At 9:48am this morning, Ferndale Police responded to a report from school district personnel of a suspicious device found in the parking lot of Mountain View Elementary School. Officers secured the device and removed it to a safe location. Using a K9 unit and additional support from the Bellingham Police Department, the Ferndale Police swept the surrounding area for additional threats and found nothing.
The device appears to be a modified commercial fireworks mortar. At this time, the Ferndale Police believe that there is no specific danger to the school, students or personnel although the investigation is ongoing.
Starting this year, the Ferndale School District is leasing part of the facility to the Educational Service District for a program serving 38 students from across Whatcom County. Per Law Enforcement, students remain onsite and are safely continuing school activities in the gymnasium.
Ferndale Police Department will update the public as more information becomes publicly available. For more information, please call Communications Officer Riley Sweeney at (360) 685-2353.
Over the last two weeks, the Ferndale Arts Commission completed its second mural this summer on the City water tank and pump house at 5900 Church Road. The design and layout was done by Arts Commissioner Guyan Cool, Ferndale High School senior, and is called “Dainty Houses”.
“Working with a team of neighbors to create public art is about having fun, making people smile, and building strong community relationships,” said Colleen Harper, who helped organize the project. “I am so grateful to be a Ferndale Art Commissioner, and proud of the FHS students who spent their last few weekends of the summer painting with us.”
Earlier this summer, the Arts Commission installed a mural on the side of the City Annex on Second Avenue, and they are currently exploring other opportunities for public art.
Guyan Cool poses with his design
Alder Street between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue
Drivers should expect potential delays and consider alternate routes as Alder Street between Fourth Avenue and Third Avenue will be closed to thru traffic Thursday, September 6, 2018 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. Westbound traffic will be detoured via Third Avenue to Main Street to Fourth Avenue. Eastbound traffic will be detoured via Fourth Avenue to Main Street to Third Avenue. This road closure is to complete utility improvements associated with a private development project. Alder Street will reopen during non-working hours.
If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact Ferndale Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.
With utility statements going out at the end of August, the City has received plenty of questions about an unexpectedly high bill.
Part of this uptick in cost is that last year, the City Council voted to eliminate the summer use subsidy, where the City would absorb some of the cost of sewer during the summer. However with the need for a new sewer treatment facility, the City and the Council eliminated that subsidy last year so now everyone pays the same rate, year-round.
That said, there are some things residents can do to ease the burden of a high bill. If they qualify, our rate assistance program will take 25% off your bill. Click here to learn more about this program.
The City has also assembled a list of tips to conserve water. Saving water helps lower the utility bill, helps the City make sure there is enough water to go around during the hot months and helps the planet by easing our impact on the local ecosystem. Those tips can be found here.
If there are still questions about a specific utility bill, please call our utility clerk Danielle at (360) 384-4269 or email her by clicking here and she can provide the details needed.
Notice Traffic Revisions and Possible Delays: Thursday, August 30, 2018 to Wednesday, September 5, 2018 from 7am to 7pm
Seamount, between Vista Drive and Malloy Avenue
Drivers should expect delays as traffic is reduced to single lane traffic on Seamount Drive between Vista Drive and Malloy Avenue from Thursday, August 30, 2018 to Wednesday, September 5, 2018 from 7:00am to 7:00pm. Flaggers will be on-site directing traffic. This work is to complete improvements associated with a private development project. Will remain open during nonworking hours.
If you have questions regarding this notice, please contact Ferndale Public Works Department at (360) 384-4006.
