Why we are here
Meaningful, independent journalism is at a crossroads. Advertisers who once filled newspaper coffers and funded local journalism have shifted resources to the Internet. And... — Updated 9/29/2022
REAL ID Requirements Less Than a Year Away
In less than a year, those who want to board a flight or enter some federal buildings will be required to present a REAL ID. Starting on May 3, 2023, passengers will be required to... — Updated 8/11/2022
A 'desperate' year for bears in search of sustenance
Hungry bears have been unusually persistent and destructive in seeking food near homes in the Methow Valley this year, in some cases repeatedly breaking through electric fences to... — Updated 9/29/2022
Aleutian Isle fishing vessel recovered after 39 days
The Aleutian Isle fishing vessel has been removed from the waters off San Juan Island after 39 days, the U.S. Coast Guard announced Thursday night. Efforts to recover the vessel,... — Updated 9/23/2022
Wildfires close trails, bring smoke to valley
The Methow Valley Ranger District has closed additional trails from the Harts Pass area north to the Canadian border and west to the Ross Lake National Recreation Area because of... — Updated 9/15/2022
Jellyfish Stranded in Staggering Numbers
A mass stranding of lion's mane jellyfish shocked Key Peninsula beach walkers during the second week of August - and made swimmers think twice about getting in the water. "I have... — Updated 9/8/2022
Whidbey Island waters dyed red for shellfish health
The waters around Whidbey Island will be dyed red Monday, Sept. 12, to allow the state Department of Health (DOH) to study wastewater movement in the region. DOH will be working in the waters beginning Friday and will remain... — Updated 9/8/2022
Aleutian Isle fishing vessel still underwater 10 days later
Ten days after it sank, the Aleutian Isle is still on the seafloor. The 49-foot fishing vessel, which sank off the west coast of San Juan Island on Aug. 13, is sitting in waters... — Updated 8/24/2022
Drayton Harbor Oyster Company seeks oyster farm expansion in face of water concerns
Drayton Harbor Oyster Company (DHO) is seeking to expand its oyster growing operations to add an off-bottom farm in a cleaner area of Drayton Harbor as water quality issues... — Updated 8/18/2022
Green burial provides families meaningful experience
WHATCOM - A grassy field, open skies, fresh air and birds in song. Trees and plants whose colors change with the seasons. These are ways someone might describe The Meadow. The... — Updated 8/18/2022
World's largest hornet renamed northern giant hornet
Scientists are now asking the public to refer to the world's largest hornets as "northern giant hornets," opposed to the previously dubbed names "Asian giant hornets" and "murder... — Updated 8/11/2022
Fish and Wildlife Commission rejects proposed wolf rule
Washington's wildlife commissioners have chosen not to enact a new rule that was developed with the goal of reducing the number of wolves killed under state orders due to conflicts... — Updated 8/4/2022
- Lummi Nation awarded $595,000 after 2017 salmon pen collapse
- Flood victims rebuild: Whatcom County seeks money to buy out, elevate properties
- A new invader: European green crabs pose a threat
- Researchers look at salmon habitat above Enloe Dam
- Southern resident orca pod calf identified last week
- Holy halibut: Local charters relish bottom fish bonanza
- Kelp help is on the way
Records requests put a strain on Woodland staff
A rash of recent public records requests has led to some tough conversations on how the city of Woodland will handle what some councilors have denounced as nothing more than a taxpayer burden. During its Sept. 6 meeting, the... — Updated 9/15/2022
Attorney General files civil rights lawsuit against Ostrom Mushroom Farms
Attorney General Bob Ferguson has filed a civil rights lawsuit against Ostrom Mushroom Farms in Sunnyside on Wednesday, August 17. Ferguson's lawsuit, filed at the Yakima County... — Updated 8/18/2022
Lawsuit filed against Clark County auditor over primary ballot inclusions
A candidate for Clark County auditor has filed a lawsuit against current Auditor Greg Kimsey over the inclusion of nonpartisan races with two or fewer candidates on the August... — Updated 7/28/2022
U.S. Border Patrol agents off the hook after court ruling
The U.S. Supreme Court's 6-3 decision to reject Smuggler's Inn owner Bob Boule's lawsuit against a U.S. Border Patrol agent further protects federal law enforcement officials from... — Updated 6/16/2022
U.S. Supreme Court rejects Bob Boule's suit against U.S. Border Patrol agent
The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals decision to uphold Smuggler's Inn owner Bob Boule's Fourth Amendment excessive-force claim and First Amendment... — Updated 6/9/2022
Western expects budget shortfalls, hopes to increase enrollment, retention
In an address to Western Washington University, president Sabah Randhawa reflected on the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, discussed the university's strategic plan and looked to... — Updated 9/29/2022
Hawks Scholarship Awards Record Amount to PHS Seniors
One hundred and thirty-four graduating Peninsula High School seniors received $366,800 in scholarships at the Peninsula Hawks Scholarship Fund award ceremony May 18. Fifty... — Updated 6/9/2022
Food scarcity and insecurity issues continue
