Steven Allen Harris September 4, 1952 –
May 17, 2024
Steve Harris was
born in Berkeley to Marjorie Jean (neé Peth) Harris and Clarence
Alfred Harris, where Clarence worked as an Electrical Engineer at the
Lawrence Radiation Laboratory. Steve was the youngest of three, with
older sisters Barbara and Patricia. The family relocated to Los Altos
in 1963, where Clarence took a job at the Stanford Linear Accelerator
and Marjorie worked as an Assistant Librarian. There, Steve lived at
the family home on Russell Avenue until he graduated from Awalt High
School in 1970 and left to attend Humboldt State University in
Arcata.
At HSU, Steve earned
a B.S. and M.S. in Natural Resources. His masters thesis examined the
relationship of fog and the coastal redwoods. In Steve’s youth he
worked in a variety of nature-oriented jobs for the National Parks
Service, U.S. Forest Service, on boats as a marine fisheries
observer, and an environmental consultant. His favorite job was
serving as a wilderness ranger in the Trinity Alps northeast of
Arcata.
The last nine years
of his career were spent working to assure that CalTrans staff and
construction contractors complied with environmental permit
requirements. During this time, he became an expert on the bats that
sleep on the underside of the Yolo Causeway east of Davis, and the
salamanders that live along Highway 101 north of Santa Rosa.
Due to his tall
stature and distinctive gait, Steve was a familiar figure in and
round Arcata for decades. His likes were contra dancing, old-time
music, singing with the Arcata Interfaith Gospel Choir, making and
playing a mandolin, fencing, foraging for wild mushrooms, playing
chess and blowing soap bubbles.
He disliked having
strangers ask him how tall he was, and Steve would typically answer,
“81 inches.” The more dull-witted questioners would often reply
“No, really, how tall are you?”, to which Steve would respond, “I
just told you,” and stride away.
He also did not like
being asked if he played basketball, to which the answer was a curt,
“No.” Steve’s sport was hacky-sack, where his long legs let him
cover lots of ground. Those legs also helped him move through a
forest at an amazing speed that left those of lesser stature running
to keep up.
Steve lived out his
final years in a 1940-vintage bungalow landscaped with native plant
species. He was visited by the turkeys that roosted in a nearby
creek. Deer frequently bedded down in the comfort of his woodsy front
yard.
Steve was a shy,
kind and loyal man who, once he came to know and like you, was your
friend for life. He had a passion for native plants and protecting
the environment.
Steve had cheated
death multiple times in his life, surviving cancers, a severe head
injury, and problems with his circulatory system, all complicated by
the scoliosis he was born with. His health gradually worsened over
time, and in the end, his heart and lungs just couldn’t keep up
with the demands of that big frame.
The
Grateful Dead and Emmylou Harris were some of Steve’s favorite
music makers. On his final day, the ICU nurse was a Dead fan who
kindly served up hours of tunes from Jerry Garcia and Emmylou to send
him home smiling.
Steve was
predeceased by his parents, Clarence and Marjorie Harris of Los
Altos, and sister, Barbara Harris, of Utah. He is survived by sister,
Patricia Harris, of Sacramento.
Steve’s ashes will
be scattered in Humboldt County. All are invited to a Celebration of
Life at the Humboldt Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Hall, 24
Fellowship Way, in Bayside on Friday, September 20, at 1:30 pm.
Please bring hors-d’oeuvres and light desserts to share at the
potluck.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Steve Harris’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Mildred June (VanNorstran) Goad passed away peacefully in Eureka
California on March 21, 2024
She was born on
July 15, 1935, in Harriman Tennessee to Charity Estella (Israel)
VanNorstran and Fred VanNorstran.
June grew up in
Mossy Grove Tennessee with her parents and six siblings, Ira, Johnny,
Dora, Lola, Jane and Lois.
On September 5,
1950 she married Berry Goad. They were able to celebrate their 70th
wedding anniversary in 2020 shortly before Berry passed away.
In 1965 June, her
husband Berry, and their five children moved cross country from
Tennessee to Blue Lake, where she lived until her passing.
