Sylvia Jean Mays-Townsend
March 22, 1940 – May 2, 2025

With great love and deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Sylvia Jean Mays-Townsend on May 2, 2025, at the age of 85. Sylvia’s life was filled with joy, laughter, heartbreak, and resilience — a story that spanned generations and touched countless hearts. Born in Houston, Texas, on March 22, 1940, Sylvia spent her early childhood in the heart of the Lone Star State.

At age nine, in 1949, her life took a pivotal turn when her mother, Lyndell Giacomini Mays, inherited a small ranch on Centerville Road in Ferndale. The family packed up and made the unforgettable journey west along Route 66 in a brand-new sparkling Hudson, settling into the rural beauty of Humboldt County.

Sylvia attended Ferndale Elementary and later Ferndale High School, where she met and fell in love with her first husband, Art Hurd. Together, they had three children: Art Jr., Leslie, and Lisa. Tragically, Art passed away in a drowning accident at the mouth of the Eel River in 1964, leaving Sylvia a young widow at the age of 24. Despite immense grief, Sylvia pressed forward with remarkable strength.

She later married Fred Goff, and they welcomed a son, Stace. That chapter, too, was marked by loss, as Fred died in a car accident in 1970. Sylvia’s resilience never waned. In time, she found companionship and stability again with Jerry “Bud” Townsend, who adopted all four of her children. Though their marriage ended in divorce in 1986, Sylvia remained devoted to her family. In her later years, Sylvia reconnected with Ray Page, a dear friend from elementary school. Their companionship brought light and love to her final chapter.

Sylvia had an artistic soul — not in the traditional sense of paintbrush and canvas, but in the way she made life beautiful. Whether through home decorating, crafting intricate wreaths, or simply finding humor in everyday predicaments, her creativity and spirit shined brightly. She was a constant source of laughter and warmth, lovingly known as Grandma Pill, Gramma, and GG.

Sylvia is survived by her beloved children: Art Townsend, Leslie O’Neil (Jim), Lisa Cooney (Brian), and Stace Townsend (Pegi); 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and one treasured great-great-grandson, Elijah, who held a special place in her heart during her final years.

A celebration of Sylvia’s life will be announced and held later this summer. Until then, her memory lives on in the laughter, love, and stories shared by all who knew her. She was, and always will be, deeply loved.

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

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Catherine Gail Blake (Sanderson). Catherine entered into the world on September 8, 1948, the fifth child of Antone and Lucille Sanderson. Catherine left this world and began her journey on February 10, 2025 leaving a legacy of love, courage and commitment that will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Catherine (Chachie or Cats as we lovingly called her) was an exceptional person who truly embodied the qualities of both her parents, getting humor and gardening skills from her dad and kindness and love for her family from her mother. She was a loving mother to her two children, Virgil Blake Jr. and Anjulie White, and was always so proud of their accomplishments.

Catherine grew up in Hoopa and attended Hoopa Elementary and Hoopa High schools. During her Freshman year she attended Saint Johns Indian School in Arizona She loved fishing and riding her bike with Steve, swimming with her sisters, and working in the garden with her dad. Later she discovered the love for softball where she was the catcher for the Hoopa Coyotes. She was a person who loved with all her heart and would do anything to help anyone.

Although Catherine lived in Sacramento, she still remained connected to the Hoopa Valley and her roots. She loved gathering blackberries, huckleberries, and mushrooms. Although Hoopa was home, Catherine was so proud the day she purchased her brand new 4-bedroom house in Marysville, Calif. She would spend endless hours decorating and working in her beautiful yard. She grew vegetables every year, her prize was her Meyer lemons of which her family all enjoyed.

Her home became the center of travel, doctors appointments, or just a getaway. She was never hesitant about opening her beautiful home to all who needed a place to stay after a long trip or just to hang out. She hosted family Thanksgiving dinners for her kids, grandkids, sisters, nieces, nephews and anyone who wanted to join in. She always returned home to Hoopa for Christmas to be with her extended family. She was truly Santa Claus making sure everyone had a gift and that her grandchildren had whatever they asked Santa for and would spend hours wrapping those gifts and decorating her house. Catherine was truly a person who loved with all her heart and will be deeply missed.

