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Just days before the start of school, some California State University students were still waiting to find out how much they’re getting in grants and loans, and university officials are blaming the federal government for those delays. But despite a flurry of social media complaints about the delays, student leaders and university officials point to no major abnormalities

Every summer brings fresh confusion to some students whose financial aid is less than they anticipated or who didn’t notice an important email, but this summer added a new hardship: Not knowing how much actual aid they’d get.The culprit is a change implemented in April by the U.S. Office of Federal Student Aid to update its fraud protections. The move was in response to the 2025 Republican-approved One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Some universities, including Cal State, received federal files on how much aid students would receive five to six weeks later than usual.

The delay meant that an unknown number of students got their precise financial aid amounts mere weeks before the start of the school year. Some students didn’t find out what their aid amounts were until after the deadline to pay tuition. Cal State campuses had provisions in place to keep students enrolled who didn’t pay if their financial aid awards were pending.

That this occurred in the middle of the financial aid cycle “is very unusual,” said April Grommo, an assistant vice chancellor for strategic enrollment management at the California State University Chancellor’s Office.

The delay in receiving information about aid amounts is separate from actually getting federal grants and loans. Federal rules prohibit students from receiving their actual financial aid until within 10 days of the start of the school year. Cal State classes begin this month.

The student experience

A handful of users of the social media tool Reddit posted about their FAFSA delays at Cal State. One user from Cal State Fullerton wrote on Aug. 1 that “I’m very concerned because the semester begins the 22nd of August … and I do not want to be dropped from any courses.” Other redditors at Fullerton echoed that worry. Similar posts were found at subreddits for San Jose State, Cal State Long Beach and Cal State Northridge.

The delay didn’t affect students who applied using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, by the state’s priority deadline of March 2, Grommo said.But the sheer volume of aid going to students at Cal State is immense — some $5.5 billion was disbursed last year to more than 385,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Campus financial aid employees worked overtime to compensate for the federal delays, Grommo said. Several Cal State schools are shortstaffed, compounding the delay in getting information to students.Another change in the 2025 federal law placed lower caps on how much students and their parents could borrow for college. Those caps went into effect this year, likely catching off guard some students who relied on loans. Still, some 65% of undergraduates who earn a bachelor’s degree at Cal State graduate without loan debt.

The system’s undergraduate student government, the California State Student Association, hasn’t detected a major uptick in student complications, despite the confusion, said Joe Nino, the association’s executive director. “At this time, CSSA is not aware of this being a widespread issue,” he wrote by email. “To our knowledge, there are protections in place to ensure students won’t be dropped from their classes due to FAFSA delays.”

Sydney Yee is the vice president of Cal State Fullerton’s student government. The rising senior and finance major said the student government office hadn’t received any complaints from students about nonresponsive campus officials. She too had questions about her financial aid package and called the school’s financial aid office over the summer to receive guidance she found useful.Redditors also advised frustrated students to call their campus financial aid office and be persistent.“Something I think that the financial aid (staff) has done very well here has been staying very proactive with these delays,” Yee said in an interview, pointing to explanatory emails as well as Instagram posts that explained why some students received dropped course notifications on their accounts and why those holds were lifted.Grommo explained that the notification was meant to give students peace of mind. If the drop hold was lifted and they’re still enrolled, that means the campus concluded the student is in good financial standing.Jessicca Barco, associate vice president for strategic enrollment management at Cal State Fullerton, added that normally returning students would learn their financial aid amounts between May and June. The information is provided near the end of the academic year to ensure students meet federal grade requirements to continue receiving aid. The federal delay meant some 23,000 returning students received their aid information last Friday. The campus moved back the deadline to pay for tuition to Aug. 19, Barco added. For many students it’s typically in mid-July.

Reasons for getting financial aid late

As for why some students may get their federal financial aid late — some students in the past received theirs as late as October — Grommo cited several factors.One may be that those students applied for financial aid well into summer rather than in late winter. Another may be that they were selected to undergo an audit of their family finances to ensure they’re eligible for financial aid. Or their grades are too low to continue receiving aid and they must appeal to the school to restore their eligibility. Other students may experience a sudden loss of personal or family finances that isn’t captured in the income data they filed in their aid applications.“The majority of students go through the process just fine, but of course, the small group that does not go through the process fine, those are the really major issues,” Grommo said.