June had several
careers throughout her life, but the job she enjoyed most was working
for Harper’s Bazaar. She was a very fashionable woman and loved
being the first to unpack and see the latest style in clothing.
In 1979 her
husband Berry became the ranch foreman for Vic Guynup. She embraced
her role as a rancher’s wife, and her delicious southern home
cooking fed many ranch hands, family, church members and even a few
orphaned puppies until they retired in 2001.
Throughout her
life June always turned to God. She found comfort, joy and healing in
worship and the church community. She secretly delighted in being
able to play the piano for its members at several local
congregations. She cherished the gift that her father had taught her
and passed it along to a few of her family members.
Many friends and
family have fond memories of June. Or Mamaw as she was known to her
grandkids. From making biscuits and gravy to picking blackberries or
raspberries for freezer jam. Her love of fast, fancy cars and the
wonderful, crocheted blankets she gifted that always felt like one of
her warm hugs. Family gatherings at her home were always memorable
and filled with food, fun and laughter but most importantly, love.
June is survived
by her children, Deborah (Ed) Rasmussen, Veronica (Zak) Peltier, Rick
(Rita) Goad. Her grandchildren, Bridget (Nathan) Steeves, Justin
Goad, Jessica Swanlund, Josh (Lucy) Rasmussen, Chad (Megan) Swanlund,
Charity (Shay) Hetz, Laquessa Goad and Chanda Goad. She has 12 great
grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren.
June was preceded
in death by her mother Estella VanNorstran, her father Fred
VanNorstran, siblings Ira VanNorstran, Johnny VanNorstran, Dora
Adams, Lola Vincent, Jane Davis and Lois Solock, her husband Berry
Goad, and her sons, Fredrick Goad and Michael Goad.
A celebration of
life for both June and Berry will be held at a later date.
The family asks
in lieu of flowers, to please consider donating to St. Jude
Children’s Hospital in memory of June.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Mildred Goad’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.
Today, Judge Steven Steward sentenced Daniel Forrest Rena-Dozier to serve 10 years and 8 months in prison for the April 8, 2023, killing of Mia Simone Felder. Ms. Felder and Mr. Dozier had been romantically involved prior to the killing which occurred at the McKinleyville residence of Mr. Dozier.
Mr. Dozier was convicted by a jury on June 6, of voluntary manslaughter, assault with a semi-automatic firearm, possession of silencer and possession of a firearm with the serial number removed. Prior to imposing the sentence, Judge Steward heard from many family members regarding their tragic loss and the everlasting impact of Dozier’s crimes.
The Eureka Police Department is still actively investigating the May 22, 2024 fatal pedestrian collision
that occurred on the 900 block of I Street in Eureka. However, at this point in the investigation and
supported by the evidence collected during the investigation, a Ramey Warrant was issued for Maria
Cuevas, 30 years old from Eureka, for violations of Vehicular Manslaughter with Gross Negligence and
Hit and Run Causing Death or Injury. Additional charges of felony DUI causing bodily injury were
submitted to the District Attorney’s office for review as Cuevas admitted to using Nitrous Oxide just prior
to the collision.
Cuevas is currently in custody at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the above noted charges
and is being held on $65,000 bond and a probation hold.
Sarah Schaefer has been serving
on the City Council since 2020 and is excited to announce the launch
of her reelection campaign. “I am honored to serve my community
that I was born and raised in, and I want to continue the work I am
doing for the next generation of Arcata.”
Sarah is a history teacher and
school administrator who has always had a deep sense of purpose
related to public service and a strong connection to her community
here in Arcata. During her tenure on Council she has served as Mayor
and Vice-Mayor as well as serving as chair of the Redwood Coast
Energy Authority board and Co-Chair of the Equity Arcata board. Sarah
is not only an active councilmember with strong working relationships
with city staff and community partners but is engaged in regional
work for Humboldt County through participation in local boards.
Through numerous study sessions and special meetings on the Gateway
Area and General Plan, Sarah has proven her ability as Mayor to lead
and facilitate discussion in a meaningful and productive way.
