A one-hour time-lapse of the wildfire. | AlertWildfire

UPDATE, 7:15 p.m.:

Minutes ago, Hoopa Fire Department Chief and Office of Emergency Services Director Greg Moon said that the fire is between five and seven acres in size. Moon said the fire is 0 percent contained, but added that he doesn’t expect significant spread.

“I believe we are going to be able to contain this to less than 10 acres and zero homes [will be] damaged,” he said. “That’s the goal and that’s the prediction as long as things stay on track.”

UPDATE, 6:30 p.m.:

Hoopa Fire Department Chief and Office of Emergency Services Director Greg Moon gave a live Facebook update on the fire minutes ago. 

In the video, moon states that the fire is currently less than 10 acres in size.

“For the safety of the folks, we’ve enacted the evacuation order,” he said. “North Marshall Lane and just North of Big Hill Road [are under evacuation order.] Everything south of Big Hill Road in not in evacuation.”

Moon said that the evacuation order is expected to last a couple of hours.

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UPDATE, 5:40 p.m.:

Live images of the wildfire are available through AlertWildfire.org The time-lapse seen above shows gray smoke rising from the Hoopa Valley.

According to scanner traffic, Calfire air tankers are making drops in the area. Multiple agencies are responding to the fire, which is being referred to as the “Marshall Incident.”

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Multiple neighborhoods in the Hoopa Valley have been ordered to evacuate after a wildfire was reported along Highway 96 north of Carpenter Lane at approximately 4:07 p.m.

The Hoopa Fire Department and Office of Emergency Services has issued evacuation orders for the Northern Hoopa Valley, communities east of the Trinity River, south of Mill Creek, Northwest of Big Hill Road and north of Community Road.

“All residents are advised to shelter at the neighborhood facilities,” the Hoopa FD and OES stated on Facebook minutes ago.

CLICK HERE the latest evacuation orders. We will update this story as the more information becomes available.

CLICK HERE for the latest scanner traffic updates.

Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t. | Joey Santore

LoCO‘s favorite celebrity botanist/social media educator Joey Santore returned to Humboldt earlier this month to share another funny, informative video about native plant life.

Santore previously visited Humboldt in 2019 — around the time his social media channel “Crime Pays But Botany Doesn’t” first went viral. During his past visit, Santore spent time documenting a manzanita bush near Kneeland. In his recent video, he does a 47-minute deep dive on a variety of Humboldt’s native plants, animals and fungi near Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park and at the mouth of the Klamath River. He also takes some time to joke about Humboldt’s culture.

“Today, I’m coming to you from the old-growth redwood forest about 50 minutes north of the town of Arcata in coastal Northern California,” Santore says in the video. “Now, Arcata is known for being the birthplace of a cultural phenomenon known as the hippie tweaker.”

Watch the video in its entirety at the top of this story.

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PREVIOUSLY: Dueling Church Signs in Ferndale Spark Controversy Over LGBTQ Inclusion

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Around 100 individuals, most enhanced by brightly colored rainbow accessories, marched up and down Ferndale’s sunny Main Street Saturday afternoon during a quickly planned Pride demonstration, which ended up being the first such gathering in the Cream City’s history. The crowd was warmly received by honking passing motorists and Ferndale’s downtown patrons. 

But while the day’s festivities ended up joyous, they were spurred by controversy. Saturday’s event was planned, in part, as a response to a sign recently assembled outside St. Mark’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, still visible Saturday, which read “Hurt by LGBTQ culture? Healing here.” As the Outpost reported previously, the display caused quite negative stir in local social media circles, so much so that the decision was made that today’s march would begin at St. Mark’s. Several people in attendance Saturday told us they’d made the trip across Fernbridge after seeing St. Mark’s sign online.

Rev. Tyrel Bramwell of Ferndale

What demonstrators might not have expected was that they would be met in front of St. Mark’s by Tyrel Bramwell, the church’s pastor, who showed up, Bible in hand, to greet the crowd and to offer them bottles of water, conversation and/or prayer. A camera with a fuzzy microphone attachment was set up in front of the church behind him in anticipation of the coming interaction. 

“I’m just here to make sure that everything’s OK and if people want to talk, we’re here,” Bramwell told the Outpost while standing beside a tower of water bottles. “We invite people to come and hear the word of the Lord. Know that we love them and Jesus loves them. We want to talk. This is an invitation for healing.” 

As sign-wielding protesters began arriving, the pastor was quickly overwhelmed by questions about his sign. One of his inquisitors was Chris Tanner, a gay artist from New York City who often visits his 95-year-old mother in Ferndale. Tanner told the Outpost that he was “kind of feeling bad because all my friends are in New York celebrating pride.” But then his mom’s caregiver sent him a photo of the St. Mark’s sign and alerted him of Saturday’s demonstration. 

