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Following years of declining enrollment, a trend impacting public schools statewide, McKinleyville Union School District may soon consolidate from three school sites to two, Superintendent Julie Giannini-Previde announced on the district’s website earlier this week.

The consolidation, if it goes forward, would see Morris School transition over a two year-period from its current use as a 3rd-through-5th-grade campus into a site for district offices, preschool and independent study. The district’s other two district schools would expand their class capacities, with Dow’s Prairie enrolling kids in TK through 3rd grades (it’s currently TK-2nd) and McKinleyville Middle School taking 4th through 8th graders (it’s currently 6th-8th). 

Reached by phone this afternoon, Ms. Julie, as she’s known within the district, said no decisions on the matter have been finalized.

“We need to hear what the concerns are, to hear what people think will work for themselves and their kids,” Giannini-Previde said. “We especially want to hear from parents with younger kids because they will be impacted for the longest period of time, but we also want to hear how older [students] will be impacted, too.”

In the explanatory message posted online Monday, Giannini-Previde addresses some of the factors contributing to declining enrollment — including falling birth rates, more inter-district transfers and the increased popularity, post-COVID pandemic, of the unschooling and homeschooling movements — as well as the resulting drop in state and federal funding.

“In order to balance our budget, we have reduced staffing across the district, which leads to larger class sizes and less support staff,” the superintendent writes. “Additionally, like many industries, we are working hard to keep up with wage increases and the impact of inflation on our employees’ bottom line.”

While district administrators are working to address these issues, Giannini-Previde notes that the three school sites are only operating at about 50 percent of their student capacity. Enrollment across the three schools has declined by more than 40 percent over the past two decades, dropping from 1,559 students in 1994-95 to just 846 this year. With 252 students enrolled at Morris this year, enrollment there is less than half what it was in ‘94-‘95.

The district’s proposed two-year rollout  for consolidation “would ensure that students do not have to switch back and forth, allow us time to ensure we can absorb staffing changes through retirements and regular attrition, and give the 4-8th [grade] staff a year to plan for the addition of 4-5th graders in a self-contained setting,” Giannini-Previde says in her online message.

On the phone this afternoon, she said many districts are in the midst of similar preliminary planning for the upcoming year, in part because California requires them to notify staff who will be laid off no later than March 15. 

“We need to make sure have the staff we need but we’re not overstaffed,” she said. Asked if she has a more specific timeline in mind, she replied, “Some decisions I hope can be made sooner rather than later. Other parts may need to be pushed out until after we get more thoughts, more people at the table to make those decisions.”

This afternoon she posted an update on the district’s website with answers to some of the questions that been coming in since the Monday announcement. The update reiterates that this is a draft plan, not a “done deal,” and it frames the plan as an opportunity to make some changes, such as redesigning McKinleyville Middle School, which “has been the source of negative talk about our schools,” Giannini-Previde writes.

In order to facilitate more feedback, the district has launched an online family/caregiver survey, which can be accessed by clicking here, and there’s a series of upcoming meetings where Giannini-Previde will be available. Again, check the district’s website for more info.

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The City of Eureka has activated an extreme weather shelter in response to the storm. If you or someone you know needs shelter tonight, be at one of these locations at the specified time:

• Free Meal at 6 p.m. (35 West Third Street)
• Sacoo Amphitheater at 6:30 p.m. (near the Adorni Center)
• HOPE Center at 7 p.m. (720 Wood Street)
• 14th and Koster Streets at 7:30 p.m.

More information can be found in the Facebook post below. For additional questions or concerns, contact the City of Eureka at (707) 441-4253.

Stay safe, stay warm.

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Humboldt County Auditor-Controller Cheryl Dillingham, who was elected in June of 2022 and assumed office mere weeks later following the negotiated separation of predecessor Karen Paz-Dominguez, has submitted her letter of resignation, effective Jan. 31.

Dillingham’s departure from county employment will occur nearly two years before her four-year term would have expired. In her letter, she recommends that Deputy Auditor-Controller Mychal Evenson be appointed interim A-C in upon her exit. 

Reached by phone this afternoon, Dillingham said, “I feel that I’ve developed a team and have gotten the office into a position where I’m ready to step down and leave it to a younger generation to move the office forward.”

Her letter of resignation offers a hearty endorsement of Evenson, saying that over the past two years he “has demonstrated the full range of knowledge and skills needed to serve in this capacity and has also shown his commitment to always work with honesty and integrity.” 

