The National Historic Register lists some 95,000 sites worthy of preservation around the United States. The nine of them located in Arcata are heavy hitters, excellent examples of its history and culture, and yet the Plaza, one of the most iconic places in Arcata, isn’t on it. That may change soon.

Arcata’s Historic Landmarks Committee voted last week to approve an application asking the National Register of Historic Places to add the Plaza to the list. The planning commission and city council still have to approve sending the application to the California Office of Historic Preservation, the department responsible for the register’s administration in California.

The application was prepared by Patrick O’Rourke and Jeanette Cooper, a member of the Historic Landmarks Committee and Cal Poly Humboldt’s Cultural Resources Facility (O’Rourke was also a member until December 2025). It’s packed with information about the Plaza and its history, and attempts to show that the Plaza is worthy of being included on the register because it is “associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history.” 

“A place on the National Register of Historic Places would underscore the indispensable role The Plaza plays in the life of residents and visitors of Humboldt County,” the application reads.

Local historians and preservationists have long sought to add the Plaza to the register, but their efforts were hampered by a rule that excludes sites that have been greatly modified from their historical contexts, Arcata city council member and local history enthusiast Alex Stillman told the Outpost. Many of the original 19th century buildings around the Plaza burned to the ground at one time or another, so the committee is only trying to add the block boundaried by 8th, 9th, H, and G streets: “The green space in the middle,” as Stillman put it.

Adding the Plaza to the register protects it from development; in California, sites listed in the register can’t be destroyed or altered significantly. It’s different from being marked as a National Historic Landmark (NHL); only 3% of the sites on the register are also an NHL, which has to have significant national context. The only NHL in Humboldt County is Tuluwat Island. 

Adding the Plaza to the register might also draw more tourists to town and local businesses, Stillman said. They’d be able to install a brown sign advertising the destination on Highway 101, and visitors quickly googling a list of local historic areas would see it too.

“There are so few downtown plazas that are even close to how nice ours is,” said Dan Tangney, a member of Arcata’s planning commission and an early influence on the project. “People should come off the highway to experience it. It’s a great stop. To me, that brown sign on the highway or in people’s phones, wherever they find where they’re going to stop on their drives; I think they should stop at the Plaza…And it’s by far the cultural hub of Arcata, for 145 years now.”

O’Rourke, who prepared much of the application, told the Outpost it was also a chance to compile a unified historical record of the Plaza. Much of the information in the application was scattered around various documents from past local historians. O’Rourke said he talked to local historians and long-time residents for information on the Plaza, and said he was indebted to the late historian Susie Van Kirk for her research. 

The Plaza, during its long history of use, has changed many times in both form and function, something that may count against it. O’Rourke isn’t 100% sure that the state will approve the application, but said it has a strong chance. 

O’Rourke and Stillman told the Outpost that the Plaza should be included on the register because of its long history of use and as a community center. It’s remained in the same place since Arcata was founded (under the name Union) in the 1850s, and has been used from everything as a pastoral grazing land to a concert venue, but it’s always been a place where Arcatans and visitors have gathered. 

“It’s always been a focal place for downtown Arcata,” Stillman said, running through a quick history of its many uses. “Economic and social.”

“The main thesis is its continued use as the center of community for Arcata,” O’Rourke said. “And so most of that is unchanged. The things that are interesting to me are the uses over time that have faded away: for instance, it was for cattle grazing initially, because the entire divide between city and countryside hadn’t come about yet. It was also used as a baseball diamond for local local amateur teams, which I thought was a really interesting use, because to think about a baseball flying out of the Plaza and into one of the windows of the local businesses probably happened a lot. I didn’t see any evidence of any disgruntlement about that, but I’m sure there’s a story somewhere.”

Historic Landmarks Committee member Jeanette Cooper did not respond to requests for comment.

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Yesterday bipartisan group of state Assembly members announced a package of bills to crack down on dangerous drivers and address some of the roadway safety issues CalMatters uncovered as part of its ongoing License to Kill series.

The proposals take aim at laws and practices that have allowed dangerous drivers to stay on California’s roads and contributed to a spike in traffic deaths. The bills would: require first-time DUI offenders to install in-car breathalyzers, lengthen many license suspensions and revocations, increase DUI training for law enforcement and close a loophole that allows people who’ve killed with their car to avoid consequences through a diversion program.

