HUMBOLDT TODAY: Humboldt gets a snow day, layoffs hit Mad River Hospital, plus a beloved Arcata bar mascot is kidnapped but, happily, is later returned. Those stories and more in today’s newscast with John Kennedy O’Connor.
Klamath Basin, CA – Late last year, the final regulatory approvals to remove four large dams on the Klamath River became the good news environmental story of the year. The fact that Tribes from remote communities along the California-Oregon border started a successful movement to remove four large dams suggests that America can indeed restore rivers, ensure wild salmon runs for future generations, and honor traditional cultures.
Unfortunately, officials from the Bureau of Reclamation and the Fish and Wildlife Service are turning this epic [victory] into a tragedy. Today, Department of Interior officials told tribes that flows to the river from the Klamath Irrigation Project would be reduced below the minimums described by the Biological Opinion that is supposed to govern Klamath Irrigation Project operations. These flow decreases will dewater salmon eggs putting [Endangered Species Act] ESA-listed coho salmon at further risk.
It should be noted that dam removal of the four dams will not impact the volume of water moving down the Klamath River; the operation of the Bureau’s 225,000 acre irrigation project further upstream dictates flow in the river along with accretions from Klamath River tributaries. The Bureau claims that we are experiencing “extraordinary” drought which gives them authority to cut the flows. This is despite above average snowpack and the fact it’s currently snowing in the upper Basin. BOR claims that the water savings will be used to fill Upper Klamath Lake to benefit other endangered fish, the lost river, and short-nosed suckers.
While the suckers are indeed at risk of extinction, there is no indication that the volume of Upper Klamath Lake factor into their demise. These long-lived fish have not reproduced successfully in 30 years, a period where lake levels have varied greatly.
“What the Bureau is not saying is that the water savings will make it more likely that irrigation deliveries will be available to water users,” according to Karuk Council Member Troy Hockaday. “This has more to do with potatoes than it does fish.”
“By presenting Klamath Basin tribes a false dilemma whereby they must choose between salmon in the river and suckers in the lake, Interior is continuing a long colonial tradition of cultivating division among tribal people while their natural resources are plundered to support an ecologically unsustainable industry. We should instead be focused on meaningful restoration of the wetlands that accommodated the needs of sucker and salmon for millennia that were sacrificed on the altar of manifest destiny,” said Yurok Vice Chairman Frankie Myers.
“The United States is on the threshold of the biggest fisheries success story in history. Dam removal will dramatically improve water quality and restore salmon access to hundreds of miles of historical habitat. It’s a step in the right direction for America’s efforts to meet its obligations to the Klamath’s Native people. But, if the bureaucrats at Interior have their way and deny salmon adequate flows for spawning, the dam removal effort will be fruitless and the sad history of colonization and genocide will continue for another generation,” said Karuk Chairman Russell ‘Buster’ Attebery.
Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
Ryan Matthew Friend Booking Photo | Humboldt County Correctional Facility
On Feb. 12, 2023, at about 2:54 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to Greenwood Heights Drive near Kneeland to investigate a suspicious occupied vehicle parked in the area.
Deputies contacted two individuals associated with the vehicle, one of which was identified as 48-year-old Ryan Matthew Friend. Friend was found to be on probation. Deputies searched the vehicle pursuant to the terms of Friend’s probation and located an unsecured firearm and ammunition.
Friend was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of convicted felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)), person prohibited in possession of ammunition (PC 30305(a)), committing a felony while out on bail/O.R. (PC 12022.1) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)).
The second individual associated with the vehicle was released at the scene.
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:
Marrissa Marrie Nelson Booking Photo | Humboldt County Correctional Facility
On Feb. 12, 2023, at about 6:07 p.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 1100 block of Hayes Road in McKinleyville for the report of a stabbing.
Deputies contacted the suspect, 24-year-old Marrissa Marrie Nelson, outside the residence. While deputies spoke with Nelson, the victim, a 50-year-old male, arrived at the residence exhibiting multiple stab-related injuries. The victim was transported to a local hospital and is expected to survive his injuries.
During their investigation, deputies learned that Nelson and the victim had been involved in an argument earlier that evening. At some point during this argument, Nelson reportedly stabbed the victim multiple times.
Nelson was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of assault with a deadly weapon other than a firearm (PC 245(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 Feb. 13, 2023, at about 6:31 a.m., Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a business on the 1100 block of Redway Drive in Redway for the report of a man trespassing on the property.
A deputy arrived at the business and learned that a male suspect, later identified as 37-year-old Alexander Wade Lyon, had been seen forcing entry into a shed on the property and was still inside upon deputy arrival. When the deputy attempted to take Lyon into custody, Lyon fled into a nearby wooded area.
While the deputy continued the investigation, Lyon again reappeared at the business but fled when the deputy attempted to contact him. The deputy pursued Lyon into the wooded area, and a brief struggle occurred while the deputy attempted to apprehend Lyon. Lyon was able to break free from the deputy and fled.
Deputies continued to canvas the area throughout the day in an attempt to locate Lyon. At about 1:02 p.m., the Sheriff’s Office received information that a male matching Lyon’s description was spotted in a gulch in the area of Orchard Lane. Deputies searched the area and located Lyon on Riverview Lane. He was taken into custody after another foot pursuit. During a search of Lyon, deputies located approximately 1.8 grams of methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Lyon was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of trespassing (PC 602(m)), resisting a peace officer (PC 148(a)(1)), false identification to a peace officer (PC 148.9(a)), possession of a controlled substance (HS 11377(a)), possession of a controlled substance paraphernalia (HS 11364(a)) and violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)(2)), in addition to warrant charges of burglary (PC 459/461(a)), violation of probation (PC 1203.2(a)(2)), committing a felony with a previous felony conviction (PC 667(b)-(i)) and parole revocation (PC 3000.08(f)).
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 Feb. 13, 2023, at about 2:14 p.m., the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center received a call regarding human remains found in the Baker Beach area of Trinidad.
Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and recovered the remains with the assistance of a California State Parks lifeguard. Due to the difficult access to the area of the beach, deputies requested the assistance of a helicopter from the United States Coast Guard (USCG)- Sector Humboldt Bay to transport the deceased individual and place them in the custody of a nearby deputy coroner.
The deceased individual has been identified as 40-year-old Caleb Pellegrini. Pellegrini was reported missing to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office earlier that day after he failed to return home.
Pellegrini’s death is not considered suspicious at this time; however, the Humboldt County Coroner’s Office is in the process of scheduling an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death.
The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the USCG and California State Parks for their assistance with this recovery operation.
Anyone with information about this case 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.
Caltrans is reporting that State Route 299 has reopened, though chains are required on all vehicles except four-wheel-drives with snow tires on all four wheels. This applies only to the stretch of road from about three miles west of Willow Creek to the junction with State Route 96.
Meanwhile, travel along State Route 199 has also reopened, though there’s one-way controlled traffic three miles south of the Oregon border due to construction.
Chains or snow tires are required on State Route 36 from 6.3 miles west of Dinsmore to the Humboldt-Trinity County line.
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Original post:
Traffic cam atop Berry Summit, east of Blue Lake, looking south. | Image via Caltrans.
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If you needed an excuse to hunker down inside your home this Valentine’s Day, the weather is providing one. State Route 299 has been closed east of Blue Lake to Willow Creek due to snow. Likewise, State Route 199 is closed east of Gasquet — same reason.
If you’re heading north, chains are required from Klamath to Crescent City unless you’ve driving a four-wheel vehicle with snow tires installed, and there’s one-way controlled traffic on that stretch.
