Thursday, April 20, 2017
Pitch and Pour
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Thu, Apr 20, 2017 at 4:15 PM
Meeting a journalist in a dark parking garage is so Nixon era.
Besides, it's far less creepy to meet up with the Journal's editors over a beverage. On Thursday, April 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. share your hot leads and a cold beer with news editor Thadeus Greenson and arts and features editor Jennifer Fumiko Cahill at the Eureka Inn's Palm Lounge. It's a chance to tell us what's on your mind regarding local stories, issues and people in the paper and out in the community — no trench coat required.
Besides, it's far less creepy to meet up with the Journal's editors over a beverage. On Thursday, April 27 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. share your hot leads and a cold beer with news editor Thadeus Greenson and arts and features editor Jennifer Fumiko Cahill at the Eureka Inn's Palm Lounge. It's a chance to tell us what's on your mind regarding local stories, issues and people in the paper and out in the community — no trench coat required.
Wednesday, April 19, 2017
Not Guilty Plea Entered in Fatal Stabbing of 19-Year-Old HSU Student
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Apr 19, 2017 at 5:32 PM
The 23-year-old McKinleyville man accused in the fatal stabbing of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson pleaded not guilty to murder and a related weapons charge at his arraignment today.
A preliminary hearing for Kyle Christopher Zoellner is set for May 1, District Attorney Maggie Fleming stated in an email to the Journal. His bail is set at $1 million.
HSU President Lisa Rossbacher said in a statement released this afternoon that “we remain focused on supporting our students and doing all we can for Josiah's family.”
“Our University Police are continuing to assist the Arcata Police Department, which is leading the investigation,” the statement reads. “Looking ahead, we will insist that everything possible will be done to pursue justice for Josiah."
The criminology major was apparently stabbed after a fist fight broke out early Saturday morning at a house party, possibly over a missing cell phone. The university and the Arcata Police Department have made repeated appeals asking everyone who was in attendance to come forward.
Yesterday, the APD specifically urged the sender of an anonymous email with details about the crime to talk with investigators. APD Chief Tom Chapman also said he plans to investigate and address concerns about the timeliness of the emergency response when it is appropriate.
A vigil for Lawson is set for Thursday.
From Humboldt State University:
A preliminary hearing for Kyle Christopher Zoellner is set for May 1, District Attorney Maggie Fleming stated in an email to the Journal. His bail is set at $1 million.
HSU President Lisa Rossbacher said in a statement released this afternoon that “we remain focused on supporting our students and doing all we can for Josiah's family.”
“Our University Police are continuing to assist the Arcata Police Department, which is leading the investigation,” the statement reads. “Looking ahead, we will insist that everything possible will be done to pursue justice for Josiah."
The criminology major was apparently stabbed after a fist fight broke out early Saturday morning at a house party, possibly over a missing cell phone. The university and the Arcata Police Department have made repeated appeals asking everyone who was in attendance to come forward.
Yesterday, the APD specifically urged the sender of an anonymous email with details about the crime to talk with investigators. APD Chief Tom Chapman also said he plans to investigate and address concerns about the timeliness of the emergency response when it is appropriate.
A vigil for Lawson is set for Thursday.
From Humboldt State University:
A celebration of life in remembrance of David Josiah Lawson will be held on Thursday, April 20, at 5 p.m. in the Kate Buchanan Room.
The family of David Josiah Lawson and the HSU community will gather to to remember the life of Lawson, who died Saturday.
Lawson was a sophomore studying criminology at Humboldt State University and had recently been elected president of HSU’s Brothers United. He's remembered by his family for his warm smile and his kindness.
For support: Office of the Dean of Students at 707-826-3504. Counseling & Psychological Services at 707-826-3236. Employee Assistance Program at 707-443-7358.
Talking Transparency
Posted By Jennifer Fumiko Cahill on Wed, Apr 19, 2017 at 4:04 PM
Sunshine Week, that celebration of journalistic freedom and the public's right to know, may be well over, but you can keep the spirit going. If you missed Access Humboldt’s March 20 “Transparency and Privacy Roundtable” hosted by Sean McLaughlin and featuring Shahid Buttar of the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Eureka Police Chief Andy Mills and the Journal's own news editor Thadeus Greenson, no worries. You can watch it right here. Look at us, sharing footage just like that.
Share Your Stories About The Two Days That Shook Humboldt
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Apr 19, 2017 at 1:14 PM
With the 25th anniversary of the Cape Mendocino earthquake coming up next week, the Journal invites our readers to share their memories of those two days in 1992 when it almost felt like the earth would not stop moving.
The magnitude-7.2 temblor followed by a series of strong aftershocks, including a 6.5 and 6.6, caused millions of dollars in damage and brought new attention to the immense power of the Cascadia subduction zone lurking off our coast.
To submit your story or pictures of the aftermath for our April 27 edition, please email [email protected] by 10 a.m. on Monday, April 24.
The magnitude-7.2 temblor followed by a series of strong aftershocks, including a 6.5 and 6.6, caused millions of dollars in damage and brought new attention to the immense power of the Cascadia subduction zone lurking off our coast.
