Arcata Police Department release: 

The Arcata Police Department responded to Arcata High School this morning upon receiving a report of a possible threat to a school that was circulating on social media. Officers determined the threat to be unspecified and the account that posted the threat had been hacked.

The Arcata Police Department thanks the local community for reporting the posts and being vigilant in regards to our community and student safety.

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Another statement about the debunked threats from Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is aware of a social media post circulating in our community regarding a threat to schools. Deputies have determined this threat to not be credible. The post does not appear to have originated locally and is reportedly going viral, with law enforcement across the nation also receiving reports of the same message.

We would like to thank the community, parents and our local school districts for quickly alerting us to this post and for your cooperation during this investigation. We take all threats to our community seriously and patrol our local schools regularly to ensure the safety of students and staff. Please continue to report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Sept. 12, 2023, at about 8:08 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies in the area of the 1200 block of Hatchery Road near Blue Lake were contacted by an adult female victim reporting an assault.

The victim told deputies that over the weekend she had been physically assaulted and removed from her residence against her will by her partner, 54-year-old James Carlton Mason. Following this incident, Mason reportedly left the residence and then returned later in the day. Upon his return, Mason reportedly again assaulted the victim. The victim sustained serious injuries and was privately transported to a local hospital for medical care.  

On September 15 at about 12:08 a.m., Sheriff’s deputies observed a vehicle associated with Mason parked outside a trailer at an RV Park in Orick. Deputies located Mason sleeping inside the vehicle. Mason was taken into custody without incident and was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of attempted murder (PC 664/187(a)), inflicting corporal injury on a spouse (PC 273.5(a)), criminal threats (PC 422) and kidnapping (PC 207(a)), in addition to warrant charges of false identification to a peace officer (PC 148.9(a)), driving with a suspended license (VC 14601.5) and driving without a license (VC 12500).

As of today’s date, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office has investigated over 340 domestic violence cases in 2023. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, harassment, or harm from your partner, or think that you might be, you are not alone. Help is available. To speak with someone immediately and find resources for help, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text “START” to “88788”. For local assistance, contact the Humboldt Domestic Violence Services 24-hour support line at (707) 443-6042, toll free at (866) 668-6543, or visit https://hdvs.org/.

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.

Cal Poly Humboldt University Police Department release: 

The University Police Department is advising the Cal Poly Humboldt community to be on the alert for an individual who exhibited erratic behavior on campus this morning. UPD is investigating the incident and working with Arcata police to locate the subject.

At approximately 8:45 a.m., the man inappropriately engaged with a student near Library circle. He was last seen boarding a bus and was confirmed to have been dropped off in Eureka.  

The individual is described as a Hispanic male, 20-33 years old, 5 feet, 6 inches, 260-270 pounds, with black buzz-cut hair. He was last seen wearing a white tank top and blue jeans. He may go by the name “Tino.”

UPD is seeking to identify the subject as well as speak with another student who reported having a similar encounter with the individual.

If you see or encounter the individual on campus, do not engage with him and please contact University Police immediately by calling 911, (707) 826-5555 or extension 5555 from any campus phone.

California voters next spring will get to decide on a ballot measure to create housing and treatment options for homeless individuals with serious mental illness. If it passes, the measure championed by Gov. Gavin Newsom would mark the first major overhaul of the state’s community mental health system in 20 years.

The two-pronged proposition on the March primary election ballot includes a nearly $6.4 billion bond to build 10,000 psychiatric treatment units. It also asks voters to redefine how counties spend money collected from a special “millionaire’s tax” to allocate a share of it for housing.

Newsom and supporters have promoted Proposition 1 as a way to help address the state’s deteriorating homelessness and addiction crises. They contend increased investment and an update to the state’s Mental Health Services Act is “long overdue”.

The Legislature on Thursday overwhelmingly backed his proposal, with lopsided votes to place it on the 2024 ballot. Newsom still must sign the bills, and he said he would in a written statement after a late-night vote in the Assembly.

“These measures represent a key part of the solution to our homelessness crisis, and improving mental health for kids and families,” Newsom said. “Now, it will be up to voters to ratify the most significant changes to California’s mental health system in more than 50 years.”

