Press release from Humboldt Bay Fire:

On 6/22/2024 at 4:00 am Humboldt Bay Fire responded to a reported structure fire in a vacant apartment of a six-unit apartment complex at 607 Summer St. 1 Ladder truck, 3 Fire Engines, and one Battalion Chief responded to the incident.

Upon arrival Truck 8181’s crew found a two-story residential structure with light smoke coming from a downstairs apartment. They made entry and used extinguishers to slow the growth of the fire and search for trapped occupants. At the same time E8114 pulled a hose line and extinguished several small fires in the apartment. E8115 arrived at scene and was assigned to ensure all the occupants had been evacuated from the other 5 uninvolved apartments.

The fire was investigated by a HBF Fire Investigator and the cause of the fire was determined to be arson. There were no civilian or Firefighter injuries and the fire caused $5,000 in damage and the total value of the property is approximately $750,000. No occupants were displaced due to the fire.

The Eureka Police Department assisted with the evacuation of the apartment and is continuing to investigate the arson case.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank City Ambulance and The Samoa-Peninsula Fire District for providing standby services and coverage of other calls during the fire suppression.Humboldt Bay Fire would like to remind everyone that smoke detectors save lives. This fire was called in early due to working smoke detectors. Please check your batteries every 6 months and ensure that there is a working smoke detector in every bedroom and hallway.

California will make widespread cuts to state government operations, prisons, housing programs and health care workforce development in order to maintain its social safety net as it moves to close a multibillion-dollar budget deficit.

The $297.9 billion spending plan, announced this morning by Gov. Gavin Newsom, Senate President Pro Tem Mike McGuire and Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, also relies on reserves and pauses some business tax credits to address a remaining revenue gap estimated at $56 billion over the next two years.

“This agreement sets the state on a path for long-term fiscal stability — addressing the current shortfall and strengthening budget resilience down the road,” Newsom said in a statement. “We’re making sure to preserve programs that serve millions of Californians, including key funding for education, health care, expanded behavioral health services, and combatting homelessness.”

The Legislature passed a budget more than a week ago in order to meet a statutory deadline, but it did not represent a final deal with Newsom as they continued to negotiate over whether to repurpose billions of dollars earmarked to increase payments for health care providers who treat low-income patients and whether to further delay minimum wage increases for health care workers, among other issues.

Their agreement — which the Democratic-controlled Legislature is expected to vote on through a series of bills next week ahead of the July 1 start of the new fiscal year — does claw back the funding intended for Medi-Cal provider rates. It pushes back the health care wage hikes until at least October and potentially until next year, depending on the strength of revenue collections in the coming months. Despite heavy opposition from labor unions, the move could save California hundreds of millions of dollars.

The plan makes $16 billion in cuts, including a blanket 7.95% reduction in funding for nearly all state departments and the elimination of thousands of vacant positions, which are collectively expected to save nearly $3.7 billion. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation will take an additional $385 million cut at the urging of progressive lawmakers, far higher than what Newsom had originally sought for the shrinking prison system.

Other major reductions include $1.1 billion from various affordable housing programs, $746 million for health care workforce development and $500 million to build student housing. A scholarship program for middle-class college students will lose $110 million annually, about a fifth of what the governor had originally sought to cut.

More than $3 billion in previously promised funding to expand food benefits to undocumented immigrants, increase pay for providers who care for people with developmental disabilities, add new subsidized child care slots and build out broadband internet will be delayed.

This will allow the state to protect what Newsom and legislative leaders touted in their announcement as “core programs,” including an expansion of Medi-Cal, California’s health care program for the poor, to all adults regardless of their immigration status, as well as increased funding for behavioral health, welfare grants and supplemental income for seniors. Local governments will receive another $1 billion to address homelessness.

The budget deal shrinks a proposed cut to schools funding, following a tense negotiation with education groups during which teachers unions ran a television advertising campaign criticizing Newsom. About $5.5 billion will be delayed until future years.

“The Assembly fought hard to protect the public services that matter most to Californians, and we are delivering a budget that prioritizes affordability and long-term stability,” Rivas, a Salinas Democrat, said in a statement.

As part of their agreement, Newsom and the Legislature will pursue several additional measures to address the circumstances that led to California’s steep deficit. While the state experienced a historic surplus just two years ago, a delay in tax collections last year caused by winter storms shielded the extent of California’s weakening fiscal condition until after the governor and lawmakers had already committed to too much new spending.

