Let’s watch Chef Taku clean one of these ugly-ass fish and make a delicious pita wrap out of it! His cookbook looks pretty cool, BTW.
####
Press release from CalTrout:
“Go
get ‘em!”
The Eel River Pikeminnow Fishing Derby is back again, after over 500
fish were caught in the 2024 derby. The derby is put on by a
collaboration of groups working to restore native fishes in the Eel
River. From now through August 31st, anyone with a fishing license
(or if under 16 years of age, no license is necessary) can go and
catch pikeminnow on the Eel for a chance to win up to $500, with
$2,500 in cash prizes! There is no entry fee. Data from your catches
can help managers aid in the conservation of our native fishes.
Pikeminnow were introduced to the Eel River via Pillsbury Reservoir
in the late 1970’s. Since then, they have spread to all the forks
of the Eel and are remarkably prolific. They make seasonal migrations
within freshwater and have been found to consume native salmonids and
lamprey among other fishes in the Eel River. In 2018, The Wiyot Tribe
and Stillwater Sciences began a focused effort to monitor the
pikeminnow population in the South Fork Eel and develop a better
understanding of their prey through diet analysis. Since then, the
collaboration has grown to include CalTrout, UC Berkeley, the Bureau
of Land Management, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and
TRIB Research, all working together to better understand pikeminnow
in the Eel River. A recent method has been to install a
channel-spanning weir to limit pikeminnow migration into the upper
South Fork Eel. On top of the other factors affecting the Eel River
such as historic overfishing, logging practices, habitat loss, and
impacts from climate change, pikeminnow can have a significant effect
on native fish populations.
The waters open to fishing for the derby are: the South Fork Eel
River downstream of the Humboldt County line to the confluence with
the mainstem, the mainstem Eel from Dos Rios to the mouth of the Van
Duzen, and the Van Duzen from Grizzly Creek to the mouth of the Van
Duzen.
We recommend eating your pikeminnow in the form of fried fish cakes,
fish balls in noodle soup, fish tacos or smoking them. Don’t
believe the common misconception that pikeminnow are inedible. They
are delicious, they just need extra care to deal with the y-bones.
For
more details on how to enter the derby visit this
link.
UPDATE 3:45 P.M.: The community meeting at the Forks of Salmon Community Center has been canceled, according to a spokesperson with California Incident Management Team 1. Keep an eye on the Six Rivers National Forest’s Facebook page for updated information.
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Press release from Six Rivers National Forest:
Butler Fire: 10,093 acres; 2% containment
Red Fire: 116 acres; 95% containment
Operational Updates:
Butler Fire: Firefighters achieved 2 percent containment on the Butler Fire July 16 and successfully held the fire from jumping the Salmon River at a precarious corner south of Nordheimer Campground. The public is invited to a community meeting at 6 p.m. today at the Forks of Salmon Community Center, 15520 Salmon River Road. The meeting will also be streamed from the Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests Facebook pages. People did not need to have a Facebook account to watch a Facebook Live stream.
With the northern section of the fire secured around Butler Flat, crews are making their way south along Salmon River Road extinguishing isolated hot spots. Salmon River Road remains closed between Butler Flat and Nordheimer Campground as burning vegetation and debris further upslope continue to fall into the roadway.
Terrain and weather aligned along a southern section of Salmon River Road for an increased chance of spotting over the river near Boyd Hill. Firefighters and aircraft kept the fire within its eastern perimeter while it passed by the point and continued to push southward, staying upslope of the river.
Crews have begun moving into the Forks of Salmon and Yellow Jacket Ridge areas east of the Salmon River, as well as the Horn Creek and McNeal Creek areas west of the river to perform preliminary structure protection work and reopen preexisting containment lines as contingencies against the advancing southern front. Strategic backfiring and ridgetop ignitions further south might be necessary in coming days if conditions warrant and weather allows.
Fire remained active around Orleans Mountain in the fire’s southwest perimeter. Crews and aircraft continued to focus attention on a portion of the fire that pushed east of Butler Creek. Its westward advance was diminished as it entered into the burn scars of the 2024 Boise Fire and 2023 Pearch Fire.
Red Fire: Containment of the Red Fire remained at 95 percent as crews worked the remaining section of uncontained perimeter to locate and extinguish isolated hot spots.
