Press release from the Eureka Police Department:

On June 17, 2026, at approximately 12:00 p.m., officers with the Eureka Police Department (EPD) responded to the 1600 block of P Street following a report of an individual threatening to harm others, making suicidal statements, and brandishing a weapon.

Due to the nature of the incident, members of the Community Safety Engagement Team (CSET), detectives from the Criminal Investigation Unit (CIU), and patrol officers responded to the scene.

Upon arrival, officers safely evacuated the victim from the immediate area without injury and initiated negotiations with the involved individual. Mental health professionals with the Crisis Alternative Response of Eureka (CARE) also responded and assisted throughout the incident.

Following successful negotiations conducted by CSET and CARE crisis negotiators, the individual complied with officers’ instructions and was safely detained and transported to a local hospital for further assessment and care.

EPD extends its sincere appreciation to Humboldt Bay Fire, City Ambulance, and CARE for their prompt and coordinated response. Their professionalism, collaboration, and dedication to service were instrumental in ensuring the safety and well-being of everyone involved.

The successful resolution of this incident reflects the strength of the ongoing partnerships between Eureka Police Department and behavioral health professionals in our community, as well as their shared commitment to providing a compassionate and comprehensive response to individuals experiencing a crisis.

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The Eureka City Council wrapped up budget negotiations on Tuesday night, voting unanimously to approve a $110,133,542 budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The adopted budget represents a 8.5% decrease in spending from the 2025-26 fiscal year, which ends on June 30.

During a budget presentation at last night’s meeting, Finance Director Lane Millar said the city is going into the new fiscal year with less money in its reserves than staff had anticipated. When the current budget was adopted in June 2025, staff predicted the year would end with a roughly $800,000 deficit in the city’s General Fund, but Millar said that number has grown to $3.7 million.

Millar | Screenshot

“Even though we had a structural deficit in the current fiscal year, we were still going to end the year with a healthy reserve balance [in the General Fund],” he said. “Had that happened, then we would have started next fiscal year off at $11.6 million in [the] fund balance, which is just under our policy level of 25%. … Unfortunately, at the mid-year our deficit grew substantially to just under $4 million in the red. With that update, we expect to start next fiscal year with a beginning fund balance of about $8.7 million.”

Reached via email this afternoon, Millar told the Outpost that the $3.7 million deficit “was driven by one-time expenses, mostly due to capital projects like the Marine Fueling Facility” on Commercial Street. “When you remove the increases from the one-time expenses, the true structural deficit was approximately $1 [million] vs the negative $798,037 as assumed in the original FY25-26 budget.”

Millar added that the one-time budget increase will have “zero effect” on the 2026-27 fiscal year, which still shows a deficit “but is marginally better than where we were last year.”

However, going into the next fiscal year with $8.7 million in reserves only leaves the city with about two months of operating capital, which is one month short of what city policy requires. Now that budget season is over, Millar told the council, his office will develop a plan to replenish the reserves with the city’s Finance Advisory Committee.

If the city can maintain a 3% growth in revenue and maintain expenditure growth at 1% for the next three years, as seen in the table below, he said, the General Fund reserves should bounce back to roughly $11 million. 

“I think it’s more reasonable to restrict growth on the expense side and monitor what revenues are doing,” Millar said, emphasizing that the table above is a suggestion, not a concrete plan. “I think this is something we need to monitor, but as a goal, I think it would behoove us to try to restrict expenditure growth down to 1% over the next three years to build back a healthy reserve level.”

Asked how staff planned to limit growth to just 1%, Millar said the city could restrict salary growth. “It’s a hard thing to do, but if we don’t turn the ship around, it’s unlikely that we’re going to have a lot of money to provide for salary increases anyways.”

To limit spending over the next three years, the city could implement a hiring freeze, offer retirement incentives and reorganize departments.

“[That] gives you a lot of time to plan, [and] it’s a lot less painful than waking up one day and realizing that you need to cut 10% from your budget right away,” Millar said. “I think the goal here is to do things slowly, but to take this seriously, in the sense that getting a balanced budget — and even producing a surplus — is really the best way to keep our salary schedule competitive as well as meet unexpected needs.”

