Screenshot of Tuesday’s Eureka City Council meeting.
At the end of last month, homeowners were dismayed to find a letter from the City of Eureka informing them of an increase in their monthly utility bill.
The tax hike rate increase seeks to raise the City’s water and sewer rates incrementally over the next five years to cover capital improvements to the City’s infrastructure. Industry standards require municipalities to adjust water and sewer utilities rates periodically – typically every five years – to ensure rates are in keeping with inflation and accurately reflect operational costs. Rate increases are also necessary to ensure the City has sufficient revenue to cover capital projects and general maintenance while maintaining state-required reserves.
The last rate study, which was completed by NBS Consulting in 2016, implemented yearly rate increases through 2021. The City retained the same firm to perform the 2022 rate study for both utilities, assess alternative rate structures and review how costs are allocated to different customer classes.
“All customers are not created the same,” Deputy Public Works Director Brian Issa explained during Tuesday’s Eureka City Council meeting. “A restaurant is not the same as a single-family dwelling and serving both water [and] sewer to those [customers] is not equivalent. That’s why the rates are different for different customer classes.”
To determine individual rates and ensure everyone is paying their fair share, staff perform a Cost of Service Analysis (COSA) in which revenue requirements are apportioned to different customer classes based on their impacts on the system. In other words, customers who use more water and create more waste have to pay more because they require a higher level of service.
“To put it in perspective, the amount of BOD TSS [biological oxygen demand and total suspended solids] that Lost Coast Brewery sends down to the plant is roughly equivalent to – depending on the month – between 5,000 and 8,500 single-family residences,” Issa said, adding that “BOD TSS” is just a fancy term for “how much poop” will have to be treated. “Wrap your mind around that a little bit. The idea of ‘strength’ becomes a very, very important part of this when you look at the cost of service.”
How much will your utility rates increase? Water rates are expected to go up by eight to ten percent each year for the next five years, for a total increase of 58 percent. Sewer rates will go up by about four to ten percent per year for the five years for a total increase of 34 percent.
Screenshot
Screenshot
(If you’re looking for a more specific estimate, the City of Eureka created a handy little calculator to determine what your monthly bill will look like over the next five years. Check it out at this link.)
Councilmember Leslie Castellano said she understood that the rate increase would help the City pay for new meters, but asked whether the meters would be paid off in the same five-year period.
“Right now, the plan is to pay for them all up front, either through the use of reserves or through rate revenues in those years where we’re doing the replacements,” Issa said. “It’s possible you could bond for that and do it as a debt but then you’re paying insurance on that. If you have the money to do it, it might be more sensible to do it up front … because they’re dying at a fairly logarithmic rate and we’re going to need to replace them, hopefully, within a 12-month period. …We can also go to the State Revolving Loan Fund for that money because it’s fairly low interest.”
City Manager Miles Slattery added that “all of the things listed in the capital improvement project will be paid for in that five-year period.”
Councilmember Scott Bauer cautioned against taking out a loan, fearing it could put the City in debt.
“A lot of the stories you hear about, you know, privatization of sewer and water are because of debt obligations,” he said. “Municipalities borrow a bunch of money, realize they can’t pay it back, they sell their critical human services and then everybody’s rates go up astronomically. … If we can pay as we go and not take out more debt I’m in favor of that.”
The City Council will revisit the proposal during a public hearing on Dec. 19. If approved, the rate increase will take effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
In the meantime, residents who oppose the rate increase can submit a letter of protest to the City. Proposition 218 provides a process in which California residents can protest a proposed rate increase and prevent adoption by the City Council if protests are recorded for more than 50 percent of affected parcels. Protests must be submitted in writing.
For more information on the 2022 rate study, check out the FAQ page here.
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Keeping with the theme of the evening, the council also reviewed and approved a revision to the City’s Private Sewer Lateral Ordinance.
The ordinance, adopted by the city council in 2019, shifted the responsibility of maintenance and repairs of the lower lateral – which is the sewer pipe connecting a property’s plumbing system to the public sewer main under the street – solely to the property owner. However, since the ordinance was adopted, staff has reported ongoing issues with laterals not being replaced by property owners when they should be, largely due to the cost.
“This update really was spawned out of some mechanical issues with the ordinance, in terms of actually implementing it with homeowners, as well as conversations with the Humboldt Association of Realtors and a desire on the part of some [local realtors] to actually see a point-of-sale [trigger] as an effort to add more certainty to the ordinance and take out some of the ambiguity,” Issa explained. “But at the rate that [clay] sewer laterals need to be replaced, our crews just don’t have the capacity to go out and replace all those laterals.”
