Do you operate an Airbnb or a Vrbo in unincorporated Humboldt County? Or, do you have passionate opinions about people who do? If so, you’ll want to attend tonight’s community meeting on short-term rentals.
Flyer provided by County of Humboldt
Humboldt County Planning and Building staff will host a community meeting at 6 p.m. at the Humboldt County Agricultural Center, 5630 South Broadway in Eureka, to discuss proposed rules for short-term rentals in unincorporated areas of the county. Attendees will have an opportunity to share concerns surrounding short-term rentals and learn about the revisions made to the draft ordinance.
Planning and Building staff estimate that there are over 1,000 short-term rentals operating in unincorporated areas of Humboldt County, even though they are not currently allowed to operate.
Back in June, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors adopted an urgency ordinance that placed a temporary ban on new short-term rentals (dwelling units that are rented to guests for 30 consecutive days or less) to give staff time to form new rules for such uses. The temporary moratorium was adopted to discourage people from rushing to initiate new short-term rental units in advance of the proposed ordinance. If the ordinance is adopted, short-term rentals initiated after June 6, 2023, will not be acknowledged as pre-existing due to the moratorium.
Tonight’s meeting is the third in a series of public discussions on the proposed rules. Staff will hold two additional meetings on the draft short-term rental ordinance on Thursday, Aug. 24 and Wednesday, Sept. 6. Check out the press release below for more information.
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Press release from County of Humboldt’s Planning and Building Department:
The County of Humboldt once again reminds the community that an ordinance is being prepared to allow the use of short-term rentals (STRs) in unincorporated Humboldt County.
The purpose of the draft STR Ordinance is to allow some residences in unincorporated Humboldt County to be used for STRs while protecting the character of the neighborhoods where they are located and to preserve residential units for people and families who live and work in Humboldt County.
The County of Humboldt’s Planning & Building Department has revised the draft ordinance based on community feedback received at the first STR ordinance public meeting. The proposed revisions include administrative permit and business license requirements only for most projects, a cap on STRs in the greater Humboldt Bay area where housing is more scarce, and deference to existing operations. To learn more and review the revised draft ordinance, please visit the county’s Short-Term Rental Ordinance web page.
To receive public feedback on the revised draft STR ordinance, the Planning & Building Department will host two additional community meetings.
Community Meetings
An in person Northern Humboldt community meeting will take place on Thursday, Aug. 24 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Center at McKinleyville, located at 1615 Heartwood Dr. in McKinleyville.
A Zoom meeting to present additional changes made in response to the Southern Humboldt, Humboldt Bay Area and Northern Humboldt community meetings will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 6 to 8 p.m. Community members can register and join the zoom call at the following address by visiting bit.ly/HumSTRO1 or by scanning the QR code found below this press release.
The draft ordinance proposes a permitting process for rental of residential dwelling units for a period of 30 days or fewer, including homes listed on Airbnb and Vrbo. Those who operate these types of STR units in unincorporated Humboldt County and all interested members of the public are encouraged to attend. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the revisions made to the draft ordinance and ask questions and share concerns, ideas, and input.
The County of Humboldt is committed to providing equal access to all county programs, services and activities through the provision of accommodations for individuals with qualified disabilities as required under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). With 72 hours prior notice, a request for reasonable accommodation for this meeting can be made by calling (707) 268-3722.
For more information, please call (707) 268-3722, email khilton@co.humboldt.ca.us, or visit the Planning & Building Department office located at 3015 H St. in Eureka.
As foretold last week, a section of the row of eucalyptus trees that line Highway 101 between Eureka and Arcata was removed over the weekend.
It probably bears repeating that even though the towering invasive trees are an iconic aspect of many locals’ daily commutes, arborists determined years ago that they are in a state of decline. Also, crews have frequently been called upon in recent years to trim the trees due to their penchant for dropping dead limbs on the roadway.
Anyway! Due to the emotional attachment to these trees that many readers have expressed, the Outpost stopped by and gathered a bit of imagery documenting the dramatic alteration to a heavily trafficked section of Humboldt.
Former Eureka mayors Frank Jager and Nancy Flemming
The following press release was sent to the Outpost by Gail Rymer, strategic communications specialist and sometimes spokesperson for Security National:
Two former mayors of the City of Eureka, Nancy Flemming and Frank Jager, have endorsed the Housing for All and Downtown Vitality ballot initiative. This initiative seeks to give voters a say in a comprehensive update to the Housing Element of the City’s General Plan.
