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Press release from the Yurok Tribe:

Building on the success of the winter planting, the Yurok Tribe’s Fisheries Department Revegetation Crew initiated phase two of a massive revegetation project along the recently undammed segment of river this week as salmon migrate to the Upper Klamath Basin for the first time in more than a century.

The Yurok Revegetation Crew, under contract with Resource Environmental Solutions, is hand sowing millions of native plant seeds in the former J.C. Boyle Reservoir, where a band of lush flora lines the now free-flowing river. Custom curated by Yurok Fisheries Department Senior Riparian Biologist Joshua Chenoweth, the planting includes specialized blends of dozens of mutually beneficial native plant species that flourished along the Upper Klamath before the dams and colonization.

“On the first morning, we saw an otter, eagles and waterfowl on the river’s edge. I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a few salmon move through there soon,” said longtime Yurok Revegetation Crew member Ben Hunsucker, a Yurok citizen. “I know our ancestors are proud of the work we are doing on behalf of the river.”

The primary goal of the years-long revegetation effort is to establish interconnected biologically diverse ecosystems that support strong salmon, steelhead and Pacific lamprey populations. The project is already yielding positive results. Much of the reservoir reach is covered in soil-stabilizing vegetation, now dormant because it’s the dry season. Hand sown this winter, countless native flowers bloomed from March to October, enticing pollinators to recolonize the area. The seam of green vegetation next to the river is humming with insects that serve as a primary food source for juvenile salmon, steelhead and resident trout. Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana), ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) and Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) saplings are digging deep roots as are perennial bunchgrasses like Blue wildrye (Elymus glaucus).

“I’m happy with the volume and diversity of healthy plants that we are seeing right now. It bodes well for the future,” said Chenoweth, who led the post dam removal revegetation work on the Elwha River before spending five years planning the Klamath project.

On October 2, the in-river portion of the Klamath dam removal project concluded. Largely responsible for a 95 percent decline in the river’s salmon stocks, the dams blocked 400 miles of historic fish habitat, degraded water quality and increased the prevalence of deadly fish pathogens. The Yurok Tribe and many other tribes in the Klamath Basin spent decades fighting for the removal of the dams and the restoration of the river. Last Thursday, fisheries researchers detected the first salmon to travel above the former Iron Gate dam site.

More good news for the Klamath

The Yurok Tribe recently received $18 million from NOAA for the Upper Klamath River Tributary Post Dam Removal Salmonid Restoration Project. Focused on stream reaches outside of the reservoir footprints, the project seeks to restore Shovel Creek and sections of other tributaries between Jenny Creek in California and Spencer Creek in Oregon. The Yurok Tribe-led project will create approximately 150 acres of optimal fish and wildlife habitat through fish passage improvements, floodplain reconnection, side channel construction and stream habitat diversification. Currently, the Yurok Fisheries Department is working with four upper basin tribes and two conservation organizations to design the five-year undertaking.

The tributary restoration project will complement the ongoing revegetation initiative in the reservoir reach. In January, the Yurok revegetation team planted more than 16,000 pounds of native grass, herb and forb seed mixes throughout the reservoir reach. The crew also manually planted 76,000 trees, shrubs and bunch grass plugs, 25,000 acorns and 2,500 narrowleaf milkweed starts. This spring, the reservoir erupted into a sea of wildflowers. In fact, certain plant species like Yellow Gum Plant (Grindella camporum) are presently blooming alongside baby pine trees above the J.C. Boyle dam site. Many more seeds, trees, shrubs and grasses will be planted next spring.

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Yurok Fisheries Department

The Yurok Fisheries Department employs more biologists than any other agency in California aside from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife. With nearly 100 employees, the department is comprised of the following six major Programs: Harvest Management Program (engages in all aspects of fishery harvest management and monitors the Yurok fishery); Lower Klamath Program (conducts research, monitoring, and restoration of fisheries resources in the Lower Klamath River Sub-basin); Trinity River Program (conducts research, monitoring, and restoration of Trinity River fishery resources); Klamath River Program (conducts research and monitoring throughout the watershed with a focus on informing water management and policy); Technical Services Program (provides data collection and analyses, designs and implements large scale restoration projects throughout the region); Water Policy Program (provides analyses and information to Tribal leadership regarding all aspects of Klamath Basin water policy and water management issues).

