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Fire crews have made significant progress containing a small wildfire burning north of French Gulch in western Shasta County. The Ridge Incident, which ignited yesterday afternoon around 2:30 p.m., has burned approximately 20 acres and is 40 percent contained, according to a morning update from the Shasta County Fire Department and CalFIRE Shasta-Trinity Unit.

The quick-moving fire prompted evacuation orders for residences on the east side of Trinity Mountain Road, south of Drunken Gulch Road and north of Fawnridge Road, on Friday evening. The Shasta County Sheriff’s Department lifted all evacuation orders and warnings shortly after 9 p.m.

The cause of the fire remains unknown. No structures have been destroyed and none are currently threatened.

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Of all the thousands of Native Americans who lived in Humboldt County during the 1850’s and early 1860’s, one of the most often heard names was that of Chief Lassik.

His renown was such that several prominent landmarks were named after him (Red Lassik and Black Lassik Peaks) and the tribe of Indians to which he belonged was called the Lassik. His name also appeared in several Army reports and newspaper articles between 1860 and 1862. Even though he was Lassik and mentioned in the surviving literature as much as any other individual Indian during the time of the northwest California Indian “Wars,” we know surprisingly little about him as an individual.

Nothing of Lassik’s childhood was ever written down. There is some indication that he may have been part Wintun (the Indian tribe to the east of South Fork Mountain). In any case, he apparently grew up in the area comprising the head waters of the Mad River westerly to the present town of Garberville.

To understand who Chief Lassik was it is necessary to know something of who the Indians of Southern Humboldt were and how they lived. The Lassik tribe to whom Chief Lassik’s name became attached spoke an Athapaskan language distantly related to other Athapaskan languages, such as Navaho and Apache in the Southwest, and most of the native languages of Western Canada and parts of Alaska. Other speakers of California Athapaskan languages were the Hupa, Chilula, and Whilkut to the north of the the Nongatl, Wailaki, Sinkyone, Kato, and Mattole of southern Humboldt County and northern Mendocino County. The Lassik were closely related to their neighbors the Nongatl, Sinkyone, and Wailaki who spoke related dialects the Lassik could understand. It is with these neighboring Athapaskan groups as well as the Wintun to the east that the Lassik had the most dealings in the form of trading, intermarriage and warfare.

Lassik territory was abundant in food and other natural resources. To best utilize this abundance, the Lassiks practiced a more or less nomadic lifestyle within their territorial boundaries, moving around to be at the right place when important seasonal foods became available.

During the early fall, the acorns ripened and groups of Lassiks camped near the acorn groves to harvest this important food. The coming of the first heavy rains brought the critical late fall salmon run and the Lassiks moved to camps along major streams. The Lassiks relied upon these staples (acorn flour and smoked salmon) to make it through the lean winters. They were proficient hunters and gatherers, and starvation was rare. During the spring, clover and other fresh greens were gathered while grass seeds and grasshoppers formed an important food in the summer. Deer, elk and other game animals were hunted throughout the year.

The structure of Lassik society was characterized by a greater amount of looseness and fluidity than that of other more structured and settled groups, such as the Yurok and Karok to the north and Pomo to the south. Although little is recorded on Lassik social organization because most of the tribe had been killed by 1865, it is known that the family was by far the most important social unit. Village bands consisted of several loosely bound family groups sharing a winter site. The village was not a land owning entity. Very limited areas, such as house sites, acorn groves, or good fishing spots were the only kinds of real estate which may have been claimed by individuals or families.

Other lands within the territory claimed by the tribe seem to have been used in common by all members of the tribe. Trespass by outsiders was serious business and uninvited members of other groups were often killed when caught.

Although political leaders existed among the Lassik, these headmen or chiefs were not necessarily hereditary. They were chosen for their wealth, skill in solving disputes and wisdom. They were not absolute rulers, but made suggestions which were followed or not followed depending on their popularity and the consensus of opinion among the group. If an individual or family didn’t get along with the headman of their band they simply moved and lived with another Lassik group. Chief Lassik must have had some excellent leadership abilities because he apparently was recognized as a headman by most, if not all of the Lassik village groups.

Lassik’s chieftanship saw the fortunes of his people go from good to nonexistent. He had the misfortune to be the leader of his people when southern Humboldt County came under the “civilizing” influences of white pioneers. The incoming white settlers did not understand the Indian lifestyle nor did they accept Indian ownership of land by the rights of prior possession.

