Billboards! Some people love ‘em, some people hate ‘em! It turns out the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors is pretty split on the matter.

There’s been a recent surge in local municipalities taking action to ban or limit the construction of new billboards, off-premise signs and illuminated signs. Earlier this year, the City of Eureka adopted an ordinance to ban new digital billboards and signs across the city.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors considered a request from staff during Tuesday’s meeting to adopt a 45-day urgency ordinance that would place a temporary moratorium on permits for new billboards, off-premise signs and illuminated signs within the county’s jurisdiction.

County staff have been working on a draft ordinance to limit the construction of new billboards for several months. Planning and Building Director John Ford noted that it can take time – even years – to develop and adopt such an ordinance. A temporary moratorium could prevent potential developers from rushing to permit new billboards and digital signs while the draft ordinance is under review, he said.

“There’s a lot of experience in the state that when jurisdictions start proceeding down this path, [it] can sometimes trigger a bit of a stampede towards trying to get [their permits] in before the ordinances get established,” Fifth District Supervisor and Board Chair Steve Madrone reiterated. “This doesn’t actually eliminate anything that currently exists.”

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn asked if staff had seen a dramatic uptick in permit applications to build new billboards in Humboldt County. Ford said his department has “not seen any new applications for billboards” in the last year but noted that there is an illuminated sign on South Broadway that would be affected by the proposed regulations because it was constructed without permits.

“[It] seems like we worry about a lot of stuff that’s not going to happen and we’ve got a lot of stuff that is happening right now that, I think, is a lot more pressing,” Bohn said. “I don’t see a problem. … I know one business that was using [billboards] said 65 percent of his business came from that. So, I guess it might be as good a time as any to put a dagger in somebody’s business, but I don’t think that’s what we’re going to try to do. I’m probably not in favor of this one.”

Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson countered, noting that the City of Eureka received “numerous” permit applications to construct illuminated signs after the city announced that it was modifying its sign ordinance. 

“There were numerous applications made and some of them were actually put through under the wire [even though] they didn’t conform with the regulation[s] as it came out the other end,” Wilson said. “A rush did happen. We see it and we can point to those in Eureka and we drive by them all the time. … If Eureka had done what we’re talking about today those wouldn’t be there.”

Wilson also pointed out the environmental impacts associated with digital billboards specifically, including impacts to nighttime wildlife and light pollution in neighborhoods that are adjacent to commercial zones.

Bohn noted that some businesses, including Shafer’s Ace Hardware on Harris Street, turn off their digital signs around 10 p.m. He added that he has “never gotten a residential complaint” about that sign and reiterated his doubts that the proposed regulations would spur an onslaught of businesses wanting to build new billboards.

“Anybody that brings anything in front of us to build or anything else, we want to have our hand in it and restrict it in as many ways as possible and make it unfeasible to happen,” he said. “But then we’ll talk about the shortage of tax dollars, business, housing and everything else. … I just can’t support this.”

Madrone reiterated that the temporary moratorium would not take away any existing billboards, but said it does prevent a big onslaught. “And if we don’t have a big onslaught, then it’s not a problem either way, right?”

Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo also highlighted the visual and environmental impacts associated with billboards, adding that “there is something to be said for the unique and beautiful character of this place.”

Arroyo | Screenshot

“The natural beauty [of Humboldt County] is a huge aspect to why people come to this place … and I don’t think we can overstate that,” she said. “That’s one of our biggest assets. My own personal buying habits aside – because I’m a millennial and I don’t care – I would so much rather not see a billboard. It just doesn’t do anything for me except seem obnoxious. … There are many ways to advertise these days and most patrons of businesses are utilizing other means to find out about businesses and to determine where to take their business.”

Giving staff time to research the subject further “is no problem in my book,” Arroyo added.

“This is not my first sign rodeo,” she said, referring to her time on the Eureka City Council. “I have learned from the past … that hemming and hawing and taking a long time to decide about something because there were some folks who had concerns ended up resulting in some of those exact outcomes that we didn’t want.”

Arroyo made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation and approve the temporary moratorium. Wilson seconded the motion.

Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell asked Ford if there were currently any applications in the queue to build new billboards. He said there were not.

“So, we could assume then that nobody’s ordered that machinery or whatever because they would have to do the permit first with all the specs and blah, blah, blah,” Bushnell suggested.

