UPDATE, 4:19 p.m.: We must regretfully inform you that today’s big fun is now done. Not long after LoCO alerted Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery that he had a new and unique issue on his hands, a pair of city workers showed up in Old Town to remove the skyward-facing phallus that had been sneakily affixed to the roof of the gazebo sometime, we think, in the last day or so.
It was not as easy to get off as you might’ve thought, as you’ll discover in the video above. The first few tugs revealed that our subject was not simply suctioned on as some in the LoCO office first suspected. This thing was totally screwed. As such, the city worker tasked with today’s aerial dildo removal — employee of the month? — called down to his colleague for a vice grip and some channel lock pliers. After a couple suspenseful minutes of twisting and turning… release.
LoCO requested that he hold up his catch for a photo to commemorate this historic occasion. He respectfully declined. We did snap a few during the object’s long removal though.
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Original Post: Following deep consideration, LoCO has opted not to run the near 3,000-word pun and innuendo-filled post we’d initially composed after making the startling discovery this morning that someone had attached a dildo to the top of the Old Town Gazebo. Sure, we have many thoughts and questions on the subject! But we’ve ultimately decided the visual speaks for itself.
The Monument Fire burning along Highway 299 in Trinity County between Burnt Ranch and Weaverville is now 152,125 acres in size and 20 percent contained.
A team of 1,798 firefighters is currently working on the fire, including 26 hand crews, 145 engines, 14 helicopters, 51 dozers, 22 water tenders, 5 skidgines, 3 excavators.
“While there was increased fire activity in the South Zone around the community of Hayfork Monday night, there was little action on the North Zone as firefighters continued to patrol and hold control lines in all Divisions,” the fire’s incident management team stated this morning. “However, fire activity could increase today as south, southwest winds are expected to clear smoke out on the west and south sides.”
The Trinity County Office of Emergency Services is urging people to sign up with the CodeRed emergency alert system for the latest evacuation information.
Evacuation Orders: In effect for Hayfork north of Highway 3, Sky Ranch Road and Dutch Creek.
Evacuation Warnings: In effect for Big Bar, Big Flat, Burnt Ranch, Douglas City, Junction City, Weaverville, areas south from Barker Mountain to Haystack, the north side of Hyampom Road from Hayfork to 9-mile bridge, Denny, Hawkins Bar and Trinity Village. For detailed evacuation information, visit the Trinity County Office Sheriff Facebook page at Trinity County Sheriff’s Office | Facebook
Evacuation Centers: American Red Cross Shelters have been set up at Shasta College, 11555 Old Oregon Trail, Building 1900, Redding CA; Willow Creek Bible Church, 39 Brannan Mountain Road, Willow Creek, CA; and Fireman’s Hall Pavilion, 9 Park Street in Fortuna.
Animal Evacuation: (Domestic animals) Trinity County Animal Shelter, 563 Mountain View St, Weaverville, CA (530- 623-1370). (Domestic + Large Animals) Hoopa Rodeo Grounds on Pine Creek Rd, Hoopa, CA. (Large Animals with the exception of Swine): Redding Rodeo Grounds, located at 715 Auditorium Dr., Redding, CA (Sandy Ekman (530) 739-8469)
A damage assessment team confirmed that 32 structures have been destroyed by the fire. For information regarding property damages, contract the Trinity County Office of Emergency Services at (530) 623-1116.
The latest map of the McCash fire. | InciWeb
McFarland Fire
The McFarland Fire burning along Highway 36 in Trinity County saw very little growth yesterday. The fire is now 118,624 acres in size and 71 percent contained.
“Conditions were favorable again overnight, and crews conducted successful burning operations along Noble Ridge to build containment,” the fire’s incident management team stated this morning. “Work in Beegum Gorge will continue to be the priority for firefighters today. The fire showed little growth overnight and held well on containment lines. The northern edge of the fire has not grown in four days.”
A damage assessment team has confirmed that 24 homes and 18 other structures have been destroyed by the fire. One additional home has also been deemed damaged by the fire. Damage assessments are ongoing. A map of the destroyed structures and images of the properties can be found by clicking this link: visit:https://arcg.is/1Pu8GW
A team of 895 firefighters are currently working to contain the blaze, including 18 hand crews, 69 engines, 7 helicopters, 45 dozers, 20 water tenders and 3 masticators.
Evacuation Orders and Warnings:
Shasta County
ORDERS: The Shasta County Sheriff’s Office has issued a mandatory evacuation order for all residents within the township of Platina. The evacuation order includes all residences and roadways from the Trinity/Shasta County line east to the Shasta/Tehama County line. Residents are encouraged to use Platina Road as an evacuation route. There will be a temporary evacuation site at the Igo/Ono Elementary School. https://www.facebook.com/ShastaSheriff
Tehama County
ORDERS: The area west of Vestal and Weemasoul Roads to the Shasta/Tehama County line and south of Highway 36 in the fire area.
