Bernie passed away peacefully in Eureka on January 6, 2023.

Bernie was a lifelong resident of Humboldt County. She graduated from Arcata High School in 1957 and went on to Humboldt State College before she went to work in the insurance industry.

She worked for the Walter Warren Agency, the Harlan Hanson Agency and then finished her career with the Robert Graham Agency.

After her retirement Bernie and her husband of 40 years, Jerry Jorgensen, volunteered for “Sheriffs Citizens On Patrol” — SCOP.

For the next 16 years she and Jerry were dedicated volunteers and Bernie became a Captain with SCOP, and this was her finest moment.

Lt. Dennis Young from HCSO was her hero.

In 2016 she was honored with “Woman Of The Year” from the Sheriffs Department.

She was very proud of her service and her stories and memories were very important to her.

She is survived by and will be missed by her husband Jerry Jorgensen of Eureka, her niece Kathleen Nelson of Central Point, Oregon and her niece Elaine Browne of Seattle, Washington.

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

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As earthquake recovery efforts continue throughout Humboldt County, local officials are having a difficult time finding federal funding opportunities to help displaced residents. In an effort to provide immediate relief to impacted communities, the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a $1 million funding request to help folks get back on their feet.

The funding allocation will come from the Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF), which was established by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021 to serve as a general revenue enhancement program in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As explained in the staff report, the fund provides “broad discretion on uses of the funds,” which can be used for programs, services and capital expenditures that would traditionally fulfill “a government purpose.” 

Earlier this week, state Senator Mike McGuire and Assemblymember Jim Wood, in partnership with the California Office of Emergency Services and California Department of Housing & Community Development, announced $3 million in available funding to help rehabilitate damaged homes and assist with basic needs. 

However, earthquake-related damages are expected to “near or surpass $10 million,” according to County Administrative Officer Elishia Hayes. “These funds, if approved for allocation by your board, have a great deal of flexibility, which is prudent right now,” she said.

First District Supervisor Rex Bohn quickly made a motion to approve the funding request but asked how the funding would be dispersed. Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell offered a second.

The county has identified a recovery officer who will coordinate and distribute the funding resources. Staff is still working to “fully assess the data of who has been impacted,” Hayes said, to ensure the funds are used “in the most efficient and effective manner.”

“Some of the dollars coming down from the state are going to have some pretty specific parameters around them, in terms of household income and whether they are owner-occupies properties,” she said. “[Staff] will return to your board at a future date to lay out more specifics on what that looks like.”

Bohn expressed support for the funding allocation but said, “‘In the future’ or ‘down the road’ are things I hate to hear. I want to get things done tomorrow.”

“Timewise I would say 30 days maximum, is our hope,” Hayes said. “I completely recognize the board’s concern – specifically Supervisor Bohn and Supervisor Bushnell, whose districts were most impacted – on the urgency of these funds. [We] are fully committed to getting those funds out the door as soon as possible, while also setting realistic expectations of what we are able to do.”

The board passed the funding allocation in a unanimous 5-0 vote. 

Earlier in the meeting, the board took a few minutes to recognize the “hardworking bunch” of building inspectors who responded to Rio Dell immediately following the earthquake.

“When I got to Rio Dell on the morning of December 20 … we had a lot of damage to structures and the only thing I could think of was, ‘I need building inspectors,’ and I called Director Ford and he didn’t hesitate, nor did his inspectors,” Bushnell said. “They [were] the first people to respond to people and inspect their homes and tell them, at times, that they needed to leave. … I could tell that it was emotional for them and it was hard, you know, to tell someone [they have] to leave [their] home. It meant so much to the City of Rio Dell and I just really want to thank you.”

Tuning in via Zoom, Rio Dell City Manager Kyle Knopp joined Bushnell in thanking the group of building inspectors, noting that they “don’t necessarily get enough credit for the work they do.”

“They save lives every day and often their work goes unnoticed,” Knopp said. “I think it’s really important to note that the … aftershocks tend to cause more damage than the initial event and that’s what we were afraid of, another aftershock coming in with people in structures that should be red-tagged. It was really through John Ford’s crew that we were able to get to those structures and make sure people were aware that their homes were unsafe and they were put into a safe position.”

