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If you get laid off, there’s a system that’s supposed to help you get by: unemployment benefits. Whenever California stares down a pandemic or a possible recession, the partial wage-replacement program is one of the most important economic safeguards for workers.

But the benefits have become more difficult for workers to access, due to the program’s design and decisions made by California’s embattled Employment Development Department. That’s according to an in-depth report released yesterday from the Legislative Analyst’s Office, a non-partisan agency that provides advice to the Legislature.

The report found that the benefits program’s orientation toward businesses — which fund the benefits and have an incentive to keep costs down — led the department to emphasize holding down costs. Pressure from the federal government to avoid errors led the department to try, however successfully, to minimize fraud.

The result: the department pursued lowering costs and hindering fraud over making it easy for workers to access benefits.

“Looked at individually, one of these policies might seem totally reasonable, either to limit fraud or or minimize business costs,” said Chas Alamo, the report’s author and principle fiscal and policy analyst with the Legislative Analyst’s office. “But when you look at them, and kind of step back and look at the suite of policies that have been made over several decades, it becomes clear that there’s a sort of imbalance in the system,” said Alamo.

Early in the COVID pandemic as joblessness rates soared, the department struggled to keep up with a surge of benefits claims — leaving some Californians repeatedly calling the department in frustration and waiting weeks or months for the money to arrive.

Then came sensational reports that the department had paid out as much as $20 billion in fraudulent benefits.

Last December, the department froze 345,000 disability insurance claims due to suspected fraud. As it tried to root out disability benefits fraud, calls to the department with questions surged, and many went unanswered.

Despite an increase in fraud during the pandemic, fraud has historically been uncommon in California’s unemployment benefits, likely “representing less than 1 percent of claims,” the report found. The vast majority of fraud that occurred during the pandemic was concentrated in a temporary federal program that has now ended.

The report lays out evidence that unemployment benefits have become too difficult for workers to access.

When workers are denied benefits, for example, they’re allowed to file appeals. The report found that more than half of denials are overturned on appeal, meaning those workers should have gotten the benefits in the first place. By contrast, “less than one-quarter are overturned in the rest of the country,” the report found.

Also slowing the process: extensive, and sometimes confusing, steps to prove eligibility for California unemployment benefits.

The department’s actions during the pandemic suggest that getting payments to workers is not its highest priority, the report said. For example, the department disqualified about 1 in 4 unemployment benefits claims during the pandemic for failing to respond to the department’s requests for additional information — or because the department was not able to process the additional information provided in the allotted time frame.

Meanwhile, a September 2020 report written by a team assembled by Gov. Gavin Newsom, found that during the same period, each department field office “had an estimated 450 pounds of unopened mail and had no system for processing unopened mail. Further, at the state’s call centers, less than 1 percent of callers reached an EDD staff member.”

The Legislative Analyst Office’s report makes over a dozen suggestions to remedy the issues it identifies, including recommendations for how to to limit improper claim denials, minimize delays and simplify benefits applications.

The report “misunderstands EDD’s recent activities to improve the process, and the deeper problems with (unemployment insurance) that go beyond the issues referenced in the report,” said former department director Michael Bernick, who is now special counsel with Duane Morris, a law firm. Bernick, who has also worked as a volunteer helping people who are trying to get benefits over the past two years, agrees that the process is too complex.

Yet many of the anti-fraud measures that the report blames for slowing down payments are required by federal protocols, Bernick wrote in an email.

“The truth is that EDD must balance rapid payout and anti-fraud — a process that has become increasingly difficult with the heightened sophistication of identity theft rings, and the amount of money going through the system,” Bernick said. He added that newer measures to combat identity theft, including the addition of online verification tool ID.me, are on the right path.

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Vaden Earl Jantz, Jr. left his body in the morning of June 19, 2022. He would have celebrated his 72nd birthday on August 11. He joins his parents, Marie and Vaden, and his brothers, Wayne and Dennis in heaven. He grew up in a loving and stable household and neighborhood. He attended Bloomfield School, Stewart Elementary School, and graduated from Arcata High School in 1968. He continued his education at College of the Redwoods.

