The Redwood Region Economic Development Commission Eureka to Receive a $5 Million CARES Act Recovery Assistance Grant
The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is granting over $5.5 million in Recovery Assistance grants allocated by Congress in the CARES Act for Revolving Loan Funds (RLFs) which provide critical gap financing to small businesses and entrepreneurs impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic throughout California’s second congressional district. According to the release, the…
Man Medivacked From ATV Accident Southwest From Manila
Just before 4 p.m., a man riding an ATV by himself on the ocean side of the Samoa Peninsula crashed and was injured, according to Fire Captain Specialist Tran Beyea of Cal Fire. Samoa Fire and City Ambulance responded to the area but needed assistance. “There was difficulty locating him,” Beyea told us. “Our helicopter…
Public Health Confirms Seven New COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed seven new COVID-19 cases today, making 23 so far this week and 95 for the month, as the local spike in caseloads continues. In a press release, the county reminded that travel in and out of Humboldt and multi-household social gatherings continue to be “significant drivers of new infections.” “Many…
North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District Releases Air Quality Report for the North Coast
The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District has released an air quality report for the North Coast as fires have been breaking out throughout the region. According to the report, Humboldt County coastal areas are expected to continue having a “Good” air quality index with periods of “Moderate” air quality index possible during the…
The Klamath River Rural Broadband Initiative Receives $10 Million from California Public Utilities Commission
The California Public Utilities Commission’s Advanced Services Fund has contributed $10 million into the Karuk and Yurok Tribes’ Klamath River Rural Broadband Initiative (KRRBI). The KRRBI project will install modern internet infrastructure to homes that have slow internet speeds and have never been connected to the internet. The release states that the project will provide…
HumCo COVID: Faceshields and Masks
The HumCo COVID Facebook page uploaded a post about facial coverings including the use of face shields. “Face shields are NOT a replacement for facial coverings,” the post states, adding that face shields are designed as eye protection and are meant to be used with a covering fitted over your nose and mouth. Check out…
Eureka Social Security Office Offering Services Online and by Phone
The Eureka Social Security Office would like to remind residents that although its office is closed to walk-in appointments due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s still able to provide services online and by phone. “Although you can do most of your business with us online, we know that the service channel isn’t right for everyone.…
College of the Redwoods to Offer Virtual Pharmacy Technician Program
College of the Redwoods Workforce and Community Education will offer an expanded pharmacy technician program virtually for the Fall 2020 semester. Students that are interested in the program can attend a virtual information session on Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. and Aug. 18 at 6 p.m. Register by calling (707) 476-4500. “These information sessions are…
Cal Fire Tanker 96 Crashed at Rohnerville Airport; No One Injured
UPDATE 6:57 p.m.: According to Cal Fire Battalion Chief Paul Savona, the tanker is repairable. He explained that Cal Fire airbases are located so that aircraft can respond to anywhere in the state within 20 minutes and he reassured the public, “We do have reserve aircraft available. We will always be ready to respond.” He…
Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation Fundraiser Zootini Going Virtual
Just like many other events, the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation’s annual fundraiser Zootini will be going virtual due to the coronavirus pandemic on Saturday, Aug. 8 at 5 p.m. The foundation announced this year’s virtual event will be family-friendly and can be viewed on their Youtube and Facebook page. An auction for zoo “swag bags” and…
Street Resurfacing Project in Arcata to Begin Aug. 11
The city of Arcata announced that the 2020 street resurfacing project is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The project involves laying slurry seal and striping on recently repaired pavement surfaces on 11th Street, Stromberg Avenue, Stewart Avenue, Roberts Way, Wyatt Lane, 27th Street, Hilfiker Drive, Maple Lane, Baldwin Street, Davis Way, Cropley Way, Acheson…
County COVID-19 Testing Capacity to Increase Threefold
The Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory’s COVID-19 testing capacity will increase threefold due to new testing equipment obtained by the lab through state and federal grant funding. “Adding this new COVID-19 test and automated extraction platform is a game-changer for our county. Not only will we triple our local testing capacity, but we will maintain…
Public Health Confirms Four New COVID-19 Cases, Making 88 This Month
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed four new COVID-19 cases today, which on the heels of yesterday’s dozen makes 88 so far this month. In a presentation to the Board of Supervisors this morning, Health Officer Teresa Frankovich noted that while it took Humboldt County 105 days to get to 109 cases, that number had doubled…
HSU Receives $15,000 Grant for Open Educational Resources Program
Humboldt State University has received a $15,000 grant for it’s Open Educational Resources (OER) program which permits free reuse and repurposing of teaching and learning resources. The grant was allocated through CSU’s Affordable Learning Solutions program and will support faculty and lecturer training, improve awareness of resources on campus, improve the OER research guide and facilitate adoption,…
PG&E Responding to Gas Leak In Eureka
PG&E responded to reports of a gas leak on Fourth and M Streets in Eureka after a construction crew struck a gas line with a saw. Highway 101 was closed to make the area safe and stop the flow of gas but has since reopened. Read the full statement from PGE representative Deanna Contreras below.…
Salmon Fire Which is Spreading Into Three Counties Started Yesterday and is Estimated to be 220 Acres and Have 0 Percent Containment
Directly east of Weitchpec, where the tip of Trinity County nudges between the southwestern edge of Siskiyou County and the northeastern edge of Humboldt County, a 220-acre fire blew up yesterday. The Salmon Fire was first reported about 11 a.m. in Trinity County, according to Carol Underhill, spokesperson for the Shasta Trinity National Forest. She…
Fire Burning on the Samoa Peninsula
Firefighters are responding to flames in the wildland on the Samoa Penninsula. “I think I have two separate wildland fires,” the Lincoln Incident Commander stated about 4:55 p.m. The first one is off of Simpson Contractor Road. And the other is off of Lincoln. The fire off of Lincoln is close to an apartment building.…
County Sets Grim Record with 12 new COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Today
Humboldt County set a single-day record with a dozen new confirmed COVID-19 cases announced by Public Health, continuing a spike that has now seen 84 cases confirmed this month. The county’s previous single-day high for confirmed cases was nine, reached twice, first April 2 then again June 24. Since the county started announcing daily test…
Large Brush Fire North of Dean Creek Along Highway 101; Request for One Lane to Be Shut Down
A fire is burning in the brush alongside Hwy 101 about one mile north of Dean Creek. The fire was first reported about 3:46 p.m. The outside northbound lane is being shut down at Dean Creek, according to the CHP Traffic Incident Information Page. According to a Cal Fire employee at the scene, the flames…
Clam Beach to Offer Free Beach Wheelchairs
Starting Aug. 1, visitors to Clam Beach with mobility challenges will have free access to two new beach wheelchairs, according to a Humboldt County press release. Beach wheelchairs feature large, wide wheels that can effectively roll across sand. Although some are motorized (and therefore self-propelled), these require the user to be accompanied by an attendant…
Red Flag Warning: Wildfires Possible in Northeast Humboldt County
National Weather Service Eureka has issued a Red Flag Warning for a small sliver of Humboldt county (as well as Del Norte, Siskiyou and Trinity counties) from noon to 10 p.m. today. “An upper disturbance, coupled with increased instability and moisture, will lead to scattered thunderstorms across portions of Trinity and Siskiyou counties this afternoon…
EPA: Eureka Seafood Processing Plant Fined $75K Over Sewage Violations
Seafood processing plant Pacific Seafoods-Eureka will pay a $74,500 penalty for discharging wastewater into the City of Eureka’s sewer system, according to a press release from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). “During a 2018 inspection with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board and Eureka’s Public Works Department, EPA found the company discharged…
Should I Quit My Job? California Parents Grapple with Education in a Pandemic
They worry about who will care for the children and how far their education will slide. They anxiously await details on what distance learning will actually look like this fall, hopeful but skeptical that there will be more structure and support than a spring of crisis education that left many dissatisfied. They’re furiously networking on…
