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Government hijinx are nothing new to seasoned environmentalists, but Six Rivers National Forest is taking this to a new level in the wake of the 2020 August Complex Fire. In December, claiming an “emergency” (although the fire was already extinguished), Six Rivers National Forest authorized a logging company to start falling timber in the forest without completing the required environmental analysis ahead of time. Fast forward to now, Six River National Forest is now attempting to bypass environmental review in the “Three Forks Project” by claiming that roadside logging is exempt from a federal requirement to study environmental impacts — this despite an EPIC victory at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals that found otherwise. 

Longtime forest defender Kimberly Baker joins Gang Green to break down what Six Rivers National Forest is proposing and why this lawless logging should concern North Coast residents.

AUDIO:

“The EcoNews Report,” April 10, 2021.

REQUIRED READING:

• Three Forks Project Page
• Biscuit Fire Controversy

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“Boomerang” - Steven Vander Meer, The Absynth Quintet

Local artist Steven Vander Meer shares his award-winning animation accompanied by a song from local band the Absynth Quintet.

“‘Boomerang’ explores the workings of the universe via 3,820 hand-drawn images on 3-by-5-inch index cards,” Vander Meer said. “It’s no coincidence when it happens this way.”

“Performance at the 2019 North Country Fair” - Oryan Peterson-Jones from Geister Beschwören

Local musician Oryan Peterson-Jones from the group Die Geister Beschwören shares a few tunes on various exotic interments.

“As an ethnomusicologist who spends a great amount of time documenting stories and music from around the globe, it should come as no surprise that I also love collecting instruments,” Peterson-Jones said. “In this video, you will observe a modified sitar guitar, baglama from Turkey and tres from Cuba.”

“Confusion Hill” - Alder Fern

An original song from local musician Alder Fern.

Kyle Micah Bailey passed unexpectedly on April 2, 2021. He leaves behind his parents Helen and Bill, devoted wife Beth (Gullikson) Bailey, brother Sam and his wife Erin, sons Jaxon and Kyle Chase, step children Lucie and Cannon Dunphy and his best friend and cousin J.M.Lopez.

Kyle and Beth were married on November 20, 2017. They blended their families and created an ideal life together in Fortuna. Their family unit was completed with the birth of their son, Kyle Chase, on September 6, 2018.

Kyle was born June 14, 1981, at Bakersfield Memorial Hospital to William and Helen Bailey. He was raised in Bakersfield, California, alongside his cousins and extended family. He graduated from Centennial High School in 1999. He furthered his studies with a liberal arts degree and specialty certification in construction technology.

Kyle and his former wife Dina Perris moved to Fortuna and welcomed their son Jaxon on March 14, 2010. Kyle was an amazing, devoted father. Kyle drove back and forth to Bakersfield to visit Jaxon or bring him back to Fortuna for extended visits. Kyle had a very special connection with Jaxon, who looks up to his father very much.

The extraordinary closeness of Kyle’s family gave him a formative foundation of love and sense of fulfillment. Kyle shared a particularly special brotherly bond with his cousin, J.M. Lopez. It was an additional blessing when JM and his partner Marissa welcomed their son Maddox River Lopez carrying on the bond with the cousins into the next generation.

During his early years, Kyle enjoyed swimming, high diving (he was a true dare devil), wrestling, watching WWE wrestling (and reenacting it), snowboarding, skateboarding, gymnastics, videogames (he was especially good at Legend of Zelda) and numerous adventures with his brother and cousins. Kyle was an avid snowboarder, exhibiting a natural talent from a young age. Kyle’s beloved dog, Molly, was his constant companion and played a significant role in his adventures.

Kyle’s greatest joy was undoubtedly his family and spending time together. Kyle will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, dedicated father, and stepfather. Everyone who knew Kyle appreciated his infectious laugh and radiant smile. He absolutely loved to laugh and had the best sense of humor. Although Kyle’s physical absence creates a painful void in many lives, his spirit remains in the hearts and memories of those he loved most.

Kyle is survived by his wife Beth, mother and father Helen and William Bailey; his brother Sam Bailey and his spouse Erin; his sons Knox Jaxon Bailey and Kyle Chase Bailey; his stepchildren Lucie and Cannon Dunphy; his grandmother Mary Jane Edgar;; his uncles Jon Lopez, Charlie and Jim Edgar and Herbert Bailey; his aunts Carol Lopez, Julie Thompson, and Mitsy Schoel; his cousins Lance Lopez, Kym Lopez, J.M. Lopez, Haley Thompson, Eric Bailey, Sarah Green, Emilie Beilman, and Selina Kaczmarek and many loving friends, co-workers and extended family.

