Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release:

On May 10th, 2021 agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF), with the assistance of the Eureka Police Department Problem Oriented Policing Team (POP), served a search warrant in the 4200 block of Bush Ave. in Mckinleyville. The HCDTF had conducted an investigation over several months into Andrew Daniel Bartley (60 years old) for trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine out of his residence. Through their investigation agents determined that Bartley was using Brian Douglas Phillips (59 years old from Arcata) as a runner to deliver methamphetamine to customers.

During the service of the search warrant agents stopped Phillips leaving the residence. Agents located two ounces of methamphetamine in Phillips possession. Agents served the warrant on the residence and detained Bartley without incident.

Inside the garage on the property agents located approx. 5 pounds of methamphetamine, a digital scale, and packaging. Agents also located a stolen .357 revolver that had been reported stolen to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Department during a residential burglary on Highway 36 in 2017. Agents also located and seized approx. $6,500 in US currency pending an asset forfeiture investigation.

Andrew Bartley was booked at the Humboldt County jail for the following charges:

• H&S 11378 Possession of methamphetamine for sale 
• H&S 11370.1 Possession of controlled substances while armed 
• H&S 11366 Maintaining or operating a drug house 
• PC 496(a) Possession of stolen property

Brian Phillips will have the following charges forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office: 

• H&S 11378 Possession of methamphetamine for sale 
• H&S 11379 Transportation of methamphetamine for sale

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.

His answer was crystal clear: “No. Never will.” That’s how a prison guard at California Rehabilitation Center in Norco feels about taking the COVID-19 vaccine, and he’s not alone.

There’s the Sacramento-area correctional officer with more than 15 years on the job who “doesn’t believe in” vaccinations. A sergeant from Northern California with eight years on the job who “appreciates” prisons offering employees the vaccine, but still doesn’t feel comfortable taking it. A prison psychologist from Southern California who feels protected because of having had a prior case of COVID.

All, who spoke to CalMatters only on condition of anonymity, are among the 57% of California prison employees skipping free COVID vaccinations offered on the job as of May 10, according to data from the California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections. Experts don’t think it’s common that those workers chose to be vaccinated anyplace less convenient.

As California pursues herd immunity — or something close to it — some 37,000 state prison workers remain unvaccinated. In 30 of 35 institutions, less than half of employees are fully vaccinated. Currently, less than 3% of staff are waiting on their second jab, according to the statewide data.

Active COVID cases inside California prisons have slowly declined since peaking in late Dec. 2020, around the time the system rolled out its voluntary vaccination program for inmates and staff. In the past two weeks, state data shows just 14 COVID cases reported among California prisoners — but 108 cases among prison staff.

While the state’s prodding may slowly boost the staff vaccination rate, critics say urging isn’t enough.

In a recent statement filed in U.S. District Court in Oakland as part of a class action suit that forced California’s prison healthcare under court control, attorneys for prisoners asked that staff vaccinations become mandatory. “We believe that the time has come for the Receiver and (the corrections department) to protect the interests of the incarcerated population, their employees and the community by requiring that all staff be vaccinated,” wrote plaintiffs’ attorneys from the Prison Law Office.

State attorneys representing the prison’s healthcare system didn’t directly address the request, instead reiterating educational and marketing efforts to encourage more staff to get vaccinated.

In a statement emailed to CalMatters, a spokesperson from California Correctional Health Care Services, which provides healthcare inside California prisons, said prisons are beefing up their outreach and “providing open vaccine clinics over the next couple weeks to assist our staff in furthering their vaccine efforts.”

Advocates say vaccine reluctance among guards and other prison staff jeopardizes the health of fellow workers and people held in prison who have no control over their proximity to others. And they point out a precedent: The University of California is requiring all students, faculty, and staff on its campuses be vaccinated before returning this fall.

“People in prison and the staff, frankly, are at greater risk than college students and people who work for the university and colleges,” said Don Specter, executive director of the Prison Law Office. “So if they can do it, I don’t see a reason why the prisons can’t do it.”

“A lot of us have already had COVID and recovered, so we don’t see the point in getting the vaccine.”
— Corrections officer at California Rehabilitation Center, Norco

It’s a step the state isn’t prepared to take absent new guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control or court intervention by the courts, according to the emailed statement from the prison health services spokesperson.

