Frank Stanley Povirk was born to Eleanor Indof Povirk and Frank C. Povirk in Greensburg, Penn. on July 28, 1942 and passed on March 10, 2022 in Eureka. He grew up alongside brother, James E. “Valentino” Povirk in the small western Pennsylvania town of Yukon and later attended Grove City College, where he studied hard to get a degree in metallurgy and met his future wife, Linda Flaherty and made lifelong friends of his Kappa Alpha Phi Brothers.

When we consider Frank’s small-town roots, and the obstacles he overcame to finish his degree, he was a tribute to hard work and determination. Frank excelled in his career, working for J&L, LTV, Davis-Walker and Republic Engineered Steels as chief metallurgist and sales engineer. He had a very successful career selling specialty alloy stainless steel that took him all over the world in the 1980s and 90s – Venezuela, Argentina, Mexico, East Germany, Japan, Malaysia and many more. Frank had a special rapport with his customers and made some great memories in his travels. He would always bring the kids a sample of the local currency.

The steel business took him, Linda and their two children, Kurt and Kyra, from Pittsburgh to Michigan, and then to Irvine, California in 1979. It was a big change that Frank fully embraced. Weekends at Main Beach in Laguna or Aliso were common, as were frequent tennis games with neighbors at the courts of the Racquet Club. Old Pittsburgh neighbor, fellow Pittsburgh Steelers fan and best friend, Terry Bowman, lived in nearby Newport Beach. Their friendship grew stronger with many fun outings and almost every Thanksgiving spent with the Bowmans, whether at their home or in the Cabo San Lucas of the 1990s.

Frank loved animals, and we have fond memories of dogs Tipsy and Bridgette who brought him joy over the years. Terry surprised Frank with a tortoise on his 40th birthday; the creature was an escape artist and Frank took to sticking address labels and writing his phone number in white-out on its shell so it could be returned more easily. Frank was a problem solver.

In the early 1990s, Frank and Linda divorced and he met Angie Tracy, with whom he spent a fun and love-filled 23 years before moving to assisted living in 2016, and then to Eureka to be closer to his son, Kurt. After he and Angie met, he welcomed her and her two daughters, Holly and Christina into the family home and treated them like family too.

Frank had a lot of pride in his children, especially in son Kurt when he co-founded Six Rivers Brewery in McKinleyville. He enjoyed the the food and beer and being doted on by Talia and Meredith, Kurt’s business partners. Mention of Six Rivers always brought a sparkle to his eye.

Family was very important to Frank, and the kids have fond memories of going back East to family reunions at Westmorland County Park, where Frank would visit with his Aunts and other far-away family each July. He loved the gym, and he regularly attended 24 hour fitness in Irvine until his health no longer allowed. As his health deteriorated, long-time friend, Darci Liang, was a frequent visitor and helped with doctor appointments, shopping, and visited with him frequently; our group trips to King’s Fish House in Laguna Hills are missed.

Frank was strong and a testament to his nickname, Frank the Tank, to the very end. The family thanks the wonderful staff at Frye’s Care Home and Hospice of Humboldt for their care and attention to Frank and family. We were so blessed to have you by our side. Darci and Terry remained good and close friends with Frank; we all could only wish for such true friendship and love.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Eleanor Povirk, brother Jim Povirk, and is survived by his daughter Kyra Povirk (Dave Lingle) of Salmon, Idaho, son Kurt Povirk and grandsons Monti and Killian Povirk of Bayside, nephew Josh Giannini of New York, numerous extended family and friends: Linda Povirk, Darci Liang, Terry Bowman, Doug and Traci Bowman, Angie Tracy, Holly and John Hamel, Christina Locke, the Wells family, the Bourassa family, and others. Many thanks to the professionals who supported the family over the years: Karen and Phil Schmidt, Ruth Dioquino of Care Art Homecare, and Tiffany Pascual of Oso Medical Pharmacy. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a local animal shelter or the Parkinson’s Disease foundation of your choice.

Services will be held at a later date at the West Newton Cemetery in West Newton, Penn.

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

Less than an hour after the Elections Office closed, and with it the window for candidates to qualify for the June primary ballot, Mychal Evenson announced on his campaign’s Facebook page that he is dropping out of the Humboldt County auditor-controller race and supporting Cheryl Dillingham’s bid to unseat incumbent Karen Paz Dominguez.

Paz Dominguez turned in her candidacy papers and signatures shortly before the deadline Friday.

Here’s the statement posted to Evenson’s campaign’s page:

Evenson

Hello Humboldt,

From the day I declared my candidacy, I have said that I would step down if a more qualified candidate arrived. A more qualified candidate arrived today and that person is Cheryl Dillingham. This election was never about me, it was about protecting my community and its future.

