Bellingham Metro News

Picture 15 Whatcom County residents, clutching notebooks and coffee mugs, gathered in libraries and community halls to rewrite the county’s governing charter. That’s the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission (CRC), now halfway through its 2025 mission to update the rules that keep Gov ticking.

In the government office space in the Executive Building across from the Whatcom County Courthouse on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, the Charter Review Commission tackled the age-old question that makes everyone squirm: "Who gets paid what, and why?"

Tired of feeling like your voice doesn't matter? What if you could directly influence the decisions that impact your everyday life right here in Whatcom County?

When you can count on your friends, and they can count on you, the impossible becomes possible. That’s exactly what’s happening at Black Noise Records, a record label and store in Bellingham, Washington, built from the ground up by a young artist with a dream-and a team that believed in it.

Together on the Streets: The Strength of Community in Homelessness - Article by BMN's Chloe Anne.

The Whatcom County Charter Commission's recent meeting was its most efficient session to date, packed with passionate discussions on proposed amendments, elected official salaries, and the challenges of ensuring public access.

What would a flag for the City of Lynden look like? One idea envisions a simple yet meaningful design that pays tribute to the town’s heritage while maintaining a clean and timeless aesthetic.

The Woods Coffee location at Boulevard Park temporarily closed Monday morning after a break-in, marking another incident in a string of crimes affecting businesses in the Fairhaven area.

A new Dutch Bros Coffee could soon arrive at 451 W Bakerview Rd in Bellingham, but the project faces zoning and environmental challenges before it can proceed.

Progress is well underway for the highly anticipated In-N-Out Burger location in Ridgefield, Washington.

Lynden Chevron (8195 Guide Meridian Rd.) is now under new ownership, bringing lower gas prices and an expanded selection of snacks and drinks.

While most people take cover when the winds pick up and the rain starts falling, that’s not the case at Maritime Park today.

When it comes to authentic, heartfelt, and flavorful Mexican cuisine, Lilia’s Mexican Cuisine on Bakerview Road in Bellingham stands out as a must-visit. From the moment we walked through the doors, this dining experience was nothing short of phenomenal.

At the next meeting of the Whatcom County Charter Review Commission, Commissioner Maya Morales will introduce a significant proposal: to transition the commission from a volunteer-based body to a salaried one.

On Saturday, March 1st, Love From London celebrated its grand opening in Bellingham, and the community showed up in full force.

The Whatcom County Charter Review Commission convened in Deming, Washington at the Deming Library, on the ancestral lands of the Nooksack Tribe, where they received a warm welcome from Nooksack tribe’s Vice Chair Anna Brewer.

Dutch Bros Coffee could be making its way to Bellingham, as a pre-application has been submitted for a drive-thru location near the planned Chick-fil-A at Cordata Parkway and Bakerview Road.

Since 2016, Snnoworld has been shaping Bellingham’s music, fashion, and art scene. With artists like Yogirlcallmesenpai and Neffy3600, they blend live performances with visual art while staying rooted in the local community.

Loca Mocha in Sumas is built on family legacy and community spirit. Despite challenges like COVID and flooding, Nicole Sandoval expanded her shop into a welcoming space with breakfast, games, and more. Her passion for serving Sumas continues to grow! #LocaMocha #SumasWA #CommunityFirst

Hailing from our backyard, Magenta Wave is a band with a vision that reaches far beyond local stages. Yet, despite their big dreams, their roots remain firmly planted in the community that helped shape them.

Lynden News: Grant’s Burgers, a Lynden favorite, just spiced things up by switching to beef tallow for frying its famous fries. After a big hit at their Ferndale and Bellingham spots, the Lynden crew’s jumping on board, bringing that rich, old-school flavor to town.

The Bellingham City Council is set to tackle a range of community-focused topics at its meetings on Monday, February 24, 2025, offering residents a chance to engage with key issues like housing, tree protection, homelessness, water conservation, and waste management.

Faber Construction is spearheading the development of the Woburn Street Operations Center, a cutting-edge facility set to enhance the City of Bellingham’s Public Works operations.

News: The Bellingham Police Department (BPD) showcased its commitment to road safety with an intensive traffic enforcement operation spanning Friday night into Saturday morning, February 22-23, 2025.

Local Whatcom News: Marc Urban's Urban Outcast podcast, uploaded this week, features Lyle Sorenson, a realtor and advocate, discussing Whatcom County's rising crime, homelessness, and jail crisis. Sorenson, of Public Safety Matters, offers data-driven insights on these pressing issues.

Whatcom Food Icons: Just minutes north of downtown Bellingham, Mi Rancho Meat Market has become a staple in Whatcom County’s Latino food scene. Offering a full-scale meat market, taqueria, bakery, and grocery store.

