A bird’s eye view of the McKinleyville Town Center project, with existing buildings shown in white. | Image via County of Humboldt.
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At a special meeting today, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved an ordinance that clears the way for development of the McKinleyville Town Center. The board’s 4-1 approval came despite concerns from some residents about various aspects of the plan, particularly a “road diet” proposal that calls for roughly half a mile of Central Avenue to be reduced from five lanes to three.
During the public comment period, roughly three dozen people lined up to voice their opinions, with much of the commentary focused on the traffic plans. Many residents warned that reducing Central to three lanes would cause congestion, increase traffic accidents and negatively impact neighboring roadways. Others spoke in favor of the concept and urged the board to pass the ordinance. Board members said they’ve received lots of public feedback and it has been split roughly 50-50 on the road diet idea.
Still other public speakers alleged that there has been a lack of transparency thus far, with several people accusing decision-makers of ignoring their input.
Wesley Chesbro, a former Arcata Councilmember, Humboldt County Supervisor and State Assemblymember, urged the board to pass the ordinance, saying, “I’m willing to sacrifice a minute of my time going into the shopping center if it makes Central Avenue a little bit safer.” He recalled an incident on Central where two teenaged pedestrians were nearly struck by a vehicle that failed to yield for the flashing lights at a crosswalk and said it was “one of the most horrifying driving experiences I’ve ever had.”
A few speakers focused on Life Plan Humboldt, a local nonprofit that aims to build a senior residential facility at the south end of the Town Center. That organization’s president, Ann Lindsay, urged the board to “have courage” and adopt the ordinance. “We want to get our development going,” she said.
The board’s approval, which came after several hours of deliberation, marks the culmination of six years of planning and public review for this project. Originally conceived during development of the McKinleyville Community Plan, the Town Center Master Plan aims to establish an identity and geographic heart for Humboldt County’s largest unincorporated community.
John Ford, the county’s planning and building director, explained at the outset of today’s meeting that the Town Center was designed to provide “a viable focal point for the community,” a mixed-use area in the heart of town for social interaction and business ventures, with convenient access for pedestrians, cyclists and automobiles.
Location of the McKinleyville Town Center. The area outlined in purple is designated for a new residential senior community from local nonprofit Life Plan Humboldt.
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To get specific, the approved ordinance rezones 134-acres in the middle of McKinleyville to Mixed Use, with a qualified combining zone (Q Zone) overlay that spells out a set of development criteria and allowed uses. In other words, any new development inside this area will be streamlined and simplified for projects that meet the guidelines.
Buildings in the town center must comply with a “form-based code” that aims to create “an urban downtown feel,” according to Ford, with commercial uses on the first floor and residential above that. In all, the Town Center allows for the development of up to 2,650 housing units and 900,000 square feet of retail and office space, along with pedestrian- and cyclist-focused infrastructure and other outdoor amenities.
Much of the work to develop this project was done through the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee (generally abbreviated as “MMAC” but referred to in conversation as “The Mick Mac”). That group started working on the Town Center project in 2019. The Humboldt County Planning Commission conducted a community workshop in August and held a public hearing the following month.
Ford noted that an Environmental Impact Report found only one significant and unavoidable impact: increased traffic noise along Railroad Avenue. The main points of public contention, however, have been related to traffic (as noted above), the amount of possible development, impacts to wetlands and the designated amount of open space and parkland.
As for the controversial “road diet” component, the stretch of Central Avenue between Heartwood on the south and Railroad Avenue to the north would be converted to three lanes, with sidewalks, buffered Class 1 bike lanes and landscaping on both sides of the street. That’s the current design, anyway.
Here’s an illustrated cross-section:
Image via County of Humboldt.
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And below is the stretch of road in question. The area in blue would change from five lanes to three, and the area in green would remain at five lanes.
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The MMAC recommended approval of this design, but the Planning Commission was “vexed” over the matter, according to Ford. That body wound up recommending an additional traffic study.
Ford explained that the MMAC had already been provided with an “operational analysis” of traffic in all intersections around the Town Center. The analysis found that there would indeed be impacts to the “road diet” plan but that intersection improvements would allow those intersections to maintain maintain an “adequate level of service.”
