Calvin Bratt
Tribune editor

  WHATCOM — In a tug-of-war that keeps shifting right to the end, the County Council heads toward a Tuesday, Nov. 24, decision that will shape cities’ growth patterns for the next two decades.
  The Urban Growth Areas of Lynden, Ferndale, Everson, Nooksack, Sumas and Columbia Valley are all on the table, and County Executive Pete Kremen has said he may veto the council’s decision if it doesn’t give the cities adequate room to grow.

Calvin Bratt
Tribune editor

Mom Rebecca Manderson and grandfather Keith Bode interact with 10-month-old Isaiah Melkiso Daniel. — Lynden Tribune | CALVIN BRATT

LYNDEN — Over the years, attorney Keith Bode has represented families in the adoption of about 50 children. But this Friday will bring a first – he will stand alongside his daughter in the adoption of a grandson.

Calvin Bratt
Tribune editor

This power pole came down in wind on Lynden’s Tromp Road. It was unclear if its repair was the source of a 55-minute power outage at about 11 a.m. Tuesday in west Lynden. — Lynden Tribune | TIM NEWCOMB

WHATCOM — In repeat performances Sunday and Monday nights, stormy weather pounded the Pacific Northwest, although north Whatcom experienced lesser effects than other areas.

Ryan Wynne, Mark Reimers and Amy Scott

Emergency responders wait in silence along with thousands of well-wishers on Ferndale's Main Street for the return of the body of
U.S. Army Spc. Aaron Aamot, who was killed Nov. 5 in Afghanistan. — Lynden Tribune | MARK REIMERS

WHATCOM — Last Thursday, Ferndale streets saw more community members than they ever have and may ever see again. On that day following Veterans Day, thousands from throughout Whatcom County came out to mourn the loss of one of their own: U.S. Army Spc. Aaron Aamot, who was killed in Afghanistan Nov. 5 by an underground explosive.

Calvin Bratt
Tribune editor

  WHATCOM — It’s a lopsided tale of Bellingham versus the smaller cities in County Council voting this election.
   Although the four races for the council ended up relatively close, a scan of the vote totals from the county’s 120 precincts shows just how sharply voters differ from one spot to another.
  For instance, Bill Knutzen, who ousted two-term incumbent Laurie Caskey-Schreiber, won all 16 precincts of Lynden, Ferndale, Blaine, Everson, Nooksack and Sumas. In Lynden, he piled up more than a 4-to-1 margin of votes. But Caskey-Schreiber won all but five of Bellingham’s 47 precincts.

Readers Care Fund supports hot meals effort

Rosie Radonski comes to the counter for dessert during Friday's noon meal at the Lynden Community Center, and is greeted, from left, by cook Mindy Eden and servers Donna Twitchell and Jeanne Davis. — Lynden Tribune | CALVIN BRATT

The Lynden Tribune has chosen the Lynden Community Center’s hot meals program to receive proceeds of the 2009 Readers Care Fund, which starts this week.

Calvin Bratt
Tribune editor

  LYNDEN — Scott Korthuis said he is excited to step into the role of Lynden’s next mayor, now that he is the winner in the Nov. 3 election.
  Korthuis held a lead of nearly 5 percent, 217 votes out of 4,445 cast, over Gary Bode in Monday’s latest count of votes by the Whatcom County Auditor’s Office.
  “It’s an honor to serve the citizens of Lynden,” Korthuis said Tuesday from California, where he was on business for his employer, OXBO International Corporation, an agricultural equipment manufacturer.

Mark Reimers
Tribune reporter

U.S. Army Spc. Aaron Aamot

CUSTER — A local family is mourning the loss of U.S. Army Spc. Aaron Aamot, who was killed on Thursday, Nov. 5, when his Stryker personnel carrier struck an underground explosive.

Caleb Breakey
Tribune reporter

Flying a U.S. fighter jet in Vietnam was one phase of the career of Kenn Crandall, who will speak at the Lynden Lions Club dinner for veterans Thursday evening. Lower left: Crandall poses with his VF-161 crew. — Lynden Tribune | COURTESY PHOTO

LYNDEN — On Thursday, the Lynden Lions Club will honor over 150 veterans by serving dinner at the community center. This will be the ninth year of the event, which will be chaired by Navy veteran John Gillies.

Percentage Total Votes
LYNDEN CITY
• Mayor
- Scott Korthuis 51.66% 1,248
- Gary Bode 48.34% 1,168
• Council Position 4
- Brent Lenssen 70.25% 1,601
- Bob Johnson 29.75% 678

WHATCOM CITY COUNCIL
• District 1
- Kathy Kershner 49.18% 16,778
- Dan McShane 50.82% 17,335
• District 2
- Mary Beth Teigrob 46.23% 15,835
- Ken Mann 53.77% 18,420
• District 3
- Michelle Luke 47.95% 16,311