A few moments ago, a white sedan across the street in Winco went up in flames. Humboldt Bay Fire is on the scene. They’ve called Eureka Police to come provide traffic control.

Thanks to a reader for these photos and the video below.

Edwin Masanori Uyeki died peacefully in his sleep at home on October 15, 2022. He was 94 years old. Ed, as he was known to all, was a thoughtful and generous man of keen observation, dry wit, an innovative, outside-the-box thinker, and a deeply caring family man. He was devoted to Aiko, his wife of over 71 years, who was always in his thoughts and heart.

Ed was born in Seattle, the second of three sons, second generation nisei children to first generation issei parents from Japan. He had a happy and mischief-filled childhood, fishing and having fun with his best buddy ‘Chuyo’ – freed from the responsibilities of working in the family dry goods store, unlike older brother Eugene, who was expected to help. Then their world turned upside down with the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and his dread on that day could not have prepared him for the time his family was incarcerated, initially at the Puyallup ‘Assembly Center’ (formerly state fairgrounds), and finally three years in the Minidoka ‘Relocation Camp’ in the middle of an Idaho desert. Despite the harsh conditions behind barbed wire, Ed and his family tried to make the best of their time, whether swimming in irrigation ditches, harvesting sugar beets or helping to build and play on a basketball court. Ed excelled in his studies, graduating in his junior year and delivered a hope-filled graduation speech to his high school class. Over the years, Ed battled and overcame the trauma of that incarceration, to being at peace within himself.

Under the mentoring wing of “Father Joe” Kitagawa, family friend and Episcopalian priest, Ed and brothers Eugene and Lloyd all attended private colleges on scholarships after they left the camp. Ed’s children loved looking at his Kenyon College yearbook, especially the pages with photographs of the handsome and quiet college student. He shared stories of playing pool with classmate Paul Newman (yes, that one!) Aiko and daughter Terry cherish the memory of meeting Ed’s fellow alum Paul on a film set in Kansas City, after he had welcomed Paul to KC, sending him a copy of their yearbook photo. Paul graciously invited Ed and family to the set.

Ed met the love of his life, Aiko, at a party in Chicago, where they were both students at the University of Chicago. She recalls how handsome, worldly and ‘cool’ he was, well-read on the news of the day, dressed impeccably in ironed shirts, and agile at blowing smoke rings. After a short courtship, they were married on campus, and before he received his doctorate in pharmacology, daughter Terry was born, an early graduation gift, and the first of the third generation sansei in the Uyeki family. After two years, he began a post-doctorate post at Case Western Reserve in Cleveland, and they had two more children, Bill and Amy. Ed and Aiko enjoyed having family close, with his parents and Eugene’s family living in the Cleveland area, with a small Japanese American community providing cultural and familial ties.

Ed’s career as a cellular research scientist took the family across the country, to doing radiation biology research for General Electric Company at the Hanford reactor, outside Richland, Washington, to the Midwest, teaching medical and graduate students as professor of pharmacology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. Over 30 years, he did pioneering tissue culture research on the toxicity to the immune system of anti-tumor drugs, studied effects of insecticides on embryo development, and was among the first to examine programmed cell death (apoptosis) rates as an early marker of drug toxicity. Aiko and he formed life-long friendships with his colleagues and spouses through the years, and his children fondly remember holiday dinners at which visiting foreign researchers and lab technicians always had a seat at the table. Ed and Aiko traveled the world, through his sabbatical leaves and professional meetings from Scotland to Japan.

Ed’s hobbies and interests changed over the years, and the family treasures the black and white photos he took of family and developed in his home darkroom. His children attest to his influence on their career and recreational passions, beginning with his skills as a teacher and his own athleticism from his younger days. Bill’s lifelong passion with fishing began with Ed, from reservoirs in Washington state, the streams of Colorado, to the first day of trout-fishing in Missouri. Amy and Bill were key players on their sports teams from grade school through high school, excelling in baseball, softball, football, tennis, and basketball, aided by Ed’s enthusiastic coaching and encouragement to do one’s best. Terry’s love of folk music came from listening to Ed’s favorite artists like the Weavers, Harry Belafonte, and John McCutcheon. She worked for Ed, writing grant proposals and research papers, and because of his mentoring, worked towards a career in research. The family cherishes memories of his harmonica playing and his love of music of all genres, including classical and opera.

