A team of current and former City of Bellingham employees will hit the Ski to Sea course for the 12th year in a row On the team this year: former Mayor Seth Fleetwood; Planning and Community Development Department Director Blake Lyon; Deputy City Attorney James Erb; former Public Works Department Director Ted Carlson; planning department staff Chris Behee Ryan Nelson and Steve Sundin; and Post Point Wastewater Treatment Plant staff member Caleb Haner-Sundin.  Many of them have been competing together for years: Fleetwood Nelson and Behee all participated in the first year the team formed in 2013.  As one of the biggest employers in Whatcom County City of Bellingham staff frequently compete in the multi-relay race The Bellingham Fire Department has three teams this year and the Bellingham Police Department frequently fields a team as well Though City Haul is the most consistent team said attorney Alan Marriner “passed the torch” to him more than a decade ago Nelson said Behee came up with the “very clever” name around then.  The team is — and has been for years — dominated by planning department staff.  we’re the coolest,” senior planner Steve Sundin quipped adding that the camaraderie between planning department staff is legitimate: They all get along well.  Nelson said City Haul is a “well-seasoned team,” which has the logistics of the event “pretty well ironed out.” He called Ski to Sea the “Bellingham Olympics.”  “The majority of us are working for local government it’s just such a special part of playing a role and such a legacy sporting event.” Sundin said the team is encouraging each other to get out for training a bit more this year There’s more “synergy.” They’re always aiming for a top-50 finish they’ve placed between 60th and 104th overall.  All said they’re excited about getting back out there again this year “Thinking about that baton being passed from teammate to teammate the excitement and the other teams and the camaraderie,” Nelson said “Every year it’s such a special thing for us to be a part of.”  Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext Email newstips@cascadiadaily.com or Call/Text 360-922-3092 GOAL brings you the latest goings-on with the Britons plying their trade on foreign soil including England's captain and Los Blancos' 'Galactico' There isn't a lot left to play for in the Premier League after Liverpool strolled to the title last week and with three teams already relegated straight back to the Championship The quest for the top five is bubbling away deliciously and the FA Cup final is appearing over the horizon but the most life-changing of races have already been run The same can't be said for many of the competitions in mainland Europe and beyond While those at home on this side of the English Channel are scrounging for continental qualification there have been some major storylines unfolding elsewhere Championships are still to be won in Spain and Italy while one particular person will have been more pleased than anyone else in the knowledge that Germany's Bundesliga has been wrapped up the top-four battle is as close as can realistically be at this stage of the season a relatively low-key Englishman is making waves for a side chasing their first title in generations This week's review of Britons abroad also takes us to Asia to check in with a continental champion So strap in as GOAL brings you the latest on the best Brits strutting their stuff across the globe It's an action-packed one this week.. Jude Bellingham has become the undisputed protagonist in the debate about Sunday's classic following his controversial performance in the last match played against Celta The English midfielder was involved in a controversial action in his last match against Celta there is a conviction that the referees and committees favor Real Madrid Munuera Montero expelled him for  "disrespect and contempt" after he threw the controversial "fuck off." The Competition Committee sought the lightest of sanctions One less than Lewandowski for touching his nose and the same as Hansi Flick for raising his arm in disagreement with a referee's decision Bellingham would have faced between 4 and 12 matches the Competition Committee would have had to consider that his action was an offense or an insult he stormed onto the field hurling insults at the referee The report clearly explained what happened but the Committee preferred to side with Real Madrid's version in their appeal the referee's report is the only reference Florentino Pérez's version carries more weight The Competition Committee disavowed referee De Burgos he wrote: "he approached our position in an aggressive manner having to be restrained by his teammates." The latest controversial episode was led by Bellingham in the Real Madrid-Celta match referee Gil Manzano got scared and punished it with a yellow card The violence of the tackle was similar to Mbappé's days earlier they are very upset with the preferential treatment Bellingham enjoys He is also a repeat offender in bad manners and protests But he seems to have a referee's indulgence the committees seem willing to consider Real Madrid's appeal and nothing happens here Bellingham shouldn't play the classic if Spanish soccer were governed by neutral and equal rules for everyone ➡️ F.C. Barcelona Arsenal are only four points ahead of Chelsea After a 2-1 defeat against Bournemouth on Saturday, the Gunners, who have been second for most of the 2024/25 campaign, could even slip outside of the top four in the Premier League with tricky tests against Liverpool and Newcastle to come Mikel Arteta will mainly be focusing on the second leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final against PSG on Wednesday Despite this newfound uncertainty over whether Arsenal will finish inside the top four, the north Londoners have now managed to edge ahead of Chelsea in the race to sign Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund Ruhr Nachrichten are now claiming that Arsenal have entered the race to sign the Borussia Dortmund No.43 in emphatic fashion The German news outlet state that Chelsea had already held talks to sign Gittens but the Gunners now lead the race for his signature after muscling into the conversation It is said that the England U21 international feels he has a better chance of playing regularly under Arteta at Arsenal whereas his pathway to receiving frequent game time under Enzo Maresca at Chelsea is less clear in his eyes Gittens – who has been likened to Joe Cole – and his representatives have already informed Borussia Dortmund that he would like a move this summer The 20-year-old is even said to have been repeating this regularly to teammates in the dressing room Ruhr Nachrichten add that Borussia Dortmund are unlikely to stand in the winger’s way but will demand a fee of up to €60m (£50m) Gittens – managed by Elite Project Group Limited who also represent Bukayo Saka – has scored 12 goals and provided five assists in 46 appearances across all competitions so far this season Jamie Gittens, what a talent 🤩The young English winger makes it 𝘁𝘄𝗼 goals in ten minutes 🔥📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/pA30Kb4kcT The Real Madrid No.5 worked with the Reading-born forward while at Borussia Dortmund Bellingham hailed Gittens telling Tuttosport that he feels his pal is worthy of winning the Golden Boy award one day saying: “My old teammate Jamie Gittens from Borussia Dortmund they would be getting a player of huge potential KGMI’S Dianna Hawryluk talks to CBS business analyst Jill Schlesinger about the upcoming Fed meeting and how American consumers are feeling.adButlerLazyLoad("1920391771410363288",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); No injuries were reported in either incident The cuts have resulted in laboratories having limited testing for some infectious diseases and early childhood learning programs left unsure of future funds The dog had fallen into the cave and its owner also got stuck while trying to rescue it WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – When Dave Vitt founded Kulshan Brewing Company in 2011 WWU will bring its 13-game win streak into the national softball tournament Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again Jude Bellingham has been slammed hard by Liverpool legend Graeme Souness The former Scotland international turned TV pundit, has seemingly had enough of the Real Madrid midfielder’s attitude and warned him to take notes from Barcelona’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal In his latest no-holds-barred column for the Daily Mail The 71-year-old Scot praised 17-year-old Yamal for a stunning performance against Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-final first leg where the Spanish sensation scored and tore apart the Italian defence has come under fire for what Souness sees as a worrying dip in form and attitude Souness was all-in on the hype surrounding Yamal saying: “Watching Lamine Yamal against Inter Milan this week My tongue is placed firmly in cheek by the way but there’s no denying we are watching the emergence of a very special talent.” He continued: “He’s already played 100 first-team games and he’s not 18 until July What’s difficult to comprehend for someone his age is not just his talent or athleticism it’s his decision-making on the football pitch “He makes decisions you’d expect from a player much beyond his years He is already outstripping Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi at the same age.” Souness even pointed out Yamal’s character: “Add the fact that he enjoys the discipline of doing the hard yards too and he looks “Watching Jude Bellingham at Real Madrid of late has been concerning He had an incredible first season in Spain looked a world-beater but now I’m afraid it looks like he’s not listening