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Above: Rep. Jared Huffman is holding a Town Hall meeting on vaccine distribution in the North State via Facebook live. Joining him: Assm. Jim Wood, Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman and many others.

Should be streaming between 4 p.m. and about 5 p.m., with a replay available in the video above.

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Press release from the Blue Lake Rancheria:

To help strengthen food systems in Indian Country, the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe will be holding educational workshops for Natives in the region interested in sustainable agriculture and traditional food practices. The tribe recently secured a $50,000 grant from the Native American Agriculture Fund for the programming that will begin in spring and summer 2021.

“Overall, the goal is to help community members acquire the knowledge and skills to get started on agricultural career paths while helping them to better understand, respect, and engage with tribal cultural values, Indigenous science, and traditional food production practices in the region.” Daniel Holsapple, the tribe’s community garden manager, said.

The tribe’s Daluviwi’ Community Garden will be used as a workspace, where students will receive hands-on learning about sustainable food production and improving food security on tribal lands. Topics will cover sustainable gardening practices such as composting, integrated pest management, plant propagation, as well as the production and sale of value-added agricultural products in Native communities.

Community members will be provided with access to individual garden plots where they can grow their own produce, including traditional native foods such as native seed and bulb crops. Participants will then be able to sell their produce at an on-site farm stand as an opportunity to learn about agricultural marketing, distribution, and sales.

“Education is the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe’s top priority. We are working diligently with our community partners to ensure that there’s more culturally responsive curriculum offered in the region. This program will help bring more awareness to traditional foods and beneficial land practices,” Arla Ramsey, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe’s Vice Chair, said.

To ensure the instruction is reaching students interested in traditional food systems, the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe is working closely with Humboldt State University’s Food Sovereignty Lab, and will be offering the hands-on courses to those interested in internships and instruction. Tribal Council Member Jason Ramos sits on HSU’s Food Sovereignty Committee.

“Food sovereignty reduces the reliance on outside food sources, and gives tribal communities the opportunity to connect to their cultural traditions and native foods. These programs will help spur stronger food systems in the region, and increase the depth of knowledge about food production and distribution practices,” Jason Ramos, tribal council member for the Blue Lake Rancheria Tribe, said.

Furthermore, the tribe has partnered with the Humboldt County 4-H Program and will offer experiential learning opportunities to Native youth in the region as well existing 4-H members.

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DISCLOSURE: The Blue Lake Rancheria is a minority owner of Outpost parent company Lost Coast Communications, Inc.

Local rapper Hiway 101 has released a music video for his new song “Top Floor,” featuring singer Braye Nicole and famed rapper Tech N9ne.

Hiway 101, also known as 35-year-old Aaron Kaplan of Eureka, said that Tech N9ne agreed to collaborate on the track after he emailed the unfinished song to Tech N9ne’s music label Strange Music.

“Tech said he dug it and a couple weeks later he had his part back,” Kaplan said. “I definitely compensated him. I didn’t want to ask for any homie hookup or discount based on who I know. That’s artist tact. After the initial business deal, if it opens up the relationship to become more organic, that’s great, but especially for a legend whose time is money, it’s no question.”

With no record label involved, Kaplan said he financed the entire project as a tribute to his late father who passed away in 2019. He purchased the beat, hired the talent and rented the parking garage in Kansas City (Tech N9ne’s hometown) to film the music video.

“People tell me to invest my money, in realty in particular,” he said. “I wanted to invest my money, but invest it in myself instead.”

While the music video was released earlier this year, Kaplan said that he and his team traveled from Humboldt County to film the video in September, when there were far fewer reported cases of COVID-19.

“It was crazy traveling all that way during a pandemic but we were all safe and to go from one ‘hot’ state to another wasn’t a problem for airports,” he said. “Tech met us at the Corrigan Station Parking Garage and did his part with us. Tech got his part done, shot the chorus with us, kicked it for a few minutes and took off.”

The video has received more than 22,800 views on YouTube in the last month. But Kaplan has higher aspirations for his project, and said that he’ll likely promote the song in the near future to take it to the next level.

“I’ll probably hire an [artist and repertoire] person to shop the song to the bigger platforms,” he said. “Again, if artists are serious, we have to invest in ourselves.”

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Bust of the Day (II): This Fortuna Mini-Storage Houses a Maxi- Grow Scene
• Law Enforcement Raid Near Fortuna Expected to Net Over 1,000 Marijuana Plants
• Second Day of Airport Road Storage Unit Raids Uncover Over 1,000 Plants, Illegal Wiring

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 2, 2021, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served one search warrant to investigate illegal cannabis cultivation at a storage facility on the 100 block of Airport Road in Fortuna in response to numerous community complaints.

