Press release from the County of Humboldt:

The County of Humboldt’s Economic Development Division is proud to host the third-annual Partnering for Ocean, Wind and Energy Renewables in California (POWER CA) conference, taking place May 6-8 in Humboldt County.

POWER CA 2025 will bring together federal, state, tribal and local leaders, industry experts and policymakers to explore the future of renewable energy in California. The event will take place at Bear River Rancheria’s Tish-Non Community Center, located in Loleta, CA, with excursions throughout beautiful Humboldt County.

Registration is currently open and all interested community members and businesses are invited to attend. This year’s agenda includes a special presentation by STEAM the Streets and dynamic lineup of interactive sessions covering:

• Renewable energy advancements in the offshore wind, solar and hydrogen energy sectors.

• Building sustainable energy into the future through policy, investment and energy transition strategies.

• Case study presentations on successful renewable energy projects in rural communities.

• Investment opportunities providing exclusive insights into California’s renewable energy funding.

• Discussions led by thoughtful leaders on shaping the future of renewable energy and pathways leading to net-zero goals.

• Community-guided site visits.

POWER CA serves as the perfect opportunity to connect with renewable energy industry pioneers, engage in insightful discussions, network and dive into the future of sustainable energy. Register to attend and learn more at gohumco.com/POWERCA.

POWER CA is an official SelectUSA spinoff event focused on renewable energy, one of only 16 across the U.S. The Humboldt County Economic Development Division would like to thank SelectUSA, the Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA), Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), Vineyard Offshore and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for their generous sponsorship of this event.

For more information, please call 707-445-7745 or email power@co.humboldt.ca.us.

For more information on Humboldt County’s Economic Development Division, please visit gohumco.com.

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

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For more than a century, Congress has given extra money to counties with large tracts of federal land to help pay for schools, roads and other critical services. Now that financial lifeline appears to be dead after Congress didn’t include it in the budget passed this month — a victim of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting measures.

The Secure Rural Schools Act would have brought in at least $33 million to California counties that have land owned by the federal government, such as the U.S. Forest Service. The money is intended to compensate counties for tax revenue they can’t collect on federally-owned land.

“This loss (is) nothing short of catastrophic,” Liam Gogan, head of the Trinity County Board of Supervisors, wrote to Congress. “This is not just a funding shortfall; it is an existential crisis. Our schools will suffer irreversible damage, emergency response will be paralyzed, and our economy — already fragile — will be pushed past the point of recovery.”

California counties from Imperial to Del Norte use Secure Rural Schools funds for schools and roads, but some money also goes toward emergency services, wildfire safety and other needs. Last year the nationwide total was $253 million, barely a blip in the overall federal budget, but a crucial funding source for rural communities that have limited options for raising revenue.

“It’s a nonpartisan issue – we thought it would be a slam-dunk,” said Patricia Gunderson, superintendent of schools for Lassen County. “But it wasn’t a priority for Congress. It’s budget dust, a pebble in the big picture, and it just wasn’t on their radar.”

In the fall, Secure Rural Schools passed unanimously in the Senate but never received a hearing in the House and was not included in the temporary budget passed in December. Advocates tried again in February, with a new bill they hoped would make it into the most recent budget.

But the bill wasn’t included and isn’t likely to pass on its own, as Congress seeks to shrink federal spending amid President Donald Trump’s orders to reduce government bureaucracy. Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who co-sponsored the bill, is “pursuing every avenue” to get it passed, his staff said. Many of the counties in LaMalfa’s district voted for Trump, but school officials have said they view Secure Rural Schools as a nonpartisan issue.

Advocates are also holding out hope, however slim.

“We’ll keep pushing, but the time for Congress to do what’s right for rural schools was yesterday,” said Tara Thomas, government affairs manager for the School Superintendents Association, a nationwide professional advocacy group. “It’s such a miniscule program, but it’s a lifeline for districts that rely on this funding.”

