A gentle start to the year (for both you and me): a quiz. Who spoke (or sang) the following?

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1. “I got you, you son of a bitch.”

2. “The rug really tied the room together.”

3. “Don’t talk to me about ‘the greater good,’ sunshine. I’m the archangel fucking Gabriel.”

4. “Clever girl.”

5. “You are … Wear the damn hat.”

6. “Yeah. I got invited to a Christmas party by mistake. Who knew?”

7. “But, soft! what light through yonder window breaks?”

8. “How much lab training do you have?” “I dissected a frog once.”

9. “You can’t handle the truth!”

10. “I coulda been a contender.”

11. “You talking to me?”

12. “Stella!”

13. “We have clearance, Clarence.”

14. “Play it once, Sam.”

15. “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.”

16. “92 years old and I’ve never watched a woman urinate.”

17. “There’s almost nothing a person can do that a computer can’t, except ride a horse.”

18. “No, Mr. … I expect you to die.”

19. “When you grow up, if you still feel raw about it, I’ll be waiting.”

20. “Once I had a love and it was a gas, Soon turned out to be a pain in the ass.”

21. “That’s the second album I ever bought!”

22. “If you don’t make mistakes, you aren’t really trying.”

Humboldt’s Queen of Quakes, Dr. Lori Dengler professor emeritus of geology at CalPoly Humboldt, joins Gang Green to break down the recent 6.4 magnitude rumbler. It wasn’t just you: that was a big one! It was the third most “shaky” recorded earthquake in California’s history (as measured by peak ground acceleration), with 1.46 g-force of acceleration. 

Why was Rio Dell harder hit when the earthquake was centered closer to Ferndale? Why did this earthquake feel much more violent than other past earthquakes (which may have had higher magnitudes)? And what lessons can we learn from this earthquake to keep us safer in the future?

PS: Check out Thomas Dunklin’s great virtual tour of the Mendocino Triple Junction.

Want more? 

• Earthquakes are not fun, make sure you are prepared for next one
• The complex relationship between small, large earthquakes

UPDATE 12:00 p.m.: It looks as though both highways are open to one-way controlled traffic, according to Caltrans Quickmap. 

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Our friends at Caltrans have informed us that both highways 299 and 36 are closed due to active rock slides this morning.

Highway 299 is closed in both directions at post mile 5.9, east of Hawkins Bar in Trinity County. Caltrans crews are on site conducting slide removal operations. There is currently no estimated time of reopening.

Highway 36 is closed in both directions near post mile 16.2, west of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park in eastern Humboldt County. There is no estimated time for reopening.

Keep an eye on Caltrans Quickmap or the Caltrans District 1 Facebook page for current road conditions. We will continue to update this post as well.

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A handful of local rivers are forecast to reach flood stage at some point today, including the Eel River at Fernbridge. As of this writing, Highway 211 remains open to one-way controlled traffic. You can find more information from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at this link.

Stay safe out there!

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Happy New Year!

Well, we made it through another year. Yay, and congratulations, I say!

Let’s celebrate. But first, we can take a moment and recognize the hot dumpster fire of the last few years and really appreciate where we are at, and all we have achieved and learned. This time of reflection hopefully brings everyone joy and happiness, and not despair or regret. Looking back at the timeline of this whole virus thing is traumatizing to say the least — I’m getting a headache just thinking about it. (UGH, should I test?)

Shout out to those who have been able to stick with the ever-changing recommendations and guidelines, those who have been able to roll with the punches, and to those who have adjusted their lives to bring some sense of normalcy to the absolutely NOT NORMAL.

OK, COVID is still here, so what’s new with that? Not a whole lot that we can do much about that I haven’t already discussed in prior months, but there is this:

If you still use antigen (at-home) tests to check your symptoms, there are a couple of resources from the FDA that may be helpful for you. One is a page with expiration date extensions that you can check if you have a stash of them at home that are set to expire.

The other is the page that talks about the best ways to use your antigen tests. Those tests are not as sensitive as the PCR tests that you can get at testing sites, and sometimes you need to test more than once to know for sure that you don’t have COVID. Reduce false negatives to see if you need to seek medical help.

COVID isn’t just hanging out alone anymore, ruining our day. In fact, the so-called triple-demic has hit the area, with the flu kicking a lot of people. Hard.

Do we need to talk about the flu? Influenza is a common seasonal respiratory virus that a vaccine is available for every single year. Since we are out of respiratory virus “shape”, from lack of exposure to the flu, because of COVID, people are really struggling with it.

