Government

Public feedback is especially being sought for potential environmental concerns in the area. 

The plan will guide the city’s growth over the next 20 years and tackles key topics such as housing, jobs, transportation and climate resilience.

The states say their recommendations are informed by trusted medical organizations and prioritize science, safety and transparency.

The council also voted unanimously to move forward with consideration of a new, one-tenth of one percent sales tax that would fund the city’s criminal justice services.

The group says rising vessel traffic in the Salish Sea poses a higher risk of accidents and adds more underwater noise and pollution that can harm marine life, such as endangered Southern Resident orcas. 

The district says the added funds would ensure 24-hour staffing across its stations, keep equipment up-to-date and help improve response times.

The request for a noise ordinance was approved by the council’s Public Works and Natural Resources Committee and will be brought before the City Council on Monday night for final approval. 

Construction of the new jail on LaBounty Drive in Ferndale will begin in 2026 and the county expects it to be finished by summer 2028 at the earliest. 

Parents and families can contact their child’s school or school district for more information about their student’s assessment results.

The report noted that the shortage of treatment for behavioral and substance use disorders poses a critical challenge for the programs.