Scott Bradley Asbury
January 29, 1958 - December 10, 2020

Scott Bradley Asbury passed away on December 10, 2020, surrounded by his family shortly after being diagnosed with leukemia. Due to COVID, the hospital limited the number of visitors.

Brad was born to Frank Asbury and Dixie Asbury (Bryan) in Oroville on January 29, 1958. The Asburys moved to Scotia, Ca in 1960 where they partook in the devastation of the Christmas flood of 1964 that destroyed most of Humboldt. Brad always enjoyed sharing his experience in the matter. Getting tetanus, lockjaw, and stating, “I watched my house floating down the river.”

Brad was known for his love of cars and unlimited knowledge in just about everything. Brad opened B&B Auto Repair in 1992 and eventually closed it in 2010. If you had an idea, he would bring it to life. There was never a problem Brad could not solve and it was never done half ass. If he started something he would not stop until it was finished to perfection.

Many things instilled tremendous pride and immense joy to Brad’s life, but none as much as his family. In the last year, the reconnection with his son Daniel gave him memories that he cherished and brought him much joy. He wanted to make sure that Daniel knew how proud he was of him.

Dedicated, loyal, and hardworking are words that barely scratch the surface when characterizing such an exceptional man. To those who have had the privilege of looking to him for fatherly advice, he never faltered in his efforts to pass on his knowledge through kind words, an ever-listening ear, and his bottomless supply of tools that seemed to fix any problem in life. His humor was the kind that infected everyone around him. A sad face was a challenge to Brad, a challenge that he always won by evoking a grin or giggle from even the most downtrodden of us all. The way he held up his left hand and offered his signature “High Four” was more than enough to make us all forget what had us so down in the first place.

Brad had a love for the 50’s era. The music, the cars, and the style. He would often listen to his favorite songs while twirling his wallflowers (his girls) all around the living room floor. He could dance circles around everyone. Whenever driving down the road or watching a show on tv he never failed to mention “I had that car” or “I used to have one of those”. He had almost every car you could think of except his dream car; the 1958 Chevy Bel Air Hardtop.

His unending patience and wisdom while imparting his life experience to all around. His thoughtful, slow words as he encouraged you to try again and don’t mess it up this time. His strength, expertise, and his affinity to love all living creatures are just a fragment of his legacy but something to marvel, nonetheless. His voice and his laughter will resonate in all of our hearts forever.

He is preceded in death by his mother Dixie Asbury and two of his three brothers — Mike and Kevin Asbury — and his unborn grandson Kash.

He is survived by his two dogs Doaty and Buffy, his wife of 28 years Lorri Jean Asbury, his father Frank Asbury, his Uncle Ron who was like a brother to him, his Uncle Billy from Sacramento, his Brother Blaine, his son Daniel, and his five daughters Kristyl, Amber, Skylar, Caitlin, and Heather. Grandchildren: Andrew, Bradley, Jayden, Eryka, Jason, Krysdon, Paisley, Iris, Lotus, Brelynn. Great-grandson Oliver, and numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren from Sacramento to Humboldt County.

A celebration of life will be announced later when COVID restrictions are lifted.

 

Marvin Harris Beauchamp
November 10, 1929 - November 21, 2020

Born in Eureka to Charles and Grace Jane (Hammer) Beauchamp, Marvin was the second youngest of six siblings. Marvin grew up in Freshwater and spent the majority of his life in Humboldt County. Marvin was a hard-working man and worked many jobs in his life: an elevator operator at the Vance Motel, a dishwasher at Red Lion Inn, a janitor at the State and Eureka theatres, as well as other positions at such places as a mattress factory, printing shop, E.D.D, and Securitas. Marvin had dreamed of going into business as a repairman to practice his hobby of fixing vacuum cleaners and other appliances.

In addition to repairing appliances, Marvin also enjoyed working on cars, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing checkers, and visiting friends. Marvin would frequently ask to visit his friends at Granada and take drives to Freshwater to reminisce his childhood.