While going door to door inspecting homes immediately following the Dec. 20 earthquake, one of the building inspectors, Rob Edwards, rescued a woman who was stuck in her home.

“I heard ‘help’ so I pushed the door in,” Edwards told the board. “I’m like, ‘I’m here, I’m a building inspector,’ and, you know, it’s pitch black. This was a lady who had MS [multiple sclerosis] and her electric wheelchair has died and it was jammed in her doorway. … She was okay. She’s like, ‘I’m just scared,’ so I held her hand, I called [the] fire [department] and they came right away. We moved the wheelchair and I don’t know if she [had been] there since the earthquake or the power outage but it was pretty sad, she was pretty scared. But thank god we were going door to door.”

The board gave the building inspectors a standing ovation and unanimously approved the request for recognition.

Legislative Platform for 2023

Almost every year, as a part of the usual beginning-of-the-year housekeeping duties, the board discusses the county’s positions and priorities for our state and federal representatives. The document, known as the legislative platform, details the county’s official stance on various legislative requests, ranging from public safety to more specific issues like offshore wind.

“Each platform in this document is a plea advocating for changes to issues that are affecting the county,” said Deputy County Administrative Officer Sean Quincey. “As you’re aware, the provisional winners of the two offshore wind lease areas off the Humboldt coast were announced in December. In November, your board adopted a resolution stating some of the principles that the county will adhere to as the project progresses. Therefore, this platform supports collaborative development of offshore wind with local stakeholders, mitigation of impacts related to development and compensation for unavoidable impacts.”

After consulting with state and federal advocacy firms – Shaw Yoder Antwih Schmelzer & Lange, Inc. and Paragon Government Relations – county staff included several other “new and noteworthy” items in the 2023 legislative platform.

“This includes platforms around cannabis cultivation and efforts to support small farms, climate resilience and infrastructure to support clean energy and zero emission goals, funding for abandoned vehicles and funding for indigenous legal defense,” Quincey continued. “It’s important for your board to provide input and direction into the legislative platform as it is an influential policy-directing statement.”

The board took issue with several items listed on the legislative platform, ranging from ongoing issues with PG&E’s electricity transmission limits to one of the community’s most contentious issues: the Richardson Grove Improvement Project. 

Fifth District Supervisor and Board Chair Steve Madrone indicated he would vote against the entire legislative platform if the document included supportive language for the project. On the contrary, Bushnell said she would not vote for the document “unless we have a discussion of possibly keeping [it].”

After a bit of back and forth, Madrone eventually suggested the board return to the subject at a future board meeting to provide ample time for board members to share feedback with staff. Bushnell made a motion to return to the legislative platform in two weeks, during the board’s Jan. 24 meeting. Arroyo offered a second and the motion passed 5-0.

The board also embarked on its annual ritual of appointing members to various boards, committees and commissions for the calendar year. The board discussed around 40 appointments over the course of an hour or so and eventually came to a consensus.

Myrtle Avenue Mini-Storage Center 

Toward the end of the meeting, the board considered a few zoning reclassification requests. The first two, for Hansen Family Agricultural Preserve and Hunter Ranch Agricultural Preserve, respectively, were unanimously approved after a brief discussion from the board. The final item – a zone reclassification, lot line adjustment and conditional use permit request for a proposed mini storage center at the intersection of Lucas Street and Myrtle Avenue – garnered much more attention.

The General Plan amendment and zone reclassification, brought forth by J&J Family, LLC, would allow a 9,000 square-foot portion of the 2.1-acre property currently designated Residential Medium Density to be designated Commercial General.

“The home and garage in the northeast corner would become its own separate parcel,” according to the staff report. “The remaining structures on the south end of the project site would be removed and replaced with an office/caretaker building. The office/caretaker building would be 1,800 square feet on the first floor and 1,800 square feet on the second floor. The remaining commercial area would be developed and used as a mini-storage center.”

The Humboldt County Planning Commission voted 5-0 to recommend that the Board of Supervisors approve the project. However, Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson immediately took issue with the project, emphasizing the critical need for housing in Humboldt County.

Bushnell asked the property owner, Jim Paye, whether he had encountered any pushback from his neighbors over the project proposal. He said the only substantial feedback he had received was for a request for no low-income housing to be built on the property.

