CORRECTION: The headline to this post initially misidentified the fire in question, referring to a more recent and less devastating warehouse fire in Arcata. The Outpost regrets the error.
Joint press release from the Arcata Police Department and Arcata Fire District:
The Arcata Fire District, in coordination with the Arcata Police Department, has completed a joint investigation into the origin and cause of the Fire on the Square incident involving properties near 10th and H Streets.
Based on the investigation, there is no evidence that the fire was intentionally set, and no foul play has been identified. Investigators identified several possible ignition sources within the area of origin; however, none could be conclusively confirmed. As a result, the fire has been classified as “Undetermined” in accordance with nationally accepted fire investigation standards. The case will remain open, and the affected properties will be released back to the property owners.
An “Undetermined” classification means that the available information does not clearly indicate a single cause. It reflects the responsibility of investigators to avoid speculation when evidence does not support a definitive conclusion.
The Arcata Fire District conducted the fire origin and cause investigation, which included examining fire damage, reviewing scene conditions, and evaluating potential ignition sources.
The Arcata Police Department assisted the investigation by conducting witness interviews and reviewing available video footage to help establish a timeline of events.
If new credible information becomes available, it will be reviewed using established investigative practices.
The Arcata Fire District and Arcata Police Department remain committed to public safety, fire prevention, and providing accurate information to the community.
Press release from Mary Halstead, executive director of Agnes J. Johnson Charter School in Weott:
Earlier this week, I shared with staff and families of Agnes J. Johnson Charter School the painful
reality that the school is facing a financial crisis with no clear path forward. That communication
was sent ahead of last night’s Board meeting so families would hear the truth directly and with
care.
At the Board meeting held last night, no formal action was taken to close the school. However,
the Board did approve moving forward with the creation of a plan to wind down operations.
Barring any substantial, unexpected financial relief, the Board expects to consider and potentially
adopt a closure resolution at its next regular meeting on February 12, 2026. Based on the
school’s current financial position, February 28, 2026 has been identified as an anticipated
closure date, with February 27 expected to be the last day of instruction for students, should
closure be approved.
Since 2020, Agnes J. Johnson Charter School has experienced a 35% decline in enrollment due
to families moving out of the area, with the most significant losses occurring during the current
school year. Because charter schools are funded on attendance and subject to midyear
recalculation, the resulting revenue loss is severe and cannot be absorbed. Despite exhausting
every available option, there is no fiscal path that allows the school to continue through the end
of the academic year.
Agnes J. Johnson School has served this community for more than 73 years. In 2019, a small
group of parents came together to prevent its closure by converting it to a charter school. That
effort was rooted in a belief that rural families deserved choice, stability, and a school that
reflected their community. Over the past five years, even amid a pandemic, natural disasters, and
ongoing economic hardship, we honored that belief.
We built something real and meaningful here. We provided small class sizes, individualized
instruction, enriching programs, and a school culture centered on belonging, responsibility, and
care for the whole child. We did the work. We kept our promises. We served children with
integrity and love.
If a closure resolution is ultimately adopted, we will walk alongside families through that
transition. We will ensure student records are transferred promptly, assist families in identifying
next placements, and work closely with the District and neighboring schools to support our
students.
This loss is profound. It is felt deeply by students, families, staff, founders, Board members, and
the wider community. While we cannot save this school again, the legacy of what was built here,
and the children who were shaped by it, will not disappear.
Press release from the Humboldt & Del Norte Labor Council:
The Humboldt & Del Norte Central Labor Council affirms our
solidarity with working people and families of Minneapolis and across
Minnesota who are standing together to defend their communities.
Labor Unions throughout Minnesota
have united to endorse January 23 as a Day of Truth and Freedom —
No Work, No School, No Shopping. This action, led by the Minneapolis
Regional Labor Federation alongside regional councils across the
state, is a response to the violent ICE occupation of their cities
and the direct harm it has caused to union members, workplaces, and
families.
While this call to action comes from
Minnesota labor, I believe it is important for us, here in Humboldt,
to practice solidarity in our own communities — to talk with our
members, to educate, to support one another, and to stand firmly
against attacks on working people, regardless of immigration status.
