Shuttered for years, the Fortuna Theatre could be revived if a federal loan to a local foundation is approved. A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) application for a loan of up to $1 million to help the Fortuna Theatre Foundation buy the theater property was approved by the Fortuna City Council at a March 16 […]
Earthquake
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Quake Recovery, Chili Mess, Fermentation and Greek Sass
This week we’re checking in on post-quake recovery in Rio Dell, where FEMA funds have not come through and residents are struggling. We’ve also got a look at the fallout from a business owner’s homophobic comments at the Humboldt County Fair’s annual chili cook-off. In happier news, we’re talking fermented koji and miso, as well […]
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CA Officials Respond to Tropical Storm Hilary, Ojai quake and Wildfires with the Possibility of More Lightning in the Forecast
California received a one-two punch from Mother Nature as Tropical Storm Hilary unleashed torrential record rains and flooding across Southern California, and an earthquake struck near Ojai — all during what has historically been the state’s wildfire season. The wild weekend prompted Gov. Gavin Newsom to head south, declaring a storm state of emergency even […]
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Repairs to Grandstands Ready By Humboldt County Fair Time
This year’s Humboldt County Fair horse racing season took off from the starting gates Aug. 18, one week after emergency repairs were completed to prevent one of the annual event’s major draws from being scratched, which potentially could have put Ferndale’s spot on the racing circuit in jeopardy. But the repairs — including the installation […]
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Four Things California Can Do as Home Insurers Retreat
After State Farm declared in late May that it wouldn’t sell any new home insurance policies in California, people shopping around for new insurance had one fewer option. When days later it was revealed that Allstate had quietly made the same decision last year, Californians are now left wondering: How bad is this? And how […]
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UPDATED: Preliminary 4.6 Quake Hits Near Ferndale
A preliminary magnitude 4.6 earthquake struck 4.3 miles west-southwest of Ferndale at 4:18 p.m., according the USGS. The temblor struck at a depth of 9.6 miles, the initial report states. The quake is one of the largest to hit our actively seismic area since the 6.4 Dec. 20 quake and 5.4 New Year’s Day aftershock. […]
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Reminder: Fernbridge Hard Closure Begins Friday Night
Caltrans is reminding motorists that historic Fernbridge will be closed for 55 hours this weekend, including to emergency vehicles, after which it is expected to reopen fully to two-way traffic. Relegated to one-way, controlled traffic since being jolted by the Dec. 20 earthquake, Fernbridge will close entirely beginning at 10 p.m. on March 17, reopening […]
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Habitat for Humanity to Help Quake Victims Rebuild
The county of Humboldt and Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter have formalized an agreement for the organization to help local residents make repairs to homes badly damaged in the Dec. 20 quake and Jan. 1 aftershock. According to a news release, the county, city of Rio Dell and the state Office of Emergency Services have been […]
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PG&E: Repairs Set to Begin on Earthquake-Damaged Gas Line in Loleta
Repair work on an underground gas line in Loleta, damaged during the magnitude 6.4 earthquake that shook the region Dec. 20, is expected to begin in mid-February, according to PG&E. Areas in the Eel River Valley — especially Rio Dell — bore the brunt of the powerful temblor. According to the utility’s spokesperson, PG&E has […]
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Quakes Damage Hits $32M, Disaster Loan Center Moves to Rio Dell, Contractors Wanted for State Earthquake Retrofitting Program
To state the obvious, living in Humboldt County means living in earthquake country. That’s the reason why local homeowners, especially those with a house built before 1940, may be eligible to apply for a state program called Earthquake Brace + Bolt, which aims to help offset the cost of retrofitting homes vulnerable to falling off […]
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UPDATED: 3.6 Earthquake Strikes Near Fieldbrook
A preliminary magnitude-3.6 earthquake (which was first reported as a 3.5 before being downgrade to a 3.4 before being upgrade by USGS) struck near Fieldbrook at 10:32 a.m. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the temblor hit at a depth of 13.35 miles about a mile from Fieldbrook, 4 miles from McKinleyville and 6 miles from […]
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McGuire Announces $3 Million in Earthquake Aid, Virtual Town Hall Meeting
The state of California has authorized $3 million in disaster relief aid for Humboldt County residents impacted by the magnitude 6.4 earthquake Dec. 20 and the Jan. 1 aftershock, North Coast state Sen. Mike McGuire announced this afternoon. According to a release from McGuire’s office, the funds will “focus on those most in need and […]