Fourth District Supervisor Natalie Arroyo reiterated the need for housing, specifically high-income housing. She suggested the board compromise and allow for a multi-zone designation with an overlay to accommodate housing in the future.

The board went back and forth for about an hour before Arroyo eventually made a motion to direct staff to bring the item back at a future date and consider whether or not a zoning overlay would be feasible. The motion was seconded by Bushnell. After a few final comments, the board voted 3-2 with Bohn and Bushnell casting the dissenting votes.

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You can find a recording of Tuesday’s meeting at this link.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Jan. 10, 2023, at about 11:17 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies on patrol in the Willow Creek area conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by two people.

When deputies contacted the occupants, the passenger, later identified as 26-year-old Matthew Dewayne Clyde Richards, provided deputies with a false name. During their investigation, deputies found Richards to be in possession of over 3 grams of suspected fentanyl and drug paraphernalia. Richards was also found to have an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest.

Richards was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a narcotic controlled substance (HS 11350(a)), possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia (HS 11364) and false identification to a peace officer (PC 148.9(a)), in addition to warrant charges of felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(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.

PREVIOUSLY:

• “Scanner Traffic Indicates,” Jan. 10.

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A 19-year-old man was arrested last night after allegedly breaking into the Big 5 Sporting Goods store on Broadway and attempting to steal a shotgun and ammunition.

Police arrived as the man — Kaleb Anton Tufts — was leaving the store and the suspect did not comply with officers’ instructions, according to Eureka Police Department spokesperson Brittany Powell. He was eventually taken into custody by force.

Powell says police were notified when employees who were closing the store at about 10 p.m. heard windows being shattered and a man entering.

Police later determined that Tufts had attempted to steal a different shotgun from the same store earlier in the day.

Environmentalists slammed Gov. Gavin Newsom for slashing billions of dollars from initiatives that the governor has repeatedly called top priorities: efforts to combat climate change and transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Facing a projected $22.5 billion deficit, Newsom today proposed to eliminate $6 billion in climate spending in his 2023-24 budget. The governor helped push a five-year $54 billion climate package approved by the Legislature during last year’s session, but he now proposes to cut it to $48 billion.

More than half of those proposed cuts – $3.3 billion – come from the state’s clean transportation initiatives. Newsom hopes to offset those reductions with federal funds and perhaps a new bond reserve, but the move comes just five months after the state approved a historic mandate for electrifying cars.

Now climate advocates are questioning whether the state will be able to fund its ambitious electrification efforts and ensure California transitions to clean cars as it faces an economic downturn.

“We recognize the financial situation, but this is exactly what we’ve been nervous about,” said Mike Young, political and organizing director at California Environmental Voters, an advocacy group. “We actually need to be investing and defending more of our climate investments and really pushing for that. We can’t get out of our situation if we’re going backwards.”

Money for zero-emission vehicle incentive programs, such as rebates for car buyers, and charging infrastructure would be cut by $2.5 billion. About $1.4 billion of that amount would be shifted to the state’s fund for its cap-and-trade program, a market that is paid into by fossil fuel companies. That leaves a net decrease of $1.1 billion.

“We’re committing a $48 billion package, which is just an unprecedented investment in this space.”
— Gov. Gavin Newsom

At a press conference today, Newsom said he is not concerned that the $1.1 billion cut would keep the state from meeting its electrification goals. He said climate and transportation was cut “because of the magnitude” of the investment those areas already had. He added that he is confident that California could make up those shortfalls with federal Inflation Reduction Act dollars. His budget plan also says he might ask the Legislature for a bond issue.

“We’re committing a $48 billion package, which is just an unprecedented investment in this space,” he said. “Our commitment is firm.”

Still, those dollars would have been used to build more charging stations in disadvantaged communities and provide electric car subsidies for people who cannot afford to buy electric cars.

The cuts would also affect the construction of chargers and other infrastructure for heavy-duty trucks, a much-needed investment as the state considers another ambitious proposal to ban sales of high-polluting diesel trucks and phase in zero-emission models. The proposed budget cuts $1.5 billion from the general fund and shifts responsibility for $839 million of those dollars to the state’s cap-and-trade fund. Another $2.2 billion in funds would be cut from transportation spending for some rail and public transit projects.