“I’m so happy this is happening. I’m so happy to be here,” Tanner said. While he wouldn’t characterize himself as a Christian, when Tanner visits Ferndale he accompanies his mother to Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, a LGBTQ-affirming congregation across town. “My main rule is to treat people how you would want them to treat you.”

Tanner had questions for the pastor, and he pressed for some clarification on why people would need healing from the LGBTQ culture alluded to on the St. Mark’s sign.

“There’s a lot of stuff that goes on in the LGBTQ culture,” Bramwell told him.

“Like what?” Tanner wondered.

“There’s all the different letters, right?” Bramwell replied. “There’s lesbians. There’s gay. There’s bi. There’s trans. And then there’s the plus. The “IA.” All the stuff. And if any of that has hurt you in any way, if you’re hurt by it there’s a place to come and be healed.”

Tanner: “Why would anybody be hurt by that?”

Bramwell: “Well, it is sinful.”

Tanner: “It’s sinful?”

Bramwell: “Scripture does say that. And we stand on scripture.”

(You can watch more of Bramwell and Tanner’s exchange and the escalation of Saturday’s spectacle in the clip below.)

More people joined Tanner in confronting Bramwell. Several expressed that they’d been hurt in the past by the judgment they’d felt from religion. The discussion escalated and eventually the pastor simply opened his Bible and launched into an impromptu sermon, adding long passages of scripture about humans’ sinful nature. As his voice got louder, the crowd responded with singing and chants of “Love is love!” 

Stuart Altschuler, a gay Ferndale resident who’s dealt with homophobia locally in the past, quietly took in the scene. He told the Outpost that he’d expected something like this to play out. While he’d had a negative reaction to the sign upon learning of its existence, he called Pastor Bramwell the day prior and that the two had a 45-minute “productive conversation.”

“The attitude was, ‘I’m not going to change his mind, he’s not going to change my mind,’” Altschuler said. “But at least there’s a different level of connection and understanding that went on even though I don’t agree with anything they teach. Without dialogue there’s no healing at all and every little bit helps.” 

Despite the sign dustup and past experiences, Altschuler said that he loves living in Ferndale.

“98% of Ferndale is allies and friends, and I believe that totally,” Altsschular said. “The amount of people in Ferndale that take this stance is minor compared to those who don’t. I feel very safe and welcome here.”

And so it was that Ferndale ended up hosting its first Pride walk. The Outpost snapped some pictures of the historic day which are included below.

“Why should so many relationships yield deep intellectual and emotional bonds that we so rarely express in touch?” (Anna Broadway, NYT op-ed 5/26/21)

I didn’t really get the idea of touching, beyond formal handshakes, until I crossed the Atlantic and arrived in Vancouver B.C. in 1970. (Vancouver: Canada’s answer to San Francisco, with mountains/without cable cars.)

I’d previously lived in the Britain and New Zealand (New Zealand: the Britain with more sheep, active volcanoes). Both countries mostly touchless. Hugs were either brief and formal, or else—if prolonged—signified something to do with intimacy, aka sex. No middle ground, no place for holding and being held, for platonic warmth, for acknowledging that we’re all in this together, we don’t have to keep pretending that we’re really fine don’t need anyone else.

That all changed in Vancouver, which, in the early 1970s, was going through its own extended summer of love. I was soon enraptured with hugs—real hugs! And much more: Vietnam, nuclear-freeze, group therapy, nudity without sexual overtones, massage (ditto), meditation. And honesty! It was OK (I’m OK, You’re OK!) to be honest, not to keep my armor on. My consciousness was raised (or so it seemed at the time) by such worthies as Ram Dass, Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, Fritz Perls, Oscar Icahzo, Douglas Harding, Carlos Castenada, Baba Hari Das…and hugs. Did I mention hugs?

We’re born to hug and be hugged. Nine months inside our mothers, then held for long stretches (nursing at a breast if we were lucky), all the while in close contact with another. Then, for me, anyway, that went away. No more touching, other than, as I say, brief handshakes. So of course I was totally into hugs when they were freely available. And why I missed them so during Covid times—elbow bumps just didn’t make it.

Turns out, hugs are an active area of research. This 2018 study , for instance, published in PLOS ONE, followed over 400 folks over a two-week period, checking in on them regularly to see if their mood correlated with their hugs. Well, of course it did! “…hugs buffer against deleterious changes in affect associated with experiencing interpersonal conflict” and “…receiving a hug was associated with a smaller conflict-related decrease in positive affect and a smaller conflict-related increase in negative affect.” But you knew that, right?

