You know, enough of you were well-behaved this week to earn everyone a little weekend treat. Great work.

We here at LoCO don’t know much about local YouTuber Moss Gross other than that he seems to be a fun-lovin’ Humboldt dude who enjoys riding his motorcycle around, taking pretty drone videos and penning the occasional ditty about lesser-appreciated Humboldt locations. Four years ago, he made a video that has since become a favorite down here at LoCOHQ — we refer, of course, to “Eureka Slough Railroad Bridge,” which we are ashamed to admit has never been properly shared on this site. We are sorry, readers. 

To ensure that this local genius is no longer overlooked, today we will direct your attention to a new Moss Gross video posted earlier this week. In “Humboldt Bay Trail,” Moss expresses his appreciation for our new-ish picturesque bayside route in song. Really, we hope you stopped reading these words long ago and are already boppin’ along to “Humboldt Bay Trail.” You know what, we’re just going to go ahead and stop typing now so we can listen to it again. Thanks, Moss!

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UPDATE: Man, we went back through some of Moss’s past videos and found ourselves charmed by his “Hydesville and Carlotta” song too. Banger!

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As Thanksgiving Day draws near, Humboldt’s nonprofit sector is already hard at work preparing the bounty for next week’s communal feasts. Anyone looking for a home-cooked turkey dinner — dine-in or to-go — can find one for free at several locations across the county from Saturday through Thanksgiving Day. 

Looking to lend a hand? Several organizations are still seeking volunteers to prep food, serve hungry patrons and help with clean-up. Donations of all kinds are also welcome. 

Here’s a chronological list of local places offering free grub between now and turkey day. If you know of another organization offering a free Thanksgiving meal, drop us a line at news@lostcoastoutpost.com and we’ll add it to the list!

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McLean Foundation — Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building, 1426 Main Street, Fortuna

The McLean Foundation is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal at the Fortuna Veterans Memorial Building on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 3 to 5 p.m. Dinner will be prepared and served by the Walker Bailey American Legion Post 205 and Fortuna Fire Department Auxiliary. 

Van Duzen River Grange — 5250 State Route 36, Carlotta

Out in Carlotta, community members will host a free Thanksgiving dinner at the Van Duzen River Grange on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. Folks are welcome to dine in or take their food to go. The grange will also have a small food pantry available for those in need.

Black Humboldt — Jefferson Community Center, 1000 B Street, Eureka

Black Humboldt is hosting a holiday meal and resource distribution at the Jefferson Community Center in Eureka on Sunday, Nov. 23, from 4 to 8 p.m. Volunteers will be serving up hot meals, distributing food boxes and a range of other resources and household items. 

Those interested in donating or volunteering can contact Black Humboldt at (707) 840-4641 or frontdesk@blackhumboldt.com.

Eureka Salvation Army — 2123 Tydd Street, Eureka

Eueka’s Salvation Army will host a free Thanksgiving dinner on Monday, Nov. 24, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Want to volunteer? Contact the Eureka branch at (707) 442-6475.

“These meals are important for the community because it helps connect people to each other,” Salvation Army spokesperson Sandra Solis told the Outpost. “When we do these events, you continually hear the laughter and joy that comes from sharing a meal together. For others, it is a meal that they may not otherwise have. And we get to be a part of bringing family meals, memories and community for everyone.”

Food Not Bombs — Bayshore Way, near the rear entrance to the Bayshore Mall, Eureka

Food Not Bombs is hosting a free Thanksgiving meal during its regular food distribution at the Bayshore Mall in Eureka on Monday, Nov. 24, from 4 to 6 p.m. Distribution occurs on Bayshore Way on the north side of the mall, just down the street from Applebee’s.

Betty Kwan Chinn Foundation — 133 Seventh Street, Eureka

Local do-gooder Betty Chinn is handing out holiday food baskets to help folks in need. Reached by phone this week, Chinn told the Outpost that the holiday food basket list has filled up, but said volunteers will distribute to-go items starting on Tuesday, Nov. 25. Folks looking for a hot meal can stop by the Betty Kwan Chinn Day Center after 4 p.m. on Thursday Tuesday. This year, she’s expecting to feed over 1,000 people. 

