Press release from Friends of the Dune:

On the morning of June 2, 750 local students spent their school day being stewards of the coastal dunes during the 21st Annual Kids Ocean Day event at the Mike Thompson Wildlife Area, South Spit of the Humboldt Bay. After spending the day restoring dune habitat and picking up trash, students, teachers, and volunteers formed an aerial art image of marine invertebrates with the message “Coast for All.” The aerial art image was designed by Jess Barger and captured by photographer Justin Legge via drone.

Friends of the Dunes organized the Kids Ocean Day event, which took place locally as part of the statewide Adopt-a-Beach program, funded by the California Coastal Commission’s Whale Tail Grant Program. Kids Ocean Day is a significant day of action and celebration that aims to empower young individuals to become nature heroes. Humboldt County joined four other locations along the California coast in hosting student-led beach cleanups and awe-inspiring aerial art displays. These events lead up to the globally recognized World Ocean Day, empowering collective efforts to protect and preserve our precious ocean ecosystems.

Prior to the event, students participate in educational classroom presentations that explore the causes and impacts of marine debris, as well as identify possible solutions. Through these educational presentations, students gain a deeper understanding of environmental stewardship. They also learn about restoration efforts in our local dune systems, instilling a sense of responsibility and the power to make a positive impact. Kids Ocean Day serves as a platform to emphasize the significance of individual choices to make a collective impact for our planet.

In addition to Humboldt County’s event, Kids Ocean Day events took place in San Diego, Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Francisco throughout May. At the five events held along the California coast, over 5,000 students spent a school day caring for their coast by cleaning up litter. In Humboldt County, students clean up trash and remove non-native, invasive plant species to create space for native plants to thrive, increasing biodiversity.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the California Coastal Act, a landmark environmental law that regulates development, protects public access, and mandates sustainable resource management along California’s coastline. The statewide theme, “Coast for All,” was selected to underscore the importance of the California Coastal Act in safeguarding public access to California’s 840-mile coastline for everyone. The image of three marine invertebrates, a scallop, sand dollar, and moon snail, serves as a reminder that even the smallest ocean creatures play an important role in the health of marine ecosystems. Marine invertebrates are bioindicators, or living organisms that help scientists understand the health of ocean ecosystems. Changes in their populations can warn us when the environment is being harmed.

“We are excited to host another Kids Ocean Day event in Humboldt County, our organization’s 21st Annual,” said Suzie Fortner, Friends of the Dunes Executive Director. “The purpose of this event is two-fold - on one hand, it’s getting hundreds of local kids to the coast to spend a day at the beach, some of whom have never been to an ocean beach despite living near the coast. On the other hand, it engages youth in a day of collaborative action that benefits coastal biodiversity. These students are passionate about caring for this planet and excited to contribute to tangible, local solutions. It’s inspiring to see them work together to accomplish something that wouldn’t be possible alone.”

“For 50 years now, the California Coastal Act has protected our right to access and enjoy the coast,” said Annie Kohut Frankel, Public Education Program Manager for the California Coastal Commission. “The students at Kids Ocean Day are sending the message that preservation of those rights is a shared responsibility across communities, generations, and cultures. Thank you to these incredible students – the next generation of protectors of the coast!”

Participating schools included: Alice Birney Elementary, Blue Lake Elementary, Cutten Elementary School, Garfield School, Jacoby Creek School, Laurel Tree, McKinleyville Middle School, Orleans Elementary, Pacific Union, Sunny Brae Middle School, Trinidad Elementary, Union Street Charter School, Washington Elementary School, and Winship Middle School.

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Eureka muralist Blake Reagan, whose hyper-vivid work has proliferated across local buildings in recent years, is currently painting his latest creation, titled “Eureka is Otter Space.”

The project is part of the “You Found It! Festival,” which is rolling in to Eureka’s state-designated Cultural Arts District this spring, bringing a host of free events to the city. 

A tiny version of the full image taped to the scissor lift Reagan’s using to reach up high.

The mural, which is being applied to the eastern wall of Game On Laser Tag and More (formerly HealthSport), features a pair of river otters drifting in zero gravity amid ocean life as a full moon hovers in the background.

North American river otters can often be spotted in Humboldt Bay, where they are sometimes misidentified as harbor seals.