“The Housing for All Initiative has my endorsement,” Frank Jager said. “It addresses two critical needs of our community — housing and parking. The Initiative is about making a better plan for Eureka — one where businesses can thrive, and housing can be built to address the desperate housing needs,” he said.
According to Jager, the City’s current plan to decrease parking in the downtown corridor will create a huge problem impacting local businesses, future downtown residents, and visitors. First, the City is eliminating more than 600 parking spaces downtown, currently used by visitors, workers, and local businesses. Second, the City plans to allow housing to be built on those lots without providing parking for the new residents. As a result, visitors will have no place to park, and small businesses downtown will be forced to leave. The result will cripple the economic vitality of historic downtown Eureka.
If passed, the Housing for All Initiative will let voters have a say in changing parking requirements for housing developments. The initiative improves the City’s plan to provide housing downtown by requiring parking to make living downtown more attractive for families while protecting downtown businesses.
“I have faced the challenges of creating three different downtown businesses,” Nancy Flemming said. “I depended on abundant parking to survive. This initiative will preserve the parking necessary to keep our local businesses open.”
“As a former mayor of Eureka and old town merchant, I am personally aware of the needs of our community,” Flemming said. “The Housing for All and Downtown Vitality Initiative is a win-win for the City, its residents, and businesses.”
In addition, to help alleviate the severe housing shortage in Eureka and throughout the region, the Housing for All Initiative also includes rezoning 8.5 acres of the former Jacobs Middle School property to enable Eureka to provide hundreds of badly needed housing units for working-and-middle-income families.
Approximately 1,600 valid voter signatures are needed to place the measure on the ballot. To read the initiative and learn more about signing the initiative, visit www.eurekahousingforall2024.org.
An orange-tinge sky greeted us coastal dwellers upon awaking this morning, the result of some of the 23 confirmed lightning-caused fires burning inland, according to Six Rivers National Forest.
“All incidents remain under a full suppression strategy with rapid and aggressive initial attack operations,” the Forest Service said Wednesday morning. “Air attack is being used to perform reconnaissance throughout the forest and additional resources have been ordered to support these incidents.”
The closest significant blaze — and the one likely responsible for the current color filter on our lives over here — is the Lone Pine Fire burning just south of Hoopa. As of 8:30 a.m. this morning, Zonehaven Aware lists the blaze as having burned 352 acres with no containment to report.
There are no evacuation orders anywhere in Humboldt at this time. We will update if we hear otherwise.
(UPDATE, 10:20 a.m.: The North Coast Unified Air Quality Management District (NCUAQMD) notes that air quality for Del Norte, Humboldt, and Trinity counties is “overall, good to moderate” with “conditions with brief periods of
increased smoke impacts and upper-level haze”)
The Lone Pine Fire is listed at 352 acres as of Wednesday morning | Zonehaven
Six Rivers National Forest gives a Wednesday morning update on how things are going on their end in the release below:
The Six Rivers National Forest has received approximately 150 lightning strikes across the forest since Tuesday evening, resulting in 23 confirmed fires. Firefighters continue to assess current fires and patrol the area to identify other potential starts. All incidents remain under a full suppression strategy with rapid and aggressive initial attack operations. Air attack is being used to perform reconnaissance throughout the forest and additional resources have been ordered to support these incidents.
The Lower Trinity District has a total of 7 reported fires. The Pilot Fire, near Little Pilot Rock, is comprised of 6 separate incidents and is a total of 15 acres. Several air tankers and helicopters are currently working on these fires. Farther north, the Lone Pine Fire, near Horse Linto Creek and Trinity River, is now approximately 352 acres with fire personnel on site. The fire has burned onto the Hoopa Reservation and the forest is working in close coordination with the Tribe. The North Coast Interagency Type 3 Team has assumed command of the Lone Pine Fire as of 7 a.m. this morning, August 16.
On the Mad River District, 9 fires were reported; however, only 2 fires fall within the district boundaries. The Salt Fire and the Betts Fire are both in the Zenia area with fire personnel on the scene and responding to the incidents. The local fire department was able to fully contain one fire and is now in the stages of “mopping up.’
On the Orleans District in the Bluff Creek area north of Mosquito Lake, several fires have been grouped into the Blue Creek Fire. Smoke jumpers have arrived on the scene and are making progress on the 16-acre incident.
