The Eureka Police Department monitored two large protests that took place at the Humboldt County
Courthouse on January 30 and January 31. While both protests were primarily peaceful, two separate
incidents occurred that resulted in two arrests.
January 30, 2026 Incident
On January 30 at approximately 4:56 p.m., an EPD officer monitoring protest activity near the
intersection of 5th and J Streets observed a vehicle pull onto the sidewalk, after which a male exited the
vehicle and entered the crowd. The officer responded into the crowd, located the male on the ground,
and detained him in handcuffs.
Based on the information known to the officer at the time, including the officer’s observations and
witness statements, Gary Beckett, 71, of Eureka, was arrested for fighting in public.
During the course of the investigation, additional information surfaced regarding events that preceded
Beckett parking his vehicle and entering the crowd. The investigating officer later learned that a subject
attending the protest had stepped off the sidewalk, assaulted Beckett, and stole his hat while Beckett was
stopped at a red light at 5th and J Streets. Beckett reported that he parked his vehicle and entered the
crowd in an attempt to recover his property.
Beckett was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Jail for fighting in public.
The investigating officer has preliminarily identified a person of interest related to the assault and theft.
If positively identified as the suspect, a report will be prepared and forwarded to the Humboldt County
District Attorney’s Office for review and potential charges.
January 31, 2026 Incident
On January 31 at approximately 1:34 p.m., EPD officers patrolling on bicycles witnessed a
confrontation between a motorist and several protestors on the sidewalk on 5th Street between H and I
Streets. It appeared to officers that the driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, had sprayed protestors
with a chemical agent.
Officers conducted a traffic stop and detained the driver without incident.
The investigation determined that the driver, Joseph Hough, 51, of Eureka, became involved in a verbal
altercation with several individuals attending the protest who were on the sidewalk. During the
altercation, Hough brandished a large can of chemical agent toward the group. While some individuals
believed the spray may have been deployed, the investigation confirmed it was brandished only and not
discharged.
Hough was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Jail for brandishing a weapon, assault, and
illegal possession of a tear gas weapon.
Anyone with information regarding either incident is encouraged to contact the Eureka Police
Department at 707-441-4300.
Humboldt nonprofits are invited to submit a proposal for the ownership of the Temperance Hall and property at the corner of Old Arcata & Jacoby Creek Roads. Bayside Corners’ board of directors has announced its decision to transfer its ownership of the Bayside Temperance Hall and property to another community-based nonprofit.
Interested organizations must notify Bayside Corners of their intent to submit a proposal via email at baysidecorners@gmail.com by Friday, February 13, 2026.
A required on-site meeting and tour of the Hall and property is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026 at 10:00 A.M.
Proposers are asked to not disturb the current Hall users Monday through Friday 7:00AM to 6:00PM.
Proposals are due on March 31, 2026; P.O. Box 342, Bayside, CA 95524.
Built in 1882 at the center of Bayside’s historic district, the Temperance Hall is an historically significant community center in the development of the Jacoby Creek Valley. It is the oldest nonresident building in Bayside and is Humboldt County’s last standing Temperance Hall of the pre-Prohibition Era. Mistwood Educational Center has occupied the Temperance Hall since the mid-1990s.
Bayside Corners is an all-volunteer run 501(c )3 nonprofit incorporated in 2007 to serve Bayside, Jacoby Creek Valley and surrounding neighborhoods with grassroots organizing for community improvements, cultural events and social gatherings to foster community identity and pride.
The Request for Proposals (RFP) is facilitating the due diligence process to select the next nonprofit to own and be responsible for this community asset. Bayside Corners emphasizes that income earned from the transfer of this property is not their top priority. Most important is selecting an organization with financial capability to be responsible for the Hall’s rehabilitation and repair; and that shares Bayside Corners’ values for public education, historic and natural resources protection, and a deep appreciation for the community. The Temperance Hall has an ideal, central location at the corner of Old Arcata & Jacoby Creek Roads and can become an attractive point of pride.
Bayside Corners invites all eligible Humboldt nonprofits who are interested in this property to submit proposals. The RFP requirements and instructions are posted at www.baysidecorners.org/RFP .
Bayside Corners’ Board looks forward to the beautification of the property and a positive presence at this prominent location in Bayside.
Bayside Corners will continue operating and return its focus to projects that organize residents to address plans for emergencies and disasters, safety, and opportunities for social and cultural gatherings that bring neighbors of all ages together.
On Sunday, February 1, 2026, at approximately 2:30 a.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department
(EPD) were dispatched to the vicinity of Sonoma Street and Lowell Street for a report of gunshots
heard. Officers conducted a search of the area but were initially unable to locate any witnesses or
evidence related to a shooting.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. the same day, an EPD Sergeant returned to the area to conduct a follow-up
investigation. During that search, evidence of a shooting was located, including spent shell casings and
bullet impacts to an apartment in the 200 block of Sonoma Street. There were no injuries reported.
Later that evening, at approximately 8:00 p.m., EPD received multiple reports of gunshots heard in the
vicinity of Sonoma Street and C Street, the same general area as the earlier incident. Officers
responded, secured the scene, and located additional evidence indicating that another shooting had
occurred.
