The Redwood Harley-Davidson to DMV transformation is nearly complete. | Photo: Andrew Goff
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After a five-and-a-half-year stay at the Bayshore Mall, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is relocating its Eureka office to its new home at 2500 Sixth Street — the former Redwood Harley-Davidson location at the north end of town, just off Highway 101.
According to a flyer posted at the Bayshore Mall office, the DMV will shutter its current location at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 16. The new Eureka location will open at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, June 4.
If you simply can’t put off your DMV duties during those three weeks, chances are you can get ‘em taken care of online. If not, you’ll have to drive an hour or more to a “nearby” office in Crescent City, Garberville or Weaverville.
On a gentle spring morning Dan O’Leary peacefully left the planet,
evolving into his spirit being.
After several years’ struggle with dementia he was ready to explore
new frontiers.
Born on May 27, 1951, number 5 of 11 children born to Mary Ellen
Callahan O’Leary and Robert Benjamin O’Leary. He was raised in an
Irish Catholic family on the Lazy O farm outside of Albert Lea,
Minnesota with 5 brothers and 5 sisters: Patrick, Geraldine, Joann,
John, Kathleen, Steve, Sheila, Mary, Tim and Kevin.
Always proud of being a non-conformist he set out after graduating
in 1969 on hitchhiking adventures to Boston, Mexico and Central
America. He traveled to visit his sister in Nicaragua and returned to
live an alternative life-style in California. From 1973-1977 he
served as a sonar technician in the Submarine Service. He loved
telling tales of his time “In the water.” He earned certification
as a hard-hat deep sea diver and served in both the Navy and Coast
Guard reserves.
Returning home to Minnesota in 1978 he found employment managing
Edgewater Park in Albert Lea where under the oak trees he met and
fell in love with his future wife, Peggy. In November, 1978 Dan and
Peg set out in a Buick station wagon bound for California just ahead
of the winter blizzards. The destination was Humboldt County where
Dan used his G.I. bill to attend HSU and College of the Redwoods
where he made life-long friends. They returned to Minnesota to marry
in August, 1979. This epic celebration was also an O’Leary family
re-union with siblings attending from all over the world. Over the
years the Lazy O West clan grew to include Tim, Mary, Genevieve,
Sheila and Kevin. This tie-dyed Grateful Dead family now includes
second and third generations.
Dan and Peg settled in Manila on spit of land bordered by bay and
ocean and welcomed two sons, Devon in 1983 and Brady in 1986. Dan
loved being a dad, volunteering at their pre-school, taking
wheel-barrow loads of kids to the beach, playing board games and
acting as assistant Scout leader during the boys’ cub and boy scout
years. He also served on the Manila Community Service District board
for many years. Dan was a prolific reader, everything from Sci-Fi,
military history to comics. He enjoyed making and sharing his
home-made crackers which were a staple at many potlucks. He loved
spending time every weekend with fellow Ribiero Roosters, throwing
horseshoes, playing scrabble and hanging out with the guys.
As Dan’s illness progressed Dan could be found walking miles
around Manila. He was always happy to wave to neighbors and loved his
community.
He is survived by his loving wife; Peggy, sons; Devon and Brady,
brothers; Patrick and Tim, sisters; Joann, Sheila and Mary and many
nephews and nieces and their families.
A memorial is planned on May 31, 2025 in the barn at 3446 Ribiero
Ln., Arcata, from 4 p.m on. Bring a dish, a memory, story or song. All
are welcome.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dan O’Leary’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
In loving memory of Glenn Wayne Keisner,
Sr August 11, 1947 -
April 7, 2025
“For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains” -unknown.
Glenn Wayne Keisner - proud member
of the Wiyot (Table Bluff) Tribe…. Son to his late parents George
and Madaline Keisner; husband to Lorraine Keisner for 55 years.
Father to four children (Robert, Theresa, Manuel, and Glenn Keisner
Jr.). He was a brother to 10 siblings (Delmer, Dorothy, George,
Georgina, Judith, Henry, Patricia, Lornie, Ronnie and Gail Keisner);
survived by his son Glenn Wayne Keisner Jr.
Glenn was a sports fanatic. He loved
his San Francisco Giants and San Francisco 49ers. If there was a game
on…the TV would be glued to that channel and would not be changed.
You did not need to ask where he would be during the baseball or
football seasons. He would be sitting in his armchair, Mountain Dew
in one hand, remote in the other, rooting for his team.
He worked hard and always had a
project going! If he was not in his chair watching sports, you could
find him under a car, leaning over a car, buying a car, or inside one
of the many cars he enjoyed fixing up. He would bring the family to
Stock Car Races regularly.
