HUMBOLDT HISTORY: Shocking Scenes in the Surgery! Following Verbal Set-To Over Zonked-Out Patient, Fisticuffs Fly Between Physicians Falk
“Louella Parsnips” / Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 7:30 a.m. / History
Charles C. and Curtis O. Falk established the Northern California Hospital, at the corner of Trinity and F Streets, Eureka, shown here under construction, circa 1906. It later became St. Joseph’s Hospital.
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ED. NOTE: Suzanne Forsyth, former editor of the Humboldt Historian, was delighted to find herself channeling the pseudonymous voice of “Louella Parsnips” —an ill-reputed, scandal-hungry gossip monger who right-thinking society people publicly abjure — for these pieces of true history.
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In November of 1911, two respected Eureka physicians, the brothers Charles C. and Curtis O. Falk, got into an explosive argument, leading soon after to a second encounter resulting in the hospitalization of the older brother, Charles C. Falk. This is shocking, but there is more: the initial shouting match between the brothers had broken out in a hospital operating room in the midst of an operation they were performing, as their patient, with his insides exposed, lay anesthetized upon the table. Not even the creators of our modern medical dramas on TV have conjured such a scene, at least to my knowledge, and should they ever do so—should, for example, the Doctors McDreamy and McSteamy of one popular TV series ever get in a fight while performing surgery — remember you saw it first in the Humboldt Historian.
Members of the celebrated Falk family, which locally produced entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, and judges over several generations, Charles and Curtis Falk began their professional partnership with high ideals. In 1906, they established the Northern California Hospital, one of the most state of the art facilities in the West. Located at the corner of Trinity and F Streets, the Falk brothers’ hospital incorporated “all the modern ideas and scientific principles, such as ventilation, sanitation, light and heating,” was open to “all reputable physicians” and the general public, and was a registered training school for nurses. Insurance was offered to Humboldt’s laboring men — primarily woodsmen, whose dangerous work brought many calamities — in the form of yearly and semi-yearly certificates.1
Charles C. Falk, the older brother, was the president of the hospital, and his younger brother Curtis was the secretary. In surgery, Charles generally wielded the scalpel, with Curtis attending. Reader, you may now begin to surmise the source of their discord, for it was none other than that oldest and most powerful engine of discontent, jealousy. My informant reports:
It is understood that the ill feelings [had first] cropped out in the form of petty jealousies. It began with Charles getting the credit for difficult operations in which he was assisted by Curtis. It would be said that so-and-so was operated upon by Dr. Charles Falk assisted by Dr. Curtis Falk. Sometimes it would be the reverse. One would win honors which the other deserved, or at any rate was gathering the glory.2
These jealousies may have festered for some time, may even have had their roots in childhood rivalries, but the first outward sign that the brothers’ relationship was not just in trouble, but approaching detonation, was in the operating theater of the brothers’ hospital, and in the presence of several friends and associates of the Falks who had been invited to witness the operation. My informant was among them.
Charles was performing the surgery, with the younger Curtis assisting, and the operation had progressed to the point where Charles was explaining to those present a certain method he had for stitching such cases. Suddenly, Curtis could take no more. In the words of my informant:
Curtis, becoming tired of playing a minor part, then and there took off his rubber gloves and remarked something about being tired of working with such a braggart, inferring that Charles was using the opportunity to win more laurels.3
Bursting with resentment at his brother’s allegations, Charles countered by announcing his intention to sever their partnership, asserting that he would come up with a figure by which Curtis could become the sole proprietor of the hospital.4
All those in attendance were stunned and the Falk blowup immediately became the talk of the town. As to the patient who had lain on the operating table waiting to be stitched up as his doctors squared off, I can offer no report. It seems this fellow was completely forgotten about during his operation, and in the aftermath as well.
The incident was still fueling gossip when Eurekans were treated to yet another scandal, for the flare-up in the operating room was but the prelude to a full-blown knock-down drag-out, which took place two weeks later in Charles’ offices in the Connick and Sinclair building on F Street between Fourth and Fifth. There were no eyewitnesses this time, but several reliable citizens in adjoining offices heard the brothers’ voices and the noise and put the story together. It is said that Charles had now come up with his figure and submitted a proposal to Curtis to purchase the hospital. Curtis declared the figure exorbitant and said Charles named it because he knew it was prohibitive.
