Triggers and Clusters
Humboldt is slowly reopening and cases are rising. How will officials know when to pump the breaks?
Cover Story
Triggers and Clusters
When Humboldt County took its first baby step toward easing shelter-in-place restrictions on May 8, allowing retail businesses to reopen for curbside pickup and delivery service, there was an air of hope and optimism to the moment. Officials talked wistfully about how walk-in retail could soon follow, with the prospect of sitting down for a…
Dine-in Approved Restaurants Can Open Friday. Will They?
Tuesday the county cleared restaurants with safety plans approved by the Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center to open for dine-in service as soon as Friday. A list of those restaurants is below and being updated daily on the county’s website here, much like the list of retailers approved for walk-in business on the same page. However,…
Arcata Fire: Suspicious Morning Blaze that Nearly Spread to 8 Businesses Shows Dangers of Current Staffing, Station Closures
The Arcata Fire District is calling an early morning vehicle fire that came close to spreading to eight businesses “human caused and suspicious in nature.” According to a news release, the close proximity of the responding station to the fire at 11th and N streets played a major role in staving off extensive damage. “This…
Times-Standard: County Tourism Leaders Talk No Travel Advisory
The Times-Standard spoke with local tourism bureau representatives, who said they are respecting local officials’ pointed notice to potential out-of-town visitors that now is not the time to make a trip to Humboldt County. The Southern Humboldt Business & Visitors Bureau website does have a COVID-19 note at the top, which states that for the…
Eureka, Garberville DMV Offices Set to Reopen
Eureka and Garberville among the 46 Department of Motor Vehicle field offices scheduled to reopen to the public Thursday, according to a news release. The hours will be Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of opening at 9 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are still encouraged to use online and other…
EPD: ‘Person of Interest’ in Campton Road Homicide Arrested
A person of interest in the homicide of an 84-year-old Campton Road resident found dead in his home May 20 has been arrested on unrelated charges, the Eureka Police Department reports. Wesley Lee Starritt, 22, was arrested by an EPD Problem-Oriented Policing Unit detective following a traffic stop May 26 while other investigators were watching…
Public Health Confirms Four New COVID-19 Cases, One More Hospitalization
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed four new local COVID-19 cases today, as well as another hospitalization, bringing the county’s case count at 98. The four new cases, all of which were acquired through contact with another known case, continues a spike that has seen 44 new cases confirmed since May 9, with the county having…
Video: Sheriff Honsal, Supervisor Bohn Get Tested
In case you were wondering what it’s like to get a COVID-19 test done at the OptumServe testing site at Redwood Acres, here’s a video of Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal and 1st District Supervisor Rex Bohn to walk you through the process. To schedule a test, visit lhi.care/covidtesting. Those without internet access can call…
Yurok Tribe to Run Stone Lagoon Visitor Center in Historic Agreement
The Yurok Tribe announced today that the Stone Lagoon Visitor Center will officially be operated by the Tribe beginning June 1 under a first-of-its-kind agreement with the California Department of Parks and Recreation. Called Chah-pekw O’ Ket’oh in the Yurok language, Stone Lagoon plays a critical role in the Tribe’s traditional culture, according to a…
Direct from the Source: Joint Information Center Answers Questions on COVID-19
Humboldt County’s Joint Information Center put out a Facebook post today to answer some of the most common questions to come their way as Humboldt navigates its reopening amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Here’s a list of 14 questions and answers on everything from whether the mall has the green light to open (spoiler alert: it…
Redwood Acres Cancels June 6 Schedule
Redwood Acres Raceway announced today that the June 6 schedule has been canceled after consulting with the county health officer, who race officials said indicated other events might be able to take place soon, according to a news release. A request has been made for a June 20 schedule. Several Humboldt County events have been…
Delivery Truck Fire Near Brio Breadworks (with Video)
About 7 a.m., multiple people reported a fire in a vehicle by the Brio Breadworks near 1400 11th St. in Arcata. According to Arcata Fire, “The fire was contained to a delivery truck, but it did burn the outside wall of Angels of Hope.” Firefighters extinguished the flames and the cause of the fire is…
Times-Standard: Redwood AutoXpo to Skip This Year, Meet Again in 2021
The Times-Standard is reporting that the Redwood AutoXpo has been canceled due to COVID-19 but will be back next year. Read the full story here.