“There’s always an action and a reaction,” Ford said. “When jurisdictions put regulations out and people [see] that it’s going to regulate something that they may want to do, there’s a rush to go out and build them and ask for forgiveness or ask for permission and submit an application to get in ahead of the regulatory process.”

Ford added that the county is just about ready to issue the draft ordinance for public review. “That [process] will probably take a month to six weeks and then move to the [Humboldt County] Planning Commission for approval.” 

After a bit of additional discussion, the board voted 3-2, with Bohn and Bushnell dissenting, to approve the temporary moratorium on new billboards. But because the item required a four-fifths vote for approval it did not pass. Staff informed the board that it would have to either modify the motion to reach a four-fifths vote or pass a motion affirming that the initial motion did not pass.

In most cases, the board would continue to deliberate until some level of consensus was reached among its members to provide a reportable action for the discussion at hand, said County Administrative Officer Elishia Hayes. “Affirming that the moratorium has not passed with a two-thirds vote will give the [Clerk of the Board] an action that can be recorded as it relates to this.”

Wilson made a motion to apply the temporary moratorium to the third, fourth and fifth districts, which Arroyo seconded, in an attempt to appease both sides. “I’m parsing here because it’s just, like, I want to protect my community,” Wilson said. “And that’s where I’m at. I feel it’s important.”

After a bit of confusion surrounding the procedure and protocols for the item, the board eventually voted 3-2, with Bohn and Bushnell dissenting once again, to affirm that the first motion did not pass, meaning the temporary ban on billboards did not go through. 

Clear as mud, right? 

Short-Term Rental Ordinance

The board discussed a similar moratorium that would temporarily ban new short-term rentals (Airbnb, Vrbo, etc.) in Humboldt County while staff circulates a draft ordinance that would regulate dwelling units that are rented to guests for 30 consecutive days or less. 

“Commercial use of residential structures for short-term rental has led to speculation on homes which has exacerbated housing scarcity and inflated housing prices, and the new regulations seek to better balance the supply and demand for housing,” according to the staff report. “In other jurisdiction[s] that have adopted regulations for short-term rentals, consideration has been given to existing rentals even though operating in violation of the Zoning Ordinance. The moratorium would remove the incentive to claim a pre-existing status.”

While the exact number of short-term rentals in Humboldt County is unknown, Ford estimated that there are roughly 1,000 short-term rentals operating in the county, most of which are unpermitted.

Wilson spoke in favor of a temporary ban, noting that the influx of short-term rentals has hindered access to housing across the county and even caused renters to be evicted.

“Property owners are trying to rush to convert [housing] into short-term rentals because they see a potential cap coming,” he said. “For me, the crux of the issue [and] why I strongly support this moratorium … is so we don’t we don’t give incentive … for properties that have long-term renters into conversions because they may think it’s their last chance to do so.”

Bushnell asked Ford what would happen to existing short-term rentals if the temporary moratorium did not move ahead. 

Ford | Screenshot

“Well, we do not proactively go out and search for short-term rentals,” Ford replied. “We are complaint-driven and, frankly, not a week goes by that we’re not dealing with a struggle with a short-term rental because the neighbors are complaining about it.”

Bushnell asked if there would be preference given to individuals who are already operating short-term rentals in the county. Ford said it wasn’t written in the draft ordinance as of yet but assumed there would probably be “a strong lobby to include that in the ordinance.”

Bushnell acknowledged the issues of housing inaccessibility in the “more urbanized areas” of the county but said rural communities are struggling to fill empty homes.

“In Southern Humboldt specifically, there are so many empty homes [and] apartments,” she said. “I don’t want to impose a moratorium on something that I feel some people are going to turn [to] … to try and save their homes … now that they’re empty. I’m struggling a little bit with it.”

The board spoke at length about the pros and cons of a temporary moratorium on short-term rentals, noting several times the anticipated impacts associated with increased enrollment at Cal Poly Humboldt, in addition to several other incoming developments around the Humboldt Bay region.

After quite a bit of discussion, the board eventually passed the temporary moratorium on short-term rentals in a 4-1 vote, with Bushnell dissenting. The item will appear before the planning commission for approval later this summer.

Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2023-24

Earlier in the meeting, the Board of Supervisors took its first look at the draft budget appropriations for the upcoming fiscal year and, unfortunately, it looks as though the county is in store for another year of financial distress.

