For some folks, commuting means living in Eureka and working in Arcata. For others, it means living in Fortuna and working in Trinidad. Either way, the way we perceive commuting has changed in the wake of remote work and, in some ways, so has the idea of having a brick-and-mortar business.

Leonardo Dormayr, 28, on a typical day wakes up at 9 a.m., pours his coffee and powers up for his commute, eight feet underground.

That is to say, he works in his basement for his company, Dormayr Designs. He makes jewelry from scratch. In every piece he creates, every material, except for the gemstones, is hand-made. The designs, the metals, the wires — all of it.

It all starts on his iPad, where he draws his designs using the Procreate drawing application.

Currently, Dormayr has created enough drawings over the years that he can now scroll through his designs and pick out what he wants to work on for the day.

All the equipment necessary took Dormayr roughly a decade to collect, and it allows him to plan and create jewelry daily. He often creates necklaces, pendants and rings. He categorizes his work in two types: one-of-a-kind pieces and production pieces.

One-of-a-kind pieces take significantly longer to plan and create. One piece took him roughly 24 hours over the course of three days from start to finish. He spent the first five hours or so on just the planning process, which includes figuring out what gemstones he wants to use, the dimensions of the piece and choosing the types of metals for the piece. A hand-crafted piece like this can sell for upwards of $2,500.

A production piece is significantly more affordable. With production pieces, Dormayr can spend a couple hours planning it out and then spend the majority of a week creating multiples of that piece. The amount of time and precious material he uses is different than a one-of-a-kind piece, but the quality does not change.

Dormayr’s process starts with each centerstone: He takes their characteristics and creates a design for the metal surrounding it, seemingly out of thin air. His process is basically unfettered creativity, and it is called Hand Fabrication.

“Gemstones are generally cut the same — you have your rounds, your rectangles, your squares and tear drops,” Dormayr says. “Yet every jeweler has a creative thought process that they apply, and everything will end up unique.”

Dormayr will take his design and draw it onto a sheet of silver or gold, which he melts down and makes himself, and he takes a tiny hand saw to cut each component out in layers. Then he cuts another sheet and begins soldering it on top of the first layer. He repeats the process until his design is fully realized.

In other words, each piece is made up of stacked metal sheets, soldered together, and then filed down to the final shape, not unlike a 3-D printed object. Once all that is done, Dormayr will hand-polish the metals and then drill out the cavities for where he will place the stones. In the final step, he uses a gold wire that hugs the center stone and is then soldered into the metal housing. To add a little extra flair, he will also engrave some of his pieces to make them just a little more unique than they already are.

Dormayr sources all of his gems from people he has met going to gem shows over the years. Most of them he buys at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show. It is said to be the largest, oldest and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world.

“You meet people who mine the stones themselves. They get someone to cut the stones and then they take the stones to gem shows to sell,” Dormayr says. “I’ve talked with people from Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, China, Brazil, you name it.”

Originally from Munich, Germany, Dormayr and his family moved to the United States when he was 10 years old. His mom had a job offer in Los Angeles, and they took the opportunity. Dormayr grew up in the San Fernando Valley, and after high school worked in restaurants, bars, and other service gigs.

At one point, Dormayr found himself talking with people selling jewelry at music festivals and he began to show interest in wire wrapping. It started as a hobby but his interest quickly shifted toward other kinds of jewelry. Then in 2015, seeing other people’s work in the hand-made jewelry space online inspired him to take a course with the Gem and Mineral Society in Oxnard.

“Me and my friend were the only young guys in this class of older ladies picking up this jewelry style,” Dormayr said. “It was three hours a day, one day a week, for a couple of weeks or so. The jewelry was simple… I wanted to learn more intricate things.”

He then took to online resources like YouTube and Instagram. Other artists tend to show their process online and Dormayr took this to his advantage by applying what he saw in his own work. In some ways, he had lots of formal and informal teachers in this trade. He also took a one-week course in stone setting in Tennessee.

