All residents of Boston were ordered to stay in their homes Friday morning as the search for the surviving suspect in the marathon bombings continued after a long night of violence that left another suspect dead. (April 19)
Source: Associated Press

TV Crews Told to Back Away from Stand-off Scene

Raw video as FOX crews are told to back away from the scene of a stand-off in Boston where officers believe one of the bombing suspects is holed up.
Source: KTXL – Sacramento

Police Shut Down Suspects’ Home Neighborhood

Police Shut Down Suspects' Home Neighborhood, Michael Rosenfield reports
Source: CBS Boston

Bombing Suspect’s Video Translated

One of the suspects in Monday’s Boston Marathon bombings posted a video online, Alisa Becerra talked with language professors about what the video says.
Source: KTXL – Sacramento

Suspect Schoolmate: Careful With the Quiet Ones

Deana Beaulieu, who went to high school with the marathon bombing suspect wearing the white hat, told reporters you have to be “careful with the quiet ones.” Dzhokhar Tsarnaev is the target of a massive manhunt. (April 19)
Source: Associated Press

Shelter-in-place Order Extends to Boston

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick says all residents in Watertown and now Boston are being urged to stay in their homes as hunt for bomb suspect goes on. (April 19)
Source: Associated Press

The post VIDEO: Bomber Suspect Manhunt appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the extraordinary accomplishment of the Western Washington University Vikings Ice Hockey team, which defended their national title at the National Association of Intercollegiate Hockey Championship on March 17.

Under the leadership of Head Coach John Dougan, the Vikings had a regular season record of 23 wins, four ties, four losses and a four-and-one record in the tournament. Western showed great heart and perseverance. After losing the first game of the tournament, they fought their way to the national championship.

Led by the strong play of Western goalie and the tournament’s most valuable player Tyler Zetting, the Vikings concluded the tournament and defense of their national title with a two-to-one overtime win against top-ranked Le Moyne College.

We are proud of this team in Bellingham and across Northwest Washington and we look forward to their future successes on and off the rink.

The post Rep. Rick Larsen honors WWU hockey team appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

1. President Barack Obama Press Conference On Boston Explosions

2. Mass General Hospital: “Legs Blown Off”

3. Boston Globe Reporting More than 100 Injured in Boston Marathon Blasts

4. D.C., London, New York On Heightened Alert

5. VP Joe Biden reacts to Boston Marathon explosions

6. Raw: Massachusetts Gov asks people with info on explosions to use tip line

7. Immediate reaction to explosion

8. Cell Service Cut to Prevent More Explosions

9. Graphic Footage Boston Marathon Explosion

10. Raw: Scene Moments After Boston Explosions

11. Witnesses Describe Boston Marathon Blasts

12. People Trying To Find Loved Ones After Explosions

13. U.S. OFFICIAL: 2 More Explosive Devices Found Near Boston Marathon

14. Boston police: No one in custody in race blasts

15. Special Report: WBZ-TV Photographer On Scene Of Blast

More stories:

AP: Boston Marathon bombing kills 3, injures over 130

Local: Most Bellingham runners confirmed safe at Boston Marathon after blasts

The post 15 videos relating to the explosions at the Boston Marathon appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

Our local participants:

Update (3pm):
Good news. We’ve heard a lot of local folks are OK. Here is the updated list of what we know.

The following people have been confirmed uninjured, based on direct interview or secondhand, social media, etc.: Kristen Carter, Amber Morrison, Charles Claassen, Meghan Manaois, Bob Marvel, Lindsay Mann-King, Amy Jensen, Bill Pech, Arlane Olson, Melissa McCreery, Kathy Herndon, Dorene Marvel, Erika Lombardi.

Waiting to hear about:
Patrick McBride, Jeff Sanders, Dwight Baker, Patrick Lawlor, Neal Saxe, Kelly Bird, Keely Barten, Kristen Good.

Update (3:26pm):

We’ve also heard Patrick McBride is OK. We still do not know about Jeff Sanders, Dwight Baker, Patrick Lawlor, Neal Saxe, Kelly Bird and Keely Barten. If you have heard about them, please let us know.

Update (4:16pm):

Just heard that Keely Barten did not run the marathon and was not hurt, according to her aunt.

More stories:

AP: Boston Marathon bombing kills 3, injures over 130

Local: Most Bellingham runners confirmed safe at Boston Marathon after blasts

The post Local participants in the Boston Marathon appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

The closing seconds of Western’s 86-77 victory over Cal State San Bernardino in the NCAA Division II Western Regional semifinals on Monday night. WWU will play Seattle Pacific at 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Carver Gym for a trip to the Elite 8.

For more game time updates make sure to follow @bhamsports on Twitter and become a fan of Facebook.com/WhatcomCountySports

The post The closing seconds of Western’s 86-77 victory over Cal State San Bernardino appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

Unless you really excel at Washington history, you probably didn’t know that this Saturday marks the 160th anniversary of the creation of Washington Territory. (Believe it or not, there is a word – tetracentennial – for such a rare occasion.)

