The June 7 election is wrapped up — almost. We’ve got a rundown of who won what and how close the races are that still haven’t been called. That includes the landslide in the auditor-controller race and the 50 percent Natalie Arroyo clings to in the supervisor race. We’re also doing an after-party revel in […]
Supervisors
Posted inNews
NCJ Preview: Upcoming Elections, Arcata’s Mayoral Morass and More
This week the Journal is breaking down county supervisor races in the 4th and 5th districts, as well as for the clerk-recorder-registrar of voters. We’ve got an online update on the harassment allegations against Arcata Mayor and Councilmember Brett Watson that were upheld in an investigation report. Despite community members and fellow members of the council […]
Posted inNews
Want to Vote in June? Register by the Stroke of Midnight
Monday, May 21, is the last day to register to vote in California’s June 5 primary election, which will see residents in the Fourth and Fifth Districts marking their choice for supervisor, the first contested judgeship in decades and an unusually dynamic battle for auditor-controller — not to mention several unchallenged races along with candidates […]
Posted inNews
Arcata Councilmember Arrested for DUI
Arcata City Councilmember and Third District supervisorial candidate Mark Wheetley was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Thursday night near the Samoa Bridge. California Highway Patrol Officer Cy May said Wheetley was traveling southbound when an officer pulled him over for speeding on State Route 255 near New Navy Base Road. May said […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
The Supes: A Retrospective
Letter-writer Leo Sears reminded Journal and Times-Standard readers last week that in 2012, in this opinion column, I gave “kudos to [4th District Supervisor Virginia] Bass for chairing an emotional discussion, keeping everyone civil, and for finding a solution — a way forward” as chair of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors. The agenda item […]
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The GPU
There are no two ways about it, Humboldt County is a unique place, says Kevin Hamblin. The county planning director is sitting in his office off H Street in Eureka on a recent afternoon, his window propped open a few inches to let in some fresh air and the sound of pouring rain. Many people […]
Posted inNews
And They’re Off
After rumor mongering, plodding, hemming, hawing, and perhaps some behind the scenes prodding, there will be a supervisors race after all. On March 7, former Eureka Councilman Chris Kerrigan announced his candidacy for the county’s 4th District seat via a short speech on the steps of the County Elections Office. Backed by several notable Humboldt […]
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There Will Be a Supervisors Race
Fourth District Supe Virginia Bass and 5th District Supe Ryan Sundberg don’t get to put up their feet this this year. Two 11th hour announcements have Eureka pol Chris Kerrigan aiming for Bass’ seat and McKinleyville Pastor Sharon Latour going after Sundberg. Kerrigan announced his campaign on the steps of the elections office Friday afternoon […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Monday, March 10, 1:30 p.m. — Enough!
As I wrote in this column last week, I’ve been having flashbacks. I started as a reporter for the Arcata Union in 1981 covering the perennially contentious Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, my favorite assignment. Once in a while, the county planning commission beat overlapped, too, and, always, politics. After 33 years, I’m mostly retired, […]
Posted inNews
Top 10 Stories of 2013
Summing up the tumult and transformations of a year in Humboldt County with only 10 stories is impossible. Collected here are some — definitely not all — of the events that stayed with us. For more on these stories, go to northcoastjournal.com. The Fires The communities tucked along the rivers in our mountains know fire. […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
Boards Behaving Badly
Maybe the Journal should start an ongoing feature called “Boards Behaving Badly.” I don’t get it. These public servants are duly elected and have the backing of the majority of their constituents. Then once in office, they fall prey to taking the easy path of making tough or uncomfortable decisions, first behind closed doors, and […]
Posted inLetters + Opinion
What Rural Consensus?
Editor: Mary Carr writes (“Mailbox,” July 4) that the supes properly “updated” the guiding principles of the General Plan by cutting out any language supporting “increas[ed] restrictions on resource land subdivisions,” “developing affordable housing,” or “discouraging low-density residential conversion of resource lands,” etc. She claims that language — originally added in 2004 to reflect the […]