After this post was published, a former employee of Redwood Harley-Davidson reached out to say he and several of his former coworkers were also taken by surprise by the dealership’s sudden closure.
“When we showed up to work [on July 25] they had doors locked, employees from other stores packing up and final paychecks in hand,” said the worker, who asked to remain anonymous to avoid professional repercussions. “The GM went around and hand-picked the people he liked to bring them to Redding while not notifying any other employees they were shutting down.”
In a phone interview he said five or six of the dealership’s employees were left suddenly unemployed when the dealership closed its doors last week. While he didn’t know for sure the closure was coming, he did have some hints.
“Approximately a month, a month and a half ago things started getting a little weird around the shop,” he said.
Weird how?
“Just energy-wise,” he said. “You can tell when things are getting to where people are telling secrets.”
Redwood Harley-Davidson was owned by Vacaville-based Wise Auto Group, which operates more than 20 dealerships across California, Arizona and Nevada.
We called the Vacaville dealership and got referred to a dealership in Reno, where the woman who answered the phone offered an explanation, of sorts.
“Basically they’re moving everything to another Harley-Davidson,” she said regarding the sudden shutdown. “They didn’t want a lot of Harley-Davidson’s nearby the same location.”
Shasta Harley-Davidson, which is roughly three hours east on State Route 299, opened its doors on July 26, the day after Redwood Harley-Davidson closed its doors, bringing a sudden end to roughly 24 years in business.
When asked about the suddenness of the closure and the lack of advanced notice to customers and employees, the woman in Reno, who did not offer her name, said, “Are you trying to make a story out of this?”
Informed that it’s already a story, she passed us to a man named Mac, who said we’d need to speak with a district manager named Matt Ensour, who was in the Redding store. However, when we called there we were told that he’d left for the day.
“Not even the district told us [the closure was coming],” the former employee of Redwood Harley-Davidson said. “Not one single employee from Wise [Auto Group] or our other Harley group or our sister stores told us.”
When he did finally find out, the story didn’t make sense to him.
“They tried to tell me it was Harley’s decision to close, but that doesn’t make sense because they delivered us brand new motorcycles three days before closing,” he said. “We had a full stockroom, and they were making us schedule customers for upgrades. They had us bring bikes in [for service] up to the day before closing.”
He has since moved out of the area in search of another job and said some of his former coworkers had to do the same, he said.
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Original post:
The exterior signage has been removed and the inventory cleared out. | Photo by Ryan Burns.
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After more than two decades in business at the north end of Eureka, Redwood Harley-Davidson closed its doors last week, leaving behind some frustrated customers and a message taped to its windows and posted to social media saying they’re moving to Redding.
“Redwood HD family, you’ve been an integral part of our journey, and we cherish every moment,” the message says. “Can’t wait to see you in Redding, where the adventure continues!”
Commenters expressed surprise, with one saying, “150 miles [away]? Really?”
One customer, Mike M. told the Outpost via email that he’s had warranty parts on order since March.
“When I would check they would tell me the parts were on back-order [and] to check back with them the end of July. I did, only to find out they closed,” he wrote.
Mike asked us not to use his last name since he expects to travel to Redding for service and doesn’t want to foul the relationship further.
The business’s website is no longer online, leaving a message that says, “This site is no longer available,” but a cached version of the website, accessed via the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, shows that the site was functioning as recently as July 20, with a banner telling customers, “Immediate Pre-Ordering Available Now!”
The phone number listed online also doesn’t function, though we managed to reach the Redding dealership via a number posted to Facebook.
Sales Manager Marcus Noy said he’s not too sure why the Eureka dealership closed. “I believe it’s a motor company decision,” he ventured, adding that we should call back on Wednesday to speak with the general manager.
Mike M. Said he’s also had a hard time getting answers.
“I can’t be the only one that they left holding the bag,” he said. “Redding, that’s a long way away. I would not have bought a bike if I knew I’d have to go three and a half hours to service it.”
Mike purchased his Harley two years ago, along with the extended service warranty.
While he’s frustrated, he said he can’t really blame the owners or the salespeople for not telling him at the time that they’d be closed in two years.
“Obviously they probably didn’t have that on their horizon either,” he said.
