Maze of Measures
Your guide through the ins and outs of nine local ballot measures facing voters in November
NCJ Archive: Bring on the Bugs
Editor’s Note: It’s that time of year again, the pumpkin spiders (aka cross orb weavers) are back. And while the world around us may seem a bit, well, scary right now, at least nature is staying the course by delivering up a cadre of crawling critters just in time for Halloween. So, here’s a story…
NCJ Archives: The Haunting of Carson Mansion
Editor’s Note: With Halloween just around the corner, here’s a blast from the past story (October of 2010) about Eureka’s landmark Carson Mansion, which is not only one of the most photographed Victorian homes in the United States, but also a muse of sorts, in a creepy sort of way. As the haunted holiday approaches…
Local Luthier’s ‘Pawn Star’-dom
Wolf Navarro knows everything about guitars. Well, that’s what somebody told the producers of Pawn Stars, anyway. Navarro doesn’t make that claim himself but when a mutual friend from the NFL/custom car reality show Tackle My Ride shared a photo of the Humboldt guitar craftsman’s work, landing him an interview with the Pawn Stars folks,…
Power Shutoff Expected to Hit Humboldt Areas
PG&E announced today that plans for a Public Safety Power Shutoff are going forward due to a forecasted high wind event coupled with low humidity. An estimated 187 Humboldt customers in the Bridgeville, Blocksburg and Alderpoint areas are expected to be affected beginning around 4 p.m. tomorrow and lasting through until 10 p.m. Friday. More…
Humboldt Sees Largest Single Day COVID Case Count in October
Public Health reported eight new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, the largest single day number in a month, bringing the county’s total to 542. “This commitment to each other’s health and well-being is a testament to the character of our community,” County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich said. “As the state just released guidance for limited gatherings…
Stabbing on L Street in Eureka
According to Sgt. Eddie Wilson of the Eureka Police Department, a physical altercation occurred on the 300 block of L Street this afternoon during which one man was stabbed. About 2:20 p.m., according to the scanner, officers arrived at the scene of the incident. One officer located the victim with a stab wound and another person…
2020 Census Deadline Tomorrow
If you haven’t filled out the 2020 U.S. Census, you still have time. The last day for the 2020 census is tomorrow, Oct. 15 at 11:59 p.m. Hawaii time (2:59 a.m. on Oct. 16 in California). The census is a data collection of the U.S. population that’s administered every 10 years, it’s used to determine…
About that Mountain Lion Video …
Chances are most people have seen — or at least heard about — the now viral video of a Utah man who went for a run in a Provo canyon and ended up finding himself face to face with a very angry mama mountain lion. For six tense and profanity-laced minutes, Kyle Burgess kept filming…
Woman’s Remains Found at Garberville Brush Fire
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has launched a homicide investigation after the burned remains of a woman were found Oct. 9 near Garberville on a South Fork Eel River bar. According to a news release, CalFire personnel responding to a brush fire discovered the remains after putting it out. “The remains were collected and an…
Progress on the August Complex
August Complex total: 1,029,110 acres and 76 percent containment The Northeast Zone is at 270,336 acres and 60 percent containment. Incoming winds are expected to push the fire in this section, which had relatively low activity yesterday, back into the main fire area and the potential of new spread is considered low, according to today’s…
Spartans Heading Back Down South
The Spartans are heading home tomorrow after a brief stay in Arcata following word from Santa Clara County Public Health that the San Jose State University football team was cleared to practice back in the Bay Area. According to a Tuesday night news release from Humboldt State University, the 140-member entourage of players, coaches and…
Some Humboldt Residents in Scope of PG&E Power Shutoff
The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services posted an announcement on its Facebook page tonight warning that some parts of Humboldt are in the scope of a potential PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff. “PG&E has released updated Public Safety Power Shutoff information indicating likely power-shutoffs to communities along Alderpoint Road from Highway 36 to Fort…
Humboldt Remains in State’s ‘Minimal’ COVID Tier, Numbers Improve
Public Health reported one new confirmed COVID-19 case today, bringing the county’s total to 534, and an additional hospitalization. Under state data released today, Humboldt remains in the “minimum” risk tier with a test positivity rate of 0.7 percent and an adjusted case rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people, an improvement from last week’s 1.5…
Slater-Devil Fires: Acreage Holding, Containment Up Slightly
Acreage is holding and containment is up slightly in fire crews’ battle with the Slater-Devil fires. The Slater Fire, burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers and Rogue-Siskiyou National Forests in Siskiyou and Del Norte Counties in California and Josephine County in Oregon, currently stands at 156,417 acres and 78 percent containment and the Devil Fire in the the…