Sarah has strongly supported
policies to generate housing and protect tenants in Arcata. This
includes championing infill to protect our natural areas and
agricultural lands and supporting the City’s rental assistance and
rental inspection programs. Sarah brings the perspective as a renter
to the City Council and wants to continue to work on issues that are
important to renters in Arcata.
She is also an advocate for
active transportation in Arcata, helping adopt the City’s complete
streets policy and enhance the City’s bike lanes and trail network.
Sarah knows that sustainable transportation options will help Arcata
battle climate change and improve the livability of our community.
Sarah is endorsed early on by
other local elected officials including Humboldt County Supervisors
Mike Wilson and Natalie Arroyo. When asked about working with
Schaefer, Arroyo said, “It’s a pleasure to work with Sarah on
regional issues of significance. She is deft and conscientious when
navigating big challenges, and leads with great skill. I trust her to
keep doing an awesome job for Arcata and the redwood coast!”
Schaefer also has endorsements
from Redwood
Coalition for Climate & Environmental Responsibility (RCCER),
Colin Fiske of the Coalition for Responsible Transportation
Priorities (CRTP), and Tom Wheeler and Matt Simmons of the
Environmental Protection Information Center (EPIC) showing her
commitment to sustainability and environmental efforts. Colin Fiske
of CRTP state that “Sarah is a thoughtful and effective leader with
a strong record of putting Arcata’s social and environmental values
into action.”
According
to Sarah, “I am launching my reelection because I want to continue
to serve Arcata and work to bring more varied and affordable housing
options, economic development opportunities, and sustainable
transportation to the Arcata Community.”
You may see smoke to the north from the quickly-spreading Shelly Fire in Siskiyou County, which has burned 3,380 acres and was zero percent contained as of a U.S. Forest Service update this morning.
The fire is burning in the Marble Mountain Wilderness, near Shelly Lake and over the Pacific Crest Trail. Several areas have been evacuated as the fire spreads toward communities to the east.
John Chester, Operations Section Chief for Calif. Interagency Management Team 12, said in an update this morning that accessing the area over rugged terrain is a difficult task for responders as extreme weather conditions continue to drive the fire.
The “primary number one focus is on the east side of the Pacific Crest Trail, and ensuring that we are doing diligence to get that piece secured up and locked down so that we can protect the communities threatened currently,” Chester said.
The fire started on July 3, and the cause is under investigation. The U.S. Forest Service - Klamath National Forest Facebook page is posting regular updates.
Arcata
City Councilwoman Stacy Atkins-Salazar is announcing her candidacy
for re-election to the Arcata City Council. Atkins-Salazar was
elected to a four-year term in 2020. During her term, she has served
as both Vice-Mayor and Mayor, and as the council liaison to the
Homeless and Housing Working Group, Cal Poly Humboldt and for the
COVID-19 Economic Recovery Collaborative.
Additionally,
Atkins-Salazar represents Arcata on the Humboldt County Association
of Government (HCAOG) and has served on its Executive Committee since
2021. She has also served as
Humboldt County’s representative on the California County Association
of Governments (CALCOG) since 2022. Stacy has represented Arcata at
the League of California Cities, Redwood Empire Division since 2022,
and currently serves as Second Vice-President.
“Arcata
is a beautiful and unique community filled with diverse people who
share one very important value; we love our town! With its multitude
of parks and natural resources, unique local businesses, a
growing
university
and small-town character, there is so much to appreciate,” says
Atkins-Salazar.
Atkins-Salazar
was born and raised in Humboldt County. She graduated from Humboldt
State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt) with a
master’s
degree in psychology. After teaching at College of the Redwoods for
several years, she opened a small business in Arcata,
which continues
to thrive after 24 years. Stacy and her husband, Andy, raised their
family in Arcata. In 2020, Stacy ran for city council “to
help our community find common ground so that we could navigate the
challenges of that difficult time together.”
After
serving on council for a while and listening to what the key issues
and concerns were, Atkins-Salazar focused her efforts on building
affordable housing, growing Arcata’s parks, trails and open spaces,
and
maintaining
and improving the city’s infrastructure and financial stability.
