Couple falls on hard times next to Nooksack casino

Tuesday, December 4, 2007

A non-Indian couple in Washington says living next to the Nooksack Tribe's new casino didn't bring them any luck.

John and Tamara Ferguson bought their three-acre property in 2004 for $185,000. When they found out a casino was being built next door, they weren't too worried because the tribe offered to buy them out.

But negotiations fell apart amid John's inability to work due to a back injury, Tamara's emergency surgery and their 14-year-old sons diagnosis with cancer. The tribe says the Fergusons asked for too much money.

Now the couple and their son are living in a rental home. They sold their property to avoid foreclosure but didn't get as much as they wanted.

Get the Story:
Casino’s neighbors struggling (The Bellingham Herald 12/4)