ROUTE 96 OPEN TO ONE-WAY TRAFFIC CONTROL (8/18 UPDATE): Route 96 is OPEN to one-way traffic control between Hoopa and Weitchpec. Travelers should expect delays of up to 30 minutes, though longer holds may be necessary to accommodate firefighting, maintenance and other emergency operations.
Conditions can change quickly, and the road may be closed again if necessary for safety. Please follow the directions of flaggers, allow extra time and remain patient. Crews are working to keep traffic moving safely on Route 96, and your cooperation is greatly appreciated.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On
August 14, 2026, Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies arrested
19-year-old Dewey Jones Jr. of Hoopa following an investigation into
allegations that he engaged in inappropriate sexual conduct with a
14-year-old female juvenile.
The
investigation began after deputies received photographs depicting
Jones kissing the juvenile. During the course of the investigation,
deputies obtained additional information indicating that Jones had
engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse with the juvenile.
Based
on the information and evidence gathered during the investigation,
Jones was arrested and transported to the Humboldt County
Correctional Facility, where he was booked on the following charges:
P.C.
261.5(c) – Unlawful Sexual Intercourse with a Minor More Than
Three Years Younger
P.C.
647.6(a)(1) – Annoy or Molest a Child Under 18
This
is an active investigation. Anyone with additional information
related to this investigation is encouraged to contact the Humboldt
County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office
Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
No
further information will be released at this time.
Firefighters made additional progress on containment today, aided by successful firing operations within Skunk Creek. Along the northern edge, strategic burning continues to strengthen control lines to ensure the fire remains within the established perimeter as remaining interior fuels are consumed.
Crews continue to secure the containment line along Highway 96 as fire activity advances along the road and river corridors. Steep terrain remains a concern, with the potential for burning materials such as rolling logs, root balls, and other debris—to tumble downhill as heavier fuels lose stability from prolonged heat exposure. Hazard trees also pose a significant risk along the highway, requiring fallers to carefully identify and remove these threats to protect firefighters.
Fire crews were successful up at Big Hill Ridge with the implementation of Plastic Spherical Devices (PSDs). Affectionately known as “dragon eggs”, PSDs are used in direct burning operations that will ignite in challenging terrain to consume available fuels within the fire’s perimeter.
The primary focus of suppression efforts remains the Mill Creek corridor between Oil Springs Road and Big Hill Ridge, where crews continue to hold the fire west of Oil Springs Road, a critical control line for the incident. Strategic-burning operations are underway along Oil Springs Road to reduce available fuels, while retardant drops are being applied on the opposite slope to slow the fire spread in steep, densely vegetated terrain.
Weather:
Warmer temperatures moving into the region will continue to dry out fuels, making them increasingly prone to ignition along the fireline. Forecast models indicate a lingering inversion may settle over the area, creating cooler, shaded conditions that temporarily slow fire behavior. Once cloud cover lifts and mixing improves, fire activity is expected to increase again.
Evacuations:
Evacuation Orders are in place for HIA-E002-A and HIA-E014-D. Evacuation Warnings have been issued for HIA-E001-B, HIA-E002-B, HIA-E003, HIA-E004, HIA-E006, HIA-E014-A, HIA-E014-C, HIA-E014-E, and HIA-E014-F.
Closures may change rapidly, so please consult protect.genasys.com for the latest alerts.
Road Closures:
Highway 96 remains closed north of Hoopa due to fire activity. Additional closures are in effect for Hostler Ridge Road, Mill Creek Road, and Big Hill Road.
This story was originally published by CalMatters. Sign up for their newsletters.
###
Progressive Jane Kim, one of two Democratic candidates for California insurance commissioner, is betting that voters are as hungry for change as those who powered Zohran Mamdani into New York City’s mayor’s office and Abdul El-Sayed into Michigan’s U.S. Senate race after the Democratic Party endorsed her rival, state Sen. Ben Allen.
