Daniel Steven McClelland
June 2, 1949 – January 19, 2025

Dan was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka to Kenneth Lindsey McClelland and Fannie Faye McClelland (nee: Gray). He was the second of three children with an older brother, Michael and younger sister, Pam.

Dan had an active and happy childhood in Loleta. Dan spent his days visiting his Grandma and neighbors, running around outside and raising animals. His childhood was filled with hunting and fishing with his family. Christmas Day was reserved for hunting. Dan spent summers at the Hough Ranch playing, later as he grew older, working.

Dan graduated from Fortuna High School in 1968 and then College of the Redwoods with an Associate Degree in General Education. During the summer breaks at college, Dan worked on a commercial tuna fishing boat.

During this time Dan and his family unexpectedly lost his mother, Faye. Years later, Dan’s father, Ken remarried, and Dan gained three stepsiblings, Cheryl, Karen, and Gary Battaglia.

After college, Dan joined the Mel Reese Construction crew. Eventually, Dan became a business owner himself, starting Dan McClelland Construction.

Dan met his lovely wife, Loene Gossett, while working backstage at the first Junior Miss Pageant put on by the Jaycees in Fortuna. She was the contestants’ choreographer. Their first date was at Parlato’s restaurant. Dan and Loene were married on July 2,1978 at the Fortuna United Methodist Church.

Dan became close to his in-laws, Gwen and Ernie Gossett. Frequently visiting with them after work to have coffee, and play cards while Loene was teaching dance or at rehearsals with the Redwood Concert Ballet. Sunday family dinners were a regular occurrence. Ernie introduced Dan to the Masonic Lodge which became an important pillar in Dan’s life dedicating himself to the good works done with his brothers in the lodge. He was a multi-time past master, was awarded the Hiram Award, Mason of the Year twice and was a 32nd-degree Master Mason. In Scottish Rite he was elevated to Knights Commander of the Court of Honor. Dan treasured his brother Masons. The friendship and brotherhood they shared was a core of Dan’s daily life.

Dan and Loene were blessed with their son, Luke, in 1981 and daughter, Damaris, in 1985. Dan was active in his children’s lives. He was a Pack Leader and Boy Scout leader. He and Luke were honored with the Order of the Arrow while in Boy Scouts. They also participated in 50-miler hikes with the Boy Scouts. He took his Scouts to the beach and camping and would regale them with stories.

In the 1990s Loene convinced the family to go to the Jed Smith Mountain Men Tall Trees Rendezvous in Smith River.. This yearly camping excursion during the July 4th week invigorated Dan’s love of black powder shooting, but also included cast iron cooking, archery, and knife and hawk (tomahawk) throwing, amid this 1815-era mountain men’s gathering. The family went every year after that. Last July, their grandchildren and four other teens and young adults went.

When Lucas had children, Dan became “Poppy.” Dan loved being “Poppy” and was involved in his grandchildren’s lives.

He loved to cook and experiment in the kitchen, putting food together because it sounded good. He was also very artistic. He carved wooden sculptures and made beautiful wooden boxes and furniture.

Dan was an avid outdoorsman. He continued to hunt and fish throughout his life with many friends and family. Special thanks to Rex Hunt and family, Phil and Jay Grunert, Phil Acott who were deeply tied to his hunting and fishing and considered good friends. His Sunday Skeet Shoots with the Masons and his other friends and his puppy, Sophie, were weekly activities.

Every morning Dan would step outside the front door with his dog, soak up the morning sun, come in and say “Ah, Life is good!” with a smile on his face.

Dan is survived by his beloved wife, Loene Gossett, son Luke and partner, Alyssa Owens, his daughter Damaris and granddaughters, Michelle and Marine McClelland, sister and her husband Pam and Parviz Sadrian, sister and brother, Karen and Gary Battaglia, Brother-in-law and wife, Ernie and Bridget Gossett and their daughters, Denice Taylor, her husband Seth and their children, Nicole Robinson and her partner, Kurt Williams, nephews, Bob Lyness, Bob Angelini and wife, Terri and their family, nephew-in-law, Mike Flockhart and family, cousins Dennis and wife, Catherine, Rob and wife, Karen, and Marty McClelland, Kathy and husband, Dale Moore and their families.

Dan was preceded in death by his mother, Faye McClelland, father, Ken McClelland and brother, Mike McClelland, mother and father-in-law, Gwen and Ernie Gossett, sister, Cheryl Battaglia, and niece, Lynett Flockhart.

