David Larry Cook, born on May 4, 1949, passed away on Sept. 6, 2022. He lived in Orick since childhood. He is survived by his wife, Anna Cook, and his daughters Sarah Monedero and Natasha O’Loughlin. He has five grandchildren and a large extended family.

David was known for his love of the outdoors — fishing, hunting, and camping. Even though David was legally blind he did many types of jobs: fishing, logging, teaching, and was a martial arts instructor. David was a storyteller which is why he was such a good fisherman. His passion was to talk and one of his favorite stories to tell was how he survived a bear fight. He was funny and kind and was the type of person who would give someone the shirt off his back. He made many sacrifices for his family, David and his wife cared for his brother and mother for many years until their passing. He was a strong man with an even bigger heart for his family and friends.

David suffered a life-changing stroke in 2014 that forever changed his abilities to speak and walk. He had been living with chronic lung conditions, speech aphasia and limited mobility, which stole his ability to communicate and be active, all things he loved to do. David did overcome his disabilities and managed to still enjoy his days watching old western shows and giving his grandkids rides on his wheelchair. It was a sad day when his granddaughter Annahi got too big to ride on the back of the wheelchair because they started to do wheelies.

The family would like to thank Dr. Abassi and the nursing staff at Mad River Hospital for helping David and us through this hard time and making David as comfortable as possible. He passed away in his sleep next to his wife Anna, which is all we could ask for. We would like to thank Ayres Family Cremation for their services and compassion during this difficult time.

We will have a memorial/celebration on May 6. Further information will be provided on a location and time.

###

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

###

Arcata might have some more late-night outdoor events coming its way. During tonight’s meeting, the Arcata City Council will consider a request from Arcane Artists Inc. – a local artist management and production company – to extend amplified music past the city’s 10 p.m. curfew for several upcoming events. 

Arcane Artists already applied for and was granted a special event permit for a “fundraiser concert series” taking place on multiple dates between July and October in Arcata’s Creamery District. The first event of the series, on July 23, was only allowed to operate until 10 p.m. – the usual end time of outdoor music and events in Arcata.  

Arcane Artists then requested that the council consider allowing future events to extend past 10 p.m. so that more people who get off work late could attend. During its Aug. 3 meeting the council unanimously approved the request on a monitored basis, allowing amplified music and alcohol sales until midnight, with an option for a silent disco – where people dance while all listening to music through headphones – until 1 a.m. The council will now consider extending the approval for five additional events, scheduled for Sept. 10 and 24, and Oct. 8, 15, and 29. 

Since the council approved the extended event hours, Arcane Artists has held two additional events in the Creamery District – on Aug. 6 and 27 – which, according to the staff report, did cause at least a few complaints from the community. During the Aug. 6 event the police department received two noise complaints (though there was also another event happening that may have contributed to the noise level), and during the Aug. 27 event the police received eight complaints between 10:20 and 11:43 p.m, the staff report says. 

Site map of the Arcane Artists event from the permit application |Arcata City staff report

The council has a few different options tonight. One would be to continue the current agreement of allowing booze and music to go until midnight with the silent disco until 1 a.m. Alternatively, the council could choose to end the extended hours and require the event to end at 10 p.m. Or the council come up with some third alternative for end time. The events will take place on N Street between Eighth and Ninth Streets in Arcata. 

If you are passionate about performing or partying past 10 p.m., or if you hate the noise, you’ll probably want to attend tonight’s meeting and speak your mind. 

###

In other business, the Council will consider amending the City’s Conflict of Interest Code, which requires that designated employees disqualify themselves from making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that might benefit them financially. 

Reviewing and making necessary adjustments to the code is something the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) requires the city to do every two years. It should also be pointed out that this is the Conflict of Interest Code for city employees, not for councilmembers. But it does seem worth paying attention to, considering that there has recently been some contention between Councilmember Brett Watson and Councilmember Alex Stillman over whether or not Stillman has a conflict of interest related to the Gateway Area Plan and should be recusing herself from Gateway Area decisions.  Stillman is currently awaiting an official ruling on this matter from the FPPC. 