The vaccine is available, and importantly, it looks like a good match this year to the circulating virus. Although the flu vaccine may not 100% prevent you from getting the flu, it can work to reduce the amount of misery you may experience with the flu. I still hear “it’s just a flu,” but I gotta tell you, I still remember the two times I had the flu like they were traumatizing events in my life. I remember the dates and everything. It’s not the miserable stuffy, runny nose, nagging cough, sleepy, want-to-take-a-nap cold that people sometimes think it is — it’s also not the 24-hour foodborne illness of vomiting and diarrhea that people say is “the stomach flu”.

It is a nightmare. “Felt like I was hit by a truck,” “wiped out,” “thought I was dying.” It’s definitely not something someone will be posting about on Facebook. If you are able to get onto Facebook, it’s probably not the flu.

I’ve also heard “the flu vaccine always gives you the flu.”

No. No it doesn’t. It could leave you with a mild fever, fatigue and headache, because your body is trying to get you ready for the real thing, but that usually only lasts 24 hours. No time to be sick? I hear ya. But I definitely don’t want to get the flu again. EVER.

Way back at the beginning of this article I promised you a celebration. And for me personally, I am going to celebrate a commitment to myself in the new year. But to make it joyous, instead of a chore, we need to be honest about our resolutions. Are they really healthy promises to ourselves, or anxiety-producing torture-bombs of more work and less fun?

For me, I’d like to learn more about this beautiful area I have lived in for 35 years or so. I think I’ll grab one of those “101 Things to do in Humboldt County,” go to the visitor’s center websites for Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, and make a plan to check out our area this year.

Exercise? Diet? Read a book? All of these are things I am open to and may explore, but I still tend to stay in my comfort zone. I want my resolutions to be attainable and emotionally satisfying. If joining the gym is your jam, I support you! If you want to plan a nice vacation, or more trips to the beach to relax and enjoy the beauty around us instead? I think that is truly a goal to be celebrated.

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Michelle Lewis-Lusso (she/her) is an Infection Prevention and Control nurse at United Indian Health Services, serving the 11,000+ clients and staff at their seven area clinics. She wishes you a Happy New Year and may see you on local trails in 2023, if the weather is nice.

Jerry L. Carson
September 8, 1935 – December 9, 2022

There will be a celebration of life for Jerry Carson on January 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Rio Dell Fire Hall. Drop in anytime to laugh, cry with us, share a story, have some food and beverage and honor our husband and dad and grandpa, Jerry Carson.

Jerry, Dad, Papa Jer, the Rev and a few other not so nice nicknames was born in Oakland, Oregon on September 8, 1935. Most of his childhood was spent in the Marysville and Brownsville areas of California. He helped his dad build a sawmill that provided lumber for the Diamond Match company. He was raised off and on by Elmer and Myrtle Cratty, his maternal grandparents whom he loved with all his heart for the stability and spirituality they provided to him.

Swearing 100 percent that he had no part in the high school prank that prevented him from walking across stage for his graduation at Lodi academy he quit school a month early and took a job at a broom factory where he met a lifelong friend, Amos Bartlett. At some point dad left the broom factory and found himself in Humboldt County, where he eventually landed a job with Pacific Lumber Company. He worked in the woods, the sawmill and eventually in to the machine shop, where he worked as a welder for over 35 years. He retired at age 62 after 45 years of employment. While working in the machine shop he met “his son” as he called him, Guybo lamb. They were friends and co-workers for decades. Guybo was very good at visiting faithfully and harassing my dad…..just like a real son would do. Dad was very proud of the longevity he held with the company. He always said he wouldn’t have been able to build the home he loved without Palco. Both because of the wage he earned, but also because of all the building supplies he pilfered from Palco with the help his good friend and partner in crime, Mike Eglin.

It was during his lunch break from PL one day that he wandered in to a little café in Rio Dell and the rest, as they say … is history. For this is where he met his “little blue-eyed darling” Sandra Sue Houseworth at Aunt Bessie’s café, where she was a waitress. After a road trip to Reno with my dad’s mom, they were married on March 26, 1953. They then came clean to my grandma that my mom was “not quite” the 18 they had led her to believe for which she then pulled the car over and made my mom have the ”come to Jesus” phone call to her parents. We loved holding this over mom and dad’s head whenever we were told we weren’t “old enough” to do something. It rarely worked but was just so fun to rub in. March will mark 70 years of marriage for Jer and Sue.

