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Gather ‘round, kids, because here’s a story we old-timers tell.

Back in the day, when you wanted to call, say, the radio station, you’d walk over to the telephone appliance installed in your home, perhaps consulting the “phone book” on the way, and, after picking up the “receiver” and waiting for the “dial tone,” you’d either dial or tap out seven digits — 7, 8, 6, 5, 9, 7, 8 — depending on the type of appliance you owned. 

Those first three numbers — 786 — meant that you were calling a location in Ferndale, which might have meant that you were calling “long distance” and would incur extra charges. The last four numbers represented the particular telephone owner you were attempting to reach.

Believe it or not, some people still communicate this way!

And as of this coming Sunday, they’re going to have to change up their routine. On that day, they will have to start dialing four additional numbers before the traditional seven. Those numbers are “1” and “707,” the latter of which you may recognize from local cannabis-themed clothing products.

Why must you dial 11 digits now when you had only to dial seven before, you may ask as the rage turns your face purple and you feel yourself drowning in despair?

Take it easy, grandpa, because it’s for a good reason — specifically, the rollout of the national suicide prevention hotline, which people in need will be able to call by simply dialing three digits: 988. That rollout is hindered by the fact that there is already a 988 prefix — Whitethorn — in the 707 area code. Imagine it: If you don’t dial the “707” first, the system won’t know if you are experiencing a crisis or just trying to reach your friend in the hills.

The FCC explains it here.

But why must you start dialing the “1” first, in addition to the local area code? You know, that’s a great question. Because they told us to, I guess? In the old days the “1” meant you were calling long-distance, and it seems as though “1” has been deprecated on cell phones for a long time now. But dial the “1” you must. Here’s the California Public Utilities Commission on that.

Still on the horizon: The introduction of an “overlay” zone on top of the 707, in which new numbers in our traditional territory will be assigned to a different area code entirely, leaving 707 itself to us high-status OGs.

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Gov. Gavin Newsom yesterday acknowledged the health dangers of fossil fuel development in California as state regulators took a first step towards preventing the development of new oil and gas wells near schools, hospitals, and homes.

The proposal, released Thursday by the Department of Conservation’s Geologic Energy Management Division, is still a draft — and may yet change as it winds its way through a regulatory process that includes extensive public comment.

“This is about morality. The issue that really unites us here today is around the issue of justice, environmental justice, economic justice — they go hand in hand,” Newsom said in Wilmington, a community surrounded by oil refineries. “It’s about public health. It’s about safety. It’s about dignity. It’s about the ability to live your life out loud.”

The governor, who in April ordered the phase-out of new oil fracking, has been criticized by environmental advocates for not doing more to reduce fossil fuel pollution and production that disproportionately burdens low-income communities and communities of color. He is scheduled to attend a crucial international conference on climate change early next month.

Newsom directed California’s oil and gas regulators to ramp up public protections near oil and gas facilities in 2019. The controversial proposal has already received more than 40,000 individual public comments, state officials say. And it comes after a lengthy review by a panel of public health experts.

Still, it’s likely to see significant opposition from the politically powerful oil and gas industry and state building trades lobby, which have successfully blocked legislative attempts to establish health and safety buffer zones around oil and gas facilities.

Catherine Reheis-Boyd, president and CEO of the Western States Petroleum Association, called it “an activist assault on California’s way of life, economy and people” and said it “could lead to increased costs and reduce the reliability of our energy supply. His decision was not based on what is best for Californians or science.”

Environmental justice advocates, however, said it was “a strong step in the right direction” that nevertheless does not go far enough.

“This draft rule misses the chance to prohibit new permits for existing wells, a key element for our communities,” Juan Flores, community organizer with the Center on Race, Poverty & the Environment, said in a statement. “We look forward to working with the administration to close this loophole and quickly move to protect our communities at long last.”

The draft rule proposes a 3,200-foot public health setback around new oil and gas development, separating new wells from sensitive sites such as homes, hospitals, schools and nursing homes. Nearly 2 million Californians live within 3,200 feet of an existing oil and gas facility, according to Jared Blumenfeld, California’s Environmental Protection Secretary.

Operators of existing oil and gas wells would be required to install emissions detection and vapor capture systems at the wellheads and establish nearby monitoring for pollutants. The rule would bar diesel engines on site, and require reducing other nuisances such as dust and nighttime lighting.

Six years ago, California scientists released a comprehensive review of fracking and other practices in California, warning “many of the constituents used in and emitted by oil and gas development can damage health, and place disproportionate risks on sensitive populations, including children, pregnant women, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.”

