Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release: 

Since late December 2021, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) had been investigating a drug trafficking organization operating in the Eureka area. Agents conducted surveillance and were able to identify the suspected leader of the organization, Jesse Mark Johnson (24-year-old from Eureka). Johnson was suspected of trafficking fentanyl throughout Humboldt County. Agents received a search warrant for Johnson, his residence, his vehicles, and a motel room in the 1300 block of 4th Street in Eureka that he had been occupying.

On February 15th, 2022, HCDTF Agents with the assistance of the Eureka Police Department Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team, served a search warrant on Johnson, his vehicle, his residence, and his motel room. Inside the motel room Agents located Octobreona Taylor Hof (24-year-old from Fortuna), Jared Ross Johnson (22-year-old from Eureka), and a one-year-old child. Agents located approximately one ounce of fentanyl (green in color), 20 M-30 fentanyl pills and drug paraphernalia. The fentanyl and drug paraphernalia were located within the reach of the one-year-old child and Child Welfare Service responded to the scene.

Octobreona Hof and Jared Johnson were arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where they were booked for the following charges:

• PC 273a(a) Child endangerment
• H&S 11350 Possession of fentanyl
• H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sales
• PC 182(a)(1) Conspiracy to commit a crime

Jared Johnson was also found to be on parole for PC245- assault with a deadly weapon and was placed under a no bail parole hold.

A juvenile and Jesse Mark Johnson arrived at the motel room approximately one hour after the search warrant had been served. The juvenile was driving Johnson’s vehicle. Located next to the juvenile was 20 M-30 fentanyl pills and a loaded 9mm ghost gun. The juvenile was booked at the Humboldt County Juvenile Hall on the following charges:

• H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sales
• H&S 11352(b) Transportation of fentanyl for sales
• PC 182(a)(1) Conspiracy to commit a crime
• HS11370.1 Possession of fentanyl while armed
• PC25850 Carrying a non-serialized firearm

Jesse Johnson was released at the scene and the following charges will be sent to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office:

• H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sales
• PC182(a)(1) Conspiracy to commit a crime

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Animal Shelter is offering reduced-rate adoptions for dogs this week as part of their Valentine’s Day “Sweetheart Special.”

Due to the shelter’s dog kennels nearing capacity, adoption fees for all adult dogs (6 months and older) have been reduced to $50 and puppies (less than 6 months) have been reduced to $80. Cats remain at their regular adoption price. Adoptable dogs are neutered or spayed, microchipped, up to date on shots and temperament tested. Some dogs also have had obedience training classes.

The animal shelter’s currently available, adoptable pets are listed online and updated daily at 24petconnect.com. Members of the public are asked to first fill out an adoption application, located at humboldtsheriff.org/adopt, and then call the Shelter at 707-840-9132 to make an appointment to visit.

The Humboldt County Animal Shelter is located at 980 Lycoming Ave in McKinleyville, and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To learn more about the Humboldt County Animal Shelter and the adoption process, visit humboldtsheriff.org/adopt or call 707-840-9132.

Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release:

Since early January 2022, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) has been investigating Sara Jean Gibson (35 years old from Eureka) for transporting fentanyl into Humboldt County. Agents conducted surveillance on Gibson and learned she was occupying a room in a motel in the 1300 block of 4th street in Eureka. As a result of their investigation agents received a search warrant for Sara Gibson and the room she was occupying.

On February 15th , 2022, HCDTF Agents with the assistance of the Eureka Police Department Problem Oriented Policing (POP) Team, served a search warrant on Gibson and her motel room. Agents located a half pound of fentanyl in various colors (red, green, white, purple, pink and orange) and approximately a half ounce of methamphetamine.

Gibson was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where she was booked for the following charges:

• H&S 11352(b) Transportation of fentanyl for sales
• H&S 11351 Possession of fentanyl for sales
• H&S 11378 Possession of methamphetamine for sales

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.

California’s indoor mask mandate is gone, for now. So is Humboldt County’s local mask mandate. But that doesn’t mean that you don’t have to wear a mask anywhere ever again. Some institutions – schools, for now, and the court – are going to keep requiring masks. Some of the businesses you frequent regularly are going to require masks.

This latter bit is going to cause some chaos. First of all, there’s still a mask mandate in effect for people who haven’t gotten vaccinated. If you were to Venn Diagram the state of play, we all know that you’d see strong overlap between the people who don’t want to get vaccinated and people who most eagerly don’t want to wear their masks.

