UPDATE: In the final Election Night report, Fortuna voters’ preferences were clear. From a field of five candidates vying for three open seats on the city council, voters pushed incumbent Mike Johnson and challengers Kyle Conley and Christina “Kris” Mobley to victory. Johnson finished with 26 percent of the vote, followed by Mobley’s 24 percent […]
Fortuna
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Remains Found in Rohner Park Identified as Missing Fortuna Resident
The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office has identified the remains found in Rohner Park last week as belonging to Fortuna resident Lewis William Leckliter III, who was last seen in August. He was 48. Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Samantha Karges told the Journal in an email that he was identified by a family member by […]
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Supes to Consider Bushnell Censure
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is set Tuesday to consider the public censure of Supervisor Michelle Bushnell after an investigation sustained an allegation that the Second District representative mistreated a Planning Department staff member during a December of 2021 meeting. The staff report states the “board action is limited to public censure,” which would […]
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UPDATED: 4.1 Quake Shakes Fortuna
A magnitude-4.1 earthquake struck 3 miles from Fortuna at 11:16 a.m., according to the United States Geological Survey. There were no immediate reports of damage. The USGS initial report states the temblor struck at a depth of nearly 15 miles. There is no danger of a tsunami being generated, the National Tsunami Warning Center said […]
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‘Gives You Hope’: Ferndale High Student Honored for Helping Crash Victim
Recovering from a serious injury suffered in an Aug. 29 head-on car crash on Fernbridge, Monica Wells Anderson had one gnawing question. “The only thing she talked about with me,” recalls Janet Coppini, a friend of Wells Anderson’s who spoke to her by phone from the hospital, “was that there was this person who climbed […]
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Drug Task Force Announces Largest ‘One-time Seizure of Narcotics’
The Humboldt County Drug Task Force announced the largest one-time seizure of narcotics in its history yesterday after serving six search warrants at locations stretching from McKinleyville to Fortuna, resulting in one arrest. The yield — the culmination of a nearly one year investigation — included 30 pounds of methamphetamine, 5.5 pounds of cocaine, 3 […]
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‘Edge of the Cliff’: PG&E’s Lack of Electricity Capacity Puts Eel River Valley Projects at Risk
City officials in Fortuna and Rio Dell are raising concerns about PG&E’s inability to provide new electric hookups in the Eel River Valley, leaving major economic development plans in the lurch and putting future projects, including new housing, at risk. Fortuna City Manager Meritt Perry said he is bringing the issue before the City Council […]
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Election Countdown: Council, Mayor Races Set for November
The list of candidates vying for open city council seats across Humboldt County is now set for the November election, which will also see dozens of local school and special district board races on the ballot. Over in Arcata, six candidates are seeking to fill two open seats, including incumbents Meredith Matthews, who was appointed […]
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Initial Candidate Filing Period Drawing to a Close
The door is closing for candidates interested in entering a slew of local races in the upcoming November election, with dozens of seats on the boards of special districts and school boards across Humboldt County, as well as city councils, going before voters. The candidate filing period ends today unless an incumbent chooses not to […]
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Fortuna Police Investigating Alleged Hate Crime
The Fortuna Police Department is investigating allegations of a hate crime after a trans man reported being harassed and threatened at the Dollar General last week. According to Lt. Matt Eberhardt, the man came into the police department around noon on July 7 and reported that the evening prior, around 7 p.m., he had been […]
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Fortuna Nursing Home COVID Outbreak Expands to 36 Infected
Humboldt County Public Health is continuing to provide a heightened response to a COVID-19 outbreak at the Fortuna Rehabilitation and Wellness Center in which 26 residents and 10 staff members have tested positive for the virus, with one resident currently hospitalized. Public Health’s Communicable Disease team is testing residents and staff three times a week and […]
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Fortuna Celebrates the Life of Former Chief
Humboldt’s finest came out in force to pay respects to former Fortuna Police Chief William Dobberstein, 53, who died March 26, during a celebration of life held at the River Lodge Conference Center on Saturday to honor the contributions of a man who served his nation and his community. A gleaming Fortuna fire truck provided […]