Joyce Vivian Smith (Holt)
Oct. 7, 1943 – Oct. 25, 2022

Joyce passed away at Especially You Care Home on October 25, 2022 at age 79. For the last several years Joyce struggled with declining health due a diagnosis of Parkinson’s Disease. Despite her diagnosis she lived her life to the fullest and continued to make friends until the very end.

Joyce came into this world with an unmatched exuberance for life. A true force; Joyce made her own rules. She was born in Astoria, Oregon to Vivian (deceased) and Norman (deceased) Holt and moved to Eureka when she was very young. Joyce spent her first year of life on a fishing boat before growing up and living in Eureka for the majority of her life. She graduated from Eureka High School in 1961.

Joyce made friends everywhere she went. She always had a gift on hand and celebrated every occasion. Joyce was full of spirit and generosity (unless she was playing cards) and made everyone around her feel special. She had an internal fire that brightened the world around her. She loved to talk, laugh and listen to others. She was direct, honest and had an infectious laugh that energized any room. If you were lucky enough to know her she made an impact. She was a real powerhouse.

Joyce worked for many years as a department store manager of women’s clothing in Eureka and in Santa Cruz. She was passionate about helping women find clothes that made them look and feel good. Joyce later worked as a bookkeeper for Redwood Electronics Supply. She was a very hard worker and put 110% into everything she did.

Joyce is survived by her daughter Joelle Davidson, daughter in-law Lynne Sandstrom, granddaughters Trysta Hays, Brandi Hays and great granddaughters Lili and Katana. She is also survived by her two sisters, Diane Bare (Ted) and Ida-Fay Felthauser (Mike), nephews Les Bare, Jason Lindholm and Cory Lindholm and her cousin Kathy Payne. She is proceeded by her daughter Rana Krueger, granddaughter Tiffany Hays and cousin Nyle Henderson. Her lifelong friendships include Joanie Lee, June Lee, Nancy Wilson, Irene Johnson (deceased), Liane Peroni, Lucy Sprat, Fran Morehouse, Esther Curtis, Kristy Norton, Gene Hansen and many others.

Joyce was so full of love and life. She often proclaimed that someone should write a book about her adventures. Her one of a kind personality led to a one of a kind life. We will miss her.

Thank you to Hospice, Pace and Especially You for the wonderful care you provided.

A celebration of her life will be held on November 19, 2022 at the Moose Lodge in Eureka from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Family and friends are welcome to attend and celebrate her wonderful life.

###

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

Clarence James Landry
April 30, 1930 – October 22, 2022

Clarence was almost named Bazile. He was born in the Landry farmhouse near Lena, Wisconsin on April 30, 1930. He died peacefully in his sleep of old age on October 22, 2022 in his daughter’s home in Arcata.

He was a typical Midwest farm boy, attending Meadowbrook School in Stiles Township. He milked cows and was active in 4-H. He graduated from Lena High school in 1948 with 47 other classmates

He tap danced in the bars in Oconto Falls, when Vic would take him to town. His older siblings, Germaine and Howard lost him twice, once in Oconto Falls, and one time at Kelly Lake. He excelled as a percussionist at Lena High, and was a member of the George Glass Combo (Oconto Falls, Wisconsin), Kenneth “Duke “Rouse Polka Band (Coleman/Pound, Wisconsin) and the Fay Ivan “Kernal” Hessil Polka Band (Oconto Falls, Wisconsin) He continued drumming with the University of Wisconsin- Oshkosh marching and Pep bands. His drumming ability was put to use as a cadence drummer at Fort Leonard Wood.

A Korean Era draftee, Clare served at Fort Banks, Massachusetts, after training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri and training at Fort Bliss, Texas. Training included anti- aircraft gunnery and his main duties were serving as a Morning Report Clerk.

After finding engineering was not his calling at UW Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he attended UW-Oshkosh, where he enrolled in an industrial arts class for elementary teachers. Grace Helmer needed much help constructing her step ladder. They married December 30, 1954, in Lena, Wisconsin. Alicia was born in 1956.

