Arthur LeRoy Dickson of Hoopa passed away on June 14, 2021 at his home in Hoopa just days after his 92nd birthday. Art was born on May 30, 1929 in Eugene, Oregon to Arliegh and Florence Campbell Dickson. Art had five brothers and two sisters – Chuck, Fred, and Bill Dickson, Harold Skinner, Ray Meserve, Joan Larecy and Julia Ann Odegard.

Art left high school his sophomore year in May of 1946 to join the Navy. During World War II he served his time on the USS Battleship Chevalier 805 as a radio operator and deck hand. He helped to anchor that ship in many ports, such as Japan, Guam and others. Art served through the end of World War II, turning 18 in Guam. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Navy Thirteenth Naval District. Art is a member of the VFW Post 9561 in Willow Creek, Ca and The American Legion Post in Hoopa and a charter member of the Willow Creek Fire Department.

After his service Art returned to Eugene to work in the woods as a choker setter and bullbucker. He also went back to school graduating from Reedsport, Oregon High School, Class of 1949. Later that year he landed a job at a cabinet shop not knowing that it would lead to a lifetime career.

After leaving Oregon and moving to Willow Creek, Ca in 1953, he went to work for Fisher Brothers Logging Company working in the woods during summer months and building cabinets during the winter months. Art was incredibly skilled with numbers and design which led to his long career as a carpenter. You would hardly ever see Art without a pencil behind his ear.

Throughout his long carpentry career his amazing talent showed best in his woodworking, spending many hours in his cabinet shop building cabinets and furniture. Later on many of his kids and grandkids would receive oak, maple and birch furniture as gifts for birthdays and Christmas.

Fisher Logging closed in 1957 and Art started off on a building career that would span more the 60 years. He moved to Monterey, Calif. for a short period of time opening a cabinet shop there. He then moved back to Willow Creek in 1958, working to rebuild the Fork’s Bar after it had burned down.

Art married Bette Nelson in 1960, they had one son Bob and two step daughters Velina and Linda. In 1960 Art passed the test for his contractor’s license and started Dickson Construction. After the 1964 Flood, Art helped to rebuild downtown Willow Creek. In 1968 Art took off in another direction and bought the 300 Club bowling alley, bar and restaurant in Willow Creek which closed up a few years later.

Art’s true calling was construction. He went on to build in Willow Creek: the Forks bar building, Coast Central Credit Union building, Walt Poliak’s meat market, the Courier office, Al Hodgson Dept. Store, John Lund Auto Repair shop, Jim Kinsey’s red barn, Ray Brock’s new restaurant, the original fire house, Twigsville Jolley Cone, Gene May auto body shop, and Open Door Clinic. Over the years he built many homes for the community. Just to list some: Al Hodgson, Jim St. John, Art Tonkin, Floyd Fork, Sam Arness, Ozzie Bussell, John Lund, Jerry Shipman, Taylor Knight, Mitch Burchard, Jerry Rich, Tom McKnight, Jasper Hostler, Dick Kersch, Marc Rowley, Pritch Jordan, Phil Mattz, Fred Schlueter, Jerry Mayvill, Erick Ammon, Jason Henderson, Ernie Young, Herman Sherman, Ed Flanders, Bob Nelson, Anthony Risling, Walt Poliak, John Wheeler, Winnie Garlinghouse and his son Bob’s house. Art built his last house at the age of 81 on Peach Tree Lane in Willow Creek, building all the cabinets at his cabinet shop in Hoopa.

In 1970 Art moved to Hoopa and Married Maggie Mattz in 1971. The couple celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this year. Art lived out his life in Hoopa, working and helping Maggie raise her two daughters Leslie and Mary. Art continued as a builder/contractor working for Capp Homes for 17 years, traveling north to Oregon and down to southern California until Capp Homes closed their doors. From there, Art continued as a private contractor, spending years working with the Hoopa and Yurok tribes housing authority, building and remodeling homes from Hoopa to Orleans.