Her advice to students: Make sure their school email account is set up in case the campus is only emailing them there rather than their personal account and to keep calling their school’s financial aid office.

Cal State Fullerton students got their financial aid disbursements Wednesday.

LeRoy Modine of Eureka peacefully passed from this life to his home in Heaven on July 31, 2026, at the age of 93.

LeRoy’s strong faith in Jesus showed in the kindness and generosity he shared every day. Those who knew him will remember his positivity, bright smile, and the twinkle in his beautiful blue eyes. He saw the good in life and encouraged others to do the same.

LeRoy was born in Colome, South Dakota, to Julius and Mildred Modine. He was the fifth of seven children. His childhood nickname was Peewee.  

He joined the Navy in 1951 and served aboard the battleship USS Iowa during the Korean War from 1951 to 1954. He considered his time in the Navy as an honor and was a member of the American Legion. He married his first wife, Jody, in 1956, and they moved to Eureka in 1960. They had two sons: Larry and Marty.

He spent his career at Bob’s Fine Cars in Eureka, working there from its opening in 1961 until his retirement in 1994. In the early 2000s, he returned to work for one day so he could say he had worked for all three generations of the Crivello family. 

After Jody passed away unexpectedly in 1991, LeRoy later married Ina Watson in 1995. Together, they enjoyed dancing at the Moose Lodge, traveling, tending their roses and spending time with friends and family.

LeRoy was a huge SF 49ers fan. He enjoyed working in his yard and feeding his neighbors’ chickens each morning. He always looked for ways to help others and gave to many local and national charities. 

His generosity also showed up in the everyday rhythm of his life. He was an avid walker, often walking seven to eight miles a day, picking up trash along the way. In 2012, he was awarded the City of Eureka- Keep Eureka Beautiful Award for that service. 

He was preceded in death by his wives Jody and Ina; his sons Marty and Larry; four brothers, Dale, Harold, Pete and Vern; and one sister, Donna. He is survived by his sister Shirley of Newcastle, Wyoming, and many other family members. He leaves behind many happy memories in the hearts of his family, his many friends and neighbors.

There will be a graveside service on September 12 at 10 a.m. at Sunset Memorial Park in Eureka followed by a Celebration of Life at Hospice of Humboldt in Eureka. 

In lieu of flowers, LeRoy requested that donations be made to Hospice of Humboldt or Food for People, the food bank of Eureka.

With heavy hearts, we announce that Lena A. Harrison Rentz Machado, 47, passed away unexpectedly in Eureka on July 3, 2026. She was born on September 29, 1978, in San Francisco to Manuel and Audrey Machado.

Lena attended Cutten and Ridgewood Elementary Schools, Winship Middle School, and Eureka High School. She later held various jobs including caregiver, housekeeper, and data entry positions.

She always had a smile on her face and consistently maintained a positive demeanor and valued building relationships, sharing stories with everyone she met, whether they were old friends or new acquaintances. Lena enjoyed spending time with her family and found fulfillment through singing and helping others.

Lena was married to Brian Harrison, and previously to Tim Rentz, with whom she had a daughter, Lexi Rentz, who brought immense happiness to her life; sisters, Christina Machado and Charlotte Scott; brothers Manuel and Kevin Machado; uncles, John and Joseph Machado; aunts, Lucy Spratt and Donna Pieper; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Alex and Mary Judice and Manuel and Lena Machado; father, Manuel Machado; brother, Domingo Machado; aunts, Lorraine Judice, Eleanor Machado and Celeste Bruner; and uncles, Oliver Bruner, Art and Alex Judice.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at St. Bernard’s Church in Eureka on Saturday, August 22 at 10 a.m.

We are thankful for the love and support of family and friends during this difficult time. Lena will be greatly missed.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lena Rentz Machado’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

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Press release from Danco Group:

Eureka, California — August 13, 2026 — The Danco Group is providing notice of a parking lot closure at the EaRTH Center site in Eureka (3rd Street, between G & H Street) in connection with upcoming project activities. The parking lot closure is anticipated to remain in effect for the duration of the project. [In other words, the closure is permanent. —LoCO] Community members, visitors, and other affected parties are encouraged to plan accordingly and observe all posted signage and access restrictions around the project site.