The Arcata City Council meets tonight (Wednesday) at 6 p.m. at Arcata City Hall – 736 F Street. You can view the full agenda and directions on how to participate in person or virtually here.

###

Press release from the unified command of the Six Rivers Lightning Complex:

The hot, dry, and breezy conditions caused fire activity to increase within the perimeter of the Campbell fire control lines. The temperatures caused an increase mixing of air, improved visibility for air resources to access the fire area and support the ongoing ground crew operations. The helicopters supported the crews along the eastern perimeter of the Campbell fire near the Happy Camp Mountain area.  

The unseasonably hot temperatures and dry conditions are forecast to remain over the fire area for the remainder of the week. There is a slight chance for isolated thunderstorms to develop this afternoon. Incident managers are keeping a robust ground and air force assigned to the incident as critical fire weather conditions persist through the week.  Firefighters will continue their efforts to improve and secure control lines. More seasonal weather conditions are predicted to return to the area this coming weekend.   

Check out the Six Rivers Smoke Outlook for more information: 

https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/65384a03. 

Learn how you can help be fire safe at https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/fire  

ROAD CLOSURES 

Due to a large presence of fire personnel and machinery working to build containment lines for the Ammon Fire, residents are asked to limit travel on Titlow Hill Road/Route 1 in zones HUM-E052 and HUM-E062 to essential traffic only. Residents may still use roads to travel out of evacuation order zones: 

The following roads into evacuation zones have been closed. 
- Forest Route 7n15 at Six Rivers Forest Boundary 

The following roads are restricted to local traffic only: 
- Horse Linto Creek Road at Saddle Lane (Open to residents only) 
- 6N06 Sandy Bar (Route 6) 
- Titlow Hill Road (Route 1) at Horse Mountain Botanical Area 
 
State Route 299 remains open to through traffic. Residents are encouraged to visit http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ to check for state highway closures. 
 
FOREST CLOSURES 

Forest order NO. 22-10-06 Six Rivers Lighting Complex is currently in place, which includes river access at Kimtu Park. 

To view this closure and map, please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/srnf/alerts-notices 
 
EVACUATION UPDATES  

For the latest evacuation information go to Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies https://community.zonehaven.com/.  
To sign up for alerts: www.humboldtgov.org/alerts. 
 
LARGE ANIMAL EVACUATION CENTER 

Hoopa Rodeo Grounds  
1767 Pine Creek Rd., Hoopa, CA 95546

Phone: (707) 492-2851 

CLEAN AIR FACILITIES 

Clean Air Centers are open at locations in eastern Humboldt and western Trinity counties for residents seeking relief from the smoky conditions. Please see the list below for times and locations: www.facebook.com/TrinityCoOES  

PREVIOUSLY: 

• Arcata Fire District Will Close Mad River Station Tomorrow and Rotate Station Closures Moving Forward
• MEASURE F: Arcata Fire District Again Proposes a Special Tax Increase to Help Fund Operations, But Some Say It’s Asking Too Much

###

Press release from Arcata Fire District:

On September 8, 2022, Arcata Fire Protection District will re-open its third station permanently. The station had been closed due to staffing shortages faced by the organization over the last year.  

The District began receiving revenue from Measure “F” in January of this year, following approval of the Special Tax by the voters in November 2020. A portion of the revenue was directed to increase the staffing levels of the organization.

Following productive contract negotiations, the District successfully recruited eleven personnel, from firefighter to Assistant Chief, to fill positions that were left vacant due to retirements and departures.

With those new personnel, the District can permanently staff all three stations. Although there are two vacancies remaining, the recently hired personnel will allow the organization to maintain minimum staffing for three stations through overtime hiring. The two remaining vacancies are anticipated to be filled in the upcoming months.

