The first significant round of La Niña rainstorms hit the Pacific Northwest last week, dumping several inches of rain and even some snow on Humboldt County.

Stormy weather persist across the North Coast today, with showers and 30-foot waves.

A high-surf warning is in effect until 11 p.m. today. U.S. Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay issued a statement urging beachgoers to stay away from the jetties.

“As a reminder, please do not walk out on the jetties during these times and always stay far enough back from the water to ensure you are not swept out to sea,” the USCG said. “And never turn your back on the ocean. Be safe, Humboldt County!”

The North Coast saw notable amounts of rain over the weekend. Eureka’s National Weather Service office reports that many areas of Humboldt County received one to two inches of rain on Sunday.

All that rainfall also had a major impact on Humboldt’s rivers. A graphic provided by the USGS shows that the Eel River rose by more than 20 feet in less than a week in Scotia.

In addition to the rainfall, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reports that Horse Mountain received some snow this morning.

“Well this feels a little too soon, but hey, we’ll take it,” the HCSO shared on social media.

Showers of rain will be possible across the North Coast until Wednesday night. Sunny skies and a high of 68 degrees is forecast for the greater Humboldt Bay area on Thursday.

We now return to LoCO’s wall-to-wall coverage of the rise and fell of SUGAR BEAR — the godlike 84-foot-tall Six Rivers National Forest-birthed white fir chosen by our D.C. overlords as majestic enough to be chopped down and shipped on a truck across country where it will be displayed in front of the U.S. Capitol building for a few frigid weeks. Supply chain, schlupply schlain! We are fine.

When last we checked in, SUGAR BEAR was meeting its timely demise at the end of a chainsaw on the U.S. Forest Service - Six Rivers Forest Facebook page. RIP, SUGAR BEAR! Thank you for your service.

Since then, our hometown tree martyr has enjoyed a funeral procession, of sorts, through downtown Eureka. We now take you to that scene with reporting by Six Rivers National Forest Forest Affairs Officer and Spokesperson for the U.S. Capitol Tree Betsy Totten! Take it away!

Well, there you have it. SUGAR BEAR is dead. Long live SUGAR BEAR. We will keep you posted the next time this tree does something.

Merry Christmas!

PREVIOUSLY:

• Joe Biden’s Congress’s Demand for Tribute From Our Local Life-Giving Forests Has Been Fulfilled: ‘Sugar Bear’ the 84-Foot White Fir Will Serve as the 2021 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
• HEY, FIFTH GRADERS? Would You Like to Be an Official U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Lighter? Write an Essay!
• ‘Sugar Bear,’ the Local 84-Foot White Fir Selected to Be This Year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, Will Be Sawed Down Live on Facebook Later This Month
• Federally Mandated Sacrifice of ‘Sugar Bear,’ a Majestic Tree, Moved Up to Saturday Due to Bad Weather, and It Could Be Argued That it is Your Duty to Watch the Facebook Livestream
• Treasured Local Star Sara Bareilles Shows Love for ‘Sugar Bear,’ the Fir from the Six Rivers Forest that Will Be This Year’s U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree
• WATCH LIVE: Majestic Six Rivers National Forest Tree ‘Sugar Bear’ Being Cut Down to Fulfill Its Destiny

PREVIOUSLY: Kneeland Glen Farm Stand Owner Evicted After Dog-Bite Incident, Repeat Warnings About Bringing Her Dog Onto the Property; Community Organizes Peaceful Protest

Kneeland Glen Farm Stand Owner Receives Help From Local Attorney, Remains on Property Despite Eviction Notice From Northcoast Regional Land Trust

After Months-Long Eviction Battle, Kneeland Glen Farm Stand Owner Ordered to Vacate the Property By January

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A statement from Kneeland Glen Farmstand owner Kathy Mullen:

On Oct. 21, while the farmstand was operating, my employees were served papers telling us that we need to vacate the property by December 31.

It had been posted by my landlords the NorthCoast Regional Land Trust. My heart is broken. I would like to run my farmstand and continue to serve my community as I have since 2009.

