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For offshore wind to fight climate change, that power needs to reach the larger statewide grid where it can replace fossil fuel electricity generation. The catch? Humboldt’s current transmission lines are too small to transmit that power out of Humboldt. New transmission infrastructure has been proposed to solve this problem, with the California Independent System Operator selecting Viridon to build new 500kV transmission lines. While this is a big project, new analysis from the Schatz Energy Research Center found that the cost to California ratepayers is low, about $1.68 per year. Tanner Etherton, Awbrey Yost and Jim Zoellick from Schatz join the show to nerd out over transmission infrastructure planning.

Have other questions about offshore wind? Check out northcoastoffshorewind.org

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The following piece has been adapted by the author from his book, Natural Resources at Humboldt State College — the First 30 Years. —HH.

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In 1935-36, two events occurred which set the stage for the formation of a Natural Resources Department at Humboldt State. First, there was the 1935 authorization to expand the educational opportunities of Humboldt State College. From the time of its founding in 1913 as Humboldt State Normal School, the two- year Arcata college was primarily a teacher-training institution. Then in 1921, it became the four-year Humboldt State Teacher’s College. But in 1935, the school was renamed Humboldt State College and was authorized to expand its offerings in the liberal arts accordingly.

The second key event was the arrival of Hortense Lanphere in 1936. Hortense Marie Lanphere had just completed her master’s degree with a major in Zoology at the University of Washington. She and her husband, Professor William Lanphere, came to Humboldt State for the year in 1936, then returned permanently in the fall of 1938.

Hortense was brightly intelligent, had a strong will and a free spirit, and was intensely interested in the natural world. Probably from her awareness of the fish hatchery at the University of Washington, she was interested in researching fish culture.

However, the Prairie Creek State Fish Hatchery, which began operation in 1936, was not within commuting distance in those days. The enterprising young Hortense came up with a solution to her problem, and, without checking first with Vice President Homer Balabanis as was the usual protocol, she went directly to President Arthur Gist with her proposal. She proposed to build a small hatchery on the campus where she could do her research; it would be built without any financial support from the college; and she would volunteer to teach a class in Hatchery Biology.

President Gist, whose primary interest at that time was the training of teachers and not applied science, was reluctant but said he would consider her proposal. He soon notified her that she could proceed the prospect of getting some students to enroll in her class at a time when the college was struggling to keep afloat likely appealed to him. He offered materials from a recently torn down dormitory for the construction of the hatchery and, if there were insufficient student interest, he offered that some of the janitorial staff could help clean the fish troughs. As Lanphere began preparing for what would be the first class in Natural Resources at Humboldt State, nobody guessed what would grow from this initial “proposal.”

Lanphere prepared plans for a building of nearly 300 square feet to contain four standard fish troughs and a small office. The hatchery would be located beside the stream just east of Redwood Bowl at the base of the existing dam creating Fern Lake. She established an account with $250 of her own funds to pay for student help and miscellaneous materials. Lumber and other supplies came from a variety of sources. Reclaimed lumber and probably plumbing supplies came from the demolished dormitory. The California Barrel Company in Arcata, managed by J. J. Krohn, a strong College supporter and avid sportsman, provided redwood bolts to make shingles for the sides and roof of the facility. Four troughs were obtained from Allan Pollitt, Foreman of the Prairie Creek State Fish Hatchery. Professor William Lanphere supervised the construction with volunteer assistance provided by William Johnson, Pete Petrovich, and Jake Relac of the College Plant Operations staff, and students including Gene German, Herb Christie, and Bob Bryan. Primarily for their work building the diversion dam, Nick Barbieri and Merlyn Allen were paid a total of $41.50 (at $0.50 per hour) from Hortense Lanphere’s fund. Lanphere’s records further indicate a total expenditure from May 1939 through June 1940 of $80.61 from her $250 for construction of the diversion dam, the hatchery itself, and miscellaneous supplies.

Her class in Hatchery Biology was first offered in the Spring Semester of 1940 with a planned enrollment of 8 students. Twelve signed up. The students in that first class, each of whom paid $2.00 to help offset operational costs such as fish food, included: Merlyn Allen, Walt Farley, Herb Gomez, Axel Lindgren, Herman Jones, Harry Manning, Walt Munroe, Marshall Rousseau, Frank Sanderson, Al Simay, Richard Tinkey, and Alvin Wright.

