Foothills Gazette » February 12 – 25

Man suspected of smuggling ecstasy

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:51:24 +0000

MAPLE FALLS – A Canadian man was suspected of smuggling Ecstasy on Monday, Feb. 1, after authorities responded to a call from a citizen in the Silver Lake area. Border Patrol authorities said a person was reportedly in the area wearing camouflaged clothing and a backpack near the Silver Lake area. Border Patrol agents from Sumas responded to the call and found a man in possesion of seven bundles of a white powder, later identified as a chemical used to make Ecstasy. The powder, valued at about $300,000, weighed 65 pounds, officials said. The man, who was not publicly identified as of press time,was turned over to Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for further investigation. The powder was seized by officials.

Local district, cities want review of growth update

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 06:50:22 +0000

by the Foothills Gazette
COUNTY – Whatcom County Fire District 14 and the small cities of Nooksack and Sumas are challenging Whatcom County’s plan to update Urban Growth Areas (UGA), and have asked the state growth board to review the process.
According to the state Growth Management Hearings Board, a hearing will be held on March 2. The district and cities, as well as Ferndale and Blaine, contend that Whatcom County did not follow state law in the manner in which the update process has been performed. However, the board ruled earlier this month that the hearing will only review if Whatcom County performed the update, and also rejected a delay in the hearing.
According to records filed by attorney Jon Sitkin on behalf of Fire District 14, which serves Sumas, the Kendall/Columbia Valley, Maple Falls, Welcome and Deming, the district has various concerns in regards to serving the Columbia Valley UGA. In addition to challenges from the fire district and small cities, several land owners and development companies have also filed, including Trillium Corp. and Caitac USA.
Additional information will be in the next Foothills Gazette.

Downward trend in student enrollment expected to continue

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:41:22 +0000

by Stephanie Kosonen
DEMING – The downward trend in enrollment numbers in the Mount Baker School District is expected to continue for the 2010-2011 school year, based on an initial projection discussed at Thursday evening’s Mount Baker School Board meeting.
The number of students enrolled has dropped each year by up to 50 or 60 students consistently for the past six or seven years, said Business Manager Denise Keith.
It’s too early to say an exact number, but “it appears that trend is going to continue,” said Superintendent Dr. Richard Gantman.
That would make the rough estimate for next year about 1,947 students, Keith said. Right now the 2009-2010 average enrollment is at about 2,009 students, she added.
The district looks at multi-year trends in order to avoid counting anomalies in enrollment and registration, such as a large family moving out of the area, but specific current information like that is also used.
For instance, Gantman said the district will look at how many students are still enrolled now versus how many were here when the year started in September.
Also, he will visit with principals at each school to see if any families are moving in or out of the district. “We can talk family by family because we’re that small, and we have that kind of community knowledge,” Gantman said.
Estimating enrollment is a multi-stage process, and right now the numbers are not conclusive, Gantman said. “To grab at a number right now would result in that number being incorrect,” he said. “I tell the board to look at it with fuzzy vision and make our calculations with this inaccurate number now, and then we can keep updating that number in our budget calculations as we go.”
The number is updated as the superintendent and assistant superintendent visit with principals about school-specific changes and as enrollment changes month to month. In addition, high school enrollment typically drops in the spring.
As the year progresses, the district can fine-tune the 2009-2010 average enrollment.
A more accurate enrollment projection should be available in the spring, because that’s when kindergarten registration happens.
The district plugs that number in to next year’s enrollment, but looks at the past year’s registration to see if it matches enrollment, or more likely, if kindergarten enrollment was a bit more than what registration implied — not everyone registers, and there are also walk-ins throughout the year.
Keith said districts are very conservative and careful in their projections, because that is what drives funding and staffing.
The district will give their projections to the state for appropriations, so if the number is too high or too low, there could be problems with the number of staff on contract for the year. “We’ve never had that happen because we’ve always done a good job in our projections,” Keith said.
Schools typically have a lot of inelastic expenses in their budgets, like bus routes and teacher salaries, said Board Chairwoman Ellen Dodson, so it is a big deal when the budget projections are off.
“It’s wonderful to have smaller class loads, but you’re still paying the same teacher whether the class is 18 students or 24 students,” Dodson said. “And yet six kids makes a big difference in terms of money coming into the school.”

Community Calendar: Upcoming Events

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:37:36 +0000

Saturday, Feb. 13

Let’s Make Valentines: Make valentines for family and friends. For kids of all ages. 10:30 a.m. Everson Library, 104 Kirsch Drive. Call 966-5100.

