The state has seen a spate of mushroom poisonings in the last several months, including one in Humboldt County, amid what the California Department of Public Health describes as a “superbloom” of the highly toxic death cap and western destroying angel varieties. “Environmental factors including early fall rains followed by a warm, wet winter have […]
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‘Everybody’s Gotta Bring Their Skills’
Just before noon on March 28, the sidewalk in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse was packed with protesters who covered the curbs along Fifth Street for three blocks. Costumes that have become familiar in the last decade — red-robed handmaids, a camouflaged Uncle Sam, a pair of inflated unicorns — dotted the throng, along […]
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Censure, Disaster Recovery and Safe Dudes
This week we’re looking at how the process for censure for Humboldt County Supervisors and what Supervisor Rex Bohn’s non-censure means for the system going forward. We’ve also got advice on working as a community in times of disaster. Finally, a little humor in amid grim revelations about public figures. Hit subscribe for weekly updates […]
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On the Matter of Censure
On paper, addressing a complaint brought against a Humboldt County supervisor seems straightforward. First, there’s a review by the county administrative officer, county counsel and the Human Resources director. If a majority of the panel decides an incident needs to be further addressed, an outside investigation is launched. Should the allegations be substantiated, the findings […]
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City Applies for Federal Loan to Aid Purchase of Fortuna Theatre
Shuttered for years, the Fortuna Theatre could be revived if a federal loan to a local foundation is approved. A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for a loan of up to $1 million to help the Fortuna Theatre Foundation buy the theater property was approved by the Fortuna City Council at a March 16 […]
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Caltrans Meeting on the Future of Fernbridge
On Thursday, Caltrans District 1 is hosting a community meeting on the future of Fernbridge. The public scoping session will take place at Ferndale City Hall, 834 Main St., from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., as the agency begins preparing an environmental impact report on a series of options for the 115-year-old span across the Eel […]
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The Foilies 2026
Recognizing the worst in government transparency For the last six years, a class of journalism students at the University of Nevada, Reno, has kicked off each semester by filing their first Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. The assignment: Request copies of complaints sent to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) about their favorite TV show, […]
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Seeking More Help for Students in Crisis
Cal State weighs options for after-hours mental health care This story was originally published by EdSource. Sign up for their daily newsletter. Jazmin Guajardo has seen students with the kind of anxiety that “consumes them” not only throughout their day, but outside the normal business hours of the campus mental health center. “As a peer mentor, I […]
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UPDATE: One in ICU from Western Destroying Angel Mushroom Poisoning
Others may have some of the same batch of the locally foraged mushrooms UPDATE: The mushroom that poisoned an area resident has been identified by state health officials as Western destroying angel, according to the county Department of Health and Human Services, which said the variety was mistaken “for puffball mushrooms by experienced local foragers.” […]
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California Passed a Law to Curb Spikes in Gas Prices. Why Isn’t It Using Those Powers Now?
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters. Three years ago, California built a first-in-the-nation system aimed at protecting drivers when oil markets turn calamitous. The Legislature passed it. Gov. Gavin Newsom signed it. He proclaimed “California took on Big Oil and won.” Its author, then-Sen. Nancy Skinner called it a “landmark law” that […]
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Granny Rage on Women’s Day
The crowd at the Humboldt County Courthouse was thin at the noon start of the International Women’s Day Women’s March protest on March 8. The line of a dozen people grew to 35 by 12:30 p.m., and topped out around 90 by 1:30 p.m. Some speculated scant publicity or the lag of Daylight Saving led […]
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‘Meeting the Moment’
Bill Lutjens, a long-time Fieldbrook resident who mostly keeps to himself in his rural residence, says he felt compelled to act when he learned about the nationwide funding cuts to healthcare enacted by the Trump administration. He received an inheritance several years ago and wanted to keep the money out of the federal government’s control. […]