Public playgrounds across the state are being allowed to reopen but with adults and children alike needing to use COVID-19 safety practices under guidelines released by the state. Those include anyone 2 or older wearing a mask and keeping a socially-responsible 6 feet of distance from folks who are from other households as well as […]
social distancing
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Heart of the Beast
It’s midnight and I’m still an hour away for a 12:30 a.m. flight booked just hours before from my home, also hours and worlds away. Another panicked decision, another chance to act with little thought. Like being down at the blackjack table and pulling out the last Franklin in an attempt to see it all […]
Posted inLife + Outdoors
Rough Waters
The water level on the Trinity River is just right and the hot summer weather is ideal. But a month after local white-water rafting businesses received approval to reopen from county and U.S. Forest Service officials, company owners say that reservation numbers are still modest. School and church groups have all canceled and the absence […]
Posted inNews
Humboldt County to Allow Modification of Parking Lots to Help Local Business Reopen
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is allowing alternative uses of the public right-of-way and will relax parking standards to help local businesses, restaurants specifically, to reopen. Because of social distancing guidelines, some restaurants are looking to place seating tables on private parking lots. However, according to the press release, “county regulations require businesses to […]
Posted inNews
The Pandemic’s Great Divide: 12 Hours in an L.A. Restaurant
Edson Romero maneuvers his black Cadillac Escalade under the early afternoon sun onto Highway 101 in Los Angeles. Behind him is the Boyle Heights home he shares with three siblings. Up ahead is Echo Park, and the job he’s held since the recovery from the last economic crash, back in 2011. He’s dressed in his […]
Posted inNews
Eureka Offers Free Café Permits
In support of restaurants offering dine-in service with the state and OSHA requirements for social distancing, the city of Eureka is offering free permits for café tables and chairs on sidewalks. Patio and indoor seating are allowed starting Friday, May 29 for those businesses with safety plans already approved by the Office of Emergency Services. […]
Posted inNews
Six Rivers’ Campgrounds Preparing to Re-open
Six Rivers National Forest has announced that it is planning to re-open its developed recreational sites, including campgrounds for the 2020 season. “We’re doing a lot of behind-the-scenes work right now on our sites to get them ready for visitors to enjoy,” said Bryson Code, recreation and wilderness manager for the forest, in a press release. […]
Posted inNews
State Releases Dining-in Guidelines for Restaurants
Gov. Gavin Newsom has posted the state’s COVID-19 Industry Guidance for dine-in restaurant service once California’s shelter-in-place order eases to allow it. The 12-page document by the California Department of Public Health and Cal Osha advises restaurants to — among a myriad of cleaning, training and serving practices — “continue to encourage takeout and delivery […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
The Cat Would Like You to Return to Work
Oh, hey. Did I wake you by running full bore through the living room and leaping up the couch arm onto your head? Well, now that you’re up, let’s talk. First of all, it’s four o’clock in the afternoon. Not only are you here but you’re napping. In my 4 p.m. spot. And it’s weird. […]
Posted inNews
Farmers Markets Return with New Rules
Rest easy, romaine lovers, even in these confusing and confining COVID times, you can still get farm fresh greens at some of the county’s farmers markets — now open for the season. Farmers markets, like grocery stores, are deemed essential businesses. And with the opportunity to support local farmers who need it now more than ever, […]
Posted inNews
NCJ Preview with Access Humboldt
Everyone is asking about COVID-19 testing — we’ve got answers on who’s getting tested, how many tests we may need and what the holdup is. We’re also talking about the shelter-in-place compliance signs the county is giving restaurants and whether they’ve got teeth. Hit subscribe for weekly updates from the NCJ YouTube channel and join […]
Posted inNews
Signs to Mark Health Order Compliant Restaurants
While on your essential outings, you may start seeing green signs that read, “This facility is compliant,” in the windows of open restaurants around the county. The signs, introduced April 27, list four main practices to slow the spread of COVID-19 — wearing facial coverings, practicing social distancing and hand washing, and offering only takeout/curbside […]