Marvin met his future wife, June Miller, at a dance in Eureka and married her just 13 days later on October 28, 1955 and started their family. Marvin and June were married over 60 years until her passing on May 2, 2016.

In addition to his wife’s passing, he was also proceeded in death by his parents, and five siblings — Charles, Muriel, Wesley, Myrtle, Elise, along with other extended family members.

Sadly, he left this world on November 21, 2020 from a pulmonary hemorrhage. Marvin is survived by his five children- Doris (Barry) Fowler of Anchorage, Alaska; David Beauchamp of Burney, California; Patricia Greenawald of Weiser, Idaho; Judith (Merrill) Shafer of Eureka; and Rick Beauchamp of McKinleyville. Marvin is also survived by several grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren among many other relatives.

Being a quiet man with a soft soul, Marvin was loved and will be greatly missed by his family and many others who knew him.

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

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The first deadline Gov. Gavin Newsom set in his $2 billion plan to reopen California’s schools will come and go Monday without the necessary support from the Legislature, signaling the proposal has all but stalled.

The governor’s proposal aimed to incentivize school districts to reopen their campuses by paying out grants of $450 to $700 per student to schools that developed safety plans for in-person instruction by Monday and opened doors to the state’s youngest students by Feb. 16.

But that proposal capsized under a wave of criticism and now the governor, lawmakers, school district leaders and teachers unions have limited time to figure out a solution before bringing kids back on campuses for this academic year becomes moot.

Criticism for Newsom’s proposal stemmed from the state’s largest school districts, teachers unions and legislators who called it unworkable and unlikely to nudge open classroom doors for the millions of California students still learning remotely.

Among the issues raised had been the plan’s tight deadlines to receive full funding, the stringent testing requirements attached to the grants — which could have cost districts more than the grants were worth — and, for some legislators, the lack of emphasis and coordination Newsom’s proposal placed on prioritizing vaccines for teachers and school staff.

Newsom’s staff said in legislative hearings this month that the plan’s deadlines were based on a sense of urgency and the high stakes behind a school year that could end entirely remotely for the majority of California’s 6.1 million students.

Jessica Holmes, a Department of Finance analyst, told lawmakers at a Jan. 21 hearing that it would be “very unlikely” that school campuses would reopen this school year if schools haven’t yet done so by April.

“If we’re in distance learning at the end of this school year, what does it mean for next school year, and that is a very big fear and concern that we have,” Holmes said.

The governor and the Legislature are negotiating the plan behind closed doors, but a key issue affecting whether more school campuses will reopen this semester seems to depend on whether teachers will receive priority access for vaccination.

The California Teachers Association, which wields significant influence at the Capitol, wrote in a letter to the governor Wednesday calling for teachers to be vaccinated before reopening campuses. Teachers unions have also opposed allowing schools to reopen if their counties remain in the state’s purple tier — which the state currently allows for elementary schools.

When Newsom first introduced his proposal Dec. 30, the state included a rationale for it, noting low risks of transmitting the coronavirus through in-person instruction, especially for elementary grades, if paired with rigorous safety protocols. Researchers with the Centers for Disease Control found little evidence of transmission through in-class instruction in an article published this week, though cautioned that other school-related events such as indoor sports practices could result in higher transmission of the virus.

While some school districts, such as Long Beach, have begun to vaccinate some educators, the picture is muddied from county to county, with some prioritizing Californians 65 and older for the limited doses received so far.

Last fall, local school superintendents, school boards and labor unions in some districts put forth requirements for reopening campuses that exceeded those of the state’s, prompting a group of Democratic lawmakers to introduce legislation that would mandate when schools should safely reopen.

In a candid private conversation with superintendents Thursday reported by Politico, Newsom expected his plan would change as his office negotiates with the Legislature, and said requiring all educators be vaccinated before reopening schools would likely mean campuses staying closed.

“If everybody has to be vaccinated, we might as well just tell people the truth: there will be no in-person instruction in the state of California,” Newsom told the superintendents.