Dante’ Blade Rhoades, the youngest son of the late Apryl LaVonne McKinnon and Arthur “Danny” Daniel Rhoades, Jr., born on October 14, 1999, in Eureka, left his earthly home and joined his heavenly family and his Lord on Saturday, September 21, 2024. He is the grandchild of Pamela Risling of Hoopa and the late Rodney “Rocky” McKinnon, Sr. of Hoopa (maternal), and Linda Smith Rhoades of Hoopa and Arthur Rhoades, Sr. of Pitt River (paternal).

Dante’ was a proud Hoopa Tribal Member who lived most of his life in Hoopa with his loving grandmother Pamela Risling. He was also a descendant of the Karuk, Yurok and Pit River tribes. Dante’ learned his cultural practices. Attended ceremony and learned his local flora and fauna.

He attended Hoopa High School for three years and graduated from Matel High School. While at Hoopa High, Dante enjoyed weight training and football. This is where he bonded with his lifelong best (cousins)friends; Jared and Ryan Matilton, Tomas Mosier and Zane Grant, Juan Trujillo, Shannon Albers. And we can’t forget playing opposite Hoopa: John Dakota McGinnis, his best friend and cousin. These young men always maintained a special place in his heart, and close relationships through life

Dante’ attended American River College in Sacramento, Ca, for two years, concentrating on fulfilling his associate’s degree. He took his love for fitness with him, working out weight training and learning martial arts. He took his love for football as well only, “fantasy football.”

One of Dante’s favorite things was spending time with his elders, learning the history of his family and of his tribe, and just enjoying a good conversation about politics and current events. He really enjoyed long rides with Gramma Pam, Uncle Dale and Great Uncle Mahlon: he became a family historian and learned the locations of all the special places of family memories. He was greatly appreciated and adored for his interest and time

He is preceded in death by his beloved mother Apryl LaVonne McKinnon, Father Arthur Daniel “Danny” Rhoades, Jr., brothers Erroll Daniel and Mark “Marky’o” Rhoades, Grandfather Rodney “Rocky” McKinnon, Sr., grandfather Arthur Rhoades, Sr., grandmother Linda Smith Rhoades (David “Davey” Drake, Jr.), and his great grandparents: Barbara Marshall Risling and Anthony Risling, Sr., Hoyt and Dorothy Davis, Neil McKinnon and Germain Smith, Arthur Daniel Rhoades Sr. and uncle Willie Nelson.

He left behind his loving grandmother Pamela Risling, his big brother Phillip Reed, his sister Trista LaVonne Rhoades, and brothers; Arthur Daniel “Shy” Rhoades, III., and Dusty Rhoades. His Nieces; Weysey Reed, Apryl LaVonne Mitchell, Akira Reed, Miliani Reed, and Tori Rhoades. Nephews; Edward Mitchell, Jr. and Dwayne Reed. His Uncles; Rodney McKinnon, Jr., and Erik McKinnon. His Aunts; Shawn Moore Meyers, Erryn McKinnon, Heather Rose McCovey and Kassi McKinnon, and numerous cousins.

Dante’ was a very private person, so the family will be holding a private gravesite service on Friday, October 11, 2024: followed by breaking of the bread with the family at the First Baptist Church at 2 p.m. Any side dishes or desserts can be dropped at the Church or with either Nikki Risling or Pamela Risling.

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

Raymond “Adam” Edeline born February 11,1979 to parents Chester and Alexis Edeline, passed away on September 5, 2024, at the age of 45. 

Born and raised in Eureka, Adam attended Cutten Elementary School, Winship Middle School and graduated from Eureka High School in 1998. During high school Adam had the chance to work on a local ranch, something that stuck with him and he greatly appreciated having had the opportunity to do. After high school Adam worked for a family member doing electric tool repair and then went on to log in Trinity and Humboldt counties. Adam loved logging and being in the woods. He quickly went from setting chokers in the hole to running yarder and clearing cut blocks. When logging slowed, Adam went on to work for Mendes Supply, where he was fortunate enough to work for and alongside two of his closest friends. Adam took great pride in his job and all the friends he made during his time at Mendes.

Adam loved being outdoors. From a young age he participated in Boy Scouts, becoming an Eagle Scout. His love for the outdoors didn’t end with the scouts. Adam loved to hunt, fish, shoot and hike. He was an avid firearm enthusiast and collector. He loved to go shooting with friends and test out whatever new firearm he had recently added to his collection. He could often be found at local antique or secondhand stores, checking out what was new and if there was something he had to add to his safe.

