Join us for a 12-hour food drive Friday, 6am to 6pm, in Redding or Chico. Help stuff a RABA or B-Line bus at Les Schwab with food donations!
LIVE UPDATES2 McKinleyville men arrested after deputies uncover drugs and gunsby Vada Hepner
both of McKinleyville were arrested after deputies uncovered drugs and guns during a search warrant on Marray Road on Jan
(Courtesy of Humboldt County Sheriff's Office)
— Two men were arrested after deputies uncovered drugs and guns during a search of a McKinleyville home
according to the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO)
The HCSO says it received multiple complaints about criminal activity relating to a home in the 1500 block of Marray Road
deputies served a search warrant at the home
Deputies detained 14 people who were in the house when they arrived
Officials said a large amount of drug paraphernalia and multiple firearms were found in the bedrooms and living areas of the home
Deputies also say they found an active marijuana cultivation in a garage attached to the house
of McKinleyville was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) for operating or maintaining a drug house and cultivating 6 or more plants of marijuana
was also arrested and booked into HCCF for being a felon in possession of a firearm
possessing a firearm without ID markings and possession of unlawful paraphernalia
The HCSO thanked the community for helping to identify this location
Anyone can call and report criminal activity to the Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539
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Press release from the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office:
Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to several incidents involving shootings along roadways in the county
two individuals were involved in an altercation inside Toni’s 24-Hour Restaurant
the dispute escalated as they drove northbound on Highway 101
Shell casings were later recovered on Central Ave
suspects shot at a victim’s vehicle while both vehicles were driving on Highway 96 in Hoopa following a physical altercation involving several adult males that occurred near the Hoopa Modular Building
One 23-year-old male sustained non-life-threatening suspected gunshot wounds to the chest and side area
was taken to a local hospital for treatment
was taken into custody and booked at the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for an outstanding warrant for battery with serious bodily injury (PC 243(d))
was also taken into custody and booked for assault with a deadly weapon
in McKinleyville for several reports of a possible drive-by shooting in the area that came from a dark blue or green SUV
10 bullet casings were found on Walnut Ave
Connections between the incidents and involved parties are being considered based on details gathered so far in the investigation
Some of the witnesses were reluctant to provide details regarding these incidents
Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539
President Donald Trump holds a cabinet meeting at the White House.
WATCH LIVEMan arrested after threatening to kill gas station employee in McKinleyvilleby Arianna Martinez
MCKINLEYVILLE, Calif. — A man was arrested after threatening to kill a gas station employee in McKinleyville, according to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
On Nov. 22 at about 7:30 a.m., deputies were called to the Chevron gas station on Central Avenue for reports of a disturbance involving a man refusing to leave and threatening the cashier with a knife.
When deputies arrived, the suspect, later identified as Eric Robert Thompson, 59, of McKinleyville, was leaving the gas station.
Officials said Thompson gave them the knife and was detained for questioning.
During the investigation, an employee said Thompson had previously been asked not to return to the store due to his erratic behavior. When Thompson returned to the store, the employee told him he had to leave, and that he was not welcome. Thompson threatened to kill the employee, and he threw a knife at the clerk. The clerk had to move out of the way to avoid being struck by the knife.
HCSO said security footage from the gas station confirmed the clerk's statement.
Thompson was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for assault with a deadly weapon and threatening a crime with intent to terrorize.
Officials said the case is still under investigation. Anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity should call the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff's Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539.
LIVE UPDATESMissing man last seen in McKinleyville on Sunday
— The Arcata Police Department is asking for the community's help in locating a missing man in the North Coast area
25-year-old Roy Tsatoke was last seen in the McKinleyville area on Sunday
the Arcata Police Department asks that you contact their office at (707) 822-2428
To report errors or issues with this article please email the editorial team
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The Sheriff’s Office has received numerous community member complaints regarding criminal activity relating to a residence on the 1500 block of Murray Road
Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies responded to those complaints by executing a search warrant at the problem residence.
14 subjects were detained while the house and vehicles were searched pursuant to the warrant
A large amount of drug paraphernalia and multiple firearms were found within the bedrooms and living areas of the residence
Deputies also located an active marijuana cultivation in a garage attached to the residence.
was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility (HCCF) for operating or maintaining a drug house (HS 11366) and cultivating 6+ plants of marijuana (HS 11358(c)).
was arrested and booked into HCCF for being a felon in possession of a firearm (PC 29800(a)(1))
possessing a firearm without ID markings (PC 23920(a))
and possession of unlawful paraphernalia (HS 11364(a))
The Sheriff’s Office appreciates the community’s help with identifying this location
We encourage community members to call and report criminal activity to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539
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A McKinleyville Community Forest access point
located up Murray Road about two miles past McKinleyville High School
a community forest of their own has been a long-awaited but good-as-guaranteed idea for more than a decade
inching toward reality through years of paperwork
But now that McKinleyville finally owns 599 acres of forest bordering the east side of town
tangible progress has picked up – and relatively quickly
considering all it took to get to this point
located up Murray Road a couple miles past town
Visitors park in a pullout next to a locked gate
but MCSD is developing a parking lot there that is expected to open soon.
