It is with a heavy heart that I write this. On August 29, 2024, Dana passed at his home in Willow Creek.

We moved into a house on the hill above the little red house that our dad and grandpa built. Dana went to grade school in Big Lagoon and later to McKinleyville High School. Dana didn’t graduate high school — he took the GED test and got out early. He was smarter than me (lol).

After school, Dana went to work for A&P truck service at the Mobil station in Orick. He worked there for quite a few years. Later, Dana went to work for Blankenship Trucking as a mechanic. I’m not sure for how many years. After that he worked for Arcata Redwood company as a millwright, where he retired.

Over the years in Orick, he surf-fished commercially, sports-fished in Redwood Creek and in the ocean. He was also an avid deer hunter.

Throughout his life in Orick and later in Willow Creek Dana made a lot of lifelong friends. I don’t think Dana ever met an enemy!

I’m gonna miss you, bro!

Dana was born in Orick on Jan. 22, 1958 to Corky &=and Nita Whitaker. He was the youngest of three boys — Darrell, Dennis and Dana.

Dana was proceeded in his death by his dad (Corky, 2010) his mother (Nita, 2012) and his oldest brother (Darrell (Butch), 2012).

Dana lives behind his next-older brother, Dennis, and his two children, Bailey and Brett; Bailey‘s two children, Rylan and Bella; Uncle Pete McAtee of Arcata; and Aunt Gloria Shuster of McKinleyville; and various cousins.

A memorial for Dana will be arranged for a later time.

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Richard “Rick” Motherwell peacefully passed away at home in Eureka on June 17, 2024, at the age of 75.

Rick was the youngest of three children born to Ann & Thomas Motherwell in Jemison, Alabama on March 26, 1949.

He spent several years of his early childhood living in Jemison until he and his family moved to Fort Bragg, where they lived a few years before making their way to Eureka, and where he would continue to reside the rest of his life.

As a young teenager, Rick began his career as a commercial fisherman working with his stepdad, Rudy, aboard his fishing vessel. He loved the smell of the salty air, “the fog,” and developed a love and a great respect for the ocean.

He enjoyed the outdoors, spending many days hunting, fishing camping, and especially enjoyed starting and sitting around a big campfire. One of many good times to be had was when he and his beloved wife, Ruth, would pack up an ice chest of goods, and go on drives either not knowing where the roads would take them or being on a set destination. They always had so much fun enjoying each other while traveling and exploring those numerous destinations together.

Rick was very talented, and capable of doing so many things. He created several beautiful woodworking pieces, assisted in building a few houses, construction work, cooking, smoking fish and cheeses, making jerky & home made bread, as well as working on his and other friends’ boats. Being the natural-born storyteller and prankster he was, he also enjoyed entertaining his family and friends with his stories, playing his pranks and of course laughing. One of his most admiring qualities though was him taking the time to talk and show the kids big or small how to do a project that needed to be done while offering and teaching different options in which they could complete any task.

A turning point in Rick’s life was when he met his wife Ruth. Not being fools rushing in, they waited a few years before they married in August 1995. He again asked her if she would remarry him, and with the answer being yes, they renewed their vows in May 2024. They created an amazing life of being best friends, being in love with countless wonderful memories shared between themselves along with many family members and friends that will always be remembered & cherished.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, Ann; stepdad, Rudy; his father, Thomas, and sadly so many other family members and close friends. Rick is survived by his wife, Ruth, of 38 years; brother Tom; sister Nancy; brother Rex; son Rich (wife Tamme); son Tom(wife Yvonne); son Jesse (fiance Alma); son Joey (wife Sherri); son Nate (wife Tricia); and son Bobby (wife Pamela); 11 grandsons; 12 granddaughters; three great-grandsons; several nephews/great-nephews, nieces/great-nieces, and many other extended family members, friends and loved ones.

At his request, there will be no formal services held. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions in Rick’s name to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Fall Court, Eureka, California 95503.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Dr. Aussenberg and his staff; Dr. Trieu and his staff; the wound care team, the lift team, and the nurses and aides of Providence-St. Joseph Hospital; the staff & care team at Providence Home Health, and the staff and care team with Hospice of Humboldt for all your kindness, help, support and the care you provided. You are an amazing group of people and are truly appreciated. Thank you.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services:

Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Public and Environmental Health officials are advising community residents who attended a dinner at the Elks Lodge in Eureka on Wednesday, Aug. 28, that they may have been exposed to Shigella. Attendees experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) issues should contact their primary care provider, as well as take steps not to spread the highly contagious infection. 