August Complex: Humboldt County Evacuation Warnings Lifted
Evacuation warnings in Humboldt County related to the August Complex Fire have been lifted for Zone HA and Zone HB, the Humboldt County Sheriff Office of Emergency Services announced today. This includes areas east of Bell Springs Road to the Trinity County line and south of Pipe Creek to the Mendocino County line, and South of Fort Seward…
State Says Weddings May Resume, No Receptions
The State of California has released guidance to assist residents in safely planning wedding ceremonies during the COVID-19 pandemic. A press release from the Humboldt County Joint Information Team states that under new state guidance, wedding ceremonies may resume with COVID-19 safety measures in place, but wedding receptions are not allowed yet. For more, read…
Red Salmon Complex: ‘Critical Fire Conditions’ Ahead
Clear skies on Monday helped aircraft aid crews working to suppress the fire along the eastern flank of the Red Salmon Complex, which is currently holding at 141,820 acres and 60 percent containment. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Wednesday and Thursday as weather this week turns warmer, drier and windier. Temperatures will increase…
Eureka, Arcata Top Humboldt’s COVID Case Count
Public Health reported four new confirmed COVID-19 cases since Friday, bringing the county’s total to 533. Two new hospitalizations were also reported. The Humboldt County Data Dashboard now includes hospitalization rates by age group, death rates by age group and case totals by ZIP code, the latter of which will be reported in “a range…
No Reports of ‘Unofficial’ Ballot Drop Boxes in Humboldt
Humboldt County Registrar of Voters Kelly Sanders told the Journal in an email today that she has not heard any local reports of unofficial ballot drop boxes surreptitiously appearing in the region, like the ones showing up in the southern ends of the state. Two California officials, including the secretary of state, have deemed the…
Rain Helps Red Salmon Complex
Recent rains helped firefighters work on the Red Salmon Complex, with containment shifting from 40 percent to 55 percent. Air crews were looking today to continue to take advantage of clear skies to assist those efforts as fire officials remind the public not to hinder those flights by using drones in the area, which is…
Fire Weather Watch Issued
The Eureka office of the National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for eastern areas of Humboldt County starting late Wednesday into Friday due to forecasts of high winds and low humidity. Upper slopes and ridges above 2,000 feet are expected to be affected, with east and northeast winds in the 15 to…
Attempted Carjacking, Lack of Gas Led to Murder Suspects’ Arrests
Two murder suspects wanted in Washington state were arrested in Humboldt County on Oct. 10 — one after running out of gas in Redway and the other after reportedly trying to carjack a local car dealership owner at gunpoint during a purported test drive. According to a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office news release, Matthew Collett,…
August Complex: Drier Warmer Weather Expected this Week
August Complex: 1,028,801 acres and 75 percent contained In the West Zone, fire activity was minimal overnight as patchy fog moved into the area, which has transitioned into a mop up phase, and the Northwest zone held within its current footprint, according to today’s update. Crews are working to remove hazardous trees and other potential…
Slater-Devil Fires: Mop ups, Patrols Continue
Slater Fire: 156,417 acres and 75 percent containment Removing hazardous trees between Takilma and Happy Camp remains a high priority, along with inhibiting the fire’s spread west by securing edge along the Knopki and Chicago Creek drainages near Sanger Peak. On the southern portion, patrols, mops up and work on containment lines near Happy Camp…
UPDATE: Washington Murder Suspects Arrested in Humboldt
UPDATE: Read an update on the arrests of the murder suspects, one of which includes a reported attempted carjacking in Samoa, here. PREVIOUS: Yesterday afternoon, a pink car out of gas and an interaction with a helpful Garberville-based CHP officer led to the arrest of a couple suspected in the kidnapping and murder of 31-year-old…
A Love Story for the Stages
With stages and shows dark, what are a couple of theater kids to do? For local actors, Evan Needham and Caroline McFarland, creativity burns in them and so doth the fire of love and, COVID be damned, both must be expressed! With their show Hamlet at North Coast Repertory Theatre on hiatus, a shared love of Shakespeare…
No Air Advisories Today, Smoky Conditions Expected to Return
Humboldt, Del Norte and Trinity counties, impacted by several wildfires, will see ‘good’ to ‘good to moderate’ air quality conditions and no air advisories today, according to a press release from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District. The winds and rain the region experienced yesterday cleared out smoke that has been stuck in low-lying areas…
Fire Updates: Rains Helped, Drying Trend and Warmer Weather Ahead
August Complex — 1,028,529 acres, 74 percent containment Rains fell across much of the fire area yesterday providing much-needed moisture, up to one-quarter of an inch, according to this morning’s update. “This was by no-means a season-ending event, and the fire is still active. Starting today and continuing for the next several days the chance of rain…
