Local

10 top stories from The Bellingham Herald in October 2025

Stories by Bellingham Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The Bellingham Herald’s top stories in October 2025 focus on community protests, legal decisions, economic shifts, law enforcement issues, and housing developments. Each article reveals facets of Bellingham's evolving civic landscape.

Thousands rallied against Trump administration policies in a nationwide protest called No Kings. This demonstration saw participants from various demographics gathering at Maritime Heritage Park, emphasizing concerns about democracy and suggesting unity amid national and local tensions.

The Bellingham real estate market faced a significant challenge as major businesses exited Sunset Square and Bellis Fair, leading to increased vacancies. These closures reflect broader national retail trends, even as other sectors like industrial real estate show growth.

A Whatcom County man faced a serious felony charge after he was caught with a firearm on school grounds. This incident underscores the ongoing legal and safety concerns in the area as law enforcement continues to address violations and crimes involving weapons.

Residents in a Bellingham neighborhood voiced their apprehension about a proposed housing development that intends to densify parts of the city. While the project aligns with state housing goals, locals worry about community impact and infrastructure strain.

Bellingham Police patrol car. By Bellingham Police Department

NO. 1: BELLINGHAM POLICE SEEK HELP IDENTIFYING SUSPECT IN GUNPOINT ROBBERY

Bellingham police are investigating a robbery at gunpoint reported Sept. | Published October 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jack Belcher

By Staff

NO. 2: WHATCOM COUNTY FATHER FACES FELONY CHARGE FOR PACKING FIREARM AT LYNDEN SCHOOL

Authorities arrested a Whatcom County man who picked up a child from school while illegally carrying a firearm. | Published October 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jack Belcher

The Bellingham Costco on Meridian Street has been unoccupied since November when the business moved to Bakerview Road. It is being remodeled for three new retailers. According to a city building permit application, the new tenants will be Hobby Lobby, Home Goods and Sierra Trading Post. By Staff

NO. 3: WHATCOM COUNTY JURY REACHES VERDICT IN COSTCO NEGLIGENCE LAWSUIT

A jury has ruled that Costco Wholesale was not negligent in a personal injury lawsuit brought by a Deming woman who was struck by a freight cart driven by an employee at the Bellingham Costco. | Published October 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Edelman

State Rep. Alex Ramel, D-Bellingham of the 40th District, addresses a crowd of thousands of people at the No Kings rally against the Trump administration in Maritime Heritage Park in Bellingham, Wash., on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025. By Robert Mittendorf

NO. 4: THOUSANDS RALLY AT BELLINGHAM NO KINGS PROTEST AGAINST TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

Several thousand protesters braved persistent rain and drizzle on the edge of downtown Bellingham on Saturday to join in a nationwide series of rallies against Trump administration policies, collectively called the No Kings demonstrations. | Published October 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Mittendorf

Sunset Square, on Thursday, Jan 20, 2022, in Bellingham, Wash., has 378,000 square feet of retail space and was sold for $53 million, according to a news release from the commercial real estate brokerage CPX. By Warren Sterling

NO. 5: BELLINGHAM VACANCIES JUMP AFTER SUNSET SQUARE, BELLIS FAIR LOSE MAJOR BUSINESSES

Bellingham retail real estate market had another increase in vacancies last quarter, as Bellis Fair mall and Sunset Square lost major businesses. | Published October 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

A notice was posted at 3010 St. Clair Street on Sept. 25, 2025, to notify neighbors in the Roosevelt neighborhood of a proposed 18-unit infill housing project in Bellingham, Wash. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 6: RESIDENTS WANT MORE SAY IN THE PROCESS AS BELLINGHAM NEIGHBORHOOD DENSIFIES

St. | Published October 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rachel Showalter

The former Ryzex Inc. building is at 4600 Ryzex Way in the Cordata area of Bellingham. It was most recently occupied by Blue Sea Systems, which moved to Mexico but was still leasing the empty building. By Robert Mittendorf

NO. 7: WHATCOM COUNTY ANNOUNCES DEAL TO RELOCATE SHERIFF’S OFFICE

Whatcom County Council members are considering a long-term lease for a vacant building in the Cordata area as a new location for the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the County Executive’s Office said. | Published October 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Mittendorf

City crews used a Bobcat to clear large items from the encampment behind Walmart as they began cleanup efforts on November 19, 2024, in Bellingham, Wash. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 8: BELLINGHAM HOMELESS CAMP CLEANUP CONTINUES AS CITY AWAITS COURT-ORDERED PAYMENTS

Almost one year after the city of Bellingham began the initial clearing of one of Whatcom County’s largest encampments, the city has begun its second phase of cleanup and has yet to receive any of the court-ordered reimbursement by the property owner required to pay for it. | Published October 28, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rachel Showalter

Stephanie Wahlgren, a sexual assault nursing examiner at PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center in Bellingham, said she supports the new law and that informed consent is the “cornerstone” to her work. By Staff

NO. 9: LAYOFFS HIT BELLINGHAM CAREGIVERS AS PEACEHEALTH ANNOUNCES 2.5% WORKFORCE REDUCTION

PeaceHealth plans to lay off 241 positions across Washington — including 55 based in Bellingham — come December, the company notified the state on Tuesday. | Published October 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Rachel Showalter

A screenshot from a bystander video provided to The Bellingham Herald shows a Lynden man being arrested by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from his home on Oct. 29, 2025, in Lynden, Wash. Jesus Alejandro Lopez Ruiz was wanted for assault on law enforcement, according to a Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. By Racial Unity Now (RUN)

NO. 10: WATCH: LYNDEN MAN ARRESTED IN HOMELAND SECURITY RAID; PARTNER UNABLE TO REACH HIM

A Lynden man has been taken into federal custody following his arrest Wednesday by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). | Published October 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Edelman, Jack Belcher

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.