Update: Whatcom County Courthouse reopens after hazmat unit investigation
The Whatcom County Courthouse in downtown Bellingham fully reopened Thursday afternoon following an investigation by a hazmat unit.
According to the county, building staff received a package containing potentially hazardous material Thursday morning. The first floor of the courthouse was evacuated “out of an abundance of caution,” but there is no danger to the public, according to the county.
The contents of the package were tested by a state laboratory and determined to be flour, according to the County Executive’s Office. Law enforcement is still working to determine the origin of the package.
In an email to staff, Deputy Executive Kayla Schott-Bresler acknowledged questions from staff about safety. She said the executive’s office will work with the Courthouse Security Committee to identify areas for improvement.
“Our primary goal is always keeping our employees safe,” Schott-Bresler wrote.
While the courthouse is fully open again, some departments sent their staff home for the day. The county is encouraging people to call ahead to confirm whether a department is open prior to visiting the courthouse.
This story was originally published March 19, 2026 at 1:29 PM.