A picture - or a video - is worth a thousand words.
Click 'Nuf said' to view video on YouTube.
Wherein we see the Railroad walking it’s walk while we get ready to talk our talk.
Wherein we see the Railroad walking it’s walk while we get ready to talk our talk.
A picture - or a video - is worth a thousand words.
Click 'Nuf said' to view video on YouTube.
Citizen Journalist and Editor • Member since Jan 11, 2008
Tip Johnson is a longtime citizen interest advocate with a record of public achievement projects for good government and the environment. A lifelong student of government, Tip served two terms [...]
The truth is out there; Jon Humphrey has researched the issues and concisely compiled the results.
5 comments, most recent 10 months agoThis legislation calls for a $5 trillion National Infrastructure Bank that will finance the nation’s infrastructure needs without involving the budget or adding to the national debt.
4 comments, most recent 1 year agoToxic waste, scrap recycling, jarring noise, and dubious processes on the waterfront: How did this happen?
10 comments, most recent 1 year ago“Alarmist” article is unfair to needed new technology
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoAgent Orange is the “gift” that keeps giving.
3 comments, most recent 2 years agoBeing a personal reflection on the impacts of the pernicious variant coronavirus.
10 comments, most recent 2 years agoIs it boosting* from the world’s poor to get a booster in the U.S.?
4 comments, most recent 2 years agoA new and local county wide technology group of Internet and broadband experts has been formed. Jon explains why and lists the members.
2 comments, most recent 3 years agoAn essay on climate change, millennials’ concerns, and large corporations and governments complacently stealing our kids futures.
5 comments, most recent 3 years agoThe more contagious and possibly more deadly B.1.1.7 and P.1 coronavirus strains appear to be leaking down into Whatcom County from British Columbia.
10 comments, most recent 3 years agoFourteen February cases of the B.1.1.7 variant coronavirus strain suggest that it is beginning to surge in the county.
10 comments, most recent 3 years agoSomething is amiss regarding the BNSF oil-train wreck in Custer on Dec 22, 2020. Why, after a week, are there no answers and a cause?
11 comments, most recent 3 years agoA conjunction occurs when two astronomical objects appear to line up. A great conjunction is when that happens with Jupiter and Saturn.
The novel coronavirus also attacks our need for community, which is the antidote to the epidemic of toxic individualism that has begun afflicting much of middle America.
6 comments, most recent 3 years agoWinter quarter at WWU will look much the same as the fall quarter with mostly online classes.
WA State Department of Commerce Internet Access Test is a Scam to Protect Big Telecom
7 comments, most recent 4 years agoSo far, so good for San Juan County. The July 4th holiday visitors have not led to either a “Yellow” or “Red” alert for covid-19 cases among its residents
Along with potential “super-spreader” venues, rates of interaction, and other factors, “being Republican” also could represent a COVID-19 risk factor.
6 comments, most recent 4 years agoAuthors find that their method produces estimates of unconfirmed cases consistent with an announcement by the CDC that there are ten times more cases than reported.
Where in Washington are the COVID-19 case increases higher? Republican-leaning counties or Democratic leaning counties?
12 comments, most recent 4 years agoSummer visitors are likely to bring COVID-19 to previously unaffected or lightly affected seasonal communities requiring a model for risk evaluation and adaptive responses.
6 comments, most recent 4 years agoSenicide is a term not oft used but it is making a resurgence in this time of pandemic.
3 comments, most recent 4 years agoDr. David Swanson gives us his final report on the trajectory of COVID-19’s rise in the county.
4 comments, most recent 4 years agoTo remember the victims of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Dr. Swanson leads us through some of the issues involved in pandemic modeling, especially with insufficient data.
5 comments, most recent 4 years agoDavid Swanson continues to keep us informed of the progress of the COVID-19 spread in Whatcom County.
4 comments, most recent 4 years agoWith his modelling skills David Swanson continues to keep us apprised of the COVID-19 spread in Whatcom County and its likely trajectory.
5 comments, most recent 4 years agoJason Hickel asks “Can we have perpetual growth AND a healthy ecology?”
3 comments, most recent 5 years agoThe goal of this article is to highlight a few amazing scientific discoveries in the hopes that it will motivate us to create an economy based on science instead of war.
3 comments, most recent 6 years agoDistrict-only voting for Whatcom Council is having its intended effect, as one conservative takes a seat.
Fossil-fuel loving climate-change deniers—including Doug Ericksen—who have taken over the federal government are seriously endangering our nation and planet.
6 comments, most recent 6 years agoCNN interviews Darell Hillaire of the Lummi Nation about the Salmon Emergency, Rosalinda Guillen about the Detention Center hunger strike and Satpal Sidhu about the Arch of Healing
The Trump regime has turned its back on science and reason, endangering democracy in America.