Project Timeline

Parking Lot Closure: August 17, 2026 – June 1, 2028

The schedule is subject to change based on construction progress, site conditions, weather, and other factors that may affect the project timeline. Updates will be provided as appropriate throughout the project.

Project Contact

For questions regarding the parking lot closure, project timeline, access, or other project- related matters, please contact:

McKenzie Dibble

Development Project Manager

Phone: (707) 822-9000 Email: mdibble@danco-group.com

The Danco Group appreciates the community’s patience and cooperation throughout the project and will work to minimize impacts to the surrounding area whenever possible.

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PREVIOUSLY

• EaRTH Center a Go: Eureka Council Approves Ambitious Housing/Transit Development Downtown, Despite Parking Concerns
• Eureka City Council Votes to Remove Lots From Parking Assessment District to Make Way for EaRTH Center
• Design Review Committee Narrowly Approves New Plans for Eureka’s EaRTH Center
• Eureka’s Long-Awaited EaRTH Center Awarded $12 Million in Grant Funds; Construction Slated to Begin Spring 2026

PREVIOUSLY

• POTTER VALLEY DAM UPDATE: The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Says That a Municipal Water District in Riverside County is Interested in Taking Over the Project
• Statements From PG&E and Friends of the Eel on SoCal Agency’s Potter Valley Dam Bid
• That SoCal Water Agency Says It’s Just in the Very Initial, Exploratory Phase of its Potential Bid to Take Over the Eel River Dams
• ‘This is Not OK’: Huffman Says He’ll Launch an Investigation Into the Trump Administration’s Eel River ‘Water Grab’ Scheme
• Internal Documents From a Southern California Water Agency Outline a Vision to Turn Eel River Water Rights Into a Cash Bonanza — at the Expense of Local Users
• FERC OFF: Federal Agency Tosses Southern California Water Agency’s Bid

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Humboldt County residents will have a pair of chances next month to weigh in on the future of the Potter Valley Project, with federal regulators holding public meetings at Eureka’s Wharfinger Building as part of their environmental review of PG&E’s plans to decommission the project.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will hold an evening session Sept. 15 and a daytime session Sept. 16, giving members of the public a couple of chances to say their piece and have their comments entered into the formal record.

PG&E’s plans to surrender and decommission the Potter Valley Project — a defunct hydroelectric system that diverts water from the Upper Eel River to the headwaters of the Russian River — have become something of a political football in recent months. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins seems determined to blow up the “Two-Basin Solution” developed under U.S. Congressman Jared Huffman.

The prospects for that historic agreement have been threatened by the emergence of Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, a SoCal water agency that has expressed interest in taking over the project rather than seeing it dismantled. The district sought to intervene in the FERC proceeding this summer, but FERC rejected the request, meaning the agency is not currently a party to the case.

The upcoming meetings in Eureka are part of FERC’s review of PG&E’s application, filed in July 2025, to surrender its license and decommission the Potter Valley Project. FERC began its environmental scoping process in May and held its first public scoping sessions in Ukiah in June.

Alicia Hamann, executive director of environmental nonprofit Friends of the Eel River, told the Outpost, “It’s a good thing that FERC is giving residents in Humboldt the same opportunity to give input on dam removal that was given to residents in the Russian River watershed.”

If you can’t make it to either of the upcoming meetings — or if you just prefer not to make your comments directly into a microphone in a public forum — don’t worry: FERC’s comment period remains open until Sept. 18 at 2 p.m. here on the West Coast, and you can submit comments online.

[CLARIFICATION: These days, verbal public testimony at FERC public scoping sessions gets recorded on a one-on-one basis by a court reporter rather than via they traditional public-speech-at-a podium format.]

Here’s the official announcement from FERC:

On July 25, 2025, Pacific Gas and Electric Company (applicant or PG&E) filed an application to surrender and decommission the Potter Valley Hydroelectric Project No. 77.  The project is located on the Eel River and East Branch of the Russian River in Lake and Mendocino counties, California.  The project occupies federal lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service.  

