Reaching for Resilience
New programs were beginning to address the traumatic foundation of Humboldt’s health problems. Then came COVID.
Fire Updates: Smoky Skies Continue, Marines Heading to August Complex
Red Salmon Complex: 136,948 acres and 34 percent contained Firefighters are continuing to work to bring the fire down to the South Fork of the Salmon River along Cecilville Road, while also protecting structures in those communities, as other crews are wrapping historic cabins near Cabin Peak in the Trinity Alps Wilderness with protective coverings.…
Humboldt Enters ‘New Normal’ COVID Ranking
Public Health reported three new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county’s total to 527. The case rate is important because it will play a key role in determining whether Humboldt continues to stay in its newly acquired “minimal” risk rating under the state’s system, which will allow for more types of businesses to open…
SoHum Health District Employee Tests Positive for COVID
Southern Humboldt Health District’s Chief Executive Officer Matt Rees confirmed this morning that an employee of the district has tested positive for COVID-19. He released a statement this morning stating the appropriate agencies have been contacted and an investigation has been started and additional testing is underway. “We screen everyone who enters the district –…
Supes Allocate $600k for Small Business Program
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved allocating an additional $600,000 to the Small Business Restart and Recovery grant program to help provide relief amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The board recently extended the program to allow nonprofits and special districts to apply for grants in addition to local small businesses. According to the…
Black Voices Humboldt Wins Radio Mercury Award
You may recall the Journal’s coverage of the Black Voices Humboldt PSAs Sabina Gallier created for KSLG, amplifying Black residents’ experiences with racism in our county. (Spots she gathered input from the community for and produced in the makeshift working-from-home studio in her closet.) Well, the spots got some national recognition from the Radio Mercury…
Humboldt Goes ‘Minimal’ but Ranking Could Be Fleeting
Humboldt County was the only one in California to meet the state’s newly applied “equity metric,” which is meant to ensure certain communities are not disproportionately impacted by COVID-19. That, according to county Health Officer Teresa Frankovich, is what prompted the state to move Humboldt into the “minimal” COVID risk category under California’s four-tiered system…
UPDATE: Fortuna Man Suffers Major Injuries in Crash
UPDATE: A 59-year-old Fortuna man suffered major injuries Tuesday when for unknown reasons the tow truck he was driving drifted off State Route 36 east of Riverside Park Drive and hit a tree, the CHP reports. The driver was take to St. Joseph Hospital for treatment. The crash remains under investigation and anyone with information…
Mr. Bungle Returns with Virtual Halloween Show
Depending on how big a fan you are of the Eureka-born band Mr. Bungle, maybe 2020 is balancing out. In an ominous, Eureka-heavy, black and white YouTube promo posted yesterday (see below), the band announced “The Night They Came Home,” a live streaming Halloween concert featuring original members Mike Patton, Trevor Dunn and Trey Spruance,…
Two New COVID Cases Reported
Public Health reported two new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county’s total to 524. Today’s overall alert level remains at two or the moderate risk level yellow, which is based on spread, the local health care system’s capacity and the county’s effectiveness of controlling the virus. Visit humboldtgov.org/dashboard to view the county’s Alert Level…
Crash Blocks Intersection of Seventh and E Street
About 3:50 p.m., a collision occurred at the intersection of 7th and E in Eureka. Multiple eyewitnesses are saying the white car ran the red light. E is blocked at 6 and 8th.
