A small part of almost every paycheck in California goes into the state’s paid family leave program, which allows workers to receive partial pay when they take time off to care for a new child or sick family member.

But many people don’t take leave because the law doesn’t ensure they can go back to their job afterward. That’s changing.

Starting Jan. 1, 2021, roughly 6 million additional Californians will be able to take family leave with the guarantee that they can come back to their jobs when it’s done.

The new law, by Democratic Sen. Hannah-Beth Jackson of Santa Barbara, extends job protections once reserved for employees of large companies to most workers in California.

That should make it easier for workers to take time off that they’re already paying for.

The California Chamber of Commerce and trade groups argued the new protections would make it harder for small businesses to operate, and could expose companies to more lawsuits.

But supporters, including advocates for women, children and workers, say people should be able to take care of their families without fear of losing their jobs.

California’s new paid family leave law is part of what Gov. Gavin Newsom calls his “parents’ agenda,” which he hopes eventually will permit every baby to be cared for by a family member for the first six months of life.

Keep watching CalMatters.org for more in-a-minute videos about other new laws taking effect in 2021 — a smaller tally than usual given that the coronavirus pandemic dominated the Legislature’s 2020 session.

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

Press release from Humboldt County Administrative Office:

Supervisor-Elect Michelle Bushnell and Supervisors Rex Bohn and Mike Wilson will all begin new four-year terms on the Board of Supervisors following a swearing-in ceremony on Monday, Jan. 4. Following COVID-19 protocol, the ceremony will begin at noon on the front steps of the Humboldt County Courthouse. Judge Joyce Hinrichs will deliver the oath.

Supervisor-Elect Bushnell won her seat in November and will represent the 2nd District. Bushnell has been an active member of the second district for decades having served as a school district trustee, a Rotarian and the president of the Southern Humboldt Chamber of Commerce.

Supervisor Bohn was reelected in March for a fourth [third] term and will continue to represent the 1st District. Supervisor Wilson was also reelected in March for a second term and will continue to represent the 3rd District. 

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is scheduled for Jan. 5, 2021 at 9 a.m.

Enough is enough! Your President of Positivity is ready to burn 2020 to the ground! To assist in this necessary task, this week Michaele has recruited her fiery friend Bella (IG: @BellaFireDance) who was kind enough to provide us all with a sample of her fire spinning skills. 

It only gets brighter from here! We’re in this together! Humboldt together!

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Perhaps You’d Like to Explore Previous Mondays With Michaele For Some Reason!

David E. Weber, 82, left his family and friends on December 20, 2020 to be with his Lord Jesus. Born to Doris and John Weber, he graduated from Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon in 1956. He enlisted in the U.S. Army and learned his craft as a dental technician while stationed in Germany for most of his 3-year duty. As the son of a German who immigrated through Ellis Island, he spent his off-duty weekends touring the German countryside on his BMW motorcycle, visiting his many aunts, uncles and cousins.

When he returned to civilian life in Portland, he continued to work in dentistry. He met and married his first wife (of 25 years), Jerrilynn Kimpton, in 1960. Together they ventured to California to start Weber Dental Laboratory in Fortuna in 1966 then moved the business and their young family to Eureka in 1972. Owning and operating his laboratory for 50 years, Dave was a visionary in his field, eagerly embracing advancements in technology throughout his career. Dave married his second wife, Mary Zumwalt, on December 20th, 1987, and celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary on his final day on this earth. He would often share examples of Mary’s extraordinary patience and understanding, and then joke that it was a requirement of her 2nd full time job — being married to him!

Throughout his life, Dave was active in charitable and professional service clubs. He formed the local district chapter for the California Dental Lab Association and was president of it for many years. He let all the members know that if they dared to miss a meeting, they might find themselves voted into his role in their absence! He also served as president of the California Dental Lab Association, Humboldt Toastmasters, and St. Bernard’s High School Board of Regents and as an active member of Kiwanas and the Fortuna Knights of Columbus. A highlight was a trip to Guatemala with a local team of dentists offering free dental care to the indigenous people.

In his younger days, Dave enjoyed many outdoor activities, including fishing, running, bicycling (including participating in the Tour of the Unknown Coast), backpacking in the Trinity Alps and Marble Mountains and snow skiing at Horse Mountain, Mt. Ashland and others. He enjoyed the anticipation of each trip as much as the trip itself, carefully waxing the skis, or preparing the pack to be as light, but complete, as possible. A self-described “foodie”, perhaps his penchant for tasty, healthy food began in creatively planning light-weight scrumptious backpacking meals. Many family trips in the 1970’s were spent at Trinity Lake, boating and water skiing with family friends. Later, travels with Mary and family included the Bahamas and many historical US cities as well as a special trip to Europe. Throughout his life, Dave appreciated cars — in his younger years owning an MG convertible and a Corvette, in his later years, attending the Fortuna Autorama without fail. Dave always loved the latest technology, whether buying one of the first microwave ovens sold in Humboldt County or exploring the latest gadget or smartphone. As much as he loved showing off the features of his latest find, he was just as happy listening intently to a friend or family member explaining all the bells and whistles of their own new car, phone or whatever it may be.

Always the philosopher, Dave was a believer, and an avid reader of self-help and Bible study books. He never stopped learning. His faith was his foundation, and he shared it sincerely. He continued to look for the positive, and that attitude helped sustain him through the physical decline that Parkinson’s disease and advanced osteoporosis wrought. He expressed appreciation and found ways to share joy and encouragement with all that he came upon.