“There’s hesitancy on the part of everybody, including the judge, to instill mandate,” said Hadar Aviram, professor at UC Hastings College of the Law. “There isn’t actually a legal problem to say to people, ‘If you don’t get vaccinated, you have no business working (in state prisons).”

But for many prison employees, making vaccination a job requirement would be a step too far.

“A lot of us have already had COVID and recovered, so we don’t see the point in getting the vaccine,” said a correctional officer who tested positive in Dec. 2020 at Norco, where 38% of employees have had COVID. “I have the natural antibodies. I get sick every year from something at work, so I figured it’d be a matter of time. I was amazed I lasted all the way to December.”

Many prison workers, like many Americans, aren’t sold on being vaccinated against COVID. Some cite fears about the possible side effects of the vaccine, others contend that they are protected by antibodies developed from prior COVID illness, and still others say they simply don’t believe in vaccines.

“About half of my unit is vaccinated,” said a correctional officer in Northern California. “The others…are waiting to see what’s going on and what the long-term effects (of the vaccine) are going to be,” she said.

“We ended up reaching herd immunity in some prisons the tragic way — because people just got sick and died.”
— Hadar Aviram, professor at UC Hastings College of the Law

Since last summer, the coronavirus has swept through the state prisons, leaving at least 222 people dead and infecting more than 50,000 prisoners. Guards were also infected. Throughout the system, more than 16,000 prison staff have tested positive for the virus, and 26 employees have died, according to the data.

“This is not a whim,” said Aviram, the Hastings law professor. “The fact that there’s very few cases in prison now isn’t because we won the battle over the virus. It’s because the virus won. We ended up reaching herd immunity in some prisons the tragic way — because people just got sick and died.”

With the virus spreading among employees, prison officials have asked union officials to help them get more people vaccinated.

Using incentives, education and behavioral science methods, the union launched “an aggressive campaign in partnership with state government, strongly urging all our members to get vaccinated,” said union president Glen Stailey. That includes videos showing union board members being vaccinated, and consulting with UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy on how to convince more workers to get the vaccine.

It’s a push that hasn’t gone unnoticed by staff, who say the fact that fully vaccinated employees can skip weekly COVID tests are influencing some employees to say, “maybe I will … get the vaccine, whether or not they want it,” said the veteran correctional officer from the Sacramento area who doesn’t believe in vaccinations — and says the union’s marketing has failed to change her mind. “It’s just one of those things where, you know, it makes it a little bit easier for them at work or wherever they are.”

Of the more than 26,000 department employees have opted for full vaccination, many still say they are uncomfortable encouraging their colleagues to do the same.

“I’ve been vaccinated,” said a rehabilitation specialist who works in Southern California. “I don’t have a problem doing that. But I also don’t have a problem with other people not getting it.”

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CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

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Back in the 1970s, anti-tax advocates passed an amendment to California’s constitution designed to put the state government on a diet.

Four decades later, Gov. Gavin Newsom is now proposing to use that same policy tool — beloved by small–government conservatives — to rechannel billions of dollars collected primarily from the Golden State’s highest earners to working and middle–class Californians, families with children and undocumented immigrants.

A stroke of political genius? An abuse of the law? The world’s most expensive partisan troll?

Potentially all of the above.

To understand how Newsom, who faces an almost-certain recall election later this year, now finds himself in the happy position of being able to dole out billions of dollars to taxpayers and possible voters, here’s a quick primer on the 2021 budget:

Thanks to a very lopsided COVID-19 recession and a tidal wave of relief money from the federal government, California is now sitting on $75.7 billion more than the state’s fiscal analysts had initially predicted. That historic cash glut triggered an obscure provision in the constitution, known as the Gann limit, which forbids the state from exceeding its 1978 per-person spending level, adjusted for inflation.

Any leftover tax money above that cap has to be returned — with half going to public schools and the other half going to taxpayers.

That brings us to Newsom’s latest proposal: Sending another round of “Golden State Stimulus” checks of between $500 and $600 to Californians making less than $75,000 a year, families with children and undocumented immigrants.

