Aino Frederick Steinberg Jr., passed away on December 14, 2021, after a few months of battling heart complications. He was born in Eureka on October 20, 1942, to Eino and Margaret Steinberg. The family has recently discovered that “Stenbergin” was the original family name, but was changed due to pronunciation difficulties when Aino’s grandparents immigrated to the United States from Finland. The family has also discovered that his first name was supposed to be spelled like his father’s, but was changed due to a recording error made by the hospital. The kick, which produced a famous Aino laugh when he found out, is that “Aino” is the female version of “Eino” in Finnish (we’re sorry Dad, but the family gets a kick out of it, too). Aino was raised on the family homestead in Freshwater that was built by his grandparents, Oskar and Katriinan Steinberg. On this homestead is where he met his lifelong friend, Jerry Guess. He had three siblings; Katie, Richard and Anna.

Aino attended Garfield Elementary, Eureka Junior High and Eureka High, graduating as a member of the 1961 class. In his early adolescence, he spent time working on various dairy ranches within Humboldt County. After graduating high school, he worked at U.S Plywood. This was before the Samoa Bridge was built, so he’d travel to and fro using the ferry. He later transitioned into working as a diesel apprentice mechanic at Baywood, where he stayed from 1964 to 1971. Once his apprenticeship was over, he worked for Mack dealership from 1971 to 1978 as a journeyman mechanic. In 1978, he was presented with an opportunity to work for Bettendorf Trucking as a heavy-duty diesel mechanic, which he accepted and loved for 30 years, retiring in 2008. Aino was an exceedingly well-known, hard-working mechanic in Humboldt County in his era. His vast knowledge of truck transmissions and rear-ends deemed him trustworthy to get the job done right; the Mr. Fix-It for many.

Aino had a love for motorcycle riding that began in his late teens. He was a member of the self-proclaimed “gulchies,” which included friends Larry Castle, Howard Castle, Stu Mair, Robin Foley, Don Cole, Richard Dale, Rich Matteoli, Geoff Neely, the late Jerry Becker, Gary West, Randy Imperiale, John Wilkinson, Roy Slate, Pete Hill, Gary Cooper, Vince Freemantle, and many others. The group would spend many Saturday’s after Friday night’s at the bar ripping and riding at Weasel Gulch in Freshwater. In his early- to mid-20s, Aino was a member of the Farwest Motorcycle Club. He competed and placed in numerous enduro races.

Aino married his wife of 54 years, Glenna Holladay, on December 21, 1964, which marked the very beginning of the “Thousand Year Flood.” that struck Northern California. On their way to their honeymoon destination, Aino and Glenna were stopped by the flood past Rio Dell and were forced to turn around and spend their honeymoon in Rio Dell; a cherished part of the family’s history. The couple went on to have two kids, Kelly and Michael. When Aino wasn’t working, his time was spent with his family. The four of them embarked on many family adventures; Sunday drives, camping and trips to Yellowstone and Disneyland. After years of camping at Matthew’s Creek along the Salmon River (the family’s favorite spot), Aino and Glenna bought property in Burnt Ranch, where they later built a second home, which they shared with their family and friends.

Aino will be remembered as a beloved family man and a distinguished heavy-duty diesel mechanic. Like a true Finn, he was thoughtful, stubborn and reserved in conversation; however, when he did speak, he meant every word. He had a big and giving heart for all things living. He was referred to as a comedian within the family, often concluding a “goodbye” with a “don’t poke any beans up your nose.” A coy smile or contagious laugh would always follow suit. As fellow comedians, Dad, we would like those reading to know that you’ll also be remembered for your loud sneezes and threats to never touch your nose, or your feet. We love and miss you, Daddy and Papa.

He is survived by his daughter Kelly and son-in-law Kenny Brown, son Michael and girlfriend Diana Rocha, “favorite granddaughter” Taylor Brown, grandson Wyatt Steinberg, sister Katie, brother-in-law Jim Scarborough and family, sister Annie, brother-in-law Tom Brazil and family, brother-in-law Steve Glotch and canine sidekick and good boy, Bonzi. He is preceded in death by his wife Glenna, parents Eino and Margaret Steinberg, mother and father-in-law Ruth and David Glotch, grandson Dalton Steinberg, brother Richard Steinberg, lifelong friend Richard Keller and family pets Babsy, Lady Bug, Max and Maddy.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity. A few of Aino’s favorites were the Sequoia Humane Society, the Wounded Warriors Project and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The family will be holding a Celebration of Life for Aino in the spring of 2022, at the Peace Officers Hall in Freshwater.

