A Humboldt County Superior Court judge has issued a workplace violence restraining order for former Arcata City Councilmember Brett Watson that restricts him from contacting, being near or entering the workplace of four city officials, among other requirements. Filed by Judge Timothy Canning on Friday, after several days of hearings earlier this month and last […]
Brett Watson
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Matthews, White Tromp in Arcata as Voters Reject Watson
UPDATE: With a field of six vying for two four-year terms on the Arcata City Council during a time of major transition for the city, incumbent Meredith Matthews and Planning Commissioner Kimberly White won easily, taking 32.33 percent and 30.11 percent of the vote, respectively. The race spells the end of embattled Councilmember Brett Watson’s […]
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Hearing on Restraining Order for Arcata Councilmember Watson Delayed
At the request of the city of Arcata, a court hearing today on a workplace restraining order for Councilmember Brett Watson was continued to December, without objection from Watson’s attorney, and both sides also agreed to have Arcata Police Chief Brian Ahearn search Watson’s house “immediately” for possible firearms. The city’s attorney Tom O’Connell told […]
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NCJ Preview: Ukraine to Eureka, Watson’s Support and Market Eats
The war in Ukraine is close to home this week as we look at how one Eureka family has taken a high schooler from the region and how folks in Humboldt can help sponsor refugees. As an update to Brett Watson’s re-election bid after a third-party investigation found he sexually harassed a city employee, the […]
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NCJ Preview: Upcoming Elections, Arcata’s Mayoral Morass and More
This week the Journal is breaking down county supervisor races in the 4th and 5th districts, as well as for the clerk-recorder-registrar of voters. We’ve got an online update on the harassment allegations against Arcata Mayor and Councilmember Brett Watson that were upheld in an investigation report. Despite community members and fellow members of the council […]
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Arcata Council Strips Defiant Watson of Assignments, Limits Access to Staff
After hearing nearly two dozen residents plead with Councilmember Brett Watson to resign in the wake of a scathing investigative report that he abused his power and harassed a city employee, the Arcata City Council passed a series of measures tonight aimed at protecting city staff, while limiting Watson’s access to City Hall. Watson, meanwhile, […]
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NCJ Preview: Summer Camps, Brett Watson and Genius Rice
The Journal‘s annual Summer of Fun issue is here with a rundown of classes, camps and workshops to entertain the kids when school is out. Everything from surfing to stage fighting to science camps are in there and we’re going over the highlights. We’ll also look at what we know about the sexual harassment allegations […]
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Arcata Council to Consider Restraining Order, Censure of Watson
The Arcata City Council has scheduled a special May 17 meeting to discuss possible courses of actions, including a recommendation that the city obtain a workplace violence restraining order, after an outside investigation found Councilmember Brett Watson sexually harassed a city employee. Other options include a public censure, removing Watson from his council assignments and […]
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Arcata Vice Mayor Goldstein Stepping Down to Focus on Family
Arcata Vice Mayor Emily Goldstein announced last night that she will be stepping down from the city council seat she was elected to a little more than one year ago to “focus on the health of my family.” At times growing emotional, Goldstein said the decision was “really hard” but the “energy and time I […]
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NCJ Preview: Watson Texts, Measure S and New Year Cookies
This week, we’re looking at the still undisclosed allegations against Arcata Mayor Brett Watson from the perspective of texts between city councilmembers and what it tells us about the frustrations and confusion behind the scenes. We’re also breaking down why local cannabis farmers are struggling in the legal market and asking the county for a […]
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UPDATED: City of Arcata Launches Outside Investigation; Councilmember Watson Denies Allegations
The city of Arcata announced today that it has hired an outside investigator to look into a report of possible violations of the city’s anti-discrimination and harassment policy by Councilmember Brett Watson. Under normal circumstances, a city release states, the person facing allegations under these circumstances would be placed on administrative leave or would have […]
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NCJ Preview: Mayoral Exit Questions, Hauntings and Spooky Times
This week we’re sharing what we do and don’t know about Arcata Mayor Brett Watson’s exit from the position, as well as the questions surrounding his departure. And in the spirit of the season, we’ve got tales of local hauntings, spooky cinema and graveyard walks. We’re also looking at how El Pueblo Market Panaderia bakes […]