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Dozens of tribal leaders and state legislators gathered on the steps of the State Capitol in Sacramento this morning to demand justice and legislative action to address California’s Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) crisis as a part of the second annual MMIP Day of Action. 

Yurok Chairman Joe James and Vice Chair Frankie Myers were among today’s speakers, along with Wilmut Rancheria Chairman Jesus Tarango, Senate President Pro Tempore Mike McGuire, Assemblymember Jim Wood, Assemblymember James Ramos, Yurok Tribal Police Chief Greg O’Rourke, Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal, and family members of MMIP victims and survivors.

Yurok Chairman Joe James | Screenshot

“MMIP is nothing new to indigenous people,” James said. “It’s been going on for decades – all the way back to boarding schools, and then some. … We’re here today for a call of action with our brothers and sisters … because it’s going to take a family to move the needle. It’s going to take all of us here in attendance, all of us watching. We have made great strides but we still [have] a lot of work to do. We have a responsibility as people to keep providing change and move the needle for indigenous people.”

California has the fifth highest number of MMIP cases in the United States, the vast majority of which involve young women and girls. In recent years, tribal leaders have pushed for legislation to reduce risks to indigenous children through bills such as AB 273, introduced by Ramos, which was vetoed by Gov. Gavin Newsom last year.

“We have tribal leaders, tribal members and advocates speaking out on the MMIP crisis … and now we call on the state of California to follow suit and declare a state of emergency,” Ramos said. “When you’re number five of all states in the nation … there has to be a cry for action, a cry for help and a cry to start to set the boundaries to make sure that these things are being taken from the highest level down. … Today is about reaching out to legislators to increase their awareness about this issue and about proposed legislation that builds upon previous success.”

McGuire called for state legislators to “invest in native communities in every corner of the Golden State,” through education, housing, economic development and greater access to health care. 

“We’re going to keep pushing forward to get these [MMIP] cases solved [to] ensure that no one is forgotten,” he added.

Press release from the Contractors State License Board:

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) joined forces with the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office in a recent undercover operation targeting unlicensed contractors.

The sting operation was conducted in the Eureka area during severe storms in early February. It resulted in four individuals receiving a Notice to Appear in criminal court for allegedly conducting contracting activities without the required license. They now face fines and possible jail time.

CSLB and law enforcement officials cited the four individuals for submitting bids that exceeded the legal limit of $500. The bids ranged from $1,400 for an interior paint project to $12,000 for deck work.
According to California law, if unlicensed individuals advertise for construction contracting services, they must clearly state they are unlicensed and cannot bid on a contract for work valued at more than $500, including labor and materials.

“It’s important to hire licensed contractors for any home improvement project, especially after a storm when unlicensed contractors may take advantage of consumers looking to repair their homes,” said David Fogt, CSLB Registrar. “That’s why CSLB educates consumers on how to protect themselves by hiring a licensed contractor – it takes just a few minutes to find a licensed contractor in California.”

After this sting operation, one individual faces an additional recommended obstruction of justice charge. Investigators say this person posted information about the sting operation on social media right after leaving the sting site despite being told not to do so.
For further information or to report suspected unlicensed contractor activities, please visit the CSLB website at www.cslb.ca.gov or contact CSLB toll-free at 1-800-321-CSLB (2752).

For ongoing information and updates from CSLB, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Press release from Friends of the Dunes:

​​Love takes flight along the North Coast beaches as western snowy plovers prepare for the breeding season. As Valentine’s Day approaches, these avian companions embark on their unique journey of courtship.

The plover breeding season, spanning from March 1 to September 15, is drawing near along the picturesque North Coast beaches. Migratory western snowy plovers, some of whom ventured away for the winter, are making their way back as the breeding season approaches. While some plovers choose to migrate, others have chosen to spend the winter at or near their local breeding areas.

Male plovers invest considerable effort in charming their female counterparts during this critical period. To win over their potential mates, these males meticulously create multiple nests called “scrapes” – small, shallow cup-shaped depressions in the sand. They use their legs to kick out sand and their breasts to smooth out the shape. The males often adorn these scrapes with pebbles, small pieces of driftwood, and shells to help the scrape camouflage into its surroundings. The females play an active role in this romantic dance, testing out these scrapes before deciding on the ideal nesting spot.

Between migration, pair establishment, and daily survival (which is especially challenging during the winter storms), this is a big time of year for these little birds! To minimize additional stress that would negatively impact their success in any of these activities, please follow these guidelines:

• Know beach-specific dog rules before you go. If dogs are permitted, follow the leash rules. Prevent your dog(s) from chasing birds.
• Admire birds from afar. Do your best at giving birds distance.
• Leave no trace. Garbage attracts predators such as gulls, crows, ravens, and skunks. Please dispose of all trash properly and avoid inadvertently (or intentionally) feeding wildlife. Human food can make wildlife very sick.
• If you’re on a beach that allows vehicles, drive ‘low and slow’, staying on the hard-packed sand. Drive below the high tide line where plovers and other shorebirds forage. Avoid driving in other vehicle tracks; plovers often like to sit in vehicle track depressions.
• Walk on the wet, hard-packed sand below the wrack line (the line at the beach where the seaweed and marine debris gathers).
• Check and follow beach-specific camping and campfire regulations.

