Jiggy Sorrell

10/29/2026

Huge news for Blaine!

The City has been awarded $66 million in federal funding to build the Bell Road overpass over the BNSF tracks. This is a big help not only to Blaine but a huge win for Birch Bay and Whatcom County as well. Trains currently block that crossing for an estimated 96 minutes a day, which slows down residents, school buses, and emergency responders. This follows more than a decade of planning, and I'm proud to be on the council as it becomes real. Thank you to Congressman Larsen, BNSF, and David Evans and Associates for the hard work that got us here.

What the project is. The overpass will carry Bell Road and State Route 548 over the BNSF rail line, built south of the existing crossing. It also includes a new roundabout, reconfigured connections among Bell Road, SR 548, Peace Portal Drive, and I-5, an extension of the multi use path along Peace Portal Drive, and a walking and biking route across the new overpass. The existing crossing at the tracks will be closed. Next up is final design and construction planning with WSDOT, BNSF, and federal partners.

10/22/2026

Quick update for everyone who has been calling and messaging me about the Amtrak Cascades that sat stopped in Blaine for almost two hours today. It had nothing to do with the border crossing. There was an object on the rail that had to be cleared before the train could continue on to Canada. Once the track was safe, it was on its way.

I want to say thank you to Amtrak for the best customer service and response to the situation. They handled it professionally and took care of their passengers while the crew worked to get things moving again.

I know a train sitting that long raises questions, especially in a town where so many of us watch the rails and the border every day. Thank you to everyone who reached out. If you ever see something happening in Blaine and wonder what's going on, send me a message and I'll do my best to find out.

10/15/2026

Huge thank you to Fund Schools Now for putting together tonight's Education Funding Town Hall & Candidate Forum at Horizon Middle School. Thank you also to moderator Marissa Rathbone for keeping the conversation focused, and to every candidate who gave up their evening to answer tough questions about how we fund our public schools.

A special thank you to the students from Blaine, Ferndale, and Mt. Baker who stepped up to speak tonight. One of them held up a hand-drawn chart showing how a loss of school funding cascades into lost resources, lost learning, teacher burnout, and lost faith in the system. It was a powerful reminder that these decisions land hardest on kids, and it took real courage to say so in front of a full room. Seeing students from three different districts speak with one voice says a lot.

As a city council member, I know how much our schools shape the future of our community, so it meant a lot to see parents, educators, and neighbors showing up for our kids. Stay engaged, ask questions, and keep showing up. That is how we get real answers.

10/14/2026

Tomorrow, Oct. 15 at 10:15 a.m., join neighbors across Washington for the Great Washington ShakeOut. Wherever you are, drop, cover, and hold on for a minute. It builds the muscle memory that helps you react fast when a real quake hits.

Around the same time, tsunami sirens along the coast will be tested with the real warning wail, so please don't call 911. Phone alerts will only come through if you have the free MyShake app, and Wireless Emergency Alerts will not be tested. Since Blaine is on the coast, take a moment to learn your tsunami evacuation route too.

This year's theme is Prepared Neighbors, so pick one thing to do to help your street get ready. Register at shakeout.org/washington and check your alert signups at mil.wa.gov/alerts

On Oct. 15, 2026, students, families, neighbors and employees will drop, cover and hold on for the Great Washington ShakeOut, part of the country’s largest earthquake drill. The event also includes siren tests and evacuation drills in some schools.

At 10:15 a.m. on Oct. 15, you’re invited to drop, cover and hold on wherever you are – whether it’s at work, home or school. Practicing builds muscle memory for when the real earthquake comes. This will help you react quicker and be safer. A drill recording is available to help with the experience.

At about the same time, more than 120 Washington tsunami sirens along the inner and outer coast will be tested using the real wailing sound of a tsunami warning, not the Westminster Chimes that are typically used during the monthly tests. PLEASE DO NOT CALL 911.

There WILL be a test of the Emergency Alert System on radio and television this year.

The Wireless Emergency Alert text system on cell phones will NOT be tested.

Those who have downloaded the free MyShake Earthquake Early Warning App on their phones will get a test. Sirens related to the Columbia Generating Station will be tested in the Tri-Cities areas and some local jurisdictions will test their reverse 911 and opt-in text alerts. NOAA Weather Radios will also sound an alarm. To make sure you’re signed up for alerts, visit https://mil.wa.gov/alerts

Lahar sirens in Pierce County will not be tested.

This year’s ShakeOut theme is “Prepared Neighbors.” After a major earthquake and/or tsunami, there will be help coming in the forms of first responders and assistance coming in from all over the country. But in the immediate aftermath of a quake, individuals and neighbors in local communities will be the first ones responding. In addition to practicing Drop, Cover, and Hold On this ShakeOut, everyone is encouraged to do at least one more thing to help their neighborhood become more prepared. Learn more at https://mil.wa.gov/neighborhoods

Registration isn’t required but it helps the state understand how effective its outreach is. It’s also free and easy to register at https://www.shakeout.org/washington

10/13/2026

10/10/2026

Blaine's OysterFest is in full swing and the turnout has been fantastic! Downtown is packed with great food, live music, and neighbors soaking up a perfect day by the water. I'll be back down there around 4pm, so come find me and say hi. The fest runs until 5, and if you stick around, the chainsaw carving auction for Warrior Service kicks off at 5:30 at G Street Plaza, with salmon chowder and boat raffle tickets to support local veterans too.

10/05/2026

Saturday night I joined the Whatcom Mountain Bike Coalition for Shoot the Trails in Bellingham, and what a night. For 16 years this event has celebrated the riders, builders, and businesses behind our trails, with the audience voting on the best photos and videos, a big raffle, food trucks, and a room full of families and kids. Every dollar goes back into building, maintaining, and advocating for trails across Whatcom County.

I also got some good time with Eric from WMBC talking about partnership opportunities for Blaine. Trails, youth recreation, and getting more people outside are things our community cares about, and I'm excited to keep that conversation going. Thank you to the volunteers and sponsors who made it happen.

10/03/2026

Last night I had the chance to attend the Washington Policy Center's annual dinner in Bellevue, and it was a great evening. The company at our table was fantastic, and it was awesome to run into friends from around the state and catch up, while also making some new connections.

Mike Rowe talked about the trades and how well these jobs pay, and it was encouraging to hear how many young people are choosing this path and succeeding at it. To me this is one more way to close the gap and make our state more affordable, by opening doors to living wage jobs that don't require a mountain of debt.

My biggest takeaway was how he flipped the old saying. It's not work smart, not hard. It's work smart and hard. Doing both is what leads to success, and we need more people willing to roll up their sleeves.

Grateful to the WPC for a thought provoking night.