On May 22, 2026, the staff of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC or Commission) initiated a scoping process as part of its review and held scoping meetings on June 23 and 24, 2026 in Ukiah, California.  On July 24, 2026, Commission staff extended the comment period to September 18, 2026, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time, for the filing of scoping comments.  

By this notice, Commission staff provides notice of two additional public scoping sessions to collect comments on the scope of the environmental issues that should be analyzed in the NEPA document.  All interested individuals, resource agencies, Native American Tribes, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are invited to attend one or both of the sessions.  

These additional sessions will follow the format of the June 23 and 24, 2026 sessions.  There will be no formal presentations at either session.  Numbered tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-serve basis; individuals will be called in order by ticket number to provide oral comments to be transcribed by a stenographer for the formal record.

Time limits on oral comments may be enforced to ensure those wishing to comment have the opportunity to do so.  The times and locations of the additional scoping sessions are as follows:

Evening Scoping Session 
DATE: Tuesday, September 15, 2026 
TIME: 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Pacific Time (PT) 
PLACE: Wharfinger Building
ADDRESS:  1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA  95501

Daytime Scoping Session 
DATE: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
TIME: 9 a.m.- 11 a.m. (PT) 
PLACE: Wharfinger Building
ADDRESS:  1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA  95501

If you provided comments in our previous June 23-24 scoping sessions, you do not need to attend and/or resubmit your comments.  For additional information on the proceeding, see our May 22, 2026 notice and Scoping Document 1. The comment period for filing all scoping comments closes on September 18, 2026, by 5 p.m. Eastern Time

For public inquiries and assistance with making filings such as interventions, comments, or requests for rehearing, contact the Office of Public Participation at (202) 502-6595 or OPP@ferc.gov. 

If you have further questions, you may also contact Diana Shannon at diana.shannon@ferc.gov or 202-502-6136.

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Attention, property owners! Have you ever looked out at your sprawling land and thought, Wow! My little corner of Humboldt County is so exceptionally stunning. I wish I could share its beauty with some kind campers who share my appreciation for the great outdoors, but I don’t want to pay the state thousands of dollars to do it? If you have had this exact thought, listen up!

Staff in the county’s Planning and Building Department are developing an ordinance for low-impact camping in unincorporated areas of the county as a part of the implementation of AB 518. The state bill, passed in 2025, allows counties to permit small-scale camping on private property without a state permit, simplifying the application process for landowners and expanding affordable camping options for outdoor enthusiasts. 

Hipcamp, the Airbnb of the outdoor world, has led the charge in the low-impact camping movement. The site has listings for both tent and RV camping, glamping setups as well as small cabins and treehouses that average about $40 a night locally.

AB 518 allows for up to nine campsites, including up to four RVs, per property, which must be at least two acres. A host or manager must be available by phone 24/7 and the site must comply with local rules for waste/trash disposal, fire and noise impacts.

Along with increasing access to affordable overnight options, proponents of AB 518 see low-impact camping as another way for farmers and cannabis growers to increase revenue streams. Opponents of the bill, however, worry about careless behaviors that could increase environmental impacts and fire danger on remote properties with sketchy access to emergency services.

Staff are still working out drafts for both the inland and coastal versions of the county ordinance, which have been reviewed by key state and local agencies including the Building Division, Department of Environmental Health, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Cal Fire, California Coastal Commission and the Farm Bureau.

If you’d like to share your two cents on the ordinance, you’ll want to attend next week’s Humboldt County Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m.

More information about the upcoming meeting can be found in the meeting notice below:

The Humboldt County Planning & Building Department is developing an ordinance to allow low-impact camping areas in rural unincorporated Humboldt County and is seeking input from the community. 

A workshop will be held at the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. to share information about the draft ordinance and receive input from the Planning Commission and the public. 

To review the Inland Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance, please visit HumboldtGov.org/LICA.

Background 

Assembly Bill 518 was passed in October 2025. This bill allows counties to permit small-scale and low-impact camping on private rural lands without a state permit. Since the bill was passed, the Planning & Building Department has been working to develop a Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance that follows state law and local health, safety and welfare standards.