In 2021, Dormayr decided to move to Humboldt County to escape the city and found work in the cannabis industry. He continued to make jewelry on his own time, and when people showed interest in his creations he thought maybe he could sell a couple on the side for a little extra cash. Then his job quickly became unstable as the cannabis industry suffered and he decided to dive into jewelry full-time.

“I started to think, should I find another job? Or maybe I could work from home and sustain my living with my art,” Dormayr said. “I figured I didn’t want to worry about losing my job. Now it’s all on me. I’m my own boss.”

Dormayr’s early successes came from selling his work at music festivals. With some trial and error, he can now strategically choose which festivals to attend that are more likely to have people who will buy his pieces. Other than that, he primarily sells jewelry online through his Instagram account, his website, and smaller markets local and non-local.

Looking ahead, Dormayr is partnering with Aaron Brooks, Long Island Glass, and Jerry Kelly this September to participate in the “Finally… It’s a Fucking Art Show” in Holtsville, NY. He is planning to continue his tradition of selling at music festivals, and hopes to take more jewelry making courses to widen and perfect his already impressive skill set.

Steven Olan Sexton Jr, age 40 — born July 31, 1982, in Mesa, Arizona — passed away April 19, 2023, in Arcata. He was a resident of Hoopa at the time of his death.

Steven loved the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, and eeling were his passions, as well as being a loving father. His children were his pride and joy. He loved his whole family with all of his heart. Steven was an excellent craftsman and could turn something out of nothing. He also had a sense of humor and could always make you laugh in his own goofy way. He could always put a smile on your face. There wasn’t much he couldn’t do and he was always up for an adventure.

Steven is preceded in death by his mother, Donna. Surviving family members include the mother of his children, Rachelle; his beloved children Nicholas, Roxanna, and Steven III; father, Steven Sr.; sister, Felicia Walker; brother, Nicholas Sexton; grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and so many more that loved him.

He will be greatly missed by all. Stevie, we will love you always and forever.

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HUMBOLDT TODAY: The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury has weighed in on the impartiality of local elections; meanwhile, former Humboldt diner Mike Lindell’s election opinions have cost him a large chunk of change; plus, your weekend weather, happenings and more in today’s online newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.

FURTHER READING: 

• Huge Drug Task Force Sweep in Hoopa and Willow Creek Yesterday Results in Five Arrests
• Two McKinleyville Women Dead After Head-On Collision on State Route 299
• ‘IT’S OK TO VOTE’: Grand Jury Issues Its First Report of This Cycle, Focused on Humboldt County Election Integrity
• CONVERSATIONS: Find a Pretty Painted Rock in a Weird Place? Christy Snyder of Northcoast Children’s Services Tells Us What You Found and What to Do With It
• Breathe a Sigh of Relief: Humboldt County May Have the Cleanest Air in the State, Report Finds

HUMBOLDT TODAY can be viewed on LoCO’s homepage each night starting at 6 p.m.

Want to LISTEN to HUMBOLDT TODAY? Subscribe to the podcast version here.

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For single mother Fern Fernandez, sitting in the hospital waiting to hear the status of her 16-year-old son, who had just suffered multiple stab wounds, was the scariest moment of her life. 

“When the surgeon came out of surgery, it all just went in slow motion,” Ferndandez told the Outpost in a phone interview Thursday. “When he finally said ‘he’s alive’ I was just so relieved.” 

It was the middle of the night on Jan. 28 when Fernandez got a call informing her that her son, Loren, had been hurt and was being transported to Mad River Hospital. Loren and his friend – also 16 – had just been stabbed outside the Arcata Theater Lounge, after leaving a concert. Both Loren and his friend suffered multiple lacerations, and his friend had a broken jaw. Loren’s temporal artery had also been severed and he had lost a lot of blood already by the time he arrived at Mad River. After undergoing emergency surgery and receiving 22 staples in his head, Loren spent the night in intensive care before being released. 