One x-factor thrown into the mix: Caltrans is considering building a freeway interchange where Hiller Road crosses over Hwy. 101, which would likely change traffic patterns on Central Avenue.
[CLARIFICATION: While some McKinleyville community members and leaders have expressed a desire for such a freeway interchange, and while that desire has been documented in Caltrans’ U.S. 101 Corridor Management Plan, a spokesperson for the agency tells the Outpost, “This location has not been identified by Caltrans as a location that meets the criteria for modification.” He added, though, that non-Caltrans entities can advance interchanges. “When that happens, they are sponsored and funded by the advancing entity, as Caltrans would provide oversight to ensure the facilities meet state highway safety and operational standards.”]
Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone shot down some misconceptions about the project. He noted that the proposed zoning for the Town Center actually represents a reduction in density, and any removed wetlands removed will be replaced at a ratio of one and a half to one.
“So there will actually be more wetlands than exist now in terms of acreage, and they would be all concentrated into what I consider, as a wetlands expert, a very high-quality wetlands complex in the western third of the developable area,” Madrone said.
First District Supervisor Rex Bohn, who quipped that he’ll never claim to be an expert at anything, said he’s heard from a lot of people who are opposed to the road diet idea, and he, too, is skeptical. He asked Ford for his take.
John Ford
“I think this has a tremendous upside for the community,” Ford responded. He said he’s been a planner “for more years than I feel comfortable saying,” and throughout his time in the profession the talk has been about moving away from traditional four-lane arterial roads in favor of “creating a more pedestrian scale for business and for people who live and work there. The communities that have done that have found their businesses are actually more successful because people aren’t just driving through very fast,” he said.
That said, there’s currently no financing for the “expensive prospect” of redesigning Central Avenue, so the Town Center can begin to develop without the road diet, Ford explained. He also noted that while “it’s comforting to ask for additional studies,” the board should first consider what’s already in front of them and decide whether that’s acceptable.
During the board’s deliberations, Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson expressed support for the Town Center plan. Regarding the proposal to reduce the lanes of travel on Central, he pointed to Fort Bragg as an example, noting that the main road only has two lanes through the (relatively) bustling downtown area while the four-lane stretch farther south is a freeway-like thoroughfare that’s unfriendly to pedestrians.
Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo noted that Humboldt County is ranked fourth out of 58 counties in the state for bicycle collisions and fifth in the state for pedestrian collisions.
“There were over 25 pedestrian collisions on Central Avenue in that stretch within the last 10 years,” she said, referring to the half-mile part of Central that could see a lane reduction.
Arroyo assured the public that she has heard all of their input.
“I’m here and ready to move forward,” she said.
Bohn remained hesitant. He criticized the proposed road diet, saying it will cost $20 million or more and likely be “a total mess.” He later added, “I know you want to force us out of cars. I know that’s the whole idea.” Bohn pointed to projects in Eureka that were designed to improve pedestrian and cycling safety and said, “They’re not working.”
Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell said, “I recognize that being slowed down is a pain in the butt,” but she also said that high-speed traffic represents a danger. And Bushnell voiced concern about the costs of doing an additional traffic study that might come up with the same results as the analysis already completed.
Madrone then spoke for nearly 18 minutes straight. He thanked the people who got the project this far, including Anne Pierson, the majority landowner of the underlying project, and the members of the MMAC.
Regarding public opposition, he said, “If you make comments and your comments aren’t necessarily what the end result is, it feels like you haven’t been heard, and I can appreciate that. But I will tell you that I think the MMAC did a magnificent job.”
Madrone wound up making a motion to adopt the ordinance as recommended and to request a comprehensive circulation study before moving forward with the road diet portion of the plan.
Wilson seconded the motion, but during the ensuing discussion both he and Arroyo said they would prefer to pass the ordinance without requiring an additional traffic circulation study because that could slow development of the Town Center.