Art loved helping Manuel and Pauline Mattz, his in-laws, with their community events such as the All Indian Basketball Tournament, and the Hoopa Rodeo. He helped Manuel build a barn on Bald Hill Ranch for hay storage, and also rebuilt the large cross on Bald Hill twice for Easter Services. Art was an avid firewood cutter and loved those wood cutting trips with his good friend Wayne Grant. Art was a proud 49er fan and loved rooting for the San Francisco Giants. The early years of Hoopa’s All Indian Basketball Tournament brought him to enjoy basketball, especially the Men’s basketball team from Oklahoma. So much so that he loaded up the motorhome with Maggie, Manual and Pauline, driving clear to Oklahoma to watch them win the All Indian National Tournament. In 1986 The Hoopa Recreation Committee dedicated their tournament program to Art for his Dedication and hardwork.

Art loved his garden and had one of the most productive gardens in the area. Many families received boxes of fresh vegetables from his and Maggie’s garden. The Dickson pumpkin patch was a yearly treat for many young children in the area. School age kids would come by the bus load to pick out the perfect pumpkin for their jack-o-lantern. Art also found time to hang Christmas lights on almost every inch of his property. For more than 15 years they had the most spectacular Christmas display around. It was said that when the lights dimmed in Hoopa in December it was probably Art and Maggie turning on his Christmas lights for all to enjoy.

Art and Maggie loved Trinity Lake and spent many summers there on their houseboat with their houseboat friends, Tex and Rosie Mott, Doyle and Berna Rausch, and Boyd and Joyce Jury. Art had one of the first permits ever issued for house boats on Trinity Lake in 1962. He learned to ski behind a 14ft valco boat with a 35 horse Evinrude. In his early years, Art loved deer hunting. He carved a notch in his trusty 30.30 or 30.06 for each one of his successful hunts. He would travel to Modoc County for a mule deer or even Colorado for a chance at a bull elk.

Art lived a truly productive life and knew the value of getting up and going to work. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.

Thank you to the doctors and medical staff who helped to care for Art in his last years and a special thank you to Leslie Jackson for providing in home care so that Art could remain comfortably in his home. It takes a special and caring person to take on a commitment like that and your dedication is appreciated. Art is survived by his loving wife of 50 years Maggie, his son Bob (Debbie) Dickson, his daughters Leslie, Mary, Velina and Linda, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His brother Bill and sister Joan.

Art was preceded In death by his father-in-law and mother-in-law Manual and Pauling Mattz, his Dad and Mom Arleigh and Florence Campbell Dickson, His brothers Fred, Charles Dickson, Ray Meserve, Harold Skinner, sister Julia Ann Odegard.

Services were held on June 24, 2021 at the Hoopa Baptist Church with Pastor Harold Jones officiating and Norma Jean McAdams singing a beautiful song . Art was put to rest at the Yurok Veterans Cemetery.

“The battle’s over, the Victory won.” On July 12 our beloved husband, dad, “pops” and Poppa went home to be with the Lord after a valiant 4½-year battle with cancer.

Brian Lee Collart was born in Fullerton to Everett and Theone Collart on July 31, 1949. He completed their family of four with his older brother Todd. Brian grew up in Southern California, first in Compton and then in Mission Hills. His childhood was filled with love and many memories made with his extended family.

The YMCA was also a big part of his youth, where lifelong friends were made. A great memory for him during this time was a three-month trip with the Y to Europe, where 27 college-age kids and leaders drove three Volkswagen buses across the continent. YMCA reunions with their friends continued periodically up to this last year.

In 1969, Brian moved to Arcata to finish a degree in geography and obtain an elementary teaching credential from Humboldt State University. He picked HSU because it was the farthest college from home without leaving California!

After obtaining his credential he began a 34-year teaching career, all at Dow’s Prairie Elementary School in McKinleyville. He loved teaching and taught third through sixth grades over the years. He had an impact on hundreds of students and was still in touch with many. His hot air balloons, Friday groups and other creative projects were essential to his joy of teaching.

In 1974, Brian met Andrea at a teacher’s workshop at HSU. They were married in 1977 and were made for each other. They built a wonderful life and family together on their faith in the Lord and their love. They had a son, Nic, and a daughter, Heather, and then added to the family a daughter-in-law and son-in-law and four precious grandsons who were the delight of Brian’s life. He loved reading to and with them and doing woodworking projects, kayaking and watching all their sporting events. He also taught the boys the “Collart Scrape” and to never leave any ice cream in the bottom of your bowl.