How it plays out could rest on how engaged voters will be about an elected position they may not know much about; how much weight disillusioned voters give to the state party’s endorsement; and how much they respond to ads and mailers that they’ll be bombarded with ahead of the November election.
Jane Kim. Photo: Campaign website.
Kim, a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, is squaring off against Allen to become the regulator of the state’s massive insurance market. Kim wants to establish state-run natural disaster insurance for all and expand low-cost auto insurance to all California drivers, in line with well-known progressive ideas like Medicare for All. Allen wants to stabilize and improve the private insurance market after years of availability and affordability problems largely driven by increased wildfire risk and massive, deadly wildfires.
Kim’s message has struck a chord with many Californians: She got the most votes, more than 27%, among the 11 candidates on the ballot in the June primary. Allen came in second with more than 19%.
“(Kim and Allen are) a microcosm of the fracture going on in the Democratic Party across the country,” said Shauhin Talesh, a law professor at UC Irvine whose expertise includes insurance and consumer protection. “They both think insurance companies should be regulated. The question: How aggressively should California intervene and what role should the government claim?”
Allen recently secured the California Democratic Party’s endorsement, which Talesh said wasn’t surprising because the senator is seen as a more “traditional” candidate.
Kim, whose accomplishments include securing free community college for San Francisco residents and the state’s first $15 minimum wage, was the director of the California Working Families Party, a party within the Democratic umbrella that supports progressive policies including raising the minimum wage. She is backed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, on whose presidential campaign she worked in 2020.
“Is this going to become another situation where people are speaking with their votes (and going against the establishment)?” Talesh asked. “At what point does Democratic Party recognize it?”
Ben Allen. Facebook profile picture,
But Kim isn’t just lacking the state party’s endorsement. The insurance industry is, not surprisingly, leery of her plans to have the state play a greater role in insurance. So are some consumer advocacy groups such as Consumer Watchdog, whose founder wrote the ballot initiative that became the state’s insurance law.
Jamie Court, president of the group, warned that a state-run natural disaster insurance fund — which Kim says would be funded by portions of premiums policyholders pay to their insurance companies — would require tens of billions of dollars to start, which he said could be wiped out by one catastrophic fire.
Kim has said that while her proposal would require further study, her critics fail to address that there needs to be more discussion and “public engagement to reform the system.”
“I don’t think just allowing the insurance industry to raise rates is the solution,” she told CalMatters in an interview. “People will lose their homes or go uninsured. And that will wreck the economy.”
Allen told CalMatters that his opponent’s proposal “is effectively a massive subsidy for those who are rich” because their homes will cost more to replace after a fire.
Maurice Mitchell, national director of the Working Families Party, said Kim’s message is resonating with Californians because of “a populist wave, not a progressive wave” nationwide.
He noted that primary results showed Kim did well in historically conservative areas such as the Inland Empire and the Central Valley, as well as in Los Angeles County — which includes Allen’s district.
Considering those results, Jorge Contreras, California director of the Working Families Party, called the state Democratic Party’s endorsement of Allen “out of touch.”
Some delegates for Kim complained their votes did not seem to be counted; Kim called for a recount.
“The votes were counted,” said Robin Swanson, spokesperson for the party. “And recounted. The result was the same.”
Contreras noted that the next day, the California Labor Federation endorsed Kim.
Not everyone buys the “moderate” label being pinned on Allen — including at least one of his own supporters.
“Ben is a progressive by any standard,” said RL Miller, former chair of the California Democratic Party’s Environmental Caucus who also runs a political action committee, Climate Hawks. The group doesn’t endorse in California races, but Miller said she personally endorsed Allen.
“He’s stood with us and authored landmark climate bills over the years,” Miller said, adding that the “tribal nature of Democratic politics these days” might be the reason Allen is being seen as the more moderate candidate.
Allen has a strong track record on the environment, including his work on Proposition 4, the $10 billion bond measure approved by voters in 2024, which includes funding for wildfire prevention. He also authored the law that decreases the use of single-use plastics.
