Today, Judge Steven Steward sentenced Daniel Forrest Rena-Dozier to serve 10 years and 8 months in prison for the April 8, 2023, killing of Mia Simone Felder. Ms. Felder and Mr. Dozier had been romantically involved prior to the killing which occurred at the McKinleyville residence of Mr. Dozier.
Mr. Dozier was convicted by a jury on June 6, of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, possession of silencer and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed. Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Steward heard from many family members regarding their tragic loss and the everlasting impact of Dozier’s crimes.
The Eureka Police Department is still actively investigating the May 22, 2024 fatal pedestrian collision
that occurred on the 900 block of I Street in Eureka. However, at this point in the investigation and
supported by the evidence collected during the investigation, a Ramey Warrant was issued for Maria
Cuevas, 30 years old from Eureka, for violations of Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence and
Hit and Run Causing Death or Injury. Additional charges of felony DUI causing bodily injury were
submitted to the District Attorney’s office for review as Cuevas admitted to using Nitrous Oxide just prior
to the collision.
Cuevas is currently in custody at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the above noted charges
and is being held on $65,000 bond and a probation hold.
Sarah Schaefer has been serving
on the City Council since 2020 and is excited to announce the launch
of her reelection campaign. “I am honored to serve my community
that I was born and raised in, and I want to continue the work I am
doing for the next generation of Arcata.”
Sarah is a history teacher and
school administrator who has always had a deep sense of purpose
related to public service and a strong connection to her community
here in Arcata. During her tenure on Council she has served as Mayor
and Vice-Mayor as well as serving as chair of the Redwood Coast
Energy Authority board and Co-Chair of the Equity Arcata board. Sarah
is not only an active councilmember with strong working relationships
with city staff and community partners but is engaged in regional
work for Humboldt County through participation in local boards.
Through numerous study sessions and special meetings on the Gateway
Area and General Plan, Sarah has proven her ability as Mayor to lead
and facilitate discussion in a meaningful and productive way.
Sarah has strongly supported
policies to generate housing and protect tenants in Arcata. This
includes championing infill to protect our natural areas and
agricultural lands and supporting the City’s rental assistance and
rental inspection programs. Sarah brings the perspective as a renter
to the City Council and wants to continue to work on issues that are
important to renters in Arcata.
She is also an advocate for
active transportation in Arcata, helping adopt the City’s complete
streets policy and enhance the City’s bike lanes and trail network.
Sarah knows that sustainable transportation options will help Arcata
battle climate change and improve the livability of our community.
Sarah is endorsed early on by
other local elected officials including Humboldt County Supervisors
Mike Wilson and Natalie Arroyo. When asked about working with
Schaefer, Arroyo said, “It’s a pleasure to work with Sarah on
regional issues of significance. She is deft and conscientious when
navigating big challenges, and leads with great skill. I trust her to
keep doing an awesome job for Arcata and the redwood coast!”
Schaefer also has endorsements
from Redwood
Coalition for Climate & Environmental Responsibility (RCCER),
Colin Fiske of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation
Priorities (CRTP), and Tom Wheeler and Matt Simmons of the
Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) showing her
commitment to sustainability and environmental efforts. Colin Fiske
of CRTP state that “Sarah is a thoughtful and effective leader with
a strong record of putting Arcata’s social and environmental values
into action.”
According
to Sarah, “I am launching my reelection because I want to continue
to serve Arcata and work to bring more varied and affordable housing
options, economic development opportunities, and sustainable
transportation to the Arcata Community.”
You may see smoke to the north from the quickly-spreading Shelly Fire in Siskiyou County, which has burned 3,380 acres and was zero percent contained as of a U.S. Forest Service update this morning.
The fire is burning in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, near Shelly Lake and over the Pacific Crest Trail. Several areas have been evacuated as the fire spreads toward communities to the east.
John Chester, Operations Section Chief for Calif. Interagency Management Team 12, said in an update this morning that accessing the area over rugged terrain is a difficult task for responders as extreme weather conditions continue to drive the fire.
The “primary number one focus is on the east side of the Pacific Crest Trail, and ensuring that we are doing diligence to get that piece secured up and locked down so that we can protect the communities threatened currently,” Chester said.
The fire started on July 3, and the cause is under investigation. The U.S. Forest Service - Klamath National Forest Facebook page is posting regular updates.