City Manager Miles Slattery chimed in to note that there are other costs that are “beyond [the city’s] control,” such as health insurance, that could cause expenditures to snowball. “If that’s the case during those fiscal years that are upcoming … it still could result in cuts that are going to be necessary in order to meet that 1% growth,” he said.

Councilmember Scott Bauer, who attending the meeting via Zoom, emphasized that “these kinds of times are exactly why we have reserves.” He suggested that staff look into increasing the city’s transient occupancy tax (TOT), which is set at 10%, to help generate additional revenue.

“A lot of cities have up to 12% [TOT], and I think these are the kind of times we need to talk about that,” Bauer continued. “It’s obvious we don’t want to cut services [and] we don’t want to lose staff, therefore we need revenue.”

Councilmembers Leslie Castellano and Renee Contreras-DeLoach asked about upcoming pay raises for staff, and whether the increased wages were factored into next year’s budget. Millar confirmed that all staff will receive a 3% pay hike in the 2026 fiscal year. 

Contreras-DeLoach | Screenshot

Contreras-DeLoach asked specifically about Humboldt Bay Fire, and whether its staff were slated to receive an additional wage increase. Millar and Slattery were reluctant to weigh in, given the “sensitive conversations around the negotiations.” DeLoach pushed for an answer.

“That could push us further into the red … and I don’t know what that amount would be,” she said. “That’s what I’m trying to ask, is whether or not there’s any kind of reasonable assessment that’s going on behind the scenes … or whether or not this budget we’re currently looking at could be dramatically different after that negotiation.”

“I don’t think this is an appropriate venue to be talking about negotiations,” Slattery said, suggesting that she speak with one of the council members who serve on the fire department’s joint powers authority.

Castellano chimed in to note that any “significant budget changes” would require approval from the city council. “We can’t include things that we don’t know,” she added.

After some additional conversation, including comments from just one speaker during public comment, Councilmember Kati Moulton made a motion to approve the budget, which was seconded by Bauer.  Before voting on the time, Millar said he would draw up some cost-savings projections for the council’s consideration in the coming months. 

The motion passed 5-0.

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Want to see the budget for yourself? You can check it out at this link.

From the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On June 16, 2026, at approximately 12:58 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported assault at the Dollar General located at 1180 Murray Road in McKinleyville.

Upon arrival, deputies contacted the store clerk, who reported that a male subject entered the store and selected several items of merchandise. The clerk stated the individual had previously been banned from the store due to prior theft-related incidents.

When the clerk instructed the subject to leave, the individual dropped the merchandise and moved toward the front door. As he exited, he grabbed a bottle of charcoal lighter fluid from a shelf and continued outside. The clerk told the subject to leave the item behind, at which point he sprayed the clerk with the lighter fluid. The clerk reported he knocked the container from the subject’s hands, which led to a physical altercation outside the store. 

The suspect fled on foot prior to deputies’ arrival. Deputies later located him near the intersection of Murray Road and U.S. Highway 101 and took him into custody without incident. He was identified as 29-year-old Trevor Parker of McKinleyville.

Based on statements and evidence collected at the scene, Parker was arrested on suspicion of robbery and assault.

Medical personnel responded and treated the store clerk for non-life-threatening injuries.

Prior to booking Parker into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility, deputies transported him to a local hospital for medical clearance after he complained of pain. Following clearance, he was booked on the following charges:

 • PC 211 – Robbery  

• PC 244 – Assault with a Caustic Chemical

Anyone with information regarding this incident or related criminal activity is encouraged to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip Line at (707) 268-2539.

Clarence Arthur Peterson — “Pete” — passed away April 19, 2026 at the age of 92.

He is preceded in death by his wife Omaha Gallon, his father and mother Lawernce and Linna Peterson, his brothers John and Philip Peterson. He is survived by his sister Carole Cahill, nephews Russell (Toni) Peterson of Grants Pass, OR., Thomas (Jacki) Cahill of Fieldbrook and Scott Cahill of Arcata, Philip Peterson of Colorado Springs, CO. His nieces, Linda (Eric) Westeren of Redmond OR, Sharon (Allen) of Murray KY. And Susan (Jaret) Rowe of Conroe TX. He is also survived by many great nieces and nephews and one great, great niece.

