Roy Lee Stevens
August 23, 1949 - January 28, 2026

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding sits with us as we announce the passing of Roy Lee Stevens. He went on to glory January 28, 2026 at 2:30 a.m. with his daughter Jessie Bailey by his side at home in Eureka. He was loved deeply by all of his family and friends.

Roy was born the third of seven children August 23, 1949 in Hollister, Missouri to Theodore and Leona Stevens. As a young child he enjoyed playing with his younger brothers in the fields at Maple Creek. One time he and his brother Charlie were sledding down a grassy field when he realized there were spiders. Being visually impaired, he was afraid of spiders, moths and all kinds of bugs that he couldn’t see. So Charlie tried to rescue his big brother from the spiders the only way he knew how… he burnt the field down. Local workers had to come to put the fire out before it could do too much damage. When reflecting on this, in the last few weeks of his life, my Dad insisted that HE didn’t do anything wrong… “not me” he told me over and over when I told him that it sounded like two little boys being ornery. He wanted to make sure I knew he wasn’t the ornery one. 🙂

When he was a little boy his older sister Carol won a toy tractor in a drawing at the grocery store. She was so excited to give it to her baby brother and anticipated the hours of enjoyment he would get… To her dismay he promptly dismantled the tractor in proper mechanic fashion. This would continue his whole life as he was famous for taking things apart to “see how they worked.”

Roy graduated from McKinleyville High in 1967. Around this time he spent his days with his best friend Wendall Short. They often would find themselves in all kinds of adventures. One such adventure happened in the winter. These two best friends had the brilliant idea that oaring a styrofoam canoe down the Mad River during flood stage was a great way to spend an afternoon. Of course the canoe capsized and both young men found themselves hanging on for dear life. Every time he would tell this story his eyes would twinkle and he would grin from ear to ear; but so would my Uncle Woodie with a dimpled chuckle. They were definitely a pair.

As a young adult he worked as a mechanic and was very much a Ford man. In fact I grew up underneath vehicles, greasy like my Dad and enjoying every minute… of course when things got crazy I would always tell Dad to “just go get the red Ford”… I thought that was the answer - that red Ford could get us out of snow, mud and any other sticky situation. Of course what I didn’t know at the time is that the red Ford wasn’t the responsible one for our rescue… It was always MY DAD.

He became such a proficient auto mechanic that he could listen to a car drive down the road and often had the correct diagnosis. That said, he did make a few mistakes. One time he blew the rear end out of one of his pretty customers’ cars… then told her that it was cheaper to marry him than it was to pay him to fix the car… What a proposal!! 🙂

He went on to marry that pretty customer, Janet Bagley, in 1973. At first they lived in West Haven where Janet joined Roy’s faithful companion, a Samoyed Husky named Mamu. Of course Mamu wasn’t too happy about this arrangement and grew very jealous of Roy’s new wife. Unfortunately Mamu died of a broken heart shortly before they moved to Willow Creek where they raised their two children, Jessie and Levi.

Dad enjoyed backpacking and camping back in the wilderness with his brother Hank Stevens, his brother-in-law Vernon Huber and his best friend Wendall. This was a love he would also share with his wife and us kids, often taking us on extended hikes deep into the wilderness to camp by the river for the week. He loved to fish and had a passion for running hound dogs, especially Flip. His favorite though were his horses. As a teenager he would fall asleep on the back of Blaze, a faithful gelding that would walk his master home. He spoke so highly of Blaze but his best horse friend was Tony, a quarter horse stallion. Dad and Tony had a great trust… Dad would put us kids (as small children) on Tony’s back and Tony would softly walk us around the yard but when Dad would get in the saddle Tony recognized that he knew how to ride… Tony would race like the wind or prance with solid steps as he and Dad enjoyed each other. This was a love Dad held in his heart all the way to his passing and often talked about how much he missed Tony. In fact that is why I chose the picture I chose for this obituary. Tony and my Dad.

