California’s small businesses — employers to more than half the state’s workforce — are staring down what some owners, experts and advocates say could be immense negative consequences from President Donald Trump’s slew of executive orders.

Trump’s embattled federal funding freeze and anti-diversity push have seeded uncertainty about the economy, jobs and spending on infrastructure and innovation.

The freeze, imposed on Jan. 27, affected hundreds of billions of dollars for thousands of federal programs, including many aimed at small businesses. After states including California filed suit, a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order putting the freeze on hold. Since then there has been more legal wrangling, including a court order stating that Trump failed to comply with the initial ruling.

The administration has said funding for small business would not be paused, but owners and advocates are not sure if that will prove true, and say uncertainty about the freeze may already be doing damage.

Liz Perez, who owns a small general contracting firm in San Diego County, said news of the funding freeze gave some people in her Native American community “heart attacks.” She said some projects that were under construction had to be temporarily halted while those in charge tried to figure out what was going on.

“I’ve never seen tribal leaders — the most put-together leaders — so frazzled,” Perez said.

Perez and other small business owners, allies and experts worry that a freeze could mean fewer opportunities for entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, which could lead to fewer jobs and less spending and investment for communities, industries and larger businesses.

Small businesses with fewer than 20 employees accounted for 29% of jobs in California, and businesses with 20 to 100 employees accounted for 30% of jobs in the state as of the end of 2022, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data by the Public Policy Institute of California.

California, the nation’s most populous state, is the biggest recipient of Small Business Administration loans, with $1.15 billion in loans approved for this year. Not all loans from the agency are federally funded, but they are guaranteed by the government. The loans funded by the agency, which could be most at risk from the freeze, include disaster loans and microloans.

Other federal funds that help small businesses and were on the list of programs to be frozen include the $25 million for the State Small Business Credit Initiative, which the Finance Department said is in the state’s 2025-2026 fiscal year budget. Community development financial institutions, which provide banking services to small businesses, are also facing a “real and immediate threat” to their funding that includes possible cancellation of contracts, the CDFI Coalition said in an email to its members this week that was seen by CalMatters.

Simon Brown, spokesperson for national advocacy group Small Business Majority, said small business owners, who “struggle to access capital from all institutions at all levels,” count on the Small Business Administration as a key source of help. Although he is unclear about whether funding from the agency will be affected, he is concerned. “If SBA funding was choked off in some way, it would be a major blow to the entire ecosystem,” Brown said.

Representatives from the Small Business Administration did not return multiple requests for comment, and neither did the White House.

Alex Bloom, economic development manager for Central Sierra Economic Development District as well as Mother Lode Job Training — which handles training funded by the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act — said the effects of a federal funding freeze could be far-reaching.

“Overall there’s a level of uncertainty,” that could lead to a drop in investor confidence, he said. And “a funding freeze or delay could halt infrastructure projects, which would affect job creation and development that are critical to our region,” Bloom added.

Others say a freeze or pullback on funding will have an impact on equity — that it could hurt those who need the most help.

How federal aid and policies have boosted small business

Perez said she served in the U.S. Navy for nine years, then “transitioned right into a recession.” At one point, she was pregnant and had nowhere to live. She began working in construction and eventually started a business.

“My business helped get me out of poverty,” said Perez, owner of GC Green, a general contracting and consulting firm that focuses on clean energy, and subsidiary Veterans Energy Services Company.

Liz Perez, owner of GC Green, a general contracting and consulting firm that focuses on clean energy, walks around an electric vehicle charging station that was recently completed at a Sonic location in Vista on Jan. 31, 2025. The charging station was a project of VESCO, a subsidiary of GC Green, and manufactured by Chaevi. Photo by Ariana Drehsler for CalMatters

On the list of programs the Trump administration is examining include funds for small business development centers, development loans and technical assistance for small businesses.

The budget office also said it wanted to root out “Marxist equity, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies.”

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, who with other state attorneys general won a temporary restraining order against the freeze, said last week during a press conference that, if enacted, it would affect 34% of the state’s budget, which he called “a massive, irreplaceable chunk.”

