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Explore 8 key November stories from Whatcom County

Stories by Bellingham Herald journalists, with AI summarization

The curated articles primarily focus on pivotal developments and stories during the month of November in Whatcom County, touching on significant community, economic, and environmental happenings. They highlight economic impacts, legal disputes, and community milestones that shape the local landscape.

In one article, cross-border travel statistics reveal a decline in Canadian visitors to Whatcom County, influenced by U.S. tariffs and affecting local businesses such as Cardhaven Games and Betty Be Good Boutique. Another article details two lawsuits facing the city of Bellingham due to accidents linked to its road safety conditions, particularly involving bike lanes and crosswalks. Brand new dining options emerge in the county, with restaurants like Chick-fil-A under construction and other eateries planning openings without set dates. Meanwhile, the local legal scene sees the sentencing of Amy Siniscarco for embezzling funds from a Bellingham business, marking a significant financial crime in the area. Lastly, Bellingham plans to close Glass Beach for the construction of Salish Landing Park, signifying urban development and environmental cleanup efforts. This reflects an ongoing commitment to enhance public spaces while addressing past pollution issues.

Downtown Fairhaven, Bellingham, Wash. on Feb. 13, 2025. By Alyse Smith

NO. 1: COMING SOON: THESE 8 NEW RESTAURANTS ARE PLANNING OPENINGS IN WHATCOM COUNTY

Whatcom County has a wide variety of local restaurants, nationwide chains and niche eateries. | Published November 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Rome Bakery and Market on November 11, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 2: WHATCOM COUNTY EATERY CELEBRATES 100 YEARS AS BELOVED COMMUNITY STAPLE

Tucked away in a quaint red building a few minutes outside of Bellingham is a 100-year-old business that has continued to be a Whatcom County staple throughout the years. | Published November 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

A cyclist bikes down the newly installed bike lane on Holly Street in downtown Bellingham, Wash. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 3: CITY OF BELLINGHAM NAMED IN 2 LAWSUITS OVER CROSSWALK, BIKE LANE SAFETY

The city of Bellingham is the subject of two separate lawsuits filed in Whatcom County Superior Court in recent weeks. | Published November 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Edelman

Florida court cases show the risks condo boards face when mishandling records requests, stressing the importance of following condo laws for owners’ rights.

NO. 4: WOMAN SENTENCED FOR EMBEZZLING $1.4 MILLION FROM BELLINGHAM BUSINESS

The former assistant office manager of a Bellingham business was sentenced in federal district court to two years in prison for embezzling more than $1.4 million from her employer. | Published November 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Edelman

Glass Beach was open at the end of Cornwall Street on November 17, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. The beach is expected to close in the coming weeks while construction and cleanup take place at the adjacent RG Haley clean-up site to convert the area into a public park. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 5: POPULAR BEACH WILL CLOSE AS BELLINGHAM DEVELOPS NEW SHORELINE PARK

Glass Beach, a popular place to watch sunsets and collect seaglass on the Bellingham waterfront, will close soon as cleanup begins on two toxic sites ahead of construction for the new Salish Landing Park. | Published November 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Mittendorf

People cross the border between the U.S. and Canada at Peace Arch Park on Friday, March 18, 2022, in Blaine, Wash. By Warren Sterling

NO. 6: ARE CANADIANS RETURNING TO WHATCOM COUNTY? LATEST NUMBERS OFFER LITTLE SOLACE

U.S. | Published November 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Alyse Smith

Davie, the facility dog for the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, carries a toy while wearing his official vest at the courthouse on November 21, 2025, in Bellingham, Wash. By Rachel Showalter

NO. 7: MEET DAVIE, RENOWNED AGENT OF COMFORT AND JOY AT THE WHATCOM COUNTY COURTHOUSE

Facility dog Davie is a common sight at the Whatcom County Courthouse. | Published November 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Hannah Edelman

A aerial photo of the spill site shows removal of contaminated soil along a fish-bearing irrigation channel called Hill Ditch, which empties into the Skagit River. Olympic Pipeline was fined $3.8 million for the Dec. 9, 2023, spill of 21,000 gallons of gasoline. By Washington State Department of Ecology

NO. 8: WHATCOM COUNTY REFINERY, PIPELINE OPERATOR FINED MILLIONS FOR 2023 CONWAY SPILL

A Whatcom County refinery and fuel pipeline operator is facing fines of nearly $4 million and almost $1 million in other costs for its role in a 2023 gasoline spill that blocked roads and forced a Skagit County school to close temporarily. | Published November 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Robert Mittendorf

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.