Around late May of this year at the demand of the land trust, I re-homed my little mixed Corgi dog Tootsie. Although Tootsie’s allowing to be at my farmstand everyday had been written by the land trust into my lease. As Tootsie began to age, I recognized she exhibited behaviors that were not acceptable. I took full responsibility for Tootsie’s actions and for the delay it took me in recognizing that my 14-year-old dog with cancer had become a problem.

Five months ago, I removed her from the property forever. She has not returned and will not return. I heard nothing thereafter from the land trust regarding Tootsie. I believed the matter had been resolved.

After that, I also checked with the county to inquire about whether my farmstand was compliant with existing county land-use ordinances. I was told through my attorney Neal Latt that my operation was a “legal nonconforming use.” This was conveyed to the land trust.

I also reached out through a friend to the California Coastal Commission to inquire whether there was any enforcement action opened that concerned my stand. I was told that there wasn’t. It was also made clear with respect to my stand that the Coastal Commissions concerns pertained to the counties land-use ordinances for the property.

Accordingly, when the county told me that I was a “legal nonconforming Use” it was obvious that my operation of the farmstand was grandfathered in, that it was a non-issue from a regulatory standpoint.

The land trust has always known that I sold handmade goods from other small local producers at my stand in addition to what I produced on my husbands family’s ranch in Kneeland. In fact, Executive Director Dan Ehresman would frequently buy such products from the farmstand. It was never a problem before and if Dan or the land trust mistakenly wrote its permit application to the Coastal Commission in such a way that did not acknowledge that I was grandfathered in as legal nonconforming use, I am committed to working with them and the coastal commission to address this if it becomes an issue.

My farmstand supports many small producers and I do not ask for a profit from sales of their products in my store. When you buy a loaf of homemade bread, local meat, eggs or other fruits and veggies at my stand and not grown by me, please know that money from these sales goes to the small makers and producers.

Occasionally one of them slips me a $20 to put towards the rent, but that is it. If the land trust succeeds in driving me out, this community should know that the legal nonconforming use will be lost forever.

My stand is an integral part of this community and I am simply asking the land trust to maintain the relationship in service to this community.

I am calling on the community to assist me. I will not leave without a fight.

Good Monday morning and good health, Humboldt County! Can your President of Positivity interest you in a damp, pre-Halloween field trip to Blue Lake? What if we promise you more HumBubbles? Splendid!

In this week’s episode, Blue Lake’s city officials welcome you to their soggy city for a casual costume party to kick off your week. No umbrella necessary! Ciao Bella!

Philip Michael Arnot was born on March 10, 1937, in Los Angeles to Maynard “Jocko” and Lucille Arnot. He lived in Glendale until 1944, when his parents moved Phil and his older brother James D. Arnot to Eureka. Jocko wanted the family to experience living on a farm like he had growing up in Lincoln, Nebraska. In 1947, the family purchased a small 9-acre farm with a horse, a cow, pigs and rabbits in the Freshwater basin. After two years, the family moved back to Eureka where Phil lived until he graduated from Eureka High School in 1954. Phil attended Humboldt State College in 1955 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1958. Phil graduated from Lincoln Law School in San Francisco in 1963 and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1964.

Phil and Sally were married in 1957. They returned to Eureka in 1964 where Philip worked for Humboldt Land Title Company for two years. He went into private practice for Fred Hilger in 1966.

Phil and Sally had their first child, Michael, in 1964, and their second child, Stephen, in 1966. Michael is a chiropractor in Portland, Oregon. Steve is a lawyer for the Federal Department of Justice in Portland, Oregon.

Phil was a skilled bankruptcy practitioner and personal injury litigator. In 1985, Phil and Rory Hanson tried the case of Baker v. PG&E and obtained a jury verdict of 2.1 million, the largest verdict at that time in a personal injury case. Phil’s 50-year legal career is credited with numerous published decisions in landmark bankruptcy cases. Those decisions have been the basis for numerous appellate court opinions.

Phil was active in local and state politics. During Ronald Reagan’s campaign for governor, Phil was the campaign’s representative on the North Coast and hosted Reagan while he campaigned in Humboldt County. A memorable experience. Phil was also the Humboldt County chair for governor George Deukmejian for two terms. In his later years, Phil spent a decade providing community comments on KINS radio. I can still hear him now, “this is Phil Arnot signing off for Community Comment”

Phil and Sally celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary in Portland Oregon in 2021, with their family following a recent move to Lake Oswego to be closer to Michael and Stephen. It was quite an event.