anymore.” by criticising the attitude of the Three Lions star:  and you have to question some of Bellingham’s behaviour needlessly getting into trouble with referees.” He continued: “If he is listening to anyone if he is putting this attitude down to what he thinks is overexuberant shows of passion It’s a perfect example of what Yamal needs to avoid.” but I’d hate to see him continue going that way He needs to look at videos of what he hasn’t been doing right but that’s the value of having good senior professionals around.” “The message will always be never believe you are too wise to stop learning and listening.” Bellingham has taken La Liga by storm winning the Spanish title and the Champions League in his debut season Former champion has hailed Evra ahead of his MMA debut Paris Saint-Germain's top scoring forward is a doubt for the Champions League semi-final second leg clash against Arsenal FIFA has relegated one African club over match-fixing allegations Time and where to watch Nigeria's Efe Ajagba take on Congo's Martin Bakole in a fight for African boxing king Time and where to watch Flying Eagles of Nigeria's 2nd U20 AFCON group game against Young Atlas Lions of Morocco Former England player who rejected the chance to represent the Nigerian national team now wants to replace Eric Chelle See what fans are saying about the robbery of Nigerian boxer Efe Ajagba against Congolese star Martin Bakole as Battle of Africa ends in a draw Artificial intelligence weighs in on the speculations surrounding Victor Osimhen's future Check out the time and where to watch Nigeria's Flying Eagles' final U-20 AFCON group game against Kenya Bruno Fernandes is attracting interest from the Saudi Pro League with Al Hilal said to have him in their summer plans Super Eagles striker Victor Osimhen is reportedly mulling over possibly staying at Galatasaray for one more season Lamine Yamal earned high praise from Inter Milan defender Alessandro Former Super Eagles defender Taye Taiwo has advised Inter Milan on what they need to do to defeat Barcelona on Tuesday Ex-Besiktas midfielder Sinan Engin claims that Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has treated Victor Osimhen unfairly Arsenal Wenger previewed Arsenal's upcoming UCL second leg clash against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes Ahmed Musa will captain the Nigeria Super Eagles at the Unity Cup in London later this month leading the team against Ghana and other nations Arsenal celebrate 26 years since Super Eagles legend Nwankwo Kanu’s unforgettable solo goal against Tottenham in the 1999 North London Derby A former Fenerbahce player has urged the team to sack Jose Mourinho Athletics great Usain Bolt arranged a front three of GOATS here is everything to know about Trent Alexander-Arnold's life and career After serving an entertaining goal-fest in the first leg Inter and Barcelona will go head-to-head at San Siro to book a place in the Champions League final With Trent Alexander-Arnold departing Liverpool is he the Premier League's greatest full-back of all time Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold announced his departure from the Reds today which has led to a lot of reactions on social media Editor’s Note: Story updated at 11:35 a.m on 5/5/25 to correct details of the allegations MBN regrets the error.adButlerLazyLoad("99345568982856162",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – An employee at the Whatcom County Jail was arrested following a drug bust at the facility Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deb Slater says corrections deputies found outside contraband last month that had been smuggled into some of the inmates’ rooms An investigation determined that an inmate’s fiancé had picked up the items and given them to a contracted employee with the jail Slater says the employee would then bring the items into the jail during his shift The contraband included a small amount of methamphetamine The 45-year-old inmate later admitted to detectives that he had orchestrated the scheme.adButlerLazyLoad("1859919389757961965",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); His 40-year-old fiancée and the 26-year-old employee were both arrested earlier this week and released after meeting bail a day later Slater says the employee quit before he was arrested Jason Upton is a reporter and afternoon news anchor at KGMI Feel free to send any story ideas or news tips to jupton@pnwmediagroup.com Jobe is currently at Sunderland in the Championship and is one of England's top prospects Jobe has shone for Sunderland this season in the midfield at just 19 years of age. He has just been named as Young Player of the Season in the Championship as well as being announced in the Team of the Season at the EFL Awards The young midfielder already has over 100 senior appearances despite his age Sunderland's number seven has been linked away many times with teams like Dortmund reportedly being interested as people expect him to follow the footsteps of his big Brother A move to Real Madrid would certainly boost those theories as Jobe would join up with Jude at just 19 Jobe Bellingham is valued at 22 Million Euros according to Transfermarkt however it would most likely require a much larger fee to take the player away from Sunderland Sunderland are a smart club when it comes to business and would certainly raise the price for Jobe if a team like Real were to come in for him Jude's Brother is a fantastic talent and has been brilliant for Sunderland this season He has been The Black Cat's most integral player as they have not won a game in which Jobe has been absent It is inevitable that the player won't be in the Championship next season whether that is off the back of a promotion with his current club or if he is to move to a club like Los Blancos DOMINIC WHITESunderland AFC Fan & Journalist - Video SAFC Content Creator with 26,000+ Followers on TikTok. Writer for Sunderland On SI. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators' opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit If you or someone you know has a gambling problem crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER Very few Englishmen decide to make the move abroad England's national team at the 2018 World Cup stood out for one glaring reason: they were the only squad without a single overseas player Contrast this with tournament winners France boasting players from five different countries Even minnows Iceland had a squad playing in a staggering fourteen different countries with stars such as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane currently plying their trade abroad but it's still a rarity to see an England international make the move abroad This begs the question: in an era of globalised football why are English players so reluctant to venture abroad with reasons ranging from financial dominance to historical precedent and even a touch of linguistic laziness Jude Bellingham has been labelled a "disappointment" by Graeme Souness and is told to learn from Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal BetaAskNever miss a moment with Real MadridSign up for the latest news and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox every Monday Crystal Palace are eyeing a move for Jobe Bellingham as they begin the search for a potential replacement for Eberechi Eze Jude Bellingham has reportedly missed Real Madrid training as injury fears grow amid fierce La Liga title battle with Barcelona playWhat kind of ban can Rudiger expect for his Copa del Rey red card (1:59)Julien Laurens expects a long ban for Antonio Rudiger after the Real Madrid defender appeared to throw an object at the referee in the closing moments of the Copa del Rey final Rüdiger, Bellingham and Lucas Vázquez -- who also receives a two-game ban -- were all dismissed in the closing stages of Madrid's extra-time loss as the team reacted angrily to a decision by referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea De Burgos said Rüdiger -- who had already been substituted -- had been sent off in the 120th minute "for throwing an object from the technical area" and "had to be restrained by various members of the coaching staff who had also already been withdrawn from the match was dismissed for "entering the field of play" as he protested the official's decision while Bellingham was carded after the final whistle for "approaching our position with an aggressive attitude the Spanish football federation's disciplinary committee ruled that Rüdiger would serve a six-game ban while Vázquez was handed a two-game suspension "There's definitely no excuse for my behavior," Rüdiger said on Sunday on social media I was not able to help my team anymore and before the final whistle I did a mistake Sorry again to the referee and to everyone I have disappointed." Antonio Rüdiger had to be held back by Real Madrid teammates as he protested a decision from the referee during the Copa del Rey final. Jose Luis Contreras/Dax Images/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesRüdiger has subsequently undergone knee surgery, with sources telling ESPN the defender is expected to be absent for up to two months ruling out his participation in any case for the remainder of the LaLiga season and putting his involvement in this summer's Club World Cup in doubt that video evidence showed "a different reality than that reflected in the referee's report" regarding Bellingham and found no evidence of "an aggressive attitude" or teammates holding him back the committee rejected Madrid's argument that the player's "spontaneous regret" should be taken into account in determining his punishment ruling that his social media post was insufficient evidence of this Madrid went into the Copa del Rey final under pressure having been eliminated from