Seeking Students
Facing declining enrollment and a resulting budget deficit, HSU doubles down on recruitment
Mendocino to Issue Shelter-in-Place Order
Mendocino County Health Officer Noemi Doohan has announced she will issue a shelter-in-place order that will go into effect at 10 p.m. today in an effort to halt spread of the COVID-19. Mendocino County has zero confirmed cases and there is no evidence of community spread locally, according to a press release, but Doohan said…
COVID-19 Roundup: Organizations Announce Closures, Senior Shopping Hours
There’s a lot going on and it can be tough to keep up with, so here’s a quick list of COVID-19 announcements you may have missed yesterday. The Trinidad Rancheria announced it will close Cher-Ae Heights Casino, Sunset Restaurant, Sunrise Grill and the Firewater Lounge, with all closures in full effect by 2 a.m. Thursday.…
Latest COVID-19 Testing Results: No New Positive Cases
The latest COVID-19 lab reports show no new positive cases in Humboldt County since yesterday after the results of five additional people were released. The county is releasing new daily data at humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert Monday through Saturday. From March 7 to March 17, the public health lab ran 28 of the 34 tests administered to Humboldt…
We Got You, Get Us at Home
We know staying connected to your community and getting vital information about what’s happening with Covid-19 is important. We also know you’re taking the self-isolation/shelter in place guidelines seriously and that means getting your triple-washed hands on a physical copy of the North Coast Journal is not in the picture right now. And good on you!…
HSU Campus Closed to General Public, Instruction Going Virtual Until End of Year
Humboldt State University President Tom Jackson announced this morning that the campus will operate virtually until the end of the semester and all facilities have been closed to the general public due to COVID-19 precautions. How to mark graduation outside of the traditional ceremonies is being reviewed, with Jackson saying, “We are a very creative…
Legislature Passes $1.1 Billion COVID-19 Funding Bill, Leaves Capitol
In an urgent attempt to prepare California for a surge of critically ill coronavirus patients, state lawmakers Monday allocated up to $1 billion for an unprecedented ramp-up of hospital capacity, and then, in an extraordinary move, went home for a month — or perhaps longer — effectively shutting down business at the state Capitol as…
Humboldt County Superior Court Looks to Suspend Operations Amid State of Emergency
Pending the approval of California Supreme Court Chief Justice Tani Cantil-Sakauye, the Humboldt County Superior Court has announced it will suspend operations for the rest of the week in the face of the state of emergency spurred by the COVID-19 virus. Then, beginning March 20 and extending at least 30 days, the court will look…
County Says No Additional Positive COVID-19 Tests to Date, Will Release Regular Testing Updates
Humboldt health officials announced today that reports on local testing and results will be updated daily Monday through Saturday in the Humboldt Health Alert section on the county’s website. The information can be found at humboldtgov.org/HumboldtHealthAlert. From March 7 to March 16, the public health lab ran 23 tests, all of which came back negative. To…
Eureka City Schools Offers Meal Service for Children Amid Shutdown
Eureka City Schools is offering to feed local children ages 18 and under while schools are shut down during this “unprecedented public health crisis.” The district sent a letter to parents and guardians today saying it will provide a pickup meal service at Alice Birney, Grant, Lafayette, Washington and Eureka High schools from 11 a.m.…
UPDATE: Blue Lake, Bear River Casinos to Close
UPDATE: The Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria has decided to suspend operations at its Bear River Casino and Hotel, Thirsty Bear Lounge, River’s Edge Restaurant, Express Café, Tish Non Community Center, Bear River Recreation Center and Family Fun Center in the face of the COVID-19 health emergency. The suspensions in operations begin at…
PG&E Suspends Shutoffs for People Who Can’t Pay Bills Amid COVID-19 Fallout
Six utilities serving more than 21 million Californians have announced that they will not shut off customers’ power for non-payment as the coronavirus continues to disrupt daily life. Southern California Edison, Pacific Gas & Electric, San Diego Gas & Electric and Pacific Power are taking the step until further notice. The Los Angeles Department of…
What You Need to Know About California’s Lockdown of Seniors and the Chronically Ill
California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Sunday called for seniors and people with chronic conditions to isolate themselves during the coronavirus pandemic, raising questions about the state’s capacity to ensure delivery of food, medicine and services to some of its most vulnerable residents. Newsom pledged that his office would address specific issues related to this directive…