Bushnell spoke passionately about the importance of trying to help local businesses. She talked about the precipitous economic decline in Southern Humboldt and warned that it could get just as bad at this end of the county. Given the prevalence of online retail, she said, revitalizing a town comes down to “the feel and the dining and the small mom and pops and the experience that really bring people in to walk from store to store and have that really good feel.”
Arroyo and Wilson wound up convincing Madrone to drop his call for an additional traffic circulation study. Madrone said he’s confident that the process of altering Central Avenue will still be slow and deliberative, with ample communication between the county and the McKinleyville Community Services District.
Public Works Director Tom Mattson explained that any project to redesign Central Avenue would come back to the board for approval before the county puts it out for bids.
The board also decided to ask Caltrans to prioritize an interchange project at Hiller Road, but since that issue wasn’t on the agenda it will have to be formalized at a later meeting.
Bohn cast the lone dissenting vote, and thus the board approved the ordinance by a vote of 4-1.
The last unhoused people occupying a chunk of private property left a years-old encampment today in Arcata after the police asked them to leave — the end of a months-long effort from the city and private contractor John Shelter, operator of New Directions.
Located at the west end of O Street, the property is sometimes called “The 40.” Around 50 people lived on 20 acres of land split up among four parcels as recently as August. Arcata Police Department Lieutenant Luke Scown said that nine people were still camping there this morning. No one was arrested and Scown said everyone left without incident.
A map of the property.
The owner of the property had wanted them gone for months, and Scown said they’d “reached the point” of asking the remaining campers to clear out.
According to Shelter, most of them moved to a different chunk of private property near Samoa Boulevard; Scown said a couple had left with representatives from Arcata House Partnership.
Shelter said that he’d worked to make sure everyone there knew that they’d be forced to move soon and told the few people still there last week that the time was approaching. APD had done the same.
Shelter has cleaned up over 150,000 pounds of garbage from the property since May, and said in an interview with the Outpost that there was probably another 15,000 pounds left in the now-empty sites.
Both Shelter and Scown emphasized that they’d attempted to enforce the law and do their jobs as empathetically as they could.
“It’s really important to remember that this is private property and this was a five-month-long process here during which a lot of services were offered and a lot of outreach done,” Scown said.
Open Letter from the Eureka Teachers Association (ETA) to the California State Teachers’ Retirement System (CalSTRS) Board of Directors:
A Call for Ethical Divestment and Alignment with Educator Values We, the undersigned educators, organizations, ETA and CTA union members, and concerned citizens of California, write to express our profound ethical concern regarding CalSTRS’s financial investments. As the custodians of our retirement funds, we believe our financial security must not be built upon the suffering of others.
Researchers have identified over $1.1 billion of CalSTRS’s $367.7 billion portfolio invested in entities that support the illegal occupation of Palestine and facilitate the ongoing genocide in Gaza. These investments include companies that manufacture bombs, munitions, military aircraft, and surveillance technologies, as well as Israeli bonds and banks operating in illegal settlements.
As educators committed to the well-being of all children and the building of a better future, we cannot in good conscience retire on investments that profit from violence and human rights violations. We demand that CalSTRS immediately divest from these assets and end its complicity in these injustices.
Our union, the California Teachers Association (CTA), is dedicated to advancing “the cause of free, universal, and quality public education for all students” and to ensuring that “the human dignity and civil rights of all children… are protected.” These principles are universal.
Since October 2023, this commitment to education has been rendered impossible for Palestinian children. Approximately 90% of schools and all universities in Gaza have been destroyed, depriving over 650,000 children of their right to learn. This systematic destruction of education is a profound tragedy.
The human cost is staggering. International organizations report that over 50,000 Palestinian children have been killed or injured. Over 19,000 have been orphaned, and more than 1,000 have undergone amputations. This horrific reality demands a moral response from all institutions, including our pension fund. Just since March 2025, at least 1,309 children have been killed. Each day 100 children are killed or injured by Zionist forces.
CalSTRS currently invests in numerous companies that are directly implicated in this crisis and in other human rights abuses globally. These include:
Caterpillar Inc. ($213.8M): Provides militarized bulldozers used for illegal home demolitions and the destruction of infrastructure in Palestinian territories.
