Jeffery William Davis passed away March 2025. Jeff was born on June 25,1951 in Eureka, to William and Betty Lou Davis, where he grew up with his sister and 2 brothers. Jeff attended Marshall Elementary, Eureka Junior High and graduated from Eureka High in 1969. Jeff played little league and the trombone in high school. Betty introduced Jeff to golfing at an early age. You could always find him at the Eureka Municipal Golf course with his white German Shepard, Duchess. As Jeff golfed, Duchess would scour the bushes and retrieve the hooked and shanked balls by other golfers, giving Jeff plenty of balls to play with. Jeff continued to play golf throughout his life till his back no longer allowed it.

During the summers he loved going to “the cabin” in Willow Creek, playing golf in the morning with his brother in laws and friends. Then coming home and snorkeling up and down the Trinity River with his shoes inside his fins. In his later years he enjoyed his annual boys golf week in southern Oregon or over in the valley. Everybody always remembers Jeff’s footwork as he was teeing off or hitting the ball. The stance was never quite right, and he would not hit the ball until it was!!

Another favorite thing Jeff loved to do was drive fast and playing the music loud while singing along.

Jeff had many good friends from high school and college. They gave themselves the name of the Wednesday Night Gang. Every Wednesday night they would get together, party and partake in many mischievous things. This produced lifelong friendships that helped shape them for the future.

Jeff worked at the GP sawmill while putting himself through College of Redwoods and then Humboldt State, graduating in 1974 with a degree in Speech Therapy. As most young people, he didn’t use his degree right away. He tried his hand at construction, picture framing, warehouse manager and a brakeman for the Northwestern Pacific Railroad. During this time, Jeff married and welcomed two children into the world, Joshua and Sarah.

Jeff met Harry Carlson while working at Arcata Redwood. They became great friends and Harry taught Jeff how to build cabinets and furniture resulting in his love of woodworking. Jeff helped build his next 2 homes, doing all the trim and cabinets himself as well as some of the construction. He did beautiful work and was very proud of the homes.

Jeff went back to college and earned his master’s degree in Speech Therapy and began working with elderly stroke patients at the convalescent hospitals. He found he liked working with the adults much better than with kids and had found his calling. He was very personable and good at what he did, all the patients loved him.

Eventually Jeff went back and earned his administrative credential which led to his management of the Pacific and Granda Convalescent Hospitals. He and a partner then bought the Crescent City Convalescent Hospital which he ran until his retirement in 2017

After his retirement Jeff needed a kidney transplant and found that his stepson was a match. Joey never hesitated when considering giving Jeff the gift of life. Joey loved him as if he was his dad and was glad to do so. Joey died tragically in a car accident August 2024.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents William and Betty Lou Davis, his stepson Joey Villareal and his niece, Melissa Carroll Comer. Jeff leaves his children Joshua Davis and Sarah Davis-Hall (Greg); his grandchildren Anya, Taylor and Wyatt; his sister Denise Davis- Carroll, (Warren); brothers Michael Davis (Annette) and Martin Davis (Jan). He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

There will be a celebration of life for Jeff at his daughter’s house , 1858 O Street, Eureka, CA on June 7, 2025 from 1 to 4.

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• 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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• 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.

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• 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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• 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