WARNINGS: Highway 36 from Bowman Road west to the county line and north to the Shasta County line (Zone 157). The area south of Highway 36, east and north of Vestal Road, and west of Cottonwood Creek (Zone 158). Please click here to view the map for Tehama County: https://tinyurl.com/Evacuation-and-Road-Closure
Highway 36 remains closed between Harrison Gulch to Vestal Road.
Low-intensity fire effects of McCash Fire burnout operations yesterday evening. | Inciweb
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Aug. 23, 2021, at about 12:18 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the Blue Lake area conducted a suspicious vehicle investigation at a gas station on the 200 block of Blue Lake Boulevard.
Deputies approached the vehicle and observed the driver, 35-year-old Matthew Loren Wells, asleep inside. Wells was found to have an outstanding warrant for his arrest and was taken into custody. The vehicle was not registered to Wells and a search was conducted. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located burglary tools, drug paraphernalia, ID cards belonging to multiple Humboldt State University students, two laundry-machine coin storage containers filled with coins, and other suspected stolen items.
Through further investigation, deputies learned that the vehicle in Well’s possession had been stolen from a student sometime over the weekend and was in the process of being reported as stolen to the Humboldt State University Police Department. Additionally, deputies learned that the Arcata Police Department was investigating a burglary involving an apartment laundry facility.
Due to all evidence gathered during this investigation, it is believed Wells is responsible for the burglaries occurring at Humboldt State University and the apartment laundry facility, in addition to an attempted burglary of a laundromat in Blue Lake.
Wells was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary (PC459/461(b)),vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)), possession of burglary tools (PC 466), possession of a stolen vehicle (PC 496d(a)), possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia (HS 11364(a)) and shoplifting (PC 459.5), in addition to warrant charges of vehicle theft (VC 10851(a)), felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(1)), possession of a narcotic controlled substance (HS 11350(a)) and driving on a suspended/revoked license (VC 14601.1(a)).
Anyone with information about this case or is believed to have had property stolen by Wells 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.
Scroll down: 57 unsolved HCSO missing persons and suspected homicide cases dating back to the 1950s are described and mapped below
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce the launch of a new online database of unsolved missing persons and suspected homicide cases.
The HCSO Unsolved Cases Database features information regarding 57 unsolved missing persons and suspected homicide cases dating back to the 1950’s held by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. The database includes victim photos and information, case summaries, and an interactive map plotting the general location of each case.
In addition to the new database, Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal has appointed two deputy sheriffs to the agency’s newly formed Cold Case Unit. The deputies are retired peace officers who have decades of investigative experience and will be exclusively reviewing these unsolved cases for new leads.
“Our Cold Case Unit deputies have been in contact with friends and family of the victims in these cases and are working to develop new leads and suspect information,” Sheriff Honsal said. “But we can’t do this without the public’s help and that’s why this new database is crucial. We hope seeing the faces of these victims and reading the summaries of their cases will help jog a memory or some information that might lead to a resolution. We urge the community to review the database and contact us if you have information to share about any of these cases. Even information that may seem insignificant can lead to the next big break on a case.”
A case is considered unsolved and eligible to be placed in this new database if:
There are no known suspects or suspects have been identified but the case lacks sufficient evidence needed to meet probable cause requirements for prosecution;
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is the primary investigating agency on this case;
The case occurred in 2019 or earlier.
This database does not include all homicides or missing persons cases for Humboldt County and will be updated as new information is received or progress is made on a case. Some information and/or cases may not be available or listed due to the investigative status of a case.
Name: Anthony Joseph Calderone Also Known As: AJ Case Number: 201806333 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 6/20/1971 City of Residency: Mad River, CA Synopsis: On December 7, 2018, at about 2:49 a.m., Anthony Calderone was located deceased in his vehicle on Highway 36 near Mile Marker 43.
Name: Salvatore Riccobono IV Case Number: 201801945 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 7/7/1987 City of Residency: Antioch, CA Synopsis: On April 23, 2018, at about 5:03 a.m., deputies were dispatched to U.S. Highway 101 near Salmon Creek for the report of a subject struck by a vehicle. It was later determined that the victim, Salvatore Riccobono was deceased prior to the traffic collision and his death was determined to be a homicide.
Name: Saul Perez Pacheco Case Number: 201800009 Race: Hispanic Sex: Male DOB: 7/6/1989 City of Residency: Unknown Synopsis: On January 1, 2018, at about 5 a.m., deputies were dispatched to Gerald Phelps Hospital in Garberville for a gunshot victim. The victim, Saul Pacheco, succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.
Name: Matthew Thomas Dix Case Number: 201705967 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 9/2/1990 City of Residency: Manila, CA Synopsis: On December 2, 2017, at about 3 a.m., Matthew Dix was located deceased sitting in his vehicle parked in the driveway outside of his residence in Manila.
Name: Lawrence O’Connor Case Number: 201604450 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 6/11/1966 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: On September 5, 2016, Lawrence O’Connor and David Sims were located deceased at a rural property in Hyampom.Their deaths were determined to be a double homicide.