the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage earlier this month and trailing Barcelona in the LaLiga title race The game was played in a tense atmosphere, after Madrid refused to attend their prematch news conference, training and the official photo shoot in protest at comments from referee De Burgos and the video assistant referee Pablo González Fuertes earlier in the day The club said the officials had demonstrated "hostility and animosity" towards the team when answering questions about videos critical of referees broadcast on Real Madrid TV In what appears to be the first full-scale workplace raid in Washington since President Donald Trump took office immigration officials descended on a roofing company in Bellingham early Wednesday morning and arrested 37 people Those arrested are accused of misrepresenting their immigration status and submitting fraudulent documents to seek employment according to a statement released by a spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement Despite Trump’s pledge to carry out mass deportations Washington has until now not seen raids of this kind according to numerous immigration lawyers and advocates Rosalinda Guillén, founder of the Bellingham-based social justice group Community to Community said many were wondering when such actions would start “We were kind of waiting,” she said Still, said Edgar Franks, political director for the farmworkers union Familias Unidas por la Justicia, the raid at Mt. Baker Roofing came as a shock especially given the immigrant-friendly policies of Washington officials “We had hoped the governor and attorney general would do more to protect workers,” Franks said Federal authorities have authority to enforce immigration law even in states such as Washington considered “sanctuary” jurisdictions because they restrict local cooperation with such enforcement Wednesday’s arrests were carried out by ICE Customs Border Protection Air and Marine Operations Officers from these agencies had a federal search warrant The statement cast the raid as part of investigations into “worksite violations and/or the exploitation of workers.” “Worksite enforcement investigations focus on reducing illegal employment holding employers accountable and protecting employment opportunities for the country’s lawful workforce,” the statement said About two dozen Mt. Baker Roofing workers held a work stoppage in 2023, alleging they were not provided bathrooms, breaks and water, according to the Cascadia Daily News Owner Mark Kuske said the allegations were untrue At that time, the more than 40-year-old roofing company had 113 employees Kuske said in an emailed statement the company was cooperating with authorities and working to gather information “It is with a heavy heart that we navigate this moment,” Kuske wrote in the statement “Many of those impacted have worked for us These hardworking individuals were actively supporting our community by helping to build the homes and install the roofs that protect us all from the elements Many of these individuals are active members of local churches we cannot ignore the larger implications of today’s events,” the statement continued “Policies like the enforcement action carried out today directly harm small businesses like ours making it increasingly difficult to operate and further inflating the prices paid by consumers.” Many immigrant advocates and community members learned about the raid from a Facebook Live video taken by someone who said she was the aunt of a worker who had been detained and was standing outside the roofing company’s offices The video shows a handful of men in vests bearing the word “police” on the back standing outside a workplace Parked nearby were numerous unmarked vans and a white bus “Don’t give up,” the woman who took the video shouted in Spanish to any workers who could hear her Trump, in his first administration, deported far fewer immigrants than Obama, despite promises to the contrary. Yet, ICE carried out a local raid then too, arresting 16 men on their way to work at Granite Precast in Bellingham. Those large-scale actions sent ripples of fear among undocumented workers and the industries that depend on them, generating debate about immigration polices. This raid is likely to do the same. Seattle Times staff reporter Manuel Villa contributed to this story. The opinions expressed in reader comments are those of the author only and do not reflect the opinions of The Seattle Times. Stay secure and make sure you have the best reading experience possible by upgrading your browser! It's a night that's made for Real Madrid - Bellingham 679 CommentsJude Bellingham believes the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal on Wednesday is "a night made for Real Madrid" The reigning European champions are aiming to overturn a 3-0 deficit from last week's first leg in which they were well beaten at Emirates Stadium But Madrid midfielder Bellingham is confident his side can turn the tie around at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium (20:00 BST) and add another chapter to the club's illustrious European history "I've heard it a million times since last week I've seen a million videos - it's really motivating stuff," the England international told a media conference on Tuesday "It's a night that's made for Real Madrid "A night that would go down in history but also something that people are familiar with around this part of this world Hopefully we can add another special night." Jude Bellingham was unable to prevent Real Madrid suffering a heavy first-leg defeat by Arsenal at Emirates Stadium Real Madrid have lost by three or more goals in the first leg of a European knockout tie on five previous occasions The only time they came from behind to progress was in the 1975-76 European Cup when they recovered from a 4-1 defeat by Derby County in the last 16 to win 5-1 at home and go through 6-5 on aggregate They have never achieved a comeback of this scale in the Champions League era - but Bellingham believes they can rise to the challenge at home "There's not a lot you can do for Real Madrid in the Champions League that hasn't already been done," the 21-year-old said "Tomorrow is an opportunity for us to do something for the first time so that's really important to us." Bellingham's England team-mate Declan Rice was the Arsenal hero last Tuesday scoring two of Arsenal's goals with brilliant free-kicks Rice had never scored a free-kick in a professional match "The free-kicks were surprising," he said "I knew Declan could take set-pieces well Arsenal's Jorginho to miss Real Madrid second leg Arsenal are aiming to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time since 2009 with the winners of this tie facing Paris St-Germain or Aston Villa Gunners goalkeeper David Raya said the team were feeling calm "The mood is great," he told a news conference in Madrid It's confidence and being able to replicate what we did in the first game "We're here to create our own history." Raya also said Arsenal were unconcerned by the hostile atmosphere at the Bernabeu "That's something that we cannot control - the fans the stadiums and the atmosphere," he said We have to think about ourselves and what we can control on the pitch "Luckily we have faced a lot of good players in the Premier League Be focused on ourselves and ready for anything that can happen." Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 BST on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser View comments | 679Top storiesHis stats are better but will Yamal build legacy to rival Messi Premier League reaction & Champions League race latest as Forest draw at Palace Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips Follow two ambitious river restoration projects Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week Alexander-Arnold leaves as modern Liverpool great - but fans will feel hurt Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights VideoZhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights 'Scheffler and DeChambeau wins further raise US PGA excitement levels' Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao 'We need to take a look at ourselves' - Arsenal stalling at wrong time Palmer's brilliance could be key moment in Chelsea's Champions League quest Europa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney VideoEuropa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney Ask Me Anything the new BBC Sport service designed to serve you Bayern's 'James Bond' - how Kane clinched his first trophy Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad How 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool VideoHow 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool Still number one & 'sparring' with Draper - return of Sinner Saints 'punch' favourites Leinster in game for the ages VideoVardy the best £1m ever spent - Shearer Poppy's tears Elton John & Happy Gilmore - McIlroy on Jimmy Fallon show Two opposing views on football's transgender ban Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Officers for multiple national law enforcement agencies wait outside the Mt (Santiago Ochoa/Cascadia Daily News via AP) (AP) — Federal immigration agents arrested 37 people Wednesday during a raid at a roofing business in northern Washington Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit and Customs and Border Protection arrived at Mt The people detained were taken away in two buses adding that he has never seen such a raid in his 12 years at the company ICE spokesperson David Yost said in a statement that the officers executed a federal search warrant “based on an ongoing criminal investigation into the unlawful employment of aliens without legal work authorization in violation of federal law.” The 37 people who were arrested had “fraudulently