Lake Whatcom Railway Valentine Train: Take your loved one for a 90-minute ride through the woods of Wickersham to southern Lake Whatcom. Noon only, advanced reservations required. Visit lakewhatcomrailway.com for ticket info or call 595-2218.

Motown Cruisers: Band pays R&B tunes from the 60s through today from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Club 542 at Nooksack River Casino, Deming. Call 592-5472.

Tuesday, Feb. 16
Annual Baking & Candy Contest: Entries are due between 10 a.m. and noon. The contest is open to everyone, young and old. Grange membership not required As the requirements vary for each category, participants should obtain a copy of the Entry Rules, available in the Program Handbook. The online version can be viewed at the Grange website at www.wa-grange.org (click on “2010 Program Handbook,” see page 21). For a printed copy of the Rules, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to Edith Ward, 1440 E. Kelly Road, Bellingham WA 98266. The Rome Grange will hold a potluck dinner starting at 6 p.m. Following dinner, an auction of the day’s entries will begin at approximately 6:45 p.m. Those wishing to attend the auction do not have to attend the potluck. For more information, contact Ward at 398-1296.

Thursday, Feb. 18
Bent Grass: Local bluegrass band performs at Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. 9 p.m. Free. Call 599-1964.

Dance Party: Join DJ Roy Boy starting at 8 p.m. Club 542 at Nooksack River Casino, Deming. Call 592-5472.

Friday, Feb. 19

Kendall PTA Bingo Night: Kendall Elementary School, 7 – 8:30 p.m. All welcome from the community.

Saturday, Feb. 20

Winter Swan Viewing Tour: Hosted by Whatcom Land Trust with Doug Huddle from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The tour will observe Trumpeter and tundra swans in winter daytime forage fields, and caravan to various Whatcom County locations where the birds congregate Layered clothing and rain gear is suggested. Binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras and tripods are helpful. Bring a sack lunch and water. Call Whatcom Land Trust at 650-9470 to register. Suggested donation of $5 – $10 for non-members.

Fanny Alger: Musical performance at Joowana’s, Mount Baker Highway, Maple Falls. Starts at 9 p.m. Call 599-9800.

The Tropics: Hard rock and R&B music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Club 542 at Nooksack River Casino, Deming. Call 592-5472.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Mount Baker Lions Club Open House: 7 p.m. Refreshments served. Learn about the Lions Club and community projects they support. For more information, contact Pat Newell, President, at 599-1144.

Graham’s open mic: All welcome. Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. 8 p.m. Call 599-1964.

Upcoming

J B Quartet: Saturday, Feb. 27. Musical performance at Graham’s Restaurant, Glacier. 8 p.m. Call 599-1964.

History of Nooksack Places: Saturday, Feb. 27. Learn the fascinating history of “Nooksack Places,” in a slide presentation by Allan Richardson, Anthropology instructor and researcher of Nooksack Indian culture and history since 1974. Accompanying Mr. Richardson will be George Adams, the only remaining fluent speaker of the Nooksack language. All welcome. Free. 3 p.m. Everson McBeath Community Library, 104 Kirsch Dr. Call 966-5100 for more information.

Northwest Wildlife Rehabilitation Center Auction: Saturday, March 6. Silent, live and dessert auction, as well as a buffet dinner and jazz music by the Mark Kelly quartet, from 6-10 p.m. at the Northwood Hall, located at 3240 Northwest Ave., Bellingham. Tickets are available for $50 per person and can be purchased by contacting Jan Stamey at 647-1415 or e-mail at nwwildlife@netzero.net.

Northwest WA Steelheaders benefit auction: Saturday, March 13. Deming Log Show Grounds, doors open at 4 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m., followed by auctions. $25 per person or $45 per couple. For information, call Dave at 220-0067.

