From the Eureka Police Department:

The Eureka Police Department proudly announces the retirement of K9 Bodhi, a highly accomplished narcotics and firearms detection canine, following more than five years of dedicated service to the community.

K9 Bodhi began his law enforcement career on June 22, 2020, and officially retired on January 1, 2026. Throughout his career, Bodhi served alongside Sergeant Nantz, forming a close and highly effective K9 team. Their partnership included assignments with the Drug Task Force (DTF) as well as deployments with the Eureka Police Department.

K9 Bodhi was trained and certified in narcotics and firearms detection, including the detection of live and spent ammunition. Since being deployed with the Eureka Police Department, Bodhi completed over 100 deployments, assisting officers in locating illegal drugs and firearms and supporting countless investigations. While assigned to the Drug Task Force, K9 Bodhi played a significant role in major narcotics enforcement efforts. Working with Sergeant Nantz, Bodhi assisted in the seizure of:

• 64 pounds of methamphetamine
• 19 pounds of heroin
• 45 pounds of additional narcotics
• 144 grams of psilocybin mushrooms
• 58 grams of fentanyl
• 32 grams of cocaine
• 42 grams of DMT
• 25 grams of LSD (acid)

These seizures represent a substantial impact on drug trafficking in the region and reflect the critical role K9 Bodhi played in protecting public safety.

“K9 Bodhi’s contributions to the Eureka Police Department and the community cannot be overstated,” said Chief Brian Stephens. “His work with Sergeant Nantz and our regional partners significantly enhanced our ability to disrupt drug distribution and remove illegal firearms from our streets. We are grateful for his years of loyal service.”

K9 Bodhi will now enjoy a well-earned retirement, transitioning from law enforcement partner to full-time companion. The Eureka Police Department extends its sincere thanks to K9 Bodhi and Sergeant Nantz for their outstanding service and dedication.

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PREVIOUSLY: THE FORGOTTEN DISASTER: King Salmon Was Smashed by King Tides at the Beginning of the Year. Why is No One Talking About It?

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Three weeks after record-breaking floodwaters drenched King Salmon, many residents are still hauling ruined furniture and appliances from their homes, waiting on property damage assessments and grappling with temporary displacement. 

Humboldt Community Organizations Active in Disaster (COAD) is leading the recovery response in King Salmon with assistance from the Humboldt Office of Emergency Services (OES), Fields Landing-King Salmon (FLKS) Living with Water Project, Cal Poly Humboldt, the American Red Cross, Pay It Forward Humboldt and other local partners.

During a virtual community meeting on Monday, Humboldt COAD Executive Director Nick Bown-Crawford described the “perfect storm” of events that led to the unprecedented floods on New Year’s weekend and discussed next steps for recovery.

“King Salmon is no stranger to floods, but this was something that they’ve never experienced before,” Bown-Crawford said. “We’re entering into that early recovery zone, where we’re really mapping out the unmet needs [of] our most vulnerable households, and then working through a matchmaking process [for donations]. … I’ve been working on getting some folks into temporary housing, as they have been directly displaced from the flooding or are now being displaced because they’re having to demo the full interiors of their home and [have] no place to live.”

At least 42 households experienced “major flooding” impacts, which, had a federal disaster been declared, would qualify residents for disaster assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Another 30 homes were “likely flooded,” and 29 other properties were inundated, but floodwater didn’t get inside any building.

“According to FEMA, anything over 18 inches of water in the house is considered a major impact,” Bown-Crawford explained. “We also want to [note] that just one inch of water in your home can cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage. The 18 inches is definitely a FEMA threshold, and we’re not holding ourselves to that, but we really have 42 households with ‘major flooding’ impacts [resulting in the loss of] appliances, flooring, dry wall, home goods and furniture.”

Humboldt COAD is currently focused on helping low-income residents complete insurance claims and find the funding needed to cover steep deductibles. 

“People cannot afford these deductibles,” Bown-Crawford said, noting that about 55 percent of households surveyed made less than $50,000 last year. “Multiple households that we’ve talked to have the insurance, but they just can’t afford the deductible, and so they’re opting to try and do the work themselves as best they can afford. … Flood cleanup is kind of a yucky cleanup … because there’s a lot of those hidden things that are happening that can be damaged and exist for years and years after the flood.”

One of those hidden culprits is mold. Valeri Mihanovich, an emergency resources coordinator with CalOES, urged residents to check for mold in flood-damaged homes, even if it’s not visible. 

