The Reports are In
The 2019-2020 Civil Grand Jury weighs in on the Lawson investigation, county efforts to protect its most vulnerable charges
Fieldbrook Woman Safe, Suspected Kidnapper in Custody
A Humboldt County man suspected of kidnapping a Fieldbrook woman has been taken into custody in Oregon and she is safe, according to the sheriff’s office. A news release states George Rose, 43, was located near Talent, Oregon, where he “reportedly approached a resident’s home, requesting assistance in contacting law enforcement to turn himself in”…
Humboldt Covid-19 Cases Hit Single Day High
Public health reported 10 additional COVID-19 cases today, the largest single day count to date, bringing the county’s total to 255. “We’re no longer returning to periods with zero case counts as we did in the past. This indicates that there’s still more work to do to ensure that people understand the increasing risk of…
Nurses Picket for Staffing, Increased Aid Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, T-S reports
Local nurses and supporters held an information picket today on Harrison Avenue by St. Joseph Hospital, part of a nationwide effort to call for increased staffing and federal funding amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Times-Standard reports. Read the full story here.
SECOND UPDATE: Search for ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Kidnapping Suspect Over
SECOND UPDATE: A Humboldt County man suspected of kidnapping a Fieldbrook woman has been taken into custody in Oregon and she is safe, according to the sheriff’s office. A news release states George Rose, 43, was located near Talent, Oregon, where he “reportedly approached a resident’s home, requesting assistance in contacting law enforcement to turn…
Man Arrested After Twice Attempting to Flee Deputies
One man was arrested last night after twice attempting to flee deputies in the McKinleyville area, at one point striking a patrol car and downed trees. The first pursuit began around 10 p.m. in the area of Murray Road and McKinleyville Avenue, when a deputy attempted a traffic stop. The driver fled and the pursuit…
UPDATE: Two Die After Being Pulled from Submerged Vehicle
UPDATE: The California Highway Patrol reports the two men pulled from a submerged vehicle this morning have died. Their names and ages were not released. PREVIOUS: Humboldt Bay Fire rescue swimmers pulled two people from a submerged vehicle near the third span of the Samoa Bridge around 2:40 a.m., according to a news release. Both…
Humboldt COVID-19 Cases Surge Again
Public health reported nine additional COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county’s total to 245. Of those, 126 people contracted the virus through contact with another known case, 67 acquired it through out-of-area travel and 34 were a result of community transmission. Eighteen cases remain under investigation, according to a news release. No new hospitalizations were…
Eureka Police Staging on Central
Eureka Police are on Central Avenue near Winco after multiple people called 911 reporting that a man with a pellet gun was in the backyard of his prior residence yelling he wants to die. Officers escorted a woman who was in the residence out of the home. UPDATE 5:19 p.m.: According to a report from…
Coast Guard Crew to Receive High National Honors for Rescuing Trapped Firefighters (with Video)
A flight crew with Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay will be honored with prestigious national awards Thursday for their role in rescuing two injured firefighters trapped on a mountainside being engulfed in flames during last year’s Middle Fire. Lt. Cmdr. Derek Schramel, the aircraft commander, and Petty Officer 1st Class Graham McGinnis, a rescue swimmer,…
Hoopa Valley Tribe Announces Six COVID-19 Cases, Two Rivers Tribune reports
The Hoopa Valley Tribe announced yesterday that there are six active COVID-19 cases on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation and the tribe is shutting down non-emergency operations for two weeks to allow for contact tracing and the formation of reopening safety plans, according to a Two Rivers Tribune Facebook post. Read more here.
