Corky was a charismatic man who asked for little yet gave so much. People were naturally drawn to his carefree disposition and sunny smile.

Corky passed away on March 28, 2024 at the age of 69 after suffering an unexpected stroke at home. He was born on February 17, 1955 to Edward and Joyce Schoonmaker. Corky was born and raised in Eureka, where he graduated Eureka Senior High School in 1973, then graduated with an Associate Arts Degree from College of the Redwoods in June of 1977.

Joyce, lovingly known as the “Warden,” became a single mother when Corky was 4 years old. Even at an early age Corky had a mischievous side. Much to his mother’s dismay, it was common for neighbors to find a young, blonde, skinny Corky on their doorstep stating his mother had not fed him. He had of course been fed by his mother, but he insisted that each neighbor had a specific food item that was not to be missed.

In 1978 Corky met Jill at a Halloween party he and his friends attended. They began dating a few months later and were married in September 1981 at St Bernard’s Catholic Church in Eureka. Corky and Jill were blessed with three children, a daughter, Vanessa and two sons, Neal and Dean. Corky took pride in his family and was a loving father and devoted husband, always making time for his wife, children and granddaughter, Yvette. He never missed an art exhibit, theatrical or sporting event that his children participated in. He could often be found behind the scenes of these events assisting in one manner or another. Corky loved making people happy, teasing his wife and children, long camping trips with family, working in his yard, running heavy equipment, watching the 49ers and NASCAR (I don’t get the NASCAR thing), helping neighbors and meeting new people.

Corky worked for Humboldt County Public Works, Roads Division for many years, initially by running the brush cutter then working on the crusher crew and finally on the McKinleyville road crew. After 33 years of service, Corky retired in December 2015.

Corky was an avid runner throughout high school and college and became a member of Six Rivers Running Club participating in the Avenue of the Giants and the Clam Beach Run, among others. Corky was a member of Humboldt Redwood Cursillo during the 1990s and early years of 2000. Many, many friendships developed and flourished during these years and those relationships have carried his family through both highs and lows over the years. Prior to moving in 2017, Corky was a member of Christ the King Parish in McKinleyville as well as the Elks Lodge #652

Corky was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Joyce Schoonmaker, sister Lori Dinsmore, and brother-in-law Mark Bollmann and father-in-law Gordon Schuler. He is survived by his loving wife Jill, his daughter Vanessa (Cody Jones), sons Neal (Rebecca Curtis), and Dean Schoonmaker, sister Lila Bollmann (Randy Younger). Corky leaves behind many loving cousins, nephews and nieces that will never look at a game of hide and seek without remembering their fun-loving uncle.

Corky is best known for his quick-witted humor, and generous spirit. He loved his Hawaiian shirts but was a cowboy at heart. Corky did not want a funeral but rather a wake. With this request in mind, we look forward to celebrating Corky’s life at The Barn by Fernbridge, at 26 Goble Lane, Ferndale, on June 15, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. To honor Corky on this incredibly special occasion we encourage you to dress in your favorite Hawaiian style attire and don’t forget your cowboy hats and boots.

Corky’s remains will be interred in Humboldt County at a later date.

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

Video: Andrew Goff

UPDATE, 2:45 a.m.: As expected, cops have shown up on Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus in force and have made their way to the UC Quad where they have begun arresting protesters.

We will have more later this morning.

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Video: Andrew Goff

UPDATE, 1 a.m.: Well, it has now been nearly four hours of patrol cars rolling up to various spots on the perimeter of the barricades every half hour or so to play the recorded warning, giving protesters 15 minutes to disperse. At this point, the announcements are mostly being ignored.

Some protesters remain outside, chanting periodically. Others are resting or sleeping inside Nelson Hall East. About an hour ago a man blasting country music, who admitted to being “two beers deep,” drove up to campus to start some shit debate. He argued with a few protesters and declared “death to Palestine” before leaving.

Theories and speculation abound regarding what’s next, but for now the standoff remains a waiting game.

—Ryan Burns

UPDATE, 11 p.m.: Still a lot of feints and jabs from the cops’ side. The police car that has parked itself at various locations around the perimeter to play a recording is still doing that, per the Outpost reporters on scene.

One person who was on the fringes of the crowd has been taken into custody, as seen in the picture above.