He was a proud Native American
Veteran who served his country in the Vietnam war.
Glenn was the classic strong silent
type. He did not talk much, but when he did, he would make you laugh.
He showed his family love through his actions. He always provided for
his family, without complaint, and worked long hours; lumberjacking,
pulling green chain, and forklift driver at the mill until he
retired. He always made time to play Yahtzee, Skip-bo, Pinochle, and
Crazy 8. Spending evenings and entire weekends with the family
laughing and playing games around the kitchen table. He instilled
that same work and play ethics in his family.
He was always available to help his
friends and family whenever they needed him. He was a respected
father, good friend to everyone who knew him, and a loving husband.
He always had visitors to the house just stopping by to talk and
laugh with him.
Glenn was not a flashy man, he did
not want to be in the spotlight, he did not care about fancy clothes
or fancy things, but he provided everything a family needed and
remained the silent benefactor to many in his family. There is no
truer saying than “you don’t know what you have until it’s
gone!” His stance as a father was always firm, his character as a
man always generous, and his soul was always kind! He is loved and
missed dearly by his family and friends! ❤️
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Glenn Keisner’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Benjamin Herbert Weed April 12, 1961 - March 5, 2025
It is with great sadness that I announce that Ben passed away at home on hospice from kidney failure in the early morning on March 5, surrounded by his family.
Ben was born in Fortuna to Emery and Mable Weed. He lived most of his life in Ferndale. He had many friends growing up and told me great stories of his childhood living in Ferndale, where his friends know him as Benjy. He was well liked and loved and didn’t have a mean bone in his body.
After graduation, Ben worked for the Humboldt Creamery but didn’t care for it so his dad drove him down to Santa Rosa, where he worked at a couple of different jobs. Then he decided that he wanted to go to Anchorage, Alaska, and he started working for Southern Air Transport. Ben told me this was his favorite job and he worked there for 5 years until the Air Transport became independent contractors, which made it hard for him to stay on.
Ben came back to Ferndale and took care of his mom Mable until she passed. He worked as a painter, painting estimator and finally as a road construction flagger.
I met Ben and we had an instant bond. We had the best time traveling everywhere in California, especially Sacramento, because he knew I loved it there, getting up early and going on nature walks, bird watching and listening to classic rock and dancing until the wee hours of the night and just spending time together, and during Ferndale celebrations you could always find him in our front yard having a BBQ and inviting everyone to join even if he didn’t know them. What a great smile he had.
Ben leaves behind his wife, Nina Diehl, his faithful 2.9 lb teacup yorkie, The Tank, step daughters, Amber (Anthony) Makakoa, Ashliegh (Bryan) Murphy and newly engaged Emily Diehl & Bryan Juentu, his adopted son Linus Zettl, his granddaughters Ashem, Noelle and Mae Makakoa-he loved being their Poppa!, his sister Jaci (Carl) DiStefano, nephew Demetrius (Layla) Distefano, Sister-in-law Rosie Weed & niece Brianna (Ian) Birnam, cousin Scott (Monica) Madden and numerous nephews, cousins and great cousins.
Ben was preceded in death by his dad, Emery Weed, his mom, Mable Weed, his brothers Emery (Butch) and Greg Weed.
Arrangements were made with Sanders Funeral Home/Humboldt Cremation & Funeral Service in Eureka.
Per Ben’s request, no services will be held as he asked that all his family and friends just go out to the beach and drink a cold one in his honor and listen to the Rolling Stones and think of him.
I would like to thank all his family and friends that came to see him before he passed, it meant so much to him to be able to say goodbye to you all. I will miss my Benny terribly, but until we meet again, I will dance and remember how much we loved each other.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ben Weed’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Robert (Bob) Michael Steeves passed away on April 6, 2025. Bob was born on May 4, 1944. He was a lifelong resident of McKinleyville and a proud native of Humboldt County. Bob was a descendant of the Steeves and Bartow families, who were among the early settlers of McKinleyville.
Bob was a member of the Karuk Tribe. He was the great-grandson of Gertrude (Fry) Thornton (Tu-Tu-Kan-Ish), a full-blood Karuk Indian. He was the son of Elmer and Mildred (Bartow) Steeves, and the brother of Betty Shamberger (Jim), Barbara Jones (Steve), Elmer Steeves Jr. (Sharon), and Ron Boone (Cassandra). Ron was Bob’s cousin but was raised by the Steeves family and was like a brother to him.
