UPDATE, 2:45 p.m: From the Sheriff’s Office:

On Aug. 26 at approximately 2:00 p.m. Missing Person Kerry Ahearn was located alive and well near the 200 block of Gibson Creek Road.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the California Office of Emergency Services, Humboldt County Sheriff Office of Emergency Services, California Highway Patrol Air Operations, Mendocino County Sheriff Office Search and Rescue Team, Marin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Team, Whitethorn Fire Department, Whale Gulch Fire Department, Shelter Cove Fire Department, and the Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue Team for their assistance.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Ahearn. Click to enlarge.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help to locate missing person Kerry Elizabeth Ahearn, 58, of  Walnut Creek, Calif. 

 

Kerry was reported missing by her boyfriend on Aug. 26 at about 4:30 a.m. after she failed to return from a hike. She was last seen on Aug. 25 at about 3:00 p.m. walking northeast on Gibson Creek Rd., in Whitethorn.  

 

Kerry is a white female adult, 5’- 7” tall, 150 pounds, blue eyes, long straight blonde and gray hair and wears glasses.  She was last seen wearing an unknown-colored shirt, blue denim skirt with a Grateful Dead patch on the left side, and brown Teva sandals.  

 

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has initiated a search and rescue (SAR) to locate Kerry.  

 

We will provide updates as they become available. 

 

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding Kerry’s possible whereabouts should call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• SAVE THE DATE! Eureka is Hosting a Pop-Up DUI Checkpoint on Friday, and if You Wrongly Feel That You Have to Drive Drunk Then You Are Invited to Attend

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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On August 22nd, 2025, Eureka Police Department, assisted by the Humboldt County DA’s Office, California Highway Patrol, and City of Eureka Public Works Department, conducted a Driver’s License and DUI Checkpoint in the 2400 Blk of Broadway, (SB US Hwy 101).

• The Checkpoint was operational from 2020 hours to 2330 hours.

• During that time 770 vehicles passed through the checkpoint location.

• Out of the 770 vehicles that passed through, 572 drivers were contacted.

•  Of the 572 drivers who were contacted, 57 were sent through secondary screening (or T-Stopped) for suspected Driver’s License violations or for further DUI Screening.

• 12 Field Sobriety Tests were conducted.

• 2 were arrested for DUI.

• 5 Citations were issued for CVC 12500 or 14601 violations.

• 2 Vehicles were towed.

• 1 Vehicle fled from the checkpoint, but an Officer was able to identify the suspect and they will be contacted.

Thank you to all the agencies involved: the Humboldt County DA’s Office, California Highway Patrol, City of Eureka Public Works Department, and Eureka Volunteer Patrol.

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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Fresh off their failed attempt to kill Gov. Gavin Newsom’s redistricting plan in the Democratic-controlled Legislature, California Republicans and anti-gerrymandering groups this week launched an all-out resistance to defeat what they regard as an unconstitutional ballot question.

Republican legislators in particular, many of whom lambasted Democrats in fiery floor speeches last week, have stressed that independent redistricting should be a nonpartisan affair. A few even ventured to lightly scold President Donald Trump for urging their counterparts in red states to redraw maps for political gain. And several filed a new lawsuit against the Newsom administration on Monday, their second in a week.

But despite their best efforts, California Republicans can’t completely separate Trump from the battle over redistricting, a fight that the president initiated earlier this summer by calling for gerrymandering in Texas to benefit the GOP. On Monday, the president offhandedly threatened to sue California to halt Newsom’s plan.

“Well, I think I’m going to be filing a lawsuit pretty soon and I think we’re going to be very successful in it,” Trump said in the Oval Office. “We’re going to be filing it through the Department of Justice. That’s going to happen.”

The opposition campaign has already landed in many Californians’ mailboxes and social feeds. Printed pamphlets paid for by Republican operatives and good governance advocates alike started arriving last Thursday, the same day that Newsom declared the Nov. 4 special election on his proposal to temporarily suspend the state’s independent redistricting panel and instead use gerrymandered maps drawn in to favor Democrats.

