Today the Lost Coast Outpost is proud to welcome its newest reporter – Sage Alexander, formerly of the Times-Standard! Let’s give it up for Sage, everyone!

Alexander has been a mainstay over at the T-S for the last few years, running around and writing about county government, city councils, court proceedings, economic developments, health care, higher education, mass protests, disasters, emergencies, catastrophes, small triumphs, petty squabbles, bad weather, good weather, cannabis regulation, algal blooms, zoo animals and the county fair chili cook-off.

So he has paid his Humboldt dues. Now, what’s he going to be doing for you? More of the same! But perhaps a tiny bit less of it? Many hands make light work, and we hope that a larger newsroom will allow Alexander to go a little bit deeper than the decapitated-chicken approach to content creation has permitted him to do, heretofore.

We’re expecting that pretty soon, here, Alexander is going to be bringing you more coverage from the Humboldt County Courthouse than we’ve had since the great Rhonda Parker retired. Which is cool, because we’ve been missing that. But I dunno, there’s lots of ways we can go! Maybe you have ideas.

“I’m very excited to start working at the Outpost,” Alexander tells me, his new boss. “I love reporting in Humboldt County. It’s a very interesting place, with very unique people. They’re always very hungry to learn more about the place they live, so reporting is very appreciated here.”

OK! Welcome aboard, Sage Alexander! You’ll be seeing his byline here very soon.

From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 19, 2026, at 7:56 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to a residence near Davis Ct. and Williams St. in Eureka for a reported burglary in progress.

While deputies were en route, emergency dispatchers advised that the reporting party, a caretaker for the property, observed a female attempting to break into the residence via a Ring doorbell camera system.

Upon arrival, deputies located two adult females on the property. Both individuals were immediately detained pending further investigation.  Based on witness statements and physical evidence collected at the scene, 43-year-old Willow Rose Mace of Eureka was arrested. 

Mace was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where she was booked on the following charges:

• PC 664/459: Attempted burglary
• PC 466: Possession of burglary tools

Mace is a convicted felon.

The second female was released at the scene.

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.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office reminds residents to report suspicious activity immediately and to utilize available security measures such as surveillance camera systems to help deter and investigate criminal activity.

Humboldt County residents who are interested in forming or joining a Neighborhood Watch program are encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office for more information.

PREVIOUSLY

• Arcata Mulls Grant Options for Its Low-Income Residents

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A slightly short-staffed Arcata City Council decided last night to wait to make a decision on which projects they’d attempt to fund with state money. 

The main item on the agenda was a public brainstorming on Arcata’s Community Development Block Grants application, when members of the public and the council could pitch projects the city could try and fund using CDBG money. City staff had a few ideas of their own; two heads from the community development department presented some paths forward for the city’s application. 

City staff said they were fairly certain they could secure $500,000 for the city’s low-interest small business loan program and $200,000 to work out a redevelopment plan for the Little Lake property on South I Street. Arcata consistently earns CDBG funding for their economic development programs; community development director David Loya has said Arcata is one of the best cities in California at winning those funds. 

But the CDGB application allows asking for funding for a big project in addition to smaller ones. The big question the council dodged was deciding if they’d chase $2.9 million for fixing infrastructure at The Grove, or the same amount for replacing aging water meters.

Both are important priorities for the city, councilmembers said. Sixteen of the 60 units at The Grove are currently unusable for one reason or another, and the Arcata House Partnership doesn’t have the money to fix them. But many of the city’s water meters — about 700 of them — are slowly going out, said finance director Tabatha Miller, and it’s draining the city’s coffers. 

When the meters reach a certain point, they quit measuring water usage accurately, often undercounting by a large degree. Miller said Arcata gets paid 30% less than it should for the amount of water used. Some of that is from leaky pipes or firefighting, but there are also a number of active accounts who aren’t billed anything. “We believe there’s usage,” Miller said, “but there’s nothing that’s being measured.” 

Arcata’s replaced a few of the faulty meters since the steel waterline replacement project began. Miller said a number of customers complained when their bills went up. 

“It doubled when their meter was replaced,” Miller said. “And in talking to them, what we’re finding is that they probably weren’t paying the right amount. When we ask how many people are in the house, what kind of house it is, what their habits are, it’s clear that they were underpaying.”

If Arcata secures those CDGB funds, it wouldn’t be enough to replace all of the dead meters. The city would need an additional $4-5 million that would likely come from either the state’s water fund, or from Arcata’s water enterprise fund. 