A memorial and celebration of life will be held on April 12, 2025, at 2 p.m. at the Fortuna United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made to the Valley of Northern California Scottish Rite Childhood Language Center; C/O Eel River Empire Lodge #147 F&AM; PO Box 51; Fortuna CA 95540

Or

To the Redwood Shrine Club for Shriner’s Hospital Transportation Fund; 251 Bayside Rd; Arcata CA 95521

Or

To a favorite charity.

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

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Virgil Kirkpatrick. He passed away peacefully on February 14, 2025 at Hospice House, Hospice of Humboldt. Virgil was surrounded by loved ones in the days and hours preceding his death.

Virgil was born in Marysville to Robert and Pearl Kirkpatrick and raised in the foothills of Yuba County. Virgil was the third of five children. Virgil joined the US Army in 1961 and was honorably discharged in 1964. Virgil married and had three children — Robert, Kathy and Gaylene. He brought his family to Humboldt County in the early 1970s. He later divorced and found and married his soul mate Letha Kirkpatrick. Virgil and Letha were married in May 1976 and lived in Fieldbrook, where they raised their children.

Virgil was a fan of football, especially the San Francisco 49ers, and NASCAR. Virgil was an avid Bill Elliott fan and when Bill Elliott retired, he became a fan of Bill Elliott’s son Chase Elliott.

Virgil is preceded in death by his father, Robert Kirkpatrick, mother, Pearl Kirkpatrick, sisters Barbara and Pat and his brother Dennis. Virgil is survived by his wife Letha Kirkpatrick, sister Nadine Stiles, children Robert, Kathy and Gaylene, step-children Debbie, Donna and Kathy and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, friends and neighbors.

To know Virgil was to love him. Virgil was kind, compassionate, loving and forgiving. He loved his family deeply and would do anything within his means for those he loved.

There will be a graveside service at Ocean View Cemetery, 3975 Broadway St, Eureka, CA 95503 on March 14, 2025 at 1 p.m. A celebration of life will immediately follow at a location that is to be determined. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Hospice of Humboldt in Virgil’s name.

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

Darla Zorina Nelson, 56, left this world on December 1, 2024, surrounded by love at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka. She was born in Anaheim on December 28, 1967, to her parents, Ingela Norstrom of Sweden and Dennis Vanderwaal of South Dakota. In 1973 Darla’s parents had their second child, Salina. Darla attended Loara High School in Anaheim and later Jobcorp in Sacramento. Darla then spent her time living in different parts of Orange County and Sacramento before eventually settling in Humboldt County, where she resided in Eureka.

Darla had her first child and only son, Arie Stone, in March of 1988. About three years later she met her husband, the love of her life, Eric Nelson; they had their first daughter, Amber Nelson, in March 1992. Darla spent the early 1990s working at Frye’s Care Home as a care provider and later chef but had to leave due to a neck injury. Afterward, she put her efforts into being a stay-at-home mother to her children. In July 2002, she had her second daughter, Riley Nelson. 18 months later in February 2004, she gave birth to her third daughter, Chloe Nelson.

Darla was always the brightest light in every room she walked in. She was usually the most social person at any party or family gathering, making sure to talk to everyone. She loved getting to know people, and talking to people everywhere she went. Darla is well-known as a very animated, charismatic, and fun-loving woman who protected her family above all else. She was adored by everyone surrounding her including but not limited to her children, grandchildren, husband, nieces, nephews, and her friends who she chose to love as if they were born into her family.

Darla often spent her time doing several different arts and crafts, but she especially found joy in making beaded bracelets for those closest to her. Darla was also an avid animal lover sharing her time with her beloved dogs; Chico, Emmy, Milo, and Tucker. She was also an outstanding cook and loved to share her recipes and techniques with others. Darla always had a story to tell that made people laugh until they had tears in their eyes. She also loved sharing the achievements of her children with others. Overall, she had the biggest, kindest, and warmest heart; anyone should consider themselves lucky if they were blessed with her love or a love like hers.