On top of the added point-of-sale trigger, the ordinance revision would also implement a set fee.
“Rather than telling the homeowner they have to replace the lateral, go find a contractor and figure it out, they would just pay a set fee,” Issa said. “We’ll take that money, we’ll hire a contractor when we get enough of them put together… we’ll manage the project, we’ll deal with all the contractor bidding and all of that sort of stuff. Once you pay the fee, you’re sort of off the hook and the sale can proceed immediately.”
The fee amount would be based on the average City bid cost of lateral repair/replacement over the previous two years. Currently, the anticipated fee would fall under $10,000.
“The average cost, as I’m seeing right now, is somewhere around $8,000, with an additional amount for administration of the city bidding the project, inspecting and managing the project,” Issa said. Property owners who feel they can get a better deal through a private contractor will still have the ability to do so.
Councilmember Bauer asked how the City would handle cross-connections (when the sewer line is connected to a neighboring sewer line) and if both parties would be required to replace their sewer laterals at the point-of-sale.
“You would have to because you’re selling your property … but the other person would have to be done within a year,” Issa explained. “Typically, how I’ve been dealing with cross connections … we will do the new install because you have to tap the main and it’s better for us to work on our infrastructure. It doesn’t make any sense for us to go and install a new lateral and five feet away have a bad lateral in the ground and require that homeowner to go get somebody to come and fix it. We’ll just offer to do it at the same cost as a new install. … You can pay us to do it now and put both pipes in the same trench for $3,500 or you can go get somebody to do it for $10,000.”
Councilmember Natalie Arroyo asked about loan options and/or payment plans for homeowners, noting that a loan agreement “would be a little less onerous for folks.”
“We did originally talk about the loan program and the payments for the loan being attached to the water/sewer billing,” Issa said. “[It] did not roll out that way due to the logistics of the billing system and entering loans within the context of our billing software, so people have been getting that loan servicing separate from their water and sewer bill.”
Speaking on behalf of the Humboldt Association of Realtors during public comment, Tina Christensen said the proposed revision would alleviate the association’s primary concerns.
“[Staff has] corrected a lot of conditions that [the association] felt needed to be addressed better and it seems like you’ve done that,” she said. “The [Humboldt] Association of Realtors has sold over 600 houses since this came in and I guarantee you that a lot of those houses did not have lateral inspections. Because of the big disclosure laws in real estate now, we all came to an understanding that this is a big issue, and it’s an issue for both buyers and sellers alike.”
Following public comment and a brief discussion from the council, Arroyo made a motion to approve staff’s recommendation and apply the aforementioned revisions to the Private Sewer Lateral Ordinance. The motion passed in a unanimous 5-0 vote.
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Earlier in the meeting, the council approved staff’s request to refinance a series of bonds related to the City’s Water Fund. Since interest rates are lower than in years past, staff thought now would be a good time to refinance the City’s debt.
The City Council will consider an identical request for the City’s Wastewater Fund next month. That item had originally appeared on this week’s agenda but was pulled because the City was offered an even lower interest rate for the wastewater bond.
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You can find a recording of the meeting at this link.
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NOTE: The original headline of this story described the City’s proposed water and sewer rate increase as a “tax hike.” The rate increase is not a tax, but a rate that is strictly regulated in accordance with Proposition 218. The Outpost regrets this error.
Powered by its new designation as a polytechnic university, Cal Poly Humboldt announced the number of students applying for Fall 2023 have increased significantly.
The application season opened Oct. 1 and to date, first-time undergraduate applications have risen 86% since last year, according to preliminary numbers.
Overall, applications for other students—including transfers and those pursuing a master’s degree—are up approximately 74%.
“These are impressive numbers compared to recent years,” says Peggy Metzger, executive director of Enrollment Management. “Humboldt’s polytechnic designation and the new academic programs that are launching next fall are definitely a draw for prospective students and their families this year. We’re excited to welcome these new students to Cal Poly Humboldt.”
Nine new academic degree programs will launch Fall 2023, with significantly more slated by 2029, include:
Applications are being accepted from first-time freshmen, upper- and lower-division transfer students, returning students, veterans, international students, and graduate students.
