Eureka Police Department release: 

The Eureka Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance in locating an at-risk missing person. 78-year-old Christopher Wilkins drove away from his residence and was last seen traveling eastbound on Harris Ave, approaching Redwood Acres, on May 6th , 2021 at about noon. Wilkins is described as a white male, 5’9”, 140 pounds, white hair, brown eyes (he wears glasses).

Wilkins suffers from dementia and may be confused. Wilkins vehicle is described as a white 1987 Ford Aerostar van, bearing California license plate number 3H62670. The paint on the van is in poor condition, there is heavy rusting on the sides of the vehicle and the vehicle has a cracked windshield.

Anyone with information on Wilkins’ location is urged to call the Eureka Police Department at (707) 441-4044 (Case #21-002448).

Humboldt County Drug Task Force press release:

On May 6th, 2021 agents with the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF), with the assistance of the Arcata Police Department (APD) conducted an undercover drug buy operation in the area of the Valley West Shopping Center in Arcata. This operation was conducted as a result of complaints from business owners and citizens of suspects conducting drug transactions in front of businesses, in the parking lot, and on the sidewalk in front of the shopping center.

An undercover agent from the HCDTF walked around the shopping center and contacted various groups of people that were loitering in the area. On 4 separate occasions the agent was able to successfully purchase methamphetamine. After each purchase APD Officers entered the area and placed the suspect under arrest.

The following four people were arrested for 11378 H&S (possession of methamphetamine for sale) and booked at the Humboldt County Jail:

• Linnie Muro-Cortez (49 years old-Hoopa)
• Denise Marie Carolus (43 years old-Arcata)
• James Guylen Huff (45 years old-Arcata)
• Joseph Raymond Walker Sr. (34 years old-Mckinleyville)

The HCDTF would like to thank the Arcata Police Department for their assistance with this investigation. 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.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 6, 2021, at about 3:27 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the beach in King Salmon near Cod Street for the report of multiple juveniles being shot at with a BB gun.

Deputies arrived at the location and contacted the juvenile victim. The victim told deputies that a 13-year-old male suspect had shot multiple metal BB’s from a BB gun at the victim and his friends. One juvenile was struck with a BB and sustained a minor injury. Following the assault, the suspect reportedly hid the BB gun inside a nearby residence.

Deputies contacted the juvenile suspect and retrieved the hidden BB gun. Deputies seized the gun, and the juvenile was admonished and released to a guardian. This case will be forwarded to the District Attorney’s Office and Juvenile Probation for review and prosecution.

Upon inspection of the BB gun, deputies observed a striking resemblance of the BB gun to a real firearm. The BB gun did not possess an orange tip or other immediately distinguishing factors to separate it from a real firearm.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind the public that California law prohibits changing, altering, removing, or obliterating any coloration or markings required for any imitation firearm in any way that makes the imitation firearm or device look more like a firearm (PC 20150(a)). Openly displaying or exposing any imitation firearm in a public place and exhibiting an imitation firearm in a threatening manner are also prohibited (PC 20170(a), PC 417.4). These laws were enacted to reduce confusion between real and imitation firearms. Displaying or brandishing an imitation firearm that does not meet these standards is dangerous and could result in a deadly situation.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

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After 20 years in education, grammar and semicolons just don’t excite Union Street Charter School fourth grade teacher Greg Gaiera anymore. “While that’s important,” he says, “I really, really strongly believe that it’s going to be important that we all have agency to help contribute to solving the problem.”

He’s talking about big problems in general, like climate change, or domestic and global social unrest. Gaiera is a big believer in exposing his fourth graders to those realities, and also in guiding them toward solution-oriented thinking patterns.

“We have to learn and know about other cultures, and we have to tackle these problems together, because it can’t be solved by one country alone.”

That’s one reason Union Street, a charter elementary school of about 100 students in Arcata, is engaged in a schoolwide partnership with a school in Taiwan — Chiao Hsin Elementary. Throughout this school year, classes at Union Street and Chiao Hsin have been developing relationships with each other, and specifically building student-to-student penpal-like connections in the older grades.

They’ve mailed each other art! Sent letters! Filmed video recordings for their friends across the Pacific! (It’s very sweet — in a video celebrating the Lunar New Year, one Union Street kindergartener wished his Taiwanese pals “a buncha hearts.” If that made you smile, click the vid Greg Gaiera put together to find out what else Union Street kindergarteners wished for their friends, as well as some other neat info pertaining to this project.)

“A lot of kids in our school — and in Humboldt County — don’t really get out and see the world, necessarily, and they’re not exposed to a lot of international travel,” Gaiera said. “In a small way, I think [the project] kind of makes the world a little bit smaller.”

In addition to the friendships, the educational perks of the partnership are valuable, Gaiera said. “Now when they see Taiwan on a map, they’ll have specific people and experiences to pull from.” He’s noticed his students become more naturally inquisitive. They ask about the Lunar New Year, and about why students are wearing uniforms in the videos they send back and forth. With specific people to interact with, getting a conversation started about cultural similarities and differences is easy.