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UPDATE, 10:15 p.m.: No police crackdown yet. Right now there are about 150-200 protesters gathered on and around the UC quad, per Outpost reporters Ryan Burns and Andrew Goff, at the scene. A patrol car periodically pulls up to various points on the perimeter to play the announcement shown in videos below, urging people to disperse.

Just now, a police officer gave protesters 15 minutes.

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UPDATE, 10:08 a.m.: The Outpost’s Ryan Burns was live from the university quad.

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UPDATE, 9:50 p.m.: Police are giving protesters 10 minutes to disperse.

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“A Small Campus in the Redwoods Has the Nation’s Most Entrenched Protest,” reports the New York Times this evening.

But possibly not for long, as a large police contingency has shown up to campus tonight. On the other hand: A lot of protesters, too. 

We’re updating.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On 4/22/2024, at about 3:40 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Tish Tang Campground near Hoopa, CA for the report of a possible drowning.

According to witnesses, a juvenile female had been swept away by the river current while attempting to cool off and two additional persons had jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue her.

Upon deputy arrival, the female was observed on a rock on the opposite side of the river and a second person was quickly discovered downstream yelling for help and holding onto a tree. A passing civilian boat assisted in bringing both subjects to safety. Both were transported to a local hospital by ambulance.

The Sheriff’s Office’s jet boat and a Hoopa Valley Tribal Police Department boat were launched near the area in which the third person, Joseph Viveiros Dawson Rodney Joseph Dawson Viveiros Jr., age 19, was reported missing. California Highway Patrol and US Coast Guard helicopters were also dispatched to aid in the search. While the search was ongoing, a family member of Viveiros jumped into the river and was swept downstream. The Sheriff’s Office jet boat was able to rescue the man, who was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

HCSO along with multiple other agencies searched the area where Viveiros went missing. An underwater ROV (remotely operated underwater vehicle) with sonar capabilities was used to aid in the search. The search for Viveiros Dawson has been unsuccessful.   

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank Humboldt County Special Services, Hoopa Tribal Police, Hoopa Volunteer Fire, Yurok Tribal Police, CHP Air Operations, United States Coast Guard, Hoopa Ambulance, Cal OES, Yuba County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit and the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit for their quick response and assistance in this operation.

UPDATE, 7:45 p.m.: After a mostly quiet day on Cal Poly Humboldt campus, a few hundred people have gathered on LK Wood Boulevard — the largest showing since the first night of the occupation a week ago — to wave signs and chant pro-Palestinian slogans as a few members of the California Highway Patrol look on.

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It was fairly quiet up at Cal Poly Humboldt today, one week after pro-Palestinian protesters first stormed Siemens Hall and set up camp. National media have come to town, memes have been promulgated, some property has been torn up and graffiti’d, and the university has gone back to COVID-era learning for the remainder of the semester. Various parties on campus, including the University Senate, have called upon President Tom Jackson to resign.

At least for the time being, though, things have settled into stalemate. Activists did their laundry, and supporters held a march and another teach-in near Siemens Hall. A man bearing an Israeli flag marched with them and was not abused.

Will the administration attempt to end the occupation with force before commencement, on May 11? It seems as though there would be no surer way of casting a pall over ceremonies, but it does seem just possible.

Large numbers of Highway Patrol — state government’s principal police agency — have been seen making their way into town. Earlier this afternoon, about 50 CHP officers were seen gathering at the agency’s headquarters on Arcata’s Samoa Boulevard before pairing up and leaving the scene in patrol vehicles. A CHP helicopter had lighted nearby.

Additional out-of-town officers have been spotted throughout the week, including patrol cars from other CSU campuses, including Chico and Channel Islands.

Would such a force assemble were it not intended to clear the campus? It’s possible, maybe. Maybe the hope is to intimidate the protesters into leaving voluntarily. (If they haven’t already, that is. Siemens Hall has been closed to visitors since the weekend, and it’s difficult to know what’s going on inside.) Maybe the officers are here as a contingency, in case things get more out of hand on campus. 

But certainly the fear on campus, among supporters, is that a crackdown could be imminent. The Outpost briefly spoke with one professor who was delivering masks and respirators to students. “Surreal,” the professor called it.

The Outpost’s Ryan Burns caught up with Abdi Soltani, the executive director of the ACLU’s Northern California chapter, who is on-hand to observe. 

