In Loving Memory of Jim (James) Dale
April 16, 1961 – April 27, 2025

Jim Dale, beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend, passed away unexpectedly on April 27, 2025, at the age of 64. Known for his fun-loving nature, deep kindness, and extraordinary talent with a guitar, Jim lived his life with a soundtrack of laughter, music, and unwavering love for those closest to him.

Born on April 16, 1961, Jim brought light and energy into every room he entered. His love of music took root early — he began playing the guitar at just eight years old, taught by his father, Dessie Dale, a gifted guitarist and fiddle player. That spark grew into a lifelong passion, and by his teenage years, Jim was playing in bands and bringing his unmistakable style and joy to stages all over. He played in many bands throughout his life and cherished his bandmates immensely, treating them not just as fellow musicians, but as family. In later years, he especially adored his Dr. Squid band family, with whom he shared countless memories, performances, and a deep musical bond.

Jim’s music was more than a hobby — it was a way of connecting, healing, and celebrating life’s moments, big and small. Whether strumming a melody on a quiet afternoon or lighting up the stage, Jim’s presence was magnetic and his joy contagious.

Equally passionate about helping others, Jim dedicated his professional life to his work as a personal trainer. He inspired his long-time clients with encouragement, wisdom, and relentless positivity. For Jim, fitness wasn’t just about physical strength—it was about helping people feel seen, capable, and empowered.

To his best friend and devoted partner, Darla Dale, Jim was a steady and joyful presence, sharing a deep connection built on years of love and mutual support. As a father, he was devoted and proud, leaving behind a legacy of love through his daughters, Alec Dale (with husband JC Coombs) and Camryn Padilla (with husband Carlos Padilla), who carry his strength, humor, and heart forward in everything they do.

He is also survived by his loving mother, Sue Dale, and his brother, Chris Dale, who shared Jim’s deep love of music and played in bands with him early in life.

Jim was also the best dog and cat parent, showering his four-legged companions with the same boundless love, loyalty, and attention he gave to everyone in his life. His pets were not just animals—they were family, buddies, confidants, and constant sources of joy and comfort.

A celebration of Jim’s life will be held on June 7 at 4 p.m. at the Eureka Elks Lodge, where stories will be told, guitars will be played, and his unforgettable presence will be honored with the joy he so effortlessly gave to others.

Jim Dale’s music may have ended, but his melody lives on in the hearts of all who loved him. Rock on, Jim. You were truly one of a kind.

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

Charlie Thorp, 85, of Piercy, passed away peacefully on April 13.

Born August 26, 1939 in Tyler Texas. Charlie Thorp spent many years moving with his parents from Texas to Oregon, finally settling in Garberville during Charlie’s junior year of high school.

While attending South Fork High School, Charlie worked for John Benbow splitting redwood post and making palings.

After graduating high school Charlie went to work at three different mills.

Realizing the pay wasn’t worth the work, he went to work for the phone company. Hank Jasper was his boss and their “adventures” were always keeping them in line and in good spirits. Six months later, Bill Bushnell pulled up and told Charlie “lets go fall timber,” Charlie grabbed his lunchbox and never looked back.

On July 4, 1959 Charlie met Jeannie Haberstock in Garberville. They wed on June 11, 1960 in Reno and welcomed their first born, Donald, in to the world the following year. Three years later their daughter Kimberly was born.

After many years of packing big saws and heavy jacks, Charlie left the woods in 1984. He and Jeannie bought a commercial fishing boat and went to casting line on the North Coast, reeling in the big salmon and bottom fish.

When Charlie wasn’t working you could find him in an arena roping, running his hounds in the hills of Southern Humboldt, setting a trap line or throwing the perfect strike in a bowling alley.

Charlie spent many Wednesdays falling timber, racing home to load up the horses and his family to go rope at the Willits Horseman’s Arena with their friends Edgar and Stella. Jeannie says if she had a nickel for every calf that went by, she would have never had to work a day in her life. That never happened so she spent her weekdays at Brown’s Sporting Goods.

When Bob Frasier retired from the Garberville Rodeo Association, he brought Charlie in as the arena director, and he kept everything running smoothly.

Charlie and Jeannie raised their family in Piercy.

Many locals and avid sportsman knew of Don for the world record abalone he harvested that was displayed at Brown’s Sporting Goods.

In 2019, Charlie was nominated as the Garberville rodeo Grand Marshall.

After raising her two sons, Robbie and Trevor, Kimberly went to work at Eel River Sawmill tallying lumber. Don and Kim shared many memories with their Dad, from roping to abalone diving to evenings at the bowling alley.