“We used to have sea otters [in Humboldt Bay], but they were hunted for their really dense fur and so we don’t have sea otters here anymore,” Reagan said when we caught up with him this morning. “Hopefully [this mural] brings up a discussion about reintroducing them to Humboldt Bay, and that will help re-establish our kelp beds.”

Kelp will feature in the finished version of “Otter Space,” which measures 18 feet tall by 44 feet long.

The You Found It! Festival is produced by the Eureka Cultural Arts District, a partnership of Wiyot Tribe, the Ink People Center for Arts & Culture, the City of Eureka and Eureka Main Street. All events are free and open to the community. 

Reagan plans to bring in a DJ for the official unveiling of his mural, which is scheduled for June 12 from 5 - 8 p.m. You can find information about festival events by clicking here. 

With 19,370 ballots counted by the time the Humboldt County Elections Office threw it in last night, the only two contested races on the local ballot were very dramatic blowouts.

In the Fifth District, with 3,710 votes counted, supervisor candidate Mary Burke — the heir apparent, endorsed by Steve Madrone and most mainstream organizations that customarily endorse people — has 2,725 of those votes, or 73.5 percent.

Her opponent, Evan Schwartz, has 985 votes, or 26.5 percent.

Same story in the countywide race for assessor, where aspirant Ben Larson ended up running something of an insurgent campaign, inveighing against the current standards and practices of the office. It did not resonate. With 16,977 votes counted, Larson has only 3,792 of them — 22.3 percent.

Audrey Hanks, the current deputy assessor, has 13,185 votes, or 77.7 percent.

But how many votes are left to count, in this era of slow, slow counting in California? Unknown. Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters Juan Pablo Cervantes will likely spend the next couple of days rounding up an estimate.

We can look to history for a guess. Four years ago, in the last off-year primary, there were 34,862 votes counted, by the time all was said and done. If that were the case this year, that would mean a little bit less than half the votes have been counted.

Doesn’t that mean that Schwartz and Larson could flip it? 

Technically … sure? But not really. 

If Larson and Schwartz were to pull it out, that means the remaining ballots would have to be as lopsized as the the ones already counted — only in the other direction. And this is so mathematically improbable that it might as well be impossible.

Fifty percent of the vote is a huge sample of the entire electorate. If you’re want to believe that it is wrong — that Schwartz and/or Larson still have a chance — you’d have to believe that the people whose votes have been counted so far are dramatically, dramatically different than the people whose votes have yet to be counted.

And though past elections have shown that these populations are historically a little different — the people who vote as soon as they receive their ballot are a little more likely to be more conservative, on the whole, and so conservative people show up disproportionately in the early returns — they’re not so crazy different as all that. Maybe a couple of percentage points here and there.

I write all this here because of backlash, in recent years, against the media calling elections. The media doesn’t get to call elections! That is the job of election officials!

Which — sure. But c’mon, now.

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

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It was a good night for normie Democrats, a bad one for self-funded campaigns, a mixed bag for state legislators aspiring to higher office and another electoral reminder of President Donald Trump’s dominant role in our politics — even in deepest blue California.

At the top of the ticket, Republican former Fox News host and British political adviser Steve Hilton and longtime Democratic politico Xavier Becerra hold the top two spots needed to progress to the November election for governor. Tom Steyer, the billionaire former hedge fund manager turned left-leaning political donor, is holding a distant though technically viable third. The Associated Press has not called the race.

Veteran state election observers will know that it may be weeks before the final score of the June primary election is tallied. But a few early takeaways are already coming into focus:

Money can’t (always) buy you love

Whether Steyer ultimately claws his way into the top two spots in the governor’s race after spending a record-setting sum on his self-funded campaign, it’s got to be a disappointing return on investment.

Steyer ultimately spent nearly a quarter of a billion dollars on his populism-coded gubernatorial bid. The fact that all that advertising didn’t translate to an electoral blowout is no surprise, said Garry South, a longtime California Democratic strategist.

“It may sound facetious to say that you can have too much money in a campaign, but in fact the way these rich self-financing candidates spend their money becomes a liability. …They wear out their welcome.”

Steyer isn’t the only candidate to have drawn deeply on his personal finances only to flounder at the ballot box. Patrick Wolff put $600,000 of his own money toward his insurance commissioner campaign, Yvonne Yiu invested $750,000 in her race to join the state Board of Equalization and Saikat Chakrabarti put up the bulk of the millions he spent in his bid to replace Nancy Pelosi in Congress. In Los Angeles, Zach Sokoloff put up $1 million — with millions more coming from his mother — to unseat the sitting city controller.