Layoffs and cutbacks

Counties’ funding varies depending on how much U.S. Forest Service acreage they have. Siskiyou County, for example, got $4.3 million in 2023. Trinity got $3.5 million. Los Angeles County, home to the Angeles National Forest, got $1.4 million. Counties typically give half the money to schools and half to public works.

“It wasn’t a priority for Congress. It’s budget dust, a pebble in the big picture, and it just wasn’t on their radar.”
— Patricia Gunderson, superintendent of schools for Lassen County

In many school districts, the loss of funding will mean staff layoffs, cuts to after-school programs, fewer field trips, delayed building repairs and other adjustments. On the public works side, road repairs will take longer and residents will have less assistance making their homes safe from wildfires.

In Trinity County, the cuts mean that the county will have fewer crews to repair its 620 miles of roads — 120 of which are gravel. In the rugged, remote mountains west of Mt. Shasta, this will affect residents’ ability to get to work and school, and emergency crews’ ability to reach many parts of the 3,200-square-mile county, said Panos Kokkas, the county’s transportation director.

A rural road with debris blocking the road in Trinity County. Photo via County of Trinity Department of Transportation

Many of the roads are already in bad shape due to storms, mudslides, wildfires and erosion, he said. In the heavily forested region, it’s not uncommon for fallen trees to block roads or for whole sections of road to wash away.

“People potentially could get stranded, or fire and emergency crews won’t be able to get through,” Kokkas said. “It could be a very unsafe situation.”

In counties that are already beset by poverty and high unemployment, the cuts may have a ripple effect, especially in light of the Trump administration’s other cuts, said Siskiyou County Supervisor Ed Valenzuela. Reductions at the U.S. Forest Service, for example, will mean fewer seasonal employees patronizing local businesses and fewer people to maintain Forest Service amenities — a major tourist draw in the summer, he said.

Siskiyou and other rural counties have limited options for raising the money elsewhere. Rural school districts are rarely able to pass bonds because voters tend to be more fiscally conservative, retired or low-income. Bonds that do pass don’t raise much money because property values are lower overall.

“It’s not like we have the money sitting there in another pot,” Valenzuela said. “When we talk about making cuts … there’s nowhere to cut.”

In Alpine County, where 96% of the land is owned by the state and federal government and there’s only 1,100 residents, Secure Rural Schools provides about 20% of the road repair budget and a significant portion of the school funding.

“The longer you let the roads go, the worse they get,” said Nichole Williamson, county administrative officer. “Our roads already aren’t in the best condition. We always worry about losing Secure Rural Schools, but still, I was surprised it didn’t pass.”

The last Secure Rural Schools payments to counties will be in April.

John Eric Muno - “Johnny” to many friends and family - died Friday, March 14 at home. He was 78. Known as a person of character, he sought to be kind to all. He had a sharp mind and a keen sense of humor.

Born May 21, 1946 to James and JoAnn Laffin Muno in Wisconsin, where his mom was visiting family, Johnny lived four years in southwestern Oregon, on land his dad farmed by day while working in a sawmill at night. The family moved to Fortuna when Johnny was four and his sister, Loralee, was seven.

Johnny grew up playing baseball, collecting baseball cards and following games on the radio. He became a lifelong Dodger fan at a young age and was elated when the Dodgers won the World Series in 1955 and many other times, most recently in 2024. He had a paper route, was an altar boy at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and had a childhood full of happy memories playing sports with friends and board games with his mom and sister. School was easy for him and music was an important part of his life. He played cello in the orchestra and was a tenor in the choir.

Valedictorian of the Fortuna High Class of 1964, Johnny went on to college and joined the U.S. Air Force where he was stationed in Germany for several years, playing baseball and basketball on military bases around Europe. He later completed a bachelor’s degree in sociology at Humboldt State and graduate classes at San Francisco State before returning to Fortuna, and following his father’s career, worked at Eel River Sawmill in Rio Dell for more than 30 years.