My informant gleaned the following account of the altercation from those present in the building:
Language conducive of violence entered into the discussion and soon the brothers were locked in combat. The younger but larger Curtis, who weighs about 185 or 186 pounds, is said to have caught Charles by the throat and brought his free hand around with a mighty blow that sent his older brother, who weighs about 148 or 150 pounds, sprawling on the floor. Charles tried to put up a resistance, the reports say, by making a fight to protect himself in his own office. His resistance was met by other blows and soon the smaller man was completely down and out. He is reported to have asked Curtis if he (Curtis) was going to kill him (Charles), but about that time became unconscious. When he came to his senses again, Dr. E. C. Glatt, a dentist with adjoining offices, was standing at this side, and Curtis was a little distance away in the same room.5
Word got out that Charles was worsted in the fight, his injuries such as to require hospitalization and the constant care of a nurse. My informant, who visited Charles several days after the encounter, reports that he still carried the marks of his brother’s fingers upon his neck.6
Of course, as everyone knows, stories in the streets regarding this incident got a bit out of hand. For example, while it is true that Charles’ pistol was almost within reach, my informant reports that “authentic sources say no attempt was made to use it, and that all reports on the streets about gunplay are unfounded.”7
If the citizenry focused on the Falk feud as the most riveting topic of the day and even let their imaginations run away with them, the Falk brothers themselves were utterly silent on the subject. When pressed by my informant, both men were evasive. Charles said he didn’t want to talk about it, but did acknowledge that he and his brother would have separate offices in the future. Curtis would only state that he was severing his connection with the Northern California Hospital. About the report that the two men had engaged in a physical altercation, both men merely waved it off with a laugh.
As my informant recalls:
Both tried to make light of such reports; both declined to make any statement about what led up to their separation.
In spite of all that had happened between the two men, it does not appear that a lasting separation between the brothers actually occurred, either personally or as business partners in their hospital. Indeed, Curtis was in his brother’s care when he suffered a typhoid infection in the spring of 1918,8 upon recovering from which he joined Charles in the battle against the Spanish influenza epidemic.9 The Northern California Hospital remained open throughout most of 1918 to care for flu patients, closing only when both Charles and Curtis joined the US Army Medical Corps in November of that year.10
After the Army, the Falk brothers each returned to private practice.11 Perhaps they did not want to tempt the gods of ignition by trying the partnership route again. Personally, however, I like to imagine that the brothers did not long deprive the townspeople of some thrilling recrudescence of their rivalry. And so I am putting the pair’s lively misconduct at the top of my list for “Best Medical Melodrama” of early 1900s Eureka.
Before partnering with his brother Charles to build the Northern California Hospital, Curtis O. Falk was a founder of the Sequoia Hospital at 6th & H Streets, Eureka, shown here circa 1908.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Many thanks — and, yes, a time-travel expense account — to my man about town, Rory Hedger.
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NOTES
- Humboldt Standard, May 10, 1911 (Advertisement).
- Humboldt Standard, Friday December 29, 1911.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- Humboldt Times, April 6, 1918.
- Humboldt Times, November 16, 1918.
- Humboldt Times, November 8, 1916.
- The Falk brothers sold their hospital in 1920 to the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange, who renamed it St. Joseph Hospital, which continues to this day.
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The story above was originally printed in the Spring 2012 issue of the Humboldt Historian, a journal of the Humboldt County Historical Society. It is reprinted here with permission. The Humboldt County Historical Society is a nonprofit organization devoted to archiving, preserving and sharing Humboldt County’s rich history. You can become a member and receive a year’s worth of new issues of The Humboldt Historian at this link.
BOOKED
Today: 9 felonies, 13 misdemeanors, 0 infractions
JUDGED
Humboldt County Superior Court Calendar: Friday, Oct. 17
CHP REPORTS
7460 Mm101 S Hum 74.60 (HM office): Assist with Construction
ELSEWHERE
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RHBB: Striping for Eureka’s ‘C Street Bike Boulevard’ Begins This Week
NY Times : Artillery Shell Detonated Over Interstate 5 During Marines’ Celebration, California Officials Say
OBITUARY: Gloria DeZordo, 1926-2024
LoCO Staff / Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 6:56 a.m. / Obits
Gloria DeZordo was born in San
Francisco in 1926 to Ines and Settimo Casini, both immigrants from
Italy.
