Eureka City Councilmember Natalie Arroyo. Photo: City of Eureka
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Eureka City Councilmember Natalie Arroyo will run for Humboldt County Supervisor next year, according to a text message sent out to supporters earlier today.
Arroyo represents Eureka’s Henderson Center-centric Third Ward on the city council, and is due to finish her second term in office next year. Eureka election rules would term-limit her out of that seat at the end of 2022.
Arroyo will seek the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors’ Fourth District seat, which has been held by Virginia Bass since 2010. It’s currently unknown whether Bass will seek reelection.
The Fourth District, as it’s currently drawn, encompasses most of Eureka and the Samoa Peninsula south of the bridge. Its exact boundaries will have to be adjusted next year, before the election, in response to the 2020 Census.
A Coast Guard officer, employee of the Redwood Community Action Agency, roller derby veteran and Kinetics Rutabaga Queen, Arroyo has long been seen as a likely Board of Supervisors contender.
U.S. Forest Service - Shasta-Trinity National Forest, U.S. Forest Service - Klamath National Forest, and U.S. Forest Service - Six Rivers National Forest have announced a comprehensive three-forest closure of the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area. The order is effective on August 11, 2021, and will extend through November 15, 2021. Full text and map of the closure area is available at https://bit.ly/3jQjFBg.
Map of the area of closure | US Forest Service
This Forest Order is being enacted to best protect the safety of both the public and first responders. With many fires active in and around the Trinity Alps Wilderness Area, access to trailheads is severely limited, and recreation in the Wilderness Area may be unsafe as these fast-moving fires continue to burn. Tracking hikers in unsafe areas pulls much-needed aircraft away from firefighting efforts, and adds risk and exposure to first responders. Additionally, forest managers hope to limit the possibility of human-caused fires with this temporary full closure.
Specific fire-related closures are also in place on the Shasta-Trinity National Forest for both the McFarland Fire and the Monument Fire. For current fire information, please visit:
Evacuation warnings in remain in place for various communities in southern Trinity County, but you should at least be able to travel through with no problems.
Late Wednesday the Trinity County Sheriff’s Office announced that the previously impacted area of Highway 36 — from its intersection with Highway 3 to Wildwood Road — is now “open without restrictions” but cautioned that “[d]rivers should drive with caution as emergency crews may still be working in the area.”
Progress continues to be made on the McFarland Fire which, as of Thursday morning, has burned 37,779 acres just south of Highway 36. An update on current conditions from Shasta-Trinity National Forest can be read below:
The column of smoke seen from the fire yesterday was in the southeast portion of the fire near Paul’s Day Road and 35 Road. Firefighters continued to fight and contain the fire in this section that is near Middle Fork of Beegum Creek and Pole Corral Creek. The fire is burning towards the August Complex burn scar. On the west side of the fire line, fire remains south of Dubakella Mountain. Firefighters will continue to work to increase containment along Highway 36.
Current fuel conditions are critical and may lead to rapid growth. Dozers and heavy equipment will continue to reopen dozer lines from last year’s August Complex and will look for opportunities to safely fight the fire by ground on the east and southeast portions of the fire. Burnout operations will continue along the east and southeast portions of the fire to prevent fire spread.
Retardant continues to be strategically dropped by fixed wing aircraft in an effort to slow the fire spread. Helicopters will be dropping water to support firefighters on the ground. Additional resources continue to build indirect and contingency line. Aerial firefighting support will be subject to smoke conditions and weather.
Temperatures are expected to be in the highs of 93-98 and low 66-71 degrees. Winds will be light and terrain-driven in the morning, becoming west/northwest 4 to 8 mph with gusts to 15 mph in the afternoon. Weather forecasts predicted isolated afternoon thunderstorms with a chance of dry lightning.
ROAD INFORMATION: Highway 36 is open without restrictions as of 8PM on August 11, 2021.
EVACUATION WARNINGS remain in place for the following communities:
Community of Wildwood
Community of Post Mountain near the junction of the 36 and the 3
Community of Trinity Pines
Shields Road
White Rock Road
Harrison Gulch Road from Hwy 36 to Deerlick Springs Road
Community of Platina:
Both sides of Highway 36 from Sunday Gulch Road to the Shasta/Tehama County line.
