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Wow, it’s been nearly two years since the official corporate announcement that moistened the saliva glands of countless local fast food aficionados: Eureka is getting a Habit Burger & Grill.

Oh. Em. Gee!

While LoCO commenters nobly rushed to the defense of our treasured local burger joints, the debauched appetites of our less civic-minded residents would not be denied. Their excitement was as palpable as a sesame seed bun. But as the Habit-less weeks turned to months, forlorn rumors began to surface: Has Habit Burger backed out? Why has it forsaken us?!

Fear not: The home of the Double Char — recently rechristened as USA Today‘s No. 1 best fast food burger — is still headed our way.

A Eureka location recently materialized on the corporate website, complete with an “Apply Now” button for job seekers, as noted by one of the culinary connoisseurs over on the “Humboldt Foodies” Facebook group (where dreams of Humboldt Olive Gardens and Cheesecake Factories go perennially unfulfilled).

A message sent to Habit’s corporate headquarters requesting an official opening date was not returned by the time this post was published. 

Meanwhile, for those who steadfastly keep your dining dollars local, a business called 707 Smash Burgers recently announced its upcoming opening at 1604 Fourth Street in Eureka, the green-hued former home of Gallagher’s and Shenanigans Pizza.

Promising fish & chips, loaded fries and a wide array of “exotic cereal milkshakes” alongside “the best smash burgers you’ve ever had,” the company is eyeballing an opening date of Aug. 30 with plans to stay open as late as 3 a.m.

We’ve reached out via phone and social media for more information. Stay tuned, burger fans.

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Aimée Woods has always found solace in painting, but her latest creation — a reddish-orange octopus unfurling its arms across a once-barren concrete retaining wall in Eureka’s Pine Hill neighborhood — feels like an act of therapy.

“It’s helped me heal,” Woods, a full-time Veterans Affairs nurse, told the Outpost in a recent interview. “I was super-nervous at first because it’s a brave thing to put something permanent on a wall when you’ve got an audience of complete strangers, judging and wondering what’s going on, but it’s helped me meet new people that I wouldn’t have met otherwise. People stop to chat or just drive by, shouting out their window with their thumb out, like, ‘Good job!’ It’s been a healing experience.”

Last year, still reeling from a painful divorce that left her without a social circle or support network, Woods was involved in a motorcycle accident that broke both of her hands, her collarbone, and shattered her scapula. The collision left Woods bedridden and forced her to reckon with the trauma she had endured in her previous relationship.

“Before I started this project, I was coming out of one of the most challenging seasons of my life,” she said, adding that she had struggled to find community and make friends outside of work even before the accident. “Having to heal when you’re alone, when you don’t know many people, was a humbling experience to say the least. I had a lot of support through the motorcycle community; people would show up, bring me meals and just hang out with me. It helped me see that there is a beautiful side to this area.”

Several surgeries later, Woods started walking again. She began taking daily walks through her neighborhood, up and down the hills of Union Street and past the long, graffiti-covered concrete retaining wall between Madison Street and Sea Avenue. Once it hit a certain threshold, county staff would coat the multi-colored tags in white paint, and a few months later, the wall would be covered again.

Though she had never created something on such a big scale, Woods found herself wondering how she could get permission to paint a mural on the wall. She had heard of grant opportunities through the City of Eureka and the Eureka Cultural Arts District, but knew she wouldn’t be eligible for funding since she and the wall were located just outside city limits. 

Woods connected with a neighbor on Nextdoor, a social networking app for neighborhoods, who suggested she reach out to the Ink People Center for the Arts, a community-based arts and culture organization. She spoke with Administrative Director Monica Topping, who said Woods just needed to get permission from her county supervisor. 

“I emailed [First District] Supervisor Rex Bohn at, like, 3:34 p.m. on a Friday, and I was shocked that he responded the following Saturday morning,” Woods said. “He told me, ‘This sounds like a great idea. We’ll provide you an encroachment permit free of charge; you just need to meet with us and go over the design.’ If I had known it’d be that quick, I would have done this a long time ago.”

Woods already knew she wanted to paint an octopus. 