As a woman, veteran and Native American, Perez said she has been helped by some DEI initiatives. But she said “starting my company didn’t mean I cut in line, or got in front of everybody. It means I got my foot in the door.”

Perez also was able to secure a federal loan to help Native American-owned businesses during the pandemic, during President Joe Biden’s administration, which she said helped her expand her business.

“You roll back these initiatives, what is that going to do to our economy, our supply chains, our workforce?” she asked.

“You roll back these initiatives, what is that going to do to our economy, our supply chains, our workforce?”
Liz Perez, small business owner, San Diego County

The budget office followed up its original memo with another one that said “funds for small businesses, farmers, Pell grants, Head Start, rental assistance, and other similar programs will not be paused.” But there is evidence that at least one of the things on that list has not been spared: Some Head Start programs have had trouble accessing funding and at least one has been forced to shut down in Washington, according to media reports and the states’ lawsuit.

At least one expert CalMatters spoke with said he thinks small business is “probably one of the last places the spigot will be turned off.” Robert Dekle, an economics professor at the University of Southern California, said “it would actually be suicidal for the Republican party to continue with” cutting off aid to small businesses because he said small business owners make up “a large part of Trump’s base.” (A poll after Trump won the election showed changes in optimism among small business owners differed along party lines.)

‘We’re going backwards’

But Catalina Amuedo-Dorante, an economics professor at UC Merced, said this administration has made its priorities clear. “We’re going backwards (in terms of) rights for different minority groups, groups that need more assistance in medical care, food, education,” she said.

The professor added that “harming human capital” is a recipe for disaster. She called the possible rollback of funding to small business, medical research and other programs a threat to this generation and next.

Line cook Leticia Andrade, left, puts together a lunch order at Creative Ideas Catering, a small business, in San Francisco on June 11, 2024. Photo by Juliana Yamada for CalMatters

Another one of Trump’s executive orders — titled “Ending Illegal Discrimination And Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity” — includes a directive to the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs within the Department of Labor to stop “promoting diversity” and “allowing or encouraging Federal contractors and subcontractors to engage in workforce balancing based on race, color, sex, sexual preference, religion, or national origin.”

The president’s anti-diversity push rides a wave of similar sentiment that has swept the country in recent years, including through lawsuits against affirmative action in government. Last year, a judge ruled that a small business lending program meant to help Black, Latino and other underrepresented entrepreneurs should be open to white people.

In late January, the Small Business Administration reportedly decreased its goals for federal contract awards to small and disadvantaged businesses to 5%, apparently because of the Trump directive on DEI. Under Biden, the goal was 15%.

What all this could mean, regardless of what happens with the funding freeze, is that some small businesses that might otherwise have been considered for federal government contracts may no longer get those chances.

Perez, the small business owner, said DEI initiatives can help when it comes to landing general contracting work, but not always: “Just because these policies are in place, it doesn’t mean you’re going to get the job. It’s so difficult. It’s grinding all the time.”

Carolina Martinez, chief executive of CAMEO Network, a small business advocacy group, said procurement opportunities were already limited, and the Trump administration’s new policies will make things worse. “It seems clear they’re opening the door to discrimination and racism,” she said.

Randell Leach is CEO of Beneficial State Bank in Oakland, a community development financial institution, which serves low-income customers and small businesses that may not be able to get loans elsewhere. Leach said he is concerned about the intersecting effects of “the curtailment of funding and anti-DEI measures that could come together and impact women entrepreneurs and communities of color.”

Not only does that directly affect historically underrepresented small businesses but also, potentially, “a whole host of vendors and tech companies that support them,” he said.

The bottom line: “It’s important to be aware that discrimination in any form is not only bad for communities, but for the economy,” Martinez said.

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

It is with broken hearts we announce Peter H. Masten, Jr., a respected Hoopa Elder, passed peacefully at his home in Hoopa on February 6, 2025 with his family by his side.