represented their immigration status and submitted fraudulent documents and/or information to seek employment,” Yost said Baker Roofing said in an afternoon statement that it was “fully cooperating with the authorities while also ensuring that our employees are treated fairly and respectfully under the law.” ICE says it made 32,809 arrests in President Donald Trump’s first 50 days in office up from 311 during the 12-month period that ended Sept while higher than those seen during the Biden administration are far from the mass deportations that Trump campaigned on So far the president has avoided the large-scale factory and office raids that characterized his first term and that of a Republican predecessor but there have been scattered and smaller operations Criminal charges against business owners are extremely rare playBurley can't bring himself to rule Real Madrid out (2:19)Craig Burley won't rule out the possibility of a stunning Real Madrid comeback after losing the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal 3-0 to Arsenal have a history of stirring Champions League comebacks but have never overturned a 3-0 first leg deficit in the competition and Arsenal were really good," Bellingham told CBS We're going to need something unbelievably special Jude Bellingham's Real Madrid side were comprehensively beaten in North London. James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images"You never know," Bellingham said when asked about the prospect of a comeback "The performance was nowhere near good enough but I can't come out and say we're gonna give up [It's] 90 minutes at home to pull something out of the bag." The reaction in the Madrid media on Wednesday was dramatic with newspaper Marca's frontpage headline saying the team had been "humiliated," although they added that "nothing is impossible for Madrid." The newspaper Diario AS said Madrid would be "obliged to perform another miracle" in the second leg Madrid's run to the Champions League final in 2022 saw them pull off three consecutive comebacks in ties against Paris Saint-Germain, Chelsea and Manchester City The team are second in LaLiga and have reached the Copa del Rey final, but have also underperformed in some high-profile games, losing both Clásicos so far with Barcelona "It's similar kind of themes that have happened to us all season when we've dropped points," Bellingham told TNT "It's happened again tonight on a larger scale We're going to need something special to turn it around They did a really good job at analysing how we would try and press them they made a little change which helped them progress the ball forward more and that gave them more chance to have more waves of attacks and take more risks especially when the ball went wide they had a load more chances they could have punished us with." Madrid next play Alavés in LaLiga on Sunday, before hosting Arsenal at the Bernabéu next Wednesday. Real Madrid's 3-0 loss to Arsenal was their joint-heaviest defeat in the first leg of a Champions League knockout tie along with a 4-1 defeat at Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals in 2012-13 "One place where crazy things happen is our house" That was Jude Bellingham's warning to Arsenal's players after his Real Madrid team were beaten 3-0 by the Gunners in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final The two sides face each other in the second leg on Wednesday Madrid's loss on Tuesday was the club's joint-heaviest defeat in a Champions League knockout match and after the full-time whistle Bellingham said his side were "nowhere near it" Real Madrid have now lost five games in the competition this season And Arsenal's victory was the 12th time an English side have won by three or more goals in the first leg of a Champions League knockout stage tie and every time the English side has gone through to the next round the England midfielder believes Real are "still alive" in the Champions League - a competition where they have a history of dramatic comebacks Last season they were minutes away from losing their semi-final tie with Bayern Munich before turning things around with two late goals at the Bernabeu Three seasons ago they needed last-gasp goals at home to Chelsea and Manchester City to help them stay in the Champions League Carlo Ancelotti's side went on to win the competition something crazy really," Bellingham told Amazon Prime "We've got 90 minutes of football and anything can happen at the Bernabeu." Rice scores two free-kicks as Arsenal put three past Madrid Arteta proud of 'complete performance' in Real win Real Madrid have never recovered from a three-goal first-leg deficit to win a Champions League knockout tie When told that stat after his side's 3-0 loss to Arsenal and told Amazon Prime: "There is always a first time And - as the popular saying goes - former England winger and BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Andros Townsend warned Arsenal fans to "never write off Real Madrid" While ex-Arsenal defender Matthew Upson said "Real Madrid have been in situations as dire or even worse than this before and managed to find a solution" Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is also wary of Real "We are going to have to be even better in Madrid to go through," he said Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast Get football news sent straight to your phone Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app playBellingham calls Arsenal clash 'a night made for Real Madrid' (0:48)Jude Bellingham talks up Real Madrid's chances of an incredible second-leg comeback against Arsenal in the Champions League The European champions were poor last week at the Emirates collapsing to concede three goals in 17 minutes during the second half but speaking in a pre-match news conference on Tuesday Bellingham said Madrid are "confident" of producing another comeback "I've heard it a million times since last week," Bellingham said [Losing 3-0] was one of the worst results we could possibly imagine away and for some reason everyone thinks it's nailed on that we'll come back to add to the history of this club," Bellingham said when asked about the prospect of another comeback against Arsenal "There's not much you can do at this club that hasn't been done before and tomorrow we want to do something for the first time." "What makes us confident is the quality we have the aura of the Bernabéu," Bellingham added "I think we felt that even though we played as badly as we possibly could [in the first leg] where it felt like if we just increased our level and were more attentive "We've definitely shown in some games this year that we're capable of doing something special," Bellingham insisted It's to do with the lads I see in training every single day." Coach Carlo Ancelotti said he "doesn't think" that Wednesday's result will decide his future as manager -- amid speculation that the Italian could depart this summer if Madrid fail to land major trophies -- and said forward Kylian Mbappé is "motivated" after his red card against Alavés and this season he's scored a lot of goals We need his goals more than ever tomorrow." Do you feel like everything is falling apart By working within our communities and recontextualizing our own contributions we can both provide a stronger foundation for change and allow ourselves to keep living This workshop will involve group and individual discussions and hope generating activities to re-energize ourselves Some topics we will be discussing are applied hope By the end of this workshop you will have had an opportunity to hear about how other people benefit the world around them and think about your own life in terms of benefiting your communities.  Join us at WWU in Academic Instructional Center West room 403 on May 10 at 10-11:30 a.m. This is free, you don’t need to bring anything but an open mind! Email lawsonm5@wwu.edu for questions or disability accommodations The Gallery Alley reclaimed doors on display on June 1 2023 in the alley between Wild Buffalo and the future home of the Children of the Setting Sun Productions on West Holly Street in Bellingham This year's display will be up by the first Friday of the month Gallery Alley is an outdoor art exhibition in the alley between Wild Buffalo and what was Mindport Exhibits now the future home of the Children of the Setting Sun Productions It is organized by the Downtown Bellingham Partnership in collaboration with the RE Store which aims to use reclaimed doors as canvases eight artists are selected every two months to paint one of the reclaimed doors they are hung in the alley and turned into a public art gallery for the community to enjoy Placemaking is one of the core principles of the DBP This means turning public spaces into moments of celebration the DBP’s development and communications director “It's important for people to be able to discover free ways to experience art I think it's also an important way that we're able to allow artists to express themselves and provide a surprise and delightful experience,” Hagemann said “Our executive director is very keen on one of the elements of our work being that people should be occasionally delighted by something they didn't know was there and Gallery Alley serves that purpose all summer long.” The application to paint a door is currently closed The first round of artists' doors will hang in the alley from June to July The second round of artists will be chosen by the end of May and their doors will hang in the alley from August to September The Gallery Alley has showcased many different types of artists and artists incorporating photography on the doors “We really just look forward to receiving the applications from such a wide variety of artistic perspectives,” Hagemann said one of the joys is just being able to showcase everything you can do with something as seemingly simple as a reclaimed door.” participated in the Gallery Alley in the summers of 2023 and 2024 “I hadn't done any markets or anything yet ‘This is gonna be a great opportunity for me to start getting my name out there and figuring out the logistics of getting a piece like that into the world,’” Cooper said Only one in five artists will have the opportunity to exhibit their work in their lifetime, according to Contemporary Art Issues “Exhibits are a way of sharing information,” said Julia Sapin a professor of art history at Western Washington University “They're a way of sharing ideas about individuals a way of provoking discussion and creating a sense of community.” The artists paint both sides of the door so it can be flipped halfway through and a different piece can be displayed each month In her years participating so far, Cooper's designs have featured nature scenes featuring local flora and fauna. You can find her work on her website, Frolicking Fawn Studio the program and the project was a really cool experience being able to see myself create work that I had never done before,” Cooper said “It opened up this new door for me into a different sort of painting medium that I hadn't really worked with before and it opened up a lot of opportunities.”  