Jessie (Big Jess) Suelzle
April 18, 1983 - November 10, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the tragic passing of Jessie Suelzle on Sunday, November 10, 2024 at the young age of 41.

Jessie was born on April 18, 1983 at Redwood Memorial Hospital and grew up in Hydesville. Jessie graduated from Fortuna High School in 2002. After high school, Jessie worked as a security guard before starting his 20-year career with the City of Fortuna. During his career with the city, Jessie made many lifelong friends, which he referred to as his work family.

Jessie had many hobbies. He loved hunting, softball, basketball, riding his Harley, going to the lake, but most of all, he loved his family and friends. If you knew Big Jess, you know that he lived life to the fullest. He was known as the life of the party, gave great bear hugs, and was always willing to lend a helping hand. He had a heart bigger than life. Big Jess had a huge presence in the local softball community. He umpired games as well as played for many years. He also played men’s league basketball, coached youth basketball, and refereed for the Eel River Valley schools.

Jessie is survived by his daughter Malia Suelzle, brother Chris (Jennifer) Boswell, nephews (neffs) Logan and Kaden Boswell, niece Jordan Boswell (Baby J), mother Debbie Suelzle, sister Rebecca Suelzle niece Gracie Linn, nephews Tyler Linn and Landon LaBranche, cousins Steve and Kathy Kuchac and many friends. Jessie is preceded in death by his father Brian, nana Darleen, great-grandmother Helen and Great Aunt Betty.

There will be a celebration of life on Sunday, December 15 at the River Lodge beginning at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider bringing an unwrapped toy to be donated to United Bikers of Northern California (UBNC) annual toy drive. Jessie loved kids and attending the annual toy run.

Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone at the scene of the accident. We take comfort in knowing Jessie and Amy were surrounded by so many great people.

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

Sandra May Carter
Dec. 22, 1954 - Nov. 16, 2024

Sandra passed away peacefully on November 16, 2024 due to complications from an infection. She was know to most as Sandy and known as Boop to close friends, family and grandchildren.

Sandra May Short was born in Chiseldon, Whitshire, England to James and Irene Short, December 22, 1954. James Short served in the Air Force, stationed in England, where he met Irene Gruber and married. They had two daughters, Kathy and Sandy. The family moved to his home in Eureka in 1956, when they settled and had more children.

Sandy was introduced to her first husband, Michael E. Burns, by their friend Mike Sweeney at Jacobs Junior High in Eureka. They got married in August 1972, moving in 1977 to Deming, New Mexico, where they had their daughter, Sarah, in 1979.

Soon after, Sandy moved back to Eureka to be with her family. She met and married James Carter in 1992, adding his children Julie and Mike Carter to the family. Sandy loved to go to town and socialize with her husband, Jim. They had many favorite places, like Baywood Golf & Country Club, BC’s, AA Bar & Grill, Sidelines, The Alibi and Everett’s. She was creative and loved doing arts and crafts at home.

Jim was an avid golfer, so they traveled around to different tournaments through the years. They retired in 2007 and enjoyed gardening, cooking, playing with their cats and being grandparents. Together they loved being able to help take care of their grandson James a couple of days during the week until he started school. They played, painted and gardened with him. It was a very special time for the three of them.

Sandy is survived by:

Children: Sarah Burns (Travis), Mike Carter (Wendy) and Julie Gibson; Grandchildren: James Fike, Daphne, Shane and Trace Carter; brothers: Robert Short (Jennifer), Linden Short (Lisa) and Andrew Howard (Jessica); nieces and nephews: Michelle Wilkins, JJ Jeffers, Tabatha Reese, AJ & Seth Howard, Brandon & Sean Amis, Rhiannon & Linden Short, Eric & Becky Strombeck, Natalie & Ronnie Wright; cousins Joanie and JimBob Hartman; several great nieces and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews; cats Cherokee and Flameo.

Sandy is proceeded in death by:

Husband James V. Carter; mother-in-law Marcelle Carter; mother Irene Howard; father James Short; stepdad Art Howard, Aunt Vickie Hartman; cousin Curtis Hartman; sisters Kathy Jeffers & V’Lee Wright; brother-in-law Skip Jeffers; nephew Beau Jeffers; and best friend Lisa Miller.

