Kristin
Starkey, 50, passed away peacefully on March 29 in Redding, following
a seven-month struggle with heart complications and stroke. She faced
her struggle bravely, and even up until the end, she remained the
sweet, kind person that everyone knew her to be.
Kristin
was a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe and was affiliated by
blood with several other California tribes, as well as tribes in the
Dakotas and Minnesota. She was born and raised on the Hoopa Valley
Indian Reservation, where she graduated from high school, and worked
at various tribal entities. More recently, she achieved her
bachelor’s of science degree in psychology from Liberty College,
and was planning on pursuing further education.
Kristin
enjoyed spending time with her family and traveling, especially to
the Redwoods and Oregon coast. She had a lifelong love of animals and
kept pets over the years. Kristin also embraced technology — she was
very tech-savvy and was active on social media. She was always very
friendly, kept a good sense of humor, and had a smile for everyone.
She made friends very easily, and was the kind of person who was fun
to be around.
Another
important aspect of Kristin’s life was her faith. She was a
born-again Christian and was active in her church. She was a blessing
to her church family, whom she deeply cherished.
She
is survived by her parents, Frank and Karen Starkey; her twin sister
Carrie Amankwah (Francis); her sister Debra Starkey (Robert Cox); and
her nieces Alexis Jeska and Mazie Cox. She was preceded in death by
her brother Frank Starkey, Jr., with whom she is joyfully reunited.
Kristin
was an important part of our family, to whom her life brought endless
joy, laughter, and love. Even in our devastation in losing her, our
entire family remembers to feel grateful that we were blessed to have
her in our lives, and she will be remembered most lovingly and
dearly.
The
family would like to express their heartfelt thanks for all the
countless prayers, words of encouragement and support expressed to
Kristin and the entire family.
A
special thank you to all the surgeons and staff at Stanford Hospital
in Palo Alto, and the nursing and technical staff at Vibra Hospital
in Redding for their care of Kristin, and for allowing us a little
more precious time with her.
Funeral
arrangements are being handled by Paul’s Chapel in Arcata. A
memorial service will be held Saturday, April 15, 2023, at the First
Baptist Church in Hoopa (Loop Road) at 1 p.m., Pastor Guy Ziegenbein
officiating.
###
The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Kristin Starkey’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
A rendering of the exterior of the proposed Humboldt Navigation Center. | Screenshot
###
Local officials and community leaders have spent the last decade looking for creative ways to address challenges associated with Humboldt County’s homeless population. The latest proposition, dubbed the Humboldt Navigation Center, would serve as a one-stop shop, offering access to shelter, affordable housing options, public health benefits, job training and mental health support, all conveniently located under one roof.
Speaking during today’s Humboldt County Board of Supervisors meeting, Hannah Ozanian, a homeless services consultant with the county Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), said the Humboldt Navigation Center is modeled after Friendship Park at Loaves & Fishes, a day center for adults experiencing homelessness in Sacramento.
“While I served as the director [of Friendship Park], we moved from one space at one end of our campus to a completely new center that was designed with all of our services in mind,” Ozanian said. “It was quite an opportunity for me to learn and I’m very grateful to be here to bring some of what I learned by trial and error to our community. [Friendship Park] served a much larger population, and an urban population, but nonetheless the services that we’re hoping to provide for our neighbors living outside are similar.”
The facility, which would be located at the corner of West Third and Commercial Streets in Eureka, would provide overnight shelter for Humboldt County residents experiencing homelessness, including temporary non-congregate shelter for approximately 15 individuals. During the day, the facility would provide a safe place for people to stay with access to storage lockers, a pet kennel, showers, restrooms, community classrooms, a computer lab, laundry assistance and a clothing closet. Social workers, mental health clinicians and substance use disorder (SUD) counselors would be available on-site as well.
First floor. | Screenshot
Second floor. | Screenshot
DHHS Director Connie Beck noted that the project proposal has been in the works for several years.
“County staff and city staff have worked together for over 10 years … to come up with solutions around our houseless population in Humboldt County,” Beck said. “Several years ago, it was identified that if we had a place like a day center – somewhere people could be that was safe during the day – that would be one solution to multiple problems that we see with our [houseless] population. … [This] is right across the street from the [St. Vincent de Paul’s] dining facility, so all the folks would already be there.”
Speaking during public comment, Eureka City Manager Miles Slattery said the navigational center will “be a huge benefit to the community.”
“I’ve been at the city for 17 years and this has been something that’s been desired by our business community, as well as our overall community, ever since then,” he said. “I think that we’ve done a really good job and really appreciate the support of DHHS and all they’ve done to make this a reality. … I really look forward to supporting this and making sure that this happens sooner than later.”
