RWE,
a world-leading developer of offshore wind, released the official
name of its Northern California project today — Canopy Offshore
Wind Farm (Canopy). Coming near the one-year anniversary of RWE’s
successful bid in the 2022 federal offshore lease auction where the
company secured the right to develop an up to 1.6 GW project 28 miles
off the coast of Humboldt County, the announcement marks another key
step for one of the first commercial-scale floating offshore wind
farms that will deliver sustainable power and help firmly position
the North Coast as a hub for the floating offshore wind industry on
the West Coast.
“The
name, Canopy, is our nod to the region’s iconic redwoods and a look
forward to a future where Humboldt is home to a world-class offshore
wind project that will provide new economic opportunities, including
green jobs for the region, and power a clean grid,” said Canopy
Offshore Wind Farm Project Director Rob Mastria. “The
project name symbolizes RWE’s commitment to planting roots in this
unique community and to developing a project that will bring
generational investments to the region while moving the state closer
to net-zero.”
RWE’s
track record of successful project development in offshore wind and
other renewable technologies has been built on its understanding that
a proactive, inclusive approach is what ensures communities are
informed, projects are safe, sustainable and generate positive
economic impact.
To
support this inclusive approach and its long-term investment in the
Humboldt region, RWE plans to open an office in downtown Eureka in
early 2024 for its local team, which recently expanded with the
addition of three new hires focused on building relationships,
providing transparent project updates and continuing to engage the
community during every step of Canopy’s development.
“Offshore
wind presents tremendous opportunity and potential for the
communities of the North Coast. To be successful, the process must be
inclusive and well understood from the start, working with all
stakeholders, including partners in higher education, Tribal nations,
labor unions and local governments to bring responsibly developed
projects online. RWE’s investment in its community presence will
support the type of collaborative, collective effort needed to
achieve California’s climate goals with transformational clean
energy projects,” said
Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Healdsburg).
Canopy
will have the potential to power more than 600,000 homes and is
expected to be in operation by the mid-2030s. Ushering in an
innovative new industry to Humboldt, the project will bring with it
significant infrastructure investment, jobs and local benefits for
generations to come. For the Canopy project, that will mean a skilled
workforce for construction and the long-term operation and
maintenance of Canopy’s floating turbines.
“The
Office of Economic Development is excited to partner with RWE to
harness the significant opportunities that California’s emerging
offshore wind industry offers. Canopy will breathe new life into
Humboldt’s economy with local workers being trained to build and
operate groundbreaking clean energy technology right here in our own
backyard,” said
Scott Adair, director of the Humboldt County Office of Economic
Development.
“We’re
thrilled to have RWE as our neighbor in downtown Eureka. Canopy
represents a significant, long-term endeavor for Humboldt and RWE’s
expanding local team demonstrates their commitment to a project that
will provide economic opportunity and clean energy to the region for
decades to come,” said
Nancy Olson, President and CEO of the Greater Eureka Chamber of
Commerce.
“It
is great to see RWE’s Canopy project progressing in Humboldt.
Offshore wind will be a win for labor, bringing decades of
meaningful, middle-class jobs in construction and ongoing operations
and revitalizing regional supply chains,” said
Jeff Hunerlach, Secretary-Treasurer of the Humboldt-Del Norte
Building & Construction Trades Council.
A
pioneer of floating technology and one of the world’s most
prominent offshore wind companies, RWE is active across the entire
value chain, from project conception to development, construction,
operation and maintenance Working collaboratively with industry
partners and local institutions, RWE’s experience will help
Humboldt develop into an offshore wind energy hub while protecting
the area’s coastline and ocean ecosystem. Through ongoing, extensive
conversations with regional governments, constituents, Tribal Nations
and fishermen, the Canopy team will ensure this critical project is
developed in a responsible, equitable manner.
Falk, a historic town and lumber mill site nestled in the Bureau of
Land Management Headwaters Forest
Reserve, has been named to the National Register of Historic Places.
Listed officially as
the Falk Archaeological District, the designation recognizes the site
as an area of national significance and
worthy of preservation. Remnants of the townsite are visible and
marked with interpretive signs along the
first half-mile of the Elk River Trail. The most impressive remnant
is a fully restored locomotive barn that now serves
as an education center.
Archaeological
investigations conducted by Humbolt State University (now Cal Poly
Humboldt) over 14 years yielded the
information that led to approval by the National Park Service, which
oversees the National Register of Historic Places,
for the Falk listing.
“Credit also goes
to our staff and Friends of Headwaters who have found creative ways
to explain the history of
Falk through
interpretation and restoration,” said Collin Ewing, manager of the
BLM Arcata Field Office which oversees the
Reserve. “Signs highlighting town remnants make it possible for
visitors to visualize life in Falk.”