Adam had many interests and a range of skills. There wasn’t a tool he couldn’t fix, saw he wouldn’t run or piece of equipment he’d shy away from operating. He had several hobbies, almost all of which included some sort of hands-on work or chance to learn something new. Anything Adam truly applied himself to became a passion of sorts. Those around him were never surprised by his ever-changing interests and knowledge.

Adam was a very social man. You always knew when he entered a room. He had charm and personality that drew people to him. He had a large group of friends from many different parts of his life. Relationships and friendships were very important to him. Adam left an impact on everyone who had the pleasure to know him and will be greatly missed.

Throughout his entire life Adam maintained a very close relationship with his parents. His mother, Alexis, was his best friend. She was always by his side through thick and thin. Every day, Adam would drop off his beloved dog Marvin with his mom before work. He loved getting to see her twice a day. Adam knew how lucky he was to have his mom’s unconditional love and support.

Adam was close to his father, Chet, as well. Chet was a driving force in his life and Adam always knew he could look to his dad for advice and guidance. Chet loved Shelter Cove and everything the ocean had to offer. Adam spent a lot of time in “The Cove” with Chet, family and friends fishing, and passing the time in good company. Adam looked after and cared for his dad during his final years and battle with cancer. Chet’s passing left a big void in Adam’s heart.

Adam was preceded in death by his father, Chester Edeline.

Adam is survived by his mother, Alexis Edeline; brother, Joshua Edeline, nieces Taylor and Rayne Edeline; brother William Roberson, wife Savannah and nephew Liam Roberson; step-sister Trinity Ponnay, husband Anthony and their children Irely, Brailey and Grayson; uncle, Mike Carroll; aunts, Cynthia Carroll, Suzy Edeline and Seil Stanbrough; his cherished dog Marvin, many cousins and extended family members Bryan Hauan, Sydney Taylor;  Jeff Meyer, Paul Bilock and their families; as well as a large group of friends, far too many to list but all individually appreciated.

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On Wednesday afternoon, about 100 of Humboldt’s movers and shakers gathered at the Sequoia Conference Center for the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Economic Forecast, an annual event focused on the local economy and emerging industries.

Turns out, there’s a lot going on here in Humboldt! The offshore wind industry is looking to build a massive floating wind farm off the coast of Eureka; the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District is drawing up plans for a heavy lift marine terminal that would support offshore wind development; Nordic Aquafarms is wrapping up the permitting process for its land-based fish farm on the Samoa Peninsula; and the Blue Lake Rancheria is moving forward with yet another microgrid project.

Gregg Foster, executive director of the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission (RREDC), led a four-person panel discussion focused on emerging industries and the future of the local economy. He emphasized how far the county has come in the last 40 years, following the decline of “traditional industries” and the subsequent “period of rapid disinvestment.”

“There were some solutions that came out of that, such as investing in infrastructure to make us ready for the next wave, whether that be broadband, the airport, the Harbor District, or whatever else,” Foster said. “It’s refreshing to come to a conference like this where we’re looking at all these opportunities that are in front of us … and hearing directly from the businesses who are actually making commitments, who are actually spending money, who are actually bullish on their future here in Humboldt County.”

Brenda Chandler, U.S. CEO of Nordic Aquafarms, said the Norway-based company has all but wrapped up the permitting process for its onshore fish farm and is shifting its focus to site clean-up at the Harbor District-owned Redwood Marine Terminal II property.

“As most folks know, the very first step is site clean-up. There’s more work that needs to be done in terms of the site itself,” Chandler said. “We also need to get a better understanding of the subsurface and the network of pipes that exists below the surface. … By the beginning of the year, we’re hoping the site will be ready to begin demolition”

If everything goes according to plan, Nordic will begin construction in late 2026 or early 2027. Once that’s done, the company will enter a commissioning phase. “There’s a fairly lengthy commissioning process as we’re starting up the farm, which will probably carry over into 2028,” Chandler said. “Those are just general terms, and there’s a number of things that still need to fall into place. We’re looking to the future, but we’re sort of taking it one day at a time.”

To bring the project to life, Nordic will have to hire a workforce with a broad range of skills. They’ll need aquaculture experts, biologists, farmers, mechanical and technical engineers, salespeople and a variety of collaborators. “We will have a microcosm of an entire industry available here,” she continued. “There’s a lot of opportunity that is going to surround the farm. … It’s still a few months away, but we’re getting ready to turn this corner and really start outwardly engaging.”