Sales tax revenues have dropped considerably in the last year, cutting millions of dollars from the county’s projected income. With costs simultaneously rising due to inflation, higher employee salaries and more expensive benefits, the county is looking at a $17.7 million budget shortfall in fiscal year 2023-24. 

“The total proposed budget or spending plan before your board is $578.5 5 million … [which] represents an increase of $7.2 million, or 1.3 percent more than the [2022-23] adopted budget,” Deputy CAO Jessica Maciel told the board. “The small increase is a combination of the efforts of departments to minimize expenditures while incorporating salary and benefit increases and the impacts of inflation and most expenditure categories.”

Staff are projecting $126.97 million in revenue for the general fund in 2023-24, a decrease of $26.2 million from the current fiscal year. Maciel largely attributed the decrease in revenue to the county’s decision to move the capital projects budget into a fund separate from the general fund, “as well as reductions in Measure Z expenditures and use of one-time [American Rescue Plan Act] ARPA funds for the jail medical contract.”

The general fund will utilize $35.9 million in other financing sources, Maciel said, including the use of that $17.7 million fund balance to present a balanced budget for the upcoming fiscal year. 

The Board of Supervisors made strides toward fiscal sustainability in the current fiscal year by contributing $5 million to the county’s general reserves, Maciel said. While the proposed budget does not include a contribution to the general reserves, she urged the board to revisit the subject and see if additional funds are available during the mid-year budget review in February 2024.

Maciel briefly touched on the county’s history of delinquent transactions and fiscal turmoil, noting that fiscal year 2021-22 “has not officially closed.”

“The auditor-controller has worked diligently to catch up delinquent transactions and prior years’ financial reporting so that staff are better able to estimate year-end fund balances,” she said. “While staff are able to provide estimates, there is still a significant amount of work that needs to be completed.”

The bulk of the board’s discussion revolved around Measure Z, the county’s half-cent sales tax for public safety and essential services, which has helped to fund hundreds, perhaps thousands of programs and individual projects over the years. However, the last year has had a significant impact on the Measure Z fund due to a dramatic reduction in economic activity across the county.

Deputy CAO Sean Quincey said the county is expecting to bring in $12.67 million in Measure Z revenue for fiscal year 2023-24, $1.8 million less than staff’s estimate for the current fiscal year. Current expenditures are expected to exceed $12 million, leaving approximately $623,429 for discretionary spending.

“Your board, during the May 22 meeting, approved deallocating seven of 16 positions that were allocated last year,” Quincey said. “Some of the positions were already projected to be funded for only half of the year so the salary savings amounted to a little under $500,000. It should be noted that the deallocated positions are all vacant. Still, the county added nine positions to Measure Z within the last year, increasing pressure on Measure Z funding.”

Bohn also acknowledged the increasing pressure on the Measure Z fund. “A lot of these services, I mean, the ambulance service in the Willow Creek area has doubled in nine years,” he said. “Everybody’s requests have grown and I think it’s part of our job to kind of look at that stuff and[realize] everybody’s going to have to take a little bit of a hit on this … It’s just going to be painful as we do it.”

Revenue through Measure S, the county’s cannabis cultivation tax, has also dried up. Last November, in a last-ditch effort to provide relief to struggling cannabis farmers, the Board of Supervisors agreed to suspend the tax for two years, which brought in as much as $18 million annually.

“This has added to the significant decline in the county’s discretionary revenue budget,” Maciel said. “[Over] $14 million remains outstanding for taxes assessed prior to the board’s action in November [of 2022]. Staff will return later this year to discuss potential changes and seek direction on alternative approaches to this tax.”

Speaking during public comment, Natalynne DeLapp, executive director of the Humboldt County Growers Alliance, thanked the board for choosing to suspend Measure S “because that gave a lifeline to cannabis farmers.”

“Things could have been worse if we didn’t look at that,” she said. “Unfortunately, as the nation, the state and the county are looking at a recession, cannabis is not the vital industry that it once was to be able to support this.”

Following public comment, Wilson made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation to approve the proposed budget appropriations for fiscal year 2023-24, which will be further subject to further discussion and potential modifications during a special meeting next week. Bushnell seconded the motion.

After a bit of additional discussion, the board passed staff’s recommendation to approve the proposed budget in a 5-0 vote. 

The board will hold a public hearing on Monday, June 12, to make final changes to the draft budget. If everything goes according to plan, the budget will be adopted two weeks later on June 27.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

A 25-year mystery has been solved and a family is finally getting closure thanks to a partnership between the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) and Othram Inc.