![[UPDATE 10:46 A.M.] Vehicle Rolled Over With Ejection on 101 Near Arcata](https://i0.wp.com/www.northcoastjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/car-crash-by-mark-nelson.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
[UPDATE 10:46 A.M.] Vehicle Rolled Over With Ejection on 101 Near Arcata
Around 10 a.m., a white vehicle rolled over and back onto its wheels on southbound Hwy 101 in the Arcata area near 14th Street. One patient was ejected from the vehicle. An ambulance is responding to the crash. Southbound traffic is snarled in the area. Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject…
Cooperation Humboldt to Take on Local Food Guide Publication
Locally Delicious, a nonprofit organization that works to support a sustainable local food system, has produced the Local Food Guide since 2017. Established as a resource for the community to access information about local, organic and freshly prepared foods, the guide lists Humboldt County farms, bakeries, markets and more. It’s designed to help visitors and…
Fire Updates: Winds Expected to Increase Fire Activity
Red Salmon Complex — 141,129 acres, 36 percent containment With the cooler weather and gusty southwest and west winds today, the smoke that has lingered throughout the week is expected to clear temporarily. In the north and northeast flank crews will improve, monitor and maintain structure protection systems around the communities of Godfrey, Blue Ridge and Black…
County Offices Closed Monday
Humboldt County offices will be closed on Monday, Oct. 12, for staff training on subjects like the Americans with Disabilities Act, ethics, discrimination, sexual harassment and more. According to the release, this will mark the fifth straight year of the mandatory training. County offices will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Read the full…
Food for People Rebuilds
Food for People is rebuilding its main site after the building faced devastating sewer damage in February. “Following the sewer disaster that occurred at Food for People’s main site earlier this year they are moving forward with plans to rebuild creating a food bank facility that will ensure every person in Humboldt County in need can…
HSU: No Confirmed COVID Cases in San Jose Football Entourage
None of the San Jose State University football team members who are living and practicing at Humboldt State University came back positive for COVID-19 in three rounds of testing to date, including right before their arrival in Arcata and within 72 hours of setting foot on campus, according to a news release. A third round…
County Confirms One New COVID-19 Case, State Releases Social Gathering Guidelines
Public Health reported one new confirmed COVID-19 case again today, bringing the county’s total to 529. The county also revamped its risk assessment tool to better align with the state’s tiered system, which earlier this week upgraded Humboldt County to “minimal” risk due to the county being the only one in California to meet a new…
Fire Crews Thankful for Increased Humidity, Hope for Weekend Rain
While an unhealthy air advisory remains in effect for eastern Humboldt County, including Willow Creek, Hoopa and Orleans, coastal areas caught some blue sky today with hopes that conditions will improve through the weekend. “Westerly winds are expected to pick up this afternoon and push smoke to the east,” reads a press release from the…
HSU President on Personal Leave Following Son’s Death
Humboldt State University informed the campus community this morning that President Tom Jackson Jr. “has stepped away from his presidential duties” temporarily but indefinitely following the Oct. 6 death of his 22-year-old son TJ Jackson in a car crash in South Dakota. Vice President of University Advancement Frank Whitlatch will serve as acting president through…
Vigil for Missing, Murdered Indigenous People
Dozens gathered in front of the federal building in Fortuna calling for answers and justice for the thousands of murdered and missing Indigenous people from the North Coast and across the nation. Many at the Wednesday night vigil held signs, some bearing messages such as “We Need Answers” and “No More Stolen Sisters,” while others…
State Re-certifies Needle Exchange Program, with Limitations
The Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction has been recertified by the state of California to provide needle exchange services in all of Humboldt County, with the excepting of the city of Eureka, where the nonprofit is based. The state’s decision to recertify the controversial program comes after the Eureka City Council sent a letter…
County Sees 1 Confirmed Case Today
Public Health reported one new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county’s total to 528. The county’s overall alert level is now at one or the “new normal” risk level green, which is defined as cases being somewhat sporadic with contact tracing being a way to control the virus’ spread along with enhanced everyday precautions.…
Air Quality Advisory Issued; Fire Updates
The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District has issued an advisory for Orleans, Weithcpec, Hoopa and Willow Creek until tomorrow morning. According to today’s report, Weitchpec, Hoopa and Willow Creek will see very unhealthy air quality while Orleans will see unhealthy air quality. Meanwhile, areas from Rio Dell to Trinidad will see unhealthy air…
