‘Erasure’
A blistering report highlights disparate education outcomes for Native students, need for representative curriculum
Roughly 20,000 Local Ballots Left to Count
On top of the 41,189 ballots that have already been processed, Humboldt County Registrar of Voters Kelly Sanders estimates there are roughly 20,000 ballots yet to be counted, which would represent about 71 percent of registered voters. For comparison, 60,983 Humboldt residents, or 74 percent of registered voters, cast ballots in 2016. (Find the latest…
Humboldt Still in ‘Minimal’ COVID Risk Tier as Cases Rise
Humboldt County Public Health reported six new COVID-19 cases today, which makes 21 since Friday. The cases were confirmed after laboratories processed 281 samples. To date, Humboldt County has seen 592 cases, 37 people hospitalized at some point in their COVID-19 care and 10 COVID-related deaths. California Department of Public Health data released today under…
Arcata Man Arrested in Eureka Stabbing
The Eureka Police Department has arrested an Arcata man on suspicion of attempted murder in connection with a September stabbing near West Third and Commercial streets. The victim, a 50-year-old man, suffered multiple wounds and is still recovering. According to a news release, detectives arrested Tory Tasi Parker Mamea, 27, at his residence today “based…
High Surf, Hazardous Seas and Plunging Temps Ahead This Week
Well, it’s been nice but the sunny skies and mild temperatures that Humboldt has been able to bask in all the way into November are moving over for a cold front due to arrive Thursday, bringing rain and plunging temperatures into the 40s and 50s through the weekend, according to the Eureka office of the…
Final Election Night Report Leaves Lots of Ballots Yet to be Tallied
The final election night results are in and, well, they don’t feel very final. The final election night report added another 1,890 ballots to the mix, for a running total of 41,869 counted thus far, representing about 49 percent of the county’s registered voters. But a lot of votes remain to be counted — likely…
Third Return: Ballot Tallies Continue to Trickle In
The Humboldt County Elections Office has released its third batch of results, adding nearly 1,661 ballots for a total of 39,979 votes counted thus far, representing about 47 percent of registered voters. The second return doesn’t seem to change a whole lot. In the county’s Second District supervisorial runoff, incumbent Estelle Fennell holds a slimming…
Second Return Adds About 2K Ballots to Tallies, Most Races Remain Wide Open
The Humboldt County Elections Office has released its second batch of results, adding nearly 1,956 ballots to the initial tally of more than 36,000. The second return doesn’t seem to change a whole lot. In the county’s Second District supervisorial runoff, incumbent Estelle Fennell holds a 413-vote advantage over challenger Michelle Bushnell, and holds about…
First Returns: Fennell Holds Early Lead, All Local Ballot Measures Currently Faring Well
Incumbent Second District Humboldt County Supervisor Estelle Fennell has jumped out to a seemingly strong early lead in her runoff with challenger Michelle Bushnell, taking 54 percent of the first batch of ballots reported — a batch swelled by tens of thousands of vote by mail ballots. As reported prior, it’s hard to know exactly…
As Polls Close, First Batch of Humboldt Election Results Expected Soon
Some Humboldt County voters spent hours in line at the polls today, while others simply slid their ballots into a host of drop boxes set up around the county. Still others dropped their ballot in the mail weeks ago, contributing to the 47,000 vote-by-mail ballots county Registrar of Voters Kelly Sanders told the Journal yesterday…
National Forest Area Closure for Wildfire Suppression Efforts