Democratic Assemblyman Patrick O’Donnell, chair of the Assembly Education Committee, said state and local officials should better coordinate access to the vaccine for California’s educators. Schools should offer in-person instruction if teachers receive the vaccine, O’Donnell said.

“The governor’s keeping his own staff at home, but then he tells teachers they need to go back into the classroom without vaccination? That’s not right,” O’Donnell said. “Let me be blunt: the path to getting our schools reopened is to vaccinate our teachers, and I’m confident the governor will help us achieve our goal.”

The governor remains unders immense pressure to act on schools. Parents frustrated with how the state and local districts have handled reopenings throughout the pandemic have begun grassroots organizing, and the issue could fuel a long-shot recall effort.

Newsom’s reopening plan also included new guidance that has had a ripple effect on schools that have already reopened. Some districts in San Diego and Placer counties have scaled back plans to expand their in-person instruction offerings to students and families, citing updated guidance that puts firmer restrictions on spacing students’ desks.

This week, the Roseville Joint Union High School District in the Sacramento suburbs decided to revert to a hybrid model for some of its high schools instead of remaining in a 5-day week in person as it had planned when campuses first opened Jan. 5.

“It’s infuriating. Parents are fed up,” said Jonathan Zachreson, a Roseville parent of three attending schools in the elementary and high school districts. “It looks like these politicians are incentivizing reopening schools, but in reality the plans they come up with do the exact opposite.”

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CALmatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

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After nearly three weeks off the air due to corporate greed contract disputes, both KVIQ (the local CBS affiliate) and KIEM (NBC) are back in the channel lineup for local Suddenlnk subscribers. 

On Thursday afternoon, a man named Brad Ayers, who is the senior director of government affairs for Suddenlink’s parent company, Altice USA, sent an email to local stakeholders announcing the ceasefire.

“I am pleased to report that Altice USA reached an agreement this afternoon with Cox Media Group which will return KVIQ (CBS) and KIEM (NBC) to Suddenlink programming in your area,” Ayers’s email stated.

The two corporations blamed each other in the dispute. Earlier this month, Cox alleged that Suddenlink “unfortunately opted to place their customers in the middle of their negotiations.” Suddenlink, in turn, issued its own statement, blaming Cox Media Group for jacking up customers’ fees and “pulling its networks” from TV lineups in six markets, including Humboldt County.

On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors addressed the issue, agreeing to send letters to federal lawmakers. Rep. Jared Huffman blamed corporate consolidation. 

Sean Takata McLaughlin provided the following statement late Thursday:

We understand that an agreement has been reached between Cox Media Group and Altice that will again allow for retransmission of Cox Media Group (CMG) owned stations KIEM (NBC) and KVIQ (CBS) over the cable systems in Humboldt County (Eureka DMA) as well as five other markets and eight other TV stations across the nation. Altice owns the cable system operating as Suddenlink that provides TV, internet and telephone service in the Cities of Eureka, Arcata, Fortuna, Ferndale, Blue Lake and Trinidad as well as areas of Humboldt County from Scotia to Big Lagoon.

“Humboldt County sent a strong letter to our Congressional delegation calling for policy changes that would return jurisdiction to local governments. The letter also called for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to reconvene a Localism Task Force to consider the harms of media consolidation and lack of local accountability in the information ecosystem. At the State Legislature, Access Humboldt is calling for an audit of cable TV and local broadcasters performance during the pandemic - for the purpose of finding solutions to close the digital divide. Our goal is univeral access to open secure networks that meet local needs and interests - esp: public health and safety; education; economic and community development; culture and arts; and civic engagement.

“On behalf of our local governments, Access Humboldt will continue to seek ways to avoid such a problem in the future. And we will also ask both Suddenlink (Altice) and Cox Media Group’s stations KIEM (NBC) and KVIQ (CBS) to be accountable to our local community as much as possible.”  

On a related note, today Access Humboldt joined with national groups in asking that President Biden quickly name a fifth FCC Commissioner to fill the agency for the work ahead. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has jurisdiction over broadcast TV and cable TV, and much harm has occured through that agency during the past four years. The FCC bears responsibility for the policy failures we see across our media and broadband internet landscape.

