A cause for paws: We promise – we’re not just posting cute kitten photos to get clicks! Whatcom Humane Society teamed up with the City to present Kitty Hall on Friday, Aug. 23. Kittens were available for adoption in City Hall, and many found new forever homes. Along with providing an opportunity for community members to meet feline friends, the event raised awareness about pet overpopulation. To learn more about adopting a pet, visit the Whatcom Humane Society website.
Moving Downtown Forward: We recently released a progress report on the City’s work downtown in the six months since Mayor Lund’s Executive Order to address the fentanyl crisis. We are also launching a new phase of this work, with opportunities for you to help us plan for the downtown our community wants in the years and decades to come. Take our short survey on Engage Bellingham to tell us about your experience downtown and mark your calendars for a Downtown Forward Celebration on Sept. 19. You can also visit our Downtown Forward webpage to learn more and view a video message from Mayor Lund.
Electric Avenue bridge closed Sept. 9-20: The Electric Avenue bridge over Whatcom Creek will be closed for temporary repairs starting Monday, Sept. 9. These repairs are necessary to reinforce the bridge structure and ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles. A detour will be in place, and bike and pedestrian access will be limited during construction hours. We are also working toward a permanent solution, which will involve a multi year process to design and construct a new bridge. Find more information on the Electric Avenue Bridge Reconstruction page.
Hatchery Chinook salmon return to lower Whatcom Creek: Have you seen Chinook salmon in the mouth of Whatcom Creek and wondered where they come from? These Chinook salmon are not native to our local waters. They were raised to feed endangered orcas and boost local fisheries and are not intended to swim upstream to reproduce. The surviving fish contribute to a healthy ecosystem by providing a valuable food source for other creatures in and around the water. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) works with local tribes and Bellingham Technical College to manage these amazing fish and establish regulations for tribal and recreational fishing, which differ. Visit WDFW’s website to discover more information about hatchery Chinook and fishing regulations, and enjoy viewing the salmon at Maritime Heritage Park over the next few weeks.
International Overdose Awareness Day event: To mark International Overdose Awareness Day, Whatcom County Health and Community Services and Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services are hosting an event on the City Hall lawn on Friday, Aug. 30, noon-6 p.m. Whatcom County staff members will distribute free nasal naloxone (Narcan) kits and provide training for administering the overdose reversal medicine. In addition, event attendees will have an opportunity to learn how to identify and respond to an overdose, use nasal naloxone, and safely store naloxone. Carrying naloxone is a simple and potentially life-saving step community members can take in response to the opioid crisis. Visit the Whatcom Overdose Prevention website to learn more.