A couple of days later Arcata police arrested a suspect – 20-year-old Gage James Sand – under charges for assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated battery, inflicting injury on a child and committing a felony while out on bail. Sand was on bail for allegedly shooting a 51-year-old man in Indianola. According to APD, another suspect who was wanted for aggravated battery is still at large. 

Not too much additional information could be provided by APD, since the case has now been handed over to the District Attorney, who will decide which of the requested charges to pursue. Lieutenant Todd Dokweiler, investigations commander for APD, told the Outpost that the department is still waiting for a notification from the DA’s office on the case. 

As for the victims, Fernandez said that their physical wounds are mostly healing up well (she and her son are in regular contact with the other victim and his family), but that there is still a long path of recovery ahead. Loren has since had his staples removed and his lacerations have healed, but he suffered some nerve damage that has resulted in partial paralysis in his face. He also suffers from migraines now, Fernandez said. 

Another issue came up about three weeks ago, when suddenly Loren began having severe tremors that caused trips to the emergency room. When she took Loren to see his regular doctor, the issue was diagnosed as a symptom of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Loren’s doctor prescribed medication, which does seem to help.

Fernandez said she’s also working on getting Loren into therapy for his PTSD, which has proven to be difficult because most local therapists are not taking new patients.

Dealing with the aftermath of Loren’s injuries has practically been consuming Fernandez’s life over the last few months. In addition to attending regular follow-up visits and searching for a therapist, Fernandez has to take her son to Redding to visit a neurologist for the migraines and they will soon be seeing a plastic surgeon to address the nerve damage in Loren’s face. During all this, Loren works a part time job at the Salvation Army to pay the bills. 

By February Loren had already returned to high school, where he was trying his best to continue his education. Loren was most passionate about his welding class, Fernandez said, and had planned to pursue welding as a career. But since his injuries, Loren can’t wear his welding mask without it causing pain to his scars and triggering his migraines. His pain and tremors also make it difficult for Loren to sleep and trying to keep going to school became too difficult for him, Fernandez said. Loren is now staying home and will be finishing his school year through independent study. 

As a single parent working part time, Fernandez doesn’t exactly have a lot of extra income. MediCal has covered most of the cost of her son’s care, so the family is luckily not swimming in medical debt, Fernandez said. But she is concerned for her son’s future, especially since he now needs to find a different passion to pursue outside of welding. 

To help with the financial burden of Loren’s future, Fernandez has set up a GoFundMe fundraiser for her son, which, as of this writing, has already received $2,097 in donations. As Loren reaches adulthood, Fernandez worries that it might be difficult for him to work and she hopes that raising a little funding can help him pursue an education of his choice without having to worry about having a job at the same time. Fernandez realizes that her son has a long physical, mental and emotional recovery ahead and wants to be sure he has all the help he needs. 

“I’ve seen the results of a lifetime of trauma and PTSD and it’s not pretty,” Fernandez said. “So I appreciate anyone who donates, because he is going to have to deal with this for the rest of his life.”   

Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

On April 20th, 2023, Humboldt County Drug Task Force Agents with assistance from the Fortuna Police Department, the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, and the Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department, served six search warrants throughout Willow Creek and the Hoopa Valley.

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Goodrich.

The first search warrant was served in the 700 block of Sunset Lane in Willow Creek. As a result of the search warrant, Casey Caldwell GOODRICH was located along with approximately one gram of fentanyl and four firearms. GOODRICH was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
• HS11366, Maintaining a Drug House

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McKinnon.

The second search warrant was served at a residence on Masten Flat in Hoopa. Agents located Erik Merlin MCKINNON as well as a firearm, ammunition, and approximately one ounce of heroin. MCKINNON was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
• PC29800(A), Felon in Possession of a Firearm
• PC30305(A), Felon in Possession of Ammunition

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The third search warrant was served at a residence in Hostler Field Housing in Hoopa. Agents located Velda MCKINNON along with two children inside the residence. Also located was a firearm and approximately a gram of Fentanyl. The following charges will be forwarded to the DA’s Office for Velda MCKINNON:

• HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
• HS11366, Maintaining a Drug House
• PC273A(A), Child Endangerment

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A fourth search warrant was served at a residence on Moon Lane where Agents located one ounce of heroin. No suspects were at the residence at the time of the warrant but charges will be forwarded to the DA’s office.