This sister school project “is part of a larger exchange happening between Taiwan and Humboldt County,” Gaiera noted.

The partnership blossomed a year and a half ago, after Colby Smart, assistant superintendent of educational services at the Humboldt County Office of Education, went to Taiwan for an education conference. Smart was the only United States representative at that conference. “One of the primary goals for the education system in Taiwan is to develop more meaningful relationships with US schools — K-12 schools and also universities,” Smart told the Outpost recently. During his time on the island, he met a lot of folks in education.

When Smart returned, he shared his new Taiwanese contacts with schools in Humboldt, and the friendships were born. There are a few connections around the county similar to what’s happening at Union Street.

Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District is keen to get in the mix. Starting this month, some Native students enrolled at Klamath-Trinity are going to start a virtual exchange with Native kids in Taiwan. “They’re going to be sharing things like language, sharing things about basketry, music, dance — just general cultural sharing,” Smart said, adding that Taiwan has a “really rich and diverse Indigenous population.”

Margo Robbins, Indian education director at Klamath-Trinity, is thrilled about the new relationship. She works to ensure that Klamath-Trinity students — 87 percent of whom are Native American (primarily Hupa, Yurok and Karuk) — have a culturally appropriate education. In the past, she helped develop the district’s K-12 curriculum, which includes lessons based on the history and culture of local tribes, and is aligned to Common Core English language arts standards. She also helps provide professional development about cultural sensitivity and how to implement that curriculum, and is involved in efforts to improve student learning outcomes.

Robbins is excited for students at Klamath-Trinity to explore connections between their respective cultures. “I think that it’s important for students to meet people that are different than them,” she said. “In that meeting, we learn to accept each other’s differences and also discover similarities.”

For instance, they’ll discuss fishing and hunting, Robbins said. “They do that over there, and, of course, Native [American] people also fish and hunt.” The students will also talk about agriculture, which dates back to ancient times in Indiginous Taiwanese history. “Here we don’t really plant crops traditionally, but we do harvest crops from the forest,” Robbins said. “And so it is similar yet really very different.”

Further in the future, Smart says, Humboldt and Taiwan might do a teacher exchange in each country over a couple of summers. And while that’s exciting, the virtual connections — especially during COVID — have been powerful. “It’s about cultural exchange,” Smart said. “It’s about building friendships. It’s about leadership development among students, and ultimately it’s about building community. You know, a worldwide community.”

Smart anticipates that Humboldt County is at the beginning of a long-term educational relationship with Taiwan. “Taiwan’s an incredibly beautiful, complex, welcoming country,” he said. “The opportunity for Humboldt County kids to be exposed to other cultures is so, so important for their development as global citizens.”

International education generally is up-and-coming in Humboldt schools — especially for teachers seeking it out, like Gaiera. He actually had plans to visit Morocco last year on a Fulbright teacher exchange, but it was postponed because of COVID. When he does go, Gaiera hopes to learn about if and how Moroccan schools teach their students about alternative energy and climate change. (He’s an active environmentalist — his class will be planting trees in Eureka later this month, and one former lesson of his included mitigating the oceans’ plastic problems.)

Smart is thankful to be involved in partnerships like this one, and welcomes teachers interested in potentially getting involved with a school in Taiwan to reach out to him at csmart@hcoe.org.

“One thing that I’ve really noticed in my years as an educator, and just as a person, is that 99 percent of people on this planet are very similar. They care about the communities, they want to have strong families, and they want to share what’s good about their cultures,” Smart said. “And so given that opportunity for kids in elementary through 12th grade really gives them an opportunity to not only learn about other cultures, but really get an opportunity to celebrate their own.”

Loren Harold Aubrey Sr. was born in Happy Camp on December 12, 1947 and entered into Heaven on April 22, 2021. Loren peacefully passed away at home with his wife and grandkids, where he wanted to be — in Hoopa.

Loren was born to Eli Whitney Aubrey and Ruby Mae Aubrey. Loren is preceded in death by Viola Aubrey, Brenda Aubrey, Loren Aubrey Jr, Arliss Goodman, Margarette Lee Moon, Little Shelly Moon, Johnny Reb and Nikki Metcalf.

Loren served in the navy for four years (USS Ranger). He worked for the Hoopa fisheries for 16 years. He very much loved the worked he did. Not so much the hours but anything he could do to keep the lights on and bellies full for his family.

Loren was a very prideful man. He did everything a man does for his family and more. His favorite was getting wood on the weekends with his wife and grandkids. He also was a volunteer firefighter — that, too, was something he liked too do for the community. His most precious treasure is his wife, Vicki. He loved her fearlessly, more than anything. There wasn’t a place where you didn’t see them together and if you did it was rare. He would tell her every day how much he loved her and how stubborn she was. He loved to surprise her with gifts. He would always ask “You think she would like this?” He wouldn’t leave until he got something he knew she would love and enjoyed. He loved putting a smile on her face. That’s just the type of man he was.