A memorial for Kyle will be held at Goble’s Mortuary in Fortuna at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 11. All of those who knew and loved Kyle are invited to attend.

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

Lee A. Temple Jr. (AKA Sonny Temple) passed away March 11, 2021 at 8:02 p.m. just after visiting with family at Mercy Medical Center in Redding from a long battle of heart conditions.

Lee, a proud Native of the Yurok Tribe, was born on September 12, 1949 to Lee Sr. and Ester Temple of Oakland and was raised with five siblings. In 1967, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. and by 1968 was a LCPL whom fought in the Vietnam War, ending with an honorable discharge. In 1973. He was a cab driver in Eureka. He went from that to working at the Eureka Post Office. In 1988, while bartending at TC’S Tavern in Eureka,  he joined E. Clampus Vitus Chapter 101. (Boy were those the days). Then in 1995, while working at Times-Standard in Eureka, he had a heart attack. From then on over the years, his health proceeded in getting worse.

For those who knew Lee (Sonny) know that he really enjoyed his poker parties, partying with family and friends, clamper functions, shooting pool, playing with his grandkids making them scream, watching wrestling and NASCAR, and his collection of coins, knives, and swords.

Lee A. Temple is survived and will be greatly missed by his brothers, Glen Temple of Redding, Jimmy Duelfer of Olivehurst, his sister Debra Shockley of Redding, daughter Brandi Temple Bettencourt of Fortuna, sons Aaron Temple of Utah, Lee Temple III and Myah Baisch of Eureka. Grandkids, Roy and Laryssa Bettencourt of Fortuna, Heather Bettencourt and Fiancé Jacob Gregory of Fortuna, Savannah and Henry Anaya of Rio Dell, Gregory Fitzgerald Jr. of Fortuna, Effie and Gemma Baisch Temple of Eureka. Great Grandchildren, Cali and Ameliah Bettencourt of Fortuna, Koby, Hunter and Mason Gregory of Fortuna, Layla and Paislee Anaya of Rio Dell. Not to mention lots of relatives and friends.

Lee A. Temple is proceeded in death by his father Lee A. Temple Sr., his mother Ester Watson, brothers Ronny Temple and Gino Tavasci, and son Robert Temple.

Our only way of letting him go is in knowing he is no longer in any pain and the smile on our face every time we hear his name.

On April 26, 2021 a Veterans Memorial Ceremony for the family will start at 10 a.m. at Ocean View Cemetery. COVID-19 restrictions will be in place. Then afterwards starting at 1 p.m. we will be holding a celebration of life potluck for family and friends at Eureka Veterans Hall, 1018 H Street. Again, COVID-19 restrictions will be in place.

Richard Vinal Hunt
August 15, 1934-March 11, 20201

The man that I married 64 years ago on November 11, 1956, passed away from complications of Parkinson’s disease on March 11, 2021. He was a wonderful husband, father and a heck of a good friend!

He was born on August 15, 1934 in Arcata to William Vinal Hunt and Esma Catherine (Duck) Hunt.

Rich attended Arcata Elementary School, Arcata High School and a two-year Animal Husbandry Program at University of California at Davis. In 1954 he enlisted in the U. S. Army and was stationed in Germany as a radio operator with an anti-aircraft group. Returning from Germany in 1956, he joined his father Vinal helping with the livestock operation on the Arcata and Bridgeville ranches.

He married me, Carolyn Ann Moore, the year that he returned from Germany. We had three sons, Dean, Brian and Scott. We enjoyed raising them in the same home where Rich and his sister Peggy grew up.

When our sons grew up and married, we finally had our “girls!” Three beautiful young women, Cindi Anderson, Sandi Stafford and Dana Lucas joined us. They gave us our six grandsons in a nine-year period; Cory, Christopher, Kendall, Tyler, Jason and Alex.

Rich was a third-generation rancher following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather Albert Nahum Hunt, who settled on the Arcata Bottom in 1887. Rich enjoyed his ranching career; and it makes for a happy marriage when a husband loves his work! Today, our son Dean and wife Dana, are the partners in the ranching business. They are the fourth generation on the family ranch. Their son Jason is Dean’s right-hand man.

Our boys were a big part of our early ranching life: changing irrigation, chopping thistles, and helping their dad do whatever he asked. We couldn’t have done it without them. When the grandsons came along and were old enough, they also were “invited” to help their Papa Rich.

