Humboldt Last Week

Humboldt Last Week is intended to be an enjoyable new way to catch up on some local news. Available where you get podcasts and downloadable for later listening. When you click play it may take a few seconds to start. Episode partners: Humboldt Clothing Co. / Cafe Nooner / Bongo Boy Studio Humboldt Last Week, Episode 83 (7:02): Last week the New York Times put out an article noting Humboldt County as the place hit worst by the opioid epidemic in all of California -- a place with an opioid death rate higher than five times the state average. The article goes into the disturbing amount of heroin and meth use in Eureka, homelessness issues, the lack of affordable housing in the area, law enforcement challenges, and criticism about the amount of state funding doled out to combat these issues. “We really are trying and it’s a challenge,” said Assemblymember Jim Wood, a dentist who sits on many health committees. “Because it’s not just about opioids, it’s about behavioral health, it’s about homelessness… we’re j

Episode partners: Cafe Nooner / Bongo Boy Studio Humboldt Last Week is a hopefully enjoyable new way to catch up on some local news. Available where you get podcasts and downloadable for later listening. When you click play it may take a few seconds to start. Some stories discussed with Humboldt County Supervisor Estelle Fennell (10:38): Supervisor Fennell elected president of California Cannabis Authority She delves into how she believes this role will help Humboldt and discusses legal recreational cannabis in its fifth month. Young woman booked after ramming patrol vehicle with stolen car, cops say “We’re not going back to a time where people like this young woman who clearly have problems are gonna be kicked into a jail system and come out worse,” she said after recently supporting a tough-on-crime initiative despite concerns from some about its potential impact on rehabilitation. “They're still going to be dealing with a system that's trying to help them…” Trial delay confirmed for Kitchen as lawye

Humboldt Last Week is a hopefully enjoyable new way to catch up on some local news. Available where you get podcasts and downloadable for later listening. When you click play it may take a few seconds to start. Episode partners: Cafe Nooner / Bongo Boy Studio Some stories covered in this episode? - HSU alum Alex Cappa selected by Tampa Bay in NFL draft - David Josiah Lawson murder case: Bold blood test allegations and denials - Marci Kitchen’s lawyer reportedly may request another delay - Man reportedly shot in head, run over by own vehicle, before being hit by semi - St. Joseph Health sued over alleged iffy business practices - HSU won’t raise tuition next year - Partnership enticing cruise ships to Eureka, one already on the way - ‘Sweet’ dog with tags shot for no apparent reason in Eureka - Local school comes out on top after burglary - Couple allegedly assaulted by young hooligans in Eureka - HSU responds criticism from Eureka NAACP - Eight year old girl loses life to ocean near Big Lagoon - Other top

Humboldt Last Week is a hopefully enjoyable new way to catch up on some local news. Available where you get podcasts and downloadable for later listening. When you click play it may take a few seconds to start. Episode partners: Cafe Nooner / Bongo Boy Studio Some stories covered in this episode? - Local driver recalls killer Robert Durst just before alleged murder trip, hearings begin (9:23) - Controversial hash lab between Arcata and Blue Lake not happening - Cannabis shop opens at Humboldt’s southern gateway - Two Arcata bars potentially in hot water over alleged drug sales - Opioid treatment center retreats after community concerns, eyeing other local spots - Mother of slain HSU student files $0.5 million claim against Arcata - Questions follow young Serbian woman’s death in Fortuna - ICE detains local farmer, says activist group - A former local is co-hosting the Tony Awards - Former local makes rock magazine’s list of top replacement singers of all time - HSU alum visits 49ers, other NFL teams, set t

Humboldt Last Week is a hopefully enjoyable new way to catch up on some local news. Available where you get podcasts and downloadable for later listening. Some stories covered in this episode? - Arcata City Councilmember Paul Pitino discusses police chief’s resignation, Lawson case, McKinley statue, and his priorities for Arcata (10:28) - In-N-Out Burger addresses rumors of Humboldt location - Elderly woman, alleged retirement home meth peddler, turns heads in court - Marci Kitchen, accused drunken child killer, on schedule for trial - Guy Fieri is working on movie theater restaurants overseas - Pro runner does Lost Coast in record time - Hoax out of Eastern Europe alarms local schools - Rescuer saves kittens tossed from moving truck in grocery bag - Alleged gang murderers, including father and son, headed to trial Humboldt Last Week also includes additional crime updates, some attempts at humor, new music samples, Facebook giveaways, and other top stories. You can also listen and connect at humboldtlastwe

