Thomas Joseph Doss
Dec. 23, 1993 - Sept. 20, 2022

Thomas Joseph Doss was born Dec. 23, 1993 to Larry O. and Linda Jo Doss at Mad River Hospital in Arcata.

A native of Humboldt County, he attended Teacher’s Pet, Washington Elementary, Winship Jr High, and did a half year at Eureka High before transferring to St. Bernard’s High, where he played varsity football and graduated in 2012. Thomas started football officiating with his dad while still in high school and went on to officiate in Oregon and California until the end of 2018.

After graduation, Thomas went to work locally until he moved to Central Oregon full-time in 2014 to help take care of his ailing Grandma, Carol Lee Alexander, and help his Grandpa Tom on the family farm. He also worked full-time for the McKinnon Ranch. While in Oregon, he attended Central Oregon Community College and obtained his AA degree.

He moved back to California in the fall of 2017 to be closer to friends and help his dad and stepmom on their ranch in Orick. He also began working at the Grocery Outlet in McKinleyville. This was a job Thomas loved and worked until he got sick and was hospitalized.

Thomas had multiple passions in life. First on the list was comedy. Thomas was known for his dry sense of humor and quick wit. He could find humor in almost any situation. Comedy podcasts, music, gaming, science, agriculture and animals-especially his dog Jaxon and cat Savage, fishing, target shooting, spending time with family, cooking and creating recipes. He was an avid fan of the San Jose Sharks and football… Go Raiders!!

Thomas had a tender heart and he loved children. He became a father himself in the summer of 2021. He loved his son Lukas and was looking forward to his newfound fatherhood and raising his little boy.

Thomas enjoyed time in the redwoods and continued to make that his special place throughout his life. Another favorite pastime was going to the ocean and beach with Jaxon, his dog, and with his friends. His greatest gift though was making friends and being the best friend, he could be. Thomas had a loving compassionate heart, kind words and a smile for everyone.

He is survived in death, by his parents, Larry & Cassandra Doss; mother, Linda Jo Alexander; brother, Foster Doss; sister, Laurel Doss; his only son, Lukas Kuttler; and his loving Grandparents, Jan Doss, and Tom Alexander. Other family members include Aunt Heidi & Uncle Paul Leslie; cousins Amanda, Robbie and Merit Duggan, and Andrew Leslie; cousins Ben, Leslie and Henry Smith; cousins Shawn, Maggie and Grayce Griggs; great-aunt and uncle Debbie & Steve Razwick; and many other cousins and extended family members in California and the Midwest.

A memorial service will be held Saturday Nov. 12th at 11 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 819 15th Street, Eureka, CA at 11 a.m.

There will be live-streaming on Facebook of the service on the church’s Facebook page.

Gifts in lieu of flowers can be made to the following organizations:

• Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation 
• Sequoia Humane Society 
• Kiwanis Family House

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

Stanley Allan Francis, 75, of Eureka passed away October 31, 2022 at Cedars-Sinai, Los Angeles.

He was born on August 6, 1947 in Pasadena to Oscar Renfrew Francis Jr. and Bertha Helen Francis.

Stanley was only 17 years old when he lost his father. He was responsible for his mother and younger sister, leaving him the only man of the house. Stanley left Gardena High School half way through his senior year to work and care for his family. He went to work for his Uncle Stanley, who owned a refrigeration business. Later, Stanley went to Harbor Junior College to study refrigeration and continued to work for his uncle.

Stanley was 19 years old when I met him and became his wife of over 53 years. I was 17 years old and a senior at Inglewood High School. We married on February 14, 1969. Our first child, Sabrina was born in 1970 in Inglewood. We moved to Eureka when Sabrina was 10 months old, and arrived January 1, 1971 with my family. We opened Sabrina’s Pizza House March 1971. We had our first son, Jason, in 1973. We had our second son, Heath, in 1976. Stanley was hired to work for Varsity Ice Cream in 1976. He was their first employee. Stanley and I opened Babetta’s Ristorante in 1998 and he stayed with Varsity Ice Cream. Stanley retired from Varsity Ice Cream in 2019. He was there for 43 years.

Stanley’s hobbies and interests were hunting and fishing with his kids and good friend, Joe Rosa. Stanley was such a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved his family more than life itself. Stanley also loved people and took a personal interest in their lives. He was very well-known throughout the community; they called him “Stan the ice cream man”, and sometimes “Huggy Bear.” Stanley always had a smile on his face, and a booming laugh. He was known for his stories and jokes. He also loved to play pranks on other drivers who found it very hard to reciprocate. Stanley was kind-hearted and very deep. He was a loyal friend. He was brave, a protector, and a straight shooter. He was very real and down to earth. He was a man’s man. He walked his talk.

