News

It is with great sadness that the City of Ferndale shares the passing of The Honorable Judge Michael Bobbink. He dedicated over 30 years of service to judicial systems in Whatcom County.

Michael Bobbink served the Ferndale community as its Hearing Examiner for nearly twenty years, beginning in 2006. In doing so, Mr. Bobbink elevated and professionalized the City’s land use processes and decision-making. As an independent decision-maker, Mr. Bobbink was known for his relentless defense of the rights of the community to participate in the process, and did not hesitate to hold the City and land use applicants to the high standards of adopted regulations. Mr. Bobbink recognized early on that Ferndale would grow significantly, and expressed immense satisfaction that the City’s proactive approach to land use development placed Ferndale in an enviable position to respond to growth. Mr. Bobbink will be deeply missed.

Drivers should expect delays Thursday, September 28^th through Friday, September 29^th, as work being accomplished in association with the City’s Thornton Street Overpass Project will cause traffic impacts at the Portal Way/Second Avenue/Thornton Street/Interstate 5 roundabout at Exit 263 in Ferndale starting at 7:00AM tomorrow morning.  Flaggers will be stopping and directing truck traffic into the work site from the roundabout between the hours of 7:00AM to 7:00PM as crews pave the new roadway.  Drivers should follow flagger’s instructions and are encouraged to utilize alternate routes, if possible.

Paving work is weather dependent, so this schedule is subject to change.  If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact the Ferndale Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.

Zervas Architects is seeking public comment on the current design of the Ferndale City Hall. They will be hosting a public listening session regarding the Civic Campus Project on Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at the Pioneer Pavilion, from noon until 7:00 p.m.

This is an opportunity for members of the public to provide input and comments on the needs of the community regarding the design of the new Civic Campus. Help our consultants design a civic campus that will cost-effectively meet the needs of the community for the next 50 years and beyond!

City Staff members will also be available to answer questions about the City’s financial plan for the project.

The Bellingham/Whatcom County League of Women Voters is hosting a candidate forum for Mayor and  Councilmember candidates on Thursday, September 28, 2023. The event will be at the Ferndale City Annex, 5694 Second Avenue, from 6:00 – 8:15 p.m. Visit the LWV website for more information.

LWV Bellingham Whatcom Election Forums – League of Women Voters of Bellingham/Whatcom County

For Immediate Release:

09/19/2023

Vehicle Fire

Case # 23F7377

On 09/18/2023 at about 3:37 pm, a Ferndale Police Officer observed a vehicle on fire in the Walgreen’s parking lot, located at 1901 Main Street.  Upon further investigation, the officer located an unresponsive male inside of the vehicle.

The officer immediately took action and pulled the male from the vehicle while flames and heavy smoke were visible from the engine compartment.  With the help of a nearby citizen, the officer was able to drag the male to safety. Click here to see the body camera footage.

Whatcom County Fire District 7 responded and eventually transported the male to the hospital for treatment.

This case remains under investigation.  The Ferndale Police Department is working with the Whatcom County Fire Marshall’s Office to determine the cause of the fire.

Dear Ferndale Families,

As we settle into the new school year, we would like to take a moment to remind our community about the importance of traffic safety. Getting to and from school can be an exciting and bustling time, but safety must always remain our top priority.

With the impact of ongoing road construction at the intersection of Vista Drive and Thornton Road and our neighborhoods, the importance of proper road safety is crucial to ensuring our students stay safe.  To help promote a safer environment for our students and the entire community, we kindly ask for your assistance in reinforcing the following safety recommendations:

1. Cross at Safe Locations: Look for crosswalks and designated pedestrian crossing areas or traffic signs indicating safe crossing points. At crosswalks where there is a safety button, encourage students to push the button to turn on the flashing light before crossing.
2. Walk in Groups: Whenever possible, encourage your children to walk with friends or family members. There’s safety in numbers, and it’s easier for drivers to see a group of pedestrians.
3. Look Both Ways: Remind your child to look left, right, and left again before crossing the road, even if they have the right of way.
4. Stay Alert: Encourage your children to stay off their phones or other distractions while walking near construction and high traffic areas. Being aware of their surroundings is essential for their safety. Drivers, please be extra vigilant, especially in school zones and remember to yield to pedestrians.
5. Follow Flaggers’ Instructions: If there are construction flaggers directing traffic, be sure to follow their instructions carefully. They are there to ensure safety for all road users.
6. Watch for Construction Vehicles: Remind your children to be cautious of construction vehicles. These vehicles may have limited visibility.
7. Lead by Example: Set a good example for your child by following these safety rules when walking together.

We understand that safety reminders are most effective when they come from caregivers. Please take a few minutes to discuss these guidelines with your child and reinforce the importance of responsible road behavior. Together, we can create a safer environment for everyone in our community.

The safety and well-being of our students are of paramount importance to us, and we appreciate your partnership in fostering a safe community. Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to the safety of our students.

Sincerely,

Ferndale School District       |     City of Ferndale      |     Ferndale Police Department

John LaGourge, Vice President of Corporate Development and William Trainer, Chief Executive Officer of Vicinity Motor Corporation (VMC) were joined today, September 12, by Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Whatcom County Executive Satpal Sidhu, Ferndale Mayor Greg Hansen, and other dignitaries and elected officials to commemorate the launch of the Ferndale Campus of Vicinity Motor Corporation, located at the Pacific Fern Business Park.

VMC is a North American supplier of electric vehicles for both public and commercial enterprise use. The newly constructed, state of the art, 100,000 square foot manufacturing plant in Ferndale is located near the company’s headquarters in Aldergrove, British Columbia. The facility will create up to three hundred jobs in the coming years, and will improve VMC’s access to nearby port, rail, and truck shipping and receiving infrastructure.

“The most exciting state for fighting climate change is Washington, and the most exciting place in Washington State today is Ferndale,” said Governor Inslee.

Mayor Hansen thanked Governor Inslee, the Port of Bellingham, and Whatcom County for their partnership in the endeavor. Hansen stated, “Beginning today, we get to add electric vehicles to the list of things we make here in Ferndale.  Assembled right here in the manufacturing center of Whatcom County, these vehicles are the next wave in our battle against climate change, a giant leap towards a better future for all of us.”