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Press release from the City of Arcata:

Arcata, CA – Celebrate National Dog Month this August by being a responsible dog owner and following all local laws protecting pets, the environment and the community.

In the City of Arcata, dogs must always be leashed on City trails and parks, including the Arcata Marsh and Wildlife Sanctuary, Redwood Park and the Arcata Community Forest. Pet owners with friendly dogs should remember that other dogs may not be friendly and could be nervous, reactive, fearful, in training or owned by people who want to be left alone. Never let a dog run up to another without talking to the owner first. Respect others and their need for space.

Here are five key reasons to leash your dog in public spaces:

1. On-leash isn’t just good practice; it’s the law. Arcata Municipal Code Section 10008 states that dogs must be leashed in all public areas. Leashes must be under six feet long and sturdy. Dogs are not allowed, even on leash, in the downtown business district, including the Arcata Plaza. When planning to visit the Saturday Farmers’ Market, leave the dogs at home and enjoy a dog-friendly trail afterward.

2. Prevent the spread of disease. Pet waste is full of bacteria that can make pets, people and wildlife sick. Some local streams and beaches have been placed on the North Coast Water Board’s Impaired Waterbodies Action List due to fecal pollution directly linked to dog waste. When dogs are on a leash, it is easier for owners to locate their pets’ waste. The owner can then pick it up and appropriately dispose of it in the trash. If bags were forgotten, most City parks and trails offer pet waste stations with bags and trash bins, please use them. Never toss pet waste into the trees, bushes, streets or gutters.

3. Safety: An unleashed dog can cause accidents or be in an accident. Leashes help prevent dogs from running into roads, cyclists or other trail users. Leashed dogs are also easier to manage if confronted by other animals, aggressive dogs or unforeseen hazards.

4. Wildlife and habitat protection. Off-leash dogs can unintentionally scare or harm wildlife, disturb nesting birds and damage sensitive habitats. Staying on leash and on trail preserves local ecosystems.

5. Reunite lost pets: When a dog has a leash and collar people know that the dog belongs to someone in the case of separation. It is important for a dog’s collar to have an ID tag with basic contact information such as the dog’s name, the owner’s name and a phone number. Additionally, dog owners in the City of Arcata are required to obtain a Dog License, which will help reunite pets with their owners. For more information about the application or annual fees, visit cityofarcata.org/401/Dog-Licenses.

6. A Special Note for Cat Owners: Many people are bringing cats to parks and trails using cat backpacks or strollers. Be sure your cat is also harnessed and leashed, even inside a carrier, to prevent escape. While cats don’t require licenses in Arcata, they too benefit from ID tags and safe outdoor practices.

Some beaches and trails in Humboldt County allow dogs to be off-leash if they are under voice control. For those with little or no voice control over their dogs, keep them on a leash at all times. For a detailed list of recreation areas in Humboldt County and the dog use regulations at each location, Friends of the Dunes offers free online maps and guides. Visit friendsofthedunes.org/resources and scroll down to find the Exploring Wild Places with Your Dog map.

This Dog Month, consider donating to local shelters and care centers or volunteering time. Local shelters are often at full capacity and struggle with a lack of either funds or supplies. Donate old blankets or pet food which can make a significant difference for local shelters.

For a map of DogiPot locations in the City of Arcata and information on the impact of pet waste, please visit cityofarcata.org/779/Pet-Waste or contact the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184.

Derek Russell, long-time Humboldt resident and owner of Arcata’s Ampt skate shop, died July 31 after suffering a massive heart attack during a camping trip near Roseburg, Ore. He was 37.

Russell’s impact on the local skating scene cannot be overstated. He ran Arcata’s summer skating camp for years, and his teaching influenced countless skaters.

“You work five years for Arcata’s Rec department teaching kids how to skateboard for a month and a half each summer, and you have a lot of reach within this community,” said friend and owner of Ramparts Skate Park Riley Morrison in an interview with the Outpost. “A lot of these kids between the ages of 17 to 10 were literally shown how to skateboard from Derek.”

Local skate shop Ampt opened in 2002, when Russell was in high school. 

“He immediately found a home there, hanging out and working at the shop over the years,” reads a statement from assorted family and friends. “As the heart of Arcata’s tight-knit skateboarding scene, the importance of the shop cannot be overstated. When Derek bought Ampt in 2018, it was a dream come true. He embodied the phrase ‘skater owned and operated.’”

He dedicated his efforts to getting more skate parks to open. He was instrumental in the creation of the skate parks in McKinleyville and the almost-completed park in Willow Creek.

Most of Ampt’s products have been bought out by well-wishers after his death, and there’s a GoFundMe set up by his partner Isabel Angell, his former spouse Cecilia Rivera, and longtime friend and Ampt associate Nick Kraus.

