Press release from the City of Arcata:

On 10/26/22 at about 5:53 AM, Arcata Police Department received a 9-1-1 call for a pedestrian down in the roadway on the 5000 block of Valley West Boulevard.  Arcata Police, Arcata Fire District, and Arcata Ambulance responded and found an injured victim in the roadway who appeared to have been struck by a vehicle.

The victim was transported to St Joseph’s Hospital where they later succumbed to their injuries.

Arcata Police Department is actively investigating this as a felony hit and run and asks anybody who witnessed the collision or has any information about the collision to call the Arcata Police Department at 707-822-2426 or on the anonymous tip line at 707-825-2588.

Gerald (Jerry) Keith Miller passed away in his home surrounded by his family on Thursday, October 20, 2022 at age 95. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Glenda, four children, nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Jerry was loved and respected by everyone who knew him. Jerry had an engaging way of speaking with others. People often commented about how eloquently he shared stories. He was a kind and supportive husband, father and grandfather and will be greatly missed.

Jerry was born January 15, 1927, in Holmes to William Patterson Miller and Lydia Ruth (Freeman) Miller. Jerry was one of seven children that grew up in Holmes spending his early days working on the family dairy and enjoying carefree summers swimming in Jones’ Hole, playing baseball games and getting into mischief from time to time. He was a child of the depression, which had a profound impact on the way he looked at life, on his work ethic and how he helped those in need. His family grew or raised everything that went on the kitchen table with the exception of flour and sugar. Shoes were a luxury and when his wore out, he often went barefoot to school.

Jerry graduated from Fortuna High in 1945. During his high school years, he won the county track meet, throwing the shot put. He also competed on the FFA Boxing Team where he was crowned Champion his junior year by knocking out his opponent in eight seconds. He went on to compete in Golden Glove Boxing and was a heavy lightweight champion. In recent years, he was one of several local golden glove boxers featured in the Ferndale Museum documentary Lords of the Ring.

After high school Jerry joined the United States Navy around the time World War II was ending. He was stationed at Camp Shoemaker. As a result of his typing skills he worked on the discharge process for our boys overseas. Dad was humble about his time in the service. When recognized as a WWII veteran, he always gave credit to those who saw combat. When he returned from the military, he met Glenda Titus at a Grange Dance. He was a true gentleman with impressive dance skills. They were married June 12, 1949. Jerry and Glenda lived in several different towns from Ferndale to Holmes until they bought their family home on Centerville Road in Ferndale in 1961. Jerry took great pride in his home, always keeping the lawn green and in later years growing a vegetable garden.

After working on his father’s dairy, and the Genzoli dairy, Jerry went to work in the woods. He spent more than 40 years falling trees and working for several logging companies. He fell many big trees in his day. The most impressive was 21 feet across; it took him three days to fall. After work each day, he came home smelling like wood chips and would sit at the table writing log scale on his hard hat. He was fondly known to many of the guys in the woods as Gentleman Jerry and Metric Miller. A few years ago, he was the narrator for the Ferndale Museum’s documentary Working in the Woods.

Jerry was a member of The Native Sons of the Golden West Ferndale Parlor #93 and went on to Grand Parlor as a Grand Trustee. Many officers wanted him to run as Grand President, but that would have taken him away from his family, so he turned it down. He took pride in knowing each part of the ritual work from memory and spearheaded many historical dedications in Humboldt County. Jerry and his wife, Glenda, made wonderful friends through his association with the Native Sons. He started the annual Joseph G. Oeschger weekend in the Redwoods, which still happens each February.

Jerry volunteered for Ferndale Volunteer Fire Department Company 1 for many years. During the 1964 flood, he and his brother-in-law Dayton Titus braved the Eel River going out in a boat to rescue an elderly couple in the Waddington area from floodwaters.