Falk was a busy
logging and mill town from 1884 to 1937. Workers toiled deep in the
now-protected redwood stands, felling
trees, shipping them on Falk’s very own railroad to the mill, and
finally sending the lumber to worldwide markets
via a port at present day Eureka. Falk had housing for workers,
supported work camps and featured
infrastructure, including a mill pond, to keep the lumber operation
going. After work stopped, the site fell into decline
and decay. The property owners razed the buildings in the 1960s due
to safety concerns.
The Reserve was
established in 1999, after the BLM and California State Wildlife
Conservation Board purchased the
7,400-acre Headwaters Forest. Information on access can be found
online.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
Goodwin
On 1/4/2024, at about 12:10 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the 3600 block of Central Avenue in McKinleyville for the report of a male subject causing a disturbance.
Deputies arrived on scene and located a male subject inside a nearby trailer. Deputies identified the male subject as 31-year-old Tyler Goodwin, who had several outstanding misdemeanor warrants.
Deputies detained Goodwin and during a search approximately 7 grams of Fentanyl was located on his person. Deputies also located a small CO2 canister which had been modified into an explosive device.
A Humboldt County explosive ordnance deputy responded to the scene and determined the device was in fact a functional explosive. The device was collected and transported away from the area where it was rendered safe.
Goodwin was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of a controlled substance (H&S 11350(A)) and possession of an explosive device (PC 18715(A)(3)).
This case is still under investigation.
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.
John
Chester Burman, 77, passed away peacefully after a long battle with
Alzheimer’s on
January
3, 2024.
John
was born one of four children to Rose and Chester Burman on
June 6, 1946 in
Eureka.
He was a Humboldt native who graduated from Eureka High
School
in 1965. John was known for his athletic ability in football and
track & field were he achieved greatness with his speed.
John
“Jetstream” Burman continued after Eureka high to excel in
football and track at Shasta Junior College. He then returned to
Humboldt where he finished his sports career at HSU. John continued
to shine there and hold multiple football records at HSU. He was
inducted into the HSU Hall
of Fame
in 1978. During his career at HSU he received many awards, including
Western All-Conference and Most Valuable Player. He officially hung
up his cleats after making it through three
cuts on the 49ers
football team.
After
college he followed in the footsteps of his father Chester Burman as
a longshoreman
for 35 years locally. He thrived in the outdoors as an avid hunter
and fisherman. He frequently dove for abalone in Mendocino County
and enjoyed his cabin at Ruth Lake. John had two daughters, Courtney
and Kelsey, with first spouse Janet Surrell. He enjoyed coaching them
in triathlons and various sports while they were growing up.
John
was a man of many talents but most importantly he was loved and
respected by so many. He will never be forgotten and always in our
hearts.
He
was preceded in death by his father,
Chester Burman; mother,
Rose Lawson; grandparents,
Emma and Fred Burman, Peter and Amelia Serafini; and cousin Dick
Giacolini.
He
is survived by his daughters, Courtney Burman and Kelsey Tognetti
(husband Tony); his
five grandchildren, Asher, Ember, Nolan, Brady and Logan; his
three sisters, Joanne Melandy (Michael Melandy and family), Sharon
Kopin and family, Carol Ondrejko and family; and
cousin
Judy Kovacovich. John’s extended family includes Sam Hendricks
(husband Jim and family) and Brandon.
Please
join us for a “Celebration of Life” Friday February 23, 2-5 p.m.
at Old Growth Cellars, 1945 Hilfker Lane,
Eureka. If you have any questions please email Kelsey at
ksburman@hotmail.com
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of John Burman’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On May 1st, 1968, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) received a letter in the mail indicating a human skull had been found near Berry Summit. Several detectives and then Sheriff Gene Cox responded to the scene. It was reported two teenagers had been playing in a pile of rocks on 04-28-68 when they found the skull on the east side of Berry Summit. The scene was searched, and additional remains were located. Detectives learned the area where the skull was located had been used by Granite Construction in 1965 for storage of debris from the 1964 flood.
The skeletal remains were sent to the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington DC and examined at the Smithsonian Institution.
The remains were later returned to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office and buried on June 26th, 1968, at Ocean View Cemetery. Not much was known about the remains other that they were male and between 45-60 years old.
In 2002 the California Department of Justice (Cal DOJ) began requiring DNA samples be obtained from recovered unidentified human remains.
