Cover Story
‘Bringing Balance Back’
The Wiyot Tribe’s plans to restore ceremonial structures on Tuluwat Island took a big step forward this month, when the California Coastal Commission voted unanimously to approve a coastal development permit amendment, clearing the path for construction. The project will be implemented in three phases, with the first including construction of two ceremonial dress houses…
Sandra Joan Katri: 1944-2024
Sandy was born on July 28, 1944, in Sacramento to Robert and Ida Albert. She sadly passed away on Sept. 19, 2024, at her home in Ferndale with her family by her side. Sandy was raised in Humboldt County. First living in Ferndale then moving to Fields Landing when her dad bought a commercial fishing…
William Robert “Bill” Warf: 1955-2024
William Robert Warf (Bill) met Dana, the love of his life, in 2018. They married on July 9, 2022. For six years, they shared their passion for hiking, nature and gardening on 80 wild acres. They lived in the straw-bale, solar-powered home Bill designed and built. Perched above the Pacific Ocean and nestled in trees,…
Matthew Michael Moore: 1959-2024
Matthew Michael Moore, 64, of Hoopa, passed away after a long illness on Sept. 11. He was surrounded by his loving family, partner Deb Brown, son Ian Moore and brother Mark Moore. Matthew was born Oct. 11, 1959 in Corpus Christi, Texas, to his Marine Corps fighter pilot father TR Moore and his loving mother…
After a Years-long Spike, Humboldt’s Overdose Deaths Seeing Sharp Drop
After a Years-long Spike, Humboldt’s Overdose Deaths Seeing Sharp Drop Following a nationwide trend, overdose deaths appear to have declined sharply in Humboldt County in the first months of 2024 after increasing sharply in recent years since fentanyl became pervasive. Surveys compiled by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show a 10.6-percent decline…
Fortuna Resident Killed in 299 Crash
A Fortuna resident was killed in a Saturday morning crash on State Route 299 that left another man with major injuries, according to the California Highway Patrol. In a news release, the CHP states the accident occurred at 7:30 a.m. east of Essex Lane when the driver of a Jeep traveling eastbound was reportedly unable…
Music Tonight: Sunday, Sept. 22
You know what? Let’s keep this one short, sweet, free and easy. If you like crowds and a spectacle, head to the Arcata Plaza anytime after 10 a.m. for the North Country Fair and its famous parade. If you want more intimate Sunday amusement, go to Fieldbrook Winery at noon for an afternoon with the…
Burger Week, Tuluwat Plans and Local Critters
We’re digging into NCJ Burger Week offerings and their emerging trends. We’re also looking ahead to the Wiyot Tribe’s newly approved plans for Tuluwat Island. Finally, we’ve got a tour of a dead tree and all the birds, lizards and insects that make homes in them. Hit subscribe for weekly update on Humboldt stories.
Music Tonight: Saturday, Sept. 21
Los Angeles’ Wand has been at it for north of a decade, where over five records and lots have touring have established themselves as lords of a certain perfect sound, almost impossible give justice to by means of explanation, but I’ll give it a try in the same way Carl Sagan famously showed a generation…
North Country Fair Celebrates 50 Years
Keep your fingers crossed for sunshine and join the celebration as the North Country Fair marks its 50th anniversary on Saturday, Sept. 21, and Sunday, Sept. 22, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Arcata Plaza (free). This year’s party features 175 art and craft vendors, heaps of local food booths and three lively…
Music Tonight: Friday, Sept. 20
Blu Egyptian is a Chico-based jam band that does the crossing genre streams thing more than noodling. The group has come through town a few times before and seems to have built up a decent amount of steam from steady touring, so good on ’em there. Tonight’s performance will be hosted at Humbrews at 8:30…
Music Tonight: Thursday, Sept. 19
LASKA is a harmonic folk act from Portland fronted by sisters Mookie and Hannah Morton. They’ll be coming round the mountain and stopping at the Outer Space tonight at 7:30 p.m. Also on the bill are a couple of fine local acts, rockers Queen Karma and folk punk heroes Blood Hunny. There is a $5-$20…
Speak No Evil‘s Toxic Traits
SPEAK NO EVIL. It was only after seeing this English language remake — a softer version than the 2022 original Danish film of the same title, I’m told — that I realized the Danes must be a good deal tougher and take their drama bleaker than I do (“Hell is Visiting Other People,” Sept. 22,…
‘Measure F is Right’
Editor: Your editorial on Aug. 15, “VTY, Not Rob Arkley,” got one thing right: “Ultimately, it will be up to Eurekans to decide what happens downtown.” Voters will get to vote yes on Measure F and be a city that brings more housing downtown and to Jacobs without destroying small businesses like mine in the…
‘No on F’