The northernmost District, Gasquet, has reported 11 active fires. The Holiday Fire, north of Patrick’s Creek near the Oregon border is currently the largest on the district at approximately 100 acres. The remaining 10 fires are currently under 10 acres each. The Kelly Fire is approximately 1 mile south of Patrick Creek on the south side of Hwy 199 and is visible from the road. Please exercise caution when driving in the area.
There is a red flag warning in effect for the Gasquet, Willow Creek, Orleans, and Mad River areas. Forecasted weather includes low relative humidity, warm temperatures, and wind gusts across the forest.
At this time there are no closures or evacuations in place. For evacuation information please contact your county sheriff’s office.
August 9, 2023, at 0805, The Lord carried James “Jim” P. Mowrey home after a valiant and courageous four-month battle with a very aggressive cancer.
To say he fought with all that he had and gave his family every moment he could would be an understatement, for which they are and always will be eternally grateful and humbled. Jim was 44 years young at the time of his passing, having left behind his soulmate, love of his life, wife and partner, Johanna “Angela” Mowrey, and their four amazing boys: Kyler Hill (24) , Kalebh Hill (22), Caleb Mowrey (21) and Jackson Scott Mowrey (7).
Jim was born September 22, 1978, youngest child to Mark and Linda Mowrey in Oakland Calif., as that is where the Coast Guard had stationed his father. In 1982 Jim and family moved to Fortuna, where he attended school (K-3rd) at Ambrosini Elementary, then moving on to Toddy Thomas Elementary (4th-8th) and Fortuna Union High, graduating in 1996.
Through grade school Jim participated in Boy Scouts with Fortuna Troop 5. He took part in numerous backpacking adventures with the scouts, including hiking Yosemite Valley to the top of Half Dome and back in a day, at age 11. Jim also went on many 50-plus-mile trips through the Marble Mountains as a child. In high school Jim wrestled for the Fortuna High’s wrestling team, and this is also where he met and befriended Angela for the first time.
After high school Jim began working for our local hospital system, working his way up to anesthesia technician, a position he held for over a decade. During this time he also attended College of the Redwoods, working toward completing his associate’s degree.
Once Jim had mastered his position as anesthesia tech and there was no more room for growth, he set out to become a law enforcement officer, attending the Police Academy at College of the Redwoods. Jim graduated Academy #96, third in his class, in spring of 2005. He returned to his position as anesthesia tech during the application process at the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office, which is where he and Angela reunited in July 2006, after Jim’s relentless pursuit and never again leaving each other’s sides.
Jim and Angela, from the time they met in P.E. class in 1995, had a crazy-strong connection that can only be described as divine. They feel strongly and beyond anything earthly that they were truly made for each other. God put them in each other’s paths innumerable times throughout the 11 years prior to their finally committing to each other, the two always picking up where they had left off as though they hadn’t been apart.
Jim’s official proposal was epic, although unnecessary as they knew, from the moment they finally came together July 2006, that they were going to be married — there was never a doubt. They married two years later in July of 2008 in an intimate yet extraordinary ceremony on a Kauai beach. Jim and Angela spent the last 17 years in each other’s arms as much as humanly possible.
Jim and Angela raised three fantastic young men together. Jim loved nothing more than time with his family. They spent many weekends over the years traveling almost year-round for Kyler and Kalebh’s baseball games, watching Caleb wrestle and, more recently, the boys’ newest hobby of drifting. Jim LOVED family camping trips every Fourth of July for his and Angela’s anniversary and the family annual camping trips to Standish Hickey, his father’s child hood home.
There had always been talk, on and off, of having another child. They were never on the same page at the same time. One would say “yes,” the other would say “no” or vice versa. However, in 2014, Jim’s beat partner at the time, “The Ever Gorgeous Jacob Morris,” had just shared with Jim that he and his beautiful wife Melissa were expecting again. Anyone that knows Jim knows that he LOVES babies, so he was, naturally, ecstatic for Jake. Jake asked Jim, after sharing his own news, “When are you going to give Ange another baby?” Jim replied “I’m not, we have enough kids Jake.”
Jake, in his infinite wisdom, replied, “You know, if you don’t give Ange a baby she’s going to resent you for the rest of your lives.” If you know Jim, you know the relationship he and Angela shared, and you would understand how this resonated with him. These words, like most, were not lost on Jim. They really resonated with him.
Jim came back to Angela with this, asking her if that were true. She gave it some thought and after careful and honest reflection answered him: “Well, if nothing ever happens, and we live to be 80 happily ever after, then no, I won’t. But if something happens and this job takes you, I will very much want that piece of you.” To which Jim replied, “Well, I guess we’re having a baby!” And then there was Jackson, their amazing ginger monkey.