Sulfurous gases released from crude-oil tankers anchored south of Bellingham appear to be a fairly common summer occurrence.
2 comments, most recent 7 years agoThe President’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement flies directly in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence for human-caused climate change. It calls into question his ability to lead this great nation.
2 comments, most recent 7 years agoStartling change in British Columbia government today, Monday, may lead to the cancelling pipeline and no increase in oil tankers in the San Juan Islands
6 comments, most recent 7 years agoSearch warrant for facebook messages on the North Dakota Access Oil Pipeline has been withdrawn in face of ACLU court challenge
Stoney Bird explains the Community Rights movement and notes a documentary movie about this showing in March in Anacortes and Bellingham
4 comments, most recent 7 years agoEric Hirst writes an overview of seasonal water use in Whatcom County - and supports his views with a well researched report that he also wrote.
7 comments, most recent 7 years agoA rainy autumn is worsening the Swift Creek landslide, and a long-term fix seems nowhere in sight.
Initiative 732 may be the most important issue on our ballot. The pro and anti campaigns were instructive - until the last minute anti ad blitz. Time to call out the anti folks.
Marijuana impacts on rats. Very interesting.
Updated on Monday. An elaborate tripod was erected over the railroad tracks on the bridge over Chuckanut Bay and protesters sat in a sling. 11 hour train stoppage.
3 comments, most recent 8 years agoJay Taber, a strong environmentalist for decades, guest writes a harsh critique of the 350 org anti-fossil fuel demonstrations at the Anacortes oil refineries last weekend.
2 comments, most recent 8 years agoThe March Point protestors this weekend will hopefully show serious concern and not disturb the heron colony near the refineries.
2 comments, most recent 8 years agoThe Seattle office of the Army Corps of Engineers has formally denied a permit for building a coal terminal at Cherry Point in Whatcom County. Updated at 4pm.
4 comments, most recent 8 years agoLiquid natural gas terminal is rumored to be in planning stages for Cherry Point as the Oregon proposed LNG plan is abandoned.
6 comments, most recent 8 years agoAt Clayton Beach, we have tracked increasing erosion under railroad tracks and written to the railroads and federal inspectors. To no avail.
2 comments, most recent 8 years agoWork on EIS put on hold as coal companies wait for Army Corps of Engineers decision. Well, it was not in March. This is not an April 1 gag.
3 comments, most recent 8 years agoActivist contests $10,000 fine for climbing on a Shell oil vessel. Rob Lewis guest writes this report.
Updated 4:30pm. Helena, Montana newspaper says GPT may be denied this week by Army Corps of Engineers. US Rep Zinke panics and accuses Army of politics.
4 comments, most recent 8 years agoNot even a letter from a coal terminal spokesman can save them now.
2 comments, most recent 8 years agoThe third annual deArmond dinner celebrated the work of Sandy Robson and Neah Monteiro.
2 comments, most recent 8 years agoWhat almost happened on the coast of Maine could happen here at Cherry Point. Portland, Maine, stopped oil exports - and Whatcom County can also. If we act.
Earthquake near San Juan Island felt in Bellingham late Tuesday night
Whatcom group plans meeting workshop to submit comments to Washington Dept of Ecology against Skagit/Bakken oil trains.
6 comments, most recent 8 years agoOne part of the environmental study for the proposed Cherry Point mega coal terminal has been completed and released. It deals with ship collisions - they call it “vessel traffic.”
2 comments, most recent 9 years agoSandy Robson guest writes of the need for real prosperity at Cherry Point, not a destructive short term coal port that destroys the fishing grounds.
5 comments, most recent 9 years agoGuest writer Sandy Robson breaks the story of officials from Washington treated to a coal-promoting junket to Wyoming.
2 comments, most recent 10 years agoIn the Weekly, Tim Johnson left out three words in quoting Craig Cole - and his story misleads readers. Guest article by Sandy Robson.
11 comments, most recent 10 years agoWyoming Senators and coal honchos were in Whatcom County June 10 - to hold a news conference with select reporters.
7 comments, most recent 10 years agoA Venn diagram where coal, the Endangered Species Act, Republicans, and Wyoming’s Board of Education collide.
2 comments, most recent 10 years agoA perspective by guest writer Ellen Murphy reflects on the Whatcom Watch and the threatened law suit by Craig Cole.
