Step Aside Prop. 47, Proposition 36 Has Arrived
Humboldt officials have differing views on new criminal justice law By Anne To
Cover Story
Step Aside Prop. 47, Proposition 36 Has Arrived
Proposition 36, one of six state ballot measures passed during the Nov. 5 election, went into effect Dec. 18 and local officials have divergent views on what Humboldt County residents can expect. The proposition, which passed with 68.4 percent in favor statewide (and 56.52 percent in Humboldt County), repeals much of Proposition 47, a 2014…
James ‘Jimmy’ Bernard Friel
James (Jimmy) Bernard Friel died at home in the arms of his beloved wife, best friend and life partner Lela McKee Friel, on Feb. 1, 2025. His death came 16 months after being diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer. Jimmy was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied at Pennsylvania State College and Tyler School…
Iris Elizabeth Canter
Iris Elizabeth Canter, born on July 24, 2015, passed away on Jan. 25, 2025, at the tender age of nine. A bright, shining star, Iris brought boundless life and love to all who knew her. She was the cherished daughter of Adam and Ana Canter and the beloved sister of Azalea. Iris was deeply loved…
Music Tonight: Wednesday, Feb. 19
There’s nothing going on tonight that I haven’t reported on in one form or another before, so I’ll just spin the wheel and see where the cursor stops. Duck, duck, duck, goose … and it looks like the Logger Bar is the place tonight, where you can enjoy Jazz Bros at 4 p.m., and karaoke…
Local 50501 ‘Not My Presidents Day’ Draws Hundreds in Eureka
More than 500 protesters showed up Monday in Eureka outside the county courthouse on Fifth Street with signs — lots of signs — to join the noon-time national 50501 ‘Not My Presidents Day’ of action. Their goal was to voice their opposition to the policies and actions of the second Donald Trump administration, and Elon…
Comedy Tonight: Tuesday, Feb. 18
We have a new venue in town, as the Jam in Arcata is no more, having morphed into something called the Wild Hare Tavern. Out with the old, in with the leporids. Humor is often the best way to break the ice in a new social situation, so what better way to get acquainted with…
Photos: Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo 2025
The 15th annual Inked Hearts Tattoo Expo: Heart of the Dragon Resurrection 2025 got underway for three days from Feb. 14-16 at Blue Lake Casino and featured 43 tattoo artists and piercers. Large crowds took advantage of the opportunity to look over the art designs and make on-the-spot appointments for “ink” and piercing. See the slideshow below…
Music Tonight: Monday, Feb. 17
Up in the Canadian side of the Rocky Mountains you will find the home-turf stamping grounds of The Wardens, a ground of Canuck songsters named after their chosen profession of national park wardens. Expect harmony-laden tales of the wilds of the backcountry and the experiences of the people who oversee its vast wilderness. I think…
Music Tonight: Sunday, Feb. 16
San Diego is in the house at Humbrews tonight but, rather than representing that weather-perfect town, will be celebrating the music of our colder, Northern neighbors. Chest Fever is an officially sanctioned tribute act celebrating The Band, one of the finest groups to emerge from the rock to folk back to rock double decade from…
Music Tonight: Saturday, Feb. 15
It’s the second night of the Mr. Humboldt pageant over at the Arcata Theatre Lounge tonight at 7:30 p.m. Last night’s All-Stars Pageant featured participants from years past, while tonight’s offering is focused exclusively on fresh faces, all vying for the crown, gilded underwear, or whatever the big prize is for coming up on top.…
Judge Takes St. Joseph Abortion Case Under Submission
After hearing about 30 minutes of oral arguments this morning over whether he should dismiss or delay a landmark lawsuit from the California Attorney General’s Office alleging St. Joseph Hospital violated state law when it refused to provide a medically necessary abortion, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Timothy Canning took the matter under submission, saying…
Prop 36, Valentine’s Fun and Red Flags
This week California Local Journalism Fellow Anne To breaks down the impacts of Prop 36. We’ve also got a rundown of entertainment and community love over the weekend, as well as a satirical look at dating in classic literature vs. the real world. Hit subscribe for weekly updates on Humboldt stories.