Music remained an important part of Johnny’s life and with his sister, Loralee, he performed at church events including weddings, funerals and holiday services. Loralee taught third grade at St. Bernard’s in Eureka, and led a children’s choir at Sacred Heart where Johnny would accompany the group on his guitar.

Sports were a significant part of Johnny’s life. In addition to following professional basketball and baseball, he played golf almost daily for 40 years, first at the Eureka Municipal Golf Course, and then at Redwood Empire in Fortuna, where he was a member. He joined the Six Rivers Running Club for several years and completed marathons. When he was no longer able to run, Johnny walked several miles each day around Fortuna, often with a book and a coffee mug to stop in a local café for a break. He was an avid reader with more than 600 books in his home.

Many did not know the extent that Johnny followed horse racing. A friend introduced him to a method of handicapping – determining which horse was best suited for a given race – which proved very successful. With a tenacious grasp of details and an analytical mind, he was able to bet profitably for many years in a time before computers made this information more widely available.

After retiring from Eel River Sawmill and following the death of his sister in 2001, Johnny sold the Fortuna home he had purchased and lived in with his parents and sister for years and moved to Royal Crest, the senior mobile home park in Fortuna. In addition to daily golf and walking, Johnny returned to an early interest in bridge, which he had learned from his mom and played during college. He joined the weekly bridge game at the Eureka Senior Center and was soon invited to take part in the Master-Level American Contract Bridge League which included retired college presidents and professors. It was a source of pride for Johnny, being skillful enough to hold his own in such tough competition.

Johnny also sought opportunities to bring music back into his life, joining the ukelele band taught by Gloria Gold at the Fortuna Senior Center. During this time, she encouraged him to join the Ukelaliens, a community string band based at Christ Lutheran Church in Fortuna as well as the Ferndale Choir.

It was with the Ferndale Choir that he got to perform Handel’s Messiah at New York City’s Carnegie Hall in November 2017, an experience he described as a high point in his life.

Covid brought an end to many of these activities for him and others, but Johnny continued walking, reading, following sports, and attending live music performances including the Eureka Symphony and the opera through the Met Live in HD at the Minor Theater in Arcata. Johnny also enjoyed time spent with Tracy O’Connell of Hydesville, his partner of nearly seven years, and the extended Pucillo family of Eureka.

In addition to these friends, Johnny is survived by cousins Anna Crow of Ashland, Montana; Marianna (Mike) Armstrong of San Diego; and Margaret (Rick) Praeger of Springfield, Oregon, as well as former classmates, golf buddies, bridge partners and fellow musicians whom he often remembered fondly.

In lieu of flowers, Johnny would ask donations be shared with St. Vincent de Paul’s Dining Facility of Eureka; Food for People or Hospice of Humboldt.

A viewing will be held at Goble’s Mortuary in Fortuna from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 28, with a Rosary at 6:30 p.m. A Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Fortuna Saturday, March 29, at 10 a.m. with burial at Rohnerville Cemetery followed by a reception at the Monday Club, Fortuna.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of John Muno’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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Michelle Dawn Hendricks Pollace
November 2, 1961 – March 17, 2025

With light and love, we announce Michelle Dawn Hendricks Pollace has moved on; a devoted wife, caring mother, compassionate nurse, and beloved friend. Michelle passed away after a four year battle with cancer on March 17, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, dedication, and an unwavering love for her family and friends.

Born on November 2, 1961, in McKinleyville, as the youngest child to Opie and Imogene Hendricks and forever on their toes Dennis, Greg and Debra, Michelle’s warmth and charisma were evident from an early age. A standout student at McKinleyville High School, she was a cheerleader, a dedicated member of the drama club, and a social butterfly — serving as class president and earning the title of Freshman Winter Formal Princess.