22 comments, most recent 10 years agoWyoming is ready to try and legally force us to limit our environmental scoping for the Cherry Point coal terminal
4 comments, most recent 10 years agoPart 1: Introduction to the Bellingham Basin’s Potential for Fracking, Earthquakes, and Earthquakes Due to Fracking
3 comments, most recent 10 years agoWhy Washington must step in and assume lead agency status in Skagit County for the Shell crude by rail proposal.
6 comments, most recent 10 years agoA closer look at Whatcom County’s industrial “stewards of the environment.”
4 comments, most recent 10 years agoWhy commenting on the EIS for Comp Plan revisions for Cherry Point means demanding an EIS in the first place.
5 comments, most recent 10 years agoRiley digs into an unusual hiring decision at the County Planning Dept
1 comment, most recent 10 years agoThe editor of the Whatcom Watch, Richard Jehn, has resigned effective today. Chalk up a victory for Craig Cole and Pacific International Terminals.
8 comments, most recent 10 years agoThe full text of Craig Cole’s threatening letter of libel against the Whatcom Watch. And the emptiness of the threat.
16 comments, most recent 10 years agoCraig Cole, the local contact for the proposed Cherry Point coal port has threatened the Whatcom Watch with a libel lawsuit.
6 comments, most recent 10 years agoRiley uncovers how the Coal Industry is funding conservative candidates in Whatcom County
11 comments, most recent 10 years agoJeffrey Margolis urges us to request the Nooksack South Fork Valley be included in the Coal Port environmental study.
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoHelp fund a scientific study looking for links between diesel locomotives, coal trains and unhealthy air.
Links to a few noteworthy GPT scoping comments .
1 comment, most recent 11 years agoThe Tunnel Creek avalanche and three skiers’ deaths last February was a confusing tragedy. Experts killed. How did it happen?
A dramatic video of yet another mudslide near Everett - and what will be coming down on coal trains. Amtrak service to Bellingham is shut down.
4 comments, most recent 11 years agoA giant coal freighter went right through the long dock early Friday morning. Nothing in print edition of Herald
3 comments, most recent 11 years agoBellingham Business Journal breaking story - Lummi’s to hold meeting today at noon to speak against the Cherry Point project.
7 comments, most recent 11 years agoRiley sits down with Matt Petryni with Power Past Coal to get the latest scoop
Questions raised by the Superior Court’s barring of the Bellingham Community Bill of Rights initiative from being placed on the ballot.
21 comments, most recent 12 years agoNew report suggests U.S. weather stations reporting higher temperatures because NOAA has poorly managed sensors and caused false higher readings.
11 comments, most recent 12 years agoWherein we see the Railroad walking it’s walk while we get ready to talk our talk.
1 comment, most recent 12 years agoPlanning Commissioner Onkels should recuse himself from review of environmental impacts at GPT.
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoWherein the sooty prospect of economic necessity rears its ugly head
2 comments, most recent 12 years agoPlanning Staff’s recommended revision will not prevent SSA from reducing wetland buffers.
The County’s new mitigation proposal is unlikely to be adequate for Cherry Point’s industrial impacts to habitat buffers
3 comments, most recent 12 years agoLooking at the numbers for the Bellingham elections
11 comments, most recent 12 years agoBob Ferris of Re-Sources takes a values based perspective on our community and a possible coal port.
9 comments, most recent 12 years agoLook at the title, it spells it out.
6 comments, most recent 12 years agoGeorge Black is comprehensive on the Powder River coal basin, BNSF, and the shipping of coal from Cherry Point and Longview.
6 comments, most recent 13 years agoThe Gateway Pacific coal port appears to be under construction now - secretly and w/o permits.
36 comments, most recent 13 years agoWherein something smells a bit fishy
2 comments, most recent 13 years agoWho all is on the take? Who all has not been up front about being on the take for the Coal Port?
4 comments, most recent 13 years agoA running update of links and info on the Coal Port and Trains of proposed Gateway Pacific at Cherry Point.
15 comments, most recent 13 years agoThe public meeting to hear opinions about the coal port last night saw local union leader Dave Warren playing games.
3 comments, most recent 13 years agoGuest writer Mark Flanders’ call to action for June 1 flash mob at coal port meeting
7 comments, most recent 13 years agoWherein blackened hearts and minds are initially examined
6 comments, most recent 13 years agoCoal trains will probably pass Lynden on their way from Sumas to Cherry Point, after coming across on the Canadian rail roads.
16 comments, most recent 13 years agoAccording to Superstring theory, the universe consists of 10 dimensions, not 3 or 4. But what does this all mean?
14 comments, most recent 13 years agoDr. Don Easterbrook looks at global temperature swings over thousands of years when CO2 remained constant
32 comments, most recent 11 years agoEarthquakes occurring in a mile or so south of Fairhaven late this evening.
