Government / Countywide
Announcing Licensing Office Location Change
Northwest Licensing is moving to a new location after 26 years at their current location of 2502 Cedarwood Avenue, Bellingham.
Article archive
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Government / Countywide
Air Quality Alert & Heat Advisory in Effect for Whatcom County
Air Quality Alert & Heat Advisory in Effect for Whatcom County
Community / Bellingham
Get your WWU gear and join us for student Convocation
All faculty and staff are invited to Fall Convocation Tuesday, Sept. 22 in Carver Gym to greet our new incoming students.
Government / Countywide
SEPA Distribution - Notice of Application
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 3704070804500000, 3703133294690000, 3704071851880000, 3704070681860000, 3703121983300000, 3703134663080000 Address: 2537 Lake Louise Road SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00072 SEPA Determination: Notice of Application If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Community / Bellingham
Bellingham appoints strategist to help businesses navigate city processes
Longtime planning staff member Darby Galligan fills a new role focused on business development and investment.
Government / Bellingham
New ADU and middle housing development quick guides
We have some new resources that make it easier for those considering developing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) or middle housing (such as duplexes and townhomes) to decide if building is right for them.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-15
Published activity records dated 2026-09-15 include 55 Sheriff’s Office entries and 45 Bellingham Police entries.
Environment / Countywide
Human-black bear incident in Whatcom County
On Monday, Sept. 14 at approximately 11:30 a.m., Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Officers received a report of a human-black bear incident that occurred the evening prior on the property of a residence outside of Bellingham in Whatcom County. An adult male and a minor child sustained injuries and were treated at a local hospital.
Traffic & Roads / Countywide
PUD Emergency Pipeline Project – Current County Road Closures and Restrictions
PUD Emergency Pipeline Project – Current County Road Closures and Restrictions
Community / Everson
Everson announces water-main flushing from September 21 to October 5
The city has posted a two-week flushing window on its public announcements page.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-14
Published activity records dated 2026-09-14 include 55 Sheriff’s Office entries and 41 Bellingham Police entries.
Community / Bellingham
Fall Quarter launches with signature events
As students arrive on campus this week and next, classrooms and programs are gearing up for the first day of class Sept. 23.
Community / Bellingham
Student-focused weekly email begins this fall
A new WWU newsletter just for students begins this fall.
Government / Countywide
DNS Distribution
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 4001213033060000 Address: 3898 Holtzheimer Trail SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00051 SEPA Determination DNS If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Government / Countywide
DNS Addendum Distribution
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: 3901294083250000, 39012926020840000 Address: 4050 Mountain View Road SEPA Case Number: SEPA2018-00024 SEPA Determination DNS Addendum If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-13
Published activity records dated 2026-09-13 include 49 Sheriff’s Office entries and 58 Bellingham Police entries.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-12
Published activity records dated 2026-09-12 include 68 Sheriff’s Office entries and 41 Bellingham Police entries.
Environment / Countywide
County outlines fall review of proposed critical-areas updates
Tentative meetings run from September through December as the county reviews rules for environmentally sensitive and hazardous areas.
Public Safety / Bellingham
City lifts recreational fire ban
Thanks to recent rain reducing fire risk, the City of Bellingham will lift its ban on recreational fires within city limits at 5 pm. on Friday, Sept. 11.
Government / Bellingham
Comment on affordable housing priorities by Sept. 15
The public comment period is now open for our draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER). This report shows how the City of Bellingham’s Housing and Services Program spending aligns with goals for affordable housing and shelter, first-time homebuyers, community facilities, human and social services, and other housing services.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-11
Published activity records dated 2026-09-11 include 68 Sheriff’s Office entries and 46 Bellingham Police entries.
Government / Countywide
Upcoming Meetings: Incarceration Prevention & Reduction Task Force
The Incarceration Prevention and Reduction Task Force upcoming meetings for September 2026:
Government / Countywide
2026 Special Draining and Diking District Annual Meetings
The River and Flood Division of Whatcom County Public Works announces that the Drainage and Diking Districts within Whatcom County will hold a series of annual public meetings over the next few weeks. Please click here for specific dates and times.
Community / Bellingham
Inside Bellingham: September 10, 2026
6 separate stories from this newsletter.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-10
Published activity records dated 2026-09-10 include 87 Sheriff’s Office entries and 45 Bellingham Police entries.