An injury to one is an injury to
all. What is happening in Minneapolis affects all of us, and labor’s
strength has always come from our willingness to stand together
across geography, trade, and background.
Press release from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast:
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the North Coast (BBBSNC) announces, with deep gratitude and heavy
hearts, that following careful deliberation, the Board of Directors has voted to permanently close the
organization after 57 years of service to youth, families, volunteers, and the greater Humboldt
County community.
This decision follows the loss of primary operational funding that sustained the organization’s core
services. Despite extensive efforts to secure replacement funding and reduce expenses, the Board
determined there was no viable or responsible path forward that would allow BBBSNC to continue
providing mentoring services at the level of quality, safety, and support that youth deserve.
As a result of the closure, this year’s Bowl For Kids’ Sake fundraiser has been canceled. Any
contributions already received for this year’s event will be fully refunded. This event has long been a
beloved community tradition and a critical source of support for the agency for the last 42 years.
BBBSNC extends heartfelt gratitude to the thousands of supporters, donors, businesses, volunteers,
and families who have helped ignite the potential of local youth for nearly six decades. We are
profoundly grateful for every Big, every Little, every donor, and every partner who made this mission
possible.
The organization is committed to an orderly and responsible wind-down. Staff is focused on
concluding existing matches with care and compassion. While this was a difficult decision, the
BBBSNC board is proud of the fact that the lives of thousands of families in this community have
been positively impacted over nearly six decades of work. BBBSNC recognizes the impact of this
closure on the community and appreciates the understanding and support shown during this
challenging time.
Andy Vo unplugs his Nissan Leaf at a rapid charge station at the Emeryville Public Market on July 5, 2019. Photo by Anne Wernikoff for CalMatters
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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s $200 million plan to revive the state’s stalling electric-car market faces several fundamental problems: It isn’t enough money, it may not reach consumers quickly enough and the state hasn’t decided whether to subsidize – or exclude – wealthier buyers.
The Newsom administration’s budget proposal — rolled out after President Donald Trump dismantled federal electric vehicle incentives and blocked California’s clean-vehicle mandate — would cover rebates for only about 20% of last year’s EV sales. That CalMatters estimate assumes the state follows the model of the Clean Vehicle Rebate Program, which offered rebates of up to $7,500 toward some electric and hybrid cars before the California Air Resources Board ended it in 2023.
So far the administration has released few details about the proposal, leaving experts and lawmakers circling a basic question: Who should get the money?
“It is better than nothing, which is what a lot of things are getting right now,” said Mars Wu, a senior program manager with the Greenlining Institute, which advocates for investments in communities of color. “How far that $200 million goes really depends on how the program is going to be structured.”
A small incentive in a huge market
California’s electric car market is one the governor celebrates on the world stage. While at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland earlier this week, Newsom highlighted that California has surpassed 2.5 million clean car sales, saying the achievement came after the state “invested in this future when others said it was impossible.” He framed the number against a modest goal to get 1.5 million clean cars on the road, set more than a decade ago.
California officials remain confident the state’s policies will succeed in pushing the transition to electric cars. Even as sales have slipped, EVs will drive future electricity demand, according to a long-term forecast approved Wednesday by the California Energy Commission.
But the limits of the governor’s $200 million EV proposal become clear in the numbers. A CalMatters analysis found the incentive would cover only one out of every five EV sales, assuming similar sales to last year, and the same average rebate level as the state’s last mass-market rebate program.
Advocates are also raising concerns about how quickly the money can get to consumers. Christopher Chavez, deputy policy director at the Coalition for Clean Air, a California-focused advocacy group, warned that the proposed rebates may not reach consumers until 2027, given how long it takes to approve the budget and to set up a new program. If the funding only lasts a year, the program would leave out buyers who need time to plan or save, he added.
“It’s not going to be enough — just to be blunt about it,” Chavez said. “Two-hundred million for a mass-market program will go very quickly.”
The proposal comes as the latest sales numbers show an electric car market slump. Nationally, the loss of the uncapped, popular federal tax credit has accelerated manufacturer write-downs and sales declines as automakers adjusted to a tougher EV market.