Catherine is survived by her children Virgil Blake Jr. (Jana B.) and Anjulie White and grandchildren Brittney James, Noelle Blake (Noah R.), Hunter Meeks (Tyler M.), Taryn Van Sweden (Trent VS.), Virgil Blake III, and Inessa Bartholomew and great grandchildren Nylah Ramirez, and River Meeks. Her siblings Erma Marshall (Vernon M., deceased), Denise Ruiz, deceased (Frank R.), Antonette Pratt (Robert P., deceased), Marylou Davis (Francis D.), Stephen Sanderson (Cindy S.), Lorelee Jordan (James D.), Jolene Gates (Charles G.).

Her Celebration of Life is being held at the Hoopa Valley Fire Station on May 24, 2025 at 2 p.m. She requested that this a be joyous and happy time like on of her Thanksgiving get togethers. Her remains will be placed between her mother and father at the Hoopa Valley Cemetery.

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

With deep love and sorrow, we announce the passing of Patricia Ann Thornburgh of Arcata, who entered eternal rest on May 8, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.

Patricia Ann Williams was born on January 14, 1937, in Seattle, Washington, to Ray Joseph Williams and Martha Elvira Lundquist. She attended Ballard High School and later graduated from Whitworth College, a Presbyterian college in Spokane, Washington. She earned her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Washington in 1962. Pat initially worked as a social worker, dedicating herself to helping others even before she began raising her own family.

On December 18, 1960, Pat married her beloved husband, the late Dale Alden Thornburgh. Together, they built a life filled with love, purpose, and service to others. In 1962, they moved from Seattle to Arcata where Dale worked as Professor of Forestry at Humboldt State University. After stepping away from her early career to raise their children, Pat returned to her calling through her work with Head Start, where she spent over 20 years enriching the lives of children and families. She especially valued the deep, personal connections she made during this time. One such bond led to Bouathong Inthanou, a student from one of the families she served, becoming part of their home and hearts as a foster daughter.

Pat was a devoted mother to her three sons — Mark (deceased), Larry, and Joel — and a loving grandmother to Dandy, Charles, Julia, Scott, Sara, Sean, Marlie, Avery, and Erin. She also held deep affection and respect for her daughters-in-law: Claire, Mary Ann and Vickie.

She found joy in the simple beauty of the world around her. Pat loved bird watching and often took peaceful walks at the Arcata Marsh, where she found solace and inspiration in nature. But above all, her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren, whose presence brought light and laughter into her life.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the many caregivers who were not only a tremendous help in Pat’s later life but became extended family to her — especially Debra, Terri, Jami, Faith and Lily. A special thank you goes to Dr. Connie Basch, Visiting Angels, Frye’s Care Home of Eureka, and Hospice of Humboldt for their compassionate and dedicated care.

In honor of Pat’s wishes, a private family graveside service will be held at Greenwood Cemetery in Arcata and memorial donations may be made to Whitworth College in lieu of flowers — www.whitworth.edu.

Known for her quiet strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment to family and community, Pat touched the lives of many. Her grace, wisdom, and generous spirit will be remembered always.

She leaves behind a legacy of kindness and love that will continue to live on through her family and all those who were fortunate enough to know her.

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

A couple of weeks ago, a whole bunch of states and a wind power industry group filed suit against the Trump administration, seeking to overturn an executive order banning new offshore wind power development. (See coverage from Reuters here; the suit itself can be found here.)

This week, at the states’ request, a large group of environmental organizations — including the Arcata-based Environmental Protection Information Center — filed an amicus curae brief in support of the suit. The argue that Trump’s executive order was “arbitary and unlawful,” that wind power is a “critical and growing” source of green energy, and that offshore wind’s supposed threat to wildlife — specifically whales and birds — are “unexplained and unsubstantiated.”

“We believe that Trump’s order is hostile to the truth—that wind energy, when responsibly developed, can be a significant public good—and inappropriately weaponizes environmental laws in order to further the interests of fossil fuel companies,” writes EPIC’s Tom Wheeler in an email announcing the amicus brief. (Wheeler is a host of the Econews Report, which runs on the Outpost most Saturdays.)

Read the entire amicus brief at this link. A press release from the environmental coalition can be found below.

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A group of 10 environmental groups filed a legal brief today in support of an effort by states and industry to overturn the Trump administration’s government-wide ban on new wind energy projects.
The amicus brief argues the court should grant the states’ and industry’s request and lift the halt on approval of wind permits immediately. Wind power benefits public health, communities, economic development, and the climate, it says.