He is survived by his brother John (Mary) Weber and sister Elizabeth Brainard, his wife of 33 years Mary Weber, and his children Dave S. Weber, Bryan (Donna) Weber, Ann (Michael) Gordon, Michael (Julie) Weber, Jeffrey (Naneen) Weber and Shanna (Tito) Meza. Dave leaves behind his stepchildren Diana Camba, Jeanna (Rob) Milton and Tina (John) Parkhurst, as well as 16 grandchildren — Natalie Weber; Eric Weber and Amy (Weber) Sawant; Grant, Brett and Brooke Weber; Mikaela, Tyler, and Ander Stanley-Camba; Sylver, Jaspyr, Jayde and Myca Milton; Naima and Nathanial Parkhurst; and Miguel Meza. Beloved colleagues and friends include Kim Lucas, Jeff Yeider, doctors Richard Wolven, Jon Omey, David Kime, Lane Thompson, the Weber Lab Crew and many, many more. Dave had many long, dedicated relationships with customers and his many employees. Dave frequently mentioned to his family his dear friend Jerry that he met at Redwood Memorial Hospital chapel, who regularly visited and called as he became more and more housebound. Dave felt truly cared for by his medical team, holding Dr. Rubin Brinckhaus in the highest esteem.

Final arrangements are being made by Gobles Fortuna Mortuary. There will be a COVID-compliant private graveside service. A Celebration of Life is planned for June.

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Wiley Eugene Gage, 79, passed away on December 14, 2020 at his home in Willow Creek, of natural causes. Born on January 6, 1941 in Webb, Oklahoma to Wiley and Dorothy Gage, Wiley attended and graduated from Eureka High School in 1959. Out of high school, he worked at US Plywood. Two years later, he began completing his Carpentry Apprenticeship. Wiley worked as a Journeyman Carpenter for the Carpenter’s Union for 20 years, before working for St. Joseph Hospital. Wiley retired from St. Joseph Hospital after 23 years and moved to Willow Creek.

Wiley was a talented carpenter with many houses built for family and himself. From a piece of land to the finishing touches of a new home, Wiley knew every detail and did most of the work himself. Wiley was known for his unfailing work ethic and was an avid traveler and fisherman. Wiley loved fishing the waters of rivers, streams, and lakes of Northern California with his family and friends. Wiley and his wife, Sharon, traveled the lower 48 US States, Hawaii, and Alaska through the years.

Wiley’s memory will be cherished and kept alive by his wife of 44 years, Sharon Ann Gage; children Brian Gage, Theresa Gage and Gene Pendergraft; sister, Shirley Gray; brothers Roland Gage and Larry Gage; four grandchildren, three great-grandchild, eight nephews and nieces, and many more family and friends. Wiley will be greatly missed by all.

An anti-hate billboard along Ferndale’s Main Street that read “WELCOME TO FERNDALE” and “HATE HAS NO HOME HERE,” was recently vandalized.

Multiple readers (who asked to remain unnamed) sent the Outpost these photos of the vandalization, which they believe occurred sometime over the holiday weekend.

After receiving a shoddy paint job, the Billboard now reads “HATE HAS A HOME HERE” — a confusing message that seems to be either pro-racism or anti-Ferndale.

The Outpost reached out to multiple Ferndale City Council members today about the billboard, but has not received a response.

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PREVIOUSLY:

Billboard On Safety Corridor Vandalized With Anti-KKK Message

Born in Okinawa, Japan, where he lived until he was 7, @Lions WRs Coach Robert Prince started his football career at @HSUJacks, where he lettered in football & track.

His 1st coaching position also came at Humboldt State, serving as a G.A. on the team from 1989-90.#OnePride pic.twitter.com/JJjhe8Zwh6

— Detroit Lions PR (@LionsPR) December 26, 2020

Detroit Lions wide receiver coach Robert Prince became the first former Humboldt State University athlete to serve as a head coach in the NFL on Saturday.

The former Lumberjack football player and assistant coach was thrust into the Lions head coaching role late last week after the team fired head coach Matt Patricia mid-season and scratched interim coach Darrell Bevell due to COVID-19 protocol.

“A seasoned veteran when it comes to working with receivers, Robert Prince joined the Lions in 2014 as the team’s wide receivers coach after coaching at the college level for the previous four seasons,” his Lions bio reads. “Since arriving to Detroit, Prince has helped the Lions produce at least one 1,000-yard receiver in each of his first six seasons in Detroit, including two seasons (2014, 2017) with more than one receiver accomplishing the feat.”

ESPN repots that Prince was an offensive coordinator at Fort Lewis College from 1994 to 1995, in the Japanese X League from 1996 to 1997, at Portland State from 1999 to 2000 and at Boise State from 2012 to 2013. He was also the passing game coordinator at the University of Colorado Boulder in 2010. 

Interestingly enough, Prince’s first game as head coach was against the Tamps Bay Buccaneers and former HSU lineman Alex Cappa. While this technically wasn’t the first time that two former HSU athletes faced each other in the NFL, it was definitely the most notable. Cappa is the only Lumberjack from the modern football era to play as a legitimate starter in the NFL. He’s also quickly becoming recognized as one of the better guards in the league, earning more Pro Bowl fan votes than any other guard in the NFC this year.

Cappa came away with the win as the Buccaneers rousted the Lions 47-7 on Saturday. According to ESPN, Prince will not be saddled with the loss, as it will be tacked onto interim coach Darrell Bevell’s record instead.