So for this reason and probably others, certain private establishments are going to keep requiring you to mask up. And this, in turn, is going to return us to the bad old days of the early pandemic, when these private businesses are going to require their employees to serve as bouncers, enforcing their policy against the sometimes unruly patrons who insist that they get to decide what policy is valid and what is not.

That’s on top of the everyday confusion that we’ll all experience – mask here, not there, etc. When should I wear a mask? When should I not? Mask on, mask off – auugh!

We propose, to people of good faith, that there is a very easy law to live by, with antecedents stretching all the way back to the Golden Rule. Look at the workers. If you go into a business and a worker is wearing a mask, then you are wearing a mask.

Wear your mask if for no other reason than to show solidarity with your neighbors. The reason they’re wearing a mask is so they don’t risk showering germs on you. Either they’re doing this by choice or because they were ordered to. Doesn’t matter. What you can do – vaxxed and unvaxxed alike – is wear a mask so you don’t risk showering germs on them.

Pretty simple, right? 

What if one worker is wearing a mask and the other isn’t?

Wear a mask.

But what if that mask-wearing worker is unvaccinated? I feel like since maybe she refused the vaccine she is getting what she deserves. That thrills me a little bit, and I feel like it’d be good to rub her face in it by showing her the freedom that the vaxxed have earned.

Listen to yourself.

What if the sign outside says “No masks required! Come in and live free!” but the workers are wearing masks?

Wear your mask.

What if it’s a grocery store, and like 15 workers aren’t wearing masks but one is?

OK, that’s a gray area.

What if the workers are masked but I can’t wear a mask because the point of this business is to sell me stuff to put in my mouth?

Another gray area. Everyone understands that. Just be respectful. Wear a mask when you’re not at your table.

What if I have a local radio talk show and my whole brand is to be a big oversized baby and to whine and cry about masks and government overreach and the way things used to be?

WWJD? If the workers were wearing masks, then he would wear a mask. “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of my brothers and sisters, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:40.

What if the workers aren’t wearing masks but I’m unvaccinated?

Sorry, buddy. Wear a mask.

What if the workers aren’t wearing masks and I am vaccinated?

Head on in and party like it’s 2019!

But I don’t want to do that! I think everyone should still be masked!

There are two things you can do, here.

One: Call up the business on the phone and ask them if they can meet you on the curb with the thing that you want to buy. I bet they’ll do it! Businesses are businesses. They like to help their customers purchase things from them.

Two: If that fails, maybe instead go to a different business, one that is still requiring masks?

I don’t know. I feel you. You’ve done everything you’re supposed to do, and the pandemic is still an inconvenience. Just please don’t take your cues on how to behave from the maskholes. You don’t need to flip out and rage around town screaming at everyone to put their masks back on. Right? You’re better than that.

We’re all better than that. We have it in us!

A life well lived! John Robert Winzler Sr. passed away on December 25, 2021 at the age of 91, surrounded by his family.

John was preceded in death by his three siblings Beverly Winzler Peterson, Lt. George Winzler Jr. (Bub), and Lura Winzler.

John was born to parents George and Ruby Winzler on May 5, 1930, and lived in Eureka his entire life, never wanting to live anywhere else. He graduated from Eureka High School in 1947. He attended Humboldt State University for 2 years, transferred to UC Berkeley where he graduated, Cum Laude, in 1951 with a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering and Architecture. John was proficient in many technical disciplines over his lifetime. He was a registered civil engineer, registered traffic engineer, registered mechanical engineer, licensed architect and licensed land surveyor.

After college, John returned to Humboldt County, married his high school sweetheart, Flora Pinochi, and together raised their four children. They were married for 46 years. Flora died in 1997 after a long battle with cancer.

In 1951, John and his father, George Winzler, started an engineering business “Winzler and Winzler.” When his good friend, and fellow graduate, Robert (Bob) Kelly returned from the Korean War, Bob joined the firm and the name changed to “Winzler, Winzler & Kelly.” Eventually, after the death of his father the firm become “Winzler & Kelly Consulting Engineers.” John loved working and spent long hours building a successful business. John served as the president and/ or principal engineer of “Winzler and Kelly” for over 40 years, continuing to work into his 80s. He and Bob grew the company into a multi-disciplinary engineering firm with 285 employees that included 10 offices in the Western United States and the Pacific Islands (Guam and Saipan).

In 2011 Winzler & Kelly merged with the international company GHD, a company of over 6500 employees. His greatest concern at the sale of the business was that all the W & K employees would be able to keep their jobs. He felt a great responsibility for the welfare of his employees and their families. If he could write this now, we know that our dad would want to say a very heartfelt “THANK YOU” to all the “Winzler and Kelly” employees that helped to build such a successful business. He knew that the employees were the foundation for the success of Winzler and Kelly and he greatly respected and appreciated them.