“If you can smell it, it’s super, super important to figure out how to remediate the mold as soon as possible,” she said, adding that CalOES has clean-up kits available. Additional mold remediation resources can be found at this link.

Want to lend a hand? Humboldt COAD is seeking donations for impacted residents, including plywood, dehumidifiers, fans, extension cords, towels, bedding, laundry supplies, refrigerators, laundry machines, hot water heaters, gift cards and transportation assistance.

You can find a full list of donation items and learn how to donate here.

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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California legislative Democrats are urging their congressional colleagues to shut down the federal government and block further funding to immigration enforcement agencies after agents shot and killed another civilian in Minnesota over the weekend.

At least 50 Democratic state senators and assemblymembers — more than half the party’s caucus — on Monday decried the slaying of Alex Pretti, the Minneapolis resident and Veterans Affairs intensive care nurse who on Saturday was gunned down by federal immigration enforcement agents.

The lawmakers proclaimed their solidarity with Minnesota and other cities and states that have been targeted by federal law enforcement agents. They railed against what they called the Trump administration’s militarization of American cities as some wiped away tears.

The previously bipartisan spending package, which would fund the departments of Defense, Labor, Health and Human Services and Homeland Security, awaits a vote in the U.S. Senate, where an increasing number of Democrats have vowed to filibuster it.

But California lawmakers warned that Senate Democrats, many of whom represent battleground states, might cave and give Republicans the votes they need to push the measure to President Donald Trump’s desk.

“This message is for Sen. Chuck Schumer,” said Assemblymember Liz Ortega, Democrat of Hayward. “Do your job. Stand for something. Don’t fold again.”

Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Democrat of Salinas, called for Schumer to “step aside” if he couldn’t keep his caucus in lockstep.

Rivas and his colleagues also had a message for Republican lawmakers.

“We need you to speak out. You cannot watch these videos coming out of Minneapolis, Minn. and think that this is acceptable,” Rivas said. “We need your voice, we need your solidarity, and standing up for American values.”

In reference to the fact that Pretti was apparently carrying a permitted weapon, Assemblymember Mark Gonzalez of Los Angeles quoted a 2018 tweet from the late Charlie Kirk, which stated that the Second Amendment wasn’t for hunting or self protection, but “to ensure that free people can defend themselves if, god forbid, government became tyrannical and turned against its citizens.”

“What do you call a masked agent killing people in the street? What do you call children being taken from families?” Gonzalez said.

He noted that the National Rifle Association condemned premature conclusions about the shooting as “dangerous and wrong.”

“Even the NRA is calling out the dangerous ignorance of federal officials trying to excuse the killing of Alex Pretti,” Gonzalez said. “When even staunch defenders of the Second Amendment recognize the need for accountability, we must listen.”

So far, California Republicans have targeted their criticism mainly at Democrats. Republican legislative leadership deferred to other members of their caucus when asked for comment.

Sen. Tony Strickland, Republican of Huntington Beach, said Democratic officials have created risky and unsafe conditions for both the agents and civilian onlookers through so-called “sanctuary” policies that limit local and state law enforcement from working with federal immigration agents. They argue that those policies create risky situations where civilians like Pretti feel they need to monitor and track officers.

“Stop the rhetoric that ICE agents are Gestapo, that they’re secret police, that they’re Nazis,” said Assemblymember James Gallagher of Chico, the former Republican Assembly leader who recently announced his bid for the special election to fulfill the final months of the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s congressional term. “This type of rhetoric is helping to contribute to the chaotic environment in places like Minnesota.”

Gallagher called Pretti’s death a “terrible thing” and called for an independent investigation and accountability.

Legislation calls for greater ICE oversight

Some lawmakers are committing to introduce new measures to curtail the power of federal agents.

“Certainly this is a frustrating situation because so much of the power and the authority here is in the hands of the federal government in Washington, D.C., but that doesn’t mean that the answer for us is to do nothing,” said Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel, Democrat of Encino.

Gabriel plans to introduce a bill that would require the California attorney general to conduct an independent investigation into any shooting by federal immigration enforcement agents in the state, an extension of an existing law that already requires such investigations for shootings by local and state law enforcement. He will also co-author a bill with Assemblymember Juan Carrillo that would ban federal immigration enforcement agencies from using state resources to facilitate tIn summary More than half of California’s Democratic legislative caucus called for a government shutdown and introduced bills to hold federal agents accountableheir operations, such as staging equipment and personnel on state property.

