Nicholas
Edward Davidson was born in Escondido, California on January 10,
1989. The family soon moved north, behind the splendor of the
Redwood Curtain, to Arcata, where Nicholas’s boundless curiosity and
love for history set him apart from an early age. Nicholas was always
proud to have grown up in small, historical Humboldt County
surrounded by dairy farms, ocean landscaping, and the Redwood Forest.
As a boy, he proudly wore old military uniforms to school — not for
attention, but out of a deep fascination with the past and a
connection to those who came before him. That passion shaped not only
the life he lived, but also the legacy he leaves behind.
Nicholas
answered the call to serve his country and became a proud U.S. Army
soldier. Over nearly 17 years in uniform, he completed multiple tours
in Afghanistan and Iraq, forging bonds that would last a lifetime and
giving more of himself than most could ever imagine. He fought with
extraordinary courage in battles that pushed him to his limits — one
of which was later depicted in the film The
Outpost,
a stark reminder of the sacrifices he and his brothers-in-arms made.
Though he carried unseen wounds alongside his medals, his devotion to
his family, his friends, and his country never faltered.
Of
all his roles, “Dad” was the one Nicholas treasured most. His
four children — Natalia, Jeremiah, Isaiah, and Ezekiel — were his
greatest pride and joy. He read with them, traveled with them, shared
music with them, and filled their lives with laughter. To them, he
wasn’t just their father- he was also a playful spirit whose humor
brightened every room. Although his military service often presented
barriers to being alongside his children, Nicholas always tried to
make up for lost time by adventuring with them. Any activity
imaginable was theirs for the taking — whether I was going to endless
museums, getting lost beneath the Redwood canopy, visiting Sequoia
Park Zoo, or hunting for sea creatures in the tide pools.
Nicholas
was also a devoted uncle, a role he cherished. He delighted in
cheering on his nieces and nephew, guiding them as a mentor and role
model. He pushed both his children and his nieces and nephew to chase
their dreams and strive to be their best selves. His influence will
live on in their lives as they carry forward the lessons of
perseverance, strength, and kindness he instilled in them.
His
Catholic faith became an anchor in his adult life, offering comfort
and direction when the world felt heavy. Nicholas clung tightly to
his strong moral compass, striving to always do the right thing. He
also took great pride in his Scottish heritage, often tracing his
family tree and sharing with his children the importance of their
roots. That lineage- grounded in strength and resilience — mirrored
the way Nicholas lived: with dignity, loyalty, and honor.
Quietly
steadfast, Nicholas came from humble beginnings and overcame more
obstacles than most ever knew. Yet he lived with generosity, always
willing to help others without hesitation. He believed deeply in the
philosophy of community and lived with the conviction that people are
stronger together. He embodied that belief by welcoming others with
open arms and by creating spaces where everyone felt they belonged.
Whether with family, friends, fellow veterans, or neighbors, Nicholas
showed that community isn’t just where you live — it’s how you
love and stand by one another.
For
Nicholas, family extended beyond blood; he built a chosen family as
well, embracing friends as brothers and sisters, loving them
fiercely, and standing by them with steadfast loyalty. Those who knew
Nicholas will remember his laugh, his kindness, his resilience, and
the way he made everyone feel welcome. His story is one of love,
sacrifice, and perseverance — one that will live on in the hearts of
all who were fortunate enough to share life with him.
In
honor of Nicholas’s life, and in reflection of the two roles he
cherished most- that of soldier and father — the family asks that
anyone wishing to honor his legacy consider donating to a charity of
their choice that supports either children or veterans. Supporting
the future of young people and caring for those who served was close
to Nicholas’s heart, and giving in this way continues the work he
valued most.
Nicholas’s
ashes will be scattered in Humboldt County and a small candlelight
memorial will be held at Tepona Point in Westhaven on Friday October
3, 2025 at 6:15 p.m.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Nicholas Davidson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Screenshot of Thursday’s Humboldt County Planning Commission meeting.
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The long-awaited McKinleyville Town Center Ordinance cleared yet another hurdle Thursday night, securing unanimous approval from the Humboldt County Planning Commission. The ambitious rezoning plan will head to the Board of Supervisors for final review in mid-October.
The ordinance aims to rezone a 134-acre swath of land in the heart of town to make way for the McKinleyville Town Center Project — a mixed-use development that would allow more than 2,600 housing units and 900,000 square feet of retail and office space, along with pedestrian- and cyclist-focused infrastructure and other outdoor amenities. The vision for the project was first conceived in the mid-1960s as a way to create a viable town center and foster community development.
