Update to this story- 9/3/12
According to a Press Release from the Humdoldt County Sheriff's Office, dated September 3, 2012: On 09-03-2012 at about 12:40 pm Deputies located Brian Wallace Johnson in a wooded area approximately 200 yards from his residence. Mr. Johnson was deceased.
This appears to be a natural death and no foul play is suspected.
According to a Press Release from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, dated Sept. 3, 2012:
On Sept. 1, 2012 at about 7:00 pm the Sheriff’s Office received a missing person report regarding Brian Wallace Johnson, age 65. Johnson’s wife, Jennifer Johnson, reported that Brian had left their residence, located at 1932 Baird Road McKinleyville, on 08-31-2012 at about 6:00 am. After having coffee with a neighbor, Brian left the area on foot to pick blueberries. When Brian did not return home, multiple family friends spent the day looking for Brian with no success.
Brian Johnson has serious medical conditions that require him to take medication daily. When he left the residence he did not have his medications with him. Sheriff’s Deputies have checked all the areas known to be frequented by Brian Johnson but have not been able to locate him.
The Sheriff's Office is requesting that anyone with information on the whereabouts of Brian Johnson contact them immediately - phone: (707) 445-7251.
The photo to the right is an older picture of Brian Johnson. The more recent picture, to the left, shows Johnson with longer hair and a bigger mustache.
According to KMUD News, dated Aug. 30, 2012:
"A fatal crash took the life of a 30 year old Fortuna woman today. The California Highway Patrol says Elena Esquivel was killed when her Subaru hit an electrical pole and she landed on the bank of the Eel River. Electrical poles crossed both lanes of traffic, shutting down Redwood Drive near Dean Creek for more than 6 hours. Matt Harvey is an officer with the California Highway Patrol. He says this is the 8th fatal collision they’ve had this summer."
Use the player below to listen to or download an audio clip of this story and interview with CHP Officer, Matt Harvey, which aired on the KMUD Local News on Thurs., Aug 30, 2012- Cynthia Elkins reporting.
According to a story aired on Wed., Aug. 29 by KMUD News Coordinator, Cynthia Elkins:
"Election results are in, and there will be at least two new fire protection districts in southern Humboldt, with one area still too close to call. Voters in Briceland and Bridgeville passed measures to form a fire protection district by a significant margin. They needed two-thirds of a majority to pass the measures. More than 85 percent of Briceland voters said yes to forming a district. Nearly 79 percent said yes in Bridgeville. But the measure flatly failed in Palo Verde, with 86 percent of voters saying no to the district formation and new tax that comes along with it. The results are still up in the air for Fruitland Ridge, but it looks now like the measure will not pass, which could mean the end of the fire department there."
Click Here for the Humboldt County Election & Voters Registration web page- Election Results.
Use the player below to hear or download an interview with Carolyn Crnich, Registrar of Voters for Humboldt County and with Mike Lake, Chief of the Fruitland Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept. This audio was aired by Cynthia Elkins on KMUD News, August 29, 2012.
The map below shows the boundries of the Fruitland Ridge Volunteer Fire Dept.
Photo courtesy CalFire Chief Marty Hobbs.
Reposted from KMUD News Facebook:
According to a post by KMUD News Coordinator, Cynthia Elkins, on the KMUD News Facebook Page, Thurs., Aug. 30 around 1 pm:
"Firefighters are responding to a fire on Sequoia Road in the Fruitland Ridge area. More info soon, and if you missed last night's news, the measure to form a new fire protection district in Fruitland Ridge failed by less than 2 percent of the 2/3 majority needed. Chief Mike Lake says it could mean the end of their fire dept." Click here for that newscast.