Henry Boyd McCullough was born in Hoopa on October 25, 1956 to Henry Lee McCullough and Darlene “Cyd” Colegrove. Henry Boyd is proceeded in death by his great-grandparents, Ned and Lousia Jackson; grandparents, Eugene Colegrove Sr. and Charlotte Jackson-Colegrove of Hoopa and Meyburn and Carol McCullough of Mississippi; his father Henry Lee McCullough; his brothers, Leonard and William McCullough; his sister Darla Lee McCullough; and his niece Lottie Nez.

He is survived by his mother Darlene “Cyd” Colegrove; his uncles Alex Pratt and Carl Colegrove; his auntie Mary Colegrove; sisters Sherlette Colegrove and Carol Ann McCullough; Cousin Dana Rose Colegrove, children Shane Boyd and Jacqueline McCullough, Tausha McCullough, Jason McCullough, Mandee McCullough and Michael “Bro” Beck, Nicole McCullough, Stormy Blake, Summer McCullough and Anthony Henry, Leonard McCullough, Robert McCullough, Shayna McCullough, and Chanelle McCullough; grandchildren, Hannah, Abigail, Colton and Emmalia McCullough, Jade Euan, Arrow Nelson, Jason Jr. and Bessie McCullough, Kayla, Karlee, and Kelsie Beck, Kaydence McCullough, Shiah and Harley Henry, and Jackson McCullough.

Henry Boyd graduated from Hoopa High in 1974. While at Hoopa High he was a great pass-catching tight end on the football team. It was on the baseball field, however were he really excelled. He starred in the outfield and at first base and was known as a gifted fielder and an outstanding left-handed hitter. He later became an original team member of the Hoopa Big Red Machine that went on to dominate in softball. He then transitioned and became coach of a women’s national softball team, that eventually placed fourth at the national tournament. He encouraged all his children to play ball and coached many of his kids, which brought him great joy.

Henry Boyd was very active in his cultural dances, taught by Rudolph Soctish and his uncles. He packed rock and jumped center. He was the family’s leader and provided great insight and wisdom when needed most. He often talked about the great importance and responsibility given to him and his family, and was very cautious and serious to do things the “right way.” He would lean on his elders to give him guidance, in which he would then pass along to his family.

Henry Boyd was a wildland firefighter for over a dozen years. He enjoyed firefighting and built many friendships that lasted his whole life. He then decided he wanted to work for Hoopa Forest Industries (HFI) and finished his working career 20 years later in the woods. He was trained by and worked along his great friends and enjoyed being in the hills and providing for his family. He was a great saw man, and he enjoyed taking his family with him to cut wood and pick mushrooms. He loved to fish and he taught his sons to set net, and showed them some good honey holes. He truly loved being in the outdoors and enjoyed the things the mountains and rivers provided.

His greatest lasting legacy are his children. He was a great father and loved his kids so much. He loved being a father, and taught his kids so many things that will last forever. He proudly adorned his living room with a trophy as “#1 Father”. He was so excited to be a grandpa and persuaded his kids to give him more and more grandkids. He was a very sincere and kind man that truly enjoyed to see people happy. He often wept during movies, and even wept watching someone win a million dollars on wheel of fortune, because he was so happy for them.

Henry Boyd was truly a remarkable man and will be missed by all those that knew him.

Pallbearers: Leonard McCullough, Arthur “Artie” Jones, Arther Lee Turner, Shawn Turner, Eugene Colegrove, Anthony “Tony” Risling Jr., Kevin Colegrove and Daniel Pratt.

Honorary Pallbearers: Bro Beck, Anthony Henry, Damon Pasalich, Garrett McElroy, Douglas McCloud, Carlisle Colegrove, Don Sugi Colegrove, Robert Colegrove, Carl “Ziggy” Colegrove Jr., Rudy Colegrove, Mack Robinson, Rod Squires, Junky Gray, Bud Gray, Shane Shady Calvin, Norman Lewis Sr., Clarence Lewis Jr., Norman Lewis Jr., Bronson Lewis, David “Hootie” Lewis, Jamie Lewis, Leonard “Spam” Ferris, Mike Ferris, Tyke Billings, Rick Billings, Karl Norton, Alan Norton, Kenny Norton, Loren Norton Sr., Jack Norton, Virgil Pole Sr., Virgil Pole Jr., Aaron Pole, Amos Pole, Nathan Delbert Pole, Sylvester Brown, Oscar Brown Sr., Oscar Brown Jr., Freddie Brown, Derrick Moon, Minot Moon, Alex Pratt, Raldo Pratt, Sonny Hescock, Panther Colegrove, Wolf Colegrove, Christian Colegrove, Jess McLaughlin, William Frank IV, Jeff Hodge Sr., Max Hodge, Robert Buckman, Loggie Jackson,Jeff Hodge Jr., Alex Hodge Sr., Michael Hostler, Jude Hostler, Stevie Hostler (Special Brother), Merv George Jr., Brian Colegrove Jr., Nolan Colegrove Sr., Alphonso Colegrove, Billie Colegrove, Everett Colegrove Sr., Everett Colegrove, Lyle Baldy Sr., Lyle Baldy Jr., Abe Camez, Eddie Coleman, Sergio Martinez, Marion “Inker” McCovey, Russell Hurley, Ronnie Nulph, Rod Mendes, Gary Dempewolf Sr., Curt Dempewolf, Glenn Moore, Gary Dempewolf Jr., Rodney Vigil, David Vigil, Ralph Peters, Ralphy Peters, Richard Moon, Bruz Aubrey, Glenn Sanchez, Harold Campbell Sr., John Leech Jr., Thomas Mosier, Gary Colegrove, Gary Colegrove Jr., John Robbins, Rowdy Robbins, Ronnie Robbins, Corky VanPelt, Merwin Clark Jr., Louis Mitchell, Timothy “Goobie” Perry, Hank Masten, Dan Ammon, Emil Marshall, John Marshall, Gary Risling, Lonnie Risling Jr, Kenny Lucas, Israel Ammon, Macky McCullough, Troy McCullough.