Humboldt at ‘Minimal’ COVID Risk Rating
Humboldt County was moved into the “minimal” COVID risk level under the state’s four-tiered system, with a test positivity rate of 1.5 percent and 2 cases per 100,000 individuals, according to the latest data. The statewide level is 7.1 cases per 100,000 and a test positivity rate of 3.2 percent. Under the lowest risk category,…
Hazardous Air Quality; Fire Updates
A report from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District states that smoke impacts are expected to be hazardous in Hoopa, Willow Creek and the Bridgeville area over the next 24 hours. Warm, dry and stagnant weather conditions are continuing to trap smoke from the Red Salmon Complex fire at lower elevations, especially near the fire. These…
Deo’s is Closed and Looking for a New Owner
Since Sept. 20, visitors to Henderson Center in search of lunch have been greeted by a sign on the door of Deo’s Sandwich Shop announcing its closure. It reads, “It was an honor serving our community in Henderson Center and we thank you for your warm support throughout the years!” Those years added up to…
Nurses Picket Handling of New St. Joe Unit
Nurses at St. Joseph Hospital and their supporters joined an informational picket yesterday afternoon in front of the Eureka grounds. According to Lesley Ester, RN and chief nurse representative for the California Nurses Association, the hospital is beginning new cardiac telemetry units without the proper technology in place or the training nurses need to safely…
Updates on the Red Salmon, Slater-Devil Fires
Red Salmon Complex — 133,763 acres and 34 percent containment Smoky conditions are continuing to impact communities around the Red Salmon Complex. The fire is continuing as planned toward Knownothing Creek as it backs along the South Fork of the Salmon River to Cecilville Road, according to today’s update. Structure protection in the area is…
Four New COVID Cases Confirmed
Humboldt County Public Health reported four new COVID-19 cases have been confirmed since Friday, bringing the county’s total to 522. Humboldt County remains in the “moderate” category under the state’s four-tiered system, with a test positivity rate of 0.7 percent and 1.2 cases per 100,000 individuals, according to the state’s latest data, which was updated…
COVID-19 Testing Delayed Today
Fog and smoky conditions have delayed today’s COVID-19 testing at Redwood Acres. According to a news release, OptumServe notified the county’s Office of Emergency Services this morning to say the airplane carrying its staff had been delayed. An employee is at the Eureka site to inform anyone arriving for their test and the county was…
August Complex Surpasses 1 Million Acres, Burning 3 Miles from Humboldt
August Complex: 1,002,097 acres and 54 percent containment Evacuation warnings for portions of Southern Humboldt remain in effect as firefighters continue to their efforts on the August Complex, which is burning approximately 3 miles east of the county line. The evacuation warnings cover the following communities: · Zone HA: Areas east of Bell Springs Road…
Containment Lines Holding on Slater-Devil Fire, Mop-up Continues
Slater Fire: 155,004 acres and 55 percent containment Today’s focus is on mopping up and extending the depth of containment line. On the northeast side of the fire, crews are working on constructing fire lines towards Swan Mountain. Air support is available and will be utilized when smoky conditions decrease. Firefighters are also looking for…
Additional Crews, Equipment Brought in to Fight Red Salmon Fire
Red Salmon Complex: 132,065 acres and 33 percent containment The Red Salmon Complex started the morning of July 27 in the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area. The fire is burning on the Klamath, Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity National Forests in Humboldt, Siskiyou, and Trinity Counties. Communities near the fire include Hoopa Valley, Willow Creek, Salyer, Trinity…
Today’s Air Quality Updates
Smoke conditions today in northern Humboldt and Trinity County are expected to be similar to yesterday with ongoing fires continuing to produce abundant smoke, with air quality poor near the fires and an onshore flow continuing to bring some relief to coastal communities. This morning’s advisory from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District states locations near…
Action! (With Some Distance)
The city of Eureka posted on its Facebook page that sections of Sequoia Park and its trails will be closed on Saturday, Oct. 3 and Tuesday, Oct. 6, when one of two film crews — it’s not stated which — will be shooting at the location. The Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commission had previously announced Humboldt…
Pro-Trump Caravan Winds through Humboldt
A long line of cars, trucks and other vehicles festooned with campaign flags and signs formed a pro-Trump parade that started in the Fortuna Safeway parking lot at 11:30 a.m. and traveled north through Arcata and McKinleyville. The crowd eventually gathered at the north side of the McKinleyville Safeway parking lot, where attendees — many without…
Slater-Devil Fire Update
Slater-Devil Fires: Combined 154,597 acres and 51 percent containment On the Slater Fire, which is 154,814 acres, air support is available for use as smoke conditions allow while ground crews continue maintaining and extending fire line, according to today’s update. Major developments on the fire includes: Work to continue to hold the fire near the…
Timber Worker Finds Human Remains Near Korbel
According to a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office press release, an unnamed timber company called the Office of Emergency Communications saying an employee had discovered remains “in the area of Snow Camp Road.” The release says deputies recovered the remains of the yet unnamed deceased person and that “Foul play is not yet suspected.” Anyone with…
Smoky Conditions Around Red Salmon Complex
Red Salmon Complex: 130,154 acres and 31 percent containment Air quality conditions continue to be an issue in communities around the Red Salmon Complex, with smoke from the August Complex and defensive firing mixing with the Red Salmon Complex’s to blanket the area. Motorists are urged to use caution. The Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office has…
Wildfire Smoke Forecast
According to a release from the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District and its partners, Humboldt is looking at a range of unhealthy smoke from surrounding wildfires for today and tomorrow. Weitchpec and Hoopa are forecast to have “hazardous” air quality. Orleans, Willow Creek, Hayfork are all forecast to have “very unhealthy” air quality. Weaverville,…
August Complex Holds at 51 Percent Containment
AUGUST COMPLEX: 979,386 acres, 51 percent containment U.S. Forest Service officials and fire managers have rearranged the zones of the August Complex into the Northwest Zone, Northeast Zone, South Zone and West Zone. According to today’s press release, firefighters are gaining ground on a number of fronts amid fair weather, pushing the fire “slowly back…
Traveling out of Humboldt? There are New Guidelines for That.