Growing up you would find him playing with neighborhood friends, spending family time at Mad River Beach, participating in the Boy Scouts, and working at the Arcata Creamline Dairy milking cows, getting green feed, and scraping the corral. In high school he belonged to FFA and enjoyed showing cows (actually, he like spending the nights at the fairgrounds and goofing off). His senior year he worked as a bus boy at the Big 4 Restaurant. Vaden started working for the City of Arcata in 1970 operating the street sweeper, and he started volunteering at the Arcata Fire Department. In April 1986, he was promoted to Crew Leader and to Equipment Operator. He left to become a full-time Fire Fighter in March 1987. After retiring from the Fire Department, he returned to seasonal work for the City of Arcata from 2005 to 2021. Somewhere in his working years he had a second job working for Hooven and Turner.

Vaden and Yvonne Walters were married on February 14, 1976, and built their novel dome home on Fickle Hill. They had 17 years of sharing their lives together, playing softball, camping, participating in the Fireman’s Muster, and hanging out with family and friends.

He was introduced to Linda Lee, and their relationship started with a Save the Dunes dance. Thereafter he found himself volunteering with the Friends of the Dunes, a new adventure for Vaden. He and Linda enjoyed working and hanging out together. They were married at the Dunes on September 24, 1994. They lived in Manila on the ocean side, and they were always working on creative and artistic home projects. Recently they moved to Arcata. Linda encouraged Vaden to explore and leave his comfort zone. They traveled to Mexico, Cuba, Tahiti and Virgin Islands, Island of Dominica, Spain, Portugal, and Canada. They spent time kayaking on the bay and building a get-away place on the Van Duzen River.

On one of their early excursions to Mexico, Vaden had encephalitis and was hospitalized. It took awhile, but he recovered. In the last two years, he had a brain bleed and spent a couple of weeks at UCSF. Again, he regained his balance and coherence. Up until fall of 2021, he would eagerly return to his seasonal job with the City.

Vaden’s true love was his work and helping people. He cherished his kinship with his co-workers and friends, and of course, his family. He was always eager to help family, friends, and friends of friends. He always had a “story” to tell, whether factual or exaggerated; from the boiler monster grabbing him in high school making him late for class, or true adventures in his life.

He is survived by his wife, Linda, and her children, Hallie and Rye; brother Dale and wife Ronnie, sister Kathy and husband Tom; nieces and nephews: Beth, Debra, Christie, Sarah, Sharon, Dale, Jantz, Vaden, Jana; sister-in-laws, Sandra, Jane, Joey, Kathy, Karen; cousins Mary and Bill; and many friends.

There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, August 27, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Blue Lake Fire Department House. You are welcome to come and bring a “story to tell” or enjoy listening and remembering. If only we could have his onion rings!

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

Irvin G. Sutro
September 14, 1925 – May 23, 2022

Irvin Gerald Sutro took his last breath at 2 am at his home on the morning of May 23 in Bayside, California, age 96.

Irvin grew up in Scotia and Rio Dell, dropped out of grammar school during the depression and drove the backroads between Rio Dell and Fortuna to deliver fresh milk. He enlisted in the Army as a Private First Class in November, 1946 and served in the Panama Canal Department. He later drove logging trucks while living in Rio Dell, Arcata and Bayside.

He married Betty Etta (Schwartz) Sutro on December 23, 1966 in Reno. She preceded him in death in November 2007.

Irvin enjoyed restoring cast-off vintage autos and motorcycles to pristine condition. He was in remarkable health until his last few years. He enjoyed riding motorcycles with his friends until he was in his 90s.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Linnie (Olina) and Tony (Antone) Sutro. He is the last surviving sibling of Wallace Roy and Harold Keith Sutro. He also had a step-sister, Florence Agnes (Sutro) Helgestad, who preceded her siblings in death.

