Good morning, Bellingham.

The Northwest Clean Air Agency lifted the stage 2 burn ban for Columbia Valley on Monday, Jan.

5, with Maple Falls, Kendall and Glacier showing excellent air quality — forecasters caution residents to avoid conditions that could bring another ban soon.

Residents affected by December flooding can now apply for state-funded disaster aid—offering up to $375 for individuals, $750 for small households and $1,125 for larger families if their primary home was seriously damaged.

Applicants who meet income guidelines may apply online, by phone or in person at a Disaster Assistance Center in Whatcom County on Saturday, Jan. 10 or at Nooksack Middle School on Jan. 15.

WSDOT will close the northbound left lane on I-5 north of Lakeway Drive in Bellingham Wednesday night for barrier repairs—closure from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.—and will close a 2-mile section of southbound I-5 beyond Mount Vernon from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. for a road survey.

WSDOT will close the northbound left lane of I-5 north of Lakeway Drive Wednesday night from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. for barrier repairs, and the southbound left lane beyond Mount Vernon will close Wednesday from 9 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. for a road survey.

Financial aid from state funding is now available for residents whose homes were damaged in December flooding.

Qualified homeowners in Whatcom County may apply online, by phone, or in person at Disaster Assistance Centers opening Saturday, Jan. 10 and Thursday, Jan. 15.

The Bellingham boys edged Nooksack Valley 59-58 in a closely contested high school basketball game on Saturday.

Local fans celebrated the narrow victory as the season heats up.

The Seahawks earned a first-round bye with a 13-3 win over the 49ers on Saturday and signed a four-year, $104M extension for left tackle Charles Cross, who is expected to return for the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Kraken are set to face the Calgary Flame tonight at 6:30 p.m. on KPUG.

2026 Awards & Installation Banquet

5-11 p.m. — Silver Reef Casino Resort — $100/person or $700/table — Celebrate in Roaring '20s style with cocktails, dinner, and dancing to SpaceBand.

Super Smash LIVE

8 PM - 12 AM — Blue Room — Extra Controllers Available — Experience a live jazz fusion performance of the Super Smash soundtrack while playing casual games or tournaments.

Noah Gundersen Live Concert

7-10 p.m. — Wild Buffalo House Of Music — Tickets starting at $95 — Experience an unforgettable evening with Noah Gundersen in Bellingham.

Puzzle Hustle

6-7:30 p.m. — Bloedel Donovan Park — $30/team — Compete in a jigsaw puzzle race for a chance to win prizes.

Community Work Party at Fairhaven Park

10 a.m.-1 p.m. — Fairhaven Park Pavilion — Free — Help improve the Outdoor Classroom and Native Plant Garden while enjoying the outdoors.

Bellingham Symphony Orchestra: Smitten

3-6 PM — Mount Baker Theatre — Tickets available — Experience a delightful musical evening with the Bellingham Symphony Orchestra.

Intro to Laser Cutting Workshop

6-7 p.m. — Bellingham Makerspace — Class fees include materials — Learn to safely operate a powerful laser cutter and create custom acrylic keychains.