RED ALERT
Pushed into an elevated risk tier as the holidays approach, Humboldt sits at a crossroads
Yurok Tribe Strikes ‘Unparalleled Partnership’ to Distribute Beer to SoCal Casino
The Yurok Tribe has struck a deal that it is casting as revitalizing a pre-colonization trade system adapted for the 21st century. Under the deal, the tribe’s Mad River Brewing Co. — one of the first tribally owned breweries in the country — will distribute its beer to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians’…
Humboldt COVID Cases Still Rising
Humboldt County Public Health reported 18 additional COVID-19 cases today, making a record 91 so far this week, breaking last week’s 71 mark and closing in on nearly double October’s monthlong total of 59. The county’s continued surge in cases has landed Humboldt in the state’s purple “widespread” risk tier, bringing new layers of restrictions…
Eureka Man Killed in SR 36 Crash
A 34-year-old Eureka man was killed yesterday morning in a single car, rollover crash on State Route 36 near the Dinsmore Airport, according to the CHP. A news release states Shawn Kelly Ryan suffered major injuries and died at the scene. “A preliminary investigation by CHP revealed that Mr. Ryan was driving his 2002 GMC…
California’s COVID-19 Vaccine Plan
California is in the throes of another COVID-19 surge — cases are skyrocketing and hospital beds are filling up quickly. On Tuesday, hospitals had 3,300 more COVID patients than at the beginning of this month, state health officials said. But a glimmer of hope has emerged in the last leg of 2020: The first batch…
Yurok Tribe Certifies Election Results, Readies to Welcome New Board Member
The Yurok Tribe certified its runoff election results today, with incumbent Weitchpec District Council Member Toby Vanlandingham retaining his seat and challenger Phillip Williams claiming a seat representing the board’s North District. The new council members will be sworn into office at 11 a.m. Nov. 30 in a ceremony that will be live streamed on…
Humboldt County Sheriff Deputies Reunite Dog/Owner
It’s happy trails and happy tails again after a scare this morning when a hiker and her canine companion became separated at Hiller Dog Park in McKinleyville after the pooch got loose and the hiker found herself lost in the wooded trails while searching for her dog. Fortunately, after a call to 911 and some nimble…
HSU Possibly Designated Third Calpoly University
Humboldt State University may become the state’s third polytechnic university (and the only one in Northern California) after the California State University system asked the school to undertake a self-study toward becoming a designated polytechnic university. Polytechnic institutions usually feature hands-on and career-focused programs, an emphasis in Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) studies, applied…
Huffman to Host Virtual Town Hall on Presidential Transition
Congressman Jared Huffman will hold a virtual town hall on the Presidential transition on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 4 p.m. Rep. Huffman and guests will discuss the “peaceful transfer of presidential power, the status of President Trump’s many challenges to the election results, and the challenges and importance of holding President Trump and his executive…
Public Health Confirms 17 New COVID-19 Cases as Spike Continues
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed 17 new COVID-19 cases, making a record 73 already this week, and continuing a case surge that today landed the county in the state’s purple “widespread” risk tier, bringing new layers of restrictions on local businesses. Today’s report comes after Public Health reported yesterday that 56 cases — a single-day…
Humboldt Hits Purple Tier
Just a short two weeks ago, Humboldt County was sitting in the coveted “minimal” COVID-19 risk ranking, one of just a handful in the state to do so. Today it joined most of California by being placed in the purple, or “widespread” category after a rapid rises in cases over the last few weeks. No…
Public Health Asks for Community’s Help in Contact Tracing
With a surge in cases, Public Health is changing its COVID-19 contact tracing process and is asking for the public’s help in navigating the current circumstances. Moving forward, contact tracers will continue to contact those who test positive for an initial interview but will be designating cases as either “priority” or “low risk,” with healthcare…
Latest COVID Cases Catapult Past Previous Record
Humboldt County Public Health has confirmed 56 more COVID-19 cases since Friday, quickly closing in on last week’s record-breaking 71, which itself had obliterated a record for the most cases recorded in a single week since the pandemic began. The entire month of October saw 59 cases. Now November stands at more than 200 cases…