Newsom waved off a question about the Gann limit as a wonky aside: “99.9% of you have no idea what the Gann limit is…This is not the reason we’re moving forward with this announcement.”

But after the Monday press conference in Oakland, state Department of Finance director Keely Bosler told reporters that these payments will “satisfy” the requirement of the cap. In other words, the governor believes his rebate plan, which now goes to the Legislature, meets the constitutional rebate requirement even though not every taxpayer would get a check.

The first and last time the state crossed the Gann limit was in 1986. Then, every taxpayer got a 15% cut on their tax bill — with some extra payments going to non-taxpayers.

This proposal would be much more targeted, which Bosler said is perfectly acceptable under the law. “The constitution is very broad…it just says return money to taxpayers,” she said.

Actually, what the constitution says is that the money “shall be returned by a revision of tax rates or fee schedules.”

Which isn’t all that clarifying. “The Gann limit was not well drafted, and so what ‘tax rates or fee schedule’ is supposed to mean is opaque,” said UC Davis law professor and tax-revolt critic Darien Shanske.

But that fuzziness gives the governor flexibility to send the money back to taxpayers however he likes, he added. “The Gann limit is about getting money from the government to the people and the governor’s proposal would do that.”

Jon Coupal, president of the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, an organization named for Paul Gann’s fellow tax-revolt activist, does not share that legal interpretation of how Newsom is using the Gann tax amendment to target rebates.

“I think that’s a stretch,” Coupal said. “I think if the state bumped up against the Gann spending limit and the governor said, ‘No, no, we complied with it through this program,’ somebody who might have whatever motivation to sue would have a very good argument.”

Would that somebody be the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association? Coupal said that it’s still too early to say and that, in principle, the organization supports broad tax rebates to the public. “You can sue. The question is: Should you?”

Newsom’s Republican challengers in the upcoming recall race face a similar political challenge. Giving two-thirds of Californians a rebate and excluding the rich may or may not be consistent with the letter — or at least the spirit — of the Gann limit.

“Not to be too cynical, but if you’re a Republican running against Newsom, how exactly do you attack what he’s doing?” said Bill Whalen, a former speechwriter for GOP Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

“You can complain about the inequities, but then fall into the trap of advocating for the wealthy to get more money. You can try to discuss the intricacies of the Gann limit and put every voter to sleep.”

So far, two of Newsom’s Republican challengers have tried. Both John Cox, who ran against Newsom in 2018, and Kevin Faulconer, former San Diego mayor, criticized the governor for delivering only “one-time” relief payments. “Californians need permanent, real tax relief,” said Faulconer in a statement. “Gavin Newsom is making one-time payments to Californians to avoid being recalled — and only because the law requires him to,” crowed Cox.

In the meantime, Newsom continues his week-long tour across the state, touting the many ways he plans to spend California’s unprecedented surplus.

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CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Rhonda transitioned from this life on March 22, 2021, after a battle with cancer. She passed at home in Big Lagoon with family by her side.

She grew up in Stuart, Florida, graduating from high school there. She spent much of her adult life in Dayton, Ohio, where she earned her Bachelors Degree in Art Education, and Master’s in Fine Arts from the prestigious University of Dayton. She moved to Humboldt County in 2006.

Rhonda worked as an art teacher for much of her life. She taught at the Big Lagoon School and at Dows Prairie Elementary. Many were blessed to experience her creative energies and guidance. Herself, being a talented and accomplished artist and photographer, surprising many who didn’t know the depth of her talents. Rhonda did not keep her creative abilities a secret, but neither did she brag about them.

She was a natural leader. She had a confidence of status, and plain old “know-how.” These skills forged a space for others to follow. She encouraged us to learn something new and to stretch beyond our comfort level. She was fearless and welcomed any new challenge with enthusiasm. She was a lifelong tennis player and loved to be out on the court, making friends along the way.

Rhonda loved most of all to travel. She had traveled from an early age, playing tennis in France, backpacking in Italy, living briefly in Hawaii. She had so many adventures around the world in her life that included Australia, New Zealand, The Cook Islands, Bahamas, Jamaica, Mexico and Russia.

