TRAFFIC ALERT: As of Tuesday afternoon, Route 36 remains fully closed east of Swimmer’s Delight (PM 15.7-16.3) in Humboldt County due to an active slide.
Helicopters have been brought in to remove slide material from the slope. That work is expected to take one to two days. Crews will then work to clean up and remove debris from the area. We aim to reopen the roadway by the end of the week, but please be aware this is an active slide and conditions may change causing additional delays. We appreciate the patience and cooperation of residents and travelers in the area.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On May 30, 2025, at approximately 11:20 a.m., deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office
(HCSO) conducted a probation compliance check at a residence in the 600 block of Montana Road,
McKinleyville. This follows a prior search warrant that was executed at the same location
approximately two weeks earlier, which resulted in multiple arrests for various charges. During that
operation, Elizabeth Diane Hayes, age 46, the primary resident, was arrested and subsequently
booked and later released by a Humboldt County Superior Court Judge.
During the May 30thprobation search, deputies located suspected fentanyl, two pistol magazines,
and various items of drug paraphernalia. As a result, Hayes was arrested (again) and booked into the
Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:
• Health and Safety Code 11364(a) – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
• Penal Code 32310(a) – Possession of Large-Capacity Magazine
• Health and Safety Code 11364 – Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to ensuring community safety and
upholding the conditions of supervised release.
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the
Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-
2539.
Opponents of Measures A and B display book titles they want removed from the children’s section of the library during an event at Lake Park in Huntington Beach on May 31, 2025. Photo by Mette Lampcov for CalMatters
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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
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The simmering battle over the public library in Huntington Beach erupted again this spring when provocative signs cropped up around town overnight.
“Protect our kids from porn,” the placards warned in bold red letters. Funded by a city councilmember’s political action committee, they urged people to vote against a pair of ballot measures in an upcoming special election, including one that would abolish a controversial new community review board for library books.
As parents dropping off their children spotted the blunt message near elementary schools that April morning, outrage began to spread online over the delicate explanations it required for kids who were far too young to understand. One man declared on social media that he cut the word “porn” out of 12 signs and delivered the pieces to city hall.
“Frankly, it reads more like a tactic to provoke than a message grounded in conservative values, and that’s something I believe we should rise above,” the man said in a video posted to a popular Facebook forum.
Now, with only a week remaining before the election, proponents of the ballot measures to roll back library restrictions are hoping enough of those frustrated, weary parents in this Orange County beach community show up to carry them to victory.
As complaints about obscene material being available to young readers dragged even the once-beloved library into the fray, the increasingly marginalized liberal residents of Huntington Beach have mobilized — and floundered. Not unlike the national Democratic Party, which has grappled with how to counteract the full-throttle early months of President Donald Trump’s second term, their struggle to curb the breakneck transformation of their city’s identity have left many wondering how far the council can push its revolution.
“It’s just a war being waged on the community by people in an attempt to gain power,” said Natalie Moser, a former member of a liberal council minority who was ousted in November. She has criticized the Huntington Beach conservatives for reframing all of city politics as a partisan fight. “People are easier to manipulate when they’re divided, when they don’t see each other as people but just another side.”
Opponents of Measures A and B display book titles they want removed from the children’s section of the library during an event at Lake Park in Huntington Beach on May 31, 2025. Photo by Mette Lampcov for CalMatters
The most optimistic believe the “protect our kids from porn” signs could be a turning point, waking up apolitical voters and swaying moderates in this Republican-leaning community to reject the restrictions on library material. If the ballot measures pass next week, they hope it will send a signal that residents want the city council to refocus on the fundamentals of municipal governance — public safety, road maintenance and economic development.
“It’s just so disheartening to see our city council turn this city against itself,” said Erin Spivey, one of several Huntington Beach librarians who quit in the past two years because of city interventions that they considered repressive. “People are getting really sick and tired of the city council overstepping what they are supposed to be doing. They’re supposed to be making our community better.”
‘Let the community decide’ on kids books
Amid a surging national book banning movement, the debate arrived in Huntington Beach two summers ago, when then-new Councilmember Gracey Van Der Mark — a locally notorious activist who made it her cause célèbre to get what she deems sexual content out of the children’s section — first proposed reviewing and restricting access to certain library material.