Allen’s votes have also been more aligned with some of the same groups now supporting Kim, including the California Labor Federation. The senator’s record has generally not aligned with business interests, according to CalMatters’ Digital Democracy database.
Though both candidates have pledged not to take money from the insurance industry, Contreras said it’s important to follow the money in this race.
Business groups spent $1.5 million to oppose Kim’s primary campaign, mostly from JOBSPAC, a coalition of employers sponsored by the California Chamber of Commerce, according to Digital Democracy.
Meanwhile, Contreras said “Ben Allen has taken crypto money, which came in big for him at the end.” Campaign finance records show billionaire Chris Larsen, co-founder of crypto company Ripple, in May gave $1 million to the PAC sponsored by California Environmental Voters, the biggest outside spender supporting Allen’s campaign.
Contreras said billionaires are going to spend a lot of money supporting moderates this election cycle: “Why? Because they want the status quo. Jane is now going to be the bogeyman.”
The biggest contributors to Kim’s campaign are the California Working Families Party and the California Teachers Association, which gave about $365,000 and $150,000 each, respectively.
The main difference between this battle and other contests going on elsewhere is that many voters don’t know exactly what the insurance commissioner does, said Kevin Liao, a Democratic political consultant who briefly worked on Allen’s campaign before leaving to work on Tom Steyer’s gubernatorial campaign during the primary.
That could mean that voters will rely on shortcuts such as Sanders’ endorsement of Kim, or the California Democrats’ endorsement of Allen. The race could come down to whose brand will convince voters, he said.
“We’re at a moment when voters, certainly the base of the Democratic Party, are fed up with the party establishment,” Liao said.
But not all candidates with more progressive ideas have found success: In California, the progressive Steyer failed to advance to the general election. Recently, David Crowley, a moderate Democrat, beat Francesca Hong, a democratic socialist, in the Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor by less than a percentage point.
William
Joseph “Bill” McCovey, 44, passed away on August 5, 2026. He was
born January 29, 1982, in Hoopa, California, to Janet Lynn Muller and
Tracy “Aceter McCovey” Bullman. Bill was a proud member of the
Hoopa Tribe and resided on the Hoopa Valley Reservation.
Bill
lived on the Hoopa Valley Reservation all his life, and He loved his
home and everything it provided. From fishing, hunting, or boat race
time. He enjoyed it all with family and friends. Bill was the kind of
person who would ask if you needed your grass cut, wood chopped, or a
fire built, because he cared for his family, friends, and community.
Bill enjoyed being surrounded by the mountains and the river, sharing
his skills and knowledge with all. From an early age, you would find
him working with his uncles on the family ranch – tending to the
cattle, bucking hay or taking care of the horses. His knowledge of
horses, cattle, and ranching would forever be missed, as he was one
of the last few who had the privilege to learn and work alongside his
uncles and great-uncles on the HC (Harry Campbell) ranch, and he held
that with pride. Bill was a man of many talents and skills and was
glad to share those with all. Throughout the years, he had different
occupations, most recently being a Fish Tech at the Hoopa Tribal
Fisheries, but a Rancher and Fisherman was where he felt at home.
During his life he was blessed with two sons (Athos and Clint) whom
he talked about with pride, his greatest accomplishment. He was
always grateful to Lillian Davis for giving him two beautiful boys.
Bill said when he is gone, remember him as a, “Fishing Fool.”
For all those that knew him, knew he was not without his fishing
pole. You can find him fishing whether he was alone, with his boys,
his brothers, nephews, cousins, or friends – always fishing. So,
when You look to the river, with your pole in hand, remember Bill, he
is there, waiting, with those bright pretty eyes and wide grin,
saying, “We are Fishing Fools.”
Bill
survived by his children: Athos Harold McCovey and Clint Daniel
McCovey; his mother, Janet Muller; his brother, Daniel McCovey; his
sister, Samantha McCovey (Blaze); his aunt, Carol Muller; his
brother, Jason Marshall Sr. (Marilyn); his sister, Misty Marshall;
his nephews, Timothy Stebbins-McCovey and Jason Marshall Jr.; Nieces,
Kallie Stebbins-McCovey, JaCee, and Bella Baldy, Louise, Malerie,
Percy, and Amari Marshall and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces,
nephews, relatives, and friends that he loved.
