A teenage girl was shot and killed in the Columbia Valley area early this morning. Her mother is injured and currently at St. Joseph Hospital. A man, believed to be the shooter, is dead.

According to the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, a call came in around 3 a.m. from the 600 block of Sprague Valley Drive in Peaceful Valley. The mother had run to a neighbor’s home for help. The incident is believed to be a murder – suicide.

Authorities have not publicly identified the victims or the shooter. The Foothills Gazette has learned the shooter was Sean Wilson. The mother, Rebecca Boonstra, remains in the hospital. Her 14-year-old daughter was pronounced dead early this morning.

Boonstra, the coordinator of the Mt. Baker Chamber of Commerce’s visitors center in Maple Falls, has ties within the community and has worked with several groups.

Wilson, a member of the Whatcom County Planning Commission, was also a Columbia Valley representative on the Foothills Subarea Committee.

Authorities have been to the home before on a domestic violence call.

Officials have called a press conference for 10:30 a.m. today at the Whatcom County courthouse. Additional information will be posted as details are confirmed.

Skater Ryan Williams at the homegrown park in Glacier. Photo by Jared Smith.

GLACIER – Tucked away in the woods of Glacier is a skate park created by local residents over the last four years, unbeknownst to Whatcom County and the current landowner. The homegrown park has become a haven for local skaters and supporters who are now trying to form a nonprofit group to save and operate the site.

The land, formerly owned by Crown Pacific, was part of an approximately 25-acre parcel auctioned off in November. Whatcom County resident Joe King purchased the site – unaware the homegrown skate park was included – and shortly after was informed by the Whatcom County Planning Department of county code violations due to the park’s construction.

Construction of the skate park, according to lead organizer Jeremy Miller, began in 2005. A lifelong skateboarder and Glacier resident since 1997, Miller said he would often go to a makeshift skate park in Portland under the Burnside Bridge. “It was built in the same style (as the Glacier skate park) – without permission, there were always junk piles and cars,” Miller said.

While hanging out in a friend’s garage, Miller decided Glacier should have the same do-it-yourself type of park and began putting up new obstacles at the coal pads just south of Glacier along Coal Creek Road, already a popular place for locals to skate. The obstacles went up, barriers were moved to make corners, and “it just kind of evolved from there.”

“I’d go to the coal pad and know that people would be there to skate. It’s kind of like the meeting spot,” Miller stated. “We’d show up daily and try to work.”

Miller said a lot of the work and upkeep has been done by skaters, but said the community supported the efforts as well. “When we needed money, all we had to do was ask and we had our concrete paid for. We were pouring yards and yards of concrete and no one said anything, but ‘Wow! Really cool.’”

As the park itself has grown, so has its reputation, as skaters have come from all over Whatcom County, as well as the Seattle area. Miller is most excited, though, about the kids who come with their parents. “It’s really cool having new parents show up with their kids,” he said, adding word about the park has made it into local schools, and they are seeing more youth from other towns in Whatcom County.

Miller said those who built and used the site were unaware of any land owner and didn’t believe the land was “owned” by anyone. “It was a total shock when we found out the land was foreclosed and [Mr. King] bought it,” he said.

Out of compliance

When Whatcom County resident Joe King became the new owner of the land on Nov. 20, he said he was aware the property came with coal pads, but had no idea a skate park was included. After a visit to the planning department on an unrelated matter, King said he was informed of the park and the fact it is out of compliance with Whatcom County code. He declined to elaborate about the property.

According to Senior Planner Suzanne Bosman, of Whatcom County Planning and Development, the department was unaware of the park’s existence until a fire inspector visiting Glacier went up Coal Creek Road to turn around and then saw the structures.

Bosman later investigated the skate park herself, saying, “This isn’t good,” upon arrival. She added, “I was impressed in the sense that it was clean. There weren’t broken bottles and they had notes up there to clean up after yourself.”

The Planning Department recently issued a letter to King, stating he had 30 days to submit a letter of intent regarding his plans for the property. According to Bosman, the two options are to dismantle the park or go through the necessary permit process to keep it.

While King has a 30-day window to determine his actions, Bosman noted the department is tentatively looking at a spring timeline before any action is taken – giving King and the skate park organizers time to potentially work out an agreement. “Right now, we’re going to

give them enough time to work through the situation,” she stated. “We understand that it’s important to the community – the kids are doing something fun and productive.”