Milepost 21 Fire Update – 83 Percent Contained
A fire burning south of Weitchpec is close to containment according to a press release from the California Interagency Incident Management Team 11 (CIIMT 11). The Milepost 21 Fire on the Hoopa Valley Reservation, burning since July 20, is close to containment today at 83 percent and remains at 100 acres. Full containment is expected this evening.…
City Asking Eureka Residents to Extend, Increase Local Sales Tax
Eureka voters will decide in November whether to extend an existing local sales tax at an increased rate to bolster the city’s cash-strapped coffers hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. If passed, the yet-to-be-named measure will increase the transaction tax to 1.25 percent — up from the current 0.5 percent originally approved by voters in…
Sinclair TV Stations Peddle Debunked COVID Conspiracy Theories
UPDATE: While the controversial America This Week segment had been slated to run on KAEF’s 11 p.m. broadcast today, Sinclair has decided to hold it for further review, according to North Coast News’ Nazy Javid. “Our parent company further reviewed this week’s planned episode of ATW and has decided to delay its airing for one…
EPD Identifies Man Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting
The Eureka Police Department identified the man killed in an officer-involved shooting Thursday night as John Karl Sieger. He was 51. According to a news release, the names of the officers involved will be publicly released by Aug. 3 and the Humboldt County Multi-Agency Critical Incident Response Team is investigating the shooting at EPD’s request.…
Update: Traffic Diverted to Avenue of the Giants; Fire on 101 Near Myers Flat
Flames are licking up the side of a steep hillside just north of Myers Flat along Hwy 101. According to the pilot of an air attack plane circling about 6:35 p.m., the fire is about one acre and moving at a moderate rate of speed. A PG&E worker began fighting the fire first and there…
Bear River Casino Responds to News That an Employee Tested Positive for COVID-19, LoCo Reports
The Lost Coast Outpost is reporting that Bear River Casino has responded to news that a casino employee tested positive for COVID-19. Read the casino’s full response here.
Two New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed, County Threat Level Raised to ‘High Risk’
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed two new COVID-19 cases today, making 24 for the week, and the Joint Information Center raised the county’s overall alert level to 3. The county alert level — which ranges from Level 1 to Level 4 — is based on three factors officials believe help gauge individual and community risk:…
Newsom Releases ‘Playbook’ to Help Businesses Navigate COVID-19
Gov. Gavin Newsom has released a state “employer playbook” that will assist employers with in-depth guidance to navigate reopening and responding to COVID-19 outbreaks in the workplace, the county Joint Information Center said in a release. The playbook includes detailed information to support employers with identifying cases, communicating about positive cases to their employees and…
JIC: “Bars and Dine-In Restaurant Closures Remain in Effect”
The Humboldt County Joint Information Center would like to remind residents that all bar and dine-in restaurant closures are still in effect throughout the county per state orders. According to a release, the JIC has received multiple calls regarding “false texts and news reports announcing the reopening of bars and dine-in restaurants,” and says that…
HSU Donors Give Over $150,000 in Emergency Support for Students
Humboldt State University donors have donated $158,000 to the university’s emergency relief funds, which help ensure students continue their path to higher education and provides much needed assistance, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. When the pandemic hit students at the university lost wages, had housing changes and transitioned to online learning. The emergency funds have provided students…
Fire in Hoopa Now 100 Acres and 43 Percent Contained
The Hoopa Valley fire at Mile Post 21 that began on July 20 is now estimated to be 100 acres and is 43 percent contained “with minimal, creeping and smoldering fire behavior reported overnight,” states a release from the Hoopa Valley Tribe. According to the release, the fire is staying in place on steep slopes east…
Eureka Street Art Festival Announces Artists for Third Annual Event
This year’s Eureka Street Art Festival (Aug. 10-15), which will include a virtual component due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will feature 12 new murals and eight sidewalk poetry installations in the Henderson Center neighborhood (E and F Streets between Henderson and Harris) by Humboldt County and California artists alike. According to a release, four of the…
