Humboldt Bay Fire release: 

At 0849 hours on Wednesday November 1st, 2023, Humboldt Bay Fire responded with 3 Engines, 1 Truck, and 2 Chief Officers to a residential structure fire at the 1200 block of Allard Ave. While responding to the initial call, we received a report of a possible disabled occupant inside of the residence that may need assistance in evacuating.

The first arriving Engine made entry into the structure and discovered fire coming out of the back side. The fire was quickly extinguished and it was confirmed that no occupants were inside. The remainder of smoke was ventilated and the entirety of the residence suffered heavy smoke and fire damage.

There were no civilian or Firefighter injuries. The fire was located and controlled within a few minutes of the arrival of the 1st Engine. Damages are estimated to be approximately $25,000. A fire investigation was conducted and the cause of the fire was determined to be accidental in nature.

Humboldt Bay Fire would like to thank our allied partners for their assistance during this incident; HCSO and PG&E. Humboldt Bay Fire reminds everyone to have working smoke detectors in their residence and change the batteries twice a year during daylight savings.

Press release from the Humboldt-Del Norte Medical Society:

Humboldt County internist Bruce Kessler, M.D., received the California Medical Association’s (CMA) most prestigious award, the Frederick K.M. Plessner Memorial Award. The award honors the California physician who best exemplifies the ethics and practice of a rural country practitioner.

Dr. Kessler first arrived in Humboldt County in 1978 and spent the next four decades providing a high standard of care and exhibiting qualities of excellence and kindness for his patients, many of whom are continually challenged by distance, terrain, poverty, and health literacy.

“Dr. Kessler deserves recognition for his excellence, compassion, leadership and commitment and for his ongoing joy and love of medical practice, which is rare in our current health care climate,” said Jennifer Heidmann, M.D., the medical director of Redwood Coast PACE. “He exemplifies what a doctor should be.” 

Both during his time as a practicing physician and after his retirement in 2018, Dr. Kessler worked to create and expand medical programs and services for rural residents who often struggle with access to care. 

“In the spirit of Dr. Plessner, whose legacy of compassion and innovation continues to inspire us, Dr. Kessler has demonstrated what it means to lead with wisdom, empathy, and boundless determination,” said CMA President Donaldo Hernandez, M.D. “Dr. Kessler has made a profound impact on, not only his patients, but his entire community.” 

“I think the biggest challenge in medical care in our county currently is manpower shortages,” said Dr. Kessler. “We have long waiting lists for patients waiting to see specialists in any one of a number of specialties.”

In 2015, the CEOs of St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka and Open Door Clinic Community Health Centers, the local federally qualified health center, began discussing pooling resources to create a family medicine residency program.

“I was asked to be part of the planning committee to plan for the residency program,” said Dr. Kessler. “And it’s been my privilege for the last eight years to work on the planning stage of the residency, and then for the last five years – when we’ve had our first, second, and finally third class of residents here – to be involved in teaching the residents.”

Dr. Kessler was also a key figure in bringing cancer care access to a region long deprived of it. He was part of a group of medical community leaders that applied for a $900,000 grant from the National Cancer Institute that led to the establishment of a radiation oncology program, a home-base hospice program and accreditation by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, which brought a tumor board to the region.

“We are all the beneficiaries of his dedication to doing the right thing for every patient in the most competent and kindest way possible, his determination to leave the academic world and the prestige and opportunity it presented, to come to an area where he made the biggest difference,” said Ellen Mahoney, M.D., who built on Dr. Kessler’s efforts to improve cancer care in Humboldt County. “He has been my hero now for over 45 years, and he richly deserves the recognition [the Plessner award] represents.” 

Dr. Kessler also serves on the board of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, a nonprofit that provides services, information, education and recreation for seniors, families and caregivers in Humboldt County; and is one of the founders of the Humboldt Bay Mycological Society, through which he has given lectures and led field trips discussing toxic mushrooms. 

Dr. Kessler is a native of New York and a graduate of Tufts University and Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. He served his medical residency in internal medicine at Stanford University Hospital in Palo Alto. 

“I wanted something more hands-on with people,” Dr. Kessler said of his decision to pursue medicine instead of science after college. “I can’t now have imagined a life better spent.”  