Bill to Fund Broadband Infrastructure Moves Forward
The California Senate Committee on Energy Utilities and Communications approved a bill (SB 1130) that would allocate $300 million to fund broadband infrastructure “where none currently provides the service,” reads a press release from Access Humboldt. According to the release, North Coast Sen. Mike McGuire voted in favor of the measure, which is supported by…
Restaurants and Places Of Worship Can Reopen as Early as Friday
Restaurants that have been certified by the Humboldt County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) will be able to start dine-in services as early as Friday, May 29. Places of worship will also be able to reopen with safety modifications in place. A county press release states that places of worship should follow the published state guidance…
Public Health: No New COVID Cases Confirmed Today
Humboldt County Public Health announced that no new COVID-19 cases were confirmed today, leaving the county’s case count at 94. It’s a moment of relief as the county is coming off a two-week spike of COVID cases that began on May 9 with a total of 38 confirmed cases since then. The spike also included…
Rio Dell Faces COVID-19 by Embracing Old Traditions, Creating New Ones
On Memorial Day volunteers with the Rio Dell-Scotia Chamber of Commerce rose before dawn to install 57 American flags along Rio Dell’s Wildwood Avenue median, starting at the north side of town and going all the way to the Eagle Prairie Bridge. “Everyone in town loved it,” said Chamber President Nick Angeloff. “It went off…
Dell’Arte’s 2020 Mad River Festival Cancelled Due to COVID-19
Dell’Arte has announced that its annual Mad River Festival has been canceled. According to a press release sent by the school, Dell’Arte Producing Artistic Director Michael Fields was hoping to postpone the festival in September but “given the County and State health directives, it is clear that will not be possible, certainly not in a…
Storm Damage Repair on Herrick Ave, Expect Delays Starting June 8
The Humboldt County Department of Public Works will be replacing a culvert under Herrick Ave near the E lks Lodge. Public works is expecting up to 15 minutes delay during this time period. Construction will begin on June 8 and is expected to be completed bu August. Read the full release below. Notice of Construction for…
Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury Recommending Humboldt County Correctional Facility Invest More in Conservation (Fire) Camps for Inmates
The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury is recommending that the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and the California State Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation invest more Conservation (fire) Camps – firefighting – to reintegrate more inmates into society after they are released. The detailed report focuses on the goal of reducing recidivism and providing meaningful productive…
Times-Standard: Hospital, Workers Union Agree on 4-Year Contract
The Times-Standard is reporting that after more than a year of negotiations, the National Union of Healthcare Workers and St. Joseph’s hospital has reached an agreement. Read the full story here and read NCJ’s past coverage of the National Union of Healthcare Workers November strike here.
Earthquake Hits Petrolia Area at 4:20 p.m.
At 4:20 an earthquake reported to be a 2.6 magnitude hit southwest of Rio Dell near Buckeye Mountain. It was reported to be centered about 26 km deep.
Class of 2020 Portraits Line Main Road Between Southern Humboldt Towns (VIDEO)
Communities throughout the nation are searching for meaningful ways to honor high school and college graduates at a time when the COVID-19 Crisis mandates social distancing. Southern Humboldt parents and businesses though have found one small way–they put up a large poster for each of the South Fork High School Class of 2020 graduates. The…
Public Health Confirms One New COVID-19 Case; Means of Transmission Confirmed for All Active Cases
Humboldt County Public Health is reporting one new COVID-19 case today, which brings the county’s total to 94. According to today’s county press release, the means of transmission has been confirmed for all active cases. Of the 94 cases, 53 were acquired through contact with a known case, 24 were acquired through travel outside of…
Kayaker Describes Harrowing Shark Attack (with VIDEO)
This morning, a shark attacked a lone kayaker fishing in the waters off Southern Humboldt County. According to Cheryl Antony, spokesperson for Shelter Cove Fire Department, at 7:45 a.m. an emergency dispatcher sent her department to look for a victim of a shark attack in a kayak. Antony said that they were able to see…
Batter Up! A Youth Team Holds Tryouts During the COVID Crisis
All photos and video by Mark McKenna As summer approaches in the time of the COVID crisis, coaches and athletes look for new ways to practice the sports they love. On Wednesday, about 50 hopeful youths showed up throughout a series of tryouts spaced in intervals at Redwood Fields in Cutten. They hope to be…
Ferndale’s Memorial Day Adapts to Shelter in Place
Ferndale’s more than 130-year tradition of honoring veterans on Memorial Day won’t be broken by COVID-19 but the Victorian Village is changing its usual plans to keep spectators and veterans safe. Instead of crowds lining up on the sidewalks, people are invited to park along the route through town and watch the flag pass from…
Cooped up Kids? Camp Cooper and Camp Muni Are Back