“Together, we have recruited and developed an effective and fiscally responsible team in the office,” the letter continues. “I believe that under Mychal’s leadership the department can continue to improve and provide strong financial support, transparency and accountability to the citizens and departments of the county. His education and experience working for the county and in the Auditor-Controller’s office make him not only qualified, but also an exceptional candidate for the job.”

Prior to joining the Auditor-Controller’s Office, Evenson worked as an administrative analyst in the Public Health division of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). A former member of the county’s audit team, he holds a master’s in governmental accounting from Rutgers University.

Evenson launched a brief campaign to unseat Paz-Dominguez in 2021 but dropped out a few months later to support Dillingham.

Dillingham took over the position of auditor-controller at the tail end of a period of severe turbulence and contention surrounding the county’s fiscal management, with bitter inter-agency squabbles, an investigation by the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury and a state lawsuit over the county’s failure to comply with financial reporting requirements. 

Dillingham says she stepped forward when she did because she felt uniquely qualified to take over and address the issues in the office.

“I have a strong commitment to public service,” she said. “And I appreciate the confidence of the voters who elected me. I feel that I accomplished my goals, and I’m ready for the next generation to take over.”

Not to name names, but some some people who claim to have the “tallest living lighted Christmas tree in the world” are coming forward with a tree that is only 162 feet tall.

Laughable, man!

Eureka’s tallest living Christmas tree in the world — which appears to actually be the actual tallest one in the world — is a full 174 FEET and 9 INCHES tall, and it is projected to get taller still in the very near future. 

That is a full 12 feet (and nine inches) taller.

And as of yesterday, that tree is lighted. And you are welcome to come marvel at it for a very reasonable fee.

Press release from the Sequoia Park Zoo:

The City of Eureka’s Sequoia Park Zoo kicked off the holiday season last night with a tree lighting like none other in the world. Led by Eureka City Manager, Miles Slattery, and attended by generous members of the Eureka Lodging Alliance and select guests, Sequoia Park Zoo illuminated its namesake tree (Sequoia sempervirens) for the upcoming Zoo Lights celebration.

Standing at 174 feet 9 inches tall, this iconic California coast redwood is believed to be the tallest living Christmas tree on the planet.

“We haven’t found a living, decorated tree anywhere that’s officially taller,” says Jim Campbell-Spickler, Sequoia Park Zoo Director. “And the beautiful thing about this redwood is that it is primed to keep growing. It could easily add between one and three feet annually, so I’ll just need to add more lights and adjust the star as it keeps getting bigger.”

Campbell-Spickler and two additional rope-access professionals spent days rigging, climbing, and decorating the tree with over 1,300 feet of lights. When a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake rocked Humboldt on the morning of December 5, 2024, Campbell-Spickler was at the top of the redwood installing the star.

“It was intense,” he says of the quake. “To be honest though, wind and rain are worse. Outside of the earthquake, weather delays definitely challenged our process, but I am so proud of what we accomplished with this incredible tree.”

The decorated redwood tree is located within Sequoia Park Zoo and is visible from Sequoia Park, W Street, and many of the adjacent neighborhoods during Zoo Lights extended hours. Presented by Eureka Lodging Alliance, Sequoia Park Zoo is excited to bring Zoo Lights back for another year of holiday magic, and we look forward to celebrating the season with our community!

Zoo Lights presented by Eureka Lodging Alliance opens on Saturday, December 14, 2024 and runs select nights through January 5, 2025. Tickets may be purchased at the Zoo ticket booth in advance or on the night of the event. Please note that adverse weather may require closure at any time. Visit redwoodzoo.org for event details and updates.

What: Zoo Lights presented by Eureka Lodging Alliance

When: Select nights December 14, 2024 - January 5, 2025 5:00p-8:00p, last entry at 7:30p

Where: Sequoia Park Zoo. 3414 W Street, Eureka, CA 95503

Cost: $5 per person ($4 EBT/BIC/WIC/Zoo members)

ABOUT SEQUOIA PARK ZOO

Founded in 1907, Sequoia Park Zoo is the oldest zoo in California and is home of the award-winning Redwood Sky Walk. Owned and operated by the City of Eureka and proudly accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), Sequoia Park Zoo is committed to the highest standards of animal care, conservation, and education. Sequoia Park Zoo cares for over 150 individual animals representing more than 50 diverse species. Sequoia Park Zoo inspires conservation of the natural world by instilling wonder, respect, and passion for wildlife and wild places. Visit redwoodzoo.org and redwoodskywalk.com for more information.

Press release from the office of Sen. Mike McGuire:

Senate Leader Mike McGuire’s 9th annual Humboldt Holiday Food Drive yet again smashed all records yesterday, bringing in a whopping 45,019 pounds of food and just over $56,000 to support the life-changing work of Food for People, Humboldt County’s food bank.

