UPDATE, 3:05 p.m.: From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Feb. 3, 2022, at approximately 12:48 p.m., Dylan Dean Stout was arrested at a residence on Larson Heights Road in Blue Lake.
Stout was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary (PC 459/461(b))), vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)), conspiracy to commit a crime (PC 182(a)(1)) and possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)) and resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)).
###
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding the current whereabouts of a man wanted in relation to the burglary of a Blue Lake grocery store.
On Jan. 30, 2022, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a business on the 1400 block of Glendale Drive in Blue Lake for the report of a burglary. Two male suspects were captured on surveillance video burglarizing the business, stealing over $1,400 worth of merchandise and causing significant property damage.
Through follow up investigation, deputies identified the two suspects as 21-year-old Steven Tyler Jackson and 22-year-old Dylan Dean Stout.
On Feb. 2, 2022, Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant at a residence on Glendale Road known to be associated with both Jackson and Stout. Upon deputies’ arrival, Stout fled the residence, evading arrest. Jackson was located at the residence and taken into custody without incident. During the service of the search warrant, deputies located items believed to have been stolen during the burglary.
Jackson was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary (PC 459/461(b)), vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)), conspiracy to commit a crime (PC 182(a)(1)) and possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)), in addition to warrant charges of flight from a traffic officer (VC 2800.1(a)) and revocation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)).
Stout remains outstanding at this time and is wanted on charges of burglary (PC 459)), vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)), conspiracy to commit a crime (PC 182(a)(1)) and possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)) and resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)).
Stout is described as a white male adult, approximately 6 feet 4 inches tall, 220 pounds, with red/ginger hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information about Stout’s whereabouts is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Feb. 2, 2022, at about 10 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies served an arrest warrant at a Hoopa residence on a man wanted in relation to the fentanyl-caused death of a Weitchpec woman.
Williamson.
When deputies arrived at the residence, the man, 30-year-old James Charles Williamson II, was seen fleeing into a wooded area. Deputies pursued Williamson and took him into custody shortly after.
Williamson was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on fresh charges of resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)), in addition to warrant charges of voluntary manslaughter (PC 192(a)), criminal threats (PC 422), assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (PC 245(a)(1)), vandalism (PC 594(b)(2)(A)), assault (PC 240), battery (PC 242), false imprisonment (PC 236) and violation of probation.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
Just short of 14 months after she was sworn in, Arcata City Councilmember and recently named Vice Mayor Emily Grace Goldstein has announced that she will be stepping down from the seat Arcata voters elected her to in late 2020.
In an emotional statement made at the end of Wednesday’s council meeting, Goldstein said she will serve until the end of February at which point she intends to direct her focus to pressing family medical problems.
“Recently there have been health issues in my family which has made me wonder if I need to leave the council to focus on the health of my family,” Goldstein read from a prepared statement. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that the healthcare in Humboldt County does not even come close to meeting the needs of its residents. The energy and time I have dedicated to you all, now needs to go towards ensuring I have the best medical care possible for my family.”
It’s been a contentious few months for the council which has had to tiptoe around issues concerning councilmember Brett Watson, who is currently under investigation by the city for as-yet undisclosed allegations of misconduct. Some of that tension was reflected in Goldstein’s resignation announcement when she opted to express support for three of her four fellow councilmembers, excluding Watson, who was seated next to her.
Watch Goldstein’s announcement above or read her statement below:
This is incredibly hard. I have made a difficult decision, as I announced at tonight’s council meeting, I am stepping down from City Council. I love this town and this community.
Recently there have been health issues in my family which has made me wonder if I need to leave the council to focus on the health of my family. Unfortunately, it has become clear that the healthcare in Humboldt County does not even come close to meeting the needs of its residents. The energy and time I have dedicated to you all, now needs to go towards ensuring I have the best medical care possible for my family. I ran for this office because I value people above all else. Each person deserves a good life and I need to be able to provide that for my own family.
I believe that I can serve out the month of February but wanted to bring this forward tonight because it seems to provide the council with more options to fill the vacancy than if I waited until later in the month to announce.
My silver lining for all of this is knowing how strongly I believe in Mayor Atkins-Salazar, Councilmember Schaefer, and Councilmember Matthews. These three elected officials are some of the strongest and most capable people I have ever met. Please know how tirelessly they work for you all and that they always truly have the best interests of the people of Arcata at heart.