“Sacramento is listening. We see that there is a problem and we are doing what we can, crossing that partisan divide and trying to identify real solutions that we can deliver now to make our communities safer,” said Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz of Burbank, chair of the Assembly Public Safety Committee.

The Assembly proposals are one component of a broader reckoning over years of rising traffic deaths playing out at the Capitol. Next week, a separate event is expected to include more details about new bills from the California Senate, related budget proposals and the perspective of families who have lost loved ones to drunk drivers.

Last month, Schultz introduced a bill to increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders. Assembly members detailed several additional legislative efforts at Monday’s press conference that would:

Close a diversion loophole.

We reported in December that a criminal justice reform law from a few years ago was allowing judges to dismiss misdemeanor vehicular manslaughter charges for drivers who agreed to take part in what’s known as a diversion program. But in an unintended twist, that has meant the drivers not only avoided a criminal conviction but also kept a clean driving record.

Assembly Member Lori Wilson, a Democrat from Suisun City who chairs the Assembly Transportation Committee, introduced a new bill that would require the DMV to add points to a driver’s license when they’re granted misdemeanor diversion.

Make license suspensions and revocations start when a driver is released from custody as opposed to at the time of conviction.

Currently, someone who is convicted of felony vehicular manslaughter would likely by law have their license revoked for three years. But the revocation would often start while they’re in prison and they might be eligible to get their license back as soon as they’re out.

Wilson said her office is finalizing language on another bill that would change that.

“Driving is a privilege,” Wilson said. “This package holds dangerous drivers accountable and keeps our streets safer for everyone.”

Force first-time DUI offenders to install what’s known as an ignition interlock device on their vehicles.

This is now the third time that Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris, a Democrat from Irvine, has introduced this measure. California is currently one of the few states that doesn’t require first time offenders to install the technology, which forces a driver to blow into a breathalyzer and prove they haven’t been drinking in order to start their car. Her previous efforts failed after the Department of Motor Vehicles raised budget concerns and civil liberties groups worried it would disproportionately impact the poor and people of color.

“California is the epicenter of America’s DUI and drunk driving epidemic. As moms, as dads, as Californians, it’s horrifying. And as policymakers, we have an opportunity and we have an obligation to do something about this,” Petrie-Norris said. “We know these devices work. We know that they can save lives.”

Increase training for law enforcement officers on how to enforce the state’s DUI laws.

Assembly Member Juan Alanis, a Republican from Modesto, said currently many officers only get basic training at the academy on drunk and drugged driving and must often wait for colleagues with more specialized training to assess a driver’s sobriety level.

“This is to help those agencies and officers to be able to have that training so that way we can identify DUI drivers faster, quicker and get them off the streets,” Alanis said.

Schultz called the package of proposals a “starting point” and said he expects his colleagues in the state Senate will also be proposing changes to save lives on the road.

Indeed, last month State Sen. Bob Archuleta, a Democrat from Norwalk, introduced a bill to crack down on DUIs – increasing punishment and making it easier for prosecutors to charge repeat offenders with murder.

Archuleta is expected to hold a press conference later this month along with Mothers Against Drunk Driving, road safety advocates and other state senators to announce further road safety bills.

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The auditor of California’s High-Speed Rail Authority wants the power to keep certain records confidential, drawing concerns from transparency advocates that the agency could shield vital information about a controversial and costly public infrastructure project from the public.

Assembly Bill 1608, authored by Assembly Transportation Committee Chair Lori Wilson, would allow the inspector general overseeing the high-speed rail authority to withhold records that the official believes would “reveal weaknesses” that could harm the state or benefit someone inappropriately.

The bill would also prevent the release of internal discussions and “personal papers and correspondence” if the person involved submits a written request to keep their records private.

The legislation appears to have the blessing of Gov. Gavin Newsom, whose administration released a nearly identical budget trailer bill — a vehicle for the governor and legislative leaders to adopt major reforms swiftly with minimal public input — on Monday. The language for both proposals came from the inspector general’s office, said H.D. Palmer, spokesperson of the state Department of Finance.

