Cover Story
Summer of Fun 2022
Humboldt County has got an array of camps, classes, activities and adventures for the kids this summer. Kick back to peruse the options and don’t forget to contact organizers about their current COVID protocols. General & Multi Activities Camp Combo Option (ages 5-12). Thu., May 12. City of Arcata. The city of Arcata Recreation Division…
‘Bad Optics’ Hang Over Auditor-Controller Contract
Within weeks of the Humboldt County Auditor-Controller’s Office issuing almost $12,000 in payments to a local consulting firm earlier this year, the firm’s owner, who up until December served as chair of the Humboldt County Central Democratic Committee, voted in favor of the committee’s endorsement of Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez’s re-election bid and made a…
Arcata Council Strips Defiant Watson of Assignments, Limits Access to Staff
After hearing nearly two dozen residents plead with Councilmember Brett Watson to resign in the wake of a scathing investigative report that he abused his power and harassed a city employee, the Arcata City Council passed a series of measures tonight aimed at protecting city staff, while limiting Watson’s access to City Hall. Watson, meanwhile,…
Cal Poly Humboldt Honors Betty Kwan Chinn During Commencement
Betty Kwan Chinn became the first person in Cal Poly Humboldt’s fresh history — and just the 13th in the campus’ 109-year history — to receive an honorary doctorate degree Saturday. During the ceremony, Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson Jr. and Provost Jenn Capps spoke of Chinn’s decades of services in Humboldt County working to…
Artist, Poet, Activist and Karuk Ceremonial Singer Brian Tripp has Died
After a long and painful battle with illness, 77-year-old Brian D. Tripp, born in Eureka and raised in Klamath, died May 13. A nationally renowned artist whose work echoed traditional forms in painting and sculpture, Tripp was the 2018 recipient of the California Living Heritage Award from the Alliance for California Traditional Arts. His mural “The…
David Spreen: 1951-2021
On Nov. 23, 2021 David Spreen passed away peacefully at home. Dave was a master mathematician and Nov. 23 is Fibonacci day, so it is a fitting day for his passing. David Spreen was born in Trona, California, to highly educated and well-respected father and a charismatic mother in 1951. He was the youngest of…
Jennifer Marie Shiro Ayo: 1976-2022
Jen (Shiro) is the beloved mother of Ezekeal Zion Ayo (23), Keani Pele Young (16) and Machete Luke Young (15). She was an artist, a dancer, a generous friend and a radiant personality that shone brightly in the lives and hearts of those who knew her. Our loss is great because the joy and goodness…
Fortuna High Teacher Charged with Four Felonies in Molestation Case
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office has filed an eight-count criminal complaint against Fortuna Union High School teacher Gary Landergen, charging him with four felonies and four misdemeanors based on allegations that he sexually assaulted three 15-year-old girls over a four-day span this year. Landergen, who teaches math and coaches athletics at Fortuna High School,…
NCJ Preview: Summer Camps, Brett Watson and Genius Rice
The Journal’s annual Summer of Fun issue is here with a rundown of classes, camps and workshops to entertain the kids when school is out. Everything from surfing to stage fighting to science camps are in there and we’re going over the highlights. We’ll also look at what we know about the sexual harassment allegations…
Arcata Council to Consider Restraining Order, Censure of Watson
The Arcata City Council has scheduled a special May 17 meeting to discuss possible courses of actions, including a recommendation that the city obtain a workplace violence restraining order, after an outside investigation found Councilmember Brett Watson sexually harassed a city employee. Other options include a public censure, removing Watson from his council assignments and…
‘Earth on Top’ Initiative Qualifies for Arcata Ballot
An initiative aiming to direct the city of Arcata to fly the Earth flag atop all city-owned flagpoles — above the American and California flags — has qualified for the November ballot, proponents announced today. According to a press release, proponents were able to gather 1,381 valid signatures backing the effort, more than the 10…
Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters
Editor: Juan Pablo Cervantes has outstanding qualifications for the critical public service positions of clerk, recorder and registrar of voters in Humboldt County. Cervantes is the only candidate with experience administering elections. The list of his professional and civic engagement in the field of election administration is long; and his educational background makes him uniquely…
