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.
Washington State Department of Transportation will be conducting their annual inspection of Pioneer Bridge (the Main Street bridge over the Nooksack River) Thursday, April 27th, starting at 9:00am and should be completed by 3pm.
During this work, traffic will be reduced to alternating, single lane traffic over the bridge. Public Works crew will be directing vehicles through the area.
Drivers are urged to obey all traffic direction and utilize alternate routes if possible, such as Second Avenue/Portal Way or Slater Road. For more information, please contact Ferndale Public Works at (360) 384-4006.
Are you high school age or younger? We want you to participate!
The Ferndale Arts Commission, in conjunction with the Ferndale Downtown Association are soliciting for youth art with the theme, “What Does Ferndale Mean to You?” or a Pacific Northwest aesthetic.
36 designs will be chosen to be printed and installed on the side of the garbage cans throughout Downtown Ferndale.
There are several ways to participate:
1) In-person art event! 4/29 1pm-3pm, at the Pioneer Pavilion
Supplies will be provided. Just show up and create!
2) Can’t make it to the event? Templates can be picked up from the Ferndale library, 4/15-5/12
3) Want to create digital art? Email ferndaleartscommission@gmail.com and request a digital template
Completed pieces need to be turned in to City Hall by May 15th. Juried selection will happen the last week of May, and selected artists will be notified. Please put your name, age, and contact information (or parent’s contact info) on the back of your piece.
Even if your piece isn’t chosen to be printed, it will be on display downtown this summer. The Ferndale Downtown Association will be coordinating with local businesses to display submissions.
We look forward to seeing your amazing creations and excited for community youth art on display Downtown!
Douglas Road, between S Church Road and Angelina Street
Drivers should expect delays as Douglas Road, between S Church Road and Angelina Street will be closed to through traffic on Monday, April 10th. The closure is in effect between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Motorists will detour around the closure via Angelina St and Stratus Pl.
This closure is for work is associated with a private development project.
Portal Way, between Trigg Road and Kaas Road
Drivers should expect delays as traffic is reduced to single lane alternating traffic on Portal Way, between Trigg Road and Kaas Road beginning Friday, April 7th and lasting through Thursday, April 13th. Lane closures will be M-F between the hours of 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM. Flaggers will be onsite to direct traffic. Road will remain open during nonworking hours.
This work is associated with a private development project.
Have you lost or misplaced a cell phone or your bank card recently? If so, contact Michelle with the Ferndale Police Department at 360-483-5745 to describe and claim your lost property.
Construction activities are set to begin in early April that will close Thornton Street between Malloy and Vista. This closure is expected to last until the anticipated fall 2023 completion. A $4M federal grant, as well as City utility funds, will be used to replace the aging infrastructure, some of which is as old as 40 years.
Once finished, there will be two travel lanes with a new roadway surface including shoulders, curb, and gutter. Also, to enhance pedestrian safety, sidewalks will be installed on both sides of the street, along with speed tables, a vehicle activated speed sign, and a flashing pedestrian crossing beacon.
A road closure is necessary and will remain in place for the duration of the project, not only for the safety of those on site, but for our community. A detour route is available for vehicles (see graphic below) and a pedestrian route will be available through the closure area.
For your safety and the safety of the contractors, please follow all traffic closure signs, be mindful of personnel on site, and use alternative routes when possible. Thank you for your patience!
More information about this project available at: https://www.cityofferndale.org/public-works-department/capital-projects/thornton-street-vista-drive-to-malloy-avenue-project/
If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact the Ferndale Public Works Department at 360-384-4006.
