PREVIOUSLY:

• SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Today’s Shooting at Bear River Was Witnessed by Several and Captured on Body Cam Footage; Investigation Underway

• (UPDATE: SHERIFF PRESS CONFERENCE) Officer-Involved Shooting Near the Bear River Recreation Center

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office provides the following update regarding the officer-involved shooting that occurred on June 5, 2025, near the Bear River Family Entertainment Center in Loleta.

The deputy involved in the incident has been identified as Corporal Bradford Anderson, a nine-year veteran of the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office. Corporal Anderson is currently on paid administrative leave, per standard protocol.

On June 5, 2025, Nicholas David Anderson (DOB: 05/02/1996) succumbed to injuries sustained during the incident. A forensic autopsy confirmed the immediate cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest. Toxicology results are pending.

The investigation remains active and is being conducted by the Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT). Additional details will be released in compliance with California State Law as the investigation progresses.

Anyone with information about this case 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.

Press release from Rios to Rivers:

On the Wood River, Oregon – Approximately 30 Indigenous youth kayakers today began a monthlong “First Descent” of the undammed Klamath River, enroute to the mouth of the Klamath in northern California. Accompanied by family members, friends and supporters during the first day of their 310-mile journey downriver, the group of 13-18 year-olds from the tribes living throughout the Klamath River Basin were given a ceremonial sendoff by their elders and tribal leaders.

“I think the most important part of this whole experience for the young people is the connection to not only our sacred lifeblood, our water, our ‘ambo,’ but also with the connections of people, both young and old, and the connections that we have as Indigenous people with one another from the upper Klamath River to the lower Klamath River,” said William Ray, Jr., chairman of the Klamath Tribal Council.

The youth have been training to run whitewater with kayak instructors from the Paddle Tribal Waters program operated by the nonprofit group Rios to Rivers. The program includes young kayakers from the Klamath, Yurok, Karuk, Quartz Valley and Hoopa Valley tribes.

“I was raised as a river kid, and I love where I come from. Since I was little, I drank ‘ambo’ from the spring where the Klamath River starts. And now I get to kayak from where I drink, following the water on the almost free Klamath River to the ocean, Coley Kakols Miller, 14, a Klamath tribal member.

“This is a historical opportunity to heal not only the waters of our basin, but the people too,” said Danielle Frank, 21, a Hupa/Yurok member of Rios to Rivers’ board of directors.

Four hydroelectric dams blocked the river for more than a century, impeding once-abundant salmon runs. The young kayakers have set out to reconnect the source of the Klamath – at Wood River north of Klamath Falls – with its mouth where it reaches the Pacific Ocean at Requa, CA, in Yurok territory. They are scheduled to arrive there on June 11. During the last days of the journey the paddlers will be joined by Indigenous youth and representatives from the Snake River and other river basins in the U.S., and representatives of kayak clubs and communities as far away as New Zealand, and Chile and Bolivia in South America, where dams also threaten the health of local rivers.

After a daylong celebration in the town of Klamath, Calif. on July 12, marking the end of the “First Descent,” an international Free Rivers Symposium will be held on July 13, also in Klamath. Tribal leaders, environmental activists, scientists and other experts from several nations are then expected to issue the Klamath Accord, calling for the removal of harmful dams around the world and the end of construction of new ones.

For more information on the First Descent, click here.

For more information on Rios to Rivers, click here.

Ronald Goble passed away on April 8, 2025. He was surrounded by family, while a recording of his wife, Harriet, playing the piano played softly in the background.

Ron was born in Fortuna on October 29, 1934, in his grandfather’s home. He was the son of Harry and Lois Goble. He spent his early childhood on the family property next to Rohner Park and Main Street, where his father ran Park Street Grocery and a small service station. Ron also spent time on his grandfather’s dairy farm in Ferndale and spoke fondly of those years. During rodeo season, his grandfather allowed cowboys to camp on the property, and Ron remembered summer nights sitting by their campfires listening to stories. He had a special fondness for comedy nights on the radio, especially Bob Hope and Red Skelton — evenings often shared with his older brother, Bob.

