We are sad to announce that Caleb passed away on January 25, 2023, in Vallejo. We all hope that you are finally at peace, dear grandson, son, brother, uncle, nephew, and cousin.

Caleb was born May 27, 1997, in Victorville. His biological parents Michael and Sarah moved to Eureka when he was a month old. His stepfather Jason entered his life before his first birthday. His eventual foster parents Josh and Amy spent time with him frequently as he was close with their daughters Haley and Sophia. He officially moved into Josh and Amy’s household at the age of seven. Throughout the years Caleb had moved back and forth from the Bay Area to Eureka, and more family members entered his life: stepfather Ken, sister Madison, sister Anna, stepmother Sarah, brother Cyrus and sister Logan.

Caleb was a Lego wizard as a young tike, building life-size replicas of anything that captivated his attention. He was also fascinated by animals, particularly insects and fish. As a child he loved to go fishing with Josh, Grandpa Fred, and Great-grandpa Alvin. Caleb also loved music and became a performing artist, starting with dance at eight years old. He performed in the North Coast Dance Nutcracker production twice. In sixth grade he picked up a trumpet and enjoyed playing his horn in school performances. At the age of fourteen he began playing drums and played in several local bands.

It was evident to anyone who knew Caleb that he was a creative and intelligent man with a unique sense of humor. He was reflective, expressive, quick-witted, sharp-tongued, and amusingly cynical. In fact, Caleb could be quite the conversationalist when he wanted to be. His eclectic sense of fashion was always a comical topic of conversation with his sisters. But Caleb also had more than his fair share of trauma and hardship. While family relationships oscillated through time, Caleb became close with his family again the last few years of his life. He was an especially proud uncle of his niece Riley and nephew Eli.

Caleb was preceded in death by great grandparents Ruth Wingo, Alvin Wingo, Mary Jane Caracetto, and Patricia Wagnon, and grandfather Patrick Cahill. Caleb is survived by grandparents Fred Stark, Karen Cahill, Nicholas Pizzica, and Joanne Pizzica, parents Michael Tyson, Sarah Stark, Jason Pizzica, Josh Cahill, Amy Wingo, Ken Shields, and Sarah McKenna, uncles and aunties Josh Pizzica, Maureen Cahill, Andrew Cahill, Ruthie Wingo, Joleen Wingo, Tanya Wingo, and Ashley Wingo, siblings Anna Pizzica, Haley Hostler, Sophia Cahill-Wingo, Madison Shields, Cyrus McKenna and Logan McKenna, niece and nephew Riley and Eli Hostler. He is also survived by countless friends and cousins.

There will be a private funeral ceremony for immediate family, but a celebration of life will be held on Friday, February 3 at 2 p.m. at the Eureka Women’s Center, welcome to all of Caleb’s family and friends. He will be interred locally.

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

Harry M. Pond, age 96, was born August 10, 1926, in Rio Vista, California to Harry M. and Emily A. Pond. He passed away January 21, 2023, in Eureka, California with his daughter Debi by his side.

He began his education in one room schoolhouses, where his mother was the teacher, at various locations in the mountains east of Eureka. He loved to ride horseback all over the countryside, especially Chaparral Mountain.

Harry went to Fortuna High School and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 where he was stationed in the Philippines during World War II. After serving our country he returned to Scotia to work as a heavy equipment operator at Pacific Lumber Company for 20 years as a logger and building roads in the woods.

During that time, he met the love of his life, Dorothy, at the Benbow Inn while she was on a bus trip from Chicago. It was love at first sight. They corresponded by mail for two years before he sent her an engagement ring. They were married in Chicago on December 23, 1950, then he brought her to California to begin their life together in Rio Dell. Harry and his wife Dorothy enjoyed gardening and taking care of their home. They loved to picnic in many beautiful places in Humboldt County.

After he left the Pacific Lumber Company he worked as an operating engineer for several highway construction companies throughout Northern California. One of his achievements before retirement was earning his General Engineering Contractor license. He also enjoyed working for the California Grand Juror’s Association in 2012 and 2013. His organizational memberships included: 50-year member of the Operating Engineers Union in Eureka, and 50-year masonic affiliation Eel River Empire Lodge #147, Shriners International, and Scottish Rite.

After retirement Harry enjoyed the study of gemology and became a GIA certified gemologist. He enjoyed helping restore historical logging equipment, particularly yarders. He loved animals, birds, nature, and looking for agates at the beach with Dorothy and Debi.

He is survived by his daughter Debi, numerous nieces and nephews, and good friends. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife Dorothy, his parents, brother Sam, sister-in-law Marian, and many lifetime friends.

Harry will be greatly missed, there will be a family graveside service at a future date. A special thank you for Dr. Tamara Douglass, the staff at Providence St. Joseph in Eureka, Tom Renner of Ring’s Pharmacy, and Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers please consider donating to one of Harry’s favorite charities in his memory:

Shriners Hospitals for Children
Attn: Shriners Hospitals for Children
PO Box 947765
Atlanta, GA 30394
https://lovetotherescue.org/

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

Debbie quietly passed from this life on the morning of November 12, 2022 at the age of 70, at her home in Eureka.