The Office of the Inspector General of High-Speed Rail Authority, which audits, monitors and makes policy recommendations to the authority, was formed in 2022 after Assembly Democrats held bullet train funding hostage in exchange for increased oversight.

The rail line, designed to connect San Francisco and Los Angeles, was approved by voters in 2008. At the time, it was estimated to cost $33 billion and be completed by 2020. It is now estimated to cost more than $100 billion, with only a 171-mile segment connecting Merced and Bakersfield planned for completion by 2033.

The project delays and ever-increasing price tag have frustrated both Democrats and Republicans. Former Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon, a Los Angeles Democrat who held up the funding in 2022, said at the time there was “no confidence” in the project. U.S. Rep. Kevin Kiley, a Rocklin Republican, has fiercely criticized it as a waste of money and introduced legislation to gut federal funding for it.

Wilson, a Suisun City Democrat and a former county auditor, said her bill would empower the inspector general’s office and shield it from public records requests for sensitive data, such as whistleblowers’ identities, details of fraud, documents regarding pending litigation and records about security risks. High-speed rail authority officials often will not turn over sensitive records to the oversight agency out of fear that the office would be compelled to release them, forcing the inspector general’s office to jump through hoops to obtain information for audits, she argued.

“The only way we’ll get the level of transparency and the accountability that the Legislature requires is to make sure that our (inspector general’s office), who are technically the eyes and ears of the public … have every protection they need to be able to take the full deep dive without hindrance,” Wilson told CalMatters in an interview last week.

Palmer echoed Wilson’s point, arguing that the governor’s proposal aims to allow the inspector general’s office to “communicate sensitive findings to external bodies in position to take corrective action.”

But some good government groups see the measure as offering the inspector general’s office blanket authority to withhold anything it doesn’t want to disclose.

“This is a wholesale atom bomb on disclosure,” said Chuck Champion, president of the California News Publishers Association.

And the measure is drawing opposition from Republicans who already consider the project a failure. Assemblymember Alexandra Macedo, a Visalia Republican, said it is “insulting” that the project began when she was in middle school and remains far from complete. She called the empty concrete high-speed rail structures throughout her district a “modern day Stonehenge.”

“As far as I’m concerned, every ounce of this project should be available for public consumption and should be presented factually and in entirety to the entire legislative body,” she said.

Construction on the high-speed rail project above Highway 99 in south Fresno on March 6, 2023. Photo by Larry Valenzuela, CalMatters/CatchLight Local

Officials from the High-Speed Rail Authority and the inspector general that oversees it declined CalMatters’ request for comment. Newsom’s office also did not respond to CalMatters’ questions.

The bill is the latest in a series of legislative attempts to shield records and agencies from the public. Last year, lawmakers passed laws that loosened public meeting requirements for various groups, from local governments to research review organizations, and exempted insurers from having to disclose information they report to the Legislature. State Treasurer Fiona Ma sponsored a measure to establish a new infrastructure agency within her office while exempting much of its operations from public disclosure, a bill that was ultimately watered down and killed last year.

The California Public Records Act, which applies to all state and local agencies except the state Legislature and judicial offices, already exempts disclosure of various types of sensitive information Wilson’s measure aims to protect, said Ginny LaRoe, advocacy director at the First Amendment Coalition, which champions press freedom and transparency.

For example, state law broadly allows agencies to withhold records when they believe it serves the public interest. There are also specific protections for preliminary drafts and internal discussions, trade secrets and documents related to pending litigation involving a public agency, which are disclosable once a lawsuit is resolved.

But interpreting the public records law would take up a lot of the inspector general’s capacity, said Wilson’s chief of staff Taylor Woolfork.

“The bill’s objective is for this small oversight body to concentrate on generating meaningful reports that strengthen the high speed rail program, not to divert limited resources toward interpreting complex CPRA questions or defending disclosure decisions in court,” he said in an email.

While Woolfork acknowledged the existing exemptions for the agency in the public records law, he said it does not go far enough to protect the inspector general’s office. Under current law, if the high-speed rail authority is being sued, the inspector general’s office could be required to release information because the agency itself isn’t being sued, he said.