Jerry often spent mornings playing pinochle at Beckers’ (Papa Joe’s) with many different friends over the years. During his retirement, he enjoyed walking several miles a day through Ferndale as well as volunteering for the Ferndale Museum. He was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49er fan. He loved watching sports, talking sports and analyzing sports. He loved our country, its history, and often pointed out how much had been sacrificed for the freedom we enjoy. He spent much of his time going to his childrens’ and later grandchildrens’ various activities. He was their greatest fan. In recent years, he especially enjoyed his great grandchildren visiting him in his home.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Paterson (Pat) and Lydia Miller, and each of his siblings Reginald Miller, Marjorie Green, Viola Powers, Bill Miller, Barbara Zumwalt and George Miller.

Jerry is survived by his wife Glenda, his children: Jeff (Beth) Miller, Mike Miller, Tom (Gina) Miller, and Leanne (Mac) McCulloch. His grandchildren: Brian (Kara) Miller, Jonna Miller, Erin (Chris) Smead, Jerry (Sarah) Miller, Jenna (Jeff) Miller, Brianne (Sam) Frank, Megan (Jon) Busher, Brock McCulloch and Taylor (Will) Stephens.

Great-grandchildren: Elliana, Haleigh and Marin Busher, Mac Stephens, Tommy and Chaney Ritter, Trinity Burns, Maverick and Marley Miller, Cameron Frank, Reece and Milo Miller, and Chase and Molly Smead. Brother-in-law; Dayton Titus, sister-in-laws; Cecilia Titus and Sharon Miller. He is also survived by many wonderful nieces and nephews.

There will be a memorial in honor Jerry’s long and impactful life Nov. 5 at 1 p.m. at the Ferndale Community Church, followed by a reception at the Ferndale Veteran’s Hall.

Memorial donations can be made to the Ferndale Community Church or the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Dept. The family wishes to thank the Ferndale Fire Dept and to all those who visited and supported Jerry and Glenda during the past several months.

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of Pamela Walsh Olson, who passed away peacefully at home in Eureka on Sunday, September 25 at the age of 76 after a short, courageous battle with cancer.

Pam was born on July 27, 1946 in San Francisco and grew up in Eureka. She was an amazing wife, daughter, sister, auntie, cousin, teacher, and a trusted & supportive friend to countless family members, friends, and colleagues. She was compassionate to others and shared her zest for life with all who knew her. Her open and positive attitude, mischievous sense of humor, loving and loyal devotion to family and friends, and general appreciation for a wide range of diverse personalities endeared her to those fortunate enough to have known her.

After graduating from Eureka High School in the 1964, Pam attended UC Davis, where she received her BA degree and teaching credential in the late 1960s. Her teaching career commenced at that time in the nearby community of Dixon, where she taught for a couple of years prior to accepting another position in Southern California in the early 1970s. Pam had a spirit of adventure and was very independent, and after a few more years of teaching she struck out via car traveling alone to visit museums, historical sites, and family and friends across the country. At times she would record her thoughts and experiences in her beautiful calligraphy handwriting in the form of extensive letters she sent home to the family. During her travels she researched alternative schools and teaching methods and ultimately took a teaching position in Illinois for a short time.

After leaving Illinois she began working her way back west via Idaho and elsewhere before returning to the Eureka/Arcata area in 1976 to help care for her ill mother. After her mother’s death in 1977, Pam took a break from teaching for several years to work on a fishing boat for one season and to work with her brother Mike at a company he co-owned in Marin County. While living in the Bay Area she began pursuing a business degree at SF State.

Pam met her beloved husband Jim Olson in 1981 and they married early the next year, beginning a rich and wonderful love affair that lasted over 40 years. They shared a deep appreciation for the beauty of the Humboldt/Trinity/Del Norte region and spent treasured time with family & friends at the family cabin on the Klamath River, which provided many happy memories throughout their life together. After returning to Eureka with Jim, Pam resumed her teaching career. During this time she completed her master’s degree at Humboldt State and turned her focus toward the administrative side of education for the rest of her career. Throughout all these years, Pam was a respected teacher, administrative leader, and principal who was admired by both students and staff at numerous schools including Redwood Valley, Petrolia, Hoopa/Klamath River, and Pine Hill.