Name: David Michael Sims Also Known As: “Skids” Case Number: 201604450 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 12/19/1968 City of Residency: Samoa, CA Synopsis: On September 5, 2016, David Sims and Lawrence O’Connor were located deceased at a rural property in Hyampom.Their deaths were determined to be a double homicide.
Name: Stephanie Gawboy Case Number: 201604171 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 2/24/1964 City of Residency: Redway, CA Synopsis: On August 17, 2016 at about 9:30 a.m.,Stephanie Gawboy was located deceased inside of a residence on the 100 block of Redway Drive in Redway.
Name: Dana N Hudson Case Number: 201604099 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 2/13/1972 City of Residency: Blue Lake, CA Synopsis: On August 12, 2016, at about 11:59 a.m., deputies were dispatched Highway 299 Mile Marker 21 for the report of a robbery that had just occurred. The victim, Dana Hudson, later succumbed to his injuries sustained during the robbery. The incident was later determined to have actually occurred on Sabretooth Road.
Name: Brials Mccutcheon Case Number: 201604001 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 9/20/1974 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: On Aug. 6, 2016, at about 5:42 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 4300 block of Crestview Drive in Eureka for the report of a possible suicide. Deputies arrived on scene and located Brials Mccutcheon deceased inside of his vehicle. His death was later determined to be a homicide.
Name: Arthur Ruiz Case Number: 201600470 Race: Native American Sex: Male DOB: 10/20/1973 City of Residency: Hoopa, CA Synopsis: Arthur Ruiz was reported missing on Jan. 12, 2016 by family members. Ruiz’s remains were located on Jan. 28, 2016 in the area of Redwood Grove Road in Hoopa.
Name: John (aka “Johnny”) Henry Deleon Case Number: 201501307 Race: Hispanic Sex: Male DOB: 5/17/1988 City of Residency: San Jose, CA Synopsis: John Deleon was reported missing on October 30, 2014 by family members.On March 22, 2015 Deleon’s remains were located in a remote area near Baird Road in Hoopa.
Name: Robert James Flaherty Case Number: 201404875 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 3/29/1984 City of Residency: Synopsis: Robert Flaherty was reported missing in July of 2014 by family members.On Oct. 14, 2014 Flaherty was located deceased at a camp in a wooded area off Redwood Drive in Garberville.
Name: Luis Edwardo Raya Case Number: 201403732 Also Known As: Luis Edwardo Garcia Raya, “Perico” Race: Hispanic Sex: Male DOB: 2/28/1983 City of Residency: Arcata, CA Synopsis: Luis Raya was last seen on June 14, 2014 at about 8:30 p.m. at his home in Arcata by family members. Raya was no longer at the home when family members returned to the residence later that evening. Raya reportedly worked at a marijuana farm in Miranda and was possibly seen in June or July of 2014 in the Southern Humboldt area. On August 10, 2014, skeletal remains belonging to Raya were discovered at Cuneo Creek State Park near Bull Creek.
Name: Scott William Johnson Case Number: 201403367 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 9/2/1956 City of Residency: Alderpoint, CA Synopsis: On July 21, 2014, 7 p.m., Scott Johnson was reportedly searching for a known homicide suspect in the Rancho Sequoia area when he was shot and killed by an unknown person(s). Johnson was located deceased in the roadway in the Willow Lane area of Rancho Sequoia Drive.
Name: Sheila Franks Case Number: 201401174 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 7/19/1976 City of Residency: Fortuna, CA Synopsis: Sheila Franks was reported missing on March 13, 2014 by a family member. On June 10, 2019, skeletal remains were located at Crab Park in Loleta. DNA analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to Franks.
Name: Danielle Nicole Brooks Case Number: 201400805 Also Known As: Danielle Nicole Bertolini Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 3/6/1990 City of Residency: Fortuna, CA Synopsis: Danielle Brooks was reported missing to the Fortuna Police Department on February 19, 2014 by family members. Danielle was last seen around February 9, 2014 in the Swains Flat area. On March 9, 2015, skeletal remains believed to belong to Brooks were located in the Eel River bed near Howe Creek in Ferndale.
Name: Garret Alan Rodriguez Case Number: 201302060 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 5/2/1983 City of Residency: San Diego, CA Synopsis: Garret Rodriguez was reported missing by a family member on April 25, 2013. Garrett was believed to be working on a marijuana farm in Southern Humboldt County. Garret’s body was located in a shallow grave on a rural property in Southern Humboldt on December 1, 2013.
Name: Edward Burton Jensen Jr. Case Number: 201104203 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 12/9/1956 City of Residency: Redway, CA Synopsis: Edward Jensen was reported missing on April 28, 2011 by a family member. Jensen was last seen around April 14, 2011, when he reportedly walked away from a rural property located in the Larabee Creek Sub-Division in Blocksburg after a brief verbal argument with a subject on the property. On July 28, 2011, Jensen’s remains were located on the Eel River bar in Redcrest.
Name: Sumi Gail Juan Case Number: 201007024 Race: Native American Sex: Female DOB: 11/2/1977 City of Residency: Hoopa, CA Synopsis: Sumi Juan was reported missing to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office on October 29, 2010. She was last seen by family members in early October or September 2010 at Hoopa Elementary School. Juan has not been seen since her disappearance and is missing under suspicious circumstances.
