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An Arcata motorist somehow managed to completely mis-navigate a bend in the road that wends through the Arcata Marsh, sending their vehicle up and over a levy and then ass over teakettle into McDaniel Slough.

Emily Sinkhorn, Arcata’s environmental services director, said the semi-submerged VW hatchback was reported to authorities this morning as the sun rose and the fog lifted. The Arcata Police Department called out a tow truck, and the vehicle had been pulled back onto the roadway by the time Sinkhorn arrived.

“We called the [Environmental Protection Agency’s] National Response Center, which is a network that anybody can call if they observe an oil spill,” she said. (You can also notify local agencies, Sinkhorn suggested.)

An environmental services crew from the city responded quickly, placing booms along the edge of the levy to prevent oil or other contaminants from sliding into the slough as the vehicle was pulled from the mud.

A member of Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay’s Marine Environment Protection unit came to the scene to assess the situation, as did personnel from Humboldt County Environmental Health and the California Natural Resources Agency’s Office of Spill Prevention and Response.

“We definitely have environmental concerns as the marsh is such an important habitat and sensitive area,” Sinkhorn said. “But both the Coast Guard and state and local spill response [teams] said the city did all we could do and it likely was only gasoline that leaked [into the water]. They said the most prudent response is to let the marsh break down those materials [because] active recovery of that level of spill would do more harm than letting the ecosystem recover on its own.”

Arcata Police Officer Luke Scown said there was nobody inside the vehicle. The owner has not yet been identified.

For reader reference, you can contact the National Response Center at: 800-424-8802.

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News comes to us this Friday morning that a challenger has arisen for the office of Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder/Registrar of Voters. Juan Pablo Cervantes will challenge incumbent Kelly Sanders in next year’s election.

CORRECTION: Turns out Sanders will not seek re-election. She told the Outpost this morning that she originally planned on sticking around for a third term in office (she’s about a year away from wrapping up her second) but decided she’s ready to move on to other chapters.

“You can buy a lot of things in life but you can’t buy more time,” she said.

Sanders has worked in the county Elections Office since 2005. She was elected in 2014 and her second term will end in January 2023.

Here’s a press release from the Cervantes campaign:

Today, Elections Specialist for the Humboldt County Office of Elections, Juan Pablo Cervantes, announced his candidacy for the office of the Clerk, Recorder & Registrar of Voters. On December 4th, the public is cordially invited to come by the campaign booth at the December Arts Alive! event in Eureka to get to know the candidate.

“I’m running for County Clerk, Recorder and Registrar of Voters because I’m passionate about transparent, accessible and efficient government. The previous two recorders have been paragons in fulfilling those same values and I believe that I can build on the foundation that they’ve set.

The past few years have highlighted the importance of transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in local governance. Whether that’s in combating misinformation with increased transparency, furthering access through online services, or finding efficiencies in how we do business that allow for more staff time to provide person-to-person help navigating bureaucratic processes.

I’m committed to ensuring that this office continues functioning with the public at the forefront of our policy making.” Cervantes said.
This is one of several offices that will be on the ballot for the June 7th, 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election.

The office is comprised of two main roles:

The Clerk-Recorder is responsible for the maintenance and accuracy of vital records of the residents of Humboldt County; records that establish the facts of birth, death, property, ownership, contractual agreements, and wills.

The Registrar of Voters is responsible for the operation, administration, and direction of the Elections Office, with primary responsibility for the registration of voters, the holding of elections, and all matters pertaining to elections for the people of Humboldt County.

In these two capacities, Juan Pablo looks forward to continuing the tradition of democracy and accessibility in Humboldt County. Please direct all inquiries and comments to electjuancervantes@gmail.com.

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Though California’s impending COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all in-person students comes as a relief to many parents, it’s no secret that others are appalled with the mandate. Humboldt has its fair share of such folks. 

Three local parents are building their own “Learning Center,” called Novae Terrae Alliance, for the children of parents who oppose current mask mandates and impending vaccine mandates for California students. A since-deleted Nov. 20 public Facebook post by parent Sara Autumn-Breeze Smith detailed plans for the center. 

“Novae Terrae Alliance is a Private Member Association, where all of our members constitutional & birth rights are put first. Medical Freedom and Sovereignty are a priority at Novae Terrae!” the post read.

According to the post and subsequent comments, Novae Terrae’s founders recently signed a lease and received keys to the center’s location, a former church in Eureka. They’ve hired two credentialed teachers and plan to start offering a mandate-free “K-5th grade education program” Monday-Thursday in January. “Planning recreational classes for Friday Fundays and Parent Night Out events on weekends/evenings!” the post said. 