She is survived by her husband, Eric, her son Arie, and her daughters, Amber, Riley, and Chloe, her siblings James Whitney and Salina Vanderwaal. She also leaves behind her grandchildren, Paisley, Hazel, Dexter, and Sequoia. Also her niece Marriah Vanderwaal, her nephews Kenneth Spaight Jr and Donavyn Johnson. As well as her grand nieces Lena and Kalina. Also her closest and best friends, Peggy Waldrip, her husband Micheal and daughter Deanna, Kristina Valentine, and her daughter Brooklyn. She is preceded in death by both of her parents and her brother, Dutch Vanderwaal.

Darla will be celebrated deeply in the hearts of those who were closest to her, forever.

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

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Feb. 28 at about 7 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputy was dispatched to the 400 block of 1st Ave. in Blue Lake for the report of a vandalized vehicle parked outside of a business. 

Upon arrival, the deputy found a vehicle with its windows broken and its interior rummaged through. While conducting this investigation, two additional reports of vehicle break-ins within the area were made, to which the deputy responded. One of the vehicles had blood spots on the driver and passenger doors; a sample was collected for testing. During the deputy’s investigation, home surveillance video was discovered showing a suspect attempting to break into a vehicle.

Based upon the suspect description in the video, the deputy searched the area. The deputy later located Shawn Iloff, 31, of Arcata, in the Blue Lake Casino parking lot. Iloff was subsequently arrested and during the search incident to arrest, the deputy located a methamphetamine pipe in one of the stolen bags. 

Iloff admitted to the deputy that he had broken into three vehicles and was also responsible for stealing mail.

Iloff was transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• Two counts of Burglary—PC 459
• Grand Theft—PC 487(a) 
• Felony Vandalism—PC 594(b)(1)
• Misdemeanor Vandalism—PC 594(b)(2)(a)
• Possession of Stolen Property—PC 496(a)
• Possession of Drug Paraphernalia—H&S 11364(a)
• Outstanding Misdemeanor Warrant—PC 978.5

Some of the stolen items were subsequently located and the items were returned to the victims. 

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.

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President Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s plan to dramatically downsize the federal government has placed a bullseye on an Arcata field office that houses roughly two dozen 85 full-time employees of agencies including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, NOAA Fisheries and Redwood National Park.

Following the first wave in a massive purge of federal employees carried out by the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), the administration now plans to close more than 2 million square feet of office space being used by the Department of the Interior, which oversees the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies.

The General Services Administration’s (GSA) lease-termination list includes 1655 Heindon Rd. in Arcata, a 25,500-square-foot office building off Giuntoli Lane, near Toni’s 24-Hour Restaurant. According to a former federal employee who spoke on condition of anonymity, the office’s lease is scheduled to be terminated at the end of September.

Congressman Jared Huffman, who represents the North Coast and serves as ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee, slammed the Trump administration’s plans in a press release issued Friday:

The federal government exists to serve the people—not abandon them. But Trump and Musk are taking a wrecking ball to our country—slashing staff, cutting vital funding, and creating widespread chaos and economic devastation. Shuttering these physical locations goes hand in glove with DOGE’s “destroy the government” approach, and it will make their illegal cuts even more challenging to reverse. The economic fallout will ripple across America, hitting small towns and cities where federal offices are many communities’ only lifelines.

The Arcata office building is owned by Larry and Lisa DeBeni. Reached by phone this morning, Larry DeBeni was reluctant to talk about the particulars before making some phone calls to get more information about the plans, but he confirmed that he and his wife have been informed about the office closure plans, which they find disappointing.

“It makes us sick to our stomach to think about these people losing their jobs or being displaced from the community,” DeBeni said. 

In memos and press releases, Trump has boasted of having a voter mandate for his sweeping federal reforms, but DeBeni said this is not what most people signed up for.

“This is extremely disheartening — absolutely devastating for the country, in my opinion,” he said. Referring to the local terminations specifically, DeBeni said, “It’s sickening. It’s just cruel — especially when it comes from the richest men in the world. … We’re sick about it.”

The Outpost has spoken with several off-the-record sources who said local employees of the National Weather Service and NOAA Fisheries were terminated late last week. Both agencies responded via public affairs officers who emailed identical statements: “Per long-standing practice, we are not discussing internal personnel and management matters.”

According to Huffman’s office, the GSA plans to close 164 offices across multiple states. The full list, which you can download by clicking here, includes 25 offices of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, 34 U.S. Geological Survey locations and 33 National Park Service facilities.

