PREVIOUSLY:

• Arcata Man Arrested on Suspicion of Sexually Assaulting Two Children, Sheriff’s Office Says

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Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:

Today, Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John T. Feeney sentenced Lucas Russell, 23, of Arcata, to 50 years in state prison for sexually abusing three children under the age of 10.

The sentence follows Russell’s guilty plea in March to four felony charges, including forcible rape of a child under 14, continuous sexual abuse of a child, and lewd and lascivious acts upon a child.

In 2023, a 9-year-old victim (Jane Doe 2) disclosed to her mother that she had been sexually assaulted by Russell, a family acquaintance who occasionally served as a caregiver for another child (Jane Doe 1). A subsequent investigation by the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office revealed that Russell had blindfolded and sexually assaulted both girls in a chicken coop on a rural property in Blue Lake. The investigation also uncovered that Jane Doe 1 had been subjected to ongoing abuse over a period of time.

A third victim, unrelated to Doe 1 and 2, later came forward and reported being sexually abused by Russell—her step-uncle—when she was 8 years old and also living in Blue Lake.

During the investigation, it was known that Russell has a documented learning disability. His recorded confession included admissions of sexual assault involving both Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 2. Investigators carefully conducted the interview to avoid any suggestive or coercive tactics, ensuring that the process was fair and thorough.

Before entering his guilty plea, Russell was evaluated by a defense-retained expert, Dr. Kevin Kelly, a licensed psychologist. His attorney, Andrea Sullivan, also consulted an expert on false confessions in preparation for trial. After reviewing the results of these evaluations, Russell chose to admit guilt and enter into a plea agreement, thereby avoiding a trial and the likely imposition of a life sentence.

“This was a deeply disturbing case involving calculated and repeated abuse of vulnerable children,” said District Attorney Stacey Eads. “We are grateful to the brave survivors and their families, and to the law enforcement and advocacy teams who helped bring this predator to justice.”

The case was prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Whitney Timm, with assistance from District Attorney Investigator Ryan Hill, Victim Witness Advocate Keosha Chamber, and advocates from the North Coast Rape Crisis Team.

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Nation’s Finest Veterans Services has a little something extra to celebrate this Memorial Day – a brand new mural honoring local veterans. 

The star-spangled vision, dreamed up by Ben “The Mural Man” Goulart, features spray-painted, cubist renditions of servicemen — and even a military working dog — from each branch of the U.S. military, set against a billowing American Flag. The new mural is tucked just inside the entrance to the Eureka branch of Nation’s Finest, a nonprofit service organization that offers support to veterans experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

“We wanted to create something to honor our veterans … and I know the military folks really appreciate having some representation,” Goulart told the Outpost as local artists Chris Dmise and Scott Robertson carefully filled in details of the mural. “The veterans absolutely love it. Unfortunately, they don’t always get treated with the respect they deserve, so we’re hoping to brighten this up [for them].”

The project came about three months ago after Chris Nelson, the assistant site director at Nation’s Finest, asked Goulart if he’d be interested in creating a mural to celebrate local veterans. Goulart, who comes from a “semi-military family,” jumped at the opportunity and secured grant funding to bring the mural to life. 

“We didn’t plan on the big reveal to be Memorial Day,” he said. “But once it got closer to that time, we pushed the time frame to get done before Memorial Day so we could  kind of give [the veterans] a little present as well.”

When the mural is finished, the black stars will be partially covered by white stars to create a floating effect. “We’re kind of pushing the boundaries and having the actual stars slowly dispersing outward, kind of representing how the military are superstars out there, you know?” Goulart explained. “I think it’s important to have something that relates to people, not just color to uplift and to brighten, but to have a point and story behind it. We’ve worked with the veterans to get the colors and the correct order of establishment right, while still keeping a bright flavor.”

The Eureka branch of Nation’s Finest, one block east of the North Coast Co-op on Fourth Street, hosts a 29-bed transitional housing facility where veterans “of all eras” can access counseling, legal assistance, health care, mental and behavioral health services, case management and employment services. 