When Rich “retired” (although ranchers never really do), the “pension” he received was a company pickup to drive and lunch at Toni’s every day. Rich was fond of saying to others, “I think Carolyn pays Dean to call me to help him just to get me out of the house!”

Rich and I enjoyed traveling with others, exploring the US on tours visiting ranches as well as some foreign travel with friends and family.

We lived a life of gratitude where we enjoyed each other, our family, our home and surroundings. We enjoyed our games of dominos together and with our friends. It is true, it’s the little things that you miss when you’ve lost such a special man. He brought stability to our home and was a role-model for his sons and grandsons.

Rich was a member and Past President of the Humboldt-Del Norte County Cattlemen’s Association, and member of the California and National Cattlemen’s Association. He also served on the Pacific Union School Board and the Humboldt State University Advisory Board. We belonged to Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church and the Ingomar Club.

Rich lived his life well and was loved and respected. I felt that he had no regrets. Shortly before he died, he said “I don’t think I have any enemies.” Personally, I believe this was due, in part, to the fact that he absolutely treasured his friendships. As a close friend recently said, “Heaven has gained a remarkable gentleman, cowboy and all-around amazing kind of man.”

“Happy trails to you, Honey!”

Rich was preceded in death by his father William Vinal Hunt, his mother Esma Catherine Hunt, son Brian Jay Hunt and sister Peggy Hunt Stebbins and numerous cousins.

He is survived by his wife Carolyn, his sons Dean (Dana), Scott (Sandi), his daughter-in-law Cindi (Greg), his six grandsons Cory (Andreena), Christopher (Kristina), Kendall (Stephanie), Tyler, Jason (Jenna), Alex (Shelby). His seven great-grandchildren Maya, Ellie, Bodhi, Brennan, Graham, Blaire and Josie. His brothers-in-law Jack and David Moore; niece Kit Britt (Ken) and nephew Tod Stebbins (Bianca) and their families.

We will have a small family service to honor his life.

We are considering ways to celebrate his life with a gathering, but given the pandemic we are unable to make plans at this time.

In lieu of flowers, if you choose, please donate in his memory to Saint Alban’s Episcopal Church, 1675 Chester Avenue, Arcata, CA 95521 or Humboldt County Cattlemen’s & Cattlewomen’s Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 915. Fortuna, CA 95540, or to a charity of your choice.

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During a “State of the Economy” webinar hosted by the Eureka Chamber of Commerce earlier this afternoon, Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery outlined some of the City’s marketing and beautification plans — including the installation of landscaping that will welcome visitors as they enter Eureka from the south end of Highway 101.

The landscaping will display the message “Welcome to Eureka, California” in large letters on the hillside next to the Herrick Avenue overpass and is expected to be installed by this August, Slattery said during the webinar. During a follow-up call this afternoon, Slattery told the Outpost that the City is still looking for landscape architects to design the installation, but the message will be constructed out of some combination of natural materials — such as rocks, bark and low-lying shrubs. 

The City has been working with various agencies, including Caltrans, for years to find ways to de-uglify the southern gateway, exploring ideas such as embellishing the Herrick overpass, adding a median to the highway and planting more trees. An interesting design for a welcome sign was even proposed a few years ago. This current design, Slattery said, is something that can be installed much more quickly than some of the other proposed improvements and will be relatively-low maintenance.

In addition to the “Welcome to Eureka” landscaping, the City is also working on hanging new colorful lamppost banners (you’ve likely already noticed a few of them up around town) and cleaning and updating the city’s informational kiosks, some of which are dirty, damaged or contain out-of-date information.

Slattery also discussed some of the other ways the city’s marketing firm Eddy Alexander is working to promote the highly anticipated Redwood SkyWalk at the Sequoia Park Zoo and to begin promoting tourism again. Slattery said that with the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, the City plans to begin advertising outside of the area in May of this year.

“As before, we’ll be seeking to balance the desire of visitors to visit and the safe ways in which they can do so,” Slattery said during his presentation. “We’re hopeful that the pent up travel demand will help stimulate the local economy through the summer and the fall of 2021.”

You can check out the full video of the “State of the Economy” webinar on the Eureka Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

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After spending Thursday on the water, engaged in deep policy discussions with various stakeholders on the Trinity River Restoration Project, Rep. Jared Huffman had something a bit more fun scheduled for this morning: touring a chocolate factory.

“This is a Willy Wonka enterprise here,” a hardhat-clad Huffman said, marveling at the cavernous interior of the warehouse at 333 First Street in Eureka’s Old Town. 