Pete joined the USAF in 1950. There he met and married Frances Hastings (deceased). After his discharge they made their home in McKinleyville. He was employed at the Simpson Redwood Mill in Korbel and then at several bowling alleys, Eureka Bowl and Rio Dell Bowl. He purchased Harbor Lanes and managed it for many years.

He married Omaha Gallon and they purchased the Ruth Lake Marina. Pete worked for the United Bowling Alliance where he traveled much of the western states promoting junior bowlers.

Pete was an avid horseracing fan and bought several horses. Watching them run was something he enjoyed greatly. He never made much money, but he did love the sport.

His love of travel took him to China, Costa Rica and Italy. As a bowler he saw most of the United States.

Once retired, he relocated to Stigler, Oklahoma. While there he was reunited with his cousin, Larry Green. Larry owned a furniture manufacturing business and found employment for him. He stayed in Stigler until Omaha’s health dictated that they live closer to health care. This move brought him nearer to his brother Phil in Rogers AR. There he enjoyed his stint as an event/security person for the University of Arkansas sports and events.

After losing his wife Omaha, he wandered awhile, staying with Jill and Phil Gray in Florida and Susan Rowe and Russell Peterson getting to know and love his great nieces and nephews.

He eventually came back to Eureka. Here he enjoyed playing golf with his friend Ken Stoddard and having coffee with “the guys” at Adel’s.

He shared a special friendship with the late Craig Perroni and even kept up with their 5 PM cocktails by phone ritual.

There will be a celebration of life at Harbor Lanes on July 3, 2026, from 1-3 PM.

The family would like to thank Eureka VA for keeping him going. His nephew Scott Cahill for his care of him these last 3 months. And to all of you who were part of his life.

Rest in peace, Pete.

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

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Billboard in Elk River Wetlands Must Come Down, Humboldt Supervisors Say
• Planning Commission Denies Permit to Rebuild a Fallen Billboard South of Eureka
• In a Split Vote, Supervisors Move to Allow Fallen Elk River Billboard to Be Rebuilt, But it Must be Removed in Five Years

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The latest attempt by the owner of a local billboard company to keep an advertisement erect is a lawsuit filed against Humboldt County.

Allpoints Outdoor Inc is seeking compensation for the previously ordered removal of a sign (located south of Eureka near the Elk River) or for its permit to be extended, according to documents filed in Humboldt County Superior Court.

The company, owned by Geoff Wills, filed the lawsuit and a petition for a court order to quickly halt enforcement action in May.

The move follows multiple attempts on Wills’ part to keep the sign up. He did not return a phone call or email seeking comment by publishing time.

While the billboard is located in an area that would prevent the new construction of a billboard today, the billboard was previously considered legal nonconforming, called “grandfathered in,” meaning the sign could continue to exist. A billboard has been at that spot since 1959, according to the complaint.

But it fell over in a 2019 storm, and the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors eventually gave the rebuilt billboard a special permit to exist for just five years in a 2020 decision.

The Board of Supervisors most recently denied Wills’ request to keep the billboard up in a February meeting. He’d sought to preserve the sign after time ran out on the special permit that ordered it be removed by September 2025.

During the February meeting, county staff said that the rules that allowed the structure to be grandfathered in were now irrelevant due to the special permit.

The Allpoints lawsuit broadly argues the billboard remains grandfathered in and repairs completed in 2021 did not constitute rebuilding. The complaint argues Wills didn’t get an appropriate opportunity to respond to a five-year time limit put in place by the Board. It states since the five-year limit was decided after the public comment period, he didn’t have meaningful opportunity to comment.

The lawsuit alleges the Board of Supervisors at the time didn’t make the call to allow him to rebuild based on evidence, but based it in part on having a short enough expiration date “so that current Board members could ensure that the billboard was removed while they were in office.”

The company seeks either fair market compensation for the billboard or for the permit to be extended. Allpoints is also seeking attorney fees and court protections against enforcement actions.

The lawsuit, filed by Sacramento-based law firm Avdis & Cucchi, LLP, alleges the board acted without evidence and in violation of state law, including the Outdoor Advertising Act.