Arcata
City Councilwoman Stacy Atkins-Salazar is announcing her candidacy
for re-election to the Arcata City Council. Atkins-Salazar was
elected to a four-year term in 2020. During her term, she has served
as both Vice-Mayor and Mayor, and as the council liaison to the
Homeless and Housing Working Group, Cal Poly Humboldt and for the
COVID-19 Economic Recovery Collaborative.
Additionally,
Atkins-Salazar represents Arcata on the Humboldt County Association
of Government (HCAOG) and has served on its Executive Committee since
2021. She has also served as
Humboldt County’s representative on the California County Association
of Governments (CALCOG) since 2022. Stacy has represented Arcata at
the League of California Cities, Redwood Empire Division since 2022,
and currently serves as Second Vice-President.
“Arcata
is a beautiful and unique community filled with diverse people who
share one very important value; we love our town! With its multitude
of parks and natural resources, unique local businesses, a
growing
university
and small-town character, there is so much to appreciate,” says
Atkins-Salazar.
Atkins-Salazar
was born and raised in Humboldt County. She graduated from Humboldt
State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) with a
master’s
degree in psychology. After teaching at College of the Redwoods for
several years, she opened a small business in Arcata,
which continues
to thrive after 24 years. Stacy and her husband, Andy, raised their
family in Arcata. In 2020, Stacy ran for city council “to
help our community find common ground so that we could navigate the
challenges of that difficult time together.”
After
serving on council for a while and listening to what the key issues
and concerns were, Atkins-Salazar focused her efforts on building
affordable housing, growing Arcata’s parks, trails and open spaces,
and
maintaining
and improving the city’s infrastructure and financial stability.
Stacy also worked to solve some long-standing issues in the
community.
Atkins-Salazar
proposed starting a Community Ambassadors Program to address on-going
concerns from community members and small business owners in and
around the Plaza. She won support from fellow council members and
helped design the program which has made a positive impact on the
Plaza and downtown area by helping visitors, unhoused people and
business
owners with a variety of needs while keeping our public spaces clean.
Atkins-Salazar would now like to see the program expand to other
areas of Arcata, such as Valley West.
Using
American Rescue Plan Act funds, in 2022 the city council initiated
a Safe Parking Pilot Program and awarded a contract for operations to
the Arcata House Partnership. This extremely successful program
served families and individuals who were living in their vehicles by
giving them a safe place to park while working on their housing
goals. Residents had access to charging stations, bathrooms and
meals. People participating in the program had access to case
management services, assistance with application for benefits and
connection/referral to other community resources. Atkins-Salazar
supports finding new funding sources to continue this effective
program.
Looking
towards the next four years, Atkins-Salazar said, “I will continue
to consider the struggling climate and our planet in every single
decision I make and vote I take.” Stacy will also continue to
support policies and programs that will create more affordable
housing, protect and grow the city’s parks, trails, open spaces and
working agricultural lands and ensure a robust infrastructure during
her next term.
“When
Stacy first ran for city council, my husband, Glenn, and I asked many
questions. Stacy listened respectfully and responded with honesty and
sincere conviction. Since 2020, I’ve seen Stacy’s love for
Arcata and her desire to serve ALL our community members shine
through, as she passionately addresses our community’s economic,
environmental, social needs and more! Beyond her countless hours
fulfilling council member duties, I often see Stacy fully engaged,
listening and supporting our community at CPH and AHS events,
community cleanups, festivals, meetings, memorials, vigils, rallies
and runs. Stacy’s compassion and dedication to our community serves
us well,” said Romi
Hitchcock-Tinseth, Faculty, Cal Poly Humboldt, Communication
Department.
Third
District Humboldt County Supervisor Mike Wilson said, “I’ve had
the privilege of working with Stacy on numerous city, county and
regional initiatives. Whether addressing affordable housing, climate
action or safe streets, Stacy is a dedicated and diligent council
member who thoroughly researches and considers diverse perspectives.
As a mother, teacher and business owner she demonstrates a profound
commitment to fostering a flourishing and welcoming Arcata.”
