Water and sewer district receives FEMA Hazard Mitigation grant
BELLINGHAM — The Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District has been awarded a $2,152,000 Hazard Mitigation Grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for replacement of its Division 22-1 water reservoir located in the Sudden Valley community.
When combined with $358,750 in grant funding from the Emergency Management Division of the Washington State Military Department, the District will be responsible for funding the remaining $358,750 (12.5%) of the $3 million project.
The existing reservoir is a 514,000-gallon welded-steel reservoir constructed by the developer of the Sudden Valley community in 1971. Recent analyses found that the reservoir is approaching the end of its useful life and requires replacement with a similar reservoir meeting current seismic design standards.
The new reservoir will work in tandem with the District’s adjacent Division 22-2 reservoir, which was constructed in 2018 and is outfitted with the ShakeAlert® earthquake early warning system.
When combined with other critical water infrastructure projects that are currently under design or construction, the District has secured nearly $8.4 million in external funding over the past four years.
Board of Commissioners President Todd Citron said the Lake Whatcom Water and Sewer District is “committed to proactive maintenance, and when necessary, replacement of our infrastructure to ensure continuity of service following a major natural disaster.”
Valuation of private forest parcels for taxation
BELLINGHAM — Understanding how forest parcels are valued for property taxation is not always clear to landowners.
It’s confusing and that’s why Whatcom County Farm Forestry Association will host a presentation by Whatcom County Assessor Rebecca Xczar, and Designated Forest Land Administrator Christine Larsen.
That presentation will take place from 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, March 25 at the Meridian High School Auditorium, 194 W. Laurel Road, Bellingham. Cost is free.
Washington State and Whatcom County governments rely on property taxes to fund schools, state and county governments, fire districts, roads and numerous other taxing districts.
To determine the correct valuation of forest land parcels, the Assessor’s Office is charged with valuing real and taxable personal property every year, with a physical inspection every six years.
This includes valuing improvements like homes and outbuildings, the land under the improvements, and rural lands not in the Designated Forest Land program.
However, forest land specifically classified as Designated Forest Land is handled differently. The forest land portion of a parcel, excluding where the improvements are located, and harvested timber are valued by the Washington Department of Revenue’s Forest Tax Law of 1971.
La Original Banda El Limon to perform at Northwest Washington Fair
LYNDEN — La Original Banda El Limon will perform at the 2025 The Northwest Washington Fair’s Bank of the Pacific Grandstand Entertainment Series.
The band will play on Sunday, Aug. 10 at 7 p.m.
Founded in 1965 by Don Salvador Lizárraga, La Original Banda El Limon has since had the privilege of being the first Sinaloan band to usher in a new era in its genre by incorporating sound equipment and having a vocalist as a member of the group.
Today, this remarkable band’s success demonstrates how regional Mexican music is one of the most powerful genres. Notable group members have included Julio Preciado, Jorge Cordero, José Ángel Ledezma “El Coyote,” Nico Flores, Chuy Lizárraga, Antonio Lizárraga, Israel Valdez and Lorenzo Méndez. Current vocalists include Jose Ramón Maldonado, Kevin Melendres, and Víctor Noriega.
Tickets can be purchased at nwwafair.com; at the Fair Office at 1775 Front St., Lynden; or at 360-354-4111. VIP and group ticketing are also available. The 2025 Northwest Washington Fair will be presented Aug. 7-16.
Tickets sales for the Northwest Washington Fair must be purchased through the official website www.nwwafair.com, at the Fair office, or at Infusion Cuisine.
The Fair is not responsible for tickets purchased from third-party sellers and cannot guarantee their validity or authenticity.
To ensure you receive a valid ticket, always buy directly from The Northwest Washington Fair or Infusion Cuisine.
Registration open for Tour de Whatcom
BELLINGHAM — Registration is now open for the 20th annual Tour de Whatcom. The event is Saturday, July 19.
For the final time, the Tour de Whatcom will start and finish from behind Boundary Bay Brewery in Downtown Bellingham. This untimed, social ride has four different routes of varying lengths from 22 miles to 100 (century ride) miles and offers something for every level of cyclists and every member of the family.
Riders get to see Mt Baker, Lake Whatcom, valleys, rivers, lush farmland and beaches all in one fairly level ride.
Any individual may register for either the 22-, 44-, 62- or 100-mile rides. Current prices vary from $45-70 per person and prices will increase $10 per rider after April 15.
There are also reduced prices for tandem riders and for families (living in the same household or directly related) of three-to-six riders. Riders must be at least 10 years old for safety reasons. Details on the ride and registration can be found on our website.
In 2024, the race had a record 875 riders divided between the four routes. All riders will receive a commemorative stainless steel cup to celebrate the race’s 20th Year in Whatcom County, as well as a free digital participation photo, and courtesy use of the bike corral.
Gas prices decrease 3-plus cents in past week
Average gasoline prices in Washington have fallen 3.2 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $4.02/g on March 10, according to GasBuddy’s survey of 2,666 stations in Washington.
Prices in Washington are 0.7 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 15.0 cents per gallon lower than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has decreased 2.1 cents in the past week and stands at $3.608 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the cheapest station in Washington was priced at $2.88/g on March 9 while the most expensive was $5.09/g, a difference of $2.21/g.
The national average price of gasoline has fallen 0.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.03/g on March 10. The national average is down 8.9 cents per gallon from a month ago and stands 36.7 cents per gallon lower than a year ago, according to GasBuddy data compiled from more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 gas stations across the country.
“The average price of gasoline in the U.S. hasn’t been this low in March since 2021, when the pandemic significantly reduced demand and kept prices suppressed. This time around, caution is also playing a role in keeping prices lower— particularly uncertainty over tariffs, which is likely having a moderate impact,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Concerns about the direction of the economy could have a major influence on fuel prices in the months ahead, especially with the high level of uncertainty surrounding tariffs. Additionally, OPEC+ announced last week that it would gradually begin restoring oil production after nearly two years of cuts, adding further downward pressure on oil prices. As a result, the typical seasonal rise in gas prices has yet to materialize, and if and when it does, it may be considerably smaller than expected.”
GasBuddy’s averages, graphs, maps and historical pricing data covering the U.S. and Canada is available 24/7 at prices.GasBuddy.com.