Visit us at Downtown Trick-or-Treat on Friday
Headed to the annual Downtown Trick-or-Treat tomorrow? Make sure to visit us! City staff will be handing out candy at the Central Library, the Lightcatcher, and City Hall Friday, Oct. 30, from 4–6 p.m. There are also more than 100 participating downtown businesses to visit. It’s free and open to all with no registration required — no boo-rocracy here!
Learn more about the City Budget
Every year, City Council holds budget sessions to help ensure we’re allocating resources responsibly and transparently. On Monday, Nov. 2, City Council will be diving into details of the proposed 2027 budgets for Parks and Recreation, Public Works, Library, and Whatcom Museum. In the evening, they will hold a public hearing about the full 2027 proposed budget. Learn more about how we create our budget and the details of this year’s proposed budget on our budget page.
Invasive tree removal starting next week at Sehome Arboretum
Arboretum Drive and adjacent trails will close Nov. 2–5 and 9–12 while City Urban Forestry and Washington Conservation Corps crews remove a 1‑acre patch of invasive Siberian elms. These non‑native trees spread aggressively, outcompete native plants, and threaten the Arboretum’s ecological health. Removing the mature patch now will prevent thousands of new seedlings next spring and help protect local biodiversity.
After removal, crews and volunteers will begin site restoration. Over the next few seasons, they will continue clearing English ivy and plant native trees, shrubs, and pollinator species to support long‑term forest recovery. Thank you for your patience while we care for the Arboretum!
Practice extra caution on the roads with shorter days ahead
The days are getting shorter as winter approaches, and this Sunday, it’s time to “fall back” again. With the clocks shifting back an hour, evenings will get darker earlier, so it’s especially important to look out for one another on the roads. Whether you’re driving, walking, or biking, stay alert and make visibility a priority. If you’re on foot or on wheels, wear something bright or reflective so drivers can see you. Slowing down and paying attention helps ensure everyone gets home safely.
While our routines change with the time shift, wildlife remains on nature’s schedule. Deer and other animals may be more active at dawn and dusk, so keep an eye out for them, too. By staying cautious and aware, we can keep our roads safe for both people and wildlife.
Water Treatment Plant earns platinum award
There’s a lot that goes into making sure Bellingham’s drinking water is clean and safe, and our Water Treatment Plant has once again earned statewide recognition for doing it well. For the 15th consecutive year, the plant has received an award through the Washington State Department of Health’s Treatment Optimization Program. The award recognizes the City’s success in consistently removing tiny particles from drinking water, an important part of the treatment process that helps protect public health.
This achievement reflects our dedication to providing our community with safe, high-quality drinking water every day.
