More information about the Barkley Village safety fair on June 3th can be found here. To request a helmet, send an email to info@ferndalepd.org.
The City Council has expanded our Utility Rate Assistance Program, so if you need financial assistance with your utility bill, we now offer discounts of 15% to 30% off. There is also assistance available from Ferndale Community Services. You can find the details on the form here: https://www.cityofferndale.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Rate-Assistance-Application-2023-update-5.18.23.pdf
In honor of May the 4th, the City of Ferndale offered a number of social media posts relating to City topics with a Star Wars theme. Here they are below:
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Participate in National Drug Take Back Day in Ferndale April 22nd 10AM-2PM
This Saturday, April 22nd from 10AM to 2PM, stop by the Ferndale Police Department at 2220 Main Street to dispose of your unused or expired medication. Ferndale has seen the damage that unsecured opioids can do in the wrong hands so please take a moment to properly dispose of your leftover medication. Cleaning out your medicine cabinet takes just a few minutes but could save a life.
More information on National Prescription Drug Take Back Day is available here: https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/
This week is Work Zone Awareness week. On average, a #workzone crash occurs once every 5.4 minutes in the United States. In Ferndale, our crew and contractors are hard at work in road construction sites and need your eyes on the road.
Please, as you approach a work zone, slow down, be prepared to stop and be careful around large vehicles. Thank you!
Murder 1st Degree
Case # 23F1897
In response to the death of a 5-year-old female on 3/8/2023, the Ferndale Police Department arrested and charged Melissa Welch, Cody Craig and Michael Doane for Murder in the 1st Degree.
On April 13, 2023, with the assistance of the Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office, the Whatcom Gang and Drug Task Force, the Drug Enforcement Administration and Homeland Security Investigations, Melissa Welch and Cody Criag were taken into custody in the 3300 block of Northwest Ave (Bellingham) and Michael Doan was taken into custody at his residence in the 2300 block of Douglas Rd. All three have been booked into the Whatcom County Jail.
Investigators were able to determine that the victim had a very high and fatal amount of Fentanyl in her blood. During a search of the residence, Fentanyl, Methamphetamine and Methadone along with drug paraphernalia consistent with the consumption of Fentanyl was located in the residence in areas accessible to the victim and an 8-year-old sibling. Evidence indicated that the victim accessed Fentanyl from the residence prior to her death.
Investigators were also able to determine that Melisa Welch and Cody Craig illegally distributed Fentanyl days after the victim’s death. Melissa Welch and Michael Doane are the parents of the victim. Cody Craig is Melissa Welch’s boyfriend. All three were present the night of the victim’s death and evidence indicated that all three used Fentanyl at the residence. These circumstances manifested an extreme indifference to the lives of the children present. The conduct of Melissa Welch, Cody Craig and Michael Doane created a grave risk of death to the children present and thereby caused the death of the victim.
Ferndale Police Department and Child Protective Services coordinated following the incident to put a safety plan in place for the 8-year-old sibling and relocated her with family members.