Some of you with family visiting from points east may need to plan some more group meals and activities because State Route 299 remains fully closed to traffic and will stay that way “for an unknown length of time,” according to a press release from the California Highway Patrol.

Berry Summit | Image via Caltrans

You can see why in that snow-packed image above, as well as the one to the right showing what Berry Summit looked like at 3 p.m. The weight of all that snowfall has wreaked some havoc, causing trees to collapse onto power lines which have fallen across roadways.

Since our morning status report, State Route 36 has reopened, though chains or snow tires are required east of Bridgeville.

State Route 96 remains fully closed as of this writing.

Highway 101 is open but, as per usual, you’ll have to deal with some one-way controlled traffic between Klamath and Crescent City. Expect delays of up to half an hour. 

And in all cases, if you can avoid going out on these roads, that’s certainly safer. 

Here’s the press release from the California Highway Patrol:

Due to the recent snow storm, State Route 299 was closed from Mile Post Marker 8.00 to the intersection of State Route 299 and State Route 96 during the late evening hours of 12/26/2021. Aside from heavy snowfall in the roadway, the storm caused numerous trees to collapse which subsequently caused power lines to fall onto the roadway. The California Department of Transportation (DOT) and PG&E have worked around the clock in an effort to reopen the road but their efforts have been slowed by additional fallen trees. 

Currently, the full closure of State Route 299 will remain in effect for an unknown length of time.  Motorists seeking real-time updates can access DOT’s quick map for roadway conditions at http://quickmap.dot.ca.gov/ or the Cal Trans District One Facebook Page. 

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The dustings of snow that have graced the hills of Humboldt County over the holiday finally got a little menacing last night!

As of this writing, Highway 299 is closed just east of Blue Lake for multiple reasons — deep snow, as well as trees fallen across the roadway at numerous spots.

Highway 299 late last night, when they were dealing with fallen trees in addition to snow. Photo by reader Ben Cleveland.

At about 11:30 p.m. last night, reader Ben Cleveland sent us the following message:

Crazy weather up 299, dozens of trees have fallen due to the heavy snow! Caltrans was busting ass trying to keep the road open, but even during openings we were coming up on trees fallen! 

Caltrans is still busting ass, no doubt, but the road is no longer open.

Meanwhile, Highway 96 just north of Willow Creek and Highway 36 just east of Bridgeville are likewise closed as of this writing, because of debris in the roadway, including downed electrical lines in some cases.

No doubt the highways will open at some point, but the forecast this week calls for at least a couple more days of snowfall in the mountains, followed by a couple of days of rain and then, miracle of miracles, a sunny weekend to start the new year. Let’s all stay safe and get there together.

On Nov. 23, 2021 David Spreen passed away peacefully at home. Dave was a master mathematician and 11/23 is Fibonacci day, so it is a fitting day for his passing.

David Spreen was born in Trona, California to highly educated and well-respected father and a charismatic mother in 1951. He was the youngest of three brothers. Dave, Jeff, and Steve were the three amigos and had many adventures together. We all heard the story about creating a buzz around town when they left cards with a mysterious printer press symbol on them, secretly, at the local shops. The symbol stood for the boy’s Winged V Motorcycle Club, which had found the printer press in an old abandon building. The boys also had fun experimenting with the chemicals their father, who was a chemical engineer, had brought home for them. One of Dave’s earliest memories was his mother waking him to see the light of atomic bomb testing in Death Valley, approximately 60 miles northeast of Trona. Growing up the family moved around and they lived in New York, Tennessee, and Nevada before coming back to California to Laguna Beach in 1963.

Dave met the love of his life, Kathy, in Laguna Beach in 1971. They made their way to Blue Lake, Humboldt County in 1972 and were married in 1976. In 1974 Dave and Kathy found everything they dreamed of in a property in Kneeland, where they built their dream life with their two daughters, Karla and Kelly, in the mountains. He was a kind, gentle, and supportive dad and husband. He always encouraged his daughters to reach for the stars and pursue education. Dave took his family on trips every summer, which created family memories to last a life time. He was most proud of the family trip to China where he was able to share his experiences working there in the international flooring trade business. He also always spoke fondly of his trip to the Middle East with his great friend Scott in the summer of love, 1969, and his trips to Mexico with his friends.

