LYNDEN — Once in 1941, and then again in 1958, Lynden residents experienced record-breaking high temperatures of 102 degrees.
This year, thrice, actually three consecutive days in late-June, Lynden broke that record with 103, 107, then 106 degrees.
Less than six months later, mid- to late-November to be exact, significant flooding temporarily displaced hundreds of families from their homes.
Then, this past weekend, snow brought what Accuweather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham called “record-challenging cold weather.”
As if new variants of COVID-19 weren’t enough.
However, weather was not the only thing the Lynden Tribune newspaper wrote about this year.
Some of this year’s news was good news, good for everyone.
Of course there also was plenty of bad news, such as the recent death of Sen. Doug Ericksen.
Truth is that much happened this year in North Whatcom County. The following are some of the many headlines from 2021.
JANUARY
6 — Flooding averted, despite storms
WHATCOM COUNTY — In 48 hours to Monday, 39 inches of snow fell at Mt. Baker Ski Area. Rainfall in the week from Dec. 29 through Jan. 4 was about 3.8 inches, as recorded by the Perry Family’s National Weather Service station at Clearbrook.
6 — Forge Fitness sets vision for rec center
LYNDEN — Remodeling is first priority for full reopening in March, but pool staying open now. As of the turn of the year, Forge Fitness is now into a five-year lease of the facility from the City of Lynden. The pool will be closed to take its ceiling down.
6 — Schools try to get back to in-person
WHATCOM COUNTY — NV aims for Jan. 12, Lynden assessing, many have set Feb. 1. It has been a back-to-back effort – whether remote or in-person or a hybrid of the two – in how learning has happened in the 2020-2021 school year.
6 — Whatcom home sales up to 10.5% in 2020
WHATCOM COUNTY — Lynden median price now $445,000; most communities’ numbers rise. The county’s median home price in 2020 recorded its third double-digit percentage increase in five years. The countywide median home sales price has soared $200,000 (82.6%) since the last yearly decline in 2011, according to Troy Muljat.
13 — Vaccine comes to local care facilities
LYNDEN — CHCC, Lynden Manor and Meadow Greens have now all received it. CHCC administrator Tonja Myers said she is proud that 90% of residents and almost 70% of staff agreed to take the Pfizer vaccine, with shots administered by Walgreens pharmacy.
13 — Ex-Lynden girls wrestling coach arrested on suspicion of rape
LYNDEN — Former Coach Santos Rodriguez Gallegos, 47, arrested on third-degree rape on Thursday, Jan. 7. He had been the head of the girls wrestling program since its inception in the 2011-12 season.
20 — 65 and older eligible for vaccine
WHATCOM — The Washington State Department of Health on Jan. 18 expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccination to all people aged 65 or older.
The change is from age 70 and older that had been announced earlier. The 65 age minimum aligns with federal government guidelines.
20 — 18-year-old and his ‘pandemic’ quilt travel U.S.
DEMING — The Mount Baker High School senior Will Stich-Smith traveled to New Mexico, Nevada, Kansas, Alabama, and Florida after forming a GoFundMe. The quilt’s pattern is an embroidery design package turned into a quit.
20 — Sports seasons’ order: spring, winter
WHATCOM COUNTY — WIAA decides to put off high-risk basketball to late April and switch sport seasons’ order. The hope is for all high school athletes to participate in their sports this school year.
20 — Council OKs short-term rental permit
LYNDEN — Any short-term vacation rental unit in town is regulated as a bed-and-breakfast establishment, and its approval must go through the conditional-use permit process in regards to impacts on neighbors.
20 — Marshall Judy is Nooksack’s acting mayor
NOOKSACK — City Clerk/Treasurer Virginia Arnason reports that veteran city council member Marshall Judy is the new acting mayor of Nooksack upon the Dec. 31, 2020, resignation of long-time Mayor Jim Ackerman.
27 — Farms fear paying overtime retroactively
OLYMPIA — Implications of last fall’s 5-4 state Supreme Court decision are playing out; lawsuits filed, but not here yet. Save Family Farming has raised an alarm, saying that few farms will survive if the demands of the lawsuits are allowed to stand. Long-established state laws have exempted farm employees from overtime pay.
27 — City leaders refresh where Pepin stands
LYNDEN — Knowing what infrastructure is needed, a decision on paying is next. Pepin Creek stream reroute is a key to future development in northwest Lynden. Flood protection and habitat improvement are a consideration while lifting a development moratorium.
27 — KWPZ’s Jim Bouma passes unexpectedly
LYNDEN — Forty years with the station, he and co-host Lynette Morgan won a national award in 2011. Bouma passed away while working out at Homestead fitness center. He had been the station’s operations manager and co-morning host.
FEBRUARY
3 — Middle, high schools to hybrid mode.
WHATCOM COUNTY — Schools have not transmitted COVID-19, their leaders say. Three more local public school districts — Meridian, Ferndale, and Mount Baker — moved to a hybrid mode of half on-campus and half remote learning.
3 — Fair adds all-day Northwest Rock Fest
LYNDEN — Five classic rock acts to be in the grandstand on Saturday, Aug. 14: Lou Gramm, ASIA, Hell’s Belles, Stone in Love, and Barracuda.