“The kid was a visionary and had a heart of gold,” Morrison said. “I firmly believe that what he saw for his community was incredibly appropriate. And that vision — we’ll keep working towards it: more skate parks, more access for the kids. Derek was a young kid when I met him, and he was a young kid when he passed, and it’s always hard when they’re a lot younger. It’s hard anytime a buddy passes, but it’s really hard when it’s someone like that. There was still a lot more — there is still a lot more left in the journey.”

“I’ve known Derek since he was a teenager,” said Charlie Caldwell, director of the Humboldt Skatepark Collective in an interview with the Outpost. “He was just a big-hearted guy. Everyone knows him, and he’s a pinnacle of our community. He cares about everyone. It’s a huge loss for all of us.”

There will be an unofficial memorial in his honor tomorrow, Aug. 9 at 2 p.m., at the Arcata Skate Park. 

Don’t let that icy blue fool you — it’s gonna be hotter than hell in the mountains this weekend, with a Heat Advisory in effect.

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What happened to Faugust? We coast dwellers are accustomed to digging out our sweaters and vests this time of year. Instead, it has been downright gorgeous, with sunny skies and temperatures sometimes reaching into the 70s! 

It’s a different story for our neighbors at higher elevation, of course, and they — and you, if you plan on visiting them — should be aware that this weekend the mouth of Hades is poised to blow on the mountains, with temps in Hoopa reaching as high as 108 degrees. 

The National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory. Put some effort into keeping cool, especially if you or one of your loved ones is elderly or otherwise at risk. Also: Hydrate.

Meanwhile on the coast: More of this crazy pleasant weather. Get your Vitamin D while you can.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Wanted Felon Shot Dead Near Blue Lake in Standoff With Humboldt County Sheriff’s Deputies, Agency Reports
• Sheriff’s Office Identifies Man Shot by Deputies in Glendale Saturday

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office provides the following update regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred on July 26, 2025, in the 1300 block of Glendale Drive.

The deputies involved in the incident have been identified as:

• Deputy Jonathan Eckert, with nine years of law enforcement experience
• Deputy Cole Kane, with six years of law enforcement experience
• Deputy Russell Hurley, with nine years of law enforcement experience

All three deputies remain on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol. The forensic autopsy for the decedent, Jared Randell Nelson, is still pending.

This investigation remains active and is being conducted by the Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Additional details will be released in compliance with California State Law as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information about this case 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.

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

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The California Supreme Court on Thursday sided with environmental groups in a case seen as pivotal for the proliferation of rooftop solar power in California.

In a unanimous vote, justices told a lower court to revisit a ruling that upheld reduced payments to solar panel owners for selling excess power back to utility companies. Justices did not rule on whether the changes to the solar program were legal, requiring the court of appeals to determine this.

“They basically said the lower court kind of punted on the whole substance of the [solar payments] decision,” Bernadette Del Chiaro, vice president for California at the Environmental Working Group, said. “I do think they’re clearly stating this needs to be reviewed.”

At issue is a 2022 decision by state regulators to reduce by about 75% payments to solar panel owners for excess power. The change was intended to help make bills affordable for all customers while still encouraging the adoption of renewable energy sources. Three environmental groups that brought the lawsuit — the Center for Biological Diversity, The Protect our Communities Foundation, and the Environmental Working Group — argued in the case that the state utilities commission’s decision left out crucial considerations around benefits to customers and disadvantaged communities.

“We don’t need [to be in] an affordability crisis if we have more local generation,” Roger Lin, senior attorney fro the Center for Biological Diversity, said.

Utilities pay solar panel owners for their excess power under a program known as “net energy metering.” In previous iterations of the program – “NEM 1.0” and “NEM 2.0” – utilities paid solar customers a retail rate for their extra energy, which is the same price the utilities charge other customers when they resell that energy.

This was changed under the current iteration of the program – “NEM 3.0” – which instead gives customers the “avoided cost,” which is how much utilities save by not buying that power on the wholesale market.

Customers who joined the program after mid-April 2023 receive the new rate, while customers under the prior two versions will continue to receive the old rate for the duration of their contracts, which is typically about 20 years.

Utility commissioners ruled in favor of power companies, which argued that older versions of the program created an unfair cost burden on customers. Those without rooftop solar, utilities said, have to pay more than their peers for routine maintenance to the grid. The groups bringing the lawsuit said this idea is overblown. A court of appeals upheld regulators’ decision, relying on a legal standard that gives significant deference to decisions made by the California Public Utilities Commission.

Thursday’s decision said the court of appeals “erred” by using this standard.

Whether or not the change in how solar panel owners are paid is legal will be left to the lower courts. But the decision this week could have farther-reaching implications for state utility regulators.

“We appreciate the Court’s careful attention to the appropriate standard of deference for reviewing CPUC decisions,” Terrie Prosper, utility commission spokesperson, said. “We are pleased that the CPUC’s decision will remain in effect as an important part of controlling electricity bills.”