The application deadline for first-time freshmen and transfer students is December 2, 2022. Deadlines vary for graduate program applications, so check specific timelines and details at humboldt.edu/apply.
Detailed information on applying to Cal Poly Humboldt is at humboldt.edu/apply, and applicants will use the Cal State Apply system to complete the online application.
On November 14th,
2022, Humboldt County Drug Task Force Agents served a search warrant
at the residence of Joshua Buchanan (age 36) located in the 7000
Block of Berta Road in Eureka. After a multi-week investigation, the
HCDTF believed Buchanan was selling fentanyl and was in possession of
several firearms.
Buchanan.
Upon
arriving at Buchanan’s residence, Agents detained an adult female
who was accompanied by a young child. After a sweep of the residence,
Agents confirmed that Buchanan was not on scene.
HCDTF
Agents searched Buchanan’s residence and located a large safe in
the kitchen area. The safe contained multiple assault rifles,
handguns, non-serialized firearms, one stolen firearm, high-capacity
magazines, a suppressor, a large quantity of ammunition, and indicia
for Joshua Buchanan. Buchanan is a convicted felon and is prohibited
from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Also,
in the kitchen area of Buchanan’s residence, Agents located
approximately 5 ½ ounces of fentanyl stored in a large plastic bag.
During
the search of the residence, HCDTF Agents received information that
Buchanan was possibly in the Rio Dell area. The HCDTF reached out to
the Rio Dell Police Department and provided a description of Buchanan
and his vehicle.
Shortly
after, Rio Dell PD was able to locate Buchanan in his vehicle. Rio
Dell PD Officers conducted a traffic stop on Buchanan where he was
placed under arrest without incident.
Buchanan
was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for
the following charges:
11351
H&S Possession of fentanyl for sale
11370.1(A) Possession
of a controlled substance while armed with a loaded firearm
29800(a)(1)
PC Felon in possession of a firearm
30605(a)
PC Possession of an assault weapon
30305(a)
PC Felon in possession of ammunition
33410
PC Possession of a silencer
29180
PC Possession of a firearm without a serial number
Anyone
with information related to this investigation or other narcotics
related crimes are encouraged to call the Humboldt County Drug Task
Force at 707-267-9976.
Today’s meeting, queued up to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Chairman Richard Glick’s comments on Klamath Dam delicensing.
A historic milestone this morning: The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the agency that oversees hydropower dams across the country, agreed to delicense four outdated hydropower dams along the middle stretch of the Klamath River, allowing for their removal to proceed.
The move comes 20 years after the Klamath Fish Kill, in which as many as 70,000 Klamath River salmon washed up dead on the banks of the river, killed by a disease that flourished in poor river conditions.
In the 20 years since, there have been immense efforts — sometimes combative, sometimes cooperative — among local tribes, farmers, local governments, state governments and others to figure out how to improve the health of the river. The removal of the four dams in the lower part of the river was a big piece of that — water behind the dams heats up in the summer and becomes more amenable to algal blooms, both of which are detrimental to fish health.
There are still plenty of issues left to work out on the Klamath — the number one being the proper division of water between upstream agricultural interests and the health of the ecosystem itself, in a time of drought and climate change. But FERC’s decision today means that work on removal of those four barriers to fish health can begin quite soon.
In his prepared remarks this morning, FERC’s chairman, Richard Glick, rhetorically asked why the commission would be giving up a zero-emissions source of energy at a time when the country is desperately working toward a decarbonized future. His answer: The commission is finally, belatedly, recognizing other sorts of environmental impacts, and especially is becoming aware of who is being impacted.
“A number of years back, I don’t think the commission necessarily spent a lot of time thinking about the impact of our decision on tribes, and I think that’s a very important element that’s in today’s order, and a number of orders recently. I think we’re making progress on that front,” Glick said.
The dams’ owner — the Warren Buffett-owned company PacifiCorp — was part of the discussions that led up to this moment, and does not object to the dams’ removal.
We’re certain plenty of local tribes and other local governmental agencies will have lots to say about this long-awaited decision. We’ll add their statements below Congressman Jared Huffman’s, which arrived shortly after the decision.
Press release from Congressman Jared Huffman:
Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) applauded the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision today to issue a license surrender order that clears the way for removal of four Klamath River dams and the largest river restoration effort in history.