David Weiskopf, senior policy advisor at NextGen Policy, a progressive climate group, worries that the state’s reduced investments could delay much-needed action on climate change. He said a steady funding stream is necessary to prevent fluctuations in climate investments, especially as the state continues to experience the increasingly dire effects of climate change, which has led to worsening heat waves, droughts and floods.

“Climate needs to be central to every agency’s mission and budget,” Weiskopf said. “Until we adopt a more comprehensive approach, the fate of our state remains tied to the hope that we have only good budget years.”

Several legislators contacted by CalMatters today did not respond to questions about the governor’s proposed cuts to the climate budget.

Newsom’s top environmental official, Secretary for Environmental Protection Yana Garcia, said low-income communities will still be prioritized. She said the budget cuts are minimal and that proceeds from future cap-and-trade auctions can play a large role in helping fund these investments.

“Despite the hard decisions we had to make this year I’m proud that we’ve continued to prioritize our zero emission vehicle investments related to equity,” she said. “The proposed budget includes a continued focus on heavy-duty zero emission vehicles and charging infrastructure as well, given the pollution these vehicles spew into communities.”

“Climate needs to be central to every agency’s mission and budget. Until we adopt a more comprehensive approach, the fate of our state remains tied to the hope that we have only good budget years.”
— David Weiskopf, NextGen Policy

Newsom shifted much of the funding burden to the state’s landmark cap-and-trade program, which has faced heavy criticism from legislators and activists. The program allows big polluters such as oil refineries and power plants to buy credits to offset their emissions. Businesses that produce excess emissions can buy or trade credits that allow them to keep polluting.

The biggest problem is that an oversupply of credits in the system allows businesses to hoard. That means businesses can keep polluting far past state limits in later years — which could also result in low allowance prices and reduced revenue from auctions, according to the Legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal advisers.

Environmentalists say the state can’t afford to eliminate any investments given the severity of the climate crisis.

“Every dollar that we have to delay means accepting greater harm – losing $6 billion in climate funding unquestionably hurts the state more in the long-term than it saves in the near term,” Weiskopf, of NextGen Policy, said.

Young, of California Environmental Voters, said environmentalists had long been planning for a potential deficit and were hopeful that the passage of Proposition 30 could have secured long-term funding for much-needed investments in zero-emission vehicles. But the ballot measure failed in November after Newsom opposed it. It would have raised as much as $5 billion annually by imposing a 1.75% personal income tax increase on Californians with incomes above $2 million per year. Most of that money was set aside for zero-emission car subsidies and more charging stations.

Environmentalists who campaigned on behalf of the measure had long feared California’s financial challenges and budget shortfalls could further delay the state’s move toward electric vehicles, said Young, who worked on the Prop 30 campaign.

“Our goal for Prop. 30 was always to build stable financial funding for this, because we knew that this would be coming ahead and unfortunately, it came sooner than later,” he added.

Newsom’s proposed budget release comes as California experiences a deadly bout of intense rain and flooding. The governor allocated new funding towards flood preparedness and response, including $135 million for the next two years to reduce urban flooding. Delta levees will also get $40.6 million for repairs and upgrades.

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CalMatters.org is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media venture explaining California policies and politics.

Connie Sue Beattie
Oct. 27, 1950 – Dec. 5, 2022

Our sweet Connie Sue was born October 27, 1950 in Lebanon, Oregon to Barney and Katherine Cox. She was the first born of her parent’s seven children. Connie was only a few months old when her parents moved to Eureka, where she graduated from Eureka High School in 1968. After high school she married Larry Beattie, with whom she shared three children — Troy, Aaron and Emily Beattie.

Connie was known far and wide for her 27 years she spent working at Alice Birney Elementary School in her roles as monitor and as a literary paraprofessional, as well as her work at Lafayette Elementary School as an after-school aide, and even her time she spent watching children at Jefferson Elementary School so that Spanish speaking parents could learn English. To know Connie was to hold a special place in her heart. She cared so deeply and passionately for all students who passed through, so much to where she never forgot the name of a single student she met and would often run into them wherever she went and would always know who they were. Many of times she would take students whose families could not afford much out to eat at the Angelo’s Pizza Parlor and give them money to play the games in the arcade.