“Stacy
Atkins-Salazar is a rare, extraordinarily skilled leader who fully
embodies integrity. Her agenda is all about transparent public
service at the highest level. Stacy is a “git-r-done right”
person with extraordinary communication skills; she compassionately
listens while sharing realities, practical matters and possible
solutions regarding any challenge. She builds quality relationships
with people in our city, county and state
to
serve
the people of Arcata at the highest capacity. Stacy Atkins-Salazar is
a breath of fresh air,” said
Jayce
Walker, owner,
Eco-Groovy Deals in Arcata.
Former
State Senator, and current coordinator of Equity Arcata Home Away
from Home, Wesley
Chesbro
said, “Stacy
has shown a commitment to continuing and building on what’s great
about Arcata, while working to meet the challenges of climate change,
affordable housing and sustainable growth.”
“Serving
on the Arcata City Council has given me even
more
appreciation
for
our community. The diversity of views in Arcata contributes greatly
to our strength and I will continue to find common ground in the
issues that challenge us,” said Atkins-Salazar. “I
am extremely proud of
all
we
have accomplished,
and
I am enthusiastic to continue working with our community for
thoughtful, equitable and climate friendly policies to keep Arcata
unique, strong and thriving. I would appreciate your vote on November
5th.”
To
learn more about Stacy, please
visit ‘Stacy Atkins-Salazar: Arcata City Council’ Facebook page
or StacyAtkinsSalazar on Instagram. For questions, to volunteer or
set up a meeting email: stacyatkinssalazar@gmail.com.
Image of offshore wind turbines being assembled in New Bedford, Massachusetts Credit: Tom Wheeler.
Press release from the Environmental Protection Information Center:
Have a question about offshore wind? A new website can help answer your questions with links to primary sources. The website, created with contributions from the Environmental Protection Information Center, Humboldt Waterkeeper, and the Redwood Region Climate and Community Resilience Hub, answers many frequently asked questions about offshore wind and provides an opportunity for you to submit your own questions to be answered.
Researchers at Brown University’s Climate and Development Lab have tracked how the fossil fuel industry and dark money groups have funded the development of organizations hostile to offshore wind and the dissemination of disinformation about offshore wind. Because of this, members of our community may be unknowingly consuming and sharing disinformation designed to harm the offshore wind industry and benefit the fossil fuel industry.
“Offshore wind is an important topic for our community. In working to decide whether this is right for Humboldt County, it is important that we are equipped to have a fact-based conversation,” said Matt Simmons, Climate Attorney at the Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC).
The purpose of the website is to provide a centralized place to learn more about the details of the proposed offshore wind projects, along with potential benefits, costs, and risks associated with the projects. The website is available at northcoastoffshorewind.org and will be updated regularly as we learn more information about the proposed projects.
Death Valley. Photo by RDNE Stock project via Pexels.
A blistering California heat wave over the past week and through the Fourth of July holiday could be topped off by the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth. That kind of extreme heat has led to more deaths than wildfires and cost billions of dollars over a decade, according to the state insurance department.
Following through on a mandate from 2022, a new report from the department looked at seven extreme heat events in the state from 2013 to 2022 and found they took the lives of several hundred Californians.
The events also had a total economic impact of $7.7 billion in the form of lost wages and productivity, agricultural and manufacturing disruptions, power outages, infrastructure damage and more.
The state’s top 20 deadliest wildfires, dating back to 1933, killed a total of 312 people, according to Cal Fire. The death toll from the extreme heat events identified by the Insurance Department was higher — estimated at nearly 460 in a first-of-its-kind report the department released last week. And it is likely that the toll was actually greater, at nearly 4,000 in a decade, a 2019 Los Angeles Times analysis showed.
Michael Mendez, an assistant professor of environmental planning and policy at UC Irvine and author of “Climate Change from the Streets,” agreed that the toll is most likely higher, because extreme heat’s effects can be hard to designate and quantify.
“It’s really important to understand that heat is a silent killer,” Mendez said. Yet extreme heat “requires the same amount of speed in action that large disasters get, such as wildfires,” he added.
One of the main goals of the report is to provide data that can help inform and lead to action by policymakers, governments, businesses and the insurance industry.
There is little to no insurance coverage available for some effects and costs of extreme heat, such as lost wages for workers, power outages for residents and businesses, and damage to railways, according to the report.
The 92-page report, which assesses the insured and uninsured costs of heat and recommends quick action and changes, was mandated by a bill Lara sponsored that was signed into law in 2022, whose main goal was to establish an extreme heat ranking system. That system, CalHeatScore, is being developed now by the state Environmental Protection Agency with help from other state agencies, and is set to roll out next year.