My Stanley was so strong and powerful and I always felt safe when he was next to me. He had so many capabilities and very confident, yet so humble and gentle. I’ve witnessed him protecting not only his family and friends, but strangers as well. He was my hero! Stanley had many hidden talents. His singing range was over four octaves, but he would never sing. He was an amazing artist and he never drew. He had quick and accurate reflexes and was very athletic for such a big man and he only played football one year. He only bragged about his family. He allowed me to run the show, and make most of the decisions, but every so often he would chime in and give his thoughts if he felt strongly. It always stopped me in my tracks, and I always listened. Our personalities were different in so many ways, but we were friends to each other’s interests. Stan was not a complainer. I was very blessed by this loving man, and I already miss him so much. I know he’s in heaven, watching and protecting us, and he is in no pain. He was a man; a tough man. I called him Stan my man. I will forever miss you, until we meet again. I love you. Your loving wife, Babetta Francis

Stanley was preceded in death by his father, Oscar Renfrew Francis Jr, and mother, Bertha Helen Francis, sister Mary Jane Francis Vanwagoner, and mother in law, Saralene Janet Kinnebrew. He is survived by his wife, Babetta Francis, daughter Sabrina Gasdik (Arturo), son Jason Francis (Monica), and son Heath Francis (Angela), grandsons Heath and Tyus (Moriah) Francis, granddaughter Amelia Francis, granddaughters Mileena and Arabella Maki, great-granddaughter Delilah Francis, and extended family and friends (too many to mention).

There will be a Celebration of Stanley’s Life held at the Elks Lodge 445 Herrick Ave, Eureka on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 2 to 5 p.m.

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

Frances Ann Lintvet Gilkey passed away peacefully on November 3, 2022.

Frances was born January 12, 1924 to Selmer and Beda Lintvet in Lake Park, Minnesota. At a young age she helped the war (WWII) effort Rosie the Riveter-style, by working in a factory. She then joined the Marines, stationed in D.C. and later transferred to San Diego.

She belonged to the Arcata United Methodist Church, where she served on many boards. In 2008 she began attending the United Methodist Church of the Joyful Healer. In the last five years she attended the Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods. She was active at the McKinleyville Senior Center, attending classes and serving on the board.

She lived a very long (nearly 99 years) and happy life. She and her husband were married nearly 60 years when he died. They had four children, sadly losing one at three years of age. She was a den mother for her boys Boy Scouts and for her daughters Girl Scouts. She has 10 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren!

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 57 years, Estol “Gil” Gilkey, her parents, her older brother Don Lintvet, and a daughter Donna EvaMarie. She is survived by her children and their spouses, Darrel and Brenda Gilkey of Columbus, Georgia: Duane and Mary Gilkey of Birmingham, Alabama; Diane and John williamson of McKinleyville, California; grandchildren Sarah and Jason Hardin of Carmel, Indiana; Martha and Garet Mason of Las Vegas, Nevada; Joseph Gilkey of Birmingham, Alabama; Erick and Mackenzie Gilkey; Joel and Linh Eagle of Belmont, North Carolina; Chris and Andrea Eagle of Columbus, Georgia; Lorretto and Jim Klug of Thiensville, Wisconsin; Lyn and Matt Garrison of Jackson, Georgia; Larry and Kim Eagle of Phenix City, Alabama and Jay Eagle of Spokane, Washington. Frances is a;so survived by 22 great grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Fran loved flowers and she loved giving to others. Gifts in memory may be made to the Wesleyan Church of the Redwoods or Hospice of Humboldt. Written memories may be left with Humboldt Cremation & Funeral Service.

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Nordic Aquafarms may have taken a “monumental step forward” in late September when the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors approved development permits and certified the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the company’s plans to demolish a dilapidated pulp mill and build a $650 million land-based fish farm on the Samoa Peninsula, but it’s not swimming in clear water just yet.

An informal group of local residents calling themselves Citizens Protecting Humboldt Bay recently filed a lawsuit against the county and the Board of Supervisors alleging that, as lead agency, the county violated the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

Specifically, the suit alleges that the EIR — which was prepared by engineering firm GHD on behalf of the county — “fails to adequately identify, evaluate, and/or require mitigation for all significant direct and cumulative environmental impacts the Project will cause.”