“I’ve always been fascinated by octopuses,” she said. “They’re incredibly intelligent creatures, but they’re also survivors. They’re adaptive and resilient, and even able to regenerate their limbs when they’re attacked or injured. And, with what I’ve gone through in the last couple of years, I feel it’s really relatable to my own life and learning to adapt and rebuild myself after everything.”

But before Woods could get started on the mural, she had to learn how to paint again. 

Having undergone numerous surgeries on her hands and months of physical therapy to break down the scar tissue she had developed, Woods had to retrain her hands to hold a paintbrush. Luckily, paint is a forgiving medium, and she is an exceptionally patient person.

“I’m very patient, and if you don’t like the way something turns out with paint, you can always go back and just paint over it,” Woods said. “I’ve taken my time and, if I don’t like the way something looks. I just go back over it and touch things up. It’s kind of like therapy for me.”

Woods has been chipping away at the mural every day after work since June. Slowly but surely, the sprawling creature has taken shape. As I snapped photos from across the street earlier this week, someone drove past shouting, “It’s looking great!” Another driver playfully honked, prompting a wave and a smile from Woods. 

“It’s been really exciting to see people’s reaction to something that I’m doing,” she told me. “I’m kind of a nobody, and they’re helping me feel like I’m not a nobody, that I’m actually doing something that they appreciate. I’m really proud of myself, and I’m hoping that this leads to me getting asked to do more murals in the future.”

Asked whether she’s looking for any help with the project, Woods said she has a couple of friends who are going to help her paint some of the high-up bits of the wall she can’t reach by herself. She recently started a GoFundMe — linked here — to help cover the cost of supplies, which have been adding up.

“I don’t want to be paid for my time, but if someone is willing to chip in and help curb the cost of [materials], I would be really helpful,” she said.

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Everyone, it seems, has an idea they think could make them a millionaire if only they had the time and the money to invest — but if you’ve actually got a good one, your chance might be coming up.

StartUp Humboldt, a business-development organization, is sponsoring a competition for local entrepreneurs, and the winner could receive $200,000. 

They’re looking for ideas that would stoke economic growth in Humboldt, employ lots of locals, and hopefully become a $5-10 million enterprise. StartUp Humboldt spokesperson Samantha Edwardes said in an interview with the Outpost that pitches in any industry will be considered, but that aquaculture, energy, agriculture, water, mass timber solutions could be likely candidates. Applicants will face an eight-month process to see if they’ve won.

Backed by Cal Poly Humboldt, College of the Redwoods, the Norcal SBDC, and Lost Coast Ventures, they haven’t yet raised the money, but Edwardes said they were sure they’d get it. Lost Coast Ventures pledged $50,000 in donation matches.

StartUp Humboldt hasn’t decided if there will be one $200,000 prize or multiple; there will be a smaller “microventure” prize. 

“Part of the impetus for this is that our region has limited access to capital, which is a huge driver of talent flight here,” Edwardes said. “They’re skilled and educated individuals who are leaving our county in search of better funded opportunities elsewhere. And when they go, they’re taking their ideas, their energy, and their economic potential with them. So we wanted to address the root cause of talent loss by increasing access to capital and support to keep innovators here instead of watching them go.”

The entrepreneurial ideas will be rated on their feasibility, how well they fit the local market, if they’ll grow, if they’re meaningful and equitable, and if they’re the right fit for the area.

Edwardes said they would make sure no one simply overwhelms the judges with their charisma and absconds with the money.

“Every contribution is a direct investment in local talent and long term economic resilience,” she said. “We’re really trying to address the fact that capital is a critical challenge and trying to strengthen our economy. We need great jobs, and we need thriving businesses, and this is how we are working towards assisting with that mission.”

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

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Californians who get their health insurance through the state’s marketplace will see premiums increase by an average of 10.3% next year.

Covered California officials on Thursday announced the first double-digit rate increase since 2018, saying it represents a “confluence” of factors putting upward pressure on the market.

Rising health care costs, the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies and policy-driven market uncertainty together are fueling the hike, Covered California Director Jessica Altman said.

