Arcata Vice Mayor Emily Goldstein announced last night that she will be stepping down from the city council seat she was elected to a little more than one year ago to “focus on the health of my family.” At times growing emotional, Goldstein said the decision was “really hard” but the “energy and time I […]
Karen Diemer
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Introducing Cal Poly Humboldt
It’s official, Humboldt State University is now California Polytechnic University Humboldt — Cal Poly Humboldt, for short — the California State University system’s third polytechnic and the only one in Northern California. It’s a change that promises to transform the campus and the surrounding community. “Cal Poly Humboldt will be a polytechnic for the 21st […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
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 […]
Posted inEat + Drink
Full Capacity Indoor Dining Returns
Sea Grill owner Holly Blackwood has come to love the wooden structure in the adjacent parking lot — “the pavilion,” as she calls it — that has allowed the Eureka restaurant to operate fully and partially outdoors during the pandemic. She says guests have enjoyed it, too. “It’s a lot to put up and a […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
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 […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
McKinley is Off the Plaza
With little fanfare and under a cloak of darkness before dawn this morning, the statue of President William McKinley was removed from the center of the Arcata Plaza, where it had stood for more than a century. Arcata City Manager Karen Diemer said city staff, having received direction from the city council Feb. 20 to […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
APD Re-Investigating Every Lead in Lawson Case, According to Memo
The city of Arcata has hired the nonprofit Police Foundation to review the Arcata Police Department’s controversial response to the April 15, 2017, stabbing death of Humboldt State University sophomore David Josiah Lawson at an off-campus party. According to a Sept. 10 memo to the city council from City Manager Karen Diemer that was released […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Retired FBI Agent Disputes Claim He Has Nothing More to Offer Lawson Investigation
The retired FBI agent who protesters have been lobbying to have brought back onto the ongoing investigation into the 2017 slaying of a Humboldt State University sophomore is disputing the implication that he declined the city’s invitation to return. Protesters effectively shut down Arcata City Council meetings Wednesday and Thursday, occupying city council chambers and […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Arcata Appoints Law Enforcement Veteran Interim Chief
Arcata will have a new police chief in town, at least for a while. The Arcata City Council voted last night to appoint Richard “Rick” Ehle interim chief of the Arcata Police Department and he is slated to assume the role Monday. Ehle is a 47-year veteran in law enforcement who served the bulk of […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Few Answers and Much Frustration as Pending Lawsuits, Lawson Questions Stymie Dialogue on Race
With several attendees expressing frustration over a lack of concrete steps coming out of previous events, the May 24 Community Dialogue on Race at the D Street Neighborhood Center was marked by a barrage of questions directed at the two city officials present: City Manager Karen Diemer and City Councilmember Paul Pitino. The questions largely […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Arcata Police Chief Forum Tonight
The city of Arcata is hosting a public forum tonight (May 30) to take input on what residents would like to see in their next police chief. “Public input is crucial to selecting the best individual to lead Arcata’s police department. I encourage all interested residents to attend the upcoming forum to share their thoughts […]
Posted inNews (NCJ)
Arcata Official: FBI Agent Tom Parker Unlikely to Return to Lawson Investigation
With several attendees expressing frustration over a lack of concrete steps to come out of previous events, Thursday night’s Community Dialogue on Race at the D Street Neighborhood Center was marked by a barrage of questions at the two city officials present: City Manager Karen Diemer and City Councilmember Paul Pitino. The questions largely revolved […]