On Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at approximately 4:00 P.M., Fortuna Police Officers executed a search warrant in the 2000 block of Jenny Lane in Fortuna.
During the service of the search warrant officers located and seized, reported stolen property, illegal narcotics, illegally possessed bear spray (commonly used as a tear gas weapon) and illegally possessed loaded firearm and ammunition.
Dustin King (age 34) was taken into custody and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he was booked on the following charges.
487(D) of the California Penal Code – Theft of a Firearm
496(A) of the California Penal Code – Possession of Stolen Property
11377(A) of the Health and Safety Code – Possession of Controlled Substance
11370.1(A) of the Health and Safety Code – Possession of Controlled Substance While Armed
22810 of the California Penal Code – Possession of Tear Gas by Felon or Addict
29800(a)(1) of the California Penal Code – Possession of Firearm by Felon or Addict
30305(a)(1) of the California Penal Code – Possession of Ammunition by Prohibited Persons
23900 of the California Penal Code – Alteration/Removal of Firearm Serial Number
The Fortuna Police Department remains committed to public safety. Any questions regarding this incident can be directed to the Patrol Commander, Lieutenant Matt Eberhardt at (707)-725-7550.
Maryellen Mullins. | Photo from Mullins’ Facebook page, provided by Moran.
A 62-year-old caretaker was hospitalized with serious injuries on Tuesday after she was attacked by a dog while walking with a disabled patient on the 3600 block of Jordan Street in Fortuna.
The victim, Maryellen Mullins of Fortuna, was taken to a local hospital for treatment, where she has undergone multiple surgeries for injuries to her arm and thigh, Mullin’s friend and coworker Indo Moran said.
Lt. Matt Eberhardt with the Fortuna Police Department told the Outpost that the dog — a 7-year-old bulldog — also attacked a nearby resident who helped Mullins fight off the dog.
“The dog was surrendered by the owner and the dog is in our facility under quarantine,” Eberhardt said. “The dog will not be returned to the owner. We will follow standard procedures and see if the dog is adoptable or not.”
Moran said the dog might have also attacked the disabled patient if Mullins hadn’t stepped in front of the dog to protect them.
“She is the best person,” Moran said. “Everyone at work loves her. Clients, staff: no one has a bad thing to say about her. She has the biggest heart in the world.”
Moran said that Mullins is recovering in the hospital and that she will need additional surgeries due to the attack.
Fieri and furries at fairs past. File photo by @starlightsray.
###
From the Humboldt County Fair:
Out
of an abundance of caution, the Humboldt County Fair and Guy Fieri
have agreed that given current circumstances, it is in the best
interest of all parties, especially the public, to cancel the events
Mr. Fieri was scheduled to present on August 25th
at the Fair.
The
events were expected to be highly attended in somewhat congested
settings, and cancelation presents the best course to protect the
public interest. Mr. Fieri has been a long-term supporter of the Fair
and the greater Ferndale community, and looks forward to the
opportunity to return under less difficult circumstances in 2022.
“After
over a year dealing with a global pandemic and as a proud lifelong
member of this community, when I heard that the fair was happening
this year, I had to be a part of it,” said Fieri. “I wanted to do
even more to help this year and came up with the idea for the
fundraiser. But given the current circumstances that are outside
anyone’s control, the fair’s team and I feel that the logistics of
the events don’t fit in with the health and safety protocols that
the fair is working hard to support. I’ll miss everyone but will be
making a donation to the Humboldt County Fair Association in an
effort to support this tentpole community event that means so much to
me and the people in the area.”
The
Humboldt County Fair is appreciative of the continued support they
receive from Guy Fieri.
Donna
Elaine Feddersen July
4, 1943 - August 12, 2021
It
is with deep sadness that we share the loss of our beautiful and
amazing mother, Donna Elaine Feddersen. She passed away at home on
August 12, 2021, surrounded by her family, just two weeks after being
diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
Donna
was born in Scotia as the youngest daughter of Vernon and Georgia
Hackett. Mom was proud of the fact that her dad got to assist in her
delivery. She grew up on the family ranch at Howe Creek in Ferndale.
She
attended Price Creek School and later Ferndale High School. She met
her future husband, Larry Feddersen, who she married shortly after
graduating in 1961. They moved to Scotia where they raised their
three girls. After divorcing she moved to Fortuna, where she
remained the rest of her life.
Donna
worked as a pharmacy tech for Lark’s Drugs in Rio Dell and later at
Cloney’s Pharmacy in Eureka, where she retired in 2011.