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Douglas was born 1935 in Washington, and passed away peacefully from a stroke on Dec. 14, 2021 at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka.

He was preceded in death by his wife (Marylou). He is survived by his three children, Calvin and spouse (Cindy), Candace and spouse (Al Francis) and Corey. Along with numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Doug graduated from Humboldt State in 1960 with a degree in forestry. His many jobs included: logging, forestry, and working in sawmills. He then became a fifth grade teacher at Rohnerville School District for 14 years, and several years after that as a basketball coach, bus driver and maintenance supervisor.

Doug and Marylou were instrumental in starting and teaching at Christian Life School.

He enjoyed many things and hobbies in his life — attending and participating at Hydesville Community Church, reading and studying the Bible, mountain biking, playing and coaching basketball, goldmining, cider making, woodworking and RV camping.

He was always active, and always enjoyed the chance to work with his boys.

A memorial service will be held at Hydesville Community Church at 1 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 19, 2022.

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Leslie Jay Gildersleeve, retired City housing authority worker and life-long carpenter, passed on December 21, 2021 at St. Joseph Hospital, surrounded by his family and friends. He was 70 years old.

He is survived by his wife Gaylene, their son Jason and his wife Stacy Gildersleeve, their son Adam Gildersleeve with his grandchildren Austin, A.J., and Caitlin Gildersleeve with great grandchild Samuel Gildersleeve.

He is preceded in death by his father Harvey Gildersleeve, his mother Vera Gildersleeve and his sister Shirley Stout.

Les — a devoted husband, father and friend — was born on October 22, 1951 in Washington. His family moved to Eureka, where he met his future bride, and after graduating Eureka High School in 1970, he wed and enlisted into the Army. He was in the 82nd Airborne, stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

He moved west to be close to family and graduated College of the Redwoods with an associate’s degree. He began his carpenter trade with Bigham Construction and quickly rose to foreman. After, several decades with them he began a new chapter of his life with the Eureka City Housing Authority, where his natural sociability and carpentry allowed him to bond with the Eureka community. He retired from there in 2017.

Les’s greatest joy in life was being with his family and friends. Those who knew him love and respect him. He was always there for his family and friends unprompted in their times of need. Les enjoyed family gatherings, motorcycle rides, bowling with his Bolero team and fishing with his sons and grandchildren.

His continuous smile, infectious laugh, and his genuine loving patience will be deeply missed.

A celebration of life will be held at a later date when safer for his family and friends to gather.

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A Eureka man who robbed two local businesses last year was sentenced this morning to 10 years in state prison.

Judge Kaleb Cockrum sentenced 37-year-old Harley Joe Adkins after Adkins pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree robbery and admitted the special allegation that he has a prior “strike” conviction.

Adkins was sentenced to five years on each count, to run concurrently. But the sentence was doubled because, as Cockrum pointed out, “You’re pleading guilty to two fresh new strikes.”

Deputy District Attorney Shelly Small, reciting a factual basis for the plea, said Adkins robbed Murphy’s Market in Sunny Brae on May 23, and two weeks later robbed a Shell service station on Broadway in Eureka.

“He entered Murphy’s Market and handed the cashier a note saying ‘I don’t want to hurt you; give me all the money in the till,’” Small said. The cashier complied “out of fear” and Adkins made off with $600 in cash.

On June 6, Small said, Adkins entered a Shell station on Broadway, giving the cashier a note that read “Give me all the money in the till and no-one gets hurt.” He escaped with $150.

Defense attorney Zack Curtis said Adkins was suffering from drug problems at the time and took responsibility by pleading guilty.

