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• Three-Year-Old Ferndale Child Dies After Being Ejected From the Back of a Flatbed Pickup

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Humboldt County District Attorney Stacey Eads on Friday told the Outpost that her office will not file criminal charges against the man who was driving on Centerville Road in December when one of two unrestrained children on the truck’s flatbed tumbled off, suffering fatal head injuries.

“[W]e are not filing charges based upon a determination that there is insufficient evidence,” Eads said via email. 

The tragic incident took place on the morning of Dec. 29 on Centerville Road, east of Ferndale. According to a press release from the California Highway Patrol, a 56-year-old Ferndale man, whose identity has never been released publicly, was driving a 2024 Ford pickup with two young boys, ages 5 and 3, on the flatbed. 

As the man made a left turn onto a private road, the 3-year-old was “ejected” from the flatbed and suffered major head trauma in the subsequent fall, according to the CHP. 

“The driver immediately notified emergency personnel and self-transported the injured juvenile to Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna,” the agency said in a press release. “Unfortunately, the juvenile succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased by medical personnel at the hospital.”

It took the local CHP office nearly three months to submit an incident report to Eads’ office in late March. According to Eads, the reported listed two crimes for filing consideration:

• Penal Code section 192(c)(2), Vehicular Manslaughter, a misdemeanor, and
• Penal Code section 273a(a), Child Abuse Likely to Produce Great Bodily Harm or Death, which can be a misdemeanor or a felony.

In late April, Eads told the Outpost that her office had requested follow-up information after completing its initial review. Once that information was obtained, it was handed over to the deputy DA in charge of the case.

In an email this afternoon, Eads said her office’s specific analysis is an attorney work product, so she’s limited to discussing the circumstances of this case in general terms. 

“In assessing provability of crimes, we review admissible evidence and [consider] whether all elements of the crimes can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt … ,” the DA said. “In evaluating the provability of crimes such as the two referred in this matter, the presence, or absence, of historical negligent or abusive behavior could be highly relevant in making a determination.”

Before a charging decision is reached, her office conducts a records search and has internal discussions with subject matter experts about the state of the evidence, reasonable interpretations and applicable law, Eads said. 

Cases that involve child abuse must meet specific evidentiary burdens.

“Absent a direct, purposeful infliction of unjustifiable physical pain or mental suffering upon a child, the law generally demands proof beyond a reasonable doubt that the person was criminally negligent when they caused or permitted the child to suffer, be injured or endangered,” Eads explained. “Proving criminal negligence under the law requires proof beyond that the person had a lapse in judgment, made a mistake [or] acted with ordinary carelessness or inattention. Additionally, under certain circumstances the evidence must prove probability of great bodily harm or death is high.”

The other potential charge — misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter — also requires proof of multiple elements and consideration of “all circumstances surrounding commission of the alleged offense,” Eads said. “Under the law and unique set of circumstances, the referred crimes are not provable beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Press release from the Humboldt County Administrative Office:

Cooley | LinkedIn

The County of Humboldt is excited to announce that Ryan Cooley will be appointed as the county’s new Director of Aviation at the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, June 3.

Ryan Cooley brings over 20 years of experience in aviation management, customer service and airport operations to his new role as Humboldt County’s Director of Aviation. His career is distinguished by leadership in both rural and regional airports with a demonstrated commitment to operational excellence, safety and community involvement.

Most recently, Cooley served as Airport Director for the Border Coast Regional Airport Authority in Crescent City, overseeing Del Norte County’s only commercial airport, Jack McNamara Field, along with two general aviation airfields. During his tenure, he led key infrastructure improvement projects, ensured Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) compliance, expanded flight options and strengthened partnerships with local agencies and aviation organizations.

Cooley’s commitment to safe, efficient and community focused airport operations makes him a valuable addition to the County of Humboldt’s leadership team.

“I am truly honored and grateful to the Board of Supervisors for this incredible opportunity to continue serving the North Coast community,” said Cooley. “I’m looking forward to working closely with the Board, the Aviation Department team, airport users, aviation enthusiasts and the entire community to strengthen and expand Humboldt County’s airport system. I am excited about the future and can’t wait to get started.”

The incoming Director of Aviation will oversee the management and development of Humboldt County’s six airports. Responsibilities include managing daily operations, leading capital improvement projects and guiding long-term planning to improve safety and service. The Aviation Director will also work to strengthen airline partnerships, support general aviation and collaborate with key aviation partners to enhance airport services and regional connectivity.