2 Humboldt Bay Firefighters Test Positive for COVID
Humboldt Bay Fire announced today that two firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19, with both “recovering well and currently isolated at home,” according to a news release. The release states the location and cause of the positive tests are currently unknown but stations have been deep cleaned, staff is being tested and contact tracing is…
Beachgoers, Beware of High Surf
The Eureka office of the National Weather Service is warning beachgoers to be extra cautious over the next few days, with breaking waves upward of 25 feet possible along west-northwest facing beaches. The long-period swell being produced by a cyclone over the Gulf of Alaska is also expected to produce 20-foot seas on Wednesday. “These…
![[UPDATE 1:55 P.M.] Traffic Collision with Extrication on Hwy 299](https://i0.wp.com/www.northcoastjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/lights.png?resize=400%2C300&ssl=1)
[UPDATE 1:55 P.M.] Traffic Collision with Extrication on Hwy 299
A vehicle, a Pontiac Vibe, hit the embankment about mile marker 40 on Hwy 299 around 1:35 p.m., according to emergency personnel reporting from the accident scene over the scanner. An ambulance has been requested. Emergency personnel reported that there are three patients – one of whom needed extrication. Please remember that information gathered from…
Committee Alleges Problems with Auditor-Controller’s Office Could Cost County $14 Million in State, Federal Reimbursements
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will meet in special session tomorrow morning to discuss what its ad-hoc budget committee has deemed “operational gaps” in the Auditor-Controller’s Office that it contends could result in the county losing more than $14 million in state and federal reimbursements if looming deadlines are not met. “If the county…
Negative COVID-19 Tests Reopen Wildflower, Positive Shutters Plaza Grill
After closing briefly because a staff member had contact with a person with COVID-19, Wildflower Cafe & Bakery will open its doors today. Co-owner Sue Charnes told the Journal in an email, the entire crew has tested negative. “None of our staff ever tested positive … there was just possible exposure from a few avenues…
Bushnell’s Lead Looks Insurmountable in Second District Race
There are fewer than 3,000 ballots in Humboldt County remaining to be counted, according to Registrar of Voters Kelly Sanders, seemingly making it incredibly unlikely two-term incumbent Supervisor Estelle Fennell will be able to make up her deficit to challenger Michelle Bushnell. With 11,742 ballots tallied in the Second District race thus far, Bushnell has…
‘Concerned’ Health Officer Advises Schools to Close Following Thanksgiving, Expecting Surge in COVID-19 Cases
On the heels of a week that saw a record 73 new COVID-19 cases confirmed in the midst of the largest spike in virus activity locally since the pandemic began, Humboldt County Health Officer Teresa Frankovich increasingly raised alarm bells this week. She is recommending local schools shift to distance learning for the two weeks…
North Coast Dungeness Crab Season Delayed
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has delayed the commercial crab season for the North Coast as the crab didn’t meet the weight qualifications for the season to begin. The delayed season affects Humboldt, Mendocino and Del Norte counties. According to a release, “Samplings conducted on Oct. 27 and Nov. 12 did not yield…
Salt, Campground and Wildflower Temporarily Close Due to COVID Exposure
As Humboldt County COVID-19 numbers place it in the red substantial risk tier, rolling back indoor restaurant seating to 25 percent, a trio of Arcata restaurants, Wildflower Cafe & Bakery, Salt Fish House and Campground, have halted service in response to staff exposure. According to co-owner of Salt Fish House and Campground Dan Willey, he…
Yurok Reservation Confirms Third COVID-19 Case
The Yurok Office of Emergency Services has confirmed a third COVID-19 case on the Yurok Reservation. According to the release, the case involves a resident on the Klamath side of the reservation. The Yurok OES and Del Norte County Public Health are conducting a thorough contact tracing investigation. “We are performing a thorough contact tracing…
Bushnell Grows Lead in Second District Supes Race with Latest Election Tally
The Humboldt County Elections Office has issued its third post-election update, adding about 10,000 ballots to the count, which has strengthened challenger Michelle Bushnell’s lead over two-term incumbent Estelle Fennell in the race to become the county’s next Second District Supervisor. Bushnell, who narrowly trailed Fennell after Election Night, now leads by 356 votes, having…