Brian loved the Lord from an early age and his faith was exemplified in his servant’s heart to care for and help others. He was a role model for his children and grandchildren as well as hundreds of students, living out his Christian faith.

Brian was able to enjoy 15 years of retirement, which included fishing trips with buddies to Montana, woodworking, growing raspberries, blueberries and apples. His famous raspberry jam was a hit at fundraisers. He and Andrea were able to travel to Europe several times, to Alaska, Canada and across the States. A full life indeed.

Brian leaves behind his wife of 44-plus years, Andrea; his children, Nic (Shannon), Heather (Wade); four wonderful grandsons, Rylee, Dylan, Myles Collart and Ford Martin; his brother Todd (Cheryl) and many other cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Brian is preceded in death by his parents Everett and Theone, his in-laws Harry and Elsie and so many of his much loved aunts and uncles.

We would like to thank all the caring, compassionate doctors, nurses and staff at Stanford Cancer Clinic who treated Brian over the past 4½ years. Also, thank you to the doctors and nurses at St. Joseph’s Cancer Center and hospital where he was able to receive cancer treatment during COVID. In his last weeks we are especially grateful to all the caring nurses and staff from Hospice of Humboldt who helped us through a difficult time.

A celebration of life will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 31, Brian’s Birthday, at Arcata First Baptist Church, 1700 Union Street, Arcata, where he attended for almost 50 years. The family asks that masks be worn to protect all attendees and in lieu of flowers, please send donations to any of the following organizations:

• Stanford Cancer Institute
• Hospice of Humboldt
• Eureka Rescue Mission

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

Terry Marlin Lawler left this earth on June 22, 2021 with his family by his side. He was born on November 21, 1951 in Arkansas. He moved to California at a very young age. He grew up on dunes of Fairhaven. Attending the local elementary school and graduating from Arcata High School. He was a local truck driver and mechanic by trade.

He is preceded in death by his parents Andrew and Velda Lawler, beloved brother Thomas Lawler, sister Phyliss Kelly, cousin Ronny Chance and many cherished friends and family.

He is survived by the love of his life and partner of 33 years Sharon Martin, his sons: Tommy (Millie) Lawler, Robby Lawler, and Dustin Lawler, his bonus Daughters: Heidi (Dave) Varshock, Nikki Slater, and Ariel (Blane) Santos, his grandchildren: Jaysea Jennings, Bryr Steinle, Sydney Varshock, Cody Slater, Bryson Lawler, Kenia Robles Hernandez, Riley Lawler, Brooklyn Lawler and Austin Lawler, his brothers: Mitch Lawler and Sandy (Lisa) Lawler, and the mother of his sons and friend, Lina Lawler, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and friends.

Terry was a man that did what he wanted and rarely followed directions. He was tough on the outside but a selfless gentleman with a kind soul. He never met a stranger and greeted all with a smile. He always found time or a way to help someone in need. He never had a bad word to say about anyone. He would not let someone else’s ill words or actions affect him, they just rolled right off his back. He had the best laugh and his laugh would fill an entire stadium. He was a great storyteller. He had an emotional side and if you watched carefully you could see his eyes swell with happy and sad tears. He loved throwing horseshoes and darts. He was a jokester with a great sense of humor and would prank you when he could. He was a great mechanic and could fix anything. He was the one person that if you had to breakdown on the side of the road, you would want to be with him. And boy, did we breakdown.

He had a passion for collecting antiques or anything that was broken. He loved fixing up older cars, trucks and tractors, he could take the rust and make it shine. He was a free spirit who loved the open road. Whether it was a big rig, his old Ford, a motorcycle, or his latest project, he was always headed somewhere. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He was an affectionate teddy bear, warm with cuddles and love. He also rough housed and taught us how to arm wrestle, throw, hit and catch a ball and fight with grit. “You mess with the bull; you get the horns.” He fixed up the best toys, wagons, bicycles, barbie houses, supercharged Lightning McQueen cars, kid tractors and so much more.

Even when he needed to be stern, he knew exactly what to say and how to say it. He touched many lives and his influence and zest for life will be carried on by so many. Not a day goes by when he is not loved and missed. Held in our hearts forever.

