It’s Flash Fiction Season 2026
Here’s the story in 99 words: NCJ’s 99-word Flash Fiction Contest is on. Send up to three entries in the body of an email (no attachments or links) to fiction@northcoastjournal.com with your name and contact information (no pen names) by midnight Oct. 31.
Dainty dramas, bite-sized adventures, flits of fantasy, micro-mysteries, half-pint hauntings, brief romances and scraps of science fiction are all welcome in 99 words or fewer (title not included). We’ll read your original fiction and run the winner and top tales in the Dec. 3 issue.
No poetry and — sorry, robots — no AI-generated copy. Get typing, Humboldt.
The Latest
Seeking a Solution
Finding that elevating and shoring up the road accessing Centerville Beach is “not a prudent use of public funds,” Humboldt County is instead aiming to move it inland. Centerville Road’s erosion and flooding issues are…
Caring for Trans Youth
Standing before dozens of community members at the Labor Temple in Eureka, Alexis Villegas said he tries not to remember last summer because of how painful it was. He couldn’t decide if he was angrier…

Events
Winter Fair Ice Skating Rink

Nov. 13-Jan. 10

Be in the Know: Subscribe to our Newsletters
Weekly news & events, and periodic special publications.

In Print

Trending
More from the NCJ Newsroom
Former Humboldt Crabs Help Brewers Capture World Series Championship
From the Arcata ballpark to baseball’s biggest stage, the Humboldt Crabs’ connection to the Milwaukee Brewers’ 2026 World Series championship runs across 36 years and two generations of baseball. Pat Casey, a 1980 Crab now…
Election Night Final Report, Update Expected Thursday
With the dust still settling on an historic and stunning midterm election night on the national front, here’s a look at the local seats that were up for grabs on Nov. 3. According to the…
Safety Corridor Speed Limit Goes to 60
The signs they are a-changing — along U.S. Highway 101 between Eureka and Arcata, that is. Say goodbye to the 50 mph posts and hello to the ones placed to reflect the new speed limit…
Beware the ‘Red Mirage’ if California Republicans Have an Election Night Lead
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. It happens in close races in almost every major election. Early California returns show Republicans winning or at least faring better than expected.…
Firefighting Improvements in Shelter Cove
CAL FIRE Humboldt–Del Norte Unit announces a newly installed auxiliary helicopter dip site at the Willow Glenn Landing Zone in Shelter Cove. The 2,000-gallon heli-tank, installed by the Shelter Cove Fire Department, provides an additional…
Michelle Dawn Rector
Michelle Dawn Rector (Shelly), age 74, of Humboldt County, California, and Yamhill County, Oregon, passed away on August 24, 2026. Shelly was born on June 10, 1952 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka, California to…
Janet Stock
Janet Stock was a lover of nature and healer of women. In 1997, she helped establish the massage practice at the Women’s Health Resource Center at a major San Francisco hospital, an innovative program for…
Michael Kevin Robinson
Michael Kevin Robinson was born on June 28, 1954 in Long Beach, CA to Bette and Russell Robinson. He grew up as the younger brother of sister Shari, and lived a privileged life as the…
Nicholas (Nick) Grant Robinson
Nicholas (Nick) Grant Robinson was born on December 21, 1984 in Fortuna, CA. He was the son of Michelle and Michael Robinson of Eureka, CA, and a graduate of Eureka High School class of 2003.…
Music Tonight: Thursday, Oct. 29
Here’s something for the whole family: The Theatre Arts Program at Cal Poly Humboldt’s Curious Company presents A Silly Spooky Halloween at the Arcata branch of the Humboldt Library at 5:50 p.m. This is a…
5 Tax Measures are on the California Ballot. Here’s How to Make Sense of Them All.
This story was originally published by CalMatters. California voters are being asked whether they want to keep taxing the incomes of the rich. And they’ll be asked whether to start taxing the accumulated wealth of…

Your support keeps the free press free. Become a member or make a one-time contribution to support NCJ.

Quick Local Stories
From our podcast partner
Letters & Opinion
‘How Big is Your Tribe?’
Editor: It may be too late to respond to the opinion piece “The Good Ones”…
Community Connection
Editor: Please join us for a Centro del Pueblo fund raising event on Wednesday, Nov.…
The Bears
Editor: I benefited from university instruction from wildlife specialists. I love black bears, from a…
‘Grateful’
Editor: OK, I’m a little slow, or maybe just busy, but definitely behind in my…
‘A Lot to Unpack’
Editor: I’m looking forward to seeing the 2026 documentary NAZA at the Minor on Wednesday,…
Choices for Eureka
Editor: I attended the Humboldt Association of Realtors on Oct. 1 for the Eureka mayoral…