The offshore wind industry is still several years behind Nordic. Erik Peckar, Vineyard Offshore’s West Coast director of external affairs, said the company is currently focused on getting to know the community and establishing local partnerships.

“Before I moved to the West Coast, I spent the better part of the last 13 years advocating for my community on Martha’s Vineyard … to bring investments into the local community and to help folks get trained for local jobs,” he said. “We want to make sure that we’re building partnerships with folks in the community … and we want to invest in the community. I don’t think it’s a secret that there’ll be tens of millions of dollars invested into these local communities. … We want to work with folks to build partnerships to make sure that that money is spent in a responsible manner.”

There will be thousands of wide-ranging jobs available in the coming years and decades, Peckar said. They’ll need folks to help construct the heavy lift marine terminal on the Samoa Peninsula and assemble the massive turbines that will be towed out to sea. And when construction wraps up, they’ll need a lot of other folks to maintain the turbines.

“The more that we can train locally here, the more that we can invest locally here and, I think the better off we are,” Peckar said. “That’s not to say that there won’t be folks coming from out of town to come work on these jobs – just being frank – but we want to build a local workforce.”

Chris Mikkelson, executive director of the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District, talked a bit about the district’s role in offshore wind development and expressed enthusiastic support the project and the opportunities it would bring for locals.

“I didn’t come from a family that wanted to save the planet or the environment,” Mikkelson said. “I came from a family that wanted to log trees, ship lumber and get filthy rich … We have an opportunity to create better opportunities in our community and for our children.”

Jason Ramos, CEO of business operations at the Blue Lake Rancheria, said the Tribe is hard at work on the Toma Resilience Campus, a training and innovation center that, once complete, will provide the four-county region with classrooms for emergency preparedness training, a “business incubator,” a commercial kitchen and a variety of other uses. Ramos said the Tribe is currently focused on the business incubation component of the project and will be seeking local business partnerships.

The Blue Lake Rancheria is also working with the Hoopa Valley Tribe, Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe, Redwood Coast Energy Authority, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and the Schatz Energy Research Center at Cal Poly Humboldt on the Tribal Energy Resilience and Sovereignty (TERAS) project. The TERAS project seeks to advance climate resilience and clean energy innovation in tribal communities throughout the North Coast.

“We’ve got to move forward,” Ramos said. “We have to move forward with job training and business innovation. We have to do something new.”

[DISCLOSURE: The Blue Lake Rancheria is a minority owner of the Outpost’s parent company, Lost Coast Communications, Inc.]

Offshore wind development faces one major obstacle: California’s aging electrical grid. State lawmakers are pushing legislation forward that aims to streamline wind and solar energy projects, but there’s still a long way to go.

During the Q&A period at Wednesday’s event, Humboldt Sheriff Billy Honsal expressed “major concerns” about offshore wind development efforts. 

“I don’t know if we’re ready, as far as the infrastructure goes,” Honsal said. “Workforce development, housing – all those things are major concerns. We’re already struggling with the professional industries that are already here, such as Cal Poly Humboldt and Providence … I would love to be able to support you all in what you’re doing but we also have to come up with a plan to make your projects in our county a success.”

Peckar thanked Honsal for bringing up his concerns and emphasized that Vineyard Offshore wants to get a “full picture” of the community’s concerns to make “the best decisions we can in investing in this community.”

Unfortunately, the keynote speaker couldn’t make it to the event. Robert Eyler, renowned economics forecaster and professor of economics at Sonoma State University, got stuck on an Arcata-bound plane due to weather conditions and had to head back to the San Francisco airport.

Nancy Olson, CEO of the Greater Eureka Chamber of Commerce, assured her membership that Eyler would provide an economic forecast for Eureka at a future meeting. Stay tuned!

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The Sequoia Park Zoo posted the following on social media:

Sequoia Park Zoo is devastated by the loss of our beloved Noni bear.
On the afternoon of Wednesday, October 9, 2024, Noni was rushed to another emergency surgery to evaluate the severity of her condition. Even after the constriction had been removed and despite the life-saving efforts of her care team, it was discovered that the trauma to her colon was irreversible, and the organ had been unable to recover.

