The Cal Poly Humboldt Chapter of the California Faculty Association has issued a blistering statement condemning the police clearing of Arcata campus last night that led to more than two dozen arrests, calling it "another dangerous escalation," while North Coast state legislators released a joint statement calling for unity and healing in the wake of the protests. The faculty association, which had already passed a vote no confidence in CPH President Tom Jackson Jr. stemming from his handling of the protests that occupied a portion of campus for a week, strongly condemn the use of law enforc ..read more

Before dawn this morning, more than 100 police officers from agencies throughout the state descended on the Cal Poly Humboldt campus to systematically clear it of pro-Palestinian protesters, some of whom had occupied a portion of campus for more than a week. A university press release issued this morning said the police action was necessary to "restore order" on the campus, which the administration had closed until May 10, and to "eliminate the threat of violence and criminal behavior." Yet a growing number of officials — including local city council members, county supervisors and universit ..read more

The Humboldt County multi-agency Critical Incident Response team is investigating a police shooting of an unidentified male suspect on Fern Street around 10:40 a.m. The man is receiving treatment at an area hospital, as is a 75-year-old woman he allegedly shot prior to being contacted by police. According to a press release, the Sheriff's Office received a 911 call around 10:30 a.m. reporting someone had been shot in the 2400 block of Fern Street. While en route, deputies learned that a white male adult had reportedly walked up to a 75-year-old woman standing in front of her garage with her ..read more

The Cal Poly Humboldt campus is closed today, as dozens of protesters continue to occupy Siemens Hall, having barricaded its entrances, while calling on the university to divest from entities they say fuel Israel’s ongoing war on Hamas in Gaza. “The message from inside is that, first of all, they feel the university is complicit because of the campus’ investments with weapons companies and Israeli companies,” said Ryan Connelly, a junior biology major who identified himself as a spokesperson for those occupying the building. “Their conditions for release of the building: Divest, and then we ..read more

Cal Poly Humboldt police have determined a Palestine supporter who alleged she'd been assaulted near the Arcata Plaza in October lied about the incident, according to a  press release from the university. Gihane Hyden had alleged that she was leaving a rally on the plaza around 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 when men she identified as members of the College of the Redwoods baseball team engaged her in conversation about the pro-Palestine signs she was carrying. Hayden alleged one of the men made critical comments before hitting her with his car as he pulled out of the university campus store pa ..read more

The Eureka Police Department has released the identities of the two Humboldt County Sheriff's Office deputies who fatally shot a suspect during a standoff Jan. 22. The deputies, both members of the SWAT team, were identified as Johnathan Waxler and Colton Ross, who have five-and-a-half and six years of experience, respectively, according to a press release. The shooting occurred at the end of a day-long standoff with Daniel Martinez, 43, at a residence in the 1400 block of Union Street after police received a report of a juvenile with a "significant laceration" to his neck at 5:46 a.m.. The ..read more

Eureka police have identified the man fatally shot by Humboldt County Deputy Sheriffs after a lengthy standoff yesterday as Daniel Martinez, 43, of Eureka. According to police, the incident began at about 5:45 a.m. with a report of a juvenile with a "significant laceration" to his neck who said he'd been assaulted by a family member at a house in the 1400 block of Union Street, adding there were other people in the home "who had been threatened or were in danger." Police responded to the residence and learned the suspect had moved the home's other occupants to a second-story bedroom and bar ..read more

Eureka police shot a suspect yesterday after he allegedly stabbed a juvenile, took several hostages and engaged in an hours-long standoff with officers. Police reported they were called to a residence in the 1400 block of Union Street around 5:45 a.m. yesterday after a report that a 12 year old had been stabbed. "Upon further investigation, it has been determined that the suspect has barricaded himself in the residence with multiple hostages inside," EPD posted on social media, adding that the SWAT team had been called out to assist. At 5:26 p.m., EPD reported that four hostages — an adult ..read more

Three people were killed last night in a head-on crash on U.S. Highway 101 north of Rio Dell caused by a car driving north in the southbound lanes. The identities of the deceased are being withheld until their families can be notified, according to the California Highway Patrol. At 10:37 p.m. yesterday, the CHP's dispatch center received a report of a Toyota truck traveling northbound in the southbound lanes of U.S. highway 101, followed about six minutes later by a report of a head-on collision that left both vehicles engulfed in flames near Metropolitan Road. Emergency personnel arrived ..read more

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office today identified the remains found Jan. 5 in the area of the Manila Dunes as belonging to Pete William Dibean, whose death has been determined to be a homicide. According to a news release, the 56 year old was known to be “living in a well-established makeshift metal structure in a homeless encampment at the dunes.” “This case is currently under investigation by the Sheriff’s Major Crimes Division,” the release states. “The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office extends our deepest sympathies to Pete Dibean’s family and friends during this difficult time ..read more