William
“Bill” McCovey was preceded in death by his
maternal-grandparents, Harold Muller and Marie Campbell-Muller;
uncles, Lou Muller, Dave Muller, and Harry “O” Campbell;
great-uncles: Dan Campbell, Leo Carpenter Sr., Sam Campbell, Harold
“Weeps” Campbell, Johnathan Leach Sr., Ben Branham Sr.; and
great-aunts, Emogene Campbell-Carpenter and Viva Campbell.
Pallbearers:
Athos McCovey, Daniel McCovey, Timothy Stebbins-McCovey, Jasonn
Marshall Sr., Jason Marshall Jr., Doug Branham, Clinton Hoaglen,
Harold “Os” Campbell, Sam Campbell, T.J Branham, Arlen Brown,
Trevor Brown, Kyle Brown, Ian Moore, Blaze Carpenter, Levi Tripp,
Chris Heath Sr., Bob Campbell Jr.
Honorary
Pallbearers: William “Pecos” Carpenter, Joe Carpenter, Landon
Biondini, Smitty Branham, Troy Branham, Ben Branham Jr., Derrick
Branham, Ralph Brown, Travis Brown, Samuel “DC” Campbell, Jacob
Ford, Scott Searle Sr., Scott Searle Jr., Michael Searle, Glenn
Kiesner III, Ramon Rivera, Carlos Aguilar, Derrick Mularky, Johnny
Leach, Jay Leach, Bob Campbell Sr., Robert Campbell, Mike Masten,
Geno Masten, Jordy Thomas, Wolf Colegrove, Panther Colegrove, Leslie
Starritt, Howard Starritt, Brandon Biondini Andrew “Beaver”
Lonewolf, Donovan Lonewolf, Auggie Montgomery, Jed Morrison, Sam
Jones, C.J Lewis, Howard Lewis, Lester “Miskit” White, R.J
Marshall, Michael Baldy Jr., Freddy Brown, Sylvester “Flabs”
Brown, Robert Blake, George Moon, Junior Moon, Clyde Moon, Jessie
Moiser, Quentin Mosier, Julious Mosier, Elijah Mosier, Bubs Jackson,
Barney Jackson, Donny Jackson, Ronni Robbins, Rodney “Rowds”
Robbins, Ed Masten Sr., Mike Lee, Mike Orcutt, Delane Slater, Kenny
Lucas, Willy Hoaglan, “Papa’s” Nelson, Roger Sanderson, Dereck
and Huston Ely, Jamie Pike.
Bill
had a large family and a lot of friends; the names could go on. Bill
knew you loved him.
Graveside
services will be held at the Hoopa Tribal Cemetery, Friday, August
21, 2026, at 11 a.m.. Reception will be held at the Hoopa Trading
Post, immediately following the services.
The
family would like to thank everyone who loved, cared, and supported
him, from Boyd Ferris and the Behavioral Health staff at Kimaw
Medical to individuals who opened their homes to him. We are grateful
for the care you showed him.
Bill
will be forever loved and forever missed.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Bill McCovey’sloved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Clockwise from top left: Mike Johnson, Abe Stevens, Tina Christensen and Carlos Diaz
###
The field is set for the 2026 Fortuna City Council election, with four candidates qualifying for four open council seats. Barring peculiar circumstances, all will serve on the council that leads the city of around 12,000 people.
This election is unique, with all but one councilmember up for election simultaneously. Two councilmembers were appointed after resignations in 2025 with their terms automatically ending by the next election.
Candidates Mike Johnson, Abe Stevens and Carlos Diaz all currently sit on the council. Councilmember Kyle Conley will not run again; Tina Christensen, a real estate agent who serves on the city’s planning commission, has thrown in her hat to join the five-person governing body as a newcomer.