She conceived of a mermaid to be her token representation of self, and collected many works with this image. Mermaids are often depicted with buried treasure. Strangely, treasure rose from the depths, and from every corner of the planet to pass through Rhonda’s hands, like a divine guardianship of things buried and brought back to life. These gifts resulted in a partnership with Humboldt Flea Market, and evolved into creating her own business, Foreman Estate Services, Unusual, beautiful items, once loved and cherished, passed on with Rhonda as the agent of their renewed guardianship.

It cannot go unsaid that Rhonda fiercely loved her family, friends and her dog Addie. She loved nature and gardening with that same enormous spirit. Rhonda was a lover of life. She believed in the possibility to make things happen, without limitations. To find Rhonda now, to plane the connection to her…see the beauty in your own life, and live everyday to the fullest. The rain you smell, the sunset on the horizon, the lightening bugs on a hot Ohio summer night, cool grass on bare feet…. that’s where she is now.

Rhonda Lynn Foreman was born to Ronald and Doris Foreman, in Knoxville Tennessee, on Jan 22, 1962. She is survived by her mother Doris White, and brothers Randall and Ryan Foreman, sister in law Barbara Foreman, and her beloved daughter Rachael Cook. Rhonda was very loved, it has been said by many that she never met a stranger. She loved to connect with people from all walks of life.

Writer Jac Schaeffer said of grief, “We need a new definition of grief that is hopeful. Grief isn’t all bad, it isn’t all sorrow. Grief is born of beauty, and of deep love. What is grief, if not the perseverance of love”?

Donations can be sent in Rhonda’s honor to the Humboldt Wildlife Care Center or Friends of the Dunes.

Mike Robershotte passed away at his home in Bayside on March 19, 2021. He was 78 years old. Mike was born in Arcata to Carolyn (Haley) and Clinton Robershotte on January 22, 1943. He attended Eureka City schools through Jr. High. Mike graduated from Arcata High School in 1961 and went on to Laney College in Oakland, CA, where he completed the Diesel Mechanics program in 1965.

As a youngster in Eureka, Mike was active in the Pegasus Patrol. He and his devoted horse, Rusty, participated in gymkhanas and youth rodeos at the local, regional, and state level, earning countless awards. Mike moved to the Angel Ranch in 1958 when his mother married Clarence Bugenig. There his love for all things “ranch” blossomed and influenced his lifelong interest in livestock, especially sheep. He was a member of the Arcata High Future Farmers of America and participated in many local fairs.

Mike met Jinnie (Holm), his wife of 56 years, on the Arcata High school bus at “the fork in the road” between the Dollar Ranch and the Angel Ranch. They married in 1965. Mike and Jinnie have two children, Michael and Angela. Mike actively supported Michael and Angela’s years as Bayside 4H and Arcata High FFA members, assist-ing with their livestock projects and various fair activities.

In addition to being a member of the Humboldt County Woolgrower’s Association, Mike, as a young man, was an active member of the Arcata Jay Cees. He had many fond memories and great stories of dressing the statue of McKinley on the Arcata plaza every Christmas season and of coloring a hundred dozen eggs each Easter for the egg hunt that was held at the ballpark. Cherished lifetime friendships were made.

Beginning in the early seventies Mike and family traveled to “The Lake” every weekend from July 4th to Labor Day. Initially camping at Pinewood Cove and eventually aboard La Bella Mia, these times were the most anticipated of Mike’s year. Other favorites included Sunday dinners where he is famous for repeating the same sorry old stories and jokes to all who gathered on a regular basis, spending time with the grandchildren, and Jinnie and Mike’s annual vacation with “The Houseboat Crew”. These trips have continued for nearly fifty years and counting, crisscrossing the western US, Mexico, and Canada.

Mike especially enjoyed times spent with his brother-in-law, Sonny. Whether as teenagers riding around in Sonny’s old jeep, working cattle, camping, boating, sitting around the fire, or just shooting the breeze, they were content to be together, as they are once again, ghost riders in the sky.