UPDATE: Red Salmon Complex Continues to Grow
UPDATE: The Red Salmon Complex has reached 3,420 acres and remains at zero containment, according to the evening update. PREVIOUS: The Red Salmon Complex — including the Red and Salmon fires — has reached 3,315 acres with zero containment as it burns in rugged terrain of the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity national forests. A base…
EPD Releases Video on Fatal Police Shooting
The Eureka Police Department this evening released a video briefing on the July 23 fatal officer-involved shooting of John Karl Sieger, which includes a timeline of the events that took place. The briefing by Chief Steve Watson and Capt. Brian Stephens also contains audio of 911 calls as well as images and videos from the…
Public Health Reports 3 New COVID-19 Cases
After a record-breaking 100 confirmed COVID-19 cases in July alone, public health reported three additional ones today, bringing the county’s total to 236. A news release on the latest numbers notes that while there are a wide range of symptoms — from cough and headache to muscle aches and chest pain — about one in…
“Pervasive Failure to Investigate:” Report Finds Lack of Scrutiny in Cases of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
For generations, order and cleanliness had been Christina Lastra’s family’s way of fighting off poverty. But the day in July 1991 when her mother’s mysterious death was ruled an accident marked the end of the orderly life Lastra had been leading in Humboldt County. “We didn’t get peace. No one ever even thought of looking…
Kneeland Road Blocked After Logging Truck Crash
Just before 2 p.m., a logging truck flipped over on its side near mile marker 37 on Kneeland Rd. The driver was stuck inside the vehicle and Kneeland Rd was blocked as of 3:45 p.m. According to Humboldt Bay Fire, “Fortunately, crews were able to extricate the driver who was pinned during the crash, sustaining…
UPDATE: Red Salmon Complex Remains at Zero Containment
The Red Salmon Complex — which includes the Red and Salmon fires — has grown to 2,643 acres and remains at zero containment, according to this morning’s fire update. Both fires are burning in steep, rugged terrain within the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity national forest, a news release states. Today, crews on the ground will…
Sheriff’s Office Investigating Shooting Near Bridgeville
One person was injured in a shooting this morning. According to a dispatcher relaying information to emergency personnel over the scanner about 3:55 a.m., the victim was “shot at in vehicle” and the shooting occurred in the Mad River area. However, emergency personnel were sent to Loop Road in Carlotta to find the victim. The…
Humboldt Branch of WILPF Awards 2020 Peace Grants
The Humboldt Branch of Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) awarded its 2020 Edilith Eckart Peace Scholarship to several Humboldt organizations earlier this year. Through a public service announcement, Carol Woods, Secretary/Treasurer for Humboldt WILPF, named the recipients, which include the local branch of the GI Rights Hotline, the Humboldt County Branch of Black Music…
Coast Guard Rescues Two People from Sinking Vessel Near Whitesboro, Calif.
The Coast Guard rescued two people after their sailing vessel began taking on water one nautical mile offshore from Albion River near Whitesboro, Calif., Sunday. The boatcrew arrived on scene at 1:45 a.m. and recovered both people from the vessel. The survivors were transported by the boatcrew to Fort Bragg, Calif., in good condition. Read the…
Ag Officials: Don’t Plant the Mystery Seeds
Mysterious packages of seeds are popping up in local mailboxes — sometimes labeled as jewelry or beads — and the Humboldt County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office is urging anyone who’s received the unsolicited bundles not to plant them. So far, about 20 local residents have reported being on the receiving end of the deliveries that appear…
Flames from Truck on Fire Spreading into Wildlands
Flames are spreading from a Dodge Ram pickup to the wildland off of Bald Mountain Road just east of Maple Creek Road, after the truck caught on fire about 1:50 p.m., according to a report made by the pickup’s owner to 911. CalFire sent multiple engines, Copter 102, an air attack, and other resources to…
Red Salmon Complex Remains at 1,060 Acres
The Red Salmon Complex — which includes the Red Fire and the Salmon Fire — remains at 1,060 acres with zero containment, according to this morning’s update. The lightning-caused fires burning in the Six Rivers and Shasta Trinity National Forests are being fought by air and on the ground. A helibase has been set up…
