Local Politics · Humboldt County
The Humboldt County Board of Supervisors will consider approving a $550,000 purchase of three parcels at 1101, 1117 and 1119 Fourth Street in downtown Eureka to advance the county's "county campus concept" outlined in its 2020 Facilities Master Plan. The 0.33-acre property currently houses Humboldt Check Cashing, Beauty 4 U Supplies and Eureka's Body of Jesus the Christ Church, and sits two blocks from the county courthouse. The board will also consider amending the Commercial Cannabis Land Use Ordinance to permit indoor cultivation in non-residential buildings constructed after Jan. 1, 2016, and renewing a license for a GPS earthquake-monitoring station at Rohnerville Airport through October 2036.
Housing & Development · Humboldt County
During a Tuesday webinar led by Tanner Etherton of the Schatz Energy Research Center, Humboldt Bay shellfish growers and researchers outlined risks posed by the proposed Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy Lift Marine Terminal on the Samoa Peninsula, including introduction of oyster herpesvirus (OSHV-1), dredging-released contaminants, chemical exposure, and harmful algal blooms. The bay's aquaculture sector supports 57 full-time equivalent jobs, generated $4.8 million in labor income, and supplies roughly 66% of West Coast shellfish seed; growers warned vessel traffic could jump from 10–15 to 380–400 annually. NOAA has funded hydrodynamic modeling through the Danish Hydraulic Institute to study pathogen spread via ship traffic. The Humboldt Bay Harbor District's Notice of Preparation is open for public comment through Nov. 30.
Community News · McKinleyville, CA
McKinleyville BMX, a three-acre USA BMX-sanctioned racing facility at 1315 School Rd., officially opened Aug. 22 in McKinleyville, California. The track features a concrete starting hill, wide turns, and dynamic jumps, along with a playground, half-court basketball court, pickleball court, walking paths, and picnic areas. The facility is partnering with the Wiyot Tribe and Two Feathers Native American Family Services to develop youth programs for children in local communities and tribal reservations, with a planned launch in spring 2027. A Bikes and Books program pairing reading time with track riding is also planned. Track operator Jason Orlandi led community outreach and fundraising over three years, securing state grant funding with support from the McKinleyville Community Services District.