The pride dad had for his home was nothing compared to the pride, peace and happiness that he found at his “most holy place,” Ruth Lake. When his then son-in-law Mike Gillam first saw the 20 foot run-down trailer with 8 flat tires, he could not believe that dad said they were going to tow (drag) that trailer the five miles to the property. To Mike’s horror and surprise they did tow it there. Dad continually added improvements to his place to make it his home away from home. Whether it was weekends with his family, quail hunting with his friends, handcuffing said friends to the deck in the snow, totally cheating during fishing tournaments or spending time around the campfire with highballs, cigars and friends and family, there really was nothing else that gave him such happiness. One evening after a sunset cocktail cruise on the pontoon boat he said this, “I was sitting on that boat and I looked around and saw my beautiful wife, and family, the sun was setting, I had my highball and my cigar and I thought I have everything I need right here except for Louie Armstrong singing “it’s a wonderful world”. And indeed he truly did have it all.

His other source of true contentment and happiness were the many, many, many hunting and Jeep trips to Rainbow Ranch, Nevada, Alturas and of course Wyoming with his beloved lab “Baggs.” The tails, adventures, mishaps and things that really should have stayed in Vegas, (and yes there are pictures to prove it) gave him years of joy in the re-telling and embellishing these trips. Dennis Jones, Mike Eglin, Frank Bryant, Dave Gilmore, Wayne Swanson, Harry Dibble, Bob Woodson & Lon Lyman, we thank you for the years of friendship, many adventures, one or two arguments and most of all the love you gave to dad. You were not just his friends you were his family.

We truly cannot thank all of our family, friends, church members and community members for their prayers and support during this time. Thank you for the visits, flowers and food. Thank you Hospice of Humboldt for giving us the tools and information we needed to make his last couple of days comfortable and peaceful for him. All he wanted was to pass at home, facing the view he loved so much. You helped us give him that. His wife Sue will continue to watch over their two daughters, six grandchildren, 13 great-grand children and one great-great grandchild on the way.

Rest in peace Papa Jer and as always, “Get In, Sit-Down, Buckle Up and Shut-Up.”

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

Well, we certainly need the rain, but wow — this is a lot.

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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

According to the US National Weather Service (NWS) office in Eureka, the Eel River at Fernbridge in Ferndale is forecast to reach flood stage the morning of Saturday, Dec. 31, with moderate flooding occurring through Sunday, January 1, 2023.

The California Nevada River Forecast Center notes that if the flood stage reaches 22 feet, this could result in flooding of parts of the low-lying area in the lower portion of the Eel River Delta. Owners of livestock in low-lying areas of the Eel Delta are advised that animals could be at risk due to rising river levels and appropriate action should be considered. NWS also notes that the Mad River may flood Mad River Beach Road near Tyee City and no impacts are currently expected on the Van Duzen.

A flood advisory is being issued for the following county zones:

• HUM-E101: Table Bluff Rancheria, Eel River Wildlife Area, Loleta Bottoms
• HUM-E105: Ferndale bottom - far west, along the Pacific Ocean from mouth of the Eel River to Centerville Beach, includes Cock Robin Island; east to Port Kenyon
• HUM-E106-B: Goble Lane area, South of Eel River to Arlynda Corners/Salt River
• HUM-E110-A: Ferndale bottom - far northeast; southeast of Fernbridge to Grizzly Bluff Rd, east to Eel River
• HUM-E033: McKinleyville, west of US 101
• ARC-E001-B: Arcata Bottom

ROAD CLOSURES

According to CalTrans District 1, Caltrans typically waits to close Fernbridge until a stage height of 24 feet, however the temporary supports the bridge is currently utilizing following the Dec. 20 earthquake may require a closure at a lower water level. CalTrans does not anticipate damage to the structure or temporary supports, but flood water could prevent the visibility required for safety monitoring and inspections. If the closure of Fernbridge is required, it will be a full closure and will apply to all users. Residents should be prepared to take alternative routes. For the most up to date CalTrans road conditions, check quickmap.dot.ca.gov or the QuickMap app.
For updates on Humboldt County Road conditions visit: https://humboldtgov.org/1422/Road-Conditions

SANDBAGS

Homeowners experiencing issues with drainage or localized flooding are encouraged to purchase sandbags, sand, and wattles at local home improvement stores.

