December’s Arts Alive was unseasonably warm thanks to an appearance from Duane Flatmo’s giant, flaming El Pulpo Magnifico. If you missed it, here’s some video evidence that, yes, that did happen.

Note: Old Town is still standing.

‘Tis the season! Friend o’ the LoCO James Davis sends along the following beautiful pictures taken at Berry Summit last night at about 8 p.m. — a time when, technically, you are not supposed to be able to take pictures at all.

Willow Creek Traffic Collision: Eastbound Highway 299 at mile marker 23 between Blue Lake and Willow Creek for a report of a vehicle rollover. Roadways are reported to be hazardous in the area; For Willow Creek Fire, Blue Lake Fire w/ Hoopa Ambulance on order

Maybe your invitation was lost in the mail, but President Joe Biden is throwing a fancy-ass state dinner at the White House Thursday evening for French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife. 

Now, you’ll note that LoCO doesn’t often activate its Washington correspondents, but we couldn’t let mentioning this soiree slip. That’s because — as North Coast cheerleader Mike McGuire notes — very important people will be dining on Cypress Grove’s Humboldt Fog cheese at this thing. Whoa! You’ve had that cheese too!

Stare longingly at the full menu below, as reported by Politico: 

Butter Poached Maine Lobster
American Osetra Caviar
Delicata Squash Raviolo
Tarragon Sauce

Calotte of Beef, Shallot Marmalade
Triple Cooked Butter Potatoes
Sunchoke & Creamed Watercress
Red Wine Reduction

American Artisanal Cheeses: The American Artisanal Cheese Course features three outstanding and award winning cheeses:

Rogue River Blue - 2019/2020 World Cheese Awards World Champion Gold Made by Rogue Creamery with milk sourced from Grant Pass, Oregon

Cypress Grove Humboldt Fog - 2022 World Cheese Bronze Medalist Soft Ripened Goat Cheese

Deer Creek Cheddar Cheese from a small family run creamery in Sheboygan, Wisconsin

Orange Chiffon Cake
Roasted Pears with Citrus Sauce
Crème Fraiche Ice Cream

Newton Unfiltered Chardonnay “Napa Valley” 2018
Anakota Cabernet Sauvignon “Knights Valley” 2019
Roederer Estate Brut Rosé N/V

Bon appétit,  presidents.

Great info from @PGE4Me this morning! #WinterWeather https://t.co/u2GG5NOwIJ

— HumCoSO (@HumCoSO) December 1, 2022

We can have nice things. Almost two years after revealing its intentions, Eureka’s Dick Taylor Chocolates announced today that they are ready to give the public a glimpse into some of what they’ve been up to at their new waterfront location. Eureka has a new chocolate factory, y’all! 

“It will take a few more months to move the entire factory so stay tuned for more pictures along the way and a grand opening next year,” said the Dick Taylor crew in their announcement. 

While we await the full vision, sweet tooth-afflicted locals are invited to take a peek at the goodness created thus far at a chocolate factory soft launch scheduled to take place at 333 First St. during Arts Alive this coming Saturday, Dec. 3 from 6 to 9 p.m. Yes, there will be samples. 

The Outpost plans to have more on this mouth-watering development later this week. Stay tuned! 

#UPDATE Humboldt County SWAT conducted a special operation this afternoon in Eureka to apprehend wanted homicide suspect from Sacramento. The suspect fled during the op and was involved in a solo-vehicle traffic collision on Mitchell Road. (1/2)

— HumCoSO (@HumCoSO) November 22, 2022

A female occupant of the vehicle was detained, the male suspect fled on foot and was quickly apprehended by deputies. This case is being investigated by @SacPolice. Law enforcement has cleared from the Mitchell Road area. (2/2)

— HumCoSO (@HumCoSO) November 22, 2022

#HappeningNow Heavy law enforcement presence in the Mitchell Road area of Eureka as HCSO SWAT completes a suspect apprehension operation. There is no perceived threat to the community at this time. Please avoid the area while law enforcement works.

— HumCoSO (@HumCoSO) November 22, 2022

North Coast News is live at the scene.