Opponents of the ballot measure say diverting money in the Mental Health Services Act for housing will result in up to $1 billion in cuts to current mental health programs like outpatient care and crisis response. Other advocates criticize the governor for making last-minute changes to the bond, allowing the money to be spent on involuntary treatment institutions.

So what exactly are voters being asked to consider? Here’s how the proposal breaks down.

What is the Mental Health Services Act?

The Mental Health Services Act, which voters passed as a ballot measure in 2004, levies a 1% tax on personal income over $1 million. It passed at a time when the state’s mental health system was severely underfunded. Since then, the tax has generated an estimated $26 billion for county mental health programs. Last year the tax garnered more than $3 billion. It supports roughly one-third of the state’s mental health system.

The tax is not California’s only source of revenue for mental health programs. The state also receives money from Medi-Cal, and it spends a portion of its general fund on those services. Those sources come with strict spending limitations. For example, Medi-Cal primarily pays for treatment of mental health disorders but will not cover prevention programs. It also will not pay for inpatient treatment at a facility with more than 16 beds.

Counties have come to rely on the relative flexibility of Mental Health Services Act dollars to pay for core services like outpatient care, outreach and engagement, school-based counseling, youth wellness programs, family resource centers, and crisis response teams.

What does Newsom want to do?

The most significant change put forth by the governor is a requirement that counties invest 30% of their Mental Health Services Act tax dollars — roughly $1 billion based on last year’s revenue — in housing programs, including rental subsidies and navigation services. Counties would have to spend half this money on people who are chronically homeless or living in encampments. They could also use up to one quarter of the money to build or purchase housing units.

Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has been a staunch supporter of Newsom’s proposal. Steinberg was one of the co-authors of the Mental Health Services Act when he was an assemblymember in 2004.

“To put it plainly, not enough of the Mental Health Services Act dollars are getting out to the people with the most persistent mental illnesses, specifically people who are chronically homeless and living with those underlying conditions,” Steinberg said during a press call in August. “So that’s where you start.”

The ballot measure puts counties on the hook for paying for substance use disorder treatment with Mental Health Services Act money. Counties have historically paid for addiction treatment with other funding.

And, it renames the program as the Behavioral Health Services Act.

Flanked by state and local politicians, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced the state’s plan to address homelessness across the state at Cal Expo in Sacramento, on March 16, 2023. Photo by Miguel Gutierrez Jr., CalMatters

What will the bond measure do?

The second half of Newsom’s proposal places a $6.4 billion general obligation bond before voters to dramatically expand the state’s psychiatric and addiction treatment infrastructure.

Nearly $4.4 billion would go toward building inpatient and residential treatment beds and could serve 100,000 people annually, officials said. California faces a shortage of nearly 8,000 adult psychiatric beds, said Nicole Eberhart, senior behavioral health scientist for the RAND Corporation, during testimony to an Assembly budget subcommittee in May. Long waitlists plague the state’s inpatient mental health system, and doctors say there’s nowhere to send stable patients who need long-term treatment focused on recovery.

Another $2 billion will go toward building permanent supportive housing, with half set aside for veterans with mental health diagnoses or addiction disorders.

How many people are unhoused in California?

More than 170,000 Californians are unhoused, the vast majority of whom live in street encampments. California has the highest homeless rate per 10,000 people, second only to the District of Columbia, and the highest proportion of unsheltered homeless individuals in the country, according to federal data.

A landmark study by the UCSF Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative found about two-thirds of unhoused Californians surveyed suffered from a mental health disorder but only 19% had received recent treatment. The driving force behind homelessness, however, was most often income loss, not mental illness or addiction, according to the study.

Who are the supporters?

Sen. Susan Talamantes-Eggman, a Democrat from Stockton, carried the proposed reform of the Mental Health Services Act in the Legislature. During Thursday’s Senate concurrence vote, Talamantes-Eggman said the way counties spend state mental health funding needs to address changes that have happened in the two decades since the act was first designed.

Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin, a Democrat from Thousand Oaks, carried the bond proposal in the Legislature.

Mayors and county supervisors from eight major regions, including San Francisco and Los Angeles, successfully lobbied to increase funding for the bond measure by $1.5 billion. City leaders were early supporters of the measure with more than two dozen submitting letters of support along with housing and homeless advocates and the National Alliance on Mental Illness California.