Clare taught fifth and sixth and was principal at Clark School, South Beloit, Illinois. In 1961 he earned a Master of Arts in Reading Instruction and Counseling at Rockford (College) University. His career continued with sixth grade teaching positions at Henrietta, Wilson and MacIntosh Schools in Rockford, Illinois. He served as Principal of Hallstrom and Welch Schools. He also held positions at Atwood Learning Center and Rockford Lutheran Academy.

Clare loved teaching and the best teaching years were at Rockford University Center for Learning Strategies. Clare took so much joy in the success of his students and remembered them so well in his autumn years.

From 1964 to 2007 Clare was a seasonal interpreter in Glacier National Park, serving visitors in the St. Mary Valley, Two Medicine, Logan Pass, Goat Haunt and Many Glacier areas. His work there ensured a marvelous girlhood for Alicia.

Grace and Clare were madly in love, and he was her dedicated care giver. They made many dear friends and acquaintances through both of their career paths.

He was a member of UW-Oshkosh Newman Club; St. Jude’s Parish in Beloit, Wisconsin and was Chair of the Parish’s Centennial Celebration in 2008. In 2018, He joined St. Mary’s Parish in Arcata 2018 and loved being part of a new parish. He also formed many bonds with young ministers in the Christian Ministries in the National Parks.

He is survived by Alicia (Yoshi) Uemura; grand-daughters Laurie, Margaret, Emilie, Elizabeth and their partners; three great grandchildren, Josephine, Akai and Amalia. Additional survivors are numerous nieces and nephews, very dear friends; and his feline lap-companion, Donatella.

Preceding him in death are his dear wife of 62 years, Grace; beloved grand-daughter, Katie; his parents, Julia Luisier and Victor Landry; and siblings, Norman, Germaine and Howard.

Clare’s family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Father Fabian , Father Francis , and Deacon John Gai of St. Mary’s Parish, Arcata; Father Bala of St.Jude’s, Beloit, Wisconsin; Chris Cassaro, Paul’s Chapel in Arcata, Daley- Murphy-Wisch, Beloit, Wisconsin; and Humboldt Medical Supply, Eureka. We are grateful to everyone at Hospice, especially Robert, Erin and Rebecca; and the Visiting Angels, Sheila, Dee, Fox; and many other caregivers. Thank you to Maricela Bean for loving facials. We are grateful for the expert care of Dr. Rodney Swenson, D.O. and Dr. Alberto Taylor, D.D.S.

Pallbearers in Arcata are Yoshi Uemura, PJ Lynch, Robert Sataua, Nick Brichta, Jim Monge; and Mitchell Monge. Honorary Pallbearers are Joel Kindle, Matthew A. Nelson, and Akai Sataua. Wisconsin pallbearers will be John Landry, Ed Landry, Mike Landry, Vic Landry, Joe Landry; and Bronco Bell.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Mary’s Parish, Arcata on Wednesday, November 2nd at 4 p.m. Graveside Committal will be November 8 at 2 p.m. at Mt. Thabor Cemetery, Beloit, Wisconsin. Clarence will be buried with Grace.

Memorial gifts may be offered to the American Heart Association; St. Jude Catholic Church, 737 Hackett St, Beloit, WI, 53511; Rockford University, 5050 East State St. Rockford, IL, 61107; or Glacier National Park Conservancy, P.O Box 2749, Columbia Falls, MT, 59912.

###

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

###

Speaking from inside a cavernous Arcata Bottoms warehouse this afternoon, state Senator Mike McGuire unveiled a $10 million investment to transform the expansive building into a state-of-the-art health care educational hub for Cal Poly Humboldt and College of the Redwoods.

“The North Coast has some of the most acute shortages of health care professionals and nurses in California,” McGuire said. “We’ve expanded the pipeline for nurses here on the North Coast by launching the licensed vocational nurse-to-registered-nurse program in Del Norte County at the College of Redwoods Crescent City campus. … Even with all of this progress expanding the health care workforce, we needed a home and that is why we are in a warehouse this morning.”