Bob was a member of the first graduating class of McKinleyville High School in 1963. After high school, he went to work for Simpson Timber Company until he was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam. When he returned from the military, he resumed working at Simpson’s, where he remained until his retirement. Bob was deeply respected and admired by his coworkers because of the work he did.
Bob enjoyed hunting, fishing, and camping. He especially cherished surf fishing, duck hunting, clam digging, deer hunting, and camping in places like Salmon River, Bullseye Lake, the Trinity Alps, and Modoc. Many of these adventures were shared with family and close friends Ike Ganfield, Ron Morton, Jim Shamberger and Steve Jones.
Bob married Darlene (Holt) Steeves in 1966, and they shared over fifty years of life together. Bob was a caring and devoted husband.
He is survived by his wife, Darlene; his beloved sisters Betty and Barbara (Steve); and his brother Elmer (Sharon). He also leaves behind his double cousins Patty, Carol, Nancy, and many other loving family members.
Bob was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mildred; his brother-in-law, Jim Shamberger; his cousin-brother, Ron Boone; Cassandra Boone; nephews John Shamberger and Doug Jones; and his best friends Ike Ganfield and Ron Morton.
The family would like to thank caregiver Kathy Belair for her kind and compassionate care.
Bob will be laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata. A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 18, at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Bob Steeves’loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Simulation of the proposed Nordic Aquafarms facilities on the Samoa Peninsula. | File image via County of Humboldt.
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Three months after cutting bait on plans to build a $500 million fish factory in Belfast, Maine, Nordic Aquafarms is courting new investors and facing a longer, more complicated timeline for a similar project along Humboldt Bay.
In a recent interview, Nordic executives outlined some new permitting and environmental mitigation hurdles and said it will likely be “a few years” before the company can demolish the old pulp mill infrastructure on the Samoa Peninsula and break ground on its proposed recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) facility.
Announced more than six years ago, the land-based fish farm, as originally conceived, is expected to cost $650 million and employ up to 150 full-time workers while producing up to 27,000 metric tons of Yellowtail kingfish per year — enough to supply West Coast markets from Seattle to Los Angeles and beyond.
However, given the recent geopolitical upheaval and its impact on world financial markets, the future of any project with such a long timeline is uncertain, as the company saw in Maine. Nordic’s East Coast project, announced in 2018, received all required local, state and federal permits but faced fierce opposition from environmental groups, whose legal challenges ultimately proved too costly.
“The company exits after tens of millions of investment dollars and many years of planning and permitting in the State of Maine,” CEO Brenda Chandler said in a January press release.
Last week, Chandler and local Project Manager Scott Thompson sat down for an interview at Outpost headquarters in Old Town Eureka. They said that while the project is progressing, certain steps may take longer than anticipated.
Environmental mitigation, for example. Nordic recently committed to an extensive Marine Monitoring Survey Plan that requires up to five years of water quality sampling and marine ecosystem analysis near the business end of an outfall pipe, which will discharge treated effluent from the RAS facility into the ocean, roughly a mile and a half offshore. That monitoring plan recently received approved from the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board.
Meanwhile, after years of analysis and deliberations, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) Nordic switched up one of the environmental remediation measures required of the project to comply with requirements from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW).
This aspect of the project involves the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, which previously agreed to remove nearly 1,000 derelict, creosote-treated piles and crossbeams from an old dock in Fields Landing to mitigate the impacts of baywater intake infrastructure.
The district’s underwater sea chests, which were installed decades ago for use by the pulp mill, are expected to impact Humboldt Bay’s marine life by sucking in tiny fish eggs, larvae and other planktonic organisms. They’re also expected to harm longfin smelt, a species of fish designated as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act. In December, the Army Corps of Engineers approved Section 404 Water Quality Certification permit for the seawater intake infrastructure.
However, CDFW determined that the plan to remove old pilings from the bay was insufficient to mitigate the impacts to longfin smelt. So instead, as a condition of the agency’s recently issued incidental take permit, the Harbor District must construct nearly an acre of wetland habitat, and the district must maintain and manage that habitat throughout Phase 1 of the project.
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“Now we need to design and permit the mitigation project itself,” Thompson said. “So that will need its own permitting. We need to do CEQA [California Environmental Quality Act] again; we need a Coastal Commission permit; we need Army Corps permits. So that is a whole ‘nother project. The pile-pulling probably wouldn’t have needed quite so much.”
Nordic has identified one potential property for this wetland-building endeavor, along Freshwater Slough, though Thompson said, “Eventually, we’ll likely be building wetlands in several locations.”
The sites will be constructed in areas with freshwater influence to allow for more spawning and rearing habitat for the longfin smelt, he explained.