A map of the 134-acre McKinleyville Town Center site. | Map: County of Humboldt
Speaking during last night’s meeting, Humboldt County Planning and Building Director John Ford acknowledged the public’s concern about the four-story building height limit and the number of housing units slated for the site. “The EIR [environmental impact report] may have evaluated that number of units, but that’s not the number of units that are guaranteed in the zone,” he said. “The development ability is dictated by the form-based code contained within the ordinance itself.”
The two-and-a-half-hour discussion largely focused on the proposed “road diet” for Central Avenue, which would reduce traffic on the thoroughfare from five to three lanes to improve pedestrian safety. Commissioner Peggy O’Neill, a resident of McKinleyville, asked if staff would be willing to amend the ordinance to require a thorough transportation study before moving ahead with any changes.
“I’d like to see a study — and I realize there is no money to do any of this right now — at the time or prior to making changes,” she said. “[Staff] could even do a test period where they shut down lanes [to] see what the impacts are going to be. … When I drive down that road, I try to envision [the changes and] sometimes it seems like three lanes is going to be sufficient, but other times, when people are going to school or going to work in the morning, it’s pretty crowded and that’s without the additional units.”
Ford said he was all for additional traffic analysis, but emphasized that the ordinance and the McKinleyville Town Center Project are focused on defining a communal area in the unincorporated city.
“It’s unusual to have a five-lane arterial ripping through an area that you want to be your area of coming together of the community joining,” Ford said. “The idea there is modifying Central also establishes a sense of place. It’s not a road to get from point A to point B; it becomes more of a destination. I think those are important considerations. Yes, safety is an absolute consideration, and the engineers who would work on the road diet — no matter what it looks like — are going to take safety into account. This is not something that will be done haphazardly.”
Several residents spoke about current traffic issues on Central Ave. during public comment. McKinleyville resident and former state assemblymember Wesley Chesbro shared a harrowing story in which two teenagers were almost hit by a speeding vehicle while crossing the street at a crosswalk.
Chesbro| Screenshot
“It was truly terrifying,” Chesbro said. “There’s no reason why the main street through McKinleyville has to be as wide as South Broadway carrying 101’s traffic through south Eureka, and that’s what we have. Think about it: The five lanes that you drive on South Broadway to carry that heavy traffic is the same width through the community of McKinleyville.”
The vast majority of commenters spoke in favor of the ordinance, with many thanking the McKinleyville Municipal Advisory Committee (MMAC) for its work in refining the document.
“To me, the whole thing’s really heroic,” said Peter Pennekamp, a board member of the Anne S. Pierson Foundation, which owns most of the 134-acre town center site. “No one’s ever going to be happy about all the details, but what started out with the bureaucracy … has now grown into this thing that everyone’s involved with. … This ordinance is the product of many years of public input and careful deliberation, and it reflects the community’s vision for a town center that balances housing, services, open space, and ecological stewardship.”
Patrick Kaspari, general manager of the McKinleyville Community Services District, also expressed his gratitude to county staff and the MMAC, noting that the ordinance crafting process was “the most focused and extensive public process that I’ve ever been part of in my 45 years of working in the public sector.”
However, the few residents who spoke against the ordinance said they were disappointed in the lack of public process.
After a two-and-a-half-hour discussion on traffic and various other aspects of the ordinance, the commission ultimately agreed that the county should pursue additional analysis before finalizing plans for Central Ave.
O’Neill made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation to certify the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) for the project, adopt a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) and approve “all required findings of approval” for a zoning ordinance amendment that would change the town center zoning designation to mixed use with a qualified combining zone (Q-Zone) overlay.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jerome Qiriazi and passed in a unanimous 5-0 vote, with at-large commissioners Sarah West and Lorna McFarlane absent.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On June 5, 2025, a deputy involved shooting occurred in the Loleta area. When we have a critical incident, we want to release as much information as possible as soon as the investigation allows. Today we are able to share with our community a critical incident video which includes an overview of the June 5th incident and corresponding video.
The below linked video contains graphic images and explicit language that may be disturbing to some viewers. This video is not suitable for children. Viewer discretion advised.
During the morning hours of September 19, 2025, the Eureka
Police Department was notified of multiple tagging incidents on several buildings that occurred
overnight. Officers determined the graffiti to be consistent across all locations.
At one location, the words “This was never their land to extract from” were written beneath the
drawings. At another, the phrase “The death of greed” was found. The images appear to depict a
figure hanging from a rope while holding a flower.
This case is being investigated as felony vandalism. While the images are disturbing and have no place
in our community, investigators have not determined a clear motive. The graffiti does not appear to
specifically target any particular group or race. Regardless of intent, the depiction of violence has no
place in our community, and EPD is committed to ensuring that Eureka remains a safe and welcoming
city for all.
