Neville Arthur Price was born on August 16, 1929, in Berkeley. When he was 9 years old the family relocated to Angwin, Calif. where his mother attended Pacific Union College. Then, in
1942, they moved one more time to Eureka.
Other than time spent in
army medic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and time served as a
medic in the Korean War, Eureka was his home for the remainder of his
91 years.
Eureka introduced
him to the love of his life, Dorothy Klemp Price. They met in his
mother’s classroom at the Seventh-Day Adventist Church School on F
Street at 12 and married at 21. They bought a house on
E Street in 1950, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Over
the 71 years at the end of E Street, neighbors became family.
They called him the Dad of the neighborhood.
Neville spent 28 years working for Arcata Redwood Company, first as a
forklift spotter then working his way up the ladder to become superintendent of Brainard Mill as a production coordinator. He was
very proud of his company and even more proud of the men he worked
with. Several of the old crew had been getting together once a month
for breakfast. Charlie Peterson said they enjoyed telling stories of
the glory days working and sometimes fishing together. The stories
tended to grow a little at each telling.
After retirement
in 1992, Neville began to do more volunteer work at the Seventh-Day
Adventist Church Camp Meeting in Southern Humboldt. Untold hours
over nearly 40 years at the camp kept him busy most of the year.
Ted Calkins, camp director for 17 years, recalls on evening as
the sun was setting and everyone was ready to call it a day. Neville
said, “Let’s get this finished. You stand down there with this
flashlight and I’ll keep digging (with a rented ditch digger) until
I reach you.” He didn’t want to pay for two days of rental
charges. During the rainy months he did sign painting in the living
room, until my Mother made him put it away to make room for Christmas
decorations. For several years he also volunteered at the Humboldt
County Library. He enjoyed driving the library van across Highway 299 to
Redding and beyond for book deliveries and pickup.
Last summer we
enjoyed fishing on Humboldt Bay in a (new to us) 27-foot
Bayliner. We never caught anything, nor did we make it out to the
ocean, but we had a lot of fun trolling around on the Bay. That is
how he spent his 91st birthday with his daughter Kathy and
her husband Keith, grandson Kevin and son-in-law Steve. He really
enjoyed that boat, aptly named the Sea Nile.
On the day after
Thanksgiving as we were gathering two at a time at his bedside to say
our goodbyes I reminded my son Kolton that Grandpa used to say, “If
he made it to 90 years he would feel like he had really
accomplished something.” He made it all the way to ninety-one and
a quarter. “Of course, he did, he always pushed it past the
limits.”
Neville was
proceeded in death by his faithful wife Dorothy Klemp Price and his
son Greg Price as well as his sister Patricia Collins. Survived by
his daughters Kathy Knittle, Karen Ronk and Jennie Shaw. Eight
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, so far, and his sister
Glenys Lonberger.
At this time,
because of COVID restrictions, we are unable to plan any services.
Maybe next spring we can come together, share stories and be reminded
of the profound impact he had on each of us.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Neville Price’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Screenshots from the Nov. 23 Board of Supervisors meeting (clockwise from top left): Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez, First District Supervisor Rex Bohn, Fourth District Supervisor Virginia Bass and County Administrative Officer Amy Nilsen.
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CORRECTION, Dec. 5, 2 p.m.:This post has been corrected to reflect that the county’s investigation is not focused on Paz Dominguez but rather on delays in payments, transfers, and reconciliations of accounts.
Dec. 6, 1:10 p.m.: We also modified it to clarify that the fiscal oversight duties that the county is considering outsourcing do not necessarily belong exclusively to the Auditor-Controller’s Office. The Outpost regrets the errors.
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The County of Humboldt has opened an internal investigation into Auditor-Controller Karen Paz Dominguez concerning delays in payments, money transfers and reconciliations of accounts, and in response Paz Dominguez is seeking representation from an outside attorney.
And that’s not all! Less than two weeks after a long and contentious Board of Supervisors meeting — at which Paz Dominguez was in the hot seat over those alleged fiscal fiascos — the County Administrative Office is looking to outsource some of her key fiscal oversight responsibilities to a private accounting firm at a cost of $250,000.
Both of these hot-button items will be discussed at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
First, let’s take a look at the investigation. A staff report notes that such matters “would not typically be discussed in this public
manner,” but County Counsel Jefferson Billingsley wants the board to consider the practical and ethical implications of allowing Paz Dominguez to be represented by Cyndy Day-Wilson, a former city attorney for the City of Eureka who’s now in private practice.