Temporary COVID-19 Testing Site Coming to Arcata
A temporary mobile COVID-19 testing site is coming to the Arcata Community on Aug. 3 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., just after Humboldt County hit a grim milestone in July, reaching 100 confirmed cases, the highest of any month to date. To make an appointment in Arcata, call 268-2503. Free testing for those without…
Alder Bay Administrator Did Not Know Possible Source of Facility’s COVID Cases Before Bloomberg Column, T-S reports
The administrator of Alder Bay Assisted Living did not know how the COVID-19 virus might have been brought into the facility, leading to the deaths of four residents, before reading about a Bloomberg column on a local news site, according to a Times-Standard story. The column “Confessions of a California COVID Nurse” by well-known author…
Public Health Reports 2 New COVID-19 Cases Bringing July’s Total to 100
Public health reported two new confirmed COVID-19 cases today, bringing the county’s total to 233, with 100 of those in July alone. “The good news is that we are in a good position to substantially slow transmission of this virus in our community by avoiding contact with those who aren’t a part of our household…
EPD Takes Battle of the Badges Blood Drive Title
With 62 donors, the Eureka Police Department bested 17 other local agencies to take the trophy for the third annual Battle of the Badges Blood Drive. During the drive, a total of 184 people — some employees of participating agency and others community members donating to the Northern California Community Blood Bank on their behalf…
Red Salmon Complex Fire Continues to Grow
The Red Salmon Complex — which includes the Red Fire and Salmon Fire — has grown to 1,060 acres with zero containment, according to today’s update. A news release states fire crews are working on the ground to contain the lightning-caused wildfire complex burning in rugged terrain in portions of Humboldt, Trinity and Siskiyou counties…
Court Bans “Abusive” Spiking, but Sticks with Pension Protections
For 65 years, the California Supreme Court has taken a rigid line on pensions for public employees: Any retirement benefits promised to a worker at the outset of a job can only be reduced if they are replaced with something of equal value. That iron-clad precedent has been dubbed “the California Rule.” Today the state’s…
Public Health Confirms Three new COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed three new COVID-19 cases today, making 26 so far this week and 98 for the month, as the local spike in caseloads continues. Two of the new cases are linked to a known confirmed case, while the third is one of 14 cases that remain under investigation. In a press…
Column Quotes HumCo Nurse Tying Fatal COVID-19 Cases to Meth Dealer who Refused to Isolate
The strain of COVID-19 infection that ultimately killed four residents at Alder Bay Assisted Living reportedly started with a methamphetamine dealer who dismissed public health’s advice and refused to isolate himself, Humboldt County Public Health Nurse Erica Dykehouse reportedly told famed author Michael Lewis, who was penning a column for Bloomberg. Lewis’ column, “Confessions of…
Man Barricaded in Hydesville Home with Firearm
About 3:40 p.m., the Humboldt County SWAT team responded to 3300 block of Mendes Lane in Hydesville for the report of a man barricaded inside a residence with a firearm. According to scanner traffic, the man was in the second story of the building. An ambulance was requested to stay outside the area. “Residents of…
Drug Task Force Reports Seizing 5 Pounds of Heroin
The Humboldt County Drug Task Force reported seizing nearly 5 pound of suspected heroin while seeing a search warrant yesterday, according to a press release. The warrant, served in the 500 block of Warren Creek Road, was targeting Jack Ryan Skundrich, 34, who is well known to the task force. According to the press release,…
Newsom Appeals to Warren Buffett in Effort to Save Klamath Dam Removal Deal
Gov. Gavin Newsom has appealed to one of the world’s richest men in an effort to save the Klamath dam removal deal. The groundbreaking deal to remove four hydroelectric dams along the lower Klamath River was reached in 2016 and would constitute one of the largest dam removal projects in history. Under the deal, the…
NCJ Preview: Grand Jury Reports, Powers Creek Produce and Flocking Up
The Grand Jury reports are in — what does that mean? We’re talking with Access Humboldt about how this team of volunteers acts as a kind of watchdog over everything in our county from criminal investigations to mental health care. And if you’ve ever thought about getting into the small-scale produce racket or raising your…