In October of 1997, a duck hunter located a dismembered female torso in the Ryan Slough, just north of Eureka. The remains were recovered, however, attempts to identify the female victim were unsuccessful. In January of 1998, additional remains were located and recovered on Clam Beach.

On November 3, 1998, Wayne Adam Ford arrived at the HCSO’s Main Station in possession of a female body part. He subsequently admitted to murdering several women throughout the North State, including the unidentified female. Investigators interviewed Ford numerous times, obtaining descriptive details of the female. Ford’s encampment was searched as part of the investigation. Investigators located additional remains belonging to the female recovered from the Slough. Attempts to identify the female were made, but ultimately were unsuccessful.

In June of 2006, Ford was convicted of four counts of first-degree murder in a San Bernardino County court and was sentenced to death.

Through the years, HCSO investigators never gave up on attempting to identify Ford’s unknown female victim, routinely searching missing persons reports from all of the West Coast to obtain leads. Using DNA, investigators were able to confirm that the remains located on Clam Beach were also that of the unknown female. The DNA was entered into both the California Missing Persons DNA database and the National Unidentified Persons DNA index. The DNA profile was routinely searched against profiles from both missing persons and other human remains in the Combined Index System. No profile matches were ever made.  

HCSO Sheriff William Honsal created the Cold Case Unit in 2021, assigning two investigators to exclusively review HCSO’s unsolved cases for new leads. In December of 2022, the HCSO and the CA DOJ partnered with Othram Inc, a forensic genealogy lab, to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing could help establish the identity of the unknown female, or a close relative.

“During our review of cold cases, we identified multiple cases that could benefit from this DNA technology,” HCSO Cold Case Investigator Mike Fridley said. “Earlier this year we were able to identify another unknown person by using this technology. We were eager to submit this case for consideration and to finally bring some closure to the victim’s family.”

The case was determined to be eligible for advanced forensic DNA testing and the HCSO sent Othram a DNA extract from the remains. Othram scientists used Forensic Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the female. Utilizing this profile and forensic genealogy, a potential DNA match was developed for a close relative. Investigators contacted the relative, inquiring if they had any missing family members. The relative stated that their family member, Kerry, had been missing since the mid-1990s.  

HCSO Investigators were able to track down Kerry’s sister who confirmed that Kerry’s last contact with family was in 1997. Kathie provided investigators with a DNA sample which was then compared to the DNA sample from the unknown female’s remains. These DNA profiles were confirmed to be a genealogic match- officially identifying the remains as that of Kerry Ann Cummings, born in 1972.

During her last contact with family in 1997, Kerry was suffering from untreated mental illness and told family that she was couch-surfing in the Eugene, Oregon area. Despite multiple offers from her family, she refused to come home.

“Kerry was beautiful, funny, smart and an artist. She was great at making us laugh,” Kerry’s sister, Kathie Cummings, told investigators. “It is devastating what mental illness can do in a span of only two short years.”.

Kathie told investigators that after Kerry went missing her parents tried to report her as missing in Arizona and Oregon, and even hired a private investigator, but due to laws surrounding the report of missing persons at that time, a missing persons report was never taken. Therefore, Kerry was never listed as a missing person or entered into any national missing persons databases.

“Unfortunately, back then they were told that Kerry was an adult, that she had chosen the lifestyle, and that if she wasn’t a threat to herself or others, there was nothing that [law enforcement] could do,” Kathie said. “As the internet expanded, I took to searching the NamUs website when I was missing her, scanning for mention of her tattoo and searching through the pictures of the Jane Does. She was dearly loved.”

The Humboldt County Coroner’s Division is working with family members to release Kerry’s remains for burial with other deceased family members.

“I’d like to thank the California Department of Justice DNA Lab and Othram for once again providing outstanding work and assistance in solving this case,” Sheriff William Honsal said. “While we can’t take away the pain of loss, we hope that this identification can help bring closure to Kerry’s family and the community. I’m thankful for the dedication of our investigators who never gave up on Kerry and continue to seek resolution for the outstanding cases that remain to be solved.”

The HCSO is continuing its partnership with the CA DOJ and Othram, and is reviewing other missing and unidentified persons investigations for the use of this DNA technology. This effort is partially funded by the county’s Asset Forfeiture Fund, with additional grant funding anticipated in the near future to continue this work.