She enjoyed her summers among family and friends at Trinity Lake in Wyntoon Park barefoot square dancing, skiing and creating other timeless memories with her best friend, Kirby. Inseparable since the 5th grade, their friendship was truly special — they even had their own language. Through the years, they remained a constant in each other’s lives; sisters in spirit, and sources of laughter, love, and unwavering support for one another.

On a family trip to Switzerland, Michelle met Jack Davis and was quickly enamored by him. Their connection blossomed into a beautiful relationship, and together they built a family, welcoming two sons, Calen and Chris. After 15 years together, Michelle and Jack parted ways in 1997.

Inspired by her deep sense of care for others and determined to build a new future for herself and her family, Michelle pursued a career in nursing, studying at the College of the Redwoods and earning her RN degree in 1998. Michelle dedicated over 27 years to nursing, touching countless lives with her healing hands and kind heart. Her patients were more than just cases — they were people she truly cared for, and she treated them with the same warmth and compassion she showed her loved ones.

It was at General Hospital that she met Dan Pollace, a rehabilitation tech whose gentle and caring nature matched her own. Their connection was instant, and within weeks, they were inseparable. The two were married in 2001 at Moonstone Beach, a place that remained dear to Michelle’s heart. A year later, they welcomed their daughter, Sophia, completing their loving family.

As a mother, Michelle was warm, supportive, and enthusiastic to her kid’s passions; sports, music, art…whatever the interest she was there to cheer them on. Countless summer vacations to Trinity Lake and various theme parks were had. She ensured her children pursued their dreams while instilling values of empathy, love, & family. This led to many of her kids’ friends becoming “extended kids” who would call Michelle their second mother.

Family came first to Michelle, always. She made sure family reunions happened annually and ensured games caused belly-aching laughter; egg toss, three-legged race, “talent show”, ect. Michelle also found joy in life’s simple pleasures like dancing, music (Motown anyone?!), and a fine home cooked meal enjoyed with fun convos around the table. Some would say she was a dog whisperer, she adored all dogs and dogs loved her! She loved taking them to Moonstone Beach, where the crashing waves and open sky brought her peace. She also had a passion for travel, sharing unforgettable family adventures to Mexico and Hawaii.

Michelle will be remembered for her boundless love, her generous spirit, and the way she made everyone feel seen and valued. Her presence was a gift, and her absence leaves a profound void in the hearts of those who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Dan; her children, Calen, Chris, and Sophia; and her many cherished friends, colleagues, and loved ones.

Michelle’s life was a testament to love, care, and adventure — a beautiful journey that continues in the memories and actions of those who loved her.

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

Darrald Ray Mitchell Jr., known by most as Mitch, lived a full and adventurous life before succumbing to COPD and passing away in his home in Eureka, where he has lived for the past 28 years.

Born in Crescent City, he was the eldest of three sons to Darrald and Betty Mitchell. When he was young, his father took a job at the mill, and the family moved to Samoa. Mitch often reminisced about his childhood there, sharing stories of simpler times with his brothers, Martin (Bub) and Gary. Those years were some of his fondest memories—filled with freedom, mischief, and adventure. His very first job was at the Samoa Cookhouse, where he did whatever needed to be done.

Mitch was a Boy Scout, and played baseball and football in school. He had a lifelong love for the outdoors, spending countless days camping, fishing, and hunting—passions he pursued as long as his health allowed. After graduating from Arcata High in 1966, he bought his first Harley for just $200, marking the beginning of a lifelong love affair with motorcycles.

In his 20s, Mitch was a proud member of two motorcycle clubs, forming deep bonds and creating wild memories with his brothers on the road. His passion for bikes led him into the world of drag racing, where he became a fierce competitor, eventually riding a Nitro-powered drag bike aptly named Just Plain Crazy. He poured himself into every aspect of racing and even secured sponsorships — including one from Bartles & Jaymes. His larger-than-life presence was undeniable, he even sold T-shirts with his picture on them. Mitch’s expertise extended to anything with an engine, and when he could no longer race, he remained a devoted fan of motorsports.