“We cannot save democracy by burning it down in California,” declared a four-page mailer funded primarily by Charles T. Munger Jr., the main financial backer of the 2010 initiative that created the redistricting commission.

A different one-page pamphlet, paid for by an organization headed by former state Republican Party chair Jessica Millan Patterson, warned readers of a “political power grab” and told voters to “SAY NO” to “unconstitutional gerrymandering.”

But even as they slam Newsom and Democrats for a “political power grab,” California Republicans are laboring to keep their criticism narrowly focused on the circumventing of California’s independent redistricting commission, rather than openly criticize Trump’s demand for red states to leverage redistricting in the GOP’s favor.

“It should not be Gavin Newsom vs. Trump. It should not be California vs. Texas,” said Corrin Rankin, chair of the California Republican Party, at a news conference announcing the latest lawuit filed with the California Supreme Court. “It should be what’s in the best interest of Californians, and what’s in the best interest of Californians is for us to determine who represents us.”

GOP lost once in court

Four Republican legislators, with help from Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon’s private law firm, sued the state to remove the newly minted Proposition 50 from the ballot. They contend that Prop. 50 violates a state rule that all ballot questions adhere to a single subject – a common tactic for opponents of ballot measures. And once again, they insist that Democratic lawmakers violated numerous procedural steps in their rush to put gerrymandered maps in front of voters for approval.

The California Supreme Court denied the group’s first legal challenge last week. The group’s lead attorney argues that conditions are different now that the election is officially scheduled and the proposition is slated for the ballot.

Newsom’s campaign scoffed at Republicans’ latest challenge and declared it would fail.

“Trump’s toadies already got destroyed once in court. Now, they are trying once again — to protect Trump’s power grab and prevent voters from having their say on Prop 50,” Hannah Milgrom, a spokesperson for the campaign, said in a statement. “They will lose.”

Is Trump serious about suing?

It’s unclear how seriously to take Trump’s remarks that he’d sue California. They were prompted by a question from a reporter — who Trump corrected to refer to the governor by his frequent “Gavin Newscum” nickname — and the president offered no further details.

The White House did not respond to emailed questions about the legal basis or timeline for a lawsuit. Natalie Baldassarre, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Justice, declined to comment.

The potential lawsuit has also not been coordinated with the California Republican Party, according to Rankin, who would not say whether she welcomed Trump’s intervention.

“I’m not going to get ahead of the president,” she said. “That’s a question for the future.”

But even the possibility of Trump’s involvement could juice the campaign for Prop. 50, which has seen middling support in polls so far. A survey published last week by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and the Los Angeles Times found the measure leading 48% to 32% among likely voters.

The anti-Trump resistance has been a potent political message in California for a decade. In 2021, Newsom beat back an effort to recall him from office in part by making the election about Californians’ distaste for Trump.

Whether or not the president follows through on his threat of a lawsuit, Newsom now has a tangible opportunity to frame Proposition 50 as California vs. Trump and run back his successful playbook from defeating the recall. He was quick to respond to the president’s comment about a legal challenge with an all-caps post on social media: “BRING IT.”

Kendra Leighanne Beni Yao Moore. She was a beautiful young lady, a beloved daughter, sister, and friend to many. Her smile, bright and cheery personality and kindness swayed many, and many loved her dearly. She left our lives too soon at the age of 25.

She was born in Chongqing, China on October 25, 1999. She came into our lives at a wonderful time. She resided in Humboldt County, Northern California. She spent her childhood in Rio Dell and lived independently in Eureka.

Growing up, she loved to hang out with friends and play video games and read. She was a very smart lady. In elementary school she served as valedictorian and was very well-liked by teachers, friends and staff alike. Both in elementary and high school she always kept her straight-A’s. She graduated from Fortuna High School in 2018.

She loved her English Bulldog Stella. Her first dog was an English Bulldog named Jasmine whom she loved dearly.

She was a hard worker at anything in life she set her sights on. She was loved at her job, at Costco, and had many customers who found her endearing.

She died on July 21, 2025 in a vehicle accident in Eureka.

Dear Kendra Leighanne Beni Yao Moore, a daughter, a Mei Mei, a best friend — you were truly loved.