Evacuations:
Butler Fire: Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office expanded its evacuation orders July 15 to include FRK-1709 (Forks of Salmon), SIS-1707-B, SIS-1708, SIS-1804 and SIS-1805. They join the following zones already under an evacuation order: SIS-1703, SIS-1704 (Butler Creek, Lewis Creek, Bloomer Mine residents and Nordheimer Campground), SIS-1707-A and SIS-1803-A.
Zones SIS-1705, SIS-1710, SIS-1802, SIS-1808 and SIS-1906 are under an evacuation warning, where residents are advised to be prepared to evacuate if conditions become more threatening. The latest evacuation information can be found at https://protect.genasys.com.
Closures:
Butler Fire: The road between Butler Flat and Nordheimer Campground remains closed as rocks and burning debris continued to fall into the roadway. National Forests: The Six Rivers and Klamath National Forests issued a joint closure order July 16 within the vicinity of the Butler Fire. The closure includes Nordheimer and Oak Bottom campgrounds.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures are expected to be slightly cooler today with highs in the mid to low 90s. Winds will mostly come out of the west with occasional gusts up to 20 miles an hour.
Breeze Airways, the premium leisure carrier
connecting underserved cities across the U.S., today announced that it would be
bringing its affordable, accessible air service to Arcata-Eureka beginning March 12,
2026, with nonstop service to Burbank-Hollywood and connecting service to Provo-
Salt Lake City.
“Breeze is known for its convenient, affordable flights, premium seating options,
and amenities like fast onboard WiFi and power at every seat, and we look forward
to introducing travelers in the Humboldt County area to our Seriously Nice service,”
said David Neeleman, founder and CEO of Breeze Airways. “Arcata-Eureka is exactly
the kind of underserved market our airline set out to serve and we’re confident our
new Guests will enjoy their enhanced travel experience onboard one of our brand-
new Airbus A220 aircraft.”
Beginning today Arcata-Eureka travelers can book a flight on Breeze to:
Burbank-Hollywood, Calif. (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays, starting
March 12, 2026, from $39* one-way); and
Provo-Salt Lake City, Utah (One-stop/no change of plane BreezeThru, or
connecting service on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays starting March 12,
2026).
“We are thrilled to welcome Breeze Airways to the California Redwood Coast–
Humboldt County Airport (ACV),” said Ryan Cooley, director of aviation for the
County of Humboldt. “We appreciate Breeze’s commitment to serving the needs of
Humboldt County’s travelers and visitors while helping to strengthen connectivity in
our region.”
The announcement, which follows the close of the airline’s second full quarter of
operating profit, is a direct response to growing demand for the airline’s successfulhybrid business model and represents a significant expansion of Breeze’s West
Coast network.
Breeze was recently named one of Fast Company’s World’s Most Innovative
companies of 2025 for its fresh take on affordable flying that is transforming low-
cost air travel into a nice experience. It was also named the No. 3 Best Domestic
Airline by Travel + Leisure in 2025, placing Breeze in the list’s top four every year
since it began flying.
The airline’s flexible network conveniently connects travelers in underserved cities
directly to desirable destinations nationwide, reducing unnecessary travel time and
making air travel more accessible to millions of travelers coast to coast. Coupled
with its brand-new fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft and premium products like free
family seating, fast onboard WiFi, preferred seat options, and no change and cancel
fees, Breeze is making it nice to fly affordably.
To learn more about Breeze or to book a flight, visit flybreeze.com or download the
Breeze Airways app.
###
*$39 No Flex Fare promotion is available only when booking a new reservation for BUR-
ACV and ACV-BUR. Promotion must be purchased from July 17, 2025, July 23, 2025
(11:59 pm PT). BUR-ACV and ACV-BUR promotion is valid only for travel from March 12,
2026, through May 12, 2026. Price displayed includes taxes & government fees. Fare
prices, fare classes, rules, routes, and schedules are subject to change or exemption
without notice. Any changes or modifications to qualifying promotional reservations will
be subject to fare repricing. A difference in airfare at the current fare price may apply.
Other restrictions and blackout dates may apply.
About Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways operates more than 300 year-round and seasonal routes to 76 cities
in 34 states. Founded by aviation entrepreneur David Neeleman, Breeze took flight
in May 2021 bringing premium, affordable, and nonstop air service to secondary
markets on its flagship fleet of Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Breeze has been named a
top 4 “Best Domestic Airline” by Travel + Leisure for four consecutive years and was
named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies for 2025. Breeze was thefirst U.S. domestic airline to be certified by Autism Double Checked and is the
official airline of Make-a-Wish Utah. With seamless booking, friendly policies, and
customized booking options, Breeze makes it easy to buy and Seriously Nice™ to
fly.
###
Press release from the County of Humboldt:
Breeze Airways has announced new nonstop air service between the California-Redwood Coast Humboldt County Airport (ACV) to Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) and connecting service to Provo Airport (PVU) beginning March 12, 2026.
Starting today, travelers can book a flight on Breeze to BUR and a connecting flight to PVU. Flights are scheduled to run Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, starting March 12, 2026 catering to the needs of travelers, including residents, business professionals, students and visitors.
“Breeze is known for its convenient, affordable flights, premium seating options, and amenities like fast onboard Wi-Fi and power at every seat, and we look forward to introducing travelers in the Humboldt County area to our Seriously Nice™ service,” said David Neeleman, founder and CEO of Breeze Airways. “Arcata-Eureka is exactly the kind of underserved market our airline set out to serve and we’re confident our new guests will enjoy their enhanced travel experience onboard one of our brand-new Airbus A220 aircraft.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Breeze Airways to the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport,” said Ryan Cooley, Director of Aviation for the County of Humboldt. “We appreciate Breeze’s commitment to serving the needs of Humboldt County’s travelers and visitors while helping to strengthen connectivity in our region.”
Breeze Airways is currently offering limited-time one-way fares starting at $39 for travel between ACV and BUR. This promotional fare is available for reservations booked between Thursday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 23. Travel must take place between March 12 and May 12, 2026, and other terms and conditions apply. Travelers can book their flights on Breeze Airways and view the full promotional details at FlyBreeze.com.
For more information about Breeze Airways, visit FlyBreeze.com. For more information on the California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport, please visit FlyACV.com.
Legislators convene during a session at the state Capitol in Sacramento, on Aug. 22, 2022. Photo by Rahul Lal, CalMatters
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This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
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California lawmakers want to limit public access to their addresses and phone numbers after two Minnesota lawmakers were shot, one fatally, in their homes last month.
One proposal would ban journalists from accessing that information through candidates’ and public officials’ voter registration records, even though there is no indication the Minnesota shooter used those kinds of records to track down his victims.
Officials’ voter registration data is already confidential to most of the public. It is available to a select few, including journalists. But AB 1392, authored by Assemblymember LaShae Sharp-Collins of La Mesa and sponsored by Secretary of State Shirley Weber’s office, would eliminate that carve-out and effectively block journalists’ access to politicians’ phone numbers, emails and home addresses and prior voter registration.
“This common-sense bill will protect public servants and their families,” Sharp-Collins told lawmakers during a Tuesday Senate hearing.
Stripping the public of vital information?
But press freedom advocates say they doubt the measure would protect public officials from violence, arguing it would instead strip journalists of vital information they use to keep government officials in check. Journalists often use a politician’s residential address to determine if they live in the district they represent and are eligible for office.
“Democracy is founded on the promise of ‘trust but verify.’ We are not required to take the government’s word for it,” said David Loy, legal director of the First Amendment Coalition, which advocates for public access to government documents and proceedings. “We understand the concerns, but this should not deprive the press of its ability to do fundamental watchdog and accountability reporting.
Sharp-Collins’ chief of staff Michael Lucien said she did not have time for an interview. Her office also did not respond to questions sent by CalMatters via text about how her measure would protect public officials, or whether she believed anyone had used information obtained from their voter registration to target them.
State lawmakers have often cited security concerns in passing laws that limit public disclosure. Last year, they made it harder to access politicians’ phone numbers, home addresses and records about properties they own, all of which they are required to disclose in their economic interest statements. A 2022 law allowed California government workers and contractors to shield their addresses from the public if they fear violence.
“Every single year, we see a number of attempts to limit the public’s access to information and access to their lawmakers in person,” said Brittney Barsotti, general counsel of the California News Publishers Association. “(AB 1392) is just another attempt that is concerning.”
Timothy Cromartie, representing Weber’s office, said at a Senate Elections and Constitutional Amendment Committee hearing earlier this month that “escalating threats” to public officials make the measure “an urgent necessity.” He pointed to the slaying of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband last month, the arson on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s home in April, the assassination attempt on President Donald Trump last year and the 2022 hammer attack on former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband at their home.