Chandler said this project will also help to satisfy requirements from the California Coastal Commission, though that agency has asked for additional underwater mitigation work to be done between the Harbor District’s two intake locations — one at Redwood Marine Terminal II and the other at the “Red Tank” dock in Samoa.
Map of the Harbor District’s “sea chest” baywater intake infrastructure. | Detail of image from County of Humboldt.
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“There are several conditions to meet for that [part of the project] as well … ,” Chandler said. “So we expect to be doing that work in conjunction with the Harbor District over the next couple of years.”
As recently as last fall, Chandler was expecting that the pulp mill’s smokestack and boiler building could be demolished and removed before the end of 2025, but that’s no longer the case.
Thompson said that, as far as he knows, this is the first incidental take permit ever granted for longfin smelt in Humboldt Bay, so CDFW took extra time working with Nordic to develop a mitigation formula informed by a yearlong sampling event — or “entrainment study” — in Humboldt Bay.
Even with these new mitigation measures, local environmental groups remain wary. Jennifer Kalt, executive director of Humboldt Waterkeeper, said her organization is still concerned that the nutrient discharge from the ocean outfall pipe could increase the risk of toxic algae blooms, especially during marine heat waves like the one from 2014-16, nicknamed “The Blob.”
Kalt said she’s grateful for the Marine Monitoring Survey Plan.
“All we have to go on now is modeling, so the monitoring is really important to understand what is really happening in the ocean once the project is up and running,” she said.
As for the financial aspects of the endeavor, Chandler said pulling the plug in Maine didn’t necessarily impact the finances for the local project, which is being managed separately. But if the Trump administration implements widespread tariffs, or if the U.S. economy falters in the next couple of years, Nordic will likely have to review its list of vendors.
“Invariably there’s going to be an impact somewhere along the supply chain, both for our capital expenditures and our … operating expenses,” Chandler said.
The company’s existing investor group is largely based in Scandinavia, but Chandler said that sometime in the next few weeks, Nordic will “open the door” to U.S. investors.
Thompson argued that the recent political and economic turmoil serves to highlight the importance and value of domestic food production. And while the finish line keeps moving farther away, Chandler noted that, after six years of work, Nordic has a huge head start on any other company that might want to pursue such a project. She remains optimistic.
“What we have here is an amazing opportunity,” she said. Unlike in Maine, where the fish factory was slated to be built on forested land near a drinking water reservoir and a river that supports one of the last wild Atlantic salmon runs in the U.S. — and where a new discharge pipe would empty into an estuary with eelgrass — the local project site is a partially cleaned up brownfield property with built-in infrastructure and access to copious fresh water.
“When I talk to people, I call it a unicorn,” Chandler said, referring to the site’s project-specific amenities. “It’s just very unique.”
While the start of construction is likely years away, Thompson and Chandler said that they hope that the initial 0.93-acre wetland construction project will be sufficient to permit 2.66 million gallons per day of seawater intake from Humboldt Bay, which would be sufficient to produce up to 3,000 metric tons of fish per year in Phase 1.
The footprint of Building One, a grow-out module originally planned at over 265,000 square feet, has been reduced by 75,000 feet. The company’s existing permits allow for up to 15,000 metric tons, but Chandler said she won’t even hazard a guess on when that much production will be possible.
“I’m not going to be 100 percent confident until we’re literally breaking ground,” she said. And she expressed gratitude for the community in helping to get the project this far.
Attempts to reach the relevant personnel with both the Harbor District and CDFW before this story was published were unsuccessful.
That’s what four pounds of meth looks like, kids. | Photos: Humboldt County Drug Task Force
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Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:
On April 12th, 2025, Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) Agents served a search warrant on Miguel Angel Rodriguez Alicea (36 years old from Fortuna). During the months of March and April, the HCDTF received information that Alicea was traveling to Modesto and purchasing large quantities of methamphetamine for the purpose of sales in Humboldt County.
HCDTF Agents observed Alicea travel from Humboldt County to Modesto, California. Upon Alicea’s return, Agents conducted a traffic stop on his vehicle as he entered Humboldt County.
Alicea was detained without incident and his vehicle was searched. Agents located 4 pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle and 600 marijuana clones stored in the trunk of the vehicle.
Alicea was transported to the Humboldt County Correctional Facility where he was booked on the following charges:
- 11379(b) HS — Transportation of a controlled substance (noncontiguous counties) - 11378 HS — Possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of sales - 11370.4(b)(1) HS — Possession of a kilogram or more of a controlled substance
Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.