John loved everything about Humboldt County and supported and served the community in many ways. He was a member of the Rotary Club of Eureka (50+ years), Ducks Unlimited and the Native Sons. He has served on the board of directors for St. Joseph Hospital (13 years), the Clarke Historical Museum (51 years), the Ingomar club and the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce. John was one of the co-founders of Humboldt Bank and served on their board of directors for 17 years. He was the principal engineer for the Humboldt Bay Municipal Water District and was recognized in 2006 for his 46 years of service to the District, with the dedication of the District’s Operation Facilities at Essex as the “The John R. Winzler Operations and Control Center.” He was very proud of his long relationship with the Water District.

John was also one of the key individuals in bringing modern wastewater facilities to communities in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties: including Redway, Garberville, Miranda, parts of Eureka and Cutten, Blue Lake, McKinleyville, and Crescent City. He was also involved in updating Woodley Island Marina to provide safe harbor facilities for commercial fishermen and boaters.

Over the years John received many professional honors, awards and acknowledgements, including: an appointment to the California Board of Registration for Professional Engineers, by then-governor Ronald Regan, and served as its President; an appointment to the National Board of Engineering Examiners, which sets licensing standards throughout the USA; receiving the Engineers of the year, Public Service Award of the California Council of Civil Engineer and Land Surveyor; receiving the Outstanding Civil Engineer in the Private Sector Award of the San Francisco Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 2006.

John is survived by his four children, Dr. John Winzler Jr. and wife Janet, James Paul Winzler, Debra Winzler Friedenbach and husband John, and Julie Winzler Siqueira and husband Keith. Grandchildren, Kalie Iorg, Jay Winzler and wife Sarah, Melina Winzler, Gregory Friedenbach, Charles Friedenbach, and Natalie Friedenbach. Great-grandchildren Madison & Kyle Iorg, Iyla and Kaia Winzler. He is also survived by nephews Jack Peterson, Rick Peterson, Rob Peterson; nieces Susan Arthur and Patricia Moore as well as cousin Marilyn Cesaretti.

John remarried in 2001 and is survived by his second wife, Sandra McKenzie Winzler. They enjoyed 20 years together. He considered himself very fortunate to have such a large extended family and so many close friends. He loved to travel and he did so both for his business and for personal enjoyment. John and Sandy enjoyed some great vacations together.

John also loved the outdoors. In his younger years he enjoyed hunting, fishing, clamming, skiing, golfing, and gardening. He particularly loved spending time at the family cabin in Redway amongst the redwoods and swimming in the Eel River. In his later years, he enjoyed watching football (Go Bears!), time with family and friends and sharing a good cocktail and a lively discussion about politics and world events. He was a great story-teller and lived during one of the most interesting times in history. He always said that he had had a great life despite the ups and downs that came with it. He was very appreciative of his many close friends that enriched his life over the years, and he looked forward to their phone calls and visits. He was a firm believer and supporter of a good education for all. Dad was a great patriarch for our family and we will miss him dearly.

The Winzler family would like to thank all the wonderful people involved in our father’s care, especially Alisa Osburn for her outstanding care and kindness, Dad always enjoyed your company and valued your help tremendously. A special thank you to Lucy Vianuku, Leua Vianuku, and Sam Ily for your gentle, skilled care and all your kindness. He could not have had better caregivers at the end of his life. Thank you, also, to Agape and Hospice for your much needed care and help

Family and friends and business associates are invited to attend a celebration of life, February 26, 2022 1-4 p.m. at the Ingomar Club in Eureka. Donations in John’s honor can be made to The Clarke Museum, Hospice of Humboldt or to a charity or organization of your choosing.

Donna Ann Mitchell
Aug. 16, 1940-Jan. 28, 2022

“You would find my mom sitting outside on a warm and sunny day like today out in the yard, painting her nails. You’d never hear a bad word spoken of Donna. I have always heard nothing but nice and kind things said about my mother. She was always highly thought of and well respected.”