California Highway Patrol press release: 

On October 31, 2023, at approximately 0020 hours, a 2002 Chevrolet Silverado driven by Irving Alvarez was traveling southbound on US-101 just south of the entrance to Richardson’s Grove State Park. For reasons still under investigation, the driver of the Chevrolet traveled off the east road edge of US-101 and collided with a tree. The Chevrolet then overturned and came to rest on it’s roof within the northbound lane of US-101, with both occupants trapped inside the vehicle.

The driver of the Chevrolet was pronounced deceased at the scene by medical personnel. Upon being extricated, the passenger who sustained major injuries as a result of the crash was transported to Providence St. Joseph hospital for further medical care.

This crash remains under investigation by the California Highway Patrol, Garberville Area.

The following agencies responded to the scene and assisted with this incident: Garberville Volunteer Fire Department, Redway Volunteer Fire Department, Garberville CAL-FIRE, Southern Humboldt Technical Rescue, and City Ambulance of Eureka.

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Pacific Gas and Electric Co. will host a virtual town hall for North Coast residents this Wednesday evening to discuss proposed rate hikes.

On Nov. 2, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is expected to vote on two rate proposals submitted by PG&E, a part of the state’s once-every-four-years review of the utility provider. One proposal seeks to increase PG&E’s revenue by 13 percent, which would increase monthly power bills by an estimated $28 per month on average by 2026, according to the Associated Press. The second would increase the company’s revenue by 9 percent, resulting in a $24 monthly increase.

Members of the public will have a chance to ask PG&E officials questions about the proposed rate hikes and other regional news during tonight’s meeting. More information can be found below.

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Press release from PG&E:

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) invites North Coast Region customers to a virtual town hall to learn more about work in their region and discuss tips for safety and energy savings.  

On Wednesday, November 1 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., PG&E experts, including Regional Vice President for PG&E’s North Coast, Dave Canny, will provide a brief presentation during which participants will have the opportunity to ask questions.

The event can be accessed through the below link, by phone or through PG&E’s website, pge.com/webinars. 

In our meeting this quarter, we will also provide an update regarding a pair of proposed decisions in the General Rate Case by the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The proposed decisions would drastically reduce PG&E’s undergrounding plans of more than 2,000 miles between now and 2026.

American Sign Language interpretation will be available, along with dial-in numbers for those who aren’t able to join online. For the full webinar events schedule, additional information on how to join and recordings and presentation materials from past events, visit pge.com/webinars.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is a combined natural gas and electric utility serving more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit pge.com and pge.com/news.

It is with such heavy hearts and sadness we share that Brook Westman passed away surrounded by her family and friends in Blocksburg, at the tender age of 32 on Monday, Oct. 23. Brook passed after a courageous battle with cervical cancer. She faced it with incredible grace, and independence even when she was in heightened pain.

Brook was a loving daughter, granddaughter, niece, cousin and friend to many. She is survived by her mother, Patricia Guglielmina; stepfather, Terry Akin; uncle, Glen Guglielmina (Tami); uncle John Carr and family; aunt Julie Noel (Kirk); aunt Rae Akin; cousins Vincent and Anthony Guglielmina, Amber, Ashley and Kyle Noel, Shasta and Azalea McNaughton, Jasmine and Lily Carr; extended family, Misty Wyatt, Echo Wyatt, Breanna, Brennan and Kaitlyn Miller, Tanner, Brayden and Scarlett. Her grandparents, Herb and Irene Guglielmina, were local dairy farmers in Grizzly Bluff. She was preceded in death by her father, Bryan Westman, and her grandparents, Richard and Carol Westman and Herb and Irene Guglielmina.

Brook was born and raised in Fortuna and attended Fortuna elementary schools. She then moved with her mother, Patti, and stepfather, Terry Akin, to Paradise, Calif., where she completed her high school education. She was a survivor of the Nov. 8, 2018 Paradise fire when her home was burned to the ground.

Brook worked as a beautician in Reno, managing a local salon. She began her career cutting and styling women’s hair but learned that she preferred cutting and styling men’s hair more! She said with a smile, “Us women are a bit more particular about our hair”

She was described by her great-aunty as a “little brilliant light.” When she was a baby, crying wasn’t her mission. She woke up with a smile. It was as though she had a mission to spread joy. Brook loved the water and loved to swim. She was like a little fish. One of her last wishes was to swim in the Eel River, a place that brought wonderful memories for her. Brook had a love for adventure. She loved to go four-wheeling with her cousins and enjoyed the outdoors with her aunties and cousins.