Charlie and Jeannie enjoyed their older years watching their grandchildren Robbie and Trevor grow up and play sports, mostly football, in Fortuna. They attended as many holidays with their grandchildren as they could, and were constantly blessed with several different friends and family stopping by to visit them in Piercy.

In June of 1985 Charlie and Jean dealt with the profound loss of their son Don in a tragic logging accident. They also had to bury their daughter Kimberly in 2019. Three years later, in 2022 Charlie’s wife Jean passed away as well. Charlie and Jeannie were local legends in Southern Humboldt and will never be forgotten. Charlie is now survived by his two grandchildren, Robbie and Trevor Maniaci and his four great-grandchildren, Brodi, Weston, Bryson, and Mila.

Services for Charlie Thorp will be held on Friday, May 9 at sunrise in Fortuna at 2 p.m., followed by a celebration of life.

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

My Heart’s Desire, Jeff Angelo passed on April 11, 2025, in the arms of Pam, his devoted wife of 29 years. He was 60 years old. He will be missed by Pam’s brothers, Mike and Bob, and her mother Billie along with her husband, Gary, as well as Pam’s cousins and family. Jeff loved and cared deeply for his mother, Eleanor, his brothers Nick and Steve, as well as his cousins and family in the Bay Area. Jeff moved to Eureka in 1986 and lived in Humboldt County the rest of his life.

Jeff was born under a wandering star and left home at 15. He worked his way through high school for a place to live, for food, clothes on his back and a car to get to work. At one point, his car only operated in reverse and that’s how he drove it, looking out the back window just so he could get to work and keep his job.

At 17 Jeff joined the Army and it was off to Germany he went. He worked on tanks and earned several badges for his uniform: one being for expert marksmanship. He acquired a license for driving emergency vehicles and spent time driving the brass around. Jeff was stationed in an old SS barracks and told some interesting stories about that experience. He was honorably discharged in 1986.

Upon arriving home, Jeff went to work at Aero Nostalgia, where they dismantled and reassembled old planes. Jeff’s brother Nick was crewing with Bill Burchell on “The Becky” and they needed a second for crab season, so Jeff hopped aboard. He knew he had found his calling. Jeff then spent a salmon season with Bob Burchell on “The Princess” and then it was back to “The Becky” with Bill and his brother Nick. Nick hopped off around 1990 and that’s when the ‘North to Alaska’ saga started for Jeff and Captain Billy, where they filled over 10 years of logbooks fishing together. Bill bought the “Marion Ann” and Jeff fished a shrimp season with him, but it was time for different waters.

Jeff crewed on “The El Cerrito” with his childhood friend Larry Dozier and Casy at the wheel. Jeff then spent some time on “The Al W” with Kenny Burns and Steve in the next bunk. He got the call from Griff, and it was on to the “The Chief Joseph” and Louie Cook as the other hand crabbing. Jeff and Griff crabbed California and salmon fished California, Oregon and Alaska until 2004. Jeff bought “The Chief Joseph” in 2005 and stepped into the captain’s chair.

Jeff was a hardworking and honest man. He always left the fish tickets out after they sold, so his crew knew what they were getting. Jeff had a crab permit for California and salmon permits for California, Oregon, Washington and Alaska. My husband was The Real Deal!

He was gone for months at a time. Commercial fisherman’s lives are measured in seasons — crab season, salmon season, albacore, etc. They miss birthdays, graduations, weddings, anniversaries, most holidays and at times each other’s funerals. When they do come home there is boat work, there is always boat work. That’s what you sign up for, that is the way it is. Their lives are what books are written from and what TV shows are about.

I got to spend 29 years with a kind-spirited man, with a back like a Redwood Tree and hands like mitts. He will always be my Snookie Doodle, and I will miss him the rest of my life. I got to live the life of a commercial fisherman’s wife; I will treasure the memories forever.

I want to thank Jim Moser for posting Jeff’s passing on a commercial fisherman site. Jeff would have appreciated all who remembered him, and I do too. Then further thanks to some of you that were able to stay in touch. Jeff had a lot of darkness in his last years and your calls were light. Thank you to his Mom, Kenny Hill, John Terry, New York Steve, Shizzy, Wilson, Ernie, and Jimmy on the Tempest who always brought us crab. Thanks to Huck for doing the final call of duty and taking Jeff to his final fishing grounds. If I missed mentioning anyone, I’m sorry.

“My Heart’s Desire” is the song Jeff used to sing to me in his arms on the back deck of “The Becky” when we were coming in from crabbing. I will love you forever Buns! Your Beloved wife, Lollypop.