The budget deal proposes legislation, to be taken up in August, that will require the state to set aside a portion of future projected surpluses so that it cannot be spent until the money is collected. It also suggests putting a constitutional amendment before voters in 2026 to grow California’s main reserve account.

In the meantime, the state plans to dip into that rainy day fund, pulling out more than $12 billion over the next two years to address the fiscal shortfall. It will also suspend the net operating loss for companies with more than $1 million in taxable income and limit business tax credits to $5 million annually — strategies that it previously employed at the height of the coronavirus pandemic — to raise an estimated nearly $15 billion in new revenue over the next three years.

“Make no mistake: This is a tough budget year, but it also isn’t the budget situation we were originally fearing,” McGuire, a Healdsburg Democrat, said in a statement. “This balanced budget helps tackle some of our toughest challenges with resources to combat the homelessness crisis, investments in housing, and funding to fight wildfires and retail theft.”

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Elizabeth Belle Steyn was born June 25, 1977, in Eureka, to Martinus and Wanda (Phillips) Steyn. She was 46 years old when she passed unexpectedly.

Elizabeth attended Blue Lake Elementary School and graduated from Arcata High School in 1993. She attended College of the Redwoods where she took classes in early childhood education, psychology, social work and addiction studies. 

Elizabeth had no children of her own but truly loved her nieces and nephews with all her heart! Elizabeth adored all children. She was an animal lover. Her hobbies included gardening, card making for the seniors in our community at Christmas time, arts and crafts of all mediums, poetry and horseback riding.

Her one big advantage in life was when she met some people through a chat room and flew to meet them (each coming from a different state), where they gathered for a week and formed long lasting relationships.  She continued her adventures traveling to 7 other states meeting and enjoying people along the way.

Family and friends in Elizabeth’s life she felt supported her throughout different times in her life and was very grateful to have had them… Justine Thomsen, Jenny Coleman, Ian, Amy Woodard, Tami Hamilton, Debbie, Randy, The HOPE Center and Dalina her best friend.  Some I may be forgetting or am unaware of, but you know who you are!!

Elizabeth is preceded in death by her parents Martin and Wanda Steyn, half-sisters Kimberly Michaels, Rebecca Driver, her grandparents Gerta Snider, Lohman and Mabel Phillips. 

She is survived by her faithful and loving companion Mazzie (who misses her daily), her half-sisters Justine (Cory) Thomsen, Sherri (Scott) Lesley, nieces and nephews Kelsi, Cody, Charis, Cole, Shawna, Justin. Breanne, Deanna. McKenzie, Chloe, Julianna. She is also survived by Aunt Jan Workman, her great nieces and nephews, and many cousins. Elizabeth was also God Mother to her niece Kelsi.

Elizabeth battled drug addiction and mental health issues for the last 18 years. She was overcome by the grief of losing her parents and was unable to pull herself up and climb out.

I hope you finally found your way, little sister. YOU WERE ALWAYS ENOUGH! I will love you forever — Your, Sissy.

A celebration of life will be held in memory of and in honor of Elizabeth.  Please bring your favorite story and dishes to share on August 3rd, 2024, from 11 to 1 at Rohner Park, Fortuna. In lieu of flowers or other gifts, please make a donation to your favorite animal shelter in Elizabeth’s name.

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

Mark Greenleaf
July 27, 1951 - June 16, 2024

Mark Greenleaf lived a full life, fortunate to have shared it with a loving family and so many good friends. Born in the back of a pick-up truck, his life was marked with a sense of adventure. He spent his childhood between the excitement of the city and the wonder of nature in his rural home of Hyampom. He thrived in the woods along the family Greenleaf ranch while fishing and hunting.

As a young adult, Mark grew long hair and joined the hippy generation, traveled through Europe and rocked with up-and-coming musicians of the time. Mark enjoyed the company of friends with long discussions over the social issues of the ‘60s and ‘70s.

Mark learned the value of hard work from his father and shared his mother’s passion for old things. He had an impact on his brother Steven’s intellect as a young boy, planting seeds of interest in the arts and science. Growing up with a deaf sibling, his older brother Joe, gave Mark the empathy and awareness of the needs of others. Joe was his buddy as they grew up sharing secret conversations in sign language. This experience led him to work at the School for the Blind where over 25 years he nurtured the growth of many residential students. It was on a roller-skating field trip with his students where he met Sandy, the love of this life. They married in 1980 and spent the next 44 years together. He loved being a father and found he could extend his “joy of life” with his two daughters, Jenny and Monica.