I had the honor of working for Cheryl when she was the interim Auditor-Controller. I have seen first hand that she has the communication, leadership, and accounting skill to unravel the mess that the county is in. I wholeheartedly endorse Cheryl and I will work to help her win this election.

I thank you for your support over the last few months. After we know more about what withdrawal looks like from county elections staff, I will reach out to each of my donors individually.

It’s officially past the March 10 deadline to file candidacy paperwork. And though Arcata City Council is not usually one of races held during the June primary, after former councilmember Emily Goldstein resigned mid-term, the remaining councilmembers opted to hold a special election to fill the vacant seat.

Arcata City Clerk Bridget Dory confirmed with the Outpost this evening that six candidates have qualified to run for the Arcata City Council seat. Below are their names and candidate statements submitted to the City of Arcata.

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Chase Marcum

Marcum qualified to run, but has not submitted a candidate statement to the city. The Outpost also could not find a photo of Marcum.

Humnath Panta

Humnath Panta, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of finance at Cal Poly Humboldt. Before joining Cal Poly Humboldt, he was an associate professor and Program Director in a prior institution. He earned his Ph.D. in Finance from the University of Texas at Arlington and a master’s degree in Financial Economics from Ohio University. He also

Panta | File photo

received a master’s degree in International Relations and a BA in English and Economics. He is a volunteer, an active scholar, a dedicated teacher, and an effective mentor for students with diverse backgrounds and career goals.

Dr. Panta has over twelve years of university teaching, five years of public service, more than five years of high school teaching, and three-plus years of corporate work experience. He has extensive experience in planning, budgeting, financial policies, capital improvement plans, spending, revenue policy, policy formulation, policy and procedure, strategic implementation, coordination, collaboration, and team building. Currently, he serves the City of Arcata as a Vice-Chair of the Economic Development Committee. He also serves North Coast Co-op as a Board Secretary.

Dr. Panta is running for Arcata City Council Member and respectfully asks for your support and a vote for a better City Council.

Dana Quillman

Humboldt County, California resident for 41 years. I am running for office because I don’t like what Arcata and the world have turned into. Many elected leaders are not protecting our Constitutional rights. I will do locally, whatever I can to stop the globalist agenda referred to as The Great Reset.

Quillman (right) with partner Paul Pitino | Photo: Facebook

The World Economic Forum and other globalist entities have created this agenda where the world’s population will be ruled by a one world, totalitarian, social credit surveillance system, the same way the CCP rules in China. The plan includes eliminating currencies, digitalizing all money, implementing dangerous 5G technology, forcing everyone to use a smart phone, and taking away body sovereignty from humans in order to force mass vaccination at any time, and without any liability. This new world order will give government complete control over all information, possibly even assets, thereby preventing any dissent. Goodbye freedom!

I support body sovereignty. I oppose censorship, discrimination, cancel culture, and coercion. I oppose minors making vaccine choices. I support parents having more power than school boards. I oppose all health mandates and laws including lockdowns, vaccine passports and face masking, in both public and private sectors.

Edith Rosen

Arcata is our home. I chose to move to Arcata over 21 years ago, as a single mother, to raise my daughters in a safe, healthy environment, and to further my education. With the support of this community, I’ve accomplished that, and more. Now it’s time, as intended, to give back to the community that helped foster a loving, caring environment for my daughters and me.

Rosen | Photo by Jessica Frint Photography, via the candidate’s Facebook page. 

With an MBA from Humboldt State, vast experience both in public and private sectors, and strong commitment to the betterment of our community, I am ideally suited to serve on Arcata City Council. I’ve worked in finance and management at local companies, owned a consulting business, and oversaw City of Arcata’s CCAP program. The common thread throughout these experiences is my innate service mentality; helping others, while forming lasting, meaningful connections.

This service mentality is my driving force to be part of the renewed vision that Arcata needs now. A vision of a safe inclusive community, sustainable growth through thoughtful planning, and a thriving economy. Arcata is our home. Let’s continue to treat it as such. It is an honor to have your vote and to serve our community on Arcata City Council.

Welcome home. Edith Rosen for Arcata City Council 2022.

Alexandra Stillman

So much has changed in Arcata since I moved here in 1971, and I am proud to have been involved in so many aspects of those positive changes. I was a part of making the Arcata Marsh happen and helped start Arcata Main Street to revitalize what was then a diminished downtown.

Stillman | Photo: Facebook

The first female mayor of Arcata, I served on the Arcata City Council for 16 years, being elected first in 1972 and then again in 2006. I have been a business owner since 1974, enriching Arcata as best I could while raising my family here. My additional involvement in this community includes being chair of the Arcata Historical Sites Society and serving on various committees, such as Godwit Days Migratory Bird Festival, Humboldt County Aviation Committee and serving as a Friends of the Arcata Marsh docent. I will continue to work hard for Arcata and would appreciate your vote on June 7th, 2022.