Community / Countywide
WECU Launches New WWU Debit Card
BELLINGHAM, WA (September 10, 2026) – WECU has launched a new Western Washington University affinity debit card designed to give WWU students, alumni, employees, and supporters a way to show their WWU pride every time they use it.
Community / Bellingham
Nobody tells you you can be an artist
As an avid fan of Seattle’s music scene during the late 1990s and early 2000s, photographer Bootsy Holler, ‘92, created a portfolio of little-known bands who later defined a decade in music history.
Government / Bellingham
Help choose Bellingham’s official bird!
The North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Washington are inviting the Bellingham community to nominate the “Official Bird of Bellingham.” Nominations will be gathered through mid-September and then the top 10 birds will soar into the finals. You can then vote for your favorite finalist during Bellingham Bird Week, happening Oct. 5-11. After voting wraps up, the City of Bellingham will issue an official proclamation recognizing the community’s avian icon. Submit your nomination online .
Government / Bellingham
How should we prioritize support for affordable housing and shelter?
The public comment period is now open for our draft Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report. This report outlines how actual spending compares with priorities and goals for our programs that support affordable housing and shelter, first-time homebuyers, community facilities, human and social services, and other housing services. You can share your thoughts on these priorities and goals through noon on Sept. 15 at cob.org/action-plan .
Government / Bellingham
Speaking of housing: Low-interest loans available for home repair
Did you know we offer low-interest loans that support low-to-moderate income homeowners in making repairs to keep their homes safe and livable? And these loans don’t need to be paid back until the homeowner moves out of the home. You can apply any time to be considered for our Home Rehabilitation Loan program . We are also looking for more contractors to support this important community program — you can learn more about joining the program’s contractor pool on our website.
Traffic & Roads / Bellingham
Road work coming to Lincoln and Fraser Streets
Travelers can expect some temporary slowdowns and pedestrian detours along Lincoln Street between Elwood Avenue and E. Maple Street, and on Fraser Street between Puget and Valencia Streets as we prepare for roadway resurfacing, bus stop improvements, and pedestrian improvements. More information and updates can be found on our project page.
Government / Bellingham
Uptick in scam emails targeting permit applicants
We’ve noticed an uptick in the number of scam emails Bellingham permit applicants have reported receiving since we first reported on a national phishing scheme in April. If you receive an email prompting you to make a payment related to a permit, please remember: The Permit Center will only ask you to make online payments through our eTRAKiT system.
Government / Bellingham
New metered parking spaces coming downtown in mid-September
Beginning next week, some downtown parking spaces will transition to metered parking, primarily in areas that currently have time limits. Paid parking helps parking spaces turn over more often, keeping spaces available throughout the day and making it easier to access nearby businesses and services. Plus, a significant portion of parking revenue is invested back in downtown, supporting improvements and programs through organizations such as the Downtown Bellingham Partnership.
Government / Countywide
Reducing Burn Ban to Stage 1
Planning and Development Services - Burn Ban Information Posted on September 10, 2026
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-09
Published activity records dated 2026-09-09 include 80 Sheriff’s Office entries and 54 Bellingham Police entries.
Government / Countywide
SEPA Distribution - Notice of Application
You are receiving this email as part of a SEPA Distribution. This email goes out to all agencies, cities and interested parties. Please check the location of the SEPA listed below. If you are representing an incorporated city it may not pertain to you. Parcel Number: Countywide Address: Countywide SEPA Case Number: SEPA2026-00074 SEPA Determination: DNS If you have questions, please contact Planning and Development Services at [email protected] or call 360-778-5900.
Government / Countywide
County Council tests fewer committees and a new morning comment period
A trial scheduled through year-end shifts some final decisions to the Finance and Administrative Services Committee.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-08
Published activity records dated 2026-09-08 include 82 Sheriff’s Office entries and 47 Bellingham Police entries.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-07
Published activity records dated 2026-09-07 include 67 Sheriff’s Office entries and 40 Bellingham Police entries.
Public Safety / Countywide
Local law enforcement activity — 2026-09-06
Published activity records dated 2026-09-06 include 64 Sheriff’s Office entries and 29 Bellingham Police entries.