Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On May 4, 2026, officers with the Eureka Police Department (EPD) were conducting proactive enforcement as part of a Department of Justice (DOJ) Tobacco Grant operation in the area of Fourth and J Streets. This effort was conducted in collaboration with Operation Gateway 101, a proactive initiative focused on improving traffic safety and quality of life along the U.S. Highway 101 corridor.

At approximately 7:30 p.m., EPD’s School Resource Officer (SRO) and Mental Health (MIST) officer observed a hand-to-hand narcotics transaction between the driver of a silver Mercedes-Benz and a pedestrian near a gas station in the 1100 block of Fourth Street.

The driver, identified as 59-year-old Clayton Winfrey of Eureka, attempted to leave the area but was stopped for an additional traffic violation. Upon contact, officers observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle. Winfrey then fled westbound on Fourth Street toward Broadway. Officers initiated a pursuit but briefly lost sight of the vehicle as it turned onto Broadway.

Shortly thereafter, an EPD K9 officer located the vehicle traveling southbound near Railroad Avenue. The vehicle stopped near the intersection of Del Norte Street and Railroad Avenue, and Winfrey fled on foot into nearby brush, where he was seen discarding items. The K9 unit was deployed, and officers pursued on foot. With a coordinated response from multiple officers, Winfrey surrendered before the K9 was used for apprehension.

Officers recovered cash and a significant quantity of narcotics that Winfrey had discarded in the brush. In total, approximately 38.25 grams of methamphetamine and 14.48 grams of fentanyl were seized.

Winfrey was taken into custody and booked on felony charges, including evading a peace officer, possession of narcotics for sale, transportation of a controlled substance for sale, and possession of a controlled substance. This arrest highlights the intent and effectiveness of coordinated enforcement efforts and specialized units working together to improve the overall quality of life within the community. EPD remains committed to addressing quality of life and traffic related safety issues through proactive policing and targeted operations.

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• Sheriff’s Office Announces ‘Saturation Patrols’ in the Hoopa Area, Highlights Some Arrests Made to Date

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 4, 2026, at approximately 6:50 p.m., deputies conducting saturation patrol operations in the Hoopa area arrested 32-year-old Orico Bailey at Lucky Bear Casino on an outstanding felony bench warrant. During the contact, Bailey was also found to be in possession of a controlled substance and was confirmed to be on probation.

At approximately 6:55 p.m., deputies contacted 30-year-old Miranda Moering across the street from the casino, who was found to have two out-of-county warrants. Moering was taken into custody without incident. Both individuals were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges:

• Orico Bailey: PC 978.5 Bench Warrant/Failure to Appear on Felony Charge, HS 11377(a) Possession of a Controlled Substance, PC 1203.2(a) Probation Violation
• Miranda Moering: PC 978.5 Bench Warrant/Failure to Appear on Felony Charge, PC 978.5 Bench Warrant/Failure to Appear on Misdemeanor Charge

At approximately 9:57 p.m., additional deputies assigned to the Hoopa saturation patrol were driving in the 12700 block of State Highway 96 when they observed a vehicle with a mechanical violation. They initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle in the 400 block of Tish Tang Road. Deputies were advised that the vehicle was an unreported-stolen vehicle and that another deputy was in the process of taking the stolen vehicle report. The vehicle failed to yield to the vehicle’s emergency lights and siren, resulting in a brief vehicle pursuit. The vehicle eventually came to a stop, and deputies identified the driver as 23-year-old Ruben Williams.

During the investigation, deputies detected the odor of alcohol emanating from Williams and requested assistance from the California Highway Patrol to conduct a driving under the influence (DUI) evaluation. Based on the CHP’s evaluation, their preliminary investigation, and statements, deputies arrested Williams.

Also present in the vehicle were a 15-year-old male juvenile and a 21-year-old male passenger. The juvenile was released into the custody of the 21-year-old passenger, who was determined to be his brother.

Williams was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges:

• VC 10851 Take Vehicle w/o Owner’s Consent/Vehicle Theft
• VC 23152(a) DUI
• VC 23152(b) DUI Alcohol / 0.08 Percent or More
• VC 2800.1 Evading Peace Officer
• PC 273A(b) Child Abuse without GBI
• VC 12500(a) Drive w/o License

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to proactive patrol operations within the Hoopa area. These efforts are strategic and directly address community concerns regarding ongoing criminal activity impacting the Hoopa Valley. We will continue to strengthen and support our partnership with the Hoopa Tribal Community as we work collaboratively to enhance public safety and protect residents throughout the valley.