The city of Eureka announced Friday that its summer camps are returning. According to a post on the city’s community services blog and events page, the summer day camps — Camp Cooper and Camp Muni — will return July 6 and run through Aug. 7. The post notes that while the camps are back on,…
Kinetic Sculpture in Place Streaming Right Along
It’s Memorial Day Weekend and the Kinetic Sculpture in Place is streaming right along. This holiday weekend, Humboldt’s beloved Kinetic Grand Championship is still going for the glory, but carrying it out in a creative way. Naturally! (For more on this year’s Kinetic Sculpture in Place go here.) Instead of racers making their merry way…
Fortuna Comes Together to Honor Grads
The Fortuna Chamber of Commerce, Fortuna Union High School District and local business are coming together to make sure high school seniors in the Friendly City know they are being celebrated, even if it’s not the graduation they had been dreaming of for four long years. The district and the chamber are holding a Graduation…
Eureka Council to Discuss City Manager Post
The Eureka City Council is scheduled to meet in closed session May 27 to discuss the city manager position. The 3 p.m. meeting comes one week after the council voted 4-0, with Councilmember Heidi Messner absent, to accept the resignation of Dean Lotter, who served in the position for just four months. Lotter was placed…
AP Story Highlights Humboldt Reopening Approach
The Associated Press turned the spotlight on Humboldt County in a story sent out to papers across the nation that focused on the region’s reopening in the wake of a spike in COVID-19 cases after a period of relative calm. Humboldt County Public Health announced two new cases today involving Alder Bay Assisted Living Facility…
Smaller Crowd at Shelter-in-Place Protest After Last Week’s Sign Went Viral
For the fifth time since April 24, protesters urging state and county leaders reopen the economy gathered at the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka at noon on Friday. Over the weeks, the crowd has varied between 30 at the beginning and 60 participants at the height, according to various estimates. Yesterday, the roughly 40 people…
Oyster Fest Shucks Crowds for Virtual Event
As the days grow warmer and COVID-19 lingers, bivalve enthusiasts have wondered what’s to become of the 30th annual Arcata Bay Oyster Festival, née Oyster Fest. Today the answer came, at least partially, from Arcata Main Street’s Facebook page and website. The all-day seafood, beer and music binge is going virtual on June 20. “We…
Public Health Confirms Two New Cases Related to Alder Bay
Humboldt County Public Health is reporting two new COVID-19 cases today, both related to the outbreak at the Alder Bay Assisted Living Facility, which brings the county’s total to 93. According to the news release, both of the positive results were personnel at the Eureka site. The new cases continue a two-week spike after a…
UPDATE: Escape Debris Fire Catches Redwood, Endangers Home (with video)
Just before 2 p.m., a dispatcher sent multiple fire departments to an escaped debris fire in the 1100 block of Hunts Drive near McKinleyville. According to the Incident Commander (IC) speaking over the scanner, the debris fire is burning around the foot of a 100-foot redwood tree. The IC reports that the fire is “working…
Happy News: It’s a Baby Zebra (or Hebra)
The hills of Humboldt are hiding a tiny, striped foal – the newest member of the zebra herd located on a ranch off the Mattole Road near Petrolia. The little one with the long, delicate legs and the dizzying assortment of black and white dashes is the fifth zebra (or hebra – the result of…
Blown Away: Humboldt Saw Some Wind on Friday
Heck yeah, it was a windy Friday afternoon. Cooskie Mountain near Petrolia saw 46 mile per hour winds while Ferndale clocked in at 42 miles per hour and the Arcata/Eureka Airport came in at 36 miles per hour. Out in Hoopa, it was a bit more mild at 25 miles per hour. For a look…
Farmers and Customers Adjusting to COVID-19 Safety Guidelines
The produce season is hitting some early hurdles due to COVID-19. With the Arcata, Garberville, Shelter Cove and Miranda farmers’ markets now open for business, and several others (Henderson Center, Fortuna) due to open in June, farmers and organizers are struggling with adhering to new protocols while keeping safe and trying to make a profit.…
Public Health Confirms Three More COVID-19 Cases
Humboldt County Public Health confirmed another three COVID-19 cases, making 36 over the past two weeks and pushing the countywide total to 91. The county got a brief reprieve yesterday when no new cases were reported but remains in the midst of a grim two-weeks stretch that has included a sharp uptick in cases and…
County: Stay Safe, Keep Others Safe While Outdoors Over the Holiday Weekend
As this three-day holiday won’t be like any other in recent memory, the county of Humboldt is reminding residents that COVID-19 precautions apply when they are out enjoying the region’s parks, beaches and trails. Those include social distancing practices, wearing facial coverings and refraining from gathering in groups. All parks and trails operated by Humboldt…
Lost Coast Outpost:Trinidad Council Votes to Delay MOU with Rancheria
The Lost Coast Outpost reports that the Trinidad City Council on Thursday night voted against entering into a memorandum of understanding with the Trinidad Rancheria related to providing water for its hotel. The council decided instead to wait until the city’s Planning Commission completes a draft water policy. Read the full story here.