All roads to the south of Highway 36 from Sunday Gulch Road to the Shasta/Tehama County line including: Beegum Gorge Road, Platinum Lane, Secluded Glen Lane, Shady Nook Drive and Beegum Road
FOREST CLOSURE IN EFFECT FOR MCFARLAND FIRE AREA:
All residents and visitors are reminded that the Shasta-Trinity National Forest has issued a closure order for the McFarland Fire, located in Trinity, Tehama and Shasta Counties. The order, Forest Order 14-21-22 (McFarland Fire Closure Order) was issued to protect public health and safety. Please check the Shasta Trinity National Forest Webpage under Alerts and Notices for the order and the map.
Forest visitors are reminded that fire restrictions remain in effect prohibit building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire.
Humboldt
State released a draft “prospectus” on its transformation into a
polytechnic university today, and it includes some eye-popping
promises. Student population could increase 50 percent in the next
three years, and double in the next seven. Nine
new academic programs would launch in time for the 2023-24
academic year and
at least as many again by 2029-2030, with associated certificate
programs. Dorm rooms accounting for more than 2,000 new beds would be
constructed on the campus and at Arcata’s Craftsman’s Mall
property, and several other massive, multimillion dollar projects
would upgrade old buildings or construct new ones not only at the
university but around the county.
The prospectus, which the university characterizes as “near-final,” is
essentially a pitch for Humboldt State’s plan to officially
transform itself into
a polytechnic university,
with an emphasis on hands-on learning and STEM curriculum.
A
final version is due to be submitted to the California State
University Chancellor’s Office, according a note sent to the campus community today, and the CSU Board of Trustees is expected to vote on the
plan in January.
Earlier
this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state legislature awarded over
$400 million to the proposal to transform HSU into an official
polytechic university. If it goes forward, it would become the CSU’s
third polytechnic – Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Cal Poly Pomona
are the others – and the first in Northern California.
The
prospectus includes rough timetables for building out Cal Poly
Humboldt, assuming the proposal goes forward. The first academic
programs to be added will include bachelor’s degrees in marine
biology, mechanical engineering, energy systems engineering, software
engineering, data science, cannabis studies and fire management, and
a new master’s degree in engineering leadership. Down the road, it forecasts new programs in biotechnology, nursing, education, digital arts, agriculture and more.
Though the prospectus sees the county’s current housing stock as a significant barrier to growth, it also plans a mad spate of dorm-building — starting with the Craftsman’s Mall property across the highway from the HSU campus. The university plans to spend $100 million to build room for 800 students at the Craftsman’s Mall site by 2024. That would be followed quickly by another 1,500 to 1,800 beds in new facilities on campus.
A number of other new, pricey construction projects are mentioned in the prospectus. A new, $150-million Engineering & Technology Building would be constructed near “a key campus gateway,” and $36 million would be spent renovating and upgrading the campus’s existing science buildings.
In addition to that, the university forecasts spending $45 million on facilities to support an “applied research and climate resiliency initiative,” which would include a new, $28 million, on-campus building to support energy microgrid research.
Also as part of that initiative, the prospectus envisions building an $11 million, 10,000 square foot building on the Eureka Waterfront to support offshore wind research and to serve as base for the Coral Sea, the university’s research vessel.
Reached this afternoon, Eureka City Miles Slattery said that the city has been talking with Humboldt State about potential waterfront properties for polytechnic-related construction, but that no site has been settled upon yet.
Read the whole draft prospectus at this link. From HSU’s notice:
Following
a semester-long collaborative self-study conducted by representative
staff, faculty, students, and community members, we are pleased to
share the near-final
draft of the polytechnic prospectus submitted
to the Chancellor’s Office on August 2 for a last round of
feedback. This draft reflects the integration of feedback from the CO
on two additional rough drafts this summer. Our final prospectus is
due on September 1 for review by the CO and consideration by the
Board of Trustees in their January meeting.
A heartfelt
thank you to the leaders and participants of our self-study working
groups. You were thoughtful, careful, inclusive, and creative in your
envisioning. Thank you to each one of you who engaged in this
self-study process by providing feedback, information, and insights.
The result of your work is a strong proposal for a comprehensive
polytechnic university that is true to our purpose and values.
When
the semester begins officially, we will be in touch about the
opportunity to participate in an open forum about the proposal and
approval process. We will also be sharing information on how to
volunteer to become engaged with implementation should we receive
approval of our prospectus.
Thank
you and we look forward to continuing to work together to advance
HSU.
Jenn Capps
Provost & Vice President for
Academic Affairs
Lisa Bond-Maupin
Deputy Chief of
Staff and Special Assistant to the President
Screenshot from Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
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The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors met virtually again on Tuesday and discussed a variety of topics ranging from the expected (local drought conditions) to the far-flung (the ongoing uprising in Cuba).