She was born February 11, 1952 to Kenneth Eugene and Naomi Ruth Klingel in Tillamook, Oregon. Debbie graduated from Eureka High School Class of 1970, where she was the school athlete, goof-off and partier. She attended College of the Redwoods (sports program) for a short time and then moved to the Santa Rosa area for the next 10 years where alcoholism gained a strong hold on her. She then moved to Lincoln City, Oregon and ultimately attended Alcoholics Anonymous. She remained active in AA, where she sponsored/encouraged many people towards a life of sobriety. In 2008 she moved “back home” to live in Eureka.

Debbie accepted the Lord into her life at the age of 48, and with her relationship with Jesus she continued her journey to sobriety for the remainder of her life. She attained 23 years of sobriety and her family was very proud of her accomplishment.

She worked various jobs throughout her life, trying to find her niche. Landscaping was the most enjoyable. However, her longing to write children’s books was her true desire. With the writing and publishing of her first book, “The Jelly Bean Green Thing” she finally felt success in her life and this gave her a true sense of purpose.

Debbie was preceded in death by her mother, Naomi Ruth (Klingel) Aldrich, grandparents Ebley and Velma Carpenter, Theodore Klingel and Aslee McGuire.

She leaves behind her father, Kenneth Klingel, sister Janice (John) Scheffler, brother Jeffrey Klingel; Nieces, Marney (Ken) Tyler and Casi (Joshua) Crites; Nephews, Randy Scheffler and Kenneth (Chase) Scheffler; great-niece Brooklynn Scheffler; great-nephews Bryce, Benjamin and Parker Crites; Uncle Deon (Glenda) McGuire, Aunt Brenda (Roger) Rice and several cousins.

She dearly loved her family, friends and pets. Although we have loved and are experiencing the loss, she would surely remind us:

Don’t cry because I’m gone … but smile because I lived!

Debbie was cremated and her ashes will be scattered in the redwoods, where she always found solace and peace.

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

Our father, George Wayne Morris Sr., passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023, in Eureka at 89 years of age. He was a resident of Eureka for 47 years with his wife of 67 years Arlene Morris.

Dad was born in Mountain Home, Arkansas and moved with his family to Lodi, California in 1944. He graduated from Lodi High School in 1951. After high school he was drafted and served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. After his military service he began his career with Pacific Gas and Electric in Lodi. In his career he worked in Lodi, Stockton, Oakdale, Garberville and Eureka. He retired from PG&E after 35 years.

Dad’s interests included golfing, woodworking, gardening, fishing and RV travel with our mom.

He is preceded in death by our mom Arlene on October 14, 2022, his mother and father, Mary and George Washington Morris, and his brothers Howard and Paul Morris. He is survived by his sister Linda Barker (Roger), his sons George Jr. (Kim), Jeffery (Cindy) and his daughter Michelle Steinman (Mitch), six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

A graveside memorial service will be held for Mom and Dad on March 3, 2023, at Oceanview/Sunset Memorial Park, 3975 Broadway, Eureka California, at 11 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Humboldt, 3327 Timber Fall Ct., Eureka CA. 95503.

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

HUMBOLDT TODAY: The dealer from the largest bust in Humboldt Drug Task Force history is given his sentence, the Board of Supervisors look ahead to a busy meeting Tuesday, and apparently California sucks for dogs. Who knew? That and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.

FURTHER READING:

• Dealer From the Largest Bust in Humboldt Drug Task Force History Pleads to 18-Year Split Sentence, Including Six Years in the County Jail
• Making Electric Car Owners Pay for Roads, Building New Senior Housing, Not Privatizing Medicare and Other Things Too Will be Discussed at Tomorrow’s Board of Supervisors Meeting
• Teen Girl Followed by Man in Green Vehicle in McKinleyville; Sheriff’s Office Investigating
• Deputies Patrolling Dow’s Prairie Arrest Man Wanted for Robbery, False Imprisonment
• Fortuna Police Report Five K9 Unit-Assisted Arrests in Recent Days

Want to LISTEN to HUMBOLDT TODAY? Subscribe to the podcast version here.

PREVIOUSLY: Largest One-Time Seizure in Humboldt Drug Task Force History: 30 Pounds of Meth, 5.5 Pounds of Cocaine, 3 Pounds of Heroin, 2 Pounds of Fentanyl, 50 Pounds of Weed

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Lomeli Osuna booking photo

Sixty-nine-year-old Jose Santiago Lomeli Osuna received an 18-year sentence this morning per the terms of a plea deal for five counts of drug possession for sale. The charges stem from the largest one-time seizure of illicit substances in the history of the Humboldt County Drug Task Force. However, Mr. Lomeli Osuna will spend only a fraction of that 18-year term behind bars.

In handing down the sentence Judge Christopher Wilson explained that these nonviolent drug offenses entitle Lomeli Osuna to a split sentence, with up to half of his time to be spent in the county jail and the remainder under mandatory supervision. 