Day-Wilson recently submitted a letter asking to be appointed as counsel to Paz Dominguez. According to the staff report, the letter came in response to the county notifying the Auditor-Controller that she was being investigated asked to participate in an investigation.
The Board of Supervisors is being asked to consider whether there’s a potential conflict of interest with the Office of County
Counsel representing Paz Dominguez itself. The report suggests that an “ethical wall” could be established by directing an attorney within the office to be “screened off” from the rest of their colleagues while representing Paz Dominguez in the investigation.
The board is also being asked to consider whether Day-Wilson’s request “is a task within the performance of the duties of the Auditor-Controller.” In other words, should Paz Dominguez be expected to cooperate with the investigation as part of her job requirements?
Then there’s the issue of outsourcing. The board will also on Tuesday consider a recommendation from the office of County Administrative Officer Amy Nilsen to hire Sacramento accounting firm Macias, Gini and O’Connell. LLP (also known as MGO). The quarter-million-dollar contract would be for “financial advisory services.”
The CAO’s office is further recommending that the county create a new position, chief financial officer, whose job would include managing the county’s long-term budget preparations, among other fiscal responsibilities.
A staff report for that agenda item argues that these measures are a matter of fiscal responsibility. Referencing audit findings from the 2019-20 fiscal year, the report says that delayed reimbursements for state- and federally funded programs — which were the main focus of that grueling meeting last Monday — could negatively impact the county’s credit rating and its ability to maintain services.
Given the size of the county’s operating budget and staff — almost a half billion dollars and more than 2,400 employees, respectively — along with its wide array of responsibilities, the CAO’s reports argues, “it is not uncommon to have a chief financial officer in an agency like the County of Humboldt.”
Since that position does not currently exist, the CAO’s report suggests developing it and, in the meantime, paying MGO to provide a variety offinancial advisory services. The CFO, once installed, would be responsible for a long list of responsibilities that have significant overlap with the current duties of the Auditor-Controller. Those duties would include (from the staff report):
the direct management and coordination of the county’s long-term budget preparation process, including development of internal service fund charges; overseeing the county’s fiscal monitoring and control, revenue projection and analysis, debt management activities; developing long-term fiscal forecasts; recommending fiscal policies to the Board; reviewing and analyzing the fiscal impact of proposals or projects, and facilitating fiscal corrective action plans.
The CAO’s report also recommends employing MGO to help the Human Resources Department conduct a staffing study, analyzing the employee needs of the Auditor-Controller’s Office.
Last week, supervisors Rex Bohn and Virginia Bass, who serve as the board’s budget ad hoc committee, brought forward urgent concerns about delayed payments, late fiscal reports and looming deadlines that they said were threatening the operations of various county departments, special districts and local vendors.
Over the course of about seven hours, the board sought to mediate a dispute that repeatedly saw Paz Dominguez at odds with Nilsen regarding the county’s financial management.
Paz Dominguez has been arguing since before her election in 2018 that the Auditor Controller’s Office is critically short-staffed. At last week’s meeting she said her staff has done its best to keep up with the workload while ensuring that charges are properly substantiated in compliance with state law.
The meeting ended with a negotiated agreement, of sorts, with county supervisors agreeing to share responsibility for the accuracy of reports to the State Controller’s Office while Paz Dominguez agreed to put a rush on closing out last year’s books for the Public Works Department, which was up against a serious deadline.
Reached by phone Friday afternoon, Paz Dominguez said the proposal to hire MGO appears to be a repudiation.
“My opinion is that, yes, it is seeking to outsource my function,” she said, though she added that she can’t be certain of the report’s intent without hearing directly from Nilsen — or from the county supervisors, saying they directed Nilsen’s actions.
She questioned how the county can afford $250,000 to employ an outside accounting firm yet doesn’t have the funds to hire the staff she’s requested. And as for establishing a chief financial officer, she said, “I would ask people to consider that [the county] had the option to institute a department of finance and a director of finance … and the voters said, ‘No thank you.’”
In 2016, the county put a measure on the ballot, Measure Q, that would have consolidated the offices of Auditor-Controller and Treasurer-Tax Collector into the Office of Director of Finance. At the time, Nilsen argued that this office would improve efficiency, offer more opportunities for employee cross-training and allow for better succession planning.
Treasurer-Tax Collector John Bartholomew and former Auditor-Controller Joe Mellett argued against the measure, saying their respective jobs require distinctly different skills and experience.
An accompanying measure, Measure R, asked voters whether the Director of Finance should be an elected or an appointed position. But Measure Q failed, 53.76 percent to 46.24 percent, rendering Measure R moot.