Connie held many other careers, including housekeeping and caring for the elderly. She worked as a private caregiver for many years and was such a strong patient advocate and dedicated addition to the families. While her students and those she cared for were much of her passion, anyone who knew Connie knew her vast love for gardening and rocks. There was not a single parking lot, gravel pit, sidewalk, riverbank, beach, etc. where Connie could not find the most beautiful pebbles and stones, which she would spend much of her life collecting and filling her house with jars and her backyard with beautiful designs and patterns. Her backyard was something out of a magazine, with flowers of all varieties and colors.

Another of the many great passions in her life was traveling with her friends and family. Some her greatest stories came from her many road trips with her cherished friends Marsha Allen and Vicki Bozzoli.

Connie is preceded in death by her grandparents, Grandpa and Grandma Cox, as well as her Grandpa and Grandma Colbert; brother Kim (Buzz) Cox; nephew Chad Perkins; longtime friends Gloria Fanucchi, Rosemary Poletski and Nancy Delaney; as well as her many beloved pets who she thought of as her children.

Connie is survived by her parents Barney and Katherine Cox; brothers Tim, Jim, and Greg Cox; sisters Laura Huddleson (spouse Paul Huddleson) and Pamela Hardwick; children Troy Beattie (significant other Misty Brisco), Aaron Beattie (significant other Kaycee Fore), and Emily Manfredonia (significant other Jon Benton); grandchildren Miranda Benton, Nicholas Manfredonia, Mason Beattie (significant other Suzanna Church), Laycee Van Ness, Breauna Manfredonia (spouse Trent Prigmore), Madilynn Beattie (significant other Daniel Maxwell), Maycee Van Ness, Jonnie Benton, Austin Beattie, Conner Beattie, and Justin Benton; as well as great-grandchildren Blaike and Bryleigh Prigmore, DJ and Matthew Maxwell, Junior, Cassandra, Luis, Daniella, Roxanna (Roxy) and so many more nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles and friends that she loved so much.

Connie was the glue that held the family together and there are no words descriptive enough for the loss we are all feeling. We will carry her memory with us in everything we do.

A celebration of life is going to be held Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka at 1 p.m. We ask that anyone that shared a fond memory of Connie or even just remembered the warmth of her presence, come join us in our final goodbyes and celebrating her life; any and all are welcomed, just as she would want. Please contact Emily Manfredonia to RSVP at 707-498-0672.

The family would also like to extend a major thank you to the Humboldt Bay Fire Department, Humboldt County Sheriff Department, the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office, the staff at Redwood Coast PACE, Providence Home Health, and so many more that cared for Connie on her journey through this life to the end.

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

Sentencing was postponed today for an Arcata man arrested during a record-setting drug bust in September.

Judge Kaleb Cockrum said he prefers that Jose Lomeli Osuna be sentenced by retired Judge Christopher Wilson, who is expected to return as a visiting judge at some point. In December Wilson said he planned to sentence Lomeli Osuna to 14 years, with six years in custody and the rest on mandatory supervision.

Lomeli Osuna.

Then-District Attorney Maggie Fleming strongly objected, saying Lomeli Osuna, 69, deserved much more time behind bars.

Today Deputy District Attorney Ian Harris reiterated to Cockrum that the prosecution disagrees with Wilson’s plan.

Lomeli Osuna pleaded guilty in December to all charges and special allegations. He has two prior convictions for drug trafficking.

On Sept. 9 the Humboldt County Drug Task force served warrants at six different locations, seizing a total of 30 pounds of meth, 5.5 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of heroin, 2 pounds of Fentanyl, 150 marijuana plants, 50 pounds of processed marijuana, two revolvers and more than $100,000 in cash.

Under new California law, people convicted of selling, transporting or possessing drugs for sale cannot be sent to state prison. That means Lomeli Osuna would have to serve the time in Humboldt County Correctional Facility, which may not be feasible.

Cockrum, commenting on Wilson’s proposed sentence, said “it’s not impossible.”

But he also said he believes other sentences, including higher sentences, may be more appropriate.

Because it’s not known when Wilson might be back on the bench, no new sentencing date was scheduled. A status hearing was set for Jan. 24.

Lomeli Osuna is represented by Conflict Counsel Meagan O’Connell.

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