A spokesperson for Humboldt County declined to comment, citing the integrity of the legal process. According to court records, the county hasn’t formally responded yet.

The Allpoints lawsuit claims the business expected to be compensated for the removal, or expected to be able to apply for an extension to the permit, and describes the situation as the billboard being terminated without compensation, notice or “opportunity to be heard.”

The complaint notes Wills has otherwise exhausted all administrative remedies available, clearing the way for legal action.

The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors barred all billboards in the coastal zone and in environmentally sensitive areas in 2024. Some, like environmental organization Humboldt Waterkeeper, see the trend away from billboards dominating the views off the highway as a win.

But as Wills has said during public hearings, his business relies on the signs. He would lose about $15,000 a year if this particular billboard is ordered destroyed, his attorney said during the latest hearing on the subject.

Many of the claims in the lawsuit are consistent with what Wills previously said at public hearings on the billboard. He has sought multiple appeals to decisions surrounding the sign over the years.

He also previously threatened to sue the Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District for a policy banning new billboards, but the Outpost could not find evidence of legal action related to this in county court records.

PREVIOUSLY:

• Internal Documents From a Southern California Water Agency Outline a Vision to Turn Eel River Water Rights Into a Cash Bonanza — at the Expense of Local Users

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Press release from Friends of the Eel River and the Sierra Club:

Advocates for Eel River dam removal are urging members of the public to attend meetings next week in Ukiah and speak in support of dam removal and regional water security.

Recent news about a Southern California water agency interested in taking over the Potter Valley Project has many of us distracted, but not the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). FERC is responsible for overseeing hydropower projects, and approving their decommissioning. As such, FERC has just announced the next step toward dam removal with public hearings and a comment period on scoping for the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process to analyze the impacts of dam removal.

Two meetings are scheduled to receive comments on FERC’s Scoping Document. The meetings will be Tuesday, June 23rd at 6:30pm and Wednesday, June 24th at 10am at the Ukiah Valley Conference Center, 200 South School Street, Ukiah.

“FERC’s Scoping Notice is clear that dam removal is the only option for the future of the Potter Valley Project,” said Alicia Hamann, Executive Director for Friends of the Eel River. “This is our chance to support the regional two basin solution that Tribes, fisheries advocates, and water users have worked so hard to negotiate. We need to tell FERC that removing these old, uneconomic, fish-killing dams is in the broad public interest”

The Scoping Document outlines what FERC will evaluate in their NEPA process, and clearly affirms that the only path forward for this project is dam removal. FERC has rejected the possibility of retaining Scott Dam, citing seismic stability concerns and economic losses of the project. The option of a Federal Government takeover has also been rejected, as FERC says that no federal agency has expressed interest in operating the project. Finally, FERC has also removed analysis of dam removal without building the New Eel Russian Facility, the proposed diversion infrastructure that will facilitate wet-season diversions following dam removal.

Comments have already been filed with FERC requesting additional meetings in Humboldt County, but at this time we do not know whether the Commission will fulfill those requests. So it is important that anyone supporting dam removal attend one of the meetings in Ukiah.

“This is a critical time for the recovery of both the Eel and Russian Rivers. Redwood Chapter Members who live and work throughout both basins are looking forward to speaking with FERC about our bright post-dam future” noted Alicia Bales, Director of the Sierra Club Redwood Chapter.

Giving comments in person is important for two reasons. First, it’s an opportunity to speak directly to FERC staff about how dam removal is in the broad public interest. Second, it’s an opportunity to send a message to the larger public that dam removal is supported by a majority of North Coast residents.

Limited travel support is available, contact regina@waterprotectors.org for more information.

Anyone who is unable to attend the hearings can instead submit written comments to FERC by July 24th. Comments must be clearly labeled “Potter Valley Project (P-77-332) and can be submitted electronically at https://ferconline.ferc.gov/FERCOnline.aspx by selecting “eComment”, or sent by mail to:

Debbie-Anne A. Reese, Secretary,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission
888 First Street NE, Room 1A
Washington, DC 20426

You can read FERC’s Scoping Document at this link: https://bit.ly/FERC-Scoping. Suggested talking points and other information available at eelriver.org.