Also very important to him: Loren was a God-praising man. He loved to talk about the the Lord to anyone would listen. He was a preacher at A.F.T. He also taught all his grandkids how to pray. Another thing he loved was cutting wood and setting net. He’d get excited about catching fish — that meant smoked salmon. He had a speciality for flavor. Anything he made left you wanting more. He was most famous for his chili beans. If you tried them you know how mouth-watering they can be. Loren enjoyed car shows. He loved Hot August Nights in Reno.

Loren was a very active man. He had to be doing something, no matter how big or how small. If you knew Loren, you’d know that man wouldn’t sit for nothing. You’d have to tell him a couple times “relax,” but he didn’t know what that meant. He enjoyed phone calls from his sisters or kids, grandkids anyone who would call just to catch up brought a smile to his face. Loren would tend to other needs before his own at times. He would help out anyone that asked.

He’s survived by Donna Aubrey, Diane Aubrey,Scott Aubrey, Kristen Aubrey, Lori-ann Aubrey, Jodi Aubrey, Geraldine Moon, Shelly Moon, Cassandra Moon, Monique Wilson, Annette Moon, Edmund Moon, Jaymie Noneo, Windy Noneo, Eagle Moon, Loren and Vicki and many many grandchildren and great-grandchildren

Loren’s heart was made of pure gold. His smile could light up any room. He gave the best advice, the best shoulder to cry on, because he would reassure you everything was going to be OK or to pray about whatever he couldn’t help with. But he would still listen. He will be dearly missed his laugh, his smile, his caring heart, his prayers. May his soul rest with Jesus for eternity.

Officiating the service: Pastor Guy Ziegenbein. Honorary pallbearers: Scott Aubrey, Edmund Moon, Eagle Moon, Riley Aubrey, Billy (Paul) Aubrey, Brian Lee Aubrey.

Loren’s services will be held May 8, 2021 in Happy Camp from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Please feel free to bring a dish and pictures to celebrate this amazing man’s life.

Beverly Jean Bulloch, RN, died on Thursday April 29, five days after a pulmonary embolus took her breath away. Beverly was 62 years old (born November 8, 1958 in Albany, Ga. to Charlie and Betty Jean Bulloch [nee Nichols]). She had lived in Humboldt County for 15 years. Prior to her move to Humboldt, Bev lived in Springfield, Mass. and Augusta, Ga. Bev is survived by her “person” of the last 30 years (Tina Manos), her two dogs (Bootsie and Bella) and her cousins Eddie Bullock and Lloyd (Butch) Gordon.

Bev grew up fishing. Joy for her was being on the water. As an adult Bev would often talk about trips she had made to “fish camp” (i.e., Norton’s) and time spent on the St. Johns River in Welaka, Fla. Bev knew her stuff when it came to catching bream, bass, and flounder. Bev would cook up a fish fry with hush puppies and fried green tomatoes that were to die for. Later in life Bev loved to boat or kayak in Lake George, N.Y., the Great Egg Harbor Bay (N.J.), the Atlantic Ocean (N.J.), Humboldt Bay and the local lagoons. Camping, fishing, taking the dogs (Cocoa, Babe, Bucky, Bug, Bootsie and Bella) to rivers and beach were the most fun to Bev.

Bev worked from a very young age and put herself through nursing school. During her career she served in hospital and clinical settings that included a burn unit, ICU, ED (Level 1 trauma center), hospice, the Open Door clinic…and most recently Bev was working at Frensenius Kidney care (dialysis). She was unafraid to roll up her sleeves and help, even it was not her job to do so. She was the consummate patient advocate and worked especially hard for those without a voice. Bev had compassion for all people, and she acted on that compassion. Every minute outside of work for Bev was about making the world a great place for her family; she made each house a home. Bev was an exceptional chef and a talented photographer and gardener. She was the “real deal,” as her compass in life was focused on the important things: family, nature, animals.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the ASPCA or the Human Rights Campaign in Beverly’s name. A private Celebration of Life for Beverly will be held by her work colleagues and friends. Bev will have her ashes co-mingled with of those of her dogs and spread with the sea turtles in Honokowai Maui at a later date.

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

In the press release below, Humboldt Bay Fire reports on an alleged arson that fire crews responded to shortly after midnight Thursday morning. While the release doesn’t name a suspect, booking records at the jail show that one Ashlee Allison Patton was booked at 12:55 on charges of arson, violating probation and public intoxication.

The incident took place on the 500 block of First Street, according to Amy Conlin of Humboldt Bay Fire.

Here’s the press release:

At 12:08 a.m. on the morning of Thursday, May 6, 2021, Humboldt Bay Fire crews made their way down a narrow alleyway to find smoke seeping from the eaves of a detached garage. Firefighters made entry and were able to extinguish a fire originating from the rear of a passenger van within the garage.

After investigating the fire, it was determined to be arson. Eureka Police Department was able to detain a suspect, who was later booked on Arson of Property charges.

Thankfully, Humboldt Bay Firefighters located the incident quickly and contained the fire. There were no injuries, and damage was limited to an estimated $8,000 comprised of the vehicle and garage. 

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank the Eureka Police Department for their swift response and partnership on this incident.