Amid Mental Health Awareness Month, a keynote speaker this weekend aims to help Eurekans answer the question, “Wait. Why did I do that?” by delving into how the brain responds to trauma, stress and everyday problems.

The town hall will feature speaker Rick Griffin, founder and CEO of the Neuro Leadership Academy. He’ll talk about how brain chemistry influences reactions, like why one may respond to situations in survival mode.

Jacob Rosen, managing mental health clinician for Eureka’s CARE program, said understanding how the brain works is “critical,” when working with the local crisis program’s clients. Exploring why their behavior is happening is a very effective intervention, he told the Outpost.

“Dispelling a lot of the unknown, or the sense of the unknown, can help with a lot of the fear or apprehension that comes with mental health. But also, what we know from research, is that being more mindful in our day-to-day life is beneficial to our mental health, and the first step to mindfulness is just being aware,” he said.

The event will take place on Saturday May 9 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Eureka’s Wharfinger building, 1 Marina Way.

It’s the seventh town hall in Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel’s initiative on mental health, a collaboration with CARE. The seminar kicks off the awareness month that aims to cut stigma for people with mental illnesses. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), about one in five of U.S. adults experiences mental illness.

City officials heard Griffin speak at a conference for crisis intervention teams and liked his style. Bergel said she asked herself, “How can I bring this back to our community?”

She hopes people can take home concepts from Griffin, who she said spoke in terms that were very engaging and understandable. She pointed out this topic is something “everybody can identify with,” and found herself relating to some topics in the seminar.

The training program aims to teach concepts from neuroscience and help people learn strategies on well-being and functioning. “I’m hopeful that people leave with some tools,” said Bergel.

The educational event is free, and there will be food. Local organizations will be tabling at the event, including those offering services for mental health care, substance use recovery and homelessness.

If a rally or barbecue is more your speed, other mental health events are scheduled this month in Eureka. See the calendar for mental health matters at this link.

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Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

Ten drivers were cited for hands-free cell phone violations during a distracted driving enforcement operation in the month of April.

“Despite repeated efforts to warn drivers about the hands-free cell phone law, some drivers continue to use their phones while operating a vehicle,” Eureka Police Department’s Admin Patrol Sergeant Omey said. “Our ultimate goal is to change behaviors that help make our roads safer.”

California has had distracted driving laws on the books since 2008. Under current law, drivers are not allowed to hold their phone or other electronic device while driving. This includes talking, texting, or using an app.

Using a handheld cell phone while driving is punishable by a fine. Violating the hands-free law for a second time within 36 months of a prior conviction for the same offense will result in a point being added to a driver’s record.

If you have an important phone call or need to program directions, pull over to a safe parking spot. Before driving, either silence your phone or put it somewhere you can’t reach.

Funding for this program was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety, through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 2, 2026, at approximately 5:01 a.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a report of a stabbing in the 2700 block of Pine Creek Road in Hoopa.

While deputies were en route, dispatch advised that the reporting party stated he had been physically attacked by his uncle, and in response a stabbing occurred. Deputies arrived on scene and contacted the reporting party, identified as 31-year-old Travis Watson, outside the residence.

Additional responding deputies located a male victim inside the residence and immediately began life-saving measures until emergency medical personnel arrived. Despite these efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene and was pronounced deceased by paramedics.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes investigators responded and assumed the investigation. Based on the investigation, including statements and physical evidence collected at the scene, Watson was arrested for PC 187(a) – Murder and was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

The decedent has been identified by the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office as 34-year-old James Luther Vernon Williams, and his next of kin have been notified.

This case remains an active investigation, and no additional information will be released at this time.

Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to contact 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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Press release from the U.S. Coast Guard Southwest District:

HUMBOLDT BAY, Calif. — The Coast Guard medevaced an ailing cruise ship passenger 45 miles southwest of Shelter Cove, Saturday. 