With what many call the “revolving door” at the jail comes majority support from the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors for an initiative called the “Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act.” “Serial property theft would mean a year in jail rather than probation -- that’s a big one,” said Lost Coast Outpost reporter Ryan Burns. The measure which is still in the signature gathering phase aims to make serial theft a felony, reduce early release numbers for violent prisoners, increase penalties for parole violations, and allow DNA collection in more cases among other things. It sounds great on paper if you’re not a criminal. In an unexpected turn of events at a ‘Supervisors meeting last week retiring Chief Probation Officer Bill Damiano broke with many of his law enforcement peers as a skeptic of the initiative saying it could bog down already overcrowded jails and take money away from rehabbing the 95 percent of inmates that will inevitably be released. That the good the initiative does can be achie

Why do some of us care about who Humboldt-raised superstar Sara Bareilles is dating? Sure, she has a massive list of more noteworthy creative achievements, but last week some of the millions of readers of Elite Daily were drawn to a story with the headline: “Who is Sara Bareilles’ boyfriend? The pair have an adorable story.” As curiosity struck this apparently shameless writer and he clicked in, we wondered why he and others are drawn to this kind of information about people they’d likely never meet. “... a psychoanalyst in the tradition of Sigmund Freud might say we see ourselves or someone important to us reflected in the lives of strangers...” said Humboldt State University Psychology Lecturer Kevin Matlock. In the program more of Matlock’s thoughts on the subject are shared, and yeah, listeners can hear the juicy-to-some info about Bareilles that probably has no tangible impact on our lives. The story begins at 9:24. Also covered A Grammy-nominated rock drummer from Humboldt discusses his band's nex

Humboldt’s celebrity chef from Ferndale went viral on the internet once again last week, garnering over 31,000 upvotes on the social site Reddit for officiating gay weddings in honor of his late sister. Also: The high-profile arrest of Ray Christie for animal cruelty, another Sara Bareilles update, High Times taking on Reggae on the River, the former Eureka K-Mart building is no longer an option for County offices, win tickets to see Wyclef Jean at the Mateel March 28, Arcata moves forward with their McKinley statue removal after a hiccup, a student protest at HSU over cuts, Jon Goldberg is convicted of second-degree murder, crime updates, and more.

Efforts are currently underway looking into the possibility of building a community pool in Fortuna, potentially at the site of an upcoming community center off Newburg Road (11:56). Also: Sara Bareilles is likely getting involved in an “Alice in Wonderland” musical, suspects plead guilty to manslaughter and other charges in a hash lab explosion in Rio Dell, a wrongful death claim in Arcata, our neighbors up north say no to commercial cannabis, hundreds of Humboldt students participated in events hoping for less gun violence, Leafly lists the best places to “blaze up” (or just visit) in Humboldt, crime updates, and other top stories from last week.

The Eureka City Council passed an ordinance requiring needle exchange programs to keep needle distribution records, refer drug users to treatment, and do weekly community cleanups. City Council Member Austin Allison supports the ordinance but wants amendments, for one something that provides incentive for higher needle return rates. City Council candidate John Fullerton wants the city to switch to one-for-one exchange rather than needs-based. (Begins at 12:47) Also: Sara Bareilles is getting a huge honor, Ferndale gets kudos, a wild story involving a bounty hunter, the upcoming jail expansion, thieves steal from kids, crab fishers rescued a deer from drowning, Arcata voters might weigh in on the McKinley statue, Disney’s “A Wrinkle in Time” hits theaters, free tuition for first-time college students at CR, crime updates, and other top stories from last week.

A jury trial began for a man accused of murdering a man he once believed was a friend, but was reportedly found to be involved in an intimate relationship with his wife. A self-defense tragedy or cold-blooded murder, Lost Coast Outpost reporter Rhonda Parker discusses her coverage and the trial so far. Also: Humboldt is getting a doctor residency program as early as this summer, Eureka’s potential amendment to policy on needle exchange, Marci Kitchen’s lawyers dropped her as a client, a big win for the Yurok Tribe, Fortuna settles a wrongful death lawsuit, HSU alum Alex Cappa continues to thrill at the NFL scouting combine, crime updates, and more.

Journalist Kym Kemp discusses an article she was interviewed for about Eastern Europeans -- including doctors and lawyers -- moving to Humboldt in large numbers to work on cannabis farms, hearing sometimes exaggerated tales of the riches earned here. She also discusses the state of legal recreational cannabis in Humboldt so far (12:12). Also: A man is accused of murdering his sister in Hoopa, Netflix is shooting here, Arcata’s vanished mystery cabin pops up online again, Fern Canyon gets some love, HSU’s interim head football coach wants the official role, air travel news, two bodies found, crime updates, and more.