Uplifting Effort Brings Masks to Those in Need, But More Are Appreciated
The Eureka Community Services Department is thanking community members for their generosity in donating more than 1,000 mask to be distributed to those facing homelessness amid the COVID-19 outbreak. In a Facebook post, the department notes the city is receiving more back for laundering then are coming in, so they are asking folks out there…
Upcoming Virtual Summit is All About Trails
A Virtual Humboldt Trails Summit is scheduled for June 6 to update residents about the progress being made on local trail projects, including the Humboldt Bay Trail, which will stretch from the southern edge of Eureka to Arcata. State Sen. Mike McGuire will also join in the summit to discuss the status of the Great…
NCJ Preview: Slowdown Criteria and Soup for Vulnerable Seniors
We’re with Access Humboldt talking about rising COVID-19 case numbers and opening the county. How many is too many and what would make Humboldt pump the brakes on opening? We’ve also got a story about the owner of Humboldt Soup Co., who’s bringing soup to seniors in low-income housing so they can have nutritious food…
Pandemic Steals Most from Immigrant Working Women
Early estimates indicate that the coronavirus pandemic has stolen jobs from non-citizen workers — including immigrants who have green cards, work visas or are undocumented — in California at higher rates than citizens. And women have suffered greater job loss than men. But it’s the Californians at that intersection, women who aren’t citizens, who have…
UDPATE: EPD Believes Fatal Shooting was Self-defense
UPDATE: According to a press release from the Eureka Police Department, the fatal shooting this morning appeared to have been an act of self defense. See the full press release copied below our original post. PREVIOUSLY: This morning about 2:45 a.m., two people were shot in the 1300 block of West Avenue near 14th Street…
UPDATE: Public Health Releases New Hours of Possible COVID Exposure at McKinleyville Business
UPDATE: Public Health has expanded the hours for possible exposure at the Chevron/Aztec Grill. Anyone who was inside the facility located at 1693 Central Ave. in McKinleyville between the hours of 4:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. any day between May 15 to May 20 should contact the Humboldt County Joint Information Center at 707-441-5000. PREVIOUSLY:…
Nearly 800 Pounds of Marijuana Found After SoHum Traffic Stop
A man transporting just under 800 pounds of marijuana was cited and released today after being pulled over on the Avenue of the Giants near Maple Hills Road, the California Highway Patrol reported. According to a CHP news release, 41-year-old Redway resident Manuel Turchan was pulled over while towing a cargo trailer after reports came…
For the First Time in Weeks, Public Health Reports No New COVID-19 Cases
For the first time since May 8, Humboldt County Public Health is reporting no new COVID-19 cases today. Today’s zero breaks a grim streak that saw 33 new cases confirmed over the span of 12 days, including the deaths of two Alder Bay Assisted Living residents. To date, the county has confirmed a total of…
List of Humboldt Retailers Certified to Reopen Continues to Grow
The county of Humboldt is reporting today that more than 235 local retailers have received reopening certifications from the Emergency Operations Center. According to the county, the businesses have submitted plans that “ensure the safety of employees and customers alike with enhanced staff training, screening for illness, thorough disinfection and physical distancing.” Residents are encouraged…
Rolling Out PPEs to First Responders Across Humboldt
The county Emergency Operations Center is continuing to distribute Personal Protective Equipment, or PPEs, to medical facilities and other first responders across the region. Just on Wednesday, the staff loaded up 12,000 units of face masks, bottles of sanitizer, gloves, isolation gowns and face shields, according to a Facebook post, to be sent out from…
COVID-19 Case at Pelican Bay as Prison Transfers to Slowly Restart, but not from Humboldt Quite Yet
A staff member at Pelican Bay State Prison has tested positive for COVID-19, according to the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation website. The prison located north of Crescent City is one of the most notorious in the state system, opening in 1989 to house California’s most serious offenders. To date, 18 Pelican Bay inmates…
