Steven Olan Sexton Jr, age 40 — born July 31, 1982, in Mesa, Arizona — passed away April 19, 2023, in Arcata. He was a resident of Hoopa at the time of his death.
Steven loved the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, and eeling were his passions, as well as being a loving father. His children were his pride and joy. He loved his whole family with all of his heart. Steven was an excellent craftsman and could turn something out of nothing. He also had a sense of humor and could always make you laugh in his own goofy way. He could always put a smile on your face. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do and he was always up for an adventure.
Steven is preceded in death by his mother, Donna. Surviving family members include the mother of his children, Rachelle; his beloved children Nicholas, Roxanna, and Steven III; father, Steven Sr.; sister, Felicia Walker; brother, Nicholas Sexton; grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and so many more that loved him.
He will be greatly missed by all. Stevie, we will love you always and forever.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Steve Sexton’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
HUMBOLDT TODAY: The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has weighed in on the impartiality of local elections; meanwhile, former Humboldt diner Mike Lindell’s election opinions have cost him a large chunk of change; plus, your weekend weather, happenings and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
Loren in the hospital after sustaining multiple lacerations | Images provided by Fern Fernandez.
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For single mother Fern Fernandez, sitting in the hospital waiting to hear the status of her 16-year-old son, who had just suffered multiple stab wounds, was the scariest moment of her life.
“When the surgeon came out of surgery, it all just went in slow motion,” Ferndandez told the Outpost in a phone interview Thursday. “When he finally said ‘he’s alive’ I was just so relieved.”
It was the middle of the night on Jan. 28 when Fernandez got a call informing her that her son, Loren, had been hurt and was being transported to Mad River Hospital. Loren and his friend – also 16 – had just been stabbed outside the Arcata Theater Lounge, after leaving a concert. Both Loren and his friend suffered multiple lacerations, and his friend had a broken jaw. Loren’s temporal artery had also been severed and he had lost a lot of blood already by the time he arrived at Mad River. After undergoing emergency surgery and receiving 22 staples in his head, Loren spent the night in intensive care before being released.
A couple of days later Arcata police arrested a suspect – 20-year-old Gage James Sand – under charges for assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, inflicting injury on a child and committing a felony while out on bail. Sand was on bail for allegedly shooting a 51-year-old man in Indianola. According to APD, another suspect who was wanted for aggravated battery is still at large.
Not too much additional information could be provided by APD, since the case has now been handed over to the District Attorney, who will decide which of the requested charges to pursue. Lieutenant Todd Dokweiler, investigations commander for APD, told the Outpost that the department is still waiting for a notification from the DA’s office on the case.
As for the victims, Fernandez said that their physical wounds are mostly healing up well (she and her son are in regular contact with the other victim and his family), but that there is still a long path of recovery ahead. Loren has since had his staples removed and his lacerations have healed, but he suffered some nerve damage that has resulted in partial paralysis in his face. He also suffers from migraines now, Fernandez said.
Another issue came up about three weeks ago, when suddenly Loren began having severe tremors that caused trips to the emergency room. When she took Loren to see his regular doctor, the issue was diagnosed as a symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Loren’s doctor prescribed medication, which does seem to help.
Fernandez said she’s also working on getting Loren into therapy for his PTSD, which has proven to be difficult because most local therapists are not taking new patients.
Dealing with the aftermath of Loren’s injuries has practically been consuming Fernandez’s life over the last few months. In addition to attending regular follow-up visits and searching for a therapist, Fernandez has to take her son to Redding to visit a neurologist for the migraines and they will soon be seeing a plastic surgeon to address the nerve damage in Loren’s face. During all this, Loren works a part time job at the Salvation Army to pay the bills.
Loren received 22 staples in his head | Below: Loren after a few of the staples had been removed
By February Loren had already returned to high school, where he was trying his best to continue his education. Loren was most passionate about his welding class, Fernandez said, and had planned to pursue welding as a career. But since his injuries, Loren can’t wear his welding mask without it causing pain to his scars and triggering his migraines. His pain and tremors also make it difficult for Loren to sleep and trying to keep going to school became too difficult for him, Fernandez said. Loren is now staying home and will be finishing his school year through independent study.
As a single parent working part time, Fernandez doesn’t exactly have a lot of extra income. MediCal has covered most of the cost of her son’s care, so the family is luckily not swimming in medical debt, Fernandez said. But she is concerned for her son’s future, especially since he now needs to find a different passion to pursue outside of welding.
