🌱 Why a Bellingham woman is fighting serious charges from Illinois
Good morning Bellingham! We're back in your inbox this morning to keep you in the loop with what's happening in and around town. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Why a Bellingham woman is fighting serious charges from Illinois
- How WWU’s newest hall became Washington’s first zero-carbon campus building
- How Bellingham’s airport director earned a national Top 40 Under 40 nod
Also on today's calendar: Bellingham Murder Mystery: Catch the Killer! and 5 more events.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Bellingham? Post it to Bellingham photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
- Tuesday: Becoming windier with rain, with a high of 53 and low of 41 degrees.
- Wednesday: A couple of showers, temps: high: 48, low: 43.
- Thursday: Breezy with periods of rain, with a high of 47 and low of 37 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Mother pleads not guilty, released by judge after charged with dumping newborn baby remains in Riverwoods (lakemchenryscanner.com) — A woman now living in Bellingham has pleaded not guilty in Illinois to felony charges tied to the discovery of an infant’s remains in Riverwoods, but a judge is allowing her to reside in Washington while the case proceeds. Bellingham police helped execute the arrest warrant earlier this month, and she was briefly held in Whatcom County Jail before posting bond and agreeing to return to Illinois for future court dates. 
2. Best Sustainability, Award of Merit, Higher Education/Research: Western Washington University Kaiser Borsari Hall (enr.com) — A major new academic building at Western Washington University in Bellingham has earned recognition as Washington’s first publicly funded zero-energy, zero-carbon university facility. Kaiser Borsari Hall uses mass timber, extensive solar panels, and highly efficient mechanical systems, while value engineering trimmed more than $17 million from costs without sacrificing teaching space or sustainability goals.
3. 2025 Airport Business Top 40 Under 40: Matt Rodriguez A.A.E., GSP, ASHM (aviationpros.com) — Bellingham International Airport’s director of aviation, Matt Rodriguez, is being recognized nationally for transforming safety, training, and infrastructure at BLI. Since joining the airport in 2018, he’s led firefighting foam upgrades, facility improvements, and new revenue programs while stabilizing the ARFF/Ops team with unprecedented employee retention.
4. Trump administration cancels pipeline safety research (eenews.net) — A Bellingham-based watchdog group is sounding the alarm after federal regulators quietly canceled several pipeline safety research projects, including studies on how far people must be from ruptured lines to stay safe. The Bellingham nonprofit argues these cuts weaken public protections just as communities nationwide, including here, face growing questions about carbon dioxide and hydrogen pipelines.
📸 Around Bellingham
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓
Upcoming Events in
Bellingham
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
-
Dungeons and Dragons — Bellingham Queer Collective
Bellingham Queer Collective - BQC Center, 310 W Champion St, Bellingham
5:00 pm
Thursday December 18
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
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South Whatcom Play Date In-Person
South Whatcom Library , South Whatcom
10:30 am -
Soweto Gospel Choir - Peace
Mount Baker Theatre , 104 N Commercial St , Bellingham
7:30 pm -
Networking Happy Hour!
The Wheel House Tavern , 746 Peace Portal Dr , Blaine
4:00 pm -
Bellingham Murder Mystery: Catch the Killer!
121 Prospect St , Bellingham
6:00 pm -
Free Fridays in the Make.Shift Open Art Studio!
Makeshift Art Space , 306 Flora St , Bellingham
1:00 pm -
Free Fridays
Makeshift Art Space , 306 Flora St , Bellingham
1:00 pm -
Fun Fridays! — Bellingham Queer Collective
Bellingham Queer Collective - BQC Center , 310 W Champion St , Bellingham
6:00 pm
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
📣 Bellingham Shout Outs!
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🗓 Events Nearby
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LEGO® Club
South Whatcom Library South Whatcom
4:00 pm -
Deep Relaxation and Intro to Yi Ren Qigong
Miriam S. Drake, M.Ed., L.M.H.C. , 1313 East Maple Street, Suite 102 , Bellingham
6:00 pm -
Life Drawing Bellingham
Karate Church , 519 E Maple St , Bellingham
6:30 pm -
Noches de Trivia | Bellingham
El Sueñito Brewing Company , 1926 Humboldt St , Bellingham
7:00 pm
Tuesday December 16
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Eagles are back out near Welcome!
Water is high and there will be many more around when it recedes but I was able to get this shot. I really cropped it down to make a portrait but it… (Nextdoor Sehome) - I live near menace and goods, and just saw a large gray very friendly bunny…in my alley.
Parked and tried to lure to me…but kept hoping away. We have left a few carrots and happy to give location if anyone is missing. It is to pretty. And… (Nextdoor Columbia)
- PSG Global Solutions posted a job opening for Sanitation Team Member (Cleaner, Housekeeping, Custodial) - Full Time in Bellingham. Apply here.
- Home Depot (Retail) posted a job opening for Freight/Receiving in Bellingham. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Bellingham here.
Ok Bellingham! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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