From the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:

Humboldt County has moved into the “Red” or Substantial tier under the state’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy,” meaning many local business sectors can expand capacity with COVID-19 prevention measures in place. These changes take effect at one minute past midnight tonight.

The California Department of Public Heath announced today that Humboldt County’s adjusted case rate and positivity rate are 6.3 and 2.7% respectively, putting the county firmly in the Red tier without relying on the state’s Health Equity Metric.

Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Public Health Director Michele Stephens expressed cautious optimism, saying that while there’s reason to celebrate the move to the Red tier, the county is facing a long recovery.

“I’m proud to be part of a community that has worked so hard to get back to this point,” Director Stephens said. “To build on that success, we need to continue following all prevention measures and vaccinating as many people as possible as quickly as possible. That gives us our best chance to make this the last time we are ever in the ‘Purple’ tier.’”

Some of the changes under the Red tier include:

• Restaurants – Open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

• Gyms and Fitness Centers – Open indoors at 10% capacity; climbing walls open; indoor pools, saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs remain closed.

• Retail – Open indoors at 50% capacity.

• Shopping Centers, Malls, Swap Meets – Open indoors at 50% capacity; food courts open at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer; common areas remain closed.

• Museums, Zoos and Aquariums – Open indoors at 25% capacity.

• Places of Worship – Remain open indoors at 25% capacity.

• Movie Theaters – Open indoors at 25% capacity or 100 people, whichever is fewer.

• Hotels and Lodging – Fitness centers open at 10% capacity; indoor pools, hot tubs and spa facilities remain closed.

• Family Entertainment Centers – Open outdoors only.

• Wineries – Open outdoors only.

• Bars, Breweries and Distilleries – Remain closed.

• Office Work – Remains remote whenever possible.

Businesses are still encouraged to offer services outdoors as much as possible, and some activities remain limited under the Red tier due to higher risk of virus transmission. Live theatrical and musical performances, for example, are not allowed by the state. Gatherings of up to three households are allowed if everyone is wearing facial coverings and maintaining physical distance of at least 6 feet.

Read a full list of requirements under the Red tier at covid19.ca.gov/safer-economy/.

For the most recent COVID-19 information, visit cdc.gov or cdph.ca.gov. Local information is available at humboldtgov.org or during business hours by contacting covidinfo@co.humboldt.ca.us or calling 707-441-5000.

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California will soon be sending out $600 one-time stimulus payments to millions of low-income California households, with extra help for undocumented workers left out of the federal government’s pandemic relief. The Golden State Stimulus is part of a $7.6 billion economic stimulus package that Gov. Gavin Newsom signed today that also includes billions in relief for small businesses.

“Those who have been left behind in that federal stimulus, California’s not going to leave you behind,” Newsom said during the signing ceremony in Sacramento with legislative leaders.

An estimated 5.7 million checks will go to low-income Californians, including families with children enrolled in CalWORKS, as well as elderly, blind and disabled recipients of Supplemental Security Income or the state’s Cash Assistance Program for Immigrants.

“Lower-wage workers have often been on the front lines in service jobs with high levels of exposure,” said Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon. “This will give them an additional tax rebate to help them make ends meet.”

The $3.8 billion stimulus payment program is the result of weeks of negotiations between lawmakers, after Newsom first proposed a narrower version of the stimulus in January.

Here’s who will receive a Golden State Stimulus check:

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This article is part of the California Divide, a collaboration among newsrooms examining income inequality and economic survival in California. CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

A few moments ago, the California Department of Public Health has lowered Humboldt County’s COVID rating from the purple zone (“widespread”) to the red (“substantial”).

The move, which was expected today, means that more businesses can open up to more activity. Indoor dining will be allowed at local restaurants, for example, and retail stores can move up to 50 percent capacity. (See a full list at the state’s “Blueprint for a Safer Economy” website, and expect a statement from the county on the redesignation shortly.)

The changes take effect at midnight tonight, and will last for a minimum of two weeks.

The redesignation also means that local schools that are still closed to in-person learning may now open up to hybrid or in-person classes. A wider variety of youth sports — including baseball, softball, cheerleading and outdoor volleyball — may now be practiced in the county, as per an advisory on the subject released late last week. 

Earlier today, at the Board of Supervisor meeting, Humboldt County health officer Dr. Ian Hoffman said that unlike in January, when the county briefly dipped down into the red for a couple of weeks only, there is every indication that the current reassignment may be more permanent.

“We feel we’re in a much better position than in January, when we barely made it into the red tier,” Hoffman said. “This time [our epidemiological data] is much more solid.”

Hoffman urged the public to continue to avoid indoor gatherings, and to continue to do as much outdoors as possible.

UPDATE, 5:45 p.m.:

Highway 101 will remain open at last chance grade tonight, Caltrans reports.

Drivers can expect 30-minute delays tonight and three-hour delays between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. tomorrow.

The highway could close again if slide conditions worsen in the area.

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Highway 101 will reopen at 10 a.m. at Last Chance Grade today.

Caltrans reports that it will once again open the roadway between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

“Motorists should anticipate at least two-hour delays today as we focus on removal and prevention efforts,” Caltrans said. “Please note your wait time is dependent on when you arrive, and this plan is subject to change with slide conditions.”

The Del Norte County Sheriff’s Office is asking that no one attempt to use alternative routes in the area due to impassable snowy conditions.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

A Eureka woman wanted in connection to an Elk River burglary last month has been taken into custody.

On Jan. 31, 2021, at about 1 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 9000 block of Elk River Road near Eureka for the report of a burglary.

