Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 14, 2022, at about 6:46 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 100 block of Hansen Drive near Fortuna for the report of an unwanted person attempting to gain entry into a residence.

Deputies arrived at the residence and located 38-year-old Kristopher Sean Mobley Jr. nearby a broken window of the residence. When contacted, Mobley began acting erratically toward deputies and physically resisted them upon detainment. After a brief struggle, Mobley was taken into custody without injury.

During their investigation, deputies learned that Mobley and the resident were acquaintances. The resident told deputies that Mobley had arrived at the home that evening uninvited and the resident asked him to leave. Mobley refused to leave, began banging on the resident’s exterior door and then broke a window. 

Mobley was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of felony vandalism (PC 594(b)(1)) and resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)).

 Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Nov. 13, 2022, at about 7:24 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies served a search warrant at a residence on the 2300 block of Togo Street, in the county’s jurisdiction of Eureka, to investigate the illicit sale of narcotics.

Deputies arrived at the residence and detained multiple individuals, including the subject of the search warrant, 41-year-old Jessiekate Hawk. During a search of the residence, deputies located over 58 grams of fentanyl packaged for sales, over 4 grams of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia and items consistent with the sale of controlled substances.

Hawk was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of possession of a controlled substance for sales (HS 11351) and operating/maintaining a drug house (HS 11366.5(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.

Jacqueline “Jackie” Denise Watts passed away in Eureka on November 6, 2022 just one month before her 58th birthday.

Jackie was born in Eureka on December 28, 1964, the third of four girls. Jackie spent many adventurous and joyful years with her siblings and friends. She often times would tell stories about the fun and sometimes trouble she and her girls had. Jackie was always full of enthusiasm and dedication when it came to her family and friends. It was her philosophy in life. Jackie graduated from Eureka High School in 1983 with honors — the year that some of her most favorite music groups staked their claim to fame on a large scale: Michael Jackson, Commodores and anything Motown.

After high school, Jackie went to college at Humboldt State University, majoring in mathematics while working at the Crown Simpson mill full-time with her father, A.V. She was always a smart lady with loads of ambition. Jackie graduated from HSU in 1987. Upon graduation Jackie worked multiple jobs until finding and building a successful career at State Fund. She quickly rose to management and was the recipient of many accomplishment awards. This is where she met many of her lifelong friends.

Her desire was to stay in Eureka to be close to her family. It was in Eureka that Jackie met the love of her life, Todd. Jackie met Todd the evening after he returned from a vacation in Hong Kong. It was a friendship that blossomed into so much more. Jackie and Todd finally married after many years of being “together,” Jackie being Todd’s true soul mate and Todd being hers. True best friends. He was her superman and she was his wonder woman as many would say.

Jackie was known for her love and commitment to family. They had their only child, Alliah in 2001. Jackie went out of her way to treat Todd as her King and Alliah as her princess. When her husband passed in 2008, it quickly became her and their daughter Alliah. Anyone who knows Jackie can tell you that she and Alliah were inseparable. Alliah was Jackie’s reason for being. Jackie was devoted to Alliah and they were each other’s biggest fans, but most importantly they were each other’s best friend. She especially loved to watch Alliah dance. She even loved to school Alliah in a game of monopoly, teaching Alliah her best playing moves. They went through life together and enjoyed every minute of it.

Jackie was known by many people and was involved in many organizations to create a difference, such as NAACP and Redwood Coast Village. She was the treasurer and lifetime member for the NAACP and on the executive board for Redwood Coast Village. Those who knew Jackie knew that she had a lengthy battle with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). She was diagnosed at the young age of 23, however she didn’t let that stop her from living life large. Those who knew her knew that she was determined to fight MS all while never complaining. She always had a smile on her face and kept that sass that everyone knew and loved.You could always count on her to be energetic, sassy and independent all while having the biggest heart. She was our inspiration and our hero.

MS was not what defined her. Those who knew her are so lucky to have had her in their lives. She will forever be our light. There is a whole in our hearts but we will carry her in our hearts forever.

Jackie is survived by her loving daughter Alliah Watts, parents; Shirley and A.V. Powell, sisters; Linda Menniweathers, Betty Herrera, Clarissa “Cheryl” Powell, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives. She is preceded by her husband and soul mate; Todd Watts, and grandparents; Pecola Givens and Lawrence Givens.