Should King and the skate park organizers work out an agreement, a conditional use permit is needed to maintain the skate park. The process concludes in front of a hearing examiner who determines if the permit should be issued. If and when granted, stated Bosman, organizers will potentially need a building permit to bring the park up to code.

If a resolution is not worked out and the structure is torn apart, Miller said it will not be easy. “We’ve been putting lots of metal in the concrete,” he stated, “so if they do rip it out, it’s going to be really hard.”

Non-profit forming

Following recent communication with King, Miller said he and other organizers are forming a non-profit group in order to make the skate park legitimate. The group, which will include Glacier residents Gary Graham, Joseph Garcia, Paul Engel and Anne Baker on the board, is in the process of organizing the paperwork and has begun working with a Bellingham-based lawyer.

According to Miller, the idea of a non-profit had been discussed when they learned of King’s purchase. While King has given the group the go-ahead to form a non-profit, the parties are not sure how or if the site will be transferred. “Who will own the land has not been addressed,” Miller stated.

In the mean time, the group will begin fundraising. Organizers are also working on potential sponsorships and soliciting advice from skate park experts, including a Bellingham resident who is a project manager for the Seattle-based Grindline Skate Parks and one of the organizers of the Marginal Way DIY Skate Park, also of Seattle.

As the park issue has become publicized, some have criticized park organizers for building on land they did not outright own.

“We knew very well the consequences of building our spot on land we did not own, which is why it was very small for the first few years,” organizers posted on their blog. “But it was a DUMP on logging land zoned forestry. We only had the best intentions and were trying to clean up and make use of the spot by turning an unsightly trash heap into something we need. Glacier is a secluded mountain town, there is a real need for this project. We were always aware of the fact that we could get shut down. We are only hoping for the best, we didn’t mean to disrespect property rights…”

Noah Wilhelm

COUNTY – The 21-year-old Acme man suspected in the shooting of another man in Bellingham turned himself into police on Thursday morning, Dec. 31. Formal charges were filed against him on Dec. 30.

Noah Wilhelm had been on the run for 10 days, following the Dec. 21 incident stemming from a domestic issue in which Wilhelm allegedly shot a man three times in the 3200 block of Racine Street in Bellingham.

Following a hearing on Jan. 1, Wilhelm is being held at Whatcom County Jail on $1 million bail. Wilhelm has been charged with first and second degree assault, and is being represented by Bellingham lawyer Jeff Lustick.

Authorities say Wilhelm, who has no criminal history, is the only suspect in the shooting. The victim, indentified as Kyle Brown, graduated from Mount Baker High School in 2007, and has been living in Bellingham. Wilhelm allegedly went to Brown’s Racine Street apartment, where Wilhelm’s ex- girlfriend, Samantha Muhlbach, was visiting Brown. Reports state Wilhelm asked to speak with Brown, and the men went to the sidewalk to talk. During the court hearing, County Prosecutor Elizabeth Gallery stated Wilhelm pointed a .357 revolver at Brown and told him twice to get into the trunk of his car. Brown

refused both times and backed away. Wilhelm, who allegedly pointed the weapon at Muhlbach as well, then fired three shots at Brown and fled the scene.

Brown arrived at St. Joseph Hospital shortly after the incident. Meanwhile, Wilhelm drove to the Acme area and was being pursued by Bellingham Police and Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputies, as well as U.S. Customs Border and Protection (CBP), which initially located Wilhelm’s vehicle in the Acme area. His car was spotted by a CBP helicopter, but later discovered ditched along Wild Rose Lane. He fled on foot and was not located.

Authorities believe Wilhelm then allegedly took an Acme resident’s truck, which was reported stolen shortly after Wilhelm fled. Police say the truck, a 1963 Willys Jeep half-ton pickup truck with wood side paneling painted white (license plate number B20274D), has not been located.

Police declined to discuss other details of the case due to the investigation. Gallery stated during the hearing

it is believed Wilhelm fled as far as Nevada, where ATM records show money was withdrawn.

Brown, who was shot in the throat and shoulders, is recovering from his injuries and was released from the hospital last week. Speaking with the Foothills Gazette via e- mail on Dec. 30, Brown said he was doing great in his recovery, and wanted to thank friends, family and the community for their support. Brown’s family lives in the Maple Falls area.

