PREVIOUSLY

• “Providence is In the Wrong,’ Attorney General Rob Bonta Says Ahead of Tomorrow’s Court Hearing on Emergency Abortion Care

###

Press release from Providence:

At Providence St. Joseph Hospital Eureka, we are unwavering in our commitment to high-quality emergency care for pregnant patients. We have and will continue to fully comply with California’s Emergency Services Law (ESL) and the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA). Both state and federal agencies have found no violations that relate to patient care. We have also recently enhanced our training, education and escalation protocols to ensure the health and safety of pregnant patients who are miscarrying or facing life-threatening situations. 

On July 22, 2025, we filed a motion to clarify a stipulation – a type of legal filing – that was drafted by the California Attorney General’s office and entered into court in October 2024. We took this action because we believe the stipulation, as currently written, goes beyond the scope of the ESL by mandating specific procedures we are to perform in pregnancy-related emergencies. By contrast, the ESL does not mandate or dictate specific procedures. It only states that hospitals are required to provide essential emergency care, including screening, treatment and surgery to address emergency medical conditions. 

The stipulation also fails to recognize our right, as a faith-based organization, to evaluate each case individually. This is a critical part of how we deliver care. Under the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services (ERDs), we are permitted to provide life-saving treatment to a pregnant patient, even if that treatment may unintentionally result in the loss of the pregnancy. These decisions are never taken lightly and must be made thoughtfully and respectfully on a case-by-case basis. 

Without acknowledging this approach, we are concerned that the Attorney General’s office is overreaching and seeking to require us to provide abortions in situations that fall outside the scope of emergency care. We are also concerned that the stipulation disregards a 2016 agreement with the state, which affirmed our right to follow the ERDs as a core part of our Catholic identity. 

To be clear, we are not seeking to reduce or restrict the emergency care we provide to pregnant patients. Our intent with this motion is to ensure our concerns are clearly addressed and that our right to evaluate clinical and ethical decisions on a case-by-case basis is protected. 

Again, our care teams provide a full range of medical interventions to ensure the health and safety of pregnant patients. We take this responsibility incredibly seriously and remain deeply committed to delivering the best possible care to every patient. We are grateful for the trust our community has placed in us for more than 100 years and will continue to provide updates as this legal process moves forward. 

###

Press release from Attorney General Rob Bonta’s office:

Bonta

OAKLAND — California Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a statement ahead of tomorrow’s hearing in People of the State of California v. St. Joseph Health Northern California. On September 30, 2024, Attorney General Bonta filed a lawsuit in Humboldt County Superior Court alleging that Providence St. Joseph Hospital (Providence) in Eureka, California violated multiple laws — including California’s Emergency Services Law, the state level analogue to the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), and the Unruh Civil Rights Act — by refusing to provide emergency abortion care when needed to save the life and health of patients.

On October 29, 2024, he secured a voluntary stipulation from Providence, in which it agreed to provide access to emergency abortion care. That same day, the court signed an accompanying order, requiring Providence to abide by the terms of the stipulation. On June 5, 2025, Attorney General Bonta filed a motion to enforce the stipulation and order due to Providence’s attempt to modify or dissolve altogether the stipulation, which will be the focus of tomorrow’s hearing. 

“Providence is attempting to go back on its word. It agreed to provide emergency abortion care, yet it is now asking the court to allow it to reverse course. This is not only disappointing, it’s troubling: It stands to put the women of Humboldt County back in harm’s way,” said Attorney General Bonta. “My team and I look forward to tomorrow’s hearing. We firmly believe that Providence is in the wrong. Earlier this year, we successfully blocked Providence’s meritless attempt to dismiss our lawsuit, and I am confident that we will prevail again. Whether the attacks are coming from the Trump Administration or from within our state, I am committed to doing everything in my power to ensure that California remains a safe haven for those seeking essential reproductive healthcare.”  

Providence is currently the only available option for women in Humboldt County to seek emergency abortion care. Providence’s effort to modify or dissolve the stipulation escalates a deeply concerning position: that the stipulation and order do not mean what they plainly state and that Providence does not have to fully comply with them. 