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

Signe Ann (Gooch) Savage passed away in the early morning hours of March 7, 2025 in Fortuna, with her family by her side, after a brief but well fought battle with cancer.

Signe was born April 7, 1956 to James Fredrick Gooch and Mildred Berniece (Lowans) Gooch in Oakland. Growing up she had a brother, James Gordon, who was 21 years her senior, so she spent most of her childhood with her cousin, Mary Ellen Hamm, whom she said was more like a sister to her.

She met (Smokey) John Savage in 1975 and they were married soon after in 1976. They moved to Bridgeville that same year and welcomed their first son, Joshua, in October of 1976. They soon moved to the Mattole Valley, where they welcomed their second son, Clayton, in 1978, and their daughter, Miranda, in 1980.

Signe wore many hats over the years, and was known and lovingly called Mama Bear to most who knew her. She was also a home maker, off grid homesteader, EMT, professional cook, corrections officer, and later Nana Bear to her grandchildren — the lights of her life — David, John James, Roan Lily and Ora Jayde. She was especially fond of the time she spent as a cook at The Hideaway in Petrolia, where she formed numerous lifelong friendships and took much pleasure in seeing the old timers of the valley that would come to get a taste of her home baked bread.

Although Signe was born and raised in Alameda County, her heart and soul was always in the mountains. Signe moved to Oklahoma in 1993 and lived there for 20 years but she would forever call the Mattole Valley her home. She returned to California in 2012 to be with her grandchildren and you would often find her in the kitchen with one or more of them baking up something delicious.

Signe was kind, loving and would give anything and all that she had to someone in need. But she was also fiercely protective of her family and as such the moniker of Mama Bear fit her very well.

She met Gary Ferguson (Papa Gary as the grandkids would know him) and quickly became smitten and the two were inseparable for over 10 years. Through Gary came a very large extended family whom Signe felt blessed to have been welcomed into, and she loved each of them very much.

Signe was preceded in death by her mother and father, Berniece and Fred Gooch, her Brother James (Jimmy) Gordon and her husband Smokey John Savage.

She is survived by her son Josh Savage (Esmeralda), son Clayton Savage, daughter Miranda Savage, and son Marc Henson. She is also survived by her cousin Mary Ellen Hamm, her sister Laura Brietegger, Gary Ferguson, her Grandchildren David, J.J., Roan and Ora, her dearest friend Onnolee Jenkins and many, many more extended family and friends.

The family would like to extend our most heartfelt thanks to Hospice of Humboldt and in particular Bridgette, Karen, Mel and Paula. Although our time was brief the kindness, patience and care you showed as we were walking uncharted territory was so very much appreciated and truly meant so much.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, June 29, at 2 p.m. taking place at 2250 Rohnerville Road, Fortuna (corner of Rohnerville Road and David Way). It will be outdoors and seating limited so if you can, bring a chair. If you would like to bring a food dish to share please do so, if not just bring yourselves.

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

Tammy Rochelle Reid
May 10, 1959 to April 20, 2025

Born to parents Dave and Echo Loughland in Roseburg, Oregon, she is survived by her sister Kelly and niece Kacie of Las Vegas; and children Duffy, Amanda and Brian. Also, best friend Margaret Lindholm; special friend Paul McEwen, and care worker and friend Dejah Barley. Along with many good friends too numerous to mention.

Tammy had resided in Loleta for the past 23 years. She was an extremely kind person. Always giving food, clothing, a place to stay, and however else she could help. A very hard worker she would show up with her white Ford F-150 “Jimmy” and get the job done. A very devout Christian, her main goal in life was to “meet Jesus and see his face.” She attended the Loleta Community Church in downtown Loleta.

Tammy was a strong, beautiful free spirit. She was an avid reader, lover of music and movies, and loved nature, having built a cabin on an island on the Eel River. It was her favorite place for many years.

Even though she lost her battle with cancer, she achieved her life goal of seeing the Lord.

A celebration of life will be held at the Loleta Community Church in downtown Loleta at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 10 — Tammy’s 66th birthday.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Tammy Reid’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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As the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors prepares for another round of budget negotiations next month, staff convened a special meeting today to discuss the state of the General Fund balance, which is projected to run dry in the next two years due to an ongoing structural deficit. 

Deputy County Administrative Officer Jessica Maciel presented the board with key findings of the 2025 General Fund Financial Forecast, a five-year overview of the county’s finances based on current conditions. “The main takeaway from the financial forecast … is expenditures will continue to outpace revenues at an increasing rate, and the General Fund is anticipated to go negative during fiscal year 2026-27,” she said. “This culminates in the final year of the forecast period — fiscal year 2029-30 — at negative $77 million.”