Instances of Shigella infection are on the rise in the county after at least six individuals have tested positive for the illness since August.

The first cluster of three cases was identified in late-August. The individuals all appear to have been infected sometime in mid-August and a connection between the individuals could not be confirmed. Based on this information, Public Health sent out a Provider Alert to monitor for potential cases in case there was ongoing spread in the community. 

Humboldt County Health Officer Dr. Candy Stockton said within the last 24 hours, staff was notified about three new confirmed cases and five suspected cases associated with the Aug. 28 event.

“We are receiving additional reports of people with GI symptoms who were also at that event and are working to follow up with each of these individuals,” Stockton said. “While it is possible that there may be other sources involved, it is highly likely that there was community spread at this event. Based on this, we are taking steps to notify anyone who was at the event of the importance of preventing additional spread if they become ill.”

Public Health staff conducting contact tracing say the two clusters do not appear to be connected.

“We typically see a lot of stomach bugs and bacteria circulating during this time of year and this is a good reminder that it is important to stay home and not expose other people. If you are experiencing vomiting or diarrhea wait until symptoms have resolved for 24 to 48 hours,” Stockton said, adding that it is especially important for individuals in the health care, daycare and food services industries to follow these precautions.

Shigella germs are found in stool, and infection is spread by eating food or drinking liquids contaminated by an infected person, or when a person touches a contaminated surface or object and then touches their mouth or puts the object into their mouth. People who have contracted shigellosis typically experience a fever, abdominal cramps and diarrhea which may be bloody.

Onset of shigellosis symptoms usually occurs one to two days after exposure—but may take longer—and lasts around a week. Infected people can remain contagious up to six weeks after symptoms resolve. 
Most people with shigellosis recover completely without severe complications. In rare cases Shigella may cause bloodstream infections, seizures, kidney failure or arthritis.

The best way to prevent the spread of shigellosis is to wash hands:

• Before, during and after preparing food
• Before eating
• Before and after caring for someone who is sick
• After using the toilet
• After blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing
• After touching garbage
• After changing diapers or cleaning up a child who has used the toilet
• After touching an animal, animal feed or animal waste
• After handling pet food or pet treats.

People with shigellosis should:

• Stay home from school or from health care, food service or childcare jobs while sick
• Abstain from sharing food
• Abstain from swimming and hot tubs
• Abstain from having sex for at least two weeks after symptoms resolve.
• If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your primary care provider or call Public Health at 707-268-2182. 

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“For When You Get Lost,” an award-winning indie film featuring Humboldt County’s majestic scenery and tasty beers, will screen Thursday evening at the Arcata Theatre Lounge, followed by a Q&A session with director Michelle Steffes and screenwriter/co-star Jennifer Sorenson.

Described by Film Threat as “sincere, subversive, and entirely unique,” the movie was inspired by a real-life road trip that took Sorenson through the Pacific Northwest by way of Avenue of the Giants, Eureka and Arcata — with stops at several local breweries.

The Outpost reached Steffes by phone earlier today, and she told us that her low-budget feature debut, which nabbed multiple awards on the festival circuit, including the Comedy Vanguard Audience Award at the 2023 Austin Film Festival, will make its non-festival theatrical premiere in Arcata Thursday evening.

The plot is based on a trip that Sorenson took years ago in an effort to make amends with her father before he died. “And on the way she had these mini-adventures,” Steffes explained.

Early in her trip, Sorenson encountered some bikers who suggested she go through Avenue of the Giants and stop in Arcata and Eureka. 

“So on that trip she went to Lost Coast Brewery, and she was so charmed and taken with the area, she started feeling like life was being cinematic,” Steffes said.

Sorenson had worked at various breweries and beer festivals, getting to know a variety of people in the beer-making community, and when it came time to produce the film version of her story, the crew relied on some of those very same people.

For example, Meredith Maier, co-owner of Six Rivers Brewery in McKinleyville, has “a sassy, judgy cameo” role in the movie, as she recently noted on Facebook. She told the Outpost that a coworker volunteered her for the role after producers put out a call for someone with an expressive face.