If you were denied an abortion you needed in a medical emergency, or if you were denied any other emergency medical care, you can contact abortion.access@doj.ca.gov. Attorney General Bonta also recently announced the launch of a statewide survey to assess how hospital emergency departments are following emergency reproductive healthcare laws. Results from the survey will inform oversight, guide enforcement efforts, and ensure hospitals are fully complying with California’s Emergency Services Law.

A copy of Attorney General Bonta’s latest filing — a consolidated brief that supports his motion to enforce and opposes Providence’s effort to modify or dissolve the stipulation — can be found here.

The hearing is scheduled to begin in Humboldt County Superior Court’s Department 4 at 10:30 AM PT tomorrow, and will be accessible virtually here.

###

PREVIOUSLY

• Attorney General Sues St. Joseph Hospital for Denying a Woman Emergency Abortion Care
• Providence Offers ‘Profound Apologies’ to Woman Denied Emergency Abortion Care at St. Joseph Hospital
• A Local Doctor Urged St. Joseph Hospital to Change Its Anti-Abortion Policies Long Before State Lawsuit, According to Court Declaration
• BREAKING: St. Joseph Hospital Denies Allegations in State Abortion Care Lawsuit But Agrees to Follow State Health Care Laws as the Case Proceeds
• Judge Signs Order Committing St. Joseph Hospital to Providing Emergency Abortions, At Least For the Duration of AG Lawsuit
• Citing Religious Freedom and Catholic Doctrine, St. Joseph Health Challenges State’s Emergency Abortion Care Lawsuit on a Variety of Legal Grounds
• State Responds to St. Joseph Health’s Attempt to Get Emergency Abortion Lawsuit Dismissed
• ‘Providence Must Follow the Law’: At the Humboldt Reproductive Health Care Rally Before the Latest California vs. St. Joseph Hospital Hearing
• St. Joe’s Abortion Care Lawsuit: In a Packed Courtroom, Hospital’s Attorneys Ask Judge to Dismiss the Case
• New Abortion Care Lawsuit Filed Against St. Joseph Hospital by the National Women’s Law Center
• PBS NewsHour Reports From Eureka on the Limits of Reproductive Health Care at Catholic-Run Hospitals
• Judge Denies St. Joseph Health’s Motion to Dismiss State Lawsuit Over Emergency Abortion Care
• CalMatters: Her Miscarriage Showed the Limits of California’s Abortion Protections. Where You Live Matters
• Attorney General Says Providence is Trying to ‘Shirk Its Duty’ to Follow the Law In Emergency Abortion Care Suit
• Providence’s Effort to Back Out of Emergency Abortion Care Agreement Would Put Humboldt Women ‘Back in Harms’ Way,’ AG’s Office Argues in Latest Court Filing

###

This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

###

As he publicly mocks concerns that crime in California is out of control, Gov. Gavin Newsom is also surging law enforcement resources across the state.

Newsom announced Thursday that he would deploy new “crime suppression” teams of California Highway Patrol officers to partner with local officials in six regions: San Diego, the Inland Empire, Los Angeles, the Central Valley, Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area.

It’s an escalation of a strategy that Newsom has already tried in cities such as Oakland and Bakersfield, sending in state officers to assist with cracking down on retail theft, stolen vehicles and drug dealing.

And it appears closely related to political considerations, as President Donald Trump ramps up threats of military action to “clean up” Democratic-led cities across the country. In a statement, Newsom alluded to the president, suggesting that communities were better left to handle the issue themselves.

“While the Trump Administration undermines cities, California is partnering with them — and delivering real results,” Newsom said. “With these new deployments, we’re doubling down on these partnerships to build on progress and keep driving crime down.”

Crime has again become a hot-button national topic. Earlier this month, Trump deployed thousands of National Guard troops in Washington, D.C. and took control of its local police force, arguing that federal intervention was needed because of unsafe conditions in the city — though reports of violent offenses are at their lowest in three decades.

Since then, Trump has publicly mulled expanding the operation into numerous other cities that he claims Democrats have destroyed, including San Francisco and Oakland.

On social media, Newsom’s provocative press team has responded by highlighting murder rates and other crime statistics from Republican-led states that are far higher than California’s.