The forest has been open to the public since the land transfer
how and whether to use it is still a little confusing
A map of the McKinleyville Community Forest (click to enlarge). McKinleyville Community Services District website
The property is long and skinny – stretching from Murray Road to just north of North Bank Road – with town to the west and Green Diamond-owned land to the east
It’s primarily filled by second and third growth Sitka spruce
Three-quarters of the trees are under 30 years old
and some areas were harvested as recently as 2017
The property overlaps the Widow White Creek and Mill Creek watersheds
and is home to at least seven species considered rare
Nearly 11 miles of logging roads cut through the forest
and some of them lead into private land still owned by Green Diamond
though the boundaries aren’t always clear.
For an unincorporated town with a full-time parks and recreation staff of three
whipping the thing into shape is a big undertaking; it’s the first community forest owned by a community services district in California
building necessary infrastructure and just waitin’ for the trees to grow
the forest is easily more than a decade from realizing its full potential.
A sign in the to-be-opened parking lot on Murray Road
eager community members have been calling up and popping by the McKinleyville parks and recreation office
How about restrooms?” (One such McKinleyville-an was visiting the office for a status update when this reporter arrived for an interview with Parks and Recreation Director Kirsten Messmer
who stepped into her role at the beginning of July.)
“We’re at step one,” Messmer said during the interview
we need to create this plan to guide where we want to go.”
That plan will be shaped by the McKinleyville Community Forest Committee
Its job is to recommend actions to the McKinleyville Community Services District Board of Directors
the unincorporated town’s elected government body that oversees water and sewer
street lighting and parks and recreation (other sectors are under the county’s jurisdiction).
The committee is big – 14 members (at the moment) and three alternates – composed of forest and natural resource professionals and members of the public
Two non-voting seats are filled by MCSD board members
and a currently empty 15th seat will be filled by a representative from the Wiyot Tribe
A few subcommittees will form to focus on the forest’s bigger priorities – like funding and security – and those subcommittees will have seats for community members.
“I feel really great about how many committee members we have,” Messmer said
“People are interested in being a part of the project and have a lot of knowledge and expertise that lends to this
At its inaugural meeting, the committee discussed priorities for the forest
Messmer said at the meeting: developing a management plan and mapping out a trails plan.
The management plan will be a blueprint for the forest. It will grow from a 116-page framework plan that was prepared for MCSD by the forestry consulting firm BBW & Associates back in 2021
The framework plan preliminarily explores long-term goals and management ideas for the forest
phase one of the forest’s first official trail is already complete.
but that organization hasn’t done any work in the McKinleyville Community Forest yet.)
3 p.m.: After this post was published
RCMBA Board Member Sean Tetrault emailed the Outpost to say the organization “was part of the process of laying out the conceptual trail plans that the MCSD used with Green Diamond” during the permitting process
“I and other volunteers spent hours working on maps and in conversations trying to help facilitate this great community addition,” he said
Regarding the community forest and its network of trails
“It’s a great addition to the community and we are all excited to see MCSD make it a success.”]
“The first thing you gotta do is go walking through the woods where there never was anything – which is really fun – but it’s a lot of labor and a lot of exploring before you find anything that’s even usable,” Fyfe said in an interview with the Outpost
Although the forest contains unofficial trails created by former trespassers on foot or bike
many of the routes are ecologically damaging or unsafe to use
While some existing trails might be restored
MBTTA is currently identifying completely new routes
allowing MCSD to direct trail development exactly as it sees fit
MBTTA completed phase one of the forest’s first MCSD-approved trail last month
Starting at the marked Murray Road access point
it’s a mile-long route called Scroll Keeper that runs alongside the road
The trail is open and ready to use by hikers
but MBTTA plans to improve mountain bike features along the trail in the near future
(The trail isn’t marked yet; find it to the right after crossing the gate at the Murray Road access point.)
“[It’s] kind of like the backbone of the network,” Fyfe said
“Everything that we’re going to be building is going to come off of that trail.”