No Need to Report for Jury Duty Today
The Humboldt County Superior Court has announced that residents previously directed to report for jury duty today should not appear as their “appearance is cancelled.” Those with jury summons are asked to call 269-1270 after 5 p.m. today for further reporting information or to log into the jury portal at here. See the full press…
Most Local Bars Remain Open Despite Governor’s Closure Request
Despite California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s calls earlier this afternoon for the state’s bars, nightclubs and breweries to close down, establishments throughout Humboldt County remained open as of 4 p.m. Newsom made the call during a press conference early this afternoon in which he also called for all California residents over the age of 65 and…
UDPATED: Almost All County Schools to Close in Effort to Prevent COVID-19 Spread
THIRD UPDATE: Eureka City Schools Trustee Mario Fernandez announced on Facebook that the school board has decided to close all school sites, with their tentative return to classes April 20, 2020. Find a spreadsheet the Humboldt County Office of Education put together to track closures by licking here. SECOND UPDATE: The Humboldt County Office of…
Supervisor Wilson in Self-Quarantine After Possible COVID-19 Exposure
Humboldt County Supervisor Mike Wilson announced last night that he is currently self-isolating after attending a California Coastal Commission meeting with a fellow commissioner who has tested positive and is now being treated for COVID-19. In a Facebook post, Wilson said he has no symptoms and doesn’t recall being in close contact with commission Chair…
St. Joseph, Redwood Memorial Open COVID-19 Screening Tents
St. Joseph and Redwood Memorial hospitals have opened tents on their campuses to begin screening patients who have “significant” symptoms consistent with the COVID-19 virus. “To be clear, each site is meant to serve only as an initial touch point for those who feel as though they are exhibiting significant symptoms consistent with COVID-19, such…
The City of Eureka Will Postpone or Cancel City Events Amid COVID-19 Concerns
The city of Eureka is postponing or canceling “non-essential city events, community gatherings and engagements involving more than 250 people” and small gatherings in line with the county, state and federal recommendations of social distancing. According to a press release, the city is canceling non-essential travel and trainings, all recreation programs, including Hoopsters basketball, adult…
Humboldt Senior Resource Center Modifies Services, Programs Amid Coronavirus Concerns
The Humboldt Senior Resource Center will modify some services and programs due to growing concerns about the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and its effect on seniors, the population at the greatest risk. According to a press release, the center will implement social distancing guidelines and modify programs to meet the needs — and maintain the…
North Coast Night Lights: Raptors at Chapman’s Gem and Mineral
Since childhood, dinosaurs have held a fascination for me. If dinosaurs roamed the earth today, my photo stories would probably be about them or, perhaps more likely, about dinosaurs at night. Alas, they are an exceedingly rare breed and the opportunities to photograph them, or even to see them at all, are few and far…
Culture Cancel: COVID-19 Nixes Local Events
The old theater adage is that the show must go on. But this time it may have to go on a bit later. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and California Department of Public Health recommendations on social distancing to slow and reduce the spread of the virus, events are canceling left and right. North Coast…
HSU to Suspend Face-to-Face Instruction Until April 17
HSU is suspending all face-to-face instruction and will move to “alternative modes of instruction” after spring break and following a three-day faculty training beginning March 26, but the university will remain open. “The decision is intended to mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), and is based on current guidelines from the CSU system, Office of…
COVID-19 Update: Social Distancing, Suspended Sports Seasons and Staying Put for Spring Break
State and local health officials are asking residents to keep their distance from others, at least for the rest of the month, in an effort to stem the tide of the coronavirus’ spread. Following in the footsteps of guidance issued by the California Department of Public Health last night, the county Department of Health and…
The 12-Second Life
Human lives generally last for 2 billion to 3 billion seconds; the universe is nearly 14 billion years old. Looking at those two statements on my laptop, I feel slightly giddy. I have a faint whiff of what the first statement means and very little understanding of the second. If you feel the same, here’s…