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A fifth search warrant was served at a residence on Community Service Road in Hoopa where Agents located approximately a pound of methamphetamine, digital scales, packaging, and eight firearms. Virgil Joseph POLE Sr was located at the residence and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charges:

• HS11370.1(A), Possession of a Controlled Substance while Armed
• HS11378, Possession of a Controlled Substance
• HS11366, Maintaining a Drug House

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Blake.

A final search warrant was served on Airport Road in Hoopa where Agents located Alecia BLAKE. BLAKE obstructed Agents from properly serving the search warrant. BLAKE was booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charge:

• PC148(A), Obstructing a Peace Officer

Anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics related crimes is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task Force at 707-267-9976.

Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On the afternoon of Thursday, April 20, 2023, the CHP Humboldt Area office responded to a fatal traffic crash on SR-299, west of Lord Ellis Summit, that resulted in the tragic death of two occupants.

A preliminary investigation revealed that at 12:39 PM, Derek Clayton McIntosh of Kneeland was driving a white Ford F-550 Ford service truck westbound on SR-299, west of Lord Ellis Summit. A 21-year-old female from McKinleyville was driving a gray Hyundai Tucson eastbound on SR-299 towards Lord Ellis Summit.

The Ford and the Hyundai collided head-on, causing the Hyundai to then collide into an eastbound 2020 Kenworth semi-truck trailer driven by Ryan James Noland of Shasta Lake. The Ford and the Hyundai came to rest blocking SR-299.

The female driver of the Hyundai and her passenger, a 30-year-old female from McKinleyville, sustained fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased at the scene. The driver of the Ford sustained minor injuries and the driver of the Kenworth was uninjured.

The CHP Humboldt Area office is investigating this traffic crash. DUI is not believed to be a factor, and all occupants were wearing their seatbelts at the time of the crash. SR-299 at the crash scene was closed for two hours while the scene was investigated.

Thank you to the many agencies who assisted with this incident including Caltrans, Blue Lake Fire Department, Arcata-Mad River Ambulance, the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, and the Yurok Tribal Police Department.

The names of the deceased are being withheld at this time and may be released at a later date in an updated press release.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of these two young lives lost as a result of this tragic incident.

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Link to full grand jury report here.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Grand Jury:

The 2022-23 Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury) Grand Jury has just released its first report of the year entitled Humboldt County Elections Integrity — It’s Okay to Vote!.

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury directed one of its investigations into the voting procedures and the counting of those votes for the November 08, 2022 General Election. The current national political climate has prompted people to question the integrity and accuracy of even our local elections. The recent election provided the Grand Jury with an instructive opportunity to closely observe the process of voting and vote counting in Humboldt County with particular attention to election integrity and vote security.

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury believes that having the ability to vote for government officials and laws, through an election process, is one of the greatest rights we have as American citizens. It allows us as people in our communities to determine who represents and governs us. Maintaining the integrity of the elections process, voter registration, ballot accessibility, polling locations and vote counting is essential to making us all a part of the democratic process.

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury did an extensive study of the voting processes. We observed the pre-election testing of election equipment, training of poll workers and the initial processing of vote by mail ballots interviewing many of the personnel in charge. On Election Day, we watched the opening and closing of the polls and the first tabulation of votes at the Elections Office. In the end, we witnessed the final certification of the voting results.

The Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury found that The Humboldt County Elections Office provides its citizens with a fair and impartial election accessible to all eligible voters. Our investigation began weeks before the November 2022 election. We wanted to observe voting by mail and how computer software maintained a fair and impartial voting system. We can confirm that county employees, volunteer citizen poll workers and independent monitors did a professional job. We did find some minor areas that could use improvement and the attention of the Elections Office and make recommendations that, if followed, will lead to an even better work environment.