Wednesday, January 31, 2018
The Humboldt 34: Missing Man Reunited With Family
Posted By Linda Stansberry on Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 5:02 PM
A short six hours after this week's copy of the Journal hit the stands, we received a call from a man whose name was featured on its cover: Daniel Ogden Stromberg. Stromberg, who is living in Eureka with a roommate, didn't know that he had been reported missing to the Eureka Police Department in July of 2017 or that his name was subsequently added to the Office of the Attorney General's list of missing persons, making him one of 35 people reported missing in Humboldt County.
Stromberg said that he reads the Journal every week and was surprised to see his name. He wondered who had reported him missing. The Eureka Police Department confirmed that his siblings in San Mateo County had been searching for Stromberg, age 70, since 2015. Suzie Owsley, of the Eureka Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit, confirmed that she had put the family members in touch. Thirty-four people on the California Attorney General's database remain missing, with family members wondering where they are and what happened to them. You can read about Humboldt's missing persons, as well as our high rate of missing persons reports, in this week's Journal, available on newsstands now and online. Also, check out the story that broke after we published of a woman reported missing only to be found as a contestant on The Bachelor.
Stromberg said that he reads the Journal every week and was surprised to see his name. He wondered who had reported him missing. The Eureka Police Department confirmed that his siblings in San Mateo County had been searching for Stromberg, age 70, since 2015. Suzie Owsley, of the Eureka Police Department's Criminal Investigations Unit, confirmed that she had put the family members in touch. Thirty-four people on the California Attorney General's database remain missing, with family members wondering where they are and what happened to them. You can read about Humboldt's missing persons, as well as our high rate of missing persons reports, in this week's Journal, available on newsstands now and online. Also, check out the story that broke after we published of a woman reported missing only to be found as a contestant on The Bachelor.
Drug-Related Deaths on the Rise, say Sheriff, Coroner
Posted By Linda Stansberry on Wed, Jan 31, 2018 at 12:55 PM
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office released a comprehensive report Monday which shows that deaths due to alcohol and other drugs continue to rise. The report, compiled by HCSO public information specialist Samantha Karges and Humboldt County Coroner's Office legal office assistant Brent Ferguson and reviewed by the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services, examined all "unattended deaths" in the county over the last three years. Unattended deaths are cases in which the coroner is called in to investigate the cause of death.
The report confirms a grim trend: Deaths due to alcohol and other drugs have steadily increased over the past three years, taking 49 lives in 2017. Chief Deputy Coroner Lt. Ernie Stewart says this upward trend is consistent with what he's seen over his 24-year career with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, adding that while the public is paying more attention right now to the opiate crisis, methamphetamine continues to be the biggest factor in drug-related deaths for Humboldt residents.
"Methamphetamine is still killing more people than opiates," Stewart said in a phone interview. "I believe that methamphetamine has carved out its place in our community and it's just not going away."
The report confirms a grim trend: Deaths due to alcohol and other drugs have steadily increased over the past three years, taking 49 lives in 2017. Chief Deputy Coroner Lt. Ernie Stewart says this upward trend is consistent with what he's seen over his 24-year career with the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, adding that while the public is paying more attention right now to the opiate crisis, methamphetamine continues to be the biggest factor in drug-related deaths for Humboldt residents.
"Methamphetamine is still killing more people than opiates," Stewart said in a phone interview. "I believe that methamphetamine has carved out its place in our community and it's just not going away."
Monday, January 29, 2018
Celestial Trifecta Wednesday: A Super Blue Blood Moon
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Mon, Jan 29, 2018 at 12:53 PM
In case you haven’t heard, a rare celestial event known as a “super blue blood moon” — try saying that three times fast — will be unfolding overhead Wednesday morning, if the North Coast’s notoriously gray skies don’t get in the way.
Despite the somewhat ominous name, a super blue blood moon is basically a cosmic triple play, as NASA explains it:
“The Jan. 31 full moon is special for three reasons: it’s the third in a series of ‘supermoons,’ when the Moon is closer to Earth in its orbit — known as perigee — and about 14 percent brighter than usual. It’s also the second full moon of the month, commonly known as a 'blue moon.' The super blue moon will pass through Earth’s shadow to give viewers in the right location a total lunar eclipse. While the Moon is in the Earth’s shadow it will take on a reddish tint, known as a 'blood moon.'”
For the North Coast, viewing of what is being called a celestial trifecta begins before sunrise at 2:51 a.m. with the lunar eclipse reaching totality at 4:51 a.m. and lasting for just more than an hour. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is calling for early morning patchy fog along the coast and inland.
NASA will be showing a live feed of the moon beginning at 2:30 a.m. Pacific Time at NASA TV and NASA.gov/live. Happy viewing.