Two subsequent posts by Cynthia Elkins indicated the following:
(Approx: 2:30 pm):
"According to CalFire Chief Marty Hobbs, they have stopped the forward progress of the fire and are currently holding it at about 2 acres. Hobbs says the fire is burning mainly in grassland but did get a little into the understory of some trees. He says they have a helicopter helping and that things are looking good with firefighting efforts. Hobbs adds that they have limited access on a narrow road. He asks residents and others to please avoid driving in the area if possible and to please NOT drive to the area of the fire to watch."
(Approx. 4:25 pm)
"CalFire Chief Marty Hobbs says the fire is now contained and under control. Firefighters are in mop-up mode and are beginning to release equipment and personnel."
Tune into the KMUD Local News at 6 pm for more information.
Image from Redwood Times
Two recently posted stories relate to Humboldt County Planning Department's notifications of land owners that they own parcels that have been, "identified as a parcel of uncertain status, sometimes referred to as a shaded parcel."
There seems to be some confusion among the general public as to the exact content of these letters. Copies of the two letters sent by the Planning Department are posted here, each as a .pdf file.
- Click here to view letter 1, sent September 13, 2011.
- Click here to view letter 2, sent July 12, 2012 - note: this letter has been redacted to protect the identity of the recipient.
Photo courtesy of Peter Armstrong
Brief Update as of September 14, 2012.
According to the InciWeb information on this incident, Sept. 14 at 9am:
This North Pass Fire, which began on Saturday August 18, 2012, is now 97% contained and burned over a total of 41,983 acres. The estimated full containment date is Sunday September 16th, 2012, at approximately 6:00 PM. A total of 26 structures have been destroyed and 4 have sustained damage in the fire. Roads nearand around the fire have remained closed and will remain so until hazards are removedand crews complete the repair of fire suppression efforts.
Brief Update as of September 6.
According to the Cal Fire Web Page at 6:30 am: 41,983 acres have now burned with 68% containment at that time. Seven residences and 9 outbuildings have been destroyed and 11 residences, 2 commercial properties & 16 outbuildings are considered threatened.
According to the InciWeb information on this incident, dated Sept. 6, 2012:
The forest closure remains in effect. Crews are holding and improving fire near Fly Creek. The fire continues to back down steep slopes on the northwest end into Stick Lake Canyon as crews construct fire line. The area of the fire perimeter to the south is being patrolled and mop-up efforts are continuing to take place. The evacuation order has been lifted for the majority of the Bauer subdivision. Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1) is open to Boardman Ridge Campground. Mendocino Pass Road (Forest HWY 7) is open to benchmark 2444 (second driveway entrance to Bauer subdivision) for residents only with a valid ID. Community Meeting is happening tonight at 7PM at Round Valley High School.
Brief Update as of September 5.
A Cal Fire press release received by KMUD News, dated Sept. 5, indicates that 41,983 acres have now burned with 65% containment at that time.
The following present conditions were also noted:
The fire has remained within its current perimeter. Suppression repair has been completed on the western perimeter by CalFire. Firefighters are mopping up the south and southeastern edges of the fire. The fire line along Fly Creek is holding and is being improved. The fire has reached the Middle Fork of the Eel River and remains at the riverbed. Crews are working on actively burning spots in this area with water-dropping helicopters. The northern portion of the fire continues to burn between Pothole Creek and Stick Lake Canyon. This area is in the southern portion of the Yolla Bolly Wilderness. Crews are remaining out overnight in this rugged country to work on fire line. The public is urged to avoid the exposure to smoke and limit activity outdoors, especially those with health problems. Evacuations have been lifted for the majority of the Bauer Ranch subdivision. The press release also states that, "Evacuations have been lifted for the following areas and residents are allowed back in with ID but Forest Roads remain closed to non-residents: Indian Dick Rd from FH 7 (Mendocino Pass Rd) to Boardman Camp FH 7 (Mendocino Pass Rd) from Eel River Workstation to benchmark 2444." For the general public a closure order remains in effect for the fire area, including all road closures. Forest Highway 7 remains closed from Eel River Station to Mendocino Pass.
