It was the most pointed question in a meeting full of them. Eureka City Councilmember Kim Bergel looked at Humboldt Area Center for Harm Reduction Programs Coordinator Jessica Smith and board treasurer Rachel Waldman, leaned into the microphone and gave voice to a rumor — an allegation hurled on a social media platform without a […]
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The Village Project Heads to Arcata City Council Sans Recommendation
A controversial large-scale student housing project will go before the Arcata City Council in June without a planning commission stamp of approval after commissioners split 2-2 last week on whether to recommend general plan and zoning amendments needed for the proposed development. By the May 8 commission meeting, The Village plan — comprising a three- […]
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Arcata Sets Meeting on McKinley’s Removal
While those in favor of putting the future of President William McKinley’s statue before voters continue to gather signatures to place the issue on the ballot, a scoping meeting — one of the first steps in the monument’s removal — is scheduled for May 17. The Arcata City Council voted 4-1 in February to take […]
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Wheetley Resigns as Fortuna’s City Manager
Just one year after accepting the position, Mark Wheetley has resigned as Fortuna’s city manager. The move came one week after he was placed on paid administrative leave by the Fortuna City Council following his sentencing in a DUI case, his second in less than two years. According to a release from the city, Wheetley […]
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Fortuna City Manager Mark Wheetley Receives Jail Time for DUI
Humboldt County District Attorney Maggie Fleming confirmed this afternoon that Fortuna city manager Mark Wheetley pleaded guilty to driving involving alcohol (Vehicle Code section 23103.5, also known as a “wet and reckless”) and violation of probation due to a previous DUI arrest. Court commissioner Timothy Canning sentenced Wheetley to three years probation and 15 days […]
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Arcata Council Considers Putting McKinley to a Citywide Vote
The Arcata City Council will consider Wednesday whether to move forward with some form of an advisory vote on the future of President William McKinley’s statue after voting last month to remove the bronze tribute from the plaza. With a large crowd expected to turn out for the discussion, city officials decided they were going […]
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Update: Offending Plaza Plaque Removed
The Jacoby Building plaque has been removed from its place on the plaza two weeks after the Arcata City Council voted unanimously that a replacement was needed. City Manager Karen Diemer said crews were able to remove the marker that denotes the structure’s status as a California Registered Historic Landmark, which includes the affronting wording […]
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Eureka Council to Tackle Needle Regulation
The Eureka City Council is expected to vote on an ordinance Tuesday that may offer more oversight of syringe exchange programs within city limits. Syringe or needle exchange has become a hot button issue in recent months, with some residents blaming the harm reduction programs for large amounts of discarded needles on public property. (A […]
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Arcata, Meet Your New Mayor and Vice Mayor
The Arcata City Council today selected Sofia Pereira to serve as mayor for the next year and Brett Watson, who was appointed to his seat in April, to serve as vice mayor. The council rotates the honorary positions on an annual basis. Pereira, a Humboldt State graduate and the community manager for She Should Run, a […]
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Rio Dell Slated to Select New Police Chief
Taking on the role of Rio Dell police chief will be a sort of homecoming for Jeff Conner, who is scheduled to be appointed to the position tonight during a special city council meeting. “I started my law enforcement career in Rio Dell so it seems fitting that I end my career in the same […]
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Arkley Emails Foreshadow Litigation over Tuluwat Island
Twenty days before he went on KINS Radio’s “Talkshop” program and touched off a public firestorm by musing aloud about the city of Eureka’s “giving away” Indian Island to the Wiyot Tribe, Robin P. Arkley II had some questions. A letter dated July 11, sent from Arkley’s company Security National to Eureka City Manager Greg […]
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Eureka Council Slated to Talk Wards, Budget, Recreational Pot
The Eureka City Council will take a first look at the 2017-2018 budget on Tuesday and examine possible customized approaches to the recent legalization of recreational marijuana rather than having the state’s default regulations apply inside city limits. But before tacking those weighty items, the council will discuss ward redistricting during a 4:30 p.m. special […]