Editor: Like two recent letter writers to the NCJ (Mailbox, Sept. 12), I love the character of Old Town Eureka — which is why keeping it vibrant and alive, whether through Friday Night Markets or building more affordable housing, is so important to me. The anti-housing Measure F is counting on deceit and a whole…
‘Genocidal’
Editor: What if you could stop a prolonged military attack with a phone call? Someone can: Joe Biden (Mailbox, Aug. 29). The attack I’m referring to is the genocidal attack on the Gaza Strip. Genocidal is the only word that accurately describes what’s going on there. The Israeli military is destroying health centers, schools, religious centers and…
‘Shooting Ourselves in the Foot’
Editor: I read with interest the articles written by Thadeus Greenson, and I’m always amazed at how much environmentalists want to tear down everything that sustains human life (“The River Runs Free,” Sept. 12). At a time in California’s history when there is an unprecedented demand for electricity, we are conducting the greatest hydroelectric dam…
‘Ideological Bragging Rights’
Editor: Thanks for reporting on the Diablo Canyon issue now facing Redwood Coast Energy Authority (“RCEA Ponders Nuclear Power,” Sept. 12). In an effort to keep our state’s fossil fuel emissions down, California’s utility regulators have decided to keep the Diablo Canyon nuclear plant running until at least 2030. That means PG&E is now offering…
‘A Postscript’
Editor: A postscript to Thadeus Greenson’s story on Aaron Bjorkstrand (“Freeing Aaron Bjorkstrand,” Aug. 22), the cover story man rescued from prison: Leonard Peltier, who has special significance for Humboldt County. When Julia Butterfly was tree-sitting Luna, Leonard sent her a congratulatory plaque he had carved in prison. This was an occasion for a huge…
‘Thanks to Rehab’
Editor: As a former patient of St. Joseph’s Acute Rehab Unit, I recommend that Providence keep this much needed facility open (NCJ Daily, Sept. 12). The illogic of Providence’s proposal to close the unit was reported in Thadeus Greenson’s Sept. 10 article: “‘Providence just successfully lobbied to buy more time to meet seismic standards, only…
The Beating Heart of a Dead Tree
I was working in our winter vegetable garden not long ago, when l heard a deep thumping coming from one of the dead red alders nearby. I scanned the tree but did not see a woodpecker; the sound continued. A walk around the tree revealed a new hole in the trunk: The thumping heartbeat was…
When Fish Call
Every year, an old friend visits, Knocking on the morning door Before the chickens go out. Just for a day, Maybe two. The old rivers of light and heat, Much alive, cry In their thirst for night, With the promises of fading evenings liquored In the scent of blackberries, Gone stale and forgotten in the…
Mr. Blue Sky
“Hey you, with the pretty face. Welcome to the human race. A celebration, Mr. Blue Sky’s up there waiting, and today is the day we’ve waited for.” I have a funny relationship with this week’s song. There have been times when it was brightly lighting up my brain while strolling through the lees of an…
Endless Zucchini is All Right by Me
Like every year, I planted a few zucchini starters at the beginning of summer. Like every year, I mismanaged the plants and harvested nothing. An exuberant growth of leaf lettuce and arugula provided consolation — and large salads. Fortunately, zucchini and summer squash have been plentiful at farmers markets and farm stands around the county,…
The Pests of Fall
As the prime garden season winds down, you might think you wouldn’t have to deal with pests in the garden. You would be wrong. Especially after that unexpected rainfall we had a few weeks ago. Do you know what lots of rain followed by warm weather means? Yes, mosquitoes! Just when all the rain gutters,…
Blithe Spirit‘s Cast Brings the Comedy to Life
Conflicting production designs are not enough to hinder interesting directorial choices and strong acting in Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s new production of Noel Coward’s classic Blithe Spirit. Originally a British farce in three acts, director Merrick D. Yra removes an act, relocates the show to America, mutes the setting to gray and sepia tones, and plays…
David, Three Years Out
On recent a sweltering afternoon, I was fortunate enough to get a personal tour of Los Angeles City Hall. Accompanying me was my new intern who had just been released after eight years of incarceration inside juvenile hall, as well as a recently released formerly incarcerated individual working at Homeboy Industries and an employee with…
Cathedrals and Cacophony
Xiu Xiu is a band that has, for more than two decades, been the prime musical outlet for singer and multi-instrumentalist Jamie Stewart. Initially known for its DIY, bedroom-style confessional records and raucous live show histrionics, the group has over the years morphed into a solid trio, featuring fellow sound-designer Angela Seo and percussionist David…