Dad completely enjoyed going to Pop Warner football games to watch his nephew John Cole play ball. He was incredibly proud of John who grew up to serve in the army. He loved all of his nieces and nephews and would fondly share stories with me of funny memories like Teresa in the dog house peaking out with an “in your face - take me as I am” attitude or Lydia’s cute little blond curls and how he thought she was a beautiful little doll as a small girl. He would tell me how proud he was of Vernon Lee Huber who also served his country and displayed his high school graduation picture for all to see. My Dad truly loved all of his family fiercely.

Dad owned many businesses as he worked to provide for his family. At one time he owned the largest firewood business in northern California and prided himself on a job well done. Being visually impaired himself, he cared deeply for the low-vision community. He started a company called “Low Vision Specialist.” It assisted those with low vision regain independence and return to their most loved hobbies. This was a passion of his.

Above all other things his greatest passion in his life was his walk with Jesus. He lived his faith in the LORD without apology and before anyone who would listen. Dad was always quick with an answer as to the hope that laid within him. His conviction and depth of knowledge was so extensive that even when coming out from under anesthesia after surgery he would witness to the nurses and tell them about the salvation the Lord would give if they pursued Jesus Christ. Many times over he would spend days alone in the woods, just him and Jesus, as he fasted to get closer to God. Although he was “legally blind” he never approached life from an “impaired” state. He was determined to be a continual student of the scriptures and would spend hours reading the word through audio recordings or low vision equipment.

When I think of my Dad I truly can’t seem to separate him from me… he gave me everything and taught me how to be. So much of who I am is him interwoven into my being. He taught me how to chop and stack firewood, change my oil, rotate my tires (without a hoist), build cabinets, get my vehicle unstuck when in mud or snow, fall trees, listen in the woods, identify mushrooms… Those were some of my favorite memories… the smell of the mushrooms and Dad holding my tiny hand in his huge one…

He taught me how to love people; not with words but with actions. He would always say “don’t give someone just money… look for what they need” and then he would give them the shirt off his back or the food off his plate. My Dad was bigger than life to me. I was his best friend and he was mine. How do you sum up someone as solid, as capable, as faithful, as amazing as my Dad?… I can’t seem to find the words.

I think the greatest thing I can say about my Dad is that he gave me a heritage of faith. He taught me that serving God is done outside of Church walls. That even when entire churches turn their back on you, you NEVER turn your back on God… you never doubt and you keep pressing on with Jesus. He served God against the flow for most of his life. He stood STRONG. This he passed to me. He was fierce for Jesus. If I have a fraction of the determination he had inside of him I will be doing well.

Roy is preceded in death by his parents, his sister Earnestine Smith, his sister Dale White, his brother Ted Stevens, his brother-in-laws Vernon Huber and Sonny White as well as his granddaughter Danielle Stevens.

He is survived by his sister Carol Huber, his brother Charles Stevens and his brother Hank and sister-in-law Patricia Stevens as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He leaves behind his children: myself (Jessie Bailey) and Levi Stevens, his son-in-law Eddie Bailey as well as his grandchildren: Adelinea (his “Baby Lady”), August and Levi Nissen, Roberto St. Peters, Jordan and Izabella Stevens, Justin and Brigitte Hebert, Danny Kalis as well as Micah and Savannah Kalis.

His legacy includes his great grandchildren: Kaleb, Ezekiel, Adriana, Billie Jean, Jurney and Makenzi Hebert, Shyloh Sherrell, Cameron Pool, Caiden Hassen, and Kimberlynn Kalis.

We would like to extend a very deep thank you to Gina an RN from Hospice of Humboldt who met him where he was at with kindness, patience and an answer to every question asked. She truly was a beautiful, smiling face that Roy looked forward to seeing and we deeply trusted her honesty and compassion. He also enjoyed talking with Dora Abrahams, a social worker with the Humboldt Senior Resource Center. Her care was especially important to Roy and he often described her to me as a “sweetheart.”