Van Der Mark is alarmed by a contemporary wave of picture books and sex education manuals that she feels goes far beyond what is appropriate for young readers and could damage kids who accidentally encounter the material before they are ready.
“The last thing you want is a child to pick up a book and have a big picture of penises or instructions for how to masturbate,” she said in an interview.
The city council eventually adopted an ordinance establishing a 21-member community board to review library books for “textual or graphic references to sex, sexual organs, sex acts, relationships of sexual nature, or sexual relations in any form.” The board would have the authority to move the material to the adult section or prevent the library from purchasing it in the first place, though it has yet to be seated, in part because of a subsequent state law prohibiting these types of committees.
Van Der Mark compares the concept to the movie ratings system, arguing that it would empower parents by giving them more say in what their children read. She complained that librarians who reject the community input because they believe they know better are elitist.
“Librarians are human. They are human. They are not perfect, just like you and I are not perfect. Mistakes are going to be made,” she said. “Let the community decide. Let the community give their input on whether they think those books meet their community standards.”
But the opposition to library book restrictions has been fierce and sustained, frequently spilling into long, rancorous public comment sessions at city council meetings. Free speech advocacy groups have joined, including the ACLU, which filed a lawsuit earlier this year.
Critics say they fear the book review committee would allow the city council to assert more control over the library and eventually ban material that doesn’t align with its conservative views.
They are especially concerned that many of the books Van Der Mark and her allies have singled out are LGBTQ-themed. Some see warning signs in the recent cancellation of a library book club for gay novel “The Guncle” and a Facebook post by another city councilmember tying the “dramatic alarming rise” in LGBTQ identification among young people to the “explosion of LGBTQ+ literature.”
“What they’re trying to do is exert their moral standards on others — and that’s unacceptable in society,” said Gina Clayton-Tarvin, a member of a local school district board that endorsed the ballot measures. “This is almost like attacking what is American.”
Lindsay Klick, a Huntington Beach parent and a longtime librarian in Orange County, said library collections should be expansive, so that everyone can find books that interest them and decide for themselves what they want to read.
“The library is not a winner-take-all thing like an election,” she said.
She criticized the city council for manufacturing outrage over sexual content in the library by selectively highlighting small excerpts from books out of their context, as if cropping the crotch from a picture of the statue of David.
Carol Daus looks at books in the children’s section of the Huntington Beach Central Library that could be restricted for including sexual content on May 31, 2025. Photo by Mette Lampcov For CalMatters
It’s an effective strategy for politicians looking to raise their profiles as they seek higher office; Van Der Mark, who launched a bid for state Assembly last month, is the latest.
But it’s not a true reflection of how library patrons feel, Klick said, like at the small Orange County branch where she works near the Air Force base in Los Alamitos, which has the same books that the Huntington Beach city council has objected to.
“No one complains. It’s not a problem,” she said. “Why? Because we don’t have Gracey Van Der Mark.”
Ground zero in the national book battle
A special election in Huntington Beach carries high stakes for the national battle over children’s library books.
Library supporters collected thousands of signatures last fall for the pair of ballot measures; the second would limit the city’s ability to outsource library services, after the city council briefly explored privatizing the library last year. The council called a special election for June 10, rather than adopting the proposals outright or placing them on the ballot in 2026.
The outcome has become deeply important for the conservatives backing the city council as well. The two sides collectively spent more than $230,000 on the campaign by late May.
National activist Karen England, whose organization pushes to remove “pornographic books” from schools, has been speaking at city council meetings and church services in recent weeks to help raise awareness for the ‘no’ campaign. She said this is the first ballot measure that she is aware of challenging a book removal policy at a public library and she worries that, if successful, it could become a model for librarians across the country to cut parents out of deciding what their children read.
“That’s what I’m fighting against. They don’t know best,” she said. “I do feel like this is ground zero.”