Finally - we ask our State Legislature to reform the failed regulatory regime under the Digital Infrastructure and Video Competition Act, which eviscerated local jurisdictions’ authority to negotiate with absentee owners of critical communications infrastructure. 

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From the Fortuna Police Department:

On Friday, January 29th 2021, at approximately 7:00 A.M., the Fortuna Police Department took 29 year old, Matthew Oliver Gibson of McKinleyville, into custody and booked him at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility.

Gibson.

Between 2017 and 2018, Gibson was employed as a teaching assistant for Toddy Thomas Middle School in Fortuna. During that time, Gibson repeatedly and sexually victimized a middle school student while working in his capacity as a teaching assistant. Gibson was primarily helping with an after school program at the time of the occurrence. Information concerning these events and allegations finally surfaced in January of 2021 and the Fortuna Police Department was notified.

Detectives and School Resource Officer’s worked diligently to establish and corroborate facts associated with the allegations which subsequently culminated with Matthew Gibson’s arrest this morning. The collaborative effort and cooperation between school officials and the police department throughout this investigation has been excellent and this remains an open and ongoing investigation.

The Fortuna Police Department would like to thank the District Attorney’s Office and allied agencies for their assistance with this investigation.

It should be emphasized that Matthew Gibson’s employment with Toddy Thomas Middle School ended in December of 2018 and he was not currently employed at the time of his arrest. The school district’s number one concern has always been the safety and wellbeing of students and will continue to be their number one concern going forward.

The Fortuna Police Department is seeking information from anyone who might have knowledge about the allegations against Matthew Gibson to come forward. Additionally, the Fortuna Police are working tirelessly to identify any additional victims and ask that anyone with any information contact Fortuna Police.

Matthew Gibson was booked into jail for suspected violations of California Penal Code sections: 261.5(d) – Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor, 261(a)(1) - Rape, 288(a) – Lewd and Lascivious Acts, 288(b)(1) – Lewd and Lascivious Act by Force, 288.5(a) – Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, 289(a)(1)(A) – Forcible Acts of Sexual Penetration, and 288(c)(1) – Sexual Abuse of a Child Under 16 Years of Age. A number of additional felony violations will be filed with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office.

The Fortuna Police Department remains committed to public safety and transparency.

Any questions regarding this incident can be directed to the Chief of Police, Casey J. Day at (707)-725-7550.

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Video from the press conference at the Fortuna Police Department’s Facebook page below:

Citing the ongoing impacts from COVID-19, the organizers of the beloved Kinetic Grand Championship have announced that there will be no in-person race this coming Memorial Day, making this the second straight year that the global pandemic has harshed Humboldt’s art nerd glory. 

Read the message from the Kinetic Universe, the organization responsible for running the race, below:

Kinetic Universe places the highest value on the health and wellbeing of our kinetic family, which includes not only builders, racers, peons and pit crews, but also the many dedicated volunteers, generous sponsors and supporters, and our many thousands of fans. The threat of harm from COVID-19 is all too clear and continues to impact all facets of our lives. Even though vaccines are beginning to be distributed, all indications are that widespread vaccination and herd immunity will not be achieved until perhaps the end of the year. While we hope for earlier relief from the pandemic, it takes months of effort to plan for the race and we believe it is important to act early and prudently. After consulting with Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services, we have determined that it is in the best interest of public health to cancel the in person Memorial Day (May 29, 30, and 31st, 2021) Kinetic Grand Championship race.

There is no glory in cancelling this beloved event for the second year in a row and we take this unprecedented precaution out of a sense of care for the kinetic community. Though we are not planning an in person race this year, we will be keeping the spirit of kinetics alive with virtual events. We look forward to collaborating with those of you able to contribute your ideas, talents, time, and love of the race so that we may celebrate kinetic glory safely in 2021 and continue building our great tradition.

