Viva “Vi” Campbell passed away on October 20, 2025. She was born in Hoopa on July 27, 1948, to Harry and Violet Campbell. Viva was a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe and a lifelong resident of Hoopa. She attended and graduated from Hoopa Elementary, Hoopa Valley High School, and the College of the Redwoods. Throughout her life, Viva embraced and lived by her traditional Hoopa ways, remaining deeply connected to her community, culture, and people. She enjoyed making native jewelry, going to cultural events and supporting the youth.

Viva dedicated her life to serving and strengthening her community in countless ways. Over the years, she worked as a postal carrier, cosmetologist, administrative secretary, and a drug, alcohol and domestic violence counselor—continuing her commitment to helping others even after retirement. Her greatest passion was helping others, always striving to heal, uplift, and support those around her. She also demonstrated strong leadership and civic dedication through her service on multiple tribal boards, including the Hoopa Tribal Elections Board, the Hoopa Valley Tribal Gaming Commission, the Hoopa Valley Housing Authority, and the Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District.

Viva is survived by her sisters: Harriet Leach, Sharon Branham, Mary Campbell, and numerous nieces and nephews. Viva was preceded in death by her parents Harry and Violet Campbell; Brothers: Harold Campbell, Leo Carpenter Sr., Daniel Campbell, and Samuel Campbell. Sisters: Marie Campbell-Muller and Emogene Campbell-Carpenter; and Brother-in-laws: Harold Muller, William Injun-Bill Carpenter, Johnathan Leach Sr., and Ben Branham Sr.

Pallbearers: Harold “Os” Campbell, Sam Campbell, Bobby Campbell, Robert Campbell, Samuel ‘D.C.’ Campbell, Doug Branham, T.J. Branham, Derrick Branham, Chris Heath, Travis Brown, Trevor Brown, Kyle Brown, Ramon Rivera, Carlos Aguilar, Derrick Mularky, Scott Searle Jr., Michael Searle, Glenn Keisner III, William McCovey, Athos McCovey, Daniel McCovey, Timothy McCovey, Blaze Carpenter, Jason Marshall Sr., Jason Marshall Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers: Harry “O” Campbell, Bob Campbell Sr., Thomas “Smitty” Branham, Ben Branham Jr., Troy Branham, William “Pecos” Carpenter, Joe Carpenter, Leo Carpenter Jr., Eugene Masten, Michael Masten, Ralph Brown, Scott Searle Sr. Johnathan Leach Jr., Micheal Mularky, Clyde Moon, George Moon, Junior Moon, Everette Colegrove Sr, Everette Muss Colegrove, Mike Orcutt, Kevin Orcutt.

The viewing will be Wednesdoncie Detrick’say, October 29, 2025 from 2 p.m until 5 p.m. at Goble’s Mortuary, 560 12th Street, Fortuna. Graveside services will be Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Hoopa Cemetery. The reception will be at the Hoopa Fire Department (immediately following the service).

The family wishes to extend their sincere gratitude to the physicians, nurses, and staff of St. Joseph Hospital and K’ima:w Medical Center for their compassionate care and professional support.

Born on May 27, 1937, Darlene was the first child born to Ernest and Rosalind Marshall. She passed away peacefully at home on October 22, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones. She was the oldest grandchild of the Risling family and had wonderful memories of growing up in a large family, including her older sister Ernestine and older brother, Larry “Buddy”. Because she was the oldest of five children born in four years, she spent a lot of time with her grandmother Geneva and aunt Vivien Hailstone.

Darlene was a true Gemini with a curious mind and a creative nature who wanted to explore the world and experience everything life had to offer. She married Charles Hailey, a student who came to Hoopa to work for one year to earn money for college, and at the young age of 15 they moved to Ozark country in southwest Missouri. She often told stories of the vast difference between her life in Hoopa and the life that she learned to live in Missouri. She often credited her mother-in-law with teaching her how to be a mom and run a household.

At 16 she had her first son, Charles “David” Jr., followed by Weldon and youngest son, Mark. In 1961, she was excited to finally have a daughter, Julie Michelle Hailey, who sadly had Hyland membrane disease and only lived for two days. Twelve months later she was blessed with another daughter, Judith Dawn.

Her favorite expression, fondly remembered by her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren was “we are off, on another adventure.” During her marriage she lived in Missouri, Texas, Louisianna, Mississippi, Michigan and Florida. She loved traveling and moving to new areas. In Missouri, she worked at Sears, selling warranty agreements and won awards for having the top sales in a 5-state area.

After 21 years of marriage, Darlene and her husband divorced and she later said that it was a blessing in disguise because she then came home to Hoopa and got to spend the last few years of her father’s life with him. It was one of the most cherished times of her life that she would later say that she wouldn’t trade for anything.