Anyone with information about this case or other unsolved homicides is asked to contact HCSO Investigator Mike Fridley at 707-441-3024. A full list of the HCSO’s unsolved cases and current missing persons can be located at: https://humboldtgov.org/2772/Unsolved-Cases

• View all previous press releases related to this case

In his May budget revise, Gov. Gavin Newsom pitched spending $250 million on infrastructure and transportation improvements in downtown Fresno.

The money will fund much of the city’s decade-long plans to revitalize its decaying water and sewer systems and improve amenities such as parking and sidewalks, to ultimately attract residential development.

The announcement comes as many California city centers are still trying to rebound after the pandemic.

Fresno is one of five US cities whose downtown foot traffic rebounded since the pandemic, according to a recent University of Toronto study that periodically compared cell phone data to track foot traffic from 2019 to February 2023.

While city centers in San Francisco, Los Angeles and Sacramento were still struggling to regain their pre-pandemic bustle, Fresno and Bakersfield’s foot traffic rebounded above 2019 levels, the study shows. A Los Angeles Times report pointed out both Central Valley cities experienced population growth, often from more expensive California cities.

Newsom’s administration has long identified Fresno as an anchor to Central Valley’s economy and thus important to California’s future. This new proposed investment would tackle several projects city leaders say are necessary to spur a renaissance in downtown housing development.

About $70 million is earmarked for new parking structures and spots, while the rest would pay for sidewalk improvements, green spaces, new water and sewer systems and other investments. The goal is to attract housing development for 10,000 more residents downtown.

Local leaders also have a broader five-year plan called Rebuild Fresno. Community members say the proposed city budget won’t invest enough in Fresno’s poor neighborhoods.

CalMatters spoke to Elliott Balch, who recently left the Central Valley Community Foundation to become CEO of the Downtown Fresno Partnership, a business improvement district. He managed Fresno’s downtown revitalization efforts from 2009 to 2014, during former Mayor Ashley Swearingen’s administration.

Like many born and raised in the valley, Balch left for college and returned with a broadened perspective, he said. He recognized patterns in Fresno that could impede its future success. For instance, he said, people’s reliance on cars as the city grew outward makes it hard to improve air quality, and an underinvestment in transportation options prevents a more accessible downtown.

“It really seemed very clear to me that you would never expect the city to change how it allocates resources and grows, unless there’s a very attractive alternative,” Balch said. “And that means we need to have a lively, engaging, fun downtown.”

Elliott Balch, CEO of Downtown Fresno Partnership, stands on the sidewalk along the Fulton Street Mall in downtown Fresno on May 31, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Here is an edited version of the conversation.

Q: What do you know about how this proposal of the governor’s came about? Why is the governor interested in downtown Fresno?

A: The time is right. We’ve had years of work — which I’ve been a part of some of it — to create new land use plans, a new development code for Fresno … policies that make sense for the oldest part of our city.

We’ve already seen that you get results from investments in infrastructure. When we rebuilt Fulton Street, for example … since that happened you’ve seen increases — many-fold increases — in taxable sales that have occurred in that area. You’ve seen smartphone-driven data on where people are going. And we have one of the few downtowns … that’s seeing an increase of about 20% (in traffic) from 2019, pre-pandemic. We’ve fully rebounded and then some.

Not only are we seeing more people downtown, but the people who are coming downtown really are reflecting our region. It’s a cross-section of our community, where the median age of Fulton Street visitors in the last year was 32.6, 56.2% Hispanic, median household income of $55,000 … You have a place that our region is embracing.

Q: What do you think an investment in downtown like this could do for the city of Fresno, and for what the city of Fresno wants to be moving forward?

A: Bottom line is, our city and our valley — like our state — have a real housing shortage, and we see the results of that housing shortage show up in lots of different ways. People challenged with eviction. Folks paying too much for bad housing. Overcrowded housing that impedes student learning. Having to move out to different housing but then having transportation challenges as a result … We are one of the largest cities in the country with the lowest rental vacancy rate, so we’re a very tight market.

Now, how does investment in our Central San Joaquin Valley solve our housing shortage? One way is what we’ve done for generations, which is just only continue to invest in building out, out, out.

The alternative is that at least a significant portion of that growth happens internally. When you see housing units downtown, you see them contributing to, and being part of, the story and the reality of downtown.