Most Euro-Americans of the mid-1800’s were not tolerant of cultures other than their own. There is a strong correlation between racial intolerance and feelings of insecurity, as one causes the other. The early white settlers certainly felt insecure about the Indians when they came to Humboldt County because the Indians at first outnumbered them. In addition, the pioneers arrived with strong traditions of getting rid of Indians in one manner or another. They thought the Lassik hunter/gatherer existence made an incomplete use of the land and strongly believed in the idea of “Manifest Destiny” that chosen Caucasians could take over the land.

One writer familiar with the Indian/white situation in southern Humboldt wrote of the problem as follows:

“When the white settlers took possession of the nicest valley lands and crowded the Indians into the wilderness with a warning not to invade the white enclosures, the natives were left without means of sustenance. There was nothing for the Indians to do but to prey upon the white man’s flocks, herds, and crops. Of course they did it. ” (William Roscoe)

The raising of beef cattle was the principal means of income for many of the settlers in the southern Humboldt area. These pioneer whites arrived anticipating rich returns from the establishment of a cattle industry. Prices for beef during the late 1850’s and early 1860’s were high, and a ready market was available in the mines and fast growing cities of northern California.

The killing of stock by Indians evoked immediate and harsh retaliation from the stockraisers because such “depredations” hit the whites where they were most sensitive — in the pocketbook. A pattern soon became established that when cattle were killed Indians were killed.

We don’t know what Chief Lassik was doing during the earliest years of the white settlement because his name is not mentioned until the Lassik began resisting the white encroachment and killing around 1860. What little is written of Chief Lassik during the years from the start of the Indian-white hostilities in southern Humboldt around 1860 until Lassik’s death in the winter of 18621863, comes to us from contemporary white sources which were invariably anti-Indian.

Lassik is described in various military reports and newspaper articles as terrorizing southeastern Humboldt County, committing numerous depredations and stirl-ing up discontent and revengeful feelings. In all these reports however, there is not a single specific example given of any robbery or killing to which Lassik was known to have been directly involved. He is merely condemned in general terms and labeled as a leader of a “predatory band.”

There is little doubt however, that Lassik did take an active role in resisting the white takeover in his land. He is credited with leading raids on the isolated settlements within his territory, which although resulting in few white deaths, drove the settlers out for a period of several months. These actions were described as foul murders and depredations by the Humboldt Times. It is an established pattern throughout time, however, that history is written by the conquerors and those considered criminals by the victors are often considered freedom fighters by the oppressed. In any case, the Lassik culture and Chief Lassik himself were doomed.

In July of 1862, Lassik was brought in with thirty-two other members of his surviving band and we get a brief and insufficient first hand account of him. He was taken to Fort Humboldt and. then to the holding area for Indian prisoners on the Samoa peninsula. There he was visited by the editor of the Humboldt Times who reported, “In looking through camp we noticed the somewhat noted chief, Lassac. He was stubborn, and would not speak.”

In August, the Indian prisoners on the peninsula were removed to the newly created Smith River Reservation. Conditions at the reservation were typical for Indian reservations at the time—in other words, appalling. Joe Duncan, who was a Mattole Indian, was taken to Smith River at around the same time and reported later on the conditions as follows:

“White man take Indian Smith River Reservation. Indians go. White man make ‘em work; work for white people. Women, children, everybody make ‘em work. That what white man did. Keep him down, Indian people. Three men boss, go round and make ‘em, work; make plow. If he go slow, kick him, hit him club, kill ‘em right on road. Government all right. Government send grub, blankets, clothes. Agent sell on road. Government don’t know. ” (C.H. Merriam)

Lucy Young, cousin of Chief Lassik. Public domain photo via the Online Archive of California.

By September 24th Lassik had escaped from the reservation with much of his band and in an incredible journey made his way back to his traditional home within a month. His freedom was short lived, however, for in late December of that same year he, along with three men and five women, were apparently tricked into coming to Fort Seward which was at that time a center for the Indian slave trade.

