Toe in the Water
As a slow relaxing of shelter in place begins, a long road lies ahead
State Releases Dining-in Guidelines for Restaurants
Gov. Gavin Newsom has posted the state’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance for dine-in restaurant service once California’s shelter-in-place order eases to allow it. The 12-page document by the California Department of Public Health and Cal Osha advises restaurants to — among a myriad of cleaning, training and serving practices — “continue to encourage takeout and delivery…
UPDATE: Structure Fire on Old Arcata Road
Just after 6 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a structure fire in the 1700 block of Old Arcata Road. At 6:10 p.m., the Incident Commander said that there was a confirmed attic fire and his crew was working on making access. Westbound traffic is blocked at Jacoby Creek Road. UPDATE 6:22 p.m.: The Incident Commander…
Lost Coast Outpost: Court Dates Pushed Back in Four Murder Cases Today
Four defendants in Humboldt County murder cases made their way before a judge virtually today, according to a Lost Coast Outpost report, and saw their court dates rescheduled. One of the cases dates back four years, according to the article by Rhonda Parker. Read the full story here.
Jail Visitations Starting Back Up
The Humboldt County jail will be allowing visitations again starting Monday with some restrictions, including a limit of four inmates and no more than two visitors per inmate during a session. Face coverings in compliance with the Humboldt County health officer’s order will be required. Read the full Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office news release here.
Public Health Confirms Three New COVID-19 Cases, One More Hospitalization
Humboldt County Public Health announced this afternoon that it has confirmed three new COVID-19 cases today as a part of a spike that has seen 12 new cases confirmed since Saturday. Two of the cases confirmed today are residents at Alder Bay Assisted Living, making it four residents and a staff member there who have…
UPDATE: World’s Longest Fiber-Optic Cable May be Looking to Land in Humboldt
UPDATE: The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District board announced there were no reportable actions from its Thursday night closed session, including the possible lease of a property to two companies related to a cable landing. PREVIOUS: The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District board is scheduled to meet in closed session Thursday…
Supes Back Health Officer’s Push for More Local Control Over Shelter in Place
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously this afternoon, with Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson absent, to send a letter of support to the state backing Public Health Officer Teresa Frankovich’s certification that the county meets state criteria to allow some local control over how it moves forward through stage two of the governor’s…
Mad River Brewing Co.’s New Native Swag
In October, when the Yurok Tribe bought the Mad River Brewing Co., it became one of only a handful of breweries owned and run by a Native American tribe. Now, with the unveiling of the brewery’s new logo, the statement of Native ownership is right on the label. According to a press release from Mad…
UPDATE: Road Closures Coming Back to SR36 Near Dinsmore
A federal highway project in the Dinsmore area on State Route 36 will resume May 19 with four-hour closures, according to Caltrans. Full closures will be in effect weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. On Fridays, work should finish at 3 p.m. Find more information here. Editor’s note:…
Derby League Members Keep Rolling Strong for the Community During COVID-19
While Humboldt Roller Derby league members may not be able to strut their stuff at the rink right now, they are still out in the community providing essential services in style. Over the last few weeks, HRD has been highlighting their commitment. So, here is a shout-out to those league members for showing us how…
UPDATE: Extrication Needed After Traffic Collision in Eureka; Broadway Closed
Broadway is closed at Seventh Street after a traffic collision needing extrication occurred at 11:50 a.m. A tractor truck and trailer is on its side at the foot of Fifth Street. The Incident Commander reported over the scanner at noon that the patient has been extricated and sent to the hospital via ambulance. According to…
Supes to Mull Support of Health Officer’s Certification that Humboldt is Ready to Ease COVID Restrictions at Own Pace
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will meet in special session this afternoon to consider sending a letter supporting Public Health Officer Teresa Frankovich’s certification that the county has met state readiness criteria that would allow the county to move faster than other parts of California through the second stage of reopening under the governor’s…
Drug Task Force Seizes 5 Pounds of Suspected Heroin
Around 5:15 p.m., the Humboldt County Drug Task Force pulled over a vehicle near the onramp to U.S. Highway 101 from the Miranda bridge. According to Humboldt County Sheriff Sgt. Jesse Taylor, the vehicle contained about 5 pounds of heroin. Taylor responded to our request for information in an email reply, saying, “I can confirm…
Public Health: Three New COVID-19 Cases Confirmed, Making Nine Since Saturday
