Cover Story
Three Strikes
The office had just emerged from what Del Norte County Assistant District Attorney Katherine Micks describes as “a very dark time,” and there was, she says, a genuine sense of optimism when Dale Trigg was elected in 2014. Over the ensuing three years, Micks says, Trigg emerged as the “competent, ethical leader that we hoped…
Drowning Victim Identified
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the identity of a man found drowned in the Klamath River on Friday, June 30. Joshua Aldon Hammond, 45, was found by a fisherman near Young’s Bar at around 4:40 p.m. An autopsy conducted today confirmed no foul play. From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office: On Friday, 06/30/2017,…
The Arcata Bubble
A Pied Piper of bubbles led off the red, white and blue Fourth of July Bubbles Parade around the Arcata Plaza in the morning, followed by live music, a family-friendly Kids Zone, aerial silk dancers, a nonprofit fundraiser dunk tank and lots of food and drink options. Vicky Joyce, owner of the store Bubbles, donated…
Cutten to Pay ECS $260K Over Interdistrict Fracas
The Cutten School District has agreed to pay Eureka City Schools $260,000 to avoid a potential lawsuit over failing to report all interdistrict transfers for several years, according to a settlement announced by ECS today. An estimated 25 percent of Cutten students — and 74 percent of that district’s interdistrict transfers — come from ECS,…
Doughnuts Rising
Sit-down doughnut options are too few and far between. And yet the doughnut should be a legitimate breakfast option alongside bacon and eggs, pancakes and waffles. Drive-thru doughnut shops are necessary because sometimes time is of the essence, people. But can we not give this glorious, unifying food that crosses all social and political boundaries…
Music Tonight: Tuesday July 4
It’s America’s birthday so I hope you’ll be eating cake, watching fireworks or blowing shit up on your own to celebrate. We’re the Most No. 1 in the World and don’t let anyone tell you none otherwise. Moonalice alum and friends of Phil Lesh, Barry Sless, John Molo, Pete Sears and Rob Barraco are teaming…
Fun on the Fourth
Oh say, where can you see all the sights, sounds and celebrations this Fourth of July? From all-day festivals to nighttime fireworks, here’s what’s poppin’ in Humboldt. Before the big day, celebrate America’s independence at the Fortuna Fireworks Festival on Monday, July 3 at Newburg Park. There are kids’ activities, live music and a barbecue…
Music Tonight: Monday July 3
The Miniplex hosts “surf sirens from Seattle” La Luz tonight along with new project from Chicago dweller Jeff T. Smith named Living Body and local favorites The Monster Women for this 9 p.m. $10 show.
HumBug: Butterfly vs. Spider
Some time ago, I mentioned in passing that butterflies and moths are covered with scales and fine hairs. They are easily dislodged and I theorized that these easily discarded structures might serve them as a release mechanism from sticky traps like a spider’s web. Last night I noticed a small cross orbweaver (Araneus diadematus) in…
Music Tonight: Sunday July 2
Local singer/songwriter Joanne Rand is joined by violin champ Rob Diggins along with fellow fiddler Jolianne Einem at the Westhaven Center for the Arts tonight at 7 p.m. to wrap up the weekend. You can get into this performance of seasoned musicians for a sliding scale of $5-20.
