A Thank You to Our Members
For nearly 30 years, the North Coast Journal has been covering the stories and people you care about in Humboldt County. We’re proud to share our coverage in print and online for free so everyone — with or without internet access or the means to subscribe to a paper — can stay informed, especially during…
One More Positive COVID Test Brings County Total to 52
For the second day in a row — and just the second time in a week — Humboldt County Public Health has announced a new local COVID-19 case. Today’s results come after the Humboldt County Public Health Laboratory processed 34 additional tests and outside laboratories processed another 15. The county has reported 52 COVID-19 cases…
An Open Letter to the Person Who Killed my Son
April 15th, 2020 To the person responsible for murdering my son, I am writing this letter to encourage you to come forward in order to bring peace to yourself and my family. Your friends and family may tell you that you are free and to disregard me, however, I know that you are not free in your…
Expiring Driver’s Licenses Extended
Wondering if you have to renew your license and get stuck with a photo of your lockdown bangs? Good news: The Department of Motor Vehicles has announced it’s extending expiring licenses at least until the end of May in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In a press release, the DMV put a May 31 deadline…
‘From Me to You:’ An Expression of Gratitude from Eureka’s Mayor (VIDEO)
Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman issued a public service announcement today offering a “heartfelt thank you” to the essential workers continuing to serve the community in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing shelter-in-place order. Find a video f the PSA and a transcript copied below: RECOGNITION Hello, I’m Mayor Susan Seaman. All of us…
Reopen California? That’s the Toughest Phase Yet, Newsom Says
When will Californians emerge from house confinement? What will life look like? In a roadmap unveiled Tuesday with top public health officials, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he will not lift his shelter-in-place order until adequate suppression and mitigation measures are in place to prevent future flare-ups. That means tracking down the sick and isolating clusters…
APD Renews Calls for Witnesses on Third Anniversary of Lawson’s Death
On the third anniversary his death, the Arcata Police Department is calling on witnesses to step forward in the April 15, 2017, stabbing of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson. In a joint public service announcement released with Lawson’s mother, Charmaine Lawson, they urge witnesses who may have attended the party at which Lawson…
Public Health Announces One New COVID-19 Case
For the first time in a week, Humboldt County Public Health has announced a new local COVID-19 case. The county has reported 51 COVID-19 cases to date, with the majority — 28 — coming in a six-day period from March 30 to April 6. But the rate of positive tests has tapered sharply over the…
Testing Decline Coincides with Streak of No New Local COVID Cases
Humboldt County Public Health has now announced six consecutive days without a positive COVID-19 case — a streak that began somewhat abruptly just days after the local caseload more than doubled over the course of a week. It’s a remarkable change coming just as many were bracing for local numbers to continue to rocket upward.…
Public Health Announces No New COVID-19 Cases, Urges Continued Vigilance
For the sixth consecutive day — and just the sixth time since March 23 — Public Health announced that there have been no new positive COVID-19 test results today. The county has reported 50 COVID-19 cases to date, with the majority — 28 — coming in a six-day period from March 30 to April 6. But…
Farmers Forced to Let Crops Rot and Throw Away Milk While Food Bank Demand Soars
Last week, Isabel Solorio turned away five families from the Lanare food bank serving farmworkers in rural Fresno County. There just wasn’t enough food to feed the 215 families who showed up. It was twice the number of families that needed food a week earlier, she said. But that same week, on a farm just…
Judicial Council Pushes Bail to $0 for Misdemeanor, Low-level Felony Arrests Amid COVID Concerns
The Humboldt County jail has changed policies to reflect an emergency rule passed by the California Judicial Council mandating $0 bail for misdemeanors and low-level felonies in an effort to reduce inmate risk of a COVID-19 outbreak. “I understand the unprecedented impacts that the COVID-19 outbreak has created but am deeply concerned that this rule…
These California Medical Workers Are Signing Up for Newsom’s Health Corps — Despite Risks
It’s people like Stephen Kamelgarn, a family medicine doctor, who answered Gov. Gavin Newsom’s call for help preparing the state for a surge in coronavirus patients. Kamelgarn, 69, still practices part time in retirement. He signed up immediately for Newsom’s California Health Corps, even though he’s in the age group most at risk of falling…
‘A Real Surge:’ Food Insecurity Intensifies as COVID-19 Job Losses Increase
It was an unprecedented task. Food for People had received more than 1,161 food boxes from the California Association of Food Banks thanks to a $600 million allocation aimed at feeding households during the COVID-19 outbreak. Food for People Executive Director Anne Holcomb said the food bank elected to distribute more than 500 of the…
Huffman to Talk COVID Tonight at Virtual Town Hall
North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman will host a virtual town hall meeting this evening to engage with constituents, update them on his efforts in Congress and speak with a trio of local officials about COVID-19 related efforts. Huffman will be joined for the 5 p.m. shelter-in-place gathering by Humboldt County Public Health Officer Teresa Frankovich,…
Public Health Announces a Fourth Consecutive Day Without a New COVID-19 Case
For the fourth day in a row — and just the fourth time since March 23 — Public Health announced that there have been no new positive COVID-19 test results today. The county has reported 50 COVID-19 cases to date, with the majority — 28 — coming in a six day period from March 30…
Cleaning and Reusing Hospital Masks: Is it Safe?