Friends and family are invited to attend the funeral on Saturday December 3, 2022 at 1 p.m. at Sanders Funeral Home, 1835 E Street, Eureka. A celebration of life will directly follow at 3 p.m. at the Wharfinger, 1 Marina Way Eureka Ca. Please wear attire that is fitting of Jackie’s style and personality.

Memorial contributions may be made to: The National MS Society.

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

Januario Cardoso Pires, “Jay,” of Arcata went to be with our Lord on November 8, 2022 at the age of 90. At his side was his devoted wife Maria, and her son, Tony. He was preceded in death by his son, Januario Pires Jr. of Florida, his parents Januario Pires and Jesuina Borges of Terceira, Azores and his six older sisters.

Jay is survived by his wife, Maria Pires and her son, Tony Luis; Daughters, Mafalda Mann (Craig), Estelle Creel, and Lucinda Ribeiro. Grandchildren: Tishana Mann, Craig Mann Jr., Samantha Creel, Sarah Salas (Antonio), Amy Knight (Jaime), Jeff Cook (Sarai), Bill Cook, Alissa Morey. He was blessed with Great Grandchildren, Isaac Mann, Avyana Gray, Kaylee Cook (AJ), Emily Moore (James), Della Cook, and Owen Morey. Great Great Grandchildren: Jack Knight, Antonio Salas, Luis Salas, Baylee Stubbs, Jaycee Moore and many nieces and nephews throughout California and the East Coast.

Jay was born July 28, 1932 to Januario Pires and Jesuina Borges in Terceira, Acores. He was the youngest with six older sisters. Jay was industrious and a hard worker. He was a Fire Chief in Terceira for 22 years. He emigrated to the US and held many jobs throughout his life. Jay was a world traveler. He and Maria enjoyed ten cruises and many trips throughout the United States and Europe. He was an avid gardener with many fruit trees and greenhouses. He enjoyed the company of family and friends, parties, and celebrations.

Pallbearers will be: Isidro Homen, Michael Alves, Ernie Alves, Joe Borba, Alvino Borba, and Luis Adriano Careoso. Rosary to be held on Thursday, November 17 at 7 p.m. at Paul’s Chapel in Arcata. Funeral Service at St. Mary’s Church in Arcata Friday, November 18 at 11 a.m. Interment to follow at Sunset Cemetery. Celebration of Life to be held following the services at Maria Pires home.

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

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Excellent news for fans of non-motorized locomotion and redwood forest bathing: A Saturday ribbon-cutting ceremony marked the much-anticipated completion of the Arcata Ridge Trail. Huzzah!

The five-mile pathway now stretches from West End Road at the northern edge of the city, south through the Arcata Community Forest, across Fickle Hill Road and down through the Sunny Brae Forest Tract, terminating at Buttermilk Lane.

Here, have a map:

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The City of Arcata boasts that this new trail will allow hikers, bikers and equestrians to travel from the northern edge of city limits to the southern border without leaving redwood-covered hillsides. 

You can access at numerous locations, including Redwood Park (at the east ends of 11th and 14th Streets), Fickle Hill Road and California Street, near the Cal Poly Humboldt dorms. 

You can even bring your dogs along, provided that they’re securely leashed. 

In a Facebook post, the city notes that the newest segment of trail will be periodically closed through the rainy winter and spring months, allowing it time to dry out.

That said, get hiking! The redwood wonderland beckons.

Leading up to Election Day, advocacy groups were predicting — or at least hoping — that California voters would elect record numbers of women and LGBTQ people to the Legislature.

Based on the results so far, it appears that history will be made — and that the state Assembly and Senate will look more like California than ever before.

With eight openly LGBTQ candidates winning, including four potential new lawmakers, plus four holdovers, the Legislature is on track to have at least 10% LGBTQ representation for the first time ever, according to Equality California. If that happens, California would be the first state to achieve proportional LGBTQ+ representation in its legislature — and the number could go as high as 14 of the 120 legislators.

And the number of female lawmakers is headed toward at least 43, a record, and as many as 52, according to Close the Gap California. This past session, women made up 39 of 120 legislators — up from a recent low of 26 seats in 2017.

The likely surge in diversity is partly due to new districts and open seats that created a window of opportunity for new candidates.