CHENEY— With inflation growing and affecting all aspects of everyday life, food insecurity is asserting itself as a prevalent issue in the Cheney community and surrounding areas. The United States Department of Agriculture... — Updated 5/26/2022
The effects of COVID-19 on the brain
Viruses have a history of effecting the human brain. For example, it’s been long understood that HIV/AIDs can cause “progressive cerebral volume loss,” and measle infections can lead to encephalitis or inflammation of the... — Updated 5/26/2022
Disc golf offers low-impact, full body workout
Now that it's May, with hopefully warmer weather around the corner, it's a great time to get out to local parks. Walking in the woods has shown to benefit physical and mental... — Updated 5/5/2022
Local winemakers seek federal recognition
Winemakers across Southwest Washington hope to federally recognize the region for its grape-growing and production. On Aug. 15, the Southwest Washington Winery Association... — Updated 9/1/2022
Exploring History: Interstate system affected Stanwood's retail growth patterns
Driving through Stanwood on Highway 532, shoppers find an assortment of familiar chain stores like QFC, Haggen, Grocery Outlet, Rite Aid and Dollar Tree. But just a block or so... — Updated 8/18/2022
Swipe right, get a job interview
An "anti-resume" app. When it comes to new tech startups that show up on national radar, the Whatcom and Skagit county region has often been a no-fly zone. Or perhaps it's just an... — Updated 6/30/2022
Canada border restrictions to be dropped
The Canadian government has announced that effective Saturday, October 1, it will be dropping its Covid-19 vaccination requirement and end random Covid-19 testing for people... — Updated 9/29/2022
Route more than a century in the making
Even before the North Cascades Scenic Highway opened on Sept. 2, 1972, after 13 years of actual construction and many more of surveying, the road had been the dream of... — Updated 9/23/2022
Heavy rains cause massive rockslides on Harts Pass Road, stranding some campers
Four employees of the Methow Valley Ranger District safely navigated the rocky, narrow Harts Pass Road in treacherous conditions as torrential rains sent rocks cascading onto the... — Updated 9/1/2022
Human foot? Leave it alone and call 911
RAYMOND — It’s not an everyday occurrence that a man walks into the police department with what he thinks is a human foot, but that’s what happened Aug. 1 at 10:12 a.m. at the Raymond Police Department. “Please, I don’t... — Updated 8/11/2022
Owls and Eagles and Bears - and Sasquatch, of course - Help to Brighten the Garden
Anyone exploring the byways of the Key Peninsula has seen them, and maybe even been startled. Wooden bear cubs clinging to a tree, an enormous eagle perched atop a roof peak, a... — Updated 8/11/2022
Looking for a NEXUS interview? Might be easier to find Sasquatch
Thirteen NEXUS enrollment centers in Canada remain closed even though the U.S. centers have been open since April 19. One reason why is because the Canadians do not want U.S.... — Updated 8/4/2022
Deception Pass park celebrates 100th birthday
The parking lot at East Cranberry Lake was filled with cars, pedestrians and shuttle buses this past Saturday as folks from across the region came to celebrate the 100th... — Updated 7/28/2022
Sand & 'aardvark snot': The not-so-fine art of sand sculpting
LONG BEACH - All you need is sand and water - and a little bit of aardvark snot. The multi-day summer Sandsations event delighted onlookers last week as several sand artists... — Updated 7/28/2022
Spokane International Airport readies for expansion
Spokane International Airport officials have solidified expansion plans to keep up with the needs of the continually growing city. The first expansion of the Spokane International... — Updated 7/21/2022
History comes alive: Lewis and Clark
KNAPPTON COVE - A pair of moccasins might only last a couple days and buffalo meat was much desired after a diet too rich with roots and salmon. The daily lives and dining... — Updated 7/14/2022
Happy birthday to you: Tom Robbins is now 90 years old!
Surrounded by a carefully curated assortment of tiny toys and random delights, Tom Robbins, one of the most engaging writers of serio-comic culture, leans over his keyboard. He is... — Updated 7/21/2022
Local Man is Saving Animals in Ukraine
Approximately 5 million people had fled Ukraine and another 8 million were internally displaced as of May 15 after their country was invaded by the Russian Federation Feb. 24. Many... — Updated 6/9/2022
Joyful champs: Comets win first-ever state championship
Naselle Comet baseball players threw their hats and tossed their gloves in sheer jubilation as they flooded the infield in a rain-soaked celebration last Saturday in Ridgefield.... — Updated 6/2/2022
WWU student's Breakout Magazine offers writers, bands opportunity
In September 2021, Natalie Vinh saw a need for a local music publication. About a month later, she launched Breakout Magazine. Managed entirely by Vinh, Breakout is a collaborative... — Updated 5/19/2022
Woodland Police Department welcomes new wellness dog
The Woodland Police Department's newest employee spends a good amount of time sleeping on the job, but that's to be expected of an 11-week-old Labrador retriever. When fully... — Updated 5/19/2022
Lummi-carved totem will travel 2,300 miles for salmon advocacy
A 14-foot totem pole sculpted by master carvers in the Lummi Nation will travel more than 2,300 miles over the next few weeks as part of an advocacy campaign for salmon... — Updated 5/4/2022