Insurers in recent years have expected health care costs to increase by about 8% each year. That makes up the bulk of next year’s increase. But Altman said about 2% of the rate increase in the state’s version of the Affordable Care Act marketplace is based on federal financial assistance that expires at the end of the year.

President Donald Trump’s signature spending and tax reform bill — the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” — left out funding for enhanced premium tax credits used by more than 90% of Affordable Care Act enrollees nationwide. Congress enacted these subsidies during the COVID-19 pandemic to ensure people had health insurance. Since then, Affordable Care Act enrollment has nearly doubled nationwide from 12 million to 24 million people.

“We’ve never been through a loss in affordability like the expiration of the enhanced tax credits,” Altman said.

Congress could still decide to re-up the subsidies in September. If it doesn’t, California will lose about $2.1 billion in enhanced tax credits for consumers.

Double whammy for consumers

Ariana Brill, a certified health insurance agent who helps people enroll in Covered California, said if the enhanced subsidies aren’t renewed, consumers’ pocketbooks will be hit twice next year.

“We’ll see rates go up. We’ll see assistance go down. And the net premium, the consumer’s take home price, is going to go up considerably,” Brill said.

Open enrollment typically starts on Nov. 1, but Brill said clients are already calling her with concerns about increases. A majority of her clients, about 2,600 of them, will have to pay significantly more for health care if Congress doesn’t extend the enhanced subsidies, she said.

If that happens, Brill said she expects some people to switch to less comprehensive, lower-cost plans to make ends meet. Others will drop coverage altogether.

“For most people, affordability is a huge part of their decision making. Very few of us have the luxury of buying things without looking at the price,” Brill said.

State officials recently took steps to ease the potential loss of federal subsidies for the lowest-income Covered California members. The state will spend $190 million to maintain subsidies for people earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level (individuals earning about $23,000 or families of four earning about $48,000).

Still, that investment is far short of the $2.1 billion the state stands to lose.

Covered California’s previous estimates indicate that 600,000 people could drop coverage as a result of lost subsidies and rising costs. That, in turn, could make health care even more expensive, experts say. That’s because younger and healthier people tend to forego coverage first, leaving sicker and more costly people behind. To meet their needs, insurers have to charge more.

“With those lower utilization people leaving the marketplace, which leaves only the high cost users in the pool, it drives up premiums for those who are left,” said Matthew McGough, a policy analyst for KFF’s Affordable Care Act program who co-authored a recent study looking at 2026 premium increases.

More people seeking health care and higher prices are already the primary factor driving annual rate increases, McGough said. Some of that can be attributed to the aging population and widespread use of costly pharmaceuticals like Ozempic and Wegovy to treat diabetes and other chronic health conditions.

But insurers nationally and in California have pointed out other factors contributing significantly to increased costs. These include tariffs on drugs and medical devices, enrollment and eligibility changes included in Trump’s budget package, and inflation. Most insurers are assuming Congress won’t extend the enhanced premium tax credits.

Nationally, the median premium increase for next year is 18%, according to the KFF analysis. Loss of subsidies accounts for 4%, McGough said.

“It’s definitely a significant factor this year and that along with the general environment of uncertainty are what is pushing these rates above what we’ve seen in the past few years,” McGough said.

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Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.

Mom made her way into the world on November 10, 1918, in London, England, and passed away on July 6, 2025.

She was the tenth and last child of Harriet Elizabeth Parsons and Thomas Edgar Johnson. Her oldest sibling was 25 years old. The next day the prime minister of England announced that a treaty had been signed and World War I had ended. Londoners poured out into the streets to celebrate and mom’s parents were inspired to name their newborn “Ivy Olive” — two symbols of peace. Our dad would later joke that mom was his “clinging vine”.

Her childhood and young adulthood were wedged between two world wars. As a child, Ivy had the run of London. Her older siblings were often responsible for watching her during the day and she was someone who really needed watching. She nearly drowned in Leg-of-Mutton Pond and hit her head in a fall from a lift in a barrel factory. She attended St. Luke’s Parochial School and was confirmed in the Anglican Church in 1932. Ivy and her sister, Edie took piano lessons. It didn’t go well for mom because she could play by ear and was eventually “fired” by her piano teacher. Mom could always bang out a tune without the music. The Johnson children were often sent off to attend plays and musicals. When she was older she joined a hiking and bicycling club and enjoyed hiking in Europe.