“He intends to do his time and rehabilitate himself to the best of his ability,” Curtis said.

PREVIOUSLY: 

• Eureka Woman Arrested in Connection With Elk River Burglary Investigation; Additional Suspect Sought

# # #

Also today before Cockrum, the preliminary hearing for murder suspect Daniel Armendariz III was rescheduled for Feb. 1.

The all-day hearing was expected to begin this morning, but no courtroom was available. Cockrum said the only option would be to hold the hearing “over several afternoons.” Defense attorney Meagan O’Connell was not willing to do that, saying Armendariz wants a continuous preliminary hearing.

The 20-year-old Armendariz is one of two suspects in the killing of Hoopa resident Julian “Jules” Tripp, who according to witnesses was first stabbed and then shot with an assault rifle during an altercation off state Highway 96.

The alleged stabber and shooter is Bronson Moon Lewis, 19, who is scheduled for trial next month. In addition to murder, Lewis is charged with weapons violations and torture. Armendariz is accused of murder and conspiracy.

Four witnesses appeared via Zoom this morning and were ordered to return on Feb. 1. They are Milton Mabry, Dale Mabry, Klynn Dowd and Farah Dowd. Dale Mabry and the Dowds testified during Lewis’s preliminary hearing.

The prosecutor in the case is Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm, who strongly objected this morning to further delays in the case.

O’Connell had made an oral motion to continue, taking Timm by surprise.

“She’s had this case for over a year and has requested numerous continuances over the objection of the People,” Timm said. “… Mr. Tripp, the man who was murdered, deserves better than this.”

Timm said he believes O’Connell is doing all she can to prevent Armendariz’s case from being joined with Lewis’s.

O’Connell did not respond to Timm’s statement. She said she hasn’t been able to see or even speak by phone with Armendariz at the jail because of Covid restrictions, and she needs to talk with him in preparation for the hearing.

In the end, it was lack of time and space that determined the outcome.

“Mr. Armendariz is entitled to a continuous hearing,” the judge said. “I’m not able to give him that.”

Prosecutor Timm also moved to disqualify Judge Timothy Canning from the Armendariz case, swearing under oath that the prosecution cannot receive a fair impartial hearing before Canning because he is “biased against the People.”

PREVIOUSLY:

• 29-Year-Old Arrested in Connection With Alderpoint Homicide This Morning

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About 50 people, most of them friends and family of Trevor John Earley and many of them openly weeping, were in court this afternoon to watch the arraignment of the man charged with shooting Earley in the head.

Combs.

Judge Christopher Wilson arraigned Garberville resident Jake Henry Combs on one count of murder with the special allegation of personally and intentionally discharging a firearm. Wilson granted Deputy District Attorney Shelly Small’s request to order Combs, 29, held without bail.

Small told the judge Combs, carrying a 9mm Glock handgun, “walked up behind (Earley), put the gun to his temple and fired.”

Afterward, Small said, Combs “was thinking about fleeing to Mexico and also thinking about getting rid of the firearm by throwing it in the river.”

Wilson, reading from a report, added that after being read his Miranda rights Combs “admitted he shot the victim in the head.”

Earley, who just turned 25, was shot in a residence on Sixth Street in Alderpoint. California Highway Patrol officers arrested Combs shortly afterward when he wrecked the car he was driving on Highway 36.

Today Wilson appointed the Public Defender’s Office to represent Combs. Deputy Public Defender David Celli entered not guilty pleas on his behalf, and the preliminary hearing was set for Jan. 20.

According to online records, Earley attended Ferndale High School and played for the football team. He turned 25 on Dec. 11, one woman who attended the hearing said today.

Another member of the crowd, a man, said “we had just started hanging out with (Combs) about three weeks or a month ago.”

Because of the size of the crowd jamming the courthouse hallway and courtroom, three extra bailiffs were assigned to Wilson’s court. But those in the audience were silent, except for the crying.

Earley’s death is the first alleged homicide in Humboldt County in 2022.

Combs was in the jury box today with several other inmates. He was handcuffed and wearing the traditional orange jumpsuit and the now-traditional face mask.

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CORRECTION: Because of an editor’s error, this story originally misstated victim Trevor John Early’s age. It has been corrected.

Local officials with the National Weather Service warn that the ocean could be especially perilous this week. 

“There is the potential of sneaker waves along the Northwest California coast late tonight and early Tuesday,” NWS staff wrote in a message posted on social media. “Do not let the ocean fool you. Long period waves can generate lulls of wave activity making the ocean look deceivingly calm and draw people closer to the water. These lulls end with a large set of breaking waves that will wash much farther up beaches, possibly knocking you down. Plan on keeping a safe distance from the surf on Tuesday.”

Stay safe on those beaches, Humboldt. The ocean does not care about your continued existence.