Peter was born in Hoopa on August 11, 1936 to Peter H. Masten Sr. and Grace Marshall Masten. He was the second of six children and the only boy. He attended both Hoopa Elementary and Hoopa High school graduating in 1954. In 1959 he joined the US Army and was stationed in a missile battalion at Fort Benning, Georgia. It was while serving he met his soon to be wife Mary Edith House whom he would marry in 1961. In 1962 Pete returned to Hoopa with his new wife to begin a new chapter in their lives.

Upon returning from Georgia, Peter went to work at the Humboldt Fir sawmill in Hoopa as a lift truck operator. It was at this time he began a life long commitment to serving the Hoopa people in different capacities. In 1967 Peter was elected to the Tribal Council representing the Norton Field District and continued serving in 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972. During this time he was a tireless advocate for a program to establish Indian Health Aides and the first Tribal Dental Clinic. The story is that he located and got the approval from the Council to retrieve a donated dental chair, and he hauled it back to Hoopa himself.

Peter was elected Tribal Chairman in 1973 and served until 1978. During his time in office the Council members worked well together for the betterment of the tribe, and Pete worked tirelessly with folks like Peter Jackson, Darrel Hostler, Joe Moon, Margaret Powell, Herman Sherman, Mary Ann and Maude McCovey, and others, to secure Tribal Economic Development Designation which opened the path to apply for the Neighborhood Facilites Building, Tribal Shopping Center and Tswenaldin Inn, in addition to securing Buildings owned by the BIA and working with Dr. Ricklefs for what is now the K’ima:w Medical Center. Hoopa instituted the Tribal Credit Program, a Burial Fund, and many other things. So much progress took place during those years and at that time the Hoopa Tribe was at the forefront and known as one of the most, if not the most, progressive tribes in the nation.

Later he served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Hoopa Heath Association. In recognizing Peter’s achievements K’ima:w also stated that he was a Tribal Health Advisory Committee Member. He was also appointed by the California Tribal Chairman’s Association Board to assist in the development of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act regulations and was our representative in the Tribal Self Governance Initiative/Compact negotiations with Indian Health Sevice. He also served on K’ima:w’s board of Directors for many years. Pete was also the recipient of the Luna Wessel Leadership Award for his commitment to improving the health of Native Peoples. He was also the Executive Director of the Round Valley Health Center in Covelo.

Peter’s became an avid Bingo player during his retirement and he and his wife made many trips to the Casino to play. They won some and they lost some, but he was really happy when he won the Indian Star. The family would especially like to thank the Bingo runners who took such good care of both Pete and Mary for the many years they came to play.

Peter was a husband, father, brother, grandfather and great-grandfather, uncle, and cousin. He was truly loved and respected by his family and his passing has left a hole in our hearts.

Peter was preceded in death by his parents, Peter H Masten, Sr. and Grace Marshall Masten, and his sisters, Betty Roberts, Thelma (Bugsy) Mitchell, Lorraine (Babydoll) Robbins, and Marcia (Girly) Wiezorek.

Peter is survived by Mary, his wife of 64 years; his Daughter Glenda Masten and her four children Michael Carbone, Jr., Adam (Elizabeth) Carbone, Seth (Emily) Brenton, and Brianne (Austin) Free; his son Peter Michael (Amy) Masten and his three children Kylie (Eric) Lagge, Jake, Dawson, and great granddaughters Addyson and Katherine; his daughter Meredith Ann Myers and her two children Hunter and Lilli Myers; his sister Karen Skoglund and her children Korby, Karling, Karling’s little Juniper; and his nephew Richard Stewart; step-grandchildren Amanda Johnson, Jason Johnson, Matthew Johnson, and Katherine Johnson-Miller.

Graveside services will be held at the Hoopa Community Cemetery on Saturday February 22, 2025 at 1 p.m. The family will be hosting a celebration of life for Peter in the spring. Date and time to be announced at a later date.

Pallbearers - Michael Carbone, Jr., Adam Carbone, Seth Brenton, Hunter Myers, Jake Masten, Dawson Masten, Eric Lagge, Milton Stewart, Keenan Stewart, and Robert Masten.