Mom was an accomplished seamstress. As a young woman she trained in a prestigious fashion school that created beautiful evening attire for high society, including Queen Elizabeth. Later Ivy’s three daughters would be the lucky recipients of beautiful hand sewn school clothes, prom dresses, and bridal gowns.

The onset of World War II ended the production of luxury goods and women were expected to help with the war effort. Mom started working in the national postal service and when it was taken over by the military she was put in charge of a large group of women who sorted the mail. She would achieve the rank of Sergeant Major. She got her nickname “Johnnie” from her staff; it was a shortened version of her last name of Johnson. She would use this nickname for the rest her life. In London, she endured bombings, running to bomb shelters, a brush with death by stampeding draft horses, lost friends, and watched her beloved London leveled by the violence of war.

While stationed in Nottingham, Ivy and a friend didn’t want to eat liver and onions in the mess hall so they headed to the Palais de Danse for better dinner choices. When a handsome American sergeant and his friend asked if they could join them she said “Suit yourself.” She didn’t like him; Americans were too brash, threw their money around and besides, he looked too much like a German (he had Scandinavian heritage). Dad was not deterred because he was already smitten by this beautiful redheaded Sergeant. He took her back to her base in his Jeep and the rest is history. They were married days after the end of the war just before dad was shipped back to the U.S.

Ivy came to America on a ship carrying war brides from all over Europe. On the train trip across the US she was astonished at the abundance of goods that were available to Americans. She hadn’t seen a banana for 6 years, bought a bunch and ate every single one. Her father had given her money she could use to return to England if she had made a mistake. When she spotted a Marshall Field’s department store in Chicago she took advantage of the hour stop and bought three pairs of shoes with the money. She met dad in San Francisco having brought a beautiful nightgown she made from a parachute - the only fabric available. The long drive to Eureka made a big impression on mom, especially the redwood trees. She left a city of 8.5 million people to live in Eureka, population about 17,000. To help with the transition she became a member of the World Friendship club — a group of war brides from Germany, Scotland, Ireland, England, India, Italy, and France. Many of these women were friends for life and mom was the last.

As a young mother she stayed home to raise four children: Michele, Marcelle, Nancy, and Raymond. She had never learned to cook but caught on quickly. We remember eating traditional English foods such as Yorkshire pudding, standing rib roast, steak and kidney pie, scrambled brains, marmalade, and blancmange. Ivy also made sure everyone around her learned to make a proper cup of tea: use good water, bring it to a full rolling boil, use tea leaves imported from England, warm the teapot, use a tea cozy, and add milk and sugar to the teacup — which must be good china. Recently, her wonderful caregivers learned to make “proper tea”.

Mom eventually started working at the motorcycle and boat store owned by dad. She was quite the saleswoman and everyone remembered Johnnie. She also received a license to sell insurance for motorcycles. Mom and dad loved traveling by motorcycle. In their retirement they would travel with friends throughout the Western United States. Dad also restored Jaguars and Morgans and they joined several auto groups making life-long friends along the way. When they traveled to England mom would return with pickled pigs’ feet in her suitcase while dad carried Morgan parts; this was in the days before TSA. They loved England and returned several times.

Dad built a summer home at Lake Shasta and we traveled Highway 299 before they straightened it out. Dad was a fast driver and it wasn’t easy on his queasy kids. We would go over for long weekends and would waterski until we dropped. Mom learned to drive the speedboat and pulled us all on single skis at one time or another.

In the 1970s Mom and Dad bought property at Freshwater where dad built the house they would live in for the rest of their lives. They loved their little piece of paradise and many happy holidays were spent there as they enjoyed their growing family. Mom continued to sew and knit. She also loved volunteering at the Discovery Shop for the American Cancer Society. When dad passed away in 2006 mom continued to live in her home for 15 more years. One of the biggest honors of her life took place when she was about 95. She was flown to Washington D.C. as part of Humboldt County’s Honor Flight. This is a national organization that flies veterans and their guardians to the capitol where citizens and the military express their gratitude for the veterans’ service.