One year ago, staff told the board that the General Fund was expected to dry up before the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year, one year earlier than the current prediction. While the board and staff have made progress in reducing the county’s structural budget deficit from $18.4 million to $15.1 million through various cost-cutting strategies, it’s “not enough to make the correction needed by fiscal year 2026-27,” Maciel said, adding that the board cannot adopt a budget if the General Fund is in the negative.

Staff largely attribute the current budget deficit to the simultaneous loss of Measure S tax funds and unprecedented raises in fiscal year 2021-22, the General Fund Financial Forecast states. “If any number of these factors change for the better, such as improvements in property or sales tax revenue, forecast figures would need to be revised and the fund balance issue would not portray such a bleak picture.” 

For example, Maciel said a one percent change in property tax values could generate roughly $590,000 in revenue for the General Fund. Still, there are various other external factors at play, including federal funding cuts, which were not taken into account in the financial forecast.

While it remains unclear how some of the federal funding cuts will impact local programs, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is bracing for a significant hit.

“If we just focus on Medicaid, the proposed federal cuts result in cost shifts to states, counties, hospitals, clinics, and community-based organizations,” said DHHS Director Connie Beck. Numerous other Public Health services will suffer, she said, including substance use disorder prevention programs, HIV services and immunizations. “These cuts will destabilize the health care system for all patients with all insurance types. We probably will see a loss of health care jobs and, as a result, see an increase in morbidity and mortality.”

DHHS has taken numerous steps to reduce county spending. Since 2023, the department has deallocated 119 positions and consolidated some of its programs to operate more efficiently. 

“These measures are designed to streamline operations, maximize available resources, and ensure that the department continues to meet the needs of the community while maintaining fiscal responsibility,” said Deputy Director of Finance Travis Green. “We’re doing everything possible to have the least impact on services to the community while doing these reductions.”

They’ve also gotten rid of landlines for staff with work cellphones and only use color ink for copies when absolutely necessary. 

“We’ve learned that color copies cost six times more than black and white,” Beck said. “Obviously we are changing our settings on printers to ensure we use black and white whenever possible.”

Following DHHS’ presentation, the board thanked staff for their dedication and acknowledged the difficult times ahead as budget discussions continue. 

“Thank you for bearing with us and helping to steer the ship through some unbelievably rough waters. That goes for everybody in this room,” Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo said to the room full of department heads and staff. “This is a day I sort of dreaded just because it’s such a hard thing to get through.”

Second District Supervisor and Board Chair Michelle Bushnell echoed Arroyo’s statement, acknowledging the “heightened anxiety” surrounding the federal funding cuts. 

“The anguish that is happening around the cuts that are coming is real,” she said. “It’s also real in our community.”

The board received detailed informational reports from several other county departments and offices, including the Clerk-Recorder/Elections, Treasurer-Tax Collector, District Attorney, Humboldt County Library, Public Works, Auditor-Controller, Aviation and UC Cooperative Extension. The Planning and Building Department will present its report at Tuesday’s regular meeting.

Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office release:

On May 4, 2025, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies executed search warrants at residences located in the 2800 block of Park Street and the 2100 block of 13th Street in Eureka. The warrants were issued following an extensive Problem Oriented Policing investigation targeting suspected illegal firearms trafficking by two previously convicted felons, Stephen Wayne Owens Jr., (age 45), and Gordon Dale Briggs Jr., (age 45).

Deputies successfully located both suspects without incident. During the execution of the search warrants, authorities seized an un-serialized firearm, commonly known as a “ghost gun,” along with ammunition, suspected methamphetamine, digital scales, and drug-related paraphernalia.

Gordon Dale Briggs Jr. was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges including PC 29800(a)(1) (felon in possession of a firearm), PC 30305(a)(1) (felon in possession of ammunition), PC 24610 (possession of an un-serialized firearm), HS 11370.1(a) (possession of a controlled substance with a firearm), and PC 32310 (possession of a large-capacity magazine).

Stephen Wayne Owens Jr. was also arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges including PC 29800 (felon in possession of a firearm), PC 24610 (possession of an un-serialized firearm), PC 30305(a)(1) (felon in possession of ammunition), PC 32310(a) (possession of a large-capacity magazine), PC 1203.2 (violation of probation), and HS 11395(b) (possession of drug paraphernalia).

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information related to this case or other criminal activity to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Crime Tip Line at (707) 268-2539.