For years, Cal Poly Humboldt has used the 30,000-square-foot warehouse, located on Samoa Boulevard, as a storage facility. In the next two to three years it will house “the most modern learning lab between the Golden Gate Bridge and the Oregon border.”

“It will be the epicenter for training North Coast health care leaders and the workforce of tomorrow,” McGuire said. “This health care education hub will house amazing health care labs, classrooms, as well as conference rooms all specially designed to train not just nurses but respiratory therapists, radiology techs, psychiatric techs and more.”

McGuire credited College of the Redwoods President Keith Flamer and Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson Jr. for leading the charge on the new health care hub. 

“We clearly understand that we can do much more to help our students if we work together and not separately,” Flamer said. “This health care education hub is just another example of the wonderful work that [President] Jackson and Cal Poly Humboldt have been able to do in the last four years. … There’s a lot more room to expand for our community partners and other health care areas that we don’t yet have or we haven’t even dreamed of.”

Jackson shared Flamer’s sentiment and offered “a very, very, very big thank you” to McGuire for helping to make the health care hub a reality.

“The things that you are able to do for this region and its campuses rarely go unnoticed,” he said. “CR and Cal Poly Humboldt have … a connectedness that is centered on serving this region and the students that learn here. … We intend to create a thriving health care program. This facility and the joint academic programs that are a part of it helped us to do just that.”

There were several aspiring and practicing registered nurses present during today’s announcement. McGuire highlighted one woman in particular, Regina Taylor, who was among the first to graduate from Cal Poly Humboldt with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.

“I can’t say enough about the faculty at both [CR and Cal Poly Humboldt],” Taylor said. “The faculty is there to assist us through thick and thin, through laughter and crying. … They prepared me to enter the medical field with confidence and the foundation to be the best nurse that I am. I am fortunate to say I have recently accepted a position at Redwood Coast PACE as an RN.”

Keep scrolling for more pictures of today’s announcement!

PREVIOUSLY:

• County Planner Accuses Supervisor Michelle Bushnell of Misconduct in a Cannabis Meeting, Prompting Board to Revisit Its Code of Conduct
• Investigation Sustains Allegation That Supervisor Bushnell Mistreated County Staff Member
  

###

On Tuesday the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors opted not to formally chastise one of their own, Second District Supervisor Michelle Bushnell, who was recently found to have mistreated a member of county planning staff during a closed-door meeting late last year.

Bushnell’s colleagues concluded, in essence, that the incident has already been sufficiently dealt with. An independent investigator sustained the mistreatment allegation against her while dismissing a number of other claims.

Fifth District Supervisor Steve Madrone said Bushnell subsequently “took full responsibility for her actions.” 

Nonetheless, the discussion included some eyebrow-raising moments, including remarks from one county employee who called in to say Bushnell has a history of bullying and hostility toward staff and who suggested that Supervisor Rex Bohn should refrain from dropping the word “cocksucker” around staffers.

There was also some confusion about the word “censure,” which both supervisors and members of the public seemed mixed up with the more-common and similar-sounding “censor.”

Bohn, to his credit, said he looked “censure” up in a dictionary, and while he still pronounced it like “censor” or “sensor,” he also found a definition saying “censure” can mean “a way to embarrass/humiliate” a board member for actions taken, which struck him as overkill in the current situation.

“There’s really no there there,” he said in reference to the sustained finding against Bushnell. “I think most of the issue has been addressed.”

Third District Supervisor Mike Wilson offered a few alternative dictionary definitions, including “an official reprimand, as by a legislative body of one of its members” and “to criticize [or] reproach in a harsh or vehement manner.” But he agreed with Bohn’s underlying point, saying he, too, felt the matter has been sufficiently adjudicated.

Madrone said censure may be necessary when the person in question has not recognized his or her culpability, but “that just simply is not the case here,” he said, adding, “I don’t feel there’s a need to do any kind of censureship.”