In their senior years mom and dad went out to breakfast every Sunday with friends. They dined at The Eatery in Trinidad at least once a month for over 20 years. Mom wanted to live in Trinidad when they were first married but it was too far away from Dad’s shop. It seems fitting that the Trinidad Cemetery is her final resting place. Her interment service was held on a beautiful sunny day officiated by Reverend Nancy Streufert (also mom’s beloved neighbor) of Christ Episcopal Church and Deacon Cindy Woods of St. Alban’s Episcopal Church. A special thanks to the Vainuku family for caring for mom the last few years; she was very happy there became a treasured member of the family. Thank you also to Ayers Cremation for help with arrangements.

Ivy is survived by her children: Michele Olsen (Rollie), Marcelle Olsen (Steve), Nancy Freemantle (Bob), and Ray Olsen (Nygale). Her grandchildren are Kari White, Ian White, Erika McNamara, Seth Carrico, Mika Holman, Lauren Freemantle, Kelsey Sunderhaus, Nick Freemantle, Camryn Cain, and Aaron Olsen. Her great-grandchildren are Makenna and Kellan McNamara; Ryland, Colton, and Austin Carrico; Brea and Jace Holman; Marley Harris; Lily Sunderhaus; Kaidence, Paul, Wyatt Walker; Kodi and Liam Freemantle; Christian, Charlotte, and Cooper Cain. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews in the U.S. and U.K.

There are several organizations that were dear to mom. Donations can be sent to The American Cancer Society or the 95th Bomb Group Heritage Association, ℅ Grace I. Hammesfahr, PO Box 72, Metuchen, NJ 08840.

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Our father/pop, Garth Jewett Casacca, passed away on July 8, 2025, at the age of 86. He was born on September 29, 1938, to Lloyd and Evelyn Casacca. He was one of three children in their family. He was born, raised, and lived his entire life in Fortuna, except for the time he served in the Army.

Dad was a mechanic for over 60 years. His mechanical career began when he was hired at B&E Garage. He then worked many years at Patton Chevrolets, followed by Mid-County Motors, and finished his career at Chamber’s Logging. At each of his employments, he made many lasting friendships that he cherished.

Dad was also a volunteer fireman for over 25 years with the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, serving in Company 3, the Hook and Ladder. His time as a volunteer came to an end when his work schedule no longer allowed him to attend regular meetings.

He met our mom, Pamela Lynn Granvall, at a Sheepherders Ball in Bear River. They were married on November 21, 1965. Together they raised three children: Carol, Garth (Tote), and Lois.

Garth was preceded in death by his wife, Pam; his parents Lloyd and Evelyn Casacca; sisters Yvonne “Bonnie” Floyd and JoAnne Thomas; and his sister and brother-in-law Roy and Carol Silberschlag.

He is survived by his children: Carol (Randall) Stone, Garth (AJ Dunn) Casacca, and Lois Casacca; grandchildren: Landon Stone, Jillian Santos (Jared), Blake Casacca, and Guiseppe “Joe” Casacca; and great-grandchildren: Grace and Luke Santos. He also leaves behind his niece, Lori Jorgensen (Jerry); nephews, Daren (Angela) Silberschlag and Gavin (Nicole) Silberschlag; and several special great-nieces and great-nephews. He is also survived by his dog Gin. (Yep, same name as the last 3 dogs.)

At Dad’s request, there will be no service. Instead, he would want everyone to simply spend time with their families. Dad loved having his family around.

I would like to extend a special thank-you to my sister Carol for staying with Dad as his health declined and to Landon for taking Pop on rides, running errands, and helping around the house.

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Bruce J. Amado
September 22, 1939 – April 12, 2025

Bruce J. Amado was born on September 22, 1939, in Sacramento. He went to be with the Lord on April 12, 2025, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was the middle child of three siblings.