Thank you all for the privilege of getting to serve on the Arcata City Council. I am so deeply appreciative for my last year in this position. Please remember to love your neighbors, housed or not, and embrace each other with compassion and empathy. Thank you.
After Goldstein concluded her statement, Mayor Atkins-Salazar said the council would discuss how to fill her open seat at a future meeting.
Smoooooke on the water. | Video footage by Andrew Goff.
###
That looks ominous! Dangerous, even! But fret not. This morning, local media outlets got a friendly heads-up from Jeff Fontana of the Bureau of Land Management:
Smoke on the South Spit, Humboldt Bay today will be from a Bureau of Land Management prescribed fire project to remove piles of grasses and small plants that were removed earlier in projects to improve coastal dunes and grasslands.
Burning in a 20-acre project area will start at 10 a.m. and continue through 5 p.m. Residual smoke may linger for a day after burning.
On 2/2/2022 at about 5:32 pm, officers from the Arcata Police Department responded to the area of 17th St and G St, Arcata, for a report of a physical altercation.
Upon their arrival, officers located an unresponsive male on the ground being tended to by bystanders. Lifesaving efforts were continued and medical personnel arrived on scene a short time later. The victim was transported to Mad River Hospital by medical personnel, where he unfortunately succumbed to his injuries.
During the investigation officers learned the other subject involved in the altercation was 50 yr old Arcata resident Russell James Holt. Holt was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for PC 187 - Murder.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with any information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the Arcata Police Department at 707-822-2428.
Name: Joan Emilie Schirle
Born: February 4, 1944 in San Jose
Parents: Anton Joseph Schirle and Ramona Marie Schilling
Daughter: Patricia Antoinette Alley
Granddaughter: Michelle
Sisters: Charlotte Ann Flynn; Tonine Marie Nielsen
Nieces: Deborah Ann Chinchiolo; Christina Marie Nielsen
Grandnephews: Ethan Christopher Chinchiolo; Damon Anthony Chinchiolo
Joan Schirle died on February 1, 2022 at 4:10 p.m.. at her home in Blue Lake. She was an
acclaimed independent actor, director, playwright, teacher, and deviser and was the Founding
Artistic Director of Dell’Arte International (DAI) joining the company in 1976. A pioneer in
establishing the concept of “Theatre of Place” and ensemble devising, she was committed to
international exchange and environmental justice. Schirle performed and taught around the
world.
Joan earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts from the University of Santa Clara, and an MFA in Playwriting
from Humboldt State University. Beginning in 1969, she was a certified teacher and trainer in F.M.
Alexander Technique. Faculty positions included the Esalen Institute, Firehouse Theatre in San
Francisco, Sonia Moore School of the Theatre, NYC and the Julliard School of Drama.
At DAI she led efforts to make original, collaborative ensemble theatre, exploring the role of the
actor-creator in addressing issues of power, privilege, homelessness, water politics, indigenous
rights and medical malpractice. Among unusual projects she initiated, The Rural Residency
component began an extended encounter with remote rural communities, including tribal partners
on the north coast. Schirle established and led 20 of Dell’Arte’s unique one-month study trips to
Bali for traditional performing arts (topeng, dance, mask carving, shadow puppetry) taught by
Balinese masters.
Devoted to her community, Joan was proud of the transformation of Blue Lake through an
international school, a professional theatre company and a summer festival which has impactedthe local economy and attracted a progressive population. Following national standards, she
developed an MFA curriculum. Over 1,000 students have trained at Dell’Arte and are establishing
theatre companies and projects around the world committed to expressing the values and concerns
of local communities.
Never content with the status quo, Joan Schirle continued to refine and expand her teaching. “My
newer understanding of systemic white supremacy culture has made me question my pedagogy,
my artistic output, community relations, and the role of racial trauma in all embodiment work.”
Her new chamber opera, “Bird of the Inner Eye,” with composer Gina Leishman, was based on
the letters of American painter and conscientious objector, Morris Graves, and was produced,
after a pandemic delay, at the Arcata Playhouse in 2021. She continued an international
collaboration with Danish sculptor Marit Benthe Norheim on her “Life-Boats,” a sailing
sculptural installation on women’s lives and migration. Her most recent full-length play, “The
Big Thirst,” on California water politics, premiered in 2016.