But his latest “crime suppression” program also provides an opportunity to get ahead of Trump and show that California is already taking action with an approach that Newsom claims is highly effective. Last year, CHP officers made more than 9,000 arrests, recovered nearly 5,800 stolen vehicles and confiscated more than 400 firearms in Bakersfield, Oakland and San Bernardino, according to the governor’s office.

“These crime suppression teams will provide critical support to our local partners by focusing on crime where it happens most,” CHP Commissioner Sean Duryee said in a statement. “By combining resources, intelligence, and personnel, we can better disrupt criminal activity and strengthen the safety and security of communities across California.”

Newsom and Trump are in the midst of an ongoing struggle over the president’s deployment of National Guard troops and Marines into Los Angeles earlier this summer to quell fierce protests against immigration enforcement. The governor sued to stop what he alleges was an illegal military action, and though most of the troops have since been demobilized, a potentially precedent-setting case is still ongoing.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

 On Aug. 28 at about 12:26 a.m. A Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol around the Blue Lake Casino observed a motorcycle fail to stop at a stop sign near Chartin Rd, and Casino Way in Blue Lake. 

 

The deputy activated his emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop on the motorcycle. The driver of the motorcycle failed to yield to the deputy and continued driving toward the Blue Lake Blvd., onto westbound Blue Lake Blvd. and continued driving towards Glendale Dr.

 

As the deputy continued to pursue the motorcycle on Glendale Dr. with his lights and siren activated it continued at a high rate of speed westbound Glendale Dr and drove into the opposite lane of traffic. The deputy terminated the pursuit as it entered State Hwy 299 at Essex Lane traveling westbound in the eastbound lanes 

 

A short time later, deputies located the motorcycle on Giuntoli Ln at Heindon Rd. in Arcata and re-initiated the pursuit. The motorcycle fled on Mad River Road and drove across the Hammond Foot Bridge towards McKinleyville. Deputies searched the area but were unable to locate the motorcycle. 

 

A deputy called The Heights Casino in Trinidad and spoke to casino security who advised a motorcycle matching the description and with the same license plate had just arrived and the rider was still sitting on it. 

 

Deputies responded to the casino and took the rider, 32-year-old, James Luther Vernon Williams, of McKinleyville into custody with the assistance of the California Highway Patrol. He was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility and booked on the following charges:

 

• V.C. 2800.2(A) Evading a Peace Officer with Willful and Wanton Disregard for Safety
• V.C. 2800.4 Evading a Peace Officer by Driving in the Opposite Lane of Traffic
• V.C. 23152(A) Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol
• V.C. 23152 (B) Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol (BAC) 0.08%
• V.C. 14601.2(A) Driving with a Suspended Driver’s License

This case is still under investigation.

 

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Highway Patrol for their assistance with this case.

 

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.

 

Receive HCSO news straight to your phone or email. Subscribe to news alerts at: https://humboldtgov.org/list.aspx?ListID=219

###

Updated press release from the Six Rivers National Forest:

Dillon Fire Quick Facts:

• Acres: 3,110
• Containment: 0%
• Detection Date: August, 25, 2025
• Cause: Undetermined
• Crews: 4
• Engines: 10
• Helicopters: 2
• Fixed wing: 0

Leader’s Intent: The Dillon Fire is being managed with a full suppression strategy while emphasizing firefighter and public safety.

Operational Update: California Complex Incident Management Team 1 (CA-CIMT 1) will assume command of the Dillon Fire at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, August 29. Incident Command Post (ICP) will be established at 7:00 a.m. in Happy Camp, CA.

Additional crews and engines arrived overnight and into the early morning, with over 100 personnel arriving. Bulk of incident resources began focusing overnight in the direct of yesterday afternoon’s fire growth between Ti Bar residential area and Highway 96. Crews constructed fuel breaks between the community and various old dozer lines, with hose and hand lines being laid around new spot fires, in effort to ensure no immediate threat to structures. All structure protection actions held through the night. Plans are in place to engage in structure protection with firing operations on the north side of spot fire tonight.

The main fire has spotted across the river at Presidio Bar late Wednesday evening, growing into steep & remote terrain, requiring utilization of air resources to address growth. Main fire continues to slowly grow north and south. On the south edge of the main fire, crews continue to tie together containment lines along Beans Ridge by opening existing lines and building up to 1.5 miles of new line from the roadway to the river’s edge. Crews are planning to continue to build containment lines on south edge of main fire.

