News in brief: Whatcom County

The Whatcom Humane Society has started a program to help unite lost pets with their owners faster, while incentivizing owners to have their pets microchipped. The first time a microchipped dog or cat is impounded at the humane society, the impound and board fees will be waived if the pet is reclaimed within 48 hours of the intake date. If the pet isn’t microchipped, the owner can have the pet microchipped for free, which will allow the impound and board fees to be waived. For Blaine residents, first-time impound fees can range from $55 to $130, plus a $10 board fee for each day the shelter holds the pet. For more information, call the Whatcom Humane Society at 360-733-2080.

The Whatcom County Council has temporarily changed how its Tuesday meetings are conducted in an effort to make them more efficient, potentially providing staff and cost savings for the county. The changes, which went into effect Tuesday reduce the total number of committee meetings from five to two, and allow for final action to be taken during Finance and Administrative Services Committee meetings. A 30-minute public comment period has been added to the Finance and Administrative Committee meetings. The new structure will continue through the end of the year. The council will decide, after a public hearing on Dec. 8, whether to adopt the new structure permanently. 

The Whatcom County Fire Marshall’s Office reduced the burn ban to Stage 1 on Friday, Sept. 11. While this once again allows for recreational fires, other outdoor burning, including yard debris and land clearing fires are not permitted. The Fire Marshall’s Office urges residents to maintain caution, because “while fire danger has decreased, vegetation has not fully recovered.” Stage 1 burn bans have requirements that residents must follow, such as not burning when wind speeds are higher than 7 miles per hour and maintaining 15 feet of overhead clearance for fires. See the full list of restrictions at whatcomcounty.us/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/5693. Those with additional questions should call the Fire Marshall’s Office at 360-778-5900. 

Blaine-based advocacy group, Fund Schools Now, will host an Oct. 14 town hall with the 42nd District candidates in Ferndale. It will be an opportunity for the public to discuss the future of K-12 public education funding with legislative candidates. Community members may submit questions to be considered for selection by Sept. 27 at bit.ly/4xM18dH. Several 42nd District candidates will attend, including Michael Shepard, Alicia Rule and Erika Creydt. The town hall will take place 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Horizon Middle School in Ferndale, 2671 Thornton Road. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.