Newsletter index / Bellingham
Inside Bellingham: October 1, 2026
6 separate stories from this newsletter.
Choose an individual story below. Each article retains its own topic and original source attribution.
Two public hearings Monday, Oct. 5
More flexibility for small home businesses
Free First Friday: Forested
Join us this Friday to celebrate the Whatcom Museum’s newest exhibition, From the Vault: Forested , with works on display by local and regional artists. With activities throughout the day and evening on Oct. 2, there’s something for everyone! Walk the new exhibit with Museum staff, create forest-inspired crafts, peek into the fascinating world of fungi, listen to live music, or gather around a fire pit. Our Community Trees Program will be giving away free tree saplings to Bellingham residents to take home! Find a full list of activities on the Whatcom Museum’s website .
Fairhaven sidewalk repairs start next week
We’ll be replacing sections of sidewalk and several street trees along the 1100 block of 11th Street in Fairhaven starting Oct. 5. Work is expected to take about two weeks. Business access will be maintained, though on-street parking will be temporarily limited. The project will address sidewalk tripping hazards, replace dead or damaging trees, and enlarge some tree wells to give new trees more room to grow and help prevent future sidewalk damage. New trees will be planted after the sidewalks are complete. Thanks for your patience while we make these improvements!
City bans sale and distribution of Kratom
To support community health, the City has adopted an ordinance prohibiting the preparation, distribution, and sale of kratom products within city limits, effective Oct. 13, 2026. This ordinance amends Chapter 10.08 of the Bellingham Municipal Code.
All library locations closed Oct. 7
All locations of Bellingham Public Library will be closed Wednesday, Oct. 7 for their annual Staff Learning Day. This is an opportunity for library staff who usually work at separate branches to gather for a full day of meetings and professional development. The Library will reopen on its regular schedule on Thursday, Oct. 8.
Soar into Bellingham Bird Week activities next week
Hoo-hoo-hoo’s heard the news about Bellingham Bird Week?! The North Cascades Audubon Society and Audubon Washington are hosting this celebration Oct. 5–11 with a variety of activities. Join the Library for bird-themed children’s Storytimes and the Whatcom Museum for a bird drawing session and a screening of Lights Out Texas followed by a panel discussion. There will also be an opportunity to vote for Bellingham’s official bird! Mayor Kim Lund will announce the winner on Friday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. at the Bellingham Cruise Terminal. Learn more on the Bellingham Bird Week website .
Read the public source
City of Bellingham news →Source publication: Oct 1, 2026
Source checked: Oct 19, 2026
Brief prepared: Oct 19, 2026
This index links to separate stories drawn from the original newsletter.