The Klamath and Six Rivers National Forest have issued an emergency area closure order for areas surrounding the Red Salmon Complex and areas near the Slater-Devil fires, effective Nov. 1 through Nov. 15, to help fire crews with wildfire-suppression efforts. An additional order has been issued for Six River National Forest’s portion of the Slater-Devil…
Humboldt COVID Cases Up This Week
Humboldt County Public Health reported seven new COVID-19 cases today, which makes 15 since Friday, while last week saw a total of nine cases. The cases reported today were confirmed after laboratories processed 205 samples. To date, Humboldt County has seen 586 cases, 37 people hospitalized at some point in their COVID-19 care and 10…
APD Releases Information About Assault Death Last Week
Arcata Police released the name of the man who died last week reportedly after his brother hit him on the head with a wine bottle. According to Arcata Police Sergeant Chris Ortega, a call reporting a “physical altercation between two brothers residing in the same house” came in on Monday, October 26, about 4:35 p.m.…
Shooting Near Arcata Forest Leaves Man in Critical Condition
A 37-year-old man was flown out of the area in critical condition after being shot in the neck with pellet rifle Monday while walking near West End Road and the Arcata Community Forest. Before being flown out of the area for emergency treatment, the man told first responders that he did not see the person…
What You Need to Know About Election Day
It’s Election Day, do you know where your ballot is? No matter the answer, we’ve got you covered, and you’ve got time. As of yesterday, the Humboldt County Elections Office had already received more than 47,000 vote-by-mail ballots, according to Registrar of Voters Kelly Sanders. Additionally, Sanders said 1,010 precinct ballots have been cast at…
UPDATE: Homicide Investigation in Eureka
UPDATE: A 48-year-old man found in Old Town this morning with severe injuries has died and the Eureka Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in the case, which is being investigated as a homicide. Officers arrived at the scene of J and Third streets around 11:30 a.m. to find the man with bleeding…
Eight New COVID Cases Since Friday
Humboldt County Public Health reported eight new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed since Friday, one less than all of last week, bringing the total to date to 579. The highest number of cases continue to be in the 20-39 age group, with 23.6 percent in the 20-29 grouping and 19.5 percent in the 30-39 grouping,…
Review: Mr. Bungle’s Halloween Streaming Concert
Midnight on Halloween, Pacific Standard Time, online audiences around the world were treated to a sort of homecoming. Eureka’s reigning champions of outré tunes and wild musical theatrics for three and a half decades, Mr. Bungle streamed a live concert in celebration of its newest record, The Raging Wrath of the Easter Bunny, which was…
Cold Front, Rain Headed to Humboldt
Fall weather is ahead this week, with a cold front expected to hit the region late Thursday night, according to the Eureka office of the National Weather Service. The front is expected to bring heavy to moderate rainfall to Del Norte County and parts of Northern Humboldt. “Temperatures are expected to fall drastically on Friday…
California Headed for Historic Voter Turnout
As Election Day approaches ever closer, approximately 51 percent of California’s electorate, or 11.2 million voters, have already cast their ballots — more than double the number a week ago. As more in-person polling places open, experts say the state is on track to have more votes cast than ever before. One reason is that…
Pro-Trump Motorcade Sets Off (Video)
In Fortuna this afternoon, a pro-Trump motorcade with a long line of festooned vehicles that stretched down Fortuna Boulevard, many flying Trump 2020 and American flags, started making its way across a 40 miles swath of Humboldt to McKinleyville just before Election Day. View the slideshow below. See the video below.
