The future of the Earth flag’s spot on city-owned flagpoles in Arcata is now in the hands of a Humboldt County Superior Court judge. After hearing brief final arguments today, Judge Timothy Canning said he would take the matter under submission before rendering a ruling based on those comments and a series of briefs submitted […]
City of Arcata
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Judge Approves Restraining Order for Former Councilmember Watson
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 […]
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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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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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Arcata Council Casts ‘No Confidence Vote’ After Removing Mayor for ‘Alleged Behaviors’
The Arcata City Council voted unanimously Wednesday evening to remove Brett Watson from the position of mayor and followed up the decision with a no confidence vote in his ability to serve as a councilmember. Watson was not present “due to personal reasons,” according to Stacy Atkins-Salazar, who was selected to serve as mayor until […]
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Arcata Seeking Applicants to Fill Council Seat
Anyone interested in filling the Arcata City Council seat left vacant last month after Mayor Sofia Pereira stepped down to become the county’s Public Health director has until July 19 to apply. At a June 24 special meeting, the city council opted to move forward with an appointment rather than hold a special election to […]
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Charmaine Lawson: Settlement ‘Blood Money’ Means ‘Nothing,’ Focus is on Justice
Charmaine Lawson still hasn’t cashed the $200,000 check that came as a part of her settlement agreement with the city of Arcata. She says it took her four days to even open the envelope it was mailed in and it has now sat for weeks atop her son’s urn. Filed in November of 2018, the […]
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Charmaine Lawson Settles Civil Suit with City of Arcata
The city of Arcata has settled a civil lawsuit brought by the mother of slain Humboldt State University student David Josiah Lawson, whose unsolved killing at an off-campus party four years ago continues to reverberate throughout the community. In the agreement with Charmaine Lawson, the city has agreed to make a $25,000 contribution to the […]
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Sofia Pereira Stepping Down from Arcata Council, Named New Humboldt County Public Health Director
Arcata Mayor Sofia Pereira, who has also served as the county’s Emergency Operations Center operation chief during the COVID-19 pandemic, announced she will be stepping down from the Arcata City Council by June 25 after being named Public Health’s new director, replacing Michele Stephens. “Starting June 27, I will begin a new chapter as the […]
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For the Birds, It’s Time to Hit Pause on Major Trimming, Vegetation Removal
For the birds, the city of Arcata is reminding residents to avoid tree trimming or other major yardwork that disturbs or removes vegetation as nesting season arrives. According to a news release, the first of the month marked the start of the early nesting season, when hummingbirds and birds of prey, including kites, hawks, owls […]
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Temporary Changes to Arcata’s Green Waste Drop-off Service
Green waste drop-offs for Arcata residents with Recology service are temporarily on hold as the Wes Green Landscaping facility undergoes ownership changes but there are interim options in place, according to the city. For now, Recology customers in Arcata can go to the Wes Green site at 6360 with their load and check-in across the […]
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UPDATE: No Local Rolling Outages This Evening
UPDATE: PG&E reports the state’s electric grid operator, the California Independent System Operator, is saying the utility will not need to enact rotating power outages tonight based on forecasts for electricity supply and demand. PREVIOUS: The city of Arcata is warning that PG&E has announced local areas may experience rolling power outages lasting up to […]