City council clash over homelessness, horse racing canceled, Avelo protests, and more in a jam-packed batch of Humboldt news (350)

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The Eureka City Council rejected a controversial homeless encampment ordinance. After heated meetings and hours of public feedback, they narrowly voted down harsher penalties for encampments. The idea was to leverage those penalties to steer people toward services that could improve their lives, but opposition felt the measure, as written, would do more harm than good. Several councilmembers noted a revised version might’ve had enough support to pass. *** LoCo

Newsom wants to ban the homeless from camping in one spot for more than three days. California’s governor is basically looking at places like Eureka and Arcata and saying: Enforce this or I may mess with your funding. Gavin says it’s about getting people into housing and services, eliminating unsafe makeshift shelters, and clearing sidewalks, with opposition saying it’ll only make things worse. *** CalMatters

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Regulators voted to block horse racing at the 2025 Humboldt County Fair. This August is looking to be the first time in 129 years our fair will not have horse racing. With prevailing winds consolidating horse racing gambling profits in the southern part of our state, local horse racing proponents included pretty much all of our lawmakers and even Ferndale export Guy Fieri.  With some still urging us to push back, it’s argued that horse races generate an over $7 million local economic impact. *** RHBB / T-S / LoCo

Protesters near the airport took to an overpass to shame Avelo Airlines for flying ICE deportations. The group’s banner read “Avelo flies 4 ICE,” targeting the discount company currently offering direct flights from Humboldt to LA. Activists say locals should boycott Avelo, taxpayers should not foot the bill if there are too many empty seats, and California should tax the jet fuel for deportation-related flights. *** Press release [In contrast, others have stressed that the root of the issue stems from the federal government, and we need to support our limited air travel options.]

DA: No charges in the death of a 3-year-old who fell from a truck bed near Ferndale. A local man had two unbelted kids riding on the back of his moving truck during the December 2024 incident. Prosecutors said the case lacks the evidence to prove criminal negligence or manslaughter beyond a reasonable doubt. *** LoCo

A horrific national news story detailed a former local as the victim in an apparent murder-suicide. The couple in their 40s were found in their $3.1M home in southern California. Allison Guerra, who grew up in southern Humboldt, reportedly privately spoke of enduring abuse and was a mom of four. *** RHBB [The Times-Standard noted her killing while juxtaposing that with cuts to domestic violence services in Humboldt County. Humboldt Domestic Violence Services is facing up to a 30% funding cut due to Trump-related reductions.]

Our proposed offshore wind project is inching forward despite federal roadblocks and long timelines. The project is now estimated to be at least a decade out, with efforts focused on prepping the Samoa Peninsula as a heavy lift marine terminal. Officials say these floating wind turbines off the Humboldt coast will be all about new industry, jobs, and renewable energy. *** LoCo

A local environmental group is suing over Trump’s attempted ban on wind energy projects. EPIC argues the ban threatens clean air, economic growth, and public health. Wind energy already powers over 10% of the U.S. grid and supports 131,000 jobs. *** LoCo

A local January 6 Capitol rioter was arrested for alleged copper thefts on the Samoa Peninsula. The guy was granted clemency by Trump for his Capitol-related charges, but now faces more legal trouble to add to his already extensive rap sheet, including drug-related arrests. *** RHBB

Another anti-Trump demonstration is planned in Eureka on June 14. The event the tagline “take our flag back,” is scheduled at noon at the Eureka courthouse. *** Link [There has also been chatter about mobilizing pro-Trump counterprotesters at the event.]

Eureka export Sara Bareilles was a New York Times panelist on coping with anxiety. The Grammy-winning musician and performer spoke about how she stopped taking antidepressants, but spiraled into anxiety after a close friend’s death. Panelists talked about helpful things like therapy, meditation, exercise, nature, hobbies, and enjoying art as tools to calm the nervous system. *** NYT

The New York Times highlighted Emmilee Risling’s disappearance. The local Yurok woman went missing in 2021 as the piece delved into the larger crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous people. Emmilee reportedly went from being a respected cultural leader to someone struggling with addiction, mental health concerns, and domestic violence. *** New York Times

Humboldt just got $43.5M in state funds towards a new psychiatric health facility in Eureka. Expected to open across from the courthouse in 2030, the new building will be over 21,000 square feet, with 16 psychiatric beds and 4 crisis stabilization beds. *** Press release

Race car season is returning to Eureka. The 78th season at Redwood Acres Raceway is back in action. *** Humboldt Sports / tickets