Death Investigation Underway in Garberville after a Body Found at the South End of Town
A death investigation is underway in Southern Humboldt after a body was located at the south end of Garberville’s main street not far from the exit from Hwy 101. According to Lt. Jesse Taylor of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, the “deceased subject [was] located in the grass.” He explained that the identity of the…
NCJ Preview: Helping Native Students and a Tale of Two Cheese Nerds
The ACLU dropped a study on Humboldt County schools and what they can do to improve the huge gaps in educational outcomes for Native students. We’ll break down the main findings and recommendations. We’re also talking about the North Coast’s new cheese podcast “Cheese the Day, ” and how a couple of “cheese nerds” might…
A Once in a Blue Moon Halloween
Everything had appeared to have aligned for Halloween this year, including its much coveted Saturday arrival complete with the treat of a full moon, the second this month. (The next time this will happen is August of 2023.) Even Humboldt County’s notoriously tricky weather is looking to be on its best behavior with a clear,…
Slater Fire Evacuation Order Lifted, No Growth for Devil Fire
According to a press release from the U.S. Forest Service, evacuation orders relating to the Slater Fire have all been lifted as of 8 a.m. today. Slater Fire 157,169 acres, 85 percent containment The release states, an infrared detection flight revealed some 74 acres of fire spread along southwestern Swan Mountain and Thompson Creek headwaters,…
Costco Brings Back Samples … to Go
For some of us, it’s the simple things from the pre-pandemic days that bring about a wistful sigh. Like the slow cruise around Costco, casually sidling up to an end-cap cart for a toothpick-impaled ravioli. Or two. (We see you.) And yet it was with some concern that word spread of the return of samples.…
Public Health Confirms Two New COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed two new COVID-19 cases today, making nine this week and a total of 571 to date. The county also reported that the state has clarified its guidance on political rallies and protests, making explicit that facial coverings are required at both. County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich said in a press…
County to Begin Reviewing Applications for Outdoor Live Performances
The state of California has released limited guidance that could allow live performances to resume in a limited capacity outdoors on the North Coast in the near future. The interim rules — which the state is expected to followed up with more thorough guidance soon — allow two types of live performances in counties in…
Increased Risk of Sneaker Waves Sunday night to Monday
The National Weather Service Eureka has issued a warning to beachgoers as a swell will bring sneaker waves on the coast Sunday night into Monday. According to NWS, periods of smaller waves will be accompanied by sudden larger waves that have the potential to sweep beachgoers into the water. NWS advises residents to not be caught…
Suspect Arrested for Illegal Burn That Caused Church Fire
The Church Fire, which began earlier this week near Highway 169, has been determined to be caused by an escaped illegal debris burn at the residency of Louie Meyers, who has been arrested for alleged reckless burning, reckless burning during a declared state of emergency and burning during a burn suspension. The vegetation fire was contained at 1…
Preparing to Fall Back, Huffman Touts Daylight Saving Bill
With Californians staring down the reality of moving their clocks back an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, North Coast Representative Jared Huffman is touting a bill he’s co-sponsoring that would allow states the option of staying on daylight savings time all year. When the clocks fall back Sunday morning, we’ll gain an hour of sleep…
Cash Blitz: A Look at Who’s Spending to Influence Your Vote for California’s Legislature
State law caps the amount donors can give to a legislator’s campaign — but these special interests can spend as much as they like mounting their own campaigns to praise or trash candidates. And the money interest groups are pouring into these “independent expenditure committees” has reached dizzying heights. So far more than $31 million…
All Ghouled Up
Humboldt County brought its A-game to the Halloween scene this year, with some spooky offerings to send chills down your spine. So beware out there and enjoy this slideshow of hauntedly inspired homes, if you dare. Want to show us what you’ve got going? Send a photo with a brief description to editor@northcoastjournal.come. Happy Halloween!