Times-Standard: Eureka City Schools Facing Deep Budget Cuts
The Times-Standard reports that Eureka City Schools is staring down an estimated $2.5 million to $3 million funding gap without federal assistance due to the governor’s deep cuts to the state budget amid the COVID-19 economic downturn. The news came during a board of trustees meeting today, which included comments from parents asking the district…
Why Mass Gatherings Terrify Health Officials
Over the past week, Humboldt County Public Health Officer Teresa Frankovich has repeatedly expressed the concern that some local residents are ignoring current prohibitions on gatherings. And whether social functions or church services, the Journal has fielded a growing body of tips and reports to support that her concerns are well founded. In the midst…
Times-Standard: Alder Bay Short on Staff Amid COVID-19 Outbreak
The Times-Standard reports that the Alder Bay Assisted Living Facility in Eureka is facing staffing shortages in the wake of a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility that has left two residents dead. The story quotes Alder Bay’s administrator Mark Stephenson as saying everyone is receiving their needed care but “staffing is a serious issue.” Seven…
HSU Looks at Hybrid Online, Face-to-Face Learning Approach for the Fall
Humboldt State University announced today that campus officials are “developing a proposal for limited face-to-face instruction this fall,” which will be submitted to California State University system leaders. Under the proposal, HSU would offer some hands-on activities, such as labs and field work, with the understanding the campus might have to reinstated online-only instruction if…
EPD Investigating Suspected Homicide
The Eureka Police department has launched a homicide investigation after an 84-year-old man was found dead in his home in the 400 block of Campton Road. According to a press release, a family member found Roger Mitchell Clark, more commonly known as “Mitch,” alone and dead in his home at 7:38 p.m. yesterday. “It was…
Arcata Purchases 114 Acres to Add to Jacoby Creek Forest
The city of Arcata announced yesterday that it is purchasing a plot of forestland adjacent to Jacoby Creek Forest that will allow it to expand the property by 114 acres. The city will be purchasing the property from the Swaner Family Limited Partnership for $1.5 million funded through a variety of sources, including the California…
The Cost of COVID
It feels as though loss has come to surround us lately. Our children have lost the opportunity to go to school, tear through playgrounds, have playdates, finish their sports seasons, dance at prom and walk across a graduation stage. We adults have lost the ability to go out to dinner with a friend, have the…
Soup for the Soul
It’s a Friday afternoon, and Christine Silver is at Humboldt Soup Co. on Myrtle Avenue in Eureka getting a pot — a very big pot — of soup ready. But this one, a hot 50-liters of chicken noodle soup, isn’t going to her drive-through customers. Instead, it’s headed down the street to the Silvercrest Residence,…
Southern Noir
ARKANSAS. Clark Duke first registered on my radar in 2010, when Kick-Ass and Hot Tub Time Machine were released (both classics, incidentally). With his self-aware charm, wry delivery and beyond-adroit comic timing, he stood out in every scene. While he’s worked consistently in the decade since, he’s never had the breakout role I think he…
Swainson’s Return
In mid-May: A passing rain opens the day. Finally, on cue, the evening sun, Casts colored light across the tops of trees, And peers through the kitchen window, Suddenly weaving the day Into a great, hushing pause. Even the hissing whispers of grandma’s gossip, Under cast iron clangs, ceramic dings, And the thwaps of the…
Free Will Astrology
ARIES (March 21-April 19): “Excellence does not require perfection,” wrote Aries author Henry James. Now I’m conveying this brilliant counsel to you—just in time for the season when it will make good sense to strive for shining excellence without getting bogged down in a debilitating quest for perfection. Have fun re-committing yourself to doing the…