The RAVEN Project — 523 T Street, Eureka

The RAVEN Project in Eureka will host a free Thanksgiving feast on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m. Given that the RAVEN Project’s services are youth-focused, the meal will be limited to people between the ages of 18 and 24. 

Eureka Rescue Mission — 110 Second Street, Eureka

The Eureka Rescue Mission is cooking up a free Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 26, from 12 to 2 p.m. Those interested in donating food or funds can contact the Rescue Mission at (707) 445-3787.

That’s a lotta pie! | Photo: Florence Carroll

Arcata House Partnership — D Street Neighborhood Center, 1301 D Street, Arcata

Community members are invited to Arcata House Partnership’s third annual Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The event is free and open to anyone who’s hungry.

Florence Carroll, operations and resource development manager for Arcata House, said the nonprofit is still looking for food donations and volunteers to help with turkey carving, can opening, veggie chopping and oven watching on Tuesday and Wednesday. Those interested in donating food or dropping off a meal can sign up by calling (707) 613-0143.

“We are asking for people to bring anything from mashed potatoes to pies to bread rolls. We’re only accepting them the day before Thanksgiving, so we have time to reheat and ensure everything is food safety compliant,” Carroll said. “We’re really hoping that by providing this meal for people and giving everyone a space to gather and connect, it’ll give everyone a space to exist and be thankful for the things that we do have.

On Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Arcata House Partnership will host a donation day to gather winter clothes and other essentials for people in need. More information on the donation drive can be found here.

Carroll also wanted to give a shout-out to the City of Arcata for letting them use the community center free of charge. Thanks, Arcata!

Mateel Community Center — 59 Rusk Lane, Redway

The Mateel Community Center, in partnership with the Garberville Veterans Association, will host its free Thanksgiving dinner on Thursday, Nov. 27, at 12 p.m. Interested in lending a hand? Call Tom Pie at (707) 449-3931.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Dining Facility — 35 Third Street, Eureka

And lastly but certainly not leastly, the St. Vincent de Paul Society will host a free Thanksgiving meal at its Eureka dining facility on Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Staff are still looking for volunteers to help with food prep on Wednesday afternoon and clean up on Thursday.

Bob Santilli, board president for St. Vincent de Paul - Redwoods Region, told the Outpost that the Rotary Club of Eureka and Pacific Towing each donated a couple dozen turkeys for upcoming holiday meals. Those interested in donating extra stuff — whether that be monetary, Thanksgiving fixin’s or non-perishable foods — can do so at this link.

Want to volunteer? Give ‘em a call at (707) 445-9588.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 17, 2025, at approximately 4:21 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 2200 block of China Mine Road in Bridgeville to conduct a welfare check on a resident who had reportedly started a fire inside the home. The reporting party told dispatchers she had spoken with the resident by phone, during which he stated that his coat was on fire before hanging up.

While deputies were en route, the Humboldt County Emergency Communications Center received a subsequent call from a neighbor reporting that the residence was fully engulfed in flames. When deputies arrived, the structure had already burned down to the foundation. Cal Fire was notified and responded to the scene.

A comprehensive search of the area was conducted by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Special Services Unit and the Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue (SAR) team. Remains were located and were tentatively identified as being animal remains. They have been collected by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office and are scheduled to be examined by an anthropologist to determine the origin.

This case is an active investigation. No further information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

The long-awaited opening of the Annie and Mary Trail isn’t exactly tomorrow — but it is coming soon. 

The quarter-mile segment from the Arcata Skate Park on Sunset Avenue down to the Hinarr Hu Moulik dorms was paved this week after a few weeks of clearing foliage from the old railroad bed. It’s not officially open yet (the concrete was still wet this morning where the trail connected to the sidewalk), but will likely be 100% ready for use by the end of November when some crosswalks are added.

Beyond that, Granite Construction crews have started ripping up brush and laying the foundation for more trail on West End Road past the Arcata Ridge trailhead. When it’s complete, it’ll run all the way from Arcata out to the Mad River. 

Work will continue on the last 3.5 miles of trail through the winter and into 2026 and may be finished late in the summer. The section to the Arcata Ridge trailhead might be done by the end of 2025. 

