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Election results so far indicate the controversial Measure F will fail in Eureka. The measure was backed by businessman Rob Arkley and hoped voters would favor parking over housing specifically in Old Town. Arkley’s company Security National spent over $1.6M on the failed effort and it was the single most expensive measure in Humboldt County history. As Measure F is currently failing by a wide margin, Eureka appears poised to progress its housing goals while battling further parking-related Arkley litigation. *** Humboldt County election results page
As of this posting statewide in California, voters protected same-sex marriage rights and increased penalties for repeat thieves and fentanyl dealers, among other things. And California Governor Gavin Newsom is rallying the government to Trump-proof California. *** Updating statewide election results / CalMatters on Newsom efforts
Right-leaning Rob Arkley was Eureka’s top 2024 federal election donor while left-leaning Taavi Taijala came in second. The conservative and controversial sometimes-local Arkley and his wife contributed over $134K to federal campaigns and parties, while the Google engineer Taavi donated over $63K. While locals are more familiar with the Arkleys, LoCo chatted with Kamala Harris supporter Taavi to get to know him better.
Eureka’s ‘pure evil’ and brutal killer who chose victims at random was sentenced to life in prison. 26-year-old Wesley Lee Starritt murdered two people at random, and attempted to murder two others, all strangers. Eureka’s former police chief called his actions “a portrait of pure evil.” Wesley’s case saw years of mental health delays as he reportedly claimed he was Lucifer, one of his victims was stabbed 96 times, he reportedly assaulted guards at the jail, and he allegedly threw poop and other bodily fluids on someone in jail. He’ll reportedly be eligible for parole in 25 years. *** RHBB
A fugitive allegedly abusive to people and animals was captured. Officers captured Joseph Larue in Fortuna after a foot chase. He'd evaded them for weeks. He’s accused of the felony malnourishment of over a dozen dogs in Oregon along with recent domestic violence in southern Humboldt County. Cops say he had guns and meth and that his wife was also taken into custody. *** RHBB
A possible hotel at the casino in Trinidad is still up in the air. A state appeals court tentatively ruled against a 100-room Hyatt hotel at The Heights citing inadequate fire protection, overturning a 2019 approval by the California Coastal Commision. However, the Trinidad Rancheria will have an opportunity to present their arguments in favor of the possible project, which has been in flux for several years. *** LoCo
Our DA determined Eureka Police Officers were justified in killing a man by the library in late 2023. After he was pulled over, an armed man allegedly ran from police on foot and brandished his handgun before he was shot and killed. *** RHBB
Eureka’s hospital agreed to follow California law as a notorious case against them proceeds. While St. Joseph Hospital disputed claims in a state lawsuit alleging they denied emergency abortion care, they agreed that patients suffering emergencies will get the care they need. This comes after a local woman was reportedly refused emergency abortion care at the Eureka hospital despite a life-threatening miscarriage. Providence St. Joseph in Eureka now hosts the only birthing center in Humboldt County. *** LoCo
Someone vandalized Cal Poly Humboldt again. Two buildings at the Arcata university saw property damage and appearingly pro-Palestinian tagging. *** RHBB [Last semester's pro-Palestine protests saw activists barricading an administrative building and occupying the quad for a week, causing what Cal Poly Humboldt officials said were millions in damages. - MC]
A homeless man mistaken for a vandal was actually covering up graffiti with paint he bought himself, says Humboldt County Supervisor Rex Bohn. Rex noted he initially assumed the worst when he drove by the man applying paint to a building in Eureka, later praised the man and gave him $40 as a thank-you. *** FB
The local EcoNews Report podcast examined if Humboldt County is a climate refuge. Reps from Cal Poly Humboldt and the National Weather Service talked about our coastal climate staying cooler, more stable, and less fire-prone compared to most other places with help from the ocean. So we’re more insulated from severe heat and storms, but rising temperatures worldwide could bring more storms and heightening issues like sea level rise. So while we’ve always got earthquakes and tsunamis to worry about, Humboldt does seem poised to continue to attract climate refugees. *** EcoNews
Cal Poly Humboldt was ranked 17th out of 122 western US schools. U.S. World News and Report also gave the school recognition for its value, social mobility, and support for veterans. The university is also in the news for offering direct admission to Riverside County students meeting college-prep requirements. Cal Poly Humboldt has been working to meet enrollment goals as a growing university can drive local economic growth. *** TS
A local’s Humboldt-centric music video picked up over 50,000 YouTube streams in its first week. Brett McFarland’s “Humboldt” video features our natural beauty, redwoods, farmers, crabbers, fishers, artists, nods to the LGBTQ+ community, nods to our cannabis history, nods to indigenous culture, and a country guy marrying a hippie woman, among other things. Another new song from Brett McFarland, “Klamath,” is due soon. *** YouTube
Cal Poly Humboldt basketball is getting underway. The young men have their regular season home opener on Tuesday the 12th while the home opener for the young women is on the 23rd. Saturday the 30th will be a good time to catch both teams. *** Men’s schedule / Women's schedule
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