Chakrabarti couldn’t crack the top two in his race, losing to state Sen. Scott Wiener and San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan. As of Wednesday morning, the remaining three trailed in their respective races.

A good night for ‘standard’ Democrats

Anti-incumbent populism may be in the national zeitgeist, but California voters seem perfectly happy with — or at least, fine settling with — experienced, garden variety Democrats.

“What they want is a Democratic elected official who can go and fight Donald Trump,” said Andrew Sinclair, a Claremont McKenna University political science professor.

Hence the sharp, sudden rise of Becerra following the political implosion of former frontrunner Eric Swalwell. Swalwell was also well known as an experienced politician who “Donald Trump didn’t like,” said Sinclair. Mild-mannered Becerra with a deep political resume and limited baggage was the next logical choice. “What’s your standard, out-of-the-box Democrat who you can get to fight Republicans? Becerra is probably that guy.”

It helped that Becerra’s main Democratic opponent, the self-styled populist Steyer, had the easily-attacked billionaire status, and Democrats worried about being locked out of the general election wanted to get behind whoever was polling best.

Many of the Democratic incumbents in Congress also appeared to be fending off challenges from younger, more progressive insurgents — or at least keeping them firmly in second place. Those include Mike Thompson, Brad Sherman and Doris Matsui.

Party still matters

Back in 2010 when California adopted the top-two primary system, proponents pitched it to voters as a way to shake the partisan gridlock out of California politics. Rather than have Democratic and Republican primary voters predictably electing candidates who appeal to the ideological poles, a system that lets every candidate from every party compete on the same ballot was supposed to encourage across-the-aisle reaching candidates who can appeal to voters in the middle.

Voters in the middle are less likely to show up in primary elections, said South.

Nor has the state’s top-two system ever produced a general election race for governor with two Democrats. For all the talk of then-Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom squaring off against Antonio Villaraigosa in 2018 or the possibility of a Becerra vs Steyer showdown this year, California governor races have always reverted to the partisan pattern with energized Democratic voters gravitating around their candidate and Republicans doing the same.

Similarly, the top two spots in both the lieutenant governor and treasurer’s races are also blue vs. red. The one exception: As of Wednesday, two Democratic candidates to become the next insurance commissioner — Jane Kim and Sen. Ben Allen — appear to be headed to the November election.

The shut out that wasn’t

Democrats can now officially stop worrying about a dreaded “shut out” scenario.

With so many Democrats packed into the race and none dominating the field, many party members worried early on that the two most prominent Republicans running, Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, could claim the first and second place spot in the primary.

Concerns over such a paradoxical, and for Democrats, nightmarish outcome prompted party chair Rusty Hicks to commission a poll to push some of the lowest-polling Democratic candidates to step aside for the good of the party and state.

Almost none did. But either because Democratic voters were sufficiently spooked into strategically avoiding that outcome — or because a shutout was never that likely in the first place — it doesn’t appear likely to happen.

Democrats have dodged such electoral bullets before. In 2018, a glut of anti-Trump Democratic congressional candidates threatened to hand Republicans both top spots in competitive races across the state. There were no shutouts in that year’s primary. California Democrats ended up cleaning up in the subsequent “blue wave” general election. There was similar Democratic hand-wringing in the run-up to the recall election over a possible procedural fluke that could have handed the governor’s office to a Republican. Newsom swatted down the recall in a landslide.

Despite the recurring bouts of Democratic angst, the most prominent top two “lock out” in recent memory was in a deeply conservative state Senate district in the Sierra foothills in 2022 which a crowded pack of Republicans ended up cannibalizing the GOP vote leaving two Democrats in first and second.

The victor in that race, Sen. Marie Alvarado-Gil, ended up switching parties to join the Republicans anyway. As of early Wednesday, she is trailing in third place in her re-election contest behind Jaron Brandon, a Democrat, and Alexandra Duarte, a Republican.

Senator who?

Anthony Rendon was the former speaker of the California Assembly. In an org chart of state governance, that made him one of the three most influential people in the Capitol, alongside his counterpart in the Senate and the governor.