In his 40s, Mitch moved to the Big Island of Hawaii, and though he lived there for less than a decade, the Aloha spirit became a part of him. He enjoyed fishing off the cliffs or out on the open ocean, hunting with friends—and occasionally with his daughter. He loved the local music, beautiful surroundings and the laid-back way of life.

For most of his life, Mitch worked as a skilled carpenter. He built skyscrapers in San Francisco, crafted beautiful homes throughout Humboldt County and the Big Island of Hawaii, and ended his career working on commercial and residential projects for Pacific Builders here in Humbodlt County. Unable to stay retired for long, he ran his own wood yard for years, taking pride in providing quality firewood at a fair price. His customers, whom he considered friends, meant the world to him.

Over the years, he put down roots in Santa Rosa, Keaau and Eureka In every place he lived, he made lifelong friendships, many of which have lasted over 50 years.

Mitch is survived by his brother Gary Mitchell; daughter Amber Mitchell; bonus children Michelle Conley and Ty Behler; wife Karla (Corky) Mitchell; and grandchildren Jack Walter, Madelyn Conley, Myla Conley, Cade Conley, Colton Conley, Sutton Behler, and Sosie Behler.

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

Ila Osburn died from cancer complications on March 17, 2025 in the loving company of her brother, Michael Osburn, cousin, MerryLee Croslin and Danny Franks, Ila’s partner for many years. Ila was born on the 25th of October, 1952 to Lloyd and Katherine Osburn in San Francisco, where she graduated from Mission High School. She later attended photography school and lived in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, Seattle and Everett, Washington before settling in Arcata.

Ila was a creative, open and loving person whose many passions included swimming, yoga, photography, watercolor, drawing, nature and music. She was a dedicated volunteer for the Marsh Interpretive Center, Mad River Hospital Farm, the Arcata Playhouse, Volunteer Trail Stewards and invasive plant removal with the California State Parks Volunteers among others. A real animal lover, she often made friends with dogs, cats and birds. Ila was a hard working woman with multiple careers and after retiring worked part time at Murphy’s Market in Sunnybrae throughout the COVID episode.

Ila had a straight and honest way about her and will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved her. Nearing the end she had a wonderful Hospice care team along with the staff at the Ida Emmerson Hospice House.

She would encourage us all to volunteer for the things that you cherish and believe in. A memorial celebration of her life is being planned and will be announced. Remembrances can be left to Hospice of Humboldt, Volunteer Trail Stewards or Arcata Playhouse.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ila Osburn’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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The Eureka FFA Chapter, in the person of its official Reporter, Michael German, sends along this news of Humboldt County kids yet again representing Humboldt in ass-kicking fashion.

Don’t try to out-talk these kids!

FFA (Future Farmers of America), is a High School organization that focuses on teaching students about agriculture, as well as improving their leadership skills.

For the last 3 months, members at Eureka High School’s FFA chapter have been practicing their public speaking skills, preparing for their LDE (Leadership Development Event) competitions. Students who wish to participate in these competitions can choose between Creed Speaking (Freshmen only), Impromptu Speaking (Sophomores only), Prepared Public Speaking, Extemporaneous, and Job Interview for individual events, and Parliamentary Procedure for team events.

Earlier this month, we had members compete in every competition at the Regional level, hoping to get top 4 to compete at the LDE State Finals on April 1st.

Out of the group that competed at the Regional event, five students are moving on to represent Eureka FFA at the state level, the most students we’ve had in over a decade.

These students are; Maddie Van Vleck and Michael German for Impromptu, Jake Van Reusen for Prepared Public Speaking, West Kijsriopas for Extemporaneous Speaking, and Karsyn Hammer for Job Interview. Our Parliamentary Procedure team, made up of six students, will also be moving on to State Finals.

We are so proud of every member who has competed, and good luck to our State Finalists! Way to represent Eureka FFA, the Humboldt-Del Norte section, and the North Coast Region.