To help with the financial burden of Loren’s future, Fernandez has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser for her son, which, as of this writing, has already received $2,097 in donations. As Loren reaches adulthood, Fernandez worries that it might be difficult for him to work and she hopes that raising a little funding can help him pursue an education of his choice without having to worry about having a job at the same time. Fernandez realizes that her son has a long physical, mental and emotional recovery ahead and wants to be sure he has all the help he needs.
“I’ve seen the results of a lifetime of trauma and PTSD and it’s not pretty,” Fernandez said. “So I appreciate anyone who donates, because he is going to have to deal with this for the rest of his life.”
Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:
On April 20th, 2023, Humboldt County Drug Task Force Agents with assistance from the Fortuna Police
Department, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department, served
six search warrants throughout Willow Creek and the Hoopa Valley.
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Goodrich.
The first search warrant was served in the 700 block of Sunset Lane in Willow Creek. As
a result of the search warrant, Casey Caldwell GOODRICH was located along with
approximately one gram of fentanyl and four firearms. GOODRICH was booked at the
Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:
HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
HS11366, Maintaining a Drug House
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McKinnon.
The second search warrant was served at a residence on Masten Flat in Hoopa. Agents
located Erik Merlin MCKINNON as well as a firearm, ammunition, and approximately one
ounce of heroin. MCKINNON was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility
on the following charges:
HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
PC29800(A), Felon in Possession of a Firearm
PC30305(A), Felon in Possession of Ammunition
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The third search warrant was served at a residence in Hostler Field Housing in Hoopa.
Agents located Velda MCKINNON along with two children inside the residence. Also
located was a firearm and approximately a gram of Fentanyl. The following charges will
be forwarded to the DA’s Office for Velda MCKINNON:
HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
HS11366, Maintaining a Drug House
PC273A(A), Child Endangerment
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A fourth search warrant was served at a residence on Moon Lane where Agents located
one ounce of heroin. No suspects were at the residence at the time of the warrant but charges will be
forwarded to the DA’s office.
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A fifth search warrant was served at a residence on Community Service Road in Hoopa
where Agents located approximately a pound of methamphetamine, digital scales,
packaging, and eight firearms. Virgil Joseph POLE Sr was located at the residence and
booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:
HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
HS11378, Possession of a Controlled Substance
HS11366, Maintaining a Drug House
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Blake.
A final search warrant was served on Airport Road in Hoopa where Agents located
Alecia BLAKE. BLAKE obstructed Agents from properly serving the search warrant.
BLAKE was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following
charge:
PC148(A), Obstructing a Peace Officer
Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes is encouraged to
call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.
On the afternoon of Thursday, April 20, 2023, the CHP Humboldt Area office responded to a fatal traffic crash on SR-299, west of Lord Ellis Summit, that resulted in the tragic death of two occupants.
A preliminary investigation revealed that at 12:39 PM, Derek Clayton McIntosh of Kneeland was driving a white Ford F-550 Ford service truck westbound on SR-299, west of Lord Ellis Summit. A 21-year-old female from McKinleyville was driving a gray Hyundai Tucson eastbound on SR-299 towards Lord Ellis Summit.
The Ford and the Hyundai collided head-on, causing the Hyundai to then collide into an eastbound 2020 Kenworth semi-truck trailer driven by Ryan James Noland of Shasta Lake. The Ford and the Hyundai came to rest blocking SR-299.
The female driver of the Hyundai and her passenger, a 30-year-old female from McKinleyville, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and the driver of the Kenworth was uninjured.
The CHP Humboldt Area office is investigating this traffic crash. DUI is not believed to be a factor, and all occupants were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. SR-299 at the crash scene was closed for two hours while the scene was investigated.
Thank you to the many agencies who assisted with this incident including Caltrans, Blue Lake Fire Department, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, and the Yurok Tribal Police Department.
The names of the deceased are being withheld at this time and may be released at a later date in an updated press release.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of these two young lives lost as a result of this tragic incident.
Press release from the Humboldt County Grand Jury:
The
2022-23Humboldt County Civil
Grand Jury) Grand Jury has
just released its first report of the year entitled Humboldt
County Elections Integrity — It’s Okay to Vote!.
The
Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury directed one of its investigations
into the voting procedures and the counting of those votes for the
November 08, 2022 General Election. The current national political
climate has prompted people to question the integrity and accuracy of
even our local elections. The recent election provided the Grand Jury
with an instructive opportunity to closely observe the process of
voting and vote counting in Humboldt County with particular attention
to election integrity and vote security.