Kimberley White

With global crisis, environmental crises, economic crisis, the unhoused and unemployed, and COVID-19, the uncertainties we face are seemingly insurmountable. I am not interested in doing buisness as usual and am committed to dismantling exclusive and oppressive ways of doing government by shifting and sharing power thus creating more transparent and responsive government. I am Cooperation Humboldt’s CUNA program coordinator (a Valley West/North Arcata grassroots group), a City of Arcata planning commissioner, community advocate/volunteer, mother of a teenage daughter and proud Valley West resident.

White | Photo: Facebook

We need to deepen our connections with Cal Poly Humboldt where I received my master’s in Sociology. I am passionate about equity and economic revitalization/rebuilding our community, worker cooperatives, protecting our forests, wetlands/marshes, open spaces/parks, trails and addressing the climate emergency.

Volunteer/advocacy work includes: Valley West Trash Cleanups, True North, Food for People, Bayside Gardens, Winter Clothing Drives, CERC Housing (COVID Economic Resilience Committee), Relay for Life, Talent Search, Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention, housing and school board member and co-author Mad River Union’s Valley West column. I have lived in Arcata (land of the Wiyot) more than 30 years and I am ready to bring my passion, education and experience to serve the people of Arcata.

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CORRECTION: The list of candidates initially sent to the Outpost had misspelled Chase Marcum’s last name. It has been changed to the correct spelling.

Press release from the California Air Resources Board:

Sherman-Warne.

The California Air Resources Board announced the appointment of Jill Sherman-Warne as the newest, and the first Native American Tribal member of the AB32 Environmental Justice Advisory Committee.

Jill Sherman-Warne is the Executive Director of the Native American Environmental Protection Coalition (NAEPC). She currently works with 27 tribes throughout California, Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. Sherman-Warne is an enrolled member of the Hoopa Tribe in Northern California. She serves on a variety of boards and committees providing a tribal voice. As a former elected official of her tribe, Sherman-Warne intimately understands how to engage tribes and the barriers to engaging tribes.

“We are delighted to now have a voice that represents California’s Native American communities on the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee,” said Chanell Fletcher, Deputy Executive Officer – Environmental Justice. “This will help us better understand how our programs and policies can address the concerns of California Tribal residents regarding air quality and public health in their communities.”

Sherman-Warne graduated from Humboldt State and built her respected professional reputation serving tribes in a variety of capacities from language learning, vocational rehabilitation, grant writing, environmental planning, and emergency response.

Sherman-Warne immerses her energy into building scalable tribal programs to increase and strength the tribal sovereignty as well as increasing the professional capacity of tribal environmental staff and engaging tribes on environmental issues.

Sherman-Warne enjoys providing tribes the necessary tools to improve their capacity and capability to meet and exceed federal standards without increasing management burdens.

Sherman-Warne is a Senior Consultant to the Environmental Finance Center West and currently serves as a member of the San Diego American Indian Health Clinic Board of Directors, UC San Diego Chancellor’s Community Advisory Board, San Diego Water Advisory Board and on the Clean Vehicle Assistance (CVA) Advisory Board.

Her first session with the Environmental Justice Advisory Committee was on February 28.

Press release from CALFIRE:

This month, the CAL FIRE Humboldt – Del Norte Unit Emergency Command Center (ECC) had received multiple reports of vegetation fires near the end of Highway 169 East on the Yurok Reservation. Several fires occurred at the Jack Norton Elementary School, with one directly behind the classroom and another near a propane tank.

Over the course of several incidents, some of which involved multiple fires at a time, a person of interest was identified. On March 10th, 2022, CAL FIRE Law Enforcement, assisted by Yurok Tribal Police, contacted Louie Meyers, a local resident. Mr. Meyers is a suspect in causing multiple vegetation fires in the area.

Meyers was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on the following charge:

• PC 451(c) – Arson of a structure or forest land (six counts)

The CAL FIRE Humboldt – Del Norte Unit would like thank the public for reporting these fires. While the use of prescribed fire can be an effective tool to reduce hazardous vegetative fuels, uncontrolled fires such as these threaten residents, structures, and other property. Lack of rainfall in recent months further added to the risk these fires created.

Dillingham

On the second-to-last day before the filing deadline, Cheryl Dillingham, a longtime Humboldt County employee currently working as finance director in Rio Dell, submitted her candidate intention statement in the race for the county’s auditor-controller position.