This remains an active investigation, and EPD is asking for the public’s assistance. Anyone with
information is urged to contact the Eureka Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit at 707-
441-4300.
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Original post:
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The Eureka Police Department is looking to identify the person responsible for a repeated image that was tagged on quite a few buildings over the past 24 hours or so.
The all-black paintings, some of which were applied atop existing murals, depict a figure hanging from a rope, head askew, with a flower at the end of one arm. Each suspended figure appears to be wearing a tuxedo or business suit but has no discernible hands or feet. Some of the images have been signed with the tag “KUUM” while others are accompanied by words regarding “THE DEATH OF GREED” and resource extraction.
[UPDATE: Another message, which has since been covered up, read “DON’T BE THE NEXT … .”]
EPD spokesperson Laura Montagna tells the Outpost that officers are investigating, and she believes the suspect was captured on security camera footage, though the department had not yet obtained it, to her knowledge.
Lt. Luke Scown with the Arcata Police Department said that agency received at least two reports saying the hanged man image had been painted on the back side of the Allen Building, home to Barnes’ Pharmacy. APD has no suspects at this time, Scown said.
There’s some discussion about this graffiti taking place over on the Humboldt subreddit, where a number of users agree that the image may be a political statement on the 21-year-old Black man who was recently found hanging from a tree on a university college campus in Mississippi. A county coroner ruled the death a suicide, but the man’s family is skeptical of that conclusion. They’re conducting their own investigation and plan to seek an independent autopsy.
Is that what the image means? Who knows? A Facebook user who messaged the Outpost interpreted it as a “terrorist threat.” A woman who called in suggested that it represents a threat against the local business community and expressed fear for the safety of her family. [Clarification: She wrote to us on Facebook to specify that she’s “concerned that the local businesses of people of color are being targeted.”]
Meanwhile, many of the images have already been painted over.
While online opinions regarding the merits and intent of the hanged man art vary, the two local police departments were unanimous in considering them a crime.
Eureka real estate update! The long-vacant building at the northwest corner of Fifth and G streets is set to become a hub for local artsiness. The Ink People Center of the Arts made public today news that they have purchased the space, which has historically housed Meyer Bistrins clothing store, nightlife venues Club West, Indigo, Aunty Mo’s, the short-lived Eureka Alibi and most recently Roses’ Billiards.
To celebrate the acquisition, Ink People staff held an open house gathering in their new digs. LoCO attended and snapped some photos, which you can find at the bottom of this post.
For more on the Ink People’s plans for the space, peruse their press release below:
After 46 years of stewarding arts and culture, The Ink People Center for Art and Culture has purchased 535 5th Street in downtown Eureka, converting a long-vacant structure into the organization’s first permanent home in its more than four decades of service to the North Coast. The acquisition positions The Ink People to expand programs, strengthen the creative economy, and support the flourishing of arts and culture across Humboldt County and the wider region.
“A permanent home for the Ink People means stability for artists and youth, space for cultural exchange, and year-round access to creative resources for the North Coast,” said Leslie Castellano, executive director of The Ink People. “Turning an underutilized and vacant building into a place for connection and possibility will support community flourishing and revitalization efforts throughout the region.”
“I am very proud of the ways the Ink People has grown since I have retired,” said Libby Maynard, co-founder and retired executive director of The Ink People. “This is a huge milestone for the organization and for the community.”
Located in the heart of the Eureka Cultural Arts District, 535 5th Street will be redeveloped into a flexible, community-serving facility. Plans include gallery and exhibition space; classrooms and convening areas for youth and adult learning; and a small performance and gathering venue. The organization will also consolidate administrative offices, increasing efficiency and public access.
The new site will expand the capacity of several core Ink People initiatives:
DreamMaker Program: fiscal sponsorship and professional support for grassroots arts and culture projects serving neighborhoods across the North Coast.
MARZ Project: a hands-on digital media and creative technology program where teens learn audio, video, design, and storytelling skills that translate to college and careers.
Community Exhibitions & Events: rotating shows, public art activations, and cultural programming that reflect and celebrate the diversity of Eureka and neighboring communities.
By activating a long-underutilized property, the project advances local economic development goals. The center will attract residents and visitors to downtown, create contract and part-time opportunities for artists and creative workers, and provide a platform for small creative businesses to sell work, teach classes, and host events. The organization will work with local contractors, fabricators, and suppliers throughout renovation and build-out.
“This is an investment in people and place,” Castellano added. “A permanent cultural center supports jobs, draws cultural tourism, and keeps creative talent rooted here. Most importantly, it offers a welcoming, intergenerational space for learning, healing, and belonging.”