Along with filling vacancies, the District has been working on capital improvements such as replacing an older fire engine in the fleet, and repairing maintenance items at stations that had been deferred due to budgetary constraints. The new fire engine is scheduled for delivery later this year and roof repairs and painting of the Mad River Station are underway. 

The Arcata Fire Protection District appreciates the support of our tax-paying community and is excited to be returning to previous staffing levels and providing service to our District which includes Arcata, McKinleyville, Jacoby Creek, Bayside, and Manila.

###

Press release from the Trees Foundation:

CAL FIRE has entered into a nearly $5 million grant agreement with the Humboldt County Resource Conservation District (HCRCD) to implement the Mattole and Salmon Creek Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Project across 1,022 acres of forest and grasslands near Petrolia and Salmon Creek by early 2026.

The project is designed to enhance forest health at the landscape level in the Mattole and Salmon Creek watersheds, ensuring that the areas treated will help meet emissions reduction targets of the California Climate Investment (CCI) program while critically reducing wildfire risk and contributing to the safety of local residents.

This project is a collaboration between state and local agencies, non-profits, and private landowners. The team of collaborators working on the project include CAL FIRE, HCRCD, Mattole Restoration Council, Humboldt Redwood Company, Trees Foundation, Mattole Salmon Group, Chapman Ranch, The Valley View Ranch, Cisco Benemenn, the 7B Ranch, the 3030 Ranch, and California State Parks.

“HCRCD is honored to administer this grant and facilitate this important work on behalf of the Southern Humboldt community,” said Jill Demers, HCRCD Executive Director.

“CAL FIRE Forest Health funding has created an incredible opportunity for us to implement landscape scale ecosystem restoration projects in the Mattole and Eel River watersheds,” said Hugh McGee of the Mattole Restoration Council, who led project design and will manage project implementation. “This project will address ecological issues across multiple ecosystems while building a local restoration workforce. Treatments will occur on ridgeline forests, grasslands, and oak woodland all the way down to riparian and in-stream areas. It’s unique to have one funding source address so many issues across different ecosystems, and we are really excited about that.”

Mattole Restoration Council worked with several landowners over the years to develop plans for forest treatments on Apple Tree Ridge and adjacent ridgelines on Humboldt Redwood Company property in the Mattole that will restore late seral forest conditions to the project sites.

The Salmon Creek shaded fuel break portion of the project centers around a forest treatment plan on the Chapman Ranch that was developed over a decade ago. The two projects were ultimately brought together under one grant proposal through a collaborative process that began in the fall of 2021, when Institute for Sustainable Forestry (ISF) teamed up with Trees Foundation to host a series of online meetings of Southern Humboldt-based stakeholders to explore potential projects for a regional CAL FIRE Forest Health Grant Program application.

This stakeholders group, now known as the Southern Humboldt Forest Health Collaborative, continues to convene to support the development and implementation of future projects that will benefit forest health and wildfire resilience in Southern Humboldt. The list of participants is still growing and has included CAL FIRE, Bureau of Land Management, California State Parks, Chapman Ranch, HCRCD, ISF, Mattole Restoration Council, Southern Humboldt Fire Safe Council, Trees Foundation, Salmon Creek Working Group, Southern Humboldt Prescribed Burn Association, The Watershed Center, Redwood Community Action Agency, and several Volunteer Fire Departments and interested community members.  

“This is an exciting opportunity to promote forest management that contributes to the long-term ecological and economic wellbeing of our forested communities,” said Chip Tittmann, President of ISF. “I’d like to thank Tim Bailey of The Watershed Center for strongly encouraging us early on to pursue a CAL FIRE Forest Health grant.”

“In addition to promoting fire resiliency, California’s investment in forest health will benefit the economy,” said Gail Eastwood, Chair of the Southern Humboldt Fire Safe Council. “We can expect local workers and contractors to have ongoing employment in this satisfying work.”