This Show Sucks
While you’re out at Arts Alive! looking at ceramics and skateboards tonight, you may want to follow the sound of fuzzy, crunchy guitar to Studio 424 (424 Third St., Eureka) for the Ultra Super Last Minute DIY Punk as F#ck Flyer Show. The small gallery hosts a “haphazard trip down memory lane” for local punk…
TL;DR: Up and Down in Del Norte
Didn’t have time to read this week’s cover story? We understand. Life is hectic enough, not to mention it’s a holiday weekend, right? To help out, here are some takeaways from this week’s cover story, which looks at the rocky history Del Norte County has faced in recent years with the last three district attorneys.…
Music Tonight: Saturday July 1
Local yokels The Yokels are returning to the Mad River Brewery at 6 p.m. doing their “rockabilly soul” thing for free. Vista Del Mar is hosting a rare appearance by the frontline of ShinBone at 8 p.m., comprised of Chas Southside Lewis on the harp and Robert Franklin on guitar, for free. When they hang…
Music in the Garden
Perennial favorites are in bloom at Humboldt Botanical Garden during the Garden Concert, Sunday, July 2 at noon ($5-$8, free for garden members). Enjoy the beauty of the garden and a refreshing root beer float while the 82-year-old Scotia Band performs John Phillip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Press Conference Sheds Little Light on Lawson Case
Two months and two weeks after the April 15 death of David Josiah Lawson, a 20-year-old Humboldt State University student who was fatally stabbed at an off-campus party, little in the way of new information has been made public. Today a group of Lawson’s family members and friends holding Justice for Josiah posters joined Arcata city officials…
Sales of Estate Items to County Employees Under Investigation
Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal announced today that the sheriff’s office has launched an investigation into possible improprieties involving the sale of estate assets managed by the public administrator’s office to county employees. In a report by the Lost Coast Outpost’s Ryan Burns, Honsal says the situation came to his attention when the Outpost began…
Naughty
Let’s not pretend names don’t matter. This week Ferndale’s favorite foodie son Guy Fieri revealed that his trademark Donkey Sauce — principal export of Flavortown — is just aioli. It’s hard to know whether we should feel duped or just relieved on behalf of donkeys. And did aioli really need rebranding? Naming is a tricky business,…
Sincerely Sinful
Anita Lemonparty and Nova Six of Spectrum Presents, well, present: Sincerely Sinful, an all-ages drag show Saturday, July 1 at 8 p.m. at Synapsis Nova ($5 suggested donation). Kick up your heels with Anita and Nova along with Jay Bird, Davinya Rae Nation, No Miss Takes, April Shower and special guest performance by Jules.
Music Tonight: Friday June 30
Classic Country music is on the bill this evening at the Mad River Brewery Tap Room courtesy of Orick’s Redwood Ramblers who are coming down to play for free around 6 p.m. Just a bit north, you’ll hear from The Jim Lahman Band laying down some “blues funk and good old rock ‘n’ roll” at…
Judge Gives Attorney 30 Days to Refile Public Defender Lawsuit
A judge today dismissed a lawsuit alleging the county’s public defender did not meet minimum qualifications required for the post, but gave local attorney Patrik Griego 30 days to refile, saying he should have more information about his contention after questioning David Marcus under oath during an upcoming deposition. The lawsuit seeking to block Marcus’…
An Evening of Blues, Funk and Rock ‘N’ Roll
Swing by the Westhaven Center for the Arts for an evening of blues, funk and rock ‘n’ roll with the Jim Lahman Band on Friday, June 30 at 7 p.m. ($5-$20 sliding). Come back for more sweet sounds with Joanne Rand, Rob Diggins and Jolianne Einem on Sunday, July 2 at 7 p.m. ($5- 20…
Ruff Enough
Who’s a good doggie? Find out this weekend when Lost Coast Kennel Club hosts its 17th annual All Breed Dog Shows June 30-July 2 at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds (free admission, $5 parking). The event is your chance to see some of the top dogs in the country looking and doing their best during three…
Music Tonight: Thursday June 29
Fred & Jr. (no relation) get the weekend underway at Mad River Brewery’s Tap Room this evening at 6 p.m. and they’ll be doing their swing/jazz thing for free while you enjoy the sunshine and local beer. Down in Arcata at The Miniplex, you’ll find the “finest in retro synth dark wave, think Siouxie and…
Keep a Lid on the Id