2000-2009
Name: Robert Joseph Tennison Case Number: 200901826 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 9/11/1971 City of Residency: Keyes, CA Synopsis: Robert “Bobby” Tennison was reported missing to the Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office on February 9, 2009. Tennison had recently moved to the Alderpoint area and was living with friends when he went missing. Tennison was last seen at a residence in Rancho Sequoia sometime between January 21 and February 1, 2009.
Name: Rosemarie Wendy Boyd Case Number: 200806077 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 1/13/1960 City of Residency: Fortuna, CA Synopsis: Rosemarie Wendy Boyd was located deceased on the Eel River riverbar south of the Fortuna River Lodge on September 16, 2008. Her death was determined to be a homicide.
Unidentified Human Remains Case Number: 200606258 Race: Unknown, Suspected European ancestry Sex: Unknown DOB: Unknown, Suspected 40+ years of age City of Residency: Unknown Synopsis: On October 11, 2006, unidentified skeletal human remains were located on Green Diamond property on Road CR2158 in Fieldbrook. Cause and manner of death is unknown.
Name: Michael William Desmet Case Number: 200505637 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 11/12/1971 City of Residency: Shelter Cove, CA Synopsis: Michael Desmet was reportedly last contacted on August 26, 2005 in the afternoon. Desmet was reportedly in Covelo, CA with Joseph Clarence Wilma Jr. at a property owned by Wilma Jr. The two men were last seen driving a 1998 Maroon Toyota Pickup Truck, CA Plate: 7067771. Desmet was possibly last seen with Wilma Jr. in the China Creek area of Southern Humboldt County.
Name: Joseph Clarence Wilma Jr. Case Number: 200505727 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 6/18/1953 City of Residency: Covelo, CA Synopsis: Joesph Wilma Jr. was reportedly last contacted on August 26, 2005 in the afternoon. Wilma Jr. was reportedly in Covelo, CA, at his property with Michael William Desmet. The two men were last seen driving a 1998 Maroon Toyota Pickup Truck, CA Plate: 7067771. Wilma Jr. was possibly last seen with Desmet in the China Creek area of Southern Humboldt County.
Name: Bradley Milan Thompson Case Number: 200501271 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 9/24/1960 City of Residency: Myers Flat, CA Synopsis: Bradley Thompson was reported missing on March 1, 2005. On November 6, 2008, Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a gravel quarry in Scotia for the report of skeletal remains located at the site. Deputies recovered the remains and through DNA analysis determined that the remains belonged to Thompson.
Name: Robert J. Tobaka Case Number: 200401181 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 8/13/1950 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: Robert Tobaka’s remains were located in Pepperwood, CA on February 18, 2004. Tobaka was last seen alive December of 2003. Tobaka’s manner of death appears to be homicide.
Name: Joan Pendrell Taylor Case Number: 200307852 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 8/4/1940 City of Residency: Arcata, CA Synopsis: On November 26, 2003, at about 2 p.m., Joan Taylor reportedly left her residence in the Jacoby Creek area on foot and has never returned..
Name: Sean Thomas Akselsen Case Number: 200305658 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 01/30/1984 City of Residency: Whitethorn, CA Synopsis: On August 25, 2003, Sean Akselsen was located deceased at the Briceland-Thorne Junction in Briceland. Akselsen’s death has been determined a homicide.
Name: Christopher Robert Giaque Case Number: 200305305 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 2/02/1967 City of Residency: Salmon Creek, CA Synopsis: On August 9, 2003, Christopher “Chris” Giaque went to collect money owed from a marijuana business partner on Spy Rock Road and never returned. Giaque’s pickup truck was found parked on the side of Highway 254 on August 13, 2003.
Name: Robert Charles Reardon Case Number: 200109595 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 3/26/1939 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: On July 29, 2001, Robert “Bob” Reardon was located deceased in a milk barn on the 5600 block of Elk River Road. Reardon’s manner of death appears to be homicide.
1990-1999
Name: Ross Carson Cunningham Case Number: 199904305 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 7/4/1963 City of Residency: Loleta, CA Synopsis: Ross Carson Cunningham was located deceased in his bed on May 8, 1999 at his residence on the 2300 block of Hookton Drive in Loleta. Cunningham’s manner of death appears to be homicide.
Name: Tawnya Marie Leavitt Case Number: 199800650 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 5/12/1982 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: On February 1, 1998, Tawnya Leavitt was located deceased in the grassy area off of the north end of the Samoa Airstrip by Coast Guard crews training in the area.
Name: Steven M. Carracciolo Case Number: 199707434 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 7/27/1971 City of Residency: Rockville, NY Synopsis: Steven Carracciolo was reported missing out of New York State. Caracciolo, an avid bicyclist, reportedly began a cross-country road trip and picked up hitchhikers along the way. On November 13, 1997, skeletal remains were located along the Eel River near the Pepperwood Summer Bridge by a CDC crew working in the area. DNA analysis determined the remains belonged to Caracciolo. Caracciolo’s death has been determined to be a homicide. He is believed to have been murdered sometime during the night in early October.