A Coast Guard Air Station Humboldt Bay MH-65 Dolphin helicopter aircrew hoisted a 45-year-old man and transported him to St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. The man was reported to be in unstable condition. 

Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Humboldt Bay received a notification at 8:47 a.m. Saturday from a crew member aboard the cruise ship Queen Elizabeth requesting a medevac for a passenger experiencing a serious medical condition. 

After conferring with a duty flight surgeon, who recommended a medevac, watchstanders launched the aircrew and maintained regular communication with the vessel’s crew to monitor the patient’s status until the Coast Guard aircrew departed safely with the patient. 

Press release from the Arcata Fire District:

On May 3, 2026, at 2:10 a.m., units from the Arcata Fire District, Humboldt Bay Fire, Blue Lake Fire, and CAL FIRE (Trinidad) were dispatched to a reported structure fire in the 1200 block of Sunset Avenue in Arcata.

The first-arriving Arcata Fire units found a single-family residence with heavy fire coming from the rear of the structure. The fire had spread to a fence and a detached shed on the property. A neighboring residence had sustained significant heat damage and was beginning to ignite.

Arcata firefighters initiated an exterior attack, stopping the fire’s spread to the neighboring home. Additional Arcata Fire personnel arrived on scene, began fire attack on the primary residence, and conducted a search for occupants. No victims were located inside the residence. Personnel from Humboldt Bay Fire, CAL FIRE, and Blue Lake Fire arrived shortly thereafter and assisted with fire control in the exterior shed area. The fire was brought under control in approximately 30 minutes.

Firefighters remained on scene for an additional two hours extinguishing hot spots within the structures. During the Sunset Avenue incident, a separate, fully involved structure fire was reported in Blue Lake. A Blue Lake Fire engine and an Arcata Fire engine were released from the Sunset Avenue incident and responded to assist. For information regarding that incident, please contact Blue Lake Fire.

Following extinguishment of the Sunset Avenue fire, Arcata Fire personnel conducted an origin and cause investigation. The fire was determined to have originated in an exterior carport area; however, the cause remains undetermined and is under investigation at this time.

The main residence sustained an estimated $250,000 in damage. The detached shed sustained approximately $25,000 in damage, and the neighboring residence sustained approximately $50,000 in damage.

The Arcata Fire District would like to thank its allied fire partners and the Arcata Police Department for their assistance during the incident. There were no reported injuries to civilians or fire personnel.

Anyone with information regarding this fire is encouraged to contact the Arcata Fire District at (707) 825-2000.

Photo: David Wilson.

Dr. Stephen “Steve” Wilson lived 84 years at full throttle before peacefully heading to the great dugout in the sky on April 1, 2026. Born in Dayton, Ohio on November 13, 1941; he was blessed with the arrival of three siblings — David, Julie and Dan — with whom he retained a close-knit friendship throughout the years.

A graduate of Northwestern University, Dr. Wilson spent decades as a general dentist serving his rural community in Garberville. His patients knew him as much for his clinical skills as his genuine compassion and sarcastic, witty sense of humor. Before settling into private practice, he served with distinction as a Navy officer attached to the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. His bravery and selfless dedication earned him the Bronze Star Medal. A dedicated, passionate and very patriotic man, Dr. Wilson never hesitated to give thanks and recognition to anyone that displayed their representation of service to our great country, as it was an honor he held high and had an immense impact on the remainder of his life.

While he was a legendary fan of the San Francisco Giants and the Golden State Warriors, he was, above all, a family sports fan. His favorite arena wasn’t a professional stadium, but the backyard baseball field where he spent countless hours playing ball with his five children. He taught them that the game was always more about the people you played with than the final score. One of his most notable quotes was, “Praise Jah,” and he certainly exemplified that passion for life and sincere gratitude in all his affairs.

Beyond the field, he was a man of courage, hard work and enjoying life with a passion. A devoted father; it was about the laughter, the stories and the connection shared around the dinner table. Whether through his professional skills or his personal generosity, he lived by the principle that true success is measured by what you give back to your community and serving your country.