Alas, that wasn’t enough star power for Rendon to secure the largely symbolic position of superintendent of public instruction. As of Wednesday, he sits in fourth place.

Likewise, state Sen. Anna Caballero, a Merced Democrat who once served as the state Senate’s powerful appropriations chair, is a distant third in her bid to become treasurer — far behind Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis and little-known Republican Jennifer Hawks. Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, a moderate Democrat, is also trailing in her race to unseat Republican Rep. David Valadao in the Central Valley, currently boxed out of the second place spot by Sen. Bernie Sanders-backed college professor Randy Villegas. And former state Sen. Steven Bradford is bringing up eighth place in the insurance commissioner contest.

It wasn’t all bad news for state lawmakers looking for other employment opportunities. Sen. Ben Allen is in second place in the insurance race, while Wiener and Sen. Aisha Wahab, two Democratic legislators from the San Francisco Bay Area, both easily claimed the top spots in their respective races for Congress.

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Jeanne Kuang contributed reporting.

Ana Margarida Homem
April 21, 1944 – May 26, 2026

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Ana Margarida Homem, who entered eternal rest on May 26, 2026, surrounded by the love of her family.

Ana was born on April 21, 1944, in São Paulo, Brasil, to Francisco and Olinda Gomes. As a young girl, her family relocated to Rio de Janeiro. She often spoke fondly of her childhood, especially the days spent playing beneath the tamarind tree near her family home. Growing up alongside her siblings Nicolau, Antonio Joaquin, Afonso, Florinda, and Linda, Ana learned the values that would define her life: faith, hard work, generosity, humility and an unwavering devotion to family.

One of the most influential people in Ana’s life was her grandfather, Nicolau. Throughout her entire life, she spoke of him with tremendous admiration and respect. She often credited him for shaping her outlook on life and admired his ambition, intelligence and discipline to provide for his family. He acquired and developed properties that provided homes and opportunities for his family — many of which continue to be enjoyed by his descendants to this day. Ana was deeply proud of the legacy he created and often pointed to him as an example of what foresight, determination and hard work could accomplish. She would also speak of her grandmother Ana, whom she was named after, as being an “angel” on earth.

Another profound influence on Ana’s life was her father and mother, Francisco Gomes, a respected Portuguese fado lyricist and performer, and Olinda Gomes, a well-spoken and respected accountant. Ana often spoke lovingly of her parents and grandparents and carried their lessons with her throughout her life.

Ana was exceptionally bright from a young age and was the most educated member of her family. She earned admission to a prestigious secondary school through her academic achievements, and later pursued higher education before working at the renowned Oswaldo Cruz Institute laboratory.

It was during her years working in Rio de Janeiro that she first noticed a young butcher named Avelino Homem. Each day, she would pass his butcher shop on her way to and from the bus stop while commuting to work. Though they noticed one another, their paths had not yet formally crossed.

That changed one evening when Ana’s father was performing. Ana’s mother suggested inviting Avelino and his sister Maria José, knowing they would appreciate Portuguese music. That evening proved life-changing, as Ana and Avelino formally met for the first time.

They began dating soon afterward and they married on January 10, 1965, beginning a love story that would span more than six decades. Later that year, they immigrated to the United States. Sponsored by Avelino’s sister Gabriela Murphy and brother-in-law Robert Murphy, they settled in Arcata, California. Ana and Avelino never forgot the opportunity Bob and Gabriela provided for their young family.

Leaving Brasil was one of the most difficult moments of Ana’s life. Throughout the years, she would often tell the story of saying goodbye to her family. Even decades later, tears would fill her eyes as she recalled the heartbreak of leaving them behind. Though separated by distance, she remained deeply connected to her brasileiro roots.

Although Ana left Brasil in 1965, she never truly left her family behind. She remained a source of support, encouragement and generosity for relatives across Brasil. She believed that blessings were meant to be shared and took enormous pride in seeing her family thrive. Though she built her life in America, her love and generosity continued to reach across borders and generations, touching the lives of countless relatives throughout Brasil.

Modern technology became one of her greatest joys, and she faithfully stayed connected with family through daily WhatsApp conversations. Hardly a day passed without her checking in on her family and friends. She especially treasured the family group chat affectionately known as “Casa da Vovó Linda,” where stories, photographs and daily updates flowed constantly. Whether offering encouragement during difficult times or sharing in life’s happy moments, Ana remained a central figure in the lives of her family members across Brasil. Her voice, wisdom and unwavering love were a daily presence for those she cherished most.