Fourth District Supervisor and board chair Virginia Bass was in attendance at the beginning of the meeting but left shortly thereafter, saying she needed to deal with family medical issues.
Images and data via the U.S. Drought Monitor
Drought Update
In an update on local conditions surrounding the drought, Ryan Derby, the county’s Office of Emergency Services manager, said that over the past couple of weeks, he and his fellow members of the county’s Drought Task Force have seen conditions that are “substantial and harmful, both to human health and the natural environment.”
Recently updated data from the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that the entirety of Humboldt County is now in severe or extreme drought conditions.
“This year’s serious drought conditions represents a public health threat beyond our shortage of local water supply,” said Melissa Martel, director of the Department of Health and Human Services Division of Environmental Health.
Harmful algal blooms have been reported at several popular swimming holes, including a report of someone getting sick after swimming in the South Fork of the Eel River, Martel said. Testing on the South Fork Eel in Cooks Valley and near Standish Hickey has shown elevated levels of toxic bacteria in algal mats.
On the Trinity River, just over the county line, two dogs recently died after spending time in the water, Martel said. Big Lagoon likewise has elevated toxins due to cyanobacteria. Safety precaution signs are posted in both locations, as well as at swimming holes on the Eel.
These harmful algae blooms are occurring earlier than normal due to rainfall that’s about half the typical amount, and Martel said runoff from burned areas near Ruth Lake are likely responsible for blooms on the Mad River.
John Ford, the county’s director of Planning and Building, gave an update on how his department will go about establishing a three-phase regulatory scheme for well permitting. The first phase will examine pending well permits to address concerns about groundwater resources. In Phase Two county staffers will examine all existing permitted wells, identifying their locations and depths. And Phase Three will involve long-term studies to address the issues raised in Phase Two, Ford said.
Derby also brought up illegal stream diversions used in illicit weed grows, as seen in a barrage of recent busts. Such water theft is of particular concern because it’s often coming from waterways that are home to protected species of coho and Chinook salmon and steelhead trout. These fish populations are already suffering from sediment and habitat fragmentation, Derby said.
Cuba Resolution
First District Supervisor Rex Bohn inadvertently stirred up a hornet’s nest when he brought forward a proposed resolution of support for Cuban freedom fighters. Bohn said he had numerous people from the community request that the board sign such a resolution, adding that while he certainly doesn’t want to reenact the Bay of Pigs invasion, “I would like for things to be going a little bit better in Cuba.”
The ensuing public comment period was dominated by fiery denunciations of the United States’ treatment of Cuba — especially the U.S. government’s ongoing embargo/blockade and human rights abuses at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Camp — along with a litany of our own country’s shortcomings, from our treatment of native populations to our foreign wars an interventionism and domestic woes such as homelessness, inadequate health care, mass incarceration and more.
A couple of speakers called in to support the resolution, as well, with one, Dennis Mayo, saying the Cuban people are “slaves to a hammer and sickle” — a reference to the old flag for the Soviet Union . But the vast majority of speakers criticized the proposed resolution as hypocritical and motivated by partisan politics.
Undeterred, Bohn made a motion to pass the resolution, saying he had no intention of instigating a bash on the U.S.A.
Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson said that while he supports democratic and economic reforms in Cuba and elsewhere, he considered the resolution part of a Republican-led public relations campaign aimed in part at shoring up support for the ongoing embargo/blockade.
Bohn’s motion died for lack of a second.
Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone then attempted to modify the motion, suggesting the resolution be changed to one supporting removal of the U.S. blockade of Cuba and increased humanitarian aid to the country. That motion likewise failed due to the lack of a second.
Smoke from the Summer Fire, part of the River Complex. Photo via Inciweb.
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From the North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District:
The Monument Fire, McFarland Fire, River Complex, and Antelope Fire, remain active with significant smoke impacts
to fire vicinity, along river drainages and over a wide area. Areas to the west will be heavily impacted today, but will
hopefully get some clearing tonight. Smoke along the coast is expected to remain aloft with impacts to higher elevation
areas. For today, there is a light SE flow this morning, then shifting to a light NW flow this afternoon. Air quality
monitors and the current Air Quality Index (AQI) for communities should be viewed at this link.
USFS Air Resource Advisors (ARA) assigned to the Monument/McFarland and River Complex fires provides daily ARA
Smoke Outlook Forecasts at this link.