He leaves behind a starting lineup of five children: Galen, Patricia, William and Johnny Wilson, Mrs. Emily and son in-law Andy White. He is also survived by their wonderful mother, Jean Henne, and his widow, Julie Wilson. His three grandchildren were lucky to have known him and surely inherited some of his witty intelligence, Ramon and Emilia Carrillo and Ava White. He taught them how to keep a positive attitude, how to handle life’s curveballs, and how to live a life of integrity, service and compassion.

His widow, Julie Wilson, was a perfect addition to the family after they wed in 2015 and her commitment and companionship can not be surpassed. Their dog Jack, “the best doggie” was a devoted companion whom Steve absolutely adored and will be at the celebration of life to commemorate with his us.

A celebration of a life well-lived — with military honors — will be held on Saturday, May 16th at the Veteran’s Hall: 1426 Main Street in Fortuna. In honor of his spirit, feel free to wear your favorite team’s colors.

Doors open at 12:30 p.m. Please be seated by 1 p.m.

Praise Jah! We look forward to seeing you there.

Alan Wade Franklin of Ferndale passed away from a tragic accident on April 22, 2026. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, and friend, his presence and laughter will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Born June 23, 1958 in Fortuna to Marvin and Ida Franklin, he grew up in a close-knit family in the town of Scotia—the same town where he would later raise his own children. Life instilled in him a deep appreciation for family and tradition. He was especially proud of his Wailaki heritage.

After graduating from Fortuna High School in 1976, he first noticed Sandy in 1979. Introduced later by a mutual friend, it was love at first sight. The couple married on March 15, 1980 and went on to welcome three sons: Garrett, Landon and Tyler. Fatherhood became a profound turning point, giving his life deeper meaning that would live on through his boys.

Few things brought more joy than watching his sons compete in sports. Whether it was football, baseball, basketball, or motocross, he never missed a game. His competitive spirit always kept things lively and memorable.

A man who took great pride in his work ethic, he started with paper routes and grocery store jobs before spending 26 years at Pacific Lumber Company. In the years that followed, he took classes at College of the Redwoods, worked in construction, logged his own land, built the family’s forever home in Ferndale, and retired from UPS after forming many lifelong friendships. Even in retirement, he briefly worked for Diamond R Ranch.

Truly one of a kind, he was the heartbeat of the family and a man of his word. Throughout his life, he made sure those around him knew how much they mattered. If you were part of his tribe, there was never any doubt about his love or his willingness to do anything for you.

His accomplishments were many. An Eagle Scout and 42-year member of the Native Sons of the Golden West, he was also a boxer, abalone diver, black belt, motocross racer, logger, cowboy, member of the Cattlemen’s Association, patriot, hunter, basketball player and coach, golfer, party host, BBQ master, card player, music lover and a master storyteller who made everything happen.

He cherished his time at Ruth Lake — relaxing on the water, boating, playing cards, and enjoying a good highball. A man with a deep personal relationship with God, he gave thanks daily for his many blessings and always lived by his conscience, doing what he believed was right.

Alan leaves behind his beloved wife Sandy; sons Garrett Franklin and Lori, Landon Franklin, and Tyler Franklin and Alyssa Johnson; father Marvin Franklin and Dottie Gilliam; brother Brian Franklin (Tay, Briceland, and Keelan); sisters Dana Christen and Hans (Kady and Karly) and Wendy Franklin and Tami; grandchildren Sakari, Jakoda, and Nakinzi Franklin; special grandson Hudson Bobillot; and many cherished cousins, uncles, aunts, in-laws, and friends who were family to him. His favorite dogs, Pablo and Willy, wait for him at the door. He was preceded in death by his mother Ida Franklin in 2002 and several other beloved family members.

A graveside service will be held on Saturday, May 9 at 11 a.m. at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna. A celebration of life will follow at the Elks Lodge in Eureka at 1:30 p.m.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Alan Franklin’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.