Humboldt County Public Health announced this afternoon that it has confirmed three new COVID-19 cases today, which on the heels of four yesterday, makes nine since Saturday and brings the county’s tally to 64. The county also clarified today that it now has 11 active COVID-19 cases after misreporting the number in recent days. Public…
Taste of Main Street Takeout Edition
A Taste of Main Street, Eureka Main Street’s annual social gathering of sampling, snacking and supporting local restaurants/producers, had to be shelved this year due to COVID-19. But we still love to eat, we love to socialize and we love to share what we eat on social media. In that spirit of vicarious living and community…
UPDATE: CSU Plans to Go Primarily Online in Fall
The Los Angeles Times is reporting that the 23-campus CSU system will be continuing online courses in the fall for most classes due to COVID-19 concerns. According to the report, Chancellor Timothy White made the announcement today during a board of trustees meeting. “Our university, when open without restrictions and fully in person, … is…
Fieri vs. Murray is the Cheesy Cage Match We Need
You may recall we reported back in April that Ferndale’s spiky-haired son Guy Fieri has been working with the National Restaurant Association to raise money for restaurant workers who’ve been laid off as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That collaboration has already come up with $20 million in relief funds. (Psst: If you’re a restaurant…
Public Health Confirms Four New COVID-19 Cases, Reports Two Related to Assisted Living Facility
Humboldt County Public Health announced it has confirmed four new COVID-19 cases, bringing the county’s tally to 61. Public Health reported the county has also seen another COVID-19 patient hospitalized. With today’s four positive tests, the county has seen seven since May 6 after a lull of zero new cases over the course of the previous…
Fizzle: Fourth of July in Old Town Canceled
While California and Humboldt are loosening some restrictions on shelter-in-place orders, safely gathering in large crowds is still far off. With this in mind, Eureka Main Street has announced the cancelation of the annual Fourth of July street festival. In a press release, EMS says it joins Arcata and Southern Humboldt in skipping the fireworks…
Invisible Protections
How about we all just exhale deep and collectively recognize that week six of shelter in place was rough. Maybe we can just agree to be OK with letting that one roll on past. Of course this may just be my view because in the educator circles I run in this seems to be the…
A Thank You to Our Members
For nearly 30 years, the North Coast Journal has been covering the stories and people you care about in Humboldt County. We’re proud to share our coverage in print and online for free so everyone — with or without internet access or the means to subscribe to a paper — can stay informed, especially during…
KEET’s ‘Asian Americans’ Panel Kicks off Series
Nobody knows what day it is anymore but it’s definitely May, and that means Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. KEET is kicking off a series of programming about the history and cultural impact of Asians and Pacific Islanders with an Ovee preview screening and panel discussion this Sunday, May 10 at 4 p.m. (free).…
Public Health: Two New Positive COVID-19 Cases Today
Public Health has confirmed two new local COVID-19 cases today after another 95 samples were tested, bringing Humboldt County’s case tally to 57. “This small increase serves as a reminder to residents that the virus is still circulating in the community and that we all have a continued responsibility to decrease unrecognized transmission as the…
Got Gloves? Here’s How to Properly Remove Them (with Video)
While masks or other facial coverings have been mandatory inside a building, such as a grocery store, or in other public situations where individuals are unable to maintain a 6-feet distance since April 24, many folks are also regularly using gloves to avoid the spread of COVID-19. But there is a trick to properly removing…
One Rescued by Helicopter Near Blue Lake
About 7:30 this morning, scanner traffic indicated that there was a rescue ongoing southeast of Blue Lake. We were unable to ascertain the reason for the rescue but Chopper 102 has been dispatched to the area and is attempting to locate the distressed individuals. The area is foggy. At 9:04 a.m., a first responder said…
Photos: Windsurfing Humboldt Bay
What do you do for fun outside in this era of physical distancing when the wind is blasting? For 77-year-old Peter Portugal and his 40-year-old son Bodhi, the best answer is to don wet suits and go windsurfing in Humboldt Bay. (See the slideshow below.) Bodhi lives in Nicaragua eight months out of the year teaching windsurfing…
UPDATE: Closures to Last Chance Grade Pushed Back a Day
UPDATE: Due to impending weather, Caltrans has decided to move the start date of the full closure of U.S. Highway 101 at Last Chance Grade in Del Norte County back a day, and it will now start Tuesday and stretch through May 15. PREVIOUSLY: Just a friendly reminder for those looking to travel north or…
Public Health: No New Cases Confirmed Today
After 77 tests, Public Health has confirmed no new COVID-19 cases. Today’s results come after Public Health processed another 33 samples and corporate labs reported results from another 44. Of the 55 cases Humboldt County has confirmed to date, 52 of the patients have since recovered and are no longer in isolation. Wednesday’s sole positive…
Did COVID Change Your Hours of Operation?