Of all his helpers along the way the most valuable to him and our family was Heather Bevard. She was a faithful caregiver, loyal friend and solid confidant. She cared for him with such gentleness and paid attention to all of his details all the way to his last day. EVERY time an emergency vehicle would pass by my Dad would hear the sirens and pray for the need (I can still hear his voice.) Heather would stop what she was doing to listen to him pray and then add an AMEN along with him. She was always the first person he would reach for when he was sick and depended upon her consistency. She would stop to pick a flower, put it in a small vase and sit it beside his chair for him to enjoy. The simple, small things… This is what he grew to love her for. Her respect for his faith and her attendance to him was beyond admirable and I simply can not thank her enough.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, February 7, at 10 a.m., at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery Chapel in Eureka.

Jason Keith Hansen was born on October 18, 1974 in Redwood City and passed away November 4, 2025 in Fortuna. 

Jason was a fun, loving guy, always up for adventure and making memories with friends and family growing up part-time in the Bay Area and the rest of the time in McCloud, Jason had the opportunity to experience childhood and adolescence in two completely ways. He made many cherished friends from both places. Jason never met a stranger, and was loved and admired by everyone he met. 

Jason married the love of his life, Bridie Sights, on July 7, 1999 in Reno. Shortly after getting married, Jason and Bridie relocated to the Bay Area, where they welcomed Erica and Erin, completing their family of four. After 11 years in the Bay Area, the family relocated to Eureka and later Fortuna, where they made their forever home. 

Jason worked for Target in Eureka for 10 years until he was diagnosed with stage four colorectal cancer in January 2023. Jason fought his battle with strength, courage and dignity, defying odds many times, and he was able to hear the words that his scans were clear the day before he passed of a sudden cardiac event. 

Jason joined his grandparents, Lloyd and Lois Hansen, Frank and Lois Cates, Thelma, Hoops, mother-in-law Janice Sights, and his precious dog Belle in Heaven.  He leaves behind his wife Bridie, daughters Erica(Cody) and Erin, his Mother, Linda Ayers of Carlotta, Father Gary (Marleen) of Weed,  Sister Julie(Jose), Nephews Ben (Erika), Sam (Brianna), Adam and Niece Elizabeth (Cameron). 

He also leaves behind uncles and aunts Larry (Jean), Darryl (Rosie) and Carolyn (Bill), along with many cousins. 

Jason will be interned in a private service at the Pioneer cemetery in Fortuna, followed by a celebration of life at a following date. The family would like to think the care team at Saint Joseph’s Oncology, Redwood Memorial Hospital, and UC Davis for giving amazing care and compassion to him as he fought cancer.

Antonio (Tony) Fimbres
October 4, 1957-Dec. 20, 2025

Tony was born in San Pedro, California on October 4, 1957 to Antonio Ruiz and Anita Rubio Fimbres. Tony passed away far too young at 68 years old in the presence of family.

He was the oldest of five children and loved hunting and fishing with his family.

He spent his childhood in Southern California and then moved to Eureka with his wife Marion and daughter Rachel in the latter part of 1978. Their second daughter, Diana, was born in Eureka 1979. His son, Tony, was born in 1976.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Tony and Anita Fimbres, and brother Eddie. He is survived by his loving wife, Marion, and his three children, Tony (wife Alex), Rachel (husband Jeff) and Diana (husband Dominic) and 12 beautiful grandchildren.

Tony attended church with his wife, Marion, at Eureka the Pentecostal Church for many years, and went to Bible studies together with Dave and Rebecca Ramsey.

Tony worked with Danielson Construction for many years as a traffic controller. On his off time, Tony and his wife enjoyed going for long drives, walking their dog Osito and stopping for lunch.

He was a loving husband and the best father. He was generous and he was kind. We will miss him forever. Anyone who had the privilege of knowing him was a blessed person.

There will be a memorial held to celebrate Tony’s life at Eureka the Pentecostal Church, on 1060 Hoover Street, on Friday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m.

NOTE: This post was updated on Feb. 5 at 11:52 a.m. to include a clarifying comment from Coastal Commission staff regarding an archeological study referenced during the hearing.

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The California Coastal Commission today unanimously approved a sweeping consent agreement to address a host of major Coastal Act violations tied to a controversial luxury home project overlooking Humboldt Bay.