Additionally, the Cal Fire Web Page indicates that as of Sept. 5 at 6:30 am, nine outbuildings and seven residences have been destroyed and 1 residence, 2 commercial properties and 16 outbuildings are presently considered threatened. There have been nine injuries reported.
Update as of August 31, 2012 at 10:30 am - Use the player below to hear an interview with Stanley Bercovitz of the U.S. Forest Service and with a woman who chose not to evacuate.
An update from the Cal Fire Web Page, dated August 30, 2012 at 10:30 am, indicates that 34,308 acres have now burned with 37% containment at that time. Seven outbuildings and five residences have been destroyed and 23 residences, 5 commercial properties and 35 outbuildings are presently considered threatened. There have been seven injuries reported.
Evacuations have been lifted for the majority of the Bauer Ranch Subdivision. Evacuations are still in effect for: 1) Indian Dick Road (Forest Road M-1)- all areas north of the Forest Service gate at Boardman Ridge Campground, and 2) Mendocino Pass Road (Forest HWY 7)- all areas east of Benchmark 2444 (2nd driveway entrance to Bauer Ranch Subdivision) to Forest Road M-4.
Closures are still in effect for: 1) all areas of the Covelo Ranger District north of Mendocino Pass Road (Forest HWY 7) to the Six Rivers and Shasta-Trinity N.F. boundaries. (Forest closure order 08-12-13).
Fire continues to spread north toward the Middle Fork of the Eel River, Hammerhorn Lake, Foster Glade and Asa Bean Ridge within the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness, eastward toward Forest Road M2, and south toward Forest Highway 7. Firefighters continue to establish and improve containment lines while defending structures.
There is a Forest closure order for the northern two-thirds of the Covelo Ranger District.
Smoke Conditions: An air quality alert has been issued for the Covelo/Round Valley areas through Monday, August 27. Smoke concentrations in these areas have reached levels considered to be “Hazardous” under state and federal air quality standards.
Road closures: An area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass fire.
See Cal Fire Web Page for more details.
Use the player below to hear or download an interview with Stanley Bercovitz of the U.S. Forest Service and with a woman who chose not to evacuate. These interviews were aired on KMUD Local News, Thurs., Aug. 30, 2012, by KMUD News Coordinator, Cynthia Elkins.
Update as of August 25, 2012- Photos provided by Cal Fire
According to KMUD News, this Friday (Aug. 24, 2012) morning, Calfire clarified the fire movement saying the fire is now called the North Pass Complex and is technically two separate fires in same area. The Pass 1 Fire has burned into the Mendocino National Forest. Meanwhile, the Pass 2 Fire is burning east toward the Pass 1 Fire, and according to the USFS is still also moving through timber in the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness.
An Update from the Cal Fire Web Page, dated August 25, 2012 at 9:45 AM, indicated that 24,199 acres have now burned with 32% containment at that time.Two outbuildings have been destroyed and 75 residences, 5 commercial properties and 80 outbuildings are presently considered threatened. There have been three injuries reported.
There are Mandatory Evacuations in effect for:
Indian Dick Road, east of the Town of Covelo, all residents on Indian Dick Road from the intersection of Mendocino Pass Road north, to the Trinity County Line and East to theTehama County Line. This order includes all residences and USFS campsites at Howard Lake Campground, Little Doe Campground, and Hammerhorn Lake Campground and all USFS WildernessTrailheads at Blands Cove, Hell Hole, Stick Lake, Foster Glade, Asa Bean, Rock Cabin, Georges Valley, Soldier Ridge, Smokehouse Ridge and Green Springs.
A community meeting will be held at Black Butte River Ranch (34985 Etsel Ridge Road, Covelo) at 5:00 PM today, August 25.
The fire continues to spread to the East to Forest Road M2, South towards Anthony’s Ridge, North to Cedar Springs Ridge and Northeast towards Pothole Creek and Steel Bench.For the next 48 hours, the fire is projected to have limited movementnorth towards Castle Peak and Red Rock and continue to move east to Forest Road M2 and South toward Anthony Ridge.Firefighters continue to establish and improve containment lines while defending structures.
