Good morning, Bellingham.

Residents in Whatcom County are reminded to seal gaps, fix screens and keep yards clear—pest control experts advise these steps to deter insects and rodents as the weather cools.

A report from Washington State University and the Department of Commerce found that Washington's plastic bag ban cut bag use by half yet raised total plastic use by 17%—production costs sometimes exceed the 8-cent fee.

Lawmakers are now questioning whether the fee truly covers the environmental costs of bag production.

Today the Whatcom Museum hosts Free First Friday with exhibits honoring Elaine Horn and local media displays from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., while City Council will vote on a 0.1 percent sales tax increase on Oct.

6 to raise funds for public safety. The Planning Commission has recommended a 20-year growth plan now set for council review with a Nov. 3 public hearing, and additional local events include Salmon Summit on Nov. 13 with registration due by Oct. 31 and a free paint recycling event in Barkley Village on Oct. 4.

On October 2, Rep. Rick Larsen warned that the ongoing government shutdown left many Whatcom County federal agencies with furloughed, non-essential workers so that help desks have little to no staffing—Social Security, Medicare, and SNAP benefits stay safe while programs like WIC may soon see funding cut. The changes affect about 1,500 federal workers and could impact local residents’ access to crucial services.

The Whatcom Long Term Recovery Group said more grant money is available for homeowners who want to raise and fix up their homes hurt by the November 2021 flood—director Kyle Christensen said he visited city and county meetings to share funding details.

State leaders in Washington said they were upset by the U.S. Department of Energy’s decision on Oct.

2 to cancel nearly $8 billion in contracts, which cut funding for 11 energy projects such as the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub in Ferndale—raising worries of job losses and higher utility bills. Affected groups have 30 days to appeal the decision.

Local experts advise homeowners to complete fall HVAC maintenance—replacing filters and scheduling professional inspections—to keep bugs outside and protect clean air.

They also urge pet owners to follow a multi-step flea prevention plan and schedule regular vet visits to help keep pets healthy.

Residents in Whatcom County have many weekend events planned: the Blaine-Birch Bay Fall Festival on Oct.

4 at the Birch Bay Activity Center offers live music, kids’ games and local crafts, while the 2025 Whatcom Artist Studio Tour lets visitors explore nearly 50 local artist studios over two weekends. Ferndale Oktoberfest takes place Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Pioneer Pavilion and Stones Throw Brewery hosts a Fresh Hop Block Party on Oct. 4 — Sweater Weather String Band performs today at the Shakedown in Bellingham.

The Mariners will face the Tigers in the ALDS this weekend—game start times depend on tonight’s Yankees-Red Sox result while injured starter Bryan Woo may pitch if the series extends, and Sehome and Lynden will meet tonight as high school rankings in Whatcom County update local sports standings.

Tonight, the Sehome Mariners will host the Lynden Lions in a high school football game on KGMI at 6:40 p.m.—local quarterback Nolan Wright recently set a passing record, raising community expectations.

The Mariners are also preparing for their playoff series against the Detroit Tigers this weekend, with start times to be confirmed after tonight's MLB game.

Carolyn Larkin Taylor - Whispers of the Mind

2 – 3 PM — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Explore the intricacies of the human brain through the lens of a seasoned neurologist's journey.

Introduction to the Laser Cutter

4-6 p.m. — Bellingham Makerspace — Free for members — Engage in an informal Q&A about laser projects and various maker tools.

Indigenous Peoples' Day Primer with Rena Priest and Caskey Russell

6-7 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Celebrate Indigenous authors while exploring themes of community and environmental stewardship in literature.

Diving Before Dawn: A Dream Exploration by Sandi Madison

4-5 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Engage in a book talk and interactive activity about the metaphorical language of dreams with local author Sandi Madison.

Kendall Lujan & Band Live

7-11 p.m. — The Orion (Oddfellows) — Check event page for ticket price — Experience a night of live music with Kendall Lujan & Band in Bellingham.

Intro to Vector Graphics Workshop

6-7:30 p.m. — Bellingham Makerspace — Cost varies — Learn to create vector graphics using Inkscape with seasoned designer Jason Davies.

Volunteer Opportunity: Community Work Party at Big Rock Garden Park

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Big Rock Garden Park — Free entry — Help clean sculptures and tidy this peaceful park suitable for all ages.

DESERT ANGEL

Join us this Sunday, October 17th at 12:30 pm, at the Pickford Film Center to watch one of their October's Official Selection DESERT ANGEL. We will have a table in the lobby with information, and we will be discussing the struggles our immigrant community is currently facing.

Intro to the Laser Cutter

4-6 p.m. — Bellingham Makerspace — Free for members — Get expert laser cutter insights and project tips with Jason Davies.

How Birds Fly: The Art and Science of Avian Flight

4-5 p.m. — Village Books and Paper Dreams — Free entry — Dive into the fascinating world of avian flight with Peter Cavanagh's artful and scientific exploration.