Music Tonight: Friday, Feb. 14
Ponies of Harmony, aka singer and trombonist James Zeller and guitarist and singer Katie Belknap, have put together a show at Synapsis tonight called All About Love, featuring poetic and musical musings on the nature of the evening’s theme. There is a vegan meal provided with soup, salad and bread from Brio, which must be…
Music Tonight: Thursday, Feb. 13
Rootsy local act The Elderberry Rust String Band is a good time for those looking for a hoot and a holler with plenty of solid picking. Swing by the Basement at 8 p.m. for a cover-free show of Americana tunes with that oh-so-fine bluegrass swagger.
Bird-feeder Blues
Big-bellied rats have taken over Dining in broad daylight Quarreling over top spot, Well-guarded by an old crow named Jim. I will not tend the feeders Not until spring When blue skies fill with birds of all sizes and shapes countless colors and calls all reflecting the sun and murmuring in unison “We’re back!” Diana…
Support for Spagna
Hundreds of members of the Cal Poly Humboldt community, including students, staff, faculty and alumni, have signed a letter to California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia nominating Interim President Michael Spagna to become the university’s next president. “We believe Dr. Spagna is the right leader to guide Cal Poly Humboldt forward,” reads the letter, which…
My Funny Valentine
When I briefly lived in Brooklyn in my very early 20s, there was a bar called Rosemary’s (I think, it’s been a while), where the owner, presumably Rosemary but who really knows, would heavily decorate the place for every holiday. Those decorations remained up until the next holiday, so there would be an unbroken chain…
Are We Dating the Same Romantic Literary Hero?
Admin: Hey, ladies, quick reminder about the group’s rules. Remember, we’re here to help each other navigate a tricky and sometimes dangerous dating landscape, so let’s keep it civil and no screenshots or snitching. Jane Eyre: Where to start? I started nannying for this guy Edward and, I know, never date your boss. Also he’s…
High Water and ‘Old Boys’ at the Trinidad to Clam Beach Run
The 11 a.m. start time of Saturday’s 59th annual Trinidad to Clam Beach Run Honoring Ford Hess turned out to not to be good timing for the tidal-influenced water crossing of the Little River. With 720 runners, including 200 grade school and high school students sponsored by Coast Central Credit Union, at the starting line, organizers…
Bloody Hearts
COMPANION. If you’re not vigilant, you can fall into a genre beat, as I seem to have with robot lady movies. Looks like I’ll be seeing them all, for better or worse, though Companion has landed far on the “better” side of the factory floor. Doll-like Iris (Sophie Thatcher) and Josh (Jack Quaid) meet oh-so-cute…
Let’s Own This Thing
Slowly, gingerly, Coast Central Credit Union may be moving toward putting the “you” into its planning and policymaking, rather than just using it as an advertising slogan. Buying a home? Expanding a business? With close to 80,000 member-owners, Coast Central influences where our money goes on the North Coast. Whether you’re a member or not,…
When Will We Know?
Editor: After a four-year “trial,” Trump is again trying to end democracy (Mailbox, Feb. 3). Publishers, please, please let us know when it’s over. Please, put out the headline, “Democracy Officially Ended.” Everyone needs to know. Let those who voted for this know so they can cheer … or be horrified. “We the People” want the truth! We need to…
‘Don’t Assume’
Editor: Don’t assume your Democratic member of Congress is doing everything they can to oppose Trump’s agenda (Mailbox, Feb. 3). Their voting records show otherwise. Senators Padilla and Schiff both voted to confirm Marco Rubio, who shut down and is now dismantling USAID, leaving millions of hungry children in the lurch along with trafficked women…
Tariffying Trump
Editor: President Trump loves tariffs. He has already imposed them with some exceptions on items from Canada, Mexico and China, although, at this time, the first two tariffs are paused for negotiations. Soon Trump will be proposing more tariffs with the “Reciprocal Trade Act” (RTA). The act would place U.S. tariffs on all imported goods…
‘I Don’t Believe in Fairy Tales’
Editor: I agree that a compassionate, supportive and responsive community is a good ideal (Mailbox, Feb. 2). History doesn’t show that happens just yet. Meanwhile, I am worried that resisters to bullies and tyrants may not have the support of our whole communities. We have just elected a bully who surely knows how to take…
Sea Nettle Babymaking
A local grocery store was overstocked, so they had a big sale. When I arrived, the place was packed with people having sex and grabbing groceries. People were even rolling around in shopping carts having sex and stuffing groceries in with them. Things I won’t describe were happening in the produce section. And there were…