It was here that Lassik died and it was here that we get the only account of words he supposedly said. As Lucy Young, who was Lassik’s cousin and already staying at Camp Seward at the time recounted:

“I go on to house. Everybody crying. Mother tell me “All our men killed now. ” She said white men there, others come from Round Valley, Humboldt County too kill our old uncle, Chief Lassik, and all our men. Stood up about forty Inyan in a row with rope around neck. “What this for?” Chief Lassik askum. “To hang you, dirty dogs, “white men tell it. “Hanging, that’s dog’s death,’ Chief Lassik say. “We done nothing to be hung for. Must we die, shoot us.’ So they shoot. All our men. Then they build fire with wood and brush Inyan men been cut for days, never know their own funeral fire they fix. Build big fire. Bum all bodies…”

Thus ended Lassik’s life. In the same issue of the Humboldt Times (January 3, 1863), the editor, Austin Wiley, reported on the arrival of Captain Henry Flynn at Fort Baker. Wiley wrote, “…if we are not badly mistaken in the man he will deal with Indians when he finds them according to the system of Indian fighting which we in this country think is right.”

This system was to kill all the male Indians when found and take the women and children prisoners. Many women and children were reported killed “by mistake.” The surviving Lassik Indians within their traditional territory were hunted down, and the men hanged or shot. Many women ended up as wives or concubines of white settlers, and many of the surviving children were sold as slaves in Sonoma County and parts south. Although the Lassik became extinct as a viable culture, many people living in the county today are part Lassik, so the group may be considered as surviving through their numerous descendants.

Well, take another look at Eureka, would ya? Back for its sixth year, the Eureka Street Art Festival and its brigade of artist recruits have applied even more color to Humboldt’s paint-lovin’ county seat during what has annually come to be a whirlwind week for those daring enough to involve themselves. Numerous buildings and infrastructure that would previously not have warranted a second look now proudly demand your wonderment. We say hooray.

If you’re unfamiliar with how this process works, let us briefly explain. Leading up to each year’s festival, event organizers attempt to match up artists, both local and foreign, with local businesses and/or city officials looking to spruce up a wall or surface. Dreams are discussed. Designs are refined.

Every year the festival attempts to focus on a different zone of the city. For the 2023 edition, it was decided that creative energy would be directed toward the Broadway/Highway 101 corridor, an area long-criticized for being a chaotic river of car yuck. As we approach the official end of the festival, we can report that most the murals are done, but if you find yourself rolling down Broadway this weekend you may still see a few artists hustling away and questioning their life choices. 

If you can’t make the trek, however, never you fear. Your Lost Coast Outpost made a few trips up and down Broadway this week and was able to snap photos of every single 2023 entry and the artists who manifested them. We invite you to allow them into your brain by scrolling below.

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(CLICK PHOTOS TO ENLARGE)

The future downtown home of Marjo Lak’s Humboldt Nation dispensary lounge on Eureka’s Fourth Street has been transformed into a vibrant, psychedelic jungle thanks to the brushwork of locals Laci Dane and Blake Reagan.

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On the backside of the same building, festival goers will find a different jungle entirely courtesy of Brazilian artist Edar Muniz AKA Calangoss, who honed his craft tagging numerous buildings in Salvador da Bahia. 

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Showing his admirable commitment to sprucing up Fourth Street, local artist Tony Diaz is painting the other side of MOCA Humboldt, a building he first painted during the 2021 Eureka Street Art Festival.

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At the corner where Fourth Street magically transforms into Broadway you will now be greeted by a flock of cheery, soaring godwits conjured up by Oakland’s Liv Losee-Unger AKA ORLUarts.

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Easy tigers, apparently. Modesto artist FASM was so quick in applying a pair of fierce felines to the walls of Hubbard’s German Auto that the business agreed to allow him and his daughter to produce an additional design for another their walls. Rawr.

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Another entry a bit off the festival’s main route comes courtesy of Canadian artist Caitlin McDonagh, who set to work this week adding a sense of whimsy to a building at the City of Eureka’s Corporation Yard.

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Double duty! Puerto Rican artist Ekosaurio has two floral entries in this year’s festival: one on a retaining wall on Broadway just south of Hawthorne Street and another on the side of Synapsis on Union Street.

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It’s daddy-daughter week! Festival veteran Ben Goulart is sharing billing this year with his 8-year-old child Edin. The two collaborated to come up with the design that now adorns the long retaining wall adjacent Hawthorne Street off Broadway. 

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Fear not! They don’t sting. A pair of retaining walls near the intersection of Broadway and Vigo Street have been jellyfied by local artist Josh Overington. 

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Last year Rochester-based spray paint artist Justin Suarez AKA Aerosol Kingdom added some giant wildlife to the wall of Pacific Outfitters. He has returned this year to gift Eureka with this Broadway hooter. 