Pam was an avid lifelong reader and lover of books, and she became a skilled sketch artist later in life. She supported and volunteered for numerous worthy causes in all the communities she served and lived in. Pam demonstrated humanity at its best and lived with a balance of strength and grace. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

In addition to her devoted husband Jim, Pam is survived by her brother Mike of Santa Rosa (Lynne and sons Jason & Sean), sister Sandy of Eureka (son Isaac & daughter Leanore), brother John of Orinda, stepson Chad Olson of Eureka, stepsisters Carol Clarke of Medford, Sue Harrison of Medford, and Gretchen Howard of Hawaii, sister-in-law Pam Bower and brother-in-law Thomas Olson of Eureka, numerous cherished cousins, and countless dear friends. Their world has been greatly enriched by having Pam in it. She was preceded in death by her father Dr. Joseph Francis Walsh, mother Margery Wheeler Walsh, stepmother Janie Howard Walsh, stepdaughter Heidi Olson, brother-in-law Larry Kern, and sister-in-law Kathy Richards.

There will be a private family gathering to honor Pam’s memory at a later date. Pam’s family requests that any donations be made in her honor to the Humboldt Library Foundation. Her family thanks all the loving cousins and compassionate friends who supported Pam and Jim so respectfully and affectionately during the last few difficult months.

###

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

Itsy Frank, a.k.a Mary Cheryl Frank, was born on April 16, 1951 to a loving mother and father, Ada Florence Jones and William Barney Frank. She made her journeys Oct. 19, 2022.

She grew up in Weitchpec. Itsy loved her family and friends/homies. Holidays were the best. Her family loved her frybread along with her beautiful smile and laugh. Itsy was a great-grandmother, grandma, mother, sister, aunty, cousin and best friend to many. To some she is a local legend.

She was a proud and beautiful Yurok woman. She could be found in the streets of E-Town/Eureka with a ear to listen and a open heart. She gave life to 11 beautiful children starting with (oldest to youngest) Marilyn, James, Yolanda, Joseph, Lawana, Elizabeth, Manuel, Bunny, Roland, Ruby, Angelo (aka Sean).

She is survived by her brothers and sister William and Ricky Frank and Jewell Frank and numerous nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by Adamay Frank, William Frank, Robert Frank, Harold Frank, Caroline Frank and the late great William Whipple Smidge Frank and Nikki Metcalf.

The Frank family would like to thank Ms. Natay Ramos and Donte Lamberson and the Yurok Tribe and Providence/St. Joseph for all the love and support.

Services will be held at Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka on Oct. 28 and 29. Viewing the 28th from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and the 29th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Funeral from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a potluch at Bear River from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

###

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

###

It’s no surprise that the beautiful beach-side city of Trinidad relies heavily on tourism dollars to keep the town afloat. That’s why Trinidad officials are asking voters to approve Measure P, which would raise the city’s tourism occupancy tax (also known as a transient occupancy tax or TOT) – a fee paid on hotels and other short-term rentals to help fund city services. 

The tax, something that is similarly implemented throughout most of the United States, goes toward the city’s general fund and is used for things like road repairs, trail maintenance and paying firefighters and police. If Measure P passes, Trinidad’s TOT would increase from eight to 12 percent – the same amount as Humboldt County, after voters approved Measure J in the June primary. 

But wait, isn’t Trinidad’s TOT actually 10 percent? Well, you might think so, if you’ve stayed in a hotel there sometime over the last decade. More than 10 years ago, the Trinidad City Council approved raising the city’s TOT to 10 percent without putting the issue on the ballot for voters to decide. In December 2021, the current council approved raising the tax to 12 percent starting in 2022. But just before the slated increase took effect, the council was made aware that this action runs afoul of Proposition 218, which requires local governments to get majority voter approval on all new or increased taxes. Whoops! 

When this blunder was brought to the current council’s attention, the council passed a resolution reversing the slated increase and lowering the tax from 10 percent back to eight percent – what it was before the illegitimate increase. Of course, this means that Trinidad has been overcharging its hotel and vacation rental guests for more than 10 years. To correct this oversight, the City of Trinidad has been refunding the operators of local hotels and short term rentals.  