Another piece of the data that we’ve learned is that the median distance of a Fulton Street visitor from home is six miles. So, if you’re a small business without a huge marketing budget, half of your people are coming from beyond six miles. If we can bring thousands more people within walking distance, it greatly lowers the barriers to bringing folks in the door.

Q: Do you think this investment could have a broader impact on the region?

A: It’s already the case that this is the downtown for the central San Joaquin Valley. The reality is that the region and its counties and cities need to house more people in a way that reduces the incremental addition of vehicle miles traveled and greenhouse gas emissions. And our downtown can help with that.

We’re zoned for 75,000 housing units. And we’ve got the desire to see development. What we also have is 125-year-old infrastructure. And so unlocking the potential to really help the valley meet its housing goals — economic inclusion goals, sustainability goals — downtown is here for that.

Q: What does an influx of money to Fresno’s downtown do for racial and economic equity?

A: When I talk to small business owners of color, one of the recurring themes that I hear is the need to have more of a market that is within walking distance. There needs to be continued investment. There needs to be continued growth and progress. Fundamentally, they established their business downtown because they believe in downtown and the belief is that there will be continued investment … They didn’t invest in a business downtown and put all of their livelihood into a business, only to see the area around them stagnate.

I think the beautiful thing is that we have longtime families who’ve been invested in downtown for generations, as property owners or as business owners. And we have a downtown that for generations and decades has been a place for immigrants and refugees to get a foothold, to establish a business. We have the greatest concentration of black owned businesses anywhere in the central San Joaquin Valley.

Q: Like many California cities, Fresno is struggling with homelessness. Do you see any portion of this investment helping impoverished residents of Fresno, particularly those struggling with homelessness?

A: Homelessness is driven in a big way by housing supply, by housing prices. And so the absolute best thing that downtown can do for homelessness is to provide more housing in the market, so that folks who may be struggling with poverty aren’t seeing huge price increases year to year. Or if they do have an eviction, that it’s not completely calamitous, that there’s not (any) other place for them to go … Not every homelessness situation is just about housing, but it’s amazing how the dominoes can fall when somebody’s stable housing is lost.

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Kassidy Bertoldi (Gangl)
August 1, 1992 – April 20, 2023

Long time Elk Grove resident Kassidy Bertoldi and her friend Emerald West were killed in a motor vehicle accident on Highway 299 in Humboldt County on April 20, 2023. They were on their way to join their families at Shasta Lake.

Kassidy was born and raised in the Elk Grove area. Her family moved from in town to their current residence on Sloughhouse Road when Kassidy was three. Kassidy attended Pleasant Grove Elementary, right next to her Dad’s fire station. Kassidy’s class was the first class to go through all grades at newly constructed Albiani Middle School and Pleasant Grove High School. She graduated from Pleasant Grove High School in 2011. Kassidy took her general education courses first at CRC and then Butte College. She then transferred and graduated from California State University Chico in 2016. During this time she also worked for Elk Grove Ford, and World Market. She interned with Double Tree Hotel and the City of Elk Grove. Kassidy loved to travel and was lucky enough to go to Canada, Mexico, England, France, Australia and New Zealand, as well as many states across the United States.

Kassidy met Brian Bertoldi in FFA and they started dating in 2011, after Kassidy’s senior year. They dated all through college until in June of 2017, best friends Brian and Kassidy were married at his family’s estate. They started their married life in Paradise, California. Brian worked for the Department of Fish and Wildlife, and Kassidy worked in HR for Feather Falls Casino.

They moved to Eureka in 2018 about a month before the Camp Fire hit the town of Paradise. Kassidy worked for Blue Lake Casino in Human Resources, but wanted and finally was offered the position of event planner at Lost Coast Brewery. It was not the dream job she had hoped it would be and she left to become the executive assistant to the owner of Timber Ridge Elderly Care Facility. Last year Kassidy was offered a grant position with Human Resources of Humboldt County. She became full time and because of her previous HR experience was given a step raise. Best of all, she had the federal holidays and vacation to match Brian.

Kassidy is survived by all who knew and loved her, but mostly her husband Brian Bertoldi, her parents Ron and Mary Gangl, her sister Kayla Gangl, her mother-in-law Cindy Bertoldi and father-in-law Anthony Bertoldi, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

A memorial will be held for friends and family at Phatsy Kline’s Parlor on June 18, at 1 pm. Color and floral patterns are encouraged to wear in honor of Kassidy.

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Jim “Jimmy” Ober passed away on June 2, 2023, exactly two months after his 75th birthday.