Kinetic Universe Board of Directors
Steve McHaney, President
Robert van de Walle, Treasurer
Jenette Kime, Secretary
Jennifer Thelander

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A 35-year-old mother of five is recovering from serious injuries and a surgery in which one of her feet was amputated after she was viciously attacked by two pit bulls while trying to help a neighbor Thursday afternoon in Myers Flat.

Candis Danielson had gone over to her neighbor’s house to help him with his generator during a power outage when the neighbor’s dogs got out of his trailer and attacked her, according to Aaron Merriman, an emergency medical services worker who responded to the scene. 

The dogs had dragged Danielson under the trailer and inflicted extensive damage to her legs and feet, Merriman said.

“She was in extreme shock but would respond to her name,” Merriman said. 

According to to a press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, responding deputies performed life-saving efforts on Danielson, who was transported to St. Joseph Hospital and is expected to survive.

Another victim also suffered bite injuries and was treated at a nearby fire station, the sheriff’s office said. 

Danielson’s sister, Shiann Davis, set up a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for Danielson’s medical bills and any potential legal fees. In the initial post, which went up on Thursday evening, Davis wrote that her sister was undergoing surgery to have one leg amputated and may lose the other leg as well. However, in a Friday morning update, Davis wrote that surgeons had only amputated one foot, “and they are bringing in specialists to see what they may be able to save of the rest of her leg.”

Davis released the following statement to the Outpost Friday morning:

It’s taking a minute just to get over the initial shock of everything. We’re just trying to remind ourselves Candis is in good hands and being taken care of by proper specialists, her pain is being managed, and most importantly she’s alive.

It’s a strange world now. We can’t be there in the hospital with her and even her kids may not be able to see her for probably a month while she’s going through this because of COVID, but the precaution makes sense for her safety and the safety of others.

If you know her, you also know how strong she is and how much of a fighter she is. If you don’t know her, take my word that you’d be lucky to cross paths one day. We’re grateful to everyone that has offered support to our family during this time. Thank you so much for your generosity, for sharing, and for reaching out.

Davis’s boyfriend, Myles Cochrane (who formerly worked as program director at KSLG FM, owned by the Outpost’s parent company, Lost Coast Communication, Inc.), defended pit bulls generally but said these particular dogs were dangerous:

Dogs are one of the greatest gifts to humanity. Regardless of breed or size, if they’re raised right they will in all likelihood succeed. It’s unfathomable some humans have the luxury of being called a “gentle giant” yet many qualifying pit bulls don’t get the same privilege. That said, these particular dogs should never have had this opportunity at attempted murder.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Specialist Samantha Karges told the Outpost that the dogs will be required to undergo a vicious dog hearing.

“If at that hearing the dogs are determined to be potentially dangerous or vicious dogs, and that the release of the dogs would create a significant threat to the public health, safety, and welfare, then the dogs could be put down. The process is outlined in County Code § 547.”

The dogs’ owner has not been charged with any crimes — no charges have been requested, Karges said, adding that the incident is still under investigation.  

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Here’s the press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Jan. 28, 2021, at about 12:45 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 200 block of Myers Avenue in Myers Flat for the report of a dog attack.

According to the reporting party, the 35-year-old female victim had arrived at the residence to perform housekeeping services. Upon arrival, the victim was reportedly attacked by two pit bulls, which were pets that lived at the residence.

When deputies arrived on scene, the dogs had already been detained in a vehicle by their owner. Deputies located the victim with serious and extensive injuries related to the attack. Deputies performed life-saving efforts on the victim. The victim was transported to a local hospital for treatment and is expected to survive.

While investigating, deputies learned of a second victim who was being treated for bite-related injuries at a fire station nearby. Upon contacting the male victim, deputies learned that the man had stopped at the property to assist the female victim and dog owner. However, while attempting to assist, the man sustained moderate injuries from the dogs. The man left the property prior to deputy arrival to seek medical treatment.

Animal Control Officers took custody of the dogs and they were transported to the Humboldt County Animal Shelter where they are being held pursuant to Humboldt County Code § 542-13 and § 547-14.