The report recommended that California “develop policies such as science-based surface setbacks, to limit exposures.”

“We are working to ensure that the harmful emissions that are of concern are eliminated through installing the strongest, and I can say this unequivocally, the strongest set of engineering controls and mitigation measures in the country,” said Wade Crowfoot, California’s Natural Resources Secretary.

California, which cultivates an image of aggressive action to limit climate change, is the seventh largest producer of crude oil in the country.

New oil and gas development is declining in California, state officials said. “The number of permits for abandonment outpaces the number of permits for new wells,” Crowfoot said.

But while new development has flatlined, companies continue to rework existing wells. Southern California has some of the most extensive urban oil fields in the nation, dating back to the 19th century in some cases. Cleverly camouflaged pump jacks are located near the Beverly Hills High School campus, as well as in residential areas of Long Beach and along Kern County roads and fields.

A 15-member panel of public health experts, co-chaired by Rachel Morello-Frosch, a professor of environmental science at the University of California Berkeley, catalogued a number of health threats from oil and gas development. These include asthma and adverse birth outcomes, such as low birth weight — which can put newborns at increased risk of death or long-term developmental problems.

The scientists evaluated a number of potential control strategies, and determined that eliminating or reducing new wells and properly shutting down existing ones would eliminate “the source of nearly all environmental stressors … protects local and regional populations.”

As for disadvantages to doing so, the researchers wrote only one word: “None.”

The research team was more skeptical of the pollution controls for existing wells, which they said “tend to be disproportionately focused on air pollutant emissions” and “(lack) the important factor of safety provided by a setback when engineering controls fail.”

Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi, a Democrat from Torrance who was behind the failed two-year effort to establish setbacks around sensitive sites such as schools, called this a “historic announcement” but said “we need to ensure that we are protecting all neighborhoods, regardless whether the wells are new or existing.”

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CalMatters reporter Julie Cart contributed to this story. CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Judith Carolyn (Hay) Giacone
July 13, 1951 - October 5, 2021

On October 5, 2021 heaven inherited our beautiful angel. Judith Carolyn Giacone passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Eureka.

Judy was born on July 13, 1951 in Eureka to Carol and George Hay. She was born and raised in Humboldt County, graduating from Eureka High School in 1969. She married Michael Giacone on September 5, 1969 and they had four sons together (Jason, Ryan, Nick and Eric).

As a child she was always active, playing games whenever possible. She had a competitive spirit at a young age at whatever she did. If she wasn’t playing a game of some sort she was climbing a tree or riding her bike around in the neighborhood.

Later in life she enjoyed watching old westerns and spending time with family and friends. If you were to pop in unannounced there’s a good chance an old western movie would be on the TV. If she wasn’t home she was on the road to Willow Creek to spend time with her siblings. They always had something to talk about and stories to share. Telling stories and keeping everyone up to date on the family news was a trait that was passed on from her mother that she carried on throughout her life.

Judy’s happiest times in life were spent with her boys. Holiday meals were her favorite, but really any time family was together was a special time. From the dragstrip to the court/field, she was always their biggest fan. Seeing all of her boys together brought out her loving smile that will be missed every day. As a grandmother she cherished the time spent with her grandchildren as well. This time was spent hanging out after school, possibly stopping for ice cream, and of course, watching their athletic events.

Judy was preceded in death by her parents Carol and George Hay. She is survived by her two brothers Jack and Jim; three sisters Janet, Georjean, and Jo-Ann; her four sons; Jason, Ryan, Nick and Eric and her six grandchildren; Natalie, Shelby, Alyssa, Jackson, Kaitlin and Kyle.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Eileen, Juanita and Lupe for being such dear friends to our mom/sister throughout the years.

Judy was a true blessing to the world and will be missed by all that knew her.

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

Local videographer Ray Olson is back with another edition of his inspirational travel series “Humboldt Outdoors.”

In today’s episode, Olson takes a look the historic ghost town of Falk — an old logging town located in the Headwaters Forest Reserve.

Olson also chats with Bureau of Land Management Park Ranger Julie Clark about the site’s history.

While much of the ghost town was demolished in the 1970s, some building foundations, metal machinery and giant tree stumps still remain.

Check out Olson’s video for tips on visiting this historic site.