Darlene, like her father before her, was a master storyteller who shared our local history and traditional stories. She was invited to conferences, schools, girl scout outings and other events all over the state to share stories. Darlene was also a published writer of poetry and fiction writing, often reflecting events and historical things that had happened, in a creative platform.

After returning to Hoopa, she worked for the Oral History Project, transcribing interviews that had been done with tribal elders. Always a history buff, she loved this job and couldn’t wait to go to work every day. She worked at the Manpower program as a job developer for years and then become the Director until 1984. Her last employment before retirement was at the Lucky Bear Casino, working as a cashier and then in surveillance.

Darlene had a pension for fast, race cars and in her life owned a 1967 350 Camaro, a 1969 Firebird 400 and a Chevelle that was hopped up. She thought anything else was boring.

Starting in the late 1980s, Darlene started developing patterns that could be interfaced with knitting machines to incorporate our basket designs into hats, blankets, baby sets and other knitted products. She successfully ran a business in partnership with the “Knit Tree” in Redding, designing, making and selling products for the next 25+ years until her eyesight would no longer allow her to run the knitting machines. Even now you can see babies in her baby sets and people wearing her hats, scarfs and headbands.

Darlene would say though that her reason for living was her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and now great great grandchildren. She loved each one of them and developed a special relationship with all of them. She would brag that she had the most beautiful, smartest and most remarkable grandchildren of anyone in the world. And would say, “I know everyone things their grandchildren are the most special, but in my case, I know it’s true.”

Even in her older age, she loved camping and the outdoors and would sit around the campfire telling stories. She loved to gamble, play bingo and travel. In 1993, she went with her aunt Vivien and cousin Sonny Boy on the trip of her life; 17-day trip to Norway, Finland, Sweden and parts of Russia. Her dream was to go to Scotland, and although she didn’t make it there, she read a lot of books and researched that country.

Darlene was an avid reader and read a book every day. She was notorious for reading the last chapter first and then going back and reading the rest of the book. It was a big loss to her when her eyesight went several years ago and she could no longer read but her granddaughter Jenna gifted her a kindle and loaded books on it and from then on, she always had her kindle going 24/7 and now listened to a book a day.

Darlene was preceded in death by her mother Rosalind Risling Marshall and father, Ernest Marshall, her brothers Larry Marshall and Ernest “Pee Wee” Marshall, her sister’s Ernestine Moon Prindle and recently her baby sister, Andrea (Jen) Kelsey, son’s David and Mark, son in law, Gordon Surber, daughter Julie, granddaughter Brianna Hailey,Shankle, great grandson Mark Andrew Hailey, II, nephews Paul Yo-Yo Moon, Damon Hailstone, Larry Marshall Jr., Blaine Marshall, Mike Kelsey, Dale Kelsey, Steve Marshall, nieces Dorane Moon, Mechelle Moon and great nephew baby Gary. as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins and dear friends.

She is survived by her son Weldon (Lori) Hailey, daughter, Judith Surber, Daughter in law Dana Hailey, sisters Bonnie Roberts and Betty Hutt, grandchildren, Kiersten McAvoy (Chad), Carrie Mello(Tim Sanderson), Jenifer Hailey, Paul Hailey (Yari), Shelly Bommelyn (Allen), Jordan Hailey, Jenna Hailey, Joseph Hailey (Mercedes), Sport Surber (Raven), Roger Surber (Ethel) Cory Surber, Megan Surber (Stoney McCoy) and Anna Kay Hailey, as well as numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services will be held, October 28, 1 p.m. at the Neighborhood Facilities in Hoopa, California with interment at the Hoopa Cemetery. Food will follow at the Fire Hall.

Pall Bearers: Sport, Roger and Cory Surber, Paul, Jordan and Joseph Hailey and Stoney McCoy.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Mio Martinez, Hayden Mello, Charlie Hailey, Damon Hailey, Micheal Hailey, Benjiman Surber, James Bommelyn, Roger Surber Jr., Holden Surber, David “Doo” McCoy, Chad McAvoy, Allen Bommelyn, Tim Sanderson, Dale Risling, Ken Risling Gary Risling, Baron Risling, Leslie “Sim” Risling Jr., Bud Hardy, Mike McBride, John “Knox” Marshall, Rob Roy Latham Jr., Greg Moon, Neil Moon, Darren “Doodles’ Marshall, Randy Marshall Dodge, Lyle Marshall, Joseph Hutt, Wesley Hutt, Bob Roberts, Russ Roberts, Lyle “Elmo” Moon, Anthony “Tony” Risling, Lawrence Tracy, Adam Allen, Melvin Marshall Sr., Julian Lang, Emil Marshall, Daniel Lopez, Ronnie Risling, Leslie Risling, Kyle Risling and Lil Baron Risling and Nick Anderson

A special thank you to grandson Roger, granddaughter Megan and Stoney McCoy, who provided Darlene with loving care, making it possible for her to be cared for at home and Katherine Mize at Madrone Care.