“The amount of controlled substances brought into the county is completely inexcusable and warrant Mr. Lomeli Osuna being excluded from the community for the lengthiest period of time that’s available to the court,” Wilson said. “That’s how dangerous this particular behavior was — and is.”

The maximum sentence for his crimes, which include possession for sale of large amounts of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine, is 18 years. However, per rule 4.415 of the California Rules of Court, Lomeli Osuna must be incarcerated in the county jail, rather than state prison. Wilson said that fact gave him pause.

“Eighteen years in the county facility is obviously not viable for a lot of different reasons,” he said. “One is that the county facility is not designed for long-term incarceration; it doesn’t have programs towards that.”

He also noted that Lomeli Osuna is 69 years old and has a range of health problems, including diabetes, gallstones and high blood pressure. And since he’s not a U.S. citizen he’s not eligible for Medicare or other other forms of financial support. 

With the local community on the hook for Lomeli Osuna’s upkeep, likely including hospitalizations, Wilson decided to set his jail term at six years, with the assumption that he will be deported back to Mexico upon his release. 

He was arrested in Eureka in September following a year-long investigation into a large-scale drug trafficking organization. Drug Task Force agents served six search warrants at sites allegedly connected to Lomeli Osuna’s drug ring and wound up seizing:

• 30 pounds of methamphetamine  
• 5.5 pounds of cocaine
• 3 pounds of heroin
• 2 pounds of fentanyl
• 150 cannabis plants
• 50 pounds of processed cannabis
• $115,500 US Currency and
• 2 firearms.

In urging the court to give Lomeli Osuna more than six years behind bars, Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris pointed to this massive haul and said it included “enough fentanyl to kill almost everybody in Humboldt County.”

“The people would request a split sentence that encompasses more time in custody — over the halfway point,” Harris said.

Lomeli Osuna was represented by Humboldt County Conflict Counsel Meagan O’Connell, who communicated with her client through an interpreter. 

“Mr. Lomeli Osuna was somewhat desperate,” she told the judge. “His wife suffered from cancer. She did pass away while he was in custody. They were paying out-of-pocket for her care.”

O’Connell added that her client regrets his conduct and took responsibility by pleading to all the charges against him.

But Wilson noted that Lomeli Osuna had been sentenced on drug charges twice already — in 1999 and again in 2003, both times in Los Angeles County — and was deported both times, with the latter deportation coming after he’d completed a three-year prison sentence. 

“Deportation apparently does not equate to eliminating behavior that endangers the community,” Wilson remarked.

The judge also mentioned that according to Lomeli Osuna’s probation report, he initially denied being involved in the sales portion of the drug operation and said that “the United States was not listening or caring that he was not the main person in charge of those crimes and that he was taking the blame for everyone else.”

But Lomeli Osuna refused to tell authorities about anyone else who might be involved in the organization.

“Doesn’t work that way,” Wilson informed him in court this morning. “Either you are taking responsibility or, if you’re going to try to mitigate it by saying there’s other people involved with their higher ups, then at that point you have to tell us who they are.”

Wilson lamented the rules that tied his hands in sentencing, calling it “a gap in the legislation” that somebody who was trafficking in such large quantities of drugs is required to serve his incarceration term at the county jail.

But since that is the case, he said, “I think that the six-year term … is a reasonable amount of time for him to be out of the community prior to whatever happens to him next, which I assume will probably be his deportation.”

Wilson noted that Lomeli Osuna has two children living here in the community and thus may want to return here someday.

“I hope not,” the judge said, adding that doing so would likely be considered a violation of the terms of his mandatory supervision, which would likely send him to prison.

Lomeli Osuna has spent 138 days in custody, which gives him credit for double that amount — 276 days — pursuant to the “half time” credits spelled out in section 4019 of the penal code.

“I’m going to add an additional order here,” Wilson said before finalizing the sentence. “I know that sometimes early release is granted by the jail for various reasons.”

Not in this case, he said. “There is [to be] no early release without a court order.”

Lomeli Osuna, who’d sat quietly through most of the hearing, his face largely obscured behind a full white beard and his wrists cuffed together in his lap, was then escorted from the courtroom.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Jan. 29, 2023, at about 3:50 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on Nelson Way in McKinleyville for the report of a suspicious circumstance involving a juvenile.

The residents told deputies that their juvenile daughter was walking on Nelson Way when a man reportedly drove up in a green-colored vehicle, parked and exited the vehicle, and then began to follow the girl. The girl reportedly began screaming and ran away. 

Deputies were unable to locate the man or the vehicle in the area. However, through follow up investigation deputies have identified a possibly involved person, and that person has been contacted and questioned. 

This incident remains under investigation. Anyone with information about this incident or similar circumstances is asked to contact the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251. 

Community members are encouraged to talk to their children about practicing safe behaviors and preventing abduction. Learn how you can talk to your children about safety and download helpful resources at: https://www.missingkids.org/education/kidsmartz.