In California, the slowdown has pushed the state further off course from its climate goals: even before Congress and President Trump blocked its vehicle mandate last year, California was struggling to hit a requirement that 35% of new cars sold in 2026 be zero-emission. Last year electric and other zero emission cars made up about 23% of new car sales in 2025, down from roughly 25% the year prior, California Energy Commission data shows.
Sales slowed down dramatically at the end of the year, when EVs and other clean cars accounted for just under 19% of new car sales in the fourth quarter of 2025 — the lowest quarterly share since mid-2022.
The Newsom administration will likely lay out the details of its proposal in a draft bill tied to the state budget. The Clean Vehicle Rebate Program would be “the foundation we’d be building from,” wrote Lindsey Buckley, an air board spokesperson, in an email, adding that the goal would be to deploy the $200 million “as soon as possible to support the market.”
Buckley said it is “speculative” to predict the impact of a new EV incentive or how quickly the money would reach consumers.
An environmental activist places signage calling for increased electric vehicle use outside the California Environmental Protection Agency building in Sacramento on June 9, 2022. Environmental activists urged the California Air Resources Board to push for a transition toward 100% electric vehicle consumer use. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters
With limited funding, advocates say the question of who qualifies for the rebates becomes critical.
“What we really don’t want to see is that money going towards higher-income folks for whom it would just be kind of like a bonus coupon,” said Wu, of the Greenlining Institute.
Fast or targeted: lawmakers face a choice
How the Newsom administration and lawmakers design the state’s next EV incentive will determine how quickly the air board can deliver rebates — and whether the program avoids recreating past inequities. California ended its last, broad EV rebate program in 2023 over concerns it benefited higher-income buyers. Targeting lower-income drivers delivers the greatest benefits because they tend to drive the most, and switching to EVs saves them money on fuel and maintenance, said Ethan Elkind, a climate law expert at UC Berkeley.
But income-based “means testing” can slow programs down, requiring income verification and layers of bureaucracy that eat up funding and discourage participation.
That’s a critique of one California program aimed at low-income buyers, Clean Cars 4 All, which offers grants to help drivers trade in older, more polluting vehicles for cleaner alternatives. As the state moved from budget surplus to deficit, the Newsom administration and lawmakers never adequately funded it, advocates say.
Lawmakers provided no new funding in the 2024–25 budget year, and in the current budget cycle, the state provided only about $45 million through a combination of funds and one-time budget actions, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office. That falls well short of a sustained, long-term commitment, said Chavez, of the Coalition for Clean Air.
“It’s become — especially as the budget has become more difficult — more of a secondary priority, which is unfortunate,” he said.
Competing ideas, no clear consensus
California’s EV problem has no shortage of potential solutions — only disagreement over which one to choose.
Some policy analysts argue the state should focus on first-time adoption. A recent brief from Atlas Public Policy found that incentives are most cost-effective when they bring a household’s first electric vehicle into the garage — because once a family owns one EV, it is far more likely to buy another.
Elkind, of UC Berkeley, said a simpler approach — a point-of-sale rebate tied to lower-priced vehicles — would be easier for the air board to administer while avoiding subsidies for high-income buyers.
“If it’s just tied to the price of the vehicle, that’s pretty straightforward,” Elkind said.
Some lawmakers told CalMatters the air board should tightly target the rebates to communities most affected by pollution and transportation costs. State Senator Ben Allen, a Democrat from El Segundo, said incentives should focus on communities that suffer the most from air pollution, “so as to increase the bang for air quality buck.”
Senator Josh Becker, a Democrat from Menlo Park, said new incentives should go to the people “who are most burdened by transportation costs and drive the most.”
Fewer easy EV buyers in California
California needs to design its next rebate program well because its most eager EV buyers are gone and the state now faces a harder, more price-sensitive market, experts said.
“California is one of the first states to sort of get into that mainstream market: and it’s a harder market to convert,” said Loren McDonald, a Danville-based EV analyst. Potential buyers now expect seamless charging and balk at waiting 30 to 40 minutes. They also are not keen to install home chargers or pay more upfront. Many, he says, stick with traditional gasoline-powered vehicles.