“FERC’s decision to retire PacifiCorp’s dams is the result of years of difficult work by our dedicated North Coast tribes, conservationists, the leadership of California and Oregon, and members of Congress,” said Rep Huffman. “Poor conditions on the Klamath River have caused substantial harm to tribal communities, commercial and sport fishermen, and the economies of California and Oregon. We know other dam removal projects in the West have seen dramatic beneficial responses for fisheries and wildlife, and the Klamath River has tremendous potential to recover and rebuild as this work is done. Congratulations to all of those who have worked to right this wrong and restore balance to the river.”
The order allows the Klamath River Renewal Corporation – a non-profit group that will lead the dam removal effort – and the states of California and Oregon to take over PacifiCorp’s license for the purpose of demolishing the dams. Construction crews will begin preparing the area for dam removal in early 2023 and will remove the Copco 2 dam next year. The remaining dams will be removed all in 2024.
The dams have for decades blocked salmon from reaching hundreds of miles of productive salmon habitat. The shallow reservoirs regularly become choked with toxic algae and cause elevated temperatures downstream. Impaired flows have led to an abundance of disease that often kills most young salmon in the river. Removal of the dams is expected to vastly improve water quality, reduce the presence of fish disease, and reopen vital spawning habitat.
Rep. Huffman has been an active partner in the efforts to remove the Klamath River dams. Following signs in July 2020 that PacifiCorp may walk back its commitment to dam removal, Rep. Huffman, Chair of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife, held a public forum to examine the terrible impacts the dams have had on salmon and downstream water quality. In September of that year, he successfully offered an amendment to the Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act, which was approved by the House, to safeguard Tribal communities against further harm to the Klamath River and its ecosystem caused by PacifiCorp’s delays.
###
Joint statement from numerous Klamath basin tribes, environmental organizations and fishermen:
Today
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission issued
a
License Surrender Order for the Lower Klamath River Hydroelectric
Project. This clears the last major hurdle necessary to implement the
world’s largest river restoration project – removal of the lower
four Klamath River dams. With this order in place, the Klamath
River Renewal Corporation,
the non-profit entity created to oversee Klamath River dam removal
and related restoration activities, and the States of Oregon and
California can accept transfer of the Lower Klamath Project License
from energy company PacifiCorp and start the dam removal process
early next year.
“The
Klamath salmon are coming home,” proclaimed Yurok Chairman Joseph
James. “The people have earned this victory and with it, we carry
on our sacred duty to the fish that have sustained our people since
the beginning of time.”
The
dam removal and river restoration project was made possible through a
negotiated agreement
between
Karuk Tribe, Yurok Tribe, California, Oregon, conservation
organizations, commercial fishing organizations, and dam owner
PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway
Energy. Today’s action by FERC is the last step in a six-year FERC
regulatory oversight process that ensures dam removal is the most
beneficial course of action to restore the Klamath River’s flagging
salmon runs and improve poor water quality.
“Today’s
victory was well earned by the thousands of people who fought for
clean water, healthy fisheries, and environmental justice for Klamath
River communities,” said Karuk Chairman Russell ‘Buster’
Attebery. “I am grateful to everyone, from the youth to the elders,
Governors Newsom and Brown, and the team from PacifiCorp who made
this victory possible.”
“Congratulations
to all those who poured their blood, sweat and tears into making this
happen. Water and fish health are at the heart of our identity as
Native People and we are looking forward to seeing a healthier
watershed and fishery which will result in healthier communities for
all Klamath Basin tribes,” said Hoopa Valley Tribe Chairman Joe
Davis. “Now we must keep the momentum going and we are looking
forward to working with all of our neighbors and partners in that
effort.”
Commercial
salmon fishing families along the West Coast are also celebrating.
“Restoring the Klamath gives our struggling salmon fishing industry
a chance to survive,” said Vivian Hilliwell, a former commercial
salmon harvester and now the Watershed Conservation Director for the
Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA). “The
possibility of revitalized Klamath fish runs gives us hope that we
can continue our tradition of bringing healthy wild salmon to dinner
tables across America.”
Dam
removal activities are expected to begin in 2023 and be completed in
2024. Personnel and equipment will be deployed in early 2023 to
commence pre-removal construction, including road and bridge
improvements. Copco 2 dam will be removed first, and deconstruction
of the remaining three dams will occur essentially at the same time
in early 2024. All four dams will be removed by the end of 2024.