Lockheed Martin Corp. ($176.9M) & Boeing ($198.6M): Major manufacturers of bombs, missiles, and munitions used in aerial attacks on Gaza.
General Dynamics Corporation ($84.8M) & Northrop Grumman ($110M): Supply key weapons systems, including missile delivery systems and munitions components, to the Israeli military.
Elbit Systems ($7.3M): Israel’s largest weapons manufacturer, providing 85% of its military drones and surveillance systems used in the occupied territories.
Palantir Technologies Inc. ($44.9M): Provides AI targeting software (“Lavender”) and surveillance technology to the Israeli military, and also enables human rights abuses against migrants by ICE in the U.S.
Valero Energy ($95M) & Chevron (~$267M): Provide jet fuel for military aircraft and are complicit in the exploitation of natural resources in occupied areas.
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services ($1.3M) & Maersk ($22.3M): Shipping companies that transport weapons and components for the arms industry.
Israeli Bonds & Banks: CalSTRS holds investments in Israeli bonds and banks like Bank Leumi that operate in illegal settlements, providing direct financial support to the government of Israel.
CalSTRS has a strong history of divestment, having previously divested from tobacco, Iran, firearms, thermal coal, and private prisons. This demonstrates a clear recognition that financial decisions carry moral weight. Although STRS’ investment in Israeli genocide is in the billions of dollars, it represents only 0.2% of their investment portfolio, a proportion that will be less noticed by stakeholders than by victims of the genocidal onslaught.
As of September 16th, 2025, a United Nations commission determined that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice has found Israel guilty of apartheid and ordered an end to the occupation. Just as the world once applied economic pressure to end apartheid in South Africa, we now call on CalSTRS to use its influence for justice.
Our Demands
We call upon the CalSTRS Board of Directors to:
Immediately divest from all companies and bonds that enable, facilitate, and profit from weapons manufacturing, military occupation, apartheid, and violations of international human rights law.
Reinvest those funds into ethical and socially responsible investments that align with the values of educators and our commitment to justice.
Commit to a transparent and public timeline for the divestment and reinvestment process.
Engage in ongoing dialogue with stakeholders through periodic reports on the progress of ethical investment review and divestment.
CalSTRS has the opportunity to stand on the right side of history. We urge you to act swiftly and decisively to ensure our pension fund reflects our values and does not contribute to the suffering of the Palestinian people or any oppressed nationalities across the globe.
Nearly $4 million of the state funding will go toward projects on Avenue of the Giants. | Photo: Caltrans District 1
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Press release from Caltrans District 1:
MERCED – The California Transportation Commission at its October meeting approved $4.9 billion to improve safety and mobility on local streets and state highways as well as fund new alternative transportation options and zero emissions projects.
More than half of the allocation will provide 600 local governments and regional transportation agencies with their annual funding to fix roads, bridges and other transportation needs statewide.
“This nearly $5 billion investment highlights California’s strong commitment to creating a modern, resilient transportation system that enhances local streets and strengthens connections between neighborhoods, job centers and schools,” said California Transportation Secretary Toks Omishakin. “Thanks to Governor Newsom’s leadership, Caltrans’ work and the Commission, we are building a safer, more connected and future-ready transportation network that serves all Californians.” “Our local partners are steadfast contributors and valued partners in keeping California’s vast transportation network safe and efficient,” said Caltrans Director Dina El-Tawansy. “When added to the various highway projects also approved, this month’s action ensures that hundreds of essential improvements in our cities and neighborhoods will better enable people and goods to flow throughout the state and beyond.”
“The Commission is committed to ensuring that California’s transportation system is safe and reliable for everyone who uses it,” said California Transportation Commission Executive Director Tanisha Taylor. “Today’s nearly $5 billion investment in projects will improve multimodal access to schools and employment centers, boost our growing economy, and reduce out-of-pocket expenses for all Californians.”
Among the projects approved is $700 million for repairs and critical upgrades needed for the Vincent Thomas Bridge, a 60-year-old span in the Port of Los Angeles that will soon undergo a major deck refurbishment. Another $140 million will fund truck climbing lanes among other improvements to Interstate 80 in the Sierra foothills between Applegate and Emigrant Gap, a major west coast freight thoroughfare.