To submit your story or pictures of the aftermath for our April 27 edition, please email [email protected] by 10 a.m. on Monday, April 24.
HSU Athletics May Tie University to Pepsi Contract
Posted By Sam Armanino on Wed, Apr 19, 2017 at 8:55 AM
Meredeth Garrott walked up to the front of the room. All administrators, students and community member’s eyes fell on the environmental science major as she read aloud the Humboldt State University graduation pledge. She said if the students are held to the pledge, then the institution that teaches them should be, as well, and partnering with PepsiCo is a violation of that pledge.
“I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work,” she read.
For the first time, HSU had a public meeting about its contract with PepsiCo which is up for renewal on June 30. If university administration renews the contract with the multi-billion-dollar company, it will be the third five-year contract in a row.
“I pledge to explore and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job I consider and will try to improve these aspects of any organizations for which I work,” she read.
For the first time, HSU had a public meeting about its contract with PepsiCo which is up for renewal on June 30. If university administration renews the contract with the multi-billion-dollar company, it will be the third five-year contract in a row.
Tuesday, April 18, 2017
APD Seeks 'Valuable' Witness to Fatal Stabbing, Releases More Information
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Tue, Apr 18, 2017 at 5:27 PM
The Arcata Police Department is continuing to urge witnesses to Saturday’s fatal stabbing of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson to come forward and cooperate with the investigation.
“The reality is a 19-year-old young man lost his life and it’s terrible and tragic and horrific and I think if anyone has evidence or information, they have a duty to come forward,” said APD Chief Tom Chapman.
Chapman said his department is especially keen on speaking with whoever sent it an anonymous email today that provide a first-hand account of the stabbing.
“There were some specifics (in the email) that certainly keyed for me that, if it’s legitimate, we need this person to come forward,” Chapman said. “They are a key eye witness and potentially a very valuable piece to this investigation.”
“The reality is a 19-year-old young man lost his life and it’s terrible and tragic and horrific and I think if anyone has evidence or information, they have a duty to come forward,” said APD Chief Tom Chapman.
Chapman said his department is especially keen on speaking with whoever sent it an anonymous email today that provide a first-hand account of the stabbing.
“There were some specifics (in the email) that certainly keyed for me that, if it’s legitimate, we need this person to come forward,” Chapman said. “They are a key eye witness and potentially a very valuable piece to this investigation.”
Monday, April 17, 2017
Witnesses Sought in Fatal Arcata Stabbing
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 3:54 PM
The Arcata Police Department is looking to interview everyone who attended the house party where a 19-year-old Humboldt State University student was fatally stabbed early Saturday morning.
“Sometimes people are witnesses without really knowing they were witnesses, so we’re doing our best to reach out to and speak to everyone,” said Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman. "We’re trying to track those people down to see what they saw and what they didn’t see.”
Police responded to a house in the 1100 block of Spear Avenue at about 3 a.m. to find David Josiah Lawson bleeding from multiple stab wounds. Lawson later died at a local hospital.
Chapman said at least 50 people were still at the party when police arrived, and that police have already interviewed at least 20 witnesses, with many more interviews scheduled.
“Sometimes people are witnesses without really knowing they were witnesses, so we’re doing our best to reach out to and speak to everyone,” said Arcata Police Chief Tom Chapman. "We’re trying to track those people down to see what they saw and what they didn’t see.”
Police responded to a house in the 1100 block of Spear Avenue at about 3 a.m. to find David Josiah Lawson bleeding from multiple stab wounds. Lawson later died at a local hospital.
Chapman said at least 50 people were still at the party when police arrived, and that police have already interviewed at least 20 witnesses, with many more interviews scheduled.
UPDATE: Eureka Postpones Vote on Temporary Shut Down of Visitor's Center
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 1:43 PM
UPDATE: A city council vote on whether to temporarily shut down the Eureka Visitor’s Center has been postponed until May 2 to allow Mayor Frank Jager and City Manager Greg Sparks to attend the meeting.
Previous:
The Eureka City Council on Tuesday will consider temporarily shutting down the visitor’s center after the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce’s $110,000 service contract runs out at the end of June.
A staff report for the consent agenda item recommends rejecting the chamber’s proposed rate of $13,500 a month to keep the doors open while the city goes through an open bid process for the center’s operation, noting “the budget savings will be helpful going into next year.”
In an email to the Journal, City Manager Greg Sparks says he would prefer not to have a gap in service but “we believe that visitors receive information in many different ways about Eureka and Humboldt County and do not believe this gap will have a significant impact on visitor spending.”
Proposals to take over what for decades has been the chamber’s role are due in June. The city is requiring that the center — which serves an average of 10,000 walk-ins and 26,000 website visitors a year — be up and running by January of 2018.
The chamber also produces 40,000 Eureka Visitor Guide copies annually as a part of its contract with the city.
Chamber Executive Director Don Smullin says the business organization is still considering whether to submit a proposal as members weigh the chamber’s priorities in the wake of an increasingly bumpy relationship with the city.
