Dr. Lois Anne Cook (née Simmons), age 76, passed away on November 3, 2025, in Eureka, California. Born on October 22, 1949, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lois lived a life defined by service, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to healing.

Lois pursued her medical education at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and completed her residency in pediatrics at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Her commitment to public health led her to serve as a Fellow in the Epidemic Intelligence Service at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control from 1985 to 1987, where she focused on the epidemiology of birth defects and developmental disabilities.

Her career was marked by a deep devotion to children and families. From June 1988 to June 1999, she served as a developmental pediatrician and multidisciplinary team leader for the United States Department of Defense’s Exceptional Family Member Program. In this role, she worked tirelessly to ensure that military families with special needs children received the support and care they deserved.

In June 2001, Lois founded Comprehensive Pediatric Care, P.C., where she served as owner and pediatrician until May 2013. Her practice was not just a place of medicine but a sanctuary of hope for countless families. She later continued her work as a developmental pediatrician at Open Door Clinic from June 2013 to July 2014 and then as a pediatric hospitalist at Mad River Community Hospital beginning in October 2015.

Lois also gave generously of her time as a mentor with the Meritius Foundation, helping guide and inspire future generations of caregivers and leaders. Her professional life was a testament to her belief that every child deserved not only medical care but also affirmation, encouragement, and love.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Lois lived with profound spiritual depth. Her spirituality transcended any single tradition — it was an ever-present force in how she moved through life, treated others, and found meaning in both the ordinary and extraordinary. Whether hiking with her beloved dogs Lulu and Muzzy or listening to meditation books through her earbuds, she found peace and purpose in nature and reflection.

Every day, rain or shine, she walked Lulu and Muzzy at the dog park near her home in McKinleyville. During blackberry season, she would return from those walks with bags full of berries she had picked along the way — simple joys that reflected her deep connection to the world around her.

Lois was an avid reader with an extensive library that reflected both her intellectual curiosity and spiritual journey. She inspired countless people to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. Through her example, she showed that anything is possible when guided by love, faith, and determination.

She leaves behind her daughter Jennifer Paris; her sister Jeanne; and brothers Leon, John, Mark, and Joe. She was preceded in death by her daughter Marian Jessica Cook and brother Danny.

Lois’s legacy lives on in the lives of those she touched — patients who felt truly seen and heard under her care; colleagues who were uplifted by her wisdom; family members who were nourished by her love; and friends who were transformed by her presence.

She was truly an instrument of God — relentless in her pursuit of healing, committed wholly to service, and gifted with one of the most compassionate hearts imaginable. She gave selflessly — never hesitating to offer help or comfort — and never stopped searching for answers when it came to those under her care.

May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her and continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps.

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Richard Wilmer McDowell, aged 88 years, passed away peacefully on November 15, 2025.

A Fortuna resident for over 22 years, Richard originally hailed from Marion, Iowa. He and his wife Lee lived and worked in Southern California before moving to Fortuna in retirement.

Richard was a US Navy veteran, a teacher of Spanish and Social Science, an artist, a musician, a doer of good deeds nd a connoisseur of free time.

He was an avid ukelele player and taught ukelele classes at the Fortuna Senior Center. He also emceed the Fortuna Senior Center “Open Mic” events for five years. He was a birder and he and his wife participated in the Blue Bird recovery program in Orange County. As a skilled model boat builder he was recognized and awarded at the Humboldt County Fair.

He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Ligia “Lee” McDowell; his son, Richard E. McDowell and his wife Jessica; daughter Maria “Maggie” Gray; grandson Amir Gholizadeh and his finance, Stephanie Valle and granddaughter, Sarah Reyes; and his sister, Pat Wiedenman of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 

He loved his family, and Fortuna, very much.

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William C. Landergen, Sr. — “Cowboy” — age 86, of Mad River, passed away September 17, 2025 in Eureka following a brief illness. His final days were spent with family and friends.

Bill was born May 31, 1939, the only child of Gene and Nevada Landergen. Honeydew was home, where he spent his time with his many cousins hunting, fishing and discovering his love of cars.