“We have to use every tool at our disposal, every lawful opportunity that we have to use our power, our authority to think of all of the different ways that we can push back,” Gabriel said.

Also on deck for a vote in the California Senate this week is Senate Bill 747 co-authored by Sen. Aisha Wahab of Hayward and Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat who is running to replace Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi in Congress, that would allow Californians to sue federal agents for civil rights violations. The bill builds upon Wiener’s measure from last year that banned federal immigration enforcement agents from wearing masks, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law.

Wiener argued that the issue should not be partisan.

“This is really about everyone’s rights under any federal administration,” Wiener told CalMatters on Monday. “Local and state law enforcement are already subject to civil rights liability if they violate someone’s rights, and federal agents effectively are not,” he said.

“This is simply seeking to apply the same standards for all law enforcement.”

Tiannah Dawn Simpson
1984-2026

Beloved mother, sister, daughter, niece, cousin and friend.

Tiannah was born December 21, 1984 to Lisa Bates and Aawok Jonny Simpson, her beloved Grandparents Aawok Vivian and John Simpson Sr., in Hoopa. She was loved and cared for by many family members and numerous friends. She will be forever missed.

Tiannah grew up and spent majority of her life at Notchko, her home. She attended Jack Norton Elementary and Hoopa High School. Along the years of her life, she grew relationships and lifelong friendships with many who loved her. Spending holidays with her family all the birthday parties, she made it to every Easter egg hunt and Halloween party. She loved to dress up, especially for Halloween. Tiannah had the best sense of humor — always joking, teasing or just having fun in the moment. Let’s remember her beauty, her smile, always done up looking her best or working hard to get whichever current job done. She was a handy woman, a true jack of all traits.

She was fierce when it came to her family. She loved hard. In 2011 she gave birth to and welcomed the love of her life Pey-Goy Sean John Denten Simpson-Jewell at Mad River Hospital. It was the best day of her life. Over the years Pey-Goy was her rock, her homing beacon, her best friend, her everything whom she loved and cherished.

Tiannah is preceded death by her daughter, Babygirl Notchko Simpson-Devine; loving grandparents Vivian and John Simpson Sr.; great-grandmother Lillian Shermoen; father, Jonny Simpson; sister Cindy Simpson; uncle Gerald “Squeaker” Bacon; aunts Cindy Simpson, Elsie “Mindo” Bacon, Bonnie “Hoddy” Green, Carmen “Auntie Boo Boo” Maroni.

Tiannah is survived by her son, Pey-Goy Simpson; brother Sean Simpson; sister-in-law Brenda Simpson; nephews Coben Simpson, Troy Green; niece Stella Green; mother, Lisa Bates; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins, too many to be listed.

Tiannah was a one of a kind soul, whom will forever be remembered in our hearts and thoughts. We all loved her and she loved each of us.

There will be services held on Saturday, January 31 at the Shaker Church in Pecwan starting at 12 p.m, following burial at cemetery. A potluck gathering will follow at Notchko river bar afterwards. Contact (707) 267-1078 for further information regarding services and potluck gathering.

Thank you for supporting our family in thoughts and prayers at this time or loss.

Rosalie Schuler of Eureka passed away on December 29, 2025 at the age of 87. She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, Gordon Schuler, and her son-in-law, Corky Schoonmaker.

She is survived by her children Bret Schuler, Jill Schoonmaker, Joy and Jesse Middaugh, Jeanette and Mike Byrnes, Amy and Joe Farnsworth, and Audrey and John Peterson. She also leaves behind grandchildren James Schuler, Vanessa Schoonmaker, Neal Schoonmaker, Dean Schoonmaker, Taryn Kammeraad, Brian Middaugh, Steven Byrnes, Allison Byrnes, Kevin Byrnes, Kyle Byrnes, Ryan Black, Daniel Black, Marcus Peterson and Julia Peterson, as well as several great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom’s happiest times were spent with her family. She had various talents and interests including art, music, and reading, but she was first and foremost a loving wife and mother who found great joy in her children and grandchildren. We will miss her dearly but find comfort in knowing she is finally reunited with her husband, parents and siblings.

A devoted lifelong member of St. Bernard Catholic Parish, Mom’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, February 21 at St. Bernard Catholic Church located at 615 H Street in Eureka. Services will include a Rosary at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. and a reception at the Parish Hall.

We would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Frye’s Care Home and Hospice of Humboldt for their excellent care during Mom’s final days.

Tracy Leanne Sloan, maiden name Canfield, passed away January 9, 2026 at the age of 56.