UPD Arrests Virginia Murder Suspects
Humboldt State University police arrested two people suspected of a Virginia murder yesterday while conducting a routine patrol, according to a press release. Sgt. Joe Jones and officer Billy Kijsriopas were patrolling the University Corporation Yard off Samoa Boulevard at about 1 a.m. Wednesday when they found an unoccupied vehicle with stolen license plates parked…
Stop Virtue Signaling
Editor: I scratched my head at this new moniker for Latin peoples, so I did some research. Incidentally, my wife has an undergraduate degree in English (Washington University, St. Louis — the ‘Harvard’ of the Midwest) and a masters in education from Temple University Philadelphia — also a very good school. In other words, equal,…
‘Privilege on Display’
Editor: In your lead article in the July 23 issue (“A Walk Around the County”), the writer complains of no longer having face-to-face yoga, lack of access to a gym and only shopping once a week at the North Coast Co-op. He and his wife are experiencing “mental stress,” “cabin fever,” weight gain and having…
Nine Puzzles
This time of year in the Journal means puzzles in Field Notes. Given the sheltering situation these days, it might be more important than usual to exercise your brain muscles, in the event the lockdown is making those 86 billion neurons in your skull to atrophy (trust me, I counted). If you have trouble with…
Getting Blackberries
Picking blackberries a lovely form of Zen practice the ones you see first – bright red – are not the ones you want their black edible sisters hide modestly among the thorns and leaves. Pick too fast and you crush the berry pick too fast and you stab your fingers grab the berry just right…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): Aries poet Lawrence Ferlinghetti is renowned for his buoyancy. In one of his famous lines, he wrote, “I am awaiting, perpetually and forever, a renaissance of wonder.” Here’s what I have to say in response to that thought: Your assignment, as an Aries, is NOT to sit there and wait, perpetually…
The Reports are In
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury wrapped up its work for the year last month, issuing the last of its eight reports. The reports tackle subjects ranging from leadership in the Southern Humboldt Joint Unified School District (spoiler: there’s a crisis going on) to how the Humboldt County Planning and Building Department interfaces with the…
Rough Road
When shelter in place became the law of the land in Humboldt County back in mid-March, shuttering much of the local economy and sending most people home, a swath of businesses were deemed “essential” and allowed to keep operating. These included grocery and hardware stores, auto mechanics, pharmacies and takeout restaurants. The exemption also extended…
Pivoting into Produce
Monica Morris is shopping for ingredients to make her annual zucchini relish. Normally around this time of year, farmers have zucchini “coming out their ears,” she says. But finding a large number of affordable zucchinis this July has been a challenge. That’s why Morris has driven from Arcata to Blue Lake, where the small Powers…
On Becoming A Flockster
Growing up in rural central California, my two best friends each had chickens in their backyards. Their busy moms would bribe us with a trip to Lickety Split, our favorite ice cream spot in town, if we helped out with chicken chores. We’d happily collect eggs, feed and water the birds in exchange for a…
Dirty Jobs
THE ASSISTANT. Jane (Julia Garner) is often just trying to eat. Arriving at the office in the dismal Manhattan pre-dawn, she finally gets a second to wolf down a bowl of Froot Loops when her menacing, unseen boss arrives, curtailing her would-be breakfast. Later, when she brings lunch for herself and her male deskmates (because…
‘Responsibility’
Editor: So, help me understand … the White House can coordinate a national strategy to counteract protests, most of which are peaceful, but refuses to take any responsibility for coordinating a national strategy to handle the pandemic which is causing so many deaths and suffering? (Mailbox, July 23.) Please, explain that to me. Rita Carole,…
Burning Down the House
Editor: After months of denial, President Trump has finally confessed that COVID-19 is for real. He has admitted publicly that “the pandemic will get worse before it gets better.” This newfound concern contradicts very recent claims of his such as 99 percent of the cases are “totally harmless” and the virus will “just disappear.” Further,…