The EIR concludes that, with mitigation measures, the project will result in no significant environmental impacts. The litigants aren’t buying that.

“To the contrary,” their suit says, “substantial evidence shows the Project will have several significant unmitigated environmental effects … . Furthermore, the record shows that the County violated the information disclosure provisions of CEQA in several respects, failed to respond adequately to public and agency comments on the Draft EIR, and otherwise failed to proceed in the manner required by CEQA.”

At Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting, the board met in closed session to consider the lawsuit, and when they emerged about an hour later, county counsel reported that the board had unanimously agreed to hire Sacramento-based environmental law firm Remy Moose Manly to defend against the suit.

The petitioners are seeking a writ of mandate ordering the county to set aside the EIR along with its approval of the project. They’re also asking for costs and attorney’s fees “together with any other relief the Court deems necessary and proper.”

Who exactly are the Citizens Protecting Humboldt Bay? The lawsuit identifies them as “an unincorporated association of volunteer homeowners, residents, and business owners living and/or working in Humboldt County.” Elsewhere it says the members include Blue Lake resident Scott Frazer as well as Daniel Chandler, who’s on the steering committee for the environmental group 350 Humboldt. Both men wrote or co-wrote letters critiquing the EIR, and Chandler’s group was among the appellants who officially challenged its approval by the Humboldt County Planning Commission.

Reached by phone, Chandler said Frazer had asked him to add his name to the suit, though he (Chandler) hadn’t paid any money. He also said he doesn’t have high hopes.

“I don’t have any sense that it will be successful,” he said of the suit.

Chandler has higher hopes of success for the five appeals that have been filed to date with the California Coastal Commission, including one from 350 Humboldt. The other appellants are Frazer, Elk Grove resident Alison Willy, the Salmonid Restoration Federation and the Redwood Region Audubon Society. All five appeals challenge the county’s issuance of a Coastal Development Permit. 

According to Noaki Schwartz, the Coastal Commission’s deputy director of communications, environmental justice and tribal affairs, commission staff are currently reviewing the appeals and working to establish a timeline to bring them to the commission.

Meanwhile, staff are reviewing two other Coastal Development Permit applications for the project. One, filed by Nordic Aquafarms, is for use of an existing outfall pipeline on the project site to discharge treated wastewater into the ocean, a mile and a half offshore. 

The other application comes from the Humboldt Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District. It’s for installation and operation of a seawater intake system (or “sea chest”) that would provide water from Humboldt Bay to the proposed salmon farm. 

“We don’t yet have a firm hearing date but are tentatively targeting spring of next year to bring these applications to the Commission,” Schwartz said in an email.

Chandler said the commission doesn’t necessarily have to grant a hearing on the appeals. He noted that the county’s Local Coastal Plan, which dates back to 1982, includes no mention of greenhouse gas emissions, which provide the basis of the appeal. In other words, he said, “What we appealed on is not appealable.” 

But the appeal argues that the county has been remiss in not updating its Local Coastal Plan, and thus 350 Humboldt shouldn’t be held back from challenging the permit. 

“The Coastal Commission is remiss also because they have not told the county they have to produce an acceptable plan,” Chandler said.

Reached by email, Nordic Aquafarms Public Relations Manager Jacki Cassida said the company is confident that the EIR is “a robust, thorough and complete analysis of potential environmental impacts from the project.” 

She went on to say that the company is reviewing both the lawsuit and the five appeals and is working with the county and the harbor district to determine next steps.

“We are certain the outcome will be a positive one for Nordic and Humboldt County,” Cassida said.

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PREVIOUSLY: 

• Nordic Aquafarms Lays out Next Steps After Planning Commission Gives the Thumbs-Up to Their Samoa Fish Farm Plans
• Fishermen and Conservation Groups Appeal Nordic Aquafarms’ Environmental Report Certification to Humboldt County Supervisors
• Supes Scheduled to Hear Appeal of Nordic Aquafarms Project at Special Meeting Wednesday
• Supervisors Deny Appeal of Nordic Aquafarms Project

How did we miss this? 

Evidently the top new program on primetime TV, CBS’s action-drama “Fire Country,” features Humboldt County’s own riverside city of Rio Dell!

Fast-forward to the 2:06 mark of the trailer above to see a wall of (thankfully fake) flames encroaching on the city from Bear River Ridge the bluffs northeast of town. You may also spot a couple aerial shots of the Eel River Valley and Wildwood Avenue sprinkled in there, though evidently the bulk of the series is being filmed in Vancouver.