Local Bellingham News: BMN volunteer reporters joined the soft opening winners for an exclusive first look at Bellingham’s newest dessert destination, enjoying sweet treats and lively conversations before the official launch.

Lawmakers in Washington state are considering a proposal that could lead to a new state flag, igniting debate over the necessity and cost of such a change.

Local Bellingham News: PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center is experiencing record-breaking patient volumes in its Emergency Room as the respiratory virus season intensifies.

It appears that Jack in the Box in Lynden has shut its doors for good. The location at 8083 Guide Meridian is now listed as “Permanently Closed” on the restaurants Google Maps listing, and the company’s website states, “SORRY, THIS LOCATION NO LONGER EXISTS.”

An 81-year-old man was found dead inside a vehicle pulled from the water at the Hamilton Park boat launch on Monday. Here is what we know so far:

In October 2020, Miracle Jones had no business plans or goals for staying in Whatcom County. She decided it was time to move back to her hometown of LA. Miracle posted on Britslist, hoping to achieve enough gas for the drive. Little did she know the requests would never stop coming.

The Bellingham Bulldogs have officially rebranded as the Whatcom County Vikings, continuing the legacy of semi-pro football in the area.

Just Poké, the award-winning Pacific Northwest restaurant known for its fresh, healthy, and sustainable poké, is expanding to Bellingham with the launch of Catch by Just Poké inside Walmart at 4420 Meridian St.

In 1906, Alma Clark etched her name into history by becoming the first Black student admitted to the New Whatcom Normal School in Bellingham (now Western Washington University). At a time when racial segregation was prevalent in education, Clark's admission was a significant stride towards equality.

"Remember the small cities," urged Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis, opening a Charter Review Commission meeting on local representation. He highlighted a county at a crossroads, citing rapid growth, water rights, and soaring housing costs. Article by BMN's Greg Thames.

When you think of a market, you think of farmers' markets or flea markets. With that in mind, I wasn't looking for much, maybe something new, or possibly not find anything. - Article by BMN Volunteer Reporter Chloe Anne.

Bellingham News: A Whatcom County Sheriff’s deputy sustained a non-life-threatening injury near Bellingham Tuesday afternoon after a firearm was accidentally discharged following the arrest of a suspect in Lynden.

Hip-hop R&B and Music fans in Northwest Washington are in for a night of pure nostalgia as the Northwest Washington Fair and Event Center announces Hip Hop Throwback Night. Featuring an all-star lineup of Chingy, Ginuwine, and the Ying Yang Twins

Sunday Special: Stretching across the stunning Bellingham Bay, the Boardwalk offers some of the most breathtaking, unobstructed views in the city. In my opinion, it’s more than just a walkway—it’s the heartbeat of Bellingham. Article by BMN's Fernando Gonzalez.

The Whatcom Business Alliance (WBA) has unveiled the finalists for the 38th Annual Whatcom Business Awards, set to take place on March 27, 2025.

Urgent Search: The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office, in collaboration with the FBI and the Lummi Nation Police Department, is actively searching for Besalynn M. James, a missing elder of the Lummi Tribal Nation who disappeared last month.

Pickford Film Center (PFC), a beloved cornerstone of Downtown Bellingham’s arts and culture scene since 1998, is set to expand with a second location, thanks to a commercial property loan from Bank of the Pacific.

The Whatcom Family YMCA is proud to announce that Campbell Phillips, a member of its Youth and Government (YAG) delegation, has been elected Youth Governor for Washington State’s 78th Youth Legislature.

To celebrate this exciting expansion, El Rey is hosting a Super Bowl LIX viewing party on Sunday, February 9th. With multiple screens, game-day specials, and an electric atmosphere, the event will be a perfect blend of sports excitement and the restaurant's vibrant nightlife.

National Sports: In a stunning move, the Miami Heat are finalizing a trade to send six-time All-Star Jimmy Butler to the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Andrew Wiggins, Dennis Schroder, Kyle Anderson, and a protected first-round pick.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in Seattle has issued a cold weather advisory for parts of Western Washington, warning residents of dangerously low temperatures expected overnight.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies recently wrapped up two separate drug investigations in Kendall, leading to the arrest of three individuals and the confiscation of significant amounts of narcotics, cash, and illegal firearms.

Many Latino-owned businesses in Whatcom County are closing their doors on Monday, February 3, in solidarity with the nationwide ‘A Day Without Immigrants’ strike.

A family boating trip on Lake Whatcom inspired Bellingham’s Andrew Payne and his father to create iFloat, a waterproof, floating iPhone case, after his mother’s phone sank.