KAEF-TV (Arcata, CA)

EUREKA, Calif. — The Eureka City Schools Governing Board (ECS) has voted to elect Jess Pettitt as Trustee for Area 5. The appointment will be provisional as Pettitt will complete the remainder of Jessica Rebholtz’s term, which runs through December 2026. The Board made its decision after conducting interviews with all applicants during a special meeting on March 31, 2026. They asked all candidates to reflect on their previous work experiences and connection with ECS, and their leadership approach.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — A Humboldt County resident remains seriously ill after eating wild mushrooms that state health officials have now confirmed were Western Destroying Angel mushrooms that were mistaken for puffball mushrooms by experienced local foragers. The Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services said on March 19, 2026, that the mushrooms consumed by the resident diagnosed with amatoxin poisoning were Western Destroying Angel mushrooms.

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. — A 39-year-old man was bitten by a shark while surfing off Big River Beach inside Mendocino Headlands State Park on Wednesday, March 18, prompting a 48-hour beach closure and an ongoing investigation led by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. California State Parks said it received a report of the bite at about 5:18 p.m. The man sustained injuries to both legs. Three off-duty State Parks seasonal lifeguards who were surfing nearby provided assistance.

by Dion Page Thu, March 12, 2026 at 4:14 PM Updated Thu, March 12, 2026 at 4:18 PM

CRESCENT CITY, Calif. — After a months-long investigation, deputies with the Del Norte County Sheriff's Office (DNSCO) seized several pounds of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl in Crescent City on Monday. According to DNSCO, a search warrant was served in the 2400 block of Hodge Avenue on March 9, 2026, after an extensive investigation into suspected drug activity.

HUMBOLDT COUNTY, Calif. — Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) in Humboldt County located drugs—suspected to be methamphetamine—and related paraphernalia during traffic stops on two separate occasions in one week. The agency did not specify the quantity of drugs seized, whether arrests were made or the identities of those involved. Officials also did not provide the exact dates or locations of the incidents.

EUREKA, Calif. — A soaking storm set a new preliminary rainfall record in Eureka on Tuesday afternoon, with more rain still expected into the evening. The National Weather Service office in Eureka reported that as of 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Woodley Island in Eureka recorded 2.03 inches of rain, setting a preliminary daily maximum record. The previous daily record was 1.76 inches, set in 1917.

by Vada Hepner Tue, February 24, 2026 at 9:46 AM Updated Tue, February 24, 2026 at 11:11 AM

CRESCENT CITY, Calif. — Del Norte County Sheriff's Office (DNCSO) arrested a man after a foot chase following a vehicle pursuit in Crescent City on Thursday. According to DNCSO, Joshua Bolen, 46, of Crescent City, was found hiding on private property on Cummins Road after the chase. DNSCO said he was then apprehended by their deputies, along with law enforcement officers from other agencies.

by Christina Candelaria Tue, November 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM Updated Tue, November 11, 2025 at 12:59 PM