“We also provide rapid rehousing and homeless prevention services, including temporary financial assistance through a program called Supportive Services for Veterans and Their Families,” Nelson said. “We help folks in our programs and those in need get into housing through security deposits, rental assistance … and we can also help people pay back rent and help with utility bills. Anything that might deem them at risk of homelessness.”

The organization’s big goal for 2025 was to improve its downtown facilities and conditions for veterans. The new mural fits right into that plan.

“When we walk around our facility, we have art on the walls and whatnot, but we wanted to make something that stood out to people coming in for our services,” Nelson said. “Having something at the walkway to honor veterans and to provide some sort of comfort and color really creates a more welcoming environment. I’ve seen [Goulart’s] art everywhere, and working with him has been a delight. He really took our veterans’ input seriously, and now we have a piece of art we’re proud of.”

Painting is expected to wrap up in the next day or so, just in time for Memorial Day. 

Keep scrolling for more in-progress shots of the mural at Nation’s Finest. And, if you’re the mural-loving type, you’ll want to keep an eye on the new mural going up at the up-and-coming ramen bar slated for the old Cafe Nooner location in Old Town. 

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Ten Years In, Redwood Coast PACE is Providing Humboldt Seniors ‘The Model of Care That Everyone Should Have’

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Press release from Redwood Coast PACE:

Redwood Coast PACE (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly), a program of the Humboldt Resource Center, has opened its new location in Arcata at 3798 Janes Road, on the Mad River Community Hospital campus.

The Arcata center – along with the PACE centers in Eureka and Fortuna – offers a full range of medical, social, and supportive services designed to meet the unique needs of local seniors who have complex medical needs and their families. Services include primary medical care, nursing, social work, rehabilitation therapies, transportation, nutritional support, and social activities – all coordinated by an experienced team dedicated to person-centered care.

The program’s expansion reflects Redwood Coast PACE’s continued commitment to supporting older adults in Humboldt County with high-quality, comprehensive care that helps them live safely and independently in their own homes.

“We are thrilled to open our doors in Arcata and expand access to this vital program,” said Barbara LaHaie, director of Redwood Coast PACE. “The PACE model of care empowers older adults to continue living in the communities they love while receiving the care they need. This new location allows us to better serve participants in northern Humboldt County. We warmly invite community groups, organizations, and individuals to join us and the Arcata Chamber for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, June 6th at 1:00 p.m. at our new location.”

The PACE care model is nationally recognized for helping seniors age in place while reducing hospitalizations and long-term care admissions. Eligible individuals must be 55 or older, live within the program’s service area, and meet nursing home level of care requirements, but prefer to live at home.

Enrollment is now open at the new Arcata location. Those interested in learning more about Redwood Coast PACE services, eligibility, or touring the new center can call (707) 443-9747 or visit www.humsenior.org.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Drug Task Force Seizes Over Three Pounds of Fentanyl After Tracking Eureka Man From Oakland, Agency Says

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Press release from the District Attorney’s Office:

Today, Albert Livingston Boone, 67, was sentenced by Judge Kaleb V. Cockrum to serve a stipulated 16 years in state prison for multiple drug trafficking offenses. Boone, originally from the Bay Area, has resided in Humboldt County for approximately the past ten years.

Most drug traffickers are precluded under California law from serving their sentences in state prison and serve their “prison” sentences at the local jail. However, because Boone is a sex offender registrant, the law requires him to serve his prison sentence at a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison facility and not the local jail.

Boone’s conviction stems from an April 2024 investigation by the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, which revealed he was transporting nearly three pounds of fentanyl from Oakland to Humboldt County. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), that amount of fentanyl contains enough lethal doses to potentially kill more than 60,000 people. The amount seized carries a street value between $61,000 and $129,000 and.

Boone was sentenced not only for the April 2024 incident, but also for three additional offenses involving possession for sale of fentanyl and cocaine, committed while he was out on bail.

The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris. Boone was represented by local defense attorney Emery Welton.

District Attorney Stacey Eads commended the Eureka Police Department and the Humboldt County Drug Task Force for their diligent efforts. “Their thorough investigations have played a vital role in intercepting dangerous drugs and protecting our community,” said Eads. “Stopping the flow of fentanyl into Humboldt County saves lives.”

