Cover Story
‘The Biggest Challenge’
How do you hold an election during a global pandemic? Without knowing it, California voters have been practicing for years. Since the 1920s — and before that, with a brief foray during the Civil War — a growing share of the statewide electorate has been voting remotely. Now that the coronavirus pandemic has turned public…
Mill Creek Theater Closes, Arcata Theater Lounge Opens
Last week, in accordance with county reopening steps, Coming Attractions Theaters announced it was opening its doors at its Broadway and Mill Creek locations, while Arcata Theater Lounge’s website declared it would remain closed. A week later, Mill Creek has shuttered and the ATL is showing vintage sci-fi and animated features. According to James Sandberg…
County Reminds Multi-Household Gatherings are Illegal, Promises Action if Planned Weddings Proceed
Humboldt County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich is reminding local residents — including those planning to host or attend weddings in the near future — that multi-household gatherings are not permitted under state or local health orders. “We all understand the desire to celebrate occasions such as weddings with family and friends,” Frankovich said in a…
Public Health Announces Nine New COVID Cases Total, Three in Local Residents
The Humboldt County Joint Information Center reported today that it Public Health has confirmed nine new cases of COVID-19 — three in local residents and six in visitors to the area. The new cases continue a spike that has now seen 51 cases — 45 in local residents — confirmed over the past 16 days,…
DA Declines to File Charges in Blue Lake Gas Station Killing
Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming has declined to prosecute Patriot Gas Station clerk Mark Anthony Nelson Jr. for killing the man who allegedly robbed the business on the night of July 2, according to a press release from the DA’s office. “The employee has stated he acted in self-defense,” the press release states. “No…
Humboldt Area Foundation Matches Donations to Support HSU’s Dreamers
The Humboldt Area Foundation helped raise more than $20,000 to provide emergency financial support to Humboldt State University’s California Dream Act students amid the COVID-19 crisis. Throughout June, all donations in support of HSU Dreamers were doubled with a matching grant of $10,000 from HAF’s COVID-19 Regional Response Fund. For more information, see the full…
Humboldt State Fine-Tuning Reopening Plans
Humboldt State University released updates today on its plans for the fall semester, which include limiting the number of people on campus to about 30 percent of normal and a hybrid model that melds virtual learning with in-person instruction for some classes. Residence halls are also expected to operate at half capacity with single occupancy…
Blood Bank Faces ‘Unprecedented’ Impacts, Needs Donations
Facing “unprecedented” impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Northern California Community Blood Bank is asking all healthy individuals to make time to donate blood. In a press release, the blood bank explained that it normally depends on large blood drives at schools, businesses and events to keep its supply up but with school closures, limited…
High Speed Chase Ends with Surrender
Two Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office deputies were pursuing a vehicle south from Eureka past King Salmon at 7:04 p.m. One deputy told the dispatch that the driver in the vehicle he was pursuing slammed on his brakes and caused the deputy who was speaking to hit another pursuing deputy’s vehicle. This occurred near Hilfiker. That…
Tens of Millions in PPP Loans Flow into Humboldt
An across-the-board collection of hundreds of Humboldt County companies and nonprofits were among the recipients of a federal loan program meant to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to data from the Small Business Administration. The information, which we sorted by Humboldt County ZIP codes, shows tens of…
Blue Lake Casino to Reopen Monday
After being closed nearly four months due to the pandemic, Blue Lake Casino will reopen Monday, according to Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe Communications Manager Andrea Marvin. As was the case at the Bear River and Cher-Ae Heights casinos, the reopening will take place under “an abundance of caution,” a press release states, with several new health…
Public Health Confirms Another Five COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed five new COVID-19 cases today, which follows five announced yesterday and six Friday, and makes 42 over the past 15 days. It’s the county’s largest case spike since a 15-day period that began March 24 — five days after Humboldt County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich issued a shelter-in-place order that…
UPDATE: Siren’s Song Tavern Will Sing Again
UPDATE: The Siren’s Song Tavern will sing again. The announcement that Old Town bar and music venue has officially changed hands to new owners was made July 21 on its Facebook page. Read more here. PREVIOUS: In a Facebook post, the business, housed in the ground floor of the historic Healy Bros. Building, announced, “Everything…
T-S: Protestors Gather in Eureka to Support Transgender Teen Assaulted by Neighbor
Around noon Monday, a group of roughly 30 people showed up at the Humboldt County courthouse wielding signs in support of Fortuna transgender teen Cora Woodard, the Times-Standard reported. Woodard, a 16-year-old who is transitioning from male to female and who uses theu/them pronouns, told the T-S they were attacked by a neighbor on June…
Public Health Confirms Five New COVID-19 Cases, Continuing Recent Spike
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed five new COVID-19 cases today, which follows six announced Friday and makes 37 over the past 14 days. It’s the county’s largest case spike since a 15-day period that began March 24 — five days after Humboldt County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich issued a shelter-in-place order that confined people to…