– by Reneen, Donna’s daughter

Donna Ann Lipscomb-Mitchell, former resident of Blue Lake, passed away due to natural causes at her home on the evening of January 28, 2022. She was born on August 16,1940 in Eureka to her parents Hazel (Hawkins) and Randolph Lipscomb. She grew up with three brothers and one sister. She was very close with her siblings, especially her twin brother Don Lipscomb. Growing up in Arcata, she attended Arcata and Blue Lake Elementary. She graduated 8th grade from Blue Lake School in 1954 and graduated from Arcata High School in 1959. She had a great childhood growing up here in northern Humboldt – from going to Clam Beach with her Dad and siblings and learning how to razor clam, to walking up town to go see a picture at the show for a nickel. She and Don were always having fun and cracking jokes. She would grow up with giggles and laughter, and continue to carry that humorous side with her throughout the years.

While Donna was in high school she would babysit on the weekends. Soon she would be a bookkeeper at the E&O bowling alley in Glendale, during and after high school. She went to work in the restaurant there in her 20s in the 1960s. She would also pick up a job working at the logging mills here in the area, such as Bonnie Stud and Cal Pacific. She would be a custodian at the Blue Lake School in her 30s and an employee for Deluxe Cleaners in Arcata. In her 30s she also worked at the E&O Market for some time in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She was a dietitian at Mad River Hospital for 10 years. You’d catch her serving food in the cafeteria.

Donna liked to volunteer her time cooking ham and sausage for Sunday breakfast at the Mad River Grange. She enjoyed getting to greet people and starting up conversations. Donna would be hired on in housekeeping for the Blue Lake Casino. She would maintain her position, finding herself promoted to the lead in her department. Donna received many recognitions and was awarded employee of the month more times that you can count. She was employed at the Blue Lake Casino for 18½ years, hoping to make it to her 20th year anniversary.

She would always have a great time getting dressed up and looking nice getting to take her daughter and then grandchildren to the employee Christmas parties at the Elk Lodge in Eureka and going to the employee BBQs. She got joy by seeing her fellow employees and peers every day at work. She showed great customer service and great teamwork with her fellow employees. Making long-lasting friendships in the workforce was a great trait of Donna’s character, displaying kindness and generosity.

Donna was married twice in her life, to her first husband in 1961, living in Alabama for a couple years then moving to Redway She would find herself returning back home, and meeting her second husband Joe Mitchell, resident of Fortuna. Together they would have their only child, Renee Sue Mitchell, in 1971. Donna would separate from Joe in 1974 and remain good friends with him ‘til the day she passed. Donna would always take good care of Renee, taking her to play in Willow Creek to her parents’ house to spend time with her nieces and nephews. Donna would always help out on her mom and dad’s 8-acre property, helping in the yard and garden. Donna would take much pleasure hanging out with her best friend Billy Goodwin, dressing up as Dolly Parton and the Hell’s Angels, winning first prize numerous times at the MnM club. She had such fun times with her good friend Billy, even sharing being pregnant together and having their daughters grow up close with each other.

Donna knew the significance of being a part of a small town and community, and did anything she could for her family and friends. At the age of 27 she donated one of her kidneys to her twin brother Don, after being told by doctors the possibility of her carrying a child was very low. That didn’t stop her, for she loved motherhood and was very close with her daughter, and did everything she could to make sure she was well taken care of.

Donna would go on to have three granddaughters by Renee — Lindsay Arnold, Sharon Plumlee and Bobbie Dawn Plumlee. She loved being Grandma Donna, taking her girls out to eat at the local Denny’s and Pantry for a bowl of clam chowder soup on the weekends, then later taking her great-grandkids out to eat as well. She enjoyed taking them shopping and going to yard sales and thrift stores with her daughter Renee. What kept her going was her great-grandkids. She loved seeing them play at the park, and making hotcakes for them in the mornings or taking her great-granddaughter Kharmah to the Sizzler to have shrimp. She loved being a part of their lives, as much as they loved being a part of hers. She would be at every sports game of theirs, cheering them on like the proud grandma she was.

Donna enjoyed baseball. She was a big SF Giants fan. You could catch her listening to the game in her car on the radio or getting in the car with her family and going on a drive, enjoying the pink and yellow sunset in the evenings. She would always be up for Yahtzee or a game of cards, teaching her daughter and grandchildren how to play rummy and beating them every time. She looked forward to going to Annie and Mary Days in Blue Lake with her family to watch the parade go by, and also working in the parade at times.

She enjoyed getting to go on one last road trip with her granddaughter Sharon and her two great grandchildren to Coeur D’Alene, Idaho for Thanksgiving in 2021. She got to visit her granddaughter Bobbie Dawn and her son Jeremiah, along with her son in-law Bob Plumlee. Donna very much enjoyed seeing all the scenery and getting to spend time visiting with her granddaughters and helping put the babies to sleep. Cooking one last turkey dinner for them, she took much delight in making her great-grandkids smile and laugh, always talking with them, showing them nothing but love. Donna has always been such a constant in her family’s lives and will be missed dearly.