Honorary Pallbearers - Richard Stewart, Robert Marshall, Walter Gray, Sr., Albert Gray, Gordon Peard, Lee Robbins, Jonathon Pack, Erick Wiezorek, Jason Johnson, and Matthew Johnson.

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

John F Rose, known as Banjo, born March 19, 1949 of Shively, has reunited with his late son Jordan Forrest Rose. Banjo passed peacefully in his home on January 16th of 2025, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Patricia Rose; his sons Evan Andrew Rose and Green Leaf Burns; his nine grandchildren; his brother Shane Rose; and his only daughter Amanda Rose Moody.

Banjo was raised in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. He traveled to the West Cost for adventure. Banjo came to Humboldt in 1970 from Berkeley. He fell in love with the landscape and the idea of coming back to the land. He built a beautiful family home down miller ranch road.

While attending Humboldt State University in 1991, Banjo received his BA in English as manga cum laude. In 1992 he received his teaching credential. In 1993 he received his masters in linguistics. From 1996-2003 he was the head academic advisor for the upward bound program at Humboldt state university. Banjo was a huge believer in higher education as a way to expand one’s mind to great heights.

John had many passions in life, the banjo was by far his deepest love. He started pickin at about 12. His teacher quickly informing his mother that he had nothing left to teach him and he’d have to continue the journey on his own. Banjo played in many bands throughout the years, his longest standing being Slackjaw (2002-2006), bandmates being Huck on the fiddle and Jeff Kelly on guitar, along with other wonderful bluegrass musicians from throughout the area.

His music will be missed dearly. Banjo John always lived life on his terms. He was an incredibly intelligent man whose adventures build a life many dream of. A handsome mountain man with dry wit. A bottomless pint glass on his table, banjo in his lap, and a twinkle in his eye.

A celebration of life will be announced as details are not set yet.

Dennis Rohrbach peacefully passed away at the age of 62 on February 14, 2025. Dennis was the oldest of three children born to Allen and Shannon Rohrbach of Arcata.

Dennis was born to work. As a teen he milked cows, chopped and sold wood, and did a variety of other jobs. As a young adult he enjoyed being a certified auto mechanic. He spent the last decades of his life running his own successful wood floor business.

Besides his love of work, he loved being a father to his son, Jarod. They shared many adventures together including boating on Puget Sound in Washington State and a variety of road trips. He was very proud to be his father.

Dennis enjoyed being a spectator at the stock car races at Redwood Acres. He especially enjoyed seeing his Aunt Nancy, cousins and friends while attending the races. He also enjoyed anything to do with fishing. Dennis’ beloved Grandpa (Leonard) Cahill and Uncle Bill Cahill, taught Dennis to fish. The fishing experiences with Grandpa Cahill and Uncle Bill instilled a lifelong love for fishing and the ocean. He enjoyed the tradition of boating to Deception Pass to trap shrimp in the spring. Dennis took great pride in sharing his love for boating. He was always available and ready to take his family and friends on a boating and fishing adventure.

We could count on Dennis to give us a call, and fill us with adventuresome stories of his exploits. He loved visiting with people! Dennis was a generous man and would help anyone in need.

We would like to thank the University of Washington Montlake Medical Center for their care and support. We also thank his landlord, Mike and good friend Ed.

Dennis is proceeded in death by his father, Allen Rohrbach.

He is survived by his mother Shannon, Arcata; son Jarod, Rohnert Park; his brother Richard, Arcata; sister Kathleen (Randy) Maple Valley, Wash.; Uncle Gary (Barbara) Rohrbach, Eureka; Aunt Arlene, Medford, Ore.; Aunt Shirley Shumacher-Thurn, Ashley, N.D.; Uncle Eugene (Betty) Rohrbach, Oriska, ND; Aunt Catherine (Banjo) Dellabalma, Eureka; Aunt Nancy Silva, Arcata; Elaine Cahill, McKinleyville; Carole Cahill, Arcata; and many Cahill and Rohrbach cousins.