In 1943, when Ron was nine, life took an unexpected turn that deeply affected the family. His father, older than the typical draft age and running a small business with a young family, was called to serve in World War II. He was given 30 days to find someone to run the store and to relocate the family from the living quarters attached to it. With little time to prepare, Ron, his mother, and older brother Bob moved to another part of town. Ron remembered his mother going to work on the docks in Eureka to support the war effort. He and his brother were often alone after school, looking out for one another. His mother arranged for them to have prepaid meals at the Star Hotel, a place on Main Street that no longer stands. He recalled wartime rationing, using stamps, and the blackout curtains in their home. His maternal grandmother and paternal grandfather were important presences during this time. When his father returned home safely, the family was reunited, and Ron’s sister Darlene was born. He loved having a little sister.

Ron attended Fortuna High School, where he was known to friends as Ronnie. He was active in the drama department, played tennis, and was well-liked for his sense of humor. He had a wide circle of friends, some of whom remained lifelong friends.

Ron and Harriet had known each other since childhood and shared the experience of growing up in a small town. They were friends throughout high school and attended Humboldt State College at the same time where they began dating. Ron had a part-time job working sound for Eureka Loggers games and invited Harriet to sit with him in the booth for their first date. They remained in touch after Ron left to enlist in the Army in 1957. They continued to correspond while he was overseas, as was common during that time. Ron served in France with the 5th Logistical Command as a broadcast operations specialist, earning the Good Conduct Medal. Harriet wrote to say she had been offered a civilian teaching position on a U.S. Army base and was deciding between Germany and Japan. Ron didn’t hesitate — “Germany!!” he replied. He loved to tell that story for many years to come. They reunited in Europe, began dating again, and were engaged while abroad. After completing his call of duty, Ron returned home, and Harriet stayed to finish the school year. They were married soon after her return home.

In 1966, they embarked on a great adventure — traveling to Australia aboard the freighter Santa Rita, with passage partially subsidized by the Australian government as part of an assisted immigration program. Ron worked as an insurance salesman and Harriet taught school. Ron’s sister Darlene joined them for a time, and they cherished the adventure. Letters, journals and newspaper articles from that chapter of their lives are still treasured today.

Upon returning to the U.S., they settled in Palo Alto, where Tricia was born in 1969. They embraced parenthood with a spirit of adventure — Tricia was taken backpacking during her first year of life and was sleeping under the stars before she could walk. Bret was born in 1970. Soon after, they returned to Fortuna to be near extended family. Ron worked for a time in his father’s store, and the family settled into life surrounded by the redwoods and the natural beauty of Humboldt County. They often took family bike rides with the kids in seats, and Ron sang to them at bedtime.

The family’s roots grew deep, and they left Orleans with lasting friendships and sweet memories. One of the most memorable was the arrival of their third child, Ian — a surprise addition, born when they were both 40.

As the older children reached their teenage years, Ron and Harriet sold the Orleans Market and the home they had built behind it, returning to Fortuna so their kids could attend high school. Harriet went back to full-time teaching, and Ron purchased a small neighborhood store in Fortuna’s Campton Heights community.

Ron had always loved to sing. In high school he sang in drama productions, and later he joined community choruses and even a barbershop quartet during the family’s years in Orleans. After returning to the coast, he became a dedicated member of the Humboldt Harmonaires, singing baritone, making friends, and serving as treasurer. From those connections, a quartet called Mirth First was born — known for its rich harmonies, light-hearted humor, and community performances. Ron cherished being part of it and loved making people smile. He would often burst into song — in the car, at medical appointments, or from his recliner. He loved Glenn Miller’s ‘Moonlight Serenade,’ Frank Sinatra, and the music of his era.

He was also an avid runner. He ran daily during their years in Orleans and participated in the Clam Beach Run and Avenue of the Giants marathons for many years.

Harriet had been born in Colorado and held close family ties there throughout her life. One summer, while visiting extended family, she surprised Ron with a phone call announcing she’d bought a tiny cabin in the hills of Cimarron. Up until then, their decisions had always been made together but this one became a beloved exception, and Ron laughed about it for years. At first, Harriet spent summers there while Ron stayed behind to run the store, but after they both retired, they began spending much of their time in Colorado. They hiked for miles, went fishing, and bought a canoe. They stayed to watch the Aspen trees turn gold in the fall. The area was rich in wildlife and peaceful. Children and grandchildren were fortunate to make occasional trips out, which remain cherished memories. Ron especially loved when his Mirth First quartet came to visit and sing at the cabin.

