Foothills Gazette » News Updates

Everson barn burns in early morning fire

Becca Schwarz — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:44:38 +0000

EVERSON – A barn in the 6800 block of Nooksack Road (Highway 9) just south of Everson was destroyed by fire on July 29.
At approximately 1:48 a.m. firefighters from Fire District 1 arrived on scene. Units from Fire Districts 4, 7, and 14 also responded to assist. When firefighters arrived, they found a barn full of hay engulfed in flames.
Fire officials said no people or livestock were injured. The barn the fire started in was destroyed, including approximately 160 tons of hay. An adjacent barn suffered damage. Crews remained on scene until about 11:30 a.m. Thursday. Farm workers helped spread out the hay out to get it extinguished, and the farm’s sprinkler system was being used to put it out.
The fire appears to have started when one of the hay bales spontaneously combusted inside the barn. Farm owner Michelle Vandellen said the hay was feed for the 470 dairy cows on the farm. Other feed will be used to feed the cows until they are able to purchase more hay. They are hopeful insurance will cover the approximate $100,000 loss.
A number of residents reported smoke in the air. The area is expected to smolder for several days.
Additional information was not available as of press time.

Annual Blues Festival this weekend

Becca Schwarz — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:42:31 +0000

LOG SHOW GROUNDS – The 15th Annual Mt. Baker Rhythm & Blues Festival will be held at the Deming Log Show Grounds from July 30 – Aug. 1. The weekend’s lineup features a variety of musical acts. Weekend ticket prices are $90 advance or $110 day of show, and single day passes are $50 advance or $70 day of show. Tickets can be booked at www.boomkak.com. Event hours are 7:30 p.m. to close on Friday, noon to close on Saturday and 10:30 a.m. to close on Sunday. For more information, call (360) 383-0850.

Artist Point open

Becca Schwarz — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:18:04 +0000

ARTIST POINT – The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) opened the road to Artist Point at 8 a.m. Friday, July 30, after three weeks of snow-clearing work on the road above the Mt. Baker Ski Area. In order to open the road, crews had to clear snow that in some areas was nearly 20 feet deep. “Even though we had a mild winter, there was more snow up there this year than the last couple years because of the tumultuous spring we had,” said maintenance superintendent Tony Hernandez. “It was some tough work, but we got it done. The warm July helped, too.” Crews cleared approximately three miles of roadway and climbed a thousand feet in elevation, finishing their work nearly a mile above sea level. Work started on July 6, and crews worked four 10-hour days each week. Opening the road in late July is in line with previous openings. The road opened on July 28 in 2007 and July 27 in 2006. It opened on August 9 in 2002. In 2008 and 2009, the road opened in mid-July. The road to Artist Point is typically buried under snow and closed from October through July. The snow-clearing crew consists of three crew members and a snowblower, bulldozer and excavator.

Aug. 13 benefit planned for local family

Becca Schwarz — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:17:19 +0000

by the foothills gazette
DEMING – Friends and community members are organizing a benefit in August to raise funds and support for a local family. Deming-area resident Tim Kelley, husband and father of six, was severely injured on July 14 after falling off of a ladder at a work site. He remains hospitalized.
The Kelley Family Silent Auction & Benefit will be held Friday, Aug. 13 from 5 – 10 p.m. at the Mount Baker High School Commons. The event includes food and a silent auction, and possibly live music from a local band.
As of press time, details for the benefit are still being worked out. In the mean time, a Facebook page called the K-Eight Project has been set up for those in the community wanting to post well wishes and follow news about Tim’s progress, the family and upcoming benefits.
Donations of items and volunteer help are sought for the event. Monetary contributions are also welcome. For more information about the benefit or how to donate, visit the K-Eight Project on Facebook, the news update section at www.foothillsgazette.com or call (360) 599-3320.

Benefit set for Saturday, money raised to pay for tombstone for Felicity Boonstra

Becca Schwarz — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:11:50 +0000

A benefit will be held Saturday, July 16 to raise funds to pay for a tombstone for 14-year-old Felicity Boonstra, who was killed in January. The benefit takes place from 2-10 p.m. at the Eagles Hall, 1255 N. Forest St., Bellingham and includes live music, spaghetti feed, silent auction and raffle. Additional money collected will go to the Felicity Foundation, which supports causes Felicity was interested in.

South Fork Summer Celebration July 10

Becca Schwarz — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:29:12 +0000

VAN ZANDT – The South Fork Summer Celebration in van Zandt will take place Saturday, July 10. The event, a fund raiser for the South Fork Valley Community Association, will be from 3 p.m. to dusk at Josh Vander Yacht Memorial Park. The event includes a farmers and crafters market, memorial ceremony, games, and live music by Calico Hearts and bandZandt. Any residents interested in signing up for the market should call 592-2297 to reserve space.