Evacuations: There are evacuation orders and warnings in effect in the immediate vicinity of the fire. For current evacuation status, please visit www.facebook.com/SiskiyouCountySheriff. Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Genasys site at https://protect.genasys.com

Closures: California State Highway 96 is currently open to intermittent one way-controlled traffic, depending on CalTrans availability; however, the public is advised to slow down, use caution, and expect minor delays with the increased firefighter presence and resource arrival to the area.

Recreation sites of Dillon Creek Campground, Beans Camp, and Ti Bar River Access have been closed for wildfire suppression activities and public safety.

Weather & Fire Behavior: As of Wednesday evening, fire behavior has been observed to include running, flanking, spotting and backing. Fuels are unusually dry, and spots fires have established quickly and have been resistant to control. The fire will continue to spread south towards Orleans, and west towards the Gasquet-Orleans (GO) road. Threats to the community of Ti Bar are ongoing and suppression of the spot fire has proven difficult.

Over the past week, a storm system passed over northern California which resulted in over 4,000 lightning strikes. Now as the storm system dissipates, the local area will experience a warming and drying period which may last over the next week. This warming and drying pattern will impact overnight fuels recoveries and extend the burning period.

Fire Safety & Prevention: As fire engines and fire crews arrive to the area, residents are reminded to drive with caution and allow extra travel time, while also respecting posted safety speed limits as well as possible road closures.

As the holiday weekend draws near, the public is reminded to use caution with anything that can spark a wildfire; Remember, spark safety, not wildfires. Ensure campfires are dead out and cool to the touch before leaving, trailer chains are properly secured and not dragging, and tires are properly inflated and in good condition before driving. Any visitors recreating in the area should be aware of potential changing road or recreation site closures due to wildfire suppression.

###

###

Press release from Six Rivers National Forest, as of last night at 10 p.m.:

Fire Information: (707) 502-4837
Email: 2025_CASRF_Dillon@firenet.gov
Online Fire Information: www.linktr.ee/srffirepio

Dillon Fire Quick Facts:

• Acres: 2,134
• Containment: 0%
• Detection Date: August 25, 2025

Leader’s Intent: The Dillon Fire is being managed with a full suppression strategy emphasizing firefighter and public safety.

Operational Update: California Team 1 (CA-CIMT 1) will assume command of the Dillon Fire at 0730 on Friday, August 29.

Crews on the Dillon Fire continued their impressive initial attack activity while handling low resource availability due to a staggering spike in lightning strikes and ignitions across the Northern Operations region. Resources are beginning to arrive and will continue to over the coming days.

The fire spotting across the Klamath River occurred Tuesday afternoon just northwest of the Ti Bar residence area. The spot fire has been broken in half by old dozer line, with south edge initially kept in check with hose line laid throughout the night. As the day progressed, wind increased, causing multiple spot fires. The bulk of current resources are being utilized to go direct on the spot and doing structure protection.

On the south side of the fire is the Beans Ridge system and GO Road. Progressing down the hill from the GO road fire management will be looking for strategic containment line opportunities.

While the northern edge fire moving towards Dillon Creek is currently unstaffed due to lack of resources, plans are in place to review possibilities for control features as more firefighting resources arrive.

Operational objectives moving forward include going direct on the spot fire across the river and keeping it off threatened structures, constructing dozer and hand line along the Beans ridge system, and maintaining fire perimeter south of Dillon creek drainage.

Incident leadership is utilizing full suppression tactics with a combination of ground and aerial resources to minimize the fire to as small of footprint as possible. The primary objective is prioritizing the protection of structures in Ti Bar residence area on the east side of the river, with 25 structures under immediate threat from spot fires. Potential fire growth could see impacts and threats to 75 structures. Further leadership priority objectives include the protection of valuable and sensitive cultural resources in the vicinity of the fire and the minimization of impacts on the vital watershed and other recreational and natural resources.

Evacuations: There are evacuation orders and warnings in effect in the immediate vicinity of the fire. For current evacuation status, visit this link. Additional evacuation information and a map can be found on the Genasys site at this link.