Jim was an absolutely exceptional husband and father, truly and utterly a gift from God. He left Angela wanting for nothing, emotionally, spiritually, physically or otherwise. If it could be done he would make it happen, for no other reason than that he loved her and she him. Jim and Angela completed each other. He gave her no greater gift than the gift of his unconditional love.
On January 2, 2007, Jim became a deputy for the Humboldt County Sheriff’s. He carried himself with honor and integrity always. He took very seriously the responsibility that is to be an LEO. It was very close to his heart and very much who he was as a person.
Jim held numerous positions at the Sheriff’s Office but cherished his time on the MET team, DTF and SWAT above all others. The man LOVED to travel and see the world from a helicopter. Whether in one or hanging underneath it via STABO, it was one of his all time favorite experiences.
Jim left DTF to promote to corporal in 2016 and further promoted to sergeant in 2018. Through his 16 1/2 years he completed innumerable trainings, always striving to be his very best self, mentally and physically, and being so dedicated to the service of our community as well as to his brothers and sisters in law enforcement. Jim was always striving to elevate not only himself but also to elevate those around him.
To say he will be missed is an understatement. We all hope to live on, honoring him and his legacy. Please learn by his example and carry him in your hearts always as he will carry us all in his. He and his family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to all of his bothers and sisters in blue for their love and support for him and his family during this difficult time. He was beyond moved by the love and support shown to him and his family.
Jim is also survived by his extended family: grandfather William Barton; father Mark Mowrey; brother Donald Mowrey (Mary); nieces/nephews Mariah, Meghan, Gregory, and Rain; Uncle Dan Mowrey (Debo); Aunt Judy Thode (Carl); cousins Megan, Madeline (Scott), and James; Uncle Jerry (Sheila); cousins Weston Stickney and Josh Talbot; father-in-law Tom Walsh; brother/sister-in-law Emily Nicoles (Joseph); Shawn Aoki (Imane); and Scott Walsh (Liauna); nephew Shawn Thomas Walsh; mother-in-law Susan Cortopassi (Steve); sister-in-law Stevie Brewer (Justin); nephews/nieces Gavin, Cerenite, and Hailey; sister-in-law Natalie Cortopassi-Sisson (Brian); and nieces/nephew Eli and Harold.
Jim was preceded in death by his mother Linda Mowrey; grandmother Betty Barton; Aunt Georgie Mowrey; Uncle Jim Stickney; grandmother Norma Jean “Peggy” Thompson; and great grandparents James and Madeline Breedlove.
Please join us in honoring this exceptional man Saturday, August 26, 1300 (1 p.m.) at the Fortuna River Lodge, 1800 Riverwalk Dr. Fortuna, CA, 95540. Refreshments and libations to follow the ceremony.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Jim’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Vernon Joe Ludwig, known as “Joe,” finished his life here on earth Thursday morning July 27, 2023, due to cardiac arrest, age 60.
Joe was born on April 1, 1963, in Paradise, California. He grew up with the heart of a cowboy. He loved God, his country, his wife and his family. Joe married his wife Crystal on November 21, 1981. They were married for 41 years. Joe worked side-by-side with Crystal building their janitorial business, first in Butte County and later in Humboldt County.
He was a songwriter and a counselor to many. He loved people and wanted them to know that they mattered, no matter what their past was, and that your past shame should not dictate your future.
Joe was loved by many — from a young boy running the streets of Paradise and playing baseball to the man he became, teaching others about the love and forgiveness of God.
Joe is survived by his wife, Crystal Ludwig; his children, Nathaniel Ludwig, LaRisa Replogle and Brittany Tostie; his mother, Leah Anderson; his sisters, Teresa Friedli, Rachel Shilts and Kelly Thomas; 13 grandchildren and many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Joe is preceded in death by his father, Tommy G. Ludwig; his daughter, Kimberly R Ludwig; his grandparents, Don and Mabel Mullanix; as well as Otto and Viola Ludwig and his in-laws, Gurld and Rose Daniels.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Eureka the Pentecostal Church at 1060 Hoover St. Eureka, CA, 95503. The Family of Joe Ludwig would like to thank Pastor McDonald and Bishop McDonald for all their years of service and their support during this time. We would also like to thank Humboldt Cremation and Mark Gilliam for their help in this difficult time.