Who are the opponents?

Peer-run and disability organizations have been the staunchest opponents to the changes proposed in the ballot measure. They argue current clients will lose treatment options and accuse Newsom’s administration of using the proposal to fund his CARE Court initiative that passed last year. That law allows a court to place someone with a serious mental illness into an involuntary treatment program.

Groups representing people of color and LGBTQ communities also oppose the measure. They say it will eliminate prevention resources and worsen already stark disparities in access to treatment. Resource centers that target these populations are among the services most likely to get cut, county behavioral health leaders have said in public hearing.

The bond measure, which previously faced no opposition, drew fierce criticism from peer and disability advocates after last-minute amendments allowed the money to be used on involuntary treatment facilities.

“This is a really tough time for our communities,” said Paul Simmons, executive director of the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. “Our concern with (the proposition) is massive increases in involuntary and forced treatment.”

Children and family advocates withdrew previous opposition after securing significant concessions from the governor requiring 51% of spending on early intervention be targeted toward children and youth.

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Supported by the California Health Care Foundation (CHCF), which works to ensure that people have access to the care they need, when they need it, at a price they can afford. Visit www.chcf.org to learn more.

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

“It’s not the length of life, but the depth of life.”

 – Ralph Waldo Emerson

On July 8, 2023, just three weeks short of her 25th birthday, Michelle Leann Swanlund’s precious life was cut short due to a fatal car accident.

Michelle was born on July 31, 1998. She had two older siblings, Melissa and Gordon, and two younger siblings, Hannah and Tristian. She had an extra special bond with each of them that could never be broken.

Michelle found one of her passions in life on the back of a horse. She spent many hours on the beach, trail riding, or in an arena. It didn’t matter where she rode. She had her four favorite horses, but rode countless others and loved every new ride and adventure they brought. With this passion, Michelle soon found herself at Redwood Creek Summer Camp, where she spent the summers leading trail rides and helping kids learn about horses. She shared her love and passion for each of the horses with the kids every year. When the summer camp was in need of a lifeguard Michelle, once again, literally “dove” into her next passion: swimming. She became a certified riverfront lifeguard. She was a valued member of the Redwood Creek staff and was cherished by all who knew her.

Scholastically, Michelle loved attending Freshwater Elementary School, where she formed special bonds with each of her teachers. After leaving their classrooms, she could still be found helping each teacher in many ways. For 7th and 8th grade, Michelle attended Freshwater Charter Middle School, where Mr. Haller and Jennifer Jones (Lovingly known as “JJ” to all her students) became her inspirations. Throughout her entire time at Freshwater, she was blessed to have Amy Carlstad by her side. When graduation came, Michelle was awarded the Presidential Honor of Scholastic Achievement.

Michelle was blessed to attend 6 Rivers Charter High School where she, once again, found herself as an aid to the teachers there and it was here where she formed a lifetime friendship with her teacher, Tara Millsap Ralulu. They spent many hours talking and spending time together. Ms. Ralulu was always just a phone call away, even after she finished high school.

Michelle had many adventures after she graduated high school. She worked hard but always made time to be with each of her siblings. Whether that was when they were graduating, having a birthday, or just making time to have a quick lunch or dinner with them. The weeks before her accident, she was at her younger brother’s 8th grade graduation, then, two days later she flew back to Ohio to witness the birth of Paisley, her first niece and finished the last step of her life at her Brother’s wedding, the weekend prior, where she was surrounded by many who loved her. Life will never be the same without her.

Michelle will also be dearly missed by her mom, Jody Swanlund, her dad, Scott Swanlund, her grandparents Arvie and Alice Seiber, Wanda Swanlund, her sister-in-law, Leah Swanlund as well as many other family and friends who had the blessing of sharing in the adventures of her life.

Michelle lived and loved fiercely.

A memorial will be held in Michelle’s memory at 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at the Lifehouse Church, 2734 Hubbard Ln, Eureka, Ca 95501 for all those who wish to attend in person. (Please remember to always wear a safety belt while in a vehicle, in her memory). Her service can also be seen on the “Lifehouse Eureka” Facebook page for those who cannot make it in person.