“Yet here we are today, pushing forward to get a chief finance officer that performs the functions of the Auditor-Controller, and putting [the position] under the CAO’s direction,” Paz Dominguez said. “Who asked for this?”
Regarding the internal investigation, Paz Dominguez said she didn’t want to get an outside attorney but that Billingsley said he couldn’t advise her in the dispute. A voicemail left with the County Counsel’s Office was not returned before publication time, though it was after 5 p.m. when the message was left.
On
Thursday Friday, December 4, 2020, at 11 AM, the CHP Humboldt Communications
Center received a report of a female pedestrian with a juvenile on
US-101, north of Leggett, who appeared in distress. Upon CHP
officers’ arrival, the female pedestrian and the juvenile were
confirmed to be Ms. Trinity Leigh Bray and her 3-year-old son,
Anthony Florentine-Perez, who were last seen walking away from a
major injury traffic collision on US-101 near Confusion Hill on
November 30, 2020. Bray and Florentine-Perez, who were since reported
as missing and endangered, were found in stable condition and
transported to a nearby hospital where they are receiving medical
care.
Following
the traffic collision on November 30, Mendocino County Sheriff
Department Search and Rescue personnel conducted a comprehensive
multi-day search of the area near the traffic collision. The search
included a team of search and rescue members on foot, aerial drones,
FLIR thermal imaging equipment, a search of the Eel River by Southern
Humboldt Technical Rescue, and a CHP helicopter aerial search. A
search of the area, which included steep terrain, resulted in no
obvious signs of Bray and Florentine-Perez having been in the area.
The
CHP is grateful for this positive outcome and is still working to
gather details regarding what occurred between the accident and the
pair’s discovery.
The
CHP would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance
in successfully locating Bray and Florentine-Perez: Leggett Valley
Volunteer Fire Department, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office
(MCSO), MCSO Search and Rescue, and Southern Humboldt Technical
Rescue.
Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:
On December 3, 2020, Judge
John T. Feeney sentenced Logan Rain Brewer-Hearst to 15 years in the
care of the Department of Juvenile Justice, California Department of
Corrections and Rehabilitation. The prosecution and defense agreed on
the sentence, which includes 4 years for the involuntary manslaughter
of Taevonne Latimer, 10 years for using a firearm, and 1 year for
assault with a firearm on a second male victim. Brewer-Hearst will
not serve the full 15-year sentence, because under California law the
maximum sentence that can be imposed on juvenile offenders ends
incarceration at the age of 25 or when rehabilitation is achieved.
A May 2019 drug transaction
between then-16-year-old Brewer-Hearst and the two 18-year-old
victims precipitated the crimes. During the exchange, a fight ensued
over the money and drugs, which led to Brewer-Hearst pulling a gun
and shooting Taevonne Latimer four times and the second victim once
in the leg. Brewer-Hearst turned himself in to the Arcata Police
Department the next day and has remained in custody at the Humboldt
County Juvenile Hall.
Detective Victoria Johnson led
the Arcata Police Department’s investigation of the case, with
assistance from Detective Luke Scown and many other members of the
Department.
Deputy District Attorneys
Roger Rees and Jessica Watson prosecuted the case with assistance
from victim advocate Marybeth Bian. Private defense attorney Andrea
Sullivan represented the defendant.
The District Attorney’s
Office wishes to express thanks and appreciation to the members of
the victims’ families and to the many witnesses that came forward
to assist the Arcata Police Department in the investigation of this
case.
Because of the nature of the
crimes, the District Attorney’s Office originally requested the
case be transferred to adult court, but a judge determined the
defendant would remain in the juvenile system. The convictions for
involuntary manslaughter with use of a gun and assault with a deadly
weapon will remain as “strike” convictions on the defendant’s
adult record.
From the Humboldt County Joint Information Center:
Dr. Ian P. Hoffman is expected to be named the county’s new health officer, pending confirmation by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors Tuesday. He replaces Dr. Teresa Frankovich, who stepped back from the position earlier this week.
Hoffman.
Dr. Hoffman holds both a Doctorate of Medicine and Masters of Public Health from the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School at Rutgers. He has worked previously for Kaiser Permanente in Portland, Ore. and San Francisco, as well as at Open Door Clinic in Arcata, Southwest Community Health Center in Santa Rosa and La Clinica de La Raza in Oakland.
Dr. Hoffman worked with the Latino community in the Bay Area for more than a decade and said he looks forward to continuing that work in Humboldt County. “Yo trabajé por los últimos 12 años con la gente Latina,” dijo el Dr. Hoffman. “Espero seguir ayudando y trabajando con las personas que hablan español en mi trabajo como oficial de salud pública.”