The campaign has gotten extremely heated, with each side accusing the other of using emotion and misinformation to whip residents into a confused frenzy about what they’re actually voting on. Proponents of the ballot measures mock the conservative city council for injecting more government into peoples’ lives. Opponents complain that they are hamstrung in making their case to voters, because the offending library material is so obscene that they cannot even show it on social media or the news.
But the tension reached a zenith with the “protect our kids from porn” signs, which furious library supporters say unfairly portrayed it as a place run by groomers and pedophiles.
“If they feel like there is porn in the library, they should come and arrest me. Because I personally handed ‘It’s Perfectly Normal’ to patrons,” the former librarian Spivey said, referring to one of the books that Huntington Beach has moved out of the children’s section. “I wish they would, because it would show the community that what they’re doing is a lie.”
Van Der Mark, the architect of the library book review committee, said critics are simply trying to distract from the pornographic nature of the challenged books.
“You’re offended by the word (porn) but not the actual material,” she said.
First: Supporters of Measures A and B protest in Lake Park. Last: Signs that state support and opposition for ballot initiatives related to library book restrictions in Huntington Beach on May 31, 2025. Photos by Mette Lampcov For CalMatters
Yet despite the heightened significance that both sides place on the special election, neither seems ready to stand down if they lose. The ACLU lawsuit is still in court, and many Huntington Beach conservatives say they could never accept the challenged books being available in the children’s section of the library.
Casey McKeon, another city councilmember heavily involved in the library debate, said he is frustrated by how vehemently some people have pushed back against the book review board, even though the council “did this the right way” — through its policymaking process, because local parents were upset about the material.
“So we’re not supposed to fix an issue if it’s quote-unquote social or cultural?” he said.
The conservative city council members are leading Huntington Beach exactly the way that voters elected them to, McKeon said, and while the pace of the changes may upset some people, the council cannot wait to fix what it sees is wrong with the city.
“You only get four years,” he said. “You don’t know if you’re going to get re-elected. You don’t have forever.”
With hearts full of love and profound gratitude for a life well lived, we share the passing of our beloved mother, Barbara Cole, who left us peacefully on May 17, 2025, at the remarkable age of 96.
Barbara was born June 5, 1928, in Arcata to Mary Chaffey Dolf and Dewey Dolf Sr. Raised on South G Street alongside her sister Mary and brother Dewey Jr., Barbara grew up surrounded by family, laughter and the beauty of Humboldt County. The family spent many cherished days at their cabin on Lord Ellis, a place that sparked her lifelong love of summer days in the warm weather beyond the fog belt.
At Arcata High School, fate intervened when Barbara met the love of her life, Wendell Cole. The two married in 1949 and embarked on a life together that would span 71 devoted years until Wendy’s passing in 2020. The stork had a little trouble finding their address in the first years of their marriage, but when he did, he delivered first Larry and then Kimberley, who both proved worth the wait.
Barbara’s path in life was guided by compassion and a deep calling to teach. She began her studies at Humboldt State University, and when World War II created a shortage of teachers, she was granted an emergency credential after just two years of college. Thrown into the classroom at Trinidad Elementary, she might have felt over her head — but she swam rather than sank, emerging as a gifted and beloved educator. She taught for eight years while completing her teaching degree, and later, after starting their family, returned to Humboldt to earn a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
Her career flourished as a speech therapist in the Arcata Elementary School District, where she worked until her retirement in 1989. Barbara had an exceptional talent for helping children find their voices — literally and figuratively. Her impact on the lives of countless children was profound, and she was often greeted by former students who fondly remembered her guidance.
Barbara and Wendy embraced a vibrant retirement. Whether skiing powdery slopes across the western U.S. and Canada, enjoying rounds of golf together and on group golf trips, or setting sail on cruises to Alaska and beyond — they shared a deep love of adventure, travel and of each other. Barb was an enthusiastic photographer who documented every trip and family occasion, often ordering double prints when she turned her film in to be developed. As a result, thousands of photos have become touchstones, albeit overwhelming in volume, to remember a life lived with zest. The family photo albums are cherished, knowing they were compiled with love.