Diaz, a Cal Poly Humboldt employee and lieutenant with the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, was appointed to the council in 2025 following the resignation of Kris Mobley. Stevens, co-owner of Humboldt Distillery, was similarly appointed to the council in 2025 following the resignation of newly-elected Jerry King.
Mayor Johnson has served on the council since 2018.
All positions are four-year seats except one. Diaz is seeking the two-year term.
The varying term lengths will be listed separately on the ballot, according to Fortuna City Clerk Siana Emmons. The purpose of the seat with the two-year term is to return to a system where councilmember elections are staggered, she explained in an email.
Mayor Pro Tem Tami Trent is the only councilmember not currently up for election, with her term to end in 2028.
The upcoming council will be tasked with navigating the city’s ongoing budget issues, along with duties like setting broad policy and overseeing city operations.
Fortuna is a community built on the foundation of hardworking families, local businesses, and neighbors who care about one another. I am running for Fortuna City Council because I want to protect what makes our city special while planning responsibly for its future.
After more than 50 years in real estate, I understand the critical intersection of property, housing, local business, as well as the ways our decisions shape our community’s growth.
We need responsible stewardship to keep Fortuna as a sacred space where we can raise our children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Over the last two decades, I have served on numerous boards and committees to make this happen; I currently serve on the Fortuna Planning Commission. As a longtime resident with deep family roots in Fortuna, I understand both the strengths of our community and the challenges facing our families and businesses.
If elected, I will support responsible economic growth that creates opportunities, strengthens local businesses, expands our tax base, and helps Fortuna remain a place where families can build a future. I will approach every decision with integrity, transparency, and respect for the people I serve.
Mike Johnson, 71, retired
Fortuna is a growing city that retains a small town community atmosphere, a trait that is disappearing elsewhere. I enjoyed raising my children here and love seeing my grandchildren joining in the many activities throughout the year.
I worked in Fortuna Public Works for over 25 years, including 10 years as General Services Superintendent. I have worked on projects with the Chamber of Commerce and local community groups.
As a Council member and board member of the Fortuna Rodeo Association and Fortuna Redwood AutoXpo Committee, I have worked with stakeholders to safely and successfully facilitate these community events.
Having served as a member of the Fortuna City Council since 2018, I worked to keep our community friendly and safe. As we begin the General plan update, the recently adopted Strategic Plan is our guide. I support jobs, economic development, businesses and the small-town atmosphere that makes Fortuna special. I look forward to serving the citizens of Fortuna. If reelected, I will continue to vote for decisions that will bring the most benefit to the city and our citizens within our budget and to be an advocate for the people of Fortuna.
Abe Stevens, small business owner
I’m not perfect, but I generally try to be a decent person. I’ve donated enough blood to qualify for a special license plate cover, and when I take my dog for a walk I bring a poo-bag to clean up after him. The local business I own has matured enough to give me more free time, and I’d like to become more involved in the community.
I currently serve on the Fortuna City Council and would appreciate an opportunity to continue. I was born in Humboldt, graduated from FUHS, and have a daughter in school here, so I have a vested interest in seeing our City succeed.
The local economy has been slow, so we have some tough choices ahead with our budget, but I’m a good problem solver. I have ambitions for the City, but my first priority is to focus on core services: keep our parks clean and open for our youth, ensure tap water is safe to drink (and when we flush the toilet the waste is properly treated), ensure police respond professionally in an emergency, and to keep our roads/sidewalks properly maintained.
Thanks for your consideration.
Carlos Diaz
Note: Diaz has yet to submit a 2026 candidate statement, but wrote this in early 2025 when seeking appointment by the Fortuna City Council.
I am honored to express my intent to fill the vacant seat on the Fortuna City Council. For the
past 25 years, Fortuna has been more than just a place I call home; it is where I have built my
life, raised my family, and devoted my efforts to strengthening our community. This town has
shaped who I am, and I am eager to contribute back in an even greater capacity.