The deal, which was developed by Coastal Commission staff in collaboration with Wiyot-area tribes and property owners Travis Schneider and Stephanie Bode, requires the partially built 21,000‑square‑foot house to be demolished and the site to be fully restored. The agreement also includes a $400,000 administrative penalty and calls for the land to be transferred to one or more of the Wiyot-area tribes. Commission staff described the agreement as “a creative and valuable resolution” to serious violations.

The case, as the Outpost has reported on extensively (see links below), centers on two adjacent parcels on Walker Point Road in Bayside overlooking the Fay Slough Wildlife Area, a 484‑acre wetland complex managed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The properties contain critical wetland habitat and lie on the remnants of a pre‑contact Wiyot village. 

Travis Schneider addresses the Humboldt County Planning Commission in 2023. | Screenshot.

Despite specific protections in a 2017 Humboldt County coastal development permit (CDP), Schneider and his hired contractors conducted major unpermitted grading, performed vegetation removal in an environmentally sensitive habitat area (ESHA), and began constructing a house more than two and a half times the size of what was approved, with portions encroaching into a 100‑foot wetland buffer.

Humboldt County originally permitted an 8,000‑square‑foot residence with limited grading, but the as‑built structure reached roughly 21,000 square feet, with about 15,000 cubic yards of imported fill — 10 times the authorized amount. An unpermitted gravel access road was cut through buffer areas on both parcels, and native California blackberry and riparian vegetation were mowed or removed, allowing invasive Himalayan blackberry and grasses to take hold. 

Work onsite continued after county staff issued a stop-work order in early 2022. 

The project’s wetland buffer encroachment inadvertently put the project into the Coastal Commission’s area of jurisdiction, and in March of 2024 the agency took over the remediation project.

Prior to today’s hearing, the commission received letters of support for the agreement from the Wiyot Tribe, the Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria, the Surfrider Foundation and two concerned residents. Ted Hernandez, the Wiyot Tribal’s former chair and current historic preservation officer, appeared before the commission. He said the site “holds … traditional knowledge for us and our medicine and ceremonies” and voiced support for staff’s work on securing a land-back agreement.

Several public commenters expressed surprise and indignation about the violations. Adam Leverenz, for example, noted that Schneider’s credentials as a developer and owner of civil engineering firm Pacific Affiliates helped him to secure an alternative owner builder permit for the property, “which allowed some level of self-monitoring and self-approval of code inspections,” he said. “That is a problem, I think.”

Leverenz’s voice trembled with emotion as he continued. “I’m not against wealth and affluence,” he said. “I’m against when it leads to a level of entitlement that you can so severely violate so many things.”

Wiyot Tribal Administrator Michelle Vassel also attended today’s hearing in Half Moon Bay. She said that when the tribe and others first alerted the county to violations on the property they were met with “public displays of racism, threats, accusations [and] called liars, among other offensive language.” 

Vassel said her only concern about the consent agreement is about Schneider’s compliance. 

Under the agreement’s terms, Schneider and Bode must remove the partially built home and unpermitted road, conduct remedial grading to return the site to pre‑violation contours, install erosion-control measures, eradicate non‑native invasive plants and re‑vegetate with native species, including culturally important native blackberry. 

The restoration work will be monitored for a minimum of five years, with monitoring extended and additional actions required if success criteria are not met. The respondents will also fund tribal cultural monitors during all ground‑disturbing work, and a cultural resources survey and cultural materials plan must be prepared and implemented under experts approved by commission staff with tribal input.

A central feature of the settlement is the commitment to transfer both parcels — about 6.1 acres — in fee title to one or more Wiyot-area tribes at no cost, with $100,000 of the penalty earmarked to support long‑term stewardship by the eventual tribal landholder. The remaining $300,000 will go to the state’s Violation Remediation Account. 

Local attorney Bradley B. Johnson, who formerly represented the Rob Arkley-affiliated Citizens for a Better Eureka, spoke on behalf of Schneider and Bode. He initially spoke briefly, expressing his clients’ support for the agreement. Following the public comment period he again briefly addressed the commission, saying, “I do want this commission to understand that not everything you’ve heard is accurate or true.”