Name: Unidentified Human Remains Case Number: 199707013 Race: Suspected White Sex: Female DOB: Unknown, possibly 18-25 years old at death City of Residency: Unknown Synopsis: On October 26, 1997, incomplete remains of a female were located floating in the Freshwater Slough near Park Street in Myrtletown, Eureka. Additional remains believed to belong to the female were located on January 29, 1998, in the surf south of Clam Beach. A forensic autopsy determined the victim to possibly be a white female, approximately 18-25 years old, 5’3”-5’4”, 120-125 pounds, with brown or auburn hair. Pathologists determined the female to be a non-smoker and had possibly borne a child in her lifetime. Her death has been determined to be a homicide.
Name: Sandra Kay Albiani Case Number: 199703626 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 5/4/1952 City of Residency: Scotia, CA Synopsis: Sandra Albiani was working as a security guard at the Pacific Lumber Company on June 9, 1997 when she went missing during her shift, sometime in the early morning hours. Albiani’s body was discovered later that afternoon buried on the property.
Name: Eric Scott Day Case Number: 199702426 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 7/13/1971 City of Residency: Scotia, CA Synopsis: Eric Day was last seen in Rio Dell on/around February 17, 1997. Day reportedly had a broken leg and was using crutches prior to his disappearance. Day reportedly had acquaintances in the Stafford area and may have been in the Southern Humboldt area in the days surrounding his disappearance.
Name: Keith Lynn Abbey Jr. Also Known As: Bud Case Number: 199305414 Race: White Sex: Male Age at Death: 32 City of Residency: Transient Synopsis: On August 16, 1993, Keith Lynn Abbey was found deceased on the North Jetty Beach near Samoa. His death has been determined to be a homicide.
Name: John Wyatt Jameton Case Number: 199305192 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 9/18/1972 City of Residency: Garberville, CA Synopsis: On August 5, 1993, John Jameton was found deceased on Overpack Grove Road in the Richardson Grove area. His death has been determined to be a homicide.
Name: John Gregory Potter Case Number: 199302464 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 4/5/1954 City of Residency: Unknown Synopsis: John Gregory Potter was discovered missing from a residence in Whitethorn on March 27, 1993. On April 13, 1993, Potter was located deceased in the Mattole River near Whitethorn. Resources: Potter Case Press Releases
Name: Curtis Lee Ellis Case Number: 199107762 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 4/7/1960 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: Curtis Lee Elis was reported missing to the Eureka Police Department on August 8, 1990. Ellis was last seen in late February 1990 and was reportedly leaving to visit Texas. Skeletal remains identified as belonging to Ellis were located on December 29, 1992, by a tourist in the area of the Avenue of the Giants near Myers Flat. Ellis’ cause of death is unknown and his death is considered suspicious. Resources: Ellis Case Press Releases
Name: Andrea Jerri White Also Known As: Chick White Case Number: 199104746 Race: Native American Sex: Femalepotter DOB: 11/14/1968 City of Residency: Hoopa, CA Synopsis: Andrea “Chick” White was last seen on July 31, 1991 at about 1:30 p.m. hitchhiking along Highway 299 eastbound, east of Blue Lake. Investigative information indicates that White may have received a ride from that location in a white over green 1964 Chevy Impala four-door with mud/snow tires on the rear. Resources: White Case Press Releases.
Name: Gerrold Robin Maniaci Case Number: 199005189 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 11/17/1959 City of Residency: Garberville, CA Synopsis: Gerrold Maniaci was reported missing by a family member on July 23, 1990. He was reportedly last seen on June 3, 1990 in Phillipsville.
Name: Dottie Jean Willis Case Number: 199004346 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 5/12/1953 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: On June 21, 1990, Dottie Willis was found deceased at the north end of Heindon Road near Arcata. Her death has been determined to be a homicide.
Name: Robert Monroe Alexander Case Number: 199000693 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 6/12/1925 City of Residency: Westhaven, CA Synopsis: On January 22, 1990, Robert Alexander was reported missing to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. As part of their investigation, deputies searched a property associated with Alexander on the 300 block of Old Wagon Road. Alexander’s remains were located buried on the property on January 24, 1990.
1980-1989
Name: Donald Eugene Meinhardt Also Known As: Little Donnie Case Number: 198807676 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 12/02/1939 City of Residency: Unknown Synopsis: Donald Eugene Meinhardt is suspected to have been killed during a motorcycle gang incident in Southern Humboldt County. Meinhardt has never been located.
Name: Kay Josephine Adams Case Number: 198706775 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 10/1/1938 City of Residency: Hyampom, CA Synopsis: Kay Adams was reported missing in August of 1987. Her remains were located in November of 1987 on a rural property near Willow Creek.
