OBITUARY: Mildred June (VanNorstran) Goad, 1935-2024

LoCO Staff / Tuesday, July 9, 2024 @ 7:04 a.m. / Obits

Mildred June (VanNorstran) Goad passed away peacefully in Eureka California on March 21, 2024

She was born on July 15, 1935, in Harriman Tennessee to Charity Estella (Israel) VanNorstran and Fred VanNorstran.

June grew up in Mossy Grove Tennessee with her parents and six siblings, Ira, Johnny, Dora, Lola, Jane and Lois.

On September 5, 1950 she married Berry Goad. They were able to celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary in 2020 shortly before Berry passed away.

In 1965 June, her husband Berry, and their five children moved cross country from Tennessee to Blue Lake, where she lived until her passing.

June had several careers throughout her life, but the job she enjoyed most was working for Harper’s Bazaar. She was a very fashionable woman and loved being the first to unpack and see the latest style in clothing.

In 1979 her husband Berry became the ranch foreman for Vic Guynup. She embraced her role as a rancher’s wife, and her delicious southern home cooking fed many ranch hands, family, church members and even a few orphaned puppies until they retired in 2001.

Throughout her life June always turned to God. She found comfort, joy and healing in worship and the church community. She secretly delighted in being able to play the piano for its members at several local congregations. She cherished the gift that her father had taught her and passed it along to a few of her family members.

Many friends and family have fond memories of June. Or Mamaw as she was known to her grandkids. From making biscuits and gravy to picking blackberries or raspberries for freezer jam. Her love of fast, fancy cars and the wonderful, crocheted blankets she gifted that always felt like one of her warm hugs. Family gatherings at her home were always memorable and filled with food, fun and laughter but most importantly, love.

June is survived by her children, Deborah (Ed) Rasmussen, Veronica (Zak) Peltier, Rick (Rita) Goad. Her grandchildren, Bridget (Nathan) Steeves, Justin Goad, Jessica Swanlund, Josh (Lucy) Rasmussen, Chad (Megan) Swanlund, Charity (Shay) Hetz, Laquessa Goad and Chanda Goad. She has 12 great grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.

June was preceded in death by her mother Estella VanNorstran, her father Fred VanNorstran, siblings Ira VanNorstran, Johnny VanNorstran, Dora Adams, Lola Vincent, Jane Davis and Lois Solock, her husband Berry Goad, and her sons, Fredrick Goad and Michael Goad.

A celebration of life for both June and Berry will be held at a later date.

The family asks in lieu of flowers, to please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in memory of June.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mildred Goad’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.


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McKinleyville Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Killing Former Girlfriend, District Attorney Says

LoCO Staff / Monday, July 8, 2024 @ 5:12 p.m. / Crime

PREVIOUSLY:

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Press release from the District Attorney:

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.



DUI Suspect in Fatal Eureka Collision Admitted to Using Nitrous Before Driving, Says EPD

LoCO Staff / Monday, July 8, 2024 @ 4:48 p.m. / Crime

File photos: Andrew Goff

PREVIOUSLY:

Eureka Police Department press release: 

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.




And Arcata City Councilmember Sarah Schaefer: She, Too, Has Launched Her Reelection Campaign

LoCO Staff / Monday, July 8, 2024 @ 3:33 p.m. / Politics

Press release from Sarah Schaefer:

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.”



The Shelly Fire Has Burned 3,380 Acres in Siskiyou County

Jacquelyn Opalach / Monday, July 8, 2024 @ 1:35 p.m. / Fire

Map from Inciweb.


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.

Map from Inciweb.

Photo via Inciweb.




Arcata City Councilmember Stacy Atkins-Salazar Launches Reelection Campaign

LoCO Staff / Monday, July 8, 2024 @ 12:03 p.m. / Politics

Press release from Stacy Atkins-Salazar:

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.



New Website From EPIC, CoreHub Set Up to Answer Your Questions About the Offshore Wind Project

LoCO Staff / Monday, July 8, 2024 @ 10:37 a.m. / Economy

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.