Coastal Commission Vice Chair Dr. Caryl Hart remarked that she “became more and more stunned at the violations here” as she read through the staff report. “The cultural damage is so, just, incredibly disturbing. The natural resource damage is incredibly disturbing.”

Johnson, the attorney, pushed back against some of the criticism. He pointed to an archeological study conducted by the firm William Rich and Associates and said, “Their report is unequivocal — unequivocal — that the activity did not result in the destruction of any cultural resources on the site and did not result in the destruction of the site’s ability to convey cultural significance.”

Regarding concerns about Schneider himself doing the remediation work, Johnson said that his client wasn’t the contractor who actually built the structure and would not be personally doing the remediation work. 

Hart admitted that she had not read the archeological study [NOTE: see clarification below], but staff from the commission’s enforcement team later chimed in to note that while the report in question found that no archeologically significant items had been broken or crushed, harm can occur in many other ways, including displacement and failure to screen or rebury objects properly.

[CLARIFICATION: After this story was published, Coastal Commission staff followed up with the following information: “The archeological study referenced on Wednesday by Travis Schneider’s attorney, Bradley Johnson, wasn’t included in the staff materials provided to the public and the commissioners. This is a common practice to protect confidential information about the nature and location of cultural resources. In addition, as mentioned at the hearing, staff determined that the report didn’t sufficiently address all potential impacts at the site, which will be evaluated and addressed under the work to be done under the agreement.”]

In her concluding remarks, Hart commented on the significance of this agreement.

“Every day I’m proud to be a commissioner … [but] no more than today,” she said. Addressing staff, she said, “I can’t thank you enough. It’s an enormous violation, and to have a land-back provision … . You want to talk about environmental justice; there is no more just result than the one here.”

Humboldt County Supervisor and Commissioner Mike Wilson — in whose district the project sits — said he was “grateful” that a long and contentious saga would end with permanent protection of wetlands, ESHA and a culturally significant village site under tribal stewardship. 

“I’m grateful for the protection of this culturally significant site … and the return to the Wiyot people is just an extremely important step forward,” he said.

The commission closed the hearing by voting unanimously for all three motions, formally adopting the consent cease-and-desist order, restoration order and administrative penalty against Schneider and Bode. 

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Crabbers found a corpse in the ocean outside of Humboldt Bay just before 1 p.m. today; a spokesperson for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office tells us there are deputies en route. We’ll update this story when we have more information.

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Humboldt’s Regional Climate Action Plan (RCAP) cleared another bureaucratic hurdle on Tuesday, securing unanimous approval from the Eureka City Council. 

The ambitious environmental document — developed in collaboration with the County of Humboldt, local cities and other government agencies — outlines an array of strategies and measures aimed at reducing regional greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Most of these strategies focus on transportation, which accounts for 73 percent of the county’s total GHG inventory, and prioritize expanding access to public transit, electric vehicle charging stations and walking/biking trails.

Pie chart depicting the region’s 2022 greenhouse gas emission inventory. | Image: RCAP.

The RCAP, adopted by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors in December, aligns with the state’s goal of reducing GHG emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels over the next four years and achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.

“The RCAP includes over two dozen measures, which are further broken down into well over 100 individual action items,” senior planner Chris Lohoefener explained at last night’s meeting. “Those action items are not mandates. … The city still has local flexibility for moving forward on priorities we’re already working on, and would gain a long-term menu of strategies to draw from as opportunities arise.”

Lohoefener added that the city has “discretion over implementation strategies” and can tailor them to existing policies, including Eureka’s 2040 General Plan. “The RCAP is also designed to be implemented over time with regional progress tracking and periodic updates as conditions, funding and capacities change,” he said.

Once the document gets the rubber stamp from the county’s seven city councils, the Humboldt County Association of Governments (HCAOG) and other regional partners will assemble a Regional Climate Committee and select a Regional Climate Manager to oversee and support RCAP implementation. 