Community service has always been at the heart of who I am. Whether coaching youth sports,
serving with the Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department, participating on the South Fortuna
Elementary Budget Committee, or contributing as a member of the Hops in Humboldt
Committee, my goal has consistently been to support and uplift those around me. I take pride
in rolling up my sleeves, working alongside my neighbors, and making a tangible difference in
the community we all cherish.
Professionally, I have developed a strong skill set that I believe will greatly benefit the City
Council. My experience analyzing budgets, evaluating contracts, and approaching complex
issues with a logical and methodical mindset has prepared me to handle the responsibilities of
this role effectively. More importantly, my ability to listen, communicate, and find common
ground enables me to be an effective advocate for our community.
I am committed to fostering a city that is fiscally responsible, forward-thinking, and deeply
connected to its residents. My goal is to ensure that Fortuna remains a thriving environment
where families flourish, businesses expand, and the community spirit continues to thrive.
I would be honored to serve on the City Council, bringing my dedication, energy, and unique
perspective to the role. Thank you for your time and consideration
Below you’ll find two more prepared statements regarding Saturday’s tragic incidents at the “Outlaw Rodeo College Invitational” at the Humboldt County Fair. (See link above for the one from CR.) During the event, which was produced by the rodeo team at College of the Redwoods, two bronc horses sustained broken legs and were subsequently euthanized.
Earlier today, the Outpost emailed Flying U Rodeo, the Marysville-based contractor that supplied the horses for the event. We asked a series of questions about conditions on the ground that reported by witnesses. Those include the narrow dimensions of the arena, the apparent youth and inexperience of the horses and the animals’ agitated behavior.
The company later forwarded the statement below, which doesn’t directly address those questions. If we get any direct answers on that front, we’ll publish an update.
Here’s the statement from Flying U:
On Saturday, August 15th, at the rodeo held in Ferndale, a saddle-bronc horse was injured after competition had ended and the rider had dismounted. The horse was immediately taken out of the arena for treatment by the on-site veterinarian. There was a second horse that also sustained injury during the same event. Professional rodeo personnel followed all protocols and secured the second horse for examination and treatment by the on-site veterinarian.
We are saddened to share that after being evaluated by veterinarians, it was determined that both rodeo horse athletes sustained injuries as such, that they had to be humanely euthanized.
The Rodeo Producers and Flying U Rodeo Company take the treatment and care of all livestock athletes very seriously. Livestock welfare is of the highest priority to the Humboldt County Fair Association, the Rodeo Producers, and Flying U Rodeo Company. There are numerous safeguards and provisions that are in place to ensure the safety of the human and animal athletes competing in the sport of professional rodeo.
And here’s the statement from the Humboldt County Fair Association:
The Humboldt County Fair Association is deeply saddened by the loss of two equine athletes following injuries sustained during Saturday evening’s rodeo at the Humboldt County Fair.
We recognize how difficult an incident like this is for everyone involved, including the animals’ owners and handlers, the rodeo professionals who work alongside these animals, Fair staff and volunteers, and members of our community who witnessed the events.
The health, safety, and humane treatment of all animals participating in events at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds are extremely important to the Humboldt County Fair Association. We expect all event partners and contractors to maintain appropriate animal welfare practices and to have qualified veterinary care available when livestock are participating in events. Those protocols were in place and followed during Saturday evening’s rodeo, including the immediate response of the on-site veterinarian.
Since Saturday evening, Fair administration has remained in communication with the rodeo producers and Flying U Rodeo Company regarding the incidents and the response that followed.
Flying U Rodeo Company has issued a statement regarding the injuries, veterinary response, and loss of the two horses. For additional information regarding the incidents and the response of rodeo personnel and veterinary staff, please refer to the statement issued by Flying U Rodeo Company.
The Humboldt County Fair Association will continue working with our rodeo partners to reinforce our shared commitment to the welfare and safety of all animals participating in events at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds.
We extend our sincere sympathy to those who cared for and worked with these horses and to everyone affected by their loss.