Anyone with information about these cases 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.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• CHARBURGER INCOMING! Habit Burger to Set Up Shop at the Old Sizzler Location in Eureka
• Long-Delayed Habit Burger Is, In Fact, Still Coming to Eureka, as Is a LOCAL Smashburger Joint

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The Eureka branch of Habit Burger was announced two and a half years ago, underwent a quick spurt of construction, sat there for a long time doing nothing, and then was finally finished. People stopped believing in it. 

But here it is.

Press release from Habit Burger

Habit, the California-based restaurant company renowned for its award-winning Charburgers grilled over an open flame, signature sandwiches, fresh salads, and more, announces today the launch of their latest Northern California drive-thru restaurant opening in Eureka, California. The new restaurant’s address is 1917 5th St., Eureka, CA 95501. Their famous “Habit Hospitality” will be served to the public starting Wednesday, May 13, 2026.

In honor of their grand opening, Habit will host exclusive pre-opening VIP events for their MyHabit and mobile app members. Guests can receive an invite to this exclusive sneak peek by signing up at https://order.habitburger.com/.

VIP Event Details:

Free Charburger Day (Saturday, May 9): The first 200 guests at 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. will receive a free freshly made Charburger, fries, and drink. Must be a MyHabit member and present VIP invitation.

Free Habit Day (Monday, May 11): The first 200 guests at 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. will receive a free chargrilled meal from one of our pre-set menus. Must be a MyHabit member and present VIP invitation.

Free Habit Day (Tuesday, May 12): The first 200 guests at 11:30 a.m. Must be a MyHabit member and present VIP invitation.

“We couldn’t be more fired up to open Habit in the gorgeous city of Eureka,” said Chef Jason Triail, Executive Chef at Habit. “We love the strong sense of community, the beautiful hiking trails, and all the amazing and historic landmarks. Can’t wait to fire up the grill and serve our charburgers, sandwiches stacked high, and those craveable sides our fans keep coming back for.”

The new Eureka restaurant will offer dine-in, drive-thru, and takeout services; delivery will be available via the Habit Mobile App and online at order.habitburger.com. Guests also have additional convenient ordering options, including state-of-the-art indoor self-serve kiosks and delivery through Grubhub, DoorDash, Postmates, and Uber Eats.

Habit was named in Thrillist’s list of “Underrated Burger Chains that Need to be in Every State!” With its cooked-to-order mantra, Habit’s open flame sears a distinctive smoky flavor into their famous Charburgers, fresh marinated chicken, and sushi-grade ahi tuna. Guests at Habit can always count on freshly-made, handcrafted quality served up with genuine hospitality.

Dining Room Hours: Sun - Thu 10:00-10:00.  F & Sat 10:00-11:00

Connect with Habit: Social media at FB, IG, TikTok, and LinkedIn

About The Habit Restaurants, Inc. Born in sunny Southern California in 1969, Habit Burger & Grill quickly gained a devoted following for its Charburgers, cooked to order over an open flame. Since then, the menu has grown far beyond burgers, offering a fresh take on Californian-inspired flavors. Guests can choose from a meaningful selection of handcrafted sandwiches, crisp salad bowls topped with hot, chargrilled chicken, and creamy handspun shakes, all made fresh and cooked to order.

Habit has earned notable recognition over the years, including its Double Char being ranked #1 twice by USA Today 10Best*, its Tempura Green Beans named the #1 side twice by USA Today 10Best, and the brand itself recognized as the #1 Fast Casual Restaurant by USA Today 10Best. Its Chicken Club was also named the best grilled chicken sandwich by The Daily Meal. In addition, Habit Burger & Grill was featured in Newsweek’s America’s Favorite Restaurant Chains 2023 and included in Thrillist’s roundup of Underrated Burger Chains That Need to Be in Every State.

Today, Habit has grown to nearly 400 restaurants across 15 states, along with 14 food trucks, continuing to serve bold, fresh flavors made to order. Learn more at www.habitburger.com.

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

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On an early spring evening in Glendale, a 37-year-old woman is withdrawn and weak from refusing food and water for several days. Her mother calls for help. She tells a crisis counselor her daughter has been hearing voices, and has expressed needing to “kill” those voices. She will not go to a doctor.

That’s when James Gonzalez and Katerina Cabello pull up. They’re in casual clothes – khakis and jeans, paired with sweatshirts. They sound no sirens in an unmarked white minivan.