Public Health Confirms 19 COVID-19 Cases, Pushing Humboldt Past Weekly, Monthly Records
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed 19 more COVID-19 cases today, making 73 this week, obliterating last week’s record for the most cases recorded in since the pandemic began and continuing a sharp caseload spike. Humboldt County has now confirmed 160 cases so far in November, the most in any single months since the pandemic began…
Fortuna Union High School District Will Continue In-Person Classes
The Fortuna Union High School District decided to continue to offer three learning options, distance learning, in-person and independent study, for its students at a board of trustees meeting on Monday, Nov. 16. “The board would like to keep these options open for our students and clearly stated that it was the community’s responsibility to…
Un-Dam the Klamath (Virtual) Celebration
Save the California Salmon is putting together a virtual celebration of the new agreement to finally remove the Klamath Dams tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. On Tuesday, PacifiCorp Power owner Warren Buffett finally agreed to officially remove the dams after a group of stakeholder’s persuasion. The agreement comes after a federal agency’s ruling left the company threatening to…
NCJ Preview: Into the Red Tier, a Dam Update and a Pass for Thanksgiving
How did Humboldt County end up in the red substantial risk tier for COVID? We’ll explain how our numbers have been climbing and what’s been contributing to the rise in COVID-19 cases. And the bad news is you need to skip your usual Thanksgiving travel and gathering. The good news is you get to skip…
Humboldt Bay Fire Enacts New Restrictions
Humboldt Bay Fire has enacted new restrictions in light of the county’s movement to the “Substantial” Red tier because of increasing COVID-19 cases. Effective immediately, Humboldt Bay Fire is temporarily suspending all non-essential contact with the public including hybrid CPR classes, smoke detector installations, fire extinguisher training, and other public education in addition to closing all stations…
Newsom Issues Limited Stay-at-Home Order for Purple Tier Counties
Starting Saturday, residents of counties in the state’s purple — or “widespread” COVID-19 risk tier — will be under a limited stay-at-home order issued by Newsom that prohibits “non-essential work, movement and gatherings” between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. The order remains in effect until Dec. 21 at 5 a.m. About 94 percent of California…
Freeze Warning Friday Morning
The National Weather Service Eureka has issued a freeze warning Friday morning for parts of coastal areas in the county. According to the Eureka NWS, freezing temperatures are forecast to occur across much of Northwest California, with the coldest temperatures below 32 degrees in sheltered valleys. “Most coastal locations will experience lows in the mid…
Humboldt’s COVID Case Count Jumps Past 700 Mark
Public Health reported 12 COVID-19 cases today, making 141 to date for the month of November. Fifty-three cases were verified last week, the most recorded in that time period locally since the pandemic began. October saw a total of 58 during the entire month. With Thanksgiving just around the corner, health officials on the local,…
Structure Fire on Fifth Street in Eureka Yesterday
The Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a commercial structure fire at a business on Fifth Street in Eureka yesterday. According to the release, fire crews pulled the ceiling and found the the fire had extended into another concealed space in the parapet wall above the roofline, crews then removed the stucco siding from the exterior of the…
DHHS: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Help Available
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services would like to remind residents of the resources available for residents who are feeling increased mental health crises and substance use due to the isolation of COVID-19 lockdowns. “It’s important that the community knows that Behavioral Health services are available,” DHHS Behavioral Health Substance Use Disorder…
‘A Very Troubling Subject’
Editor: Becoming great or grand are preposterous goals; however, quite recently, I became a great-grandfather! This designation doesn’t offer many special rights, nevertheless, as a male of the species, I am about to trespass on a very troubling subject: ‘Abortion.’ This procedure is obviously traumatic for those directly involved, regardless of the reason for the…
Of Course We Still Love You, Voyager!