Gloria grew up in South San Francisco, the middle child with two other sisters, Adelma and Lola. Her father and uncle had a truck farm from which they supplied produce to high-end grocers in San Francisco. In her childhood, Gloria spent many hours on the farm. She later went to work first as a clerk at the local Sprouse-Reitz store and then at a bakery and a children’s store, where she made many friends.
In 1945, she married Dini DeZordo. They made their first home in South San Francisco, but always visited Ferndale and the many friends they made here. Dini had been coming to Ferndale since he was 18 years old and his friends included the George Scalvini family. He and Gloria purchased property long before they moved to Ferndale, confident their dream of living here would come true.
In 1968, they built their house on Rose Avenue and settled into life in Ferndale. Because of all the years of visiting and the friends they had made, they felt like they were home. Gloria began working as a lunch lady at Ferndale Elementary. She has many found memories of the students she met, including a young Guy Fieri (Ferry). Gloria remembered Guy pushing his pretzel cart to town and she always said she knew that young man was going somewhere.
In 1996, she began an eleven-year career as a volunteer in the kindergarten at Ferndale Elementary. Gloria became known as Grandma to hundreds of kindergarteners. Often, adults would come up to her and say “Hi Grandma” – another grown-up kindergartener remembering her hugs and encouragement. Gloria lived independently in her own home on Rose Avenue.
Gloria is survived by her sister Lola Clark, daughter Nadene (DeZordo) Bass and Jim Bass, Lydia DeZordo and Mike Goldsby. She was Nonie to Regina Byrd, Megan Goldsby, Phillip Bass and Orrin Goldsby. She was great grandmother or “Other Nonie” to Hayley Byrd, Jayden Byrd, Vincent Bass, Luci Bass, Elio Goldsby, and Rae Goldsby and was looking forward to a new great granddaughter in September. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband Dini DeZordo, sister Adelma Baker and her parents.
Gloria was a great cook but most famous for her biscotti. Even though she would share her recipe, her biscotti were always better. She loved entertaining for the holidays and hosted Christmas dinner for years. She enjoyed her Saturday coffee time with her neighbor John Filipini and desserts with her neighbor Sandra Siddall.
Gloria will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, April 20, at 3 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Building in Ferndale. Donations can be made to your favorite charity.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Gloria DeZordo’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
OBITUARY: Kenneth ‘Ken’ Glen Stuart Robertson, 1958-2024
LoCO Staff / Saturday, March 30, 2024 @ 6:56 a.m. / Obits
On Tuesday,
February 20, 2024, Ken lost a short but aggressive battle with Stage
4 advanced lung cancer. He passed peacefully at St. Joseph hospital
surrounded by his family.
Ken was born March 3, 1958 and adopted by Dr. Andrew and Josephine “Penny” Robertson. He became the younger brother to Andrew. Their father was in the Navy during the Korean War. They lived in the Marshall Islands (Kwajalein) as well as Hawaii before returning to Eureka. They moved to Walker Point road. That was where life really began for the boys. Ken made many life long friends in the neighborhood. In the early days of moving to the neighborhood, the family dog came up missing. That was when Ken met his lifelong best friend, James Ballew, and they may have found themselves in a bit of trouble from time to time.
Ken had his first job in high school as a delivery driver for a local pharmacy, Ritchie Woods. He then became a Certified Mechanic at Isaacson Motors. After that, Ken had many more delivery jobs. He worked for Heuer’s Florist as a delivery driver and always smelled so good after work. Then as a driver for his father in-law’s pizza parlor, Blue Max Pizza. He then returned to delivering pharmaceuticals for three local pharmacies: Redwood Pharmacy, Lima’s Pharmacy and Cloney’s pharmacy. And that was where he belonged — it gave him both the joy of driving as well as helping others, which were two of Ken’s favorite things to do. So many customers turned into friends. He was known for going above and beyond to help the older ladies make up weekly med boxes as well as driving over at 6 a.m. on their trash days to take the can out for them.
April 19, 1984, Ken and Ellen welcomed their baby girl, Courtney, into the world. She was the light in his life. Ken spent five years in Salinas, California before returning home to Eureka. At that time he had lost touch with his daughter. But in the last few years he was able to reconnect with her. This last year was when they really found the chance to connect and it was so beautiful to witness their reunion.