Mike was employed with the County of Humboldt prior to starting work for Simpson Timber Company. He retired from Green Diamond after more than thirty years of service.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Clinton Robershotte and Carolyn and Clarence Bugenig, his grandparents, Nellie and Ray Haley, his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Wilda and Harvey Holm, and his brother-in-law, Paul “Sonny” Holm. Mike is survived by his wife, Jinnie, son, Michael (Jessica Emerson) Robershotte, granddaughters Vanessa and Danielle, daughter Angela Robershotte, grandsons Anthony and Andrew, sister, Cindy (Mike) Jeffress, niece Lindsay (Shane) Green, Elisha, Avery, Allie, nephew, Seth (Kristin) Magnuson, Zariah, Kyden, sister-in-law, Calisa Holm, niece, Kassi (Ryan) Robinson, Henry, Haylen, nephew, Harvey Holm and son, Sonny, and uncountable beloved friends.

A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at a later time when it will be safer for us to gather.

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

Amador Castañon Muñoz was born on April 30, 1945 to Lucas and Juanita Muñoz in Colusa, one of eleven children.

After graduating from Colusa High School, he was drafted and served in the Blackhorse 11th Calvary Unit in Vietnam from 1966 to 1967. He was an honored member of the First Platoon, answering to the nickname “Ammo,” with a “can do” smile. Ammo’s military service was distinguished in all aspects as an individual, a leader and a team member which significantly contributed to the platoon being recognized as the best in B Troop, within the 1st SQDN and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment during Ammo’s time in Vietnam. In Junction City — the largest combined operation at the time — the Platoon was the point of the sword, the lead for whole army commitment. Ammo’s gallant individual and leadership examples in that operation and all times in combat of which the Platoon had the most contacts than any other units in the Regiment. He always inspired his team and the rest of the Platoon such that the teams overall service was Nationally and Army honored by the unit, earning the Presidential Unit Citation for units exhibiting extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy, Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation with Palm for recognition of deeds of Valor and heroic conduct, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for meritorious conduct in performance of outstanding service in combat. He also individually received the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star with “V” device denoting a recognition of individual heroism, the fourth highest military decoration for “Valor”. Ammo’s time in service also earned him the Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.

Amador attended Humboldt State and earned a master’s degree in psychology. He married Diana Baker in 1973. They had two children: Amador L. Muñoz and Angela Muñoz. He became the Director of Day Treatment at Humboldt County Mental Health. He loved spending time with family and friends, camping, fishing, hunting, playing poker, sport pools and the Raiders. One of his favorite things to do was going to have coffee at Redwood Meat. He enjoyed driving his 66’ Ford Bronco around town and getting the never-ending question if he wanted to sell it. He always made time for everyone and made you feel special. 

Amador left this world peacefully at home on April 2, 2021. He leaves behind his wife Diana, son Amador & wife Desire, daughter Angela; grandchildren Jordan, Niko, and Bella Muñoz; brothers Victor and Louie Muñoz; sisters Laura Muñoz-Velazquez & husband Felipe, Gloria Madrigal, Marylou O’Hearn, and Joanna Castro. He had three godchildren — Christina DeRungs, Adrian & Ricardo Velazquez — as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Also, many people who called him Tío, Papá Ammo, and friend. We feel so privileged to have had him in our lives. A celebration of her life will take place at a later date.

Mary Lee Barnes, 83, passed away on March 12, 2021.

Mary Lee was born on October 22, 1937 in Okanogan, Washington to Frank and Pauline Davis. Mary was retired after many years as a CNA. She also worked as a police dispatcher in Rio Dell. Mary was very effective in both careers, receiving many accolades. Mary had also served proudly as an ambassador for the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Red Hat society.

Mary was an avid amateur genealogist. She was also a collector of many treasures but had a great love of doll collecting.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents. Her first husband William Samuel Reed “Tex,“ her former husband Ray Barnes and an infant daughter. Mary is survived by her daughter Nancy Raven (Matt) of Lemoore, Calif., daughter Pauline (Dan) of southern Humboldt,sSons Frank Reed of Fortuna and Herman Reed (Lourdes) also of Fortuna, as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, brothers sisters, nieces and nephews.

Our family would like to express our love and gratitude to Lourdes Reed for the excellent care of our mother these many years. We are also grateful to the staff of St. Joseph’s who cared for and eased the passing of our mother. We also thank Gobles Mortuary for their help and professionalism.