Michelle loved attending summer camp when she was too young to work there, and it is our wish, as a family, to continue her legacy in the form of a memorial fund that has been set up in Michelle’s memory to provide scholarships to children who wish to go to a summer camp. We pray it will touch their lives, much the same way it did her. If you wish to make a donation, there will be ways to donate at the memorial, as well as over Venmo: @Michelle_Camp_Scholarship_Fund

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Michelle Swanlund’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Dayton M. Titus passed away in his home surrounded by family on August 21, 2023. He lived life to the fullest, enjoying his family, lifelong friends and continued to make meaningful connections with people of all ages until his passing.

Last month, Dayton celebrated his 96th birthday with his family. Incredibly, in the last week of his life, he enjoyed visits with family and friends, went to his beloved Petrolia property, took his routine walk up Oeschger Road, and even attended the Humboldt County Fair horse races.

Dayton was born July 25, 1927 to Frank and Mabel Titus in Ferndale. He was one of four children that grew up on the Titus family dairy in Ferndale during the depression. He attended Coffee Creek School and graduated from Ferndale High School in 1945. Dayton was an outstanding athlete: excelling in football, basketball and track.

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy at age 17. He was a proud WWII Veteran. In 2014, Dayton accompanied by his son, Dave, participated in the Honor Flight in Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at the memorials. It was one of the most memorable trips of his life.

After the war, Dayton returned to the family dairy, and began a highly successful amateur boxing career. He went on to compete as a Golden Gloves welterweight champion boxer. Later he turned professional, winning his only professional fight, which earned him enough money to buy a wedding ring for his soon-to-be bride, Gayle Klingler. In recent years, Dayton was one of several local Golden Gloves boxers featured in the Ferndale Museum documentary, Lords of the Ring.

Dayton married Gayle on July 22, 1950. They were married for 61 years until her passing in 2011.

Dayton and Gayle established the family dairy and ran it until 1960. During this time, they had their four children. After enduring several floods, they decided to leave the dairy business and bought their property on Centerville Road.

Dayton’s personality made him a natural as proprietor of the Ivanhoe Saloon, which he owned from 1963-1973. After selling the Ivanhoe, he spent many years working as a carpenter, a maintenance supervisor at the Humboldt County Fair and as the sexton at the Ferndale Cemetery. Dayton was a lifelong fan of thoroughbred horseracing and for a time, the owner of two racehorses. Also, he was a member of the Native Sons of the Golden West for 76 years.

Dayton loved Petrolia and the people of the Mattole Valley. He and Gayle spent years restoring the Titus homestead in Petrolia where wonderful memories were made with family. He spent many years buck hunting at Buzzard’s Peak and BAR W and picking abalone at Mussel Ranch. He loved these pastimes shared with family, extended family, and friends. Each experience provided him with great days and more stories to tell.

Along with several other local businessmen, Dayton was instrumental in establishing a youth baseball program in Ferndale and re-establishing Ferndale’s Youth Football program. He loved all sports and enjoyed playing, coaching, and later watching his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren from the sidelines. In 2014, College of the Redwoods honored the Titus Family for their support of and participation in athletics.

Not only was Dayton a fighter in the boxing ring, but he also fought cancer for the last two years of his life. He far exceeded all expectations, leaving his doctors completely perplexed at his good health. Dayton went the distance, determined to continue to share life, stories and laughter with his family and friends up until the day of his passing.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Gayle; parents, Frank and Mabel Titus; mother-in-law and father-in-law, Ethel and Clarence Landis; brothers, Everett Titus and Jim Titus; sister-in-law, Betty Titus; brother-in-law, Jerry Miller; and grandson, Nate Titus.

Dayton is survived by his children, Vonnie Titus (Jake Pauli), Dave Titus (Cindy), Stuart Titus (Caroline) and Cliff Titus (Marcie).

Grandchildren: Maren Wagner, Raleigh Bettiga (Lindsey), Brad Titus (Katherine), Alex Titus, Eric Titus, Ellie Titus (Devin Banerjee), Abigail Titus, Grady Titus, Lucas Titus (Jennie), Matt Titus (Angelica) and Nick Titus (Stephanie).