Mark loved his second career as an advocate for the California State Employees Association (CSEA). Helping others navigate their careers and work issues was a challenging but rewarding endeavor. This role extended as a CSEA union representative and his position as President of the Central Labor Party for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties. He served where needed, such as when he pitched-in as postmaster in Hyampom while the position was vacant. He also served as a volunteer fireman in Trinity County. Throughout his life he tended to the family ranch as well, which included general maintenance, care of cows, two horses, chickens and a huge garden.

Mark had a passion for life. He liked to cook and try new recipes and share them with friends. He dabbled in poetry and journal writing. He was on the lookout for good bargains at flea markets and garage sales. He loved to read and had a keen interest in anthropology, history and tribal art. He was a traveler as well and enjoyed interacting with different cultures and people. He was an advocate for environmental justice and sustainability. He loved his dogs and played a regular game of catch with them.

Mark leaves behind his loving wife Sandra Greenleaf, his daughter Monica Filice and son-in-law Marco Filice, grandson Enzo Filice, his daughter Jenny Greenleaf, his brother Steven Greenleaf and his sister-in-law Dianne Greenleaf and his many extended families and friends whom he loved dearly. He was proceeded in death by his parents Gene and Evelyn Greenleaf and his brother Joe Greenleaf.

Mark’s spirit, characterized by generosity and warmth, will continue to live in the hearts of his family and friends.

A private memorial will be held in his memory.

Alton “Whit” Lewis, age 87, peacefully passed away on June 17, 2024, at Providence St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka.

He was born on April 28, 1937, in Merced, the son of Arthur Wright Lewis and Alice Sarah Savage. They lived in Fish Camp, Mariposa County, near Yosemite, with his sister Lyla and brother Dennis. He began working in the woods at a very early age with his Dad and Grandpa, then held a number of positions in the lumber industry. He was also a heavy equipment operator and a distance truck driver. He could fix anything. He was a good cook with baked ham and the hobo breakfast two of his specialties. He loved old time country music and knew the words to many songs. He served in the US Navy from 1955-1958 aboard the USS Ajax. He had a wealth of knowledge about historic events and everyday life. His memory of family history and the birth dates of everyone he ever knew was amazing.

In 2006 he married his childhood sweetheart, Beverly Taplin and they moved to Chelsea, Vermont where Beverly had been born. He spent his time in Vermont “care-taking” the Taplin Farm as he liked to call it, and then as caregiver to Beverly as her health declined with dementia. His loss of vision due to macular degeneration was one of the hardest things he had to deal with and often said he would have rather lost his right arm than his vision. His recent health diagnosis made him want to be back home in California with his family and his old time friends. His wish was granted and he was able to say his good-byes.

He is survived by his wife, Beverly Taplin at Menig Nursing Home in Vermont, his daughter, Alice (Bill) Osborne, son, Alton Lewis, Jr. “JR”, grandchildren Abigail, William, Matthew, Heather, Andrew (Kaylie), Josh & Cameron and great-grandchildren Vivian, Christopher, Sierra, Harley, Donna Faye, Sophie and Adam Wade; Beverly’s California family, Carleen Sanderson, Chris (Melissa) Sanderson their kids Mallory & Gage, and Amber Sanderson, as well as Beverly’s Vermont family, the Alice (Taplin) Doyle family Teresa, Sandy, Jim & Andy and their families. He is also survived by cousins, nieces and nephews and many long time friends. He truly cherished their friendship and appreciated the many calls.

He was predeceased by his parents, sister Lyla (Lewis) Annibel, brother Dennis Lewis, half-brother Ralph Morris, and a son, Michael Wade Lewis who died in 1983 at age 19.

A memorial service is planned for Saturday, July 6 at 11 a.m. at Goble’s Mortuary in Fortuna. Burial will be at the Ocean View Cemetery, Sunset Memorial Park in Eureka.

The family would like to give a special heart-felt thank you to Cornerstone Care of New England for the personal escort and arranging the travel from Vermont to California.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Chelsea Area Senior Center, P.O. Box 44, Chelsea, Vermont 05038 or to Mad River Community Honor Guard, P.O. Box 180, Fortuna, CA 95540.

My problem with Dr. Duncan MacDougall, who hailed from Haverhill, Massachusetts, isn’t so much that he was a fraud and charlatan, but that he poisoned dogs in his nutty experiments to prove that humans had souls — and that animals didn’t. In the early 1900s, MacDougall aimed to prove once and for all what philosophers from Plato on down had argued about: That humans come in two separate parts, body and soul. The soul (Plato’s anima) arrives when we’re born (or, if you’re a strict pro-lifer, at the moment of conception) and departs when we die. What happens to it after that gets kinda squirly — does it sit around in limbo, waiting for Judgment Day? Does it fly down to Hades or up to Heaven? Or find itself, unwittingly, in another body (human or otherwise)? The possibilities are endless, once you grant the existence of this thoroughly make-believe concept.