McGuire teamed up with Food for People, KHUM radio, North Coast News, Redwood News and six local high schools — Arcata, Eureka, Ferndale, Fortuna, McKinleyville, and St. Bernard’s — for the annual event, which is now the largest food drive on the North Coast.

The $56,000 raised from generous donors and community members — with donations still pouring in — will support Food for People’s 26 food pantries across Humboldt County, which feed 21,000 local residents each month. Over the past two years, demand for Food for People’s services is up by more than 30 percent.

“Yet again, Humboldt showed up in a big way to feed neighbors in need and make a HUGE difference in the lives of thousands. Let’s be clear — we live in the most generous place on Earth and we couldn’t be more grateful for the outpouring of support,” said Senator McGuire. “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the incredible high school students who make this Food Drive possible, pounding the pavement and collecting thousands of pounds of food, along with the hundreds of generous neighbors who delivered another record-setting year. Thank you, Humboldt. You’re making the holidays brighter for thousands.”

Taking home the Golden Can Award again, McKinleyville High School had a clean sweep — collecting the most food this year with an eye-popping 23,356 pounds AND taking in the most contributions with $1,267 collected for Food for People. They will receive the coveted Golden Can Award and a $750 check from Senator McGuire for their efforts to be used towards their next school dance.

Last year, Food for People distributed over 2.4 million pounds of food to low-income households in every corner of Humboldt. The need is especially great for thousands of kids and seniors. Over a quarter of those served by Food for People are children who depend on others to have enough to eat.

“Every year, the Holiday Food Drive outdoes itself and the outpouring of food and funds from the community yesterday is truly amazing and we are so grateful! We owe special thanks to Senator McGuire and his team, our amazing high school student leaders, and the incredible donors who helped make this year’s food drive another record-breaking year,” said Carly Robbins, Executive Director of Food for People.

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Get ready for a wet weekend, Humboldt! 

The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a flood watch for coastal communities and low-lying areas in the Eel River Valley where two to five inches of rain can be expected in the next 24 hours. Some areas of Southern Humboldt could see up to eight inches of rain in the same period. 

“You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings,” according to the NWS flood alert. “There will be an increased risk of rock and landslides along roadways. … Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.”

Humboldt County Public Works has already reported closures on some county-maintained roads, including Coffee Creek and Meridian roads in Ferndale. There’s also flooding reported on Pine Hill Road. The McCann Bridge is closed but the McCann Ferry is running.

Coastal communities should also be aware of King Tides, unusually high tides caused when the sun, moon and Earth align, creating a “stronger than normal gravitational pull” that can increase tides by one to two feet, according to the NWS. When coupled with storm surges, King Tides can dramatically increase the potential for coastal flooding and property damage.

Coastal flooding can be expected in low-lying areas of Humboldt Bay, particularly in King Salmon and along Jackson Road in the Arcata Bottoms.

If you happen to capture some photos of these super-high tides, send ‘em over to the California Coastal Commission! Those interested can submit their photos to the California King Tides Project at this link. If you do decide to go take photos, please do so safely.

There’s also a high wind advisory in effect for Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Winds ranging between 25 and 35 mph can be expected, with gusts up to 60 mph across higher elevations, according to the NWS. Take extra caution while driving, especially if you have a big vehicle.

Keep an eye on Caltrans Quickmap or the Caltrans District 1 Facebook page for current road conditions. We’ll update this post if we hear about any additional closures.

Stay safe, Humboldt!

PREVIOUSLY:

• Sheriff’s Office Makes Arrest in Months-Old Attempted Murder Case; Two More Suspects Still Being Sought

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Cady. Photo: HCSO.

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating an outstanding suspect named Michael Cady, 34, of McKinleyville. Cady was involved in a robbery and attempted homicide that took place on April 13 in Fortuna.

Over the past several months, HCSO investigators and agents from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) have conducted an ongoing investigation into this robbery, following up with leads, assistance from community members, and evidence gathered at the scene.

Three white male adults were involved in this incident; Jackson Parrott, 44, of Scotia, was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on Aug. 22 and Christpher Overholt, 43, of Loleta, was arrested by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office in Oregon this week.

Cady is still outstanding, and efforts are being made to locate him. Deputies went to Cady’s known residence on Friday, Dec. 6 to serve a search warrant and locate him, but no one was found on the property.

This case is still under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Cady is urged to contact law enforcement immediately.

To provide information related to this or other crimes please contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.