EVERYDAY LIFE: A hillbilly goes on a business trip

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:34:40 +0000

by John McKnight

Since it was 4 AM and I wouldn’t be meeting anyone important after my multiple flights across the country, I opted not to dress up. There really isn’t a point since the real business part of my trip wouldn’t occur until the following day. I don’t really mind dressing up to fly, but it’s nice to be comfortable too. And these days nobody can really tell how important you are by the way that you dress anyway. It’s more in the way you talk.
Like the guy at the gate in Seattle yakking on his phone that they would “circle back” on that one. Circle back to what? Seems like you’d be starting all over if you “circled back”, just give up and scrap everything you’ve done so far. I hate nonsense, and that’s what this sounded like to me.
Safely in Philadelphia with some time to kill I hit the airport bar for a bite to eat and some refreshment. It was just about boarding time for my connection to DC so I reached into my inside pocket on my jacket to get out my debit card. The pocket was unzipped, the card and my driver’s license gone. Trying not to panic I paid cash and headed to my gate.
I had my boarding pass already so could get to DC. ut that’s where the fun would start. I was supposed to rent a car and drive 1 1⁄2 hours into the mountains of West Virginia to my hotel that night. Ever try to rent a car without your driver’s license? I tried to bluff my way through at the Dollar rental, acted real important. Maybe a suit would’ve helped.
Heading back to baggage claim I asked the guy at the lost and found counter if anyone had found my cards. The last place I had my ID out was at the gate in Seattle, so they had to be on that plane to Philly. They had to be easy to see. A crew member would have to see them on their walk thru. Nope. Not a thing and multiple calls and an APB e-mail didn’t get any response either.
By now it was 11 p.m. EST, I left Bellingham at 5:20 a.m. PST, and the only food I ate was breakfast in Seattle (I lied about the bite to eat in Philly). I was stuck in the airport with no way to get through security to get any food. That’s when AG, the gentleman behind the counter, busted a move with some guy on the phone at the Philly airport and got me a free room. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out his last $25 in cash and handed it to me. Then told me he’d be back at work the next day at 4 p.m. and would bring more cash if I needed it. What??? Who says there aren’t any Angels?
By now I was a wreck, my appointment in the mountains of West Virginia was at 9 a.m. the next day, and I still had no way to get there. But at least I had a place to stay. I checked into the Holiday Inn at 11:50 p.m. and quickly found they had shut down their food service for the night, and there wasn’t anything nearby except the vending machine. I bought a packet of chocolate covered nuts, left a message to move my meeting 24 hours, and went to bed.
By now my wife was heavily involved in the whole situation and we were still focused on trying to get a car. Olympia will send a replacement license, but only after you mail in $15 and wait. Eventually she wired me some money and I thought I could catch a bus at least part of the way to my destination. Setting up a driver in Hagerstown, MD to take me the rest of the way to Berkeley Springs, WV, I tried to get to downtown DC in time to catch that bus. On the way I found out that the taxi would take at least an hour to get there, and my bus would be long gone by then.
Back to the hotel to regroup, and eventually just hired the same taxi to take me to Hagerstown. But there was a little misunderstanding when we got there. The office of the car and driver place was for lease, and even though we had talked twice on the way out he still thought I was on the bus and wouldn’t be there until much later…and that he would be picking me up at the station. So he had the taxi drop me off at a nearby Sheetz convenience store.
There I stood in the freezing wind with a leather briefcase over my shoulder and a suitcase on the ground while at least 1,000 people of every possible type walked by me. Busy place, and a bit of a hangout for some sketchy characters giving me the eye. An hour later my driver showed up noting he was glad I was able to wait inside. I didn’t mention that I’d been chased there.
The next evening I walked down the mountain my hotel was on, across the highway and up the mountain on the other side. It was late in the afternoon, my appointment had gone well and my hosts had graciously offered me cash as well. But I was fine and it was time to explore the only part of West Virginia I could reach without a car. So up the mountain I went lighting a nice cigar I had brought from home.
Near the top I realized there were houses all along the ridge, and I’d be in someone’s backyard if I didn’t turn around soon. As dusk settled in I thought about how the colonists won the war of independence. If you knew these hills (alright mountains) you could route an unprepared foe. In the winter it’s easy to move through the oak forest, easy to hide, and easy to surprise somebody, get behind your prey and sneak up from the rear.
That’s also when I realized that I was in the woods where other hillbillies live, and it was getting dark. “Circle back” meant something now. Acting all hillbillish, acting important, I scooted out of the woods and down the mountain, a wary eye on every tree as I went.

John McKnight has been exploring Whatcom and Skagit counties for over 25 years. He can be e-mailed at john@foothillsgazette.com.

Cross-country skiing at the gates of heaven

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:10:58 +0000

by John D’Onofrio
COUNTY – People cross-country ski all over the country. Even in New Jersey. But here in the Northwest corner we are fortunate enough – nay, blessed – to have at our disposal scenery that buoys the heart and surrounds us with the true, deep silence of winter.
The cross-country destinations that radiate from the Mount Baker Highway are sufficient to keep us busy – and gaping – for a lifetime of euphoric exploration. Fetching excursions beckon seemingly around every bend of this magic road, assuming of course that snow, a somewhat elusive commodity this season, has done its part and blanketed the hills. When the snow is good, the possibilities are endless.
Of course there are practical considerations, avalanches, weather and such. These mountains in winter can be alarmingly capricious and absolutely deserve your respect.
Here are some tasty options to keep you on the straight and narrow while righteously pursuing your bliss.