She is survived by her parents, Daniel and Janie Moore and her Jie Jie, Kaileigh Moore of Rio Dell. She is with the Lord now, being taken care of.

Written by Kaileigh Moore, her Jie Jie.

Patrick T. Ayers
March 31, 1963-June 9, 2025

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our brother, Patrick T. Ayers. Pat was born and raised in Eureka, and he was the youngest of 12 children born to Ernest G. “Gerry” Ayers and Oriel Ayers. Pat was 62 years old.

After graduating from Eureka High School, Pat served in the U.S. Air Force for 3 years. He served as a Security Specialist and after graduating from Special Operations Technical School, Pat was awarded the Special Operations badge and also earned his beret.

Pat worked as a young boy for his father’s food products distribution company alongside his older brothers. Pat later took an interest in working as a chef at local restaurants, including Roy’s Club, Sea Grill, Mazzotti’s, and St. Vincent de Paul’s Dining Facility.

Pat grew up spending summers at the Ayers Mattole House on what was then called Squaw Creek. Pat loved fishing, being in nature, and exploring the Mattole River with the Liu brothers. Pat had a love of exploration that he was able to do during those summers at the cabin.

In 2016, Pat was diagnosed with Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1, experiencing moderate to advanced weakness in both his upper and lower extremities.

Pat passed away at San Francisco VA Hospital (SFVAH) with his brother Paul by his side, while listening to Pink Floyd. Pat had been hospitalized at SFVAH since March 2025 because of increased weakness and numerous side effects of his diagnosis of Myotonic Dystrophy.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Eureka VA Clinic staff and the San Francisco VA Hospital for their compassionate care of Pat, and working with Pat’s siblings to keep him comfortable. We will miss Pat’s smile, his stories, his knowledge, and his unwavering sense of humor. Pat was preceded in death by his parents, Gerry and Oriel Ayers, his brother David, his nephew Kyle, and his great nephew Fischer.

Pat is survived by his siblings: Michael (Karen), Melinda (Norman), Eileen, Liz, Phil (Jani), Paul (Nancy), Maureen (Mike), Catherine (Matt), Tim (Lisa), and Anne (Steve); 23 nieces and nephews; 32 great nieces and nephews; and numerous cousins from the Ayers, McGaraghan, and Poscic families.

Please join Pat’s family for a Celebration of Life on Saturday, September 20, 2025, from 1:00-4:00, at Old Growth Cellars, 1945 Hilfiker Lane, Eureka.

Donations can be made to St. Vincent de Paul in Honor of Gerry/Oriel Ayers. The check should be written as follows.

• Check made out to: Humboldt Area Foundation (HAF)
• Mail to: 363 Indianola Road, Bayside, CA, 95524
• Memo line: St. Vincent de Paul in Honor of Gerry/Oriel Ayers

This information is necessary so that your donation is applied to the proper account. Thank you.

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PREVIOUSLY

• Multiple Humboldt County Schools Placed on Lockdown Due to Threats
• LOCKDOWNS UPDATE: Out-of-State Man Identified as Suspect Believed to Have Made Threatening Calls to Multiple Humboldt Schools and Businesses
• Extradition Arrest Warrant Issued for Out-of-State Asshole Who Keeps Threatening Local Schools
• ALLEGED ASSHOLE IN CUFFS! 31-Year-Old Oklahoma Resident Arrested on Multiple Felony Counts for Making ‘Terrorist Threats’ to Local Schools
• Trial of Man Charged With Making Terrorist Threats to Local Schools Delayed to Evaluate His Competency

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WARNING: This story contains quoted testimony that includes strong language (aka “swear words”) and threats of violence to children.

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Daryl Ray Jones, the Oklahoma man accused of terrorizing multiple Humboldt County school communities through a series of threatening phone calls earlier this year, appeared in court today for a preliminary hearing.

With Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees prosecuting the case and Conflict Council Supervising Attorney Meagan O’Connell representing Jones, the hearing took place in Courtroom 4, where two local law enforcement officers took the stand to recount responding to the barrage of threats, which began on Feb. 27 with a call to the California Conservation Corps (CCC) office in Fortuna.