“We burned through the innovators and the early adopters — those people who want to save the planet, those people who make good money,” McDonald said.
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Staff writer Erica Yee contributed to this report.
Kaelyn “Kale” Starshine,
21, of Eureka, returned to the stars on January 4, 2026. Born on
January 30, 2004, Kale was a radiant soul whose warmth, creativity,
and boundless kindness touched everyone fortunate enough to know her.
It feels impossible to do Kale justice and capture her essence in
just words. Those who knew her, simply understand the magic that she
was.
Kale was born and raised in Eureka,
attending Pine Hill/South Bay schools before graduating from Academy
of the Redwoods in 2022. A passionate learner with a fierce
intellect, she briefly explored life in Los Angeles and San Diego
before the pull of home brought her back to Humboldt County. She was
pursuing her associate’s degree in behavioral sciences at College of
the Redwoods with plans for a career in psychology. Kale had a deep
love for her work with children and adults with different abilities.
Her behavior clients adored her, and she brought genuine compassion,
patience, and joy to her work. She was a natural caregiver with an
open mind and kind heart.
Nature was Kale’s sanctuary. She
found peace in the warmth of the sun at the river, the ocean breeze,
stargazing with loved ones, searching for agates and rocks in the
sand, and wandering through misty redwood groves. She often dreamed
of “the commune” — living off-grid with her family,
needing only the land and each other. She understood that life was
meant to be filled with laughter, long hugs, peaceful afternoons, and
simple joys. Animals brought Kale immense joy, especially horses,
which she considered her soul animal. Her dog Comet and cats Pluto
and Lucifer were her most recent cherished companions, her babies.
A fierce advocate for human rights
and community, Kale had an extraordinary gift for bringing people
together. She created the Clown Bonfires during summer months — a
beloved gathering where anyone with a pure heart could be weird,
silly, and authentic in a judgment-free zone. Clowning wasn’t just
about makeup and costumes for Kale; it was about finding joy, not
taking life too seriously, and making others feel truly welcomed and
valued.
Kaelyn was the only daughter out of
five children born to Kelli. Through her childhood, Kaelyn and Kelli
shared a deep bond that went beyond just mother and daughter. Growing
up Kaelyn did everything with her mom: many road trips both
terrifying and fun, dying each other’s hair fun colors, makeup and
tea parties, countless concerts and events (anything Kaelyn wanted to
do!), horseback riding, cooking, binge-watching shows late at night,
camping, and river trips all summer long. Together Kaelyn and Kelli
raised dozens of bottle baby foster kittens. While Kelli may have
taught Kaelyn the basics of living, Kaelyn taught her mom the meaning
of life, and love.
Kale had a special relationship with
her brother Jaren. Their connection was easily observed by anyone who
ever saw them together. The way they laughed together, and gave each
other shit, but would have each other’s back at the drop of the hat,
was a beautiful thing to get to experience. She also loved her little
brothers, Kason, Rylen, and Rowen, so much. She would gush about them
to anyone who would listen. Laughing about whatever silly message
they left her in their minecraft server, or about their latest random
text. They spent countless summers at the river together, and rainy
winters spent creating art and music together. Her love for her
younger brothers was everlasting, a love only a big sister can truly
understand. Everything she did was in the spirit of making them proud
and showing them how unconditional her love was.
Kale shared deep bonds with her
aunts Haley and Erin, who lovingly called her KK. Only an aunt can
give hugs like a mother, keep secrets like a sister, and share love
like a friend. She and Haley shared a birthday and a soul connection.
Family dinners and game nights at Haley’s house were filled with
laughter, love, and KK’s creative food suggestions — from pickle
night to spaghetti tacos. Haley’s home became her safe haven. With
her aunt Erin, KK treasured summers spent together, cooking, baking,
and making beautiful memories. She loved Erin’s famous oat bars and
learned to make them herself. Many of her most magical childhood
memories were from holidays spent at Erin’s McKinleyville home.