The employee who called in didn’t identify themself, but they said they personally witnessed Bushnell acting hostile toward staff, including yelling and demanding to see Planning and Building Director John Ford while pursuing action on her own cannabis cultivation permit. 

The caller went on to say that while the item under discussion didn’t directly involve Bohn, “I’d like to request that he not use language like ‘cocksucker’ in the company of county staff.”

Another speaker, who addressed the board in person, said she is the cannabis applicant whose meeting led to the heated conflict between Bushnell and a planning staffer. Though she didn’t identify herself, she defended Bushnell, saying the supervisor has been “professional and level-headed” while the county planner with whom she clashed “definitely lacked professionalism herself, and she was agitated and dismissive.”

When the matter went back to the board for discussion, Bushnell asked staff to confirm that while multiple allegations had been made against her, including those referenced by the caller, only the one was sustained. 

“That is correct,” Human Resources Director Zach O’Hanen said.

Bohn also asked O’Hanen to confirm that the allegations discussed today — presumably including his own potty-mouth — had already been investigated. O’Hanen confirmed that as well.

In the end, the board voted to simply receive and file the staff report. Bushnell abstained from the vote.

###

Press release from the Humboldt County Drug Task Force:

On November 1st, 2022, Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) Agents detained Thomas “TJ” Grzymski (44 old from Eureka) in the 800 Block of 4th St. in Eureka. It was confirmed that Grzymski was on two separate felony probations with a search clause, for possession of narcotics for the purpose of sales and felony reckless evading of a police officer.

Agents conducted a probation search on Grzymski and his vehicle. Agents located 1 1/2 ounces of fentanyl that was pre-packaged for sales, a digital scale, and packaging materials. HCDTF Agents responded to Grzymski’s residence located in the 7700 Block of Myrtle Ave. in Eureka. During the search of Grzymski’s residence, Agents located a 9MM Intratec TEC-9 submachinegun with a loaded high-capacity magazine. Agents also located an additional digital scale and a large pepper spray canister. Grzymski is a convicted felon and is prohibited to possess a tear gas weapon.

Grzymski was transported to the Humboldt County Jail where he was booked for the above charges:

• 11351 H&S Possession of fentanyl for sale
• 11352 H&S Transportation of fentanyl for sale
• 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
• 32310 PC Possession of a high-capacity magazine
• 22810 PC Felon in possession of a tear gas weapon

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.

Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:

On Oct. 31, 2022, at about 11:08 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 2400 block of Glendale Drive in Blue Lake for the report of a disturbance.

Upon arrival at the residence, deputies located an agitated 19-year-old male vandalizing a residence and exhibiting signs of being under the influence of a controlled substance. The male, who reportedly had consumed psychedelic mushrooms and other substances earlier in the evening, became aggressive upon deputy contact, vandalizing a patrol vehicle then charging toward a responding deputy. Deputies intercepted the male and detained him utilizing control holds. No one was injured as a result of the detention.

Due to his state of intoxication and self-inflicted injuries, the male was transported to a local hospital for medical attention. This case is being submitted to the Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office for review and prosecution.  

Use of psychedelic mushrooms is dangerous and is associated with many negative physical and psychological consequences, both for the user and those they are around at the time of use. The physical effects, which can last approximately 6 hours, include nausea, vomiting, muscle weakness, drowsiness, and lack of coordination. The psychological consequences include hallucinations and an inability to discern fantasy from reality. Panic reactions and psychosis also may occur, particularly if a user ingests a large dose. Combined, these physical and psychological effects can put others at danger if the user becomes agitated.

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, help is available. Contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 or the Humboldt County 24-hour Substance Use Disorder Access Line at 1- 855-765-9703 for immediate assistance. To find treatment or support programs near you, visit findtreatment.gov.

Jurors deliberated for less than three hours Monday before finding Isreal Soria Jr. guilty of charges that could put him in prison for life.