“It’s really important for this university, working with its faculty and with its students, to resolve this issue through a response that does not involve a law enforcement escalation,” Soltani said. “It’s not for me to say, like, ‘What will that process produce?’ But to escalate to a law enforcement response, again, will not be good for the university or its community in the long run.”

Full Abdi Soltani interview, April 29.

Social media rumors have it that many of the out-of-town officers have put up at the Blue Lake Casino and Hotel. (The Outpost spotted a CSU Channel Islands police vehicle there earlier today, but that was the only one.) According to the Rancheria, which put out a statement today, its employees have been subject to harassment because of this, and it asks people to cut it out. Full statement below.

[DISCLOSURE: The Blue Lake Rancheria is a minority owner of the Outpost’s parent company, Lost Coast Communications, Inc.]

Press release from the Blue Lake Rancheria:

While Pro-Palestine protesters continue to occupy Cal Poly Humboldt’s campus, they have also turned their attention to the economic enterprises that are operated by the Blue Lake Rancheria, a Federally Recognized Tribe located in Humboldt County, situated in far northwestern California. Protesters claim that some law enforcement officers are staying at the Blue Lake Hotel and have begun to utilize intimidation and harassment tactics against Blue Lake Rancheria (BLR) and their businesses. BLR wants to remind the protesters that it is important to express their concerns peacefully and within the bounds of the law.

There have been unsuccessful attempts to disrupt BLR’s websites, threatening calls made to front desk staff, threats to harm the physical buildings in and around BLR, derogatory comments made to staff and patrons, social media posts naming employees and more. Understandably, these intimidating tactics have been unsettling to many of BLR’s hospitality staff who are members of Union Local 49 out of Sacramento.

Blue Lake Rancheria assures its patrons that these attempts have not been successful and that BLR has many safeguards in place to protect information and staff and ensure that the customer experience while at the Casino, Hotel, or other commercial operations across the property, will remain safe and enjoyable.

Blue Lake Rancheria recognizes and empathizes with the volatile circumstances between Palestine and Israel and desires a cease fire. They emphasize the importance of civil discourse (the practice of deliberating about matters of public concern in a way that seeks to expand knowledge and promote understanding) and localized peace. Ancestors of BLR Tribal Members ancestors experienced the genocide associated with Colonialism such as death, disease, loss of cultural practices, displacement and more, on a deeply personal and cultural level, BLR understands the significance of “Land Back” efforts, but they strongly discourage attempts to disrupt their business operations in the spirit of this movement. It is a direct contradiction to the movement.

Blue Lake Rancheria is committed to securing a better future for its people, protecting its sovereignty and heritage, and building a resilient, healthy economy and environment. They value community and education and work in service to support both. They have a history of progressive initiatives and actions. BLR is a Climate Action Champion that has been recognized by the White House for their innovative efforts to reduce the causes of climate change and has garnered attention and accolades for deploying the first-of-its-kind microgrid to build resilience in response to the climate crisis.

Further, BLR has distributed hundreds of thousands of dollars in student scholarships, provides over 40,000 meals annually to Tribal Elders across Humboldt and Trinity Counties, leads restoration and monitoring efforts for the Batuwa’t (Mad River), deploys air quality monitors across the region, supports firefighting efforts across the Western United States, serves as a resilience hub in times of regional disasters, sponsors programs such as Toys for Tots, Pathmakers Program, Humboldt Aquaculture Symposium, SAFE (Smoke, Air, Fire and Energy) Symposium, and more. Over the years, Blue Lake Rancheria Tribal representatives have been instrumental in assisting Cal Poly Humboldt’s Foundation to significantly move their portfolio into green investing and real estate holdings and away from many concerning sectors including direct investment in defense-based companies. This has been a source of pride for both the University as well as BLR.

It is the Tribe’s belief that an orderly resolution is possible between the protesters and Cal Poly Humboldt in a manner that can afford the students of Cal Poly Humboldt the opportunity to complete this year with access to the ceremonies and experiences they deserve while recognizing the complex challenges experienced by so many across the globe. This graduating class has endured more than its share of hardships during their university tenure, including the many impacts associated with COVID-19, death of fellow students, 6.4 Magnitude earthquake of 2022, regional climate crisis effects such as wildfire, air quality, sea level rise and more.

It is for these reasons the Blue Lake Rancheria calls for a swift and peaceful resolution to the protests, an end of the occupation of buildings on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus as well as an immediate end to the harassment and threats of unlawful activity currently being experienced by Blue Lake Rancheria’s Tribal Government and their commercial enterprises.