Stacy also worked to solve some long-standing issues in the
community.
Atkins-Salazar
proposed starting a Community Ambassadors Program to address on-going
concerns from community members and small business owners in and
around the Plaza. She won support from fellow council members and
helped design the program which has made a positive impact on the
Plaza and downtown area by helping visitors, unhoused people and
business
owners with a variety of needs while keeping our public spaces clean.
Atkins-Salazar would now like to see the program expand to other
areas of Arcata, such as Valley West.
Using
American Rescue Plan Act funds, in 2022 the city council initiated
a Safe Parking Pilot Program and awarded a contract for operations to
the Arcata House Partnership. This extremely successful program
served families and individuals who were living in their vehicles by
giving them a safe place to park while working on their housing
goals. Residents had access to charging stations, bathrooms and
meals. People participating in the program had access to case
management services, assistance with application for benefits and
connection/referral to other community resources. Atkins-Salazar
supports finding new funding sources to continue this effective
program.
Looking
towards the next four years, Atkins-Salazar said, “I will continue
to consider the struggling climate and our planet in every single
decision I make and vote I take.” Stacy will also continue to
support policies and programs that will create more affordable
housing, protect and grow the city’s parks, trails, open spaces and
working agricultural lands and ensure a robust infrastructure during
her next term.
“When
Stacy first ran for city council, my husband, Glenn, and I asked many
questions. Stacy listened respectfully and responded with honesty and
sincere conviction. Since 2020, I’ve seen Stacy’s love for
Arcata and her desire to serve ALL our community members shine
through, as she passionately addresses our community’s economic,
environmental, social needs and more! Beyond her countless hours
fulfilling council member duties, I often see Stacy fully engaged,
listening and supporting our community at CPH and AHS events,
community cleanups, festivals, meetings, memorials, vigils, rallies
and runs. Stacy’s compassion and dedication to our community serves
us well,” said Romi
Hitchcock-Tinseth, Faculty, Cal Poly Humboldt, Communication
Department.
Third
District Humboldt County Supervisor Mike Wilson said, “I’ve had
the privilege of working with Stacy on numerous city, county and
regional initiatives. Whether addressing affordable housing, climate
action or safe streets, Stacy is a dedicated and diligent council
member who thoroughly researches and considers diverse perspectives.
As a mother, teacher and business owner she demonstrates a profound
commitment to fostering a flourishing and welcoming Arcata.”
“Stacy
Atkins-Salazar is a rare, extraordinarily skilled leader who fully
embodies integrity. Her agenda is all about transparent public
service at the highest level. Stacy is a “git-r-done right”
person with extraordinary communication skills; she compassionately
listens while sharing realities, practical matters and possible
solutions regarding any challenge. She builds quality relationships
with people in our city, county and state
to
serve
the people of Arcata at the highest capacity. Stacy Atkins-Salazar is
a breath of fresh air,” said
Jayce
Walker, owner,
Eco-Groovy Deals in Arcata.
Former
State Senator, and current coordinator of Equity Arcata Home Away
from Home, Wesley
Chesbro
said, “Stacy
has shown a commitment to continuing and building on what’s great
about Arcata, while working to meet the challenges of climate change,
affordable housing and sustainable growth.”
“Serving
on the Arcata City Council has given me even
more
appreciation
for
our community. The diversity of views in Arcata contributes greatly
to our strength and I will continue to find common ground in the
issues that challenge us,” said Atkins-Salazar. “I
am extremely proud of
all
we
have accomplished,
and
I am enthusiastic to continue working with our community for
thoughtful, equitable and climate friendly policies to keep Arcata
unique, strong and thriving. I would appreciate your vote on November
5th.”
To
learn more about Stacy, please
visit ‘Stacy Atkins-Salazar: Arcata City Council’ Facebook page
or StacyAtkinsSalazar on Instagram. For questions, to volunteer or
set up a meeting email: stacyatkinssalazar@gmail.com.
