Evelyn “Evie” Irene Fuller was born November 19, 1927, in Tulsa, Oklahoma to Clarence and Edith Borders. She was the oldest of four and their only girl. At the age of five, she accompanied her father to the family farm in the Ozark Mountains of Missouri to make the property livable for the family. She grew up on this farm with her brothers and her mother who cooked fresh foods grown on the farm. After spending most of her early life in Missouri, the family moved to Vancouver, Washington during World War II so Clarence could work at the Kaiser Shipyard building ships for the war effort. Evie graduated high school in Vancouver, Washington where she started working at the shipyards and then the telephone company. During this time, she met her husband Richard “Dick” Fuller at a dance hall when he returned from World War II. They were married in a small ceremony on July 3, 1946.

Together they lived up and down the West Coast and Hawaii as Dick worked and ran several businesses. They had three boys: Sam, Rick, and David. In the late 1960s Evie started college and eventually earned her teaching credential as well as a master’s degree in education from Cal Poly Pomona. She taught many ages, but her favorite class was the sixth graders. She made them feel like adults and was always proud of her connection with kids and how fondly she was remembered by many former students. After retiring from teaching, she continued to be a lifelong learner and educator, always looking for opportunities to learn new skills, crafts, and information, and share them with her grandchildren.

In 1988 Evie and Dick purchased a property in McKinleyville overlooking Clam Beach and the Pacific Ocean. She loved being able to see the sunset and smell the salty air from her front porch. They split their time between the house in McKinleyville during the summers and a place in Desert Hot Springs during the winters before they moved full time to McKinleyville. After Dick’s passing in 2003, Evie started volunteering at the McKinleyville Senior Center, where she continued to work until she was 93. She also took advantage of OLLI through Cal Poly Humboldt, taking many history, art, and nature classes. She loved walking and always signed up for the fundraising walks, often winning awards as she was one of the only participants in her age group.

She was a loving grandmother and great-grandmother, a supporter of local theater, a crime show and Court TV fan, an artist, a story teller, a caregiver, and an accomplished home cook. She was fiercely independent and told jokes right up to the end.

She passed away on March 11, 2024. She will be missed by her family, but her long life will live on in the memories we have. The family would like to thank Timber Ridge McKinleyville and Hospice of Humboldt for their compassion and support during this last year.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, her husband, and her son Sam. She is survived by her son Rick (Glenda) of Upland, California, her son David (Karen) of Eureka, her seven grandchildren, and her nine great-grandchildren.

A memorial will be planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers please donate to the McKinleyville Senior Center and Hospice of Humboldt.

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

Judith Kay Martin was called home to be with her Lord and Savior (Jesus Christ) at the age of 83, on March 16, 2024 at the Ida Emmerson Hospice House in Eureka.

Judy was born on March 9, 1941 in Eureka to Henry Axel Johnson and Audrey Louise (Wahlund) Johnson, who have both passed away.

Judy was raised in Eureka and attended the First Presbyterian Church. She married Alvin Roberts and had twin boys, William (who passed away in 2006) and Christopher. She worked at Meads card store after high school in 1958 and worked there until 1966. She then worked for Dr. Evertt Hunt from 1967 to 1976, followed by Eureka Family Practice for 16 years before retiring.

Judy met and married Jim Martin in 1967. They were married for 56 years.

She was a member of Grace Baptist Church, and served as church treasurer for many years. She currently was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

She leaves behind her husband Jim, son Christopher Roberts, several cousins, six grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren and multiple great-great-grandchildren, and many friends. She is greatly missed by her husband and family, but they know she waits for them in heaven.

In August of 2023 she was diagnosed with liver cancer. She decided not to go through surgery, radiation and chemo, so Hospice of Humboldt was called to keep her comfortable. They did a wonderful job of keeping her pain free while also encouraging her husband, Jim. We cannot thank her home nurse, Bridget, and Jennifer, Debra, Anna, Simone, Pamela, McKenna, Dianne, Tia, Joni, Ashley, David, Andrew, Nicole, Katie, Maria, Katie, Matt, Tyler and others at the Ida Emmerson Hospice House enough for their loving care.

Judy’s family did not realize the spiritual and loving impact that she had on the people around her. The family kindly asks if you want to donate in memory of Judy, please consider Hospice of Humboldt. Hospice also has other ways of remembering her. You can go to the “Hospice of Humboldt” website for further information .