COVID-19 and sheltering in place have changed everything for local businesses and we’ve all got to adapt. If you’ve changed hours, switched to curbside pick-up or no-contact delivery to keep your customers and staff safe, you can let North Coast Journal readers know by adding or updating your free online listing here. Once approved, it’ll…
Debilitating Hoof Disease Found In Del Norte Elk
What is believed to be the state’s first cases of a debilitating hoof disease has been detected in two Roosevelt elk in Del Norte County, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. “Treponeme-associated hoof disease (TAHD) – commonly referred to as “elk hoof disease” – can cause deformed, overgrown and otherwise damaged hooves.…
After Single Day Record 164 Tests, No New Local COVID-19 Cases Found
After 164 tests, the most results announced in a single day to date locally, Public Health has confirmed no new COVID-19 cases Today’s results come after Public Health processed another 58 samples and corporate labs reported results from another 106. Of the 55 cases Humboldt County has confirmed to date, 52 of the patients have…
NCJ Preview: Easing COVID Restrictions and Southeast Asian Community Aid
COVID-19, Southeast Asian Americans, Hmong, Lao, shelter in place, social distancing, Access Humboldt
Redheaded Blackbelt Receives Facebook Grant for COVID-19 Coverage
Yesterday, Facebook notified Redheaded Blackbelt that we would be getting the entire grant we applied for through its Facebook Journalism Project COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program — $44,215! We applied for that money to go directly to stories for you, our readers. Every cent will translate into either photos or words that will…
Latest COVID-19 Confirmation Linked to Known Case
The Humboldt County Joint Information Center is reporting that the latest case of COVID-19 confirmed in the county is linked to a known case while the No. 54 case from April 29 was due to community transmission. Of the 55 total cases known in region, 24 were known contact, 20 due to travel and 11…
What to Expect with COVID-19 Testing (with Video)
With COVID-19 testing by appointment now available to Humboldt County residents at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka, here’s a bit more information on the process and what to expect. Priority is given to people in high-risk groups and essential workers but others with mild or no symptoms can schedule a test online here or by calling…
State Clarifies What Businesses Can Open Friday, How They Must Operate
The state of California has issued guidelines detailing what retail businesses, including the companies that provide them logistical and manufacturing support, need to do in order to re-open for curbside and delivery services Friday amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The businesses must have all of the following provisions in place: requiring facial coverings for all employees…
Language: Nature or Nurture? (Part 1 of 2)
“The linguist who does not display at least token interest in the Chomskyian endeavor is not considered ‘a linguist linguist.'” — John McWhorter Forty years ago, while living in Boston, I started to worry that I’d inadvertently joined a cult. I was taking an introductory linguistics class and our teacher, a distinguished Harvard professor of…
A Toe in the Water
On May 4, Gov. Gavin Newsom delivered some desperately anticipated news: The state will begin lifting shelter-in-place restrictions May 8, in time for people to buy some flowers for Mother’s Day. “This is an optimistic day as we see a little ray of sunshine on the horizon,” said Newsom. But he also made clear this…
Rice Sacks and Blessings
Every April the Humboldt Grange fills with music, prayer, the chanting of Buddhist monks and Lao food — tables laden with aluminum trays of fried fish, spring rolls, rice cakes and pungent salads — some of which families bring up in silver chalices as New Year’s offerings to their ancestors. But this year, under the…
A Nation of Laws
It was the nation’s second president, John Adams, who said, “We are a nation of laws, not of men.” It is one of the lights that guides this experiment of democracy we’re all engaged in and what holds us together as a society. After all, it’s laws that hold that your inalienable right to swing…
Tell Us Your Story
When the history of the coronavirus pandemic is written, each day of these early months will seem like a compressed week when examined by scholars. That’s how fast the virus was moving. And in a few short weeks in March, that’s how fast the non-essential economy shut down here in Humboldt, as if someone pushed…
The Cat Would Like You to Return to Work
Oh, hey. Did I wake you by running full bore through the living room and leaping up the couch arm onto your head? Well, now that you’re up, let’s talk. First of all, it’s four o’clock in the afternoon. Not only are you here but you’re napping. In my 4 p.m. spot. And it’s weird.…
Libations to Hubris
Barkeep, pour me a stiff one, will ya? a climate-changer on the rocks, a big hunk of ancient ice, if ya’ got it; want to watch it melt. Thanks for turning up the thermostat. Can’t wait to see the stirrer melt into an oily, iridescent scum, a fitting offering to the green-dollar flash. I’ll need…