After many beloved summers in Colorado, it was time to sell the Cimarron cabin. Back in Fortuna, Ron loved to garden and work in the yard. In his retirement years, one longtime neighbor would occasionally bring him tomato plants — a small act of kindness that meant a lot. On one road trip, he and Harriet rescued a turtle, which Ron decided to keep — an unusual but beloved pet that lived in the yard for several years. The grandchildren remember it with fond amusement.

In her 80s, Harriet developed Alzheimer’s. Ron was her sole caregiver — a role he took on with patience, tenderness, and love. It was heartbreaking for the family to witness, but also inspiring. Ron became a hero to his children, who knew him best for his work ethic and strength but were reminded of the depth of his love. Harriet passed away in 2019. Ron remained at home, missing her deeply but moving forward. He hosted family dinner nights a few times a week where children and grandchildren would gather to spend time and keep him company. He loved attending local theater and music events. In his late 80s, he hiked Fern Canyon and explored the Sky Walk at the Sequoia Park Zoo. He was incredibly resilient and independent — yet when he knew it was time, he gave up his driver’s license without being asked.

Ron survived major surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm in his late 80s and bounced back remarkably. That time also brought a wonderful team of caregivers into his life. They began by helping with medications and meals but stayed to offer companionship and friendship. Their presence meant a great deal to Ron — and to the family.

We like to think he and Mom are together again, off on their next adventure. We will miss him deeply.

Ron is survived by his children: Tricia Brock (Bob), Bret Goble, and Ian Goble (Nicky); his sister, Darlene Matthews; and his stepsister, Karen Ansley. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Cassandra Gray (Joe), Jason Brock, Sydney Crossley (Micah), Jamie Goble, Benson Goble, and Erick Goble; and great-grandchildren: Abigail Pelletier, Trey Crossley, and Colin Crossley. He is also remembered with love by numerous other relatives.

Charles (Charlie) Leonard Dame, 87, of Eureka, passed away on June 9, 2025 after a long battle with cancer.

Charlie was born in a very small town in Colorado on Jan. 31, 1938. His family moved to Klamath when he was a boy. Charlie attended high school in Crescent City, where he graduated. At the age of 20 he married Beverly A. Hazen and they moved from Klamath to Mckinleyville and then to Eureka in 1981.

Charlie started his own business while working for Nielsen Freight Lines/Teamsters Union by taking his wood turnings to the Bay Area to find potential businesses to buy his products. Charlie loved turning on the lathe and creating beautiful redwood items such as bud vases and lovely bowls as well as rolling pins.

Eventually he was able to retire and continue working for himself with his wholesale business, Charlie’s Woodcraft, for the past 45 years. One of his largest accounts he had was Muir Woods, which is a National Monument in Mill Valley. Muir Woods allowed Charlie’s products to be sold to the many tourists that visited the National Monument from all over the world. His products were one of the top sellers because his work was done to perfection with great care.

Charlie was a hardworking and honest man with a big heart. He and his wife had two children — Charles L. Dame Jr., age 64, and wife Victoria, age 66, of Reno; and daughter Annette Dame, age 62, of Eureka. Grandaughter: Stacey L. Wilkinson, age 38, of Eureka; great-grandson Daxton D., age 6, of Eureka.

Charlie will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He was truly one of a kind and touched the lives of many in our community. Charlie was always open to helping another person out who wanted help with getting into the woodworking business or any other way he might be of help. He was a smart business minded man with vision that looked out for his children and grandchildrens’ future. Many times he helped his children and grandchildren with advice and funds to help better their lives and success. A very wise and giving father and grandpa.

I think what will be missed the most about my dad is being able to speak to him and get advice from him. Knowing you could always count on him to give you the best way to deal with something, to lose this is very difficult. We love you very much, Dad. We will miss you yet hold your memory in our hearts. Rest in peace.