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Half spray paint, half brush, this imaginative piece by NorCal artist Miles Toland now adorns the back wall of S.T.I.L. on Broadway.

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Tucked inside a small retaining wall on the long stretch of Broadway in front of Ocean View Cemetery, passersby will henceforth be greeted by painted “sketch”es of a handful of Eureka landmarks courtesy of local artist Kay Lopez. 

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After quickly completing the unthinkable feat of making Carpet Depot’s previously nondescript metal building a feast for the eyes — those egrets are e-great, no? — LA artist Mark Worst has also taken on a second mural. He’s currently putting the finishing touches on some frogs on Pure Water Spas’ wall down the street. (The artist that was scheduled to paint that wall couldn’t make it last minute. It happens.)

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Not all of this year’s murals are vertical. Take Canadian artist Zoë Gelfant’s colorful addition to the previously color-bereft Elk River Park ‘n’ Ride as proof that even large expanses of pavement can be made more palatable with a many splashes of paint. 

The most ambitious and logistically challenging entry in this year’s festival is being tackled by Yurok artist Carl Avery. To paint both sides of the Herrick Avenue overpass south of Eureka, Avery has had to work with Caltrans to divert Highway 101 motorists allowing placement for his fancy boom lift. Oh, and he can only paint in the middle of the night when traffic is sparse. 

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Whoa! You made it all the way down here. Great work. 

Now, one more thing: If you’d like to celebrate Eureka’s new art with its creators and fellow art appreciators, LoCO will remind you that the Eureka Street Art Festival culminates with its annual Block Party. This year, the gathering will be held Saturday from noon to 6 p.m. under the Samoa Bridge on Waterfront Drive, where attendees can expect food, beer, bands, vendor booths and live art demonstrations.

Yay, art.

PREVIOUSLY: 

• (PHOTOS) 2022 Eureka Street Art Festival Artists
• (PHOTOS) 2021 Eureka Street Art Festival Artists
• (PHOTOS) 2020 Eureka Street Art Festival Artists
• (PHOTOS) 2019 Eureka Street Art Festival Artists

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Genevieve G. Blaha, on July 11, 2023 at St. Joseph Hospital.

Jenny was born on July 26, 1944 in Chicora, Pennsylvania to the late Frank Young and Anna Hockenberry Young. She grew up on a farm in Chicora and was the youngest of their eight daughters and had four brothers. Mom served her country proudly from 1963-1965 as a switchboard operator in the U.S. Air Force, where she met her first husband, Jerry Adams. She and Jerry married in 1965 and settled in Winston Salem, North Carolina where they had their first daughter, Tammy, in 1966. The family traveled with the military and had their second daughter, Karen, in Newfoundland, Canada in 1967.

Jenny moved back to North Carolina, then to Oahu, HI, and eventually to Fortuna, CA for Jerry’s job out at Centerville Beach Naval Facility in 1972. They later divorced but remained good friends.

Jenny remarried in 1974 to Elmer Blaha. The following year she was in a serious car accident and ended up having Humboldt County’s first open-heart surgery. Jenny did make a full recovery and her and Elmer owned and operated several businesses, including The Spot – a bar and pizza parlor on Main Street. They were married until Elmer’s passing in 1987.

She worked for several years at Bayley Suit and Redwood Memorial Hospital and made many good friends along the way. Jenny met Tony Castro in 1990. He was a wonderful man, and they enjoyed nearly 30 years together before he passed in 2019. Most of their greatest memories were built around their grandkids – attending their sports events, camping, fishing, and riding ATV’s at Orick, Table Bluff, or Ruth Lake.

Jenny loved flowers, arts and crafts, sewing, eating dinner at Las Cazuelas on Friday nights, and going to coffee on Saturdays (we did this every week for more than 15 years). She was an avid Golden State Warriors fan. She enjoyed horse races, her family, and liked having her nails done by her granddaughter, Taron. Jenny spent many years decorating cakes and cookies. When the kids were young, she made all of their birthday cakes and threw the best birthday parties ever. Later, decorating cookies for the holidays was a tradition and she baked cookies, made frosting, and set up tables for family and friends to stop by and decorate their own.