Emily Sinkhorn, the city’s Director of Environmental Services, told the Outpost that she was grateful for the years of planning and dreaming that advocates put into the project, as well as to Cal Poly Humboldt and the Yurok Indian Housing Authority for helping fund it. She’s happy to see skateboarders roll up to the park and students walking to class on it.

“If you build multi-use trails, especially ones that go between destinations and where people live; people are going to use it,” said Sinkhorn. “It’s like, ‘Aaah, why did it take this long?’ But it’s really exciting to see people use it. It’s going to make a big difference for safety and for the feeling of safety.”

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PREVIOUSLY

• Sun Valley Floral Farms Issues Layoff Notices to Entire Workforce in Arcata and Oxnard
• In Letter to Industry Colleagues, Sun Valley Floral Farms CEO Explains the Factors That Led to the Company’s Demise
• PLANT DISMANTLED: They’ll Be Auctioning Off All Sun Valley Floral Farms’ Infrastructure Next Month
• TOP 25 STORIES of 2024: Earthquakes, Foul Weather, Campus Occupations … and Leonardo DiCaprio!
• Former Sun Valley Property Fails to Sell at Auction This Morning
• OBITUARY: Michael Joseph Mangiantini, 1952-2025
• Foster Clean Power: New Solar Energy and Battery Storage Project Launched Near Arcata
• Hey, Are There Any Land Trusts or Something Along Those Lines That Would Want to Own the Old Sun Valley Floral Farms Land? Anyone? Because the Seller’s Agent Would Really Like to Talk With You

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Press release from Cal Poly Humboldt:

Cal Poly Humboldt announced today the acquisition of 191 acres of agricultural and industrial property on Foster Avenue in Arcata. The property, which includes a 418,320-square-foot industrial building, represents an investment in the University’s long-term growth as California’s newest polytechnic institution.

The property, part of the former Sun Valley Farms site, was purchased by the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation and leased to the University. There are no current plans to develop the 191-acre property.  

“This acquisition provides Cal Poly Humboldt with the space and flexibility we need to grow responsibly while stewarding important resources in our community,” said Steve Karp, Cal Poly Humboldt’s acting vice president for Advancement and executive director for the Cal Poly Humboldt Foundation. “While we have no immediate development plans for this property, securing land for future generations of students is essential to fulfilling our polytechnic vision.”

The $5.05 million property currently has existing lease agreements with established agricultural tenants, including Driscoll’s Berries and Sierra Madre Mushrooms. The University will continue with the leases, preserving agricultural jobs and operations in Arcata.

Key features of the property include:

• 191 acres of land with flexible Agriculture, Commercial, and Industrial zoning
• 418,320-square-foot warehouse building 
• Ample water resources with 400 gallons-per-minute capacity from ground wells
• 600,000-gallon fire mitigation tank
• Established agricultural operations
• Proximity to Highway 101, Arcata-Eureka Airport, and Port of Humboldt Bay

“Cal Poly Humboldt remains committed to being a thoughtful neighbor and responsible steward of land in Humboldt County,” said Michael Fisher, acting vice president for Administrative Affairs and Chief Financial Officer. “This property allows us to support existing agricultural operations while providing options for future growth as our polytechnic programs evolve.”

The acquisition expands upon two contiguous Foster Avenue properties. The first is the University’s 16-acre parcel purchased in 2022, planned as a transportation and mobility hub with shuttle service to support nearby student housing. Based on community input, the University is actively re-evaluating its plans. Another adjoining 26 acres purchased by the Foundation in 2024, was leased to the University and is partially being developed as an instructional farm.

Cal Poly Humboldt will work closely with the City of Arcata, neighboring property owners, and community stakeholders on any future uses of the newest Foster Avenue property, ensuring compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and local land-use policies.

The Foster Avenue properties complement Cal Poly Humboldt’s polytechnic transformation. With support from the state’s $458 million investment, the University built the Hinarr Hu Moulik student housing complex (964 beds), launched numerous new academic programs, and made significant infrastructure improvements.  

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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Rep. Eric Swalwell, a former Democratic presidential candidate who helped lead the second impeachment of President Donald Trump, has officially entered the fray to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom in next year’s gubernatorial race.