Upstream
of the dams, the Klamath Tribes of Oregon are anxious to see salmon
return. “Our people have been without c’iyaals
(salmon) for over a century. We welcome the fish home to the Upper
Klamath Basin with open arms,” said Klamath Tribes Chairman Clayton
Dumont.
In
issuing the Final License Surrender Order, FERC Commission Chairman
Richard Glick stated, “Dam removal makes sense in large part due to
fish and wildlife protections. But there is a discussion in the order
on the impact on Tribes and the ability to have their traditions and
cultural practices improved… I think it’s a very important issue.
A number of years back the commission did not think about the impact
of our decisions on Tribes. That’s an important element in today’s
order…”
The
decision comes almost exactly 20 years after a catastrophic fish kill
left over 70,000 adult salmon dead along the banks of the Klamath
River before they could spawn. That disaster galvanized the
collective will of Klamath River Tribes, community members,
fishermen, conservationists, and others who launched a
two-decades-long effort to un-dam the Klamath and Bring
the Salmon Home.
“After
the 2002 Fish Kill we committed ourselves to defending our river and
our cultures no matter what it would take,” said Molli Myers,
co-founder of the Klamath Justice Coalition and member of the Karuk
Tribe. “That kind of extraordinary commitment by ordinary Indians
is what led to this victory.”
Today’s
Klamath River salmon returns are less than 5% of their historical
abundance
with
some runs of salmon completely extirpated from the system. Dams deny
salmon access to hundreds of miles of historical
habitat,
degrade water quality, and foster the spread of fish diseases.
Scientific studies and dam removal efforts in other watersheds
demonstrate that dam removal can reverse these trends.
“This
is a historic day for the Tribes of the Klamath River and for
Indigenous People all over the world. When we act together with a
unified voice no power in this universe can stop us,” said Ridges
to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group Principal and Yurok Tribal
member Amy Cordalis.
Representatives
from additional organizations that advocated for Klamath dam removal
also commented on today’s significant action by FERC.
“Restoring
the Klamath River is a historic win for people, salmon, and
everything that depends on a clean, healthy river. It demonstrates
the power of persistence and collaboration. When people come together
around a vision for their river, it really is possible to change the
world.” – Brian
Graber, Senior Director of River Restoration, American Rivers
“Dam
removal represents a monumental achievement. As we look beyond this
historic moment, Sustainable Northwest will continue partnering in
the Klamath basin to build on this success to improve water quality
and meet water demands that support Tribes, farmers, ranchers, and
native wildlife.”
– Greg
Block, President, Sustainable Northwest
“I
inherited the responsibility to take care of my relatives, the
salmon, from my father. While I have spent most of my life as an
activist at protests and rallies, my hope is for
my
children to
spend
more time fishing and less time protesting.” - Save
California Salmon Education Director Charley Reed, who was seven
years old when with the Klamath fish killset
the Bring the Salmon Home movement in motion.
“It
feels like a lifetime ago that we started working on this momentous
effort together. It became clear early on in our efforts to protect
and restore the wild Spring Chinook of the Salmon River that the
Klamath dams would have to come down in order to realize that dream.
With partners around the basin, we have been working towards that
goal for over 20 years and now, finally, we’re going to take down
the Iron Gate Dam and let those fish run through!” -
Petey Brucker, Salmon River Restoration Council’s co-founder who
was involved in dam removal negotiations from their inception.
“The
Klamath River has been Exhibit A for how dams, drought, imbalanced
water management and climate change can strangle a river. Now, the
Klamath is poised to become a prime example of how an entire river
system, and the people and wildlife that depend on it, can be
renewed. The major investments TU and others have made in improving
water quality, fish passage and habitat in the upper Klamath Basin
will soon pay their full dividends, as salmon and steelhead finally
come back to their ancestral spawning grounds. We salute the Tribal,
state, and federal leaders who have helped make this happen, and
PacifiCorp and the KRRC for their commitment to bringing the Klamath
back to life.” – Chrysten
Rivard, Director, Trout Unlimited’s Oregon Program
“The
removal of these dams begins the Klamath’s recovery from a century
of dam-related impacts. We look forward to the many ways that people
will experience the renewed Klamath, including the 41 miles of new
whitewater river that will emerge when the dams come down.”