Jenny is survived by her daughters Tammy (Ron) Brown and Karen Wallace, grandchildren Taron Brown, Jayce Brown, and Cheyenne Wallace, and first husband Jerry Adams. She is also survived by sisters Alice Mae Fontaine and Helen (Jesse) Raabe, brothers James (Mary Ann) Young, Thomas (Sherry) Young, and Rodger (Patti) Young; as well as numerous nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents Frank and Anna Young, husband Elmer Blaha, loving companion Tony Castro, sisters Gertrude Landgraf, Caroline DeLair, Ruth Kelly, Rose Miller, Mary Louise O’Donnell, and brother Edward Young.

Jenny leaves behind numerous other special people in her life including John Castro, John Castro Jr., Joni Castro, Mindy Estes, and Marcia Norton. Thank you all for being so wonderful to her. May her memory remain forever in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.

Burial will be private at Jenny’s request. Interment will be in Sunrise Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made in Jenny’s name to CASA of Humboldt at 2356 Myrtle Avenue, Eureka, CA 95501 – or a charity of your choice.

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

Gina Francine Bryant Parrish was born on October 10, 1956, in Eureka, CA to Meredith and Irene Bryant and passed peacefully from this life on July 22, 2023 in Fortuna, CA after an 18- month long battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family.

The oldest (and only girl) of three children, Gina grew up in Ferndale, attending Ferndale Elementary and Ferndale High School, where she made many life-long friends. Gina married her first husband, David, in 1972. Together they had her only child, Sarah in April 1973. Gina married her second husband, Jay Parrish on May 14, 1995. Gina dedicated her love and her life to Jay and Sarah until she became Gaga to her grandchildren, Connor, Aidan and Lilah when they arrived in 2000, 2002 and 2006. From the moment her first grandchild entered this world, they became the center of her world.

Gina worked in administrative positions in several medical and financial offices throughout her life. In 2002, Gina began caring for her grandchildren full-time while their parents were working. This was Gina’s favorite job ever! She never missed an event for her grandchildren and one could always see her pride for them whenever they walked in a room or she talked about what they were doing. She held a unique relationship with each of her grandchildren and they were so blessed to have her in their lives.

Growing up in a small town like Ferndale naturally leads to life-long friendships and Gina was no exception, having many friendships that she cherished and that lasted throughout her life. Gina had a kind and giving heart and never met a stranger. She helped people in so many ways, not the least of which was a listening ear. Gina loved animals, especially cats, and was always surrounded by her sweet pets. Many lives are better for having known Gina and her kind and giving heart.

Gina is survived by: Husband, Jay Parrish; mother, Irene Bryant; daughter, Sarah (John) Annis Ireland; grandchildren, Connor, Aidan and Lilah; uncle Milton Mossi; brother-in-law Larry (Kathy) Parrish; Sisters-in-law Sherry Ridenour, Connie Otis, and Cathey Bryant; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and many good friends who were really just family. Gina was proceeded in death by: father, Meredith; brothers Jerry and Robert Bryant and her maternal and paternal grandparents.

The family would like to thank Dr. Andrew Johnston, the staff at Providence Oncology in Eureka, Dr. Walker at USCF, Dr. Dittmer and the nurses who made her last hours comfortable and peaceful; as well as all who came to visit in her last days.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, August 19, 2023 from 12:30 pm-2:30 pm at 346 Oeschger Road in Ferndale, CA.

In lieu of flowers or donations, do something kind for another.

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

George Conner Martin died peacefully with his wife (Patty) and daughter (Pam) by his side on July 13, 2023. Born in San Francisco in 1933 and raised in the Bay area by his parents Henry and Doris Martin. As a youth growing up in Greenfield, he worked on vegetable farms and attended King City H.S. where he met his future wife, Patty. George’s leadership and athletic abilities were displayed as Freshman Class president, student council member, Student Body President, and a 4-year letter winner in Football and Track & Field. Upon H.S graduation, he headed to Cal Poly San Luis Obispo where he competed in Cross Country and Track & Field. George and Patty married in 1953 while obtaining his degree in vegetable crops in 1955.

In 1955 George was drafted and selected to serve in the Marine Corp and attended Officer Candidate school in Quantico, Virginia. He served three years as 1st Lieutenant of the 5th Division, 1st Marine Division and became a father when son, Steve, and daughter (Pam) were born. Career opportunities were available, but George’s goals led the family to Purdue University and obtain his master’s in Horticulture and PhD in Plant Science.