Name: Edward Martin Buschbacher Jr. Case Number: 198405604 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 3/24/1956 State of Residency: Wyoming Synopsis: On November 14, 1984, Edward Buschbacher Jr. and Randy Peters were reported missing by a friend after they failed to arrive home from a visit to Humboldt County. On November 24, 1984, Buschbacher and Peters were located deceased on a marijuana farm near Weitchpec. Their causes of death were determined to be gunshot wounds. Resources: Buschbacher Case Press Releases
Name: Randy Clay Peters Case Number: 198405604 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 2/13/1953 State of Residency: Michigan Synopsis: On November 14, 1984, Edward Buschbacher Jr. and Randy Peters were reported missing by a friend after they failed to arrive home from a visit to Humboldt County. On November 24, 1984, Buschbacher and Peters were located deceased on a marijuana farm near Weitchpec. Their causes of death were determined to be gunshot wounds. Resources: Peters Case Press Releases
Name: Lydia Bereshnyi Also Known As: Lydia Marcinkowski Case Number: 198204387 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 3/24/1951 City of Residency: Garberville, CA Synopsis: Lydia Bereshnyi was located deceased on September 7, 1982 at a secluded campsite on the riverbank near the Sprowel Creek Bridge.Bereshnyi’s cause of death was determined to be strangulation. Resources: Bereshnyi Case Press Releases
Name: Clifford John Silva Jr. Case Number: 198201589 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 4/6/1947 City of Residency: Southern Humboldt Synopsis: Clifford Silva Jr. was located deceased on Zenia Bluff Road on April 5, 1982. Silva was reportedly last seen riding with two other male adults in a blue and white GMC truck around September-October 1981.
Name: Suzanne Michelle Brown Also Known As: Suzanne Stafford, Suzanne Peterson Case Number: 198105397 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 4/17/1957 City of Residency: Klamath Falls, OR Synopsis: Suzanne Michelle Brown was located deceased on October 10, 1981 in brush along Kneeland Road near Freshwater Park. Brown was reportedly last seen alive on October 1, 1981 leaving a nearby KOA campground to attend a concert at Humboldt State University. Brown left behind a four-year-old daughter. Her death was determined to be a homicide.
Name: Deryl Edward Coen Case Number: 198007499 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 7/27/1952 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: Deryl Edward Coen was located deceased on November 30, 1980 at a residence on Fruitland Ridge Road in Myers Flat. His death was determined to be a homicide.
1970-1979
Name: Charles Richard Frint Case Number: 197801225 Race: White Sex: Male DOB: 7/6/1932 City of Residency: McKinleyville, CA Synopsis: Charles Richard Frint was located deceased on February 15, 1978 at a residence on the 1900 block of Gwin Road in McKinleyville. His death was determined to be a homicide.
Name: Mary Elizabeth Stuart Also Known As: Mary Danckert. Case Number: 197711201 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 4/25/1945 City of Residency: Honeydew, CA Synopsis: Mary Elizabeth Stuart and her two daughters, Jessie Flo Stuart and Fannie Fawn Stuart, were reported missing on December 13, 1977.Mary Stuart and her two daughters were last seen on December 10, 1977 leaving their residence near Honeydew to go shopping in Eureka. Mary Stuart was reportedly driving a red 1969 Opel station wagon with California license plate 456AII. The three failed to return home that evening. On January 1, 1978, Mary Stuart’s station wagon was located on an unused logging road 1-1/2 miles from the Stuart residence. Despite searches of the area, Mary and her children were never found. Resources: Stuart Case Press Release
Name: Jessie Flo Stuart Case Number: 197711201 Race: White Sex: Female Age at Time of Missing: 2 Years Old City of Residency: Honeydew, CA Synopsis: Mary Elizabeth Stuart and her two daughters, Jessie Flo Stuart and Fannie Fawn Stuart, were reported missing on December 13, 1977.Mary Stuart and her two daughters were last seen on December 10, 1977 leaving their residence near Honeydew to go shopping in Eureka. Mary Stuart was reportedly driving a red 1969 Opel station wagon with California license plate 456AII. The three failed to return home that evening. On January 1, 1978, Mary Stuart’s station wagon was located on an unused logging road 1-1/2 miles from the Stuart residence. Despite searches of the area, Mary and her children were never found. Resources: Stuart Case Press Release
Name: Fannie Fawn Stuart Case Number: 197711201 Race: White Sex: Female Age at Time of Missing: 2 Years Old City of Residency: Honeydew, CA Synopsis: Mary Elizabeth Stuart and her two daughters, Jessie Flo Stuart and Fannie Fawn Stuart, were reported missing on December 13, 1977.Mary Stuart and her two daughters were last seen on December 10, 1977 leaving their residence near Honeydew to go shopping in Eureka. Mary Stuart was reportedly driving a red 1969 Opel station wagon with California license plate 456AII. The three failed to return home that evening. On January 1, 1978, Mary Stuart’s station wagon was located on an unused logging road 1-1/2 miles from the Stuart residence. Despite searches of the area, Mary and her children were never found. Resources: Stuart Case Press Release
Name: Victoria Lynn Schneider Also Known As: Vickie Case Number: 197605703 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 9/12/1956 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: Victoria Lynn Schneider was last seen leaving her home in Eureka on June 16, 1976, to hitchhike to Samoa Beach. Schneider was located deceased, buried in a shallow grave on Samoa Beach on June 30, 1976.