Per Judy’s request there will be no memorial service.

It is with heavy heart that I announce the passing of my beloved mother, Carol J. Lauer, who departed on Marsh 7, with her adoring daughter by her side.

Carol was born in Berkeley, California in 1930 to Dagmar (Larson) Knudsen and Morris Knudsen.

Carol loved art and especially the art community. She had a fondness for her friend and teacher, Alan Sanborn, and participated in his critique classes. She was proud to own one of his prints.

Carol volunteered at the St Joseph Hospital for 18 years and made many friends there — ones that she still saw up until her death.

She was a member of The Redwood Arts Association for many years and participated in many shows there and at The Morris Graves and the Humboldt County Fairs. She won many prizes, honorable mentions and ribbons. We were very proud of her.

She took all sorts of classes and loved to play Mexican Train and ShangHi cards.

Always ready for a trip to Bear River casino and always in search of “The Big One.”

My mom was nice, thoughtful, generous to those in need and loved to have people over for a drink and snacks. She was fun and funny. She will be missed terribly by all and especially me, her daughter.

Carol was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 70 years, Richard, her mother Elaine Hesemeyer, brother Tommy Knudsen and son David Lauer.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughter Linda Anderson, granddaughter Beth Elasowich and husband Adam Elasowich, two great-granddaughters, Rosemary and Marigold, grandson Aaron Lauer, his daughter Annette, and nephew Jeff Hesemeyer.

Carol deeply valued her friendships, and her numerous cherished friends were an integral part of her life. Though impossible to name them all, she expressed immense gratitude for the joy and support they brought her.

In accordance with Carol’s wishes, there will be no funeral or memorial service. A private gathering to celebrate her life will be arranged at a later date.

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UPDATE: March 20, 9:30 a.m.:

On Tuesday evening, a spokesperson for Citizens for a Better Eureka emailed the following:

Citizens for a Better Eureka today released the following statement regarding Humboldt County Superior Court Judge Feeney’s ruling dismissing the group’s CEQA (California Environmental Quality Act) lawsuit concerning legal procedures for parking lots removals:
“We are disappointed with the judge’s ruling on a lawsuit that would have ensured the City follow correct procedures when eliminating relied-upon public parking. Still, we are encouraged that there are other avenues to ensure the city follows legal procedures required by CEQA so that downtown Eureka’s small businesses are protected.

“Citizens for a Better Eureka remains neutral on the Wiyot Tribe’s project.”

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Original post:

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PREVIOUSLY: Wiyot Tribe Urges Judge to Toss ‘Citizens for a Better Eureka’ Lawsuit Over Removal of Parking Spaces

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Late last week, retired Humboldt County Superior Court Judge John T. Feeney signed an order dismissing one of four lawsuits filed last year by special interest group Citizens for a Better Eureka. That group, which is funded by the Rob Arkley-founded firm Security National, aims to preserve parking lots by blocking several multi-family housing developments slated for downtown.

This particular suit concerns the vacant parcel at the corner of Fifth and D streets, one of two downtown locations where the Wiyot Tribe plans to construct multi-income housing developments through its community land trust agency, Dishgamu Humboldt.

The City of Eureka awarded the Tribe contracts for those developments last summer, having already declared the the properties as surplus and designating them for affordable housing development in its updated and state-approved Housing Element, a part of the city’s General Plan. 

The “Citizens for a Better Eureka” lawsuits argue that the city hasn’t adequately studied the environmental impacts of converting these parking lots into housing projects, an argument that the California Attorney General’s Office has expressly rejected.

Last week in court, attorney Siena Kalina urged Judge Feeney to dismiss the lawsuit regarding the parcel at Fifth and D. Kalina, who was representing the Wiyot Tribe, serves as Indian Law Fellow with the Davis firm of Berkey Williams, LLC. She argued that the Tribe is “an indispensable party” in the outcome of the case, noting that the lawsuit would prevent Dishgamu Humboldt from accessing financing, having site control and beginning construction. 

Kalina further argued that, as a federally recognized Indian Tribe, the Wiyot Tribe has sovereign immunity and thus cannot be “joined” or included in the suit. Therefore, she said, the suit should be dismissed.

