Humboldt County Public Health officials are reminding local residents to be on the lookout for harmful algal blooms after a person fell ill after spending time in the South Fork Eel River north of Weott and a dog reportedly died after algae exposure on the Trinity River east of Willow Creek. The state is currently […]
Environment / Natural Resources
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The Megadrought is Just One Factor Driving Up the Price of Your Bread
A perfect storm of trouble—extreme dry conditions, a volatile commodity market, and climbing expenses—have millers and bakers passing on rising costs to customers. Last spring, pandemic-related supply chain issues led to too little flour on supermarket shelves, just as cooped-up consumers turned to home baking for comfort. The problem was never a shortage of flour […]
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Blue-Green Algae Found on Trinity River
Officials are urging people recreating on the Trinity River to exercise caution after a dog’s recent death led to the discovery of a harmful algal bloom on the river. According to the State Water Resources Control Board, staff responded to a report of a potential toxic-algae related dog death and collected samples July 7 at […]
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Thieves Are Stealing California’s Scarce Water for Illegal Cannabis Farms
One day last spring, water pressure in pipelines suddenly crashed In the Antelope Valley, setting off alarms. Demand had inexplicably spiked, swelling to three and half times normal. Water mains broke open, and storage tanks were drawn down to dangerous levels. The emergency was so dire in the water-stressed desert area of Hi Vista, between […]
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Trinidad Asks Residents to Curtail Water Use As Creek Runs Low
The city of Trinidad is asking residents to curtail water usage amid drought conditions, as Luffenholtz Creek — the city’s sole water source — has seen flows decrease steadily since June. “This year’s drought is steadily approaching the peak severity of the last one,” said Richard Clompus, who serves on the Trinidad City Council and […]
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NCJ Preview: Land Trust Goals and Soul Food on Wheels
Can a land trust fix what ails Humboldt? The Wiyot Tribe and Cooperation Humboldt are going to find out. We’re looking Wiyot-led Dishgamu Humboldt and its plans to address housing, job training and returning land to Indigenous ownership. We’re also talking about the Razz-Ma-Tazz soul food truck bringing African American home cooking traditions to Eureka. […]
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NCJ Preview: Parks Gone Wild, a Eugenicist Kicks Rocks and Safe and Sane Fireworks
This week we’re looking at Mark Larson’s photos and tips for enjoying Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, as well as how the parks removed the plaque honoring Nazi collaborator Madison Grant. And as we get ready for July Fourth weekend, we’re talking about how illegal fireworks (aside from being, you know, illegal) can harm your […]
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Newsom Visits Klamath, Talks Drought, Dams and More
California Gov. Gavin Newsom spent some time in a dugout redwood canoe on the Klamath River yesterday while visiting with Yurok Tribal leaders. A Yurok Tribe press release today reports that Chair Joseph James and vice-Chair Frankie Myers took Newsom down a “singularly beautiful” stretch of the river before discussing the ongoing drought, the juvenile […]
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Report: $124 Million Needed to Transform Port of Humboldt for Offshore Wind
It will cost more than $124 million to build a new multipurpose terminal in Humboldt Bay to support offshore wind energy, according to a preliminary cost estimate prepared for the Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District. The district’s board of commissioners is slated to meet in a special session tomorrow, first in closed session to continue […]
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New Closures Coming to Last Chance Grade
Traversing the upper reaches of California along U.S. Highway 101 is about to become more complicated as Caltrans extends road closures to accelerate a stabilization project on a slope over the short but notorious Del Norte County section known as Last Chance Grade. This year alone, landslides blocked the aptly named stretch south of Crescent […]
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High Tides Likely to Cause Coastal Flooding Tonight
A heads up for those living in or traveling through low lying areas later tonight and into the early morning hours. Starting around 10 p.m., high astronomical tides are expected to cause some minor coastal flooding around Humboldt Bay, continuing until around 2 a.m. According to the Eureka office of the National Weather Service, “areas […]
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Rio Dell Declares Drought Emergency
The Rio Dell City Council has declared a drought emergency, calling for a series of voluntary reductions in water use and activating its groundwater well site to diversify the water supply, reduce water intake and ease pressure on the Eel River, where the majority of the city’s water comes from. “We didn’t have this option […]