We had a wonderful grandmother, one who never really grew old Her smile was made of sunshine and her heart was solid gold Her eyes were bright as shining stars, and in her cheeks fair roses you see We had a wonderful grandmother, and that’s the way it will always be.

Donna is preceded in death by her mom and dad, Hazel and Randolph Lipscomb; her older brother, Richard ‘Dick” Lipscomb; her twin brother Don Lipscomb; younger twin siblings Phil and Phylis Lipscomb; and her granddaughter, Lindsay Ann Arnold.

Donna is survived by her sister in-law, Sonja Lipscomb of Willow Creek; sister in-law Donna K Johnson of Fortuna; daughter Renee Plumlee of Blue Lake; granddaughters Sharon Plumlee of Eureka, Bobbie Dawn Plumlee of Coeur D’Alene, Idaho; her five great-grandkids — Kharmah W., Oliver G., Daisy C., Jeremiah K. and Sekoya A. – along with her 11 nieces and nephews and numerous great-nieces and -nephews. She truly was the best grandma, and she was our grandma.

Donna’s memorial service will be held at the Sapphire Palace in Blue Lake On March 5, 2022 from 1 to 4 p.m. We ask that masks be worn and that people social distance. The family of Donna Mitchell would like to thank Paul’s Chapel in Arcata for their services, as well as the Blue Lake Casino and Hotel for all of their support and generosity in helping with the services at this time. Everyone who knew and loved Donna is welcomed and encouraged to stop by and help with honoring her life. Food will be provided by the Blue Lake Casino/Hotel. We ask for you not to bring any perishables of your own inside the Palace, for they will be discarded.

Cards and flowers for the family are welcomed. We thank you for loving and caring for our beloved Donna, and for the respect and kindness shown to her family in this time of grief.

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On the day before New Year’s Eve 2021, Linda Friend passed away at home in Rio Dell, after a long battle with liver disease, with her partner Jimmy and her friend and caregiver Jan by her side.

Linda was born in Arkdelphia, Arkansas on December 6, 1957 to Rachel Taylor and Frank Hale. Her early years were spent in Arkansas. The family, which now included three younger siblings, moved west in the 1970s, first to Oregon, then on to Humboldt in the early ‘80s.

After high school, Linda returned to Arkansas, where her daughter Mindy was born. She traveled west again to Oregon and Northern California, and remained here thereafter, residing in Rio Dell for the last 30 years.

Linda spent many years as a waitress at local restaurants and cafes. This was the perfect job for her, with her friendly nature and cheerful demeanor.

Linda was a dedicated shopper of yard sales, thrift stores and the dollar stores, always with an eye for a good deal. She had a fashion sense that was on a level of its own. Her sister-in-law Trina remembers with a laugh when Linda dressed her young nieces and nephews in “matching outfits.” She loved camping with family and friends, especially at Hell’s Gate on Highway 36. Linda loved watching NCIS — Leroy Jethro Gibbs was her “secret TV husband.” She never missed and episode.

Linda was full of life and energy, had the greatest dimples and frequently a twinkle in her eye. She had a wicked sense of humor and was also known for telling you “how it is.” She would frequently poke fun at herself. When hanging out with family and friends there was lots of laughter when Linda was around, and a good cup of coffee.

In the last number of years, Linda faced multiple serious and debilitating medical conditions. She met these challenges with an incredible positive attitude. She remained upbeat no matter what the doctors were telling her. Even as her illness advanced, she would call her family and friends regularly to catch up. Linda, we will all miss you so.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents Rachel and Ray Friend, brother Gillman Friend, infant daughter Shannon and beloved Uncle Boots.

She is survived by her life partner Jimmy Hicks of Rio Dell, brother Tim (Trina) Friend of Red Bluff, sister Micki (Dee) Gensel of Alturas, her daughter Mindy (Raymond) Griffith of Lampe, Missouri, granddaughter Candice (Roger) Thomas of Kirbyville, Missouri, great-grandbabies Diesal, Nova and Elijah, numerous nieces and nephews, great-nieces and -nephews, and many friends. Also, her cat Stella, who misses her every day.

A celebration of life for Linda will be held in Ferndale on Saturday March 5, at noon. Please bring a story and an appetizer to share. Masks will be optional outside, required inside. Call Donna at 707-786-9100 or Tim 530-585-2341 for details.

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