The effects of extreme heat are disproportionately borne by low-income communities, older adults and outdoor workers, the report also found. Black, Native American and Hispanic Californians had the highest rates of deaths, respectively, compared with Asian and white California residents, during the events examined by the report. That’s why the report’s authors — the Insurance Department, with input from the state’s Climate Insurance Working Group, and a consultant it hired to produce the report — call for equity when thinking about extreme heat policies and programs by considering the needs of vulnerable populations, including elderly people living alone, and outdoor and indoor workers.
Besides the hundreds of deaths, the report showed that extreme heat resulted in more than 5,000 hospitalizations, almost 10,600 emergency department visits, more than 138,000 outpatient visits and nearly 344 adverse birth outcomes.
Kathy Baughman McLeod is chief executive of Climate Resilience for All, a global non-governmental organization dedicated to addressing extreme heat for vulnerable communities. She is part of the working group, and said the data from this new report could be used to help with the “normalization of insurance products related to heat.”
“We could use this data to create forecast-based insurance products that pay out when the forecast for the heat wave comes,” she said.
Baughman McLeod would know — she has worked with insurers on creating new insurance products, such as insurance that helps replace women’s income in India when they’re unable to work on extremely hot days because the products they sell might spoil or their work hours are reduced. She also helped create insurance for coral reefs in Mexico.
Meanwhile, the effects of extreme heat on health and life insurance are not known yet. Adrita Bhattacharya-Craven, director of health and demography at global insurance think tank The Geneva Association, said the Insurance Department’s findings align with some of her organization’s findings on health, climate and insurance, especially the disproportionate effects on the elderly and vulnerable populations. She said there is hardly any climate-sensitive data on mortality or morbidity when processing insurance claims, except for deaths from wildfires or possibly extreme heat.
“For example, a medical professional is likely to report a stroke as just a stroke, without specifying that it was induced by prolonged heat exposure,” Bhattacharya-Craven said. “There are no tools to consistently capture such information right now… In the long run, we need to map vulnerability with more granularity.”
Other main recommendations in the report:
Expand investment in planning for disasters, as well as use existing state and federal funding to prioritize efforts such as strengthening infrastructure against extreme weather, and restoring access to trees and green spaces.
Encourage strategies to try to reduce heat-related illnesses and injuries for workers across sectors. That includes incentivizing businesses to “meet benchmarks above the minimum indoor and outdoor temperature standards” set by governments.
Improve tracking costs of planning for extreme heat events.
The report also recommends the planting of more trees, which could help provide shade, help health outcomes, reduce energy needs and more. It also calls for cooling systems for dairy cows — important because California is the largest dairy producer in the nation.
Extreme heat “requires the same amount of speed in action that large disasters get, such as wildfires.” — Michael Mendez, assistant professor, UC Irvine
A few of the recommendations are already happening in some fashion. The state’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board recently approved a rule requiring employers to reduce the risk of extreme heat for warehouse, restaurant and other workers. After a long delay, it’s set to take effect in August. Also last week, the federal OSHA proposed a rule, years in the making, that tells employers how they should protect indoor and outdoor workers from heat when temperatures reach two thresholds: 80 degrees and 90 degrees.
Municipalities such as Los Angeles have programs that help certain residents afford air conditioners, or that break up their utility bills so they’re more manageable, so residents don’t avoid using their air conditioners when needed. Cooling and resilience centers in different parts of the state help people who need relief from the heat.
But Gov. Gavin Newsom last weeksigned a budget that slashed $107.8 million in funding for programs and projects that address extreme heat, and shifted $55.7 million across different programs. The cuts affect funding and other help for tribal, local and regional entities to establish heat action plans, provide shade, expand green spaces, educate the public about heat and more.
Some of that funding could be restored through a bond measure proposed by lawmakers for the November ballot that would include raising hundreds of millions of dollars for extreme heat programs.
As extreme heat events become more common, Baughman McLeod said the report’s findings are just a first step. She said the systems around addressing extreme heat aren’t adequate, but that the findings from the report should lead policymakers and others to act with urgency.
“We can’t do this quickly enough,” she said, adding that “the world is watching what California does.”
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