This week's most impactful change for Bellingham residents is the series of I-5 lane closures and bridge repairs affecting northbound traffic from August 15-16 between Samish Way and Iowa Street, with additional closures scheduled through September. WSDOT has announced multiple highway closures for maintenance, paving, and fish passage construction, including US 2, I-405, and SR 9.
Whatcom County has extended its stage 2 burn ban countywide until 11 pm tonight due to red flag conditions, with the ban now in effect for the foreseeable future as air quality improves. The county also announced a $7.05 million child care subsidy program, Whatcom Kids First, which will provide reduced costs for families using AidKit for application management.
Bellingham City Council has updated its meeting agenda publication schedule, now releasing materials one week before meetings instead of five days, to improve public engagement. The city also reiterates its ban on all consumer fireworks, including 'safe and sane' types, with fines up to $1,000 for violations.
For the first time, Whatcom County has launched a hate crime victim support program, providing resources for individuals affected by hate-motivated incidents. Meanwhile, the Lummi Island Ferry will be out of service for maintenance on August 19, with no alternative ferry service available during the outage.
What to watch next: The upcoming September 1 fare increase for RideWTA and the completion of the Mosquito Lake Road safety inspections, which will determine whether further closures are needed. Bellingham's new child care subsidy program will begin accepting applications through AidKit starting next week.