Good morning, Bellingham.

Lighthouse Mission Ministries named Alvin Helms as interim CEO as its current leader will step down at month’s end.

Helms served as COO at Tacoma Rescue Mission and is a pastor at Northside Community Church until the board finds a permanent replacement.

Gas prices in Whatcom County fell to $5.39 per gallon on Monday, June 15 after the US and Iran reached an agreement to open the Strait of Hormuz (a drop of 12 cents from last week), and analysts expect continued market uncertainty.

Local drivers may see further price shifts as the oil market adjusts.

Western Washington University finalized its nearly $240 million budget on Thursday, June 11 that cuts $9 million and reduces each division’s funding by 0.5%—the school is 300 students short of its fall goal but is set to boost its incoming class compared to last year.

WWU finalized its nearly $240 million budget for the upcoming school year on Thursday, June 11 (with $9 million in cuts and nearly $2.4 million in reserves needed).

Provost Brad Johnson said the school is 300 students short of its 3,200 first-year target but expects more than last year.

WSDOT repaved key sections of Hwy 9 and SR 547 in Whatcom County beginning Monday, June 15 with work set to run until late August — a fish passage project shifted southbound I-5 lanes overnight with rolling slowdowns until 5:00 a.m. today.

Whatcom County’s 911 dispatch is experiencing operational issues and callers should use 360-676-6911 in emergencies until services resume.

Local law enforcement advises anyone with limited phone access to report emergencies in person.

A Stage 1 burn ban was enforced on Monday, June 15, in unincorporated Whatcom and Skagit counties to prevent wildfires, with the ban lasting through Sept.

15 in Whatcom and until further notice in Skagit, while recreational and cooking fires remain allowed if they meet strict safety rules.

The North Cascades Highway reopened Sunday, June 14 after crews completed repairs between Ross Dam Trailhead and Porcupine Creek (three weeks ahead of schedule).

Drivers are advised to use caution as cleanup work continues.

The Bells defeated the Portland Pickles 9-5 yesterday in a rematch of last year’s championship and now hold a 9-6 record in second place in the North Division — they have the day off today before heading to a three-game series in Port Angeles.

Karen Treiger - Standing on the Crack

6-7 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Explore the influential legacy of Jewish immigrant families in Seattle and Bellingham through captivating storytelling.

Tool Fair

Join us Father's Day Weekend, June 19–20, for the Hardware Sales 30th Annual Tool Fair — Bellingham's favorite tradition celebrating 30 years of community, featuring live demos, vendor booth raffles, a Super Raffle, exclusive Tool Fair merch, and a Beer Garden at Stemma West. Meet reps from your favorite tool brands, score deals, and keep the fun going at participating local businesses all weekend long.

Tool Fair

Join us Father's Day Weekend, June 19–20, for the Hardware Sales 30th Annual Tool Fair — Bellingham's favorite tradition celebrating 30 years of community, featuring live demos, vendor booth raffles, a Super Raffle, exclusive Tool Fair merch, and a Beer Garden at Stemma West. Meet reps from your favorite tool brands, score deals, and keep the fun going at participating local businesses all weekend long.

Mason Bee Revolution with Dave Hunter

6-7 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Explore the crucial role of mason bees in pollination with expert insights and engaging discussions.

Laughs @ Larrabee Comedy Night featuring Brett Emerson

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Larrabee Lager Co — Cost info not provided — Enjoy an evening of nonstop laughs with standout comedians Brett Emerson, Mariah Dodd, and Jay Markowitz.

Rhys Langston Live at The Shakedown

8-11 p.m. — The Shakedown — Tickets required — Experience the genre-defying sounds of Rhys Langston and his eclectic live set.

Eternal Wave Live Concert

Jul 3-4 — The Shakedown — Tickets not specified — Experience infectious surf rock vibes with Eternal Wave and Where’s West? in a night of catchy tunes and dance moves.

Jontavious Willis Live

8-11 p.m. — The Shakedown — Ticket info available — Experience the vibrant fusion of traditional and modern Blues that brings audiences to their feet.

NW Tune-Up 2026

5-10 p.m. — Waterfront Pump Track — Ticket required — Experience world-class mountain biking, live music, and community culture in Bellingham, WA.

Northwest Tune-Up 2026

5:50-9:50 p.m. — Waypoint Park — Cost not specified — Enjoy an evening with modern crooner Stephen Day in the heart of Bellingham.

Iris Fisher Smith Book Launch

4-5 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Discover a heartfelt memoir that inspires hope and resilience through the journey of faith.