3 — LCHS produces a musical for online viewing
LYNDEN — ‘Emma’ new pop version pushed acting and editing creativity for Lynden Christian High School. The classic Jane Austin story will have hit female pop songs from the last 50 years. This Emma is set in a prep school.
10 — Inslee defends leaving Whatcom in Phase 1
OLYMPIA — ‘You can’t argue with the results’ saving lives, Gov. Jay Inslee said last week. The governor claimed an extra 8,000 lives were saved in the state with the decision. Some Republicans in the state Senate disagreed with his decision and announced formation of a Freedom Caucus. Local state Senator Doug Erickson is part of the caucus.
10 — Arctic chill here
WHATCOM COUNTY — Temperatures forecast into teens and 20s, with possible lowland snow and winter coming in February. So far this winter the temperature in north Whatcom had gotten below 30 only nine times and never as low as 25, according to the National Weather Service record-keeping Perry family on Van Buren Road.
17 — Ski to Sea off – again
WHATCOM COUNTY — This represents cancellation of events due to COVID-19 into a second year. The decision was partly based on a survey of prospective participants, according to Whatcom Events executive director Anna Rankin. Another factor was economics.
17 — Whatcom OK’d for Phase 2
OLYMPIA — Gov. Jay Inslee lets whole state get to greater reopening; prep sports can start Season 1. Restaurants may return to indoor dining at 25% capacity through 11 p.m. It also grants latitude for fall Season 1 sports of moderate and high risk to plan for competition.
17 — Ferndale game show lover wins a Jeep Renegade
FERNDALE — Debbie Gwaltney was on ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ earlier; twice. Game shows and sports are two of Gwaltney’s favorite things. Filming in studio for the show started back up in fall and a producer reached out to Gwaltney to see if she wanted to be on the show.
24 — Cross Country teams back at it
EVERSON — Just a sense of gratefulness prevails at NV-Lynden meet after a weekend snowstorm on the Ramstead trail. For 1A Nooksack Valley, senior Lily Snow finished first on the team and fourth overall in 18:112.83. For 2A Lynden, sophomore Anna Ellis finished first in 1716.29.
24 – Mass vaccination planned at BTC in March
WHATCOM — A coalition of local healthcare providers plans to open a large-scale community COVID-19 vaccination clinic at Bellingham Technical College sometime in March, it was announced Feb. 18.
24 — Shooting at Birch Bay ends with arrest
BIRCH BAY — On Friday, Feb. 19, about 5:45 p.m., numerous deputies were dispatched to a reported aggravated assault with a firearm in the 5500 block of Hillvue Road north of Birch Bay Village. Martin Dylan Siergiey, 35, of Bellingham, was arrested.
MARCH
3 — Everson library being updated
EVERSON — Nowicke gift is seed money to refresh and remodel; city replaces roof. The Whatcom County Library Foundation received a surprise gift of $144,000 from the estate of Fred D. Nowicke on behalf of him and his wife Evelyn for use at the Everson Library.
3 — Ferndale football gets the best of Lynden, 28-19
WHATCOM COUNTY — Lions dealt a first-quarter pair of injuries but keep battling. Ferndale scored first on a touchdown run by junior Thomas Broselle. The Lions answered with a touchdown run of their own by senior Caleb Wheeler.
10 — Nooksack Valley shuffles admin roles
EVERSON — Superintendent Mark Johnson retiring after 28 years. NVHS Principal Matt Galley takes his spot after a formal internship. Collin Buckley stepping in as NVHS principal after serving as teacher and a coach since 2011 in district.
10 — Bender garage burns Thursday
LYNDEN — Structure housed supplies for water treatment business operated on site. The garage in the 8600 block of Bender Road housed the Northwest Water Treatment and Pump Service and contained water softening equipment.
10 — Car crashes at Front, Fifth early Saturday
LYNDEN — Lots of objects hit, but driver ends up okay. The driver apparently fell asleep at the wheel at 7 a.m. and hit two decorative metal bollards, a metal bike rack, a metal signpost and three planters, according to a report from the Lynden Police Department.
17 — 9% of county residents fully vaccinated
WHATCOM — As of March 6 a total of 41,569 doses of COVID19 vaccine had been administered, accounting for about 18.5% of the county’s population.
17 — 92 lot plat for ex-Northwood dairy farm
LYNDEN — Residential mixed density rezone granted as Lynden moves city eastward with housing. The dairy farm had been owned by Leroy Lagerwey northeast of Northwood and Kamm roads.
17 — Gasoline price zipping up average of a penny a day
WASHINGTON STATE — Washington gas prices rose 7.7 cents per gallon in the week ending March 14, 2021. According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Washington was priced at $2.62 while the most expensive was $3.79. The national average price of gasoline rose 5.9 cents per gallon in the same week.
24 — Forge restarts at restyled city fitness center
LYNDEN — Ribbon-cutting ceremony to enthusiastic crowd at the former YMCA building. Forge Fitness has moved its operations, including equipment and existing members from Third and Grover streets.