The funeral mass will be celebrated by Father Francis Gayam on Friday, March 7th at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 1690 Janes Road, Arcata, CA 95521. Interment will immediately follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at the Portuguese Hall at 1285 11th St. Arcata, CA 95521 from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

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

Several hundred Humboldt residents braved Monday’s drizzle down at the county courthouse for a Presidents’ Day rally in protest of Donald Trump’s policies and Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).  

Waving signs reading “RESIST,” “NO KINGS IN AMERICA,” “FIGHT FASCISM,” and “DEPORT ELON,” among other anti-Trump Administration messages, the crowd collected honks from generally supportive passing motorists while occasional pockets broke out into ‘60s protest songs. 

The loosely organized gathering is one of countless around the country promoted by the 50501 Movement, which are a response to the flurry of executive orders signed by President Trump in his first weeks in office. 

Your Lost Coast Outpost was on the scene and snapped a few pictures to attempt to capture the spirit of the day. 

(Click to enlarge)

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It’s been a busy month for Patch Fraga, the 26-year-old owner of Patches’ Pastries, an LGBTQ-friendly bakery and dessert shop nestled in the heart of Ferndale. Fraga spent weeks meticulously crafting a menu of chocolate-covered confections and heart-shaped treats ahead of Valentine’s Day — one of his favorite and busiest days of the year — and now that the holiday rush is over, he can focus on his next big business venture: opening a new location in Fortuna.

Patches’ Pastries will soon set up shop at the corner of 10th and Main Street in Fortuna, in the storefront previously occupied by Il Forno Bakery. The new café will feature Fraga’s signature desserts, an expanded menu of savory options and, eventually, a full brunch menu. Once the business is up and running, he hopes to create a space where all residents can enjoy a cup of coffee and cultivate community.

“I’m so excited,” Fraga told the Outpost in a recent interview. “It’s funny, a lot of people think I live in Ferndale because I’m on the Chamber of Commerce, but I actually live in Fortuna, just a few blocks away from the new space on Main Street. It’s amazing, I don’t know if I’ll ever leave Fortuna again.”

Hailing from Humboldt’s vibrant Portuguese community, Fraga grew up eating Portuguese-style desserts and sweet bread, or pão doce, made by his grandmother. He started making his own baked goods in elementary school, which turned out to be a fool-proof way of making friends.

“I would just, you know, give away stuff I made to anybody who wanted to ask me about it,” Fraga laughed. 

He joined the culinary club at Arcata High School and took part in the National ProStart Invitational, a culinary competition for high schoolers. After graduating from high school, Fraga moved to Portland to attend the Oregon Culinary Institute and graduated with a pastry management degree. 

Fraga eventually made his way back to Humboldt and, in October 2020, began baking and selling pastries out of the tiny kitchen in Northtown Coffee in Arcata. “I shared the kitchen — probably an 8’ by 10’ room — with the coffee shop staff and Mother’s Cooking Experience, which was awesome but I quickly grew out of that space,” he said. “I started doing wholesale after about a year and as soon as I started doing that I needed to find something bigger.”

Fraga moved his business operations to the newly renovated commercial kitchen at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in Ferndale. With the support of former Humboldt County Fair Association General Manager Richard Silacci, he opened his first café at Friendship Square. After nearly two years at the fairgrounds, Fraga moved to a new, albeit smaller space on Ferndale’s bustling Main Street.

“I can work in a small space but, unfortunately, I had to drop my wholesale because we couldn’t keep up with the demand,” Fraga said. “I have a proofer and a dough sheeter I purchased from the North Coast Co-op probably two years ago that has just sat because it’s too big for our space. I’ve looked at that thing so many times and thought, ‘I need to give this to somebody that’s actually gonna use it!’ and now I finally have the space to set it up.”

A few months ago, Fraga began leasing kitchen space at 1006 Main Street in Fortuna to expand operations and help ease the financial burden on Il Forno’s owner, Chris Vaulk, who was struggling to keep her business afloat. 