Feeney’s single-page Order of Dismissal does not offer any judicial reasoning for his decision, and it’s not clear whether he intends to do so. Reached by the Outpost this afternoon, neither Wiyot Tribal Administrator Michelle Vassel nor Eureka City Attorney Autumn Luna had seen a copy of the order. In fact, Vassel wasn’t even aware it had been issued.

After we confirmed that the case has indeed been dismissed, Vassel told the Outpost, “I can say that the Wiyot Tribe is pleased, but we’re not surprised by the court ruling. The Wiyot Tribe is working with the city to meet the needs of affordable housing at a time when we desperately need it. This project is in full compliance with applicable law, and we look forward to continuing these efforts.”

We also reached out to “Citizens for a Better Eureka” for a response to the ruling but spokesperson Gail Rymer was not immediately available for comment.

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DOCUMENT: Order of Dismissal

On March 12 — a week after primary day — opponents of Proposition 1 waved the white flag, conceding that Gov. Gavin Newsom’s mental health ballot measure would likely pass.

Yesterday, the anti-Prop. 1 campaign withdrew its concession and revived its efforts. What changed?

For one thing, the vote count tightened: As of late Saturday, Prop. 1 was leading by about 20,000 votes, with 7.5 million ballots counted and some 287,000 left to be tallied, according to the Secretary of State.

And for another, Newsom’s political action committee put out an appeal for volunteers to reach out to Democrats who had their ballots rejected — for mismatched signatures or other reasons — to fix them and get them counted. The training was Sunday.

“Governor Newsom needs you…. The votes are being counted and it is CLOSE. Like, just a couple thousand votes close,” the appeal said.

Prop. 1 opponents called that strategy “sleazy” and “an attempt to manipulate the final vote count by harvesting the votes of only some partisans in certain areas.”

But the foes said they’re launching a similar effort and refocusing their website to help voters confirm their ballots were counted and to assist voters whose ballots were rejected.

“We believe all ballots should be counted,” Paul Simmons, a director of Californians Against Prop. 1, said in a statement. “We know that many Democrats voted against Prop. 1, so the governor’s effort is no slam dunk. If you’re a Republican or independent, we want you to know that your ballot might make the difference in this election. But the governor won’t help you. We will.”

“We don’t know if reviving rejected ballots will change the outcome of this election,” Simmons added, “but if the governor thinks it might, we for damn sure aren’t going to let him have the field to himself.”

The Prop. 1 results would have to get even closer, however, for a recount.

There are no automatic recounts for statewide ballot measures. But a campaign can request one in specific counties — if it’s willing to pay for it. That could be a hurdle for the cash-strapped Prop. 1 opponents if the measure narrowly passes.

There’s another provision in state law that could also come into play: The governor can order a state-funded hand recount of all votes statewide if the official results show a difference between “yes” and “no” votes on a ballot measure of 1,000 votes or less, or 0.00015 percentage points or less. As of the latest vote count, the second threshold is 1,055 votes for Prop. 1.

So if Prop. 1 fails that narrowly, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Newsom uses this provision. Such a recount request would have to come within 36 days of the primary, or mid-April.

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

Fortuna resident Steven (Steve) Riddle, age 70, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, March 5, 2024, at his home in the presence of his wife.

Steve was born December 19, 1953, in the Scotia Hospital to Ruby Laurel and Claud Riddle. He lived in Rio Dell until the fifth grade before moving with his mother and siblings to Church Street in Scotia, where he attended Scotia Elementary School. Steve graduated Fortuna Union High School in 1972. He attended College of the Redwoods and also completed a certificate program to earn his Class A license for truck driving.

During his senior year at Fortuna High School, a little Portuguese girl caught his eye. He would watch Maria pass by in between classes and give her a smile, and she would act like she didn’t notice him. As the months passed, she started to finally give him a glance and return his smile. Their first date was that summer after graduation, August 12, 1972, when he came to pick her up. Upon leaving her house, they walked out together and here came her sister, Eva, trooping out to join them. Mr. Costa was not going to let his 18-year-old daughter go on a date unaccompanied. Steve was such a good sport about it, he didn’t complain. Luckily the five Costa sisters were very close.

Steve was content dating Maria for years, until she told him, her dad said they should get married or else she should move on. After six years of dating, the two were married on August 12, 1978.