Eli Naffah, Trinidad’s city manager, told the Outpost that the city sent out notifications to the businesses earlier this year about the refund, and at this point has heard back from most of them. After the businesses are refunded the overpaid tax amounts, it is up to them to refund the guests who had paid it. Naffah is not entirely sure how each business is going about that, but said that Trinidad does have a lot of repeat visitors, so some businesses are letting guests know when they make reservations that they are owed a refund for their previous stays. 

The reason the council had made this mistake in the first place, Naffah said, is because Trinidad’s TOT ordinance, which was passed in 1990, included the ability for the council to approve a raise in the tax. So the council was just following what was permitted by city code. After Proposition 218 passed in 1996, no one ever rewrote the ordinance to bring it into compliance with the new law. 

So the city made a big mistake and now is paying for it in more ways than one. Not only must the overpaid taxes be refunded, but Trinidad is now back at charging the TOT that it was charging more than a decade ago. 

“Now we’re currently charging 1990 rates,” Naffah told the Outpost. “That’s why we need to bring it up to 12 percent again.” 

One of the other reasons Trindad is badly in need of the tax increase, Naffah said, is because of the loss of other revenue streams. With the Trinidad Rancheria successfully placing the harbor in the federal trust, the city will no longer make any sales or property tax off of the harbor properties, which includes the Seascape Restaurant. The city has also lost roughly $60,000 from the removal of the cell towers on Trinidad Head. 

But Michael Morgan, a former city councilmember and owner of Trinidad Bay Bed and Breakfast, says that a four percent tax increase is too much, especially during a time when people are still recovering economically from the impacts of the pandemic. 

“With the highest inflation in decades, and a recession that may lead to a depression, raising taxes and spending is exactly the opposite of what would help our economic crisis,” Morgan wrote in his submitted argument against Measure P. 

Morgan argues that it is not a fair or reasonable time to charge Trinidad’s visitors more and suggests that the city propose a two-percent increase instead, until the we “get back to a more stable and sound economy.” 

But proponents argue that inflation is also part of why Trinidad needs to increase the tax, which pays for services – such as road and trail repairs, and salaries for police, firefighters and city staff – that now cost more. 

“This measure ensures out of town visitors pay their fair share for local services,” the argument for Measure P states. “Voting yes on measure P will support the local tourism economy through jobs and provide locals and visitors alike with a positive experience in Trinidad.” 

You can read more about Measure P on the City of Trinidad website.

Press release from Cal Poly Humboldt:

Two highly experienced Silicon Valley executives announced today the launch of a Northern California nonprofit angel venture aimed at supporting a unique group of budding entrepreneurs: students, faculty, and staff from Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods.

Lost Coast Ventures (LCV) was founded by Cal Poly Humboldt alumni John Ballard and Dan Phillips. Ballard is the former president of SPX Communication Technologies, and Phillips is the former chief technology officer for Hulu.

LCV will source and provide seed capital to commercialize promising concepts that have the potential to become scalable businesses. LCV will support projects in all disciplines, with a priority in engineering, marine biology, aquaculture, computer information systems, data science, water and energy, specialty agriculture, environmental sciences, and manufacturing and construction.

In addition to injecting seed capital, LCV will assist promising businesses by providing advising engagements and sustained mentoring activities, and will help businesses seek additional funding to support their growth when needed.

Ballard estimates that by 2027, LCV will fund at least five early-stage, scalable business concepts that show promise. LCV is anticipated to provide seed capital that returns more than $5 million in equity to Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods, while adding more than 250 jobs to the local region.

“This initiative is about giving people a shot at bringing novel, scalable businesses to fruition with the support and expertise they may not otherwise receive,” Ballard says.

“We expect LCV to help create an environment where some of the world’s next successful enterprises can get their start on the North Coast and call this special place ‘home,’” says Phillips, who attended College of the Redwoods and transferred to what was then Humboldt State University.

Members of the LCV board include Cal Poly Humboldt’s Shawna Young, dean of the College of Professional Studies; Chris Gaines, a Humboldt and College of the Redwoods faculty member; and Humboldt alumnus and entrepreneur Matthew Cendejas.