24 — Facebook Live has become valued funeral adaptation
LYNDEN — People from all over the world can attend services on livestream. During COVID-19 families cannot attend burial services; they watch in their cars from a distance. Revenue at the funeral home took a hit as well, as Lynden’s Gillies Funeral Home wasn’t rendering full services. Via Facebook Live, relatives and friends can watch once again.
24 – COVID rate keeps dropping
WHATCOM — For the whole county the COVID-19 epidemiological curve continues to drop, as the number of vaccinations slowly climbs upward. A Whatcom County Health Department graph shows the seven-day rolling average of cases dropping to 25 through March 11, and to 17 for less complete data through March 20. Not since last June has the case rate been this low.
24 — WCLS online book sales now open
WHATCOM — Friends of Ferndale, Lynden, Everson libraries operate online bookstore. Covid forced libraries to close, but services continued with major changes in operation. Patrons missed the onsite used book sales. An online Shopify account was created with volunteers monitoring sales.
24 — Lynden woman gets relief from rare condition
LYNDEN — Bria Eide Block is progressing in Arkansas treatment clinic with local people’s help. Block has suffered for 18 years from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPS), a rare disorder of the sympathetic nervous system. Friends and family raised $70,000 through a GoFundMe campaign and other efforts for the lengthy treatment at Spero Clinic.
31 — Frey resigning as Lynden school superintendent
LYNDEN — Board meeting Tuesday included search process. Jim Frey’s resignation effective June 30, 2021. In addition to the school board discussing in-person learning, it has added a superintendent search.
31 — Fire equipment from Whatcom benefits a Mexican town
LYNDEN — Commissioners of North Whatcom Fire & Rescue (NWFR) surplused four ambulances that were at the end of their useful lifespan by U.S. regulations. The surplussing took place in 2020. By 2021 the local department received a photo from Firefighters Across Borders that Union De Tula had delivered a baby boy in the donated ambulances.
31 — Two tribes say they support adjudication
WHATCOM — Nooksacks and Lummi call their joint effort Salmon Need Water. The tribes say the Nooksack basin faces diminishing runs of salmon, a changing climate, and a lack of clarity about water.
APRIL
7 — Lynden council approves increased park impact fees
LYNDEN — Lynden City Council also selected hearing examiner; Mayor Scott Korthuis announced reelection bid. The fees, which only apply to new development in the city, were set at $936 for a single family home in 2004 when last updated. The new fee is $2,925 for a single family home.
7 — County median home price $500,000
WHATCOM — Prices rose 19-20 from 2020 in first quarter of 2021 done. Bellingham’s median price soared 20.3% to $607,500. The higher prices in Bellingham are making more people look elsewhere in the county, according to Troy Muljat, owner and president of Muljat Group Realtors.
7 — Zoo event returning to fairgrounds
LYNDEN — First held last September, May iteration will feature new animals, zoo café. Last year’s event sold out. Most of the animals are new to the fair. The main attraction is Jax, a reticulated giraffe.
14 — New state poet laureate is Rena Priest, Lummi Nation member
BELLINGHAM — Rena Priest found poetry at a young age, with the help of her family, her teachers and Dr. Seuss. Priest, a member of the Lummi Nation, takes over as the Washington State Poet Laureate on Thursday, April 15, as appointed by Gov. Jay Inslee. She is the first Indigenous poet to hold the honor.
14 — Everson annexing 103 aces westward
EVERSON — Livestock auction, future fire station site are in the growth plan. The expansion area extends west of the existing Sable Terrace development and is south of Everson-Goshen Road and Van Dyk road. Upon build out, existing Cashmere Lane will extend out to Everson-Goshen Road. Long-time city employee Rick Holt retiring.
14 — Comcast coming to Sumas
SUMAS — $4.2 million investment to be made in the border town to 815 homes over the next two years. Since 2011, Comcast has connected 560,000 low-income individuals statewide to broadband internet over the last decade.
14 — Coach Grycel retiring from LC volleyball
LYNDEN — Kim Grycel is already a state Hall of Famer, with 20 state trophies won in 25 years. The Lyncs made 23 consecutive trips to the state tournament, earned 20 state trophies and won three state titles.
21 — Vaccine eligibility now includes everyone 16 and older
WHATCOM — Starting April 15, everyone age 16 and older who wants a COVID-19 vaccine in Washington can receive one. The eligibility expansion came on the four-month anniversary of Washington’s vaccine rollout.
21 — Fair’s return promised, parade iffy
LYNDEN — But Chamber of Commerce gloomy about a June parade happening due to COVID-19. The Fair implementing new health and safety measures such as make all food and beverage purchases cashless. Old Settlers in Ferndale will continue – without parades.
21 — High schools get to be all present
LYNDEN — LHS principal Ian Freeman: It felt ‘awesome’ to have 700-plus students back on campus Monday. The new format is four 53-minute classes with everyone masked all the time.
21 — Couple struck crossing Front Street
LYNDEN — Driver arrested on investigation of DUI. Duane Hansen, 70, and wife Marlys Hansen, 67, were crossing Front Street in the crosswalk at Seventh Street when they were hit.
21 — Nettie Pottratz celebrating 105th birthday
LYNDEN — Nettie Pottratz was born as Annette Rutgers on April 24, 1916, and is a resident now of Christian Health Care Center.