A detective from EPD’s Criminal Investigation Unit responded to assist patrol officers with the
investigation. Based on evidence collected, it appears that the same apartment that was struck earlier
in the day was again targeted during the second shooting.
Officers contacted occupants of the apartment building, and no injuries were reported as a result of
this incident. Additional evidence was collected, and the investigation remains ongoing.
This is an ongoing investigation and EPD is requesting any persons with information to contact
Detective Sergeant Cory Crnich at (707) 441-4318.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
Aguilar Garcia | HCCF
After receiving a tip and through follow up investigation, Humboldt County Sheriff deputies have identified 23-year-old Josue Diego Aguilar Garcia of Willow Creek as the person responsible for the stabbing that occurred on Jan. 24th in the Community Commons Park.
A Ramey arrest warrant has been issued for his arrest. The Sheriff’s Office believes that Aguilar Garcia is a threat to the community and is releasing his photo.
If you see Aguilar Garcia or know his whereabouts, please call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
Humboldt Bay Fire (HBF) responded to a working structure fire this afternoon at 2015 California
Street in Eureka, successfully confining the fire to a single unit and preventing extension to
neighboring apartments.
At approximately 12:04 pm, HBF received reports of a fire in a multi-family Victorian home. Upon
arrival, first-due units observed heavy black smoke pushing from the second story. The first
alarm fire response consisted of three fire engines, one ladder truck and two chief officers.
Through aggressive interior operations and coordinated efforts firefighters quickly attacked the
fire, which was held to a room and contents fire, keeping the fire from extending to structural
components or spreading to the attic. The affected unit sustained heavy smoke and fire damage
and was left untenable following extinguishment; however, the fire was contained and did not
spread to adjacent apartments.
While the primary units were committed to fire control and extinguishment, HBF’s fifth
responding unit handled multiple additional calls for service across the jurisdiction, ensuring
continued coverage for the community.
Once the scene was declared safe, the building was turned over to the property owner.
Residents from the unaffected units were permitted to return to their homes.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Humboldt Bay Fire extends gratitude to the Eureka Police Department for their on-scene
assistance and PG&E for the support during the incident.
HBF reminds the public of the critical importance of working smoke detectors and early
notification. These measures significantly reduce fire damage and most importantly, save lives.
###
Smoke billowed from the second-floor windows of a large Victorian on the corner of California and West Sonoma streets early Monday afternoon in Eureka. Humboldt Bay Fire quickly responded to the scene and extinguished the fire.
The house, which is across the street from the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, has been subdivided into multiple units, and the blaze appeared to be contained to the second floor.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On
Jan. 30, 2026, at approximately 5:41a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s
deputies were dispatched to a disturbance and shots fired report that
occurred in the 200 block of Orchard Way in Myers Flat.
When
deputies arrived, they contacted the reporting party who reported a
neighbor identified as 48 -year-old, Troy Robert Spencer showed up to
her residence with a rifle, made threatening statements and then
fired off several shots after walking away from the residence.
Through
witness statements and video surveillance of the incident, deputies
located Spencer nearby and took him into custody without incident.
Deputies learned that Spencer was also a convicted felon. They
obtained a search warrant for Spencer’s residence and seized
numerous firearms and ammunition.
Spencer
was transported the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he
was booked on the following charges:
PC
29800(a)(1) Felon in possession of firearms
PC
30305(a)(1) Prohibited person in possession of ammunition
PC
30605(a)(1) Illegally possess any assault weapon
PC
417(a)(2)(a) Exhibit a firearm
PC
21510(b) Carry/possess switchblade knife
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.
On Saturday, January 31st, 2026 , at approximately 1:21 am., Humboldt Bay Fire was dispatched
to a reported structure fire at the 800 block of H St. Humboldt Bay Fire responded with three
engines, one ladder truck, and a Battalion Chief.
Battalion 8104 was the first arriving unit and found smoke coming from a two-story multi unit
residence in the process of being renovated. Truck 8181 and E8114 arrived next and Crews
pulled a hose lines and set up large volume deck mounted nozzles and quickly initiated fire
attack. B8104 requested a second alarm upon initial radio report and 2 more engines came to the
scene along with three additional chief officers. The entire second story was completely engulfed
in flames within 2 minutes of arrival for fire department personnel. The fire was extinguished.
The building was structurally unstable after the fire and it has been demolished. Ongoing clean
up efforts will be underway.
Two coverage engines were requested and they ran medical calls and other alarms while the fire
was being extinguished. Additionally, City Ambulance provided a standby unit and PGE gas and
Electric responded to the scene to evaluate utilities. Humboldt Bay Fire thanks Arcata Fire, Loleta
Fire, Samoa Fire, CAL FIRE and all our partnering agencies for their valued support.
The cause and origin investigation are ongoing and anyone who has any knowledge of the cause
of the fire is encouraged to call the Eureka Police Department non-emergency number at 707-
441-4060. No civilian or firefighter injuries occurred, and damage is estimated at $350,000.
Several pieces of equipment and trailers along with neighboring structures were all saved due to
fire suppression efforts.
Humboldt Bay Fire reminds every one of the importance of contacting the authorities when
unauthorized persons are seen at construction sites, especially when work is not being done.
The H Street fire broke out around 1 a.m. on Saturday. | Photo: Jasmine Wheaton