Artist Point
We’ll start at the top. A trip to Artist Point on a fine winter’s day will surely turn your scenery crank. There are views, and then there are views. From Artist Point, the North Cascades reveal themselves in a most breathtaking fashion. Mt. Shuksan is resplendent and the Border Peaks form a magnificent chorus line against the northern horizon. Mt. Baker, the Great White Watcher, dominates all. And with a starting elevation of 4,300 feet this tour is your best guarantee of good snow in a lean year.
The route is straightforward, but not without some minor huffing and puffing. Park at the lot adjoining the upper lodge of the ski area and head up from the southeast corner of the lot. You’ll be swimming against the current of nattily dressed downhill skiers and boarders but the snow-covered high meadows will compensate for the traffic.
Follow the obvious trail that veers off to the right from a downhill run, climb a steep hill and catch your breath at Austin Pass with its spectacular view of Shuksan. Follow the path of the summer road as it traverses beneath a ridge and angle up before you come to the last big switchback below Huntoon Point (the high spot on Kulshan Ridge). This switchback has seen slides and is the only dicey place on the route. One more episode of vociferous grunting and you’re on top. You can ski along the undulating ridge to the top of Huntoon Point, where basking in the winter sun can be a religious experience.
Don’t hurry back down – linger awhile, eat your lunch and savor the remarkable view. Few places so accessible offer the scenic wallop of Artist Point on a winter’s afternoon.

White Salmon Road (#3075)
This area is a great choice when the snow cover is dodgy – at 3,300 feet it usually has plenty of the white stuff. Park in the switchback (off the road, obviously) below the turn-off for the lower lodge at Baker, about 18 miles from Glacier. Head off down the snow-covered road, enjoying spectacular views of Mt. Shuksan and the surrounding peaks. The further you go, the better the views and the thinner the crowds. I’ve overnighted above White Salmon Creek and saw nobody but my crusty companions.

Salmon Ridge
The good people at the Nooksack Nordic Ski Club maintain this delightful area, grooming trails that radiate from the huge sno-park just beyond the Hannegan Road and Nooksack River (on your left when heading east). At 2,000 feet, the snow here can be touch and go sometimes but the trails are a joy. Enjoy easy riverside skiing with a few minor hills to add interest. This is a great place to take beginners and a fine setting for a winter picnic.

Hannegan Road (#32)
Park at the beginning of the road on the left, 13.1 miles from Glacier. Follow the snow-covered road as it gently ascends. The way steepens after a mile and is skiable for 3.5 miles (after which it’s avalanche city). Great views of Shuksan are revealed almost immediately.

Glacier Creek Road (#39)
If the snow is low, this route offers lots of terrain to explore, although you’ll likely be sharing the journey with snowmobiles (for peace and quiet, visit in mid-week). Turn right off the Mt. Baker Highway .7 miles east of the Glacier Public Service Center and drive to snowline. Park on the side of the road and have at it. You can while away a long blissful day, gradually gaining elevation and be rewarded with million dollar views of Mt. Baker. When you’ve gone far enough, turn around. It’s all downhill from here.