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PREVIOUSLY

• Federal Antisemitism Complaint Filed Against Cal Poly Humboldt

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Cal Poly Humboldt Interim President Michael Spagna issued the following message today:

Dear Lumberjack Community,

Cal Poly Humboldt will always be a university where we support the rights of students and faculty to speak their minds freely. And in no uncertain terms: we have zero tolerance for antisemitism, discrimination, harassment, or any actions and speech that infringe on the rights, dignities, or safety of others.

As part of our ongoing commitment to these values, we want to provide an update on a recent development. In March, we shared that the Brandeis Center had filed a federal civil rights complaint against Cal Poly Humboldt and other universities. The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has now formally opened an investigation into the complaint.

We are working closely with The California State University to respond to OCR’s investigation and ensure we are compliant with all federal requirements. At this stage, we are not able to share any additional information, but we remain committed to addressing the process thoughtfully and responsibly. We also recognize that this may be an especially difficult and painful time for our Jewish students, faculty, and staff, and we are committed to doing everything in our power to ensure our entire campus community can feel safe.

Moving forward, we reaffirm our dedication to fostering an inclusive, respectful environment where every member of our community can learn, grow, and thrive.

Anyone who witnesses antisemitism, discrimination, harassment or any actions and speech that infringe on the rights, dignities or safety of others is encouraged to report it to the Title IX and Discrimination, Harassment & Retaliation Prevention office at humboldt.edu/reporting, or to contact the University Police Department at (707) 826-5555. Students may also reach out to the Dean of Students office at dos@humboldt.edu or (707) 826-3504 with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Spagna, Ph.D.
Interim President

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On May 22, 2025, at approximately 11:30 p.m., deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) Patrol Division responded to a report of suspicious circumstances at the Bear River Casino in Loleta, California.

Upon arrival, deputies coordinated with casino security personnel, who had detained Kevin John Murphy, age 50. An investigation revealed that Murphy allegedly exposed himself in a public area at the Pump and Play fuel station. Further inquiry confirmed that Murphy is a registered sex offender under California Penal Code 290, with a prior conviction for indecent exposure.

Murphy was arrested for violating the terms of his probation and for a new charge of indecent exposure. During a search incident to his arrest, deputies discovered a small quantity of suspected methamphetamine in his possession. Murphy was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• PC 314.1 – Indecent Exposure with Prior Offense
• PC 1203.2 – Probation Violation
• H&S 11377(a) – Possession of a Controlled Substance

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. Receive HCSO news

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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.

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Since 2022, California has been offering free lunches to all students in elementary through high school. But once they reach college, more than two-thirds of students experience food insecurity.

The federally funded CalFresh program feeds some college students, but the complicated application process and eligibility rules prevent many from accessing funds. More than 70% of eligible students don’t receive CalFresh, according to a 2024 California Policy Lab report.

To improve CalFresh outreach and enrollment, California started setting aside annual funds in 2021 for public colleges and universities to establish and operate basic needs centers with food pantries, where students obtain free food staples. The California State University and University of California systems each receive $15 million and California Community Colleges receives $30 million annually. As of 2023, every public higher education campus in the state has a basic needs center and food pantry.

However, for many campuses, these solutions still aren’t enough. To fill the gaps, some have created their own innovative solutions. From free meals to food lockers, staff and students at five campuses around California offer creative alternatives.

Humboldt students level up their food pantry

At Cal Poly Humboldt, through the full-service food program “Oh SNAP!,” students stock the shelves, fill pantry orders and offer CalFresh application support. They also greet their peers as they enter, offering them tea or coffee.

To reduce food waste, students negotiated in 2016 with the campus dining services department to collect unused food to offer at the pantry at no cost to students. The department notifies the basic needs center when leftovers are available; students bring their own containers to package up what they need.

Oh SNAP! has hired a local organic farmer to provide produce and give classes on cooking and gardening. The program also offers pop-up thrift stores where students can fill a bag with clothes and housewares for $5; proceeds go back into the program.