Again, Steve was content with married life and the freedoms of being a couple. But since they both wanted children, the years were creeping on them. Six and a half years after they married, their first child, Rachelle, was born, with Ryan and Redmond to follow. Steve was delighted and surprised as each baby arrived, not knowing what they were having. Steve was the most nurturing, caring father, hands-on from the time his children were born. His in-laws always commented on how well he cared for his infants and toddlers, just like a mother would. They marveled at how well he adapted to fatherhood, since he was raised without his father.

Steve’s job during high school was working at Bertain’s Laundry in Scotia, running the washers and working on the plumbing with Tom Bertain. It wasn’t until February 1973 that he finally got hired at The Pacific Lumber Co., but not before showing up at the Main Office to see Gary Cook every morning from June 1972 ‘til he got hired. He was persistent and patient, but the day finally arrived. The best and most enjoyable job he had was when he was able to put his Class A license to use and got his first opportunity to drive a dump truck. His dream job was getting on the Town Crew and driving a transfer dump truck with his team: Ken Richardson, Glenn Johnson, and Donnie Viggers. On August 25, 2003, while driving a water truck up in the mountains above Scotia, the brakes failed and he was forced to crash the water truck instead of driving over a cliff, which almost took his life. Due to the extent of the injuries to his left hand and forearm, driving a truck was no longer possible. In 2006, Steve started a plumbing program at Wyotech, a vocational school in Fremont, graduating in 2007 at the top of his class. Shortly after graduating and seeking work, the collapse of the housing market began, making his dreams unattainable. In 2011 while operating a jackhammer drill, his hand was severely injured, destroying any hopes of a career in plumbing.

In 2018, Steve became concerned about difficulty with his speech, which led to a brain scan in August of that year, showing he had a neurological condition. In November of 2018, Steve began extensive testing, continuing through 2019, which led to a referral to UCSF in January 2020 and a referral to their study program. With the Covid shutdown, the study program was placed on hold, depriving Steve the ability to get a diagnosis and the cause of his disease.

Steve loved motorcycles and cars. Everyone knew Steve had always been a big car buff, owning a Honda 90, 150 & 500, a ‘56 Chevy, ‘64 Chevy Impala, ‘67 Chevy pickup, ‘68 Chevy Camaro, ‘72 Heavy Chevy, Chevrolet/GMC trucks, and a VW Bug.

NASCAR and Dale Earnhardt (#3) were his passion and favorite racer, later following his son, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Steve was an avid deer and quail hunter, but since his two sons played youth football on Sundays and High School Football on Friday nights, he placed his hunting on hold until the boys were out of school.

Fishing, tent camping, and 5th wheel trailer camping were a joy to both Steve and Maria. Walking Misha, Steve’s Corgi/Pit mix, was a daily routine every morning and afternoon, until Steve couldn’t stay up with her, making it difficult to walk. Misha was his girl now that his daughter Rachelle had moved away.

Steve was a hardworking, dedicated, wonderful husband and father. His wife and three children were his life, and he was proud of them all.

He is survived by his wife of 45 1/2 years, Maria São Costa Riddle, his daughter Rachelle Riddle (Patrick Knight), sons Ryan Riddle (Kristi MacLiesh) and Redmond Riddle (Kaitlynn Miller), and granddaughter Everly Riddle; sisters-in-law Manuela Enes, Eva Adams (Jon), Natal Chadwell (Clayton) Linda Costa-Franklin (Arnaldo Martins); brothers-in-law Brian Franklin and Joe Enes; brothers Mike Riddle (Donna), Tim Riddle (Lori), Dan Coulter (Lisa); sister Claudia Boothe (Steve); sister-in-law Annie Brodie; sisters Shannon Riddle Gallimore, Megan Riddle Petrich, Kerry Riddle, and Maureen Riddle Killaby; aunt Phyllis Watson; uncle Joe Watson; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Steve was preceded in death by his mother Ruby Laurel Coulter, his father Claud (Dodge) Riddle, his siblings Ruth Riddle-Tauscher, Roxanne Riddle-Miller and her husband Skip Miller, and Trey Brodie; his father and mother-in-law, Manuel and Maria C Costa; and his beloved dog Misha.

Steve was a member of Church of the Assumption Parish, in Ferndale. He was also a member of the Portuguese Fraternal Society of America (PFSA), a fraternal organization.