– Thomas O’Keefe, Pacific Northwest Stewardship Director,
American Whitewater
“It’s
been incredible for CalTrout to join forces with over 40
organizations and Native American Tribes in support of taking the
Klamath dams out. Tribal leadership has been a central component of
this effort. The Yurok, Karuk and Klamath River Tribes have led the
effort to restore part of their cultural heritage and subsistence
fishing for salmon and lamprey. With the Klamath River being the
second largest river in California, it represents a huge opportunity
to achieve native wild salmon and steelhead abundance in a way that
we haven’t seen for many decades.” –
Curtis
Knight, Executive Director of California Trout
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Press release from the Klamath River Renewal Corporation:
Today,
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) unanimously approved
the surrender of the Lower Klamath Project License and the
decommissioning of the four hydroelectric dams in the Lower Klamath
Project. The License Surrender Order is the final decision by FERC on
the Klamath River Renewal project. The License Surrender Order is the
action that allows the Klamath River Renewal Corporation (KRRC) to
decommission and remove the four hydroelectric dams and implement
related restoration activities.
“KRRC
is very pleased by the Commission’s decision today,” said Mark
Bransom, Chief Executive Officer of KRRC, “This
important milestone reflects decades of collective work by the many
dedicated Signatories of the Amended Klamath Hydroelectric Settlement
Agreement to restore the Klamath River and we are prepared to begin
the largest dam removal and river restoration effort in U.S.
history.”
The
decommissioning process will start once the KRRC and the States of
Oregon and California review terms and conditions of the surrender,
and accept the June 2021 License
Transfer Order,
which will transfer ownership of the dams from PacifiCorp to KRRC and
the States. The parties expect to accept the Transfer Order within 30
days of today’s License Surrender Order.
“Today’s
action by FERC paves the way for revitalization and restoration of
the Klamath Basin. Dam removal is the first step in healing of the
Klamath River and all Klamath Tribal communities,” said Amy
Cordalis, KRRC Board member appointed by the Yurok Tribe.
Wendy
Ferris-George, KRRC Board member appointed by the Karuk Tribe said,
“Dam removal is imminent. We deeply appreciate the many Tribal
people who have dedicated their lives to bring balance to the Klamath
River and their communities.”
Following
the acceptance of License Transfer, KRRC plans to begin dam
removal activities in 2023 and be completed in 2024, with the return
of the river to a free-flowing condition through the project reach.
Personnel and equipment will be deployed in early 2023 to commence
pre-removal construction, including infrastructure improvements and
modifications to the dams. Reservoir drawdown and dam removal is
expected to begin in January 2024, with restoration activities
commencing immediately following dam removal. Restoration of the
project footprint will continue for several years.
Dam
removal is the first crucial step to restore the health of the
Klamath River and the communities that depend upon it. The
revitalization of the Basin will help local communities thrive, by
creating a more robust regional economy and providing lasting
environment benefits. KRRC is pleased to be part of a cooperative
effort to re-establish the natural vitality of the Klamath River and
help strengthen the entire Basin for the future.
“This
is an incredibly important moment and I want to acknowledge and thank
our many partners, and particularly our tribal partners, for their
enormous efforts and strong collaboration to get us to the point of
restoring the Klamath River so that it can support communities in the
Basin for generations to come,” said Brian Johnson, President of
the KRRC Board.
Lisa LaVerne Shinn was born on May 17, 1990. She passed away peacefully with family by her side on November 9, 2022. Lisa lived most of her life in Honeydew while also spending time in other parts of Humboldt County.
Lisa encountered many struggles in her life beginning at a young age. Her mother passed away due to cancer when Lisa was 9. At age 11 Lisa was diagnosed with cancer, which resulted in the loss of one leg at 13. During these difficult times Lisa could still light up a room with the charm in her voice. Her sass, humor and sometimes even the tone of her voice reminded those around her of her mom. Otherwise, Lisa was soft spoken with a voice so gentle and kind.
As the years went by, the hurdles Lisa came across surpassed anything one could fight.
Her family will always remember the times her laughter filled their hearts and innocence filled her eyes.
“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All of that unspent love gathers in the corners of your eyes, the lump in your throat, and in the hollow part of your chest. Grief is just love with no place to go.”
-Jamie Anderson
Lisa is survived by her twin brother Leland Shinn, sister Hannah Stoller (Justin), father Jim Shinn (Jennifer), grandparents Greg and Betsy Mullins, uncles Masood Behbood and Steve Higgins, aunt Lindsey Mullins (Alex), niece Raina Stoller, cousins Melony Higgins (James), Amber Wallan, Corey Higgins (Janelle), Trinity English, Jayden English, Erecia Shinn (Chase), and Maddalann Smith (Raymond).