Bill attended local schools, graduating from Fortuna High School in 1956. In 1957 he joined the Navy and returned to Fortuna in 1959 to marry his “Miss Ornery” Marilyn Mastel. Bill and Marilyn were married for 60 years at the time of her passing in August of 2019. They raised their five children in the Humboldt/Trinity County area with Bill working as a truck driver for many years.

Driving for so many years Cowboy made friends from across the country. He would regularly keep in touch and check up on his family and friends, his calls will be missed.

Bill and Marilyn loved dancing, watching their kids compete in various sports and participating in car shows. His 1951 Chevy sedan was a source of pride and working on it a favorite hobby. They loved their car show family.

Bill is survived by his children Robert E. Landergen of Mad River, CA, Robin L. Landergen (Allyson) of Ogden, UT, LaDonna K. Haga (Gary) of Honeydew, CA, Gary F. Landergen of Jackson, CA and his daughter-in-law Mandy Landergen of McKinleyville, CA also his brother-in-law Arthur Mastel (Liz) of Medford, OR, as well as 7 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandson. He will be missed by numerous other family.

Two days of thunder and lightning following his passing was a sign to his family that he had been reunited with those who had passed before him and the party had begun. Welcoming Bill home, his wife Marilyn Landergen, parents Gene and Nevada Landergen, in-laws Robert and Eva Mastel, son William “Cully” Landergen Jr, grandson Gary “Bub” Haga Jr and brother-in-law Robert Mastel.

Please join the family on Sunday, December 7th at 1 p.m. for a Cowboy Celebration at the Fortuna Veterans Building. If you have it, western wear would be appropriate and appreciated. Come prepared to share your best stories about Cowboy. If you’re not comfortable sharing in person, an audio recording on your phone could be shared. A potluck will follow, sandwich fixings will be provided, bring a side dish to share if you are so inclined.

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Jackie Lea Glenn, born October 20, 1931, in Orange County, California, to Hazel Woodring Incho and Jack Incho, passed away peacefully in Eureka on November 6, 2025.

Jackie graduated from Huntington Beach High School and later attended UCLA, where she met Gale Glenn. They married in 1953 and welcomed three children: Cathleen, Cheryl, and Dana. Jackie returned to her education and earned her degree from California State University, Chico in 1975.

A devoted social worker, Jackie touched countless lives through her compassion, advocacy, and commitment to the underprivileged and disadvantaged. Jackie was a member of Gamma Phi Beta at UCLA. She was a past member Quota Club International and was an active member of Chapter WA of the P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Jackie is predeceased by her parents and her brother, Harry Incho. She is survived by her three children: Cathleen Woodward and husband Kevin; Cheri Glenn Anderson and husband Tom; Dana Glenn and her partner of 48 years, Betsy Thode. She is also survived by her grandchildren—Jamie Coppedge, Aaron Coppedge, Casey Bauguess and wife Misty, Kelsey Glenn and fiancé Steven Hartman, Alexandra Anderson, Tierney Anderson, and Calle Anderson—along with five great-grandchildren, her nephew Jonathan Incho and family, and dear friends Lyn Iversen and Christopher Lamoreaux of Fortuna, and Nina and Kent DeSpain of Logan, Utah.

A celebration of Jackie’s life will be held in the spring of 2026.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jackie’s memory to The P.E.O. Sisterhood, the Sequoia Humane Society, or the Humboldt Senior Resource Center Meals on Wheels program.

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A decent splash of rain last night means that the flood-prone places are once again flooded. You know which ones I mean! We’re talking Elk River, we’re taking Freshwater, we’re talking Hookton.

Friends, please don’t try to drive through a river, that was as recently as yesterday a road! You might end up like the pickup above, claimed by the angry, muddy Elk. 

Say the good folks at the Sheriff’s Office:

This driver got stuck on a flooded roadway without cell phone service on Elk River Road earlier today. Thanks to a passerby calling 911, our Swift Water Rescue Technician got them safely to dry land. Remember: Turn around, don’t drown on flooded roadways!