Tracy was born in Humboldt County on July 30, 1969 to her mother, Linda Waterman, and father, Robert Canfield. She had two sisters — Tammy Harris and Dorina Canfield — and one brother, Robert Canfield.

Tracy loved being with her family and her dogs. Anyone who knew Tracy knows how much she loved country music. First thing in the morning she’d be blasting the radio and singing through the house. She also loved going to concerts. She enjoyed going to bingo and yard sales with her sisters. She was always on the go, creating amazing memories.

Her survivors included: son Nathan and daughter-in-law Coco; daughter Mandi and son-in-law Daniel; grandkids Nevayeh, Nalani, Niyah,Nico; sister Tammie and brother-in-law James Harris; nephews Jermey, Steven, Christopher, Brandon; nieces Vanessa, Tiffany, Kelsey, Ashley; mother-in-law Louise Sloan; cousin Brandee; and many great-nephews and nieces and extended family.

Tracy is preceded in death by her husband, Roger Sloan; mother, Linda; father, Robert; sister Dorina; and brother, Robert.

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

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Travis Schneider and Stephanie Bode, local property owners who tried to build a dramatically oversized home near Humboldt Bay and accumulated serious permit violations in the process, have agreed to a sweeping settlement agreement with the California Coastal Commission that would require full ecological restoration, a $400,000 penalty and the potential transfer of more than six acres of land to local Wiyot tribes.

The proposed agreement, detailed in a Coastal Commission staff report ahead of a February 4 hearing in Half Moon Bay, would resolve years of enforcement actions involving violations at two parcels located at the end of Walker Point Road, on a bluff overlooking the Fay Slough Wildlife Area.

If you’re just tuning into this saga, here’s a brief recap:

More than four years ago, county building officials posted a stop work order at the Schneider-Bode property. Subsequent investigations revealed a host of violations to the terms of the Coastal Development Permit they’d obtained in 2017.

That permit allowed for the development of an 8,000-square-foot home on one of two adjoining parcels owned by Schneider and Bode. The permit included strict conditions designed to protect wetlands, environmentally sensitive habitat areas (ESHA) and Indigenous cultural resources. That’s because the property abuts a sensitive wetland connected to Humboldt Bay and sits atop a former Wiyot village site that, experts say, could include tribal burial grounds, tools and other cultural materials.

But rather than constructing the permitted home, Schneider and his contractors began building a 21,000-foot mansion — more than two and a half times larger than what was permitted — and did so in a different location than what had been approved.

He and his construction crews also imported around 15,000 cubic yards of fill material (roughly 10 times what was allowed); built an unauthorized gravel road on an adjacent parcel; removed protected vegetation within established wetland buffers; and conducted heavy grading and fill placement in areas known to contain highly significant Wiyot cultural and archaeological resources.

Schneider initially tried to finesse his way through the controversy despite conflicts with local tribes, warnings from the Coastal Commission and increased public scrutiny over the entire permitting process. He made emotional appeals to the Humboldt County Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. 

But eventually, facing daily $40,000 fines as evidence of even more permit violations surfaced, Schneider agreed through his attorney to tear down his partially built home. Even that apparent surrender hit a snag, however, when the Coastal Commission found “substantial issues” with the demolition plan. Commission staff concluded that the plan didn’t adequately protect archaeological and tribal cultural resources or the nearby ESHA.

That was nearly two years ago. Schneider and Bode, who grew up here and planned to settle with their children in that huge estate, have since decamped to Tennessee. They’ve signed on to a three-part enforcement agreement slated for Coastal Commission approval at its meeting next Wednesday.

The staff report says, “Despite the prior history that occurred on the Properties, [Schneider and Bode have] worked closely and cooperatively with Commission Enforcement staff to reach the proposed [Consent Agreement].”

Under the terms of that agreement, Schneider and Bode would:

• Remove all unpermitted development, including fill and site alterations
• Restore wetlands and habitat to pre-construction conditions, with at least five years of monitoring
• Fund tribal cultural monitors during all ground-disturbing restoration work
• Pay $400,000 in penalties, including $300,000 to the California Coastal Conservancy and $100,000 to the future land steward for ongoing care and management
• Offer both parcels (6.1 acres total) for dedication to a tribe, public agency or nonprofit — with the intent that the Blue Lake Rancheria, Wiyot Tribe and/or Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria accept the dedication.

The agreement is listed alongside a cease-and-desist order, a restoration order and the administrative penalty. If approved, it will bring this long-running saga to a close while permanently barring future development on the site.

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