In response to the Trump administration’s ongoing federal immigration raids in Los Angeles, Ventura County and beyond, the local community group Centro del Pueblo will host a “People’s Assembly” on the Arcata Plaza from 7:15 to 8 p.m. tonight.

The goal of the event is to provide information while offering people a space to gather and talk about the raids being conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to Peyton Leone, a spokesperson for Centro del Pueblo.

“There is a lot of affected community here — students with family in L.A. or [residents] who have connections to L.A.,” Leone said. 

Organizers will also inform people about their constitutional rights and the preparations they should make in case ICE comes to Humboldt County.

“We’re preparing for this the same way we prepare for a natural disaster,” Leone said. “This is a human disaster. This is something we’re preparing for by making sure everyone has their documents, like birth certificates; anything they would need in an emergency should be prepared, like [in] a backpack, and be ready to be carried. That goes for everybody. We see that there’s not just people that are undocumented being arrested … . People with legal status in the United States are being arrested and detained as well.”

Arcata Mayor Alex Stillman and Councilmember Meredith Matthews said they also plan to attend the event. Stillman will address attendees and reaffirm Arcata’s position as a sanctuary city, a status codified in the municipal code eight years ago. 

“It’s important that individuals in the community feel they’re safe no matter who they are, and that police understand that they’re part of the community,” Stillman said. She added that Arcata Police Lt. Chris Ortega will also be in attendance.

Another APD officer was deployed to Los Angeles because he’s enrolled in the National Guard, according to Stillman.

“All I can think is that he’s sleeping on the floor somewhere with no food or water,” the mayor said, referring to reports that troops were deployed to the city without proper supplies or a place to sleep. “The plan was not well executed.”

Earlier today, Senator Alex Padilla was “forced to the floor, handcuffed and removed by federal agents” at a news conference by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, according to the New York Times and other news reports.

More information on tonight’s gathering can be found in the Instagram post below:

Press release from the City of Eureka:

The City of Eureka will be performing Road Construction work at the above location in Eureka beginning Monday, June 23rd, 2025. Work is anticipated at the following location; June 23rd work will begin on Myrtle Avenue at 7th Street to Harrison Avenue. Road paving preparations will occur starting on 6/23/2025 and road paving will be performed on Myrtle Avenue from 7th Street to Harrison Avenue on 6/24/2025.

Intersection will have closures between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, WEATHER PERMITTING. Noticing will follow describing the location and extent of future work. There will be controlled traffic and detours at these locations, and motorists should expect short delays.

The patience and cooperation of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians in the vicinity of the work zone is greatly appreciated.

The City of Eureka realizes that this disruption is an inconvenience, but maintaining the City’s streets and sidewalks is vital to the health and safety of our residents.

Press release from the United Congregational Christian Church:

In the early morning hours between June 7 and June 8, the Pride banner displayed on the front of United Congregational Christian Church in Eureka was stolen. Just one day after replacing it with a Trans Pride banner, that too was destroyed — shredded under the cover of darkness on the evening of June 9.

The acts of targeted vandalism occurred shortly after the church participated in the local Pride event, hosting a booth and standing in visible solidarity with the LGBTQIA2S+ community. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the church’s inclusive banners have been attacked.

United Congregational Christian Church has been an Open and Affirming congregation since 1995, deeply committed to welcoming and affirming people of all sexual orientations and gender identities. As a dual-affiliated church with the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), it draws from rich traditions of justice, inclusion, and compassion. The church has served Eureka for over 165 years, remaining a steadfast refuge for the marginalized.

The banners, which include the phrase “A Just World for All,” are symbols of visibility, hope, and affirmation and stay up year round, not just during pride month.

In response to these incidents, the church has launched a fundraising effort on gofundme: https://gofund.me/094c0ab3. Funds raised will be used to:

• Replace the stolen and destroyed Pride and Trans Pride banners and purchase additional banners for quick replacement of future vandalism.

• Fortify church signs and improve security to deter future vandals

• Support the Free Community Pride Spaghetti Dinner on June 28 — a celebration of welcome, resilience, and healing, and

• Sustain the church’s Outreach and Social Justice Ministry.

The church is inviting the community to take part by contributing to this work. “Whether it’s $5 or $15, your support proclaims: Love is stronger than hate. And love will always rise again.”