Or this : “This [study] supports the notion that less physical affection…can contribute to greater aggression [in adolescent men].”

And now: “Are you vaccinated?” “Duh. You?” And we fall into each other’s arms, remembering how it was, pre-Covid. Is this what it takes—no hugs with friends for over a year—to really get (grok, if you’re of that generation) how important hugs are? How good it feels to walk arm-in-arm with a dear one. We’re still a long way from how it is in many countries, especially those espousing Islam and Hinduism, where men walk platonically hand-in-hand with other men, women with women, as a matter of course.

I don’t think that’ll ever happen here, but meanwhile, I’m totally relishing my newly renewed love of hugs. Mmmmmmm…

Listen Local! Subscribe to Humboldt Holding Up 

(AUDIO) Natalynne DeLapp is Holding Up

You’ve probably never heard this before, but cannabis plays a large role in Humboldt County’s economy. So much so, in fact, that some people refer to Humboldt as the “Napa Valley” of cannabis (another thing you’ve probably never heard a million times).

Natalynne DeLapp, HCGA

That is why the Humboldt County Growers Alliance (HCGA) is working to preserve and protect our local cannabis industry, advocating for small, local growers and promoting cannabis education.

On this week’s episode of Humboldt Holding Up, Natalynne DeLapp — HCGA’s executive director — shares about her organization’s work, maintaining the Humboldt cannabis “brand” and the HCGA’s stance against the proposed large-scale Sun Valley weed farm.

Other topics discussed with DeLapp include:

• Working with the City of Eureka to allow cannabis consumption at events
• How California’s drought is affecting local farmers.
• How HCGA got its start after legalization
  
• DeLapp’s feelings on the black/traditional market
  
• Why she’ll never smoke out of a gravity bong again
• More!

PREVIOUS HUMBOLDT HOLDING UP GUESTS:

• #56 RREDC Executive Director Gregg Foster
  
• #55 Dell’Arte’s Michael Fields
• #54 Llama Wrangler Keagan Trischum
• #53 Crabs President David Sharp
• #52 Ferndale Organic Dairy Farmers Kristina Radelfinger and Dorice Miranda
• #51 Former Arcata Mayor Alex Stillman
• #50 Cooperation Humboldt’s David Cobb
• #49 Ink People Center for the Arts’ Libby Maynard
• #48 Humboldt Bay Social Co-Owner Amy Cirincione O’Connor
• #47 Musician Lyndsey Battle
• #46 Mad River Brewing CEO Linda Cooley
• #45 LoCO Editor Hank Sims
• #44 Humboldt Republic’s Jason Brandi
• #43 Table Bluff Farmer Hannah Eisloeffel
• #42 Logger Bar Owner Kate Martin
• #41 Teacher/Rapper Zach “Zigzilla” Lehner
• #40 Madaket Captain “Zippo” Libby Tonning
• #39 Event Planner Alegria Sita
• #38 Food For People’s Anne Holcomb
• #37 AHHA President Nezzie Wade
• #36 Performance Artist Noël August/Tucker Noir
• #35 Eureka Mayor Susan Seaman
• #34 Eagle House Owner Jennifer Metz
• #33 Absynth Quartet Drummer Mike “Tofu” Schwartz
• #32 HACHR Executive Director Lasara Firefox Allen
• #31 Alchemy Distiller Owner Amy Bohner
• #30 Eureka City Councilmember Kati Moulton
• #29 Eureka City Councilmember Scott Bauer
• #28 Ungraceful Ager Barry Evans
• #27 Arcata City Councilmember Sofia Pereira
• #26 HumBrews Music Booker Laurel Weston
• #25 Eureka City Councilmember Kim Bergel
• #24 Film Commission’s Cassandra Hesseltine and Nate Adams
• #23 Marble Maker Topher Reynolds
• #22 Arcata Playhouse Director Jacqueline Dandeneau
• #21 Humboldt Political Junkie Eric Kirk
• #20 Rio Dell Mayor Debra Garnes
• #19 Second District Supervisor Estelle Fennell
• #18 Arcata Food Aficionado Jada Calypso Brotman
• #17 Body Piercer Jackie Silva
• #16 Dick Taylor Chocolate’s Adam Dick
• #15 FUHS Teachers Mark Thom and Inma Thompson
• #14 Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery
• #13 Savage Henry Co-Founder Chris Durant
• #12 Eureka Street Art Festival Organizer Jenna Catsos
• #11 SCRAP Humboldt Founder Tibora Bea
• #10 Gym Owner Tyler Parr
• #9 Six Rivers Brewery Co-Owner Meredith Maier
• #8 Multicultural Skincare Therapist Levia Love
• #7 Annie’s Cambodian Server and Social Worker Joshua Coppock
• #6 Eureka City Councilmember Austin Allison
• #5 HSU Professor Deidre Pike 
• #4 Pastor Bethany Cseh
• #3 Singer/Songwriter Chris Parreira
• #2 Eureka City Councilmember Leslie Castellano
• #1 Arcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino

It is with deepest sorrow that we announce the passing of Stacy Lynn French age 57 of Eureka, CA.