The doors will be put up for an online silent auction open for bid on June 6 I used to go around town a lot and just walk around And I feel like I don't see younger kids doing that on their own as much anymore,” Cooper said “So it's been cool to see just different people trying to create a comfortable space again And Bellingham has been doing a really good job with that.” has partnered with the DBP to display in their windows any remaining doors from previous years that were never sold and that artists want to keep on display a visual exhibition allows people the opportunity to closely examine art exchange ideas and have conversations with the artist  “These visual exhibitions enrich our lives,” she said “It's another way in which a community can come together and learn something about fellow community members Claire Mayne (she/her) is a city life reporter for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year at Western majoring in public relations and minoring in philosophy. When she’s not working on a story, she likes baking, listening to audiobooks and enjoying the outdoors with friends. You can reach her at clairemayne.thefront@gmail.com.  The Front is an independent student newspaper covering Western Washington University Every Wednesday and Sunday, a group of six to 20 people gather at Marine Park for kayak polo. This game originated in Great Britain in the late 19th century and was introduced to Bellingham by Gary Southstone, the founder of Kayak Polo Bellingham Southstone first played  the sport with a group in Seattle during the late ‘90s where they played with some creative twists.  “Our fifty yard markers were intertubes with ice chests with beer in them,” Southstone said we played up there for a number of years.” but Southstone has found ways to make sure things run smoothly.  “I’ve cooled the game down,” Southstone said “I designed these guards for all the paddle blades so we’re not breaking bones anymore I also started requiring helmets with face masks You would not believe the resistance I had on each one of them.” Kayak polo is a strategic game with a lot of movement The game is fast and can get tiring.  and other people try and block you before you can do the fast break,” Southstone said There has been a core group of people since the starting out in Lake Padden in 1998 Some know each other from groups like paddling or touring The kayak polo scene hasn’t grown too much in Bellingham since it started.  but not too kind or gentle,” said Glenn Biernacki who learned the sport in Europe in the 1980s it seems like they’ll be here for decades.” The group is made up of friends who bond throughout the year outside of kayak polo The group has mixed experience in whitewater and extreme outdoor sports.  and we go surfing out on the coast annually,” Southstone said and Belllingham is one of a few spots in the Pacific Northwest where it’s played Portland and the University of Washington in Seattle which the Bellingham group played once.   “We did play them once 20 years ago down in Anacortes during a festival and some of those guys were crying,” Southstone said The women playing were rough on these guys.” Southstone believes there is a future for kayak polo in Bellingham Southstone is close to retiring from the sport as new people are showing up.  “We’ve got a new crop that’s starting to show up we don’t have the cheap storage and hauling gear.” Marine Park is a place where people can relax on the beach It’s exciting to watch,” said Bellingham resident Vicki Day “It’s fun to come down to watch them.”  Brady Rufner (he/him) is a sports and recreation reporter for The Front. He is in his first year at Western and is majoring in visual journalism. When he isn’t covering stories or taking photos, he is usually running, skiing, or playing soccer. You can reach him at bradyrufner.thefront@gmail.com Host Karen Ochiogrosso welcomes Rob Dhaliwal from Samson Farms and Samson Estates Winery to the show.adButlerLazyLoad("786890018469229863",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); Court records show that a Bellingham roofing company knew the Immigration and Customs Enforcement was investigating its workers weeks before an ICE raid led to 37 people being arrested in the early morning on April 2 Homeland Security investigators got a tip in late January that Mt Baker Roofing was employing people who did not have legal status in the U.S investigators asked the company to prove it was only employing people who were authorized to work the company handed over I-9 documentation for 84 people who have worked at the company over the past year Workers must show they have legal status or work authorization on I-9 forms RELATED: Tacoma ICE center detentions spike by nearly 50% since March, says U.S. Rep. Randall investigators found 56 employees either used a fake residency card or falsely reported they were U.S Employers can verify that information using E-Verify But court records show the employer didn’t use the resource he said it’s not required and much of his competition wouldn’t use it either investigators alleged the business owner knew about the fake papers KUOW is not identifying the owner because he has not been convicted of a crime “I know from training and experience that employers who hire aliens without valid work authorization for the purpose of cheaper labor often will conceal their illegal hiring practices by requesting that their applicants supply employment eligibility documents and identity documents but will knowingly accept fraudulent and/or counterfeit documentation in order to nominally satisfy the Form I-9 reporting requirements,” wrote a special agent from the U.S Agents used that information to get a judge to sign a warrant to search the warehouse and make arrests RELATED: Peruvians in the Yakima Valley on edge after couple deported by ICE Family and former employers of a few of those arrested say they were working to get legal status or did have valid work authorization It’s not uncommon for people to live in the U.S without federal authorization but still have work authorization or be in the process of trying to get legal status while working under forged documents to make a living The roofing company is still under investigation and could face civil fines or criminal charges in the future an attorney based in Seattle who helps businesses navigate labor and employment law said employers are often placed in a tough spot when it comes to knowing what documents are valid “If you really inspect it and take it upon yourself to look really hard you could be accused of discriminating on the basis of national origin He’s gotten calls from clients who received documents printed on cardstock in the wrong color that are easily dismissible It’s the more convincing documents that can get an employer in trouble with the law when immigration enforcement comes knocking “They're obviously going to look at it further to make sure it's actually valid And that's where they make them come up and say you hired people who were unauthorized,’” Belzberg said RELATED: Washington 'sanctuary law' allows ICE agents to pick up people leaving prison. They often don't Employers also walk a fine line between notifying their employees they’re being investigated by federal agencies or being accused of obstruction of justice Customs and Immigration Enforcement said worksite immigration enforcement actions like these are meant to protect opportunities for the country’s lawful workforce That sentiment was echoed in investigators' request for a judge to sign the warrant They argued employers hire people without legal status are less likely to complain about working conditions — they don’t want to draw attention to themselves Baker Roofing held a days-long work stoppage during a failed unionizing effort Employees were demanding easier access to bathrooms and the chance to take breaks while they put roofs on homes unionizers allege six employees from the roofing company were fired RELATED: ICE detains leader of farmworker union in northwest Washington state KUOW spoke to a former employee who said he had legal status but didn’t want to be named because of fear of his family being targeted Roofing and any construction work is often seasonal but the work at Mt Baker Roofing was year-round While the pay he got was less than at other outfits he said a consistent paycheck was the tradeoff he was willing to take Gustavo covers the intersection of race and identity for KUOW writing stories that center voices often not catered to in typical news He's most interested in covering how communities effect the levers of power they hold nonprofit news organization that produces award-winning journalism The Orion bar has been a go-to spot for a night out in Bellingham since it opened in 2017 creating a new spot that has only grown in attraction: the Odd Fellows Temple Room.  