Pedestrian facilities also received support from the allocations, including an award of $97 million to replace a pedestrian bridge that connects neighborhoods south of the City College of San Francisco campus and other improvements to Interstate 280 between San Francisco and San Mateo counties. And $6.3 million will be spent on new sidewalks, bike lanes and traffic controls in the cities of Santa Barbara and Santa Rosa and in Santa Clara County.
Other notable projects include:
$10 million to build a floating charging station for zero emission ferries in San Francisco Bay.
$9.7 million to purchase electric buses for use around the University of California, Los Angeles campus.
$8 million to restore fire-damaged irrigation systems and landscaping near Lake Forest in Orange County.
Projects approved in District 1 include:
Approximately $87 million including more than $77.4 million in federal IIJA funding and more than $9.8 million in SB1 funding toward roadway realignment and storm damage repairs on Route 299 near Blue Lake in Humboldt County.
Approximately $30.3 million including more than $4.6 million in federal IIJA funding and more than $16.3 million in SB1 funding toward replacement of the Albion River Bridge No. 10-0136 near Albion in Mendocino County.
Approximately $10.2 million including more than $9.1 million in federal IIJA funding and more than $900,000 in SB1 funding toward curb, sidewalk, signage and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements on Route 1 from the Route 20 to the Pudding Creek Bridge in Fort Bragg, Mendocino County.
Approximately $3 million toward rockfall mitigation, roadway improvements, and vegetation management on Route 96 in Humboldt County from t Route 299 to the Siskiyou County line. This project seeks to improve evacuation route preparedness on Routes 96 and 169.
Approximately $3 million toward roadway improvements on Route 128 near Philo Greenwood Road in Philo, Mendocino County.
Approximately $2.2 million in SB1 funding toward pavement, drainage and other improvements on U.S. 101 from Bell Springs Road to Route 1 near Leggett in Mendocino County.
Approximately $1.2 million toward culvert rehabilitation and removal of fish passage barriers on Route 254 from north of U.S.101 to north of Holmes Flat Road near Weott and Miranda in Humboldt County.
Approximately $1.1 million in SB1 funding toward revegetation along a 1.5 mile stretch of U.S. 101 at the Outlet Creek Bridge near Willits in Mendocino County.
Approximately $1 million in SB1 funding toward revegetation on Route 20 from the North Calpella Overcrossing to east of County Road 144 near Ukiah in Mendocino County.
Approximately $570,000 in SB1 funding toward revegetation along Route 254 at Maple Hills Road near Miranda in Humboldt County.
Approximately $500,000 in SB1 funding toward revegetation, culvert and erosion control improvements on Route 299 from east of Route 200 to east of Boise Creek Campground near Willow Creek in Humboldt County.
Approximately $23 million in SB1 funding for emergency allocations toward the design and construction of a retaining wall, drainage improvements and roadway repairs on Route 299 at Chezem Road near Willow Creek in Humboldt County.
Approximately $10.5 million in SB1 funding for emergency allocations toward the design and construction of a retaining wall, roadway repairs and culvert improvements on Route 175 east of Buckman Drive near Hopland in Mendocino County.
Approximately $4.8 million including more than $4.3 million in federal IIJA funding and $500,000 in SB1 funding toward the construction of a left turn lane at Timbers Boulevard, along with lighting and other roadway improvements on U.S. 101 from East Denney Street to Rowdy Creek Road near Smith River in Del Norte County.
Approximately $2.3 million in SB1 funding for emergency allocations toward erosion control and long-term solutions for stabilizing the embankment on Route 254 from Phillipsville Road to Maple Hills Road near Phillipsville in Humboldt County.
Approximately $2 million in SB1 funding for emergency allocations toward drainage improvements and roadway repairs on U.S. 101 near Big Lagoon in Humboldt County.
Of the total allocation this month, $470 million has come via Senate Bill (SB) 1, the Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, and $4.2 billion from the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The larger than normal expenditure of federal money relates almost exclusively to the annual allocation provided to local governments and regional transportation agencies.