Ed was a huge sports fan to the end. His first favorite professional teams were the Cleveland Indians baseball team and the Cleveland Browns football team. His allegiance shifted with his family’s Midwest move to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas University Jayhawks men’s college basketball team. Though Ed and Aiko moved from Kansas City in 1994, he continued to follow KU with shared enthusiasm from other family members.

When Ed and Aiko retired to McKinleyville, they joined the local Unitarian Fellowship, and to this day, their closest friends locally have been fellowship members. Ed participated in bird watching and mushroom hunting with friends, meditation at the local Zen center, and read religious thought by such spiritual leaders as Krishnamurti, Pema Chodron, and Shunryu Suzuki. He was an inventive chef, and Thanksgiving feasts took on a North Coast flavor when he smoked salmon in his cast iron kamado smoker served with his secret citrus wasabi sauce. Before the “mule” shoe came in vogue, Ed creatively had cut out the back of his tennis shoes for easy on-and-off.

Above all, Ed was devoted to and supported his children and grandchildren. Ed and Aiko were once-a-week willing babysitters for their four grandchildren, Brooke, Robin, Chisa, and Mei Lan. He was a constant presence at their soccer, basketball games, plays and dance recitals, and there was mutual enjoyment of conversations with his adult grandchildren on topics ranging from philosophy and science, to childhood recollections. Children and grandchildren felt cherished and special in Ed’s eyes – this type of affection from a man of few words is a quality that we will always hold deep in our hearts.

The love and care that Ed and Aiko bestowed upon their family is their intergenerational legacy. Ed truly adored his sweetheart of 72 years, Aiko. Her brief hospitalization at the beginning of this year, after her breaking a hip and having a stroke, with COVID lockdowns prohibiting family visitors, was an extreme hardship for Ed as he missed her so. But his and Aiko’s deep love for each other overcame that hardship, as it had numerous times during their marriage spanning decades. Together, he and Aiko met the challenges of raising a family as post-incarcerated nisei, embodying gaman, the strength to endure the unbearable with patience and dignity.

In a reflective presentation about his spiritual path he gave to the Unitarian Fellowship 5 years ago, he closed with, “… in the December of my life, I can only say that I have tried to support my children and grandchildren, to embody truth and love in their lives.” And indeed, he did.

A celebration of life will be planned for the spring of 2023. Persons wishing to honor his legacy may make donations in his name to one of the following:

• For the establishment of a fund for scholarships for Asian American first generation college students, the Uyeki Scholarship Fund [c/o HAF+WRCF, 363 Indianola Road, Bayside CA 95524, or online https://hafoundation.org/UyekiScholarshipFund].

• Student scholarships at his alma mater, Kenyon College [The Kenyon Fund, 1 Kenyon College, Gambier, OH 43022-9623 or online at gift.kenyon.edu].

• The Humboldt Asian and Pacific Islanders in Solidarity [c/o The Ink People, 627 3rd St. Eureka, CA 95501]

###

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

Roman “Rick” Edward Pavlich passed away November 21, 2022 in Eureka. He was born on September 17, 1935 to Albert and Ann Crnich Pavlich at General Hospital. Rick was very proud to be of Croatian descent. He attended St. Bernard’s Grammar School and graduated from Eureka High School in the class of 1953. Rick attended and graduated from the University of California at Berkeley, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi Fraternity. Rick completed his formal education with a law degree from Lincoln Law School in Sacramento. Rick proudly served his nation as a United States Marine and member of the Army Reserves. Rick practiced law for 35 years in Eureka with his lifelong best friend and law partner Jeremiah R. Scott, Jr. at their firm of Scott, Scott, and Pavlich.

In December 1992, Rick had a liver transplant and a second one 14 days later. He and his family have been blessed all these years by the donors.