Oh SNAP! “provides peace of mind,” said Anna Martinez, a student studying political science, law and policy at Cal Poly Humboldt. “I don’t have to really worry too heavy on whether or not I can afford food, because if I can’t, there’s always Oh SNAP! I can go to.”

As the social justice, equity and inclusion officer for Cal Poly’s student government, Martinez successfully advocated for the student board to increase funding for cultural foods. She values the sense of community Oh SNAP! provides.

“They’re very welcoming when it comes to different needs,” she said.

The program, vital for the 6,000 students at Cal Poly Humboldt, clocked 30,000 visits to Oh SNAP! last year, according to Mira Friedman, health education and clinic support services lead.

Compton College serves free meals to all

Sara Goldrick-Rab, a Philadelphia sociologist and advocate for college student basic needs, thinks a free meal every day is “exactly what is needed” on college campuses. She conducted a study giving students free, daily meals for three semesters at Bunker Hill Community College in Boston.

“It allowed students to eat in a regular way in the school cafeteria, just like they would in the National School Lunch Program. And lo-and-behold, it increased graduation rates,” Goldrick-Rab said.

Compton College President Keith Curry read about the Bunker Hill pilot program and decided to implement a similar program at Compton. Now, every Compton student — and employee — receives a daily meal. Students also get $20 each week to spend at the campus farmer’s market. Students enrolled in CalFresh receive $50 each week for the farmer’s market and can use their EBT card at campus dining services. The college uses a mix of grants and various campus funds to cover the costs of the meal program.

“We’re doing more than any other community college in the state of California and also nationally,” Curry said. “How many schools can say that students receive one meal per day on their campus from their cafeteria?”

The Compton College campus in Compton. Photo via Compton College

Some California colleges offer a limited number of free meals, such as UC Davis, where a food truck serves between 300 and 400 meals per day and students pay what they want. In fall 2025, West Valley-Mission District in Santa Clara County will begin offering free meals.

Student Corinthia Mims said the first time she entered Compton’s cafeteria, “it was joy, always buzzing,” she said. Her twin, Cynthia Mims, said the free meals bring everyone together like family.

“[Students] feel embraced and they feel important. It’s a feast,” she said.

Feeding students keeps them in school. According to data the college gathered last year, students who received free meals and money for the farmers’ market were more likely to stay in their classes for the entire semester with a completion rate of 1% or 2% higher than the general population.

Curry visits the cafeteria to get feedback from the students. “They’re proud to tell me what they like and what they got today. Because there’s no negative stigma around it, because everyone is treated equally,” he said.

Goldrick-Rab highlights the program at Compton College as an example of what a college student universal meal plan could look like. “It’s a very nice modern version. … It’s not really a cafeteria in the classic sense. It is refrigerators full of prepared meals, the way that adults would go into a Whole Foods and get a grab-and-go,” she said.

In 2019, U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff, a Democrat from California, introduced the Food for Thought bill, which proposes universal meal pilot programs on college campuses. The bill failed and was reintroduced in 2022 and 2023 but never enacted.

Contra Costa College fills food lockers with free meals

At Contra Costa College, students who work full time have difficulty accessing the food pantry during open hours. In April, the college unveiled 20 refrigerated lockers in the campus cafeteria where students can pick up their pre-ordered, free groceries between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students order online and student staff fill the orders.

The campus basic needs center, called the Compass Center, also offers free meal vouchers to students three days a week, giving out 50 for breakfast, 75 for lunch and 15 for dinner.

Teddy Thollaug, a first-year student studying art and journalism at Contra Costa College, says they appreciate the hot meals and food lockers, especially on days when their disability makes it too hard to stand and cook. Because Thollaug’s classes are all online, they are not on campus regularly.

Teddy Thollaug at the Contra Costa College dining hall in San Pablo on May 8, 2025. Thollaug works as a student worker at the campus’ Basic Needs Services, which offers weekly free food to low-income students delivered through refrigerated food lockers in the dining hall. Photo by Florence Middleton for CalMatters

A typical order includes fresh fruit and vegetables, butter and cheese, and a “mystery package,” which contains grains, sauces and canned food. “Honestly, I feel like a kid on Christmas every time I open a mystery package,” Thollaug said.