Born to Elizabeth and Douglas Ober, he was one of six brothers and sisters. He was a big fan of fishing, hunting, and abalone diving and passed this love on to his children, stepchildren, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. He went to school at South Fork, where he met his longtime friend, Joe Rogers. After high school, he reported for duty to the Army and spent time in Germany. After his stint in the Army, he returned to Humboldt County where he eventually lived in Scotia, working at Pacific Lumber Company for several decades, and helping raise his three children, Heather, Ryan and Kurt.

In 1988, he married Sandra Ober, whom he affectionately called “Mrs. O.” This added two stepchildren, Angie and Marc, to the family.

After working at PL as a grader and eventually as an assistant foreman in the factory where so many employees said he was “the best boss ever,” he worked at Bear River Casino as a shuttle driver. The family often joked about the stories he shared. Through the years, he enjoyed hunting with his buddy, Harvey Holt, carving and painting duck decoys, checking his wood duck boxes, collecting his Oregon Ducks memorabilia, picking blackberries and making his popular pies that he shared with all to enjoy, and just working around his home in Rio Dell.

He will always be remembered with much love and is survived by his heartbroken wife, Sandra Ober, his daughter Heather Bryan (Steve), his son Ryan Ober (Traci), his son Kurt Ober (Heidi), his stepdaughter Angie Rocha (Kenny), and stepson Marc Barsanti (Jesse); his grandchildren whom lovingly called him “Grampy”: Makenzie Franks (Jordan), Skyler Ober, Parker Bryan (Gracie), Kamrin Ober, Tiara Brown, Tierney Mobley, Maddy Rocha, Hunter Barsanti, Gage Barsanti, Bearett Barsanti; and great-grandchildren: Zayden, Ainsley, Ariella and Deluca; his sisters Kathy Goodell, Judy Wharton (Mike), and Penny Owens; his sisters-in-law Cindie Kelley (Neil) and Phyllis Ober; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Elizabeth Ober, his father, Douglas Ober, his brothers, Doug and Richard Ober, brothers-in-law, Barney Goodale and Dana Owens, his father and mother-in-law, Joe and Gloria Masini, and good friend, Kevin Primofiore, with whom he spent weekends hunting and at his cabin in Ruth.

While there will be no formal service per his request, on the day of his passing many of his family members were by his side. We laughed, cried and shared stories and memories. We feel fortunate to have had the time we had with him. It was the perfect day to honor his memory.

Rudolph William Santsche
January 17, 1930 – May 28, 2023

Rudolph William Santsche, 93, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Hospital on Sunday, May 28, 2023. Rudolph went by many nicknames, including Rudy, Bill, Santsch, Papa, and Unc. He was born in the family home in Bucksport on January 17, 1930. He was the third of seven children born to Rudolph G. Santsche and May Matilda Ford Santsche.

After receiving his high school diploma in 1948, Bill began working for the Pacific Bell Telephone company. After working for two years, he joined the Army’s communications division and served twenty months in Korea during the Korean War where he earned two bronze service stars. After his stint in Korea, Bill received an honorable discharge and returned to his job with the telephone company, where he was employed for 42 years, retiring in 1990. Prior to his retirement, Bill received the Driver of the Year Award from the California Telephone Association for remaining accident-free during his employment with the company.

On July 3, 1953, Bill married Arte Lee Roberts and together they had two daughters, Shelley Ann (Moore) and Loreen Lee (Farrell). Later, when Bill remarried Judith Ann Bertelsen in 1980, he gained a bonus daughter Tina (Conti) and two bonus sons, Kipp and Robert (Bertelsen). Raising five children, combined with growing up in a large family, family traditions were very important to Bill. He made sure the family carried on traditions such as Sunday family dinners, making home-made noodles at Thanksgiving, “hunting” for Christmas trees, camping and sport fishing with friends and family for clams, surf fish, perch, salmon and his favorite, abalone ‘rock-picking’ because he never learned to swim.

Bill was a wonderful brother, father, grandfather great-grandfather and friend. He doted on his family and was happiest when he was surrounded by family and friends. Over the years he attended countless baseball, basketball, football, track, 4-H, FFA, ballet, orchestra, band, and cheerleading events to show support for both his children and grandchildren.