Westhaven’s Blackberry Pie Fire Sale
If you’re missing the annual Westhaven Wild Blackberry Festival, which is canceled due to COVID-19 this year, help is on the way: The Westhaven Ladies Club will be selling its stockpile of 450 frozen blackberry pies for $20 a pop on Sunday, July 26 starting at 10 a.m. It’s help for the Westhaven Volunteer Fire Department,…
Eureka Police Fatally Shoot Reportedly Armed Suicidal Man
Eureka police shot and killed a reportedly suicidal man last night after he allegedly leveled a firearm at officers, according to a press release from the Eureka Police Department. Officers were dispatched to a residence in the 2800 block of Lowell Street at 5:18 p.m. to a report of a man making suicidal threats via…
Shooting in Eureka Sends One to Hospital
A man was shot in Eureka this evening, possibly in an altercation with police. Law enforcement sent reverse 911 calls to residents in the area of Lowell and Henderson near St. Bernard’s Academy in Eureka, asking residents to shelter in place as officers attempted to deal with a distraught individual shortly before 8 p.m. At…
NCJ Preview: Early Prison Releases, Socially Distant Hikes and Lao Dishes on the Menu
This week we’re taking a tour around the county with photographer Mark Larson, who’s turned socially distant hiking into a mission. We’re also looking at how Public Health and parole staff are handling the logistics and health concerns regarding early release for state prisoners. And if you’ve been waiting for Lao food to show up…
Public Health Confirms Three New COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health has confirmed another three positive COVID-19 cases today, making 22 so far this week and an even 70 for the month. To date, the county has seen 203 local cases, including 17 hospitalizations and four fatalities, all of them of residents at Alder Bay Assisted Living. Humboldt County’s recent spike in…
Rio Dell Volunteer Corp Distributes PPE Supplies to Local Businesses
The Rio Dell Volunteer Corp is distributing personal protective equipment supplies to the city’s small businesses. According to a release, the supplies were secured by the Governor’s Office of Emergency Services and the Arcata Economic Development Corporation. The city will also be supplying businesses with bilingual placards with information regarding masking requirements. “I want to…
Huffman Supports Legislation Blocking Federal Paramilitary Occupations in Portland and Other Cities
North Coast Congressmember Jared Huffman announced his support for the recently introduced Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America’s Streets Act, a bill that would block the Trump Administration from deploying federal forces on protestors. The bill is led by Oregon representatives Earl Blumenauer and Suzanne Bonamici and U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, and…
Abundance or Shortage? Newsom and Hospitals at Odds Over Mask Supply for Health Care Workers
Months into the coronavirus pandemic, California is stockpiling masks for a future wave of infections even as hospitals say they still don’t have enough to protect workers from the deadly virus. Newsom blamed the shortage on hospitals — saying they are not adequately distributing supplies the state has provided — and vowed to more aggressively…
Modernization of the DMV Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
Since the pandemic hit the nation in March, the California Department of Motor Vehicles has upgraded its services to meet the needs of today’s new normal of physical distancing and sheltering in place. According to a release, since March, the DMV has made it easier to make an online account, expanded DMV Express throughout California,…
Extrication Needed After Crash on 299
A single vehicle rolled over and one person is trapped in the vehicle at mile marker 33 on State Route 299, according to a report a CHP officer at the scene made to dispatch. The first call came in about 9:40 a.m. The dispatcher sent multiple agencies to the incident. An ambulance is responding. At…
Fire Near Weitchpec Threatens ‘Cultural Resources’
Although the MP-21 fire burning about 2 miles south of Weitchpec remained mostly quiet yesterday, a California Incident Management Team (IMT 11) assumed command this morning. According to the Northern California Geographic Coordination Center, the fire that started Monday morning remains at about 150 acres burning through timber and brush and is 30 percent contained.…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “The creation of the world did not take place once and for all time, but takes place every day.” Aries playwright Samuel Beckett made that observation, and now I’m passing it on to you as you glide into an extra-creative phase of your astrological cycle. I hope you will regard Beckett’s…