21 — Eurdyk breaks 47-year-old LHS discus, shot put marks
LYNDEN -— Former record holder Randy Bajema on hand to congratulate Matthew Furdyk who broke the record on April 14. Furdyk beat Bajema’s shot put record of 53 feet 3.25 inches by more than three feet with a throw of 56 feet 10 inches. Furdyk’s mark in the discus was 15 feet 11 inches, beating Bajema’s record of 154 feet.
28 — Razz Fest, Farmers Day Parade cancelled
LYNDEN — COVID-related regulations could not be enforced by chamber sponsors.
Chamber Executive Director Gary Vis met with representatives from Governor Jay Inslee’s office.
28 — Remaining Dutch mural to be replaced
LYNDEN — Engstrom father and son from Arlington to do another of Dutch-Lynden themes. The 19-year-old Seventh Street parking lot mural by the public parking lot was painted by Bill Swinburson in 2002 and will be replaced.
MAY
5 — Milky Way moving office, freight hub to Mount Vernon
LYNDEN — Dairy support will remain in Lynden while freight and office staff to Mount Vernon. The new location will provide more space for trucks and maintenance and will be more centrally located.
5 — 2021 fair act: Old Dominion
LYNDEN — Reigning country Vocal Group of Year fills final Aug. 20 slot at fair’s ground stand. Fair Manager Chris Pickering said the group “the biggest act we have ever had.”
5 — Wildfire smoke is the big factor in air quality
WHATCOM — Northwest WA would get an ‘A’ grade except for wildfire smoke. Whatcom County air quality received an “F” grade for 24-hour particle pollution because of smoke impacts.
12 — Lummis call for accountability on Red Road to D.C.
FERNDALE — National tour of newly carved totem pole stopped in Ferndale on May 5. The totem carved by Jewell Praying Wolf James, Douglas James, and other House of Tears carvers was carved from a 400-year-old western red cedar. They left Lummi on April 23 with at least a dozen stops. The desire is accountability to Mother Earth.
12 — Vander Veen Dairy sees the benefits of going robotic
LYNDEN — This is one of quite a few local farms letting the robot’s arm take over. The DeLaval robotic milking units were operational on April 27, 2020, to help Tim Vander Veen milk his 175 Holstein and Jersey cows. Milk production is up.
19 — City’s Seventh Street mural project wins an award
LYNDEN — It is one of nine state Projects of the year given by the Washington chapter of the American Public Works Association. The category was Small Agency and project value of less than $5 million. The street serves as a boundary of Lynden’s downtown historic business district.
19 — Two bodies recovered from car in Nooksack River
FERNDALE — Report came in Monday evening of tire marks near river on Ferndale Road; recovery delayed until daylight Tuesday. The occupants were two adult males.
19 — Andy Hanson wins plowing match
LYNDEN — The 79th annual International Plowing Match was May 15 at Berthusen Park. Hansen took first place in the adult class.
26 — Border rally: “Families are essential”
LYNDEN — Cross-border group pushes for reopening: Canada stance is ‘total overkill,’ says founder. The lengthy U.S.-Canada border closure has separated families. Facebook group has formed with real life rallies on the border. Locally, groups formed north of Lynden at the ditch.
26 — Veterans group wants Northwest Annex saved
WHATCOM — New county facility in early planning for crossroads site at Northwest Drive and Smith Road. The Tudor-style building has been the Nobel Nursing Home, a hospital, a tuberculosis sanitarium and County offices for Engineering and Planning.
26 — Sumas mayor Christensen vies instead for County Council
SUMAS — Nine want two county posts; three mayor slots uncontested. To take Kyle Christensen’s place as mayor of Sumas, only current council member Bruce Bosch filed.
JUNE
9 — Chamber says ‘yes’ to Farmers Day Parade
LYNDEN — It will occur at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 17. The annual Farmer’s Day Parade was a COVID-19 casualty in 2020. The parade is sponsored by Peoples Bank, celebrating its Centennial in 2021.
9 — Lynden postmaster takes medical retirement
LYNDEN — Brian Mouche has been here 21 years now deals with an eye ailment. While Mouche planned another four years until retirement he has retinitis pigmentosa and no longer can drive.
9 — Surveillance cameras curtail vandalism at Bender Fields
LYNDEN — The cameras supply a live feed to city parks, police departments. Three cameras installed in April after being donated by Security Solutions with a focus on the Rotary Park. PogoZone donated the installation and cost for WIFI for three years.
16 — Lumber prices soar along with housing
NATIONAL — Cost of a 4-by-8-foot sheet of OSB sheathing goes from $8.50 to around $70 in a year. Product is available locally for building but for a higher cost.
16 — Joan Horat ends 39 years driving school bus
LYNDEN — Joan Horat will miss the kids she sees each day. Started driving in 1982 for Lynden School District. Horat’s last day is June 16, the last day of the school year.
16 — Results of 2021 Deming Log Show
DEMING — Chris Hamilton won the special award for sportsmanship in a return of the log show after being cancelled in 2020. All Around Logger went to Nick VanBrocklin. Gold Axe was awarded to Randy Zwick and Phillip Zwick.