He first love, beside his wife Linda, was hunting and fishing. He was very knowledgeable regarding all kinds of firearms, ammunition, and reloading. Friends would call upon him for advice. He was a member of oldest chartered duck club in California, which is now the Humboldt Bay Wildlife Refuge. He had many good years duck and pheasant hunting at Cedarville and Tulelake with dear friends like John Morrison and Steve Cobine. Rick also hunted deer, pig and turkey in Humboldt County. He was a member of Trap & Skeet Club, Redwood Stumpers and the Elks.

Rick Pavlich was a kind soul and great friend to many. It was often said of him, “if you can’t get along with Rick Pavlich, you can’t get along with anyone.”

He is proceeded in death by his wife Linda, parents Albert and Ann Crnich Pavlich, his son Michael and Jeremiah R. Scott, Jr. He will be happy to be reunited with his tabby cat Sam, and labs Molly & Raven.

He is survived by daughters Julie Townsend (Bob) of Springfield, Miss., Megan Magness Sparks, of Nevada, granddaughter Ashley Townsend Powell (Noah), Great Grandson Atticus, Great Granddaughter Ember, stepson Shawn Johnson of Eugene, Oregon, sister-in-law Mary Scott and niece Catherine Scott of Eureka, and nephews McGregor Scott of El Dorado Hills, Calif. and Stuart Scott of San Juan Bautista, Calif.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to the staff at Frye’s Care Home for the outstanding care Rick received in his final days. The family is also grateful for the many friends, neighbors and family members who helped Rick after Linda’s passing. In lieu of flowers, please become an organ donor and tell loved ones you love them often.

###

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

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 20, 2022, at about 12:12 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 3600 block of Old Arcata Road near Eureka for the report of an assault.

Deputies contacted an adult female victim at the residence. During their investigation, deputies learned that an acquaintance of the victim, 45-year-old Bobbie Gene Bagley, reportedly arrived at the residence uninvited. When asked to leave, Bagley reportedly physically assaulted the victim with a knife and then threatened to kill her if she contacted law enforcement. The victim was able to escape, and Bagley reportedly fled the residence.

On November 21, at about 1:28 a.m., a Sheriff’s deputy on patrol in the Eureka area located Bagley’s vehicle parked on Commercial Street. Deputies conducted a vehicle investigation and located Bagley inside. Bagley was arrested without incident. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located approximately .16 grams of methamphetamine, pepper spray and a knife.

Bagley was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (PC 245(a)(1)), false imprisonment (PC 236), intimidating a victim (PC 136.1(b)(1)) and unlawful possession of pepper spray (PC 22810(A)).

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.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 20, 2022, at about 3:10 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 4000 block of F Street, in the county’s jurisdiction of Eureka, for the report of a domestic violence incident with a stabbing victim.

Deputies arrived at the residence and located an adult female victim with serious injuries. She was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. While at the residence, deputies also contacted and detained 42-year-old Robert James Duncan. Through further investigation, deputies learned that Duncan reportedly physically assaulted the victim and then stabbed her following a disagreement.

Duncan was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of attempted murder (PC 664/187(a)), inflicting corporal injury on a spouse (PC 273.5(a)) and child endangerment (PC 273a(a)).

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.

Anthony Leland Obie was born July 19th, 1964 and passed away on November 17th, 2022. Anthony is preceded in death by his paternal grandparents; Albert Obie and Adelia Norris-Obie; his maternal grandparents Jackson Ames and Carolyn Jake Ames; his parents Milton and Matilda “Tillie” Obie; his Obie Uncles and Aunties; His Ames Uncles and Aunties; his siblings Jon Obie and Denise Obie-Timmons; and his nieces Kimberly Obie and Cicelly Gabriel. Tony is survived by his wife Jolanda Ingram-Obie; his siblings Sharon Obie-Brown and Greg Brown, Judith Gabriel, and Roxanne Obie. He is survived by his children; Anthony Winterhawk Obie and Leah May-Obie, Teresina Obie, Lindsey Jackson, Ernie Jackson, and Taylor Obie and Bubu Beaman, Jalea and Troy Aubrey, and Jeff Mathison-Walker. He is survived by his grandchildren Kimimila Obie, Ku’ukoa Obie, Lucas Jackson, Laila and Lawrence Walker-Orcutt, Milan, Jeffery, and Evelyn James-Mathison. His nieces and nephews Michael Gabriel, Dominic Obie, Rainey and Kash McCovey, and many great nieces and nephews that he loved.