Despite the somewhat ominous name, a super blue blood moon is basically a cosmic triple play, as NASA explains it:
“The Jan. 31 full moon is special for three reasons: it’s the third in a series of ‘supermoons,’ when the Moon is closer to Earth in its orbit — known as perigee — and about 14 percent brighter than usual. It’s also the second full moon of the month, commonly known as a 'blue moon.' The super blue moon will pass through Earth’s shadow to give viewers in the right location a total lunar eclipse. While the Moon is in the Earth’s shadow it will take on a reddish tint, known as a 'blood moon.'”
For the North Coast, viewing of what is being called a celestial trifecta begins before sunrise at 2:51 a.m. with the lunar eclipse reaching totality at 4:51 a.m. and lasting for just more than an hour. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is calling for early morning patchy fog along the coast and inland.
NASA will be showing a live feed of the moon beginning at 2:30 a.m. Pacific Time at NASA TV and NASA.gov/live. Happy viewing.
Friday, January 26, 2018
Rare Waterspout Makes Landfall at Woodley Island
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Fri, Jan 26, 2018 at 4:10 PM
Meteorologists at Eureka's National Weather Service's office are hoping local boat owners can check their wind gauges to help pinpoint the strength of a waterspout that went through the marina late Thursday afternoon before moving onto Woodley Island.
Security footage captured an image of the 4:41 p.m. wind event, basically a tornado over water, which appears to have only caused minor damage, according to Ryan Aylward, Eureka’s warning coordinator meteorologist.
“At this point it looks like it dissipated ... right after making it to land,” he said.
The weather phenomenon more commonly hits off Cape Mendocino or other points where the coastline juts out and “causes the wind to spin a little better,” he said, adding that having one in Humboldt Bay is unusual but not unheard of.
“It was a little too close,” Aylward said.
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Memorial Planned for Famed Pollster Jim Moore
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 4:28 PM
Friends and relatives will gather tomorrow evening to celebrate the life of Jim Moore, an Arcata native who became one of California’s must trusted political pollsters.
Moore, who had been in declining health, died unexpectedly in his El Dorado County home Jan. 1. He was 66.
Born March 28, 1951, the son of Herb and Mary Moore, he made a local impact long before arriving in Sacramento, where he went on to work with Gov. Jerry Brown, former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, former Senator and Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro and former Senate President and Democratic Party Chair John Burton. He was involved in the fight against the Butler Valley Dam on Maple Creek, numerous local elections and crafting a sustainable management plan for the Arcata Community Forest.
Once in Sacramento, Moore founded J Moore Methods polling firm in 1983, which became one of Democrats' most trusted polling firms.
Moore, who had been in declining health, died unexpectedly in his El Dorado County home Jan. 1. He was 66.
Born March 28, 1951, the son of Herb and Mary Moore, he made a local impact long before arriving in Sacramento, where he went on to work with Gov. Jerry Brown, former Assembly Speaker Willie Brown, former Senator and Assemblymember Wesley Chesbro and former Senate President and Democratic Party Chair John Burton. He was involved in the fight against the Butler Valley Dam on Maple Creek, numerous local elections and crafting a sustainable management plan for the Arcata Community Forest.
Once in Sacramento, Moore founded J Moore Methods polling firm in 1983, which became one of Democrats' most trusted polling firms.
Huff to Bring Transgender Veteran to State of the Union in Protest of Military Ban
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Thu, Jan 25, 2018 at 12:36 PM
North Coast Congressman Jared Huffman will bring transgender Marine Corps veteran and Fort Bragg resident Lynda Bengtsson-Davis to the State of the Union on Tuesday in an effort to send a message.
“As President Trump delivers his first State of the Union address, my message to him, to my constituents, and to America as whole is going to be: love trumps hate,” said Rep. Huffman. “President Trump clearly needs to hear this message. From his anti-Muslim travel bans, to his slurs about other nations, the first year of the Trump presidency has been an unrelenting attack on core values — equality, tolerance, diversity and unity — that have helped make our country great. When our President tries to take us backward by turning Americans against each other and stoking culture wars, he must be confronted.”
“As President Trump delivers his first State of the Union address, my message to him, to my constituents, and to America as whole is going to be: love trumps hate,” said Rep. Huffman. “President Trump clearly needs to hear this message. From his anti-Muslim travel bans, to his slurs about other nations, the first year of the Trump presidency has been an unrelenting attack on core values — equality, tolerance, diversity and unity — that have helped make our country great. When our President tries to take us backward by turning Americans against each other and stoking culture wars, he must be confronted.”