Dr. Hoffman moved to Humboldt County to raise his children near extended family. An avid outdoorsman, Dr. Hoffman spends his time hiking, surfing, backpacking and skiing in addition to his work within the community.
The doctor acknowledged the challenges inherent in taking on this role in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The COVID response in Humboldt County has been robust and cohesive,” he said. “We are well positioned going into the winter with increased contact investigations staff, expanded testing, an Alternative Care Site and planning underway for a vaccine rollout in the coming months.”
He also noted that this has been a challenging time for the community. “I’m new to the fight against COVID in Humboldt County, but I know the community is not,” Dr. Hoffman said. “Many of you have been at this since February and are frankly exhausted by it. I want to listen to and understand those experiences and continue the level of community involvement and openness that has been set by everyone who has been part of the emergency response team.”
Public Health Director Michele Stephens welcomed Dr. Hoffman and said despite the timing of the transition, she had every confidence he is up for the challenges ahead.
“It’s not just COVID,” Stephens said. “As a local health jurisdiction, we’ve maintained our programs and services despite the pandemic. Our community health improvement planning continues as well. Some of Dr. Hoffman’s time will be spent engaged in improving outcomes related to adverse childhood experiences, housing and homelessness and behavior health and substance abuse.”
Dr. Hoffman’s hiring will be official once the Board of Supervisors confirms the appointment.
Dr. Hoffman expressed gratitude that he would not be doing the work alone. “We have the full and ongoing support of the well-established team of Public Health and Emergency Operations Center staff who will continue the work. I will be coming in to lead this already strong team and will work hard to make the transition seamless.”
During
the early morning hours of December 04, 2020, Humboldt Bay Fire (HBF)
responded to four (4) separate dumpster/trash can fires in the area
of the 101 corridor through town. The following is a list of the
locations.
Mathern.
At
about 2:30 am, HBF responded to and extinguished a fire to the
dumpster and structure at 323 Third Street. This fire caused exterior
damage only to the building, along with damage to the dumpster.
At
about 5:03 am, HBF responded to and extinguished a dumpster fire to
the rear of 607 Summer Street. This fire was contained within the
dumpster.
At
about 6:32 am, HBF responded to and extinguished a trash can fire to
the rear of 337 F Street. This fire was contained within the trash
can.
At
about 8:17 am, HBF responded to investigate an extinguished dumpster
fire at 1441 Broadway. The actual fire had occurred sometime during
the night. This fire was contained within the dumpster.
The
total damage was estimated by HBF at about $16,000.00
As
part of the investigation, the areas of the fires were canvased for
witnesses and possible video surveillance. As a result, footage was
obtained of the suspect. Officers began searching the area.
At
about 10:03 am, an officer of the Eureka Police Department located a
subject, who closely matched the suspect in the video footage,
standing at the 300 block of Commercial Street. The subject,
identified as Wayne Robert Mathern (41 years old), was interviewed
and soon taken into custody for two counts of arson and probation
violation. Due to his probation status, he is not eligible for bail.
This
is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information regarding
this investigation is urged to contact Officer Brian Ross at (707)
441-4060 ext. 1326
Murder suspect Brandon Matthew Watson has decided to take his case to a jury.
This morning Watson’s attorney, Andrea Sullivan, told Judge Christopher Wilson that Watson is willing to plead only to “count two” in the complaint against him, which is a charge of assault with a deadly weapon.
Watson.
“Well, that’s not going to get us anywhere,” Wilson said. … ”Jury trial remains set for Monday morning.”
Deputy District Attorney Roger Rees said he wanted to clarify the prosecution never offered Watson a deal for voluntary manslaughter, as was reported Thursday by the Outpost and other media. The last formal offer to Watson was a plea to second-degree murder.
Wilson apologized for the confusion, saying he may have left the impression that the prosecution offered the reduced charge.
“I think that was my mistake,” the judge said. “That wasn’t the People’s offer — It was a suggested resolution that would give both sides the opportunity to discuss.”
Watson, 29, is accused of stabbing 26-year-old Peter “Bo” Triantos to death behind The Jam bar in Arcata in October 2018. He also is charged with stabbing and seriously injuring two men during a fight behind The Pearl in Eureka in February 2016. One man spent 10 days in the hospital, with the other hospitalized for eight days.
Watson has been in Humboldt County Correctional Facility since shortly after Triantos was killed. After his arrest and the resulting media coverage, the two men stabbed during the 2016 bar fight recognized Watson and went to police.