An earlier version of the measure only applied to state and federal officials. But at the suggestion of the Senate elections committee, it was expanded to apply to local elected officials and candidates for office and allow the secretary of state’s office to make the information private sooner.
But critics doubt the proposal would help prevent tragedies like the Minnesota shootings, where the alleged suspect appeared to have obtained the lawmakers’ home addresses via “people search” sites instead of the voter roll.
They argue that state law lays out a rigorous request process, where those qualified to receive the voter registration information must submit their names and contact information, explain the reason for their request and attest to their honesty under penalty of perjury.
“It seems highly unlikely at best that reporters or others able to take advantage of that carve out under those strict conditions are going to commit crimes with that information,” Loy said.
Loy said the information not only helps journalists fact check officials’ residency claims, but also allows reporters to identify politicians if they did things such as receiving a home as a gift from special interests, or leasing to or renting property from their major donors.
A check on data brokers
Another proposal inspired by the Minnesota tragedy, AB302 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan of San Ramon, sought to allow politicians to request businesses, including data brokers and media outlets, to take down or refrain from publishing their personal information, opening the organizations up to lawsuits and fines if they do not comply.
An earlier version of the measure risked violating the First Amendment since it could chill and censor legitimate speech, according to a Senate Judiciary Committee analysis. The First Amendment Coalition and the Freedom of the Press Foundation opposed the effort, citing similar concerns, adding that newsrooms could be exposed to frivolous lawsuits simply because politicians do not like stories they publish.
“These demands and lawsuits will chill news outlets from reporting on matters of public concern,” the groups said in a joint letter. “The fact that news outlets will have to defend their reporting as relating to a matter of public concern, potentially through multiple appeals, will cause some to self-censor.”
Bauer-Kahan told CalMatters Monday that her intention was to discourage data brokers from selling politicians’ personal information. She has agreed to amend the measure to instead require the California Privacy Protection Agency to compile a list of politicians and request data brokers to delete their personal information.
“That’s not nearly as troubling as giving them … a tool to be weaponized to silence legitimate reporting,” Loy said.
Mark Allen Williams
December 25, 1946 – July 2, 2025
With great sadness, we announce that Mark Allen Williams passed away peacefully at home on
July 2, 2025, just where he wanted to be. He was surrounded by love — his wife Nancy holding
his hand, Adriana from Hospice, Chris from Agape Home Care, and his beloved cat Abby curled
beside him.
Mark was born on December 25, 1946 — a Christmas baby — at Sacred Heart Hospital in Eugene,
Oregon, to Marie and Eldon Williams. In 1959, the family moved to California where Mark grew
up on Humboldt Hill alongside his brother and sister. He graduated from Eureka High School,
Class of ’66, and soon after enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving from 1966 to 1972.
Mark loved the outdoors. Hunting and fishing were his lifelong passions. He spent countless trips
at Shasta Lake, Ruth Lake, and even Sonoma. He especially cherished duck hunting on the South
Bay, particularly trips to Teal Island with his loyal hunting buddies — including his brother Kelly,
Jim Patton, Jack Jansen, and Larry Tostie. Rain or wind never stopped them. They camped out
the night before opening day, sharing food, stories, and laughs around the fire.
Mark worked at the Eureka Fishery before joining the pulp mills, where he remained until their
closure in 2008. He had a strong work ethic, a sharp wit, and a warm laugh that left lasting
impressions on all who knew him.
For years, Mark was single, waiting for something — or someone — special. Then he met Nancy (Sallady Lower) on a blind coffee date. That very night, he told his coworkers, “I’m going to marry that country girl.” He was right. They were married on April 17, 2004, in a beautiful local
ceremony surrounded by family and friends.
Mark embraced Nancy’s children as his own:
Bill (Kathryn) Lower, and granddaughters Ava and Emily
Lt. Col. Craig (Theresa) Lower
Jennifer Lower
His heart was full. Becoming a stepfather and grandfather was one of the greatest joys of his life.
Mark is also survived by his children from his first marriage:
Michael Williams
Heather (Kevin) Pope, and four grandchildren
He is survived by his loving wife Nancy of 21 years, his brother Kelly (Teresa) Williams, and
sister-in-laws Colleen Farley and Gloria Dowd, along with many nieces, nephews, great-nieces
and -nephews, and great-greats as well.