“This grant is a major investment, not only in strategic forest treatments, but also in community planning and capacity-building that will help more southern Humboldt landowners to plan, fund, and implement fire resilience and ecosystem restoration projects on their own lands,” said Kerry Reynolds, Organizational Development Director of Trees Foundation.

Funding will be used for:

• Completing over 600 acres of forest thinning on Apple Tree Ridge and adjacent ridgelines on Humboldt Redwood Company property. Small diameter timber will be thinned on over 200 acres and sold to the mill for biomass utilization with proceeds offsetting project costs. The project also includes removal of encroaching trees from historical grasslands and oak woodlands, and installing trees with a helicopter in McGinnis Creek for in-stream salmonid habitat. In addition, the project will include invasive plant removal, native plant installation, and over 120 acres of prescribed fire in grasslands and forests.
• Completing a 200-acre shaded fuel break on the Chapman Ranch in the footprint of an emergency unshaded fuel break created during the 2003 Canoe Fire by CAL FIRE. The Canoe Fire burned more than 13,000 acres in California State Parks and encroached onto the Chapman Ranch, threatening the community of Salmon Creek.
• Completing surveys needed for State Parks to meet environmental compliance requirements to implement a future fuel break on the southern portion of their property that borders Chapman Ranch and the Salmon Creek watershed. As a project match, State Parks staff will assist in coordinating the necessary surveys and will also implement Phase 1 of their Watershed Resilience Project, also referred to as Panther Gap, which includes 150 acres of restorative forest and ridgetop thinning occurring largely in Middle Creek (middle Mattole River watershed).
• Community planning and project development in southern Humboldt County to foster local workforce capacity to implement forest health projects and support continued community engagement in strategic project development, ensuring that the impacts achieved under this grant will continue to expand across the southern Humboldt landscape into the future.

“Never before in our history have we had the opportunity to restore fire-suppressed landscapes at this scale,” noted Kyle Keegan, a member of the Salmon Creek Working Group. “I believe we can act accordingly and with care to utilize these grant funding opportunities to help build a lasting relationship to the land through the process of restoring fire resilience.”

For job openings or opportunities for licensed contractors connected with this project, email hugh@mattole.org or organize@treesfoundation.org. A community meeting about the Salmon Creek portion of the project will be held at the Salmon Creek School at 4pm on September 25. 

The Mattole and Salmon Creek Forest Health and Wildfire Resilience Project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade Program dollars to work reducing GHG emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment–particularly in disadvantaged communities. The Cap-and-Trade Program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution. California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more. At least 35 percent of these investments are located within and benefiting residents of disadvantaged communities, low-income communities, and low-income households across California. For more information, visit the California Climate Investments website at: www.caclimateinvestments.ca.gov.

Yvonne Marie Arnold Scott was born on a Friday. August 6, 1965 in Bakersfield to Ray and Ginna Arnold. Growing up she enjoyed spending time with her younger siblings and valued her conversations with her elders. She loved reading, listening to music, dancing, daydreaming, playing RPG games and hanging out with her best friend, Darrla.

Yvonne went to grade school in Humboldt County and then moved and graduated from Ojai High School in 1983. Yvonne moved back to Humboldt County, where she married her first husband and the father of her children, as a young adult.

Throughout her life Yvonne had several jobs, including cleaning with Darrla’s Clean Team LLC, Roto Rooter, call centers, retail, and many service industry jobs, but the one she enjoyed the most was working for the carnival. This is where she met her second husband and love of her life, William Scott Jr., a.k.a Billy. Yvonne, who was known to her friends as Bonzo, got to see so many places and meet wonderful people while working and traveling with Billy and the carnival. She would constantly retell stories of her “carni days,” especially meeting Billy on the midway at Redwood Acres Fair.

Her most recent job, working from home with AT&T as a customer service representative, she described to her granddaughter, Arcadia, as “FINALLY having a job that allows me to take care of my family the way I want to.” She described to Arcadia many times how much she appreciated the true support that came from the job, and the people who mentored her.

