Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 15th of October.
Good morning, Bellingham.
🏘️ Community
On Tuesday, Oct. 13, Lighthouse Mission announced that Alvin Helms is its new president and CEO.
He served as interim since June after the previous CEO stepped down and will continue the organization's faith-based effort to address homelessness ahead of a winter with two nightly shelters.
💼 Business
Guy Occhiogrosso has led the Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce for over 12 years, championing business growth and community connection by convening local leaders and catalyzing change.
He also appears on The Whatcom Report on KGMI Radio to discuss local issues.
📰 Economy
Washington’s state jobs report showed a drop in the unemployment rate to 4.8% on Oct.
14 even as 15,400 jobs were lost, with 4,400 fewer people jobless despite public and private job cuts. Whatcom County will share its own report on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
🎓 Education
Ferndale paraeducator Kelly Toner of Cascadia Elementary was named a regional Classified School Employee of the Year winner by OSPI for her inclusive use of communication tools.
The Whatcom Library System also honored educators with Golden Apple Awards on Oct. 13, with a ceremony planned at the Ferndale Events Center on Nov. 8.
Be The One in Whatcom recruits new mentors to help students move from primary to middle school — mentors spend one hour weekly with each student.
The program, which helped sixth-grader Fernanda Simon-Solis, now seeks more volunteer support.
🏥 Health
County health officials said EMS calls for overdoses fell 26% through September, with opioid overdoses decreasing 40% and deaths dropping from 64 to 24 compared to 2025; officials released the data ahead of the All Hands Whatcom Opioid Summit — scheduled for Oct.
21 and 22 — to highlight ongoing improvements in local health trends.
🏈 Sports
The Bellingham Bayhawks girls soccer team blanked Sehome 2-0 last night with goals from Sophia Koch and Sophia Dionne, improving to an 11-0-2 record and securing top seeding in the district tournament (starting Oct.
26).
🎉 Bellingham Events
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🏠 Bellingham Real Estate
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💼 Bellingham Job Board
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