HCDTF Seize One-Fourth Pound of Meth and 1,300 Oxycodone Pills
The Humboldt County Drug Task Force seized one-fourth pound of methamphetamine and about 1,300 Oxycodone pills after serving several warrants in unincorporated areas of Eureka. The warrants were in response to “a seizure by customs agents in Peru who intercepted multiple packages containing large quantities of Oxycodone that were being shipped” to the Eureka addresses…
Voter Assistance Centers Open Saturday
All nine of Humboldt County’s Voter Assistance Centers will open this Saturday, Oct. 31, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The centers will be open to all voters for in-person voting, vote-by-mail ballot drop off, replacement ballots and same-day registration voting beginning Saturday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) through Election Day on Tuesday (7 a.m.…
Humboldt’s COVID Case Count at 569
Public Health reported one new COVID-19 case today, setting the county’s total case count at 569. Today’s results include 214 tests. To date, Humboldt County has seen 37 hospitalizations and 10 COVID-related deaths. Humboldt County continues its stay in the “minimal” risk tier under the state’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” according to California Department…
Crash at Henderson and H Street in Eureka
A multi-car collision happened about 11:10 a.m. at the intersection of Henderson and H Streets in Eureka. One woman has facial injuries. An ambulance is responding to a Code 3 (with lights and siren). H is closed at Henderson. UPDATE 11:50 a.m.: Video from Melinda Riley According to our reporter Mark McKenna who spoke to…
Stabbing in Arcata Last Night
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a stabbing in Arcata last night. According to the report, a 28-year-old man was stabbed while riding his skateboard by two unknown suspects on Upper Bay Road. He was transported to a local hospital by a friend and is expected to survive his injuries. The stabbing…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Reed Galen is an American political consultant who has worked long and hard for conservative causes. But in next week’s election, he opposes conservative Donald Trump, whom he regards as an authoritarian tyrant. He writes, “Democracy is on the ballot. It’s a binary choice between good/bad, honorable/dishonorable, healthy/sick, forward/backward. There has…
‘Erasure’
Working on the North Coast, where the American Civil Liberties Union has had an ongoing presence since 2007, when it filed a landmark class-action lawsuit against Del Norte Unified School District on behalf of Native American students, Tedde Simon says she came to see there was what she described as a “widely understood issue.” In…
Nerds and Curds
If you’ve already burned through your standing queue of true-crime podcasts, you might consider one that’s both lighter and heavier: Cheese the Day. In its most recent episode “Cheese Crimes,” the sixth produced by the North Coast Co-op, hosts Thomas Wehland and Veronica Rudolph, the respective heads of the Eureka and Arcata stores’ cheese departments,…
Grace under Fire
Artist and blacksmith Monica Coyne works in steel and her sculptures are riddled with reminders of the forge. That’s enough to make them strange. We’re used to thinking of steel as a substance that comes in identical prefab units, from I-beams and girders at construction sites to the machine-finished tools hanging on the wall at…
Haunted House 2020
In the darkness, a whisper like a branch scratching a windowpane: “Get out.” “Who’s there? What are you doing in my house?” “Get out … leave this place.” “How did you get in — did you wash your hands?” “I don’t — get out! You are not welcome here!” “I know this isn’t a gentrification…
Born Too Soon
When I was a kid, boys rode their Schwinns around Humboldt County neighborhoods, sneaked through the alleys and climbed on Main Street rooftops at night; they played pickup baseball games at the park in the summer. Each town had a sliding hill for cardboard on the dry grass, basketball courts and open gyms in Samoa…
California Halibut Still Biting
The lack of rain isn’t doing the run of late-fall kings any favors but it is keeping the California halibut fishery alive. Without an influx of freshwater from the rains and with enough food to keep them happy, there’s no reason for the halibut to leave. Though the effort has dwindled, there are still enough…
A Simpler Time
BORAT SUBSEQUENT MOVIEFILM. There is the impulse to refer to bygone times as “simpler” and, by extension, better. But the past is not always simpler than the present. I suggest this because 1) I would rather not believe that Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan (2006) was released 14…
Climate Refugees Cometh
Editor: Humboldt is beginning to take in our first climate refugees (“Cold Comfort,” Oct. 22). These are not folks from far-flung lands but from communities like Paradise and Happy Camp, scattered by climate-exacerbated fires. The climate crisis is going to make large areas of California virtually unlivable. By 2099, Sacramento is anticipated to have 24…
Strange Looks at the Beach
A trip to the beach in search of night light yielded a few views to share from Humboldt’s beautiful Pacific Coast. Though most poignant was an image of a dead skate lying on the beach (“Ray of Beauty at Moonstone Beach,” Sept. 27), its tail in the still waters of Little River where it emptied…
Untitled
Stars through bare trees And Aleutian geese. The climb to the higher dune drowns The motor sounds Lets in the surf. Across the bay 101 strung with colored lights Burning holes in the weave That keeps us watertight. Monte Merrick