Both proposals would allow people who communicate with the inspector general’s office to stay confidential as long as they make a written request, a practice in laws that govern the state auditor’s office and inspectors general at other agencies, such as the state departments of transportation and corrections and rehabilitation.

‘If any project should have intense transparency and scrutiny, it’s the high-speed rail.’
— Chuck Champion, president of the California News Publishers Association

But the decision to withhold that information should be based on a set of “objective legitimate criteria … independent of someone’s personal wishes,” LaRoe said.

“A whistleblower … understandably may have fear of coming forward with important information about waste, fraud or abuse, but that doesn’t mean that they should unilaterally be able to control what the public has access to.”

LaRoe also took issue with allowing the inspector general to shield information due to potential “weaknesses” such as “information security, physical security, fraud detection controls, or pending litigation” — language that CalMatters could not find anywhere else in state public records access laws.

“On its face, I could see an agency refusing to disclose information because it’s embarrassing, because it shows a weakness,” LaRoe said. “Too often, we see agencies interpreting words in ways that ultimately protect people or decisions that maybe look embarrassing or are uncomfortable or create controversy.”

When asked about the language, Wilson said she expects the proposal will be “honed in” on through the legislative process. “This was, we felt, a good starting point,” she said.

But it is troubling whenever lawmakers seek to further shield public agencies from disclosure requirements — especially a watchdog agency overseeing such a controversial project, LaRoe and Champion said.

“If any project should have intense transparency and scrutiny, it’s the high-speed rail,” Champion said. “This project has been a disaster from jump street. And what else is in there that we have not yet found that they could tuck into this loophole?”

Richard “Rick” Buskirk passed away on November 5, 2025, at the age of 74, after a short but hard-fought battle with cancer.

Rick dedicated more than 35 years of his life as a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service, proudly serving the Eureka area. He was known for his strong work ethic, dependability, and the familiar face many came to recognize along his route. His nickname at the post office was “The Pillar.”

Rick is survived by his three children: Shannon Rennie(Amy Rennie), Sean Buskirk and Steven Buskirk. He was the proud grandpa to Walker Wilson, Tanner Wilson, and Sierra Parker. Each of whom brought him great joy. He is also survived by his sister, Sherry Mason(Joe Mason).

He was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda Buskirk, whom he missed very much.

Rick was a life-long Raider fan and rarely missed a game. For you Raider fans out there, you know it’s not easy being a fan of a team that rarely ends up in the winners’ column. Other things he enjoyed were deer hunting with his best friends (although from the stories I’ve heard, there was a lot more hunting down the cans of beer than deer), fishing, jigsaw puzzles, and never missing an episode of The Young and the Restless. He loved his stories! Above all else, Rick loved his family and the people who loved them- nothing meant more to him.

I would like to extend my thanks to Rick’s nephew, Ron Morgan, for helping out when dad needed it most, and his best friends Dave and Billy for showing up and letting him know you cared- you meant the world to him. And lastly, thank you to all the amazing doctors and nurses at CPMC Sutter Health Campus in San Francisco, your team is incredible.

Rick will be greatly missed by all who knew him. A celebration of life will be planned at a later date.

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

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Elsie Mae Moxon (nee Chapman), on January 28, 2026. Elsie was born at home in Junction City on November 16, 1925. She was the tenth of eleven children born to George Phelps Chapman, Jr. and Elsie Eliza Chapman (nee Luman). Elsie attended elementary school in Junction City and graduated from Weaverville High School. In 1947, she married Alvin Moxon and thereafter they made their home together in Arcata and raised their sons.

Elsie’s childhood home is still in her family, and she visited Junction City whenever possible, especially at Christmas, Easter and during summer breaks.

Elsie was a member of the Native Daughters of the Golden West and the Society of Humboldt County Pioneers. She loved gardening, flowers, hummingbirds, and her family most of all. A beloved matriarch, Elsie enjoyed visits from her nieces and nephews when she was no longer able to travel.

Elsie was preceded by her husband, Alvin Moxon, and her son, Clifford Moxon. She is also preceded by her parents and all her siblings.

Elsie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, George and Delilah Moxon, of McKinleyville and her daughter-in-law, Susan Moxon, of LaGrange, Georgia. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and extended family members. While too numerous to name individually, Elsie loved you all.