In my fantasy dinner parties, Lost Coast Outpost Editor Hank Sims is a frequent guest. I am socially reluctant so I don’t host actual dinner parties. I invite him because he says thought-provoking, conversation-stimulating things. If you didn’t tune in June 14 to KHSU’s Thursday Night Talk you should stream the podcast. As part of…
Writing a New Story
A Fortuna author is using her work to convert a family tragedy into an opportunity for others. Jennifer Bailey, who writes young adult fiction under the pen name J. Lynn Bailey, is donating all of the profits from her upcoming book, Standing Sideways, to a scholarship fund that honors her cousin, Jason Dale Johnson. Johnson…
Musical Drag
I wasn’t on top of my game enough to get in a column relevant to the other week’s Unpopular Opinions theme but I thought, even though late, why wouldn’t I want to get some hate mail as well? (See email address below.) What could be more unpopular than me telling you that your taste in…
Up and Down in Del Norte
November, 2002 Michael Riese wins his first bid to become Del Norte County district attorney. He had previously served in the position on an interim basis after a previous DA stepped down shortly after winning an election in 1998. January, 2005 Jon Alexander is hired by Riese as a deputy district attorney, but is fired…
Tabby’s Star
Fifty years ago — November 28, 1967 — a strange signal from the heavens was detected by radio astronomers in Cambridge, England. It was essentially a pulsing beep-beep-beep, the beeps being a little more than a second apart. Was this a signal from an alien civilization, a calling card from afar? The researchers jokingly called…
Potato Salad Fight
Want to start a fight at a barbecue? Two words: potato salad. Googling settles most quibbling over when to flip a burger or how long the chicken should cook. However, regional, familial and personal tastes, nay, mores regarding this picnic staple go deep and will not be moved. I love potato salad, so I try…
From Kiln Shed to Skate Park
One person throws a pot, one rides a board. Yet the subcultures that have grown up around ceramics and skateboarding center around membership in a group or tribe. This month’s Arts Alive! provides two opportunities to contemplate this dynamic. Piante Gallery features work by ceramicist Conrad Calimpong, who has been firing pots in his self-built…
End This Insanity
Burnt marijuana — it’s a smell everyone on the North Coast knows well, whether you’re a habitual smoker or never touch the stuff. It hangs in Old Town’s doorways and alleys, wafts across beaches and between redwoods. It’s everywhere. So I ask you, has that scent ever made you fear for your life? It feels…
Arts Alive!
Presented by Eureka Main Street. Opening receptions for artists, exhibits and performances are held the first Saturday of each month. For more information, call 442-9054 or go to www.eurekamainstreet.org ADORNI CENTER 1011 Waterfront St. Barbara Saul, paintings, and Paul Rickard, artwork. A TASTE OF BIM 613 Third St. Featuring art by Susan Strope BACK ROOM…
Boom
Reviews What makes a movie “American”? Is it patriotic or critical? Is it about identity, individualism, team spirit or oppression? Is it set in the Wild West or a modern metropolis? Does it even have to be made by an American? This is a big question and maybe even more subjective than whether a movie…
GMO No
Editor: Mr. Hoover’s claim that GMO technology is “benign and beneficial” is a stupendously unpopular opinion. Unfortunately he supports it with some outright falsehoods. GMOs do not (at least at this point) increase food nutrition. As far as I know, the only plan for that is the so-called “golden rice” that has not actually gone into…
Old School, New Ideas
Editor: When I was reading last week’s cover article “Get to Work,” about how the Building Trades class (and other vocational programs) would be losing their funding, I couldn’t help but feel frustrated. 1) Because it hurts the whole of our community to not value our plumbers, carpenters, auto repairmen, etc. (just imagine your typical…
Do Robots Dream of Electric Bud?
Editor: How come the carpenters had to take a jab at the cannabis growers? Carpenters may be less annoying than drug farmers, but drug money provides many jobs for local carpenters and tradespeople (not to mention the giant pickup truck mechanics, who are indebted to both groups). And the high-tech urban white-collar workers are ultimately…
My Selfish Lens
On Monday the New York Times published an article on the Congressional Budget Office analysis of the Senate Republican plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. “[T]he report said, premiums for older people would be much higher under the Senate bill than under current law. As an example, it said, for a typical…