Along with many people at the time, MacDougall believed that something — call it soul — was material, and therefore it had mass. All he had to do was to weigh someone at their moment of death and see how much their weight changed. First things first, find folks about to die. Fortunately, he was working at a tuberculosis clinic, and protocols being less rigid back then, he enlisted six patients in their end stages. Four were dying from TB, one from diabetes, one unspecified. “The patient’s comfort was looked after in every way…at the end of three hours and forty minutes, he expired and suddenly coincident with death, the beam end [of the industrial scale on which the patient was lying] dropped with an audible stroke…the loss was ascertained to be three-fourths of an ounce,” he wrote in a paper published in 1907.

That was how he reported for one of his six experimental subjects. What about the other five, you ask? Here, McDougall is rather unforthcoming. He says he ignored one result because the scales “were not finely adjusted,” another died while he was still calibrating his equipment, the others — he doesn’t say. (Presumably he would have said, had the results supported his hypothesis.)

Being the fair-minded scientist he presumably saw himself as, and knowing that animals don’t have souls (only we humble humans do) he did the same experiment on 15 dogs in their death throes. Saying that he was unable to find sick or dying dogs, it’s pretty clear, as author Mary Roach puts it, “barring a local outbreak of distemper, one is forced to conjecture that the good doctor calmly poisoned fifteen healthy canines for his little exercise in biological theology.” (Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers)

In any case, once his results (actually, result) were printed in a breathtaking story in the New York Times (March 11, 1907) “Soul has Weight, Physician Thinks,” the tale took off. Three-quarters of an ounce doesn’t really have a ring to it, but once you convert it to metric “21 grams,” you have something catchy to offer the desperate and gullible. There was the (supposedly really good, according to Rotten Tomatoes) 2004 movie 21 Grams. Many songs, including a recent release by a couple of German musicians 21 Gramm. And endless popular references.

MacDougall’s unscientific, biased results were roundly condemned at the time. For instance, following the NYT story, another Massachusetts physician, Augustus Clarke (no relation to our local, very talented artist by that name), noted that after death, the lungs no longer cool the body, leading to sweating and consequent loss of moisture, hence weight loss. (The poor dogs, lacking sweat glands, wouldn’t have exhibited the phenomenon, even granting that MacDougall could register such a tiny change in weight.) Just 20 years ago, physician and chemical engineer Gerry Nahum unsuccessfully tried to sell Yale, Stanford and Duke on his idea that “the soul can be weighed scientifically at the point of (death) dereaction, via measuring its energy-information content, with electromagnetic sensors.” More details here. (I thought engineers were, you know, smarter.)

It’s all bullshit, of course. If you want to make a fast buck, convince folks that they won’t really be dead after they die, and that they can have another shot at life. Since they can only see an inert body when someone dies, convince them that there’s another unseen, ghostly bit that can be saved. And that if they pay you to reveal the secret of eternal life, you’ll live on. With your loved ones! Forever! (I understand that a just couple of weeks of forced confinement with their loved ones at the start of the Covid crisis had many people re-thinking that approach to the hereafter.)

Call me soulless if you will, I’m going to have to pass on that weighty topic. I’m grateful enough for just this one life.

Golden State Natural Resources, a non-profit organization, is partnering with Drax, a U.K.-based energy company, to propose two new factories to turn biomass into wood pellets and an export facility to ship the pellets to be burned for energy in South Korea and Japan. If approved, the mills would be a major expansion of biomass energy in California. Forest and climate advocates warn that biomass like this results in more carbon emissions than coal and could worsen forest conditions by driving the commodification of public lands.

Humboldt’s own Supervisor Rex Bohn sits on the board of Golden State Natural Resources through his service on Rural County Representatives of California, which provided the capital to start Golden State Natural Resources.

Rita Vaughan Frost of the Natural Resources Defense Council and Gary Graham Hughes of Biofuelwatch join the show to discuss the proposal and the risks it brings for our forests and climate.

Learn more!

• “Burning wood is not ‘renewable energy,’ so why do policymakers pretend it is?” Mongabay, June 11.
• “UK’s Drax targets California forests for two major wood pellet plants,” Mongabay, May 6.
• “Why Wood Pellets Won’t Solve California’s Wildfire Problem ,” Natural Resources Defense Council, Feb. 1.

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