She
was busier in her retirement than when she worked. She spent most of
her time gardening, which was her passion and often said it was “some of the best therapy.” Her yard was a true reflection of her
personality. She was constantly in motion… walking, tidying up
around her home or in her garden. She volunteered at the Fortuna
Senior Center, was a member of the Swiss Club, and was an active
member of the Fortuna Garden Club. Mom often joked about ‘working’
her corner at 11th and Main, referring to it as, “The barf and butt
corner.” As a member of the garden club, she would maintain the
street corner flower bed next to the Playroom. Her friends would
drive by and get a view of her butt in the air as she did weeding and
planting in the flower beds.
Donna
loved spending time with her family, attending their sporting events,
birthdays and special occasions every chance she could, and was the
happiest when all the family was together. She was always a phone
call away to listen and talk. Donna loved a glass of wine or
margarita with friends and family. She loved visiting beautiful
gardens and several years ago fulfilled a wish of hers to travel to
London for the Chelsea Flower Show.
Donna’s
greatest joys were her three daughters and their families. She was a
great mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A loyal friend
through thick and thin. Friends described her as kind, sweet,
hilarious, and no-nonsense. She was the heart of our family.
Donna
is survived by her daughters: Tammy (Keith) Miller of Rio Dell,
Lorie (Johnny) Gomes of Rohnert Park, and Julie (Darren) Loudon
of Antelope, Calif. Grandchildren: Kristen (Jon-Paul) Nordstrom, Brett
Miller, Emily Loudon, Johnny Gomes, Mikaela Loudon, and Tayler Gomes.
Great-grandchildren: Xenoclea Vaughn-Miller, Gage Nordstrom, and
bonus great grandson, Ryan Vaughn. She is also survived by her
loving companion, Loren Fisher.
She
was preceded in death by her parents Vernon and Georgia Hackett and
sisters Coralee Griffin and Emilee Ann Hackett.
She
will be forever in our hearts and missed by so many.
A
celebration of her life will be at a later date, which will be
communicated via Facebook.
In
lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research
Alliance or your favorite charity.
Remember
Me
Remember
me when flowers bloom early in the spring Remember
me on sunny days in the fun that summer brings
Remember
me in the fall as you walk through leaves of gold And
Remember me in the wintertime in the stories that are told
But
most of all remember each day right from the start I
will be forever near for I live within your heart
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Donna Feddersen’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Olivia
Rangel Jackson was born on June 30, 1951 and started her journey home
on December 8, 2020 at home surrounded by family. Spending her
younger years in Whittier,
she attend DQ University and UC Davis in Sacramento where she
graduated with a BS in Early Childhood Development.
During
her time at UC Davis she also met and married Eugene “Tincy”
Jackson. Together
they moved to Hoopa, where she took the position as
director
of the Head Start and Child Care program.
During
her time in Hoopa she made lifelong
friendships that she cherished, but her passion to help others took
her on a new path to obtain her master’s
degree in Psychology and Intern at UIHS with Dr. Royal Alsup Ph.D.,
as well as
her marriage/family license. Together Olivia and Royal were the first
two mental
health
personnel
to work for an Indian health clinic.
Olivia
devoted 40 years to helping the Native community.
She helped start many native-driven
healing groups while at UIHS, such as the POWER Teen Group and
Women’s
Purification Healing Ceremony/Sweats. She
helped bring traditional
healers
to work with Native community. She did therapy
and assisted in domestic
violence
training
and
cultural
sensitivity,
trained
social
workers
for the county and foster care system, and workd
on Indian
child
welfare
issues.
She devoted her life to helping children
and healing
families.
Regardless of her own struggles or time of day, Olivia was always
available for all who needed her. Her bright personality and
unconditional love for those around her will be missed. Olivia’s
passing is a huge loss to the community.
She
enjoyed spending her time making memories with those she loved. She
could often be found in the stands cheering her grandchildren on in
sports or school events, or attending our
local traditional dances. She cherished her weekly dinners and random
adventures with her close
friends Joy and Lisa Sundberg,
as well as Tracy Crutchfield. She enjoyed her card-making parties
with close friends Janice Dean Rollings and Liz Lara O’Rourke. She
looked forward to her
regular conversations with Rita McDonald, Anita Bussell and Kathy
Stone, Walt/Callie Lara, Carol/Erik Larson, Sheri/ Ken King and
John/Lena Ybarra.
Olivia
is preceded in death by her husband Eugene “Tincy” Jackson,
Daughter Mandy Jackson, Parents Paula P Rangel and Felipe R Rangel,
Sister Gloria Y. Rangel and her mother-in-law Muriel Jackson. She was
survived by her children Tara Jackson and Robby Jackson, her sister
Irma D Rangel, brother Felipe Rangel. She was the proud Nana to
Mikayla, Elijah, Caden, Casey, Andrew, Jarren, Janessa, Ava, Ruby and
Muriel and great grandchildren Anastasia and Zayd, her god son John
Ybarra Jr. as well as multiple nieces and nephews.
The
family would like to thank Charlene Barnhart for all your hard work
and dedication, and the nurses who helped care for her.