Life was difficult when, at only eight years old, he learned that his father had passed away suddenly. This left his mother, Lorene, to raise three children on her own, just following the Depression. Luckily, Bruce had the fortune of having an uncle, Vernon, and a stepdad, Bernard, who stepped in and mentored him. During these years, he developed a deep love for fishing and the outdoors.

He took great pride in his first job delivering newspapers and used some of the proceeds to help his family financially. His next job was working at John F. Mahaney Company, a local wholesale farm supply store, where he developed much of his work ethic. He attended Sacramento City College and later transferred to Humboldt State University, where he studied fisheries and marine biology—an area of life where he found his calling.

Bruce joined the Department of Fish and Game as a Fish and Wildlife Assistant at Feather River Fish Hatchery in Oroville, shortly after the dam was constructed. On August 29, 1964, he married the love of his life, Sharon. They moved back to Rio Dell, where Sharon taught third grade, and together they briefly managed a trailer park in Eureka. Bruce then took a job at Mt. Shasta Fish Hatchery.

It was there they found a little piece of property, built a house, and started a family. In 1972, they welcomed a son, and in 1974, a daughter. They were able to move from hatchery housing onto their new property, but only for a few years before Bruce transferred to Mt. Whitney Fish Hatchery in 1982.

Bruce and Sharon spent many years skiing at Mammoth, fishing creeks, mountain lakes, and aqueducts, and hunting doves and mule deer in the Sierras. He had the opportunity to ride pack animals into the highest elevation lakes with milk crates of small trout, as well as dropping them by small plane into remote lakes.

In 1985, Bruce accepted the job of his dreams at Mad River Fish Hatchery in Humboldt County. Soon after, his family rejoined him. This hatchery raised trout, salmon, and steelhead, and Bruce took great pride in spawning fish each fall and caring for the eggs. His daughter recalls visiting on school days off, watching him carefully pick the eggs to remove any fungus and marveling as they developed “eyes.” Bruce’s smile often drew photographers, and he was always eager to share his knowledge of hatchery work with anyone interested.

He especially loved releasing fish into streams, talking to fishermen, and watching the fish go free—knowing he and his crew had raised them from the start.

Outside of work, Bruce enjoyed teaching fly-tying to his 4-H group, sailing and fishing the ocean from his 19-foot West Wight Potter sailboat, and golfing locally. In 1998, he retired and put his lifetime fishing license—awarded to him by the department—to good use. He spent summers sailing and camping in Tahoe, and one year caught the fish of his lifetime: a 70-pound king salmon, the largest caught in Eureka that year. Proud of the catch, he purchased a salmon smoker for the fishing derby where he won the record.

Bruce even tried commercial fishing for a year, purchasing a salmon trawling boat and crab permit. He ran “The Echo” for a couple of years with Joy, supplying his yacht club with crab for many crab feeds. Cooking and serving crab came naturally to him, as generosity was second nature.

The yacht club brought Bruce and Sharon many great experiences. While Sharon wrote and printed the newsletter, Bruce timed the races—his Potter being slow but perfect for the job. He made many friends there, including his best friend Ralph Krause, with whom he paddled across Humboldt Bay as part of a club. Early weekend mornings were spent crossing the bay, spotting wildlife, and enjoying breakfast with friends.

Bruce’s love of nature never faded. In his later years, he golfed with friends and his son until he could no longer play. Determined to stay active, he rode his electric tricycle and fished local beaches for surf perch with his friend Joe Ceriani, sometimes joined by his granddaughter Sophia and daughter Wyly.

Bruce will always be remembered for his kindness, caring attitude, hardworking character, and gentle nature. He was devoted to his family and expressed his love through thoughtful acts of service—like greeting loved ones at the door with a cup of coffee or juice.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; daughter Wyly (husband Elmer, grandchildren Abigail and Julian, and great-grandchild Sequoia); son Jon (wife Helia and daughter Sophia); brother Gary (wife Judy and sons Christopher and Michael); and sister Jolene.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Michael J. Fox Foundation to further Parkinson’s research.

A celebration of life will be held at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka on September 20, 2025, at 2 p.m.