Gonzalez and Cabello are one of 75 mobile crisis response teams Los Angeles County runs around the clock. Licensed and trained as first responders for behavioral health crises, these teams of two respond – in person, with backpacks and clipboards – to calls from 988, the crisis lifeline, or the county’s mental health helpline. Gonzalez and Cabello work for Sycamores, a nonprofit agency that contracts with the county.

Across California, demand for these teams – an alternative to badges and sirens for people in their darkest moments – is surging. But just as they’re proving their worth, federal funding that supercharged their growth is set to end. Lacking that boost, Gov. Gavin Newsom’s budget blueprint proposes changing the service from a required benefit to an optional one, meaning the state does not have to cover the funding gap.

Counties that choose to keep this service will have to pay for it themselves at a price tag of $150 million to $200 million a year. Where counties cannot afford it, crisis teams could decrease or disappear entirely, if the Legislature approves the governor’s budget proposal.

A boost in mobile crisis services

Convincing a person in crisis to accept help is a skill. You have minutes, sometimes less, to earn trust.

When Gonzalez walks into the living room of a client in crisis, he’ll quickly scan the room, looking for family photos, religious artifacts, trophies, anything that can help him connect. He has seen people in various stages of vulnerability: a woman who feels the world on her shoulders after leaving an abusive relationship; a teenage boy feeling so much anger he attacks his father.

Knowing when to be gentle and when to be stern is a skill, too. After more than an hour in Glendale, Gonzalez and Cabello got their client to drink some water and convinced her to go to a nearby hospital for IV fluids – once there she finally agreed to a psychiatric evaluation.

“Mental health can be kind of cruel,” Gonzalez said. “I’ve dealt with it as a parent. I don’t want our consumers to feel that. I want them to feel like we actually did something for them.”

Two days later, he and Cabello followed up on the Glendale call. The adult daughter did not meet the criteria to be placed on a psychiatric hold, but after the team shared treatment options and resources, the mother reported that she was eating and doing better.

From left, peer support specialist Katerina Cabello and clinician James Gonzalez with Sycamores’ mobile crisis outreach team in Altadena on April 27, 2026. Photo by Jules Hotz for CatchLight/CalMatters

When in-person help is necessary, teams meet people where they are – homes, schools, and workplaces – and serve everyone regardless of income or insurance status. Though the program started as a Medi-Cal benefit for low-income residents, teams also respond to the uninsured and those with private insurance – counties can bill private insurers for behavioral health emergencies.

In 2023, California made mobile crisis response a statewide benefit when a federal law offered a financial incentive to do so: the federal government would temporarily cover 85% of the costs, up from the usual 50%. At the time, people with mental health and substance use disorder made up one-fifth of all emergency department visits in California – a pressure point the state said mobile behavioral health teams could help address.

Mental health advocates and counties knew the extra federal money was temporary. What caught them off guard is what came next: Rather than cover the gap when the enhanced rate fell, the state plans to make the service optional, funding it only through March 2027 before shifting the burden to counties. “It did come as a surprise to us that this program was on the chopping block given kind of unanimous support,” said Tara Gamboa-Eastman, director of Government Affairs at the Steinberg Institute.

First: From left, Katerina Cabello and James Gonzalez review the details of a call from the Los Angeles County dispatch in Altadena on April 27, 2026. The pair review the information, begin paperwork and confirm whether a crisis response is needed. Last: Gonzalez and Cabello drive towards the location of a crisis call in the Los Angeles area on April 27, 2026. This particular call is approximately a 30-minute drive, but the team can get sent anywhere in the Los Angeles County area. Photo by Jules Hotz for CatchLight/CalMatters

State officials say the timing is unavoidable. The expiration of the enhanced federal match coincides with a projected state budget shortfall of nearly $3 billion for the upcoming fiscal year, and $22 billion the following year.

“The Administration has proposed redesigning this as an optional benefit, to be offered at counties’ discretion, as the most sustainable path for the program going forward,” said H.D. Palmer, spokesman for the California Department of Finance.

State lawmakers who support preserving this service challenged the department in a recent hearing. “We’ve invested so much money into creating and uplifting an infrastructure to not fully continue with it,” Sen. Caroline Menjivar, a San Fernando Democrat said. “Is that a waste of our money?”

Counties weighing options

In San Joaquin County, when a young woman was in mental distress because she couldn’t afford her rent, the local crisis team visited her multiple times to stabilize her. They also helped her find affordable housing. “No other team can be as persistent as a mobile crisis team,” said Fay Vieira, San Joaquin County’s behavioral health services director.