He was preceded in death by his parents Marie and Eldon Williams, sister Lisa Miller, and
nephew Justin Miller.
In 2005, Mark and Nancy traveled to Hawaii for the wedding of stepson Craig, who was
stationed there at the time. Mark was like a fish out of water—but quickly adjusted to wearing t-
shirts, shorts, and leaving the camo at home. He even got a fake tattoo! It turned out to be a great
trip with beautiful memories. Mark joked afterward, “once is enough,” and laughed that there
was no place to go hunting.
Mark and his brother Kelly shared many years of hunting, fishing, and brotherly adventures—
especially their annual trips to Ruth Lake. They packed like they were supplying an army and
had the best time together. As Mark’s health declined, those trips became cherished memories.
Mark taught Nancy to hunt and fish, although ocean fishing turned out to be a one-time
adventure (small boat, big waves, and Nancy can’t swim!). They shared many laughs, including
one unforgettable trip where their dogs tipped the boat trying to sit next to Mark — chaos and joy
wrapped into one hilarious memory.In recent years, Mark bravely battled dementia. He worried Nancy would leave, but she never did. She stayed by his side with unshakable love and commitment — through every moment, every challenge.
A special thank you to the VA Clinic in Eureka, especially Dr. Cutler, for her incredible support.
We are deeply grateful to Hospice of Humboldt and Agape Home Care for their outstanding
compassion and care. Mark lit up when his caregivers arrived, especially his nurse Sara and
nurse’s aid Adriana. He kept them laughing, even in his final days. Thank you to James, John,
Chris, Elliott, Debbie (Hospice Social Worker), and all who became like family to us.
Because of your kindness and support, we were able to honor Mark’s deepest wish—to live and
pass away at home, peacefully and with dignity.
Per Mark’s request:
1. There will be no funeral or memorial service.
2. His ashes will be scattered by Nancy in the three places he lovingly chose.
3. He asked that no one be sad — just remember the good times shared with him.
Thank you to all who have offered love, support, and a helping hand to Nancy.
In Mark’s memory, and in honor of the incredible care he received, donations may be made to
Hospice of Humboldt.
With love and gratitude,
Mark & Nancy Williams
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mark Williams’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
The Eureka City Council made quick work of last night’s agenda, a welcome change after what seems like an extended run of lengthy, often contentious meetings focused on hot-button issues. While last night’s discussion largely focused on the city’s Gulch Greenway Ordinance, there was also some talk about the new Eureka Operations Complex and the latest policing statistics from the Eureka Police Department.
Let’s dig in!
Eureka Operations Complex
Following a mere 15-minute discussion, the city council unanimously approved a $8.2 million funding request for the new Eureka Operations Complex, the city’s new Public Works headquarters, maintenance facility and corporation yard. The new facility, planned for a vacant lot behind Lost Coast Brewery’s brewing facilities on Highway 101, will also serve as the city’s emergency operations center during critical incidents.
The funding allocation includes $7.6 million for the first phase of construction, which is slated to begin later this year, along with $324,000 to Scott Edwards Architecture for additional design services and $237,000 to Swinerton Builders for pre-construction services for the second and final phase of the project. If everything goes according to plan, the second phase should wrap up by the end of next year.
A digital rendering of the new Eureka Operations Complex and Public Works headquarters. | Image: Scott Edwards Architecture
Speaking at last night’s meeting, Project Manager Katie Marsolan said for years the city has been wanting to move the corp yard from its current location at 945 W. 14th Street, near Costco, to an upland site outside of the coastal zone. The city purchased the 5.6-acre site from the owners of the Ocean View Cemetery in November 2023 and quickly retained an architect and contractor to draw up plans for the new facility.
After the presentation, Councilmember Scott Bauer asked if the city had plans to incorporate solar energy into the project. That’s the end goal, but the funding isn’t quite there, Marsolan said.
“The actual positioning of our building allows us to have great exposure for solar,” she continued. “We will have some photovoltaic solar on the building, but we won’t be covering the whole building yet, until I can afford it or get a cool grant.”
Councilmember Leslie Castellano made a motion to approve the funding request, which was seconded by Bauer and approved 4-0, with Councilmember G. Mario Fernandez absent.