After he retired, Bill enjoyed traveling with friends and family to many wonderful destinations, including Disneyland, Disneyworld, Hawaii, Branson, Nashville, Cabo San Lucas, the Grand Canyon, Reno and Arizona. He enjoyed making new friends and becoming a member of the Swiss Club, Moose Lodge and attending numerous Golden State Accordionaires functions and performances.

Bill was well-known for having a large vegetable and flower garden. Gardening was always a family activity, whether it was separating garlic cloves, placing bean seeds perfectly within well-tilled rows, harvesting zucchini, or shucking snap peas, it was done with pride and love. Bill continued to tend to his garden up into his 90s.

Special thanks go out to his wonderful, supportive neighbors, family and friends who went above and beyond to provide him the opportunity to live independently until the age of 93. We also want to thank the staff at Frye’s Residential Care Home, St. Joseph’s Hospital and the Veteran’s Clinic for their kindness and compassion during the past several months.

Bill is proceeded in death by his parents Rudolph and May Santsche, brother Ed Santsche, and sisters Margaret, Marjory, Evelyn and spouses Arte Hardisty and Judith Santsche. He is survived by his sisters Eva Rainbolt, Mae Tibbet (Ray), children Shelley Moore (David), Loreen Farrell (Robert), step-children Kipp Bertelsen (Katrina), Tina Conti, Robert Bertelsen (Jennifer), and grandchildren Katie Wells (Matt), Amanda Maciel (Michael), Dr. Kelsea Breese (Jon), Kira Cosio (Bryce), Megan Dutra (Jonny), Michael, Matthew, and Missie Mae Bertelsen, Travis and Kylie Conti, Devin Bertelsen and great-grandchildren Franchesca Lopez, Sephora and DaisyLynn Maciel, Braden and Mason Dutra, and Carson Cosio, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and ‘adopted’ family members.

Funeral arrangements will be held at the Ocean View Cemetery Chapel on Monday, June 19, 2023 at 11 a.m. located at 3975 Broadway Street in Eureka, California. Please join us for a Celebration of Life to be held immediately following at the Wharfinger Building located at 1 Marina Way, in Eureka. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to make a donation in our father’s name to your local Future Farmers of America (FFA) Chapter.

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Kevin Patrick Coyne of Eureka passed away on Tuesday, May 23, 2023. Though taken from us too soon, Kevin lived a robust life for 73 years.

Kevin was born on February, 27,1950 in Bethesda, Maryland to Raymond and Margaret Coyne. With three older sisters and dozens of cousins, there was rarely a dull moment when the family gathered. Kevin’s father, Raymond, was in the US Marine Corps and by the time Kevin was six, they moved to Ray’s new station in San Diego. After a brief stint in San Diego, the Coyne family moved to the Bay Area where Ray retired from the Marines and taught law at the University of San Francisco. Burlingame was where the Coynes put down roots and where Kevin would grow up and always consider his home, and where their younger sister, Kelly, was born.

Kevin graduated from Junipero Serra High School in San Mateo, where he excelled in athletics, mainly baseball. He went on to graduate from the University of California at Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. While at Cal, Kevin dove deep into music, playing in regional bands. He could often be found playing his saxophone around the Bay Area as a vagabond type of busker, and of course, cheering on his beloved Giants.

Kevin met and married Sally Coyne in 1978. They welcomed their son, Brendan, in 1982 and their daughter, Natalie, in 1984. The Coyne crew eventually moved to the Midwest and settled in Columbia, Missouri. Once their children had gone to college, Kevin and Sally moved to Humboldt County to enjoy an active life where the redwoods meet the Pacific. Kevin was a woodworker by hobby and even made wooden sea kayaks that he and Sally used in Humboldt, Baja, and Vancouver Island. A lover of the outdoors, Kevin found such peace in the beauty of the North Coast.

In January of 2020, Kevin became the beamingly proud grandfather to Natalie’s son, Quinn Elliott. The profound joy he had for Quinn was so tender, so pure. Quinn will miss his “Anpa.”

Kevin is preceded in death by his father, Raymond, mother, Margaret, and sister, Kelly. He is survived by Sally, his son, Brendan, his daughter, Natalie, his grandson, Quinn, his sister, Meg, his sister, Betsy, and his sister, Kathy. Kevin is also survived by many nieces and nephews, who miss him dearly, and many friends. A Humboldt service will be planned for early August.

We’ll all miss you, Daddy. As we always said when I was a little girl, I know you loved me more than fishing, and I’ll always love you more than strawberries.

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