Huffman’s comments on the lease-cancelation plan continued:

The impact on Bureau of Indian Affairs offices will be especially devastating. These offices are already underfunded, understaffed, and stretched beyond capacity, struggling to meet the needs of Tribal communities who face systemic barriers to federal resources. Closing these offices will further erode services like public safety, economic development, education, and housing assistance—services that Tribal Nations rely on for their well-being and self-determination.

The National Park Service will lose space for boots on the ground at national monuments and parks they manage, kneecapping their ability to protect public safety and provide recreational access.

This is nothing short of a direct attack on working people and the communities they serve. In many places around the country, the federal government keeps local businesses afloat and ensures families have stable jobs. This decision defies all logic.

While the Trump administration demands a return-to-office, GSA is shutting those offices down—eliminating jobs, destabilizing local economies, and gutting essential services. The most vulnerable communities will bear the brunt of this reckless decision, and if they think we’ll stand by and watch it happen, they’re dead wrong.

The Trump administration issued a memo last Wednesday instructing agency heads to “promptly undertake preparations to initiate large-scale reductions in force.” Federal agencies must develop reorganization plans by March 13.

[CORRECTION: This post initially understated the number of federal employees working at 1655 Heindon Rd. The Outpost regrets the error.]

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PREVIOULSY

• ‘I Loved My Job So Much’: Fired Federal Employees in Humboldt County Say Their Unjust Terminations Will Impact the Public
• Local Federal Employees Were Fired Over the Weekend. Agency Spokespeople Can’t or Won’t Say How Many.

UPDATE, 5:53 p.m.:

Here’s the press release from the Fortuna Police Department:

On March 3, 2025, at approximately 1:01 PM, the Fortuna Police Department attempted a traffic stop on a green motorcycle in the 300 block of 9th Street in Fortuna. The rider failed to comply and fled, prompting a brief vehicle pursuit.

The chase ended when the pursuing police vehicle collided with private property, including a utility pole in the 800 block of O Street. Fortunately, the officer was uninjured, but the motorcycle operator continued to flee and remains at large.

Following protocol, the California Highway Patrol assisted with the collision investigation. We acknowledge that the crash caused some utility disruptions and appreciate the community’s patience as repairs are made.

The suspect was last seen riding a green off road style motorcycle westbound on O Street. If you witnessed the incident or have any information about the motorcycle or its rider, please contact the Fortuna Police Department at (707) 725-7550.

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Original post:

Live power outage map

About 400 Fortuna PG&E customers are without power this afternoon, after a Fortuna Police vehicle crashed into a historic property near the corner of 9th and O streets.

According to radio traffic at the time, at just before 1:30 p.m. a Fortuna police officer attempted a stop on a motorcyclist who ran a stop sign in the neighborhood. The motorcyclist fled from the officer’s attempts to pull him over.

Moments later, the call came in that the officer had crashed.

Photos posted to the “Fortuna Happenings” Facebook group by an account belonging to the “Gushaw-Mudgett House” — a historic home near Ninth and O streets — showed a police vehicle slammed head-first into a power pole near the building, apparently damaging an outbuilding.

“Our carport is probably toast,” said the Gushaw-Mudgett account.

Power outage updates at this link.

PREVIOUSLY:

• [UPDATED: Torn Down] New Pro-Israel Billboard Proves Controversial
• Another Pro-Zionism Billboard Erected Along Highway 101 in the Same Place as the Old One

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Press release from the Humboldt County Human Rights Commission:

In recent weeks two billboards have appeared just south of Arcata, facing the southbound lanes of 101. These billboards have appeared to support a Zionistic approach to the world and have upset a number of residents in the area, It is not the goal of the Human Rights Commission to enter into a debate on the merits of the billboards, but to explain our purpose and goals. We hope to build harmony and the ability to vigorously debate issues without hate or malice.

The Commission is obliged to engage with the County of Humboldt and other governmental entities on behalf of underserved groups and individuals who may be affected by the policies of local government. We are not in the business of monitoring the speech rights of the client (who paid for the signs) or the rights of property owners (the sign company). We have received considerable feedback regarding both, but can see little appropriate action we can or should take.

The Commission encourages debate on the issues of the day. We encourage neighbors to respect the rights and voices of anyone with an opinion. We do not support disrespectful words or actions toward anyone, no matter how tempting that might be. We encourage the community to engage with the Commission if there is a concrete way for us to contribute to discourse in the community and to protect the rights of all our residents.