Yvonne loved her family immensely. She was always excited about having “all the kids” for a night or two, and surrounding herself with her family. She cherished her partner, Scott Smith, with whom she grew as a person into someone she was happier being. She told her best friend, Darrla, “he makes me smile everyday” and expressed many times to her granddaughter, Arcadia, just how much Scott meant to her, and how many great ideas he came up with.She would constantly boast about him and all of the projects he would work on to truly better their lives. Yvonne also loved frogs, arts and crafts, reading, writing, watching the food channel, learning, gardening, listening to audiobooks, sewing, playing her “phone games,” raising her animals, and 48 years later, she still loved hanging out with her best friend, Darrla.

Yvonne loved to spend time in the kitchen, creating many masterpieces. She would always bake birthday cakes for Arcadia – using her extensive cake decorating kit, which she had so much fun with. She loved bringing people together through food, hosting Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and was famous for her homemade Christmas morning cinnamon rolls, which she made sure to share with the whole ‘farm’.

Yvonne was always open to talk to anyone who needed “an ear”. She had the unique ability to see things from a wide perspective, using her immense world knowledge and life experience to impart wisdom in bite sized and manageable pieces. She always made you feel welcome, heard, understood, and cared for. In her way, she saved us all. Through the love she provided and the conversations she had, and wrapped in the hugs she gave. She took a vested interest in people she cared about – and she cared about everybody. She would find a way to help you, even if you felt helpless. Many times she even truly saved Arcadia’s life as a suicidal teenager by investing her time in making sure to do a home suicide watch, involve herself in an anti-suicide campaign, and researched all of the symptoms and how to help them. Her best friend said, “I hurt for the people that have lost her and feel bad for the people that will never get to meet her.”

Yvonne went to be with her son, husband, and her God on Sunday, August 14, 2022, after suffering a stroke. She was a good daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, partner and friend. Yvonne was preceded in death by her husband, William “Billy” Scott Jr., her mother Virginia “Ginna” Green, her father Kermit “Ray” Arnold, her brother Kurt Arnold, and her son, Ray Marsh. She is survived by her mom, Charlene Davidson-Arnold, siblings, Christina, Lanette, and Keith, her best friend, Darrla Paquin, her partner, Scott Smith, her daughter, Allison Marsh, her granddaughters, Arcadia Marsh and Aamira Adams, and great granddaughter Arabella Marsh.

A potluck style Celebration of Life will be held at Sequoia Park in the Group Picnic Area on Saturday, September 17 between 2 and 4 p.m. More details about this will also be posted on Facebook as a public event.

It broke our hearts when you left us
But we couldn’t let you go alone
So a piece of our hearts went with you
The day God took you home

Donald James Thompson passed away in his sleep on June 13, 2022 at his home in Mckinleyville. Although he was born in Weaverville, he spent most of his life in Humboldt County. It was here in the beautiful forests that he fell in love with logging. He worked as an independent contractor and his ability to climb and fell trees was second to none. Because of his skill level and ability to deliver, he was sought out by big timber companies, private landowners and even homeowners who needed his expertise. Although his main job was always tree work, he was also a natural at mechanics and even briefly owned a motorcycle shop. More of a hobby shop than a moneymaker, he was able to combine his love for motorcycles and his ability to turn wrenches.

Besides the unmentionables, the only thing he loved more than climbing trees and bikes was his son, Kid. From the start those two were two peas in a pod. His absolute favorite time in his life was the years he spent with Kid on the race track. He was never happier or prouder than the time he spent out there on the dirt helping his son bring home the trophies.

Donald worked hard and played just as hard. He had a huge presence and never left a room without making at least one person smile. To know him was to love him, and pretty much everywhere he went he made friends. Before passing he told his family that he wanted a big party to celebrate the life he lived. So that is exactly what we plan to do! Please join us for a potluck at Pierson Park on September 11 at 3 p.m. Everyone is welcome and the family asks that everyone who attends brings a dish of food to share.