Irvin is survived by his cousin, Donald Wall; his nephews, Leroy Sutro (Otis), and Douglas Sutro; his nieces, Patricia (Sutro) Burke, Sandra (Sutro) Mayer (Robert), and Donna (Sutro) Brazil (Joel). He is survived by numerous great-nieces and -nephews.

Irvin was cremated with his ashes placed next to his wife, Betty, at Sunset Memorial Park cemetery, 3975 Broadway St., Eureka. The family will join together to pay their respects on April 19, 2023 at 2 p.m. outside the Columbarium.

John M. Brooks
Feb. 25, 1937 - July 21, 2022

John was the true meaning of the word MAN. He worked hard, provided for his family, hunted, fished and was still cutting his own firewood, tending to his garden and taking care of himself into his 80s.

He moved his family to Trinity County in 1965 and loved every day living in the mountains. John could always be found fixing something or modifying something to make it work better. He worked as a millwright for 30+ years starting at Twin Harbors Lumber Company and ending at The Pacific Lumber Company retiring in 2004. Everyone knew that if John was on the job, it would get done and be done right. He was well known for getting the heaviest load of firewood he could. If he broke down and had to call the local tow truck driver, he was told he had to unload the wood first.

John was known as the deer whisperer. He could be seen in his yard surrounded by deer as each one got an oatmeal cookie and a pat on the head.

The last few years he kept himself busy collecting eagle quarters. All the clerks at the stores knew if he was getting change to look for an eagle quarter. It seems he must have had every eagle quarter ever minted.

John is survived by his children Susan Pryor (Dave) and John A. Brooks (Erica); grandchildren Justin Pryor (Jenna), John Brooks (Natasha), Makhila Downs (Shayne), Dakota Brooks (Hailee) and Miranda Lemke (Daniel), as well as 12 great-grandchildren whom he cherished dearly: Aiden and Colton Pryor; Kellan, Kinzley, Korbyn and Kamdyn Brooks; Addilyn and Madisyn Downs; Kaden and Bristol Brooks; Elizabeth and Vito Lemke. He is also survived by his sisters Linda Hubocan and Marie Morrow, his brother Joe Etcheberry and sister-in-law Betty Brooks.

He was predeceased by the love of his life for 62 years, Pearl, daughter Margaret Ann Brooks, son Don Brooks and brother Warren Brooks. John missed his wife so deeply that we all know he is so happy to be with her again.

There will be a gathering at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 10 a.m.

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The obituary above was submitted by John Brooks’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Lynne Johnson passed away suddenly on July 4th at the age of 62. Lynne was born in Missoula, Montana on June 21, 1960.

Lynne resided in Arcata, where she loved the community. She devoted her time to helping those in need at the local food pantry. She enjoyed spending time at the beach hunting for agates and participating in local marble hunts. She had a wonderful gift at growing beautiful succulents and flowers.

Lynne is survived by her two sons, Clayton and Jesse, as well as her grandchildren Avery, Remy and Rhett. She is also survived by her siblings Clara, Daniel, Connie, Sandy, Becky and their children. Lynne was preceded in death by her mother Lorana, daughter Lorana and sister Donna.

A memorial is set to be held this Saturday August 13th at the Danish Hall in Ferndale at 2 p.m.

After the meeting. Photos/video: Andrew Goff.

At a community meeting at the Willow Creek Bible Church this afternoon, the command team in charge of the Six Rivers Lightning Fires — currently more than 7,000 acres in size, and still uncontained — introduced itself to the Willow Creek area. 

About 75 locals were in attendance, looking for answers. The main thing they learned: Those fires are not going to be out anytime soon.

“This is going to be a long battle,” said Cal Fire unit chief Kurt McCray.

Cal Fire is moving massive resources into the area, commanders said, and will henceforth be co-managing the fires with the Six Rivers National Forest. But dry, hot conditions on the ground, mean that these fires are almost certainly going to be burning for some time.