Dave loved the outdoors and helping others. He was always educating himself and getting involved with organizations that were in line with his passions. He was actively a part of the Save Richardson Grove Group and the Coalition for Responsible Transportation Priorities Group (CPRT). He also worked with the Blackberry Bramble Group to bring internet to Humboldt County in the early 1990’s, served on the Freshwater Elementary School Board and helped to create the Charter Middle School, and offered his educated opinion on City and County initiatives. One of Dave’s proudest accomplishments was protecting the community from asbestos exposure by preventing the Barn 2 Quarry from mining asbestos containing rock, which would have been used to rock local roads.

His spirit and legacy will live on in the many values he instilled in his daughters that will be passed down through the generations; the pursuit of life long education, discovery of self and universe, and keeping family close.

Dave is survived by wife of 45 years Kathy Spreen, and daughters Karla Knapek and Kelly Wehausen. Dave is preceded in death by his mother and father, Ruth and Edward Spreen as well as his two brothers, Steve Spreen and Jeff Spreen.

Joyce Strahan died peacefully in her home of natural causes on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. She was born June 15, 1923, in Sioux City, Iowa to Merritt and Esther Carlson.

Joyce graduated from Central High School in Sioux City and attended Wayne State University in Wayne, Nebraska where she met her husband, Donald F Strahan. They were married on March 13, 1943, and together raised six children. During their life together, they lived in Arcata, California from 1956 - 1960 and again from 1966 until 1985 when Don held administrative positions at Humboldt State University. She was preceded in death in 1985 by her husband of 42 years. After Don’s death, Joyce continued to live in Arcata and became a longtime volunteer for Mad River Community Hospital, Hospice, and delivered Communion to homebound parishioners of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church. She enjoyed spending time with a close group of friends. A highlight of her life was a gift from all her children for her eightieth birthday - a trip to Rome and the Vatican. She was accompanied by her son Don, and her grandson Doug and his wife, Anna.

Joyce was a devoted mother and wife. She provided the foundation for her family while encouraging Don to continue his advanced education and educational career. Some of her strengths as a mother included being able to instill a value system in her children that focused on being supportive of one another and being contributing members of the community. Joyce enjoyed looking at house designs and being a bargain hunter. Antique shopping was a favorite pastime. She and Don were not afraid of a challenge. They built a two-story home on their own when they lived in Arcata from 1956 - 1960. They only used contractors for some electrical and plumbing work.

Her family wants to express their gratitude to Visiting Angels Jo Ann Rossen and Jennifer Cline for their love and care of Joyce. Her quality of life was greatly enhanced by the care provided by Jo Ann and Jennifer.

Joyce is survived by her children, Sally Nelson (Gunnar) of Redding, California; Don Strahan of Cottage Grove, Oregon; Tim Strahan (Debra) of Fortuna, California; Peggy Ridlon (John) of McKinleyville, California; Mike Strahan (Sue) of Rio Dell, California; and Mary Callens of Arcata, California.

She is survived by grandchildren Gary Nelson (Dana), Mike Nelson (Lyra), Doug Strahan (Anna), Stephanie Strahan, David Strahan (Cherilyn), Kristina Peel (Michael), Craig Callens, Faith Hansen (Evan), and April Hubner (Brian). She also is survived by twelve great grandchildren.

The oldest of three children, she is preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Bud, a sister, Gloria, and a great granddaughter-in-law, Rhyne Callens. Her surviving sister, Joan McDermott lives in Elk Point, South Dakota.

Reciting of the Holy Rosary will be at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata on Wednesday, December 29 at 7:00 pm. A funeral mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Arcata, on Thursday, December 30 at 12 noon followed by interment at St. Bernard’s Cemetery in Eureka. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Mad River Hospital or Hospice of Humboldt County. Arrangements entrusted to Paul’s Chapel.

Anna Katherine (Nelson) Antonsen, passed away at home on December 22, 2021 peacefully with her family at her side. She was born March 14, 1934 at the Old General Hospital in Eureka, graduated from Eureka Senior High School in 1950, then graduated from Santa Rosa Nursing school in 1954, becoming a registered nurse.

She was hired right away at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka, where she excelled at nursing, having the fortitude and compassion that is required for that position. She began working as a surgical nurse in the operating Room, then deciding to work in OB. She loved helping deliver so many babies and would come to know so many of the local families, always remembering them. When OB was no longer available at St. Joseph, she would work as a floor nurse for a short time until she found her true specialty as a charge nurse in the emergency department, where she stayed until she retired. She had worked for St. Joseph for 45 years.