ALERT Hazardous Conditions (AQI 301 and higher, 24 hr avg):
Weaverville, Lewiston – Hazardous conditions, with Very Unhealthy expected on Thursday
ADVISORY Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy Conditions (AQI 151-300 range, 24 hr avg):
Willow Creek – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy, some overnight clearing possible
Hoopa –Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy, some overnight clearing possible
Orleans – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy, some overnight clearing possible
Weitchpec – Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy
Trinity Center – monitoring down; Unhealthy conditions expected into Thursday
Burnt Ranch, Junction City – monitoring down at both locations; expect Very Unhealthy to Hazardous
Hayfork – Very Unhealthy with periods of Hazardous conditions, Very Unhealthy expected Thursday
Douglas City – Very Unhealthy with periods of Hazardous conditions
Humboldt County: (see above Alert & Advisory for some communities)
Eureka (including Scotia to Trinidad) – Good with periods of Moderate conditions
Kneeland – Good to Moderate with periods of USG to Unhealthy possible
Klamath – Moderate with periods of USG
Garberville – Good to Moderate with periods of USG conditions
Redway – Good to Moderate with periods of USG conditions
Del Norte County:
Crescent City – Good to Moderate conditions
Gasquet – Good to Moderate with periods of USG to Unhealthy conditions possible
Klamath – Moderate with periods of USG
Health Information & Actions To Protect Yourself From Smoke Impacts
Concentrations of smoke may vary depending upon location, weather, and distance from the fire. Smoke from wildfires
and structure fires contain harmful chemicals that can affect your health. Smoke can cause eye and throat irritation,
coughing, and difficulty breathing. People who are at greatest risk of experiencing symptoms due to smoke include:
those with respiratory disease (such as asthma), those with heart disease, young children, and older adults.
These sensitive populations should stay indoors and avoid prolonged activity. All others should limit prolonged or heavy
activity and time spent outdoors. Even healthy adults can be affected by smoke. Seek medical help if you have
symptoms that worsen or become severe.
Follow these general precautions to protect your health during a smoke event:
Minimize or stop outdoor activities, especially exercise.
Stay indoors with windows and doors closed as much as possible.
Do not run fans that bring smoky outdoor air inside – examples include swamp coolers, whole-house fans, and fresh
air ventilation systems.
Run your air-conditioner only if it does not bring smoke in from the outdoors. Change the standard air conditioner
filter to a medium or high efficiency filter. If available, use the “re-circulate” or “recycle” setting on the unit.
Do not smoke, fry food, or do other things that will create indoor air pollution.
Consider leaving the area until smoke conditions improve if you have repeated coughing, shortness of breath, difficulty
breathing, wheezing, chest tightness or pain, palpitations, nausea, unusual fatigue, lightheadedness.
For further information, visit the District’s website or call the District’s Wildfire Response
Coordinator at (707) 443-3093 x122.
Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to announce California teachers must get COVID vaccines or tests. Here he speaks to the press during a visit to Ruby Bridges Elementary School in Alameda on March 16, 2021. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters
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After months of reluctance, Gov. Gavin Newsom is expected to mandate on Wednesday that all California teachers working on campuses be vaccinated for COVID-19 or be tested regularly.
This is the first such statewide mandate for teachers in the country. Until now, Newsom stopped short of such a requirement: He spent the past several months voicing confidence in school safety protocols that were based on increased ventilation and masking, while urging all school employees to be vaccinated.
“We can take these masks off once and for all,” he said at a press conference on Friday. “That way we can keep our kids back in-person without any stress or anxiety for the rest of the year.”
Children under 12 are not yet eligible for the vaccine.
Meanwhile, districts across the state formed a patchwork of various vaccination rules for school employees. San Jose Unified, San Francisco Unified, San Diego Unified and others were already requiring teachers to either be vaccinated or undergo regular testing. Other districts throughout California were requiring neither.
Both the University of California and California State University systems have issued vaccine mandates for students. The UC will also require faculty to be vaccinated.
Before the forthcoming mandate, California teacher vaccines and testing vaccine requirements were negotiated between teachers unions and local school districts. One legal expert told CalMatters that because the vaccines were not yet fully approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a unilateral mandate from either the state or local districts could be vulnerable to legal challenges.
“I’m going to upset some people on this, but I think we should [require teacher vaccinations],” Fauci said Tuesday morning in an interview on MSNBC. “We’ve had 615,000-plus deaths, and we are in a major surge now as we’re going into the fall, into the school season. This is very serious business.”
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