If the city replaces the meters, they may also be able to lower the water rates, which has been a contentious issue recently. If not, Arcata may have to raise the rates again in the future to offset the meters leeching from the system.

Whichever option the council prioritizes has a solid chance of earning funding, community development director David Loya told the council. They both score equally on California’s scoring rubric, although Loya said because Arcata has more experience completing past projects similar to the water meter replacement with CDBG funds, they’d probably have a better shot of getting that funded. 

There were only three out of the five councilmembers present at the meeting, and the ones there decided they’d wait until a special meeting on Feb. 26 to deliberate with everyone present. They’ll make a recommendation then on which option city staff should apply for.

Councilmembers Stacy Atkins-Salazar and Alex Stillman both said they liked the idea of fixing the units at The Grove, though they also understood the importance of fixing the meters, which Meredith Matthews leaned towards.

“There really isn’t any money in the foreseeable future for this project for housing,” Atkins-Salazar said. “Our [federal] government just isn’t prioritizing this. So if we don’t opt to do this, then there’s a chance — a very good chance — that it just won’t get done.”

Also…

The council decided to award a $2,500 contract to Bright and Green for reusable dishware, and also extended the local declaration of emergency.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 19, 2026, at 12:24 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff deputies were dispatched to the 2600 block of Central Ave. in McKinleyville to meet with a victim reporting a physical assault. Upon arrival, deputies contacted a 20-year-old male victim who reported that while visiting an apartment on Larissa Circle, he was physically assaulted, threatened, and prevented from leaving by the apartment two individuals.  The victim was able to flee the apartment and seek assistance.

Deputies observed injuries consistent with the reported assault. Emergency medical services responded and transported the victim to a local hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspects were identified as 22-year-old Catalina Faith Meng of McKinleyville and 19-year-old Eric Nelson of Scotia. Based upon the victim’s statements and corroborating physical evidence, deputies arrested Meng and Nelson. Both were transported to the Humboldt County Correctional facility and booked on the following charges:

Meng:

• PC 236: False imprisonment w/ violence
• PC 273.5(a): Inflict corporal injury on spouse/co-habitant/dating relationship 
• PC 243(d): Battery w/ serious bodily injury

Nelson:

• PC 236: False imprisonment w/ violence
• PC 243(d): Battery w/serious bodily injury
• PC 422: Threaten w/ intent to terrorize

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.

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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California Democrats this weekend in San Francisco have an opportunity to set the tone in a pivotal election year when their voters could decide control of the U.S. House.

As Democrats across the country push to harness dissatisfaction with the Trump administration into a transformative November midterm, all eyes are on the nation’s largest state party as it chooses who to support in California’s June primary.

Party leaders are riding high after voters backed Proposition 50, the ballot measure to gerrymander congressional districts in favor of Democrats. The three-day gathering gives it an early opportunity to build on that momentum for the upcoming elections.

The state’s marquee race this year is the one to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, a national Democratic star with presidential aspirations who terms out at the end of this year. But don’t expect a rousing party endorsement there: With nearly 10 candidates, it’s unlikely any of them will attract enough of the 3,500 expected Democratic delegates to secure the nod. Newsom himself won’t attend, a spokesperson said.

Instead, one of the biggest questions will be whether California Democrats continue to anoint establishment candidates — those with backing from elected party leaders, high-dollar donors and powerful lobbying groups — or if political newcomers can convert their grassroots support from the party into actual endorsements.

For years, young Democrats in particular have urged the party to embrace bolder, more progressive ideas such as universal health coverage, tuition-free college, banning the sale of arms to Israel and eschewing the Democratic Party’s longstanding deference to seniority and incumbency through term limits. The brashness of the second Trump administration has given new urgency to those demands as the Democratic base tires of what activists call a milquetoast “radical civility” approach.

“The fact that we’re in a national emergency means there’s no time for incrementalism or moderation,” said Heidi Hall, a Nevada County supervisor and the first Democrat to announce she is challenging incumbent GOP Rep. Kevin Kiley to represent a competitive district east of Sacramento.

“Any Democrat in office who’s not willing to fight this hard should get out, should step aside and let someone else in who is going to fight it,” Hall said. “Or they’re going to be complicit in what’s happening.”

Kiley has since said he will run for Congress again, but not in his current district, which has changed dramatically since the passage of Prop. 50.