After years of planning, the Gulch Greenway Ordinance received unanimous approval at last night’s meeting. The long-awaited ordinance sets new development standards and environmental protections for the “Gulch Greenway Management Area,” which includes parcels within and adjacent to Cooper Gulch, Second Gulch and the gulches of Martin Slough.
The council approved the ordinance in two separate actions. Bill No. 1044, which passed in a 3-0 vote, with Bauer recused and Fernandez absent, added a Gulch Greenway Overlay Zone to the city’s inland zoning map and additional regulations to the zoning code. Bill No. 1045, which passed 4-0, with Fernandez absent, added a few municipal code updates for tree removal, landscaping and grading.
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Eureka resident Sue Parfit asked for clarity on a piece of the ordinance that says, “vegetation removal required by the property owner’s insurance company as a condition of maintaining coverage may be approved with a Zoning Clearance.”
Following public comment, Councilmember Kati Moulton expressed similar concern, adding that she wanted to ensure that residents — especially during the purchase or transfer of a property — would have ample time to obtain insurance if they didn’t have it already. Development Services Director Cristin Kenyon said staff could easily amend the text to address Moulton’s concern.
After a bit of additional discussion, Moulton made a motion to that effect, which was seconded by Councilmember Renee Contreras-DeLoach and passed 3-0.
Discussion surrounding Bill 1045 was focused on tree hazards and who residents should contact if they have an immediate concern. Kenyon said staff could add that information to the city’s website. The bill passed in a 4-0 vote.
EPD Quarterly Report (April-June)
Stephens | Screenshot
Ahead of next week’s quarterly meeting of the Community Oversight on Police Practices (COPP) Board, Eureka Police Chief Brian Stephens shared the latest round of department statistics with the council.
In the years following the COVID pandemic and a period of severe understaffing at EPD, Stephens said the department became “more reactive than proactive toward certain things,” which he’s been trying to change. In the last quarter, officer-initiated activity has gone up by 95 percent, Stephens said.
“Our traffic stops are up 292 percent,” he continued, noting that there’s been a 10 percent decrease in both 9-1-1 and non-emergency calls in the same time period. “[Traffic stops] play a vital role, not only in our traffic enforcement side of the house, but they also lead to multiple other types of investigations for our patrol officers to dive deep into because they’re stopping people and finding different things on those stops.”
Bike and pedestrian stops are up by 833 percent, he said. A little later in the discussion, Mayor Kim Bergel asked what people were being stopped for and whether officers were stopping children without helmets.
“Do you want us to hand out tickets to kids?” Slattery joked. Bergel, somewhat annoyed, said she was concerned about the rate of concussions among children who didn’t use helmets.
Stephens said the increased enforcement was prompted, in part, by the fatal traffic accident that took place two months ago on Harris Street.
“[After that] we did give direction to be more aggressive [in] looking at violations of the law concerning bicyclists that have to do with rules of the road,” he continued. “Folks running stop signs, stop lights, riding the wrong way — the things that are leading to some of the more horrific traffic collisions that we’re having. We’re trying to address those and make the public aware of those violations … to hopefully divert some of those accidents from actually happening.”
However, Stephens couldn’t say whether kids were being “pulled over” for not wearing helmets. “I can’t say that for sure, but I would hope that officers would address those situations … when they have time to do so,” he said.
Stephens also noted that mental health-related calls and 5150 holds are up, which he attributed to the fact that there is a full-time officer in Old Town.
“That Old Town officer allows for more direct contact in the areas where we see some of the highest concentration of our community members needing assistance,” Stephens said. “He has been working collaboratively with [Crisis Alternative Response Eureka] CARE to address some folks that need some additional attention, and trying to get them the assistance they need.”
The council thanked Stephens for the report, with a few members sharing personal gripes about people speeding on city streets, but did not take any action on the item.
On July 14, 2025, deputies with the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Marijuana Enforcement Team (MET) served a search warrant in the area of Sunset Ridge in Blocksburg.
The warrant service stemmed from an investigation patrol deputies conducted after being alerted to an ongoing trespassing issue on the rural property. While on scene looking for the trespassing subjects, patrol deputies located two large areas actively being utilized for cultivating marijuana.
MET deputies were notified of the illicit cultivation and sought a search warrant for the property. During the service of the warrant, MET deputies located and eradicated 2,312 growing marijuana plants.
No subjects were located on the scene. This investigation is ongoing. 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.
