Through Mark Larson’s Lens 2023
A local photographer’s favorite images of 2022 in Humboldt
Cover Story
Through Mark Larson’s Lens
In another year we’ll all never forget, 2022 started with the scary omicron surge and ended with a big earthquake. The latter was a reminder that we live near the Triple Junction and now we await this winter’s “Tripledemic” of COVID, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). My wife and I continued to limit face-to-face…
Condor Lecture at Sequoia Park Zoo
The Sequoia Park Zoo Conservation Lecture Series continues this week with a hybrid event (in-person and on Zoom) on the Yurok Tribe’s reintroduction of the condor to the region. Chris West, Manager of the Northern California Condor Restoration Program, discusses the conservation history of the endangered California condor in California Condor Reintroduction Update, happening Wednesday,…
MLK Learning Day at Arcata Community Center
Join HC Black Music and Arts Association, Black Humboldt and others for the MLK Learning Day, Monday, Jan. 16 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Arcata Community Center ($10 donation, $5 for youth under 12, bring a can of food for the Third Bags of Love drive). The event will have live music, speakers,…
Wild Abandon Album Release Show this Saturday at the Playhouse
Friends, put on your dancing shoes and hoof it to the Arcata Playhouse for a special evening of music, dancing, drinks and supporting local musicians at the Wild Abandon Album Release Show, Saturday, Jan. 14 from 7 p.m. to midnight ($10-$20 sliding scale). The band members self-produced their second album Character Study and are ready…
Music Tonight: Friday, Jan. 13
Sons Of is a mini-indie supergroup, featuring Sam Prekop of The Sea and Cake (and also the ne phew of my dear late friend Jack Turner) and John McEntire from Tortoise. Both groups were groundbreaking in the ’90s and early aughts, due in no small part to the efforts of the aforementioned gentlemen. Come see…
Music Tonight: Thursday, Jan. 12
Okie dokie, here’s a new gig for this column: The Humboldt Bay Social Club is putting on a regular free comedy night on Thursdays, which, as I understand it, is being done in conjunction with the good people over at Savage Henry. But that’s not even the best of it, so allow me to sweeten…
Public Health Reports Two New COVID Deaths Amid Uptick in Hospitalizations
Humboldt County Public Health reported today that the county has confirmed two new COVID-19 deaths, both of residents over the age of 80, since its last report Jan. 4. Five new hospitalizations were also reported and, according to a state database, 11 people are currently hospitalized with the virus locally, including five receiving intensive care.…
George ‘Henry’ Duran: 1942-2023
George “Henry” Duran, age 80, passed away on Jan. 2, 2023, in Eureka, California. Henry was born in Roswell, New Mexico, on June 19, 1942. He moved to Eureka as a child, attended local schools, and graduated from Eureka High School, class of 1961. He married his high school sweetheart Betty and later welcomed their…
Woman Found Dead in Recycling was Likely Sheltering from Storm
The Eureka Police Department has identified the woman found dead among recycling being dropped off by a Recology truck at the Samoa Resource Recovery Center last week as 57-year-old Jestine Green, a woman who local outreach workers say had been living on the streets of Eureka for at least a couple of years. Police have…
UPDATED: 3.6 Earthquake Strikes Near Fieldbrook
A preliminary magnitude-3.6 earthquake (which was first reported as a 3.5 before being downgrade to a 3.4 before being upgrade by USGS) struck near Fieldbrook at 10:32 a.m. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the temblor hit at a depth of 13.35 miles about a mile from Fieldbrook, 4 miles from McKinleyville and 6 miles from…
McGuire Announces $3 Million in Earthquake Aid, Virtual Town Hall Meeting
The state of California has authorized $3 million in disaster relief aid for Humboldt County residents impacted by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake Dec. 20 and the Jan. 1 aftershock, North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire announced this afternoon. According to a release from McGuire’s office, the funds will “focus on those most in need and…
Dave Silverbrand Has Died
Long time local news personality Dave Silverbrand, beloved by many for his folksy demeanor and near constant presence on local airwaves over the span of decades, died of congestive heart failure Jan. 6. He was 76. Silverbrand, who spent more than 20 years as a television reporter for WGME-TV in Maine before relocating to Humboldt…
NCJ Preview: 2022 Photos, Domestic Violence and Relief in Rio Dell
This week we’re perusing Mark Larson’s photo’s of Humboldt in 2022. We’re also looking at a tragic killing in Eureka and how it appears to fit a tragically familiar pattern of domestic violence. In the wake of the Jan. 1 aftershock, which hit Rio Dell even harder than the Dec. 20 quake in some respects,…
Travis Low: 1952-2022
Travis Roger Low, a devoted family man, loving father, enthusiastic grandfather, weekend cowboy, small business owner, integral community member and loyal friend, passed away on Dec. 28, 2022. Travis was born in Scotia on Nov. 12, 1952, to Roger Low and Carolyn Comfort Low. He was the younger brother of Kevin and David and the…
Robert (Bob) Riffenburg: 1938-2022
Robert (Bob) Riffenburg cherished living in Fortuna since 1962. He finished his life on Dec. 15 when pneumonia and congestive heart disease won the fight. Bob graduated from Humboldt State University in 1964 and taught at Loleta Elementary and then math at Jacob’s Junior High until 1979. He left teaching to become active in Eureka’s…
‘A Great Day:’ President Signs Karuk Land Back Bill into Law
President Joe Biden today signed a bill into law placing federal lands in Humboldt and Siskiyou counties into a trust for the Karuk Tribe, fulfilling a years-long effort to put the sacred lands back into tribal hands. Under The Katimiîn and Ameekyáaraam Sacred Lands Act, 1,200 acres of U.S. Forest Service land will be transferred…