The funding changes could force San Joaquin to revert to fewer teams available only from 8 a.m to 5 p.m. Her biggest concern is losing credibility with a community the county has spent the last two years courting.

“We made vehicle purchases and put money into advertising,” Vieira said. “You can tell from our referral numbers that people are using this.” Crisis calls in the county have increased 15% this year compared to last, she said.

In Monterey County, the story is similar. The county started limited mobile crisis services in 2015 but struggled to grow them until the federal boost. “We had been trying to look at expanding for years because we saw the value,” said Melanie Rhodes, the county’s behavioral health director. “We saw the people we were helping.” Without continued funding, she said, the county could be forced to scale back.

Rural San Benito County rolled out its mobile crisis program just last year – it took officials there months to find an outside provider who could come in and offer the service. The program there is just starting to gain steam.

“We know that we cannot afford it without the federal dollars,” said Rachel White, San Benito County’s behavioral health director.

The pressure is hitting counties that are already absorbing other rising healthcare costs. Starting in July, counties will have to direct a third of their mental health budget toward housing chronically homeless people. In the coming year, they will also have to restart health programs for people who will lose their Medi-Cal coverage under rules related to the federal spending law President Trump signed in 2025.

Even for the state’s biggest county this is a pinch. Since the state mandate took effect just over two years ago, Los Angeles County has doubled its mobile crisis teams.

Officials at the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health said they do not know yet if they’ll have to make cuts, but having to absorb the additional costs will stifle their plans to expand and better meet demand.

“It’s definitely going to hurt,” said Reuben Wilson, head of alternative crisis response at Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. “We’ve been trying to reduce our response time so we can get there quicker; law enforcement becomes more and more reliant on us. We’re really in a growth period, and it seems really premature to be pulling the support.”

A promising alternative for help

National research has shown that behavioral health professionals responding without police – like county crisis teams – do a better job than law enforcement of keeping people out of emergency rooms and connecting them to mental health care.

“Involving clinical teams in the community can prevent expensive emergency department care and get people connected to mental healthcare after the crisis incident is resolved,” one small-scale study of crisis response teams in Michigan found. A separate California analysis found that alternative crisis response programs reduced the number of unnecessary psychiatric holds.

A bulletin board with staff photos hangs in the office of Sycamores’ mobile crisis outreach team in Altadena on April 27, 2026. Photo by Jules Hotz for CatchLight/CalMatters

California’s own data is incomplete. Since January 2024 the Department of Health Care Services has approved more than 73,000 claims for in-person mobile crisis encounters through Medi-Cal alone – and because of typical claims lag, actual use is likely higher. Counties collect volume and some demographics data, but no statewide analysis of outcomes exists. That won’t be possible until the state begins collecting results data, something expected to start later this year.

As counties await the Governor’s final budget, the calls keep coming in.

Gonzalez and Cabello had not heard of the proposed funding change. They’re not sure what it would mean for Sycamores, or teams like theirs. What they do know is that people are hurting.

At one recent call, Gonzalez and Cabello found a dad and uncle restraining a 19-year-old man who had been experiencing outbursts of rage. Police responded first, but couldn’t resolve it. The situation called for help like Gonzalez and Cabello. They talked the young man down.

“Dad called and thanked us,” Gonzalez said. “He said no one has been able to help him like that.”

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Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.

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

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State Farm could face millions of dollars in penalties and a possible temporary suspension of its license in California as a result of hundreds of alleged law violations related to its handling of claims from the Los Angeles County fires last year.

California’s largest individual property insurance provider “showed a troubling pattern of claims handling practices” after the fires, the state’s Insurance Department said Monday. The department is seeking a hearing into the matter, which comes after an investigation it opened into State Farm’s conduct last June.

“Our investigation found that State Farm delayed, underpaid, and buried policyholders in red tape at the worst moment of their lives,” said Ricardo Lara, the state’s insurance commissioner, in a statement.

State Farm did not immediately respond to CalMatters’ questions about the department’s legal action.

If an administrative law judge finds that the 430 claims have merit, each violation is subject to up to a $5,000 penalty. Willful violations of the law are subject to penalties of up to $10,000 each. That means the company could owe up to $4.3 million. Insurers have paid billions of dollars in claims from the deadly L.A.-area fires, with State Farm saying it has paid more than $5.7 billion so far.

The insurance department opened an investigation into State Farm, which insures about a fifth of California property owners, last year after complaints from fire survivors about the company delaying and denying claims.