We would like to invite all that knew Terry to join us in Celebrating his life on July 17, 2021 from 2 p.m.-5 p.m. at the Azalea Hall — 1620 Pickett Rd McKinleyville. We will have food and drinks, if you would like to bring something to share, please do or just come ready to eat, celebrate and share your favorite story or memory. We would like to thank the caring staff of Hospice of Humboldt; they provided the best care and support for our family during our hardest time.

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After a painfully prolonged and haphazard group negotiation, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors finally made a decision on the Sun Valley Group’s proposed cannabis farm in the Arcata Bottoms, denying an appeal and narrowly approving the project, albeit downsizing it yet again to 5.7 acres.

The vote was 3-2 with Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone and Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson voting no while Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass, First District Supervisor Rex Bohn and Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell voted yes.

Both Madrone and Wilson felt the proposal was too big. They were willing to accept as much as two acres of cultivation area with development phased-in over time, as long as the first acre met a long list of standards designed to appease neighboring property owners. 

Bass and Bohn, meanwhile, expressed a willingness to approve up to eight acres — the size of grow approved with a 5-2 vote of the the Planning Commission back in April. They, too, wanted to require a phased-in construction and tack on a long list of additional conditions.

But Bushnell was only willing to go up to 5.7 acres, and in the end Bass and Bohn went along with it. The cannabis will be grown in hoop houses gutter-connected greenhouses. 

Today’s hearing picked up where one from June 22 left off, and the decision followed another round of heated public commentary, plus a couple hours of discussion involving the board, county planning staff and Lane DeVries, the CEO and president of Sun Valley Group.

More details on the project can be found in this staff report. We’ll have a follow-up post on Wednesday with a more thorough description of the approved project and a longer recap of deliberations. 

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PREVIOUSLY

• With Flower Business Struggling, Sun Valley Plans 23 Acres of Cannabis Cultivation in Arcata Bottoms
• Arcata Land Company Offers to Dramatically Reduce the Size of Its Proposed 23-Acre Cannabis Project
• Arcata Land Company Agrees to Reduce the Size of Its Arcata Bottoms Cannabis Grow From 23 Acres to 8
• Planning Commission Approves Sun Valley’s 8-Acre Weed Farm in the Arcata Bottoms, a Crucial Step Forward for the County’s Largest Cannabis Cultivation Project
• County Supervisors Set to Consider Appeal of Sun Valley’s 8-Acre Weed Farm in Arcata Bottoms
• Divided Board of Supervisors Punts Decision on Sun Valley Cannabis Farm to a Future Date
• The Fate of Sun Valley’s Weed Farm Appears to Hinge on Size and Smell
• (AUDIO) HUMBOLDT HOLDING UP: Let’s Talk Cannabis! HCGA Director Natalynne DeLapp on the Sun Valley Weed Farm, the Drought and Other Issues Impacting the Industry

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Angelo’s Pizza — that age-old family favorite on Eureka’s Seventh Street — has been on the market for nearly a year, with its asking price of $875,000 still apparently unmet.

That price might reasonably supposed to fall after today, when a health inspection found the presence of a large-scale rat infestation. The Department of Public Health has shuttered the restaurant for at least 15 days.

“Fresh rat tracks observed throughout dough prep area, kitchen cook area, warewash area, video game room, and rear dry goods storage room,” the health inspector wrote in the inspection report today.

“Rodent feces observed in rear dry goods storage room. Rodent damage to wall areas observed adjacent to facility rear door, within rear dry goods storage room, behind video games, above fryers, in rear walk in beverage cooler, and rear of facility exterior at base of siding. Insulation observed pulled out of wall void and onto the ground or floors. Rodent harborage and ingress noted in several locations at hollow wooden floor shelves.”

In addition, the health inspector noted moldy beets and melon in the salad bar, with numerous other vegetables “milky, slimy or visibly old.” The potato salad was too warm. Prep surfaces were deemed unclean. These were not shutdown-worthy violations, in themselves, but the evidence of rodent infestation was.

In its heyday, Angelo’s branded itself as “Pizza With Pizzazz!” and was a popular spot. A 2004 obituary of Roy Smith, a cofounder, claims that it is was the first pizza parlor in town. 