The funeral service will be held at Eureka the Pentecostal Church on August 26 at 3 p.m., 1060 Hoover St. Eureka CA 95503.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Joe’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
The Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services gets into the details in the release below:
Local and state environmental health officials confirmed that samples of the orange algal bloom from King Salmon beach that were sent to the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board’s laboratory last week were non-toxic dinoflagellate otherwise known as Noctiluca creating a red tide. While it was still visible, officials recommend avoiding direct contact with the water because of potential respiratory irritation or effects to the skin.
As of Tuesday, Aug. 15, the red tide appeared to have subsided, and staff removed the warning signs that had been placed on the beach.
As summer starts to wind down, officials are users of all bodies of fresh water to keep an eye out for and avoid contact with cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae). Typically, cyanobacteria warnings come out between late July and early August, coinciding with low flows and sustained high temperatures in the inland areas which may contribute to cyanobacteria growth in the river.
Benjamin Dolf, a Supervising Environmental Health Specialist with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services Environmental Health Division (DEH), said that visual indicators are key to identifying areas impacted by harmful algal blooms. In lagoons and still water they can appear in a variety of colors and may look like thick paint floating or small flakes on the water. In rivers and moving water, blooms appear as thick matting on the rocks and river bottom. These mats often detach and accumulate along the shoreline. Citizen surveillance is key, and DEH staff will investigate any potential blooms reported by the public.
Other guidance for bodies of water that meet the danger threshold include the following:
Do not let pets and other animals drink or go into the water or go near the scum.
Stay away from scum, and cloudy or discolored water.
Do not eat fish or shellfish from this water.
Do not use this water for drinking or cooking. Boiling or filtering will not make the water safe.
Human activities have an impact on nutrient and water flows in rivers, streams and lakes. Nutrients found in fertilizers, animal waste and human waste can stimulate blooms. Excessive water diversions can also increase water temperatures and reduce flows. People can take the following measures to prevent algal blooms in our waters:
Be conservative with the use of water, fertilizers and pesticides on your lawn, garden or agricultural operation.
Avoid nutrient runoff by recycling any “spent” soil by tilling it back into gardens or protecting it from rainfall.
Create shade and filter out nutrients by planting or maintaining native plants around river banks.
Inspect and pump out septic systems every three to four years.
Prevent surface water runoff from agricultural and livestock areas.
Prevent erosion around construction and logging operations.
Cyanobacteria can be present in any fresh water body. It looks like dark green, blue-green, black, orange or brown scum, foam or mats on the riverbed or floating on the water. Warm water and abundant nutrients can cause cyanobacteria to grow more rapidly than usual causing “blooms.”
These blooms are termed “harmful algal blooms.” Most cyanobacteria does not affect animals or people, however, a small number of cyanobacteria species are capable of producing toxins that can be harmful to animals and humans. Dogs and children are most likely to be affected because of their smaller body size and tendency to stay in the water for longer periods of time.
The presence of cyanobacteria has been previously confirmed in some water bodies within Humboldt, Mendocino and Lake counties including the South Fork Eel River, Van Duzen River, Trinity River, Clear Lake and Lake Pillsbury. It is difficult to test and monitor the many lakes and miles of our local rivers. Most blooms in California contain harmless green algae, but it is important to stay safe and avoid contact.
Officials recommend the following guidelines for recreational users of freshwater areas:
Keep children, pets and livestock from swimming in or drinking water containing algal scums or mats.
Adults should also avoid wading and swimming in water containing algal blooms. Try not to swallow or inhale water spray in an algal bloom area.
If no algal scums or mats are visible, you should still carefully watch young children and warn them not to swallow any water.
Fish should be consumed only after removing the guts and liver and rinsing fillets in tap water.
Never drink, cook with or wash dishes with water from rivers, streams or lakes.
Get medical attention immediately if you think that you, your pet, or livestock might have been poisoned by cyanobacteria toxins. Be sure to tell the doctor or veterinarian about possible contact with cyanobacteria or algal blooms.
Join or support one of the many watershed and river organizations.
To report a bloom, e-mail CyanoHAB.Reports@waterboards.ca.gov or call 844-729-6466 (toll free). Blooms can also be reported via the “bloomWatch” app which is available for free download on iTunes or Google play.
For information on conditions occurring within Humboldt County, contact the Division of Environmental Health at 707-445-6215 or 800-963-9241. Photos of suspected blooms can also be emailed to envhealth@co.humboldt.ca.us.