She is proceeded in death by her mother Susan Randall, grandparents Nelson and LaVerne Randall, grandfather Don Shinn, aunts Cindy Behbood and Shannon Higgins, uncles Rex Shinn and Luke Mullins.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to your local hospice or animal shelter. A memorial will be held at a later date.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Lisa Shinn’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Danny was born
August 4, 1973 in Eureka and sadly passed away on November 7, 2022 at
the age of 49.
Danny met everyone with a smile and made friends
easily and were countless in number. He had friends from south of
Humboldt County up through the Oregon border. In Danny, you had a
true and loyal friend who will be missed by so many. You could count
on him to be there to offer a helping hand, listen to you attentively
in your time of need, and he would sacrifice his own needs to aid a
friend. Danny had the best smile. He could always make you laugh if
you were feeling down. He most enjoyed the days spent traveling to
visit family and friends. Danny loved everyone, especially his mother
and children. Danny was kind, sensitive, kind-hearted and loving and
all who knew him will feel a substantial loss.
Danny attended
Zoe Barnum High School and was a proud member of the Bear River Band
of the Rohnerville Rancheria. Danny has a large extended family
consisting of many aunties, uncles and cousins. Danny was extremely
close to his siblings Elizabeth (Pumpkin) French, who preceded him in
death, and brother Jeremy Houston, Sr.
Danny is going to
be greatly missed by his family and friends. Don’t mourn for Danny,
instead be joyous for him as he is where he yearned to be – with
his Creator and son Dominic.
Danny is survived
by his mother Aileen Meyer, brothers Jeremy, David and JJason
Houston, Kevin Matilton, Joe Lopez and sisters Dusty, Shelly, and
Natasha Lopez. Aunties Brenda and Eloise Bowie as well as several
cousins. Danny’s surviving children are daughters Shania Brissette
and Shayla Lopez and sons Cheyenne and D.J. Lopez, including his son
Dominic Lopez who tragically preceded him in death. Danny is also
survived by his nieces and nephews Rachel, Jeremy, Jr. and MaeMae
Houston and his grandchildren Booboo and Ash, Cecilia, Catalaya and
Keanu.
Danny is preceded
in death by his father Edward Lopez, Jr. and sister Elizabeth
“Pumpkin” French and grandmother Margaret Moon Bowie and grandfather Edward Lopez, Sr. and his children’s mother Jeanne
Marie Stanshaw, and stepfathers Robert Tracy Johnson and Richard
Meyer.
Pallbearers are
Jeremy Houston, Cheyenne Lopez, Jimmy Bowie, Edward Gus Bowie, Billy
Robinson, Sr., Sage Foley and Vincent Bianca.
Honorary
Pallbearers are Denny Sherman, Brian Wells, Billy Robinson, Jr., John
McGinnis, Dakota McGinnis, Roy Robinson, Nicholas Murray, Nathan
French, Ann Fiester and Jolanda Ingram-Obie.
Memorial Services
will be held Sunday, November 20 at Saunders Funeral Home at 1835 E
Street in Eureka at 10 a.m. Gravesite services will be held on
Monday, November 21 at Sunrise Cemetery in Fortuna on Newburg Road at noon. A potluck memorial reception will be held at his mother’s
home on Singley Hill Road in Loleta or
at the Tish-Non Community Center in Loleta immediately following the
services at Sanders Funeral Home in Eureka on Sunday. Notice will be
given at the memorial services on Sunday where the potluck memorial
reception will be held.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Danny Lopez’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
Peggy passed away peacefully with her husband, Don, by her side
at Mad River Hospital.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Mardel Holder, and her
father, Ves Holder. She is survived by her daughters, Angela
Holthaus (Charlie), Holly Bianco (Steven) and Rebecca York; her
sister, Sue Blankinship (Wayne); and her brothers Gary Holder (Joeinne),
Jerome Holder and John Holder (Danielle). She also leaves behind
her grandson, Cody Cortelyou, and granddaughter, Lacey Simas.
Peggy had a great passion for all animals, especially her horses
and her dogs, Dock and Wyatt.
For many years, Peggy took all of the school pictures in Humboldt
County through Lifetouch Studios.
Peggy will be greatly missed by her friends and family.
At her request, there will be no services.
Donations may be made at any animal shelter or Hospice of
Humboldt.
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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Peggy Godfrey’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.