EPD Investigating Dead Body Found in Recycling
The Eureka Police Department has launched an investigation after a dead body was found among recycling dropped off at the Samoa Resource Recovery Center on Vance Avenue by a hauling truck. According to a press release, EPD was notified of the female body yesterday at about 10:45 a.m. The body has been identified, according to…
Rio Dell Schools Reopening Tuesday
Rio Dell School District schools, which include Eagle Prairie Elementary and Monument Middle School, are set to reopen Tuesday, Jan. 10, after the schools were forced to close due to damage sustained during the Dec. 20 earthquake and Jan. 1 aftershock. On Monday, Jan. 9, RDSD will be holding an in-service day for its staff…
UPDATE: 101 Reopened at Last Chance In Del Norte, Numerous Humboldt Roadways Remain Closed
UPDATE: Crews have cleared the slide at Last Chance Grade in Del Norte County and U.S. Highway 101 is now back open, Caltrans reports. PREVIOUS: A slide has closed U.S. Highway 101 at Last Chance Grade in Del Norte County, with no current estimated time of reopening, according to Caltrans. Crews are at the scene…
County Establishes Long-term Recovery Line for Those Affected by Earthquake
Humboldt County residents who lost housing due to the magnitude 6.4 earthquake on Dec. 20 and the 5.4 aftershock on Jan. 1 are able to call the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Service’s newly established long-term recovery line at (707) 441-5000 for assistance finding short-term housing. “The county is making every effort to…
Low-interest Federal Loans Available to Aid Quake Recovery
At the urging of state and local officials, as well as North Coast Congressmember Jared Huffman, the U.S. Small Business Administration is offering low-interest federal disaster loans to businesses and residents affected by the Dec. 20 earthquake that rocked Humboldt County, and its continuing aftershocks. “The SBA Disaster Loan process will make it easier for…
Ringing in 2023 in Style
This New Year’s Eve held an air of hope, sincerity and originality. The Arcata-Eureka area was packed with fabulous events. Arcane Artists impressed with over-the-top fiery displays of sensuality at the Dangerous Desires party at RampArt. The Eagle House’s Phoenix Rising Fire and Ice celebration delighted with high-end glamor and creature comforts. Septentrio’s Barrel Room was irresistibly cozy…
“Dry” January
I’ve done this gig long enough to know the post-holiday hub is the absolute doldrums when it comes to live music. So, bear with me for the next few weeks, please. It gets better, I promise. On another note, I’d like to mention the tragic passing of Lola Mitchell, aka Gangsta Boo, on New Year’s…
Rio Dell Restaurants Reopen with Losses
A determined person could eat at every restaurant in Rio Dell in a single day. Businesses along Wildwood Avenue took losses in the aftermath of the 6.4 earthquake that hit the tiny Eel River Valley town especially hard. Beyond the damage from the quake, like damaged equipment and dining rooms, the days without power and…
First Saturday Night Arts Alive
Eureka Main Street presents First Saturday Night Arts Alive on Jan. 7 from 6-9 p.m. Our galleries, museums, theaters, bars and restaurants are open late for your enjoyment. ART CENTER SPACE 620 Second St. (former Piante Gallery) features more than 75 local artists. BLUE OX BOUTIQUE 515 Second St. Beer and cider in the Blue…
Personal Rebranding for 2023
As I look back at resolutions past, I see a disheartening pattern of vows and good habits tossed aside before Valentine’s Day, along with blank journals, gym membership cards, rattling bottles of supplements and dusty self-help books. But this year will not be like previous attempts to improve my life. Rather than another shot at…
Make a Wish Instead of a Resolution
Early on Sunday, Aug. 21, 2022, I drove to Crescent City. The ride on U.S. Highway 101 is one of my favorites — along Big Lagoon, then Stone Lagoon, through the redwoods and, finally, with the ocean rumbling on one side. It was a typical North Coast summer morning, foggy and chilly, but I didn’t…
Pine Hill Shootings Leave ‘Horrible’ Toll
Editor’s note: Be advised this story contains descriptions of domestic violence that readers may find disturbing. Skip to the bottom for information about local domestic violence services. According to Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal, Russell Albers’ girlfriend had made the decision to leave him and their abusive relationship behind. Speaking to the Journal on Dec. 29,…
‘A Lot of Trauma’
Already battered from the magnitude 6.4 earthquake on Dec. 20, the city of Rio Dell suffered “far more significant” damage in the 5.4 quake that rattled Humboldt County on New Year’s Day, according to City Manager Kyle Knopp. “These earthquakes were absolutely scary,” he said. “After the first event, we had a lot of people…
Smith River Only Option for Green Water
As the rain continues to fall along the already saturated North Coast, the number of fishable rivers has dwindled to one. And if you’re from here or spent any time here, it comes as no surprise it’s the Smith. While all the other coastal rivers are raging and muddy, the Smith has remained emerald green…
The Cutting Room Floor
THE FABELMANS. The elevator pitch would have us believe this is a movie about the magic of (watching and making) movies, a life dedicated to a calling and the simple conflict in a house divided by art versus pragmatism. It can be so defined, of course; Steven Spielberg does not generally go in for unkind…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “My life was the best omelet you could make with a chainsaw,” observed flamboyant author Thomas McGuane. That’s a witty way to encapsulate his tumultuous destiny. There have been a few moments in 2022 when you might have been tempted to invoke a similar metaphor about your own evolving story. But…