Smoke Conditions: An air quality alert has been issued for the Covelo/Round Valley areas through Monday, August 27. Smoke concentrations in these areas have reached levelsconsidered to be “Hazardous” under state and federal air quality standards. .
Road closures: An area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass fire. Please check www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or inciweb.org for more information.
Anyone displaced by this evacuation order can contact the American Red Cross for housing assistance at (707) 463-0112 or (855) 891-7325. Residents with questions about the fire can call the CAL FIRE Information Line: (707) 456-1810
Friday August 24 on the KMUD Local News, KMUD News Coordinator, Terri Klemetson, spoke with Pia McKizik, a ranch owner in the Pass Road and Twin Rock Ridge area. Use the player below to play or download the audio clip.
Photo provided by Cal Fire
Update as of August 24, 2012
Information posted this morning on the Cal Fire web page regarding the "North Pass Fires" indicates that of Fri. Aug. 24 at 10:15 AM this fire has burned 20,775 acres and is 18% contained.Two outbulding sturctures have been destroyed and 75 residences, 5 commercial properties and 80 outbuildings are considered threatened.There have been three reported injuries. Photos in this update were provided by Cal Fire.
Mandatory evacuations in effect are as follows:
Indian Dick Road, east of the Town of Covelo, all residents on Indian Dick Road from the intersection of Mendocino Pass Road north, to the Trinity County Line and East to the Tehama County Line. This order includes all residences and USFS campsites at Howard Lake Campground, Little Doe Campground, and Hammerhorn Lake Campground and all USFS Wilderness Trailheads at Blands Cove, Hell Hole, Stick Lake, Foster Glade, Asa Bean, Rock Cabin, Georges Valley, Soldier Ridge, Smokehouse Ridge and Green Springs.
According to the update:
The fire is actively burning in heavy timber into the Yolla Bolly Middle Eel Wilderness. The fire continues to spread to the East to Forest Road M1, South towards Anthony’s Ridge, North to Cedar Springs Ridge and Northeast towards Pothole Creek and Steel Bench. Good progress was made on the West and Southwest perimeter of the fire along, Asa Bean Road. Fire moved to within 1/2 mile of Anthony Ridge along the Buck Creek drainage. Firefighters continue to establish and improve containment lines while defending structures.
Smoke Conditions: Smoke is likely to be especially heavy in the Covelo/Round Valley areas. Smoke concentrations in these areas have reached levels considered to be ‘Hazardous’ under state and federal air quality standards. Conditions are expected to remain unchanged tomorrow and at least the next few days.
Road closures: An area closure has been issued and posted for the area surrounding the North Pass fire. Please check www.fs.usda.gov/mendocino or inciweb.org for more information.
On Wed., Aug. 22 edition of the KMUD Local News, KMUD News Coordinator, Terri Klemetson covered the mandatory evacuation required as a result of this fire, including information from Mendocino County Sheriff Tom Allman - this segment also includes Sheriff Allman discussing the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association recent Support Rural America Forum. On last night's edition (August 23, 2012) of KMUD local news News, Terri Klemetson, interviewed a citizen who helped his mother evacuate her house located at the Bower Ranch Subdivision on Anthony’s Ridge. Use the players below to hear or download the audio clips of these news stories.
Pass Fire evacuations and Mendocino Co. Sheriff Allman talks about the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association recent Support Rural America Forum
Rural homeowners east of Covelo evacuate
"Shaded Parcels", a term used to indicate parcels that have been shaded in on a map with pencil by Humboldt County Planning Department Staff denoting uncertain legal status, are once again in the news. Earlier this summer Humboldt County sent notifications to 25 property owners in the Seely Creek area, between Redway and Briceland, informing them that their parcels appear to be illegally subdivided. Subsequently around ten of those land owners met with Planning Department Staff at the Planning Department Office in Eureka.