Staff did not provide a timeline for the project during Tuesday’s meeting. The county is currently negotiating the lease of the site with the property owner Mercer Fraiser.
First District Supervisor Rex Bohn expressed his support for the project and noted that the Betty Kwan Chinn Homeless Foundation and the Humboldt Coalition for Property Rights, or HumCPR, hosted a shipping container complex at the same site a few years ago.
Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell voiced her support for the navigational center, emphasizing the importance of “giv[ing] people an opportunity to help themselves.”
“I think that’s critical,” she said. “I know that the Southern Humboldt area would really benefit from something like this. … There [are] groups working towards this goal in almost every community in Humboldt County. I just am really excited that this is coming forward … but it can’t come fast enough.”
Fifth District Supervisor and Board Chair Steve Madrone thanked the City of Eureka for partnering with the county to bring the project forward. “We couldn’t do it without you,” he said. “Thank you for persevering and moving forward with this.”
Bushnell made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation and accept the report. Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson offered a second and the motion passed in a unanimous 4-0 vote, with Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo absent.
###
The future site of the Humboldt Navigation Center at West Third and Commercial Streets in Eureka. Photo: Google Maps
HUMBOLDT TODAY: As they do, the Humboldt County Drug Task Force uncovered a trove of narcotics and weapons; the Eureka City Council will consider the future of the waterfront; plus, details on California’s successful disaster declaration and other stories in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
The
Hoopa Valley Tribe’s healthcare entity, K’ima:w Medical Center,
has been awarded $2 Million for Clinic expansion and modernization.
This award was part of the Indian Health Service total funding of $24
million to 12 tribes and tribal organizations across the nation as
part of a competitive Small Ambulatory Program to fund construction,
expansion or modernization of small ambulatory health care
facilities.
When
notified of the award, HVT Chairman Joe Davis said, “The health of
our people has always been a priority of the utmost importance to the
Hoopa Valley Tribe. Being able to expand our medical center will
expand our ability to serve the health needs of our community. We are
thankful to IHS and the leadership and staff at K’ima:w Medical
Center who made this happen.”
K’ima:w
Medical Center, formerly known as Hoopa Health Association, provides
health services to the greater Hoopa Valley and has been in operation
since 1974. The last major construction of clinical space occurred
over 25 years ago. The Project Plan scope for the grant award will be
augmented with additional funding to develop a roughly 10,000
square-foot addition to the north side of the existing clinic. The
vision is to develop an expanded Pharmacy with drive-up window, add
additional provider rooms, expand diabetes and physical therapy
services, and provide for a large meeting and training area.
K’ima:w
Medical Center Board of Directors Chairman Angela Jarnaghan said, “I
am excited to be part of this amazing funding opportunity for our
medical center. The pandemic redirected our focus to seek
opportunities to expand and revamp. One of our main goals is to
facilitate our community’s health care needs in a technologically
efficient setting. This has been a long-time goal of KMC’s and we
are ecstatic to see it begin.”
Updating
and increasing the size of the existing clinic fits into the
long-term plans and goals for the K’imaw Medical Center. The newly
operational Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Program location
adjacent to the Clinic is currently undergoing construction upgrades
for new parking lots, sidewalks, and other additions.
The
Domestic Violence/MMIP Programs are preparing to move into a new
office modular to offer expanded services. Grant funding has been
obtained for a Mobile Medical Vehicle that should arrive in a few
months to help deliver direct services to the community.
California’s
Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP) Round
Three funding award of $4.1 million recently received by K’ima:w
Medical Center will fund a new Behavioral Health building.
Moreover,
the Indian Health Service Quarters Program award of $5 million, a
first-time award to any IHS compacted tribe, will allow for
construction of housing for health providers. The $2 million small
ambulatory program grant award for the clinic expansion will provide
a final component for establishing quality and expanded health care
for the Hoopa Valley for many decades to come.
Dr.
Stephen Stake, CEO, shared, “I’m very thankful for the team
leaders we have to move forward on much-needed projects for our
community. We trust the efforts by many will yield a lot of fruit
here in the valley and the ongoing projects will create an optimal
campus for exceptional health services, facilitating patient health
and healing.”
HVT
Councilmember Jordan Hailey serves as a council liaison to KMC. He
said, “Receiving this award is huge for our People and our
community. It’s been over 25 years since any addition to the clinic
has been done. And, in that 25 years our population has grown
exponentially and so has the need for healthcare. Being able to
expand and better K’ima:w Medical Center’s services will be a
great step in continuing to provide much needed healthcare and a
variety of services for the many needs of our patients here in the
Valley.