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov.16, 2025, at approximately 12:33 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 7300 block of State Highway 36 in Carlotta for a reported physical assault. While en route, deputies were advised that the suspect had attacked his 70-year-old mother and fled the scene.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the 70-year-old female victim, who reported that her son, 43-year-old Matthew Warren Bowen had physically attacked her. She told deputies that she attempted to lock herself in a bedroom to prevent further assault, but Bowen forced his way inside, struck her multiple times and slammed her into the furniture. The victim sustained minor injuries and did not require immediate medical attention. Deputies contacted the on-call judge, who granted an emergency protective order for the victim.

Deputies searched the surrounding area for Bowen, but he was not located.

At approximately 8:06 a.m., deputies were dispatched back to the residence after a neighbor called the Humboldt County Emergency Communications Center to report that Bowen had returned. Upon arrival, deputies searched the property and eventually located Bowen hiding in a crawlspace underneath the house. He refused multiple commands to exit, and after several hours of negotiations, deputies sought a warrant for his arrest. Once the warrant was obtained, deputies again attempted to get Bowen to surrender, but he continued to refuse. Deputies then deployed less-lethal chemical agents into the crawlspace.

Bowen subsequently exited the crawlspace and surrendered to deputies without further incident. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he was booked on the following charges:

• 273.6(a) P.C. Violation of domestic violence court order
• 368(b)(1) P.C. Cause injury to dependent adult
• 1203.2(a)(1) P.C. Violation of probation
• 148(a)(1) P.C. Resist/Obstruct peace officer
• 245(a)(4) P.C.  Assault likely to produce great bodily injury

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.  

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Backcountry Press is one of Humboldt’s great cultural institutions. We at the Outpost love it very much and send it a million congratulations on its latest triumph.

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Press release from Backcountry Press:

Backcountry Press, a small but mighty natural-history publisher based in Humboldt County, is honored to announce that California Trees: A Field Guide to the Native Species, co-authored by Cal Poly San Luis Obispo botany professor Matt Ritter and Kneeland-based ecologist Michael Kauffmann, has been awarded the 2025 National Outdoor Book Award (NOBA) in the Nature Guides category. This national recognition shines a spotlight not only on the book’s exceptional quality but also on the vibrant culture of ecological scholarship and stewardship that thrives on the North Coast.

Selected by NOBA for its clarity, scientific rigor, and exceptional design, California Trees offers a vivid, accessible guide to all 95 native tree species found across the state. Through full-color photographs, detailed range maps, and clear botanical descriptions, the book illuminates the stories of the trees that define California’s landscapes—from fog-wreathed coast redwoods familiar to Humboldt residents to the wind-sculpted whitebark pines of distant alpine ridges.

“This award reflects the heart of what we care about most,” said co-author Michael Kauffmann from his home above the fog in Kneeland. “Connecting people to the forests that sustain us has always been central to the work we do here in Humboldt.”

Co-author Matt Ritter adds, “California’s native trees are endlessly fascinating, and our hope is that this guide inspires curiosity, stewardship, and a deeper understanding of the natural world.”

Created by two long-time educators and field scientists, California Trees blends expertise with approachability—inviting seasoned botanists, hikers, students, and casual nature lovers alike to explore the living diversity of the Golden State. Their collaboration brings together decades of research, field experience, and teaching, resulting in a guidebook grounded in scientific integrity and shaped by a shared love for California’s forests.

For Backcountry Press—headquartered in Kneeland and known for elevating Northern California voices in natural history—this honor is especially meaningful. The National Outdoor Book Award celebrates books that enrich our connection with the outdoors, and this recognition highlights both the craft behind California Trees and the mission that drives Backcountry Press: helping people deepen their relationship with place.

“We’re grateful for this honor,” said Backcountry Press co-owner Allison Poklemba. “But even more, we’re grateful for every reader who has taken this book into the field, who has paused beneath a tree and wondered at its story. That curiosity is the beginning of stewardship.”

California Trees is available now through Backcountry Press, Humboldt County booksellers, and independent bookstores statewide.

To learn more or order a copy, visit: backcountrypress.com

Read the NOBA release at this link

For more information or interview requests, please contact:

Backcountry Press Email: allison@backcountrypress.com Website: www.backcountrypress.com

About Backcountry Press

Backcountry Press is dedicated to publishing high-quality books that celebrate the natural world. Based in Humboldt County, California, our titles focus on hiking, ecology, and environmental stewardship, inspiring readers to connect with and protect the landscapes they love.