Upon arriving in Arcata, Ana was embraced by Avelino’s large Portuguese family. She developed a close relationship with her mother-in-law, Amelia Homem. The two spent countless days together running errands, shopping, paying bills and sharing life’s joys and challenges. Ana often spoke of the wisdom Amelia passed down to her and treasured their bond. Amelia would often tell her, “Uma boa nora é como uma filha, ou mais” — “A good daughter-in-law is like a daughter, or more.” It was a sentiment that perfectly reflected the love and respect they shared.

Ana was a pillar of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata and could almost always be found seated in her beloved front-center pew at Sunday Mass. She generously volunteered her time supporting church activities, festas at the Portuguese Hall and community gatherings. Some of the best times of her and Avelino’s life were serving at the Portuguese hall with friends and family.

One of the first goals Ana and Avelino achieved in America was becoming citizens. Ana was immensely proud of her citizenship and grateful for the opportunities America provided her family. They fully embraced the American Dream and built a life centered on faith, family and opportunity, never forgetting the blessings they had been given or the loved ones who helped them along the way.

One of those lasting friendships was Lois Leigh, a real estate agent, who guided them in purchasing properties around Arcata. Maintaining those rentals kept them busy and led to lifelong friendships with many exceptional tenants.

Simple pleasures brought her happiness. Few things delighted her more than a beautiful sunny day — a “dia de sol.” She loved hanging laundry outside on her clothesline, tending to her home and enjoying the comforts of everyday life. She often reminded those around her, “There’s no place like home.”

Ana was a devoted wife, loving mother, proud grandmother and great-grandmother. Nothing brought Ana greater joy than her family. She took immense pride in raising her four children and watching her family grow. To her grandchildren, she was simply Grandma and Vovó. She delighted in attending their activities, hearing their stories, and celebrating every milestone. Her love was constant, unconditional and deeply felt by every member of her family.

Ana’s greatest gift was caring for others. She expressed her love through food, hospitality and service. Her garage kitchen became legendary amongst all, serving as the setting for countless meals, holiday gatherings and family celebrations. She was widely known as an exceptional cook whose recipes could never quite be replicated. Many were nursed back to health with her chicken soup made with so much love. Family members often joked that every attempt to recreate her recipes somehow fell short. Ana found immense joy in bringing people together around the table. Their home was always open, their table always full, and their hearts always ready to help someone in need.

Ana’s wisdom was one of her defining traits. Family members often sought her advice, knowing she would have the perfect saying for any situation. Her memorable expressions included “Fé em Deus e pé na tábua” (“Faith in God and foot on the pedal”), “Um rei nunca perde a sua majestade” (“A king never loses his majesty”) and “I don’t want it, I don’t need it, I don’t deserve it.” Her humor, practical wisdom and one-liners became part of the fabric of family life and will continue to be repeated for generations.

Ana especially loved family vacations — the planning, the road trips, the food and the simple pleasure of being together in a new place. Over the years, Avelino and Ana visited loved ones across Brasil and Portugal and created treasured memories with close friends on cruises to Alaska, through the Panama Canal and to the Hawaiian Islands. She especially loved visiting her grandchildren who lived in the sun. Though she loved her travels, nothing brought her more joy than a day at home with Avelino.

For more than sixty-one years, Ana and Avelino shared a love that was extraordinary. They were true soulmates, best friends and constant companions. They never grew tired of talking with one another. They delighted in the simple moments, whether taking a drive, planning a vacation, dressing alike on trips, attending Mass, or simply sitting side by side at the end of the day. Together they built a family, raised children, cherished grandchildren and created a legacy rooted in love.

Following Avelino’s passing earlier this year, Ana spoke daily of how much she missed him. Though her family wished for more time, they find comfort in knowing that the reunion she longed for has finally come. The love story that began more than sixty years ago did not end with goodbye. Ana has returned to the arms of her beloved husband. As she would always say: “Meu querido, meu velho, meu amigo” — my love, my old man, my friend.