One parcel was investigated during the service of the warrant. The parcel did not possess the required county permit and state license to cultivate cannabis commercially.

During the service of the warrant, deputies eradicated approximately 68,217 growing cannabis plants. Deputies also seized and destroyed over 338 pounds of packaged, manicured cannabis bud, approximately 137 pounds of dried cannabis and over 107 pounds of cannabis shake.

Seven individuals working at the cultivation site were detained, including one juvenile. The person responsible for the cultivation site was not located on scene. The detained individuals were released following the conclusion of deputies’ investigation. The juvenile was released into the custody of a parent.

No arrests were made; however, this case will be forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.

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.

Kimberly Kay Clifton-Matthews, age 52 of Eureka, died at her home on January 26, 2021. She was born in Burbank to Willie Ray Clifton and Kathleen Timm–Pearl. When Kimberly was around three years of age her parents divorced and remarried other people. Kimberly was seventh in line out of 10 children – five girls and five boys a mix of biological and stepsiblings from the combined families. She grew up in Covina and attended Charter Oak High School. She lived next to an avocado orchard – she and her siblings used to pick and sell avocados on Covina Boulevard for 10 cents each. She spent many afternoon’s in the Southern California sun, swimming in the pool and playing Marco Polo with her siblings.

Kimberly was a tomboy growing up — wherever her brothers were, that’s where she wanted to be. Kimberly played t-ball and soft ball as a sport. She enjoyed spending time with her family and friends going roller skating, riding bikes, playing hide and seek, playing horse and pig (basketball), riding the Zipper at the fair. Seventies rock and roll was her favorite type of music. Kimberly enjoyed having her hair brushed and was meticulous about her clothes and shoes matching.

What Kimberly wanted most in this life was to be a loving mother and wife, but sadly due to suffering from mental illness beginning in her late teenage years this was taken from her. Kimberly married Brian Matthews shortly after high school and started their family in 1986. Shortly after having her first child is when signs of mental health issues appeared in Kimberly’s life. Since her mother had moved to Eureka, Kimberly decided to follow and relocated her family to Humboldt County in 1993 to be closer to her mother for support.

Kimberly blessed this world with seven beautiful children – six girls and one boy. Thankfully, her children were adopted into loving homes through local social services and recently after being estranged from Kimberly and each other they all were reunited. They showed Kimberly love and grace and welcomed her into their lives. Despite all of the hurdles keeping them apart over the years, countless hours of searching, and determination reunited them. Although it was only for a short period of time, Kimberly was reunited with her children. It helped to mend her broken heart and filled her life with joy that we will forever be grateful for.

Due to Kimberly’s disability she did not have a professional career or do a lot in the community. She did, however, bring a lot of smiles and joy to those who did work in the community and who knew and interacted with her. She would always try to treat people kindly, with respect, and used good manners. She was a sweet, loving, gentle, soul and despite not having much money to her name she would always offer to buy you lunch or give you gas money if you helped her out.

Kimberly is survived by her mother Kathleen and stepfather Charles. Sisters: Teresa, Suzie (Harold), Kathryn. Brothers: William, Charles (Rosemary), James, Allen and Jason. Children: Amanda (Josh), Krista, Anna, Jonathan, Jaime, Michelle’, and Mackenzie. Grandchildren: Cody, Carter, Savannah, Josh Jr, Kiera, Kameron, Mercedes, Lincoln, and soon to be Kynlee. Nieces and Nephews: Grace, Krysteena, Savannah, Zach, Keshawna, Leah, Brandon, Summer, Beth, Dennis, Kayleen, William, Chris, Alicia, Charles, Timothy, John Paul and Katie. By aunts, uncles, cousins, as well as several great-nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by Grandparents: Ed and Lilly Dell Clifton, Harold and Eleanor Timm, parents Willie and Jane Clifton, her Sister Cindy Clifton, her Nephew Buddy Fife, Ex-Husband Brian Matthews, and Sister-in-law Veronica “Jo” Cox-Clifton.

Due to the current situation with COVID-19 we will not be hosting services at this time. Arrangements are being made through Humboldt cremation services and in lieu of flowers donations can be made in Kimberly‘s memory to Humboldt County Mental Health, 720 Wood Street, Eureka, CA, 95501.

Dr. Robert Bruce Franz, 77, passed peacefully on Saturday, January 23, 2021.

Born February 3, 1943, in Idaho Falls, Idaho, he was the son of the late Robert E and Roberta M Franz.