The
Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury believes that having the ability to
vote for government officials and laws, through an election process,
is one of the greatest rights we have as American citizens. It allows
us as people in our communities to determine who represents and
governs us. Maintaining the integrity of the elections process, voter
registration, ballot accessibility, polling locations and vote
counting is essential to making us all a part of the democratic
process.
The
Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury did an extensive study of the voting
processes. We observed the pre-election testing of election
equipment, training of poll workers and the initial processing of
vote by mail ballots interviewing many of the personnel in charge. On
Election Day, we watched the opening and closing of the polls and the
first tabulation of votes at the Elections Office. In the end, we
witnessed the final certification of the voting results.
The
Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury found that The Humboldt County
Elections Office provides its citizens with a fair and impartial
election accessible to all eligible voters. Our investigation began
weeks before the November 2022 election. We wanted to observe voting
by mail and how computer software maintained a fair and impartial
voting system. We can confirm that county employees, volunteer
citizen poll workers and independent monitors did a professional job.
We did find some minor areas that could use improvement and the
attention of the Elections Office and make recommendations that, if
followed, will lead to an even better work environment.
It’s that time of year again! Northcoast Children’s Services programs all around the county are painting up rocks all pretty and hiding them out in the world for you to find … because why?
Because it’s fun! Because it’s spring! And maybe also, a little bit, because they’d like you to be aware of their program, and of little kiddos in general.
The Outpost’s Stephanie McGeary wrote about last year’s rock hunt at this link, and took some pictures of the rocks too. This year, NCS’ Christy Synder joins our John Kennedy O’Connor to tell us about all things rock hunt in her own voice. Video above, transcript below.
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JOHN KENNEDY O’CONNOR:
Well, welcome to another Humboldt Conversation. I’m really pleased to say today we’re here with Christy Snyder, who’s the group manager with Northcoast Children’s Services. Christy, welcome to Humboldt Conversations.
CHRISTY SNYDER:
Thank you. I’m so happy to be here.
O’CONNOR:
Lovely to meet you. Now, you’ve got a really exciting event coming up, tell us a bit about this.
SNYDER:
You know, we are always looking for exciting ways to recruit for our programs, which are preschool programs and home base, zero to five. And we last year started rock painting. I have a rock. So we paint these rocks and we place them in all the communities in Humboldt and Del Norte County. And then we want families to find the rocks, anyone to find the rocks. Call us — and on the back will be our phone number, so that you’ll be able to call us — and we’ll put you in a drawing for a gas card, a $50 gas card, which isn’t much this day and age. And that won’t go far, but it’s a little bit.
O’CONNOR:
It goes quite a long way actually, 50 bucks is a full tank. Almost. So we’re here in Arcata, this is obviously where the main office is, but these are going to be everywhere in Humboldt.
SNYDER:
Yes, we have sites in Garberville, Rio Dell, Willow Creek, Orleans, Eureka, McKinleyville, Arcata. So they’ll be all out there. So look for them in your daily walks or when you’re out and about. Give us a call. It was so fun to talk to the people who found these last year. And I don’t know if anybody, if you’ve looked for rocks, it’s really fun when you find them. And so we wanted to build into that.
O’CONNOR:
Very beautiful. Now, who actually makes the rocks themselves and who does the painting?
SNYDER:
Every site has instructions to do some rocks with their staff. Some sites are doing it with the kids. Sonoma, our Head Start Sonoma site, always does it with the kids and then goes out and puts the rocks out in Eureka and Sonoma Streets, California, Wabash, around their center. And those are kid-drawn rocks, but both staff and children in the schools do them.
O’CONNOR:
Yeah, I mean that’s a particularly beautiful one. How many are going to be out there that people are going to be looking for?
SNYDER:
Gosh, math. I would say we have about 19 or 20 centers participating and I would say each center, it’s about three to eight rocks. So each town could potentially have 10 rocks. A lot.
O’CONNOR:
It’s going to be exciting. Yes. And as you say, just one gift card at the end.
SNYDER:
One gift card, who knows, maybe I’ll have enough in my budget and do two. But it is the exciting part, is doing that raffle and giving out that gift card.
O’CONNOR:
Well, we’ll look forward to it and it’s a very exciting thing and when people find the way to contact us…
SNYDER:
Yeah, I haven’t put the stickers, but we did purchase some waterproof stickers, so it should be okay to put on the back of the road.
O’CONNOR:
Okay, well it’s going to be exciting to find one. I shall be out there looking myself. You should. We’ll look forward to starting the search. Thank you. Christy, great to meet you and thank you for joining us for another Humboldt Conversation. We’ll see you soon.