Per Second Street IC, fire in knocked down and primary search is all clear

Engine 8114 at scene of a single story residential structure with fire showing and one exposure threatened. 8114 establishing a supply line, passing command and setting up for fire attack. 8103 is establishing “2nd Street IC”, this will be an offensive fire with primary objective of fire control. Multiple move up and covers for the HBF response area

Eureka Structure Fire: 2nd and Q St for a residential structure on fire with an elderly resident on the front porch; For HBF Battalion 8103, Truck 8181, Engines 8112, 8113, 8114, 8115; Engine 8114 still enroute has a visible smoke column

For those of you delighted in future Bigfoot Jesse Eisenberg’s previous Humboldt dining adventures, perhaps you’d like to know yet another local establishment the Academy Award-nominated actor wandered into whilst presumably hungry. Yes, it is a slow Monday! What of it?

The Outpost can confirm — AKA, we noticed on Facebook — that Eisenberg stopped by Paul’s Live From New York in Eureka over the weekend to snag a slice. Good choice, Jess! Readers may reasonably wonder: Was he reminded of the time, on January 29, 2011, when he hosted Saturday Night Live with musical guest Nicki Minaj? We can’t say for certain, but the PLFNY crew were happy to have him there, all the same.

“So cool to have celebrities show up and enjoy a huge New York slice !!!,” the pizzeria posted on Facebook. Noice! 

Where in Humboldt will Jesse Eisenberg eat next? There’s traditionally not a lot of local news Thanksgiving week, so maybe LoCO will be forced to tell you!

Highway 299 was briefly fully closed by a vehicle fire at Berry Summit. Currently traffic is open to one-way controlled traffic, according to Caltrans. 

Updates from LoCO’s CHP Watch here.

As you might expect, the City of Eureka is eager to capitalize on October’s magical Sara Bareilles Day at Halvorsen Park by figuring out more events that might be worth the effort for that space. 

With that in mind, the city would like to hear from you about your Sara experience. If you’re itching to click some bubbles, you may do so here.

Vehicle was spotted southbound 101 from Samoa at high speed. Officers from multiple agencies are in position but not currently in pursuit

HCSO lost sight of the vehicle as it was traveling southbound in the northbound lanes of 101 just north of Samoa

Back Northbound on 101

*Correction HCSO not EPD* Now wrong way Southbound 101 from Samoa

Arcata Vehicle Pursuit: EPD is attempting to catch up to a high speed vehicle northbound Highway 255 towards Arcata from Eureka, requesting APD be notified; Now entering Arcata speeds 100

Have you been to Annie’s Cambodian Cuisine poppin’ new location in Eureka’s Henderson Center yet? You haven’t?!? Well, if not, you’re slippin’, because Academy Award-nominated Mark Zuckerberg impersonator Jesse Eisenberg has absolutely made that scene, as evidenced by a post on the restaurant’s social network! (Layers!)

“@Jesse_Eisenberg_Official, thanks for stopping by Annie’s Cambodian Cuisine,” restaurant staff wrote on Instagram. “It was an honor to have you in our restaurant. Can’t wait to see the new flick.”

The Outpost has heard of a few Eisenberg sightings around Humboldt in previous weeks. What brings the actor behind the Redwood Curtain — and for so long — you may reasonably wonder? Well, rumor has it he’s shooting a Zellner Brothers-directed Bigfoot movie in which he will star as the elusive cryptid. He said as much in an interview with Variety earlier this year.

“I play a Sasquatch: full makeup, full body hair, but no lines,” Eisenberg told the industry rag. “I’m so looking forward to this.”

Also, he gets to eat at Annie’s. Everything’s coming up Eisenberg.

Multiple readers report that the sky above Arcata again acted as a canvas for an as-yet unnamed sky artist. (We have our suspicions on who it might be.)

We started to type out “Check out this smiley face!” but upon review this character seems to be projecting a bit more “meh” about the state of things. It is a Monday morning, after all. 

Engine 8211 at scene, reports the veh is off the road in 500 block of Fieldbrook, the occupants have self-extricated; continue CHP and ambulance, cancel Engine 8217 and Chief 8201

Fieldbrook/Essex area, TC w/injuries, near Parker Lane east of Fieldbrook Rd; veh down an embankment and hard to see from the road; Arcata Engines 8211 and 8217 and Capt 8203, Arcata Amb and CHP all responding

IC reports the fire has been knocked down, going into overhaul stage

PG&E at scene per Ocean IC [45 minutes faster than estimated]; Arcata Fire Logistics unit 8219 also on scene

Westhaven VFD Chief 8400 at scene Ocean Ave

Ocean IC requesting Red Cross be notified to respond, for one resident and no pets

CalFire Engine 1284 and Fieldbrook Engine 8717 at scene on Ocean Ave