“We have a lot of customers that regularly come to the Garberville location from as far north as Trinidad, so [it seemed like] a good plan but, unfortunately, I found it difficult to maintain consistency,” Vaulk told the Outpost. “Before I had decided to close [in December], I thought it would help financially to share the kitchen space. … As I decided to close the doors I asked him if he might want to take the space over, and after some time he decided to take the leap.”

Vaulk hopes to continue to grow her business in Southern Humboldt and Northern Mendocino and said she can’t wait to see what Fraga does with the space. “I don’t know all of Patch’s future plans for the space but I know [he] has an amazing support network up there and I believe will be amazing,” she said. “I cannot wait to see what is offered. The space is beautiful.”

Fraga’s partner, Tate Contreras, has taken the helm of Patches’ Pastries in Ferndale while Fraga gets the Fortuna location dialed in. Fraga is still taking care of most of the baking, waking up as early as 4:30 a.m. to scoop cookie dough and roll up challah for his trademark cinnamon rolls. 

Along with increasing wholesale production at the new location, Fraga plans to add more savory items into the mix (pastries, paninis, soups, mini charcuterie boards, small plates, etc.) and expand cold case offerings to include whole cakes in a range of sizes and flavors.

“I have so many people that walk up to the spot in Ferndale and they’re like, ‘I need a whole cake today, right now,’ and I would love to be able to accommodate them, but that’s not something we’ve had the space for up until now,” he said. “We’re gonna have many slices available for purchase, as well as full-size cakes ranging from four-inch to nine-inch. … We don’t have that space in Fortuna — other than Safeway —where you can go in and get [a cake] that’s made with quality ingredients.”

Inspired by his time at Northtown Coffee, Fraga’s ultimate goal is to create a welcoming, comfortable space where people want to cultivate community, not just stop in for a cup of coffee. 

“A lot of the stuff I want to bring here — open mic nights, poetry nights and art shows — are all things that are inspired by Holly [Ameline] who’s running Northtown Coffee, “ he said. “She’s really shown me that people want a comfortable space to hang out and they will interact with it if you provide it. I just feel like coffee shops can be more than Starbucks where everyone is just silent on their computers.”

Fraga is getting a little wacky with it, aiming for “cute cottage grandma vibes” with a hodgepodge of antique furniture and curated art from LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creators. 

“I want to give them a space to be able to sell their art and just try to support as many people as I really can in this venture, especially in this political climate,” he said, referring to President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders targeting transgender and non-binary people. “It’s a lot harder for trans people right now.”

With that in mind, Fraga emphasized the importance of “conscious consumerism,” a more intentional approach to shopping. 

“I get a lot of people in the comments section — sometimes from my own followers — telling me I don’t need to say that [I’m trans] and it’s like, no, I do need to say that,” he continued. “If you don’t want to spend money with me because you don’t want to be supporting a trans person, that’s okay.  I don’t want you to feel tricked into coming here. … That said, I still get plenty of Republican-leaning people that shop with us [in Ferndale] and they’re like, ‘Man, you’ve got some good ice cream,’ and tell them it’s from the Foggy Bottom Boys and it’s all good.”

Asked if he had any words of wisdom for young people, especially aspiring business owners, Fraga said, “Go out and talk about it.” In a little place like Humboldt, people are willing to help, he said, and if they can’t help you themselves, they probably know someone who can. “I just think that the more we develop our own communities, the more fulfilled in life we’re all gonna feel,” he said.

Patches’ Pastries Fortuna doesn’t have an official opening date just yet, but Fraga hopes to welcome customers sometime next month.

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On Valentine’s Day—for the first time ever—the Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder’s Office expanded its special marriage services beyond the county courthouse, giving couples the opportunity to tie the knot in civil ceremonies at several seaside locations. The following article was written by Humboldt County Clerk-Recorder and Registrar of Voters Juan Pablo Cervantes.

