The parents of a 26-year-old man shot and killed by Arcata and Humboldt State University police in September have filed a claim for damages with the city, alleging negligence, wrongful death and “conspiracy to cover up.” Ervin Eugene Sweat Jr. allegedly opened fire on police officers, wounding one, with a stolen .40 caliber handgun in […]
Arcata Plaza
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Making Amends on the Plaza
I grew up at the base of Fort Humboldt, in the cul-de-sac right across the street. As a child, I played over every inch of that land, including the boggy area at the bottom of the bluff. We would lay boards down into the blackberry thickets, moving forward until we were in the center of […]
Posted inNews
Standing with Charlottesville
About five dozen people showed up at the Arcata Plaza this afternoon for a hastily planned vigil honoring the woman killed in Charlottesville, Virginia, Saturday. The vigil, which saw those in attendance form a circle on the plaza’s Southeast corner and a number of people speak, was organized by Jill Larrabee, of Show Up Humboldt, […]
Posted inNews
Peaceful Protest in Arcata Demands ‘Justice for Josiah’
More than 100 people marched through Arcata last night to demand justice for slain Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson and urge law enforcement to continue its investigation. Chants of “justice for Josiah” and “no justice, no peace,” echoed off downtown buildings and through on-campus apartments as the group marched for more than two […]
Posted inNews
Silent People in Black Protest on Arcata Plaza
Several dozen protesters joined the People in Black Inaugural Day Vigil on the Arcata Plaza this morning. They held signs or simply expressed their First Amendment rights with their silent presence as they gathered at the same time as the inauguration. Their goal was to share their concerns about and objections to the incoming administration. […]
Posted inNews
Anger, Song and a Group Hug at Arcata’s Anti-Trump Protest
More than 200 people gathered Friday afternoon to march from the Humboldt State University Campus down to the Arcata Plaza and back, decrying the election of Donald Trump as the nation’s next president. The protest remained peaceful throughout, as emotional participants chanted, yelled and sang. Once the march reached the Arcata Plaza, participants gathered around […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Samba and Sunshine
The two-day 43rd annual North Country Fair got off to a bright start on a warm, sunny Saturday on the Arcata Plaza. Organized by the Same Old People since 1974, the zero-waste, family-friendly festival features 170 art and craft vendors, three music and entertainment stages, local food booths and activities for children. Members of Trillium […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Oyster Fest 2016
How is everybody feeling today? If you were at the 26th annual Arcata Bay Oyster Festival yesterday you might be a little wobbly, a little sunburned, a little tired — maybe all of the above. The sun was out and so was Humboldt (along with a hearty crowd of out-of-towners), reveling in the fruit of […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Keepin’ it Kinetic: Day 1
The great rolling circus that is the Kinetic Grand Championship took off from the Arcata Plaza today for the first leg of a three-day marathon of creativity, humor, stamina and daredevilry on wheels. Now in its 47th year, the Hobartian hullabaloo shows no signs of slowing down (maybe we need another brake check) or running […]
Posted inNews
Santa on the Plaza
Organizers of Arcata Main Street’s Lighting Ceremony on Friday evening were greatly relieved by the mild weather. The kick-off event for the Season of Wonder & Light drew a large crowd of adults and children to the Arcata Plaza. Fueled by cider, cookies, candy canes and mandarins, the crowd listened to Donald Forrest’s dramatic reading […]
Posted inArts + Scene
Chalk it Up
Pastel artists filled the Arcata Plaza with creative energy and multi-colored chalk dust on Saturday, Oct. 3 and covered the surrounding sidewalk with a wild mix of imagery — all in support of the 28th annual Pastels on the Plaza benefit for Northcoast Children’s Services, which provides free or low-cost preschool and family services throughout […]