June 2026 - PNW Daily

GASSED: Washington Gas Tax Rises July 1 Washington's gas tax increased July 1 under a new inflation-indexing law, while several states and Canada have reduced or suspended fuel taxes to provide relief at the pump.

Washington's gas tax increased July 1 under a new inflation-indexing law, while several states and Canada have reduced or suspended fuel taxes to provide relief at the pump.

GASSED: Washington Gas Tax Rises July 1

Brian Henderson June 30, 2026

Beginning July 1, the state gasoline tax increases from 55.4 cents to 56.5 cents per gallon. Diesel...

WDFW Cancels Marine Area 7 West Shrimp Opener WDFW canceled the July 18-20 shrimp opener in Marine Area 7 West but added two fishing days in Marine Area 6 after quota updates from the 2026 season.

WDFW canceled the July 18-20 shrimp opener in Marine Area 7 West but added two fishing days in Marine Area 6 after quota updates from the 2026 season.

WDFW Cancels Marine Area 7 West Shrimp Opener

Brian Henderson June 30, 2026

The agency canceled the previously scheduled July 18-20 opening in Marine Area 7 West after harvest data...

Lifeguards Return to Bloedel Donovan Park for Summer Season Lifeguards are back at Bloedel Donovan Park in Bellingham for the summer, providing supervised swimming daily from 1 to 6 p.m. through Aug. 30, weather permitting.

Lifeguards are back at Bloedel Donovan Park in Bellingham for the summer, providing supervised swimming daily from 1 to 6 p.m. through Aug. 30, weather permitting.

Lifeguards Return to Bloedel Donovan Park for Summer Season

Brian Henderson June 30, 2026

The City of Bellingham Parks and Recreation Department announced that certified lifeguards will staff the popular Lake...

Rollover Crash Shuts Down Guide Meridian Sunday at Smith Road A rollover crash closed both directions of SR 539 at East Smith Road north of Bellingham Sunday morning as emergency crews responded to the scene.

A rollover crash closed both directions of SR 539 at East Smith Road north of Bellingham Sunday morning as emergency crews responded to the scene.

Rollover Crash Shuts Down Guide Meridian Sunday at Smith Road

Brian Henderson June 29, 2026

According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, the crash initially blocked the northbound left lane near...

To Boom Or Not To Boom: Fire Departments Brace for 4th of July Bellingham bans all consumer fireworks. Birch Bay, Ferndale, Blaine and Everson allow them under specific hours. Here is where you can legally use fireworks in Whatcom County this Fourth of July.

Bellingham bans all consumer fireworks. Birch Bay, Ferndale, Blaine and Everson allow them under specific hours. Here is where you can legally use fireworks in Whatcom County this Fourth of July.

To Boom Or Not To Boom: Fire Departments Brace for 4th of July

Brian Henderson June 29, 2026

At a Glance — Whatcom County Fireworks 2026 Bellingham: All consumer fireworks illegal — including sparklers, fountains...

Canada Day Fireworks Return to White Rock July 1 Fireworks explode over Semiahmoo Bay during White Rock's annual Canada Day by the Bay celebration. The display is visible from both White Rock and Blaine across the international border.

Fireworks explode over Semiahmoo Bay during White Rock's annual Canada Day by the Bay celebration. The display is visible from both White Rock and Blaine across the international border.

Canada Day Fireworks Return to White Rock July 1

Brian Henderson June 26, 2026

For residents on the U.S. side of the border, the annual celebration offers two ways to enjoy...

Lakewood Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Seven Years Law enforcement recovered approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine concealed beneath clothing in a suitcase during a 2022 traffic stop involving Antonio Velazquez Encinas and his aunt.

Law enforcement recovered approximately 14 pounds of methamphetamine concealed beneath clothing in a suitcase during a 2022 traffic stop involving Antonio Velazquez Encinas and his aunt.

Lakewood Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Seven Years

Brian Henderson June 26, 2026

Antonio Velazquez Encinas received an 84-month prison sentence in U.S. District Court in Tacoma after pleading guilty...

New Roundabout Opens Early on SR 546 Near Lynden Drivers can now use the new SR 546 and Benson Road roundabout after WSDOT completed construction ahead of schedule. Final striping work is expected in July.

Drivers can now use the new SR 546 and Benson Road roundabout after WSDOT completed construction ahead of schedule. Final striping work is expected in July.

New Roundabout Opens Early on SR 546 Near Lynden

Brian Henderson June 26, 2026

WSDOT announced Thursday night that crews opened the compact roundabout at the intersection of State Route 546,...

Fiery SR-7 Crash in Spanaway Leaves Minor Injuries Thursday Emergency crews respond after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 7 and 208th Street East in Spanaway on June 25, 2026. One vehicle came to rest on top of another after the collision and caught fire before Graham Fire crews extinguished the blaze. Authorities reported only minor injuries.

Emergency crews respond after a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of State Route 7 and 208th Street East in Spanaway on June 25, 2026. One vehicle came to rest on top of another after the collision and caught fire before Graham Fire crews extinguished the blaze. Authorities reported only minor injuries.

Fiery SR-7 Crash in Spanaway Leaves Minor Injuries Thursday

Brian Henderson June 25, 2026

The crash occurred at the intersection of SR-7 and 208th Street East, according to the Washington State...

Mount Vernon Homicide Leads to Maple Falls SWAT Arrests Members of the Bellingham Police Department SWAT team participate in a tactical training exercise. Bellingham SWAT officers joined the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office to assist Mount Vernon police during Thursday's homicide-related search warrant in Maple Falls.