PREVIOUSLY:

• “Going Down,” April 29.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On April 29, at 9:00 a.m., the Humboldt County Emergency Communications center received a call regarding a possible homicide of an individual inside of a residence on Boynton Prairie Road, Arcata. The caller stated her family member was possibly murdered inside his home. Deputies arrived on scene and located a male subject in his 70’s, deceased inside the residence. There were no obvious signs of assault or injury to the decedent.

Deputies also received information that a potential suspect left the victim’s home and was hold up at a residence in Kneeland. Deputies drove to the 7700 block of Kneeland Road, and subsequently made contact with the person of interest. That subject was questioned by law enforcement and released at the scene. At this time, there is no evidence to indicate this death was a homicide. The Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is leading the death investigation.  

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.

Statement of the Executive Director of ACLU of Northern California Abdi Soltani on campus protests:

Abdi Soltani

The ACLU of Northern California is closely monitoring the campus protests and the university and law enforcement responses in our region, particularly at California Polytechnic Humboldt. I am here personally in Humboldt to monitor the student protests and campus response.

During times like these, several fundamental protections come to the forefront. First, there’s the right to freedom of expression and assembly enshrined in the United States and California Constitutions. Second, there’s the right to be free from unreasonable and excessive force at the hands of law enforcement. And third, there’s the core principle that these rights apply universally, irrespective of one’s viewpoint, race, ethnicity, or religion. These protections, however, only survive if we have other fundamental guarantees in place— a free press on the ground, access to legal counsel, and due process.  

We are closely monitoring the student protests and the responses of universities and law enforcement across Northern California. We are receiving and reviewing legal intakes from campuses across the region, including Stanford University and UC Berkeley. As a Berkeley resident, I visited the campus on Saturday to witness the encampment, speak with students, and assess the conditions.  It appears that the students there have been able to express themselves and that the University has, thus far, set aside spaces for such student expression.   

The developments at Cal Poly Humboldt have certainly also drawn our attention. The events at Humboldt are of greater concern, with students occupying a university building and encountering law enforcement. My goals while in Humboldt will be to observe events on campus, establish connections with students, faculty, and members of the public, and open lines of communication.

We urge the Cal Poly Humboldt administration, in the strongest terms, to refrain from involving law enforcement and to take advantage of every available tool to peacefully reach a resolution with the students.

Since its founding 90 years ago in 1934, the ACLU of Northern California has consistently prioritized defending the freedom of speech and the right to protest. During the Great Depression’s longshoreman strike to countless other periods of activism and protest by workers, students, peace activists, and others, we have remained steadfast in safeguarding robust First Amendment rights and the right under the California State Constitution to free expression, freedom of the press, and freedom of assembly. 

We encourage the public and students to review our Know Your Rights information, and to contact our Legal Intake line if you believe that your rights are being violated. We will post updates to social media over the coming days.  

Press release from the City of Eureka:

With construction of the grant-funded safety improvements on H and I Streets nearly complete, it is important for motorists to understand how to safely and legally drive with the new configuration of the streets. The safety improvements were developed and implemented with the goal of increasing bike and pedestrian safety but, in reality, improve the situation for all users of the roadway. This week, contractors will be painting the final markings along H, I and Harris Streets, including crosswalks and green paint that denotes potential conflict points between bikes and motorized vehicles.

The green paint will be present at the ends of each block, where cars may cross paths with bikes as the cars are turning from or onto side streets. According to California Vehicle Code (CVC) 21717, a right-turning car is supposed to move into the bike lane before the intersection — anywhere from 200 to 50 feet before — first signaling the lane merge, then merging right to the curb lane, and finally making the actual turn once it’s deemed safe.

At some intersections along the H and I corridor, green paint will also be provided in bike boxes. These allow cyclists to safely move from the bike lane to the appropriate position necessary to make a left turn. Motorists must stop behind the green paint so as not to endanger cyclists that may enter the bike box.

As with any new configuration, the lane changes on H and I Streets will require some getting used to for all users of the roadway. Please be attentive, considerate, and patient while driving, walking, or biking along the routes.

More information can be found at the links below:

• State of California DMV
• Bike Lane and Right Turn Lane Usage
• Right Turns SF Bicycle Coalition Video
• Get Your Right Turns Right Video