Now MBTTA is working on jump lines exclusively for mountain biking
and has identified five other potential multi-use trail routes
these trails would total around six to eight miles
stretching throughout the forest and creating a foundational network from which future trails may sprout
Fyfe plans to present the five new routes to the committee at a future meeting
Trails may be the most popular feature of a community forest
but McKinleyville is looking at a long list of other needs
Security is perhaps the stickiest of challenges facing MCSD as it aims to develop the forest
which has been the site of illegal activities of varying severity since long before the land transfer
people have dumped loads of garbage or abandoned entire cars
and used the property for shooting practice.
someone managed to lodge their car inside the jump track MBTTA is currently building
The disruption was a big hit to the community
given the thousands of dollars’ worth of labor and equipment people have donated to help develop the track
Fyfe thinks that people have started to respect the property more now that it’s a community forest.
it’s been kind of known that we’re developing this
So we’ve noticed a really positive change
and that’s been really great,” Fyfe said
Enforcing MCSD’s rules and regulations – no weapons
no fires – is beyond the scope of MCSD staff
MCSD will clean up trash and “patrol” the forest for potential issues
but enforcing most of them will be up to the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office.
In addition to trails and security, the committee scratched the surface of other priorities for the forest, like budget, restoration, equipment needs and entrance point development. The committee meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 5:30 p.m
Messmer said those who want to stay in the loop can also call the parks and recreation office at (707) 839-9003 to sign up for a community forest email blast list.
It’s gonna be really cool to see what all we develop out there and how it all comes together
and how the community keeps coming together to make things happen,” Messmer said.
“But we definitely need to make a plan with intention and with the help of our very specialized committee members
and then utilize that plan as we move forward.”
“I am taking everything one day at a time,” she said
In the meantime: There is a lovely panoramic view of town and the ocean from a logging road on the property’s northern border
just steps from the Murray Road access point
— A McKinleyville man was arrested over the weekend after being found with fentanyl
and a large amount of cash during a probation search
the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said deputies investigated a vehicle on Luck Star Court as the driver of the vehicle
was on summary probation for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with a search clause
The HCSO said deputies observed a knife on Huntzinger
so they detained him for the deputies' safety
deputies found aluminum foil containing fentanyl and a large amount of cash in his pockets
Deputies also found additional cash--totaling over $2,00--a baggie containing fentanyl
and other drug paraphernalia inside his vehicle
The HCSO said deputies seized a total of 28.34g of fentanyl
Huntizinger was ultimately taken into custody and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for possession of a controlled substance for sale
transporting a controlled substance for sale
possession of controlled substance paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance
To report errors or issues with this article please email the editorial team
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Press release from Mary Burke for Supervisor:
For more information, visit burkeforsupervisor.com and follow the campaign on social media
Supporters at a campaign launch event earlier today
LIVE UPDATESDeputies arrest McKinleyville man after finding ammo and taser during probation searchby Miranda Angel
— A McKinleyville man was arrested on several weapons-related charges after being pulled over for expired registration
the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) says
was a previously convicted felon and was on probation for burglary and domestic violence
Deputies said they asked Byrd for his license
but he was unable to provide anything asked of him
and a passport card belonging to someone else
Byrd was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for the following:
Anyone with additional information is asked to call the HCSO at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539
— Deputies from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) arrested Michael Armas
last week following a robbery and attempted burglary
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) responded to a report of an attempted robbery at ACE Hardware on Central Avenue at around 10 a.m
tried to leave the store with several power tools and used pepper spray on employees before fleeing in a pickup truck
The HCSO said deputies later responded to Armas's home
but he failed to comply with their commands
leading to the issuance of an arrest warrant
deputies responded to a report of a man attempted to break into a home on Van Wycke Street
The HCSO said the resident reported that he had never had interactions with Armas before and didn't know who he was
Deputies responded to the scene and took Armas into custody based on the arrest warrant and the attempted break in
the Sheriff's office said Armas was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of second-degree robbery
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information about this case or related criminal activity to contact them at (737) 445-7251 or use the HCSO Tip Line at (707) 268-2539
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Lindsey Kauffman (left) and Aaron Gamble | Booking photos
Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a call for service regarding theft of fencing from a private property on Central Ave
A concerned citizen reported to the Sheriff’s Office dispatch center that they observed a male and female stealing the fencing from the property and placing it into a tan pickup truck on Nov
Security video footage from a nearby home corroborated the witness statement
Deputies responded to the scene of the theft and contacted the victim
The deputies confirmed that the theft was greater than $950
and a felony theft investigative report was taken
Based upon the witness statement and the video evidence
deputies followed up on this investigation by searching various locations in McKinleyville
The deputies subsequently located the suspect’s vehicle at a private residence
The two suspects caught in the video were contacted and apprehended on scene without incident
The stolen property was recovered and returned to the owner
were booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility around 12:15 p.m
16 for Grand Theft (PC487(a)) and Conspiracy to Commit Crime (PC182(a)(1))
Kauffman had an additional charge for Probation Violation (PC 1203.2(a)(2)).