Pallbearers are Jon Adams, Clayton Chadwell, Brian Franklin, Tay Franklin, Joe Renner, and Garvin Mitchell.

A huge thank you to Kaitlynn Miller, who has been an angel of a care provider for Steve during his last few months of life. A thank you to Hospice of Humboldt for their passionate care, Bridget, Rose, Steve, Anna, Lea, and Travis. Thank you to his physicians Dr. Mary DeMay of UCSF, Dr. Melissa McKenzie, and Dr. Ruben Brinckhaus, and to Providence Redwood Memorial to the doctors, nurses, and staff.

A heartfelt thank you to family, friends, and neighbors for the caring phone calls, visits, meals, flowers, and cards.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to your favorite charity or Catholic Church of the Assumption Parish in Ferndale for Masses in his name.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary. A public viewing will be held at Goble’s on Thursday, April 4, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Rosary and Mass of Christian burial on Friday, April 5, 2024, at Church of the Assumption in Ferndale at 10 a.m., with burial following at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna. A celebration of life will be at Fortuna Fire Hall, (Main Station on Fortuna Blvd), following the burial services.

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

Phillip Leland Tripp Sr., born December 19, 1951, was called home on January 19, 2024. Born in Crescent City, son of Amos and Violet (Donahue) Tripp, he was the youngest of five brothers. Phillip grew up in Klamath-Terwer and often spoke fondly about memories of exploring the outdoors, playing sports with good friends (even setting some Del Norte County sports records in his day), and simple pleasures like swimming, picking berries, and listening to vinyl records. In his stories it was always clear how much he looked up to his older brothers. Many knew Phillip as a strong Karuk dancer and as the “jump in the middle” guy. However, Phillip was also a rather humble person who often worked behind the scenes. He lifted people’s spirits with his witty one-liners as well as his words of wisdom. One of his favorite mottos was “living life by the drop,” a lyric from Stevie Ray Vaughn. Phillip believed in squeezing the most out of every day and every moment, and always encouraged others to “go for it!” He touched many hearts with his warm smile and his strong sense of spirituality.

Phillip was deeply moved by his experience at the Wounded Knee Uprising in 1973, where he said he felt freedom for the first time. There he participated in a sacred sweat lodge ceremony with spiritual leader Wallace Black Elk, and he prayed for the Karuk people and all the tribes of California to once again be full and renewed in the old ways. When he returned, he set out to fulfill this vision with his brothers, and collectively they played an important role in the return of the Karuk Brush Dance. When the Karuk Brush Dance came back to Ka’tim’îin in 1974, the elders that were present recognized this was how it was long ago. During Phillip’s final days he reflected with his family on his spiritual journey, and the following is his truth that he shared with us. He reflected on the sacred sweat lodge ceremony he participated in at Wounded Knee, and the Ghost Dance that he also witnessed there. He shared that the Karuk Tribe also had a Ghost Dance in the 1850s after the genocide and gold rush. His family helped hold the Ghost Dance in the face of great danger, in order to protect the people and the land. He realized how meaningful this experience was to have been able to bridge the connection between the Wounded Knee Ghost Dance and the Karuk Ghost Dance in California. He told us, “They wanted to kill our religion. We are Salmon people; we were salmon people all the way through this region because Alaska all the way down to Mexico had salmon. We believe there was a race of people here before us, that left us our ceremonies before they left Earth. Know that they are leaving out the real history of California for a reason and the salmon is for everybody.” He felt in his heart that his prayers had been fulfilled, and his vision for the future was that our people would only continue to flourish.

Survived by wife Rosemarie Tripp; sons Justin and Phillip Tripp Jr.; daughter Angelica Tripp; brother Leroy (Sue) Tripp; brother David (Jan) Tripp; sister Helen Ann (Pat) Suri; sister-in-law Maria Tripp (Amos’ wife) and many cousins, nieces, and nephews who he loved dearly. Preceded in death by parents Amos and Violet (Donahue) Tripp; brother Amos (Maria) Tripp; brother Brian D. Tripp.

Memorial service will be held on March 30, at Azalea Hall in McKinleyville, starting at 12 p.m. His remains will be interred locally in a private ceremony. Please feel free to reach out to David Tripp with any questions: davidtripp1968@gmail.com.

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