Stacy was born in Eureka California on January 10, 1964. She attended Eureka city schools and was a member of Calvary Lutheran Church. Stacy was a good person and took care of everyone. She will be missed terribly. Her family is heartbroken. She was a daughter, mother, sister, and friend to many. Her greatest joy was her children and grandchildren. Stacy ran track in High school and was a cheerleader. Her greatest accomplishment was her children. She never missed a school play, baseball game, or school function. She always made sure we had everything we needed. She had a heart of gold and helped anyone in need. My mom loved the color blue and silver jewelry. She was silly and always woke us up in the morning with a song. We will miss her stories, guidance and love.

She is preceded in death by her father Robert Irving Renwick Sr. Stacy is survived by her daughter Michelle Miller, son-in-law Joe Miller, her grandsons Kyle, Noah, and Jace Miller of Fortuna, her son Reggie Attebury Jr. Of Eureka, her mother Kay Stodder, step father Ken Stodder of Eureka, sister Vickie Lourenzo of Talent OR. Nephew Dylan Lourenzo of Eureka, her brother Robert Irving Renwick Jr. (Molly) Of Berkeley Ca, Aunt Judy and uncle Frank weber Eureka, aunt Rita Figueira of Hercules, Cousins, Michael Figueira, Michelle Figueira, Barbara Bartlett, Gail Hodges (Gary), Gary Evans (Deborah) and Luke McDaniel.

The Broken Chain

We Little knew that morning that God will call your name. In life we loved you dearly, in death we do the same. It broke our hearts to lose you, you did not go alone; for part of us went with you, the day God called you home. You left us peaceful memories, your love is still our guide; and though we cannot see you, you’re always at our side. Our family chain is broken, and nothing seems the same; but as God calls us one by one the chain will link again.

— Ron Tranmer

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On Friday, March 19th, 2021, David Humphrey Peterson, loving husband and father, passed away peacefully at the age of 79.

David was born on July 8th, 1941, in Ephraim, UT to Eric and Ellen Peterson.  David attended Snow College where he wrestled and played football.  While at Snow College, David won two wrestling championships and in 2019 was recognized by his alumni as “Man of the Decade”.  In 1961 David was recruited by Utah State University to play football, where he played for one season.  David married his sweetheart Francine Dezzie Tuft on November 5th, 1966, and together they raised one son, Darron.

David and Francine relocated to Humboldt County in 1967 where David received his BA in Sociology from Humboldt State University.  As an ambassador of education, David later earned his teaching certificate also from Humboldt State University and began teaching at Dow’s Prairie Elementary School in McKinleyville.  During his time at Dow’s Prairie, David continued his educational ambition by earning his MA in Education/Administration and his California Drivers Education teaching certificate.  He later started teaching 7th and 8th grade physical education, math, etc. at McKinleyville Junior High where he retired from the California Teaching System after 30+ years of service.  During his time as a teacher, David also demonstrated his patience and teaching ability as a certified drivers training instructor.  He patiently rode in the passenger seat continually instructing and educating students on proper driving skills.  During a driving lesson with David, he always shared multiple stories to help relieve and distract both his and the student’s anxiety.  Being conscious not to exhibit any fear, David concealed his own angst and trepidation while never revealing to his students that he constantly kept one foot on the “chicken break”.        

Ironically, referring to chicken, David had a passion for raising chickens.  He raised and cared for over 100 chickens multiple times at their home in Kneeland, CA.  He always had fresh eggs from his layer hens as well as some exotic and beautiful, rare rooster breeds.  Over time, he acquired some of his exotic breeds through acquaintances and occasionally would commission Francine to return from New Orleans toting a chicken in hand on the plane. 

David was preceded in death by his brother(s) Donald and Douglas, as well as his parents Eric and Ellen.  He is survived by his son, Darron, his two children Alexandria and Lance, his brothers Richard and Darrell as well as nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life for David and Francine will be held on July 17th, 2021, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located at 1660 Heartwood Drive, McKinleyville, CA at 12:00 p.m.

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