Here’s to the next adventure, Mom. May it be the best yet.

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oncie Detrick’s

Dr. Bruce Parker went to his rest on Sept. 22, 2025.

He was a dentist in his beloved town of Rio Dell for 40 years and belonged to the chamber of commerce, chairing it for several years. He was an active member of the Fortuna Seventh Day Adventist church, volunteering many hours at the church and school. Several of his years were spent as school board chairman at Fortuna Junior Academy.  His time spent in the US Army after high school were spent as an X-ray technician.

Following his service, he attended Loma Linda University dental school, where he graduated with honors in 1967. He was a missionary dentist in Japan and Guam for six years and moved to Rio Dell to practice at the invitation of good friends Dr. Ralph and Rita Roberts.

After retirement, he and wife, Ann, traveled extensively in their little 21 ft. motorhome, “Sally” (named that because they sallied forth here and sallied there). In their many years at home and abroad, they visited places in the Orient, Micronesian Isles, and all but five U.S. states. During a rest stop, after lunch, Bruce could be found studying the map and announcing, “Hey, we’ve never been here … it’s not that far” And away they would go!

He used his considerable “fix it” skills to help his children on their house projects and helped build the house in Rio Dell on the site of the old hotel built by Mr. Painter in the 1800s.

He leaves behind his wife of 62 years, four daughters, eight grandchildren and his first great-grandchild.

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Debra Ann (Skillman) Bryant was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana on November 11, 1954. She passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025 at the age of 70.

Deborah is survived by her son Tito Bryant, her grandson Larry Cook, her brother L.J. Skillman (Debbie Skillman), Wesley Skillman, her sister Mary Purify-Skillman, Pam Mosby and June Skillman. She had many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Deborah grew up in Eureka and graduated from Eureka High School in 1973. She had so many friends. She loved to cook and eat with all her friends and family, especially her nephews James Spears, T.C Latimere (Audra Latimere) and Maurice Purify.

Debra is preceded in death by her beloved daughter Tina Wells, her mother, Mary Ann Kennerson, her father, Lloyd Skillman, and her brother Sam Skillman.

There will be a celebration of life on November 2, 2025 at the Eureka Women’s Club, 1531 J St., Eureka, from 2 to 4 p.m.

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PREVIOUSLY

• Tired of Hearing Only a Few Viewpoints, Arcata is Considering Contracting With Survey Company

Barely half of Arcata residents and workers think the city is headed in the right direction, according to a recent survey done by the city through the poll service FlashVote. 

302 people answered the survey, the first done since Arcata contracted with FlashVote this year. It was open to anyone who lives or works in Arcata for 48 hours last week.

51% of respondents said they thought Arcata was “generally headed in the right direction;” another 30% said they weren’t sure, and 18% said that the city was headed down the wrong track.

The outlook brightens a tad if excluding non-residents: 55% of the 218 that answered thought things were going well. 

Most respondents weren’t entirely negative. Over 80% said that “access to parks and recreational activities” and “community events, arts and culture” were Arcata’s strong points — but a scant 4% thought that the cost and availability of housing was a strength. 

Over 70% thought Arcata should focus on repairing infrastructure like pipes and roads. Prioritizing job growth and economic development was close behind. Only 15% said Arcata needed to do a better job maintaining its parks.

It’d take forever to compress and summarize all of the data into a readable article, but there are some takeaways from an anonymous final free-write section about community needs and suggestions worth sharing. 

A lot of people are concerned about parking and offer some suggestions to add more around the city (someone suggests building a parking garage near the plaza). 

Many more worry about affordable housing and how the city treats its homeless (evenly split between providing more services and cracking down). A couple called out hyperspecific community needs like opening the bathroom in Redwood Park, adding more speed humps around town, and making the plaza feel more safe. 

There’s a few, um, interesting ideas in there too. One respondent implores the city to “Bring back the Alibi!” Another wants the city to stop including links in emails; someone else suggests building an “adult playground for seniors;” there’s the requisite cohort of conspiracy theorists.

But a few took the opportunity to say thanks.

“I love Arcata, you all are doing a good job. Keep the town clean, deal with people not following the laws, deal with blight. Thank you.”

UPDATE:

• Centro del Pueblo Says Its Annual Día de los Muertos Event is Going Forward as Usual, and It’s Going to be a Jam-Packed Celebration

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Original post:

Since 2019, local volunteers with the Somos Medicina Collective have organized the Día de Muertos Festival of Altars — a free, family-friendly celebration featuring food, music, dance, face painting, and ofrendas honoring ancestors and loved ones, in keeping with traditions from across Latin America.