M/V Madaket: 112 Years Young
“The ship wherein Theseus and the youth of Athens returned from Crete had 30 oars and was preserved by the Athenians down even to the time of Demetrius Phalereus, for they took away the old planks as they decayed, putting in new and stronger timber in their places. [Philosophers argued,] one side holding that the…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Choose the least important day in your life,” wrote Aries author Thornton Wilder. “It will be important enough.” I recommend that you make those your words to live by in the next two weeks. Why? Because I suspect there will be no tremendously exciting experiences coming your way. The daily rhythm…
‘Undisputed’
An outside investigation has found Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson sexually harassed a city employee and used his position to make undue demands for the individual’s time and attention over the course of more than two years. That included expecting her to respond to text messages about his personal life and feelings for her at…
Better Git it in Your Soul
Having grown up in love with the work of Charles Mingus, I am excited for Thursday’s show. Which is good news because there hasn’t been much else in the world inspiring joy for me lately. I can’t imagine that I’m the only one, either. The lack of pretense surrounding our society’s slip into open authoritarianism…
Rice is Life
For many Asian people, rice is a staple in their diet. We often say, “Rice is life.” Many older Chinese still greet each other with, “Have you eaten rice yet?” I like my rice steamed, fried, braised, in soup or sweetened in a dessert. Lately, l have been trying to eat healthier by adding brown,…
Salmon Plentiful Off the North Coast
After sitting on the sidelines for nearly a week due to terrible ocean conditions, the Eureka fleet was finally back on the water Tuesday. And the salmon were waiting. Early reports indicate there’s a large area full of fish right out front of Eureka and most of the boats that ventured out scored limits. And…
Arts! Arcata
Celebrate the visual and performing arts in downtown Arcata during Second Friday Arts! Arcata on May 13 from 4 to 8 p.m. We want to welcome all our community members to come out and visit with us for a lively night market of local art vendors, music and fun in the plaza center circle, and…
The Sound of Magic‘s Misdirection
THE SOUND OF MAGIC. I believe in magic. I live in a world where people spontaneously sing and dance, and cherry blossom petals fall from trees in the most opportune times. Because of this outrageous fortune, the world of The Sound of Magic, the new K-Drama series streaming on Netflix is immediately enticing. A downtrodden…
One Couple’s Abortion Story, 45 Years Later
Last week’s leak of a U.S. Supreme Court opinion on Roe v Wade took me back more than four decades, when, in the space of six months, I had two abortions. I hope my story will help people understand the right to an abortion isn’t only a political or moral issue, but also one of…
Fourth District Supervisor
Editor: I owned an insurance agency for almost 40 years in Eureka and had decades of contact with Mike Newman because he is in the insurance business. I heard nothing but praise for Mike from his clients and other insurance agents. I trust him to be our Supervisor! He will balance environmental concerns, push for…
Fifth District Supervisor
Editor: I’ll be voting for Steve Madrone on June 7. His service to the county and its people goes far beyond the four years he’s served on the board of supervisors. I’ve known him since our Boy Scout years and over the decades seen him become a key driving force for everything good for our…
District Attorney
Editor: As a former employee of the district attorney’s office who worked with both Stacey Eads and Adrian Kamada, I am very happy to support Stacey. She has shown a dedication to Humboldt County by returning after graduating law school, taking a job in the DA’s office, growing and advancing up the ranks. She has…
Superior Court Judge
Editor: As a civil litigator in Humboldt County for the past 24 years, I have come to know our local judges and what it takes to be a good judge. Steven Steward will be an excellent judge. I have had the unique experience of being neighbors and friends with Steve and his family for several…
Auditor-Controller
Editor: As a former Humboldt County auditor-controller, I am endorsing Cheryl Dillingham for AC in this election. Cheryl has the technical skills and expertise to be successful in this very challenging position. Cheryl also has a strong ethical foundation and the emotional intelligence to treat her employees, other departments and the public with the appropriate…