Kale’s relationship with her cousin
Grayson was more like siblings than cousins. Their bond deepened into
a profound friendship as adults, and she was immensely proud of who
he was becoming, especially loving when he shared his music
recordings with her. She adored her Oregon cousins, Brannan, Addison,
and Jake, sharing a special relationship with each of them. They
loved how she was always ready for outdoor adventures and making
priceless memories. Whenever they visited, Kale would be right there
— spoiling them, being silly, and partaking in all the classic
cousin shenanigans.
Kale had a deep connection with her
grandpa Steve. He created fun crafts and imaginative worlds for her
and the grandkids, including the legendary Box City. He took her
fishing and shared his love of plants and cats with her. Her grandma
Kathi supported and loved Kale in a way only a grandma can, and Kale
always knew she could count on her. Grandma taught her how to ride a
50 and the quad. They went on grand adventures together, like
spending a day on Alcatraz in San Francisco and experiencing the
magic of Lake Tahoe.
Kale’s best friends Gabby and
Chayslin were her soul sisters. She and Gabby had been inseparable
since age three, while Chayslin — who she affectionately called
“sister” or “Mama Chayse” in her friend group — was there
for her through every season and loved her like a big sister. Kale
effortlessly welcomed others into their found family, including Zan
and Maren, who were inextricably tied to Kale’s heart. Kale forged
family and community, making everyone feel loved and included.
She is continued to be held in love
by her mother, Kelli Jones; stepfather, Dave Jackson; brothers,
Jaren, Kason, Rylen, and Rowen; aunts, Haley Jones and Erin Jones;
uncle, John Jones; cousins, Grayson, Brannan, Addison, and Jake;
grandparents, Kathi Borges, Larry Christiansen, Steve Jones, and
Laura Jones; her soul sisters, Chayslin and Gabby; her father,
Michael Rios Sr.; sister, Nicole Rios; and many other beloved family
members and friends, there are simply too many to name.
Her light now shines with those who
went before her; her great-grandparents Joyce and Hal Rogers, Bill
and Joan Borges; great-aunt Janice O’Hara; great-uncle David Jones;
and beloved family friends Papa (Rob) and Uncle Mikey.
Kale’s beautiful light, contagious
spark, and deep love for community will continue to shine in the
hearts of all who knew her. Her infectious laugh, creative spirit,
and ability to make others feel seen and valued will be forever
remembered.
In lieu of flowers or a go fund me,
we ask that you live your life to the fullest to celebrate Kale every
day. Advocate for human rights and don’t back down, our world needs
that now more than ever before. Consider your impact and footprint on
this earth in all you do. And, just be kind. If you would like to
donate to a charity in Kale’s honor, consider a charity supporting
children and youth, animal rescue, LGBTQIA2S, and/or suicide
prevention, intervention, and postvention.
It feels impossible to say goodbye
to someone so young, but we know she will live on through the love
she gave to us all. Please remember, the world is a better place with
you in it. If you need help, or support, please know it’s ok to say
something. If you know someone who you are worried about, it’s ok
to check in, it’s ok to ask the hard questions. There is hope -
Call or Text 988 for the suicide and crisis lifeline, or
988lifeline.org.
A celebration of life will be held
in the near future. If you would like more information about date and
location please send an email to kalescelebrationoflife@gmail.com.
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“’What do we do when our hearts
hurt?’ asked the boy. ‘We wrap them with friendship, shared tears
and time, till they wake hopeful and happy again.’”
— The Boy,
the Mole, the Fox and the Horse.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Kqle Jones-Rios’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Julie
Ann Baldy McKinnon July
4, 1946 - January 19, 2026
Wake:
January 22, 2026 at 280 Baldy Flat., Hoopa Graveside:
January 23, 2026 Baldy Flat, Hoopa Officiators:
Harold Jones and Filmore Harvey
Reception
following graveside at the Hoopa Trading Post
Honorary
Pall Bearers: Kenneth Doolittle, Frank Surber, Sr., Vernon Pratt,
Lyle Baldy, Sr., Leroy Baldy, Dana Chisum, Sr., Loren McKinnon, Jr.,
Brian McKinnon, Loren Offield, IV., Ronnie Green, Jerry Maestas,
Werner Leiner, Jackson Surber, Joe Surber, Arnold Davis, Jr., Herman
Quinn, Sr., Ben Woodman, Nolan E. Colegrove, Hank Alameda, Jr.,
Francis Loren Colegrove, and Rich Mlakar.