In a story airing on August 24, 2012, KMUD Reporter Daniel Mintz discusses the issue and interviews Interim Planning and Building Department Director Martha Spencer. Use the player below to hear or download the audio clip.
In-Home Health Care Workers, known as In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) Workers, have been in wage and benefit negotiations with Humboldt County for almost a year and a half with no reslution to this point. IHSS Workers are asking for a wage increase from the minimum wage of $8.00 an hour to $9.50, and additionally are asking for health benefits and union recognition.The group is calling for Humboldt County residents to contact Supervisors to voice support for their cause.
According to the Humboldt County Department of Health and Human Services Web Page: "In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) is a program directed by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) that provides aid to blind, aged, and disabled individuals who are unable to remain safely in their own home without the aid of a care provider. In Humboldt County, The Department of Health and Human Services Social Services Branch manages the IHSS program. Humboldt County In-Home Supportive Services is committed to having elders, disabled adults and disabled children in Humboldt County live to their highest personal potential in the least restrictive environment. Designed as an alternative to out-of-home care such as nursing homes, the Humboldt County IHSS program has a team of Social Workers, Public Health Nurses, Mental Health Clinicians, Eligibility Workers, and Vocational Assistants that work together in determining the needs and eligibility of the applicant."
Additional Resources on this Issue:
California United Home Care Workers - http://www.cuhw.org/
KMUD News Coordinator Terri Klemetson recently aired two pieces related to this story. The first which aired on KMUD Local News on August 23, 2012 includes an interview with Margaret Lewis, one of the negotiators for the IHSS workers.The second, airing on August 24, 2012, contained information about the issue from Mark Lovelace, Humboldt County District 3 Supervisor. Use the players below to hear or download these audio clips.
Interview with Margaret Lewis
Interview with Mark Lovelace
"Shaded Parcels" have been in the news recently in Humboldt County. According to an article in the Times Standard, "Parcels become shaded when the planning department finds that a lot has been recorded for taxes with the assessor's office, but not for development with planning staff. Planners then “shade” the parcel on a map with a pencil to indicate its uncertain legal status. Parcel owners must record their property with both departments to have it considered a legal parcel."
On the August 23, 2012 edition of the KMUD Local News, Terri KLemetson, KMUD News Coordinator, interviewed Eric Kirk, a local attorney who is representing some of the property owners affected by the recent notifications of shaded property status sent out by the Humboldt County Planning Department.
Use the player below to hear or download an audio clip of this story.
KMUD Finance Committee 
Committee Members:
Julia Minton, Board Treasurer (Committee Chair)
Suzanne Beers, Board President
Jama Chaplin
Dian Griffith, A/P Bookkeeper
Jeanette Todd, Station Manager
Nella White, Board Member
Scope of the Committee:
- The Finance Committee is the fiscal awareness component of the Board. It educates, advises and recommends to the Board and management the financial possibilities and monetary consequences of KMUD’s plans, ventures and activities.Discussion during the monthly meetings is expected to consider current and projected cash flow; profit and loss trends; balance sheet items; budget alignments; status of secured, pending and potential grants and loans, and communications with the issuing agencies; current and upcoming expenditures and strategies for funding and reducing costs; any policy work that might be needed; assessments of fundraisers, benefit trends, and underwriting outlook, and general financial picture.
- Any ideas for actions and solutions which are outside the manager’s authority will be brought to the Board.
- The committee will begin drafting the budget for the following year starting in September and present a first draft in the Board packet for October.
- The Committee will also assist the Station Manager in reviewing potential Auditors.
- If the need for a loan is anticipated, the Committee should determine the amount necessary, and with the Board’s approval take action to secure the organization’s line of credit, either privately or with an institution for the coming year.
Meeting time is the Thursday after the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 1 pm at KMUD, although often this will be changed to accomodate schedules.