Ken met his wife Linda Willams-Ballew in 1978. At the time, she was married to his friend James. But life has a funny way with things and fast forward to 1993 they started dating. On September 14, 1996 Ken and Linda were married. Ken now had two new stepdaughters, Amy and Leslie. They enjoyed many camping trips and a family vacation to Montana together. He loved to travel. Especially to the many NASCAR events he attended, but To the Edge Music Cruises really warmed his heart. Most of the time, Ken could be found tinkering on something or working in the yard. He was always busy in the yard, whether it was planting the seasons bulbs or just mowing. He was also known to be a sucker for a stray. Ken brought home countless puppies and kittens “in need” and never turned away a stray or rescue . He was very passionate about his NASCAR. That is what you would find him at home watching every Sunday, February through November. He had a love for Ford vehicles and everything about the sky. Whether it was the clouds or the stars he could talk about them for hours. He could tell you when a satellite or Starlink was going to pass and would text to tell you to go outside to see it. He was very passionate about everything in life. He always had a smile on his face and a go-getter attitude. Even on his worst days he put on that well-known smile and made the best of things.
In 2021 Ken finally had a hit with his ancestry DNA test. He had a match to a maternal cousin. With the help of a genealogist he was able to find some information on his birth family. He had reunited with his daughter and had contact with some of his birth family. Ken had stayed in contact with his sister Millie Haecherl, although he never got to meet her in person. Having been able to reconnect with his daughter and family, Ken’s life was complete.
Ken is survived by his wife of 27 years, Linda Willams Ballew Robertson; his daughter, Courtney Robertson; step-daughters, Amy Thallheimer (Mike) and Leslie Pollace (Krysti) and bonus daughter, Dara Lawson; his brother, Andrew Robertson; brother-in-law, Jim Williams (Lyn); grandchildren Michael Thallheimer, Robert Brennan, Bradley Brennan and Payton Pollace; nieces and nephews Andrew Robertson (Katee), Patricia Robertson, and Tami Williams as well as many great-nieces and nephews. Ken was preceded in death by both his parents, Andrew Robertson and Josephine “Penny” Robertson, as well as his sister, Helen “Rose” Robertson; mother and father In-laws, James “Jim” Williams and Becky Williams.
There will be a Celebration of Life, Sunday, April 28 at 2 p.m. in the afternoon at the Fortuna Volunteer Fire department. 320 S.Fortuna Blvd. Fortuna , 95540. The family asks that you wear your favorite flannel, Hawaiian shirt, band tee or NASCAR apparel. Please bring your memories for the memory box (both good or bad) the family will appreciate all memories and stories of Ken.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Sequoia Humane Society or a charity of your choice.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Ken Robertson’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
After Meeting With Local Tribes, Congressman Huffman Doubles Down on Offshore Wind
Isabella Vanderheiden / Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 4:36 p.m. / Infrastructure , Offshore Wind
Congressman Jared Huffman (center) held a press conference at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka Friday to discuss the latest surrounding offshore wind development on the North Coast. Photos by Andrew Goff.
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Offshore wind development efforts are full steam ahead here in Humboldt.
That was the message sent by Congressman Jared Huffman during a press conference at Eureka’s Wharfinger Building this morning. Surrounded by more than a dozen local, state and federal stakeholders, Huffman voiced his enthusiastic support for offshore wind and port development on the North Coast, touting the anticipated economic boon that comes with it.
“I’ve been representing this area for 12 years in the United States Congress and I have heard every manner of dream scheme plan to revitalize the economy,” he said. “None of it really holds together in a way that delivers the benefits and possibilities that this offshore wind project does. This [project] is incredibly responsive to the needs of this region, state and nation.”
Over the next decade, the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District hopes to transform its Marine Terminal II property — formerly home to the Samoa pulp mill — into a state-of-the-art industrial site to support floating offshore wind farms all along the West Coast.
“As exciting as all those possibilities are, I think we’re also very clear-eyed that it’s not easy; it’s complicated,” Huffman said. “In some ways, we are creating an entirely new industry and … we want to help California – the fifth largest economy in the world – to meet these essential climate goals. This project is a very important part of that, and we want to do it in a way that honors our marine environment, that lifts up working people with good quality union jobs.”
