According to a DHHS press release, Humboldt County has its first confirmed case of COVID-19, more commonly referred to as coronavirus. “It’s important to remember that the risk to the general public remains low at this time,” said Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Teresa Frankovich. “Despite the fact that Humboldt County now has a confirmed […]
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Local Officials Warn Against Cannabis Use During Pregnancy
Officials from the local group Perinatal Substance Use Disorder Project presented research on the risks of cannabis use during pregnancy to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday. The group — which started meeting in 2016 to examine the high rates of perinatal substance use in the county — informed the board that research […]
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Partnership Health Awards Humboldt County $1.05 Million for Affordable Housing
Partnership HealthPlan of California, the region’s MediCal administrator, announced this morning it has awarded the county $1.05 million in grant funding for supportive housing units. The nonprofit also granted the Redwood Community Action Agency $1.26 million. According to the press release, Partnership awarded a total of $25 million in grants this week for “housing-related projects […]
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UPDATE: HCSO Serves Warrants on Multiple Properties in Animal Abuse Investigation
2nd UPDATE: On Mar. 22 The Humboldt-Del Norte County Cattlemen’s Association sent out a press release rebuking Christie, calling the scene “horrific and disturbing” and saying the Christie was not a member of their association. UPDATE: A press release sent out this morning by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Raymond Frank Christie was […]
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Agreement Reached in Attorney General’s HumCo Child Abuse Reporting Inquiry
A Humboldt County Superior Court judge has accepted a stipulated judgement negotiated between the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services, the Sheriff’s Office and the California Attorney General stemming from the AG’s civil investigation into whether the county was in compliance with the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act, the county announced […]
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DHHS, Sheriff, Respond to Grand Jury Reports on Child Welfare
In June, the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury released two reports related to the outcomes of at-risk youth in our county child welfare system. The reports, “Child Welfare In Humboldt: Getting the Door Open” and “Responding in Time to Help Our ‘At Risk’ Children,’” allege that the three agencies most responsible for protecting local children, […]
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Large-Scale Drug Treatment Coming to the MAC?
At long last, a large-scale alcohol and drug treatment facility complete with medical detox services may be coming to Humboldt County. The Eureka City Council is slated tonight to receive a report on a proposal to add drug and alcohol treatment services to its Multiple Assistance Center, which currently serves as a homeless intake center […]
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Former Care Home Owner Sentenced
Gina Chamberlain, convicted in March of stealing from residents in her Eureka care home, is now in the midst of serving a 286-day jail sentence, after which she will spend three years on probation. Chamberlain, who was initially investigated by California Community Care Licensing over the course of five months, had her license suspended in […]
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Former County Employee Wins Gender-Discrimination Case
Steve Hughes says there’s at least one positive outcome to his being passed over for promotion after a 26-year career with Humboldt County’s Employee Training Division. “I have an idea what discrimination feels like,” he says. Discrimination was something Hughes knew a lot about professionally. He was his division’s equal employment officer and disability program […]
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How to Ditch Your Pills in Humboldt
… the short answer is, you can’t. Not if they’re opiates, or another controlled substance. Despite a growing local and national epidemic of prescription pill abuse, stringent guidelines from the Drug Enforcement Administration have made it nearly impossible for those in Humboldt who want to dispose of their leftover medications to do the right thing. […]
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MediCal Expansion May Bring Better Addiction Treatment to Humboldt
Drug and alcohol related fatalities comprised 20 percent of all Humboldt County deaths over the last three years, but the number of those seeking help often exceeds the amount of treatment available. A change in the state’s MediCal program may change that, opening up access to treatment for many low-income residents. A key component of the […]
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Eleventh Hour Interims Appointed to County’s Helm
The egress of two major county employees has prompted the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors to fill their seats with interim appointments. Cheryl Dillingham will step in as county administrative officer, taking the place of Phillip Smith-Hanes, who resigned this morning to take a position in Kansas. Dillingham has served as assistant CAO since 2012. […]