She married Bob Antonsen in 1956 and they would have four children. She loved to travel and would begin by going to many nursing conferences, her first in San Francisco, then to Sydney Australia and New Zealand,, also East Coast cities, as Boston, New Orleans, and Savannah. She loved traveling so much she would also visit Norway, Hong Kong, Greece, Italy, Germany, France and would make many visits to her parents home country of Sweden seeing all of her relatives and friends. On one of her travels up the Rhine River she met an English chap, John, they became wonderful friends and would plan many more trips together going to Spain, Egypt, Alaska, and mom would go to England many times where John would be the tour guide and John would come to the U.S. and mom would be the tour guide, wonderful memories for us all. She loved to drive to San Jose and Sacramento to watch ice skating with her best friend and also a wonderful traveling buddy, Barbara Fisher, and her daughter Lori, to see Champions on Ice. Mom and Barb would travel to Hawaii multiple times. When asked what/where was her favorite trip, she would say “all were special”…

She is preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Marie Nelson, brother John Nelson, youngest daughter Sherri Antonsen, son Ronald “Dean” Antonsen, grandson Neil Bryan Hubbard, Jr.. She is survived by her older brother Carl Nelson of Loleta, daughters and spouses, Lori (Jeff) Weller and Tina (Neil) Hubbard, and daughter-in-law Ava Blackwell Antonsen, grandsons and spouses, Chris (Brandy) Weller and Nick (Emily) Weller, and granddaughter and spouse Amy (Huna) Borden, with numerous great-grandchildren.

Mom was as special as they come. She would always be there for all the kids and family/friends. God truly got an Angel. We love you so much, mom…..

A special thank you to Hospice of Humboldt for so much care and support off and on this past year, the care mom also received at the Ida Emmerson house when she was there was so appreciated. Everyone at Hospice is so amazing. Thank you!! In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of Humboldt in moms name.

The family will have a private service at a later date.

Glenda Hicks died on November 7, 2021. She was the daughter of Claude and Mildred (Millie) Gribble of Eureka. She is predeceased by her parents and her sister, Jacqueline (Jackie) Rapp. She is survived by her daughters, Carie Lorensen (and Kevin) of Seattle, Wash. and Cristi Abrams (and Ric) of Kelseyville, Calif.. She also leaves behind beloved grandchildren Natalie Abrams (and David Cantwell) of Eugene, Aric Abrams (and Karen) of Lakeport and Abbie Lorensen of Raleigh, N.C., as well as great-grandsons, Hayden Abrams, Logan Abrams and Rory Cantwell, and nephews Robert Rapp of Salem, Oregon and Mark Guilliams of South Lake Tahoe.

Glenda lived in Humboldt County all her life. An early introduction to art and painting by a friend was a gift that grew and flowered throughout her life. Growing up in the redwoods was a tremendous blessing and Sequoia Park near her childhood home was the artistic inspiration of many of her oil paintings. As a girl, she also enjoyed time on the bay on her dad’s fishing boat. This, too, was reflected in many of her beautiful paintings. Most recently, pet portraits, especially of dogs, became a passion she shared widely much to the delight of her friends and family.

She was an avid gardener, a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend with a grand and unique sense of humor. She will be missed by all who knew her. She has been interred at Sunset Cemetery in Eureka.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Eureka Women’s Club, 1531 J Street in Eureka on January 21, 2022, at 2 p.m. (Masks required.)  Gifts in memory of Glenda are encouraged to benefit the Humboldt Areas Foundation, Sequoia Park Playground Improvement Fund, 363 Indianola Rd, Bayside, CA  95534 or the Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation. PO Box 123, Cutten, CA  95534.

Enough is enough! It’s the final Monday of 2022 and Humboldt’s President of Positivity is ready to jam into a new and better year by putting some fresh tunes in her ears, OK? Specifically, Michaele is currently vibing to local reggae artist Ju Drum, who recently was kind enough to give her a personal performance of his new single “No Mind Dem” at Fatbol in Arcata. It’s good to be President! 

If you’d like more of Ju Drum’s music than the sample in the clip above, click here for the entire Tim Cash-directed “No Mind Dem” music video. And have a great (and safe) new year!