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PREVIOUSLY: (VIDEO) HUMBOLDT OUTDOORS: The Covered Bridges of Humboldt County

A Fortuna man who fired a shotgun at a group of doorbell-ringing kids, striking one of them in the leg, pleaded guilty this morning to assault with a firearm. Erik Keith Wood, 42, was scheduled for a preliminary hearing today but instead pleaded guilty as charged. Assault with a firearm is a serious and violent felony — or strike — with a maximum penalty of four years in state prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 10.

Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal, presenting a factual basis for the plea, told Judge Kaleb Cockrum that Wood fired the shotgun on March 23 “after his doorbell had been rung multiple times.”

Bernthal asked Cockrum to jail Wood today, given that he has pleaded guilty. Wood is free on bail.

Defense attorney Zach Curtis pointed out Wood has violated no laws while out of custody, despite the fact that “he continues to be harassed by the juveniles.” Cockrum said he saw no reason for Wood to be taken into custody now.

“That may change at sentencing,” the judge said, “depending on what I hear from everyone.”

The victim, a teenage boy, was in court today when Wood entered his plea. He is expected to speak at the sentencing.

At an earlier court hearing, Curtis said the juveniles in question had been terrorizing Wood’s children for months, and his reports to law enforcement were ignored.

Cockrum suggested today that Wood might want to take civil action to stop the harassment.

“Absolutely,” Curtis said.

Wood was accompanied to court today by five supporters. The victim was with his father, along with another teenage boy and an adult man.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Fortuna Police Investigating Shooting of Juvenile as a Case of Ding Dong Ditch Gone Awry
• Suspect in Alleged Fortuna Shotgun Assault on Allegedly Ding-Dong-Dashing Juvenile Denied Supervised Release
• Trial Date Set for Suspect in Shooting of Fortuna Juvenile

UPDATE, 11:10 a.m.:

Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn tells the Outpost that the fire occurred in the county’s adult probation building.

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Humboldt Bay Fire press release:

At 1:05 a.m. on Thursday, October 21, the smell of smoke prompted a homeowner on the 2300 block of Hillside Drive to call 911.

Engine 8115 responded to the “Investigation of a Smell of Smoke” and descended Hillside Drive before spotting a smoke column stemming from a building off Harrison Avenue near Munson St and Hardy Dr.

As the crew arrived to the fire building they found dark smoke billowing from the eaves of the roof and an orange glow emanating from the glass door leading into the second floor.

The Captain of Engine 8115 quickly relayed the information and upgraded the call to a structure fire, prompting the dispatch of the Battalion Chief as well as Engine 8112, 8113, 8115, and Truck 8181.

The Battalion Chief responded and, upon sizing up the building and fire, further upgraded the response to a Commercial Second Alarm Fire, drawing in resources from Arcata Fire and Samoa Peninsula Fire District.

Engine 8115 attacked the fire, pushing it back from the doorway and allowing entry for an offensive fire attack as other units began to arrive. HBF crews made a great stop, saving an estimate of at least $2 million worth of property and preventing exposure to other buildings. The damage is estimated to be at least $1 million.

Fortunately, the building was vacant at the time of the fire, and there were no firefighter, civilian, or animal injuries.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation at this time.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank the reporting party for calling in the suspicious smell of smoke and acting as early notification for the fire department. Given the time of night the call came in the fire most certainly would have been worse without that bystander intervention. If you see something (or smell something), say something.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Oct. 21, 2021, at about 2:32 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the area of Central Avenue and Margo Lane, in McKinleyville, conducted a traffic stop on a truck towing another vehicle.

Deputies contacted two individuals associated with the vehicles, one of which, 35-year-old Austin Grant Barnett, initially provided deputies with a false name. Upon being positively identified, Barnett was found to have multiple outstanding warrants for his arrest in addition to being on formal probation. Barnett was taken into custody for his warrants. During a search of his vehicle incident to arrest, deputies located approximately 80 Perc-30 pills and ammunition.

Due to the circumstances surrounding Barnett’s illegal possession of the pills, deputies conducted a probation check at Barnett’s residence on the 2300 block of Central Avenue. Inside the residence, deputies located 35-year-old Megan Pond, who was also known to have several outstanding warrants. Pond was taken into custody for her warrants. During a search of the residence, deputies located additional Perc-30 pills.

Barnett was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance for sales (HS 11351), prohibited person in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)), false identification to a peace officer (PC 148.9(a)) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)).

Pond was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance (HS 11350) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)), in addition to warrant charges of prohibited person in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)), possession of drugs where prisoners are held (PC 4573.6) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)).

This case is still under investigation.

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.