Before 1853, the land north of the Columbia River was part of Oregon Territory, established in 1848. But settlers north of the Columbia soon were demanding their own territory. On Feb. 8, 1853, Congress obliged, passing “An Act to establish the Territorial Government of Washington.” The new territory included the area covered by the state of Washington today, as well as northern Idaho and part of Montana west of the Continental Divide. On March 2, 1853, President Millard Fillmore signed the Organic Act, thus establishing Washington Territory. On Nov. 28, 1853, Governor Isaac Stevens issued a proclamation establishing the government of Washington Territory under the terms of the Organic Act.

This link will take you to an 1857 map found in the State Library showing Washington Territory and Oregon Territory. When Oregon became a state in 1859, the southern half of Idaho and a small part of what is now Wyoming, which were formerly part of Oregon Territory, were added to Washington Territory, as this State Library map shows. In 1863, Idaho Territory was carved out of Washington Territory.

In honor of the 160th anniversary (and Washington, you do look really good considering your territorial birth happened eight years before the Civil War started), we’re featuring a list that shows the 101corporations created during Washington’s territorial years that are still active today.

The oldest health care corporation is Sisters of Providence, created Jan. 28, 1859. The oldest association (and oldest existing corporation) is Odd Fellows of Olympia, established Dec. 19, 1855. And the oldest church? The Diocese of Nisqually (now the Seattle Archdiocese), created Jan. 30, 1861.

Here’s a historical factoid to ponder: The Legislature stopped incorporating organizations in 1865. Prior to that, incorporations were done by legislative action. Nowadays, organizations incorporate by filing with the Corporations Division of the Office of Secretary of State.

Another factoid: Until 1864, if you wanted to get divorced in Washington Territory, it required a bill passed by the Legislature and the governor’s signature to make it so. In 1863, the last year that the Legislature had this authority, it granted 16 divorces.

Here’s the link to his blog: http://blogs.sos.wa.gov/FromOurCorner/index.php/2013/03/so-what-do-you-buy-for-a-160th-anniversary/

The post Happy tetracentennial, Washington State appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

I J. Calman Industries was one of only two nation-wide winners who captured the crystal sculpture awarded in the category of Specialty Applications. Nominations were received throughout the previous 12 months from across the country in this annual gala event. Culled from an extensive list to four finalists, J. Calman Industries’ work on theCoastal Progress Marine Vessel in Tacoma, was judged by peers to be the best in the industry. It was built for a publisher.

Nominations are judged independently by a panel of industry experts. Nominations are anonymous to the panel who vote securely online from their home state.

J. Calman Industries has been an accredited, spray foam contractor for many years. Meeting professional standards set by the Alliance, J. Calman Industries commits to improving their staff and product through continual education, and accreditation. As a first time nominee and national award winner, they are poised to share their expertise with many local residential and commercial insulation projects.

The SPFA (Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance) is the voice and educational arm of the polyurethane foam industry. SPFA delivers training, industry certification, leadership on energy conservation, the environment, health & safety, building codes and technical advances in the industry. Members are professional contractors, manufacturers and distributors who strive to educate, regulate and improve the trade.

The post Lynden firm takes home national award appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

OLYMPIA –In an effort to learn more about how the average urban resident uses pesticides on a day-to-day basis, the Washington State Department of Agriculture and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will be mailing surveys to more than 15,000 homeowners around the Puget Sound region to gather data on the pesticides they use and how they use them.

The three-page survey will be mailed within the week to people living in the 12 counties making up the Puget Sound region. All the information gathered will be kept strictly confidential and the response can be returned in self-addressed envelopes provided.

The survey was prompted by a 2011 study conducted by the Department of Ecology (Ecology), which identified urban use of agricultural products as a potentially significant source of copper to freshwater and marine areas in the Puget Sound basin. Copper is a component of many common pesticides and is toxic to fish and other aquatic species. Young salmon, in particular, are especially susceptible to the effects of copper.

While the state has data about pesticide use in agriculture areas, little is known about pesticide use by homeowners. WSDA and Ecology are taking this opportunity to learn more about all pesticide uses in urban areas rather than just collect information on products containing copper.

Ecology partnered with WSDA on this project, providing $135,000 in funding for three surveys. The survey to homeowners is the first. A second survey will focus on commercial pesticide applicators in the Puget Sound region and the third will gather the same information from municipalities, public works agencies, school districts and other public operators that use pesticides.

Together, the three surveys are expected to result in a better understanding of how certain pesticides end up in the region’s waterways and help develop effective outreach and education programs.
A report detailing the results of the survey is expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2013.

The post Pesticide survey coming to Whatcom residents appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

This year’s collection of ReMade products includes vases made from scrap piping, doormats and coasters from discarded rope and kitchen utensils from wooden coat hangers.

Here’s the link to the press release, complete with photos of the products.

The post Check out WWU students’ ReMade work appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.

The city website offers up video of the speech to the Bellingham/Whatcom Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Here’s the link to BTV10′s video of the mayor’s state of the city address.

The post BTV10 video of Mayor Kelli Linville’s 2013 state of the city address appeared first on Bellingham News Blog.