Good Fire, Bad Fire
As attitudes toward wildfire slowly change, we’re on the cusp of another hot, scary summer
Cover Story
Good Fire, Bad Fire
When Thomas Willson was little, his grandmother would send him and his two brothers outside each fall to light fires. “She’d give each of us a book of matches and we’d walk up to the top of the ridge then come back down, lighting fires all the way through the hazel brush,” Willson recalls. “There…
UPDATE: Bass Wins 4th, Kerrigan Mum on Future
Virginia Bass has won the 4th District, according to post-election results released today by the Humboldt County Elections Office. The vote tally, which includes ballots turned into the elections office and polling places on Election Day, saw Bass take 2,822 of the vote (52.05 percent), compared to Kerrigan’s 2,587. The Southern Humboldt Unified School District bond measure…
Army Corps Halts Bypass Work
If you’ve driven though Willits lately, you’ve noticed the tan swaths of fill swooping through pasture along the east side of U.S. 101 and the spindly wooden forms revealing the future configuration of the Willits Bypass. Yes, the project’s substantially underway. And yet it continues to be riddled with problems. Most recently, the Army Corps…
Tonight’s Setlist: In Which Tuesday Gets Its Ass Kicked
SoCal psychobilly veterans Henchmen vow to “kick Tuesday night’s ass” tonight at the Palm Lounge right after The Bored Again opens at 9 p.m. Unsure about the butt-whooping capabilities of these Henchmen? The clip below amply demonstrates why Tuesday night will likely lose the fight. Free, 21-and-over.
Willow Creek Hit-and-Run Victim Identified
The pedestrian killed in a hit-and-run collision in Willow Creek on Saturday has been identified as 22-year-old Manuel Alejandro Garcia. Humboldt County Deputy Coroner Roy Horton said Garcia appeared to have been walking on the shoulder of the westbound lane of State Route 299, where it makes a sweeping left-hand turn in front of Buddy’s…
Call For Info On Humboldt Marten
Have some informed thoughts on what to do about that fluffy, shy, seldom-seen, sharp-toothed critter the Humboldt marten? Perhaps a genetic study you’ve been hoarding, waiting for the right time to haul it out? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife says now’s the time to share. It’s opened a 45-day scoping session to gather yet more…
Castles Made of Sand
They say there are more grains of sand on Earth than there are stars in the sky. Besides, stars are great to gaze at, but you can’t really do much with them. Sand, on the other hand, can be made into art! The 19th Annual Sand Sculpture Festival takes to the beach on Saturday, June…
State Launches Insurance Investigation
Regulators have launched an investigation into whether Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California violated state law by misleading consumers with inaccurate provider lists, the Los Angeles Times is reporting this morning. The California Department of Managed Care has begun a review looking into provider access issues with the two insurance giants’ plans offered…
Care Home Operator Appeals Suspension
The operator of Chamberlain’s Residential Care Facility in Eureka is appealing the state’s decision to shut the home down last month and issue a temporary suspension of her license. The suspension will be permanent if the order prevails in court. The state’s order alleged that operator Gina Chamberlain violated numerous health and safety codes, including instances (specifically…
Tonight’s Setlist: Three Ways to Have a Good Time
Do you like free things? Good news — Eureka’s Summer Concert Series kicks off Thursday with Rockin’ Down the Highway from 6 to 8 p.m. and continues each week, same day, same time, different band, through Aug. 14. The dancing-in-the-street opportunity takes place at the C Street Market Square, conveniently located at the foot of…
Brinton Resigns Arcata Council Seat
Arcata City Councilman Shane Brinton has announced that he will resign his seat on the council effective tomorrow. In a brief statement at the start of Wednesday night’s council meeting, Brinton said he was stepping down to devote more time to his family, and specifically to caring for his ill mother. First elected to the…
Dancin’ in the Streets
Thursday nights are coming alive in Old Town, Eureka. From June 19 through Aug. 21, the boardwalk at the foot of C Street will be taken over by musicians for Eureka Main Street’s Summer Concert Series (free). An eclectic mix of musicians and bands are scheduled to play every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 8…
Bay Walk
My feet felt like tenderized beef and there was still a layer of sweat salt on my forehead. I had several new rips in my hiking pants and ritual scarification from aggressive blackberry canes. But, nine hours and some 16 miles later, we had arrived back where we started. Circumnavigating the northern portion of Humboldt…