And at the “front and center” are tribal values, Huffman said, acknowledging the recent surge in tribal opposition to offshore wind development on the West Coast.“We need to make sure that this works for Indian Country in a way that, historically, some economic opportunities have not. There’s a history of disappointment and exploitation, and we are determined to get this right for our tribal partners.”
As of this writing, five local tribal councils have adopted resolutions formally opposing the proposed offshore wind project, citing “grave concerns” about potential risks to marine ecosystems and the sustainability of industrial-scale renewable energy.
U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su visited the North Coast earlier this week to hear tribal concerns surrounding offshore wind. Asked to elaborate on the outcome of the discussions, Huffman said local tribal leaders “expressed a variety of views,” ranging from “enthusiasm” to “really grave concerns.”
“I think it was a frank exchange of views that are not a monolith,” he said. “I think that we did a lot of listening and heard them, but I didn’t hear anything that I believe is in any way insurmountable. I think we can realize all of the upside of this incredible opportunity while making it work for tribal nations in a way that previous waves of economic development have not. And I know that the intention to do that is here and it’s sincere.”
Huffman was joined by 65th District Assemblymember Mike Gipson, Chair of the Select Committee on Ports and Goods Movement, who discussed how the Port of Humboldt Bay fits into a greater “offshore wind industrial complex” slated for the West Coast.
“I have spent the last eight months touring all up and down California, touring our ports, meeting with surrounding communities and I must admit: Humboldt, you have been second to none,” Gipson said. “Your hospitality [and] your engagement far transcends this moment. … You lead the way in making [this] happen, and I believe others will follow.”
While out at dinner last night, Gipson said, he had the opportunity to speak with a few local folks about offshore wind development and the potential benefits of the project. “And they said, ‘We want jobs. Not only jobs – we want to make sure the people who live here get the jobs first,’” he said. “When I was a local leader of the [Carson] City Council, a big department store was coming to our city, and I said that I expect 85 percent of those jobs to be found for people who live in my community. How can I feed my neighbor’s kids, if my own kids are going hungry? … We hear you. We see you. We support you.”
Dozens of local, state and federal stakeholders attended this morning’s press conference, including Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Senior Advisor for Offshore Wind Jana Ganion, Director of Initiatives at Cal Poly Humboldt Connie Stewart, Humboldt County Supervisor Natalie Arroyo, Eureka Mayor Kim Bergel, harbor district and county personnel, representatives from the major international firms investing in offshore wind, among others.
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CLARIFICATION: This article has been changed from its original version to include additional context from Asm. Gipson regarding local jobs.
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PREVIOUSLY
- Harbor District Announces Massive Offshore Wind Partnership; Project Would Lead to an 86-Acre Redevelopment of Old Pulp Mill Site
- Offshore Wind is Coming to the North Coast. What’s in it For Humboldt?
- ‘Together We Can Shape Offshore Wind for The West Coast’: Local Officials, Huffman and Others Join Harbor District Officials in Celebrating Partnership Agreement With Crowley Wind Services
- Crowley — the Company That Wants to Build a Big Wind Energy Facility on the Peninsula — Will be Opening Offices in Eureka
- Harbor District to Host Public Meeting Kicking Off Environmental Review of Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal Project
- Humboldt Harbor District Officials Talk Port Development As Offshore Wind Efforts Ramp Up
- County of Humboldt, Developers Sign Memorandum of Agreement in a ‘Momentous Step Forward’ for Offshore Wind Development on the North Coast
- Harbor District Responds to Crowley Controversy, Commits to the ‘Highest Ethical Standards’
- LoCO Interview: The Outpost Talks to Crowley Executives About Recent Allegations of Misconduct, Port Development on the Samoa Peninsula and the Company’s Future in Humboldt
- Harbor District Board of Commissioners to Discuss Proposed Offshore Wind Terminal Project, Lease Agreement With Crowley During Tonight’s Meeting
- (UPDATE) Huffman Announces $8.7 Million Federal Grant Toward Offshore Wind Port Development
- Harbor District Commissioners to Discuss Extended Partnership Agreement with Crowley Wind Services During Tonight’s Meeting
- WHOA: Rep. Huffman’s Office Teases $426 Million Federal Grant for Offshore Wind Terminal, to be Announced Tomorrow
- (PHOTOS) The Biggest Federal Grant in Humboldt History? Huffman, Assorted Worthies Gather on Woodley Island to Celebrate $426 Million in Infrastructure Funding for Offshore Wind
- At a Two-Day Conference in Eureka This Week, North Coast Tribes Advocate for ‘Meaningful Engagement’ With Offshore Wind Developers, Federal Regulators
- Yurok Tribal Council Votes to Formally Oppose Floating Offshore Wind Energy Projects Along North Coast
- Bear River Tribal Council Joins Yurok in Formally Opposing Offshore Wind Development Along North Coast
- Trinidad Rancheria Becomes Latest Tribal Entity to Register Opposition to Offshore Wind
- Federal Officials, Developers Call for Collaboration with North Coast Tribes Amid Growing Opposition to Offshore Wind Development
(VIDEO) HCSO Releases Body-Cam Footage From January Standoff With Man Who Allegedly Sliced Two Juveniles’ Necks With a Knife
LoCO Staff / Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 4:09 p.m. / Crime
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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On January 22, 2024, the Eureka Police Department responded to a report of a juvenile with a severe neck laceration allegedly caused by a family member, Daniel Martinez.