23 — Tribune Editor retires
LYNDEN — Calvin “Cal” Bratt has served four decades as Lynden newspaperman at the Lynden Tribune. That ends June 30. His family moved from the Midwest to Lynden when he was 13. The city council declared June 30 as Cal Bratt Day. Bill Helm becomes new editor.
23 — Lynden School Superintendent headed to Lynden Door
LYNDEN — Jim Frey leaves after 11 years on June 30. Starting Aug. 1 he will head up Lynden-based family-owned firm’s personnel sector.
23 — Weekend weather could set records
WHATCOM — County residents sometimes joke that summer in Whatcom County doesn’t start until July 5, but if current forecasts are any indication, it could begin a couple of weeks early.
23 — Workers wanted for everything
WHATCOM — In gear-up from COVID-19, businesses can’t get the help they need. An extra $600, or the recently reduced $300, per week of extra unemployment pay from stimulus legislation has kept people home. Express Employment Professionals manager Stacey Snodgrass, in her 25th year with the firm, said they need more people.
23 — Homestead suit now class-action of 100s of parcel owners
LYNDEN — Revision claims city could do more to enforce having a homeowners association. The suit presses the City of Lynden as well as golf course owner Morris Chen of Canada to have a part in the solutions over the common area fees.
23 — Workers wanted for everything
WHATCOM — In gear-up from COVID-19, businesses can’t get the help they need. An extra $600, or the recently reduced $300, per week of extra unemployment pay from stimulus legislation has kept people home. Express Employment Professionals manager Stacey Snodgrass, in her 25th year with the firm, said they need more people.
30 — Hottest days ever recorded in Lynden area
LYNDEN — From Saturday through Monday, official temperatures were 103, 107, and 106. The county and entire Pacific Northwest were engulfed in an oppressive record-setting heat wave in a high-pressure “heat dome.” Residents retreated from heat including sitting in the center of Fishtrap Creek.
30 — Two finalists for Lynden city administrator
LYNDEN — Opportunity to meet, interview on Tuesday and Wednesday. After eight years, current city administrator Mike Martin is retiring. Two finalists are Rob Peterson of Anacortes and John Williams of Moses Lake.
JULY
7 — Lynden down to two finalists to replace retiring city administrator
LYNDEN — A week ago, Rob Peterson and John Williams met with the public, and their potential employers. Both are finalists to replace retiring Lynden City Administrator Mike Martin.
7 — Lynden says ‘thank you’ to Cal Bratt
Friends, family, former co-workers and an array of local dignitaries showed up at a Thursday, July 1 retirement party for Cal Bratt, longtime editor of the Lynden Tribune. The party was held in the Tribune’s parking lot. Visit lyndentribune.com for a gallery of photographs from Cal Bratt’s retirement party.
14 — Lynden selects John Williams as new city administrator
LYNDEN — Lynden City Council voted 5-to-0 on July 6 to negotiate a city administrator’s contract with John Williams, formerly city manager of Moses Lake.
14 — Teamsters strike at Bellingham Cold Storage
BELLINGHAM — Teamsters Local 231 members at Bellingham Cold Storage began striking in June following months of bargaining since in November. The issues stem from the entire economic package related to BCS workers, Ewing said, which includes healthcare costs, wages and pension contributions.
14 — State Gov. Jay Inslee visits Whatcom County
Washington Governor Jay Inslee visited Ferndale on Friday for the groundbreaking of Vicinity Motor Corporation’s new $22 million facility. The Port of Bellingham helped Vicinity find the “Buy America compliant” location in Whatcom County and secured a $300,000 state grant to support the facility’s development. Inslee spoke first, followed by Vicinity CEO Will Trainer, Ferndale Mayor Greg Hansen, Port of Bellingham Commissioner Ken Bell, Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sithu and ABC CEO Roman Cornell.
21 — Lynden, Williams agree to two-year contract
LYNDEN — Monday, the Lynden City Council agreed to a two-year contract for John Williams to become its next city administrator. Williams, former Moses Lake city manager, was selected by council on July 6 as the successor to retiring City Administrator Mike Martin. The contract is the result of negotiations with Mayor Scott Korthuis and with city staff.
21 — Everson resident chronicles 150-plus years of family history in Whatcom County
WHATCOM — The best stories are simple stories. That’s what Mark Shintaffer wrote back in 2010 in the book he co-authored with Jack Petree: Reef Nets in the Salish Sea. Shintaffer loves history, but he really loves his family’s history. Because family is everything to the 50-year-old Everson resident.
21 — Teamsters end Bellingham Cold Storage strike
BELLINGHAM — Teamsters Local 231 members employed at Bellingham Cold Storage returned to work on Thursday, July 15, following a 14-day unfair labor practice strike.
28 — Different name, same service for Snapper Shuler Kenner Insurance
LYNDEN – On Jan. 1, Snapper Shuler Kenner (SSK) Insurance will change its name to Brown & Brown.
AUGUST
4 — Peoples Bank celebrates 100 years; Permanent exhibit installed at Lynden Pioneer Museum
LYNDEN — From 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, the Lynden Pioneer Museum has invited the public to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Peoples Bank. At center of the celebration is a permanent Peoples Bank exhibit at the museum.
