News

Arrests Made in Youth Overdose Case

Arrests Made in Youth Overdose Case

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.

April 13, 2023

Traffic Impacts on Main Street for Bridge Inspection April 27th

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.

April 13, 2023

Youth Art Installation Downtown- Decorate the garbage cans

Youth Art Installation Downtown- Decorate the garbage cans

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!

April 11, 2023

Notice of Traffic Revision and Possible Delays: Monday, April 10th

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.

April 6, 2023

Notice of Traffic Revision and Possible Delays: Friday, April 7th through Thursday, April 13th

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.

April 5, 2023

RFP Submitted Questions & Responses

The following questions were submitted in response to the City’s Request for Proposals for a municipal financial software system. Answers are in bold and italicized.

  1. What is the total number of utility billing customers/utility connections, and how many are residential vs. commercial accounts:

Answer: We have roughly 6,000 total accounts, of that we estimate approximately 5,000 residential customers and 1,000 commercial customers.

  1. What is the preferred document format for responses, i.e. attached PDF, word doc, PPT?

Answer: PDF is preferred, but the City will accept any and all of the formats listed.

  1. There is mention of contracted IT services.  Should responders with IT service options include that in the proposal?

Answer: The City is not seeking full-service IT services through this request.  However, responders should describe the extent to which they are able to service their software as well as any additional IT support is typically associated with installing, maintaining, and updating the software packages, in addition to any physical hardware (servers, etc.) that may be required.  The ability of the responder to work closely with third party IT providers may also be included.

  1. Will there be a short list, or will the committee proceed straight to selection after proposal review?

Answer: The City reserves the right to establish a short list, or to proceed straight to selection after proposal review.  This decision will depend on the number and quality of responses. 

  1. How many monthly or quarterly bills do you provide?

Answer: We bill bi-monthly to each account, so approximately 6,000 bills every two months.

  1. Have you conducted any demonstrations of potential software solutions in advance of this RFP?

Answer:  No.

  1. What is the file size limitation for electronic submittal?

Answer: We are not aware of any file size limitations.

  1. What makes your current provider not a good fit for you?

Answer: The City’s current financial software is outdated and is no longer supported with updates. Due to its age (approximately ten years old), there are challenges in integrating the software with newer models: technology has advanced significantly in the last decade, and the existing software is no longer providing the same advantages in terms of workflow and staff time as it once did, and no longer reflects what is possible and expected of financial software systems for local government. In addition, the City believes that there are opportunities to seek updated financial software modules that will permit greater streamlining of operations, less manual entry, less reliance on paper documentation, and enhanced security features, both in regard to cybersecurity as well as internal fraud. The City also believes that there are opportunities to improve the segregation of duties and to establish and maintain software-based internal controls without relying on additional policies or procedures necessary to interact with the current modules.  

April 5, 2023