May it rise again, rat-free.

Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services press release: 

On May 10, 2021, California Gov. Gavin Newsom expanded the drought emergency proclamation to 41 counties, including Humboldt. With this proclamation comes acknowledgement that droughts can cause changes to communities and the environment that impact public health.

Reduced stream flows increase the concentration of pollutants in water and cause stagnation and elevated water temperatures. While warmer waters can be comfortable to swim in, they can also increase the growth of some pathogens including V. cholera, N. fowleri, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Campylobacter, Salmonella and harmful algal blooms, leading to reduced oxygen levels that threaten fish and other aquatic life and can be harmful to animals and people. Lower water levels can also increase the risk of injury by jumping or diving. Before swimming in rivers, lakes or streams, follow these tips:

• Verify water is deep and clear of debris before diving
• Avoid swallowing river, lake or stream water or inhaling water spray while swimming
• Avoid wading and swimming in water containing algal blooms
• Shower after returning from a day on the water
• Seek medical attention immediately if you think that you, your pet or livestock might have been poisoned by harmful algal blooms. Be sure to tell the doctor about possible contact with harmful algae.
• Never drink, cook with or wash dishes with water from rivers, streams or lakes.

Many residents in Humboldt County rely on groundwater, springs and the region’s many rivers and tributaries to meet their residential, agricultural and industrial water needs. With low precipitation and increased evaporation of surface water, groundwater supplies are not replenished at a reliable rate. As a result, drinking water supplied from private wells and surface water diversions may be at higher risk for drought-related infectious disease. 

People who are elderly, very young or have a compromised immune system may be susceptible to waterborne disease(s). The Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, Division of Environmental Health (DEH) recommends the following actions to maximize public health protections:

• Periodically check water supply lines and fixtures for leaks
• Periodically send drinking water samples to an accredited lab for bacteriological testing
• Implement additional water treatment measure to domestic drinking water supplies
• Implement water saving techniques (e.g. rainwater catchment, greywater diversion) to decrease water demand.

For more information, call DEH at 707-445-6215 or 800-963-9241.

California Department of Fish and Wildlife press release: 

The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has confirmed outbreaks of adenovirus hemorrhagic disease in deer in several northern California counties and is asking California residents to help curb the spread by not feeding wild animals, and report potential cases to the department.

“Providing attractants for deer – food, salt licks or even water – is against the law for good reason,” said Dr. Brandon Munk, senior wildlife veterinarian with CDFW’s Wildlife Investigations Laboratory.

“Because these artificial attractants can congregate animals and promote the spread of disease, it’s particularly imperative to leave wildlife alone during an outbreak. There is no cure or vaccine for this disease, so our best management strategies right now are to track it carefully, and to take preventative measures to limit the spread.”
Beginning in May, CDFW began receiving increased reports of mortality in deer, both free-ranging and at fawn rehabilitation facilities.

With the assistance of wildlife rehabilitation facilities and the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, CDFW confirmed cervid adenovirus 1 (CdAdV-1) as the cause of hemorrhagic disease outbreaks this year in Kern, Napa and Nevada counties.

The disease is typically fatal to young deer, particularly fawns, and can be spread by animals in close contact with each other. The virus is not known to affect people, pets or domestic livestock.

CdAdV-1 was the cause of a 1993-1994 outbreak of hemorrhagic disease in black tailed deer and mule deer that spanned at least 18 California counties. Since then, CdAdV-1 has been identified as the cause of sporadic, often widespread, outbreaks of hemorrhagic disease in California and other western states. Deer fawns are at greatest risk, with high rates of mortality following infection. Yearlings and adult deer are more resistant but mortalities in these age groups occur as well. Outbreaks can be widespread and may have significant impact on affected deer populations.

Affected deer are often found dead without any obvious symptoms. They may be found near water. Sick animals may have excessive salivation (drooling or foaming at the mouth), diarrhea, regurgitation or seizures.

In addition to removing food and other attractants, Californians can help wildlife veterinarians track and study the disease by reporting sightings of sick or dead deer. Anyone who observes a deer exhibiting symptoms, or encountering a deer that has died from unknown causes, can submit the information to CDFW through the department’s online mortality reporting system.