“I have decided to run for auditor-controller because I believe I am uniquely qualified to do the work needed to get Humboldt County’s financial accounting and reporting in order,” she told the Outpost during a phone call this morning. “I feel that I can provide the leadership needed to deliver services that are accountable, efficient, and transparent.”

During her three decades with the county, Dillingham spent a decade working in the Auditor-Controller’s Office and eight years in Public Works before heading back to the A-C’s office. She spent two years as the assistant auditor-controller and later became the assistant county administrative officer. For a few months in early 2016, following the retirement of former CAO Phillip Smith-Hanes, Dillingham worked as the interim county administrative officer, a position she was appointed to by the Board of Supervisors.

In April of 2018, following former Auditor-Controller Joe Mellett’s early retirement, the Board of Supervisors unanimously appointed Dillingham interim auditor-controller, a role she filled until Karen Paz Dominguez took the reins in January 2019. In the three years since, Dillingham has offered support to that office.

Asked about her next-to-last-minute filing, Dillingham said, “The reason it’s coming very late is [that] it’s a very hard decision that I’ve put a lot of thought and consideration into. I very much respect the current auditor-controller and was hoping for her to be successful, and I just don’t feel like that’s happening.”

Paz Dominguez has faced criticism, votes of “no confidence” and even a threat of legal action from the state attorney general over her failure to submit mandated financial reports on time. 

Dillingham said she’s confident in her ability to solve that issue.

“I have filed those reports and I filed those reports timely when I was in the position,” she said. “However you want to put it — been there, done that, never had an issue with it.”

She said she has become increasingly concerned about the state of the Auditor-Controller’s Office as she read coverage in local media, and she reiterated that she feels “uniquely qualified to try to come in and help get this ship sailing in the right direction again.”

With just a few hours left before the 5 p.m. filing deadline, this is now a three-way race between incumbent Paz Dominguez, Dillingham and fellow challenger Mychal Evenson.

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Indoor masking will no longer be mandatory at K-12 schools and child care facilities after midnight tonight. While masking will no longer be required in California schools, public health officials continue to “strongly recommend” masking in indoor public settings.

What does this mean for your kids? It depends on which district you’re in. Some districts are taking the state’s recommendation as a suggestion, while others have taken a more cautious approach and opted to keep the mandate in place. 

“I think [Public Health has] made it very clear that we still strongly recommend that schools continue to mask after March 11,” former Humboldt County Public Officer Dr. Ian Hoffman said during a press briefing last week. “…This is a highly unvaccinated population on the whole, being that only about 25 to 30% [are fully vaccinated] statewide and locally, but there are trade-offs. They’re also much less likely to have severe outcomes. I think that moving towards this is really something that allows for each community to make the decisions for themselves and each individual and make the decision for themselves.”

Hoffman acknowledged that some parents may feel it is too soon to lift the mask mandate but said, “If [Public Health] felt the risk was too high, we would certainly keep the requirements in place.”

Michael Davies-Hughes, Superintendent of Schools for Humboldt County, told the Outpost that the Humboldt County Office of Education will no longer require masking for students and staff after March 11. “However, since several of our programs are located at schools in other districts, we will honor their requirements, which may be more restrictive,” he added.

“Keep in mind that our youngest learners below age [five] are not eligible for a vaccine at this time,” he said. “Schools also have individuals with compromised immune systems and other health concerns on their campuses. Some school districts may choose to continue to require masking. In the absence of such local decisions, students and families will need to make a decision that is best for them.”

“Regardless of individual choices, our responsibility as citizens is to be kind, accepting, respectful and safe,” he added.

The Outpost reached out to a handful of local school districts and it looks as though there is a mixed approach to the mask mandate being lifted.

Fred Van Vleck, Superintendent of the Eureka City Unified School District, and Glen Senestraro, Superintendent of the Fortuna Union High School District, told the Outpost that their districts would continue to strongly recommend masking and both encouraged parents to talk with their children about what is most comfortable for them.

The Rio Dell Elementary School Board unanimously voted to ditch the mask mandate ahead of public health’s announcement as “the prevalence of COVID-19 has decreased dramatically and the community widely supports student choice.”

“The Rio Dell Elementary School Board recognizes the importance of an academic rigorous classroom and also recognizes that constant mask reminders and reprimands during the instructional time can be disruptive to the learning environment,” according to a Feb. 17 statement shared by district Superintendent Angela Johnson. “…The Rio Dell School District will move forward with its continued focus on the academic instruction for our students and will encourage students to wear a mask indoors but will not seek disciplinary action for those students that do not comply.”

Klamath-Trinity Joint Unified School District Superintendent Jennifer Glueck said her district will move with caution and “will continue to require that masks be worn indoors at all [district] settings, even after the state mandate expires,” according to the district’s website.

More information from the California Department of Public Health can be found here.