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Arcata won their first state football championship in an overtime thriller.
Arcata was behind in the second half but had it tied by the end of regulation thanks to a missed field goal by Portola. In overtime, Arcata’s defense forced a fumble which set up their game-winning drive. This is Arcata’s first state championship as they join the list of other local schools who’ve earned that honor: St. Bernard’s, Fortuna, and Ferndale. *** HumboldtSports
Passersby rescued a family with a 4-year-old after a crash sent vehicles into a creek. South of the southern Humboldt County line in heavy rain two vehicles rolled into a creek, but Good Samaritans including an off-duty volunteer firefighter saved everyone including a 4-year-old who was unresponsive at first. The kiddo was resuscitated with CPR and is looking to make a full recovery. Officers praised the heroic actions. *** RHBB
Providence will significantly reduce local cardiac surgery availability next year. The only open heart surgeon at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka plans to resign, and a visiting surgeon will be available just six days per month. This is set to leave locals with limited emergency care options and will require out-of-county travel for a big percentage of surgeries. Employees warned that delayed care could cost lives. *** LoCo [‘Profits over care’ has long been a slogan associated with critics of Providence. -MC]
St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka is facing a new lawsuit over denying emergency abortion care. A woman alleges being denied emergency care during three miscarriages due to the hospital’s religious policy, despite no chance of survival for the baby and life-threatening risks for herself. *** LoCo / NCJ [This news follows similar allegations against St. Joe’s, which has become our county’s only hospital with a birthing unit. - MC]
The body of a missing Eureka woman was found in Humboldt Bay floating near a dock. 43-year-old Krystal Shinka had been reported missing and her death is under investigation. A woman claiming to be her family member noted Krystal may have suffered from mental illness and leaves behind two daughters, one of whom is a 15-year-old who has been battling a brain tumor. The county’s Major Crimes Division is involved as a precaution. *** RHBB
A 15-year-old runaway suffered a brutal dog attack in Piercy last month. The girl from San Diego was viciously attacked and severely injured by a pack of dogs while hiding in a shed to evade police. Thirteen dogs were taken but none have been definitively linked to the attack due to lack of cooperation from the property owners, who were reportedly housing this runaway and another. As she’s facing the loss of fingertips, the possible loss of arm function, hearing damage, major scarring, and PTSD, there’s a GoFundMe to support her. *** RHBB
Our U.S. rep Jared Huffman proposed a bill to share offshore wind energy profits with local Native American communities. After some Native American representatives expressed opposition to proposed floating wind turbines off the Humboldt County coast, Jared believes this bill which has support from the Blue Lake Rancheria will help our economic development, move these projects forward, address historical injustices through dedicated funding, and also set aside some funds for environmental organizations. *** Huffman [Future federal funding for our proposed offshore wind project remains in question under a Trump presidency. -MC]
A church in Ferndale was accused of violating electioneering rules. The marquee at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church told voters to reject Democrats, which is not allowed for tax-exempt nonprofits. That said, experts said the church probably won’t face federal consequences. *** NCJ
Reminder: Humboldt County is set to open a mental health hub in northern Arcata in a couple of years. The 43-bed Behavioral Health Crisis Triage Center just secured $20 million in additional funding for the collaborative project between the county and Mad River Hospital. The facility is set to provide up to 90 days of support for all ages in need, regardless of insurance. *** LoCo
Lessons were learned from our magnitude 7 earthquake. While the rumble earlier this month only caused minor damage and brought no tsunami, the most glaring issue was gridlock along coastal highways highlighting the risks of vehicle evacuations in tsunami zones. Officials are essentially saying: Beat feet and wait out the warning next time. *** LoCo / RHBB
College of the Redwoods football won their second straight bowl game. The win marked the community college’s first back-to-back bowl game victories since 1976. The victory comes just three years after CR’s football program was restarted in 2022. *** TS
Viral YouTuber Peter Santenello’s third local video focuses on the Lost Coast. He chats with a recovering drug addict, learns about the “back to the land” movement, delves into the crash of our cannabis economy, and touches on the history of people selling unbuildable Shelter Cove property. *** YouTube
Eureka’s and Ferndale’s once-tallest living Christmas trees have been challenged by the Skunk Train. Train reps say the attraction near Willits in Mendocino County measures at 222 feet tall, challenging the world title recently claimed by Eureka’s Sequoia Park Zoo. Ferndale’s historic spruce was recently topped by Eureka’s redwood for the world’s tallest living decorated Christmas tree, but at the same time, some Ferndale residents say redwood trees are not Christmas trees. *** TS / LoCo
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