In the June primary, an unprecedented 113 women ran for legislative seats, 38% of all candidates, and 80 made it to November. In districts without an incumbent, 61% of female candidates advanced out of the primary — nearly double the success rate of 33% in 2020, according to Close the Gap, a political advocacy group that works to elect Democratic women. Nine legislative races on the Nov. 8 ballot featured two women running against one another, including Jasmeet Bains, a Democratic state Assembly candidate in Bakersfield, who would become the first South Asian woman in the Legislature.

“The reality is women win just as often as men when they run,” said Susannah Delano, Close the Gap’s executive director. “What we’re seeing now is more women running, therefore competing on the field and getting elected in equal numbers.”

Also this year, a record number of LGBTQ+ candidates ran for office in California — 178, more than any other state, according to the LGBTQ Victory Fund. That wasn’t by chance, said Samuel Garrett-Pate, managing director of external affairs for Equality California, a political advocacy and civil rights group. It spent the past two years working to recruit and support LGBTQ+ candidates, and pushing for new districts that would empower LGBTQ+ voters.

‘Representation is power’

More women in the Legislature will help shape policy priorities, which Delano believes will include reproductive health care, pay equity and family economic issues. More than half of the projected new class will be women of color, and the vast majority will be Democrats.

“Representation is power,” Tony Hoang, executive director of Equality California, said in a statement.

Garrett-Pate said that the shift in the Legislature will impact “any number of issues impacting the LGBTQ+ community.” This past session, the LGBTQ caucus successfully pushed landmark legislation to make California a refuge for transgender health care.

“There’s a lot of work for us to do to achieve full equality. It’s not as simple as just passing civil rights protections,” Garrett-Pate said. “It’s tough work that takes a long time, but we know that we can make greater progress when we have more people in the room helping make these decisions.”

In the new representation, there would be a host of firsts.

Those leading in their races include Palm Springs City Councilmember Christy Holstege, a Democrat who would become the first out bisexual woman to be elected to the Legislature, representing Assembly District 47.

There’s also Democrat Corey Jackson, about to become the first Black openly LGBTQ+ person elected, who is ahead in the Assembly District 60 race. A member of the Riverside County Board of Education and founder of a nonprofit focused on youth services, Jackson said he has a “double-marginalized perspective,” since African Americans are often also marginalized within the LGBTQ+ community.

He said his priority will be to uplift the “most historically marginalized and oppressed.” “California still has a humanity problem in which we believe that there are some of higher quality, some of lower, some thought of as more human than others,” Jackson told CalMatters. “My goal is to do my darndest to put a stop to that.”He also led the fight in Riverside County to declare racism a public health crisis. And the California Nurses Association is counting on his support for single-payer health care — a priority for progressives that has failed to make much progress in the Legislature.

Jackson said he faced numerous whisper campaigns that cast him in a negative light for his sexuality, but was able to overcome them because of his public service: “People don’t say, ‘Oh look, there’s Corey, he’s gay. They say, ‘This is Corey. He’s one of our leaders in the community. He’s one of our fighters or civil rights leaders.’”

Caroline Menjivar, who is leading in an all-Democratic race for a state Senate seat, would be the first ever out LGBTQ+ legislator to represent the San Fernando Valley. She’s also a military veteran and Salvadoran Latina.

She said her intersectional identities allows her to bring in “the voices of other groups” and look at issues “through other lenses.”

Caroline Menjivar, candidate for state Senate.

That’s been helpful, she said, in a race competing against Daniel Hertzberg, also a LGBTQ candidate and the son of outgoing state Sen. Bob Hertzberg. “The door was shut on me so many times,” Menjivar told CalMatters. “People didn’t want to give money because, well, ‘Bob is my friend. Well, you know, you’re running against my friend’s son. Oh, you know, Bob would be so mad at me, no.’ Everything was ‘Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob, Bob.’”

“Not once was it, ‘He’s a better candidate.…’ So it was as if I was running against an incumbent, without running against an incumbent.”

Menjivar plans to use her background as a social worker to try to increase the Medi-Cal reimbursement for mental health services and to address workplace burnout for mental health workers. She also intends to apply her experience of being evicted to addressing the state’s housing shortage.

“Legislators need to hear these stories, to be able to be pushed towards … a vote,” Menjivar said.

The increases in diversity from the 2022 election aren’t guaranteed to last, but could also grow.