The investigation, involving 220 claims related to the fires, found violations in 52% of them, according to the accusation filed by the department Monday. They included slow and inadequate claims investigations, underpayment, multiple claims adjusters assigned and delayed communication with policyholders. In some cases, the department asked State Farm to reopen claims and correct its violations, according to the accusation.

After a hearing, which has yet to be scheduled, any ruling by the administrative law judge will be reviewed by the commissioner. The commissioner will impose penalties and decide on whether to suspend for one year the company’s certificate of authority, which is what gives it the right to sell insurance in the state.

It’s unclear what would happen to State Farm’s customers if the company were to be suspended for a year, said Michael Soller, spokesperson for the insurance department, which has been trying to ensure that insurance companies continue to offer insurance coverage in California.

“Between the scope of the fires and the scope of this company, we’re in pretty unprecedented territory,” Soller said.

Jean Elaine George passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, May 1, 2026, surrounded in her final days by the love, laughter, and cherished memories of her family and friends.

Born in Liverpool, England, Jean began her journey with a spirit of resilience and adventure. At the age of six, she immigrated to the United States, where she would go on to build a full and meaningful life rooted in family, connection, and care for others.

Jean met the love of her life, Lonzo, while he was serving in the United States Air Force. Together, they embarked on a life of travel and shared experiences, exploring the world side by side before ultimately settling in Hydesville in 1979. There, they planted lasting roots and created a home filled with warmth, hospitality and enduring love.

She is survived by her beloved children: daughters Christina and Denise, and her twin sons, Alonzo and William as well as her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, all of whom were a constant source of pride and joy in her life . Her legacy lives on through them and through the countless lives she touched with her kindness, strength and unwavering devotion to her family.

Jean will be remembered for her spirit, her deep love for those around her, and the joy she found in life’s simple, meaningful moments. Her memory will continue to be a source of strength and inspiration.

No celebrations or services will be held per her final wishes. She will be deeply missed and forever loved.

PREVIOUSLY

• Faced with Painful Budget Cuts, Fortuna Debates Selling the River Lodge and Closing the Depot Museum

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Fortuna’s Depot Museum may yet live on.

The city of Fortuna has been forced to deal with an unforgiving, slim budget this year, and figuring out ways to compensate hasn’t been easy. Selling the River Lodge was on the table, as was closing Fortuna’s Depot Museum for a large chunk of the year. Currently open year-round, it costs about $30,000 annually to run. Most of that goes towards a part-time curator position. At a budget meeting last week, the finance department suggested closing it from October to April every year, or even shutting it down altogether. 

An alternative solution — converting the museum into a nonprofit organization and funding it through donations and memberships — is in the works. Fortuna’s city council will decide at a meeting tonight if they’re going to make the change. 

Here’s how it would work, according to the staff report: “interested community members” would create a 501(c)(3) organization, and the city would transfer ownership of the museum’s collection. Then, Fortuna would lease the building to the new nonprofit, and they’d be in charge of running it and keeping it funded. The museum would run on $22,000 of accumulated donations during the transition. There’s no word yet on who those community members would be, or who would be in charge of staffing the museum.

The move was inspired by Ferndale’s museum, which is also a publicly funded nonprofit. In 2024, it earned more than $50,000 in donations.

It’s probably not a perfect solution, the museum’s curator, Alexandra Service, told the Outpost today. If it became a private organization, the public wouldn’t have any control or oversight into its operations. The city also made a commitment to the people who donated artifacts, Service said, that they would preserve them and keep them safe; giving them to a new entity might leave it unfulfilled. Service suggested that an organization dedicated to fundraising be created to bolster the museum instead. The city would continue to operate it, but the funding would still be community-generated.

It fills an important purpose in Fortuna’s civic fabric, Service said. Since it opened in 1976 (part of the nationwide bicentennial celebrations), Fortunans have woven it into their lives. One grandmother, who has been coming to the museum since she was a kid, brings her grandchildren in; kids come in after school, or even sometimes drag their parents in. It seems particularly ironic that the city has to consider shutting it down 50 years after it opened, right before the country is to celebrate its 250th anniversary. 

“It has, I think, a deep, personal connection to a great many people in this community, and it would be a great loss if it were not available for people to continue those connections,” Service said. “…You don’t want to have to deal with losing a job. But, I think the idea of what the community would lose with the museum being gone is a lot bigger, and a lot more important.”

The budget meeting will be held at 4:30 this afternoon in the council chambers at 621 11th Street.