“I am confident that Ryan Cooley is a great match for the County of Humboldt,” said Second District Supervisor and Chair of the Board Michelle Bushnell. “His experience managing airports in coastal and rural communities, deep knowledge of aviation regulations and background in airport operations, community engagement and customer service will enhance the Aviation Department’s ongoing efforts to create more resilient, innovative airports that serve Humboldt’s residents and visitors well into the future.”

Ryan Cooley’s work as Aviation Director is expected to begin on Monday, June 9.

For more information on the Humboldt County Department of Aviation, please visit FlyACV.com.

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• Pack a Bowl…With Soup! Local Potter and Volunteer Organizes ‘Empty Bowls’ Fundraiser at Jefferson Community Center

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Press release from St. Vincent de Paul:

The St. Vincent de Paul Redwoods Council warmly invites the community to attend Empty Bowls 2025, a beloved annual fundraiser supporting SVdP’s Free Dining Facility in Eureka. This year’s event will take place on Thursday, June 5, 2025, from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Wharfinger Building.

Attendees will enjoy an endless soup buffet with a wide variety of delicious soups donated by local restaurants—an estimated 15 flavors to choose from—alongside fresh salad and bread. Guests can also browse and purchase from a large selection of handcrafted ceramic bowls, generously donated by local and national artists.

This year’s Empty Bowls will also honor the memory of Mark Campbell, who passed away unexpectedly in December. Mark was a cherished family man, chef, potter, friend, and longtime SVdP volunteer. He was the heart behind bringing the Empty Bowls movement to Humboldt County and left a lasting impact on all who knew him.

St. Vincent de Paul’s Free Dining Facility has served the local community for decades, providing daily meals to individuals and families experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. Our work is challenging and, at times, heartbreaking—but we remain committed to compassion and dignity for all.

Tickets:

• $25 – Individual

• $45 – Couple

• $60 – Family (up to 4) Purchase tickets at EmptyBowls2025.eventbrite.com

Want to contribute? WeWith a welcome bowl donations from potters and participation from local restaurants. For more information, please contact Bob Santilli at 303-877-1465.

Learn more about our mission and services at www.svdp-Redwoods.org.

Bob Robertson, loving husband, father, grandfather, teacher and coach, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 16, 2025. He will be missed by too many to count.

Rob was born in Weaverville, on January 7, 1954, to Ted and Marion Robertson. The middle of five children, he was a gentle soul. As his father worked with the US forest service, he moved around a lot before finally moving from Bakersfield to Eureka in 1964. Once here, he attended St. Bernard Elementary School and St. Bernard High School where he developed his love of sports. He graduated in 1972. After high school, he attended College of the Redwoods where he played basketball and baseball as well as football in his final year. At HSU, he played baseball while earning his degree and teaching credential. He went on to teach science for 14 years at St. Bernard until 1992 when he moved to Arcata High. He retired in 2014. At both high schools, he was a respected teacher and coach of multiple sports, eventually focusing on basketball. Known as Coach Robby, he developed lasting relationships with former players as well as other coaches and colleagues.

It was in health class at CR in 1973 where he met his future wife, Debbie. They have been together ever since. They were married in 1979 and had two sons, Timmy in January 1983 and Scotty in January 1985. Together they loved to travel. Recent trips to Switzerland in 2023 and Italy in 2024 were highlights. Rob also loved Maui, as well as dragging the RV across this beautiful country, but our family cabin at Ruth Lake was his favorite. Many wonderful times were spent there, sometimes with family or friends, but mostly just spending time together with Debbie. He would always say that Ruth Lake was as beautiful as anywhere they had traveled.

Since 1969, St. Bernard has always been a part of Rob‘s life. From being a student, to then teaching and coaching, to the many remodeling endeavors to the gym, locker rooms, and weight room, he loved the school. Most recently, he was the president of the St. Bernard Academy Foundation.

Rob is survived by his wife, Debbie, his son Scotty and wife Kim, grandchildren, Brooklynn, Brody, and Brantson. He also leaves behind two brothers, Tay and wife Sharon, Jim and wife Terri, and two sisters, Terri, and Nancy and husband Miguel. He also had numerous nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his parents, Ted and Marion Robertson, Debbie’s parents, George and Phyllis Gundersen, his brother-in-law, Gary Gundersen, and his son Timmy. Rob‘s greatest joy was his family.

