Robert Mittendorf

Bellingham

Reporter at The Bellingham Herald

Hard-charging journalist and firefighter embracing the wet, wild Northwest.

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Articles

Itching to head to Artist Point? Here's how close you can get by car now

4 days ago | bellinghamherald.com | Robert Mittendorf

Crews began clearing 2.7-mile road to Artist Point after winter closure. Lower snowfall and faster melt may accelerate reopening by late June. Recreational users allowed near site but must avoid active work zones. Snow-removal crews have begun clearing the road to Artist Point, which has been closed since mid-October, the Washington State Department of Transportation announced Monday.
What to do with Bellingham's iconic grafitti rock? Two new options emerge

1 week ago | bellinghamherald.com | Robert Mittendorf

Two landowners have come forward with proposals for relocating the iconic graffiti rock, a community billboard along northbound Interstate 5 south of Bellingham that has displayed hand-painted personal messages for more than 50 years. The owners of two private but publicly accessible sites are looking at the steps they need to take to move the Bellingham Rock, which is in the way of a Washington State Department of Transportation. One possible site is near I-5 and Slater Road south of Ferndale.
What to do with Bellingham’s iconic graffiti rock? Two new options emerge

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Robert Mittendorf

Two landowners have come forward with proposals for relocating the iconic graffiti rock, a community billboard along northbound Interstate 5 south of Bellingham that has displayed hand-painted personal messages for more than 50 years. The owners of two private but publicly accessible sites are looking at the steps they need to take to move the Bellingham Rock, which is in the way of a Washington State Department of Transportation.
Whatcom Youth Pride parade and festival returns this weekend in Bellingham

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Robert Mittendorf

The Whatcom Youth Pride parade and festival returns for its fifth year this weekend, celebrating school-age kids and their families and supporters. A parade at 11 a.m. Saturday starts from the corner of Halleck Street and Cornwall Avenue, kitty-corner from Bellingham High. From there, it follows a 1-mile route south on Cornwall and turns west onto York Street.
City of Bellingham names new director of Public Works Department

1 week ago | bellinghamherald.com | Robert Mittendorf

Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund named a new director of the Public Works Department, 10 months after firing the previous department head. Joel Pfundt was named to the post, the city said in a statement issued late Tuesday afternoon. Pfundt has been one of two interim co-directors since Eric Johnston was dismissed last July. Mike Olinger, the other interim co-director, was named deputy director of public works.
Bellingham buying nearly 100 acres to preserve land around Lake Whatcom

1 week ago | bellinghamherald.com | Robert Mittendorf

A 37.55-acre forested site in the foothills south of Lake Whatcom was sold to the city of Bellingham on Monday, May 19, 2025, by Faunt Visser for $860,000. The site contains the headwaters of an unnamed stream that flows into Lake Whatcom, including a pond and other environmentally sensitive areas, the city said. Courtesy to The Bellingham Herald Bellingham added nearly 100 acres to protected areas near Lake Whatcom since March.
Sharp temperature spike could give Bellingham its first 80-degree day

1 week ago | bellinghamherald.com | Robert Mittendorf

Hundreds pack the waters of Lake Whatcom to combat the record heat at Bloedel Donovan Park on Sunday afternoon June 27, 2021, in Bellingham, Wash. For The Bellingham Herald Bellingham could reach 82 degrees Wednesday during a brief heat wave. Interior Western Washington faces season-high temperatures in the 80s to 90s. Despite heat, local lakes and waterways remain dangerously cold for recreation.
Sharp temperature spike could give Bellingham its first 80-degree day

1 week ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Robert Mittendorf

Sharp temperature spike could give Bellingham its first 80-degree dayHundreds pack the waters of Lake Whatcom to combat the record heat at Bloedel Donovan Park on Sunday afternoon June 27, 2021, in Bellingham, Wash. Whatcom County could see its first 80-degree temperatures Wednesday under a brief heat wave. Most of Western Washington will be under minor to moderate heat risk, the National Weather Service said in a statement.
Popular Bellingham trail will be closed into the fall for fish ladder project

1 week ago | bellinghamherald.com | Robert Mittendorf

Interurban Trail section will close in June for fish ladder, culvert upgrades. Project replaces aging barriers to improve salmon access along Padden Creek. State grant funds $4.3M restoration; trail work expected to finish by February. Part of a popular Bellingham hiking and biking path will close for several months starting in June as part of a project to replace an aging fish ladder and culverts that limit access for spawning salmon and other native fish on Padden Creek.
Popular Bellingham trail will be closed into the fall for fish ladder project

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Robert Mittendorf

Part of a popular Bellingham hiking and biking path will close for several months starting in June as part of a project to replace an aging fish ladder and culverts that limit access for spawning salmon and other native fish on Padden Creek. A detour is planned around the closure on the Interurban Trail, which connects the Fairhaven business district with Fairhaven Park, the Hundred Acre Wood and also with Larrabee State Park and beyond.