According to a GoFundMe page for the center, launched this week with a goal of $50,000, the space will accommodate 30 children. Comments from the original Facebook post said that the founders are considering expanding the grade range to preschool through 12th grade, and intend to open more Novae Terrae Alliance locations around Humboldt County. 

In October, California became the first state to announce that the COVID-19 vaccine will be added to the list of required shots for all students attending public or private schools in-person. The mandate will likely take effect on July 1, 2022, depending on how soon a vaccine is fully approved by the Food and Drug Administration; right now, the Pfizer vaccine is under emergency use authorization for people aged 5 to 15. Once in effect, regular testing will no longer be an alternative option to vaccination in schools. 

Novae Terrae Alliance cannot legally be a school — in part because even private schools are subject to the state’s vaccine mandate. Instead, the center is a private membership association, faith-based organization and a nonprofit, its founders say. The organization is not currently registered in California as a 501(c)(3) (but getting nonprofit status can take a while).

Because the center is not technically a school, it is unclear how enrollment will legally work. All students in California must be enrolled in public or private school, or be homeschooled. 

We reached out to Smith to ask that question and others, like whether the center will have a COVID-19 outbreak protocol. Smith declined an interview, but did say: “Novae Terrae Alliance is a Private Membership Association & our private business is for the purpose of conducting all manners of private business with the association or its members & not disclosed to the general public. Anyone who is interested can contact us directly @ Novae.Terrae.Alliance@gmail.com.”

Alexandria Madrid, who, with Smith, is an admin of a Novae Terrae Alliance Facebook Group, didn’t respond to an interview request.

Humboldt County Superintendent of Schools Michael Davies-Hughes hadn’t yet heard of the center when the Outpost reached out. 

“I can’t speak to the specifics of how such a learning center would be set up, but I can say that any indoor classroom-type setting where students are in close contact for extended periods of time unmasked is not in alignment with current mandates from CDPH and Humboldt County Public Health,” Davies-Hughes said. “One of our primary responsibilities as a county office of education is to support Humboldt County school districts in providing a safe and healthy learning environment for all students.”

“I wonder if this new learning center will require students to be tested regularly for COVID-19.”

Public Health continues to urge vaccination for all eligible age groups, and maintains that the vaccine is the best protection against a serious case of COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend that unvaccinated folks older than 2 mask in public or crowded indoor spaces.

Rick Harvey Tolley
Dec. 25, 1948 - Oct. 5, 2021

Rick Harvey Tolley was born was born on Christmas Day, 1948, to Ralph Manning Tolley and Dorothy Mae Tolley in Gridley, Butte County, California. The first of three sons, he was an energetic and enthusiastic child who loved exploring the outdoors. The family shared many camping trips with friends, which began his lifelong love of the great outdoors and the natural world. He was very athletic and enjoyed playing multiple sports including baseball, football and especially basketball. Rick was involved in Boy Scouts of America becoming an Eagle Scout and achieving The Order of the Arrow, of which he was very proud.

The Tolley family moved to Sacramento when he was in fifth grade. He later attended and graduated from La Sierra High School in Carmichael, California where he lettered in several sports including track, basketball, and football. He served as Student Body President during his senior year (1967) and was chosen as an Outstanding Youth for the Sacramento County.

Rick attended CSU Sacramento majoring in Government. It was a very political time during the Vietnam War and Nixon era. He joined the Students for a Democratic Society and began his lifelong commitment to social justice. This was also a time of growing environmental movements which played a major role in his ongoing environmental and conservation values.

In 1973, Rick married Melanie Zelle. They were friends since their high school years where they first met in geometry class sophomore year. When he later showed interest in taking the relationship in a romantic direction, Melanie was initially reluctant, not wanting to hurt their friendship. Both later credited their friendship and its good communication and mutual respect as the secure foundation of a lasting and happy life together. He described their relationship as “A lifelong conversation.”

Rick began his working career in recreational planning. He then worked as a student counselor in high schools under a grant from the National Institute of Mental Health. His great appreciation and compassionate understanding for adolescents began at this time. Rick enjoyed mentoring many young people over the years and was fondly remembered for providing attention, guidance, and opportunity to those when they most needed it. Rick became a builder because he always liked creating things and identified as a “maker.”