Ballard and Phillips, who have been inspired by their Cal Poly Humboldt educations, have already given more than $1 million to Cal Poly Humboldt. Their contributions have created scholarships that benefit students from local high schools, College of the Redwoods, and Cal Poly Humboldt. They also each serve as volunteers, leading efforts to raise additional funds for the University.

Ballard and Phillips announced that they will match, dollar for dollar, donations to LCV of up to $200,000, which will be used to support experiential learning programs at both Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods.

Leveraging their 30 years of experience in multiple industries, Ballard and Phillips created LCV with the bigger picture in mind: to enhance the educational experience for Humboldt and College of the Redwoods students, inspire invention, and, in turn, invigorate the local economy.

For Ballard and Phillips, they’re not only investing in ideas, but also an area with a bright economic future. In fact, LCV builds on several high-profile projects in the region. One of those is the designation of Cal Poly Humboldt as the third polytechnic institution in California. A project by Nordic Aquafarms, a Norwegian aquaculture company, aims to clean up a superfund site on the Samoa Peninsula and build a $400 million fish farm facility. A subsea fiber-optic cable, connecting Singapore to the United States through Eureka, is in the works. There are also plans by the federal government to sell offshore wind leases 20 miles off the coast of Humboldt Bay.

Learn how you can support the students and programs at Cal Poly Humboldt at giving.humboldt.edu or by calling (707) 826-5200.

For the second time since his arrest in April, criminal proceedings have been suspended against alleged murderer Austin Michael Medeiros.

This morning Judge Kaleb Cockrum agreed to a defense request to suspend proceedings again and appoint a second doctor to evaluate Medeiros. He is charged with murdering Emily Lobba, a 28-year-old disabled woman who was found dead April 3 in her home on Greenwood Heights.

Medeiros.

Medeiros, 28, underwent competency training and was declared competent by the state’s Department of Hospitals. His attorney does not agree.

“I don’t share that opinion,” Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps told Cockrum this morning. Tipps said Medeiros continues to suffer from delusions, despite the competency training and being forced to take anti-psychotic medication. He has been in custody for about six months.

Deputy District Attorney Candace Myers didn’t object to another evaluation, saying “I don’t want to set up an issue for appeal.”

Dr. Jennifer Wilson conducted the first exam of Medeiros and found him to be mentally incompetent, meaning he is unable to assist his attorney in his own defense. Tipps wanted Wilson appointed again, but Cockrum chose Dr. Michael Morris, a clinical psychologist in Eureka.

Morris’s report is expected to be ready on Nov. 15, the date scheduled for the next hearing.

Medeiros was dressed in red, meaning he is segregated from the general population at Humboldt County Correctional Facility. Shortly after his arrest, Medeiros allegedly attacked a correctional officer with an improvised weapon.

Carol Medeiros, a relative of Austin’s, watched the proceedings via Zoom but did not turn off the audio at her end, meaning she could be heard in the courtroom. Finally the judge kicked her out.

“I’m going to excuse you, Ms. Medeiros,” Cockrum said. “This is the third time you’ve broken in.”

###

PREVIOUSLY:

• Suspect, Victim Named in Kneeland Homicide; Public Urged to Be on the Lookout, Motorists Warned Suspect May be Attempting to Hitchhike South
• Kneeland Homicide Suspect Arrested in Santa Cruz Yesterday; Suspect Had Loaded Stolen Firearm and Mushrooms in His Possession, Sheriff’s Office Says
• Kneeland Homicide Suspect Transferred Back to Humboldt, Will Be Arraigned Next Week
• TODAY in COURT: Kneeland Murder Suspect Says He Wants to Hire His Own Lawyer
• TODAY IN COURT: Kneeland Murder Suspect Pleads Not Guilty
• Correctional Deputy Injured in Jail Assault by Kneeland Murder Suspect, Sheriff’s Office Says
• Criminal Proceedings Against Suspected Kneeland Killer Suspended; Judge Orders Psychiatric Evaluation
• TODAY in COURT: Man Who Bit Off Cop’s Thumb Gets Four Years and Change; Kneeland Murder Suspect Says He’s Not Insane, but a Doctor Disagrees; Sotolongo Jury Still Deliberating