Good morning, Bellingham.

City plans to open its first mitigation bank in early 2027 to boost water quality; council will hold budget hearings on Oct.

19 for police, fire, and court, while tax incentives and new downtown playgrounds receive attention. Additionally, bridge repairs run Oct. 19–30 and family-friendly Halloween events start Oct. 17.

Specially equipped vans will drive through Bellingham neighborhoods this winter as part of a year-long air-quality study led by the State Department of Ecology.

The project aims to identify data gaps and improve future monitoring with results expected in 2028.

Toad Lake’s biotoxin advisory was lifted after tests showed safe microcystin levels earlier this week.

County Health and Community Services advise caution with other blooms amid ongoing water quality monitoring in Whatcom County.

Flu season has arrived weeks earlier than expected across western Washington and has led to a surge in hospital visits and two early deaths.

Health officials urge everyone 6 months and older to get vaccinated & follow safety practices to protect our community.

PeaceHealth announced that Chuck Prosper, who led St. Joseph Medical Center's expansion including the Peter Paulsen Pavilion project, will retire at year’s end — the group will search for a successor and host a healthcare forum on Thursday, Oct.

22 at St. Luke’s Community Education Center in Bellingham.

Local farms sponsor fall events with pumpkin patches and apple picking, while the 6th annual Sippin’ on Cider Festival runs Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m. at the Cruise Terminal — Maria Bamford will perform Sunday at Mount Baker Theatre.