In 1976, Rick and Melanie put their things in storage, packed up their van and went in search of a new home with a list of things they were looking for: better weather, coastal environment, a greater interface with nature, bookstores, a university, and good food. Humboldt County fit the bill and so they relocated staying with friends until they established work. Rick began his thirty-plus year career in construction, doing everything from the ground up to custom homes and fine woodworking. He excelled in creating beautiful custom cabinets and presenting the “beauty in the wood by matching the grains.”

Rick and Melanie had two children — Matthew Tolley, their son, was born in 1979 and their daughter, Terra Tolley in 1982. Rick always had a special way of relating to children and absolutely loved being a father. He taught his family to explore and appreciate nature with hiking, camping trips, river rafting and swimming, snow trips for skiing and snowboarding. He always included his children’s friends who might not otherwise have the opportunity and made friends feel like family. Rick was a wonderful mentor, creating an environment of acceptance and adventure. He was the memorable father who would take a gaggle of junior high girls and teenage boys snowboarding at Lake Tahoe when no other parent found such a task as enjoyable.

He had many interests and hobbies throughout the years: photography, music, leather working, coaching basketball, backpacking, yoga, back country skiing, gardening, drawing, and painting. When diagnosed with lung cancer he quit woodworking to explore his passion for painting. He combined this with his love of nature and spent the last five years of his life in search of natural beauty to paint. He made friends with many local artists and had wonderful times painting favorite locations. He often said these last years were very happy because he was free to do what he loved by “following his bliss”. He delighted in sharing stories of his travels to Hawaii, Mexico, Herzegovina, and Italy to pursue his love of art, history, religion, music, and friendship.

Rick had incredible, strong friendships and valued his friends deeply. He loved working side by side with Stephen Rice and painting with the “Usual Suspects.” He wanted to encourage the passion for art and basketball in his grandchildren and sang to them since birth. His happy place was sitting among the roses in the garden with his wife, overlooking the Mad River, and watering his garden and grandsons with the gardening hose.

Rick had an easy way with people and an appreciation for life that was unique and special. He considered himself a “renaissance man,” working the trades by day, enjoying sports by night and painting every chance he could. He had many “Rickisms” that will be remembered fondly by those who knew him. Rick always had an easy smile, wonderful sense of humor and a rare ability to communicate his love as a man. He gave the most incredible bear hugs and was truly one of a kind.

Rick is survived by his wife, Melanie Tolley, his son Matthew (Monica), daughter Terra (Tom), grandchildren Alek, Leland and Rosalynn Lukins, grandson Esko Haynes-Tolley, his brother Bruce (Kim), Paul (Diana), nieces Annastasia Tolley, Emma Tolley, and nephews Nathan Tolley and Bill Gollihur (Julie), great-niece Ella Gollihur, and sister-in-law Valerie Donner. He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph and Dorothy Tolley. The family would like to express our gratitude to Hospice of Humboldt and everyone who has supported us during this challenging time.

There will be a celebration of Rick’s work and life and a benefit show for his family on January 1, 2022, at C Street Studios in Eureka. Please contact Paul Rickard for more information.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Rick Tolley’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

Lola Ann Bailey was born on December 16, 1943 in Burnt Ranch to Violet Green Bailey and John Westley Bailey Sr. She passed away on November 29, 2021, at the age of 77 years old, surrounded by her family. She was a Yurok Tribal Member and resided in Hoopa most of her life.

Lola enjoyed reading, gardening, playing the slots and talking on the phone with family and friends. She liked to travel, and watch her family play at sporting events. Lola had a big heart and was kind to everyone she met.

Lola received her Associates Degree in Business graduating from College of the Redwoods. She worked at Hoopa Elementary for 35 years, creating special bonds and taught three generations of children.

She leaves behind her sons Leonard “Chum” Bailey (Taylor) and Michael Bailey Sr. (Falona). Her brother George Bailey Sr. (Dona) & family and sister Linda Crawford (Wayne King) & family. Her Grandchildren; Shalissa, Shantel, Shantae, Brandon, Michael, Denzel, Nate, Nellie, Kylee, Charles, Khoko, Robert, Lola, Elaina, Liam, Chinook, Eliyanah, Jerimiah, great-grandchildren; Keyden, Mila, Kenny and Aiyana, and numerous nieces, nephews and relatives, to many to list. She was proceeding in death by her parents, her brothers, her nieces and nephews and her partner, Wally Kingsly.

We would like to give special thanks to St. Joseph Hospital and K’ima:w Staff that provided her with excellent care.