“[City] staff would also continue participating in regional discussions to help finalize the recommended placement and structure of the committee and program manager,” Lohoefener said. “Any future steps — whether related to staffing, funding, policy updates or a city-specific work plan — would come back to council for consideration and direction.”

After some discussion among the council, Councilmember Scott Bauer made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation, approving the RCAP and its associated environmental documents. Councilmember Kati Moulton seconded the action.

“This is a huge endeavor,” Bauer said. “We don’t have a lot of time to make pretty significant changes to how we live, and this is the first step, right? This is simply laying the groundwork for us to take real action. … It’s been a long time, and I’m grateful that the staff have put together a great document.”

Councilmember Leslie Castellano echoed his sentiment, adding that she looks forward to “creating a guidebook for how the city is going to [enact] these measures once it goes back to the county and we are further along in the process.”

The motion passed in a 5-0 vote.

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What else happened at last night’s meeting?

Staff provided a glowing update on the Eureka Visitor Center, which received its official state designation as a California Welcome Center in 2024. In 2025, Old Town Eureka had a total of 1.2 million visitors (not including residents or employees) and 24,000-plus visitors to the welcome center, according to data staff members had sourced from Placer.ai.

The council accepted the report but did not take any formal action on the item.

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Press release from the Greater Trinidad Chamber of Commerce:

The Trinidad to Clam Beach Run returns this Saturday, February 7, 2026, marking the 60th annual running of one of Trinidad’s most beloved community traditions. Participants can run, sprint, or walk the scenic 5¾-mile course beginning at Saunders Park, crossing Little River at Moonstone Beach, and finishing with a celebration at Clam Beach. To register for the event, visit exploretrinidadca.com/tcbr. 

GTCC Honors Past Participants

In honor of the race’s milestone, the Greater Trinidad Chamber of Commerce will recognize individuals with ties to the earliest days of the event, including two individuals who ran in the inaugural 1966 race, and one who helped turn a legendary training route into the race known today. Honorees include Bill Ferlatte, Tom Beck, and Darren Walton.

Bill Ferlatte, 5th place finisher in the inaugural Trinidad to Clam Beach Run, helped shape the original course after training runs in the Trinidad area with the Humboldt State team. Ferlatte later built a career as a biologist and was inducted into the Dipsea Hall of Fame in June 2025, joining a small group of Humboldt alumni honored there, including former Clam Beach winners Don Makela (1973 winner) and Ron Elijah (1976 winner). 

Tom Beck, former Humboldt State College cross country and track athlete, worked with Ferlatte in 1965 to propose adding the course to the AAU schedule, after being inspired by classic Bay Area races like the Dipsea and Bay to Breakers. Beck later returned to run the Trinidad to Clam Beach Run in 1972, earning a third-place finish. He’ll be traveling from Sonora to attend this weekend’s celebration.

Darren Walton placed 7th in the 1966 race. At the time, he was a sophomore at Novato High School. Sixty years later, he’s returning to run again, after traveling from the Bay Area for the event several times throughout the decades. 

Community members and runners are invited to meet the honorees at the Jogg’n Shoppe on Friday, February 6, at 2:30 p.m. Honorees will also attend the annual Pasta Feed on Friday, February 6, at 5:30 p.m. at the Dow’s Prairie Grange (3995 Dows Prairie Rd, McKinleyville). Runners and supporters are encouraged to attend and “carb up” before race day. Plates are just $15, and you can place an advance order at pasta-bar.cheddarup.com. This event benefits the Dows Prairie Grange #505 restoration project. Honorees will also be at the start line on Saturday to cheer on runners.

Racing on Saturday? Here’s what you need to know.

• Cost: $50
• Registration: Register online at exploretrinidadca.com/tcbr
• Start time: 9:30 a.m.
• Line-up location: Saunders Park, 400 Janis Ct, Trinidad
• Packet pickup: Friday, February 6, from 3-6 p.m. at Jogg’n Shoppe, 1090 G St., Arcata
• Race day packet pickup: Saturday, February 7, from 7:30-9:15 a.m. at Trinidad Town Hall, 409 Trinity St., Trinidad