A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 1st, in the St. Bernard High School gym at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the St. Bernard Academy Foundation, 222 Dollison, Eureka, CA, 95501 in Rob’s memory.

Gloria Hartman passed away peacefully on May 9, 2025 in Santa Rosa. Gloria was born on November 2, 1956 in Eureka, to John and Beth Lunsford. Gloria was the middle of three girls and the typical middle child, mischievous, adventurous and a prankster. She spent her early years in King Salmon before moving to Rio Dell in elementary school. She grew up raising and riding horses, and loved disco music, dancing, and reading. While working as a nurse’s aide at St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Center in Fortuna in 1981, she met and fell in love with the maintenance man, Dain Hartman. They married in August 1982 in Fortuna and welcomed their first child, Stephanie, in February 1983. In May 1985 they welcomed a son, Sean, and the family moved to Scotia in 1986 when Dain took a job at the factory for Pacific Lumber Co.

Gloria loved being a stay-at-home mom and was an extraordinary artist and crafter. She would spend hours creating home décor items and beautiful dried flower arrangements that would sell in local shops. Throughout her life she mentored and supported many people struggling with addiction. She always volunteered at all her kids’ school activities and was like a second mom to many of Stephanie and Sean’s friends. Gloria was a huge Giants and 49ers fan and enjoyed traveling down to Candlestick nearly every summer to catch a baseball game. She loved driving up to Shively during the summers when the kids were young to pick wild blackberries and patronize the local fruit stands. Dain & Gloria saved up for years and bought their home in Fortuna in 1997, where they planted a vegetable garden nearly every year. Gloria had a green thumb and was a talented gardener, with an eye for beautiful landscaping. She would spend hours pruning and planting beautiful flowers.

Gloria spent many years in the late 1990s and early 2000s working at a few different stores at Bayshore Mall. She had an eye for fashion and accessorizing and loved helping people to look and feel their best. She had a great love and special connection with the elderly and disabled, and spent a few years working as an aide in multiple care homes until her health no longer allowed her to work. She continued that generosity of caretaking with her own mom until her death in 2007, as well as caring for her mother-in-law for over 11 years before her passing in 2014. She saw it as a privilege to care for them and never missed a day visiting them.

Gloria became a grandma in 2010 and traveled down south many times a year to visit and spoiled her 4 grandkids rotten. They called her Meme and loved to make her laugh, read books with her, and play games. Her love of reading also led her to volunteer at the Fortuna library in her spare time.

Gloria is survived by her husband of nearly 43 years, Dain Hartman, daughter, Stephanie Hawkins and son-in-law Michael, son, Sean Hartman. Her four grandchildren, Madeline, Samuel, Violet and Fiona. Her sister Penny Rumney and brother-in-law Greg, sister Emmy Hebert, sister-in-law Donna Fredrickson and brother-law Lars, brother-in-law David Hartman, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, John and Beth Lunsford, in-laws David and Patsy Hartman, son Lamar Lunsford, and her loving brothers-in-law, Karl Hebert and Danny Hartman.

The family would like to thank the Fortuna Fire Department & EMT staff, as well as the ICU staff at Santa Rosa Memorial for their compassionate and excellent care of Gloria during her brief stay. Gloria’s remains will be interned at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna and a funeral Mass in celebration of her life will take place at a later date.

Ralph Leonard Lindstrom, Jr.
April 25, 1932 - April 17, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the peaceful passing of our father, Ralph Lindstrom, on April 17, 2025, a week before his 93rd birthday. He was a guiding light in our lives, a devoted father, and a man who will be deeply missed by all who knew him.

Born and raised in the Humboldt County bayside hamlet of Fairhaven, on the Samoa peninsula, Ralph developed a lifelong love of the outdoors. Steeped in the family’s long history of shipbuilding, Ralph was a natural when it came to construction. He possessed a rare talent to visualize what the completed project could become. Through over 64 years of active working life as a designer, builder, and developer, Ralph worked on over 400 building projects throughout his life, including local restaurants (Samoa Cookhouse), General Hospital, and Pacific Charter School (formerly Moore Avenue Preschool). In 2015 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Humboldt Builders Exchange.

Ralph was a veteran of the United States Air Force during the years 1950 - 1954. He was a proud veteran and gave impeccable and honorable service to his Country. He became the first to hold a newly created title of Base Carpenter in the Air Force.