Free sandbags may be picked up at the following locations, while supplies last:

• Ferndale residents: main parking lot at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds, 1250 5th St, Ferndale, CA. 
• Arcata residents: City of Arcata Corporation Yard, 600 South G Street, Arcata, CA. A limited supply of pre filled sandbags are available. Arcata residents are advised to bring a shovel as bags and sand is also available for community members to make their own.
• Eureka residents: 945 West 14th Street, Eureka, CA, sandbags are located in the alley. Bags and sand are available but will need to be filled by community members.
• Rio Dell residents: sandbags are available behind Rio Dell City Hall, 675 Wildwood Avenue, Rio Dell, CA 
• Blue Lake: City of Blue Lake Corporation Yard, 199 Taylor Way, Blue Lake, CA (Corner of Taylor and Hatchery Rd, across from Mad River Brewery)
• Fortuna residents: behind Firemen’s Pavilion and the Rohner Rec Hall at Rohner Park, 9 Park St, Fortuna, CA. . Bags and sand are available but will need to be filled by community members.

For residents in all other municipalities, please contact your local jurisdiction to inquire about sandbag availability.

For more information on the storm, please visit the NWS website at weather.gov/eureka.

To view updates from the California Nevada River Forecast Center visit: https://www.cnrfc.noaa.gov/graphicalRVF.php?id=FRNC1

KNOW YOUR ZONE

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), in collaboration with local governments and public safety partners, has established over 300 emergency zones throughout Humboldt County utilizing Zonehaven, an evacuation management platform. To access Zonehaven visit: community.zonehaven.com

Residents are encouraged to “Know Your Zone” before the next emergency occurs by visiting the new interactive map on Zonehaven AWARE. In order to find your zone, residents should enter their address into the interactive map at community.zonehaven.com using the search bar in the upper left. This will open a pop-up window, which includes your zone’s name and information about the zone and its emergency services

STAY INFORMED

The most important thing you can do to be prepared for an emergency is to keep informed.

• Sign up to receive Humboldt County Emergency Alerts at: humboldtgov.org/alerts
• Subscribe to OES news releases at: humboldtsheriff.org/subscribe

For updated information regarding Humboldt County emergencies , please go to humboldtsheriff.org/emergency and visit @HumCoOES on Facebook and Twitter. 

A McKinleyville man suspected of shooting two people to death and wounding two others pleaded not guilty today to charges that could put him prison for life without parole.

Albers.

Deputy Public Defender Casey Russo entered the pleas on behalf of 41-year-old Russell Martin Albers, charged with murdering Jennifer Paddock, 42, and Daniel Garcia, 51, on Tuesday morning in their home at 4800 block of Crane St. in Eureka. Two other women in the house were wounded by gunfire and are in local hospitals.

Paddock and Garcia were the parents of a 4-year-old girl who was there during the shootings but was not injured. Police said she was turned over to Child Welfare Services.

Judge Kelly Neel advised Albers today that he is charged with two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and one count of assault with a firearm. He is additionally charged with kidnapping (of one of the victims he dropped off at a hospital), domestic-violence battery, first-degree burglary, child endangerment, auto theft, recklessly fleeing from police officers and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Nearly all the charges carry special allegations involving use of a firearm or inflicting great bodily injury.

The District Attorney’s Office also alleges the special circumstance of committing multiple murders, which carries a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole.

Today Albers, who was arrested Wednesday after a high-speed chase, sat with his head down during the entire arraignment.

Asked if he had the money to hire a lawyer, Albers said he was planning to hire local attorney Ben Okin. The court clerk then contacted Okin’s office.

“Mr. Albers,” Judge Neel said, “Mr. Okin’s office indicates that they will not be accepting the case.”

Outside court the assigned prosecutor, Deputy District Attorney Luke Bernthal, declined comment on the relationship between Albers and the alleged victims. He also would not comment on why Albers is charged with stealing a white BMW when he was caught in a Toyota Tundra pickup truck.

Albers is being held without bail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 9, though it’s highly unlikely it will proceed on that day. Bernthal told the judge the investigation is ongoing and new evidence will be coming in for some time.

The hearing is expected to take two days, Bernthal said.

PREVIOUSLY:

• HCSO: Two Killed, Two Injured in Pine Hill Shooting Early This Morning; Suspect Still at Large
• With Double-Murder Suspect Still At Large, St. Joseph Hospital Limits Public Access
• Wild Police Chase Through the North County Today; One Person in Custody
• Sheriff’s Office Confirms That Pine Hill Double Homicide Suspect is Now in Custody Following Today’s High-Speed Chase up 101