1 comment, most recent 13 years agoEric Hirst reviews this October 2009 book by Stewart Brand of Whole Earth Catalog fame. Stewart is critical of several mainstream environmental stances.
1 comment, most recent 14 years agoTom Anderson submits this guest column. He brings attention to our local earthquake risks - and what we can do to prepare.
1 comment, most recent 14 years agoEnough has been revealed, written and said about “Climate-gate” for me to be alarmed.
7 comments, most recent 14 years agoIssues are no longer relevant when secrecy is the name of the game.
1 comment, most recent 14 years ago“At present, we are stealing the future, selling it in the present, and calling it gross domestic product.” So says renowned entrepreneur and visionary Paul Hawken at his May 3rd commenc
1 comment, most recent 15 years agoEvents have forced those who earlier warned of global warming to modulate their hysteria and instead ring the alarm for catastrophic “climate change” instead.
Why the nuance? If
We expect to have clear or almost clear skies at dawn for the next few days. And, as chance would have it, the ISS - International Space Station - will be floating over Bellingham just before
1 comment, most recent 15 years agoBill McCallum has sent us the temperature graph for March. As he notes:
While March 2009 had the same number of days with temperatures above normal, 4 of them, as did March 2008, the actual me
The book on Northwest weather has just been published. I mean _the_ book. “The Weather of the Pacific Northwest by Cliff Mass. For any person who is not a weather expert but would li
Bill McCallum is creating these interesting graphs of our monthly weather and making them available to us. We will continue to post them through December and then try to do something interesting with
Over the past few years, I’ve written in other venues about profound impacts we can expect to our daily lives from fundamental changes in a rapidly evolving world. Some of the changes are subtle
2 comments, most recent 16 years agoBill McCallum has sent us the June chart of temperatures. As you can see, we had another cold month. Bill notes:
“Temperatures have been below normal for the past year, not just this spring.
On March 26, 2002, the US Patent Office issued Patent No. 6,362,718 B1, potentially altering the entire paradigm in our quest for the holy grail of unlimited clean energy. British journalist N
11 comments, most recent 16 years agoBill McCallum has provided us with his unique chart for our May temperatures. This is obviously a labor of love for Bill, as he compiles the weather data from the Bellingham Airport records dating ba
It’s been a pretty sorry spring so far. With the exception of Ski to Sea weekend, our little corner of the globe has been somewhat less than a sunny paradise and more like a grey, cloudy, gloomy
1 comment, most recent 16 years agoBill McCallum has provided us with a unique and interesting look at our monthly temperatures. Above is the chart for April 2008, with the actual temperatures compared to the normal or average tempera
OK, we are running on the new server. And the design and programming are going well. I have cautious hope the transformed site will be running by early next week. One addition will be comments. I have
Is a New Solar Cycle Beginning? This is on NASA’s site and has strong credibility. You won’t find this article on a Google news search. I’ll continue to watch this and post on it. We will be reading a
Some items that I think are neat or news and which will perhaps impact us a lot in the near future.
Do you know that today Russia withdrew from a major military arms treaty that was reached in
A little lightness for the weekend may be nice. While most ‘blogs’ include a lot of personal introspection and personal involvement in the posts, this web site has not indulged in that. I’ve not even
Got your attention? Time magazine has an article this week about our Bellingham fight over whether or not to put fluoride in our drinking water. It is worth reading.
I think putting this medici
The link to No Forced Fluoride in Bellingham is posted to the right. The pro-fluoride initiative backers - financed by Seattle powers with well-laundered money passed along to hide the sources - has s
We found the nerve endings. The fluoride proponents don’t like the word “medicine” as used in the June 16 post below. Of course fluoride in water is just that - medicine. Medicine that is supposedly h
The fluoride proponents don’t have a clue. They don’t get it. When I open my water tap, I want clean water to come out, not medicine.
These well-meaning folks think they know what I need - and
The Auditor will post election results in almost-real time this evening. First post should be about 8:15, and because of the very few races the evening count may be done by 9:30.
The first live
Phone outage in Whatcom County, Bellingham and much of Skagit County since 7:45 am this morning according to news reports. KGMI is on top of this and the Bellingham Herald is posting special reports o
that provide national and international news that is most important and not always available. One site is truthout and it depends on visitor donations to continue. No ads, no popups, no commercial spo
Comments by Readers
David Camp
Jul 16, 2012They’re doing the same thing in Delta, BC, I presume for their trains bound for the Roberts Bank coal port. Here they disregarded environmental laws and damaged a salmon stream:
http://thetyee.ca/News/2012/07/09/Delta-Salmon-Stream-Rocked/?utm_source=mondayheadlines&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=160712