Allan Pollitt delivered 10,040 eyed silver salmon eggs in late February. The fish started hatching within a week of their delivery and began swimming about in their troughs. When they were three weeks old, the students began to regularly feed them and clean the troughs. The effort culminated in late May when, with the assistance of Pollitt, the class planted approximately 9,000 fingerlings into Little River. This first academic effort in Natural Resources at Humboldt State was a resounding success and set the stage for the next development.

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A second class in Natural Resources was launched when August Bade, then superintendent of the State Game Farm at Yountville, spoke to local sportsman groups in early January 1940 about the need for conservation of wildlife and showed pictures of the propagating and rearing of game birds. Later that same month, the Bureau of Game Farms of the California Division of Fish and Game was reported to be considering the development of a game farm with the involvement of Humboldt State College.

Professor Fred Telonicher.

As with the Fish Hatchery, a course of study was proposed along with the rearing project and students would be involved in the care of the game birds. Professor Fred Telonicher expressed interest and willingness to teach the class. President Gist supported developing a program of “practical instruction for students interested particularly in Fish and Game Conservation, forestry, or other related fields of study.” Dr. Homer Balabanis, Vice President of the college, and J. J. Krohn and Dr. Vernon Hunt, College Improvement Association members and avid sportsmen, undoubtedly influenced the President’s support.

Again, the avoidance of direct outlay of college finances was an essential condition for the approval to move ahead. However, due to the interest and support of local sportsmen, the development of pens to raise game birds received much greater publicity and outside assistance than had the effort of Hortense Lanphere. Building materials from the demolished dormitory were still available.

Authorization was obtained for workers from the Works Progress Administration (WPA), already on campus for other projects, to do the construction. And the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors agreed to provide funds: $640 for construction materials and $150 per year, funds available, for operations. These funds would be generated by fines levied on violators of state hunting and fishing regulations.

Work started on the new game pens in March of 1941. The pens were built immediately north of Nelson Hall (where Redwood and Sunset Halls now are located) and were ready to receive the first consignment of 250 day-old pheasant chicks from the Yountville State Game Farm in April The new Game Bird Management class had been started at the beginning of the 1941 spring semester with thirteen students: Herb Christie, Eugene R. German, Warren Haughey, Herbert Hudson, Fred Iten, Angelo Manfreda, Harry Manning, Marshall Rousseau, Elrid Spinas, Marshall M. Taylor, Ben C. Vonah, Arnold Waters, and Daniel R. Williams.

The students were assigned to teams who rotated responsibilities for the care of these birds and subsequent deliveries of chicks and eggs. By the end of the summer of 1941, 475 birds had been released at various locations throughout the Humboldt County. Local sportsmen, including Dedrick Oliver, Axel Anderson, J. R. Bicknell, Elmer Berg, Rease Wiley, C. J. Hill, Harvey Tighe, Waino Atilla, Roderick Frost, and Otto Klopp, gave a hand when it came time to release the birds in various North Coast areas from Ferndale to Orick. As in the hatchery, the hands-on instruction appealed to the students. However, sometimes extra hands were needed: Margaret Telonicher, wife of Professor Telonicher, would often have to help care for the pheasant eggs being incubated in her basement, especially when power outages necessitated that she use her oven to delicately continue the incubation.

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The College had shown its optimism for the future of the program in the fall of 1940 with the announcement of a two-year program in Wildlife Management. The program included four courses in Natural Resources: Conservation of Natural Resources, Hatchery Biology, Game Bird Management, and Diseases of Game Birds. A Natural Resources program was up and running! Students showed enthusiasm and interest. But the advent of World War II brought the program to a virtual halt. There were fewer than 500 students enrolled at Humboldt State College in 1939 and 1940 and by 1943 and 1944 the enrollment dropped to around 200 with no more than about 50 men. Needless to say, enrollments in the Natural Resources courses declined dramatically and the Hatchery Biology course was not even offered in those years. But Vice President Balabanis saw the potential of the program and anticipated a renewed student interest as the World War II veterans returned. He later recalled that, “By then the program, in our eyes, was justified … our environment was a natural. And, one would think, ‘Why didn’t we do it before?’” He also noted that Humboldt State was the first college in the nation to boast both an on-campus fish hatchery and game pens.