At
the request of Olivia services will be held at the Trinidad Cemetery
on August 21, 2021 at 1 p.m. with a potluck reception to follow at
Azalea Hall in McKinleyville. Masks will be required and please
practice social distance. If you have questions please contact her
daughter, Tara.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Olivia Jackson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
A McKinleyville man suspected of shooting his friend in the groin was held to answer today on charges that could put him in prison for life.
After hearing the victim and a Eureka police detective testify during a preliminary hearing, visiting Judge Marjorie Lord Carter held 35-year-old Cory Michael Nelson to answer on charges of assault with a firearm, attempted robbery, mayhem, weapons charges and several special allegations. One of those is personally and intentionally discharging a firearm, with a conviction adding a potential 25 years to life to any prison sentence imposed.
Nelson.
Victim “John Doe,” 52, testified that about 1:30 a.m. on February 15, he and Nelson’s wife, Maria Nelson, met at his house in Eureka and drove to the Bear River Casino to gamble. Doe said he considered both Maria and Cory Nelson his friends.
Doe had won between $3,000 and $4,000 at another casino a few days before, and he still had $1,800 to $2,000 in an envelope in the console of his Ford pickup truck. When they arrived at Bear River Casino he removed $100 from the envelope for himself and gave Maria $100. They went into the casino, he said, went their separate ways to gamble and left about 5:30 a.m.
Under questioning by Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm, Doe said he believed Maria saw the money in the envelope when he was taking out the cash.
When they returned to Doe’s house on Ninth Street, Maria wanted to come in and have a drink. Then Cory Nelson arrived, and within two minutes Doe had been shot with a 9mm handgun, with the bullet passing through his penis and one testicle and exiting his thigh. The testicle was later removed because of the high risk of infection.
While he was getting Maria the drink, he heard a knock at the door, Doe said. He opened the door and saw Nelson, who he said immediately began hitting him over the head with a gun and saying to Marie “Where’s the money you said he had?”
“She said it was in the truck,” Doe recalled.
After being repeatedly struck over the head, he fell to the floor.
“I didn’t lose my balance,” he said. “He knocked me out.”
Doe said he got up again, and Nelson was holding the handgun to his chest. He hit Nelson’s hand or wrist, and it was then or shortly afterward he was shot. Nelson and his wife both fled, and no money or other items were stolen. Doe told law enforcement Maria seemed “panicked” when the gun went off.
Defense attorney Russ Clanton asked Doe about hitting the attacker on the wrist or hand.
“Pushing or pulling,” Doe said. “Yes. I’m fighting for my life. I’m covered in blood.”
Asked whether the gun went off at the same time he pushed or pulled Nelson’s hand, Doe seemed confused.
Clanton quizzed Doe about “Celeste,” who is Doe’s girlfriend but who also has another boyfriend, Esteban, who is in his 20s. Esteban comes to Doe’s house often, and Clanton suggested Esteban could have been the shooter. Doe insisted it was Nelson.
Also testifying today was EPD Detective Corrie Watson, who searched Doe’s house and interviewed him at St. Joseph Hospital. Watson said she saw both spattered blood and pooled blood in the house. She also found a spent 9mm cartridge and a fired bullet.
Watson created a photo lineup for Doe, featuring six photos including one of Nelson. He chose photos of Nelson and another man who looks “very similar” to Nelson, the detective said.
During comments after testimony concluded, Timm said it appears Nelson and his wife planned a heist.
“Maria and Mr. Nelson were there to commit the robbery,” Timm told the judge. When the shooting happened “they took off.”
“It does appear, it’s logical, that the intention through all of this was to have access to the money,” Lord said.
Asked about the long-term effects of the shooting, Doe said “I limp a little.” He still has pain, he said, and is not functioning normally.
The hearing today was for just one of Nelson’s many cases. More preliminary hearings are pending. His latest arrest was 10 days ago, while he was out on bail on the mayhem case. Nelson allegedly assaulted and kidnapped a woman at the Dean Creek Resort in Redway. He reportedly told a bystander “I’m taking my wife.”
His arraignment on the Doe shooting is set for Sept. 1. Nelson remains in custody and is now being held without bail.
With all the potentialbigprojects on Humboldt’s horizon and with homelessness an ongoing concern, there’s been a lot of chatter about the county’s meager housing stock and its potential to impede our future plans. In an attempt to better understand our population’s dire shelter needs, local group Abundant Housing Humboldt is asking locals to take a short survey with the aim of collecting data and stories about people’s experiences attempting to obtain and maintain a place to live behind the Redwood Curtain.
“Any stories or other information provided will help with planning and advocacy for housing efforts,” AHH says of the survey’s purpose. “You may choose to remain anonymous if you like, and we will never share personal information linked to your name without your permission.”
Does this sound like a good use of 10 minutes to you? Click here to take the survey.