Name: Sherrie Lynn Smith Case Number: 197603718 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 9/4/1960 City of Residency: Miranda, CA Synopsis: Sherrie Lynn Smith was last seen on April 30, 1976, attending a dance with friends at a Fireman’s Hall in Southern Humboldt County. Smith was reportedly staying with a friend in Alderpoint at the time of her disappearance and had not been in contact with family for approximately five days. Smith’s body was located on May 2, 1976 on a small dirt road in the area of Fruitland Ridge Road.
Name: Karen Ann Fischer Case Number: 197600514 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 4/24/1953 City of Residency: Boulder, CO Synopsis: Karen Fischer was reported missing on January 15, 1976 by her boyfriend. Fisher was reportedly last seen by her boyfriend on January 14, 1976 at approximately 9:50 a.m. in Arcata where she was planning to hitchhike to go sightseeing in the Trinidad area. Members of the Coast Guard reported seeing Fischer on Trinidad Head at approximately 12:25 p.m. that day in the company of a male subject described as 6 feet tall, medium build, with blonde/light brown hair, wearing light/tan clothes. On January 18, 1976, Fischer was located deceased on a small trail at the top of Trinidad Head.
Name: Janet Lee Bowman Case Number: 197509543 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 7/14/1956 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: Janet Lee Bowman was last seen at the Eureka Welfare Office on September 30, 1975 and was known to hitchhike for transport. Bowman was located deceased in a wooded area off of Highway 299 near Blue Lake after Sheriff’s Investigators received an anonymous letter describing the whereabout of her remains.
1960-1969
Name: Unidentified Human Remains Case Number: 196803508 Race: White Sex: Male Age at Death: 40 – 55 Years Old City of Residency: Unknown Synopsis: On May 1, 1968, skeletal remains of a male adult were found partially buried in a shallow grave a short distance from the shoulder of the road of Highway 299, approximately six miles west of Willow Creek. The man is believed to have been deceased over six months prior to the discovery of his remains. The deceased is believed to be a white male, possibly of European descent, 5 feet 4.25 inches – 5 feet 8.5 inches tall, medium to heavy build, brown hair, 40 – 55 years old, with a deep chest and stock trunk. The decedent was found wearing a knitted nylon olive green slip-over shirt, gray cotton twill trousers with an elastic belt and lion emblem belt buckle, and brown ¾ lace top boots.
Name: Stanley Eugene Svendsen Case Number: 196708211 Race: White Sex: Male Age at Death: 36 Years Old City of Residency: Unknown Synopsis: Stanley Eugene Svendsen was discovered deceased by friends in a cabin in Phillipsville on October 4, 1967. Svendsen’s manner of death was determined to be a homicide resulting from a physical altercation.
1950-1959
Name: Vera Vetterlin Weitzel Also Known As: Sandy Vetterlin Case Number: 195806326 Race: White Sex: Female DOB: 8/31/1923 City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: Vera Vetterlin Weitzel was reported missing to the Eureka Police Department on November 8, 1958. Weitzel was last seen in Hoopa on October 30, 1958. Her vehicle was located abandoned on November 6, 1958 on Highway 299. Weitzel’s remains were located near the North Fork of the Mad River on January 10, 1959.
Name: Barbara Joe Kelley Case Number: 195003681 Race: White Sex: Female Age at Time of Missing: 17 Years Old City of Residency: Fortuna, CA Synopsis: On June 18, 1950, Barbara Joe Kelley’s boyfriend Henry Baird was located deceased on the beach at Table Bluff. Kelley’s belonging were located nearby Baird’s remains. Law enforcement and family has been unable to contact Kelley and she remains missing today.
Name: Henry Lawrence Baird Also Known As: Red Case Number: 195003681 Race: White Sex: Male Age at Time of Missing: 28 Years Old City of Residency: Eureka, CA Synopsis: On June 18, 1950, Henry Lawrence Baird was located deceased on the beach at Table Bluff. His cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound. His girlfriend Barbara Kelley’s belonging were located nearby Baird’s remains. Law enforcement and family has been unable to contact Kelley and she remains missing today.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information regarding the location of a suspect wanted for carrying out a scheme to scam an elderly resident out of thousands of dollars.
On Aug. 19, 2021, at about 5:20 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a McKinleyville residence for a fraud investigation. There, deputies contacted a 92-year-old victim who told deputies that she had been scammed out of almost $10,000 by a man claiming to be a contractor.
The suspect, identified through further investigation as 44-year-old Shanadoa Wayne Johnson, reportedly contacted the victim at her residence earlier this week. Johnson reportedly told the victim that he had taken over his deceased father’s contracting business and that Johnson’s father worked on the victim’s property years ago. Johnson reportedly convinced the victim to have her driveway resurfaced and repairs done to her roof. The victim was charged almost $10,000 for these services. Friends of the victim alerted law enforcement after inspecting the residence and realizing that while the driveway did appear to be resurfaced, Johnson did not do repairs to her roof, despite charging over $8,000 for roof repair services.