LIVE UPDATESMcKinleyville man arrested for burglary and drug possessionby Adam Robinson
— A McKinleyville man was arrested in connection to a burglary on A Avenue over the weekend
The Humboldt County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) said deputies responded to a reported burglary on Friday
The victim told deputies they found their car window shattered with the interior rummaged through
they said the victim's garage appeared to have been burglarized
Footage from the home's surveillance cameras captured a man entering the garage and leaving with a power tool
The HCSO said deputies were able to identify the suspect as Nicholas Ford
of McKinleyville at Pierson Park around 12 on Nov
Authorities said deputies had probable cause to believe Ford committed the burglary
the HCSO said deputies found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in his clothes
Ford was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility on charges of burglary
The Sheriff's Office said some of the stolen items were recovered and returned to the victim
Anyone with additional information regarding this case
is urged to contact the HCSO at (707) 445-7251 or the Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539
— A felon was arrested with an illegal AR-15 rifle
level 4 body armor and methamphetamine following an investigation by drug agents in McKinleyville this week
the Humboldt County Drug Task Force (HCDTF) began receiving information that Richard James Steele
a convicted felon banned from possessing any firearms and ammunition
was using controlled substances and in possession of several assault weapons
the HCDTF said agents served a search warrant on Steele and his home in the 2100 block of McKinleyville Avenue
Steele was reportedly detained in his driveway without incident
the HCDTF said agents found three grams of meth
they said Steele informed agents that he had a storage unit in the 2300 block of Central Avenue filled with several firearms
After Steele signed consent to search the unit
agents reportedly found a non-serialized AR-15 short-barreled rifle
a non-serialized .40 caliber handgun with a threaded barrel
the HCDTF said Steele was arrested and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for being a felon in possession if a firearm
being in possession of a sawed-off shotgun/short-barreled rifle
being in possession of an undetectable firearm
being in possession of a controlled substance and possessing drug paraphernalia
The case remains under investigation and the HCDTF is asking anyone with information related to this investigation or other narcotics-related crimes to call their office at (707) 267-9976
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Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the ACE Hardware Store on the 2700 block of Central Ave
in McKinleyville for the report of attempted robbery.
attempted to leave the store with several power tools
and sprayed pepper spray at employees before leaving the scene in a pickup truck
Deputies responded to Armas’s McKinleyville residence
where he failed to comply with commands; an arrest warrant was then issued for Armas.
deputies were dispatched to a residence on the 800 block of Van Wycke St.
for the report of Armas attempting forced entry into the home through the front door
The resident reported that he had never had interactions with Armas before and didn’t know who he was
Deputies arrived on scene and took Armas into custody based on his arrest warrant and his most recent attempt to force entry into a residence
Armas was booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for second degree robbery (PC 211).
LIVE UPDATESMcKinleyville woman gives birth to healthy son while battling breast cancerby Arianna Martinez
— A McKinleyville woman found out she was pregnant with her second child
as well as renowned breast cancer specialist and surgeon
She says the anticipated arrival of her son
Chelsea had a goal birth weight of at least five pounds for her son
consuming lots of deer meat which her partner hunted
On the first day back to her cancer treatments
Chelsea says a deer gave birth right outside the window in the garden
saying Dane is a perfectly healthy little guy
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Humboldt County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to the Chevron gas station on Central Ave
in McKinleyville for the report of a disturbance involving a male subject refusing to leave and threatening the cashier with a knife
Deputies arrived on scene as a male subject was exiting the Chevron station
The subject surrendered the knife and was subsequently detained for questioning
had previously been asked not to return to the store due to his erratic behavior
When Thompson came back to the store
The clerk had to move out of the way in order to avoid being struck by the knife
Security footage from the business provided evidence corroborated the clerk’s statement
and Thompson was arrested without further incident
Thompson was then transported and booked into the Humboldt County Correctional Facility for:
If anyone has any information about this case or related criminal activity is encouraged to call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251 or the Sheriff’s Office Crime Tip line at (707) 268-2539
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The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) needs the public’s help to locate missing person Dylan Stout
Stout was last seen in the Kneeland area on Friday
by an HCSO deputy when a pursuit was initiated on a stolen vehicle that Stout was believed to be driving.
Stout was reported missing by a family member on the morning of Oct
stating that he hasn’t been seen since before a Sept
27 incident involving a crashed stolen vehicle
the stolen vehicle that Stout was driving crashed through a closed metal gate
then continued forward and proceeded to crash into a bank where the vehicle rolled onto its roof
Upon law enforcement’s arrival to the vehicle
Deputies conducted a search including a specialized K-9
but Stout was not located; he has not been seen since
Dylan Stout is now the subject in a missing person investigation following the report from his family
A search is being conducted in the Kneeland area
utilizing a California Highway Patrol (CHP) helicopter
Stout is described as a 6’4” white male adult with blue eyes
Anyone with information for the Sheriff’s Office regarding Dylan Stout’s possible whereabouts should call the Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office at (707) 445-7251