A girl who testified against a ‘spooky storyteller’ accused of child molestation was backed in the courthouse by members of Bikers Against Child Abuse. The president of the local chapter said they show up in situations such as this only when invited and stressed their mission to protect and empower abused children while following a number of protocols. Also: Cannabis farmers tell local officials taxes and fees are preventing them from success, an actor joins us in spreading the word about the disappearance of Hana Hammer, local schools will reportedly roll out sex trafficking education soon, the Wiyot Tribe supports removing the McKinley statue from the Arcata Plaza, a settlement formalizes recent changes in how child abuse and neglect cases are being handles, a major guinea pig problem in Eureka, and other top stories.

HSU grad and SpongeBob creator Stephen Hillenberg was given lifetime achievement nod at the Annie Awards. “...Hillenberg, who was diagnosed with ALS this past year was (in attendance) and received a standing ovation,” wrote The Hollywood Reporter. “Tom Kenny, who is the voice actor for SpongeBob, made the stage presentation and accepted the award...” Also: Win tickets to see Afroman in Blue Lake Feb. 15, Lonely Planet selects Humboldt as the most compelling vacation destination of 2018, Humboldt also has the highest rate of found people in the state, a celebrity TV host gets involved in local politics, sitting ducks, crime updates, and other top stories from last week.

(11:43)A late HSU student and theater standout was awarded a posthumous degree with honors. Also: An alleged serial killer awaiting an unrelated trial is possibly linked to one of Humboldt’s missing, the “missing woman” starring on a show with millions of viewers, Humboldt is enticing if you know how to do it right, a Supervisor’s private flight to Sacramento is questioned, crime updates, and other top stories from last week.

Named by the DA’s office, a teenager accused of murdering his former foster parent is likely headed to adult court. The victim had two adopted sons and dozens of foster children over the years. Two of the victim’s family members provide details on the victim, the teenager, and how they interacted over the years... Also: Finders keepers in not the HSU way, rent went up and the home vacancy rate went down, a hotline aimed to fight ICE, a pure and udder debate on raw milk, more college football drama as a talented head coach resigns, crime updates, film updates, and other top stories.

(10:48) A family member is praising a lifesaving dog after a house fire in Eureka. They're also in need of housing. Also: A Eureka mom said a woman tried to steal her truck with her baby inside, a condemned property displacing families, a Humboldt-shot film makes a Rolling Stone list, illegal outdoor cannabis woes, Mateel woes, good news for Eureka’s economy, the HSU alum headed for the NFL draft gets a huge nod, a hero, the Chronicle’s choice of the coolest thing to do in Humboldt, top crime stories, and other highlights.

Humboldt County Aviation Program Coordinator Emily Jacobs discusses what what it’ll take for the upcoming LA flight to remain long-term, the benefits of the flight, price expectations, the airport’s name, and much more. Also: The memorial lighthouse in Trinidad is moved, Safeway no longer open 24 hours, the Fortuna ice rink won’t happen next winter unless they find new organizers, another Nickelodeon cartoonist with Humboldt ties, an officer who fought cancer is back on the job, a local novelist is donating proceeds from her new book to a good cause, top stories from two weeks ago (since I took a week off), crime updates, and other top stories.

A Eureka woman discusses she and her boyfriend’s appearance on “The Jerry Springer Show” a few months back. The poor character they exemplified on the show was exaggerated. Also: A great achievement by a local cheerleader, a Kringle arrested in Arcata before Christmas, dumb criminals, a heartfelt thank-you and good advice from a family going through a difficult time, an Arcata art educator gets a major nod from the Governor, memorial lighthouse issues in Trinidad, an Arcata mom continues to fight deportation, the top three main podcast stories with the most listens this year, and much more.

TS reporter Will Houston discusses an incident near Ferndale that has a Mexican national accused of shooting a Sheriff's Deputy. Regarding the incident he discusses a press conference, court appearance, national coverage, and how the suspect’s citizenship status could impact his case moving forward. Also: Fortuna High School’s football team wins state, an incredible act of anonymous kindness, needle disposal kiosks are now installed in Eureka, AT&T talks outages, protecting the Humboldt brand, a criminal lifestyle actually bites someone in the ass, a kind holiday service continues, a “pretty boy” refrains from “going back to Hollywood,” crime updates, and other stories from last week.