Professor John Lewis.

Even though no student had yet completed the two-year program, a four-year baccalaureate curriculum with a major in Wildlife Management was developed as the war came to an end. Knowing that the program could not continue to be taught as an overload by Professor Telonicher and by Hortense Lanphere as a volunteer, a new faculty member was recruited to lead the program. Professor John Lewis began teaching in the fall of 1946, and, in fulfillment of Vice President Balabanis’ optimism, 40 students enrolled in the new degree program that fall. Professor Lewis was energetic and immensely popular with the students and the community.

As the program grew, Professor John DeWitt was hired in the fall of 1949 to lead a new and separate baccalaureate degree program in Fisheries. A tragic setback occurred when Professor Lewis died in an automobile accident that same fall. Lewis’s replacement was Professor Fred Glover who arrived at the beginning of the 1950 spring semester.

Through this transition, student interest remained high and growing numbers of students were being attracted to the program from throughout the state. Three new faculty members were hired in 1953 Professor Charles Yocom replaced Professor Glover, who had moved on to a position with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Professor Ed Pierson was hired to lead a new two-year program in Forestry-Lumbering, and Professor Mark Rhea was hired to lead a new two-year program in Agriculture- Dairying.

The size, importance, and future potential of the program was recognized in the fall of 1956 when a Wildlife Building was completed. A separate Division of Natural Resources was created with Professor Yocom as the Chairman. Though the proposed Agriculture-Dairying program never really got off the ground, the Forestry-Lumbering program generated immediate interest with enrollments growing rapidly. In 1956, the two-year program became a baccalaureate degree program with a major in Forestry. That same year master degree programs were authorized with majors in Fisheries and Wildlife Programs, such as Range Management, Oceanography, and Natural Resources Planning and Interpretation and other master degree programs would develop from these beginnings.

Hortense Lanphere clearly did not anticipate what would evolve from her first course in Hatchery Biology. In fact, when asked why she sought to build the hatchery and teach a class, it turned out that she was actually seeking a way to research Saprolegnia (a fungus) affecting salmon eggs, without having to over-expose her fingers to cold water because of her mild Raynaud’s syndrome, a circulation problem of the fingers. “Scrubbing one fish trough would be fun but more troughs would be contraindicated. Why couldn’t students do that?”

Even so, as was reported in the Arcata Union in 1944, “Through her suggestion, the hatchery was built and in the spring of 1940 she taught the first course … The opening of this course was primarily the beginning of Humboldt’s Fish and Game department.”

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Richard Ridenhour was born and raised in Sonoma County. He attended Humboldt State College and received a BS degree in Fisheries in 1954. After attending graduate school at Iowa State College and then working for the Oregon Fish Commission, Ridenhour joined the faculty in the Department of Fisheries at Humboldt State in 1960, where he remained until retirement in 1992. His tenure included ten years as the Dean of the College of Natural Resources.

Dennis “Buddy” Ohligschlager
April 30, 1942 – February 13, 2026

Dennis “Buddy” Ohligschlager was born on April 30, 1942, in Iowa. He grew up in Southern California, but in 1975 he made a decision that would define the rest of his life. He moved his young family to Humboldt County in search of something quieter, cleaner and more intentional — a place away from the rush of city life, where he could raise his children surrounded by redwoods, rivers and community.

That choice said everything about who he was.

Dennis spent his career as a social worker, first in Los Angeles County and later in Humboldt County, where he worked in Child Protective Services and Adult Protective Services. This was not just a job to him — it was his calling. He took the work personally. He answered late-night phone calls and weekend emergencies without hesitation. He believed people mattered, especially the most vulnerable, and he quietly helped more individuals and families than most will ever know.

The phone ringing late at night was a constant in our home. But so was his steady presence as a father. No matter how tired he was, he showed up — helping with homework, offering advice, or simply sitting nearby to make sure we felt supported. Long before dozens of children would know him by his nickname, he was simply Dad — steady and there.