County Organizations to Invest $120,000 in Child Care Capacity During the Pandemic
Humboldt County Children and Families Commission and Humboldt Area Foundation are investing $120,000 to increase childcare capacity in the county during the pandemic, according to a joint press release issued by the organizations. Eligible childcare facilities may receive between $500 and $750 toward reopening or remaining open, the press release states. Applications are available at www.first5humboldt.org…
Humboldt County’s ‘Cannabis Planning Program’ Lacks Fiscal Transparency, Grand Jury Reports
Four years after recreational cannabis was legalized in California, the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has a released report entitled “A Growing Concern.” The report focuses on the Planning and Building Department’s record keeping and cash handling procedures for the cannabis industry. “There is a notable lack of in-depth reporting of revenues and expenditures that…
CR Offering Frontline Workers De-escalation, Assertiveness Training
Many in the customer service industry and public sector jobs are bearing the brunt of resentment — and too often outright hostility — toward COVID-19 health and safety protocols meant to protect workers and the public as Humboldt County teeters on the precipice of becoming yet another California hotspot. To help employees and business owners…
Never Turn Your Back: Sneaker Waves Possible this Weekend
The Eureka office of the National Weather Service warns there is a slight to moderate threat of sneaker waves this holiday that continues through Sunday evening. A long-period southernly swell is bringing the risk, which is more acute at steep beaches but larger waves may also wash over jetties and rock outcroppings that would normally…
Faith and Fever: Humboldt County Churches Ponder Reopening
The Humboldt County Joint Information Center recently released safety guidelines for places of worship that wish to resume services. Churches are among the latest venues approved for reopening by the county, and they are encouraged but “not required” to submit reopening plans to the Emergency Operations Center. Local congregations have had diverse responses to the…
Gas Station Attendant Arrested for Fatally Shooting Robbery Suspect
Last night in Blue Lake at around 9:45 p.m., an attendant allegedly shot a man who was attempting to rob the Patriot Gas Station, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The alleged robber — who has yet to be identified — died from a gunshot wound at the scene. The gas station attendant —…
Art for Your Face: Snarky Mouth Coverings by Humboldt Artists for Sale
If your neighbor’s children aren’t already scared of you and you’d like to look more like Shane MacGowan of the Pogues, or just generally deck up your current boring COVID-compliant face mask, two local artists have you covered. Aimee Hennessy, local artist and co-owner of Richards’ Goat Tavern and Tearoom in Arcata, is flogging her…
Public Health Confirms Six New COVID-19 Cases on Eve of Holiday Weekend
Humboldt County Public Health has confirmed six new COVID-19 cases, continuing a recent spike and making 30 new cases locally over the past two weeks. The county’s Joint Information Center announced the tally this morning heading into the holiday weekend after telling media yesterday they would not be announcing test results. The six new cases…
More Than 10K Pounds of ‘Dangerous Fireworks’ Seized in Eureka
CalFire reported this morning that in a joint operation with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office it seized more than 10,000 pounds of “dangerous fireworks” from a residence on Alpha Street in Eureka. Zackery Edward Brown, 34, of Eureka, was arrested at the scene and booked into the Humboldt County jail on suspicion of possessing dangerous…
Homicide Reported in Blue Lake
Someone was shot and killed tonight during a reported armed robbery at a gas station in the 200 block of Blue Lake Boulevard at about 9:45, according to scanner traffic. A dispatcher sent law enforcement and medical personnel to the scene after a report of an armed robbery that left one person with a gunshot…
Sequoia Park Zoo Reopens with Online Reservations
The red pandas will not be the only ones in masks at the Sequoia Park Zoo starting July 7. Visitors will need to make reservations online, which is meant to limit crowds, and wear masks on the premises. (Do not make a fuss over this — even the howler monkeys find it overdramatic.) One-way paths…
Public Health Confirms Two New COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed two new COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county total up to 138. In a press release sent from the Humboldt County Joint Information Center, Health Officer Teresa Frankovich joined state health officials and urging people to avoid gatherings and slow the spread of the virus over Fourth of July weekend. “I…
NCJ Preview: Servers Under Pressure, Risking Bars and Barbecues, and Voting by Mail
This week’s conversation with Access Humboldt starts with the flak Humboldt restaurant staff are taking from patrons who don’t want to wear masks. On top of the stresses of increased protocols during the pandemic and exposure to scores of local and visiting customers, it’s a lot. And while opening bars is a concern, Humboldt’s public…
Community Caravan for Rent and Mortgage Forgiveness Wheeled Through Eureka Yesterday, LoCo Reports
Centro del Pueblo, Cooperation Humboldt, North Coast People’s Alliance, the Humboldt and Del Norte Central Labor Council, Buenlucha, the Party for Socialism and Liberation and other community organizations hosted a caravan in downtown Eureka calling for rent and mortgage relief yesterday evening. The caravan, first covered by the Journal here, was documented by the Lost…