HVT
Councilmember Jill Sherman-Warne added, “As one of the only medical
facilities in eastern Humboldt County, federal funds are critical to
expanding and modernizing K’ima:w to increase patient services to
meet goals in addressing diabetes, addiction, and physical therapy
within our community.”
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
On April 2, 2023, at about 5 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Brenard Road in Loleta for the report of an assault with a vehicle.
Robinson.
Deputies contacted two adult victims, a male and a female, one of which reported minor to moderate injuries as a result of the assault. The victims told deputies that the suspect, 20-year-old Billy Joe Robinson Jr., was in a dating relationship with the female victim. The female victim and Robinson were reportedly involved in an altercation earlier that evening at a nearby residence. The two victims left the residence in a vehicle and while attempting to leave, Robinson reportedly blocked the roadway by performing “donuts” with his vehicle. The victims exited their vehicle in an attempt to speak with Robinson. At this point, Robinson reportedly struck the victims with his vehicle then fled the area.
Robinson was located by Fortuna Police Department officers in the area of 9thand J streets in Fortuna and was arrested without incident.
Robinson was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of hit and run with injury (VC 20001(a)), assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (PC 245(a)(1)) and battery against a spouse (PC 243(e)(1)).
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.
Photos: Mark McKenna, from last year’s “May the Fourth” event.
Press release from the Humboldt Del-Norte Film Commission:
On June 2nd
and 3rd
of 2023, the Humboldt Del Norte Film Commission will be hosting the
1st
Annual Forest Moon Festival, sponsored by Humboldt and Del Norte
Counties. Star Wars Fans, this is the summer event you are looking
for. It will commemorate the 40th
Anniversary of Return of the Jedi, the Star Wars film that featured
Humboldt and Del Norte Counties as the forest moon of Endor, the
final battleground between the Rebel Alliance and Galactic Empire.
The Forest Moon
Festival will span across the two counties. Businesses, pop-ups,
community partners, and existing events are invited to theme-out in
Star Wars fashion and offer activities for the whole family to enjoy.
The Film Commission is working with stellar community partners to
bring free screenings of Return of the Jedi to various locations
throughout the region. As the date gets closer, a map and schedule of
events will be released to the public so festival attendees will be
able to see all the exciting activities that are happening across the
redwood region including Lucasfilm approved costumers (Rebels, Storm
Troopers, and more) appearances.
The festival’s
concept was created over a decade ago as an enhancement to the
existing “Map of the Movies” (a free self-guided tour featuring
projects that have filmed in both Humboldt & Del Norte Counties
and can be found on their website and app stores). “We were trying
to expand our film tourism strategy since film tourism can boost
local economies more than actual filming at times, when we thought of
someday launching a festival like this,” stated the Film
Commissioner, Cassandra Hesseltine. Today, Hesseltine says it’s more
than that for the Film Commission. “Now, it’s more our way of
giving back to the region by creating community pride through a
celebration that will be enjoyed by all ages.”
Fall of 2019, the
Film Commission and community partners had begun brainstorming a
possible event, but the pandemic shelved the idea. In 2022, after the
Sequoia Park Zoo Foundation and the City of Eureka inquired about a
collaboration with the film commission for a May the 4th event, they
knew it was time to resurrect the festival. “We thought this was
the first baby-step on our way to something bigger,” Hesseltine
commented, “It was a very successful and entertaining experience,
so we decided to go for the full-fledged event finally for the 40th
anniversary this year. Though, since this is the first time going so
big, it feels more like our dress rehearsal as we get buy-in from the
community and focus on promoting more locally.”
As the festival
grows, the Film Commission anticipates more out-of-town film tourists
attending the event. Because of this, the Film Commission
picked the first weekend of June for the festival since it wouldn’t
compete with other out of town May the 4th events, hotels
availability, and warmer weather for outside activities.
Tiffany Miller Designs has been contracted to help produce the
weekend due to her and her team’s in-depth experience in Hollywood
and event coordinating.
For
more information on this event (including map and schedule of events,
to be released later) you can visit the websitewww.forestmoonfestival.org.
Any business that wishes to participate should visit and follow the
directions on the vendor page of the website to be included in the
promotional material. Be sure to follow the Forest Moon Festival
Facebook page and Instagram @forestmoonfestival to get all the latest
updates and announcements.
HUMBOLDT TODAY: St. Joe’s admits it lost an unknown number of patient samples during a car crash on Highway 36; two are arrested in Bayside for allegedly making bombs, selling drugs, and endangering a child; plus, a preview of tomorrow’s Board of Supervisor’s meeting and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
