News Blog

Transmission lines carry electricity from where it's generated to where it's used.

Where to Get Medical Supplies, Charge Devices During the Blackout

by Thadeus Greenson on October 25, 2019 at 3:30PM

With Humboldt County’s impending blackout looming, the county Office of Emergency Services is urging residents to stock up on enough medical supplies to last at least a few days and officials are scurrying to set up medical device charging stations throughout the county. The entirety of Humboldt County is expected to lose power Saturday afternoon and officials say the fire warnings that prompted it could last until Monday afternoon, after which it could take several days for PG&E to inspect and re-energize the lines.

Alert: Humboldt Will Lose Power, Possibly for Four Days

by Thadeus Greenson on October 25, 2019 at 12:44PM

The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services has issued a countywide alert warning that all PG&E customers in the county will lose power early tomorrow afternoon due to the Public Safety Power Shutoff being enacted in the face of severe fire conditions in portions of Humboldt County and surrounding areas. The office is urging residents to plan for an outage of up to four days, as the extreme weather conditions are expected to last through Monday and it may take some time after that to inspect lines and get electric servce restored to all customers.

The barren shelves at Eureka's WalMart on the eve of the last blackout.

Amid 'Frustration' with Lack of Information, Officials Warn Everyone Should Prepare for Blackout (with Preparedness Checklist)

by Thadeus Greenson on October 25, 2019 at 7:11AM

Humboldt County officials are hoping to get some clarity this morning on what they should expect from the PG&E Public Safety Power Shutoff that the company has warned may impact the entirety of the county beginning Saturday evening. As with the shutoffs that left the county dark for 28 hours on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9, information flowing to officials and the public from the company has been inconsistent.

The PG&E outage map released this afternoon.

UPDATE: OES Warns Entirety of Humboldt May Go Dark Saturday

by Thadeus Greenson on October 24, 2019 at 6:05PM

UPDATE: The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is now advising that the entirety of Humboldt County is considered “in scope” for the PG&E blackout slated to begin Saturday night and all residents should be prepared to be without electricity for days. According to OES, PG&E’s prior advisories that only 2,188 customers would be affected were based on “directly impacted local distribution lines” but failed to account for the main transmission lines into the county, which run along state routes 299 and 36.

UPDATE: Humboldt Expected to be Impacted by PG&E Blackout Saturday

by Thadeus Greenson on October 24, 2019 at 1:03PM

UPDATE: The Humboldt County Office of Emergency Services is warning that PG&E currently expects 2,188 Humboldt County customers to lose power Saturday night as a result of local fire conditions. The office says it does not yet have more information about where the outages will be, when the power will be cut or how long the shutdown will last, but warns that high-wind conditions are expected to come late Saturday evening and may persist into Monday.

A humpback whale that was found beached just north of Samoa, California on Wednesday struggles in the surf. The whale had become tangled in fishing nets and a crab pot.

Update: Whale Euthanized

by Iridian Casarez on October 24, 2019 at 12:48PM

“We’ve been in communication with NOAA and other organizations around the country who have had experiences with stranded whales to weigh out every option,” Goley said. “It might seem like we are not doing much, but we’re thinking of what’s best and safest for the whale and people.”

Fortuna school resource officer Lindsey Frank attended the conference where Fortuna Police Chief noted that she had been building trust with the students at Fortuna High and other schools in the Eel River Valley.

Fortuna Police: Evidence Indicates Students had the 'Means' to Carry Out Attack

by Thadeus Greenson on October 23, 2019 at 2:30PM

The two male Fortuna High School students arrested yesterday afternoon for allegedly plotting to harm fellow students may have had the means to carry out the attack, Fortuna Police Chief Bill Dobberstein told the Journal after a press conference this morning. “There is some evidence that they did have the means,” Dobberstein said, adding the extent of those means is still under investigation.

Alleged Plot to 'Harm' Students Thwarted at Fortuna High School

by Thadeus Greenson on October 23, 2019 at 11:05AM

On the afternoon of October 22, 2019 Fortuna Police Department and Fortuna High School received information of a possible plot between two Fortuna High School students to harm other students at Fortuna High School. The two students were quickly detained and information found on their persons indicating validity to the original report.

Donatello taking a rehabilitative swim at a Sausalito veterinary hospital.

Endangered Sea Turtle Recovering After Washing Up in Humboldt

by Thadeus Greenson on October 21, 2019 at 5:54PM

An endangered Olive Ridley sea turtle is recovering at a Sausalito veterinary hospital after washing ashore at Bunkers Beach in Humboldt County, hundreds of miles north of its home. Marine Mammal Center spokesperson Giancarlo Rulli tells the Journal that Donatello, as the adult female turtle has been dubbed, is currently receiving supportive care, which includes electrolyte fluids to help with hydration and heat support for hypothermia.

Wiyot tribal elder Cheryl Seidner has worked for the return of Duluwat Island for decades, carrying on the efforts of her parents.

Duluwat Island is Returned to the Wiyot Tribe in Historic Ceremony

by Thadeus Greenson on October 21, 2019 at 2:40PM

With five words, it became official — Duluwat Island is being returned to the Wiyot people, for whom it is the physical and cultural center of the universe, a sacred piece of land with the power to bring balance to all else. “Unanimous yes vote.

North Coast Journal