“Bruce” is survived by his son Joaquin (Rhonda) Franz, grandson Morgan Franz, brother Rick Franz, and his companion Kathy Gifford.

Bruce’s last year and a half of life were not the “Golden Years” experience he envisioned. Paraplegia, sadly, robbed Bruce of enjoying his retirement years as planned. Gratefully, Bruce’s quality of life was comfortable in his final months, by being in the comfort of his home. During this time of declining health, he was lovingly and patiently cared for by his companion, Kathy Gifford. As Bruce’s son, I will be eternally grateful for Kathy’s devotion to my father.

Bruce followed in his father, Robert E Franz, footsteps in pursuing a career in podiatry. He began his career in Antioch, Calif., and later moved to Northern California, where he opened practices in Crescent City and Arcata. Bruce found solace in the beauty and slower pace of life in Northern California.

Of the many passions in Bruce’s life, he spoke with the utmost fondness of his time in the Peace Corp in Africa. He often spoke with awe, describing the sounds of the lions roaring at night. His hope was to return to Africa one day.

Bruce was also an accomplished high school and college football player, and enjoyed regaling us with the stories of the “glory days.”

My father was a loved man. He had several friendships that were maintained from young adulthood, that were extremely valuable to him. My father, large in part, assisted and encouraged me to have a “Huck Finn” childhood. He gave me freedom and trust during late adolescence, which helped form the confidence to successfully enter into adulthood.

I consider it a privilege to be a Franz. We are providers, loyal companions, adventurous and respected citizens.

A memorial service, for family and close friends, will be held at a later date to be determined.

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

At its Wednesday night meeting, the Arcata City Council will again consider adopting an ordinance that would place stricter regulations on vacation rentals in the city, including capping the number of short-term rentals at 125.

City staff drafted a vacation rental ordinance back in 2018 and it came before the council last year. But no action was taken on the item because several council members had a conflict of interest due to operating vacation rentals themselves. With a few new members, the council discussed the issue during its last meeting, and nearly all the members voiced support for the ordinance, feeling it would be an important way to ensure there is housing available for long-term tenants. (Mayor Sofia Pereira recused herself because she rents out a room on AirBnB.) 

“People struggle to find rentals here,” Councilmember Emily Grace Goldstein said during the Jan. 20 meeting. “While I’m super supportive of someone trying to supplement their income by starting a small busines, I think we also need to make sure all of our community members are housed.”

In addition to placing a cap on the number of vacation rentals permitted in the city, the ordinance would require a more rigorous permitting process to help ensure the rentals are operating safely and above board. Currently the City only requires vacation rental owners to obtain a business license and pay transient occupancy tax. If adopted, the ordinance would require owners to obtain an additional permit, which entails a zoning clearance and a building safety inspection from the City.

The 125-unit cap would exclude long-term rentals and “owner occupied” vacation rentals — meaning if the owner lives on the property and is only renting out a part of it for short-term use. Since staff estimates that there are already at least 125 vacation rentals in the city, the ordinance would include a grace period, giving the owners a six-month window to apply for a permit. If they miss the six-month grace period, they would only be eligible if the number of permits drops below 125.

The cost of the permit would be determined by the council. The zoning clearance costs about $20, with a $10 renewal fee, and the inspection would be about $220. Because of the financial impacts of the pandemic, the council asked that the ordinance be amended to include an additional grace period for the fees.

Some residents have voiced concerns over the proposed ordinance, especially with the potential increased cost for the additional zoning and safety inspections. “We are a small home business operating where we live and thus contribute further through state and federal income taxes,” Bob Doran wrote in a public comment submitted to the City. “We don’t make much and do not need further costs like paying for inspections and/or an operation fee. We have never had any sort of complaint that would require an inspection. An operation fee on top of our business fee seems unwarranted.”

You can view the updated draft Vacation Rental Ordinance here.

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Also on Wednesday night’s agenda, the council will receive a report on the City’s Strategic Arts Plan, which aims to improve the city through supporting the arts.

The City has been working on the strategic arts plan since 2019, working with representatives from the Arcata Playhouse/Playhouse Arts, Humboldt State University, the Sanctuary, and the Ink People. According to the staff report, the city plans to host several “community listening sessions” over the next four months before bringing the plan back to council for final adoption.

The Outpost wrote a slightly more in-depth piece about the plan last year, when the city was planning a community meeting that was canceled due to COVID. You can check it out here.

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The Arcata City Council meets via Zoom on Wednesday Feb. 3 at 6:00 p.m. You can view the full agenda and directions on how to participate here.