Largely due to 12-year legislative term limits, enacted in 2012, Delano expects at least 24 seats to turn over in 2024, and another 20 in both 2026 and 2028. Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins of San Diego, the first openly gay Senate leader, is among those terming out in 2024.

Though women will have to wait for parity in the Legislature, Delano said this election is a “huge step forward.”

“Women are really just getting started,” she said. “We’re just beginning to see the kind of transformation that we’ll have.”

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

One rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Am I having a good time doing this?” If you’re not enjoying yourself when you’re engaged in what seems important to you, if you can’t find spontaneous pleasure and joy in it, then there’s likely something wrong.

-- Haruki Murakami in Novelist as a Vocation

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After last week’s column on my love affair with books, a couple of people have asked me about the actual process of creating a book, so for anyone interested, here’s a brief summary.

Way back when (early ‘90s), I managed to have a couple of book proposals bought by subsidiaries of the mega book-publishing firm McGraw-Hill … that was easy, kind of. Book proposals are a whole world unto themselves, but once I had one accepted (after submitting to 20-odd publishers) and I had a contract, all (1) I had to do was write it, find illustrations, get copyright approvals, and (2) send off the whole package. This was not quite pre-internet (we had “Mosaic” and Compuserve email and weekly CDs from AOL — remember them?), but this was definitely pre-“Jimbo” Wales’ Wikipedia and pre-Larry+Sergey’s Google, pre- online digitized photo collections, pre- practically everything. Endless hours at the library, many, many letters requesting photos and permissions, dozens of hours on the phone interviewing, asking dumb questions. (Kids have it easy now!)

Once all that was done, I sent off a big package with text in MS Word both on diskettes and physical print-outs; actual photos; and stick-figure diagrams…and the publisher would magically do the rest. A couple of months later, I’d get back galley proofs, correct them, send ‘em back, and next thing (several more months) my book was on booksellers’ shelves across the nation. Everyday Wonders, Encounters with the Astonishing World around Us (which took about 18 months of my life), sold about 12,000 copies without me lifting a finger. That’s not quite true — I sent off dozens of copies to talk-radio stations, and would do interviews over the phone, usually about 4 a.m. for morning shows on the East Coast. It’s still there on Amazon, out of print but available used.

That was a halcyon time when a half-assed writer who knew a bit of physics and astronomy, and (mainly) had the perseverance to do the legwork, could get a “science-lite” book published by a big publisher. No longer. These days you have to be well known, have a Ph.D. at least (I managed a bachelor’s — just! — in civil engineering) in quantum physics or relativity theory, probably tenured, with a few dozen published papers under her or his belt (I have none). And/or a weekly blog (ditto). Having controversial views always helps: the multiverse many worlds theory (Sean Carroll) or a universe from nothing (Lawrence Krauss) or ETs are real (Avi Loeb). Having “God” in your title is a good selling point, too.

So nowadays, from my very limited point of view, the way to go is self-publishing. (Not the same as “vanity press”!) These days, (a) I love writing, so long as (b) my pieces are less than about 800 words. (Short attention span, you know. And getting shorter.) So when I’ve got enough essays written (my mainstays are my biweekly Field Notes columns in the North Coast Journal), I assemble them out in a page layout program (I use Serif’s discontinued, but still available, PagePlus software, which I love), drop in photos and captions, and when I’ve got something — not a finished book, but enough of one that I’m ready to see how it will look and feel and smell — send it off, in PDF format, for a single draft copy to be printed by Lulu (lulu.com) for—get this—about $10, including shipping! (Printing-on-demand revolutionized the industry and my life.) 

This is true: Having an actual, physical book in hand is the best possible inspiration to finish it. There’s a huge psychological boost that comes from seeing a work-in-progress: it just calls out for completion. Once it’s done (for me, after going through four or five drafts while correcting, editing, adding), I sell my books locally, through our bookstores and stores in Eureka and Arcata, and odd places throughout the county. The Humbook (70 essays about Humboldt lore: history, geography, fauna and flora) has sold over 500 copies in the past 12 months, and it’s still doing well — look out for Humbook Two next year!

If you’ve written a book with more than local interest, you can go the Amazon distribution route via Lulu or Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing. Want to know more? Both of these have excellent DIY guides.

Hope this helps any wannabe authors. You won’t get rich, probably — keep the day job—but you’ll have a ton of fun going through the process. If not, see Murakami’s epigraph, above.