Mount Baker Hard Core celebrated in Vancouver exhibit

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:08:26 +0000

by Brent Cole
MOUNT BAKER – Some of the best snowboarders in the world have called Mount Baker home, including the riders of the legendary Mount Baker Hard Core, who are being recognized at an event celebrating snowboarding history and culture during the same time as the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver, B.C.
In 1990, Bob Ridgley, owner of Binary Recording Studio and local filmmaker, got together with several original members of MBHC, and went about filming riders at Baker, the epicenter for snowboarding. Original riders included the late and legendary Craig Kelly, Jeff Fulton and Dan Donnelly, who hailed from Mt. Vernon, as well as Eric Janko, Carter Turk and Eric Swanson, who lived on Lake Samish.got together with some friends and made one of the first independent snowboarding videos, called “Baked.”
Following their passion, they revolutionized snowboarding and snowboard videos. Some 20 years later, the film is being celebrated as part of a snowboarding timeline exhibit at the Boardroom Shop in Vancouver.
“Us Northwesterners are a little different than other people around,” he said with a laugh. “We wanted to do this thing – we believed in it.”
During the film, Ridgley went through several cameras – the moisture would destroy them, but he was able to catch the riders in top form, riding the hill and capturing the true essence of the MBHC. “They were just living it,” he said of the riders. “It’s like the surfers, it’s all you did – it was a lifestyle.” He added, “What we were doing back then was pretty cutting edge compared to the rest of the country. We were doing rail grinds and picnic table jumps.”
The first female rider in MBHC was Kelly Jo Legaz, former wife of Craig Kelly and currently the owner of Joowana’s restaurant in Maple Falls. She first came up to the mountain the winter of ’83-’84 and quickly became friends with the MBHC guys. At the time, she was riding a makeshift snowboard that had no edges or bindings – just a waterski brace for her front foot, she said. For Kelly Jo, who was included in a couple short clips in “Baked,” the movie is a snapshot of a great and fun time in the lives of MBHC and Mt. Baker snowboarders in general.
“I look back at it that it was one of our first friends that actually put together and produced a movie,” she said, noting it was also one of the first videos of its kind. “There weren’t a lot of people making snowboard vids then.”
The cover of “Baked” featured Mike “Tex” Devenport, another legendary rider who lived in the area from 1990-2001. Tex moved to Glacier after seeing photos of Mt. Baker in all of its snow and snowboarding glory. “I went out there because of all the pictures in the magazines. I knew all the heavy hitters from the magazines,” he said.
While Kelly Jo and Tex look back at the time with fondness, both sidestep any thoughts about it’ impact on the snowboard culture, instead opting to think about the camaraderie of MBHC and the friendships that grew out of the group. “What’s cool about it is that I still see everyone from that movie,” said Tex, who has been visiting Glacier during the Banked Slalom event. “A lot of them still ride.”
“I miss my old buddies for sure, sneaking around on the hill,” Kelly Jo added.
Initially, the film was panned by reviewers – there weren’t enough pros it in, they said – but that didn’t stop the public from renting and buying the film. Within the first week of its release, Ridgley and the crew had sold 5,000 copies. “It showed the level of proficiency in snowboarding that was done at Mt. Baker,” Ridgley stated.
Soon, Ridgley and the guys of MBHC realized they had started something – tricks they had filmed were being seen in other videos. More independent films were being released as the market was no longer just Warren Miller and Burton films.
“It turned the industry around – accepting it and making Mt. Baker part of it,” he continued. “It opened a lot of eyes – they were people who had come to the area because of the film.”
The exhibit taking place at the Board Shop during the 2010 Olympics is being organized by Trevor Graves, a world-class photographer who was instrumental during the beginning wave of snowboarding. “He’s the guy that made Craig Kelly look so great,” Ridgley said.
As the Olympics begin this month, Ridgley is thrilled at the opportunity to be part of it. “I’m kinda stoked about it because it does mean something,” he said. “It’s amazing to me that someone cares about something we did that far back. We just did it because we loved it.” He added with a smile, “We didn’t have good cameras – we just shot with what we could.”
While he’s excited about the event, Bob isn’t sitting back, basking in the glory of his past accomplishments – he’s working on several new films, including the potential of a “Baked II.” “I’ve been asked to do it again and I’d love to do it, I’d do it more of a narrative. Like what happened to the surf movies – more of a narrative story and all the great action,” he stated. “I actually have a script, but it’s not there yet.”
Aside from the recording studio, Bob spends his time working on “Faces of Change,” a civil rights documentary about the Oklahoma sit-ins in 1958 when 13 children – ages 6 to 15 years old – went into segregated white restaurants and sat at lunch counters. Bob, along with Julia Crawford and a crew, traveled to meet the participants 50 years later.