A viewing will be held on Friday, December 3, 2021, from 1 p.m.-3 p.m. at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata. Graveside services will be held on December 4, 2021, at the Green Family Cemetery in Burnt Ranch at 12 p.m. The reception will be immediately following the services at The Hoopa Fire Department.

Paul Bearers: Leonard Bailey, Michael Bailey Sr., Babs Bailey, Brady Brink, Brandon Bailey, Charles Sorrell, Minot Moon, Orico Bailey, Sherman Norton, Uriah Chang, Woodie McCovey.

Honorary Paul Bearers: Her Grandsons, Benton McCovey, Chalite Bailey, Clifford Ferris, Dale Lara, Daniel Bailey, Gary Carrigan, Gary Colegrove Jr., George Bailey Jr, Jake Reed, JD Gerstner, Justin Cover, Lawrence Orcutt, Lincoln Ammon, Lincoln Jackson, Loren Norton, Lyle Jackson, Michael McCovey Jr. Mike Lente, Mikywe Jackson, Murphy Green, Pete Lara, Richie Smith, Rocky Reed, Roger Bailey, Silish Jackson, Slyvester Brown, Virgil Moorehead, Wally Weaselbear, Wayne King.

Thank you for understanding if we left anyone out.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lola Bailey’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

Ramona Michlig passed away at Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna on Tuesday, November 23, 2021, at the age of 92. Ramona was born in Laona, Wisconsin on April 21, 1929.  She graduated from Laona High School 1946.

On May 8, 1948 she married Joseph her husband of 72 years. They moved to Fortuna in 1951 and raised a family of four children. Ramona was a devout Catholic and prayer warrior for her entire family and friends. She loved and cared for us until the day she died.

She was preceded in death by her husband Joseph on January 12, 2021 and is survived her children Joseph Jr., Nancy, Mary and Robert; grandchildren Tricia, Brandy, William, Craig, Brad, Clinton, Zachary and Nathan; great-grandchildren Emilee, Skylar, Jenna, Ashley, Jadyn, Ethan, Autumn, Caleb, Mackenzie, William and Zoey.

A funeral mass will be held at St Joseph’s Church in Fortuna on Saturday, December 11 at 10 a.m., followed by the Rite of Committal at St Bernard’s Cemetery in Eureka. All are welcome.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ramona Michlig’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

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PREVIOUSLY: 

• Arcata City Council to Discuss Long-Planned Safety Improvements for Old Arcata Road; Project Construction Expected to Start in 2022
• OLD ARCATA ROUNDABOUT? Arcata Council to Consider Improvement Plans for Old Arcata Road, But Some Bayside Residents Aren’t Happy With the Design

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The Arcata City Council was all set to make a decision Wednesday night on the fate of the Old Arcata Road Improvement Project, which calls for a variety of upgrades to the busy thoroughfare including a roundabout at the intersection of Old Arcata Road and Jacoby Creek Road.

But thanks to a last-minute letter from a small group of roundabout opponents known as Bayside Cares, the city must now embark on a roundabout of its own — recirculating portions of the project’s environmental impact report (EIR) for another 45-day comment period.

Arcata Community Development Director David Loya somewhat sheepishly explained the situation via teleconference video last night, saying at one point, “I realize this is going to be a disappointment to many in the community who’ve expressed support for the project.”

City staff, he said, had received communication earlier in the day from representatives of Bayside Cares. They sent along a letter from a local wetland scientist who pointed out that the project would lead to potentially significant impacts to wetlands. The wetlands in question are not high quality, Loya said. In fact, they’re the ditches that line Jacoby Creek Road near the project site. But still, they’re technically wetlands, and the project calls for portions of the ditches to be filled and culverted near the project site.

Staff had previously identified these anticipated impacts to wetlands, documenting them in the city’s Mitigate Negative Declaration (MND), an environmental review document that says all anticipated environmental impacts can be reduced to less-than-significant levels via mitigation measures. In this case, to mitigate the wetland loss, Arcata staff proposed setting aside land to create new wetlands.

However, in preparing the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR), staff evidently misunderstood a finding from local engineering consultants at GHD. The DEIR wound up saying there would be no wetland impacts, which is not the case.

“We verified that in fact those impacts are happening,” Loya said, adding that he appreciates the participation of members of Bayside Cares as well as “others who have put so much into this EIR.”

The city will now recirculate the relevant portions of the environmental document, allowing 45 days for agencies and the public to submit another round of feedback. Loya said staff believes they can bring the matter back to the board for a decision sometime in February.