From the newsroom

The gears of government grind slowly, never more so than when it comes to big public works projects. Case in point: the justice project.

We're finally starting to get loose estimates on the size of the new jail. And now, Whatcom County officials are weighing what the second prong of the project — the behavioral care center — should look like.

The county told voters in 2023 that the center would be co-located with the jail in Ferndale. However, more recently, after careful consideration, another proposal has been put forward. Officials can retain the behavioral care center at the jail, but only make it accessible to those in custody who need pre-trial diversion. Or, they can move it off-site to Division Street in Bellingham and serve a broader population, including those accepted into the pre-trial diversion treatment program.

These are significant decisions that need to be made. You can read more about it in my story out today.

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Today's news

Teachers Hannah Mead, left, and Zanny Walbeck work on puzzles with kids at Bellingham Public Schools' Early Learning Center in 2024. Thirty of the 40 spots are funded by ECEAP. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

State slashes pre-kindergarten program for low-income families

WTA hits pause on purchasing hybrid, electric buses

County council bid for north Bellingham is a liberal battlefield

Data breach exposes personal information of 1,100 Skagit County residents

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Letters to the editor: Misplaced city priorities, Tylenol and candidate flattery

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Seattle Mariners fans celebrate at Schweinhaus Biergarten after Julio Rodriguez hits a home run Oct. 4 in the first game of the American League Divisional Series against the Detroit Tigers. (Nick Zeller-Singh/Cascadia Daily News)

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In Bellingham classroom, no screens allowed, but Ancient Greek required

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