On December 28th, 2010, the unknown subject’s grave was exhumed, and samples were taken for DNA entry. The DNA samples were entered into both the California Missing Person DNA Database and National Unidentified Person DNA Index. The NAMUS case number is UP55806. The DNA profile was routinely searched against profiles from both missing person and other human remains in the Combined Index System (CODIS). No matches were ever made.
In December of 2022 the HCSO and Cal DOJ partnered with Othram Inc, a forensic genealogy laboratory, to determine if advanced forensic DNA testing could help establish an identity for the unidentified man or a close relative. Using funding provided by ROADS TO JUSTICE (RTJ) the CA DOJ sent Othram a DNA extract from the unknown man’s remains. Othram scientists used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive DNA profile for the man. Once the profile was built, Othram’s in-house genealogy team used forensic genetic genealogy to produce investigative leads.
In August of 2023 the HCSO received the report from Othram indicating the DNA profile may belong to William Melvin Toller born in 1927. The report included several genetic relatives including a possible child named Anona from Louisiana. HCSO investigators were able to contact Anona who confirmed she had a father named William Toller, who the family lost contact with when she was eight years old. A DNA sample was obtained from Anona and compared to the DNA from the unidentified male. The DNA proved a genetic match and confirmed the remains were that of William Toller.
Anona explained her father had lied on his paperwork about his age and joined the Marine Corps when he was 15 years old. He was later injured during combat in the South Pacific. Once completing his enlistment, he attended the University of Idaho and obtained a degree in psychology. Just prior to the Korean War William once again enlisted and was sent to Korea. This time when he returned Anona’s mother told her William was a different man. It is probable that William was suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Anona’s parents divorced in the 1950s and they lost contact with him.
The extended time involved in this case shows DNA remains relevant for many years.
HCSO thanks the California Department of Justice DNA Lab, Othram, and Roads to Justice for their outstanding work and assistance in solving this case and providing the Toller family with some closure for their missing loved one. The HCSO is continuing its partnership with CA DOJ and Othram, and continuing to review several other missing or unidentified remains cases for the use of this latest DNA technology.
Anyone with information regarding Mr. Toller, and his last known activities or whereabouts prior to his death, or information that may assist in the investigation of any open missing persons case is asked to contact HCSO Cold Case Investigator Mike Fridley at 707-441-3024<.
Snow in Kneeland in 2023 | File photo: Martin Dodd
###
Following a winter weather advisory over the weekend, parts of Humboldt can expect to see more extreme weather this week, with gusty winds, more hail possible along the coast, and snowfall predicted for elevations as low as 2,000 feet over the next couple of days.
“This week, an unsettled weather pattern is expected as a series of weather systems drop to Northern California,” the National Weather service posted to Facebook on Sunday. “Expect periods of moderate to heavy period of rainfall and snowfall; small hail will be possible near the coast in Humboldt and Del Norte counties, and strong gusty winds for the coastal headlands and exposed ridges in the northern portion of the region on Tuesday and Wednesday.”
According to NWS, interior Humboldt at and above 2,000 feet in elevation could see as much as six inches of snow between Monday night and Tuesday night. Tuesday night through Wednesday night are expected to be even more intense, with up to 12 inches predicted between 2,000 and 3,5000 feet. Whoa!
Above: Tuesday’s forecast. Below: Wednesday’s forecast, from the NWS
This could make travel a bit hairy, especially over the mountain passes, so be sure to use extra caution when traveling this week (or just avoid it altogether, if you can). NWS reminds you to regularly check forecast and road condition updates before making any travel plans, expect travel to take longer than usual and be sure to carry chains. You can check current conditions on the highway passes at this link.
Also, if you do get snow or other extreme weather where you live, NWS would love for you to report it. You can submit reports here. And you know that LoCO always loves to see your pics too!
MCKINLEYVILLE, CA - On Saturday, January 6th at 4:49PM, the Arcata Fire District
was dispatched to a residential structure fire on Dorothy Court in McKinleyville.
All three
of Arcata Fire District’s engines and a duty officer responded to the scene. The engine
out of McKinleyville’s station was first on scene and reported a single-story, single-family dwelling with grey smoke pouring out of the vents of the attic.
The fire started on the exterior of the house and spread to the attic space above.
The
remainder of the responding units arrived at the scene and controlled the fire in
approximately 5 minutes. Two dogs were rescued from the house, and two cats were
unaccounted for.
Crews remained at the scene to check for hot spots until the fire was
fully extinguished.
Arcata Fire District would like to encourage collaboration with your neighbors when it
comes to emergency response. If you see a potential emergency, call 911. Early 911
notification leads to a quicker response of emergency and fire personnel.
The Arcata Fire District would like to thank Samoa-Peninsula Fire and Fieldbrook Fire
for providing station coverage during the incident.