Pall
Bearers: Frank B. Surber, Sinjen Surber, Sr., Herman Quinn, Jr.,
Ramius Davis, Nigel Davis, Daniel McKinnon, Dana Chisum, Jr., Denny
Colegrove, Sorren Richards, Rohlen Richards, Misgilo “Minot”
Moon, Leslie McLaughlin, Sr., Caleb White, Pergish Surber, Keynuh
White, AC McLaughlin, Leslie McLaughlin Jr., John Robbins, Jr.,
Rodney Robbins, Ronnie Robbins, Filmore Harvey and Leota
McKinnon-Stevens.
She is preceded in death by her son, Dawone Martin “Tiger” McKinnon; parents Newton Baldy, Sr., and Nancy Gardner Baldy; her sisters Dolly Baldy Marshall, Kathleen Baldy Dean, and Mary Baldy Doolittle; and her brothers Newton Baldy, Jr., Clarence Baldy, Keith Baldy, Edgar Norton, Sr., Allen Davis, Alex Pratt; and her great-grandson Totehl Surber.
She is survived by her children: Valerie Richards-Leiner (Werner), Frank Richards, Juliet Maestas (Jerry), Connie McKinnon (Arnold), Lare “Toss” McKinnon; and sisters Valerie Harvey, Darcey Miller, Lulu Baldy, Sonja Baldy, Carol Courtney, Carole Nixon Baldy, and Roxanne Mike; and brother Lyle Baldy, Sr.; and her grandchildren Hakita Alameda, Denny Colegrove, Dana Chisum, Jr. (Ariel), Naishian Richards (Ben), Ariel Richards (Eric), Sorren Richards, Rohlen Richards, Francee Nance (Caleb), Frank B. Surber (Alexis), Sinjen Surber, Sr. (Anna), Shelby Surber (Misgilo), Julia McKinnon-Stevens (Leota), Chloe Davis, Ramius Davis, Nigel Davis (Cynthia), Herman Quinn, Jr., and Daniel McKinnon; and her great-grandchildren Kixinay Masten, Ashlyn Alameda, Pauiila Colegrove, Kaydence Bibancos, Kahloni Bibancos, Kamora Bibancos, Brooke Erickson, Hailey Chisum, Melody Phines, Purseus Phines, Tohsoh Henry, Pergish Surber, Sinjen Surber, Jr., Keynuh White, Satori White, Alyssa Moon, Ava Moon, Ann-Marie Moon, Leslie McLaughlin, Jr., AC McLaughlin, Isadore McLaughlin, Duane McLaughlin, Greyson Davis, Minahsto Davis, and Isla Mlakar. Julie is survived by many nieces, nephews, and extended family members, far too numerous to name.
Julie was a
direct descendant of the Main House of the Hoopa High Dances and took
pride in her role as a camp cook, where she was especially known for
her pies. She was well known throughout the community for her Indian
tacos and homemade bread, which she lovingly prepared and shared with
family and community. She enjoyed crocheting, and many of her
handmade items could be found at the Hoopa Trading Post. She found
joy in playing bingo and often spent her weekends casino hopping. She
shared her life with her loving partner, awok “Injun Bill” (Bill
Carpenter) whose companionship and care meant a great deal to her.
Her
professional life included work as a Certified Nursing Assistant in
Central Point, Oregon. She later served her
community as a Community Health Representative with the Hoopa Health
Association. Above all, Julie was the matriarch and foundation of her
family, offering strength, guidance, and unwavering support to those
she loved.
The family
would like to extend special thanks to Julia McKinnon-Stevens and
Leota Stevens for their dedicated time with Julie during her
hospitalization; the Hoopa Valley Tribe Plant Management Department;
and to all those who helped coordinate the services and reception. We
apologize to anyone we may have inadvertently overlooked.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Goble’s Funeral Mortuary in Fortuna.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Julie McKinnon’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