Advocates said the decision reinforces that the utilities commission must ensure that its decisions fit squarely within the law.

“For too long, they really have operated in a black box behind a shroud of complexity,” Del Chiaro said. “Consumers and the planet have consistently lost out as a result of that.”

The fallout from the utilities commission’s 2022 net metering decision included an 82% drop in customers requesting connections for rooftop solar installations, and industry groups expected a loss of about 17,000 jobs during the first year of the change.

It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of Ronald Titus Jr, beloved father, husband, brother, grandpa and cherished friend who left us on Saturday, August 2, 2025. He was 73 years old. Ron was born in Longview, Washington on April 15, 1952 but lived his whole life in Eureka.

From an early age Ron wanted to be a soldier. In 1971 that dream became a reality as he enlisted in the United States Army and served overseas working in a Pershing Missile Silo in Germany for three years. He was very proud to have served his country.

As a young man he had a passion for motorcycles and muscle cars. He owned a Harley (chopper) and a Ford Mustang. Later he had several other motorcycles and went on many motorcycle adventures with one of his best friends, Mark Fiegal.

Ron had a great deal of skill and talent as well as many passions in his life. He was an amazing woodworker and builder. He built furniture, outdoor decks, planter boxes, functional toy tractors and trucks out of Redwood for his children. He built an addition onto the family home in 1991. He built an underground fort and a two-story fort with a swinging airplane for his children.

Ron loved working with metals and built his own foundry to melt aluminum and brass mostly. From the melted metals he made a golf club, and fully functioning miniature civil-war era and Spanish warship style cannons. After Ron retired from the Shipping and Receiving Department at Humboldt State University he realized he loved to paint. Starting with a children’s box of watercolors he began teaching himself how to paint. As he progressed as a painter he took community classes. Ron has hundreds of gorgeous paintings his family has enjoyed on the walls in our home. Ron generously gave his paintings away to friends and loved ones never selling them. He painted just for the pleasure of it.

Ron was also a whole-hearted sports fan. He loved the San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants. He coached his two sons’ and two nephews’ football and baseball teams. He not only taught them how to play the games but touched many families by coaching their children and being a positive role model. He was a stern and compassionate coach and always encouraged his players. He was competitive but for him it was all about the love of the game and passing that on to young people.

Family came first to Ron. He loved camping and backpacking with his family. He loved to travel in later years. He and Chris were blessed to travel to Alaska, Mexico, Australia to meet and visit the Greek cousins in Perth, visit Italy with Chris’ two best friends Val Arizzi and Isa Arizzi-Pritting and finally they went to Greece with Chris’ brother Jerry, his wife, and the Australia cousins, Arthur and Pauline. Ron loved history and to see these countries was extra special and he spent all his time seeing the historic sites. Ron loved old Western movies and John Wayne was his favorite.

Ron is survived by his wife, Chris, sons Joseph and Kyle, grandchildren Collin, Chloe, and Harmony. He also leaves behind sisters Julie Titus and Jodie Perez. Ron had two best friends — Chuck Koval, who met as infants, and Mark Feigal since junior high school.

The family would like to thank Robert Martinez, who visited Ron weekly over the last months of his life and made him laugh. Thanks to all the staff at Seaview Rehabilitation and Wellness Center for their loving care and all the medical professionals who took care of Ron along with Hospice.

There will be a gathering at the Titus family home to celebrate Ron’s life for family and friends on Saturday, August 30 at 2 p.m.. You will be sorely missed and always be in our hearts, Ron / Dad / Grandpa / Friend.

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Press release from Humboldt Bay Fire:

On August 7, 2025, at approximately 0701 hours, Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a reported residential structure fire with possible occupants trapped in the 1900 block of Ridgewood Drive in Cutten. The response included four fire engines, two chief officers, and an ambulance.

Engine 8112 was first on scene and reported a single-wide mobile home with heavy fire showing from the rear, with flames potentially threatening nearby structures. Chief 8100 arrived shortly thereafter, assumed Incident Command, and directed Engine 8112 to begin fire attack and conduct a primary search for any trapped occupants. Engine 8113 arrived and was assigned to support fire attack operations. Engine 8115 secured a water supply from a nearby hydrant, while Engine 8114 was tasked with protecting adjacent structures.

The fire was brought under control within 20 minutes. A thorough search confirmed that no occupants were inside the residence at the time of the fire. Humboldt Bay Fire crews remained on scene for approximately three hours to fully extinguish the fire and complete a cause and origin investigation.

The fire was determined to be electrical in nature. The mobile home was a total loss, with damages estimated at $25,000. No damage was reported to any surrounding structures.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance during this incident: City Ambulance, California Highway Patrol, Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, PG&E, Arcata Fire District, and the American Red Cross, who provided temporary shelter for the displaced occupant.

We remind the public to drive cautiously near emergency scenes for the safety of both responders and the community.

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