The administration’s ban cuts “off all permitting for wind projects of all types pending completion of a vague review that has no clear purpose, timeline, or avenue for public participation,” the groups say in the filing. “By obstructing responsible wind energy development, the Wind Directive and its implementation undermine efforts to meet state climate and energy targets, while increasing reliance on fossil fuels, an outcome that carries well-documented risks to wildlife, public health, and the environment.”

Last week, attorneys general from 17 states and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts challenging President Trump’s presidential memorandum and its implementation, which has put a halt to federal approvals for wind projects. The Alliance for Clean Energy New York (ACE NY), a trade association that promotes clean, renewable electricity, asked to intervene in that suit last week.

On Monday, the states and ACE NY asked the court to act immediately and tell the administration to consider and process wind permits while the case plays out.

Today, the environmental groups—NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council), Citizens Campaign for the Environment, Conservation Law Foundation, Environmental Advocates NY (represented by Earthjustice), Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Protection Information Center, National Wildlife Federation, New York League of Conservation Voters, Sierra Club, and the Southern Environmental Law Center—filed a friend of the court brief supporting the states and ACE NY’s requests for a preliminary injunction so that permitting for wind projects would restart.

The environmental groups’ new filing notes that it “strains credulity” for the federal government to claim that it is concerned about the environmental impact of wind power. “The Agencies simultaneously are seeking to gut the federal wildlife protections that permitting processes are intended to safeguard, and to fast-track non-wind projects that kill and harm species,” the brief says.

Wind provides more than 10 percent of U.S. power, employing 131,000 in all 50 states. The top four wind-producing states are Texas, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Offshore wind power is poised to take off on the East Coast, with three projects already in operation and others under construction.

QUOTES:

“The administration’s ban on all wind permits is unexplained, inconsistent, and incoherent. It hamstrings a critical industry when we need it most,” said Julia Forgie, senior attorney at NRDC. “States, industry groups, and environmental groups are united in telling the court that the wind ban is clearly unlawful and should be lifted immediately.”

“Halting responsible development of wind power will harm our nation’s efforts to diversify our energy supply and maintain a reliable electric grid,”said Gudrun Thompson, senior attorney and leader of SELC’s Energy Program. “The Trump administration’s unlawful ban on wind permitting impedes the growth of this clean, abundant, domestic energy resource, and threatens jobs and economic development in the Southeast, where more than 100 companies produce components for the wind industry.”

“The Trump administration’s illegal ban on wind energy is an attack on America’s clean energy future. This ban stifles domestic energy production, kills well-paying jobs, and forces Americans to pay higher energy prices,” said Josh Berman, senior attorney at the Sierra Club. “At a time when Americans are already facing economic instability–manufactured by Trump’s chaotic and erratic administration—we need clean, affordable renewable wind energy more than ever. We urge the court to act swiftly and strike down this unlawful ban.”

“The Trump administration is slamming the brakes on wind projects that communities are counting on for affordable electricity, local investment, and clean air,” said Ted Kelly, director and lead counsel, U.S. Clean Energy at Environmental Defense Fund. “States are tapping into our nation’s vast supplies of wind because it makes good economic sense, and it’s healthier than relying on polluting oil and gas. This unlawful permitting ban is now holding people back from cheaper electricity and cleaner air. That’s why this group of states, industry, and environmental organizations are urging the court to put an end to it.”

“California’s offshore wind could provide clean, renewable power for millions of homes if responsibly developed. This administration threatens our future by weaponizing environmental laws and pushing false and misleading claims about the environmental impacts of offshore wind,” said Tom Wheeler, executive director of the Environmental Protection Information Center.

“Denying climate change doesn’t fix climate change. It defies logic that the federal government would put the brakes on a reliable, clean, safe energy technology. We need to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and promote clean energy technologies including offshore wind so that America can breathe cleaner air, create green jobs, fight climate change, and diversify our energy sources. Our nation’s first offshore wind farm, the South Fork Wind Farm, is working extremely well and we should be building on this success,” said Adrienne Esposito, executive director of Citizens Campaign for the Environment.

“Wind power is a clean, reliable resource, with projects undergoing a well-established, science-based permitting process including robust environmental review and public input to ensure projects avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts to wildlife and ecosystems. This legal challenge demonstrates a strong consensus that wind energy is an essential part of American energy independence, capable of delivering major environmental and public health benefits by reducing carbon emissions and improving air and water quality. The administration’s attacks on wind disregard both the legal framework and the scientific evidence behind these projects, threatening a clean, affordable, and reliable energy future,” said Jim Murphy, senior director of legal advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation.

