Sophia Gates

Glacier property slated for Oculis Lodge project is for sale for $725K | Cascadia Daily News Donors demand refunds and threaten legal action

And finally, an ill-fated and controversial plan to build a luxury vacation rental complex near Glacier has come to an abrupt halt with the sale of the property. Developer Youri Benoiston blames misinformation and attacks for the project's demise.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/mar/19/...

Whatcom Catholics adjust to church consolidation as priests, parishioners decline | Cascadia Daily News Western Washington’s 136 parishes are now pared down to 60 'parish families'

The local Catholic community is adjusting to a massive consolidation effort undertaken the archdiocese in Western Washington, which is still in its early stages. Churches here and elsewhere are facing declining numbers of priests and parishioners.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/mar/17/...

Bellingham farmer leads push for more food access through mobile markets | Cascadia Daily News Cat Sieh's advocacy might result in a new state law for using certain food benefits

Some recent stories:

A local farmer's advocacy led to a state bill aiming to allow people to use certain food benefits at mobile markets. In Whatcom County, shoppers at Twin Sisters Mobile Market would feel the impact.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/mar/09/...

Anti-immigrant joke made by a Mount Vernon council member angers community | Cascadia Daily News Council pressed to adopt a resolution affirming city's support for immigrant population

Backlash has swelled in the month and a half since a Mount Vernon City Council member jokingly referenced an anti-immigrant rumor.

Now, some locals are asking the council to adopt a resolution affirming the city’s support for its immigrant population.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/mar/06/...

Labor department: Fiamma restaurants owe back wages, damages due to illegal tip-sharing | Cascadia Daily News Owners contest the findings that employees are due more than $160K in back wages and damages

Two popular local restaurants owe employees more than $160k due to illegal tip sharing, a Dept. of Labor report found.

But as Labor is not pursuing litigation, employees may only be able to get those funds through lawsuits. Fiamma's owners contest the findings.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/feb/26/...

Thanks Julia!

Employees: Forest Service cuts will hurt trails, threaten public safety | Cascadia Daily News The Mount Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest lost 36 employees, almost a third of its workforce

In the wake of sweeping cuts to the National Forest system, I spoke to current and former employees about what those mass firings may mean closer to home.

Possible impacts: closed bathrooms, deteriorating trails.
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/feb/25/...

Busy Mount Vernon Senior Center has outlived its usefulness, users and county agree | Cascadia Daily News Amid funding challenges, one plan suggests a new facility could include housing

One of my first stories at The Everett Herald was about a senior center that had outgrown its space. Last week, I wrote about a similar issue in Mount Vernon.

County and senior center staff agree the center's building isn't suitable. The question is, what now?
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/feb/23/...

4.7 magnitude earthquake north of Vancouver, B.C., per USGS, just felt in Bellingham, per me. If I were building a house of cards a few minutes ago I'd be mildly upset.

Two years and one dome later, Oculis Lodge founder is asking for another $1.2M | Cascadia Daily News The 2022 concept pitched 35 domes and a shorter timeline. Some backers are demanding refunds.

In 2022, a developer stirred excitement when he crowdfunded a 35-dome vacation complex in Glacier.

Today, the site has one dome - and is still permitted only for a single-family home.

The story, along with @audralanderson.bsky.social's brilliant headline:
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/feb/19/...

Newcomers to Glacier say Airbnbs make finding housing 'borderline impossible' | Cascadia Daily News Short-term rentals help stimulate the economy of the mountain town but complicate living there, locals say

When @audralanderson.bsky.social and I visited Glacier last month, we found a topic that got locals talking: Airbnbs.

In recent years, they told us, vacation rentals have increased in Glacier. Some believe they've made finding housing "borderline impossible."
www.cascadiadaily.com/2025/feb/12/...