Barbara had a particularly close bond with her sister and neighbor, Mary. The two were often mistaken for twins, and after Barbara stopped driving, Mary became her steadfast chauffeur and partner-in-crime. Their sisterhood was a beautiful example of lifelong friendship lasting until Mary’s passing in October 2024 at the age of 98. The Dolf Girls had a good run, for sure.
Above all, family was the cornerstone of Barbara’s life. Her greatest joy was spending time with them and making each feel like her top priority. Many examples of her love exist, including ironing dollar bills to send with her daughter, whose class reunion was held at a local casino, “It makes them easier to slide into the slot machine,” she explained. Every year for Larry’s birthday, she offered to take him to dinner any place he wanted to go and he always chose to go to her house for her famous pork chops and gravy. Even when she was in her 90’s and had lost her sense of taste, she could still make a perfect batch.
She is survived by her son, Larry Cole; daughter, Kim Fahy; granddaughter, Katie Campbell (David); grandson, Taylor Cole (Kenzie); and great-grandchildren Hunter, Spencer, Kamryn, and Devin.
Our heartfelt thanks go to the kind staff at Timber Ridge in McKinleyville, where Barbara spent the final year and a half of her life. She was treated with warmth and dignity and made many dear friends during her time there.
Barbara was the last living member of her generation in our family—a gentle, guiding light whose absence will be felt deeply. Yet we take comfort in knowing she has reunited with Wendell and many loved ones who have gone before her.
A celebration of Barbara’s life will be held at a later date.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Barbara Cole’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
James Thomas Mayo, known as Tommy, passed away on May 31, 2025 at the age of 73, from surgical complications.
Born in Arkansas and raised in Trinidad, with his two brothers, Dan and Duane, and sister, Donna. He lived in Trinidad his whole life except for the last 12 years, when he lived in a mentor home with caregiver, Ed.
He was a happy, fun person who always had a smile. He was loved by all that knew him. His favorite things to do were watching ducks at the Arcata Marsh and viewing the wild elk in Prairie Creek.
The family would like to give thanks to the persons and agencies who helped him have an amazing life — North Coast Regional Center, Mad River Adult Day Care, The Mentor Program of Eureka. A special thanks to his supportive caregivers, Wilda, Debbie, Bree, Celina, Rachel and Melissa. And a very special thank you to Ed, whom Tom lived with the last 12 years. Thank you to Hospice of Eureka for your kind outstanding loving services. They were deeply appreciated.
His friends were persons connected to the agencies mentioned. He had many. They all will know him, along with persons from Trinidad and Westhaven. He will greatly be missed.
We all love you, Tom!
A private family interment will happen at a later date.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Tommy Mayo’sloved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Press release from the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office:
Today, Judge Kelly Neel sentenced Manuel Garcia Avalos, 45, of Fortuna, to 30 years in prison after he pled guilty to multiple felony sex offenses committed against three young girls.
In 2015, two of the girls disclosed the abuse to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. At that time, charges were not filed due to insufficient evidence. A significant challenge in the initial investigation was an adult family member who provided Garcia Avalos with an alibi.
In 2021, the case was reopened after a third victim — only 12 years old — was found to be communicating with Garcia Avalos via Facebook messages. The messages, discovered by her guardian, revealed the young girl was bravely attempting to document the abuse to ensure that she would be believed. Her efforts were instrumental in bringing the case forward.
Following this discovery, Garcia Avalos was arrested. Humboldt County District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill interviewed Garcia Avalos and confronted him with the message evidence. Garcia Avalos admitted to sending the messages but denied they were sexual in nature.
During the course of the legal proceedings, the third victim passed away. The loss of her young life has profoundly impacted her family, the community, and everyone involved in seeking justice in this case.
Despite this tragedy, the two older victims showed extraordinary strength by testifying against Garcia Avalos. Their courage was critical in holding Garcia Avalos accountable.
“This case underscores the devastating and long-lasting effects of child sexual abuse — not only on the individual victims, but on their families and our entire community,” said District Attorney Stacey Eads. “We are deeply grateful to the victims for their bravery and resolve in helping bring this offender to justice.”
The Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office extends its heartfelt condolences to the family of the third victim and commends the strength and resilience of all three young girls.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill and Victim Witness Advocate Keosha Chambers.