The 2025 edition of the event had been advertised for this coming Sunday, Nov. 2, but now organizers have announced that it’s not happening, citing fears over the targeting of their community. 

From their post announcing the event’s cancelation:

With a heavy heart, we have decided to cancel our Day of the Dead Festival of Altars celebration this year. 

In short, we feel that we cannot bring our people together safely at this time, when we are being targeted and kidnapped. 

We thank you for understanding and wish you a beautiful celebration con sus muertitos at your altares in your homes. 

Cenca Tlazokamatli / Mil Gracias 
Somos Medicina Collective

The Outpost has reached out to organizers in the hopes of learning more about what led them to this decision. We will update this post if and when we hear back. 

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Michelle Bushnell, Humboldt County’s Second District supervisor and the current chair of the Board of Supervisors, believes that her due process rights were violated during a recent county investigation into alleged misconduct on her part, and she has retained an outside attorney to fight her corner.

Reached by phone this morning, Bushnell said she doesn’t think county employees have done anything wrong; rather, she believes that the county’s established process for investigating misconduct allegations is flawed. 

“When you have a complaint filed [against you] and you don’t agree with one of the findings, there’s no process to say, ‘That’s not what happened,’” she said.

Bushnell declined to get into the details of the complaint itself, except to acknowledge that she “got upset and emotional” while on the job recently. She has hired Harland Law Firm attorney Allison Jackson — a frequent antagonist to Humboldt County’s government — to challenge the county’s process for investigating alleged violations of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct and Ethics.

Bushnell herself played a role in modifying that document in 2022 and 2023, following an earlier allegation against her. (She later was found to have violated the board’s code by mistreating a staff member during a Planning Department meeting.) The Board of Supervisors approved amendments to the code of conduct the following August. 

But now Bushnell and her attorney say the investigation process prescribed by the code is fundamentally unfair: On Oct. 2, Jackson had a letter hand-delivered to County Administrative Officer Elishia Hayes, Interim County Counsel Scott Miles and Human Resources Director Zachary O’Hanen. The letter says, “the Boards [sic] articulated process does not contain adequate due process protections for any subject of any investigations.”

Specifically, Jackson objects to the fact that Bushnell was given only an executive summary on the outcome of the investigation into her behavior. She’s entitled to read a copy of the full report (with employee witness names and/or identifying information redacted, if necessary) so she can “evaluate the quality and veracity of witness statements,” according to Jackson.

The letter also quotes the following portion of the Board of Supervisors Code of Conduct and Ethics:

If county officials or staff become aware of any improper behavior by a Board member, they are encouraged to formally report such behavior in writing to the County Administrative Officer and Director of Human Resources. Any such report or complaint will be reviewed by a committee consisting of the County Administrative Officer, Director of Human Resources, and County Counsel (Committee). … 

This presents another problem, Jackson argues in a follow-up letter sent on Oct. 20: The county counsel shouldn’t be part of any review committee because that gives him two incompatible roles to fill, Jackson’s letter says. He’s charged with being both an advocate for his client (Bushnell, in this case) and an objective arbiter of justice. 

The letter argues that Bushnell not only has a right to hear the charges against her but also deserves “an opportunity to be heard before a decision is made by an impartial decision-maker as mandated by the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article 1, Section 7 of the California Constitution.”

To meet those constitutional due process thresholds, Jackson’s second letter says, Bushnell must be given a chance to present her side of the story, “which includes the right to call and cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and make arguments.”

The county has now hired its own outside counsel to handle this matter: Savana M. Jefferson with Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, a big California firm that handles much of the county’s business. (Jackson’s second letter was sent to Jefferson in Sacramento.)

Bushnell reiterated during our conversation that she doesn’t believe any employees did anything wrong — not CAO Hayes nor Interim County Counsel Miles nor HR Director O’Hanen. Nor does she want to cost the county extra money. 

“It’s just about the process working better,” she said, adding that the procedures aren’t just unfair to her. “I’ve seen it with department heads [and] anyone with a complaint filed against them. … If whatever comes back to you [in a report], if you feel it isn’t accurate, there’s no way to work through that.”

Bushnell said she expects a redacted version of the employee complaint to come before the board soon, possibly for discussion at next week’s meeting. When it becomes public, she will respond to the allegations, she said. But until then she’d rather not discuss it.

“This is not comfortable for me,” she said. “And then it gets played out in the media. … That’s not comfortable either.”

The Outpost has requested a copy of the complaint and all related documents but has not yet heard back. When we asked for a comment on the situation, Public Information Specialist Cati Gallardo gave us essentially the same comment she provided to blogger John Chiv over the weekend: 

“Concerning this situation, the county has followed the processes as outlined in the Code of Conduct adopted by the Board of Supervisors. Given this is a legal matter, and in order to respect the integrity of that process, the county will not discuss this topic further with the press at this time.”