Soria, a 22-year-old Crescent City resident, was convicted of attempted first-degree murder, attempted first-degree robbery, attempted first-degree burglary and shooting into an inhabited dwelling. On June 24, 2021, Soria shot and seriously injured McKinleyville resident Dylan Eubanks, who was in his own kitchen.

Soria.

The jury also found true several special allegations, including personal use of a firearm when committing the attempted murder and attempted robbery. That allegation alone carries a penalty of 25 years to life.

Soria was acquitted of conspiracy to commit murder.

Soria, who during the trial was always dressed in a dark suit and a white or pastel shirt, showed up for the verdict Monday wearing a sweatshirt, camo pants and athletic shoes. When the court clerk read the “not guilty” verdict on the conspiracy charge, he shed some tears. He sat there stoically as she read the “guilty” verdicts on the remaining counts.

Judge Christopher Wilson ordered Soria taken into custody and held without bail. His attorney, Christina DiEdoardo, had argued he had been out of custody on bail for some time and there had been no problem.

Sentencing is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Soria told the officer who arrested him that the Norteño gang hired him to kill Eubanks for stealing from the gang. Soria also was planning to take back the stolen property. The type of property was never specified, but officers found 200 pounds of marijuana in four 50-pound bricks in Eubanks’s garage.

The jury got the case about 11 a.m. Monday after hearing the final prosecution argument from Deputy District Attorney Trent Timm, who said all jurors needed is some common sense to convict Soria of all charges.

Timm said Soria told the truth once: when he confessed to the arresting officer. When Soria took the witness stand during the trial, he offered not only “a brand-new defense heard for the first time,” but a story also contradicted by a massive amount of incriminating evidence.

When testifying, Soria said he fired 11 rounds into Eubanks’s kitchen because Eubanks was holding an assault rifle and cocking it back. At the time Soria was in Eubanks’s back yard, peering through a gap in the draperies. It was about 11 p.m. and pitch-dark.

Soria was carrying two fully loaded, unregistered pistols. He was dressed in red, the Norteño color of choice, and his left cheek was covered by a Norteño tattoo. While testifying he admitted being at Eubanks’s house. But he was on his own, to rob Eubanks of drugs and guns.

“They want you to believe this is dope ripoff,” Timm told the jury. “This wasn’t a dope ripoff. This was a murder ripoff.”

Timm said there was plenty of evidence to prove the charge of conspiracy to commit murder. “Someone” drove Soria from Del Norte County to Humboldt County. One of the guns was given to Soria by “someone” in Humboldt County. “Someone” showed Soria a photo of Eubanks’s house. “Someone” was a getaway driver, who apparently fled when law enforcement arrived one minute after shots were fired.

The prosecution maintains Eubanks had no assault rifle but was talking on his cellphone when shot. Examining the path of the bullet, it’s “physically impossible” Eubanks was shot while his arm was down, holding a rifle.

Eubanks did not testify. But he told an ambulance crew he was shot while talking on his phone, and he had no idea where the bullet came from.

“He didn’t even see the guy who shot him, Timm said.

Although the prosecution says Eubanks was unarmed, Timm said it wouldn’t have mattered if he was.

“One person has the right to self-defense,” Timm said, “and it’s not Mr. Soria.”

Soria gave up his right to self-defense, the prosecutor said, the second he set foot on Eubanks’s property.

“He forfeited his right to self-defense. He forfeited it.”

Timm called the shooting “ a gang hit” meant to raise Soria’s status in the Norteños and raise the gang’s status in the community. Also it was meant as a warning: Don’t mess with Norteños.

After the shooting, Eubanks ran outside and screamed for help, even banging on one terrified neighbor’s door.

“He sounds like somebody who got shot. Somebody who doesn’t want to get shot again. Somebody who doesn’t want to bleed out and die.”

Instead of fleeing, Soria followed Eubanks to finish the job, Timm argued. As to Soria’s claim that he was high on a huge amount of drugs and alcohol, “he would have been comatose in a hospital” if he had ingested what he claimed.

Instead, Soria was jumping fences, jumping off the roof a shed, running.

“We have an Olympian out there,” Timm said.

###