4 — Mask up at school, Department of Health says
WHATCOM — On July 28, the Washington State Department of Health announced that cloth face coverings (or masks) must be worn on school campuses by anyone, vaccinated or not, when indoors and on school buses.
11 — New medical clinic ‘critical’ to Lynden’s future, mayor says
LYNDEN — The City of Lynden has long been designated as under-served rural community in regard to health care services. That’s what Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis said just before ground officially broke on the site of Lynden’s new medical clinic. The new clinic, to be named the PeaceHealth Medical Clinic, will be a 20,000-square-foot center for primary and specialty care services.
11 — Farming for life: NW Washington Fair to open long-awaited Ag exhibit on Aug. 12
LYNDEN — Farming for Life isn’t a museum. It’s an interactive experience. David Lackey, the man who designed the newest exhibit at the Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden, said that Farming for Life “comes to life in an engaging and educational fashion” each time you get your hands on an exhibit.
11 — Canada opens border to U.S. citizens
WHATCOM – After nearly 17 months of closures, the Canadian government opened the country’s border to fully vaccinated Americans on Aug. 9.
18 — Parents tell Lynden ‘no’ to mask mandate
LYNDEN — Close to 200 people attended Lynden School District’s Aug. 12 meeting. Many were against the July 28 announcement that cloth face coverings or masks must be worn on school campuses by anyone, vaccinated or not. Not willing to wear masks at the meeting, held in the Lynden Middle School cafeteria, the group was asked to participate from the other side of a large open door that led from the meeting to a large patio area.
18 — County health impact assessment shows dire situation
WHATCOM — The Whatcom County Health Department presented a dire assessment of the county’s health impacts last week across five different but interconnected categories. Katie Stanford, the health department’s assessment specialist, presented the health department’s COVID-19 community health impact assessment on Wednesday, Aug. 11, noting the pandemic’s impacts on kindergarten readiness, childcare, housing security, homelessness and behavioral health.
18 — Fair keeps rockin’ and rollin’
The Northwest Washington Fair, for the first time ever, is a 10-day affair this year. So far the fair has hosted a five-band Rockfest headlined by Lou Gramm, formerly of Foreigner, as well as various educational exhibits, left, the Small Animal Experience, the opening of the Farming for Life Experience, and lots of food, fun and games. This year’s fair ends on Aug. 21.
25 — Fighting food insecurity; Project Hope provides resources for people in need
LYNDEN — Project Hope isn’t the only food bank in Whatcom County. But Executive Director Don Kok is quick to point out that it’s the only food bank to also provide community assistance.
25 — US Border still not open to Canadians
Two countries. One border. Two approaches. On Aug. 9, Canada opened to U.S. residents vaccinated and free of COVID-19. This week, the U.S. announced it won’t yet reciprocate – vaccinated or not. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the travel restrictions on a monthly basis since the Coronavirus pandemic began last year. The restrictions, which were set to end on Aug. 21, weren’t extended through at least Sept. 21.
25 — Whatcom sees biggest COVID surge since January; Unvaccinated people comprise most of current case counts
WHATCOM — The Delta variant of COVID-19 is causing a surge in virus cases not seen since the height of the January surge, according to Erika Lautenbach, director of the Whatcom County Health Department.
SEPTEMBER
1 — Selena Burgess named fair’s interim CEO
LYNDEN — Recently, the Northwest Washington Fair’s board of directors appointed Selena Burgess interim fair manager.
1 — Property taxes vary around Whatcom County; assessor website identify each property owner’s responsibility
WHATCOM — A wide variety of factors affect property taxes around Whatcom County, and it’s easier than ever to see who’s paying what.
8 — Mount Baker Rotary celebrates 40 years
LYNDEN — It’s been 40 years since the Mount Baker Rotary Club started giving back to the Lynden community. On Sept. 11, the local non-profit organization will celebrate many a job well done.
8 — Nobody injured in vehicle roll-over
LYNDEN — At approximately 5:13 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 31, Lynden police were dispatched to a report of an accident at the intersection of 19th and Front streets. Lynden Police Department learned that 20-year-old Brendan Fox of Lynden was driving a 2009 Hyundai eastbound on Front Street when he failed to stop at a red light at 19th Street and struck a 2014 Chevrolet Equinox that was traveling northbound on 19th Street.
15 — Help shape Glenning Schoolyard’s future
LYNDEN — The site of one of Lynden’s first public schools is staying public, and the group that tackled the effort to keep it that way wants the community’s input on its future.
15 — ‘Proof’ hits home with director
LYNDEN — Lynden Performing Arts Guild will perform the play ‘Proof,’ a story that deals with the mental illness of a family member.
15 — Trailer rally goes off without a hitch
LYNDEN — The annual Vintage Trailer Rally had a good turnout at the Northwest Washington Fair with a 1920s theme.
15 — Septic Smart Campaign launched in Lynden
LYNDEN — The City of Lynden has partnered with Whatcom County Health and Whatcom Conservation District to launch a Septic Smart Campaign. The purpose of the campaign is to provide financial incentives for septic system owners to maintain or convert their systems to City of Lynden sanitary sewer.