Everson-Nooksack festival offers weekend of fun

Becca Schwarz — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:18:58 +0000

Roy and Lou Anne Dennison will be parade’s Grand Marshals
by Brita Adkinson
EVERSON/NOOKSACK – Residents in the Everson and Nooksack communities have been preparing for their traditional summer party – the Everson-Nooksack Summer Festival, due to take place over three days – July 9, 10 and 11.
Described as “old-fashioned family fun,” the event will feature new and old dance and music activities, kids’ games, a parade, sports events and other entertainment for all ages. “A panel of 10 people is organizing the festival,” said Jason Heutink, festival chairman, “and everyone is doing a good job.”
Heutink said Nooksack residents Roy and Lou Anne Dennison have been asked to be this year’s Grand Marshals “because they are long term residents, well known in our community.”
Roy Dennison managed Roy’s Autobody Shop in Nooksack for 35 years. “We met as teenagers when we were both living here in Nooksack,” said Lou Anne Dennison, “and we’ve lived here all our lives.” She added that they have been married for 61 years. They raised four daughters who are all living in the area. “When we were asked to be marshals, I was dumbfounded,” she said.
The couple plan to ride in the parade in their own vintage car, a wine-colored 1940 Ford Convertible.
The festival kicks off on Friday, July 9, with the library book sale opening at 10 a.m. outside the Everson McBeath Community Library. The library sales room is located behind the Peoples Bank, across from the library on 104, Kirsch Drive. Vendors will open their stands at 11 a.m. in the Everson City Park, located by Highway 9 in Everson. As usual, the City Park will be the center for most festival activities. Vendors will offer food, crafts, and more until 9 p.m. on Friday.
From 4-7 p.m. on Friday, the kids carnival games will delight kids of all ages. On Friday evening at 5 p.m. people may join the annual Lions Club barbeque dinner with salmon and chicken on the menu. Then, the 3 on 3 Basketball event will begin at 5:30 p.m.
Start partying early on Saturday by joining the pancake breakfast 7.30-10 a.m. in the Senior Center. Be sure to watch the parade through the Main Street 11 a.m.-noon and enjoy the Softball Tournament 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Riverside Park. The 3 on 3 Basketball game begins 12.30 p.m. Vendors will be open in the City Park 10 a.m.-4 p.m. and the library book sale continues through the day until 4 p.m.
On Sunday, a Fun Run, either a 5K or 10K walk/run will be held, to benefit the Everson and Sumas food banks. Participants are asked to register at 8 a.m. for the start 9 p.m. The Softball Tournament will be held in Riverside Park throughout the day, and at 3 p.m. the Horseshoe Tournament begins in the City Park.
This year’s live music events include James Higgins and the Muddy Boots band playing on Friday 5-6.45 p.m., followed by Laura Overstreet with Goldtooth Ray and Ryan Hare playing from 7-8.45 p.m. On Saturday, Brother Dalton’s Euphonic Elixir will play 2.30-4.25 p.m. and in the evening people may enjoy the Contra Dance gathering in the Glenn Echo building, with a caller and live music.
The library’s program includes some special highlights. “During just one hour, 3-4 p.m. on Saturday, people will be able to buy a library bag full of books for only $1,” staff member Susan Johns said. For book lovers it does not get any better!
Johns also said the library plans to participate in the parade with their own float, with a rubber duck theme. By July 1, about 60 children had already registered for sitting on or walking alongside the float, Johns said.
Library events also include a historic tour starting Saturday, 12:30 p.m. from the library, with local historian and author Jim Berg as guide and story teller, as well as the traditional Dewey Decimal Cake Waltz at 1:30 p.m., and a silent auction of a fine, handcrafted afghan blanket, handcrafted by the Kept in Stitches ladies who meet every week at the library. The funds raised will benefit the library.
Saturday activities in the park for children include a dunk tank from 12-4 p.m. and a three-legged race and a sack race and other similar old-time races, starting 12:30 p.m.
A theme-basket silent auction will be held during the festival, with proceeds funding the flowers in the cities and downtown Christmas decorations.
“Having worked hard for the event, our reward is to see a good turnout,” said Heutink, adding, “Usually a few thousand people turn up.”
He said the festival is a good opportunity for members of the local communities to meet up and have a good time together.
For more information, contact the Everson-Nooksack Chamber of Commerce at 966-3407 and the Everson McBeath Community Library at 966-5100.

Canyon Creek Road closed Mondays through Thursdays for two months

Becca Schwarz — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 19:10:03 +0000

The U.S. Forest Service has closed Canyon Creek Road (Forest Service Road 31) two miles east of Glacier where it intersects with Mt. Baker Highway (Highway 542) weekdays for two months. Closing Canyon Creek Road also blocks access to the spurs, Forest Service roads 3120, 3130, 3140, 3160 and 3170.

Canyon Creek Road will be closed Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon, open noon-1 p.m., and close 1-5 p.m. Workers will open the road Thursday, 5 p.m. through the weekend. The closure will block access to Damfino Lakes Trailhead, Church Lake Trail, Bear Paw Lake Trail and Canyon Ridge Trail.

For more information contact the Mt. Baker Ranger District at 360-856-5700. For updated trail and road information on the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest go to alerts and conditions on http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mbs/

Theme baskets needed for Chamber’s silent auction at Summer Festival

Becca Schwarz — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:51:49 +0000

EVERSON – Theme baskets for Everson-Nooksack Summer Festival will soon be needed for the silent auction put on by the Everson-Nooksack Chamber of Commerce. Businesses are asked to bring their theme baskets to Peoples Bank in Everson by July 8. Proceeds from the auction go towards funding for the flowers in the cities and Christmas decorations for downtown use. For more information about this event please contact Kelly Isfeld at 966-3407.

1st Annual “Mike Sparks Fastpitch Tourney” on July 3

Becca Schwarz — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:47:31 +0000

EVERSON – The 1st Annual “Mike Sparks Fastpitch Tourney” will take place Saturday, July 3 at Nooksack Valley Middle School ball fields starting at 10 a.m. The event is sponsored by Nooksack Thunder, a fastpitch team. There is no admission fee, and all are welcome. Spectators are welcome to bring lawn chairs. For more information, e-mail kellyisfeld@yahoo.com.