Shasta Harley-Davidson in Redding can be reached at 522-241-7117.
On August 03, 2023 at approximately 1:06 p.m., Officers with the Eureka Police
Department (EPD) were dispatched to Wabash and A Streets for a report of shots
heard in the vicinity. There were no witnesses to this incident and officers were unable
to locate any indication shots had been fired.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., an additional reporting party phoned EPD and stated they
had video surveillance showing at least one individual firing shots from a handgun on
Wabash between A and B Streets. After the shots were fired, the suspect fled the
scene. While this does appear to be a targeted attack, we have no information leading
us to believe anyone was struck by gunfire during this incident.
Upon further investigation, Officers located a shell casing and were able to determine
the shooter was associated with a nearby apartment. Officers maintained a perimeter
while a search warrant was obtained. At approximately 4:57 p.m., Officers, with the
assistance of the Humboldt County Drug Task Force, executed a search warrant on the
apartment. No arrests were made during the service of the warrant.
This is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is
asked to contact Detective Donald Bailey at dbailey@eurekaca.gov or 707-441-4215.
While the shooting investigation was being conducted, a man drove by the crime scene yelling at officers. He lost control of his vehicle and collided with a parked car. The driver, 21 year old Miles Armstrong, attempted to flee on foot but was quickly detained by community members. EPD officers arrived on scene and took Armstrong into custody for DUI and hit and run.
Rep. Huffman presents a certificate to Cody and Thomas Nicholson Stratton. | Submitted.
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Press release from Rep. Jared Huffman’s office:
San Rafael, CA– This week, U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02) presented his Sustainable North Coast Award to Foggy Bottoms Boys partners Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton in recognition of their commitment to environmentally responsible business practices, support for the local food industry, and community service.
“I was thrilled to present Cody and Thomas Nicholson Stratton with my Sustainable North Coast award. We must treat the planet and our environment with respect so that our natural resources can last for future generations – and Cody and Thomas’ sustainable farming practices at Foggy Bottoms Boys are the perfect model for that. I’m glad to have these sustainable champions in my district and am grateful for their commitment to community-minded and environmentally responsible farming in Ferndale,” said Rep. Huffman.
For six generations, this family farm has operated in the foggy bottoms of the Eel River Valley on the far northern coast of California. Today, Foggy Bottoms Boys is led by Thomas and Cody Nicholson Stratton, with help from their father, grandfather and even their little son.
This duo is bringing new regenerative practices to their farm, while improving upon time-tested traditions. Their highly-diversified farm produces organic dairy, beef, lamb, poultry, eggs, and even yarn made from their sheep, goats and angora rabbits. From cover crops to maintaining wild habitat for biodiversity to ensuring a pasture-based approach, they pay close attention to the health of their land and animals.
Today they’re experimenting with new methods, such as no-till, to increase their soil organic matter even further. With a strong focus on their local community, the Foggy Bottoms Boys are working hard to ensure a healthy future for even more generations to come.
The Sequoia Park Zoo would like to add some adorableness to your Friday:
What’s the best part about mornings at the Zoo? ZOOMIES! Black bears Noni and Tule love to play chase after breakfast. This week, they started using another area of their habitat with large trees and have already become tree climbing masters. Chasing each other up the trees quickly became part of the zoomie sessions!
Bears use their front legs to grip the tree with sharp, curved claws, and they use their back legs to push themselves up the tree. They descend with this same technique (but in reverse order), using a move we like to call the Scoot and Slide! Check out this video to see the Scoot and Slide in action.
Design rendering, courtesy of the County Administrative Office’s ADA Compliance team.
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Press release from the County Administrative Office:
Construction for the Humboldt County Courthouse Fourth St. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Modification Project will begin on Monday, Aug. 7.
This project is part of the county’s continued efforts to bring all county programs, services, and activities into compliance with the ADA.
Background
The Humboldt County Courthouse, located at 825 Fifth St. in Eureka, houses the Humboldt County Superior Court of California and many public-facing departments for the County of Humboldt including offices of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Office, Sheriff, District Attorney, County Counsel, Treasurer-Tax Collector, Assessor, Auditor-Controller, Clerk-Recorder, Department of Human Resources, Victim Witness and the Child Abuse Services Team (CAST).