On the witness stand, California Highway Patrol Officer Travis Sarvinski testified that a CCC employee named Raquel Ortega called 911 after receiving multiple calls that day from a man unknown to her who threatened to come down and kill her specifically.

Another employee in the office, Deborah Nelson, spoke to the caller as well and heard him say, “Kill Raquel, bitch” and “I’mma kill you too, bitch,” according to Sarvinksi.

Nelson and Ortega received more threatening calls from the man on Feb. 28, March 7 and March 18, Sarvinksi testified. Reading from his own police reports, the officer said that during one such call the male voice said, “You know I’m planning on coming up there and killing all y’all motherfuckers” and, later, “Call the cops, bitch. Y’all dead.” 

Sarvinski said he authored a search warrant for phone records and found that the phone number from which the calls were made matched one that had been provided by the Arcata Police Department in connection to other threatening phone calls.

The caller had made reference to showing up in a red pickup or coupe, and a red 2000 Nissan Frontier parked near the CCC office was found to be registered in Jones’s name, Sarvinski said. Employees searched a database and found that Jones had worked for the CCC until 2017.

Next on the stand was Ryan Flowers, a former Eureka Police Department officer (where he served as school resource officer for one year) who is now employed by the Cal Poly Humboldt Police Department. Flowers testified that in March he responded to a series of threatening phone calls that led to lockdowns at Eureka High School, Alder Grove Charter School, Sweet Peas Learning Center, Little Saplings Preschool and Grant Elementary School. 

Secretaries at each of these schools were scared by the threats, which referenced plans to shoot up the schools, kidnap children and murder kids and employees, according to Flowers.

Periodically during the witnesses’ testimony, O’Connell lodged objections about Rees’s questions, sometimes challenging whether he had sufficient foundation, other times accusing him of leading the witnesses. Judge Canning sustained a few of these objections but allowed much of the testimony to proceed. During her cross-examination, O’Connell sought to cast doubt on the identify of the caller.

The start of this morning’s hearing was delayed a bit by a request from regular court reporter John Chiv to take photographs during the proceedings. O’Connell objected, accusing Chiv of being biased and questioning whether he should even be considered media. But Judge Canning ruled that he does meet the state’s definition of media, and he granted the request for photography, though only after calling a recess and allowing Jones to change out of his bright orange inmate jumpsuit and into dress clothes that O’Connell had retrieved from her office.

The trial of Jones has been delayed by questions regarding his competency to stand trial. This preliminary hearing, which is intended to lay the foundation for a jury trial, is scheduled to continue Tuesday morning at 9:15.

Press release from Open Door Community Health Centers:

Delta Dental’s Community Care Foundation has awarded a grant of $80,000 to Open Door Community Health Centers to support the expansion of dental services at Burre Dental Center, in Eureka. Remodeling is due for completion in August 2025.

In its award statement, Delta’s Community Care Foundation noted Open Door’s “dedication to providing quality, affordable oral healthcare.” Open Door is committed to investing in oral healthcare services for Humboldt County.

Each year Burre Dental Center in Eureka sees over 7,000 of Open Door’s 12,158 dental patients; about 1,500 of these are emergency dental visits for adults who do not have an established dental provider.

Burre Dental Center’s renovation and expansion will allow for 8,000 more visits each year, is particularly focusing on seniors who have been suffering from a lack of access to oral healthcare services.

Over the next two years, a new program which will visit senior living facilities and resource centers to provide oral health hygiene education, to help seniors improve their oral healthcare and reduce fear of seeking dental care. The program will also provide dental care options and resources for seniors without a dental provider.

“Apart from the extra space and access to care at Burre [Dental Center],” says Tory Starr, Open Door’s CEO, “this funding allows us to expand our Dental Residency Program at last (bringing new dental providers to our community), and it will integrate behavioral health services onsite which we know can be a barrier for patients in accessing dental care.”

The Burre Dental Center expansion adds 6 new dental operatories, bringing it to a total of 22 operatories. The expansion will also allow Open Door to hire two more dentists and train an additional dental resident each year.