BOLO for Suspect in Armed Robbery of Trinidad Business
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is requesting help locating a suspect connected with the armed robbery of a Trinidad business last night. The unknown male suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at two employees before taking cash and physically assaulting the employees. He is suspected to have later fled southbound on U.S. Highway 101 in a…
On the roof next-door
From the roof comes boyish laughter! How cool to be there in the blue with an elevated view, a solid job and good pay after. I see them resting on the peak. Thickish middles show their age. Their shapes against the page of sky show strength in their physiques. With balance there is levity. They…
‘Our Sovereign Right’
Already escalated tensions spiked sharply south of Trinidad on June 24, when the Trinidad Rancheria accused the city, area residents and Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone of racism in their opposition or perceived lack of support for proposed Rancheria developments. The Rancheria is pushing forward with controversial plans to build a five-story, 100-bed hotel adjacent…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries author Marge Piercy writes, “The people I love the best, jump into work head first without dallying in the shallows.” The Aries people I love best will do just that in the coming days. Now is not the right time to wait around passively, lazily hoping that something better will…
Restaurant Mask Drama
Manuel Martinez was only 20 minutes into his shift bussing tables at Golden Harvest last weekend when he spotted a customer walking in without a mask. When Martinez asked if he had one, the man turned hostile. “He said, ‘Fuck you guys,” and just turned around and left,” says Martinez. In 16 years of restaurant work…
Rough Waters
The water level on the Trinity River is just right and the hot summer weather is ideal. But a month after local white-water rafting businesses received approval to reopen from county and U.S. Forest Service officials, company owners say that reservation numbers are still modest. School and church groups have all canceled and the absence…
Puzzles July 2, 2020
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An Eye on the Competition
EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGA. Sometimes — almost always, these days — comedy feels like the only chance we’ve got. Not as escapism, really, but as a reminder that having feelings doesn’t necessarily mean always feeling bad and a chance to briefly dispel the cloud of fatalism that can so frequently block…
‘Exposed’
I’m the organizer of the Ferndale “protest” rally, gathering on June 28. There have been multiple threats against me and others who attended circulating social media since it hit the news. My inbox exploded with messages and screenshots all week long. It broke my heart. Everyone deserves to feel safe. There were children present and…
A Kink in the Chain
Editor: When I went to donate a cow to the local food bank, I was directed to Redwood Meat Co.’s slaughterhouse (“Pandemic Widens Gaps in Regional Food Supply Chain,” June 4). They are so swamped, they said, that they didn’t have an opening to slaughter local beef until December. On hearing it was to be…
‘Her Name Was Ida’
Editor: After reading your May 28 issue, I would like to thank you for your article: “Her Name Was Ida” and “A Glimpse Inside Alder Bay.” My stepmother moved into Alder Bay in July of 2017 and was placed at the dining table with Ida. As time passed we soon discovered her to be a…
A Hero Among Us
Editor: It is exciting to discover that we have a superhero living in Eureka. Thanks to Thadeus Greenson’s June 11 article “21 Days in the Park,” we are introduced to Myrna Dipert. This inspirational article gave me a comforting, refreshing feeling of hope that I have sorely missed since February. Myrna Dipert is an outstanding,…
A Moving Movement
Editor: I am moved by all the people marching and the many white people who are having hard talks with each other about racism and wanting change (“Fear to Anger To Rage,” June 4). Racism shows up in all parts of our society. We have all lived with it all our lives. Now we white…
Super Ego
Editor: What’s in Trump’s Head? For three and a half years, I’ve wondered if President Trump had a brain (“The Anti-Lincoln,” June 11). From Day One at his inauguration, he insisted he saw a crowd far larger than photos revealed. He’ll often say one thing one day, then something else the next. When called on…
There is Help
Editor: I’d like to thank the NCJ for helping to keep our community informed during COVID-19. PSAs, virtual town halls and local organizations have been helpful educating us about wearing masks, proper hand hygiene and social distancing, as well as food and financial assistance resources. Unfortunately, I have not heard about resources available in our…
‘Risen to the Occasion’
Editor: As I consider Best of Humboldt, I would like to acknowledge the North Coast Journal itself. During the COVID-19 crisis your staff has risen to the occasion week after week. Thadeus Greenson seems to single-handedly cover much of the news. His remarkable skill at distilling and conveying complex information to the general reader, issue…
‘Where is Your Humanity?’
Editor: Dear hundreds — perhaps thousands — of drivers traveling north on U.S. Highway 101 to Eureka in the early morning hours of Friday, June 19, Did you really not see Paul? On the side of the road sitting in the grass shivering, shaking in pain and unable to rise to his feet? I don’t…
Coronaviruses and Bioweapons
Despite researchers showing that SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the current pandemic, was not created in a lab in Wuhan, China, polls show that nearly half of all Americans prefer the rumors to science. Predictably, much depends on one’s political persuasion: Twice as many Republicans believe this is either definitely or probably true. So, once again…