“I just want to thank the town of Maple Falls for gathering together in this season of giving and creating great food for my family which was in the hospital with me all week,” he said. “I definitely believe there’s a God and thank him for saving my life.”

Brown said the first shot was straight to his throat and stopped directly in front of a main artery. The other two bullets landed in his back shoulders. The bullets remain in his body.

Brown said as soon as he was shot “there was a gut feeling that I would not die. It was almost like I knew I was gonna live to tell this story.”

Several sources could not be reached as of press time. Additional details will be published in the next Foothills Gazette.

Photo by Pat Savatgy

VAN ZANDT – The South Fork Valley rock ‘n’ roll group bandZandt helped ring in the new year at the Van Zandt Community Hall on New Year’s Eve. Residents danced and ate the night away, with some of the admission proceeds benefiting the Hall. Band members are Kent Rogers, Robin Wallbridge, Gregg McClaran, Chuck Loos, Diane Leigh, Joe Hawley and Doug Sutton. Other New Year’s Eve events in the east county area included live music at the Deming Log Show Grounds and a private performance by Helle’s Belles at Graham’s Restaurant in Glacier.

Evergreen Water-Sewer District #19 (serving Paradise Lakes) meets the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the water district office, Azure Way. Call 599-1699 for more details.

Everson City Council meets the sec- ond and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 111 W. Main St. Call 966-3411 for agenda.

Everson Lions Club meets the first and third Tuesday of the month at the Everson Senior Center. Dinner served at 6:30 p.m.

Everson-Nooksack Chamber of Commerce: For the next meeting time and other information, call 966-3407.

Everson-Nooksack Food Bank

is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays at 204 N. Washington Street, Everson. Call 966-4833.

Friends of the Deming Library meet on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Deming Library. Call 592-2422.

Friends of the Everson Library: For the next meeting time, call 966-5100.

Friends of the North Fork Com- munity Library Board: For meet- ing times, call 599-2020 or email northforkfriends@gmail.com.

Glacier Chamber of Commerce

meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. For location, call 599-2299 or e-mail info@glacierchamber.org.

Glacier Fire District Commissioners meet every second Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Glacier Fire Hall, 9953 Mt. Baker Hwy, Glacier.

Glacier Water District meets the sec- ond and fourth Monday at 7:30 p.m. at the Glacier Water District Office, 9973 Mt. Baker Highway, Glacier.

Kendall Watch meets Monday, Jan. 11 in the Kendall Elementary School Library at 7 p.m. Visit www.kendallwatch.us.

Maple Falls Neighborhood Watch Group: For next meeting, e-mail info@ maplefallsneighborhoodwatch.com. Visit MapleFallsNeighborhoodWatch.com.

Mt. Baker Chamber of Commerce

generally meets the first Tuesday of the month. Call 599-1518 for information.

Mt. Baker Foothills Food Bank is open Tuesday 9-11:30 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church Hall, 6210 Mt. Baker Hwy, Deming. Food donations welcome.

Mount Baker Lions Club meets every second and fourth Tuesday at Maple Falls town hall at 7:30 p.m. Visitors and new members welcome.

Mount Baker School District Board:

For the next meeting time, call 383- 2000 or visit mtbaker.wednet.edu/

Nooksack City Council meets the first and third Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 103 W. Madison St. For agenda, call 966-2531.

Nooksack Valley School District Board meets the third Thursday of the month at the district administration of- fice, 3326 E. Badger Rd., Everson. Call 988-4754.

Rome Grange meets the second and fourth Wednesday of the month, 7 p.m., Mount Baker Highway, Rome.

South Fork Heritage Association: For more information, contact 595-2820.

Sumas Chamber of Commerce: For next meeting location and time, call 739-1715.

Sumas City Council meets the second and fourth Monday at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 433 Cherry St. Call 988-5711.

Water District #13 (serving Peaceful Valley) meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Peaceful Valley clubhouse. For more information, call 599-1801.

Whatcom County Council meets the second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers, What- com County Courthouse, 311 Grand Avenue, Bellingham. For agenda, visit whatcomcounty.us or call 676-6690.

Whatcom County Fire District 14

meets the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Location rotates between Sumas, Kendall and Welcome stations. Call 599-2823.

Whatcom County Planning Com- mission: For the next meeting time and location, call 676-6690 or e-mail rboxx@co.whatcom.wa.us.