Humboldt Begins Health Officer Hiring Process
Humboldt County has officially begun the process of finding its next health officer, having posted the job opening and set dates for candidate interviews next month. Health Officer Teresa Frankovich, who stepped into the then part-time position in January before the COVID-19 pandemic morphed it into one of the most high-profile, important and intensive jobs…
Maze of Measures
When local residents get their ballots in the mail this week, they’ll face a bevy of choices. In addition to the race for the White House dominating all national airwaves and news sites, there are a dozen statewide propositions and races to represent in the North Coast in Congress and the California Assembly, not to…
Falling For Gooseberries
When my friend Debbi told me she was busy making gooseberry jam one evening, I had a vivid image of goose-shaped berries dangling on a vine. Although I still haven’t seen the actual plant, I have been enjoying the cape gooseberries from the farmers market. I learned about their health benefits, such as possibly helping…
‘Their Success is our Success’
Football is returning to Humboldt State University’s Redwood Bowl but it’s not without controversy and will likely do little to appease Lumberjack fans who frantically fundraised and networked in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the school from axing the sport two years ago. HSU announced Sept. 30 that it would be “partnering” with San Jose…
History and Mystery
Zooming from London, W.E. Roberts said of his new novel The Rivers, which is set in Humboldt County, “The book was written because I’m an actor, because I like a good story and I thought there was a story there,” Roberts explained, leaning forward into the screen. “I’m really an actor who came to writing…
A Long, Funny Goodbye
DICK JOHNSON IS DEAD. Netflix, as both bellwether and arbiter of contemporary taste, has long led the drive to popularize and, at least to some extent, legitimize documentary movies in the mainstream. Not that the medium needed legitimizing among movie nerds, of course, but established norms have traditionally pushed all but the noisiest documentaries to…
We Know Why
Editor: The New York Times has told us why Trump is so anxious to get re-elected (Pro-Trump Caravan Winds Through Humboldt,” posted Oct. 3). Twenty years of Trump tax info tells us that he is facing a devastating financial future as soon as he is out of office. He is hundreds of millions in debt…
‘Impossible to Breathe’
Editor: This is a humanitarian plea (NCJ Daily, Oct. 1). For the last several days, the air quality in Hoopa has been over 500 points (see purpleair.com). The scale for pollution tops out at 500 so it must be nearly impossible to breathe there. I am requesting that the cities of Arcata and Eureka, surrounding towns,…
‘Really?!’
Editor: The Oct. 2 San Francisco Chronicle has an Associated Press item about 135 players and staff of San Jose State University’s football team coming here for pre-season football practice (“After COVID Restricts Contact Sports in Santa Clara County, HSU Provides Space for San Jose State University Football Team to Practice,” posted Sept. 30). Really?!…
An Ounce of Prevention…
Editor: Thank you for the high rates of trauma article (“Reaching for Resilience,” Oct. 1). The program at McKinleyville Middle School is a wonderful effort, albeit intervention — helping children after they experience trauma — when their brains have suffered trauma integration in the psyche, becoming far more difficult to treat and alleviate. We must start early childhood trauma prevention and treatment programs. As an Early Childhood educator, I have run into walls trying to…
‘Never Guessed’
Editor: Thank you so much for this story on Bob Talmadge (“The Red Streak,” Oct. 1). As a Trinidad resident who watched his children grow up with my own at Trinidad school, I had no idea of Bob’s athletic achievements. It is truly an amazing story that I would have never guessed in a hundred…
Weekend Rain Could Kickstart Coastal King Season
As the fall salmon season begins to wind down on the Klamath River, anglers will no doubt turn their attention to the late-fall coastal salmon runs. The Smith, Chetco and Eel rivers will take center stage for the next couple months. That is if we get some timely rain. The last few years, consistently targeting…
Vote!
Editor: I live in Arcata and strongly support Michael Winkler for re-election to the City Council. One of my biggest concerns for the future is climate change, and Michael stands out as someone whose impact on reducing our local carbon footprint outsizes the jurisdiction he serves. In 2005, Michael pushed our local Redwood Coast Energy…
Sound Bites
Last time, I discussed Thomas Edison and Emile Berliner, the two main protagonists in early attempts to reproduce sound. Edison invented a machine that could both record and play back sound — his earliest recording of “Mary Had a Little Lamb” on a tinfoil-wrapped cylinder dates to 1877. Edison’s phonograph had limited application, mostly as…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “A person’s best ally is someone who takes care of herself,” says actress Susan Clark. I heartily agree. The people with whom you can cultivate the most resilient bonds and most interesting synergy are those who have a high degree of self-sufficiency—those who take rigorous responsibility for themselves and treat themselves…