At a Ross for Words
Editor: I must apologize to Ross Rowley and all the other television commercial producers in Humboldt County. Having produced my own share of “quick and stupid” local commercials, I have no right to disparage the work of others in our industry (“Bye, Folks!” May 29). During the interview, I did give kudos to the many…
In a Knot
Editor: I’m not even sure what side of the “issue” you’re taking but clearly somebody somewhere doesn’t have any understanding of how the California Massage Therapy Council works (“Mayor Jager’s Merry Massage Brigade,” June 5). Prior to its creation a few years ago, every city or county had its own regulations for massage businesses —…
Bitchfests and Love Nests
Hey McGuinty! My best friend has been with her boyfriend for a few years, and for the last year all she’s done is complain about him. He doesn’t abuse her, it’s not that. She’s just always bitching: Either he doesn’t pay her enough attention, or he’s smothering her or he’s annoying the crap out of…
Third Friday McKinleyville Arts Night
McKinleyville Arts Night is presented by members of the McKinleyville business community and is open for all McKinleyville businesses to display the work of local artists. Receptions for artists, exhibits and/or performances are from 6-8 p.m. on the third Friday of each month. Call (707) 834-6460 or visit www.mckinleyvilleartsnight.com for more information. 1) SILVER LINING…
A Councilman’s ‘Dying Declaration’
In a sworn declaration signed less than a month before his death, former Eureka City Councilman Lance Madsen claims City Attorney Cyndy Day-Wilson lied to him and tried to get another city hall department head to do the same in an effort to cover up her allegedly distributing a confidential and explosive memo to city…
Modest Proposals
It might feel like summer already, what with school getting out and Oyster Fest having happened and your friends lazing at the river (assuming they’re not too sunburned, poor things) while you’re stuck behind a keyboard typing out advice on how they should spend their nights. But technically, this Saturday is the formal ringing-in of…
The Insurance Leech
I am a local physician who has lived through some of the scenarios you describe in your article about Anthem Blue Cross and the roll out of Covered California (“Bait and Switch,” June 12), and it has been a nightmare. About half our patients have various types of insurance, so our office accepts nine different…
Pull Over
Trinity River Farm hugs Highway 96 about 2 1/2 miles north of Willow Creek. Its farm stand welcomes visitors with a “Honk for Service” sign out front. The late May sun shone brightly in the cloudless sky when I visited, but the temperature was kept to a pleasant level by a breeze that gently swayed…
PAC a Bowl
Every election cycle the specter of dark money looms, rumors of wealthy cabals silently shaping national and local races flit around the collective, politics-fried consciousness, and boogeymen lobbyists haunt the dreams of regular, down-to-earth voters in every political bloc. But politics is money. That’s just the reality, whether it’s furthering legislation or legislators. And sometimes,…
Flamingo Gulag Archipelago
With summer vacation officially kicking-off for hundreds of North Coast families, area tourist attractions are girding for an influx of eager nature-lovers. Sure to be found atop many itineraries will be the glorious sights and sounds of the Sequoia Park Incarceration Facili – er, the Sequoia Park Zoo. The first thing you’ll notice upon entering…
Doves Droning
When I was young, A two-note whistle Did the trick. Always turning heads, Making eye contact, or not … Does it ever stop?
Correction
A photo accompanying last week’s Trinidad Fish Festival preview was incorrectly attributed to Jose Quezada of the Times-Standard.
Replicants, Unite!
Two reality-bending episodes of Star Trek: the Next Generation are standouts for me. In the final scene of “Ship in a Bottle,” a glowing cube not much larger than a pack of cigarettes contains an entire universe for two digital beings (unaware that they are simulations) to explore. In “The Inner Light,” Kamin wakes from…
Double Down
Reviews 22 JUMP STREET. I find it hard to believe two years and change have passed since 21 Jump Street pleasantly surprised me with its quick-wittedness, scathingly foul mouth and flashes of emotional authenticity. It left me hopeful that something as unlikely as an ’80s cop show reboot might herald a positive change in the…
Best of the Best
There are a lot of skilled people making awesome things in Humboldt County. In celebration of our talented citizens, Redwood Acres and Humboldt Made present the Best of Humboldt Fair from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 19 through Saturday, June 21 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 22 ($11, $5,…