His core message? “Prices are too high and people are scared.”

Swalwell, 45, a prominent Trump antagonist on social media and a cable news darling who ran a short-lived bid for the White House in 2019, made the announcement Thursday night at the tail end of a nearly 10-minute interview with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel.

After joking that California was “the greatest country in the world,” to laughs from the Los Angeles studio audience, Swalwell grew serious and decried how Californians have been disproportionately targeted by a second Trump administration, whether through vengeful immigration raids or the cancellation of critical cancer and health research.

“This great state needs a fighter and a protector,” Swalwell said.

In a video posted to his campaign website, which went live shortly before his appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” aired, Swalwell says “no one will keep California safer” than he will. He name-drops Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi — the San Francisco titan of Democratic politics who recently announced her own retirement — and points to her decisions to appoint him to the House Intelligence Committee and as one of four Trump impeachment managers following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Swallwell’s announcement comes a day after billionaire liberal activist Tom Steyer announced he is running to replace Newsom when he terms out in 2027. At least six other high-profile Democrats are also running, including former Rep. Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Prominent Republican challengers include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News contributor Steve Hilton.

The challenge for the seven-term congressman, who said recently he was among the latest of Trump’s political enemies to be targeted for investigation by the Justice Department, will be proving he can govern for Californians at home in addition to sparring with Republicans on the national stage.

“We can say that we’re the fourth largest economy in the world — and we are, and I love to brag about that — but what does that mean if you can’t afford to live here?” Swalwell told Kimmel on Thursday.

On that front, Swalwell offers no concrete policy promises in his initial launch, but instead cites his experience as a planning commissioner and city councilmember for his hometown of Dublin, the Bay Area suburb nestled east of Hayward and west of Livermore. He represents the same region in Congress.

“I’ve worked as a planning commissioner and city councilman in a place of low income and low expectations and helped lead my hometown to become one of California’s most prosperous cities,” Swalwell’s campaign site says. “I’ll take that approach to the whole state.”

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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Some of the red ink in California’s budget deficit is coming from unplanned spending in state prisons, according to a new report from the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is on track to exceed its budget by roughly $850 million over three years despite recent cuts that include four prison closures and some labor concessions that trimmed payroll expenses. The state budget included $17.5 billion for prisons this year.

The office attributed the corrections department’s shortfall to both preexisting and ongoing imbalances in its budget. The analyst’s annual fiscal outlook projected a nearly $18 billion deficit for the coming year, which follows spending cuts in the current budget.

The corrections department last year ran out of money to pay its bills. In May, it received a one-time allocation of $357 million from the general fund to cover needs including workers’ compensation, food for incarcerated people and overtime.

Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener of San Francisco in a June 17 letter to the Department of Finance said he was “shocked and disappointed that (the corrections department) overspent its budget by such a significant amount” while the state faced a $12 billion general fund shortfall that resulted in cuts to key health care and social service programs.

“These were dollars that could have been used to provide basic services to some of our most underserved communities,” wrote Wiener. “While this year’s budget included measures requiring departments to ‘tighten their belts’ and reduce state operating expenses by up to 7.95%, (the corrections department) did the opposite, and overspent by nearly three percent.”

Without having any new dedicated funding to align its actual costs with its budget, Wiener warned, deficits “will likely persist” and put additional pressure on the general fund in years to come.

That’s despite Gov. Gavin Newsom’s attempts to save the state money through prison closures. Newsom in May moved to close the state prison in Norco in Riverside County next year, the fifth prison closure under his tenure.

Newsom’s administration estimates it saves about $150 million a year for each prison closure, which lawmakers and advocates regard as the only way to significantly bring down corrections spending. A spokesperson for Newsom’s Finance Department declined to comment on the analyst’s projection. Newsom will release his next budget proposal in January.

“We are allowing wasteful prison spending to continue while Californians are being told to tighten their belts and brace for deep federal cuts to core programs,” said Brian Kaneda, deputy director for the statewide coalition Californians United for a Responsible Budget in a statement to CalMatters. “We are spending millions on prisons that could be safely closed. That is government waste, not public safety.”