Ana was preceded in death by her beloved husband and best friend, Avelino Homem, her parents, Francisco and Olinda Gomes; her siblings Linda Gomes Cabral and Antonio Joaquin Gomes; her parents-in-law, Amelia and José Homem; and her brothers- and sisters-in-law, Dulcinea Gomes, Sylvio Abreu da Silva, Fernando Sergio Cabral, Gabriela and Robert Murphy, Jose Homem, Fernando Lourenço, Albino Homem, David Homem, Antonio Lourenço, Maria José Dematos, Maria dos Santos Rafael and Natalia Oliveira.

She is survived by her siblings Florinda Gomes da Silva, Afonso Gomes (Neide) and Nicolau Gomes; her children Frank Homem (Betsy), Richard Homem (Wendy), Diana Cavinta (George) and Margo Shimy (Camron); her sisters-in-law Durvalina Machado, Gloria Homem, Jorlanda Lourenço, Maria de Lourdes Homem and Ana Paula Homem; her cherished grandchildren Briana Cavinta, John Homem, Dillon Homem (Nichelle), Georgie Cavinta, Mason Homem, Andrew Cavinta, Mike Homem, Gabriela Cavinta, Lucas Shimy and Liam Shimy; her beloved great-grandchild Makana Homem; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and loving relatives throughout Brasil, Portugal and the United States.

A recitation of the Rosary will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, June 5, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata, followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with a reception to follow in the narthex and Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery.

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

Ronald “Ron” Buckland
December 8, 1945 – May 19, 2026

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Ronald “Ron” Buckland on May 19, 2026, at Stanford University Medical Center following complications from an aortic repair.

Ron lived a life filled with love, adventure, curiosity and appreciation for the beauty of the world around him. He was happiest outdoors, whether exploring a new destination, diving beneath the ocean’s surface, or capturing nature’s wonders through the lens of his camera. Photography was one of his greatest passions, and he had a remarkable ability to find beauty in both grand landscapes and simple everyday moments.

Ron was also a talented gardener and landscaper whose greatest creation was the home and garden he lovingly cultivated in Eureka. For more than twenty years, he poured his heart, creativity and countless hours into transforming the property into a place of beauty and peace. It was more than a project — it was an expression of who he was.

Ron proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After returning home, he dedicated 34 years to Safeway while also pursuing his passion for photography. He earned an Associate degree in Photography and spent many weekends creating lasting memories for others as a wedding photographer.

Above all, Ron will be remembered for the love he gave and the joy he brought to those around him. He shared 21 wonderful years with his beloved partner, Ruth Dullanty. Together they traveled, explored, laughed, and built a life rich with friendship, companionship, and adventure. Their bond was one of deep love and devotion.

Ron is survived by Ruth; his former wife, Beverly Bingham; his daughters, Lisa, Mandie, and Holly; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; his sisters, Joan and Annette; and his brother, Mike. He also leaves behind many extended family members, friends, neighbors and loved ones whose lives were enriched by knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Sarah Buckland.

For Ruth, the loss is immeasurable. “Ron was my sweetheart, my best friend, and my traveling partner,” she said. “He brought so much love, laughter, and adventure into my life. He will always be with me, in my heart and in the memories we created together.”

Though Ron’s journey has ended, the love he shared, the beauty he created, and the memories he leaves behind will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

A celebration of life will be held at Ron and Ruth’s home on June 19, 2026, at 4 p.m. Family and friends are invited to gather, share memories, and honor a man who was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

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

The first election night report rolled in a few minutes ago, and while the majority of votes have yet to be counted, we find no big surprises in this initial sampling.

Mary Burke leads opponent Evan Schwartz in the race to succeed Fifth District Humboldt County Supervisor Steve Madrone with nearly 75% of the early returns to Schwartz’s 25%.

The only other contested race at the county level is for the job of assessor, where Audrey Hanks, the current deputy assessor-valuation, leads opponent Ben Larson by an even larger margin: 79.5% to 20.5%.

Every other county office-holder up for re-election is running uncontested, so the Outpost offers its preemptory congratulations to Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo, Auditor-Controller Mychal Evenson, Clerk, Recorder and Registrar of Voters Juan Pablo Cervantes, Treasurer-Tax Collector Amy Christensen and Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes.

The results of the statewide races won’t be known for some time yet, as our friends at CalMatters explained earlier today. Humboldt’s early returns favor Democrat Tom Steyer for governor (28%), followed by Republican Steve Hilton (24%) and Democrat Xavier Becerra (19%) in a crowded field. 

You can click here to download the pdf and peruse the rest of the first report.