Also on hand: Humboldt County Sheriff Billy Honsal and Emergency Services Manager Ryan Derby, there to talk about evacuation procedures and how to stay up to date. They urged everyone to keep checking the Zonehaven Aware website — link here — for the most up-to-date information about evacuation warnings and orders. They also urged everyone to sign up for the county’s emergency alert system, which can be done at this link.

Unspecified technical difficulties prevented the meeting from streaming live on the Six Rivers National Forest Facebook page as originally planned, but the media team has promised to post video of the meeting soon.

The Six Rivers Lightning Fire Complex fires were sparked on Friday morning, after lightning storms passed through the area in the middle of the night. Several of those strikes have since merged. Fires are burning north, east and south of Willow Creek.

The fire boundaries as of this morning.

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The local real estate market has been hot lately, and the County of Humboldt wants to invest in some property.

At tomorrow’s Board of Supervisors meeting, staff is requesting approval to negotiate terms for the purchase two Eureka office buildings, along with the parcels they sit upon. While the purchase price remains to be finalized — and the deals could conceivably fall through for any variety of reasons — the properties are listed for a combined price of $3,895,000.

The larger of the two, pictured above, is home to a two-story, 8,760-square-foot office building whose architect apparently tried to mask its bland boxiness by slapping a few incongruous, faux-Greek columns out front. 

Formerly home to a tax accounting firm, the building is in “very good condition for the local market and would require relatively minimal work to be occupied by County of Humboldt staff,” according to a staff report. It’s listed for sale at $2.4 million. 

What does the county want this thing for? Deputy County Administrator Sean Quincey said the specific future use remains to be seen, but there are a number of county buildings in need of remodeling or replacement, including the Public Defender’s Office at 1001 Fourth Street, the aging Clark Complex on Harris between H and I streets (home to the Planning and Building Department, among others), and the Public Works Department, which is currently housed in trailers near the Adorni Center. This building could function as “swing space” while remodeling or redevelopment projects are under way.

Long-term, the county is working to realize a vision contained in its Facilities Master Plan — namely, grouping related services together in a series of “campuses” for public convenience. Quincey said this Fourth Street property could play a role in that transition.

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As for the other property, located at 404 H Street, the county is already renting the single-story, 7,334-square-foot building, with the Probation Department using it to house its Community Corrections Resource Center, which is billed as a “one-stop-shop” for meeting the diverse needs of high-risk residents under county supervision.

Staff from the Probation Department as well as the executive committee of the Humboldt County Community Corrections Partnership (HCCCP) want the county to look into buying this property, now that it’s on the market (listed at $1,495,000). A staff report says, “The potential to own a building that is currently being leased would be an investment in county facilities for the greatest public benefit.”

Perhaps so, but does the county really have the money for such investments right now? Less than six weeks ago, as you may recall, the Board of Supervisors adopted a hiring freeze because a backlog of delinquent fiscal reporting had left administrators with such glaring blind spots in the books that they were unable to complete the annual budget.

Quincey pointed out that the items on tomorrow’s agenda don’t lock the county into actually purchasing these properties. Instead, they would allow Public Works staff to negotiate terms. Meanwhile, he said, Interim Auditor-Controller Cheryl Dillingham has been working to complete the county’s overdue fiscal reports.

“We’re still in the process of cleaning up our books,” Quincey said. “Cheryl is doing a great job over there, but at the same time we need to continue setting things in motion so we can pounce on opportunities when we have more clarity.”

The County Administrative Office has approved use of the 2020 Finance Plan funds, which Quincey described as a line of credit, for the purchase of 1315 Fourth Street. 

The HCCCP, meanwhile, has approved spending $20,000 from the Public Safety Realignment Trust on “preliminary investigations and negotiations” regarding the purchase of 404 H Street.

Both items are on the consent calendar for tomorrow, meaning they’re set to be approved without specific deliberations from the board.