In 2024, the center served 5,008 students and 14,785 families of students, according to Hope Dixon, the basic needs center coordinator.

Antelope Valley College students earn points for food

To encourage and support students to take full course loads, Antelope Valley College initiated Fresh Success, a CalFresh program that “pays” enrolled students in points for enrolled units.

Full-time students get more points, “because that’s our goal. We want you to get your degree, and [if you’re a full-time student,] you’re less likely to be able to run around and get all the other community resources,” said Jill Zimmerman, dean of the Antelope Valley College student health and wellness center.

Fresh Success is part of CalFresh’s Employment and Training program, and is overseen by the Foundation for California Community Colleges. Currently 20 colleges across 18 counties participate in the program, which partially reimburses schools with federal dollars for workforce development services such as job training and job search assistance for low-income students.

Fresh Success allocates points for each unit enrolled, up to 40 points per week. Students use their points at the on-campus pantry to purchase food, toiletries and laundry soap.

For Alliza Wade, having access to Fresh Success means being able to put more time toward school rather than working more hours. Wade, a STEM major at Antelope Valley College, is enrolled in CalFresh but it doesn’t cover all of her food expenses.

“[Fresh Success] has a very, very significant impact on how I’m able to live and eat, and how I’m going to be able to pursue my future, because [it helps with] saving and being able to eat healthy,” Wade said.

Since the college is reimbursed 45 cents for every dollar spent, the Fresh Success program benefits the college as well by providing funds to put towards employment and training support like job-specific clothing and gear, cooking classes and car tune-ups through the campus automotive program.

Cerro Coso feeds students who aren’t eligible for CalFresh

When Lorena Moreno started as the basic needs coordinator in early 2024 at Cerro Coso Community College in the southeastern Sierra region of the state, she noticed that students without permanent legal status were in dire need of assistance. Non-citizens are not eligible for CalFresh.

Moreno tackled the need by creating an on-campus food program called WileyFresh — modeled on Aggie Fresh at UC Davis, which serves students who meet CalFresh requirements but lack citizenship. Eligible students receive a monthly Albertson’s gift card valued at $291, comparable to the amount an eligible single student receives on a monthly CalFresh EBT card.

Like the Aggie Fresh program, students who qualify for WileyFresh are required to participate in workshops that support academic and personal growth. Moreno offers the workshops as a webinar to protect student identities.

The Cerro Coso Community College in Ridgecrest. Photo via the Cerro Coso Community College

Last fall, Moreno increased outreach efforts. Her team of part-time student employees passed out flyers at events to raise awareness. They saw visits to the Wiley Food Pantry grow from about 350 per month in the spring semester to about 500 per week in the fall.

This summer, Moreno intends to expand the program to include more students who can’t enroll in CalFresh. “Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s intended for — this population who is missing out.”

Research shows students can’t rely on each other’s charity

Many colleges now offer a way for students to donate unused card swipes from their campus meal plans to each other. However, research shows that these donations only reach a tiny fraction of students.

Before 2017, college dining services did not allow students to share their meal plans with other students. This didn’t sit well with students at Morehouse and Spelman colleges in Atlanta. They began a hunger strike to challenge meal plan policies that forbid sharing meal swipes. Their activism convinced their colleges to change the policies and led to a nationwide program, Swipe Out Hunger.

Meal-swipe programs, as they’re called at the approximately 850 colleges nationwide that offer them, allow students to donate unused meal swipes to fellow students who need them. In California, 17 colleges participate in Swipe Out Hunger.

But they are not effective, Goldrick-Rab said. She evaluated Swipe Out Hunger and found that the active programs see just 300 swipes a year.

“At the bottom line, I would rather give people money than food, but I still think the National School Lunch Program is important. I just want all of it. I want the guaranteed basic income. I want a higher minimum wage. Because all of it is scientifically working,” Goldrick-Rab said.

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Amy Moore is a fellow with the College Journalism Network, a collaboration between CalMatters and student journalists from across California. CalMatters higher education coverage is supported by a grant from the College Futures Foundation.