22 — 2022 Northwest Washington Fair also a 10-day affair
LYNDEN — This year’s Northwest Washington Fair was a 10-day affair, the first in NWW Fair history.
Last week, the fair’s board of directors decided that next year’s fair will also last 10 days.
22 — ‘It’s like our own Central Park’: Lynden considers what to do with Glenning Schoolyard
LYNDEN — No official name, no official plan. But folks all across Lynden are getting excited about the possibilities attached to development of the recently secured Glenning Schoolyard park.
22 — Council further extends Catalyst Program
WHATCOM — The Ferndale City Council voted Monday evening to again extend its Catalyst Program deadlines for the program’s two applicants. The already extended deadline was Oct. 1 of this year, and according to city documents, both applicants have indicated that meeting this deadline would be difficult, and that the deadline could be tough for city staff to accommodate as well.
29 — When will local control be restored?
LYNDEN — The Lynden School District has every intention to follow the state’s mask mandate.
However, the board will tell Gov. Jay Inslee that it looks forward to deciding for its collective selves what Lynden Schools should do.
29 — Lynden to discuss Dickinson Park use
LYNDEN — The City of Lynden is looking for the community to say how it wants Dickinson Park to be used. At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 7, Lynden will meet with the public at the City Hall Annex, 205 4th St. The public is invited. Masks are required. The informational meeting is about the nine-acre wooded parcel at the end of Fishtrap Way which the City purchased about a year ago.
29 — Lummi Boys & Girls Club to get new STEM center
LUMMI — From 3D printing to brand-new new computers, the Lummi Nation Boys & Girls Club is about to get a technological upgrade. The club announced earlier in September that it had received a $250,000 grant from Phillips 66 Ferndale Refinery for the creation of a new Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) education center.
OCTOBER
6 — Lynden Music Festival returns after COVID shutdown in 2020
LYNDEN — On Oct. 8, the Lynden Music Festival will be back for its 11th season. Although an annual event, the Lynden Music Festival took the year off last year due to the pandemic.
6 — COVID outbreak forces 14-day closure at Lynden Christian Schools; Schools return to remote learning; health department believes recent LC COVID cases constitute outbreak
LYNDEN — Wednesday, Lynden Christian Schools again closed its doors due to COVID-19. Thursday, the schools reopened their virtual doors. Tuesday, Lynden Christian Schools told parents in an email that classes would be canceled Wednesday and would resume remotely on Thursday, Sept. 30. The school’s board voted Tuesday to approve the closure.
6 — Lummi Nation students design experiment for International Space Station
LUMMI NATION — Lummi Nation School students have space on their minds. Next year, an experiment designed by Lummi Nation School students will be loaded onto a rocket and sent to the space station, where astronauts will complete it as they orbit the Earth at more than 17,000 miles per hour.
13 — Parking a prime concern to Dickinson Park neighbors
LYNDEN — Lynden has new park land on its hands, and locals have diverse opinions regarding what to do with it. Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis presided over a town hall-style meeting Thursday evening at the Lynden City Hall Annex, and local residents turned out to provide their thoughts on future uses of the park.
13 — County health department cleared Lynden Christian kids with negative tests to return to in-person learning
LYNDEN — Lynden Christian High School students returned to school on Thursday, almost a week earlier than expected. On Sept. 29, all Lynden Christian schools closed for two weeks due to a high number of COVID-19 cases.
20 — Lynden makes plans to find permanent superintendent
LYNDEN — Mike Stromme was hired by the Lynden School Board to be a bridge. Stromme, the district’s interim superintendent, took over when Jim Frey stepped down after 11 years as Lynden’s superintendent. Stromme will not only pass the proverbial baton on to the next superintendent, he also will work two months with the district’s new leader, the district’s plan for a smooth transition.
20 — Lynden student learns ‘big picture’ of school government
LYNDEN — With a 4.0 grade-point average, Grace Potter is on her way to her goal of becoming an educator. Fond of learning, the Lynden High School (LHS) junior has signed up for a new challenge. Recently, Potter began a two-year stint as student liaison to the district’s governing board.
27 — FD 21, FD 4 ask customers to pay higher rate; ‘I’m asking the voters to trust us,’ fire board
member says of Nov. 2 ballot initiative
LYNDEN — In August, voters decided against a levy lid lift to meet what Fire District 21 Chief Jason Van der Veen calls the community’s growing needs. However, propositions 2021-9 and 2021-12 will again be on the Nov. 2 ballot. Those measures seek an increase in the levy increase to $1.45 per $1,000 assessed value beginning in 2022. Should the measures be approved by voters in November, District 4 would repeal its local EMS levy.
27 — Lynden mayor details city budget; no water, sewer increases proposed for 2022
LYNDEN — The City of Lynden once again has a balanced budget in front of it for 2022, but that doesn’t mean the city isn’t growing. Mayor Scott Korthuis detailed the budget at last week’s meeting of the Lynden City Council. He said the budget is consistent with the city’s values and conservative financial policies, while dealing with the economic challenges of the past few years.
NOVEMBER
3 — Lynden School Board to name superintendent by April 1
LYNDEN — On Oct. 28, the Lynden School Board discussed its process to find a new permanent superintendent by April 1, 2022.