Great-grandchildren: Ella, Ava and Adam Wagner; Maddie, Charlie and Teddy Bettiga; Ruby Banerjee; Trent, Tristen, Taren, Domenic, Izabel, Wesley and Isla Titus.

He is also survived by his sister, Glenda Miller; sister-in-law, Cecilia Titus; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Please join us for a Celebration of Dayton’s Life on Sunday, October 1, 2023, from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at The Barn by Fernbridge, 26 Goble Lane, Ferndale. Memorial donations can be made to the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Dept., Petrolia Volunteer Fire Dept., Ferndale Museum and Hospice of Humboldt.

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Dayton Titus’ loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.

Marshall Junior McGuire passed away peacefully at the age of 87, on September 9, 2023 at Sequoia Springs Assisted Living in Fortuna. He had been under the care of Hospice of Humboldt. Marshall was born on February 4, 1936 in Mikado, Michigan to Marshall James McGuire and Pearl Bowlsby McGuire who have both preceded him in death. The love of his life and wife of nearly 60 years, Ellen Henretty McGuire also preceded him in death.

Marshall led a vibrant life. After meeting Ellen in High School at a summer camp, they were married before their second year of college. After graduation from Graceland, a two-year school at the time, he worked as a fire lookout during the summers while his first two children were born. They moved to Lansing, Michigan and he worked in the State Police Station while he completed his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture. He taught vocational Agriculture in Whittemore, Michigan for six years. He then obtained his master’s degree and went to work for the Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Service for Alcona County for six years.

He went back to teaching for a couple of years before he became the vice-principal for Sanilac County Career Center. When he was eligible for Michigan retirement, he and Ellen moved to California to be closer to some of their kids (and leave the snow). After substitute teaching for a short time, he went to basic training and became a Correctional Officer. He was one of the early hires for Pelican Bay in Crescent City. Marshall and Ellen retired for the second time and moved to Redcrest in 1995.

Throughout his life he loved to serve and help the people around him. He was the elected Mayor of Lincoln, Michigan, he was pastor of multiple Community of Christ churches, and assistant to the District President. He was even on the Board of Directors for Happy Valley Campground. He was a seasoned cook, a great gardener, an avid woodworker and furniture maker. The saying in our family was always “Dad can fix anything”. Except maybe saunas… he almost burned down two houses from the saunas he built. 😂

Marshall and Ellen loved Jesus and they loved to travel together. They spent many of their years traveling the world. He said he only regretted that he never got to see Thailand. Together they saw most of the US, including Alaska and Hawaii, Mexico, Central America, Caribbean, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, Scandinavia, and Russia. He taught his children and grandchildren the love of travel too. He was always up for a card game or a friendly bet of an ice cream cone. He always stood up for himself and others. He loved well and lived life to fullest. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

He is survived by six of his seven brothers and sisters. His brother Donald McGuire also preceded him in death. His surviving siblings include Christena Fox (Thom, deceased), Deloris White (Edward), Darlene Kuenzli (Ronald), Darrell McGuire (Shari), Sharon Stephens (Warren) and Roland McGuire (Debbie). He is survived by brother-in-law Thomas Henretty (Ava), and preceded in death by sister-in-law Francis Mack and husband Eugene. He is also survived by dozens of nieces and nephews.

His children Valdeen Childs (Robin), Cheryl Nichols (Steve), and Douglas McGuire (Denise) survive him. He is preceded in death by son Terry McGuire. He also leaves seven grandchildren. Kara Childs, Rebecca Stewart (Zach), Lillie McGuire, Caska McGuire (aka:Beau), Megan Rollf (Jared), Kayla Roggenbuck (Nick), Kory McGuire (Courtney). He also had five great-grandchildren Jayden, Jensen, Grant, Gavin and Jenson.

Celebrations of Life will be held at Faith Center in Eureka on September 23, 2023 at 2 p.m. and Mikado, Mich., Community of Christ Church, on October 21, 2023 at 1 p.m. with internment at Mikado Township Cemetery to follow. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Hospice of Humboldt at 3327 Timberfall Ct, Eureka, CA 95503 or your favorite charity.

The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Marshall McGuire’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.