It’s actually not a chocolate factory — not quite yet, anyway. But as Pierson Construction Company workers hammered and power sawed on the periphery, tour guide Dustin Taylor, vice-president and co-owner of Dick Taylor Craft Chocolates, regaled Huffman with descriptions of the ambitious plans for this space.

Before year’s end, Taylor and his business partner, Adam Dick, hope to open the doors to their new high-end chocolate factory, featuring big bay windows with views of Humboldt Bay, a spacious factory floor available for public tours and a cafe space designed to entice food travelers with fudge pops and their gourmet bars.

Dick Taylor will be sharing the renovated warehouse space with Humboldt Bay Coffee Company, whose owners have plans for a new roasting facility and coffee lounge. In recognition of how well these delicacies pair with one another, the two businesses plan to coordinate their adjoining operations.

Huffman was on a whirlwind tour of local businesses affected by the COVID pandemic. He wanted to hear how federal relief programs helped them survive and what challenges remain as they continue their recovery. 

“Going into the pandemic, we hadn’t quite closed escrow [on the warehouse], so we were kind of — we didn’t know, nobody knew what was gonna happen,” Taylor said. “We were like, ‘Is this the end of chocolate?’”

Fortunately not. The company was able to stay afloat thanks to e-commerce for their chocolate and a combination of loans and financial relief from local agencies and the federal government.

Gregg Foster, executive director of the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC), came along on the tour, and he explained how Redwood Capital Bank worked with his agency and the Arcata Economic Development Corporation to facilitate a $1 million Small Business Administration loan for Dick Taylor. 

Taylor said another loan, through the federal government’s the Paycheck Protection Program, allowed the business to bring back all of its employees shortly after the big lockdown last spring.

“That really saved our bacon as we were able to ramp up production here,” Taylor said. 

Standing nearby, Adam Dick praised Redwood Capital Bank. “They’re local so everybody’s really invested in what’s going on here, and they want to see things succeed and they want to see waterfront development activity. … So we have a real good vision for Eureka,” he said.

As long as constructions proceeds on schedule, Dick Tayler hopes to have the doors to its new chocolate factory open by December.

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From the warehouse, Huffman walked with Foster, his district rep John Driscoll and a handful of reporters, strolling a couple blocks west and one block south to the parking lot behind the “Historic Eagle House,” which has been rebranded under new ownership as The Inn at 2nd & C.

“I haven’t stepped foot in the Eagle House in 20 years,” Huffman said as he passed through the back hallway and into the ballroom, which has been renovated with lots of natural wood and antique furniture beneath the second floor’s wraparound balcony and a ceiling of ornate stained glass.

There he met up with co-owner Jennifer Metz, who described the leaky, smelly conditions of both the inn, built in 1888, and the adjoining bar, 1903, when she and her partners took ownership.

Gazing up at the handsomely upgraded space, Huffman asked, “How many rooms do you have for guests?”

“Twenty-three,” Metz replied.

“Twenty-three!” Huffman repeated. “It might be time for me to start staying in a different place.”

“I’ve long said that,” Driscoll agreed. 

Later, standing in the bar, which has been rechristened Phatsy Kline’s, Metz told Huffman about the time Bill Murray was a guest. The congressman looked impressed.

Metz explained that when COVID hit, the business had to transition away from hosting special events and running a bar. The owners used an Economic Injury Disaster Loan to further renovate the bar and ballroom and open a restaurant. With their own PPP loan — and a bridge loan arranged by RREDC — the owners were able to retain staff and weather the pandemic-fueled downturn.

On a tour of the building, Metz gestured up to the stained-glass ceiling and said she’s grateful it hasn’t broken yet. “There have been days where I’ve watched it kind of shake, ‘cause we get the bass going in here.”

Huffman commended Metz on her initiative. “You’re doing a great thing for this community,” he said, “because I think somebody taking a chance on a place like this can really make a difference in what happens with some of the neighboring properties.”

“It has already,” Metz said. “We’ve seen it. This place catty-corner, it was pretty run down and now it’s all these art studios … and it just keeps growing. It’s really a beautiful thing.”

Back in the ballroom, Huffman stood before the reporters, clipped a TV reporter’s microphone to his lapel and ruminated on the economic impacts of the pandemic.

“As a congressman, I was working to try to stand up these huge programs that had never even been envisioned,” he said. “How do you move billions of dollars — hundreds of billions of dollars, actually — out to folks in desperate need very quickly? We couldn’t have done it without folks like Gregg [Foster] and local community lenders and other small business advocates that came together really as a team. And I think, the way this community weathered the past year — not to diminish all of the hardship that certainly has happened — but there’s a lot to celebrate there.”