The victims told deputies that sometime between 8 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. that day, an unknown number of suspects reportedly entered the residence without permission, stealing electronics and jewelry. A nearby neighbor reportedly witnessed a suspicious vehicle near the residence during this timeframe and was able to provide deputies with a specific, identifying description of the vehicle.

Hawk

Deputies recognized the vehicle due to prior contacts and further investigation led deputies to a residence on the 2300 block of Togo Street in Eureka. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the residence that afternoon and during the search located several of the stolen items, in addition to stolen electronics from other area burglaries. Additionally, deputies located approximately 11.2 ounces of methamphetamine, approximately 14 ounces of heroin, prescription narcotics, drug paraphernalia and items consistent with the sale of controlled substances. The responsible party of the residence, 39-year-old Jessiekate Hawk, was not on scene at the time and a warrant was issued for her arrest.

On Feb. 21, 2021, at about 7:18 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies served an additional search warrant and arrest warrant at the Togo Street residence. Deputies located and arrested Hawk on scene. During a search of Hawk, deputies located approximately 7.7 grams of heroin and 3.49 grams of methamphetamine on her person. During a search of the residence, deputies located approximately 2.55 ounces of heroin and a large amount of cash.

Hawk was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on fresh charges of: possession of a controlled substance for sale (HS 11351), knowingly permitting manufacture/storage/distribution of a controlled substance at a residence (HS 11366.5(a)) and possession of a controlled substance (HS 11377(a)), in addition to warrant charges of: possession of a controlled substance for sale (HS 11351), knowingly permitting manufacture/storage/distribution of a controlled substance at a residence (HS 11366.5(a)), possession of a controlled substance (HS 11378), possession of stolen property (PC 496(a)) and possession of a controlled substance requiring a prescription (BP 4060).

Adkins

An additional suspect connected to the Elk River burglary remains outstanding and a Ramey Warrant has been issued for his arrest. The suspect has been identified as 36-year-old Harley Joe Adkins. Adkins is described as a Hispanic male, approximately 5 feet 5 inches tall, 140 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes.

This case is still under investigation.

Anyone with information about this case or Adkin’s whereabouts 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.

Patricia Jean O’Rourke Gibbens
June 14, 1955 – Feb. 18, 2021

Patti passed away at the age of “29” surrounded by family and love after a long, courageous battle with cancer. Patti grew up at Morekw village on the Yurok Reservation and was a proud member of the Yurok Tribe. She was a middle child and one of 12 children, which enabled her to hone her skills as both a mediator and a caretaker.

Patti grew up fishing and playing on the Klamath River. She graduated grade school from Jack Norton Elementary and went on to graduate from Hoopa High School. She then moved to Arcata to start college at Humboldt State University (HSU). She completed one year of college before choosing to postpone her education to marry Roger Gibbens on March 22, 1975 and start a family. She went on to have four children and worked as a teacher’s aide for 14 years before she and her husband made the difficult decision for her to go back to college. Patti re-enrolled at HSU and went to school full-time for the next four years to complete her teaching credential. She would commute over two hours each way to complete her credential and attributed part of her success to the ITEPP program at HSU. At home, Patti often had to leave before her children were awake and would return after they had gone to sleep. Roger would get up early, braid Adia’s hair and make the kids pancakes before sending them to school.

Patti began her career as a teacher at Orleans Elementary before transferring to Jack Norton, where she worked until she retired in 2017. Patti poured her blood, sweat, tears, money and most of all her heart into the Jack Norton school and its community. She created lifelong friendships and cared deeply for the students and families she worked with. She was also highly involved with the ceremonies of her people and cherished her time with her Dance family. She will be remembered most for her thoughtfulness, kindness, her smile and her ‘O’Rourke laugh.’ Her favorite days were those spent on the river visiting family and watching the little ones play.

Though the passing of Patti will weigh heavy on our hearts, it was her deepest wish that people not be sad. Instead, she wanted us to smile, remember her infectious ‘O’Rourke laugh’ and spread her kindness and light to others.

She is preceded in death by her grandparents Minnie & Daniel Reed, her parents Lorraine & Richard O’Rourke, In-laws Helen & Paul Gibbens, her aunts Pat, Kaye and Chris, and her brothers, Gregory, Mickey, Dennis, Richard and Dan. She is survived by her husband, Roger Gibbens, and their children, Rose Gibbens, Carlton Gibbens & Neva, Jade Tyner & Joe, Adia Supahan & Luke. She will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Aneekah, Oleana & brother, Joey & Reed, and Shasti. Also by her siblings, Carole Lewis & Vernon, Valerie O’Rourke, Kay Inong & Rudy, Tiger O’Rourke & Liz, Tom O’Rourke & Sherry, and Margo Robbins, In Laws Steve “Sea Dog” Gibbens, Daniel Gibbens, Jan Hesse, Jane Gibbens & Jim, Suze Walker, Tom Gibbens & Rubi. In addition, she will be remembered by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, close friends, and her hundreds of students and their families whom she taught over the years and considered family. Special thank you to Taralyn & Phil, Nancy, Mary & Dave, Tony & Stacy, and Kris at the Cancer Society.

Per Patti’s request and due to COVID concerns; there will not be any services. For those who wish to leave flowers or notes, you may do so at Lower Kepel off Highway 169 on Wednesday Feb. 24. Donations in Patti’s memory can be made to American Cancer Society.

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

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Leda Seghetti Rossi
August 5, 1921 — February 12, 2021

Leda was born in Santa Maria Del Giudice, Italy on August 5, 1921, the third of six children of Pierto and Teresa Fustini.

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