As California ramps up its purchase of protective gear for health care workers, the state also has set a back-up plan in motion: cleaning masks so they can be used again and again. Face masks called N95 respirators are worn by doctors, nurses and other medical workers to filter out infectious droplets carrying the virus. They…
For Third Consecutive Day, Public Health Announces No New COVID-19 Cases
For the third day in a row — and just the third time since March 23 — Public Health announced that there have been no new positive COVID-19 test results today. The county has reported 50 COVID-19 cases to date, with the majority — 28 — coming in a six day period from March 30…
County May Close Scenic Drive Due to Social Distancing Concerns
The County of Humboldt is warning that it may close Scenic Drive, the oceanfront road south of Trinidad with access to a number of popular beaches, if people don’t practice social distancing. See the full press release below: April 10, 2020 – Lack of Social Distancing May Prompt Closure of Scenic Drive The County of…
County Survey: Nearly 1,700 jobs, More than $21 Million in Revenue Lost to COVID-19
Nearly 1,700 Humboldt County residents have lost their jobs and 11 local businesses have closed due to COVID-19 and the county’s resulting shelter-in-place order, according to updated results of an economic impact survey conducted by the Office of Emergency Services. In total, the 519 local businesses that have responded to the survey to date reported…
News Roundup: Nursing Homes Work to Prevent Infection, Hoopa Confirms First Positive Case
Local nursing homes have taken some big steps — including prohibiting visitors — in an effort to prevent spread of the COVID-19 virus within their walls, the Times-Standard reports. The story, reported by Sonia Waraich, details how homes have implemented new sanitation protocols for employees, canceled residents’ group activities and shuttered their dining halls in…
Need Food? Here’s Where to Get Some Today
Food for People and Cooperation Humboldt will hold an emergency drive-through food distribution this afternoon to help those suffering from food insecurity during the COVID-19 crisis. The distribution will happen from 2 to 4 p.m. today. Those with a car are asked to arrive to the parking lot near what used to be Sears at…
Humboldt Fire Personnel Test Negative for COVID-19
Humboldt Bay Fire is announcing that several of its personnel who were exposed to an asymptomatic COVID-19 patient at a local hospital have been released from a 14-day quarantine after testing negative for the virus and will return to work next week. “We are grateful for this positive outcome but this incident underlines the importance…
Huffman Applauds Relief Funding for Local Health Centers, Which Hope More is on the Way
North Coast Rep. Jared Huffman announced yesterday the awarding of more than $2 million in funding for local health centers through the $2 trillion CARES Act aimed at halting some of the economic fallout from COVID-19.. “This funding, successfully negotiated by Democrats in the recent CARES Act, is a huge win for our frontline health…
Public Health Again Reports No New COVID-19 Cases, Urges Continued Vigilance
For the second day in a row — and just the second time since March 23 — Public Health announced that there have been no new positive COVID-19 test results today. “Sheltering in place and the other social distancing measures that have been so difficult for us all, appear to be having an impact in…
Costco Sends Healthcare Workers and First Responders to the Front of the Line
If you’ve made an essential trip to Costco lately (hopefully not to hoard toilet paper — seriously), it’s been a very different experience. Shoppers, who are asked to follow social distancing protocols, are limited to two people per membership card, hours have been cut back and shopping is restricted to those 60 and older only…
NCJ Preview with Access Humboldt
This week: We’ve got COVID-19 updates for Humboldt County, how Rio Dell and its mayor are stepping up to help seniors and people with disabilities get supplies, and how restaurants are trying to minimize contact with customers and between staff as they pivot to takeout. Hit subscribe for weekly updates from our YouTube channel.
Cal State Coronavirus: Your Questions Answered About how CSUs Are Navigating COVID
You’ve got questions about how your CSU education will be disrupted during the coronavirus pandemic. Chancellor Tim White has answers. In a wide-ranging discussion with CalMatters’ College Journalism Network on Thursday, the chancellor discussed fee refunds, support for faculty teaching online, and more. Here’s what we learned. For more details, watch the full interview with…
‘Trying to Lead’
The April 2 letter was addressed to “My fellow Rio Dellights,” and had all the warmth and reassurance of a fireside chat. It acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that none among us — not even our oldest neighbors — has experienced something like this before. “The stress is greater, the fear is greater…
Slowing the Velocity
As the Journal went to press April 7, Public Health announced one more Humboldt County resident had tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the local total to an even 50. While that number represented a sharp spike over two weeks, with 48 of those positive cases coming over the span of 14 days and 29 of…
Taking (Some of) the Contact out of Take-out
In the Friday afternoon lull between lunch and dinner, Eduardo Lopez still has to put the phone down to help customers at Toni’s 24-hour Restaurant. “It’s enough to keep us busy,” he says. Despite the suspension of table service under the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order, he says, “we’ll get our rushes around regular times.” Restaurants offering…
Saving Each Other
It’s no stretch to say that we in Humboldt County — and the rest of the country — stand on the precipice, facing the very real threat of widespread death and suffering. New York City is already there. But it’s also no stretch to say — at this moment in Humboldt County, anyway — we…
Bright Side of the Moon
We are moving into week four of shelter in place in Humboldt County and much has happened in a week, again. Many of our school districts are informing us they will indeed be out for the rest of the year. Perhaps the districts that haven’t yet committed are holding on to the same hope we…
Having been discharged from Hell
Having been discharged from Hell, the New York dead lie piled inside refrigerated trucks, awaiting their transport to Heaven and reunion with old enemies and friends. A continent away, the redwood forest throbs with life, as prehistoric ferns unfurl, and tiny wildflowers become droplets of courageous color in the shade of the big, dark trees.…