Anthony was from the villages of Sregon, Pecwan, Requa, and Tsewinaldin. He was a proud member of the Yurok Tribe. Anthony was born in Hoopa and started his life Down River until the 1964 flood destroyed his family’s home and they moved to Hoopa. Anthony attended and graduated Hoopa Valley High School. As a young adult he played football for the College of the Redwoods and played in many All-Indian Basketball and Softball tournaments; receiving many All-Indian trophies and other recognitions. Anthony is well known for his outstanding athletic talents in Basketball, Baseball, Football, Stick Games, and horseshoe games. He had many teammates that he considered family and would share stories about the “good o’l days.” He loved spending time with family, hunting, fishing, participating in Yurok and Hupa ceremonies, and attending church. He was also known for his charismatic personality, his contagious laugh, and his radiant smile.

Anthony spoke fondly of the logging days. He learned from his father, and while working for Hoopa Forest Industries, and other logging outfits. He hung his tin hat up after a serious injury in the woods and had to reinvent himself. He was very proud of his days at the Friendship House and his 14 years of sobriety. He enjoyed passing along what he learned about recovery and spirituality. During his career he worked with the developmentally delayed at Supportive Living Services in Del Norte County, as a Youth Advocate at Yurok Tribal Court, and as a Native American Spiritual Leader at High Desert State Prison in his final days.

Anthony passed away at their home, from a longstanding illness, in Susanville, California with his loving wife nearby. Although he passed too soon, he lived a full life and touched many hearts. As he makes his journey, he is forever loved by his family, friends, and teammates. The love that he had for his wife, kids, and grandchildren is what kept him alive.

Pallbearers: Michael Gabriel, Dominic Obie, Winterhawk Obie, Marcus Obie-Brown, David “Sonners” Hostler IV, Jeff Mathison-Walker, Mike Obie, and Kash McCovey.

Honorary Pallbearers: Lester Obie, Wally Obie, David O’ Neill, Greg Brown, Roger Sanderson, Ricky Sanderson, Marion “Inker” McCovey, Dickie Myers, Fred Timmons, Darryl Obie, Frank Ruiz, Larry Jordan, David Ruiz, Seth Ruiz, Clarence Hostler, Troy Aubrey, Junior Farmer, Joe James, Milton Stewart, Gary Obie Stewart, Boyd Ferris, Freddie Brown, and the SweatHogs.

Due to the untimely passing of Anthony, the family apologizes for names of family members, teammates, and friends we did not mention. He loved many and all.

He will make his journey to Hoopa from Susanville on November 22nd, 2022. His wake will be at St. Kateri Hall on Pine Creek Road on November 22nd at approximately 9pm. Services will be at St. Kateri Catholic Church at 11 am on November 23rd, 2022. Anthony will be buried at the Obie Cemetery at Sregon Village. After the burial, there will be a reception at St. Kateri Hall following the graveside burial. Flowers and food can be received at Kateri Hall. Jeanerette Jacups-Johnnie Jacups and Harold Jones, Sr. will officiate.

###

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

California state prisons transfer people with serious mental illness far more frequently than other prisoners — sometimes moving them dozens of times — a CalMatters’ analysis of newly acquired state data has found.

The findings underscore a CalMatters’ investigation from earlier this year which revealed the state’s practice of shuffling around mentally ill prisoners, which some advocates say can be disruptive and damaging to these vulnerable people.