Early signs suggest there’s at least some appetite for new blood in California’s overwhelmingly Democratic congressional delegation of 52 members. In January, local delegates blocked five sitting Democratic congressmembers — Reps. Ami Bera, John Garamendi, Doris Matsui, Brad Sherman and Mike Thompson — from securing endorsements that incumbents typically receive by default. Those members instead have had to court delegates to earn the party’s nod as they face challenges from further left-leaning, and mostly younger, candidates.

And while Thompson, Garamendi and Sherman were able to amass enough support from local delegates in a pre-convention endorsement vote, Matsui must continue seeking support at the convention. Bera was iced out of an endorsement entirely since he was unable to secure even a simple majority of votes from delegates in his district.

“People on the ground are tired of insider politics like this,” Hall said. “They want to be heard and they want the opportunity to choose the candidate they want.”

Hall’s team spent more than a month calling delegates and gathering petition signatures to deny Bera an automatic endorsement. She criticized the seven-term congressman from Elk Grove, who represents the Sacramento-based 6th Congressional District, for jumping into the race in the neighboring 3rd District where she is running after the new Prop. 50 maps made the seat far more favorable to Democrats.

In a preliminary endorsement vote, Hall placed third behind Bera and fellow grassroots candidate Eric Bennett, who also switched districts in November.

Another endorsement fight to watch is in the 22nd Congressional District, where two Central Valley Democrats have embraced different tactics to win swing votes as they vie for the chance to topple incumbent GOP Rep. David Valadao, a top target for Democrats nationally this cycle.

Randy Villegas, a community college professor, Visalia school board trustee and political newcomer, is hoping to win his party’s endorsement over establishment-favorite Assemblymember Jasmeet Bains, who is endorsed by the powerful Service Employees International Union of California.

Villegas is campaigning on the economic populist message popularized by progressives such as U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, while Bains, a physician from Kern County, portrays herself as a moderate “Valleycrat” who isn’t afraid to buck party leadership.

Winning the party endorsement over the incumbent or establishment favorite will still be an uphill battle, said Mai Vang, the progressive Sacramento city council member challenging Rep. Matsui in the 7th Congressional District. To her, the party’s endorsements signify more than just an infusion of campaign money and volunteer door-knockers.

“It’s about the future of this country and what kind of Democratic Party we want to be moving forward,” Vang said. “In this moment, we have to ask ourselves, ‘What type of leaders do we want to send to the halls of Congress to fight this authoritarian administration?’”

Who will Democrats support for governor?

One race in which there will almost certainly be no endorsement is the wide-open governor’s race.

It’s typically hard to secure the party’s endorsement in any race without an incumbent, requiring a candidate to get 60% of delegates’ votes. This weekend, a whopping eight Democrats running for governor will give speeches before delegates on Saturday — and that doesn’t even include all the Democrats in the race.

Those vying for the endorsement include former Rep. Katie Porter, a consumer attorney who made her name in Congress challenging corporate executives; Rep. Eric Swalwell, a former prosecutor known for playing a role in the second Trump impeachment; and the self-funding billionaire Tom Steyer, who has poured some of his hedge fund-gained wealth into environmental activism.

From left, former U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Xavier Becerra, California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former mayor of Los Angeles and State Speaker Antonio Villaraigosa, and former California State Controller Betty Yee speak during the “Health Matters: A Conversation With Our Next Governor” debate at UC Riverside on Nov. 7, 2025. Photo by Leroy Hamilton

Lagging them in campaign cash and polls are former Attorney General Xavier Becerra, former state Controller Betty Yee, state public schools chief Tony Thurmond and former Assemblymember Ian Calderon.

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan was the latest to enter the race last month, missing a party deadline to seek the endorsement. But the moderate, who is not well known outside of the Bay Area, has quickly raised millions of dollars in campaign donations from tech executives like Google co-founder Sergey Brin and Palantir co-founder Joe Lonsdale, making him a formidable opponent.

Still, all the candidates will work the crowds this weekend. The gathering, which will feature both official work like voter registration training and boozy schmooze-fests hosted by interest groups and campaigns, represents the highest concentration of the most active party loyalists in the state. It’s a chance for the candidates to win the attention of potential organizers, volunteers and benefactors.

Failing to secure a sizable number of delegates could ramp up pressure on some candidates to drop out, as poll after poll points to the wide field of Democrats splitting voters’ support and putting Republicans in the apparent lead. In California’s top-two primary, the two candidates who receive the most votes move on to the general election, regardless of party, leading some Democrats to be anxious that two Republicans could advance.