County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich has updated guidelines for Humboldt residents who leave town, which emphasize limiting non-essential travel to slow the spread of COVID-19 to the region. “Movement of individuals between households and geographic areas is still a significant driver of disease transmission,” Frankovich wrote in the updated guidelines. “This is particularly true for…
Public Health: Three New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed Today
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed three new COVID-19 cases again today for the third consecutive day, bringing the county’s total to 518. Humboldt County remains in the “moderate” category under the state’s four-tiered system, with a test positivity rate of 0.7 percent and 1.2 cases per 100,000 individuals, according to the state’s data, which was…
Hazardous Air Near Red Salmon Complex; Progress on Slater-Devil Fires
Red Salmon Complex: 129,191 acres and 31 percent containment Smoke continues to be a major factor for communities near the Red Salmon Complex, which are also being hit by the August Fire Complex, with Weitchpec, Hoopa, and Willow Creek air quality expected to reach Hazardous levels. Today’s update urges motorists to use caution in the…
Hot, Dry Conditions Persist for August Complex
AUGUST COMPLEX: 970,563 acres and 51 percent containment North Zone: This section of the August Complex continues to move north of State Route 36 toward Bear Wallow and south toward Forest Glen as well as southwest in the drainages and valleys south of Ruth Lake. According to today’s update, the North Zone of the August…
NCJ Preview: Overcoming Childhood Trauma and the Limits of Stress Cooking
This week’s cover story is about how childhood stress and trauma connect to serious health issues in adulthood, like addiction and even cancer. But it’s not hopeless, as a program addressing adverse childhood experiences here in Humboldt shows — even amid the added stresses of a pandemic. Speaking of which, we’re also talking about the…
Huffman: I Hope Trump Recovers Fully, ‘He Needs to Face Justice’
North Coast Congressmember Jared Huffman, one of President Trump’s most vociferous critics, offered the president some well wishes last night after learning he and Melania Trump had tested positive for COVID-19, though the message came with a barbs attached. “We all knew an October surprise was coming, but I never imagined it would be COVID-19…
UPDATE: Cyclist Struck Apparently Swerved into Car’s Path, EPD Reports
UPDATE: The Eureka Police Department reports an initial investigation and witness statements indicate a bicyclist killed late last night was hit after swerving directly into front of a car. The Oct. 1 accident occurred just after 11 p.m. on the 2400 block of Broadway. The name of the person who died is not being released…
West Harris Closed at Broadway
About 7:50 p.m., a vehicle struck a pole on West Harris in Eureka, causing live wires to drop into the roadway. Eureka Police have closed the West Harris ramp off of Broadway. Please remember that information gathered from initial reports is subject to revision as more facts become available.
Local Republic Party Chair Says No Comment on Debate, White Supremacy, Transition of Power, T-S reports
Local Democratic party officials voiced concerns about the state of the nation and what they see as President Donald Trump’s role in stoking division following Tuesday’s now notorious debate between Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, the Times-Standard reports. The Republic party chair declined to comment for the story, including when asked whether the…
Red Salmon, Slater-Devil Fire Updates
Red Salmon Complex: 126,673 acres and 31 percent containment Weather conditions allowed the Red Salmon Complex to grow on the eastern flank of the fire, with firefighters concentrating on structure defense in the communities along the South Fork Salmon Road, Miller Ranch and Denny. Evacuation warnings remain in place for Forks of Salmon and Denny.…
EPD Urges Driver, Demonstrator Hit to Call
The Eureka Police Department is asking for the public’s help in identifying the driver who struck a pedestrian during a Breonna Taylor demonstration in front of the courthouse on Sept. 24. The EPD is also urging the driver to contact its office to provide a statement and for the pedestrian to call to give an…
Public Health Confirms Three COVID-19 Cases, Reports No New Hospitalizations
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed three new COVID-19 cases again today, bringing the county’s total to 515. Humboldt County remains in the “moderate” category under the state’s four-tiered system, with a test positivity rate of 0.7 percent and 1.2 cases per 100,000 individuals, according to the state’s data, which was updated Sept. 29. The statewide…
Hazardous Air Quality in Hoopa
Over the next 24 hours, smoke impacts in and around the Hoopa Valley are expected to reach Hazardous levels and an air quality alert for the area will be in effect until tomorrow. Residents are asked to stay inside as much as possible. Other areas of the region — including Orleans. Weitchpec, Willow Creek, Garberville…
August Complex Efforts Hindered by People Staying in Evacuation Zones