“I have a one-word line,” Maier said via Facebook Messenger, adding a smiley-face emoji.

While Sorenson made her real-life road trip solo, for the movie version she gave herself an estranged sister to accompany her and help heal the family’s fractures. The pair makes a bit of an odd couple, with Sorenson’s character, June Stevenson, up for adventure while her sister Cami (played by Elizabeth Alderfer) just wants to get the trip over and get back to real life.

“We kind of call it ‘Sideways for beer,’” Steffes said, referring to Alexander Payne’s Oscar-winning, wine-drenched drama-comedy from 2004.

During the production crew’s time here in Humboldt they shot scenes at Six Rivers Brewery, Lost Coast Brewery and Redwood Curtain Brewing Company, along with a few non-beer-related locations. (Look for a giant redwood hug in the teaser trailer above.)

Steffes described the movie as a “very low budget” labor of love. When Sorenson first brought her the script, she loved it but voiced skepticism that all its scenes — including shots at an airport, on a boat and in multiple breweries — could be filmed on a shoestring budget. 

“She [Sorenson] told me, ‘You haven’t met people in beer culture; they’ll be so supportive.’ And they were,” Steffes said. “They sometimes gave us food. We felt so supported. We absolutely could not have done it without the people in that world.”

With an all-women filmmaking team, “For When You Get Lost” also received support from the nonprofit Women In Film, and it was awarded a ReFrame Stamp for its gender-balanced production, according to industry website Celluloid Junkie. 

Steffes said she thinks there were still tickets available as of Wednesday afternoon, and she’d love to have locals come “pack the house” and ask any questions they may have for her and Sorenson. 

The show starts at 6 p.m. at the Arcata Theatre Lounge. Tickets can be purchased online or at the venue.

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Eureka’s former mayors are setting aside political differences to combat divisiveness and unite the community. And what better way to do that than with twinkle lights and a little holiday cheer?

At a press conference at the Old Town Gazebo this morning, the league of ex-mayors – Nancy Flemming (1990-2002), Peter LaVallee (2002-2006), Virginia Bass (2006-2010), Frank Jager (2010-2018) and Susan Seaman (2018-2022) – announced a fundraising campaign for the Holiday Lighting Project, which aims to “create a warm and inviting atmosphere” in Old Town that will bring folks together during the holiday season. 

The initiative came about “in response to divisiveness in our community,” including political division over Measure F, the controversial “Eureka Housing for All and Downtown Vitality” initiative. The ballot measure has garnered enthusiastic support from Flemming and Jager, as well as staunch opposition from LaVallee and Seaman.

Seaman

“When we reached out about this [project] and called all the mayors to participate, every one of them signed on immediately because they liked the idea of identifying a project that we could work on together to demonstrate solidarity and continued love for our city,” Seaman said at today’s press conference. “Even now, several of us are working on opposite sides of current [ballot] measures. … We recognize that we can advocate for what we believe in, and also continue to find ways to work with anyone who wants to make our community better.”

Bass, who also served as the Fourth District representative on the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors for 12 years, acknowledged how politics have changed over the years, noting that campaigns were “actually friendly back in the day.” 

“When Peter and I were running for [Eureka] City Council … it was such a different time,” she said. “We were just two people with diverse views, offering our views to the community. Fast forward several years to now, whether it was the advent of the internet and social media, I saw more division come out of that. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because by division I mean groups of people banding together [over] similar philosophies, but those groups were able to work together.”

Bass

The shift from division to divisiveness “will destroy our community if we don’t do something to change it,” Bass continued. “And is lighting going to fix that? No, but it shows that five different mayors … are working together because we believe that we need to do something to help turn things around.”

The mayors hope to raise $20,000 by the end of September. If they can meet that goal, city staff will deck out the Old Town Gazebo and nearby trees with strings of white twinkle lights, garlands, wreaths and “giant” light-up ornaments. The string lights will stay up year-round. 

Jager emphasized his support for the project as well, adding that “anything we can do to help our downtown and Old Town area and the business people here to thrive is really important.”

Jager

“I just want to really thank Susan for getting us all together,” he added. “It’s described as ‘like herding cats’ because we’ve all got different things going on, and it’s difficult to get everybody together but you’ve managed to do it, Susan, and I’m really proud of you.”

