‘Proactive’
Behind the decision to ban spectators from local high school sports and the ensuing backlash
Cover Stories
‘Proactive’
Well before Public Health announced the highly contagious Omicron COVID-19 variant had been confirmed to be circulating locally and reported a record 400 new cases of the virus on Jan. 3, local school administrators felt the surge coming. For days, many had been hearing of positive tests among teachers and staff, with McKinleyville Middle School…
Vaccination:
While a growing body of evidence suggests Omicron can still infect and transmit among the fully vaccinated — and even boosted — it also suggests vaccination and boosting for those eligible significantly reduces risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death. Vaccines are free and appointments can be made at local pharmacies, or by visiting www.vaccines.gov.…
Officials Say Testing Supply Shortage Will Likely Continue Amid Omicron Surge
The COVID-19 testing supply shortage will more than likely continue throughout the Omicron surge, which is expected to peak locally in one or two weeks, Humboldt County Health Officer Ian Hoffman said during a press conference today. “The big take home is if you are having trouble finding supplies, know that you are not alone,…
Public Health Confirms Record 735 New COVID-19 Cases, Three Hospitalizations
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed 735 new COVID-19 cases today and three new hospitalizations. Today’s cases follow 840 confirmed yesterday, making 1,575, already topping last week’s record 1,113. So far in January, the county has now confirmed 3,541 new cases of the virus — 24 percent of the county’s cumulative case count throughout the duration…
McGuire Named State Senate Majority Leader
North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire has a new title today — majority leader —which moves him up the Capitol ladder to the rung of second highest ranking member of the upper house of California’s Legislature. He was named to the post by Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins. “With bold leadership along with the…
Public Health Confirms 840 New COVID-19 Cases, Three Hospitalizations
Humboldt County continues to see the next phase of the holiday surge as Public Health confirmed 840 new COVID-19 cases today and three new hospitalizations since its last report on Friday. Today’s cases far outpace the single-day reporting record of 478 cases reported on Jan. 10 and come as the county confirmed 1,113 cases last week…
Arrest after Fatal Jan. 15 Hoopa Crash
According to a CHP press release, Keiahna F. Moody of Salyer has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter following a crash on Pine Creek Road on the afternoon of Jan. 15 that resulted in the death of 18-year-old Carlie Kelley, of Hoopa. Moody was allegedly driving her 2006 Chrysler…
Amid Low COVID Vaccine Rates, More California Children Hospitalized in Omicron Surge
COVID-19 hospitalizations among California’s children — especially those too young to go to school — are the highest they have been since the pandemic began. Chalk it up to the highly contagious Omicron variant, kids exposed during in-person instruction at school and other public places, and infants and preschoolers being ineligible for vaccination. The state…
Here’s What’s Changed as California’s New COVID Workplace Rules Go into Effect
As COVID-19 case rates in California have jumped to their highest levels yet — more than six times the peak of the delta variant wave — updated workplace rules kicked in last week to better help protect workers vaccinated against COVID-19. The revised rules come from the California Division of Safety and Health — also…
SECOND UPDATE: Tsunami Advisory is Now Lifted (with Video)
SECOND UPDATE: The tsunami advisory for Humboldt County has been lifted. UPDATE: The tsunami advisory remains in place for Humboldt County due to last night’s volcanic explosion near the Tonga Islands. “For your safety, stay away from beaches and low-lying coastal areas until emergency officials indicate it is safe. DO NOT GO TO THE SHORE…
NCJ Preview: Spectator Ban, Outgoing Health Officer, Cookie Perfectionism and More
There’ll be no spectators at Humboldt County school sporting events, at least for the next couple of weeks. We’ll go into how the Humboldt Del Norte League came to that decision in the face of quickly rising COVID-19 case numbers and the ensuing backlash. We’ll also get into where our county is in terms of…
Public Health Confirms 185 new COVID-19 Cases, Capping Record Week
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed 185 new COVID-19 cases today but, for the first time this week, reported no new hospitalizations or deaths. Today’s cases cap a record week for Humboldt County, with 1,113 cases confirmed, making 1,966 cases tallied so far this month — a number that accounts for 15.2 percent of the county’s…
Free Tests? As COVID Surges, Rapid Results Cost Up to $300
When Rebecca Santucci of Lakewood learned that her sister, Stacy, may have been exposed to COVID-19, she set out to look for a rapid test. She needed to know quickly whether their 88-year-old father was at risk. Pharmacies had been wiped out of home test kits, and testing clinics were booked solid for at least…
Public Health Reports Two New COVID-19 Deaths, 114 New Cases
Public Health reported today that two more local residents have died of COVID-19, while also confirming 114 new cases of the virus and three new hospitalizations. Today’ cases make 928 confirmed so far this week and 1,781 confirmed to date in January, a number that accounts for 14 percent of Humboldt County’s cumulative total through…
HDNL Stays Course on Spectator Ban
The Humboldt-Del Norte League did not reconsider its recently imposed temporary spectator ban for high school sporting events at its meeting last night, despite an outcry from some demanding it do so. The league announced Jan. 6 that superintendents of participating schools had voted 6-4 to impose the ban at least until Jan. 23 in…
Public Health Updates Guidance on COVID-19 Isolation, Quarantine
Humboldt County Public Health released updated guidance for COVID-19 isolation and quarantine for residents testing positive for the virus, following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention protocols. People who test positive for COVID-19, regardless of vaccination status, and are severely ill with the virus should contact their primary care provider and isolate for…
Will COVID Sick Leave Return to California?
