Beginning tomorrow, the Wiyot Tribe will hold its first World Renewal Ceremony in 154 years. And the tribe is asking for the public’s respect: “While it is customary not to turn away anyone who wishes to participate with an open heart, free of anger toward anyone, we ask that the community respect the sacredness of […]
Heidi Walters
Heidi Walters worked as a staff writer at the North Coast Journal from 2005 to 2015.
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Fumbled Apology
This weekend, the Wiyot Tribe is holding its first World Renewal Ceremony since the last one, in February 1860, was cut short when white settlers massacred as many as 100 tribe members as they slept on Indian Island. And so the city of Eureka has voted to send the tribe an official letter of … […]
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HSU Has a New President
After a months-long search, Humboldt State University has a new president to replace outgoing Rollin Richmond, who is retiring. Lisa A. Rossbacher, a geologist and geology professor who is currently president of Southern Polytechnic State University in Marietta, Ga., will be HSU’s first female president. Heck, it only took a hundred years! Here’s the news release from the university: […]
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Ridding Toxic Killers
On Tuesday, California passed a regulation restricting retail sales of certain rat poisons, such as d-Con. Soon, only licensed, certified or county permitted application professionals will be able to use them. The restrictions don’t go into effect until July 1. But by Friday morning, at least one local retailer already was sweeping those products from its shelves. […]
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Tyrone Kelley Is Leaving Six Rivers NF
After mid-April, we won’t be seeing the familiar helmet-clad figure of our Six Rivers National Forest Supervisor, Tyrone Kelley, riding his bicycle home through Eureka after work. Nor can we expect to see him at those sometimes contentious fire-safety meetings in our mountain communities. He’s moving to Vallejo for a new job: director of engineering at […]
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Renewal
The clear winter sky deepens as night creeps upon Woodley Island, that marina-festooned dab of land in Humboldt Bay closest to Eureka’s mainland. The calm water, catching the last light, grows stripes of gold, blue and orange. Against distant spits the ocean thrums. A pair of Canada geese honks by, a gull swoops with a […]
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As Wiyot Prepare to Dance Again, Eureka Fumbles With Contrition
On the cusp of the Wiyot Tribe’s first World Renewal Ceremony since the last one, in February 1860, was cut short after white settlers massacred as many as 100 tribe members as they slept on Indian Island, the City of Eureka has voted to send the tribe an official letter of … well, it started […]
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Man Evading Deputy Dies After Crash
Twenty-year-old Samoa resident Dillon Arcani died Monday evening after crashing his motorcycle, at high speed, into another motorist on State Route 255. According to the California Highway Patrol, Arcani had been fleeing a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy near the Samoa Cookhouse after the deputy attempted to pull Arcani over because there was no license plate […]
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The Faces of Obamacare
In many ways, Jude Ehrlich is the face of Obamacare on the North Coast. The good face, anyway. The 44-year-old McKinleyville man never used to have much trouble getting health insurance. He had employee-offered plans until 2000, when he started his own small business and purchased his own policy, which helped cover his treatments for […]
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Walkin’ Turkey
Well, look, there go Jack Lincoln and Leatherface, strollin’ through Old Town. Maybe you’ve met one of these birds before. If not, know this: When you and turkeys do meet, their person — Nick (not pictured) — might encourage you to dance with them. Please, do. We like the free entertainment. And if that sensitive glob below-neck turns […]
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Jack Mays
The ghouls, scalpels clutched in their gnarl-boned fists, hover over the operating table upon which Jack Mays, chest rent open, twists in torture. “After this procedure,” the ghouls gloat, “you’ll live another day and a half!” That’s one imaginary scene for a cartoon that Mays, the revered and feared longtime Ferndale artist and editorial cartoonist, […]
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Yurok Tribe Tosses Cap in Trade Ring
The Yurok Tribe has entered the carbon trade market, joining with sustainable forestry investment group New Forests Inc. to sell carbon credits based on a 7,660-acre patch of Doug fir and mixed hardwood forest the tribe’s promised to manage for increased carbon sequestration. The tribe will be issued 704,520 credits, according to a news release […]