He says the chamber has been spending about $40,000 a year to subsidize the center’s expenses after the city reduced funding levels in recent years, citing budget constraints.
Sparks also terminated the city’s long-term contract with the chamber to provide visitor services, which resulted in the current one-year agreement that expires in June.
“This has been an ongoing thing for four years now,” Smullin says. “It’s very frustrating.”
Sparks states there were questions about what kind of return on investment the city was receiving and the decision was made last year to put the contract out to a competitive bid.
The center currently operates out of the chamber’s Broadway office, which is owned by the city. The chamber’s 75-year lease on the building runs out in 2032.
“We thought there may be a more cost-effective way of providing services,” Sparks wrote.
Read the council agenda item here.
Previous:
The Eureka City Council on Tuesday will consider temporarily shutting down the visitor’s center after the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce’s $110,000 service contract runs out at the end of June.
A staff report for the consent agenda item recommends rejecting the chamber’s proposed rate of $13,500 a month to keep the doors open while the city goes through an open bid process for the center’s operation, noting “the budget savings will be helpful going into next year.”
In an email to the Journal, City Manager Greg Sparks says he would prefer not to have a gap in service but “we believe that visitors receive information in many different ways about Eureka and Humboldt County and do not believe this gap will have a significant impact on visitor spending.”
Proposals to take over what for decades has been the chamber’s role are due in June. The city is requiring that the center — which serves an average of 10,000 walk-ins and 26,000 website visitors a year — be up and running by January of 2018.
The chamber also produces 40,000 Eureka Visitor Guide copies annually as a part of its contract with the city.
Chamber Executive Director Don Smullin says the business organization is still considering whether to submit a proposal as members weigh the chamber’s priorities in the wake of an increasingly bumpy relationship with the city.
He says the chamber has been spending about $40,000 a year to subsidize the center’s expenses after the city reduced funding levels in recent years, citing budget constraints.
Sparks also terminated the city’s long-term contract with the chamber to provide visitor services, which resulted in the current one-year agreement that expires in June.
“This has been an ongoing thing for four years now,” Smullin says. “It’s very frustrating.”
Sparks states there were questions about what kind of return on investment the city was receiving and the decision was made last year to put the contract out to a competitive bid.
The center currently operates out of the chamber’s Broadway office, which is owned by the city. The chamber’s 75-year lease on the building runs out in 2032.
“We thought there may be a more cost-effective way of providing services,” Sparks wrote.
Read the council agenda item here.
UPDATED: Early Morning Blaze at Hoopa High School
Posted By Linda Stansberry on Mon, Apr 17, 2017 at 12:27 PM
UPDATE: The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office sent a press release with information about a later fire, found at 10 a.m. the same day, that was confirmed as an “intentional act of arson.” That fire, at the Hoopa Tribal Fisheries building, self-extinguished and caused only minor damage to the building.
Previously:
Three structures at Hoopa Valley High School burned this morning, with members of the Hoopa Volunteer Fire Department responding at around 3:45 a.m. The school's choir room, auto shop and woodshop were all destroyed in the blaze. According to the school's website, these structures were all closed due to mold and were being used for storage at the time of the fire. The school itself is closed for spring break this week.
Stacy Hanson, public information officer with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that the Humboldt County Arson Task Force is investigating the scene. According to an investigation by Allie Hostler of the Two Rivers Tribune, the Hoopa Valley has one of the highest rates of arson in the state.
Previously:
Three structures at Hoopa Valley High School burned this morning, with members of the Hoopa Volunteer Fire Department responding at around 3:45 a.m. The school's choir room, auto shop and woodshop were all destroyed in the blaze. According to the school's website, these structures were all closed due to mold and were being used for storage at the time of the fire. The school itself is closed for spring break this week.
Stacy Hanson, public information officer with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, confirmed that the Humboldt County Arson Task Force is investigating the scene. According to an investigation by Allie Hostler of the Two Rivers Tribune, the Hoopa Valley has one of the highest rates of arson in the state.
Sunday, April 16, 2017
HSU Students Take on Pepsi
Posted By Sam Armanino on Sun, Apr 16, 2017 at 4:46 PM
Humboldt State University students are fighting administrators plans to sign another contract with PepsiCo, Pepsi soda’s parent company. The current five-year contract ends June 30, which will be the third contract in the last 15 years.
On Monday, there will be a public meeting — attended by students, administration and the PepsiCo task force — at 3:15 p.m. in the University Center Banquet Room, where they will discuss a student resolution to end contracts with PepsiCo.
Tessa Lance has been spearheading the student movement in what has been an almost year-long battle. She said it originally started as a student green movement in order to cut down on plastics and get closer to the university’s zero-waste goal.
On Monday, there will be a public meeting — attended by students, administration and the PepsiCo task force — at 3:15 p.m. in the University Center Banquet Room, where they will discuss a student resolution to end contracts with PepsiCo.
Tessa Lance has been spearheading the student movement in what has been an almost year-long battle. She said it originally started as a student green movement in order to cut down on plastics and get closer to the university’s zero-waste goal.
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