August Complex: 955,513 acres with 51 percent containment The August Complex is continuing to grow to the north and was as the lightning-caused blaze that started more than a month ago moves closer to the 1 million acre mark. According to this morning’s update, “firefighting and public safety operations are being challenged by the public…
Comfort Food When There is No Comfort
I made too much Japanese curry last weekend. I chopped the onions, carrots, mushrooms and potatoes while talking on the phone with a friend who is struggling with whether to fly across the country to visit her ailing father. She was calculating the risk of traveling, how she’d manage quarantining before going near her parents,…
The Red Streak
Born in Eureka in 1946, Bob Talmadge moved to Willow Creek with his family at the age of 3. He moved through the local school system as a regular kid and a gifted student. Judy Skidmore, a classmate, wrote, “even as a child he had a commanding presence. He could transform from a serious thoughtful…
The Bad Old Days
AVA. There is certain cold, maybe sick comfort in watching a new, distinctly middle-of-the-road American action movie with an incidental plot and almost interchangeable heroes and villains. It helps to have a couple of knock-down, drag-out fight scenes and at least one sympathetic character in some sort of existential crisis. Throw in some actors I…
‘A Fool’s Paradise’
Editor: The U.S. has now surpassed 200,000 deaths from the COVID virus — 20 percent of the world’s deaths despite having only 5 percent of the world’s population (“Seventh COVID-related Death Reported,” posted Sept. 24). We now know, in the president’s own words back in February, that he knew of the dangers of the virus. He…
‘A Reason to be Fearful’
Editor: President Trump has a measureable lead in crucial swing state Florida, and a narrow lead in swing state Arizona as of writing. This election is no slam dunk for Joe. The thing keeping Trump in the race is violent protest. No one is more outraged at the hypocrisy of the Republicans regarding the Supreme…
‘Truly Irresponsible’
Editor: Yet again, not a single plant-based burger?! (Burger Week, Sept. 24.) I know people love their beef. But at this point, it is truly irresponsible to not even acknowledge the environmental impact of it. This is a chance to encourage folks to try something new! Promoting our local restaurants and environmental responsibility are not…
Klamath Seeing a Solid Return of Kings
Since just after Labor Day weekend, the Klamath River has been king salmon central. The river’s been plugged with jacks (2-year old males), along with some hefty adults. The run started a little late this year, likely due to unusually high water temperatures. Smoke-filled skies, shielding the water from the bright sun, finally began cooling…
Vote!
Editor: This is the wrong time to raise taxes. Too many of our fellow citizens are already hurting financially. Jobs lost. Businesses closed or struggling. Unemployment benefits uncertain. Food banks facing unprecedented demand. Homelessness is a crisis with more to come as people fall behind on rent and mortgage payments. We already pay extra taxes…
Beauty at Moonstone Beach
An odd thing happened while out sifting through the coastal night light for a compelling image. The waxing crescent moon had already set and the night was dark. My brother Seth and I walked without lights through the night along the beach, each step something of a leap of faith as only faint differences in…
Seasons
When the growing season ends, some gardeners (and some lovers) will pull a withered embrace of sweet peas from the supporting trellis, sweep puckered tomato kisses off a stained patio floor, and say “so long” to root-bound, disappointing efforts. They’ll feel free at last. No longer engaged in watering, feeding, weeding. Free . . .…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “I am, indeed, a king, because I know how to rule myself,” wrote 16th-century author Pietro Aretino. By January 2021, Aries, I would love for you to have earned the right to make a similar statement: “I am, indeed, a royal sovereign, because I know how to rule myself.” Here’s the…
Reaching for Resilience
Mary Ann Hansen probably understands the landscape of early childhood education in Humboldt County better than most. Before she became the director of First 5 Humboldt in 2015, she worked as a full-time lecturer in the Child Development Department at Humboldt State University and had been the head preschool teacher at the university’s child development…
Pandelection
Even with a global pandemic and raging wildfires to distract, you’re probably keenly aware that we are just weeks away from Election Day, which will decide what’s possibly the most heated — and some would argue consequential — presidential races in recent memory. Humboldt County voters will also face a smattering of other decisions, including…
Unoccupied
On June 19, the North Coast Journal published a story about how seven trailers provided to the city of Arcata to shelter vulnerable populations during the pandemic had been sitting unused for more than seven weeks. Three months later, the trailers still sit empty, according to an email from Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer. “Please…