Johnson is wanted on warrants for similar crimes occurring in Oregon, Nevada, and Siskiyou County. Anyone with information regarding Johnson’s whereabouts or who may have fallen victim to Johnson’s fraudulent activities 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.
Aryliss June Pratt was born on June 3, 1972 in Hayward to Helen C. “Hez” Pratt and
Alexander E. Pratt Jr. She passed away on August 11, 2021 in Eureka due to health
issues.
Known affectionately as “Frogs,” Aryliss was loved by many. She was a proud Hupa Tribal
Member, and enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. She looked forward to every Brush
Dance, Deerskin Dance, and Jump Dance, and would bake pies for each of them. She could
always be seen heading up the road with her niece and cruising partner Alexiss Pratt
heading to a brush dance, or ripping to town to go shopping.
Although she had no children of her own, she was a second mama to her nieces and
nephews. She was the most loving Aunt and would often spend her last dollar buying gifts
for them. Aryliss was a caretaker all her life, constantly watching after her father, nieces and
nephews, or looking after another loved one. She lived her life loving and caring for people,
and she has touched the loves of many in her time on this earth.
She is preceded in death by her mother, Helen “Hezzie” Pratt, grandmothers Alice Pratt and
Charlotte Colegrove, grandfathers Eugene Colegrove Sr, and Alexander Pratt Sr, aunts Agnes
“Jeeps” Colegrove, Marge Traversie, Melva Jean Middleton, uncles Harvey Pratt Sr, Kenneth
“Jonsie” Pratt, Vernon Middleton Sr., James Colegrove, Eugene “Fada” Colegrove, Daniel
“Johnson” Colegrove, nephew Daniel Pratt Jr., and very special friend Gunny Reed.
Unfortunately, she was also preceded in death by several cousins that she will be reunited
with as they meet our Creator.
She is survived by her father, Alexander Pratt Jr., Aunt Cyd Colegrove, Uncle Carl Colegrove,
siblings Daniel Pratt Sr. & Tawni Pratt, Alexiss “Carlyne” Pratt, Alyson & Sonny Hescock,
Alexander & Tiffany Sotolongo, Gearold “Roldo” Pratt-Sotolongo, Misgilo & Shelby Moon,
Malachi Hescock, Willis Hescock, Jaden Dixon, and Ezra Toops. Nieces Lea Pratt, Amber
Pratt, Alexiss “Lexi” Pratt, Alea Hescock, Alyssa Moon, Chloe Sotolongo, Lily Sotolongo,
Nakita Sotolongo, Kiara Sotolongo, Mila Clawson, and Ava June Moon. She also leaves
behind many cousins and friends, that are too numerous to name. She has touched so many
hearts over the years, and will be missed greatly.
A wake will be held at the Baptist Church on Loop Road, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday, August
20, and graveside services will be in held at the Tribal Cemetery at 10 am. Afterwards, a
reception will be held at Pookey’s Park immediately following.
The family would like to thank you all for your outpouring of love and prayers in this difficult
time.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Aryliss Pratt’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Janice Mae Farrell Scott went to be with her Lord and Savior on Monday, August 16, 2021 at the age of 79. There is rejoicing in Heaven, although she will be greatly missed here.
Jan was born in Springfield, Illinois on December 26, 1941. She talked often of growing up with her loving grandparents John and Mayme Farrell nearby. It was through their passion to teach the Bible that a young Jan acquired her desire to pursue teaching; which she did when she graduated from Grand Canyon College with her teaching degree.
Janice loved her family, church and most of all her Savoir. She was known for her detailed studying of the Bible, her enthusiasm of writing books and countless Bible studies, her fondness of Disney’s Uncle Scrooge, and traveling by car but always preferring a train if possible.
Janice delighted in teaching and sharing her knowledge with anyone who wanted to learn. As a young married woman, she taught Jr. High and High School math and art in Springfield, Missouri. She had an amazing artistic talent which she used in her teaching style with her famous “Chalk Talks.” She loved to learn and continued to expound her own knowledge her entire life.
After moving to Eureka in 1976, Jan worked for Caltrans’ Right of Way Division until she retired in 2003.
Jan is preceded in death by her beloved parents John S. and Marjorie H. Farrell. She is survived by her four children Diana (David) Watts of Roseville, Calif., Kimberley (Jack) Peterson of Greenville, Texas, Jonathan Scott of Eureka, and Kent (Sarah) Scott of Tacoma, Washington. She is also survived by her grandchildren Brandon (Kristina) Watts of Lincoln, California, Morgan (Joseph) Anderson of Franklin, N.C., Jessica Peterson of Denton, Texas, and Shelby Peterson of Greenville, Texas. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren Hannah Watts, Clint Peterson, Cutler, Cora, and Emery Anderson.
A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Pinehill Baptist Church, 4675 Union St, Eureka, at 1 p.m. on Monday, August 23. Interment will be at Ocean View Cemetery.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jan Scott’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