There will be a small private memorial at a later date. If you are interested in attending, please reach out to Sarah Burns on Facebook. In the meantime, toast to her with your favorite beverage, as this is a family tradition that we will keep alive as well.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your local pet rescue.

Today the Sequoia Park Zoo issued what might seem to the untrained eye to be an innocuous press release promoting their second annual Zoo Lights holiday event. (Two miles of lights! Wow!)

But contained within is very specific wording that should raise eyebrows in the Eel River Valley: The zoo hopes to inspire you to visit it by claiming that, for the first time this year, they plan to illuminate the “Tallest Living Christmas Tree in the World.”

Whoa, zoo. That’s Ferndale’s turf. 

Since 1934, Ferndale has lit a Sitka spruce located at the end of Francis Street to celebrate the season and they’ve historically also employed the “Tallest Living Christmas Tree” verbiage in hopes of drawing shoppers and revelers across Fernbridge. The undisputed local Christmas destination, the Cream City also hosts numerous holiday-themed events annually, including the Lighted Tractor Parade. 

Is the Sequoia Park Zoo gunning for Ferndale’s Christmas Champion status? Well, they don’t out and say that, nor do they provide any corroborating evidence that they should be awarded the title, but read the release below and judge their intentions for yourself:

The City of Eureka’s Sequoia Park Zoo is set to sparkle with the second annual Zoo Lights! Proudly presented by Eureka Lodging Alliance, this year will feature over two miles of lights, reimagined holiday displays, and the illumination of the Tallest Living Christmas Tree in the world.

“Naturally, it’s a redwood!” says Jim Campbell-Spickler, Sequoia Park Zoo Director. “We can’t think of a better way to share the Christmas spirit with our community than by decorating this iconic tree for the holidays.”

After a comprehensive climb and direct tape-drop measurement, the impressive redwood is now ready for the installation of the special holiday lights and ornaments. The Zoo plans to share sneak peeks of the process on social media and will release the official height of the tree in the days before Zoo Lights opens to the public.

In addition to the Tallest Living Christmas Tree in the world, the second year of Zoo Lights will feature expanded hours, new lighted areas, and more than a dozen holiday displays across the Zoo - including a whimsical pollinator garden, gingerbread fairy house, bear-y merry boardwalk, and more!

“We are fortunate to have the Eureka Lodging Alliance as the Zoo Lights presenting sponsor,” says Miles Slattery, Eureka City Manager. “They have been a long-standing supporter of the Zoo and Redwood Sky Walk, and their contribution to Zoo Lights this year has made some incredible expansions possible!”
 
Zoo Lights opens on Saturday, December 14, 2024 and runs select nights through January 5, 2025. Beginning November 26, Zoo Lights tickets may be purchased at the Zoo ticket booth in advance or on the night of the event. Adverse weather may require closure at any time.
 
Sequoia Park Zoo is excited to bring Zoo Lights back for another year of holiday magic, and we look forward to celebrating the holidays with our community! Visit redwoodzoo.org for event details and updates.
 
What:  Zoo Lights presented by Eureka Lodging Alliance When: Select nights December 14, 2024 - January 5, 2025             5:00p-8:00p, last entry at 7:30p

Where: Sequoia Park Zoo
            3414 W Street
            Eureka, CA 95503

Cost:   $5 per person ($4 EBT/BIC/WIC/Zoo members)

UPDATE, 12:08 p.m.: The Outpost has received a message from Garcia’s daughter. She says he goes by “Miguel,” not Michael.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

At 6:01 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 19, Michael Garcia, age 47, of Bakersfield, was found in his jail cell by correctional deputies following an apparent suicide attempt. Rescue efforts were initiated and performed by deputies until Emergency Medical Services arrived. Garcia was transported by paramedics to the hospital for treatment. Garcia is currently in critical condition.

