An Air Quality Alert and Heat Advisory are in effect for Whatcom County. Wildfire smoke from Canada may reach unhealthy levels this week, and temperatures are expected to reach near 90 degrees in parts of the county Wednesday and Thursday.
- Event date: September 10, 2026 Event Time: 07:00 PM – 08:30 PMLocation: 322 N Commercial StreetBottom FloorBellingham, WA 98225
- Event date: September 10, 2026 Event Time: 07:00 AM – 08:30 AMLocation: 509 Girard StreetBellingham, WA 98225Description:Open Public Meeting of the Public Health Advisory Board
- Event date: September 9, 2026 Event Time: 01:00 PM – 02:30 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 10, 2026 Event Time: 06:00 PM – 09:00 PMLocation: 5280 Northwest DrivePortable BuildingBellingham, WA 98226
- Event date: September 15, 2026 Event Time: 09:00 AM – 10:30 AMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 3, 2026 Event Time: 06:00 PM – 09:30 PMLocation: 5280 Northwest DrivePortable BuildingBellingham, WA 98226
- Event dates: September 12, 2026 – October 4, 2026Event Time: 12:00 AM – 11:00 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 9, 2026 Event Time: 05:40 AM – 02:40 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 14, 2026 Event Time: 03:00 PM – 05:00 PMLocation: 322 N. Commercial StGarden Level Conference RoomBellingham, WA 98225Description:Open Public Meeting of the Behavioral Health Advisory Committee
- Event date: September 17, 2026 Event Time: 02:00 PM – 04:00 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 15, 2026 Event Time: 04:30 PM – 06:00 PMLocation: 110 Unity StWhatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 15, 2026 Event Time: 08:30 AM – 04:30 PMLocation: 311 Grand Ave Suite 103Bellingham, WA 98225
- Event date: September 14, 2026 Event Time: 09:00 AM – 11:59 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 10, 2026 Event Time: 03:30 PM – 05:00 PMLocation: 322 N Commercial StreetBottom FloorBellingham, WA 98225
- Event date: September 17, 2026 Event Time: 05:30 PM – 07:30 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 17, 2026 Event Time: 03:00 PM – 04:30 PMLocation: 5280 Northwest DriveBellingham, WA 98226
- Event date: September 7, 2026 Event Time: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 16, 2026 Event Time: 11:00 AM – 12:30 PMLocation: Whatcom County, WA 98225
- Event date: September 15, 2026 Event Time: 12:00 AM – 11:59 PMLocation: 311 Grand Ave1st FloorBellingham, WA 98225