Cover Story
Sondra Kirtley Scraps Her Way to Happiness
Fortuna native Sondra Kirtley had an associate’s degree in business administration from the College of the Redwoods in her back pocket when she left home to attend California State University Chico. She was serious when she told her mother that she would never move back. “Humboldt is too boring,” she recalls thinking. Yet somehow on…
A Feast of Crab at Trinidad Bay Eatery
Is there any greater luxury than a delicate mouthful of sweet Humboldt Dungeness crab that’s been picked for you? Or finding a finger of leg meat intact or the trembling point of a claw on your fork? What about on your fries? The Crabby Fries at Trinidad Bay Eatery and Gallery began as a fun…
Humboldt’s First Robotics Team Competes in Tech Challenge
On Jan. 31, 2026, the Cyber Tigers, a six-person squad from Arcata High School, traveled to Roseville to put their own designed and built robot to the test. FIRST Robotics competitions provide students an opportunity to work collaboratively and solve problems creatively under real-world constraints. These competitions have been described as “Division 1 sport for…
Ben Hurd’s Christmas Tree Farm Finale Raises Over $26,000 for Hospice of Humboldt
Hospice of Humboldt is deeply grateful to “Ben’s Bunch” and the Humboldt County community for making the final season of Ben Hurd’s Christmas Tree Farm a remarkable success, raising $26,179.91 in support of compassionate hospice and palliative care services in our local community. The beloved tree farm, a longtime holiday tradition in Arcata, opened its…
Cal Poly Humboldt Launches McKinleyville Economic Development Study
This interdisciplinary project brings together students and faculty from Business, Recreation Administration, Economics, Psychology, Environmental Resources Engineering and Geography. Together the team is examining economic conditions, infrastructure, community amenities, and quality-of-life factors to better understand opportunities and challenges facing McKinleyville, one of the fastest-growing communities on the North Coast. A central component of the study…
Humboldt Association of Realtors Installs 2026 Officers and Honors 2025 Award Recipients
The Humboldt Association of Realtors® (HAR) proudly held its Annual Installation of Officers on January 10, 2026, celebrating the leadership transition of its Board of Directors and recognizing outstanding achievements within the local real estate community. During the installation ceremony, Alissa Woods of Wells Commercial Real Estate & Investments was sworn in as President of…
Community Leader Sharrone Blanck Joins HAF+WRCF Board
Humboldt Area Foundation + Wild Rivers Community Foundation announced that Sharrone Blanck is the newest member of its board of directors. Blanck joins the board during a time of renewed focus and dedication to serving the local community. In its most recent fiscal year, the Foundation awarded $13.5 million in grants, including $967,000 in scholarships.…
Y.E.S. Volunteers Commemorate MLK Day with a Spirit of Service
To honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of unity and service, Cal Poly Humboldt students, faculty, and staff, along with local organizations, volunteered their time on Monday to make a meaningful impact. In 1983, legislation was signed to recognize the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as a federal holiday. Then, in…
Serve the Community on the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee
If you are interested in issues affecting the greater McKinleyville area, consider applying to serve on the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee (MMAC). The MMAC advises the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on matters related to the community in McKinleyville. The committee is responsible for gathering community input and commenting on matters related to county services,…
Redwood Capital Bancorp Appoints New Senior Vice President
Redwood Capital Bancorp, the only locally owned and operated community bank holding company in Humboldt County, announced that Jennifer P. Budwig, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has been appointed to the Boards of Directors of both Redwood Capital Bancorp (the “Company”) and Redwood Capital Bank (the “Bank”), effective January 21, 2026. Ms. Budwig…
More Than $300,000 in College Scholarships Now Available for North Coast Students
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) announced today that scholarship applications are now being accepted for college-bound high schoolers as well as current college and continuing education students with a primary residence in PG&E’s service area in Northern and Central California. More than $300,000 is available through scholarships created and funded by PG&E’s 11 employee…
Peggy Murphy to Serve as Humboldt County’s New Economic Development Director
The County of Humboldt is excited to announce that Peggy Murphy will serve as the new Director of Humboldt County’s Economic Development Division. Peggy Murphy brings more than 10 years of experience to her new role as Humboldt County’s Director of Economic Development, including the past five years with the county’s Economic Development Division. Most…
Redwood Coast Energy Authority Launches New Program
The Redwood Coast Energy Authority (RCEA) is proud to announce the launch of its new Supporting Our Community Program, designed to provide financial sponsorships, in-kind support, and staff expertise to nonprofit organizations and community-based efforts throughout Humboldt County. The Supporting Our Community Program will officially open for requests on January 27, 2026. The new program…
Willow Creek Winter Photo Contest
Capture the quiet beauty and shifting light of winter in the Willow Creek Region — from glowing horizons and frosted landscapes to everyday moments, wildlife, nighttime scenes, and maybe even a Bigfoot braving the cold. Entries are open from January 1 through 11:59 p.m. March 20. Prizes: First Place $150. Second Place $75. Third Place…
Suzanne Fovargue Retires from Eureka Natural Foods
For 40 years, Suzanne has dedicated has dedicated herself to serving the community through her work at Eureka Natural Foods. The Wellness department has been her labor of love. She has crafted an impressive curated selection of supplements built from her unparalleled knowledge in the field and unwavering dedication to sourcing quality products. One of…
