Although a handful of advocates and homeless people shouted as the PalCo marsh was forcibly vacated by the Eureka Police Department on Monday, and the Vagabus, bedecked with signs of protest, made a surprise return appearance after eking its way as far south as Garberville, the only protester to actually be arrested was 73-year-old Hollie […]
PalCo Marsh
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Numbers from the PalCo Marsh Cleanup
The Eureka Police Department has released some information from the May 2 and 3 cleanup of the PalCo Marsh, in which over one hundred homeless people were displaced and/or rehoused. According to the press release, more than 60 tons of trash were collected in the two-day operation. Dozens of sharps containers, used to safely store […]
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Evictions Ongoing in PalCo Marsh
There were more reporters, police and clergy than homeless people in the PalCo Marsh this morning as the City of Eureka made a final sweep of the area, forcibly evicting those remaining in the camps. As of 7:30 a.m. at least half of the residents remained, according to accounts, despite repeated warnings over the last […]
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A Morning Emergency in the Palco Marsh
It’s quiet. Despite its reputation as a chaotic place, the PalCo Marsh, also known as the Devil’s Playground, often is. A few dogs, tied in front of tents, bark. The motor of a fishing boat on the bay can be heard just out of sight behind the trees. Eureka City Councilmember Kim Bergel walks with […]
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Full Report: Judge Allows Bulk of PalCo Marsh Evictions to Proceed, Saying “I Have 11 Litigants”
OAKLAND — Eleven homeless people in Eureka cannot be evicted from a long-established homeless encampment on Monday unless the city complies with yet-to-be-determined conditions for their alternative shelter, a federal judge ruled from the bench this afternoon. The 11 sued Eureka in Federal Court on Monday, asking for a temporary restraining order that would prevent the […]
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Federal Judge Grants PalCo Marsh Restraining Order, But Only for 11 Plaintiffs
A federal judge has granted a temporary restraining order to prevent Eureka’s pending eviction of people camping illegally in the Palco Marsh. Kind of. Courthouse News Services‘ Katherine Proctor, who was in court covering this afternoon’s hearing, said federal Judge Jeffrey S. White granted a request for the restraining order, but not for all of […]
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‘A Significant Threat’: Eureka Responds to Lawsuit, Offers Contradictory Declarations
The city of Eureka is arguing in a federal court filing that there is no need for a judge to issue a temporary restraining order halting the city’s planned May 2 eviction of homeless people living in the PalCo Marsh, because there’s no threat that they will be irreparably harmed by being forced to relocate. […]
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‘Minimum Standards’: Federal Suit Seeking to Halt Marsh Evictions to be Heard Friday
On Monday afternoon, local attorney Peter Martin and Eureka City Attorney Cyndy Day-Wilson got together for lunch. The topic of the day was a lawsuit Martin was working on and looking to bring against the city stemming from its ordering about 150 homeless people in the Palco Marsh to vacate the area by May 2. […]
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UPDATED: Despite Uncertainty, Homeless Container Community Project Plows Forward
UPDATE: The city of Eureka received one response to its request for proposals to help the soon-to-be-displaced homeless people currently residing behind the Bayshore Mall, and it appears to dead on arrival. City Manager Greg Sparks said he’s currently reviewing the proposal submitted by the local nonprofit Affordable Homeless Housing Alternatives with an eye on […]
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HumCPR and Betty Chinn Pitch Shipping Container Village for Palco Marshers
A solution for where to send those soon to be displaced from the Palco Marsh may be on the horizon. The press release (included below) is mysterious, merely inviting the public to attend a press conference to “announce the beginning of a partnership aimed at mitigating the effects of homelessness in the community and providing […]
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Camping a Go at Koster Street Parking Lot
On Tuesday, the Eureka City Council voted 3 to 2, with council members Melinda Ciarabellini and Marion Brady dissenting, to allow camping in a city parking lot at Koster and Washington streets. The motion, which was a modified version of the Shelter Crisis Declaration approved by the council on Jan. 19, passed after a an […]
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City’s Shelter Crisis Declaration Up for Amendment
With the May 2 deadline for the estimated 180 people currently camping in the Palco Marsh to leave fast approaching, the Eureka City Council may use the much-debated Shelter Crisis Declaration, which passed in January after heated discussion and passionate public comment, to create some extra space for those in need. The original resolution, which […]