Whatcom TrailNet meets the third Thursday of each month at 6 p.m. at the Nugents Corner Fire Hall. Contact Ellen Barton at 676-6974.

ACME –Whatcom County Planning reissued a SEPA (State Environmental Police Act) determination on Dec. 29 regarding the application by Mount Vernon company Concrete Nor’West seeking a rezone and Comprehensive Plan amendment to allow gravel and sand mining operations near Doran Road south of Acme.

The company’s application requests amending the Comprehensive Plan map from Commercial Forestry to Mineral Resource Lands (MRL) and the zoning map to change the underlying zoning from Commercial Forestry and create an MRL overlay for 280 acres, a special designation.

In September, County Planning initially issued a Determination of Non Significance (DNS), stating “no probable significant adverse environmental impacts are likely.” The Planning Department then accepted public comments through Dec. 15, 2009, and received approximately 120 comments, according to Current Planning Supervisor Tyler Schroeder. “I am not aware of any of the comments received to be in favor of the proposed change,” Schroeder said when asked how many comments are in favor and against the proposal.

On Dec. 28, Whatcom County Planning withdrew its DNS finding and reissued a Mitigated Determination of Non-Significance (MDNS).

“The comments received… focused on site specific impacts that might be caused by a mining operation,” the letter stated. Of the comments, many concerns were about salmon, river quality and smaller-scale farms in the areas, as well as dust and noise. This revised SEPA determination means additional public review is necessary, including public hearings and a decision by the Whatcom County Council.

The application is preliminarily scheduled to be in front of the Whatcom County Planning Commission for a public hearing on Jan. 28 and a work session on Feb. 11, Schroeder said.

The appeal period ended Dec. 30. One appeal had been submitted by David Mann, of the Seattle law offices of Gendler and Mann, however due to the withdrawal of the DNS and the re-issuance of the MDNS, Mann formally withdrew the appeal on Dec. 28.

Several sources could not be reached as of press time. More detailed information about the proposal will be published in the next Foothills Gazette.

If you have a living Christmas tree and it’s been indoors for a week, immediately put down this paper and go put it outdoors (then come back and read the rest of the paper). If living trees are indoors more than a week or so, they will begin to break their winter rest and try to grow. Then once returned outdoors, living trees experience tremendous confusion and often die by the end of winter. Upon placing your tree outside choose the sunniest location possible, preferably where it will receive rain. Remove any bags or trays you had around the pot or root ball.

On the other hand, the Norfolk Island Pine, a subtropical tree that should be left indoors until mid to late spring when the threat of a frost is gone. It prefers lots of light, though direct sun all day is not required. Keep the soil evenly moist, not too wet, and definitely not too dry.

Cut Christmas trees can, of course, be left indoors as long as you provide water for the cut end. Please avoid throwing the tree in the garbage once you’re done with it. Scouts and troops have their annual curbside collection of cut Christmas trees. Your cut Christmas tree can also be cut up for kindling, mulch, door swags, etc. But please don’t throw it in the garbage.

Once they’ve worn out their welcome fresh greenwreaths and garland work great as a mulch around perennials, roses, shrubs. Be sure to remove plastic bows or decorations that might blow away and create little in the winter. Fresh green holiday centerpieces and door swags can also be taken apart and used as kindling or mulch. Again, please don’t throw any these into the garbage.

Poinsettias are very easy houseplants to grow year round, if you have lots of light. They usually perform quite well for a few weeks in lower light, but for continued care, poinsettias need full sun. Remove the sleeve, if any, to provide for more air around the roots, and use a tray under the pot. Keep poinsettias evenly moist during winter, not too wet and not too dry, and never allow standing water in the tray. Continue to feed with any houseplant fer- tilizer according to the instructions. If you simply don’t want the plant, give it away or donate it to senior center.

Amaryllis may continue to bloom for some time, especially if they are kept cool, but not less than 50 F. After all the flowers have faded, cut off the entire bloom stalk. Continue to feed with any houseplant fertilizer, according to the instructions, after the long strap-like leaves emerge. Give your amaryllis as much sun as possible. Entirely discontinue watering in mid spring and let the leaves turn yellow to allow the bulb to go dormant. Through the summer store the ama- ryllis bulb in a cool, dark, dry location. Repot it in mid to late fall, and begin to water again. Once more, if you just don’t want it, give it away or place it in the compost pile.