Septic regulations temporarily eased

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:06:13 +0000

by Stephanie Kosonen
COUNTY — The Whatcom County Council decided to ease inspection requirements for residential septic systems in a 5-2 vote on Tuesday, January 26. The temporary halt was enacted in response to public outcry about tougher regulations put into place in 2008.
The council’s health committee will discuss an amendment to allow for people to inspect their own septic systems in a meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the county council chambers.
A public hearing at the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 will allow residents to weigh in on the self-inspection option. The proposed amendment could also set up a county loan program for homeowners to fix or replace failing systems.
The existing septic system ordinance was intended to crack down on fecal coliform bacteria seeping into the groundwater from failing septic systems. It required an initial professional inspection of all systems, which costs $150 to $300. The requirement to pay for inspections angered many residents, who turned out to speak at the Jan. 26 meeting in large numbers. Others spoke about the need to identify and fix failing systems to protect water bodies in the county.
Councilman Carl Weimer voted against halting the inspections because of the detrimental effects of fecal coliform on the environment and marine life.
“In Drayton Harbor (Blaine) we did DNA testing to determine if it was fecal coliform from people or cows or dogs or what,” Weimer said. “We found out in the majority of places they looked it was from humans, so failing septic systems are what is putting shellfish farmers out of business,” he said.
He wanted the professional inspections done because it would help the county establish how much septic systems are contributing to fecal coliform contamination versus livestock and other sources.
“Allowing the testing now would put that argument behind us because we could get a baseline of where we’re at with all the systems,” he said.
Although the requirement for testing has been halted, the enforcement of failing septic systems has not, Council Chairman Sam Crawford said.
“We need a better law regulating how we do inspections,” Crawford said, “and if we had not halted the inspection requirement there would be a lot more confusion as to what we’re enforcing and what we’re not enforcing.”
The amendment allowing self-inspection of the systems would require people to first take a free county-sponsored class.
Crawford said the council may or may not vote on the amendment at the Feb. 23 meeting. “If substantial changes are desired, we’ll hold off longer, but if not, we may vote on it,” he said.
Whatcom County resident Don Imhof likes the amendment’s general plan. Imhof said he doesn’t think forcing people to pay a professional inspector every few years is necessary.
“I don’t want to have to pay someone to do this. I know how to take care of it myself,” he said.
Imhof believes the county-sponsored classes are a good idea because people will learn how to take better care of their systems, so fewer systems will need replacing. “If you take care of a system properly it should last as long as you live in the house and use it,” Imhof said.
“A lot of people have just never lived with a septic tank and just don’t know what you should put down it,” he added. However, he didn’t agree with talk of raising the inspection filing fee for private homeowners from $35 to $75.
“If it costs $35 for a professional to file, it should cost a homeowner the same amount of money to file,” he said. “I feel then that you’re discriminating against the private homeowner doing his own inspection.”
Weimer said he suspects many people will still opt to hire a professional because they don’t want to deal with the mess of looking at their system.
“Ultimately it may not make a whole lot of difference,” he said.

Upcoming Public Hearing:

A public hearing at the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23 will allow residents to weigh in on the self-inspection option. A Council vote may or may not take place that evening.

Deming man dies in logging accident

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:04:54 +0000

by the Foothills Gazette
DEMING – A Deming man died in a logging accident on Feb. 5, at a job site near Darrington.
Justin Levi Compton, known as Gus by friends and family, was working as a choker-setter when a bundle of logs caught on a dead tree, knocking it over and pinning him to a tree. The Skagit Valley Herald reported Compton then fell into a ravine, where co-workers tried to resuscitate him, but were unable to. Emergency medical personnel could not arrive on the scene for approximately an hour due to the remote location of the logging site. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Compton, 26, was a 2001 graduate of Mount Baker High School, where he was a member of the wrestling team. He worked in logging, and competed in the Deming Logging Show. He would have celebrated his 27th birthday on March 8.
A memorial service for Compton was held at the Deming Log Show Grounds on Friday, Feb. 12 at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Compton’s name to Industrial Credit Union.
Family and friends say a sign will be erected at the Log Show Grounds, and efforts are under way to inscribe Compton’s name into the memorial rock at Vanderyacht Park in Van Zandt.

Portion of 542 to be moved away from river

Becca Schwarz — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 05:03:08 +0000

by the Foothills Gazette
GLACIER – WSDOT has awarded a $2.1 million contract to Interwest Construction, Inc. of Burlington to shift a quarter-mile of the Mount Baker Highway away from the Nooksack River east of Glacier.
Crews will shift a portion of the highway near E. Church Mountain Road to help reduce the risk of flood damage and emergency closures. This is a long-term fix that will prevent costly emergency repairs and lane closures, officials said. This project is primarily funded by the 2005 Transportation Partnership Funding Package.
“We’re taking a proactive approach that will help reduce flooding and maintenance-related closures, save money, and protect vital fish habitat,” project engineer Chris Damitio said in a written statement.
Crews will also build a new bridge at Chain-up Creek, along the same stretch of road that is being shifted, to improve fish passage. The existing culvert is a barrier for fish.
Construction will begin as early as April. The highway will be reduced to one lane with alternating traffic for the duration of the project, which is expected to wrap up in October. A traffic signal will direct drivers through the work zone.
For more project details, visit the Web page at http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/SR542/ChurchMountainRealignment/