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors’ chamber, where many public meetings, including Board of Supervisors and Humboldt County Planning Commission meetings, take place, is located inside the Humboldt County Courthouse. State offices are located in the courthouse including the Humboldt County Superior Court and California Department of Tax and Fee Administration.
The Humboldt County Administrative Office’s ADA Compliance Team has actively planned to make ADA modification improvements to the Fourth St. entrance of the Humboldt County Courthouse. Upon completion of this project, community members will have improved access to the programs, services, and activities provided at this facility.
About the Project
This Humboldt County Courthouse Fourth St. Modification Project’s primary focus is to make ADA accessibility improvements to the Fourth St. entrance of the courthouse. Improvements will include the installation of new sliding doors, a parking lot with an ADA compliant van accessible parking stall, an accessible path linking the entrance to the public right of way, decorative security barriers, moisture barrier replacement, and new flooring and paint. The project will be completed in two phases, starting with the exterior of the building, and concluding with the interior.
Exterior work for phase one will begin on Monday, Aug. 7. Due to the work required for this project, the Fourth St. courthouse entrances will be completely closed while exterior work takes place. The Fifth St. entrance of the courthouse will remain open, and services will continue to be provided to the public without interruptions.
For the duration of phase one, a temporary unloading zone for vendors will be provided in the dirt parking lot on the north side of the jail. Vendors can access the courthouse by using the ramp directly in front of the jail and enter the building at the Fifth St. entrance.
The Fourth St. courthouse entrances are expected to reopen on Monday, Sept. 11.
Phase two of this project will consist of interior work at the Fourth St. courthouse entrances. Work for phase two is anticipated to begin on Friday, Sept. 8 and is expected to be completed on Monday, Oct. 9. During phase two, work will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday and on weekends to avoid service interruptions. The County of Humboldt is committed to ensuring that county programs, services and activities are in compliance with the ADA.
Temporary accommodations are available for programs and services located in the Humboldt County Courthouse to visitors who are unable to access the courthouse due to the closure of the Fourth St. entrances. For more information regarding temporary accommodations please contact the ADA Compliance Team at (707) 445-7266 or email ada@co.humboldt.ca.us. For questions regarding Humboldt County Superior Court, please email ADARequests@humboldtcourt.ca.gov or call (707) 269-1202.
Community members are encouraged to plan accordingly when visiting this facility. The County of Humboldt appreciates your patience while we work to make these critical improvements. This project is aligned with the goals of the county’s Facilities Master Plan (FMP) by investing in county facilities and improving ADA accessibility. The FMP is a document prepared to guide investment in county facilities over a period of 10 to 20 years. Prior to the adoption of this plan, county facilities were inspected, and community members were able to share their feedback through surveys and outreach. This plan was approved by the Board of Supervisors in 2020 and supports community resiliency by establishing efficient facility operations that accommodate growth and improve accessibility. Additionally, this project is aligned with the county’s ADA Compliance Plan, adopted by the Board of Supervisors in 2021.
The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equitable access to all county programs, services, and activities regardless of an individual’s ability. Please visit humboldtgov.org/ADA to learn more.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
Matthew Dean Black Booking Photo | Humboldt County Correctional Facility
On Aug. 2, 2023, at about 10:15 a.m., a Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputy on patrol on State Route 299 near North Bank Road observed a motorcycle reported stolen out of the Eureka area traveling on the highway.
The deputy conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle and upon further investigation, the driver, 40-year-old Matthew Dean Black, was taken into custody without incident. A female passenger of the motorcycle was detained and later released at the scene.
Black was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a stolen vehicle (PC 496d(a)).
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.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On Aug. 3, 2023, at about 1:56 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Garberville Town Square for the report of an assault.
Bogosian
Upon arrival, deputies contacted two men, one with moderate facial injuries. During their investigation, deputies learned that the two had been hanging out together at the Town Square when an argument occurred between them. At some point during this argument, one of the men, 50-year-old Paul Bogosian, reportedly began to physically assault the other, causing injury.
Bogosian was arrested without incident and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of assault likely to produce great bodily injury (PC 245(a)(4)) and battery (PC 242).
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.