Philip’s wife of 64 years recently passed away in September at the age of 82. Heartbroken, he followed her by passing a month later.

Phil is survived by his two sons Michael and Stephen, Stephen’s wife Andrea, and 5 grandchildren, Eloise, Sam, Camille, Nicholas, and Alexis. He also leaves behind his brother-in-laws Chris and Rick Watson. He additionally leaves behind on his brother James Arnot’s side of the family, Sharon his sister-in-law, nieces Michelle and Sheri-Lynn, nephews Joe, David, Randy, and Rodney and Janet Arnot’s children, Philip, James and Jeanette.

Phil passed away on October 18, 2021. He was a wonderful man, a loving husband and father, and good friend to many and an exemplary community member to the Eureka and Humboldt Bay area. He will be missed. A service will be held at Ocean View Sunrise Memorial Park at 2 p.m. on October 29, 2021.

Laddie James Murray
May 27, 1932 - Sept. 20, 2021

Arcata native and longtime Eureka resident Laddie Murray died of natural causes. As a precocious child, Laddie entered first grade at age four. Along the way to graduation from Arcata High School — shortly after turning 16 — he had several adventures that would be highly unlikely in today’s world. Among these: Selling newspapers on the streets of New York City one summer and working (with parental permission) for a traveling carnival at the age of 13.

While firmly rooted in Humboldt County, Laddie traveled extensively and especially enjoyed multiple trips to Ireland with his father, wife, and sons. Laddie also had a penchant for public service during his various career moves. Sporting a distinctive “flat-top” haircut and a willingness to engage people, he was a guy who was recognized and welcomed in many cities along the West Coast.

With a positive outlook and a way with words, Laddie had a large and diverse circle of friends. Bringing joy to his life were his wife of 49 years (Mary Lou), parents (Doris and Jim), siblings (Colleen and Patty), children (Kathryn, Dave, Helene, Dan, and Dale), grandchildren (Lauren and Maddie), as well as three great-grandchildren (Jack, Landon, and Reese). Laddie was also a proud uncle to numerous nieces and nephews. His was a life well lived. Laddie will long be remembered.

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

The Kneeland Glen Farm Stand is set to close by the end of the year after the Northcoast Regional Land Trust announced this week that it is moving forward with the eviction of stand owner Kathy Mullen.

For more than a decade, the stand located just west of Three Corners Market has served as a beloved community resource for fresh produce and other locally made goods. News of the eviction, first reported by the Outpost in May, sparked outrage among community members and led to a protest outside the NRLT office in Arcata that delayed the eviction process. Now, it seems that the NRLT has made its final decision on the matter.

“After several months of seeking to resolve issues with our current farm stand tenant at Freshwater Farms Reserve, the Northcoast Regional Land Trust’s board of directors has chosen to terminate the rental agreement on December 31, 2021,” the NRLT stated this week. “We cannot comment further on this matter at this time.”

These aforementioned issues refer to the non-profit’s repeated orders for Mullen to keep her 14-year-old corgi-mix Tootsie off of the property. After failing to do so earlier this year, Mullen’s dog bit a cyclist on the Freshwater Farms property, sparking serious liability concerns.

The Outpost reached out to Mullen about the eviction notice she received on Thursday. However, she said she was too distressed to talk about the situation today.

Meanwhile, the NRLT is moving forward with the application process to find a new tenant for the property.

“We will be seeking a new tenant who will assist us in maintaining Freshwater Farms Reserve as a safe and welcoming place, provide our community access to locally grown foods, and operate a farm stand consistent with local and state regulations and in compliance with our lease,” the NRLT stated. “A request for applications from prospective tenants is now available.”

The NRLT stated that it will look to fill the vacancy in February of 2022.

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PREVIOUSLY: Kneeland Glen Farm Stand Owner Evicted After Dog-Bite Incident, Repeat Warnings About Bringing Her Dog Onto the Property; Community Organizes Peaceful Protest

Kneeland Glen Farm Stand Owner Receives Help From Local Attorney, Remains on Property Despite Eviction Notice From Northcoast Regional Land Trust