If you are over 21 and have not been to this spot Warm lighting and Jazz-Age music fill the room and dancers swing and jive to big band tunes played live.  “My goal has always been to try to cultivate a culture of acceptance and of gathering in a community that isn't just centered on getting drunk,” said Jonny McIntyre the owner and creator of The Orion and the Odd Fellows Temple Room having some food and sitting around interacting with each other.” The Temple Room has built a strong music scene featuring top-notch musicians across a range of genres I wanted it to be a venue that could focus on jazz folk and lower volume independent music,” McIntyre said.  so he understands both managing and performing at a music venue.  “We have some world-class musicians that live in this town so watching them be able to play to a packed room and have a great time — I just feel happy to give back As someone who has worked in the service industry for many years McIntyre knows how to conduct his business It’s a finely tuned machine with many moving parts Whether he’s redesigning lighting fixtures hand painting the beautiful murals around the room mixing sound during a performance or pouring your drink “I am mostly concerned about the musicians getting compensated enough; that they're having a good time and being paid for their time and that the community is taken care of,” McIntyre said It seems evident from the love and support growing for this spot that the culture McIntyre hoped to foster has come to fruition have created something special for themselves,” said Nathalie Wagler the community engagement manager for the Downtown Bellingham Partnership Wagler emphasized how the bar has truly found its niche in a town filled with live music “It’s cool that they have leaned into this specific genre of jazz and big band,” Wagler said.  McIntyre was proud to say that the Temple Room boasts a large demographic of bar goers the Bellingham community has consistently shown up to big band nights.  “I feel like it's unique to see every single type of person represented in that space Big band really brings people together,” Wagler said whose first show was February 2024 was formed for the purpose of consistently playing at the venue The 18 piece band plays monthly and is made up of mainly Western Washington University graduates and is headed by Toby Bruce “Jonny gives opportunities to a bunch of people to have a spot to play jazz and also for the [musical] veterans of town to do really cool events,” Bruce said The swing and lindy hop community of Bellingham has also started frequenting the venue as the large space in front of the stage is perfect for cutting a rug Dance instructors from B’ham Hop teach open dance lessons before big band nights “Jonny has created a community that not only he loves but loves him,” said Bruce “He is passionate about everything he does live jazz music and a trip to the past intrigue you then the Odd Fellows Temple Room is the place to go Quincy Koch (she/her) is an opinion writer for The Front this quarter. She is a third-year student at Western, majoring in communication studies and minoring in journalism public relations. She loves spending time with friends, singing and adventuring outside. You can reach her at quincykoch.thefront@gmail.com Elder law attorney Phil George and co-host Bill Davis have great advice on how to plan for a successful retirement on this episode of The Aging Hour.adButlerLazyLoad("3165557530546898504",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Over 1,000 unionized workers at PeaceHealth are going on strike.adButlerLazyLoad("749968877796760704",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); The Union of American Physicians and Dentists (UAPD) and Service Employees International Union (SEIU) will hold a five-day lab assistants and imaging technicians at PeaceHealth St Bargaining representatives for both unions say wages understaffing and limited time with patients are their critical concerns “Our clinicians have repeatedly raised concerns about patient safety and working conditions for months but PeaceHealth continues to make these decisions and implement changes without clinician input,” said Joe Crane UAPD Washington State Organizing Coordinator “After multiple failed attempts to resolve these issues through negotiations SEIU 1199NW says contract negotiations have stalled while UAPD claims PeaceHealth has refused to recognize or bargain with the group.adButlerLazyLoad("441664973685239150",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); PeaceHealth spokesperson Amy Drury sent the following statement to My Bellingham Now: “During the planned strike that involves our Service Technical and Laboratory caregivers at PeaceHealth St Joseph Medical Center and Advanced Practice Clinicians at PeaceHealth Medical Group clinics our community can continue to count on the safe PeaceHealth has secured the services of highly qualified experienced temporary replacement caregivers from a staffing agency to ensure patient care remains uninterrupted during the strike This is a standard practice in the healthcare industry PeaceHealth respects the rights of our caregivers to participate in these strikes and other lawful activities we are deeply disappointed the unions have chosen to strike PeaceHealth remains committed to good faith bargaining to reach agreements that are competitive and fair We had been eager to get to resume bargaining with both SEIU 1199NW and UAPD to focus on reaching an agreement Considering their decision to initiate a work stoppage our full attention will turn to ensuring smooth and continuing operations in caring for our community and prioritizing excellent patient care We will be glad to reengage and continue bargaining at the conclusion of the work stoppage their professionalism and commitment to our patients A planned action will not change that.”adButlerLazyLoad("356398887119676273",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); It comes days after a third union representing nurses at PeaceHealth held an informational picket though that union is scheduled to resume contract negotiations with management on May 16 BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Bellingham International Airport has appointed a new leader.adButlerLazyLoad("1912083204115757598",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); The Port of Bellingham has promoted Matthew Rodriguez as their Director of Aviation Rodriguez had previously served as the Airport Operations Manager over the past five years and comprehensive understanding of airport operations make him the ideal choice to guide BLI through its next phase of growth,” said Rob Fix Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham he helped add more flights with Alaska Airlines and Allegiant Air led capital improvement projects and made sure the airport met all federal regulations Some of Rodriguez’s new duties will include a multimillion-dollar runway project and air traffic control tower upgrades.adButlerLazyLoad("1400823982504029590",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); “Bellingham International Airport plays a vital role in our region’s transportation network and I am honored to serve as the next Director of Aviation,” said Rodriguez Dianna Hawryluk is the KGMI Morning News Anchor and a reporter for My Bellingham Now Send any news tips to dhawryluk@pnwmediagroup.com WHATCOM COUNTY, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The sun finally decided to bless our neck of the woods and this weekend there are tons of opportunities to enjoy the spectacular spring weather This week’s Lifestyle Lookout features hikes Let’s get to it.adButlerLazyLoad("2011116611880001670",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); While the North Cascades are still snow-covered there are hiking options abound in the lowlands From Sumas Mountain to Lake Whatcom Park and the Chuckanuts Larrabee State Park is easily accessible from Bellingham, and while you want to avoid Chuckanut Drive’s southern reaches because of a rockslide you can still access Oyster Dome and the rest of the hikes on Blanchard Mountain from Samish Overlook AllTrails and Washington Trails Association both offer great apps and websites to guide you on your way If a stroll around downtown Bellingham is more your pace, Friday, May 2 is First Friday offering some great opportunities to wander the streets enjoying local art Paper Whale is hosting The Immersive Art Project four vacant storefronts will be “activated” with temporary galleries showcasing immersive works that interact with the spaces they occupy.adButlerLazyLoad("1826411684254730129",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); All the galleries are in spaces that are currently for lease so perspective business owners can pop in to see how to best use the space can just pop in and get lost in the expertly curated exhibits For all the details go to Paper Whale’s website Whatcom County is home to many talented youngsters Allied Arts wants to show you what they can do The Bellingham Children’s Art Walk runs from Friday Over 50 downtown businesses will feature artwork created in schools throughout the county Find all the details at alliedarts.org or stop by the Allied Arts Gallery at 1213 Cornwall Ave to grab an art walk map and get information on all the live music and other events happening for First Friday.adButlerLazyLoad("886775212059646272",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); It is the first weekend of May which means it is opening weekend at Kulshan Brewing Company’s Trackside on Bellingham’s Waterfront Stroll down to enjoy live music at their 25,000 square foot beer garden Grab yourself one of the 20 beers on tap while you are there cider and non-alcoholic beverages are also available at this all-ages space The Trackside location will be open all summer For all the details, go to kulshanbrewing.com and be sure to read this week’s We Are Whatcom featuring Dave Vitt, the founder of Kulshan Brewing Company Cinco de Mayo is on Monday. That means the good folks at El Sueñito Brewing Company will be celebrating all weekend a painting party on Saturday and a dance performance from Chicas Reinas y Chicos de Oro on Monday El Sueñito Brewing Company is located in Bellingham’s Sunnyland neighborhood at 1926 Humboldt St.adButlerLazyLoad("1319116374920015094",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); Our featured live show this week is at the Shakedown in downtown Bellingham Seattle’s Massy Ferguson will bring their brand of country-rock to the stage on Saturday night It will be a night of “amplified twang and raw Massy Ferguson is playing with ToadMortons and Bellingham’s Salt Pine. Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased at shakedownbellingham.com Listen to this week’s Lifestyle Lookout below and every Friday on the KGMI Morning News: adButlerLazyLoad("2861414582063764713",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); reporter and digital contributor for My Bellingham Now degree in Electronic Media and Broadcasting from Texas State University in San Marcos Texas before moving back to the Pacific Northwest to pursue a career in radio With a decade-old plan to remake Bellingham’s central waterfront far from complete Ireland-based developer Harcourt would lose all future development rights in a settlement agreement to be considered by the Port of Bellingham Commission at its regular meeting Tuesday If approved, Harcourt would retain only the ability to finish an incomplete waterfront luxury condominium building complex. Two buildings are currently under construction, and the third opened to residents earlier this year Harcourt would lose the right to develop commercial and residential projects as set forth by the port’s Master Development Plan.  “Harcourt restored the historic Granary Building in 2019 and finished one condominium building earlier this year the pace of development has not met the schedule and performance requirements set forth in the Master Development Agreement,” according to a Wednesday statement from the Port of Bellingham announcing the settlement agreement would end a nearly 10-year entanglement between the port and Harcourt The developer won the right to develop the former Georgia-Pacific mill site in 2015 and had grand ambitions to turn the area into luxury waterfront living The 2015 hiring of the Ireland-based firm has spawned growing public angst over the project to remake prime waterfront real estate left vacant by the demolition of a longstanding Georgia-Pacific pulp mill What started in the Harcourt agreement as 18.8 acres of development opportunity was slowly whittled down to 2.4 acres of three partially completed condos and the Granary Building blaming the COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain woes “The vision Harcourt painted when they came to town was never going to be realized,” said Commission member Ken Bell “Now we have an opportunity to reimagine what is possible for the Bellingham waterfront… It’s a new day and we will make the most of this second chance.” Commission member Michael Shepard added the settlement is a good deal for Whatcom County residents as well as allows Harcourt to retain ownership of the Granary building and waterfront condos The move to settle and part ways comes nearly a year after the port took Harcourt to court alleging the developer had defaulted on its contract alleging the port had attempted to interfere with the condominium construction project by threatening to call the Bellingham Police Department to report Harcourt was trespassing on port property If commission members approve the settlement agreement The port will also have the ability to sue Harcourt over violations of the Model ToxicsControl Act and future violations of the Settlement Agreement or Second Stockpile Removal Agreement The agreement also serves a two-fold purpose of ensuring Harcourt will remove stockpiled materials left over from the construction of the waterfront condominiums Harcourt and the port had agreed since October that the developer needed to remove 250 tons of contaminated soil per week over a year stockpiled material would be removed in the next 12 months any material currently sitting in the middle of what will be the Northwest Tune-Up parking lot has to be removed by June 30 Port commissioners Bobby Briscoe could not be immediately reached for comment Public comment about the proposed settlement agreement will be accepted during the May 6 port commission meeting any decisions about the future of this property will be made by the Port Commission in open public meetings with continued public engagement and input,” the port indicated in the news release Shepard said there are some clear ideas about the opportunities at the waterfront as well as space to work with the community about what development could look like “We want to maintain certainty and predictability for our existing partners and also think creatively about what happens next,” he said The 2015 agreement with Harcourt followed years of intensive public planning about competing ideas for the scope character and appearance of a revitalized Bellingham waterfront The Georgia-Pacific mill was shuttered in 2001; the company later ceded the 137-acre site to the port which was left responsible for the long and expensive process of cleaning up industrial waste from the mill and surrounding areas A previous version story was been updated at 11:40 a.m May 1 with comments from Commission member Ken Bell Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext The fate of an historic landmark in Whatcom County hangs in the balance as a highway project threatens to roll right over it Bellingham, wash. - The fate of an historic landmark in Whatcom County hangs in the balance as a highway project threatens to roll right over it The Bellingham Rock is sitting right in the path of a fish passage improvement project and it could end up being destroyed if a new home for the massive boulder isn't found.  If you are driving north on I-5 in Whatcom County "You are always kind of looking for the rock," said Keith Cook Bellingham Rock preservationist and Facebook page moderator The brightly painted boulder sifts nestled in the trees "This is super-thick paint," said Cook Cook says the rock has been greeting visitors and locals since the late 60's and early 70's after construction finished on the highway And it has long been a community canvas for anyone with the gumption to grab a can of spray paint "It has that welcome home feel," said Cook "This thing’s been painted 1,000 times The two inches of paint offer layers of local history including hundreds of murals of celebration and memorials to loved ones lost.  "There has been that many memories that have been put on this rock "It’d be interesting to do archeology just peel it back and see what it was one at a time." The rock is so popular it has its own Facebook page and spot on the map it’s the historic society registry," said Cook the clock is ticking for the Bellingham Rock of ages "It’s in danger," said Cook It must be moved ahead of construction of a fish passage along Friday Cook wants to make sure the rock is spared "It's either going to be exploded or relocated. So just trying to save some history," said Cook WSDOT sent an email in response to some of FOX 13's questions about the project confirming that the rock must be cleared out ahead of the project "WSDOT has a fish passage project at Friday, Lake and Chuckanut Creeks along I-5 The Bellingham Rock is located within the foot print of this project and it does need to be moved from its current location." "Once it is moved it cannot be returned WSDOT and the Federal Highway Administration does not permit it to be returned to I-5 limited access especially where it could encourage unsafe parking or pedestrian access along a busy interstate." "Because of where we are in this process I am unable to answer your questions about whether or not the Rock will be destroyed or where it may be moved too Determining the Rock’s future is part of the process we are currently undertaking There are some constraints that we must operate within." WSDOT says it's working with partners on a solution for the rock. More details are located at WSDOT'S open house page "It really just takes someone speaking up and saying I’ll take the rock," said Cook He is asking anyone with ideas to chip in.  