Labor unions and their Democratic allies in the Legislature want to bring back extra paid sick leave for COVID-19. Gov. Gavin Newsom is also proposing to revive supplemental leave in his budget. But as with so much else in the pandemic, it’s not a simple proposition. There’s opposition from powerful business groups. And key details…
Rivers Dropping, Green Water Headed Our Way
Following last week’s deluge, all the coastal rivers other than the Smith are now on the verge of turning green. After reaching nearly 39,000 cubic feet per second on the Jed Smith gauge Jan. 4, the quick-clearing Smith rebounded quickly and was driftable Sunday. Plunkers were out in force Monday on the Chetco and boats…
Sons and Daughters
THE TENDER BAR. It continues to surprise me that George Clooney, of all celebrities, should be a contentious figure. I suppose it speaks to our continually escalating culture of galvanization: He’s too political for a mere actor; he’s not political enough for such a prominent public figure; he’s a liquor mogul who shouldn’t be making…
What Leadership Looks Like
In the aftermath of a highly controversial split vote to temporarily ban spectators from high school sporting events, local superintendents are seemingly doing the unthinkable: treating colleagues with respect and deference. Not one superintendent has publicly accused another of fascism, power grabs or fake science. Not one has gone rogue, announcing that while other districts…
Slandering Richard
Editor: Try as I might to see the logical flaw in Sam Neuwirth’s opposition to the use of “Dick” as a pejorative, I cannot find one (Mailbox, Jan. 6). It takes an organ which is a source of sexual pleasure, an injector of life, and needlessly associates it with deplorable behavior like that of police officers…
On the ‘Hamster Wheel’
Editor: When a random hater’s malignant endorsement of the violence of forced injections makes “Comment of the Week” but a parade of concerned citizens exercising their right to bring their grievances before their elected representatives at a public meeting are “dicks” making a “dick move,” in the same issue (NCJ Daily and “Top 10 Dick…
Correction
An article headlined “Uh-oh” in the Jan. 6, 2022 edition of the North Coast Journal incorrectly stated when the Humboldt County Office of Education was notified it would be receiving thousands of rapid tests for local school districts. The California Department of Public Health notified HCOE it would be receiving the tests Dec. 23, and…
Omicron Surging
Amid an unprecedented surge in local cases, Health Officer Ian Hoffman informed the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 10 that he will be leaving his post March 4, having accepted a job that allows him to return to clinical work. “This decision does not come easy to me as this is the most…
What-if Cookies
In my first piece of the new year, one might expect me to urge readers to eat more vegetables and offer one of the recipes I seem to be constantly developing. In our household we consume plenty; I find them endlessly inspiring. Often, my last thought before falling asleep is some idea for a soup,…
The Elephant Seal Man
“Men, are you tired of not being noticed? Do women look right through you? Well, bull elephant seals don’t have these problems. Stay tuned to learn about the benefits of being a dominant bull!” This infomercial had my interest. But northern elephant seals (Mirounga angustirostris) are uncommon in Humboldt. I’ve only seen two small ones…
Silence of Solitude
Reaches me first Long tendrils of calm Pull me into a cathedral Of light and shadow Faint, faint birdsong Swirling dust mote… Underfoot a soft dense cushion Protection for a root system Intertwining just below the surface Centuries of a sloughing off in an ever cycling Season of death for life An evolving ecosystem that…
Arts! Arcata
For a list of artists, venues and hours for Arts! Arcata, visit www.ArcataMainStreet.com. This month we will also feature music and local art vendors in the plaza center circle. Thank you for wearing your mask, staying safe and supporting local arts. Arcata Artisans 883 H St. Annual group exhibit featuring jewelry, photography, fiber arts, painting,…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): The coming months will be an excellent time for you to explore the art of Soulful Bragging. Do you deserve any of the titles below? If so, feel free to use them liberally throughout 2022. 1. Practical Idealist with Flexible Strategies. 2. Genius of Interesting Intimacy. 3. Jaunty Healer with Boisterous…
It’s Not That Dark in Fern Canyon But OK
The folks who produced Law & Order, Dick Wolf and Wolf Entertainment, have brought a new murder mystery right to your backyard in the form of Dark Woods, a scripted podcast series set in mid-2000s Humboldt County. Written by David Pergonline, it falls into some familiar Humboldt clichés but entertains with well-paced storytelling. When the…
Birding at the Arcata Marsh
Humboldt County has more than its fair share of great places to go birding but one of my very favorites is the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary. It’s not just that it’s chock full of birds — 342 different species have been recorded there, and during spring and fall migrations flocks of shorebirds literally fill…
