Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. with us
Every year, we join with other local organizations and invite our community to learn and serve together in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The City is co-hosting two special events next week:
Community Work Party in Squalicum Creek Park
Saturday, Jan. 17, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Celebrate the collective power of community with the City, the Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association (NSEA), and other community partners at our annual day of service work party. We will plant native trees and shrubs at the Willow Spring restoration site in Squalicum Creek Park to improve water quality and wildlife habitat. Through this work, we’ll be advancing the environmental justice movement, which was inspired by Dr. King through his concern for the urban environment.
Birchwood Food Desert Fighters will collect food donations, and we’ll have Tony’s coffee and pizza for volunteers. We’re also giving away free trees! Please register in advance.
Mission Possible: A community celebration
Monday, Jan. 19, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sehome High School
Join us for a free breakfast, presentations, songs and performances, local vendors, and more. This year’s theme, “Mission Possible: Moving, Building, Uniting,” invites our community to reflect on Dr. King’s teachings through volunteerism, advocacy, and the uplifting of marginalized voices. Together, we will engage with pressing local issues, explore practical solutions, and work toward systemic change and community well-being. This event is hosted by the Community Consortium for Cultural Recognition, a coalition of education, local government, and nonprofit partners across Whatcom County.
Sehome High School is wheelchair accessible and ASL is available upon request. Please email cjoefield@whatcomymca.org no later than three days prior to the event to request accommodations.
Learn more about both events on our website.
Elected officials start new terms and new roles
Four elected officials started new terms in January. At the Dec. 8, 2025, City Council Meeting, Bellingham Municipal Court Judge Debra Lev administered the oath of office and conducted the swearing-in ceremony for Council Members Hollie Huthman, Skip Williams, Michael Lilliquist, and Jace Cotton. Mayor Kim Lund, in turn, administered the oath of office and conducted the swearing-in ceremony for Judge Lev. All those sworn in are incumbents.
At the Jan. 5, 2026, Committee of the Whole Meeting, Council Members voted to have Council Member Hannah Stone serve as the Council President, Council Member Hollie Huthman to serve as Council President Pro Tempore, and Council Member Skip Williams to serve as Mayor Pro Tempore. They also chose their Council Committee assignments.
New City minimum wage set to $19.13
As of Jan. 1, 2026, employers with workers within the City limits must pay the new City minimum wage of $19.13 following an increase to the Washington State minimum wage for 2026. The City’s minimum wage is set at $2 above the State minimum wage, based on an initiative Bellingham voters approved in the Nov. 2023 election. Learn more on our minimum wage page.
Tree care on Railroad Avenue
Beginning Monday, Jan. 12, the City will prune honey locust trees along Railroad Avenue to keep them healthy and safe. Expect temporary parking closures over the next 2-3 weeks to allow room for equipment. Tree lights will come down during pruning, but fear not — they’ll be reinstalled when the work is complete! You may also notice brief sidewalk closures and some noise during the work.