For months, polling has shown the top two Republican candidates, former Fox News commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, besting most Democrats. In the latest poll by Emerson College, published Wednesday, the top-polling Democrat was Swalwell, with 14% of likely voters supporting him. He was sandwiched between top-polling Hilton and Bianco, meaning the three are statistically tied. No other Democrat got more than 10% of surveyed voters’ support.

Party Chair Rusty Hicks dismissed the concerns that there are too many little-known Democrats in the race, and would not say whether he or the party would intervene to prompt candidates to drop out and consolidate support.

“I’m committed to doing what’s required to ensure we win in November of 2026, period,” he said. “The reality is, by the time you get to the end of March and beginning of April, you’re likely to see the field naturally thin itself out.”

Barbara Angela Shumard
July 22, 1946 - February 10, 2026

Barbara Angela Shumard passed on peacefully from this world to the next on February 10, 2026 surrounded by all of her loved ones.

Barb was born on July 22, 1946 in Scotia to Angelo Barsanti and his wife Agnes (Anderson). She was raised in Holmes Flat alongside her brother Richard in their early years until their parent’s divorce, after which she spent the remainder of her childhood years in Patrick’s Point. While attending McKinleyville High School she met and began dating the one and only true love of her life, Roy Shumard, whom she quickly married on May 9, 1964. After building a family together they moved to Eureka, where Roy started his car dealership and Barb continued her education to earn her RN degree.

They began to build a wonderful life together as Roy’s business prospered and Barb rose to head nurse at General Hospital in Eureka, later becoming a nursing instructor for College of the Redwoods. She ended her career as Director of Med Surge at Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna. Barb was a highly respected nurse and teacher in her tenure. Many in the community were blessed by her shared knowledge and intuitive nature as a professional caregiver. Even in her final hours her hospice nurse thanked her for the impression she made on his career as a medical professional. This title of caregiver was not only her work, but her way of life.

Barb and her family shared many great trips and adventures together. As her boys were finishing their high school years Barb and Roy moved to Blue Lake and built a wonderful home there. They later purchased their beloved ranch in Snow Camp in 1983. Together, Barb and Roy built their own little paradise on the expansive, breathtaking acres of land tending to their numerous cabins, animals, orchards and gardens with the utmost love and care. They spent many years gaining and building lifelong friendships there, entertaining their closest friends and family, hosting many outstanding parties, and sharing lifelong memories for all that were lucky enough to attend. Their Halloween barn parties became notorious “can’t-miss” events in the Snow Camp region with outrageous costumes and party antics, most of which will be etched in the memories of all who attended.

When Barb wasn’t on the ranch or in her greenhouse she was deeply creative. In her later years she was a heartfelt poet writing about her loved ones and the beautiful life around her. Her and Roy took many trips in their motorhome, enjoying their retirement years traveling together. She was also incredibly fascinated by her ancestry and researched her Italian and Scandinavian roots to complete and share her familial history. She had a passion for preserving her life’s work and memories through extensive photo albums and carefully handwritten recipe books to pass on to her family. She had a sharp, engaging sense of humor that could entertain the oldest friend or the youngest of her grandchildren.

Barbara adored her grandchildren, and they adored her just the same. Anything they were curious about, she would encourage that curiosity with patience, enthusiasm, and affection. She would often be found adventuring with her grandkids, doing activities such as picking berries and taking long walks at the Blue Lake property or exploring the acres upon acres of the ranch and its rich history. From tending to the gardens with them, hosting sleepovers, attending their sports games and dance recitals, and teaching them to cook and bake, Barb poured so much love into their upbringing. Even when her memory began to fade her grandkids’ connection to her never wavered because of that unconditional love she gave them.

In the last 10 years or so of Barb’s life, she battled to stave off the effects of her Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Upon receiving her diagnosis, both her and Roy decided to take a meaningful trip to Alaska with her boys and their families to create lasting, cherished memories– something that was very important to them for their whole family. She fought hard to preserve her once beautiful, intelligent mind from a cruel disease which ultimately robbed her of her elegant demeanor, magnetic personality, and one of the most charming smiles the world has ever seen.

Barb is preceded in death by her loving father Angelo Barsanti and her beloved mother Agnes Hollenberg. She is survived by her devoted husband of 61 years, Roy Shumard and their dog Ruby of Blue Lake, her sons, Troy Shumard and wife Melanie of Loleta, Trent Shumard and wife Tracy of McKinleyville, and her cherished grandchildren Brenden, Angela, Michael, and Parker. She is also survived by her dear brother and sisters Richard Barsanti of Fortuna, Ranee Barsanti and life partner Jessica of Gardnerville, Nevada and Terra Ann Barsanti of Last Chance, Calif. Barb was so fortunate to have two special friends, Estelle Shives and Robin Daughterty, with whom she built a life long friendship from her teenage years until her time of passing. Barb was also blessed with many cousins, nieces and nephews whom she loved fondly, each holding a special place in her heart.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in Barb’s name to a charity of your choice. A celebration of life will be held at Elks in Eureka on March 14 from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Elks Lodge - 445 Herrick Ave, Eureka.