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Love knows no bounds, and this year, neither did Humboldt County’s civil wedding ceremonies. In what became a record-breaking day for my team at the Clerk-Recorder’s Office, we had the joy of uniting 17 couples in marriage. This was the most weddings ever performed in a single day by the county Clerk-Recorder’s Office. And for the first time, these ceremonies weren’t just held within courthouse walls—they unfolded in two of our county’s most breathtaking outdoor locations: Clam Beach County Park, where the crashing waves set a dramatic and romantic stage, and Table Bluff County Park, where a stately cypress tree framed the coastline’s sweeping views.

Couples came from near and far—including as far as Washington, D.C. and New York—to exchange vows in these stunning settings. Some arrived with just a witness or two, while others brought small groups of family and friends to celebrate. No matter the size, each ceremony was filled with joy, emotion, and the simple beauty of two people committing to a lifetime together.

Among them were Brian Amparan & Angelita Gonzalez, who exchanged vows at Table Bluff County Park, their ceremony officiated by Supervisor Rex Bohn beneath the sweeping coastal views. Just steps away, Jennifer Berti & Owen Hooven stood beneath the towering cypress tree as Supervisor Natalie Arroyo led them through their vows, the ocean breeze adding a touch of natural beauty to an already perfect moment. These celebrations, like so many throughout the day, were filled with heartfelt emotion and the quiet magic of a wedding day.

Weddings are some of life’s most cherished moments, and witnessing so many couples step into their new chapter reminded me of my own—because my wedding day was the best day of my life. No matter where it happens, the moment you say “I do” stays with you forever, and seeing that same joy on the faces of these couples was a powerful reminder of what makes these ceremonies so meaningful.

Since I have had the honor of being elected to serve as Humboldt County’s Clerk-Recorder, my team has had the opportunity to rethink how marriage services are provided. Expanding service hours and locations on Valentine’s Day reflects our desire to make weddings and the services we provide more accessible to folks who live outside of Eureka.

To do this takes a true community effort. The success of the day was made possible by the dedicated work of the county’s staff and local businesses, all coming together to create something special.

A heartfelt thank you to Public Information Specialist Catarina Gallardo, whose outreach efforts ensured couples knew about this unique opportunity. Catarina even stepped in to officiate one of the ceremonies, making the day even more memorable. Our incredible AFSCME-represented staff from both the Clerk-Recorder’s and Elections offices worked behind the scenes to make sure everything ran smoothly, ensuring each couple had a seamless and stress-free experience.

We were also honored to have Supervisors Natalie Arroyo, Rex Bohn, and Mike Wilson, as well as Interim Auditor-Controller Mychal Evenson, officiating throughout the day. Their participation added an extra special touch, making the experience all the more meaningful for the couples exchanging vows.

A special thank you to Eureka Florist, whose generosity transformed our ceremony spaces with beautifully decorated arches, stunning centerpieces, and elegant bridal bouquets. Their floral arrangements added a touch of romance and beauty that made each ceremony and couple feel extra special. And at Table Bluff, where the coastal weather kept us on our toes, North Coast Event Rentals provided a gorgeous canopy that kept our couples and guests dry, ensuring the celebrations could go on without a hitch, rain or shine.

Looking Ahead: Expanding Love Across the County

With the overwhelming success of this event, we’re already planning for the future. We plan to expand this initiative across the entire county, bringing wedding ceremonies to every supervisorial district on Valentine’s Day next year. This not only gives couples more opportunities to say “I do” in meaningful and unique locations but also showcases the incredible beauty of our county parks as stunning wedding venues.

As such, couples thinking about getting married may want to consider this special opportunity for next year. Whether it’s at the beach, beneath a redwood grove, or in a scenic open space, we look forward to providing more couples with the chance to celebrate their love in a setting as unforgettable as the moment itself.

As the sun dipped below the Pacific, closing out a day filled with love, laughter, and new beginnings, one thing was clear—this was more than just a day of ceremonies. It was a testament to the power of community, the beauty of love, and the magic of saying “I do” in a place as extraordinary as the people who call our county home.

For now, we celebrate the 17 couples who made history with us and look forward to many more joyful unions in the future.