“This sweeping and senseless wind energy ban is a direct assault on our clean energy progress,” said Julie Tighe, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters. “New York and other forward-looking states have invested heavily in wind power because it delivers cleaner air, lower emissions, good-paying jobs, and local economic benefits. Blocking these projects undermines public health and a clean energy future. The court must step in and allow this essential industry to move forward.”

“Wind plays a critical role in powering our lives, supporting a reliable and affordable electricity grid, and delivering big health and climate benefits,” said Jill Tauber, vice president of litigation for Climate & Energy at Earthjustice. “But instead of supporting the responsible development of wind power, the Trump administration is stopping wind in its tracks, while declaring a fake energy emergency, fast-tracking fossil fuel development, and dismantling environmental protections. Halting all wind project approvals indefinitely without any reasoned explanation is both arbitrary and unlawful.”

“This isn’t about permits, it’s about power. New York wants to generate it for growth. Trump wants to seize it for himself. By blocking offshore wind and the Empire Wind I project, he’s sabotaging union jobs, jeopardizing billions in investment, and selling New Yorkers out to fossil fuel donors. We joined this brief because New Yorkers don’t scare easy—and we’re sending a message: you can’t pull the plug on the future we’re building,” said Vanessa Fajans-Turner, executive director of Environmental Advocates NY.

“While President Trump pushes outdated fossil fuels, states are fighting for the affordable, clean energy we need—energy that slashes bills, cuts pollution, and is produced right here at home,” said Kate Sinding Daly, Conservation Law Foundation Senior Vice President for Law and Policy. “Wind energy already comprises a large part of our electricity mix, supporting 131,000 American jobs. The responsible deployment of wind power is not only possible, but necessary—for meeting our climate goals, ensuring cleaner air and water, and keeping up with rising electricity demand in a reliable and affordable way. This lawsuit is a powerful reminder of how state governments can stand up when the federal government fails to act in our best interest.”

PREVIOUSLY

• BREAKING: Sun Valley Floral Farms Issues Layoff Notices to Entire Workforce in Arcata and Oxnard
• In Letter to Industry Colleagues, Sun Valley Floral Farms CEO Explains the Factors That Led to the Company’s Demise
• PLANT DISMANTLED: They’ll Be Auctioning Off All Sun Valley Floral Farms’ Infrastructure Next Month

The former Sun Valley property in Arcata failed to sell at auction today after Sun Valley Floral Farms defaulted on their deed of trust from CitiBank.

Located in the Arcata Bottoms on Upper Bay Road, the 123-acre property was owned by Sun Valley Floral Farms, once one of the nation’s largest producers of flower bulbs. Sun Valley operated in Humboldt County for 65 years until its sudden bankruptcy in May of 2024, caused by a laundry list of factors including rising insurance prices and energy costs, the demise of one of its biggest customers, and the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agency deporting many of its undocumented laborers. During its peak season, Sun Valley employed over 700 people on its Arcata farm.

There were no bidders at the auction, held on the steps of Eureka’s courthouse this morning. Ownership will revert back to the bank.

[Ed. note: Local musician, social worker and activist Elle Penner’s vocal group Harmonic Howl has been a fixture at the recent protests in front of the Humboldt County Courthouse. In the video op-ed below, she shares a bit of her personal history and political evolution, while also reflecting on the strength of Humboldt grassroots activism she’s witnessed these past few months.]

Press release from the City of Eureka:

The City of Eureka will provide up to three hours of public comment during the City Council meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, 2025, regarding Item H.1 — Bill No. 1040-C.S., the proposed Camping Ordinance.

The City Council has heard over eight hours of public testimony on this item, beginning with the Special Meeting held on January 14, 2025, and continuing over multiple meetings, including over four hours of comment during the March 18, 2025 session. To ensure the Council can continue its legislative responsibilities while providing additional opportunities for community input, the Council will allocate 180 minutes (three hours) specifically for public comment on this item at the upcoming meeting.

Individual speaking times will be determined based on the number of speakers who indicate that they wish to address the Council, divided proportionally into the total available time. As permitted under the California Brown Act, the Presiding Officer/Mayor may adjust the total comment period to ensure sufficient time remains to address other business on the Council’s agenda.

Community members are strongly encouraged to submit written comments in advance by emailing cityclerk@eurekaca.gov. All written comments will be provided to the Council and entered into the public record.

For additional meeting information and agendas, visit: https://www.eurekaca.gov