The story focused on the case of Adam Collier, who had been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder and anxiety disorder, among other mental illnesses. Collier was serving a five-year sentence for exposing himself to women in public while high on meth. He was moved 39 times between 2016 and 2020 — bouncing among crisis units, state hospitals and seven different prisons — before he killed himself in Kern Valley State Prison in October 2020.

CalMatters’ analysis of data from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation found that, from 2016 to 2021, California prisoners in “enhanced outpatient” mental health treatment were moved three times more often, on average, than other prisoners.

The data shows that incarcerated people in the system’s enhanced mental health program — which provides the highest level of outpatient mental health care for prisoners — averaged five moves during the time period, compared to an average 1.5 transfers for people in the general prison population.

One person, who was in and out of the mental health program, moved 75 times during the six-year period. The data does not identify any individuals.

“That doesn’t surprise me at all,” said Keramet Reiter, a criminology professor at the University of California, Irvine. “The seriously mentally ill people … bounce around a bit.”

CalMatters had requested the state’s transfers data on March 31; the department responded on Aug. 1 and Sept. 16. For its June story, CalMatters collected its own data about prison transfers for about a year, which generally mirrors the state’s records during the same timeframe.

“Transfers for an inmate are disruptive,” said Christopher Lisieski, the attorney representing Collier’s mother in a federal lawsuit against several prison employees. “Disrupting someone’s routine who’s severely mentally ill is additional stress and strain and can worsen mental health symptoms.”

Advocates, prisoners and family members contend that, in cases like Collier’s, a steady stream of transfers reflects a system that too often fails to adequately care for people in mental health crises. These incarcerated people might bounce between prisons and short-term crisis beds without ever stabilizing enough to get better, they say.

In California, mental health care in state prisons is designed so that incarcerated people transfer to appropriate levels of care as their needs change. Treatments range from outpatient therapy in the general prisoner population to long-term hospitalization in treatment facilities within the correctional system.

Prisoners needing the highest level of care could be sent to state hospitals, which are separate facilities that also house people who are not in the criminal justice system.

But the system doesn’t always work perfectly. In several investigations, the Inspector General has determined that people who need it sometimes aren’t referred to a higher level of care.

In other cases, experts say, multiple transfers can mean the system is working and people are getting the care they need.

Department spokesperson Dana Simas wrote in an emailed statement that the state transfers prisoners for a variety of reasons, including court hearings, medical treatment, mental health treatment, changes in security level, patient safety, staff conflicts, misconduct allegations or parole.

In California, prison mental health treatment policies are governed by a federal class-action lawsuit — known as Coleman — on behalf of prisoners with serious mental illness.

In 1995, a federal court ruled that the department was not providing adequate mental health care to prisoners. The court eventually approved the Corrections Department’s plan for providing mental health care and appointed a special master to monitor and report on the state’s compliance.

“The department works closely with the Coleman special master and others on these matters, and always strives for what is in the best interest of the patient’s individual needs,” Simas wrote in an email to CalMatters.

Special master Matthew A. Lopes Jr. did not respond to CalMatters’ request for comment.

In Collier’s case, he moved so frequently that his mother, Susan Ottele of McMinnville, Ore., started “every single, solitary day” checking online to see which prison was holding Collier and why.

When the pandemic hit, the prisons went on lockdown, and Collier sat inside Kern Valley State Prison for seven months. It was his longest stay at any prison since 2016.

“With all these transfers, I’m fucking dizzy,” Collier wrote in a letter to Ottele in March 2020. Months later, at age 43, Collier killed himself.

The Office of the Inspector General investigated Collier’s suicide and found that the department had “poorly handled” Collier’s case. The inspector general’s March 2021 report described an array of internal problems, including clinicians improperly delaying Collier’s referral to a higher level of care and failing to adequately document his history of self-harm.

Earlier this year, Ottele filed a wrongful death complaint in federal court, alleging that prison guards failed to monitor her son and acted with deliberate indifference.

In court documents, state attorneys deny these claims, saying the guards were not aware of Collier’s history of suicide attempts. The Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation declined to comment on the lawsuit, citing pending litigation. Lisieski, Ottele’s attorney, said the case likely won’t be resolved for years.

###

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