After retiring from the county, Dennis stepped fully into the name so many would come to know him by. Together with his wife, Janet, he opened a daycare — originally to help raise their grandson. It quickly became much more than that. Dozens of children passed through their doors over the years, and all of them adored “Buddy.” He was the fun one. The one who pulled kids in a bright red wagon through Highland Park — once even making the local paper. The one who got down on his hands and knees to play. The one who made time.

As his grandchildren grew, Buddy became their chauffeur, their loudest fan and a constant presence. He rarely missed a game or event, and his grandchildren’s friends remember him just as fondly as family does. In many ways, Buddy became part of the landscape of childhood for an entire circle of families.

Dennis was remarkably smart — the kind of person who seemed to know something about almost everything. He had a wicked sense of humor and a quick wit that could catch you off guard. He loved riding his bike to work, walking miles each day, and spending time near the Trinity River. He appreciated Humboldt’s beauty and lived in it fully.

In his later years, life changed in ways that were not always easy. Like many families, ours experienced seasons that were complicated and human. But the decades he spent showing up — for his family, for children in his care and for vulnerable members of this community — remain the truest measure of his life.

On February 13, 2026, Dennis was tragically killed by a vehicle while out on one of his long walks — still active, still moving through the community he chose so many years ago.

He is survived by his wife, Janet Ohligschlager; his children, Dennis Ohligschlager and Christina Taylor (Troy Taylor); his grandchildren, Audrey Dart, Cameron Dart and Drake Ohligschlager; many step-grandchildren; and countless others who knew him simply as Buddy.

There will never be another quite like him.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Buddy Ohligschlager’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Gerald “Jerry” Lee Polzin
July 29, 1947-February 2, 2026

Gerald Lee Polzin was born on July 29, 1947, in Arcata, California, the eldest of three children of John and Evelyn Polzin. He grew up in Arcata and graduated from Arcata High School in 1965.

In 1966, Jerry enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He proudly served in Vietnam, where he was wounded in combat and awarded two Purple Hearts. He was honorably discharged in November 1967.

Following his military service, Jerry attended Humboldt State University, earning a B.A. in Business. He married Sharon Jowers in 1976, and their marriage ended in 2007. He began his career with Cal Farm Insurance, where his dedication and strong leadership quickly moved him into management.

Jerry is preceded in death by his father, John Polzin; his mother, Evelyn Polzin; his sister, Laurie Rapp; and his nephew, Joshua Rapp.

He is survived by his son, Shawn Polzin (Jen); his daughter, Kimberly Johnstone (Braden); and his brother, Rick Polzin. He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren, Presley, Luke, and Isabella.

Jerry is finally at peace after a yearlong battle with cancer.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jerry Polzin’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Humboldt County Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo released the following statement to the Outpost today:

Photo via County of Humboldt

The deadline to file as a candidate has passed as of close of business today, Friday March 6, and I am the only candidate who has qualified to run for the position of County Supervisor to represent District 4.

Over the past 3+ years I’ve been honored to support the great work our County does for residents, to employ thousands of dedicated employees, and to learn deeply about our community. The work counties do isn’t always easily understood and follows strict guidelines – we provide food and housing resources, healthcare, environmental oversight, election services, transportation routes, and much more.

I’m proud to have served as we finished the Humboldt Bay Trail, completed the Regional Climate Action Plan, funded behavioral health priorities, advanced restoration of the Eel River, and enacted policies to make Humboldt stronger. I’m equally proud to be trusted by residents, staff, and community leaders as someone to turn to when they need help. 

These are tumultuous times, and I will stay focused on delivering key resources, support, and mandated services over the coming years. Many systems we rely on for our health, basic needs, and foundation of our local economy are threatened by funding cuts and policy changes, placing more load on local systems.

That said, there are some exciting projects that I look forward to seeing progress on, including multiple new behavioral health facilities, our public health laboratory, the County component of the next phase of the Annie and Mary Trail in partnership with Arcata, increased frequency and efficiency of bus service along the 101 corridor, supporting our port partners in long term planning and projects, economic development and tourism projects, Eel River dam removal and restoration, and much more.

The next 4 years won’t be easy, but I will keep showing up, hearing your ideas, and working to keep our community healthy and resilient. While there aren’t other candidates on the ballot, I would nonetheless love to earn your vote. I look forward to a seamless transition and the opportunity to keep serving Humboldt County through the end of 2030.