Noni as a cub

Noni was found orphaned in Shasta County in early spring of 2022 and was taken to Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care for rehabilitation, and she met and bonded with another bear cub named Tule. When California Department of Fish and Wildlife determined that they were not suitable for release, Noni and Tule were placed at Sequoia Park Zoo where they would become ambassadors for their species and help educate guests about living with wildlife.

Animal care staff are giving Tule extra attention while he adjusts to this new normal, and they report that he is eating well and interacting with enrichment. However, we remind visitors that Tule might choose to spend more time in the patio and night house, and he might not always be visible to guests.

During her too-short time at the Zoo, Noni delighted staff, volunteers, and visitors with her silly antics and goofy personality. Noni particularly enjoyed playing in bubbles and splashing in water, and zookeepers often joked about needing to get her a hot tub for the backyard.

Noni was a truly beautiful bear with a gorgeous coat, long eyelashes, blonde eyebrows, and a perfectly heart-shaped nose that would wiggle as she sniffed out her favorite treats, including peanuts, yogurt, and honey.

Affectionately called “twinkle toes” by her caretakers, Noni would often perch herself on the thinnest branches at the top of the redwoods, while guests marveled at how she managed to balance so effortlessly.

Noni brought so much joy to our Zoo, and it is impossible to express the depths of our sadness at the passing of our sweet bear. These past few days have been incredibly difficult for the Zoo team, especially for Noni’s dedicated caretakers, and we appreciate the care and support shown by our community. The loss of a beloved member of our animal family has a profound impact that never gets easier, and we know that our community is mourning alongside us. Please consider sharing a favorite photo or memory of Noni below, and donations in Noni’s honor may be made to the Animal Enrichment Fund at redwoodzoo.org/donate.

We are so fortunate to have been able to care for Noni, and we will miss her deeply.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

Thompson Thompson, age 4 of Hoopa | Photo provided by family

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s help to locate a child named Thompson Thompson, age 4 of Hoopa, who has been abducted under suspicious circumstances. 

The child was reported missing by her court-ordered legal guardian on Oct. 9 after she was not returned from a scheduled visit with her father, Peter Thompson, on Oct. 5. The father is the last known person to have seen the child. He is only allowed scheduled court-ordered visitation and does not have any custody rights over his child.

Based upon the facts of this case, the Sheriff’s Office sought and obtained an arrest warrant for the father on Oct. 9 for Child Abduction (PC 278). The Sheriff’s Office also requested a Feather Alert for the missing child.

On the evening of Oct. 9, the father arrived at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) and turned himself in for the PC 278 warrant—he is currently in custody at the HCCF. The father claimed to know about the whereabouts of the child but refused to disclose information regarding her location to law enforcement.

The Sheriffs’ Office needs the public’s help in locating the child. The child is 4 years old, approximately 50 lbs, 3’7”, with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black floral T-shirt, black pants, and cowboy boots.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding Thompson Thompson’s possible whereabouts should call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at 707-445-7251.

UPDATE, 1:07 p.m.: An officer on the scene tells the Outpost’s Andrew Goff that the incident has been downgraded to “a soft lockdown,” meaning students are not hiding under their desks anymore. They are doing schoolwork and can be escorted to the bathroom if necessary.

A couple of minutes later, a mom standing outside the high school got a call from the school that ended with, “There is no active threat on campus,” Goff reports.

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UPDATE, 12:31 p.m.: Police are inside Eureka High, but it’s not clear what is they’re doing. Parents are milling about, some chatting with cops on the perimeter. J Street is still closed.

“Hey, let us out of here!” one kid just yelled from a second-story window. “I’m going to piss myself!”

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UPDATE, 11:36 a.m.: J Street is completely closed off, says the Outpost’s Andrew Goff. Officers with rifles are patrolling the perimeter of the school.

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An Outpost reporter is en route to Eureka High, as the school has been hit with yet another threat — the third time this has happened so far in October.

From the Eureka Police Department’s Facebook page:

Eureka High School is currently on a lockdown due to a new threat that was brought to the attention of school administration. There are no indications of an immediate danger on campus. However, for the safety of students and staff, the lockdown has been initiated. The Eureka Police Department is on the scene and has secured the school and is currently conducting an investigation into the legitimacy of the threat. All students are safe. Please do not come to the school at this time allowing EPD to concentrate on the investigation. We will provide updates as permitted by law enforcement. For more information please follow on EPD social media.