California is expected to receive nearly $42 billion in federal infrastructure funding over a span of five years. These investments will upgrade the state’s roads, bridges, rail, public transit, airports, ports and the electric vehicle charging network.
SB 1 has invested approximately $5 billion annually toward transportation projects since 2017. It provides funding split between the state and local agencies. Road projects progress through construction phases more quickly based on the availability of funds, including projects that are partially funded by SB 1.
For more information about transportation and other infrastructure projects funded with state and federal investments, visit build.ca.gov.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Oct. 19, 2025, at 4:52 p.m. Humboldt County Sheriff Deputies were dispatched to an interrupted residential burglary in the 900 block of Spring Road in Shelter Cove.
The victim, a 40-year-old female of Shelter Cove called the Humboldt County Emergency Communications Center and reported that she arrived home and encountered an unknown male inside her house and that he fled the residence with some of her property.
As deputies were responding to the scene, a second caller identified the suspect as 39-year-old Matthew Hayes, a resident of Shelter Cove.
Deputies responded to Hayes’ residence located at 125 Eileen Rd. They obtained an arrest warrant for Hayes and a search warrant for his residence. During the investigation, deputies were advised by another citizen that Hayes had been seen inside an Airbnb located in the 800 block of Spring Rd. Deputies responded to that location and took Hayes into custody without incident.
Hayes was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charge: 460(a) – First Degree Burglary.
This is Hayes’ third arrest within a one-month period. The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office thanks the citizens of Shelter Cove for remaining vigilant and proactive in keeping their community safe. The Sheriff’s Office remains committed to the safety and security of the residents of Humboldt County and urges the public to report any unusual activity in their neighborhoods.
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.
James (Jim) Louie passed away on September 23,
2025. He
was born August 7, 1948 in San Antonio, Texas. At a young age, Jim
became a proud resident of Humboldt County and deeply appreciated all
that the region had to offer.
His
greatest enjoyment came from taking his boat, The Hunky Dory, out on
the ocean for fishing and crabbing. Jim was a dedicated bowler,
actively participating in many leagues and attending tournaments
across California and Nevada. His wide range of hobbies included
fishing, visiting casinos, automotive work, photography, cooking,
motorcycling, attending concerts and more.
Jim
was a member of several organizations, including Moose International,
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and the Fraternal Order of
Eagles.
He
was predeceased by his parents, Wa Hing and Shun (Sunny) Yau Louie,
as well as his brothers Tom and Jon. He is survived by his children:
Angela Christie (Brian) of Coos Bay, Oregon,
and Jamie Louie (Kimberley) of Vancouver, Washington;
four grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; his brother Doon Louie;
and Doon’s children.
A
Celebration of Life will be held on November 8, 2025, from noon
to 2 p.m. at the Moose Lodge — 4328 Campton Road, Eureka CA
In
lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Parkinson’s
Foundation or to your local Hospice.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jim Louie’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Harmonic Howl performs at Saturday’s “No Kings” rally in Eureka | Photos/video: Isabella Vanderheiden.
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Thousands of sign-wielding demonstrators swarmed the Humboldt County Courthouse in Eureka this afternoon for the “No Kings” rally, joining cities across the nation in condemning the policies and actions of the Trump administration.
Demonstrators waved colorful, handmade signs and sang along to protest songs led by Harmonic Howl and the Raging Grannies as passersby honked in support. Many attendees sported inflatable animal costumes, including at least a few frog costumes popularized by Portland’s self-proclaimed frog brigade. The sprawling crowd wrapped around the courthouse, stretching along both sides of Fifth Street for several blocks.
It’s always hard to say how many people actually attend these things. From our guess, it looked to be a few thousand? The Outpost ran into Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens, who stood on the periphery of the demonstration with a group of EPD officers, and he guessed that the crowd was slightly bigger than the protest held back in June. “Maybe 2,500 or 3,500 people?”
Asked if there had been any issues with the protest, Stephens shook his head and said everything was going smoothly.
As per usual, your LoCO took lots and lots of photos of all of the crafty signs you made. You may peruse them below.
