Ralph Schwartz

Ralph Schwartz

Staff Reporter

ralphschwartz@cascadiadaily.com

(360) 922-3090 ext. 107

Twitter: ralph_schwartz


ENVIRONMENT

Small sewer spill rankles tenants at Old Mill Village

Smelly backup of grease, flushable wipes didn't reach Lake Whatcom

ENVIRONMENT

Innovative sewage solutions pitched to replace Bellingham’s aging system

Proposals include turning sludge into toilet paper, or drying sludge on heated, rotating disks

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Moratorium extended on high-density development in Silver Beach

City aims to limit density, add stormwater rules

WTD?

What's the Deal With: The name 'Happy Valley'?

Early residents were 'happy-go-lucky,' to put it mildly

ELECTIONS

Social worker seeks third term in state House

Rule announces campaign after run for county executive

ELECTIONS

Skagit ballot count back on track after fentanyl scare

FBI investigating suspicious envelopes in four Washington counties

ELECTIONS

After years of waiting, approval of jail measure means ... more waiting

New Whatcom County facility to open in 2028 at the earliest

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

With Harcourt sidelined, what's next for Bellingham's waterfront?

Future development murky as Irish company has rights terminated

ELECTIONS

UPDATE: Jail measure heads for ‘decisive win’ after past failures

Proposal will create new sales tax

ELECTIONS

UPDATE: Tanksley takes lead over insider Chadwick

Blaine police chief passes undersheriff after second round of ballots

ELECTIONS

UPDATE: Lund passes Fleetwood in race for Bellingham mayor

Nonprofit leader takes 5-point lead

ELECTIONS

Chadwick, Fleetwood ahead by slim margins; Sidhu leads comfortably

Jail has strong lead in early returns

HOUSING

Bellingham councilor wants to get tough with landlords

Martens proposes 'aggressive' penalties for failed inspections

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Harcourt misses deadline, loses waterfront development rights

Unfinished Bellingham condos should have been done last month

GOVERNMENT

Your home's assessed value went up — what does that mean for your taxes?

The answer, to the dismay of homeowners, is it's complicated

HEALTH

PeaceHealth St. Joseph fined for dangerous-waste violations

Ecology cited hospital for training, reporting lapses

HOUSING

Landlords to face higher fees for inspections

Council: More change needed to improve rental oversight

ELECTIONS

Outside money flows into local races

Lund, Elenbaas receive campaign contributions from realtors

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

ABC Recycling becomes a flashpoint in growth debate

Company the focus of latest conflict over Whatcom County's future

GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

Moratorium on new heavy industry fails

Council, community split on future of Alderwood area

BUSINESS

ABC Recycling submits plans for metal shredder one day before hearing

Company hopes to avoid moratorium on new industries

ELECTIONS

Ferndale mayoral candidates confront problems of a growing city

Reflections on affordability, a new city hall building and past controversy

HEALTH

PeaceHealth surgery center to open by end of month

Building and equipment upgrades resulted in slight delay

LAW & JUSTICE

36-year-old man found dead at Bellingham homeless encampment

Medical examiner: Cause of death pending

ENVIRONMENT

Whatcom County expects boost from $1B hydrogen investment

Project could include redevelopment of the old aluminum smelter near Cherry Point

ELECTIONS

Rural fire district seeks property tax hike

Assistant chief: Sumas, Kendall stations need new staff, equipment

ELECTIONS

Stakes are high in this odd-year election

Whatcom County voters to decide jail measure, key offices

INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS

Lummis move aggressively to combat overdose deaths

Tribe establishes police checkpoints, takes over troubled property

WTD?

What's the Deal With: Campaign signs on public rights of way?

Bellingham officials say they're OK

ELECTIONS

Candidates hope to turn campaign dollars into votes

Executive Sidhu, council member Kershner are biggest fundraisers

GOVERNMENT

With shutdown averted, funding available to Whatcom flood victims

Federal budget extension includes $16B for FEMA

ELECTIONS

Frustration with PeaceHealth has become a political issue

Candidates suggest creating a public hospital district or change the tax break

ELECTIONS

Affordable housing among candidates' top concerns

Complex problem requires multiple solutions

ELECTIONS

Minimum wage hike, renter relocation assistance up to voters

Bellingham November ballot initiatives could boost affordability

FACES IN THE CROWD

Gil Nagle and Connor Roberts: Creators of 'Slackage'

CDN's weekly community profile

LAW & JUSTICE

Fired Bellingham detective gets hero's send-off with unauthorized flag raising, vehicle escort

Police chief unaware of celebrations honoring Bo McGinty

ELECTIONS

Sheriff: Reform-minded candidate says office should invite public input

Donnell Tanksley says new jail should emphasize rehabilitation

HEALTH

PeaceHealth clinicians vote to unionize

New contract for physician assistants, others could come in 1 year

PARKS & REC

Survey: Public wants more access to waterfront and beaches

Port of Bellingham's biggest draws include Marine, Zuanich Point parks

ELECTIONS

Bellingham mayor: Lund says she brings an outsider's expertise

Challenger developed management skills in tech, nonprofits

ELECTIONS

Bellingham mayor: Fleetwood faced major challenges in first term

Incumbent envisions climate-friendly, culturally diverse future

LAW & JUSTICE

Bellingham police seek funding for bicycle team

Special unit would patrol events with large crowds

GOVERNMENT

In first veto, county executive rejects new ferry fare rules

Sidhu: Council vote a breach of 'public trust'

LAW & JUSTICE

December trial date set for Bellingham assistant principals

Three administrators accused of failure to report sexual assault

PARKS & REC

Work begins to remove Whatcom Falls Park trestle

Historic railroad structure is beyond repair

HEALTH

PeaceHealth restoring palliative care, more patients to be served

Provider apologizes for cutting program in May

TRAFFIC

F Street railroad crossing work in Bellingham extended

Project to continue through September; closure was to be lifted Aug. 1

SAFETY

Investigation underway in Birch Bay Waterslides accident

Park owners are responsible for inspecting and maintaining slides

HOUSING

Vehicle encampment on Cornwall Avenue removed

Street cleared to make way for bicycle lanes

LAW & JUSTICE

3 principals' trial in mandatory-reporting case delayed again

Case hampered by dismissal of lead detective