Closures: California State Highway 96 is currently open to one way-controlled traffic; however, the public is advised to slow down, use caution, and expect minor delays with the increased firefighter presence and resource arrival to the area. Recreation sites of Dillon Creek Campground, Beans Camp, and Ti Bar River Access have been closed for wildfire suppression activities and public safety.

Weather & Fire Behavior: Over the past week, a storm system passed over northern California which resulted in over 4,000 lightning strikes. Now as the storm system dissipates, the local area will experience a warming and drying period which may last over the next week. This warming and drying pattern will impact overnight fuels recoveries and extend the burning period. Overall, the fire has been, and will continue to, exhibit active fire behavior - as observed by the 200-acre growth in 30 minutes on the first day of the incident.

Fire Safety & Prevention: Smoke will continue to drift into the Orleans Valley and the communities around Happy Camp from the Dillon Fire, as well as multiple fires on the Klamath NF. For those sensitive to smoke, stay inside until it is clear. Close windows and doors to help prevent smoke from entering your home and use an air purifier/AC (on re-circulate) if available. If going outside, wear a mask to filter pollutants.

As the holiday weekend draws near, the public is reminded to use caution with anything that can spark a wildfire. Ensure campfires are dead out and cool to the touch before leaving, trailer chains are properly secured and not dragging, and tires are properly inflated and in good condition before driving. Any visitors recreating in the area should be aware of potential changing road or recreation site closures due to wildfire suppression.

Vega.

Press release from the U.S. Postal Service:

On Saturday, August 30, 2025, Arcata carrier Richard Vega will clock in for the very last time after 41 years of Postal Service and 47 years of combined Federal service.

He won’t be leaving without a party though, there will be a special send-off at the Arcata Post Office, 799 H Street, Arcata CA 95521, Friday, August 29, at 9:00 a.m.

Vega started his Postal Career in 1984 as a carrier at the Oakland Post Office after completing his service in the Army.

Vega later transferred to the Benicia Post Office where he served until coming to his final assignment at the Arcata Post Office in 2016.

Over the course of his career Vega witnessed a lot of change with an increase in package volume and enhancement in automation.

He is also the proud recipient of the Million Mile award.

The Million Mile award is a lifetime enrollment, and it is given to drivers who have accumulated one-million miles or 30 years of driving without being involved in a single preventable motor vehicle accident.

He will miss many aspects of his career, but for Vega it is the act of helping his customers he will miss the most.

“I thoroughly enjoyed being of service to the community. I will miss the joy of delivering that special birthday gift to a child and the opportunity to comfort my customers in difficult times,” said Vega.

In his next chapter Vega looks forward to spending time with his family and continuing his focus on service by volunteering his time in the community as a newly certified minister.

Noman Kent Perkins
April 6, 1942 – August 17, 2025

Noman was born in Woodland, Washington, and lived most of his life in Northern California and Humboldt County. He worked in various lumber mills and spent his days hunting, fishing, and cutting firewood. His true place was always in the mountains or along the riverbanks.

Family was very important to Noman. He is survived by his wife of over 40 years, Judy; his sister, Erma (Corky); and his daughters Kim, Amy, and Rhonda. He also leaves behind many grandchildren: Dustin, Dakota, Daniel, Destiny, Davian, Mikie, Kara, Veronica, Anthony, Ashley, Tyler, Austin, Justin, Tayia, Lacey, Kylee, and adopted grandson Jose. His great-grandchildren include Willow (Willy), Wrenly (Odie), Henry, Finn, River Lynn, Carter, Michael, Isaac, Lynsie, Theo, Levi Noman (named after Noman), Tidus, and two more on the way. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Gladys; his sisters Elaine and Wanda; his brothers Herman, Tommy, Jim, and Buddy; his daughter Christina; and his grandsons Jesse and Dale Wayne.

Noman shared a special bond with his in-laws Janis and Jeff Cossairt. The family would also like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to Karlie and Dustin Page for the love and care they gave Noman over the past five years. He appreciated you more than words could ever express.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Life on October 10, 2025, from 12–2 p.m. at 4316 Union St, Eureka, CA 95503. His ashes will be scattered at Fern Camp, Trinity County/Ruth, on October 11, 2025.

RSVP:

Janis – 707-273-9626
Judy – 360-853-6925

###