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PREVIOUSLY

• Bohn Says Misconduct Complaint Against Him Was Filed by Fellow Supervisor Steve Madrone; Bohn is Not Participating in the Investigation

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A third-party investigation into alleged misconduct by Humboldt County First District Supervisor Rex Bohn has sustained the accusations, and the full board is scheduled to discuss the matter on Tuesday.

An executive summary of the investigation says all interviewed witnesses agree that Bohn “acted in a disrespectful and aggressive manner toward County employees, which included the use of profanity” during a virtual ad hoc committee meeting last June.

As previously reported, the June 24 ad hoc committee meeting was called to discuss the county’s Tobacco Retail Licensing (TRL) Ordinance, and the complaint — which Bohn says was submitted by his fellow supervisor, Steve Madrone — says, “this meeting was initiated by Supervisor Bohn to lobby for an acquaintance of his.”

This particular acquaintance was in the process of selling 30 or more Chevron gas stations in Northern California and was convinced that the new ordinance would “cost him to lose his tobacco sale license for 3 stations in Humboldt County,” the complaint says.

All of the county employees who participated in the meeting felt that Bohn had scheduled it in hopes of pressuring them into quickly creating a waiver or amendment allowing his friend to transfer all of his tobacco retail licenses upon sale of the stations, the report summary says. (This topic came up again at last Tuesday’s board meeting.)

The investigation, which was performed by Kramer Workplace Investigations, sustains the allegation that Bohn “used an intense tone, an elevated voice, and exhibited body language that indicated he was frustrated, angry, and/or irritated with County employees for failing to take action regarding a waiver or amendment to the Tobacco Retail License” during that meeting.

Bohn himself refused to take part in the investigation because he considered the allegations baseless and reasoned that staying out of it would save the county money. A staff report says the investigation has cost $15,991 to date, with the money coming out of the county’s liability fund.

“It is expected that there will be additional invoices related to this matter; however, they have not yet been received by the county,” the staff report says. “This investigation will also cause the Liability charges for the Board of Supervisors budget to increase, by how much is unknown at this time.”

A voicemail left for Bohn this afternoon was not immediately returned, nor was a text message to Madrone.

On Tuesday, the board will consider whether or not to publicly censure Bohn for violating the board’s own Code of Conduct, which has been the subject of much debate in recent months. Second District Supervisor Michell Bushnell has pushed for changes to the complaints procedure after disagreeing with the results of an investigation into her own alleged misconduct last year.

That investigation sustained allegations that she mistreated two county employees, but Bushnell disputed the conclusion and hired a private attorney to represent her. The board has since asked the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury to weigh in on the Code of Conduct complaints procedure.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Mar. 6, 2026, at approximately 5:29 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to a residence on Wilder Ridge Rd. in Ettersburg for the report of a burglary in progress. The reporting party advised dispatch that an unknown individual was inside the residence.

While deputies were responding to the location, dispatch remained on the phone with the resident. During the call, the resident stated she was contacting a neighbor for assistance and briefly disconnected. The resident called back and reported that the neighbor was responding to the residence. She also advised the individual inside the home was attempting to open the door to the room where she had secured herself.

While responding to the scene, deputies’ requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol. While on the phone with the resident, the dispatcher reported hearing a gunshot in the background. Dispatch spoke to the neighbor, who reported he had two individuals detained at gunpoint outside the residence and had fired a warning shot.

Deputies, along with CHP, arrived on scene and contacted the victim and her neighbor. Based on witness statements it was determined that three suspects were involved in the incident and two of them fled prior to the deputies’ arrival. 51-year-old Leo Josh Rosecrans of Fortuna was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on the following charges:

• PC 594(b)(1)-Vandalism
• PC 459-Burglary
• PC 182(a)(1)-Conspiracy to commit a crime
• PC 1203.2(a)-Rearrest/Revoke probation

The two additional suspects were described as an adult white female and an adult white male.

While additional deputies remained on scene, the victim began to experience a medical emergency. Cal Fire responded and she was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

This remains an active investigation, and additional details will be released as they become available.  

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office extends its gratitude to the California Highway Patrol for their assistance.

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.