A Walk Around the County
Sheltering in place since March 11 has been a challenge for my wife, Sydney, and me. We’re both in “at risk” categories due to age and we greatly miss our daily face-to-face yoga classes, the gym and many other “normal” activities as we hunker down at home with only a once-a-week trip to the North…
Hunan Restaurant’s Chinese and Lao Revival
Back in January, Ronnie Worasen was walking through the empty kitchen of Hunan Restaurant (2912 E St., Eureka), rattling off the changes he was planning, from painting the dining room to updating the menu. Behind him, his father John Worasen was shaking a blackened wok over a flame, testing out the dishes they’d be serving…
Keeping it Toxic Under COVID
For many of us, the last few months have meant a sometimes rocky transition to working from home, either with the distractions of family or in grim isolation, all under the psychic strain of a global pandemic. Maintaining communication, productivity and a sense of teamwork among remote staff is an even greater challenge for management…
Trouble Man
JOHN LEWIS: GOOD TROUBLE. A friend at work turned to me yesterday, unprompted, and said “Well, are you ready to become a martyr in the second American revolution?” He asked half in jest but my inability to answer immediately still troubles me. Even as protests for racial justice and against sanctioned murder by police continue…
The Advocacy of Respect
For years I’ve been kvetching and moaning over the woes of America and the world in general: conflict over immigration and climate change, terrorism and mass shootings, plastics accumulating in our oceans, the whole cluster of issues around homelessness, alcohol and drug addiction, mental illness, social-versus-personal responsibility. And with America increasingly polarized by the “Us-versus-Them”…
‘A Reasonable Sacrifice’
Editor: Supervisor Rex Bohn, who has long supported our youth baseball league, spoke at the last Board of Supervisors meeting to growing economic fear in the small business community due to the impacts of the Coronavirus. As to our recent spikes in cases (eight in one day), Teresa Frankovich, the county’s health officer, said the county is seeing more…
‘Utter Ignorance’
Editor: Apparently it doesn’t faze Supervisor Rex Bohn to betray his utter ignorance of government. In the article, “Closed … Again,” he is quoted responding to Sheriff William Honsal’s statement that many businesses have to close again. Sounding like a sixth grader learning civics, Bohn asks, “Does the governor really have the power to do…
‘Doomed’
Editor: Regarding the July 16 story “Closed … Again,” I fear that we are doomed. I had to use the Burree Laundromat yesterday. Despite big signs on both sets of doors, and an attendant who tried to enforce it, five customers blundered in while I was there (perhaps two hours in duration) without any mask,…
Don’t Blame Trump
Editor: I realize that in California it’s de rigueur to blame Trump for everything that’s wrong in the world, COVID -19 is no exception, but even our so-called experts can’t agree what to do about it (Mailbox, July 16). However, no doubt if Biden wins in November the crisis will fade away. Also one should take the…
Blame Trump
Editor: “Agent Orange” said if we slow down testing, we will have less Covid-19. If we ingest Lysol, we will avoid the Trumpflu. After all, it is a hoax. Just a Dem plot to get rid of him. Whatever this pandemic is, it has been handled very poorly by this administration. The narcissistic bully in…
Correction
Due to incorrect information provided by PG&E to the Journal, an article in the July 16 edition headlined “PG&E: Future Power Shutoffs to be Shorter, Smaller, Smarter” presented preliminary details about how California Foundation for Independent Living Centers resources will be coordinated in Humboldt County as finalized. Those plans are still being finalized. The Journal regrets…
Vote!
Editor: It’s official! All registered voters in the State of California will receive a ballot in the mail for the Nov. 3 election, even if they didn’t check the vote-by-mail box on their voter registration application (“The Biggest Challenge,” July 2). To be ready to vote, make sure your mailing address is correct, and it…
NEOWISE
A faithless comet promised luck To Bonaparte’s far-reaching eye. The wavering Creeks watched, thunderstruck, Tecumseh, pointing to the sky. Pantribalism! Slavs undone! The comet passed behind the sun. In his Pleasure Garden sits An old man, talking with a bird. Beyond the roses, Covid spits On the vast, unruly herd. Sounds of the Space Force…
NEOWISE Comet
Months of Pandemic And now this Comet, Beneath the Big Dipper. One faint light stroke Is apparently moving Nowhere in particular. Billions of Stars Appear indifferent, As my mind races. Calm it down Is now my motto Racing into the night. Kirk Gothier