To ensure a successful transition, The Ink People is launching a capital campaign inviting individuals, businesses, and public partners to invest in the build-out and revitalization of the site. The campaign will include naming opportunities, sponsorships, and in-kind support to make the new home as beautiful, accessible, and vibrant as the North Coast communities it serves.
Renovation planning and community engagement will begin immediately, with phased opening of public-facing spaces to follow. The Ink People will announce opportunities for volunteers, partners, and donors to participate in the transformation of the site in the coming months.
Local muralist Blake Reagan paints temporary signage announcing the building’s new residents.
Inside the cavernous space
Ernesto Gomez serenades gathered creatives
Ink People Center for the Arts Executive Director Leslie Castellano casts some vision
At approximately 6:44 p.m. [on Sept. 15], Eureka Police Department patrol officers responded to a report of a reckless driver traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour within the US Highway 101/South safety corridor.
During the incident, the passenger—who also owned the vehicle—requested the driver to pull over and let them exit due to the dangerous driving behavior. The driver refused, effectively detaining the passenger against their will while continuing to drive recklessly. When the vehicle eventually stopped near 4th and R Streets, the passenger was able to exit. The driver then fled the scene in the victim’s vehicle.
Officers located the suspect a short time later near the 3300 block of Broadway and conducted a traffic enforcement stop. The driver, identified as 35-year-old Abdul-Rahman Ahmed Omar of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was ultimately taken into custody for kidnapping, false imprisonment, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Within the vehicle, officers recovered a pistol loaded with a high-capacity magazine.
Omar was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for multiple felony charges.
To protect the integrity of this ongoing investigation, further details are not currently being released.
Anyone with information related to this incident is encouraged to contact the Eureka Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Unit (CIU) at 707-441-4300.
Press release from Humboldt Waterkeeper and the Redwood Community Action Agency:
Humboldt Waterkeeper’s interactive digital Humboldt Bay Water Trail map is now available to help kayakers, paddlers, and others navigate around the bay. Originally developed by Redwood Community Action Agency (RCAA), Humboldt Waterkeeper has breathed new life into the map, updating it with channel depths from NOAA’s navigational charts and crowd-sourcing updates on the best boat launches. Download the georeferenced PDF for mobile apps like Avenza, or access the interactive web map directly in any browser.
“RCAA has been collaborating with leadership visionaries to provide a continually updated water trails map for residents and visitors alike,” said Denise Newman, Projects Coordinator for RCAA’s Natural Resource Services. “RCAA is pleased to see Humboldt Waterkeeper buoy this effort for our boating community with a digitized and easily updateable map.”
Beginning in 2009 with a variety of funding sources, RCAA has worked with Humboldt Bay Harbor Recreation and Conservation District, HSU Center Activities (now Cal Poly Humboldt Outdoor Adventures), the cities of Arcata and Eureka, local boating outfits and retailers to maintain the water trails map for residents and visitors alike.
“The updated Humboldt Bay Water Trails map is a great contribution towards getting more people on the water in fun and safe ways. It’s an important resource for local paddlers to discover new launch spots and paddle routes, and for visiting paddlers to see all the options for getting on the bay and to tailor their excursions to tides and other conditions,” said Brian Orland, a local sea kayaker and member of Explore North Coast.
Both the web map and the georeferenced PDF allow for live location tracking on a smartphone or other mobile device. Details on access, tides, safety, water recreation tips and local resources allow paddlers to make informed decisions for how to best enjoy Humboldt Bay by watercraft. These details can be found in the web map by tapping or clicking on symbols, such as the numbered dots representing boat launches. Choose your preferred location, route, length of trip, and time of day in tandem with the tides.
Humboldt Waterkeeper is surveying people about their uses of Humboldt Bay – whether you paddle, fish, swim, or none of the above, your input is helpful.
Humboldt Waterkeeper (formerly Humboldt Baykeeper) works to safeguard our coastal resources for the health, enjoyment, and economic strength of the Humboldt Bay community through education, scientific research, and enforcement of laws to fight pollution. For more info, visit https://humboldtwaterkeeper.org.
Redwood Community Action Agency is a nonprofit organization that provides housing, energy, natural resources, youth, and community services in Eureka and nearby areas. Learn how RCAA empowers people and changes lives since 1980. For more info, visit https://www.rcaa.org/.
Explore North Coast (ENC) is an association of paddlers that hosts regular paddling events, promotes paddling safety and education, and encourages stewardship of, and improvements to, bay and coastal access on the North Coast.https://explorenorthcoast.net/