On January 27, while gentle rain tapped on the window, Bill, surrounded by family and friends, quietly, peacefully drew his final breath and slipped away from us.

S William Peer was born in Greenville, Pennsylvania to David and Betty Rose Peer on the 28th of July 1951. He was raised in nearby Jeannette, along with older sister Diane and younger sister Donna. The surrounding woods and creeks were a playground for him in those early years. His love of the outdoors would be with him a lifetime.

After high school graduation in 1969 he headed south to Salem, West Virginia and attended Salem College, graduating in 1973 with a B.S degree. He remained in the area working with local and state social service agencies for the next 10 years. An urge to wander set in and he left to explore the southern Atlantic and Gulf coasts, settling in Key West with a job at one of the many guest houses there. Being a tourist town, he met many people from all over the world. After several years, the need to wander came again and he headed north to Boston, landing a job with the state social services agency. He was later hired by FedEx as a delivery driver. His route was in downtown Boston, and anybody that has ever driven there will know you need great driving skills and patience, which he had.

The lure of warmer weather called and after 10 years in Boston he headed south again, this time to West Palm Beach with a transfer from FedEx. After the move he took a part-time job at a neighborhood bar where he met many locals. Finally, in 1994 he bought his first house, a 1925 Spanish Mission style, in one of West Palm’s oldest neighborhoods. Gardening was his passion and he embraced all the tropical plants growing in that climate. His entire property was a tangled, tropical wonderland. A natural fit for Bill was to become involved in the neighborhood association where he organized and promoted their annual garden tour. It was a great success and continues to this day.

Bill and Steve began their journey together there. After several trips to the Bay Area and Sonoma, Bill decided it was time to introduce the love of his life to the real redwoods in Humboldt County that he had experienced on an earlier trip. So, on the next excursion to California, they headed north, left highway 101 at Weott and drove the Mattole Road ending in Ferndale. It was a magical introduction to the area, and they decided then and there to relocate. It took several years but in 2013 the big move from Florida happened. Together they created a fascinating home and garden in Humboldt.

Bill loved living here, exploring its wild nature and meeting what feels like lifelong friends. He soon became involved with the Eureka Heritage Society, joined the board, and happily volunteered long hours in the gardens at the Annie B. Ryan House. It was his passion project, and home away from home.

Bill felt strongly about community involvement and served on the Humboldt Grand Jury and as precinct captain for many elections. He was loving and direct, focused and fun. He enjoyed people, big events, British murder mysteries, books, travel, digging in the dirt, and exploring this beautiful place we call home.

He is survived by his husband Steve Tate, sisters Diane Bradford and Donna Wooldbridge, niece Monika Bradford and nephew Ryan Zabielski, many close friends, and best pup Paxy. We all have lost a piece of our heart with his passing.

Below are some thoughts and memories of Bill from family and friends –

• You are in my heart forever.
• I will miss you calling Steve “Sweetie”.
• Goodbyes are not forever, are not the end; it simply means I’ll miss you until we meet again.
• With talent, skill, charm and grace, he made the world a better place.
• He made good things happen.
• Leader, Intelligent, Fun, Good conversationist, Dependable, Caring.
• When this astonishing couple arrived on our shores, we couldn’t believe our, and Humboldt County’s good fortune! Bill’s first appearance at the Annie B. Ryan house was an injection of brilliant energy. He inspired us and always will.
• He leaves behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy of love, touched more lives than he ever realized and will forever be in my heart.
• He had the ability to interact with difficult often obnoxious people at the Garden in a respectful, gracious way. Very productive.
• I always admired Bill’s passion for the commitments he made.

Thank you to the nurses, aides, doctors, and other staff at Providence St. Joseph Hospital. Their care is appreciated more than they may know. We are fortunate to have them as part of our community.

A memorial will be announced at a later date. If you wish, please consider a donation to The Eureka Heritage Society and join them at one of their preservation-focused events. Lastly, stroll through the Annie B. Ryan Gardens at 1000 F Street. May you find the peace there that he did.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Bill Peer’s family. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.