The Bellingham Herald week in review
Appeals court upholds ruling on Lummi Island ferry rates
An appellate court has upheld a Whatcom County Superior Court ruling that found the county illegally calculated Lummi Island ferry rates. The original lawsuit, filed in April 2024 by resident Peter G. Earle, challenged a fare increase that sought to recoup about $800,000 in maintenance and repair costs from ferry passengers. Superior Court Judge Evan Jones ruled in January 2025 that those costs could not be included in fare calculations, though he rejected parts of the lawsuit related to tideland lease payments. Both sides had appealed, but the Court of Appeals affirmed Jones’ rulings in an unpublished opinion July 6.
Reported by Hannah Edelman, published July 7
Founder of Anthony’s Restaurants dies at age 85
Budd Gould, the founder of Anthony’s Restaurants, a Pacific Northwest seafood institution with more than two dozen locations, died peacefully July 5 surrounded by family. He was 85. Gould launched the brand in 1973 in Bellevue after a series of entrepreneurial ventures, including an unsuccessful attempt to farm lobsters in Puget Sound, which left him with a restaurant he transformed into a thriving business. Anthony’s grew to span from Bellingham to Olympia and beyond, with Gould also founding a wholesale seafood operation in 1984. He remained chairman until his death. His daughter Amy Burns now serves as president and CEO, while his son Herb Gould will step into the chairman role. The family requests donations to local Boys & Girls Clubs or culinary arts programs in lieu of flowers.
Reported by Kristine Sherred, published July 8
Capsized boat in Bellingham Bay kills one man
A 49-year-old man, Kristopher DeBoer, died after his boat capsized in Bellingham Bay on the Fourth of July. First responders received a report around 6 p.m. of the capsized vessel with one person aboard. The Coast Guard temporarily righted the boat and assisted the Bellingham Fire Department in recovering DeBoer from the water. He was found unresponsive, and CPR along with emergency medical care were administered as he was transported to Coast Guard Station Bellingham, where he was later pronounced dead. The Whatcom County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed his death. Lt. William Trumper, commanding officer of Coast Guard Station Bellingham, expressed condolences, calling it a heartbreaking reminder of dangers mariners face. Weather conditions included 11 mph southerly winds, 1-foot waves, and 51-degree water temperature.
Reported by Jack Belcher, published July 7
Bellingham rent algorithm ban measure qualifies for ballot
A Bellingham ballot initiative to ban landlords from using algorithmic software to set rental prices has gathered enough signatures to qualify for the November general election. Community First Whatcom submitted 5,692 signatures — well above the 3,167 required. The Bellingham City Council must now decide whether to enact the measure, send it to voters or propose an alternative by July 27, or it automatically goes on the ballot. If passed, Initiative 26-01 would prohibit algorithmic rental price-fixing software, bar landlords from coordinating on prices and establish whistleblower protections. A 2024 White House report found such software adds an average of $70 per month to renters’ costs.
Reported by Robert Mittendorf, Rachel Showalter, published July 7
Bellingham plans 54-unit apartment building with no parking
A five-story, 54-unit studio apartment building is proposed for Byron Avenue in Bellingham’s Samish Way Urban Village with no on-site vehicle parking. The project aligns with a Bellingham City Council interim ordinance eliminating minimum parking requirements, extended through at least January 2027, and Washington Senate Bill 5184, which removes local authority to mandate off-street parking for smaller residences beginning in 2027. City planning director Blake Lyon said the reforms prioritize people, housing and the environment by allowing developers to right-size parking based on need. The building will provide bicycle parking. Research suggests parking reform can boost housing construction by 40% to 70%.
Reported by Rachel Showalter, published July 6
Alpha Technologies to close Bellingham operations, lay off 75
Alpha Technologies Services, Inc., one of Bellingham’s largest manufacturers, plans to lay off 75 employees beginning Aug. 31 and permanently close its operations unit on Oct. 15. The company, which has provided commercial energy equipment since 1976, is owned by EnerSys, which cited efforts to “optimize its global manufacturing footprint” as the reason for the closure. All manufacturing and assembly operations will be transferred to an existing facility in Suwanee, Ga. Affected employees include assemblers, machine operators, engineers and technicians. Some may receive offers to transfer to a Georgia or alternate Washington location.
Reported by Hannah Edelman, published July 2
This story was originally published July 8, 2026 at 3:17 PM with the headline "The Bellingham Herald week in review."