The family wishes to extend a special thank you to Dona Moxon and Denise Wolverton for their kindness in assisting in mom’s care. Thank you also to the doctors and nursing staff at Mad River Community Hospital for their care of mom in her final days.

Elsie was deeply touched and grateful for the overwhelming love and support she received from family and friends at her 100th birthday party. The heartfelt gestures and presence of loved ones brought her immense happiness and a sense of honor at this milestone celebration.

On Elsie’s behalf, the family extends their sincere appreciation to everyone who joined in expressing their affection and respect. Your kindness and thoughtfulness meant so much.

Fulfilling Elsie’s personal wishes, the family announces that no funeral services will be held.

John Strasser passed away suddenly in his home in Shelter Cove with his beloved dog by his side on January 24, 2026. He was 63 years old. 

John was born in San Luis Obispo and spent his teen years and early 20s in Morro Bay. He received a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the Maritime Academy in Vallejo, during which he also became a Navy Reserve Officer with the rank of lieutenant JG. He then worked as a merchant marine in the shipping industry in the Great Lakes and Alaska. 

During this time he discovered Shelter Cove and purchased a vacant lot in the early 1990s. He built his home during his time off between maritime work. Affectionately known as the SpongeBob house, he incorporated portholes for windows and painted it yellow and blue. 

In the early 2000s John purchased his farm outside of Garberville-Redway. He split his time between his two properties. John loved Humboldt County and exploring all of the beautiful tucked away gems in the area. 

During his 35 years in SoHum he became a known member in the community. He had some very close friends he made wonderful memories with. He would tell stories of his years on the ships, and early years in the Cove. He always drove a truck, although he loved classic cars of all kinds. He always had a dog that would be named either Dude, Little Dude, Dink or Frisky Noodle. 

His mom, dad and one sister preceded him in death. John is survived by his sister in Morro Bay, sister and brother-in-law in Washington state, two nieces and two nephews, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and some very good friends. 

John Strasser There will be a celebration of his life at a later date where we can gather to tell and hear stories. 

John will be missed by all who knew him.

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

Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

The Eureka Police Department monitored two large protests that took place at the Humboldt County Courthouse on January 30 and January 31. While both protests were primarily peaceful, two separate incidents occurred that resulted in two arrests.

January 30, 2026 Incident

On January 30 at approximately 4:56 p.m., an EPD officer monitoring protest activity near the intersection of 5th and J Streets observed a vehicle pull onto the sidewalk, after which a male exited the vehicle and entered the crowd. The officer responded into the crowd, located the male on the ground, and detained him in handcuffs.

Based on the information known to the officer at the time, including the officer’s observations and witness statements, Gary Beckett, 71, of Eureka, was arrested for fighting in public.

During the course of the investigation, additional information surfaced regarding events that preceded Beckett parking his vehicle and entering the crowd. The investigating officer later learned that a subject attending the protest had stepped off the sidewalk, assaulted Beckett, and stole his hat while Beckett was stopped at a red light at 5th and J Streets. Beckett reported that he parked his vehicle and entered the crowd in an attempt to recover his property.

Beckett was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Jail for fighting in public.

The investigating officer has preliminarily identified a person of interest related to the assault and theft. If positively identified as the suspect, a report will be prepared and forwarded to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review and potential charges.

January 31, 2026 Incident

On January 31 at approximately 1:34 p.m., EPD officers patrolling on bicycles witnessed a confrontation between a motorist and several protestors on the sidewalk on 5th Street between H and I Streets. It appeared to officers that the driver, the sole occupant of the vehicle, had sprayed protestors with a chemical agent.

Officers conducted a traffic stop and detained the driver without incident.

The investigation determined that the driver, Joseph Hough, 51, of Eureka, became involved in a verbal altercation with several individuals attending the protest who were on the sidewalk. During the altercation, Hough brandished a large can of chemical agent toward the group. While some individuals believed the spray may have been deployed, the investigation confirmed it was brandished only and not discharged.

Hough was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Jail for brandishing a weapon, assault, and illegal possession of a tear gas weapon.

Anyone with information regarding either incident is encouraged to contact the Eureka Police Department at 707-441-4300.