To balance recreational opportunities and wildlife protection along the North Coast, beach activities may be restricted to certain areas during the breeding season, March 1- September 15. You can do your part in protecting adults, chicks, and eggs by knowing and adhering to location-specific rules and regulations. For more information on the snowy plover and YOU, beach rules and regulations, beach access, and a user-friendly dog guide, explore the following links: 

• “The Snowy Plover and You” Video
• California Department of Parks and Recreation
• “Enjoying Humboldt’s Wild Places with Your Dog” Map 
  
• 29 Awesome Dog-Friendly Redwood Parks Guide
  
• South Humboldt Bay and Ocean Beach Access Information

Erin A. Chance Lincoln passed away on December 22, 2023, at the age of 80 years old. Erin was raised in Ferndale and graduated from Ferndale High School. She knew from an early age she wanted to be a registered nurse and spent many weekends playing the piano for her father’s band at various dance halls on Friday and Saturday nights followed by playing the organ for the church on Sundays in order to save for college. At the age of 18, she rode the bus north to Portland, Oregon and went to Emmanuel Hospital School of Nursing for the next two and a half years before graduating in 1964. She practiced nursing and health care administration for over forty years as an operating room RN, followed by her ministry as the Parish Nurse at Bethesda Lutheran Church in Eugene Oregon until she herself needed care.

In addition to her career in healthcare, Erin was profoundly proud of her Danish heritage. She was a 65-year member of Fjelddroning Lodge #131, Danish Sisterhood of America.

Erin was married for forty years to Herbert Lincoln, had two daughters; Nancy Lincoln and Lara Lincoln Savoie, as well as her sons-in-law Joseph Jean-Claude Ngando and Lee Savoie, who cared for her in her later years as she succumbed to the “long goodbye” of Alzheimer’s. She had three grandchildren Sarah and Brock Savoie, and Anna-Sophia Ngando Lincoln. Erin is preceded in death by her parents Paul and Erla Chance, and her younger sister Diane Chance Moran. Her surviving youngest sister, Polly Chance Stemwedel, and Aunt Eunice Sanborn still live in her hometown where she wishes to lay to rest.

On February 18 in Ferndale, interment will occur graveside at 12 p.m. at the Ferndale Cemetery with a memorial service to be held at 2 p.m. at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to The McCourt Foundation that raises funds to cure Neurological diseases. Memorial gifts can be made online by visiting mccourtfoundation.org

Her daughters would like to thank the caregivers of Element Care at the Market Street location in Lynn, Massachusetts for their incredible care of their mother during the last three years of her life. Donations in her honor can be made to the Element Care P.A.C.E. site, Market Street, written out to Element Care and with “Activities” written in the memo section of the check while sending it to 62 Market Street Lynn MA 01901.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Erin Lincoln’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here.

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Press release from the FBI field office in San Francisco:

The FBI San Francisco field office is working to raise awareness about online romance scams, also called confidence fraud. In this type of fraud, scammers take advantage of people looking for romantic partners on dating websites, apps, or social media by obtaining access to their financial or personal identifying information. Romance scams are prevalent, especially during this time of year.

In 2023, complaints filed with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) showed that victims within the FBI San Francisco division’s territory lost more than $27 million to romance scams.

Romance scam victims were reported in every county within the FBI San Francisco division’s territory last year. The county with the highest victim reporting count was Santa Clara County, followed by Alameda County, and Contra Costa County.

The county with the highest dollar amount loss was Alameda County, followed by Contra Costa County, and Santa Clara County. While Santa Clara County had 102 victim complaints filed with losses of over $6 million in 2023, Alameda County had only 68 complaints but incurred losses of over $9 million.

As in previous years, the age group with the highest victim reports within our region was 60 years and older, with a victim count of 138 and a dollar amount loss of over $14 million last year. While the total reported local victim count and dollar amount loss was lower in 2023 compared to 493 victims and losses of over $46 million in 2022, the actual numbers are likely much higher because many victims are too embarrassed to report they’ve been scammed.

The FBI San Francisco has seen a rising trend in which romance scammers are persuading individuals to send money to invest or trade cryptocurrency. After gaining the confidence and trust of the victim, the scammer then directs the victim to a fraudulent website or application for an investment opportunity. After the victim has invested an initial amount on the platform and sees an alleged profit, the scammers allow the victim to withdraw a small amount of money.

Eventually, the scammer instructs the victim to invest a more considerable amount. When the victim is ready to withdraw funds again, the scammers create reasons why this cannot happen. The victim is informed additional taxes or fees need to be paid, or the minimum account balance has not been met to allow a withdrawal. Sometimes, a “customer service group” gets involved, which is also part of the scam. Ultimately, victims cannot withdraw any money, and the scammers most often stop communicating with the victim after they cease to send additional funds.