Close to the End
I would like to think that it would be no different If you were really here with me Sharing the last of this red wine Our after dinner faces on And the long evening hours stretched out lazily in the corner You would listen Just so Chin in hand Eyes bright in the candlelight That…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Giacomo Puccini’s famous opera Tosca premiered in 1900. It featured a heroine named Tosca. In 1914, Puccini’s favorite Tosca, a soprano singer named Maria Jeritza, was performing in a production at New York’s Metropolitan Opera. As she got ready to sing an aria entitled “I Live for Art,” she stumbled and…
County Vets Ideas to Fund Green Energy Projects
The county of Humboldt is weighing whether to place a bond or carbon tax measure on the November ballot to fund projects aimed at reducing the county’s greenhouse gas emissions in the face of a global climate crisis. Like other communities throughout the world, Humboldt County is wrestling with how to transition to clean, renewable…
All of Us
Enough time has passed since Super Tuesday that I feel it necessary to thank Humboldt County specifically and California broadly for voting and generally supporting Bernie Sanders in the democratic primary. Now let’s get the rest of those votes counted fairly and delegates assigned. This primary season isn’t over. Why am I so blunt and…
Seeking Students
Being offered a Humboldt First Scholarship is an experience in and of itself. Humboldt State University Vice President of Enrollment Management Jason Meriwether, President Tom Jackson Jr. and Lucky the Logger, HSU’s mascot, visit local high schools and offer seniors a $4,000 scholarship in an event carefully tailored to feel like a graduation ceremony. After…
Entertaining for the Hesitant Host
I was nervous the first time I gave a dinner party but it turned out to be a blast. Two friends from the Vancouver Unitarian Church annihilated the tuna fish casserole I served. An unlikely trio, we spent a merry evening in my studio apartment laughing, telling stories and looking out the bay window at…
Arts! Arcata
UPDATE: March Arts! Arcata has been canceled due to concern over COVID-19. Arts! Arcata is Arcata Main Street’s monthly celebration of visual and performing arts, held at locations in Arcata. Visit www.arcatamainstreet.com, check out the Arts! Arcata event on Facebook and Instagram, or call 822-4500 for more information. ARCATA ARTISANS GALLERY 883 H St. Susan…
COVID-19: An FAQ for Asian Americans
Greetings, fellow Asian Americans! While we prefer to discuss community issues at our secret monthly meetings, where we tackle such topics as whether it’s time to reclaim Tiger Woods or if we should tell people what their Chinese tattoos really mean, the issues surrounding COVID-19 (aka coronavirus 2019) are urgent. Asian Americans are going through…
Men on the Rebound
Reviews THE WAY BACK. A friend asked, after initially mistaking it for The Way Way Back (2013), if this is “that remake of Hoosiers.” It’s neither but fair enough for asking. The title doesn’t give us much to go on and the story of a hard-luck high school basketball coach bringing together a group of…
Cognalyzers and the Greening of the Bible Belt
Roadside sobriety tests may one day include a brain scan. The Government of Ontario recently awarded a $1 million grant to Zentrela, a tech company that claims it has created technology that can read a person’s brainwaves to see if they’re under the influence of cannabis. Known as the Cognalyzer, the contraption looks like some…
‘Different Priorities’
Editor: As Elaine Weinreb suggests in her article (“The Battle for Elk River,” March 5) Maxxam’s destruction of the watershed in the 1980s was not the first time this occurred. As far back as the 1870s, timber harvesters used the river to help transport their logs to mills on Humboldt Bay. In summertime, the loggers…
OMG! Election Results!
Editor: OMG! I was stunned to pick up the March 5 North Coast Journal (on March 4) and see election results (NCJ Daily). What an amazing job. Congratulations and a heartfelt thank you for having these results available and in print. You are serving this community as journalism should be serving. Dave Rosso, Eureka Editor:…
Apology Accepted
Editor: I accept Cliff Berkowitz’s apology and believe he is truly sorry (“Cliff, the N-Word and Missed Opportunities,” March 5). In a written apology in the Lost Coast Outpost, Cliff took responsibility, acknowledged the terrible wrong and committed to learning from the experience. For me, his apology was sincerely filled with contrition. In your March 5…
‘Superficial’
Editor: I’ve long enjoyed Judy Hodgson’s editorials but not her latest (“Ready, California?” Feb. 20). One rule of editorializing is to demonstrate you know of which you speak and Ms. Hodgson’s opinions were uninformed start to finish. Her opinion on each candidate made clear to me: She completely lacks an in-depth knowledge of them. She…