Martinez had barricaded himself with other occupants, including juveniles, in a residence on the 1400 block of Union Street, Eureka. EPD requested the Sheriff’s SWAT and Crisis Negotiators to the scene to assist with this critical incident. After several hours, negotiations led to the safe release of four hostages, one juvenile had a severe laceration to the neck.
All hostages were then treated for injuries and the juveniles were placed in the care of Child Welfare Services. Despite continued negotiations, Martinez refused to surrender and comply with commands. Martinez rapidly approached the law enforcement officers in a threatening manner with a large knife, leading to an officer-involved shooting. Martinez suffered mortal wounds and was pronounced dead a local hospital.
Pursuant to state law, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office is releasing body worn camera video, which captured the officer involved shooting. It should be known that all the deputies involved in the incident had cameras, however due to the length of the incident most of the batteries were depleted except for one deputy whose camera was operational during the incident. The images are at times hard to see, due to equipment and safety gear worn by the deputy and other law enforcement officers on scene.
A total of four videos will be seen. The first video is an adult female being rescued. The 2nd and 3rd video are 3 juveniles being released, one of which was injured by the suspect. The last video is the officer involved shooting. As a warning, some viewers may find this video disturbing and it is not suitable for children.
The Humboldt County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT), led by the Eureka Police Department and the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, was activated to investigate this incident. Any further information related to this case should be directed to the Eureka Police Department.
The below linked video contains graphic images and explicit language that may be disturbing to some viewers. This video is not suitable for children. Viewer discretion advised.
https://youtu.be/z93pHyXIW5EREVIEW HCSO POLICIES: Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Policy Manual
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PREVIOUSLY:
Alas, We Have to Wait Until Summer 2025 to See Leo Dicaprio’s Locally Filmed Paul Thomas Anderson Movie
Ryan Burns / Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 3 p.m. / MOVIED!
Leo lookin’ scruffy at the Cutten Murphy’s Market. | File photo.
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Well, my fellow film nerds, looks like we’ll have to wait nearly a year and a half to watch Leonardo DiCaprio’s Humboldt County adventures on the big screen.
Warner Bros. has announced a release date for the latest project from master filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson (“Boogie Nights,” “Punch Drunk Love,” “There Will Be Blood”), and it’s NOT SOON ENOUGH, if you ask me: Aug. 8, 2025.
What will we do in the meantime? Keep collecting information tidbits that emerge from the hive mind of cyberspace, I suppose. Below are some such tidbits, divided into two categories: “probably reliable” and “unconfirmed rumors.”
PROBABLY RELIABLE:
- This will be the most expensive and most commercial movie of Anderson’s career thus far. With a reported budget of around $100 million, the project (still known only under the working title of “BC Project”) will be an “event film” summer blockbuster, with a dedicated release in IMAX theaters, of which Humboldt County has zero, unfortunately. The nearest ones are in Sacramento and the Bay Area.
- The multi-star cast includes DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Teyana Taylor, Alana Haim, Wood Harris and newcomer Chase Infiniti.
- Anderson is writing, directing and producing the film, his 10th feature.