If spacecraft have feelings, little Voyager 2 must have been feeling pretty lonely and dejected out there in the bleakness of space after Earth went quiet in March. The spacecraft faithfully sent regular signals — readings from the few instruments still powered by its ebbing batteries — but received nothing in return. Its loyalty was…
Convention and Invention
JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY. Somewhere on the deep end of my October horror movie binge, I noticed the nightly episodes of Murder She Wrote I needed to come down from an exorcism or a house full of haunted dolls were no longer available. Instead, with pumpkins still yet to carve, the Hallmark Channel had…
Joe’s Hired
A resounding thump A deciding dump That dung clump From elephant rump Remove that chump A Presidential jump Over the plump grump YOU’RE FIRED!!! Curses! Trumped. James Floss
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Back in 1974, poet Allen Ginsberg and his “spirit wife,” Aries poet Anne Waldman, were roommates at the newly established Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. The school’s founder asked these two luminaries to create a poetics program, and thus was born the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. Waldman described its…
Red Alert
It was late last month when Humboldt County Deputy Health Officer Josh Ennis noticed the trend and started trying to raise public alarm. At a glance, Humboldt County’s COVID-19 case numbers looked good. Not only were case counts decreasing sharply — going from 155 in August to 124 in September to 59 in October —…
A Flip in the Second
The Humboldt County Elections Office issued its second post-election report Nov. 13, adding about 10,000 ballots to the ongoing tally and turning the race to be Humboldt County’s next Second District supervisor into an absolute nail-biter. With 10,016 votes counted this far in the race, challenger Michelle Bushnell now leads two-term incumbent Estelle Fennell by…
Thanksgiving Break
If you’ve been wringing your hands, agonizing over Thanksgiving dinner, I hereby free you. In the name of safety, sanity and gratitude for the community with which we’re blessed, I release you from piling in a car, watching your life inch by in traffic and eating a very big dinner very early in the day…
Making Theater in the Time of COVID
About a millennium ago (OK, in March of this year), Dell’Arte MFA students in their final year were preparing their thesis productions. Then came the Great Shutdown. No more live performances for audiences that provide the ultimate feedback for actors. The school proposed students continue working on their productions remotely and perform via Zoom. Most…
Nightwalkers
I am a child of the night, daughter of a third-shifter dad who had a penchant for 2 a.m. sky watching. The feel of night is different in unexplainable ways, more so in big cities, like where I grew up — block after block of hushed porches and weak nightlights painted to the tune of…
North Coast Rivers Get Needed Rain
Trying to follow along with last week’s rain predictions was similar to buying stocks on the day of the crash. What a rollercoaster ride! But when it was all said and done, the rain finally fell and filled the rivers to our north with some much-needed rain. The Humboldt rivers, including the Mad, Eel and…
No Exceptions
In some ways, it feels like an eternity has passed in the eight months since we first used these pages to urge Humboldt County residents to take the COVID-19 pandemic deadly serious. It seems like forever since we’ve been able to invite friends into our homes for a meal, travel to visit relatives, drop our…
Needs Investigating
Editor: Just the other day I ventured out to my garage to admire my amazing collection of CRV aluminum cans and bottles. I enjoy beer and my wife likes Perrier, so I have amassed quite a collection in the past six months. I estimate that I have paid approximately $80 in “deposits” for this collection…
‘Shame on You’
Editor: Your article of posted Nov. 13 headlined “Student Tests Positive for COVID 19 at Fortuna High” seems to fall far short of any kind of thorough journalism. By limiting the information to only those administrative individuals whose butts need covering, you embrace an obvious conflict of interest. While the superintendent (who sometimes, you report,…
‘Irredeemably Riven’
Editors: Your article “Relief and Despair” (Nov. 12, 2020) by the tremendous duo Jennifer Fumiko Cahill and Thadeus Greenson was beautifully stated. It came as close to expressing where we are as a nation and as a small piece of the machinery existing in a complex world. They did this without insulting those among us…