Schirle’s creative work and community involvement expressed her belief in rural arts and that
the marriage of poetry and beauty has positive social significance. She was devoted to the
concepts of issue-oriented theatre and community transformation, to rural arts, multi-cultural
traditions and practices related to nature.
Her many awards and honors include a Lifetime Achievement Award, (ATME) Association of
Theatre Movement Educators, Fox Foundation/TCG Resident Actor Fellowship award for
professional development, Cairo International Experimental Theatre Festival in recognition of
leadership in the field of Experimental Theatre, San Francisco Bay Area Critics Circle Awards for
Original Script for Ensemble Performance, Los Angeles Critics Circle Award, Performance.
Among her many memorable acting roles were Mary Jane in “Mary Jane: The Musical,” Scar
Tissue in “The Scar Tissue Mysteries,” and Dorothy Dugan in Dell’Arte’s “Korbel Series” at the
Mad River Festival. Her solo masked performance “Second Skin” received rave reviews and
more than 20 performances nationally and internationally.
She is survived by her sisters, Charlotte Ann Flynn and Tonine Nielsen, her daughter Patricia
Alley, a granddaughter, two nieces and two grandnephews. Beloved by colleagues, students and
friends, she will be sorely missed by all whose lives she impacted.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joan Schirle’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Diane Renee Moran, beloved mother, grandmother, and a friend to all, passed away in her home in
Ferndale on January 16, 2022.
Diane was born to Paul and Erla Chance of Ferndale on December 8, 1944. She was the second of three
girls. A vivacious spirit she was, always with a strong opinion and a witty remark to share. Growing up
with Danish dairy farms in the family, Diane loved spending time in the country with her grandparents.
Over the years she loved riding horses and developed a love for gardening. She was employed at Village
Florist Shop for several years and found joy in making beautiful flower arrangements and wreaths.
She joined the Danish Sisterhood of America lodge #131 at the age of 16 and held various positions over
the years including President in 2019. Diane was involved in the annual Scandinavian Festival held in
Ferndale. She helped sew, iron, and prepare the costumes, as well as make her delicious prune ladder
for the celebration.
Diane was an active member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Ferndale for her entire life. She taught
Sunday School, enjoyed decorating the church and social hall, and dedicated many hours every year at
Easter to cover the large cross inside with Calla Lilies for the Easer service. She was a devoted servant to
her Lord and had an unshakable faith.
Diane was a true woman of traditions and she always made holidays feel special. She loved hosting and
cooking for her family and always made sure to have a present for everyone. She even had a birthday
tradition where she called and played the happy birthday song from a cassette tape.
In 1962, she married Glenn Martella and they bought the ranch on Ambrosini Lane. They had three
children: Heidi, JP, and Jeff. Diane helped Glenn when she could, driving the tractor or whatever needed
tending to, it was no problem for her. She gave birth to her son JP on Christmas Eve during the height of
the 1964 flood, stranded in Ferndale. She loved to tell that story.
In 1979, she married Glenn Moran. He was stationed at Centerville Navy Base. He retired from the
Navy and they remained in Ferndale and had a daughter, Brandy, in 1981. Glenn passed away 7 years
later. Diane was a strong, determined, widowed mother.
Diane often went out of her way to help those she loved with her nurturing and caring spirit, she took
many into her home over the years, even if it was just to temporarily help. She was loved by many and
her kindness will be remembered.
She was preceded in death by her parents Paul and Erla Chance, her Aunt Bernice, Uncle Kermit, and her
loving husband Glenn Moran.
Diane is survived by her sisters: Erin Lincoln and Polly Stemwedel; her aunt; Eunice Sanborn; her
children: Heidi Pietrok, JP Martella, Jeff Martella, and Brandy Moran; grandchildren: La Naie Baker,
Travis Martella, Ashley Gleason, Kate Brown, Kobe Martella, Andrena Martella, Taylor Pietrok, and
Ayden Smith-Moran; and great grandchildren: Cannon and Cash Baker, Riley and Lexi Gleason, August
Martella, Tristan, Tucker, and Lucy Brown, and Carter Pietrok, and numerous godchildren.
A celebration of life will be held on Sunday February 20, 2022 at 1 p.m. at the Ferndale Veterans
Memorial Building (1100 Main Street).
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Diane Moran’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