Wednesday, January 24, 2018
ACLU to Honor Public Defender's Office with 'Perseverance' Award
Posted By Thadeus Greenson on Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 2:12 PM
The local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is having its annual meeting tonight at Arcata’s D Street Neighborhood Center, during which it will present its annual Patriot Award to the Humboldt County Public Defender’s Office “in recognition of the difficult year” it just finished.
“The county almost destroyed the public defender’s office last year with a spectacularly unqualified hire,” said Sylvia De Rooy, a member of the local chapter’s board of directors, referencing the county’s hiring of now former Public Defender David Marcus. “It took a whole year to rectify the mistake. Defending the accused is difficult work in the best of circumstances. The lawyers and staff that hung in there under trying conditions to make good on the fundamental right of the accused to effective assistance of counsel are unsung heroes. The Redwood ACLU is proud to recognize their efforts.”
“The county almost destroyed the public defender’s office last year with a spectacularly unqualified hire,” said Sylvia De Rooy, a member of the local chapter’s board of directors, referencing the county’s hiring of now former Public Defender David Marcus. “It took a whole year to rectify the mistake. Defending the accused is difficult work in the best of circumstances. The lawyers and staff that hung in there under trying conditions to make good on the fundamental right of the accused to effective assistance of counsel are unsung heroes. The Redwood ACLU is proud to recognize their efforts.”
Trusted Weatherman Jim Bernard has Died
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 11:12 AM
Jim Bernard, the popular, longtime Channel 3 meteorologist who was also an air traffic controller at the Arcata-Eureka airport has died, the television station announced. He was 64.
Trusted for his accurate forecasts and known for referring to viewers as "weather fans," Bernard stepped down from the job in 2012 after a neurological disease began to impact his speech. He is survived by his wife Chris, son Jeff and daughter Lacey, according to his former station.
Read the Journal's 2012 tribute to Bernard after his last day on air here.
Trusted for his accurate forecasts and known for referring to viewers as "weather fans," Bernard stepped down from the job in 2012 after a neurological disease began to impact his speech. He is survived by his wife Chris, son Jeff and daughter Lacey, according to his former station.
Read the Journal's 2012 tribute to Bernard after his last day on air here.
Another One Leaves the Bench: Judge Feeney to Retire
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Wed, Jan 24, 2018 at 10:50 AM
Judge John T. Feeney today announced he is retiring effective Feb. 28 after more than 20 years on the bench in Humboldt County.
Over the years, Feeney has presided over some of the region’s most notorious cases, including the 2016 murder trial of Gary Lee Bullock, who was convicted in the brutal torture death of beloved Eureka priest Eric Freed.
Feeney also created and oversaw the Humboldt Homeless and Caring Court.
“To have been entrusted with the duty and obligation to seek to render right and sensible decisions for two decades as a judicial officer has been both rewarding and humbling,” Feeney said in a court press release. “Thank you for this amazing opportunity.”
Over the years, Feeney has presided over some of the region’s most notorious cases, including the 2016 murder trial of Gary Lee Bullock, who was convicted in the brutal torture death of beloved Eureka priest Eric Freed.
Feeney also created and oversaw the Humboldt Homeless and Caring Court.
“To have been entrusted with the duty and obligation to seek to render right and sensible decisions for two decades as a judicial officer has been both rewarding and humbling,” Feeney said in a court press release. “Thank you for this amazing opportunity.”
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
About That Alaskan Quake This Morning ...
Posted By Kimberly Wear on Tue, Jan 23, 2018 at 12:01 PM
If you are like a lot of people in Humboldt County, you woke up this morning to find out a massive earthquake off the Alaskan coast had triggered a tsunami watch but it was already over.
Local emergency officials want residents to know that they were at the ready to set the alarm after today’s 1:30 a.m. magnitude-7.9 quake struck in the Gulf of Alaska — if the need had arisen.
“Based on available information about the earthquake and analysis by local technical specialists, it was determined that there was not a significant threat to the Humboldt County coastline Tuesday morning and evacuations were not ordered,” according to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services release.
That being said, emergency services officials are taking this opportunity to remind residents they can sign up for the Humboldt Alert System, seeing as we live in a region prone not only to large temblors but also vulnerable to tsunamis.
Local emergency officials want residents to know that they were at the ready to set the alarm after today’s 1:30 a.m. magnitude-7.9 quake struck in the Gulf of Alaska — if the need had arisen.
“Based on available information about the earthquake and analysis by local technical specialists, it was determined that there was not a significant threat to the Humboldt County coastline Tuesday morning and evacuations were not ordered,” according to the Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services release.
That being said, emergency services officials are taking this opportunity to remind residents they can sign up for the Humboldt Alert System, seeing as we live in a region prone not only to large temblors but also vulnerable to tsunamis.
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