10 — Hickman ahead of Jilk by 3,300-plus votes
LYNDEN — In 2010, Steve Jilk was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Lynden School Board. More than a decade later, Jilk is on the verge of losing his seat. With an estimated 99 ballots left to count, Jilk is more than 3,300 votes behind Tonya Hickman in his quest to remain president of the Lynden School Board.
17 — Flood ravages Whatcom County
WHATCOM — About 500 people have been displaced from their homes due to flooding, the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office reported on Monday. Lynden Mayor Scott Korthuis proclaimed an official State of Emergency during Monday night’s meeting of the Lynden City Council.
17 — Nooksack man photographs flooding community from sky
EVERSON — Monday, with his wife and children safely tucked away at his parents’ house, Nooksack resident Aaron Kurashige used his curiosity – and his drone – to record what for many has made the 2020 Super Bowl Flood seem subtle.
17 — Hickman ‘never had aspirations’ to run for office
LYNDEN — Although the 2021 election is unofficial until Nov. 23, Tonya Hickman is more than 3,300 votes ahead of Steve Jilk for the Position 4 seat on the Lynden School District’s governing board.
17 — COVID case rates high in north county
WHATCOM — Looking at data from the first week of November, COVID case rates remained high in Whatcom County, specifically in Lynden and Nooksack Valley. Whatcom County Health Department reported 440 COVID-19 cases from Nov. 1-6, with about 63 new probable or confirmed cases per day countywide. The 14-day case rate was 397 per 100,000 people, or 906 total cases over the course of 14 days.
24 — Family grieves loss of flood victim
EVERSON — Taking care of his family was more important to Jose García than his own life.
Early Monday morning, García drove to work from his Everson home. That’s the last time he was seen alive.
24 — Families displaced in Sumas
SUMAS — Less than two months ago, James Richardson and his family bought a home in Sumas. Following last week’s flood across Whatcom County, the Richardson family has been temporarily displaced from their home. By temporarily, Richardson said last week it’s more like “possibly the middle of next year before the contractor can get to my home.”
DECEMBER
1 — Help now, not later: North County residents want answers, accountability
EVERSON — Severe flooding the weekends of Nov. 11 and Nov. 26 has got people asking for help. Last week, political leaders and Whatcom County staff filled the stage of the Nooksack Valley High School Performance Center staff for a three-and-a half hour meeting to address flood concerns.
1 — Lynden football heads to state championship
LYNDEN — For the eighth time in the past 15 years, the Lynden High School football team will play in the 2A state championship game. Following their 15-10 victory over North Kitsap in the semifinals on Saturday, Nov. 27, the Lions advanced to the title game for the first time since 2018.
1 — Redistricting headed to Supreme Court
WHATCOM — The Washington State Redistricting Commission failed to get its assigned job done by a Nov. 15 deadline, leaving the state Supreme Court to finalize Washington’s 10 congressional and 49 legislative districts by next April 30. Congressional and legislative maps were released a day late on Nov. 16.
8 — ‘We’re number one!’
LYNDEN — Head coach Blake VanDalen and his Lynden Lions celebrate their 21-7 upset victory Saturday against Tumwater in the 2A state football championship game, Saturday, Dec. 4 in Puyallup.
8 — Lynden Christian students provide flood relief for Ferndale families
LYNDEN — More than 200 volunteers have participate in Samaritan’s Purse’s recent action plan to help Whatcom County flood victims. About one-fourth of that group attend Lynden Christian High School. Kristin Sterk, a junior at the school, said helping others may have made her want to volunteer even more.
15 — Wild and free: Doug Davis knows flooding ways of Nooksack River; Crowd told to get Canada involved in the solution
WHATCOM — At the late-November flooding information meeting in Everson, a local resident stood up to speak near the end of a long meeting following chants of “We don’t got years (to find solutions to flooding).” The core of his message: Get Canada involved in talks and solutions, as they are impacted too.
Doug Davis should know.
15 — ‘Stay strong,’ Perry urges Everson residents
EVERSON — John Perry estimates about one third of Everson residents sustained damage in the November floods. About 30% of those, the Everson mayor said, suffered a “significant amount of damage” to their homes. With numbers like that, it’s no wonder that on Dec. 2, the Everson City Council voted to declare an emergency as a result of the heavy rainfall event that occurred and that such an emergency is declared to have commenced Nov. 14.
22 — Doug Ericksen dead at 52
FERNDALE — When the Washington State Legislature convenes for its Jan. 10 regular session, it will be short one of its long-time members. Friday, 42nd District Sen. Doug Ericksen died. He was 52. Although Ericksen, R-Ferndale, had tested positive for COVID-19 in November, the cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
22 — Randy Wright leaves Nooksack Valley School Board after 36 years; Replaced by Halli Kimball, who has 2 children who attend Nooksack schools
EVERSON — Randy Wright has been connected to Nooksack for so long, he remembers when the district had no kindergarten. A graduate of Nooksack Valley High School’s Class of 1964, Wright retired on Dec. 16 after 36 years on the district’s governing board. On Dec. 16, District Superintendent Matt Galley swore in returning Board Member Stephen A. Jones, as well as Wright’s replacement, Halli Kimball.