Spirituality and faith were a central way of life for Ralph. Faith and building were in his heart.

Ralph is preceded in death by his wife, Pamela, parents Ralph Lindstrom Sr. and Margaret Fasullo, brothers Robert Lindstrom and Oscar (Sonny) Lindstrom, and sister Genevieve Johnson. Ralph is survived by his daughters Kathryn Lindstrom, Shelly Lindstrom, Kim Lindstrom, and Vanessa Lindstrom-Maglio; sons Leonard Lindstrom and Eric Lindstrom, and Ralph’s sister, Barbara Fagernes. He is also survived by grandchildren Sarah, Emily, Jessica, Kaitlyn, William, Miles, Violet, Miranda, and Matthew, and eleven great-grandchildren.

Ralph leaves behind a legacy of accomplishments benefiting his community in Humboldt County, and his legacy of love for his family. Ralph’s family wants to especially thank the staff of Hospice of Humboldt. The family would appreciate donations to Hospice of Humboldt in memory of Ralph L. Lindstrom Jr.

Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Ralph’s life on August 3rd at the Wharfinger Building, Great Room, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The Wharfinger building is located at 1 Marina Way, Eureka, CA 95501.

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

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, Cheryl “Sherry” Lynn Land, who left this world with her family by her side on May 6, 2025, after a courageous battle with cancer. Sherry faced her illness with remarkable strength and resilience, with a spirit of determination that inspired all of us.

Born on July 13, 1948, in Medford to Charles and Dorothy Hopkins, Sherry was the cherished older sister to Teresa (Teri Low) and Tammie (Tammie Sarvinski). Her early years were spent in Central Point, Oregon, before her move to Humboldt County in 1958. Sherry graduated from Fortuna High School in 1966 and then pursued beauty school at Frederick and Charles Beauty College, along with her lifelong friend, Sandy (Miller) Hecker.

In 1969, Sherry welcomed her first son, Michael. In 1972, she met the love of her life, Kenneth Land, and they married January 27, 1973. Together, they celebrated the birth of their twins, Kenneth Jr. and Krystal, in 1974. The family lived in Scotia, where they created a warm and loving home, surrounded by lifelong friends, including Bob and Linda Wright, with whom they shared countless gatherings and spirited games of “hand and foot”, the competition of boys vs. girls was fierce but full of love and laughter.

Sherry’s love for life was evident in her many passions. She cherished her regular visits to the candy room with Ken, enjoyed trips to the casino, and really loved playing slots and bingo. She was a devoted fan of the San Francisco Giants, she looked forward to her annual trips to the ballpark with family, where she cheered for her team — except for the closing pitcher, Doval!

Throughout her life, Sherry held various jobs, including positions at Scotia School, Scotia Dental Office, and The Preston Center, where she excelled and made lasting friendships. She particularly treasured her luncheons with the “girls,” a group of friends she had made over the years.

Sherry had 3 very important lifelong friends who were with her until the end, Linda Wright, Cindy Gilmore and Sandy Hecker. Her love for them was as deep as family.

However, the role she cherished most was that of a grandmother. Sherry poured her heart into her grandchildren, Ashlynn and Braeden Zimmerman, and Korbin and Konnor Land, never missing a school event or sports game, she attended them all with pride. Her family gatherings filled with barbecues, card games, and laughter were the highlights of her life, and she loved nothing more than enjoying a good margarita and prime rib dinner.

Sherry is survived by her devoted husband of 52 years, Kenneth Land, Sr.; her son Michael Meier; her twins, Kenneth Land Jr. and wife Tiffany, and Krystal Zimmerman and husband Daniel; her beloved grandchildren; her sisters Teri Low and Tammie Sarvinski and their families; and her dear friends Robert and Linda Wright and family and Sandy and Floyd Hecker, among many others who loved her dearly.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Charles Hopkins and Dorothy Andersen (and step-parents), her grandparents, and her cherished friends Frank and Dixie Asbury and Carlo and Linda Millsap.

She will be deeply missed but forever cherished in our hearts. In her honor, let us carry forward her legacy of love, laughter, and resilience with a celebration of life for her friends and family, at her home, on her birthday, July 13, 2025, at 1 p.m.

The family requests that expressions of sympathy be made in the form of donations to Hospice of Humboldt in honor of Sherry. This organization was a true blessing to us and a huge asset to our community.