2023 ROMANCE SCAM DATA

TOTAL:

• Loss: $27,278,098
• Victims: 397

Victims over 60:

• Loss: $14,722,438
• Victims: 138

Alameda County:

• Loss: $9,427,814
• Victims: 68

Contra Costa County:

• Loss: $6,776,481
• Victims: 65

Del Norte County:

• Loss: $0
• Victims: 1

Humboldt County:

• Loss: $248,398
• Victims: 10

Lake County:

• Loss: $1,800
• Victims: 3

Marin County:

• Loss: $285,105
• Victims: 9

Mendocino County:

• Loss: $5,000
• Victims: 3

Monterey County:

• Loss: $604,925
• Victims: 17

Napa County:

• Loss: $377,000
• Victims: 7

San Benito County:

• Loss: $1,500
• Victims: 2

San Francisco County:

• Loss: $1,611,997
• Victims: 45

San Mateo County:

• Loss: $1,420,341
• Victims: 29

Santa Clara County:

• Loss: $6,158,575
• Victims: 102

Santa Cruz County:

• Loss: $173,548
• Victims: 18

Sonoma County:

• Loss: $185,613
• Victims: 18

Tips to Protect Yourself:

• Never send money, trade, or invest per the advice of someone you have solely met online.
• Do not disclose your current financial status to unknown and untrusted individuals.
• Do not provide your banking information, Social Security Number, copies of your identification or passport, or any other sensitive information to anyone online or to a site you do not know is legitimate.
• If an online investment or trading site is promoting unbelievable profits, it is most likely that—unbelievable.
• Be cautious of individuals who claim to have exclusive investment opportunities and urge you to act fast.

If you believe you are a victim of a romance scam, the FBI recommends reporting the activity to the IC3 at ic3.gov and immediately contacting your financial institution.

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Well, that was nice while it lasted. 

After Humboldt enjoyed an unseasonably sunny weekend, the National Weather Service reports that the mild weather we’ve been experiencing will not continue, with moderate to heavy rain and gusty wind returning to our area this week.  Sigh.

“Rain and wind will return to the North Coast Wednesday with a relatively weak storm passing the area,” NWS Eureka posted to social media this morning. “Wind gusts will increase late Tuesday night into Wednesday with peak southerly gusts up to 40 mph in wind exposed areas. Moderate rainfall is expected with 1 to 2 inches on the high terrain of Humboldt and Del Norte, less elsewhere.” 

Though the rain starting mid-week will not be heavy, NWS warns of much more severe weather hitting our area next weekend that may be bring more hazardous rain, wind and flooding to most of California. 

“More impactful rain, wind, and snow is likely to return to Northwest California late next week into the following week, from February 16-21,” NWS posted over the weekend. “The NOAA NWS Climate Prediction Center is indicating a high risk of heavy rain/snow and moderate risk of strong winds.”

You can view more information on the storm expected this weekend to next week below.  Stay warm and dry, y’all. 

Press release from the Trinidad Rancheria:

The Cher-Ae Heights Indian Community of the Trinidad Rancheria (Trinidad Rancheria) proposes a range of roadway improvements in Humboldt County along United States Highway 101 (US 101) between post mile (PM) 99.6 and PM 101.1 (project). The proposed project would include improvements to the existing US 101/Trinidad-Main Street interchange; construction of a new US 101 interchange or a pedestrian overcrossing of US 101 at Cher-Ae Lane with no connection to US 101, and improvements to US 101 mainline and Scenic Drive.

The Trinidad Rancheria, a federally recognized tribe having a government-to-government relationship with the United States is not a public agency, and therefore cannot be the CEQA lead agency for this project. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) District 1, as the permitting agency, will be the lead agency under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and will be assuming responsibilities of lead agency for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) assignment. Caltrans plans to prepare a joint environmental document—an Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (known as an EIR/EA)—pursuant to CEQA and NEPA.

Scoping Process

The scoping process for the project includes early consultation with public agencies and the general public. A public scoping meeting is planned for February 20, 2024, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at The Heights Casino – Bingo Hall, 27 Scenic Drive, Trinidad, California. The meeting will provide interested parties the opportunity to learn about the proposed project and to submit comments to assist the project team in the Draft EIR development process. The meeting will be held in-person and not hybrid. The Trinidad Rancheria has hired a professional videographer and will make the recording available for viewing following the meeting.

Caltrans is accepting written comments until March 15, 2024, by mail and/or email at the addresses below.

Jason Meyer, Environmental Branch Chief
California Department of Transportation District 1
1656 Union Street
Eureka, CA 95501
trinidadaccess@dot.ca.gov

The Notice of Preparation with additional project information is available for review on the Trinidad Rancheria Tribal Website, https://trinidad-rancheria.org/news-announcements/, or you may request a copy by emailing, Leslie Sanders, Transportation and Land-Use Director at lsanders@trinidadrancheria.com.