The love that surrounded Brook in the last weeks of her life was a sure testimonial of who she was. To all who shared their lives with Brook, she was a beacon of light and we are all blessed to have had the privilege of knowing her. Brook had a wide circle of friends. She touched the hearts of many with her kind spirit, and her infectious smile.

Brook was a strong young woman. She knew what she wanted and remained stoic in staying consistent with her wishes. Even during her own suffering, Brook remained the epitome of politeness and grace. The nurses in the hospital said she always said “Please” and “Thank you” even when her pain was at a ten.

While we grieve the loss of Brook, we must also celebrate the life she lived. Her memory will forever serve as a reminder of the importance of kindness and courage. As we carry her legacy forward, may we learn from her example, embracing every day with the same strength, grace, and independence that she embodied throughout her life.

Brook leaves behind a loving family and a big circle of friends whose lives were profoundly touched by her presence. Her memory will live on in the stories we share, the kindness we extend to others, and the love we continue to feel.

Brook will be interred at Ferndale Cemetery. Arrangements by Goble’s Fortuna Mortuary. The family will be having a celebration of life at a date will be determined later.

Rest in peace, sweet Brook. You were taken from us far too soon, but your legacy will remain eternal.

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Mary Lou Bravo (Curtis)
July 17, 1946 – October 23, 2023

Mary Lou Bravo (Curtis) changed her address to Heaven on Oct. 23 in Fortuna with her dear family by her side.

Mary Lou was born on July 17, 1946 to Ted and Phyllis Curtis. She was the second of eight children. She was God’s gift to her family in humor, fun and caregiving. She lit up every room with her carefree, sparkling personality and humor. Everyone knew the seriousness was gone and the fun had begun! Mary was loved by everyone and she will be deeply missed.

She attended two different one-room country schools near Karnak, N.D. In junior high, she attended Hannaford School and then the family made a move to Valley City, N.D., where she graduated from high school in 1964. She had so many friends and often made it back there for their reunions. After graduation, she attended Valley City State College, majoring in Elementary Education.

She moved to California with her sister Erleen, with an invitation from their cousin, Jan Willson. Her parents came out six months later and bought the elderly resident care facility, Haven of Rest, in Fortuna. They had always wanted to move to California, where they remained the rest of their lives. Mary Lou and her sister, Bonnie, moved to the San Francisco Bay Area, where she worked as a nurse’s aide at Eden Hospital in Castro Valley. She later moved back to Eureka, where she went to work for her parents as the greatest nurse to the elderly they had ever had.

Mary Lou married Lanny Bravo in April of 1979. They went on to have two wonderful sons, Lance and Chad. She was an amazing mother and caregiver, but she always managed to find time in her busy schedule to meet up with her friends for a round of golf, a competitive game of pool, or a fun night at the bowling alley. Mary was also one of the Golden State Warriors’ biggest fans. She would always try to catch every game on TV and even got to make it to one game in person to see her all-time favorites, Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson.

Mary is survived by her two sons, Lance (Laurie) and Chad (Alyssa), beautiful grandchildren, Tyler, Mariah, Elijah, Noah and a baby on the way. Mary Lou is also survived by seven brothers and sisters, Erleen Staley (Warren); Bonnie Mabon (Lon); Joel Curtis, (Rachel), Ginny Thompson (Tom); Rachel Graybill (Dan); Esther Curtis; John Curtis (Lorraine) and numerous nieces and nephews. Mary is predeceased by her parents, Ted & Phyllis Curtis, grandparents and numerous cousins, aunts and uncles.

A gathering to share memories and stories will be held on Sunday, November 12, 2023, at 1 p.m., at the Fortuna River Lodge, 1800 Riverwalk Dr, Fortuna, CA 95540.

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PREVIOUSLY:

• Sheriff’s Office Seeks Public Help Locating Two People Missing From Property Near Willow Creek

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

As of 10/24/23, an arrest warrant was issued for Tyler Burrow out of Trinity County Sheriff’s Office for PC 245(a)(1): Assault with a Deadly Weapon. This warrant is not connected to the disappearance of Bailey Blunt. If Tyler is located, please approach with caution, and contact law enforcement.

Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding Blunt or Burrow’s possible whereabouts is asked to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office - Major Crimes Division at (707) 445-7251, reference case numbers 20230449 and 202304457. For information regarding the Trinity County criminal investigation, please contact Trinity County Sheriff’s Office: 101 Memorial Dr., Weaverville, CA. Phone: (530) 623-2611.