Drafts of both the inland and coastal versions of the ordinance have been reviewed by important state and local agencies including the Building Division, Department of Environmental Health, California Department of Fish & Wildlife, Cal Fire, California Coastal Commission and the Farm Bureau. Their input has been considered for incorporation into the draft ordinances.

An updated draft of the inland version was released to the public for review on July 8 and a public workshop on this version was held on July 15. Public comment has been received, and county staff have updated the draft ordinance, which will now be discussed at a workshop at the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20.

The county is still working to address the California Coastal Commission’s comments on the coastal version of the ordinance, which is not currently available to the public. Once this document is ready to move forward, there will be opportunity for public comment at a future Planning Commission meeting.

Planning Commission Workshop

If you would like to be part of the discussion on this ordinance, please attend the workshop at the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 20 at 6 p.m. Community members have the option to attend on Zoom or in person at the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors’ Chamber, located in the Humboldt County Courthouse at 825 Fifth St. in Eureka. 

More information and associated workshop documents will be available in the Planning Commission meeting agenda, which will be posted online by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 14 at Humboldt.legistar.com.

How to Attend on Zoom

Members of the public may attend the workshop virtually by visiting Zoom online and entering the password 200525. To access it on the phone, call 346-248-7799, enter the meeting ID: 875 4480 7065 and password: 200525.

A live stream of the meeting will also be available on the county’s meeting agenda web page or by watching Access Humboldt on cable Channel 11. 

Following this workshop, the ordinance will enter the hearing stage where the Planning Commission will make their recommendations to the Board of Supervisors, who will consider those recommendations and make a decision regarding the proposed ordinance at a future meeting.

For more information about the workshop, please email macevedo@co.humboldt.ca.us or call 707-441-2634.
The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access to all county programs, services and activities through the provision of accommodations for individuals with qualified disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With 72 hours prior notice, a request for reasonable accommodation for this meeting can be made by calling 707-441-2634. For more information about Humboldt County’s draft Low-Impact Camping Area Ordinance, please visit HumboldtGov.org/LICA.

About the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department

The County of Humboldt’s Planning & Building Department is dedicated to supporting safe and well-planned communities throughout Humboldt County. Whether you’re building a home, opening a business or planning for the future, the Planning & Building Department is here to guide you through the processes that help ensure development aligns with local values, environmental stewardship and state law. For more information about the Humboldt County Planning & Building Department and the services it provides, please visit HumboldtGov.org/Planning-Building.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On August 8, 2026, at approximately 5:07 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 1900 block of Pine Creek Road in Hoopa for a report of a physical altercation between two male subjects.

Upon arrival, deputies intervened in the altercation and detained 52-year-old Hoopa resident Aaron James Pole.

According to witness statements, Pole had arrived at the residence and refused to leave the property. Prior to the altercation, witnesses reported seeing Pole near the Hoopa Rodeo Grounds and the river bar, where a small vegetation fire was burning. Witnesses reported that Pole was attempting to accelerate the spread of the fire with his hands.

The fire was quickly extinguished by the Karuk Fire Department, which had been staged at the Hoopa Wildland Fire Department, while Hoopa Wildland Fire personnel were actively engaged in firefighting operations on the Milepost 18 Fire.

Based on witness statements and evidence collected during the investigation, Pole was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, where he was booked on the following charges:

• P.C. 451(d)-Arson
• P.C. 148(a)(1)-Obstruct/Resist Peace Officer
• P.C. 240-Assault
• P.C. 978.5 – Bench Warrant/Failure to Appear

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the community members who reported this incident and provided information that assisted deputies.

The Sheriff’s Office has also received reports of other suspected arson fires in the Hoopa Valley. We remain committed to thoroughly investigating these incidents and holding those responsible accountable. Anyone with information related to arson fires in the Valley is encouraged to contact the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department or the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff’s deputies are actively investigating both the Mile Post 16 Fire and the ongoing Mile Post 18 Fire while continuing to support firefighting operations, public safety efforts, and the protection of residents in the surrounding area.

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.