Garcia was placed in custody at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) on Oct. 24 for assault with a deadly weapon and battery. Per policy, HCCF deputies conduct cell checks at least every 30 minutes. A cell check was completed at 5:38 p.m., and Garcia was found 23 minutes later at 6:01 p.m.

Due to the seriousness of this incident at the HCCF, the county critical incident protocol was followed. The Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) was activated following the incident. Investigators from local law enforcement agencies and the District Attorney responded to the correctional facility to investigate. The investigation is ongoing, and updates will be released at a later date.

Upon completion of the CIRT investigation, the Humboldt County District Attorney will review all facts and evidence in this investigation to determine whether any criminal liability exists.

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 Sanctuary, Arcata’s nonprofit community center, suffered extensive damage last night during the storm currently attacking the West Coast. 

A large portion of the weatherproofing on the roof was torn off by wind. There are large, leaking cracks in the ceiling, and inside the only barrier between the water and the floor are dozens of buckets and paint trays. 

But it is in better shape than it was this morning. The puddles inside are gone, and the roof is patched with a temporary cover. Building owner Katie Belknap credited the volunteers who showed up to help before she even got there this morning. Almost 30 of them brought buckets, mops, dehumidifiers, food and warm drinks and cleaned up much of the damage. Belknap is working on getting insurance money to pay professionals to dry out the building and repair the roof properly. 

Piles of roofing outside the Sanctuary. By Dezmond Remington.

The weatherproofing started coming off of the roof around 11 p.m. last night. It hit a neighbor’s home. He wasn’t able to reach Belknap, and she was unaware of the problem until 7:30 this morning. 

Belknap and some of the volunteers are not optimistic about how well the jerry-rigged roof will hold up under the rain the next few days, though they have covered the holes best they can with tarps and plastic and weighed it down with large wooden planks. Belknap was surprised by the damage; she had been on the roof recently and thought it looked to be in good shape. 

Belknap does not know when the Sanctuary might be reopened. For time being, the Playhouse in Arcata has offered to host all of their events. Belknap said that donations would be welcome if anyone wants to help with the restoration.

Volunteer Tom Becker said he was happy to help with the work. 

“I love Katie and I love this place,” Becker said. “We’re a community, and this is a great community center.”

“I wish I could get all the volunteers hot tubs at Cafe Mokka,” Belknap said, “Or at least some gift certificates so they could buy themselves some dinner.”

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 15 at about 1:30 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies were dispatched to the 1800 block of A Ave. in McKinleyville for the report of a burglary. 

The victim went outside on the morning of Nov. 15 to find her car window broken and the interior of the vehicle was rummaged through. It also appeared that her garage was burglarized.   Home surveillance video showed a white male adult making entry into the garage, and later exiting the garage with a power tool, a space heater, and other stolen items. 

Based upon the suspect description in the video, a Deputy Sheriff later located Nichoals Ford, age 37 of McKinleyville, at Pierson Park in McKinleyville around 12 p.m. on Nov. 16. Deputies had probable cause to believe Ford committed the burglary on A Avenue.  Ford was arrested and during the search incident to arrest, deputies located controlled substances and drug paraphernalia in his clothing.    

Ford was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• Burglary (PC 459)
• Possession of a controlled substance – Methamphetamine (HS 11377(a))
• Possession of drug paraphernalia (HS 11364(a))

Some of the stolen items were subsequently located and the items were returned to the victim. 

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 following alert was sent to Trinidad residents earlier today:

A water conservation alert has been issued on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, due to a failed water pipe discovered and repaired this morning at the Water Treatment Plant. Due to limited storage capacity, PLEASE conserve use of potable water until further notice. The City’s water system is operating with only one of its two water storage tanks in service.

Power outages and storm-related issues over the last 24-hours have challenged the City’s ability to gain adequate capacity in the remaining tank. Water Department staff has currently stabilized production, but warns it could take several days to replenish the tank under extreme flow conditions that the Luffenholtz Creek watershed is experiencing. Additional updates will be provided on the City’s website as the storm passes and adequate storage capacity is achieved.

Subscribe through the City Website to receive (SMS) text alerts and emergency updates. Please share this message with your neighbors.