LaVallee also shared his love for Eureka. “This is just a wonderful city,” he said. “I just love being here. … To me, to have the former mayors supporting this project in our city is just what we need to do.”

Flemming added that the lighting “will be visible all the way up to Highway 101,” inviting locals and visitors to Old Town and downtown businesses. “We’ll have music, I’m sure, and [it will] very much help our small merchants and the small shops here to be successful during the holidays,” she said.

There is a tiered list of sponsorship opportunities – linked here – for people interested in donating, ranging from “Elf Level” to “Santa Level” sponsorships.

Check out the press release below for more information from the City of Eureka:

As a response to the divisiveness in our community and nation, Eureka’s former Mayors are coming together in a show of solidarity and love for the city they served. Nancy Flemming (1990-2002) Peter LaVallee (2002-2006); Virginia Bass (2006-2010); Frank Jager (2010 – 2018) and Susan Seaman (2018-2022), five politicians with clear differences in the visions we have for Humboldt’s County Seat, have set aside those differences to focus on demonstrating that we can work together to continue to support our hometown. This initiative is being approached in partnership with the City of Eureka. Eureka’s Economic Development department, Eureka Main Street, Public Works and Humboldt Bay Fire are underway to prepare for the displays while the mayor’s group is working on fundraising, with a goal of raising $20,000 in 2024.

Our goal is to unite the community, fostering a sense of connection and pride in our shared spaces. By enhancing the charm of Eureka’s Old Town with twinkle lights and dazzling displays, we aim to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that draws people together. This project will inspire gathering, support for local businesses, and showcase the power of community spirit.

Join us in making this vision a reality!

Please make checks payable to Eureka Main Street, nonprofit ID #95-4705180, and mail them to the Main Street office at 108 F Street, Eureka, CA 95501, Attn: Main Street. Reach out with questions to lightupeureka@gmail.com or (707) 441-4178.

Comes now word that Democratic Rep. Adam Schiff, a big name from the years of the Trump presidency and the all-but-guaranteed future Senator from the state of California, is lurking about town. A little bird wrote us this morning to notify us that Schiff was spotted at a Eureka dining establishment last night.

Schiff’s Insta provided photographic proof that the representative have the good sense to make a pit stop in Willits, and tells us that he’s up here on a Jared Huffman-organized tour of the usual Humboldt issues: Redwoods, offshore wind and tribal relations.

Apparently no public appearances are scheduled, which nowadays seems to be the norm for D.C. and Sacramento types who visit our shores. Get in, privately press the flesh and get the hell out is the standard itinerary when it comes to matters Humboldt. Oh well!

UPDATE, 1:26 p.m.: A City of Eureka press release sent just now has a bit more information:

The City of Eureka will be performing smoke testing of the sanitary sewer system at the locations shown in the included map in Eureka beginning at 8:00am, on Wednesday, September 4th and will continue for through December 4th. This testing involves introducing a non-toxic smoke into sewer manholes where it is forced through the sewer mains and laterals to locate defects in the system. Smoke will be visible in the area, and may travel to nearby sewer lines as well. There is no need to contact the Police or Fire Department, they have already been notified.

Traffic will remain open during testing; however, smoke may be visible exiting manholes. Please use caution while driving in the area. In addition to manholes, smoke will be visible coming from building vents and external cleanouts. This smoke is non-toxic, will not leave a residue, and will dissipate shortly after the test. Smoke should not enter buildings unless there is defective plumbing or dry drain traps. It is recommended that you flush all toilets and run water down all sinks, tubs, laundry drains, and floor drains prior to testing. Door hangers will be distributed before the testing occurs, notifying of the testing. This work will be performed between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, WEATHER PERMITTING.

The City of Eureka’s Contractor, Total Flow, will be on site with information, should there be any questions.

The patience and cooperation of residents and business owners in the vicinity of the testing zone is greatly appreciated. Repairing and maintaining our sewer collection systems is vital to the health and safety of our residents.

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Via the  Humboldt Bay Fire socials:

Smoke testing on sanitary sewer lines in the City of Eureka has started and will continue through October.

Smoke tests are done to find damaged pipes, improper connections, and areas where unwanted water may enter the sanitary sewer collection system.

During testing, the smoke may be seen coming from roof vents, building foundations, catch basins, clean-outs, downspouts, sewer laterals, and manhole covers. The smoke is clean and non-toxic to humans, pets, and plants.