His first horticulture job was at the USDA Field Station in Wenatchee, Washington working on pomological crops. In 1967 he accepted a position in the Pomology Department at the University of California at Davis as an Associate Professor and was made Professor in 1973. At the University of California at Davis, George pursued his wide interests in science, history, and plant physiology and spent several years as a volunteer coach with the Universities distance runners. His research led to the development of methods for hormone measurements in plant organs and field use of growth regulators for growth control in apple, peach, prune, pear, olive, and walnut. Although George was known statewide and internationally and published over 200 papers and reports but he felt his major contribution to the field was his time spent with his graduate students.

As an American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS) member his activities included: President 1990; Chair of numerous National Committees, Symposiums and Publications; Vice- President Research Division; Associate Editor; and organizer of 32 Symposia for the 1986 International SHS meeting. And he was the recipient of numerous ASHS awards including Research of the Year Award Fellow of the Society.

While living in Wenatchee, WA the family spent many weekends and vacations camping, hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing, and shooting bows and arrows as a family. The family was also very activity in the local YMCA where they George and Patty taught classes; George was President of the Archery Club.

When the family moved to Davis, George began riding his bike to work rain, wind, or sunshine. George spent his noon hour running with other faculty and staff members and on weekend he could be seen all over the county riding one of his many touring bikes (not motorized). Weeklong rides were all over the mountains in California and Oregon. Patty even joined him on several bike trips but wised up and began joining as the sag wagon and joining dad in the evenings.

George and Patty became world and U.S. travelers and made lifetimes friends and associates In Italy, France, Israel, England, Wales, and Poland while attend international meetings, yearly ASHS meeting and sabbatical leaves. Three sabbatical leaves were spent at the University of Bristol, 1974-75, University of College of Wales, 1980-81, and Oregon State University, 1987-88. Mom and dad loved to explore the National Parks, Lewis and Clark Trails, the 4 Corners, and numerous monuments. The Davis household was filled with visitors from all over the world, UCD distance runners, graduate students, faculty and staff and farm advisors all hosted by Patty.

After 28 years at UC Davis, George welcome in retirement by riding his bicycle from Davis to Corvallis, OR for his last ASHS meeting. Soon afterwards George and Patty relocated to Paradise, CA. and George pursued his interests in the world beyond science. He began reading in the areas of history, philosophy, religion, U.S Constitution and democracy (Democratic Republic), literature, and begin writing opinion papers.

George and Patty’s quiet lifestyle and beautiful home overlooking the Chico valley was tragically destroyed in the Paradise Fire in November 2018. They relocated in Humboldt County where George quickly made friends as numerous people regularly saw him walking on the Hammond trail, in Blue Lake, Fieldbrook, Trinidad and more recently along Sutter Rd. He always had a smile on his face and a good morning greeting as he continued his military cadence, upright posture toward a designated turn around point. And always donning a wide brim hat and a small black backpack.

George is survived by his wife of 70 years, Patty and their two children: Steve and his spouse, Katherine; and Pam. He is also survived by two grandchildren: Kirstyn and her wife, Holly; and Kyle and his partner, Sophie. He is also survived by his sister, Lynne Steele; niece, Jennifer Steele and cousin, Taylor Steele and his wife, Kendall.

George was preceded in death by his parents Henry and Doris Martin. George’s family would like to convey its sincere thanks and appreciation to Hospice for their loving and compassionate care during George’s finals months. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in George’s name to Hospice of Humboldt. A Celebration of Life in be held on September 16, 2023.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of George Martin’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 Arcata Fire Protection District:

McKinleyville, CA - On August 4, 2023, the Arcata Fire Protection District was notified that an unidentified person was posing as an Arcata Fire Protection District (AFPD) Fire Inspector to gain entry into an apartment around 8:00A.M. This person then ‘tested’ the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and exited the home.

The Arcata Fire logo is on all personnel clothing and vehicles.

No fire inspection personnel were on duty yesterday conducting inspections, so the motive for the entry to the resident’s home is unclear.

The Arcata Fire Protection District does perform inspections on apartment complexes in our district, but will ALWAYS be in a marked vehicle, in department identifying clothing and will have an AFPD Identification. Inspections will always be between the hours of 10:00A.M. and 3:00P.M.

If you are still unsure of the identity of the person at your door, please do not hesitate to call AFPD’s office at (707) 825-2000 to ask if we have personnel in the field doing inspections that day.

If you have any information about the imposter attempting to gain access to yours or a neighbor’s home, please contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or Arcata Police at (707) 822-2428.