- In addition to the confirmed Humboldt County locations (Cutten, outside Eureka High, Trinidad, Arcata), the production went on to film scenes in Sacramento County. A minor controversy flared up when a homeless encampment in Cesar Chavez Park was cleared to make way for filming. Other locations include Ronald Reagan’s former mansion in East Sacramento and the Fab 40s neighborhood, where a simulated explosion was shot. Anderson has said that other shooting locations will include Texas and Mexico.
UNCONFIRMED RUMORS:
- The plot. We still don’t know what this thing is about. While many signs point to it being an adaptation of Thomas Pynchon’s 1990 novel “Vineland,” other signs (including the contemporary setting) point elsewhere. The latest rumor, reported by movie gossip site World of Reel, is that Anderson is very loosely adapting “Vineland” while updating the book’s Reagan-era plot to set the events “in an alternate reality America” where hippies do battle with Trump/MAGA types, possibly even including batshit Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Anderson previously adapted Pynchon’s novel “Inherent Vice.”
- Sean Penn’s character is rumored to be the head of a white supremacist group who’s out to eliminate an interracial child he had with Regina Hall’s character. In this rumor, DiCaprio plays the child’s adoptive father.
- The budget could be as high as $175 million — this according to World of Reel.
Anyone else have any tasty rumors? Let us know. Just 497 days left to speculate.
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PREVIOUSLY
- Film Set to Shoot in Eureka is From Renowned Director Paul Thomas Anderson, With Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn and Regina Hall, According to Industry Reports
- (PHOTOS) Hollywood Magic Transforms Cutten Plaza Into a Mexican Mini-Mall for DiCaprio Movie Production
- Northtown Arcata Will Be Swarming With Movie Folk Tomorrow, As Bigtime Production ‘BC Project’ Films in the Neighborhood
- (WATCH) First Look at Leonardo DiCaprio In Character for New Paul Thomas Anderson Film Currently Filming in Humboldt
- MOVIE DAY! My Diary of Hanging Around Waiting For The Stars to Show Up In Northtown, and the Things I Saw There
- Buh-Bye, Leo! Local Production on Paul Thomas Anderson’s New DiCaprio Movie Has Wrapped
Huffman Announces $1.4M in Federal Funding to Repair Storm Damage to Monument Road Near Rio Dell
LoCO Staff / Friday, March 29, 2024 @ 12:09 p.m. / Government , Transportation
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Press release from Congressman Jared Huffman’s office:
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) announced that he secured $1,419,382.50 in federal funding to Humboldt County for roadway repairs as part of the Monument Road [Improvement] Project. Funds for this grant were awarded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and authorized under Section 428 of the Robert T. Stafford Act.
About the Project
In 2017, severe winter storms, flooding, and mudslides created an immediate threat to the public health and safety of the state of California. Due to heavy rains a subsidence of approximately 4-feet vertical, damaged 15 feet of the roadway width for a length of 225 feet.
Version 0 (V0) awarded $467,473.00 at 75% federal cost share = $350,604.75 on 4/14/2028 to install a 4,100 square feet (SF) mechanically stabilized embankment (MSE) wall, 2,278 cubic yard (CY) wire wall structure excavation, 1,974 CY imported borrow, 228 CY class 1 permeable base, 68 CY class 2 aggregate base, 410 square yard (SY) cold plane, 69 tons HMA, 205 linear feet (LF) 8” perforated plastic pipe underdrain, 15 LF 8” non-perforated plastic pipe, 205 LF metal beam guard railing (metal posts), and two terminal end section (type SRT). Version 1 (V1) was created for an improved project to install a soldier pile wall, instead of a MSE wall, and restore the public roadway to pre-disaster function and capacity.
Cost for the improved project will be based on the MSE wall; FEMA reviewed the costs associated with installing a MSE wall estimate and increased the approved amount of funding. No insurance proceeds are anticipated for this project. No mitigation has been identified or utilized for this project. Work to be Completed cost (WTBC) is based on the cost estimate format (CEF) developed by the Applicant. The costs V1 are $1,892,510.00 (CEF) funded at a 75% federal cost share = $1,419,382.50. Total project cost is $467,473.00 (V0) + 1,892,510.00 (V1) = $2,359,983.00 at 75% federal cost share = $1,769,987.25 less $350,604.75 (V0 Award) = $1,419,382.50.