He's inviting people to reach out on the Bellingham Rock Facebook page with those thoughts He's also asking people to post or send in their historical photos of paintings of the rock "I don’t know what’s going to happen but I know it’s going to hurt a lot of people’s feelings if it’s not here anymore," said Cook 60 years-ish of history that’s going to be thrown away because people aren’t willing to put in a little extra effort into figuring where it can go I’m really disappointed in that." The Source: Information in this story is from the Washington State Department of Transportation and FOX 13 Seattle reporting and interviews First confirmed Pacific Northwest sighting of invasive Chinese mitten crab Motorcyclist dead, 2 others injured in Pierce County crash At least 11 dead after car plows into Vancouver, B.C. crowd Tears, heartbreak at Chase Jones sentencing—teen in fatal Renton, WA crash 1 dead, 1 injured after shooting in Tacoma, WA WA pilot program offers free walk-on ferry rides to San Juan Islands Bothell, WA teacher faces judge over student sexual misconduct allegations To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news weather updates and more local and national news By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Happy Valley student's art on display at Bellingham Frameworks on May 3 student art pieces are on display until May 17 The 25th Annual Children’s Art Walk kicks off with their opening reception from 5 -8 p.m The Children’s Art Walk is a two-week event in which 60 local businesses have partnered up with Allied Arts to display art from students around Whatcom County The Art Walk celebrates the local youth and their creativity during Washington’s Art Education Month “It's a wonderful way to get families and kids downtown enjoying the arts and celebrating their kids' achievements It's just so wonderful to watch the kids standing at the windows looking at their pieces and talking to their parents about it,” said Kelly Hart The Art Walk includes activities for kids and adults puppet shows and performances by students and instructors Puppets by Columbia Elementary students at Allied Arts of Whatcom County on May 3 BellinghamART has participated in the Art Walk for the last couple of years The Art Walk aligns with BellinghamART’s annual Art Show where students submit artwork and host an open house to share their pieces with family and friends “If kids are on a sports team or something like that there's games and ways to kind of showcase what they're doing And a lot of times you get kids who are more on the shy end or a little bit quieter it's really cool to have a night where we can celebrate what they've been doing and their passion,” said Emily Zimmerman Not only does it empower kids to see their own art on public display but seeing other kids' art shows them  they are part of a larger artistic community an art and museum education professor at Western Washington University ”They see this community cares about kids and respects their artistic work enough to display it It's such a powerful positive message for young people to see it out there,” Mask said “For other people walking around downtown during that time when all the artwork is up Currently, school districts with more than 200 enrolled students only require at least one visual art or one performing art class throughout the school year, according to the Washington State Legislature “Music already has a very strong footprint in many elementary schools for a variety of reasons Most schools don't have an art teacher,” Mask said To combat the lack of art in education in schools, the Allied Arts Education Project has 16 teaching artists that go into schools and teach art classes It is one of the biggest art education programs in the state “Arts education provides a variety of different opportunities for kids where so many of our kids know English as a second language or have learning disabilities,” Hart said “It's a way for them to communicate other than the usual writing and communication opportunities that are usually traditional school classes Children are making sense of the world in all sorts of ways “They're mark-making with a stick in the sand It's a very natural thing for us to make I think it's especially important right now that art be talked about written about and centered because it's incredibly important in helping humanity make sense of things,” Mask said The Art Walk is funded through Bellingham Public Schools the National Endowment for the Arts and fundraising cards The fundraising cards are of pieces that were exhibited during the Art Walk They are selected by Allied Arts’ VIP group Each VIP member selects their favorite pieces and of those three or four are selected to be reproduced as cards each year Not all of the cards are on display, but they are rotated and most of them are available on Allied Arts’ website The map of the Art Walk will be available on the Allied Arts website on and paper versions will be available at participating businesses Art on display at Allied Arts of Whatcom County on May 3 The map for the Art Walk will be available on the Allied Arts website and printed copies will be available at the participating businesses ”One of my favorite times to go around and look at all the work is on Saturday morning and you can just walk down the street and see it all,” Hart said Allied Arts is still accepting volunteers for the Art Walk Western students can volunteer to help with the installation and takedown of the artworks they are returned to the students who created  them “I'm really grateful for Allied Arts for putting all this work into the arts in Bellingham in general And then having a specific Art Walk for kids,” Zimmerman said “It's really special and not a way that kids' art normally gets celebrated.” BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – Additional cuts are coming to Western Washington University after lawmakers approved details for a new state budget.adButlerLazyLoad("47177071405707578",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); WWU President Sabah Randhawa said in a statement that in light of a $16 billion deficit state legislators have chosen to reduce spending on higher education by $400 million That amounts to an $8 million loss for WWU’s budget My Bellingham Now previously reported that the university made cost-cutting measures in September to address their own financial setbacks. The total net loss for the school’s budget now stands at $13 million, which accounts for both the losses in state funding and reductions within WWU. However, other financial requests by the university are still being honored by the state budget. That includes a $41 million heating conversion project, classroom upgrades and security improvements.adButlerLazyLoad("2776578509646566170",100,["662102","662102","662102"],"177027"); WWU has not yet confirmed what additional cost-cutting measures will be taken to fully eliminate their budget deficit. Dianna Hawryluk is the KGMI Morning News Anchor and a reporter for My Bellingham Now. Send any news tips to dhawryluk@pnwmediagroup.com. No injuries were reported in either incident. The cuts have resulted in laboratories having limited testing for some infectious diseases and early childhood learning programs left unsure of future funds, among others. The dog had fallen into the cave and its owner also got stuck while trying to rescue it.  BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – When Dave Vitt founded Kulshan Brewing Company in 2011, there were […] WWU will bring its 13-game win streak into the national softball tournament. Your GPS did not respond. Be sure you have your GPS enabled and try again. Woman connected to stabbings at Auburn hotel apprehended after pursuit to BellinghamWorcester Telegram & GazetteAUBURN — A woman sought in connection with the stabbing of two people at the Comfort Inn on Southbridge Street was apprehended after a vehicle pursuit that ended in Bellingham. The victims were treated for "minor puncture wounds," according to Auburn police. Police were called to the hotel, 426 Southbridge St., about 6 p.m. April 29 for a report of a stabbing. Officers observed a hotel room with blood and other evidence of violence, according to police. The two victims declined to cooperate, police said. Minutes later, other officers pulled over the vehicle of a woman believed to be involved in the stabbings, police said. A woman who was driving the vehicle briefly talked with officers before speeding away and entering the nearby Massachusetts Turnpike, police said. A pursuit continued onto Interstate 495 south before the getaway vehicle came to a stop in Bellingham, police said. State police were involved in the apprehension. Police have not publicly identified the woman. The Port of Bellingham is pleased to announce the appointment of Matthew Rodriguez as the new Director of Aviation at Bellingham International Airport (BLI). This appointment reflects Matthew’s outstanding leadership, dedication, and deep understanding of BLI’s mission and operations. Rodriguez has been promoted through the ranks at the Port of Bellingham, starting as an Airport Rescue Firefighter and Operations Specialist before serving as Airport Operations Manager at BLI for the past five years. During his tenure, Rodriguez spearheaded multi-million-dollar capital improvement projects, secured Federal grants, ensured full compliance with FAA requirements, and led an advisory committee of aviation professionals and community members providing input on airport operations and development. Rodriguez also played an important role in expanding airline partnerships, including increasing the frequency of flights from Alaska and Allegiant Airlines. “Matthew’s experience, teamwork, and comprehensive understanding of airport operations make him the ideal choice to guide BLI through its next phase of growth,” said Rob Fix, Executive Director of the Port of Bellingham. “His commitment to maintaining a high-quality, low-cost airport while developing new airline partnerships and opportunities aligns with our vision for BLI’s future.” In his new role, Rodriguez will oversee strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing BLI’s service offerings and infrastructure. Several large, federally funded capital projects are scheduled for the coming years, including a $15+ million runway repaving project and a $100+ million Airport Traffic Control Tower replacement. BLI is responsible for $471.5 million in annual economic benefit and offers non-stop commercial flights to Seattle, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, and San Diego. Rodriguez’s appointment is effective immediately.