Rio Dell City Manager Kyle Knopp also just found out about his burgh’s new stardom. He emailed the Outpost on Tuesday with a screenshot and a comment: “Here’s something kinda funny.”

Totally!

Humboldt-Del Norte Film Commissioner Cassandra Hesseltine was not immediately available to provide details, but some googling reveals that Rio Dell plays the fictional town of Edgewater, which serves as a stand-in for the Sonoma County community of Occidental. 

Co-creator and “SEAL Team” star Max Thieriot plays Bode Donovan, a prison inmate who volunteers to fight wildfires as part of California’s Conservation Camp Program. The L.A. Times describes the show as “a soap opera with pyrotechnics” and “sort of like ‘Dante’s Peak’ meets ‘Everwood.’”

Evidently the folks at CalFire aren’t among the show’s early fans. “This television series is a misrepresentation of the professional all-hazards fire department and resource protection agency that Cal Fire is,” agency Director Joe Tyler wrote in a staff email after seeing the trailer.

Is it any good? Who here has seen it? Let us know in the comments.

Nelida Mills
Aug. 15, 1938 – Oct. 10, 2022

Known to all who loved her as Nel. She was born to Emilio and Santina Valentino in Montecrestse, Italy. She was six months old when the family immigrated to Ferndale. Raised on the dairy farm with her brother, Johnny, and graduated from Ferndale High School. One of her best friends growing up was Judy Russ, who helped her learn English. Nel went to Humboldt State for two years, she was a song queen and a dairy queen. In 1956 she met the love of her life, Ben Mills, married him in 1958, and moved to Sunny Brae. She had two sons, Alan and Jeff Mills. She lived in Sunny Brae for the next 64 years. Nel was the bookkeeper for Mills Trucking, and enjoyed playing bridge with her friends.

She is survived by her husband, Ben Mills, and her two sons, Alan and Jeff Mills.

Church service will be held on November 17, 2022, 11 a.m. at St Mary’s in Arcata.

PREVIOUSLY:

• ELECTION NIGHT RESULTS! Follow Live! All the Vote Counts as They Happen, Plus Scene Reports From the Parties! The Thrill of Victory, the Agony of Defeat! 

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Looks like it’s going to be a good long while before we find out for sure who won most of the high-profile local races.

That’s because the Elections Office only managed to get 16,998 votes counted on Election Night — it’s unknown, at this moment, how many votes are left to count, but it is likely tens of thousands more —and many of the most watched races are pretty close.

For instance: In the only countywide race on the ballot — the Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters runoff — is on a knife’s edge:

Supporters of Juan Pablo Cervantes can take comfort, if they wish, in the well-known “blue shift” phenomenon, which shows that votes tabulated late tend to be more progressive than those counted on Election Night. (Lefties vote later.) That held up for Supervisor-Elect Natalie Arroyo in June, though who knows — the pandemic and universal vote-by-mail may still be scrambling our voting patterns.

The races for Eureka City Council are likewise too close to call:

In the Third Ward, Fullerton is the anti-Cervantes — a fairly solid lead for a conservative candidate, that, if traditional patterns hold, will erode over the coming weeks. How far will it erode? That’s unknown, but check those vote totals. The Elections Office has, so far, only counted 776 votes in the Third Ward. Four years ago, there were 2,747 ballots cast in that ward. So a lot of counting left to do.

Up in Arcata, at least, the results seem pretty conclusive — Meredith Matthews and Kimberley White each have more than 30 percent of the vote tallied so far for the two open seats on that board, and their closest runner-up, Raelina Krikston, is down at around 12 percent. Matthews and White should have no problem winning. 

Progressive candidate Julie Ryan still has a healthy lead over Alan Bongio in the fascinating race for the Humboldt Community Services District board. With two seats open, incumbent Gregg Gardiner has about 39.6 percent of the vote, with Ryan at 32.9 percent and Bongio at 27.6 percent

Likewise, in Fortuna there are three open seats and three candidates with clear leads — Mike Johnson, Christina Mobley and Kyle Conley.

(Full election night final results, in PDF form, at this link.)

What happens next? Sometime soon — perhaps today or tomorrow — the Elections Office will figure out how many ballots are left to process. Again: It will almost certainly be higher than the number of ballots that have been counted so far.

Then the office will start issuing weekly updates as those remaining ballots are checked and tallied. The county has about a month to certify its results, and it’s likely that it’ll use all that time. The picture will likely become clearer in some of the races before that, but settle in for a long period of uncertainty!